Chapter 19 Traveling Together

"The clothes that were rushed to be made have already been brought back. The new clothes are being made for Young Master Zhuang. The embroiderers have finished making the clothes for spring and summer. They have been shown to Young Master Zhuang, and he has no complaints. They have been taken to be starched."

"As for the food, apart from the morning sickness these past few days, Young Master Zhuang is satisfied with the cooks in the manor. He asked Master Zhao and had them take turns cooking in the east wing so they wouldn't get tired of it. Hmm, food is of utmost importance. We plan to bring back one or two old cooks from the camp. We've already sent a letter home, and the new cooks should be on their way. They'll be sent directly to the camp when they arrive."

When Cen Yan returned to the capital, he brought his personal guards with him. After the successful defense of the capital, the emperor kept him in the capital and did not allow him to return to his fiefdom. As a favor, these soldiers were also allowed to stay. However, it would be too conspicuous for them to stay in the Prince's mansion. Most of them were placed in the camp outside the city, where they would be rotated with the guards of the Prince's mansion from time to time. They were the ones who trained and obeyed the orders of the Prince's mansion.

Therefore, some servants in the camp and the palace share the same quarters and are rotated frequently.

Cen Yan nodded.

Liu Qi: "Things have been rather unsettled lately. Young Master Zhuang has been staying at home and hasn't gone out. He spends his days writing calligraphy, reading books, and occasionally strolling around the Prince's residence when he has nothing to do."

"Where have you been?"

Knowing what Cen Yan wanted to ask, Liu Qi said, "I've explored the entire East Wing and I've probably finished the Grand Garden. I haven't been to any other places yet. Before going to a new place, I usually send someone to ask if it's safe to go."

"Never been here before?"

Liu Qi shook his head.

He truthfully replied, "Even if they come looking for me, they will only wait at the courtyard gate and have a servant call me out."

Cen Yan: "They've never even come in?"

Liu Qi: "Never."

The west wing was where Cen Yan lived. He had a lot of official business there, including the political affairs of his southwestern fiefdom, as well as a lot of news and intelligence. All of this was concentrated in this courtyard. Even if Zhuang Dongqing wanted to enter, someone would follow him all the way, restricting his movement.

Of course, he consciously avoided entering, which made things easier for the Prince's residence.

After saying that, he showed Cen Yan Zhuang Dongqing's calligraphy copybook and the books he had been reading recently.

These are truly leisure books, including travelogues and vernacular stories.

Upon seeing the calligraphy copybook, Cen Yan paused, and Liu Qi asked, "Is there something wrong?"

Cen Yan: "The handwriting is different, but it is consistent with the handwriting on his exam paper. However, his habit of throwing things around seems to have changed somewhat."

Logically, a person's handwriting style is fixed. Cen Yan had previously thought it was because he was rusty, but after so long, it seems that it's more accurate to say that he has completely changed his handwriting style.

After listening to Liu Qi's account of her recent situation, Cen Yan asked, "Is she experiencing morning sickness? She's vomiting badly. Has Master Zhao thought of any solutions?"

"After the acupuncture, I feel better these past few days. Master Zhao said it's a problem with my constitution, so we can't rush it; we can only take it slowly."

Cen Yan then thought of something else, "Didn't they say his pulse was still problematic when he came? Did they diagnose it?"

Liu Qi knew this, "Not yet. It's still because of his poor health; he's deficient in both qi and blood, and his pulse is mixed and difficult to discern. Master Zhao said that after resting for a while, he'll know."

It had gotten to the point where even Master Zhao couldn't tell the difference. Cen Yan rubbed his temples, unsure of what to say.

Why are you so pitiful?

Finally, he said, "Then tell Master Zhao to pay more attention to the food and make sure it's nourishing."

Liu Qi: "I understand."

"Okay, send the things back to him."

I didn't see him, but after hearing about his recent situation, I learned that Cen Yan had been working non-stop on business recently, and even when he relaxed, he felt tired.

When Liu Qi returned, he tidied up and then went to bed.

*

Zhuang Dongqing received the news the next day, not from Liu Qi.

It was Liu Qi who guessed Cen Yan's intention and arranged for dinner to be in the east wing. Cen Yan and Zhuang Dongqing had dinner together and then Liu Qi told him this personally.

Zhuang Xingchang was incompetent in educating his son, but he pitied his son's loyalty to the country. In addition, Zhuang Yue had made meritorious contributions by reporting the crime, so he was demoted and exiled from the capital.

Zhuang Yue was found guilty of cheating in the imperial examinations and was sentenced to fifty strokes of the cane. However, considering his merit in reporting the crime, the sentence was reduced to twenty strokes. He was stripped of his previous academic titles, demoted to a commoner, and barred from participating in the imperial examinations for life.

Zhuang Yue was severely punished, but compared to other cheating candidates, at least he survived and didn't lose any limbs.

Cen Yan: "The Bi family expelled Bi Shuyu's branch of the clan, but since they were a collateral branch, the impact was not significant. The main loss was their reputation, and they could no longer rely on the Bi family to bully others."

After the meal, Zhuang Dongqing held a cup of hot tea and slowly sipped it, nodding.

"It's worth trading your reputation for your life."

After she finished speaking, Cen Yan glanced at her and said, "Your idea is strange. Don't scholars value their reputation more than their lives?"

Zhuang Dongqing: "That's still different." She whispered, "Once you're dead, who cares about your reputation except yourself? Besides, as long as you're alive, there are endless possibilities. Once you're dead, your fate is sealed. Even if others write whatever they want, you can't escape the judgment."

"good."

These words suited Cen Yan's taste, and his eyebrows relaxed upon hearing them.

"The case is nearing its end. Apart from Lord Zhuang, who was not involved and has already returned home, your elder brother will remain detained in the Ministry of Justice for the time being, awaiting the unified execution before he can be released."

Zhuang Dongqing nodded in understanding.

Cen Yan: "The decree of demotion will probably be issued in the next few days. After your elder brother finishes his punishment, Lord Zhuang will have to set off."

He looked at Zhuang Dongqing as he said this, clearly implying something, but Zhuang Dongqing didn't understand.

"so?"

Cen Yan explained further, "While Lord Zhuang is still in the capital, would you like to go back to the Zhuang family for a visit?"

"……oh."

After thinking for a moment, Zhuang Dongqing didn't hesitate at all, "No."

"Madam must be very unhappy lately. She doesn't want to see me, and I don't want to see her either."

Remembering the ancient concepts of human relations, she added, "As for my father and me, I will see them off when we leave the capital. Otherwise, it would be awkward if we had nothing to say to each other."

Is it just awkward?

Cen Yan tapped his knuckles on the armrest of the chair, seemingly lost in thought.

Liu Qi, standing to the side, was relieved. He was extremely reluctant for Zhuang Dongqing to return to the mansion, not for any other reason than that seeing her would only cause him distress and be bad for his health.

That night, Cen Yan was in the east wing, where he and Zhuang Dongqing thoroughly discussed the aftermath involving the Zhuang family.

Zhuang Dongqing was gentle and simple-minded. As they drank tea and chatted leisurely, Cen Yan was never annoyed.

The late-night snack was a bowl of easy-to-digest white fungus soup. Liu Qi first gave it to Zhuang Dongqing, but Zhuang Dongqing turned around and handed it to Cen Yan, asking him if he wanted some.

Logically, he shouldn't drink it, but Zhuang Dongqing asked with such sincerity that, under the gaze of those eyes, Cen Yan accepted it anyway.

Before long, everyone in the courtyard had a bowl.

Zhuang Dongqing explained, "It's too much trouble to make just one. Let's make more so we can all eat together."

The attendants in the courtyard did not seem flustered, clearly indicating that they were used to receiving such treatment.

He is a kind and generous person.

Zhuang Dongqing ate with gusto. Cen Yan had only intended to try a little and then stop, but seeing him eating without even looking up, he unusually ate half a bowl himself. The soup base was clear and sweet, not cloying at all.

A gentle breeze blew through the spring night, and for a moment the only sounds in the courtyard were the clinking of bowls and spoons, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

Before I knew it, I was sitting down to sleep.

Before leaving, Zhuang Dongqing remembered something and called Cen Yan back, fiddling with his hands, asking him if he could go out for a walk now that he was settled in the capital.

His eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Thinking of Liu Qi's report, and guessing that the person had been bored to death in the Prince's mansion lately, Cen Yan said, "Just bring good people."

After he finished speaking, his eyes brightened even more, becoming lively and alert.

"Okay, okay, I got it~"

Cen Yan turned and left, but then heard someone call out from behind, "Thank you, Your Highness!"

His tone suggested he wanted to fly away.

Cen Yan chuckled and shook his head.

*

Liu Qi said that Zhuang Dongqing could go out, but he still needed to be selective about the personnel arrangements.

After all, Zhuang Dongqing is not alone now. If the manpower is not arranged properly, Liu Qi, Hao San, Xu Si, and even Master Zhao will not feel at ease.

So Cen Yan spent several more days working at the Dali Temple, and only when he had finally sorted out the major tasks was Zhuang Dongqing able to step out of the Prince's Mansion.

On the day Zhuang Dongqing arrived, he asked for his monthly allowance, and Liu Qi actually gave him a portion as usual. When he left, Liu Qi had the accountant exchange part of it for loose silver and slipped in two silver notes, which were then packed together and given to Liu Fu to carry, as if afraid that Zhuang Dongqing would have no money to spend when he went out.

After dealing with the last official and brewing a pot of tea, Cen Yan could finally take a breather.

After drinking two cups, remembering that Liu Qi had mentioned Zhuang Dongqing had left the manor today, Cen Yan casually asked, "Where did she go to play?"

Liu Qi was a little flustered. "I ate at Wangjiang Tower at noon, and went to a famous teahouse in the afternoon. Today, there were great musicians from the Imperial Music Academy playing the pipa..."

Cen Yan: "So, what's wrong?"

It's not that there's anything wrong with it, it's just...

Having just received the news, and since Cen Yan had already inquired about it, Liu Qi didn't dwell on it and truthfully replied, "I ran into the Sixth Prince at the teahouse. The guards reported that the two... were traveling together."

"Um?"

Cen Yan raised his eyebrows high.

Zhuang Dongqing stayed at the Prince's Mansion for several days, and Cen Yan had roughly figured out her personality. However, given this personality, and recalling the events of the Spring Banquet, Cen Yan was once again unsure about the relationship between the two.

They're supposed to be friends, but Cen Yan never seemed to worry about Zhuang Dongqing's family matters. So why did she start crying after exchanging a few words with Li Yang at the banquet?

To say they weren't friends clearly indicates that he had contact with Li Yang before entering the Prince's residence. If he didn't believe it, why would he have gone out of his way to tell him?

Did you have fun?

"The guards were chatting and laughing."

Cen Yan became interested.

With nothing else to do, he thought for a moment, patted his clothes, and stood up.

“Perfect timing, I have some free time today. Let’s go see what’s going on between him and Li Yang.”

Liu Qi could not obtain it.

*

At this moment, Zhuang Dongqing, who was chatting and laughing, was forcing a smile.

He never expected the fate in the book to be so profound; he could just randomly pick a day to go out and bump into the male protagonist.

It's one thing to bump into them, but Liu Fu's indenture was kept by someone else before, and he had asked someone to do things for him. Even if he didn't want to have any more contact with them, it wasn't easy to turn against them.

But if we don't turn against each other...

"Brother Dongqing, do you really have no reason to hide it?"

The fifth time.

I've asked him this question five times already, in various ways—loud, soft, whispered, openly, and in different ways!

Zhuang Dongqing's inner villain is frantically pinching her philtrum.

On the surface, he remained completely at ease. "Is the Shangjing River always this lively?"

"There are also people making sugar figurines! They're so skillful. Let's go take a look."

Pretend you can't hear me.

Without waiting for Li Yang's reply, he quickly walked to the stall and pretended to start admiring it.

Zhuang Dongqing announced that today is the highlight of his acting skills!

Li Yang has a good temper. Even when Zhuang Dongqing interrupted him, he didn't rush to change the subject and came over to watch the show with Zhuang Dongqing.

It's actually sugar painting, something you can hold and eat. It's too childish for little kids, but just right for college students.

Zhuang Dongqing is going to choose one.

Just as he was about to take it, a hand appeared in his field of vision and picked up the tiger he had his eye on.

Zhuang Dongqing looked up, surprised: "Your Highness?"

Cen Yan placed the tiger in his hand, nodded leisurely, and Liu Qi stepped forward to pay the bill.

"The Prince of Dingxi." Li Yang frowned and revealed his identity.

"Sixth Prince, out for some fun?"

"Since the weather is nice today, I came out for a walk."

Cen Yan smiled and said, "What a coincidence, I think so too."

"Meeting is fate. Since we know each other, why not travel together?"

Zhuang Dongqing paused in her movement as she wanted to eat the candy. Huh?

Li Yang instinctively wanted to refuse, but after glancing at Zhuang Dongqing, she changed her mind. "But, I was just about to ask about Brother Dongqing's recent situation. It would be even better if Your Highness were here."

ah? !

no.

Zhuang Dongqing glanced to her left, where the original owner's husband in the book was all smiles.

Look to the right, the original character's white moonlight in the book stands tall and righteous.

No, with this setup, it's hard for him not to have impure thoughts!

What a double attack from the husband who shared hardship and the treacherous moonlight!