Chapter 90 Seeing Through
After coaxing Cen An'an to sleep, Cen Yan did not leave, but instead slept with him for more than an hour.
I can't sleep if I eat any more.
I have something weighing on my mind.
In his half-awake state, he would subconsciously reach out to touch the person next to him. Usually, he could touch them with a simple touch, and he liked to pull people towards him. Over time, sometimes when he touched them, Zhuang Dongqing would subconsciously move closer to him, very obediently.
Cen Yan opened her eyes; the little one was fast asleep on the innermost side of the bed.
Oh, not the main house.
As he sat up, rubbing his forehead, Cen Yan gradually regained consciousness and realized that Zhuang Dongqing was not currently in the mansion.
He sat there with a furrowed brow for a while.
The night was cool as water. Even in summer, if you woke up in the middle of the night, you could feel a slight chill seeping through you.
But this was nothing to Cen Yan; they camped outdoors during the march and survived the winter.
His gaze drifted aimlessly for a while.
Cen Yan rubbed his forehead.
A smacking sound came from inside the bed, and the little one turned over, probably dreaming about something delicious.
Looking at Cen An'an, and seeing the similarities and differences between her and his own in that youthful face, Cen Yan's expression softened.
After checking to make sure the little hands and feet were properly covered, Cen Yan pulled the blanket up a bit and got up.
There were servants waiting outside the door. When he came out, the servants immediately went into the inner room and took over the night watch.
Liu Qi had arrived at some point, but stayed by his side without waking him. Cen Yan, having been helped to wash his hands and face by Liu Fu, regained his senses for a moment and asked, "Is the map drawing finished?"
"We found locals and merchants to draw several maps of the salt fields and mountains. When I arrived, they were comparing the details, and it's almost finished now."
Liu Qi replied respectfully.
Cen Yan: "Make sure you are very clear about the mountain path, don't be fooled."
"I know."
Cen Yan wanted to give a few more instructions, but upon closer inspection, he saw it was Liu Qi. Realizing something, he chuckled and shook his head. If Liu Qi couldn't handle this matter, then no one in his army could. Pressing his temples, Cen Yan asked, "What about the horses? Military horses aren't suitable for mountain roads; we need dwarf horses. How many are left in the camp?"
Liu Qi: "When we came from the fiefdom, we brought about a company of horses. I just checked, and after accounting for losses in between, we still have about twenty strong young horses left after a few years. If we want to bring more people, we can manage to get about thirty."
Bringing more people will certainly allow for a wider search area and enable more tasks to be accomplished.
However, when using young or old horses, endurance becomes a major problem when there are times when you need to run for your life.
This was the first time Liu Qi had ever seen Cen Yan lower his eyes for so long over such a trivial matter.
It seems like making a choice is exceptionally difficult.
"About twenty horses," Cen Yan finally said, as if talking to himself, "that's not a small number."
As is customary.
For use as a covert rescue,
That's enough.
But this matter cannot be measured by conventional standards.
Liu Qi simply replied "okay" and said nothing more.
Cen Yan: "Has the person sent to discuss this during the day been confirmed?"
Liu Qi: "The truth about the prince's disappearance is unclear. I want Hao San to go and ask the 'mountain bandits' to get him back."
"Hao San?"
Cen Yan: "Oh, right, he can't hide his emotions, which makes him seem more genuine. Let's go with him."
Cen An was not captured, but Zhuang Dongqing was on the mountain, and the Prince's Mansion was still anxious. Since they were anxious, they had to show that they valued it so that the other party would be convinced. Liu Qi and Xu Si were too calm, and their efforts to handle this matter would be less effective.
He then explained the troop deployment and how to deal with the governor-general. Cen Yan waved his hand and said, "Go and carry it out. Make sure there are no mistakes."
Knowing that Cen Yan was not in good condition, Liu Qi still added a word before leaving, "The abbot of Daci Temple said that the young master is blessed. Master, there is no need to be too anxious. He will surely be able to turn misfortune into good fortune and safety this time."
Cen Yan remained silent upon hearing this.
After a moment, he said softly, "I hope so."
He waved his hand and said, "Go down and handle this carefully. Also, give proper instructions to Hao San and make sure there are no mistakes."
"yes."
*
Zhuang Dongqing didn't sleep well that night either.
That's not possible.
I fell asleep on the straw, but woke up very quickly after only two or three hours.
When I woke up, my whole body ached.
"Brother Dongqing?"
Li Yang wasn't asleep either. When Zhuang Dongqing opened her eyes, the two stared at each other.
Zhuang Dongqing: "Brother Li...can't sleep?"
Contrary to Zhuang Dongqing's expectations of Li Yang, Li Yang looked rather dejected at this moment.
The male lead had always been like a ray of sunshine, so Zhuang Dongqing vaguely felt that something was wrong with his forlorn expression.
"Yes, I'm having something on my mind and can't sleep. Is it the same for you, Brother Dongqing?"
Although Zhuang Dongqing had things on her mind, she was exhausted after a long day and nothing could stop her from resting.
To be honest, "No, the floor is too hard. I'm used to sleeping on a soft bed."
I woke up because I wasn't sleeping well.
Li Yang: "..."
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Li Yang smiled and said, "It's good that I can sleep."
As he spoke, he looked to the other side and saw Mr. Hu already snoring, sleeping soundly on the straw.
Zhuang Dongqing sat up, yawned, glanced at the window and saw only darkness, muttered, "I wonder what time it is."
Unexpectedly, Li Yang answered, "Around the hour of Yin (3-5 AM)."
Seeing Zhuang Dongqing's surprised look, Li Yang smiled and said, "In the two years since I left the palace, there have been times when I had to work overnight. I've gradually learned to assess things for myself."
"However, I couldn't see it very clearly, so I can only give a rough estimate."
Zhuang Dongqing's surprise wasn't about that, it was...
"You haven't been sleeping at all, have you?"
Li Yang lowered her head in silence.
Zhuang Dongqing: "..." It really is true.
After a moment's thought, Zhuang Dongqing asked, "Brother Li, are you perhaps upset that I dragged you into such a dangerous situation?"
Li Yang paused for a moment, then chuckled and shook her head.
Zhuang Dongqing: "Then, is it related to the Eighth Prince?"
They discussed it all night and thoroughly analyzed the people behind this incident, as well as the situation of the Hangzhou officialdom and the salt administration.
With the addition of some "news leaked from the Prince's Mansion" from Zhuang Dongqing, Mr. Hu and Li Yang had no doubts about his knowledge of the situation inside the palace. So, by inserting some plot points that had already occurred, they were able to sort out the situation exactly as it was.
The person behind this incident can be none other than the Eighth Prince.
Hu Lin also answered some of Zhuang Dongqing's questions about the plot, such as why the private soldiers, who were originally discovered near the capital, were now found in Hangzhou.
Because the governor has not yet been transferred.
The original text did not mention the salt inspection, so the governor should have been transferred to the capital after this year's assessment.
Returning to the original text, the private army was only revealed at the last moment, so it should be that they were discovered early.
There are only 20,000 people here now, which is far from enough to raise an army to rebel and use the emperor to command the princes. The original text should say that after moving from Hangzhou to Shangjing, new people will be recruited and the size of the military camp will be expanded to about twice the size on the new hill.
From this perspective, the relationship between the governor and the eighth prince is quite unusual.
Having been entrusted with such an important matter, the governor-general has at least become one of the Eighth Prince's confidants.
Li Yang looked listless and gave a slight smile. Zhuang Dongqing inexplicably felt that his expression was somewhat world-weary.
In fact, what he said was also true.
"Some, but not entirely. It's just... sometimes when I look back, I don't know what I was doing."
Zhuang Dongqing: "?"
Li Yang seemed exceptionally tired, and it was unclear whether their being locked up together was a factor, but she was unusually unguarded when talking to Zhuang Dongqing.
"It feels like everyone has a very clear path."
"Third Brother must have known something, which is why he didn't contribute during the flood. But after he went to Hangzhou to inspect the salt, although he wasn't very diligent in his official duties, he always made sure to attend..."
"But Third Brother never said it...it's like..."
Just like the mutiny at the hunting grounds back then.
Li Zhuo descended the mountain early, but didn't warn anyone, letting things unfold as they would.
Finally, Li Yang's birth mother, Consort Shu, died in a mutiny.
Li Yang: "Of course, I know that Third Brother also wants to sit in that chair."
"Eighth brother is the same; he even went so far as to raise a private army. As for the elixirs he offered to Father Emperor, it's hard to say whether they were really that miraculous..."
Zhuang Dongqing hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
I wanted to say that any elixir containing heavy metals is poison, but considering the limitations of our thinking in this era, I felt that this statement was indeed ahead of its time and out of place.
Zhuang Dongqing swallowed it down anyway.
Li Yang didn't expect Zhuang Dongqing to say anything, and continued on her own: "When I left the capital, I actually only hoped to do something practical and be of some use. Although my maternal clan had high hopes for me... I wasn't sure. I always felt like I didn't have any special talent to shoulder such a great responsibility. Now..."
Now that he has finally managed to accomplish some things steadily, he has no idea that his brothers have already surpassed him and are already very eager to seize the throne.
Both of them grew up in the palace. Zhuang Dongqing could sense from the plot that Emperor Shengwu's days were numbered, and Li Yang could as well, relying on his political acumen.
I could feel it, but all I felt was exhaustion.
“Including you, Brother Dongqing.” Changing the subject, Li Yang looked at Zhuang Dongqing and said, “You are doing quite well in the Prince’s Mansion now. I can tell that you are very happy to work for the Prince’s Mansion.”
"very nice."
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
He didn't actually do anything.
But explaining it to Li Yang at this point wouldn't be clear.
Not knowing what to say, Zhuang Dongqing said softly, "Mr. Hu must be saddened by what you've said."
After all, it's all for that chair. Otherwise, why would so many people gather around Li Yang?
Li Yang smiled wryly, "Yes, so I have to say it while he's asleep."
Zhuang Dongqing could no longer tell whether the words were a joke or a way of making the best of a bad situation.
But I had a vague feeling that Li Yang shouldn't be in this state of mind.
Emperor Shengwu is about to start taking the second round of pills... At this time, if Li Yang lacks fighting spirit, it will be a very troublesome problem.
Zhuang Dongqing gritted her teeth, feeling that she had overlooked something.
Suddenly, they heard the sound of running in formation. Zhuang Dongqing and Li Yang exchanged a glance and quickly peered out through the crack in the window.
Unfortunately, the window was too high; one person had to step on another to have a chance of reaching it.
After staring at each other for a long time, Zhuang Dongqing decided to take the plunge and volunteered to be Li Yang's footstool.
Neither of them had much experience. Li Yang managed to get to the window, but her description was very vague: "Is this a military training exercise?"
After saying that, he denied it again, "No, the running sounds were too chaotic, it sounded like..."
Zhuang Dongqing: "It's like you're running to one place?"
"Yes, that's right." It doesn't seem like regular exercise or training.
After taking a few more glances, Li Yang confirmed that people were gathering outside.
The noise was so loud that Mr. Hu heard the running sound and woke up.
"What's going on?" the man asked in surprise.
Li Yang relayed the story: Zhuang Dongqing didn't want to step on the prince, but she also didn't want to be stepped on by others. After Mr. Hu suggested that they take another look, the two looked at each other. Zhuang Dongqing refused to offer herself again. Li Yang was indeed very approachable. Since she had already stepped on Zhuang Dongqing, she decided to let Zhuang Dongqing step on her this time.
However, Mr. Hu refused to respond no matter what.
Finally, Zhuang Dongqing stepped on Mr. Hu and looked outside.
Zhuang Dongqing glanced outside and her eyelids twitched.
He...had seen this situation before.
At the camp where the Prince of Dingxi was stationed.
“They’re gathering. The military is all about keeping orders strictly. I guess either there’s some announcement that requires so many people, or…” Zhuang Dongqing paused.
Hu Lin picked up where he left off, saying, "Either someone attacked and so many people were needed to fight back."
Zhuang Dongqing got off Hu Lin and thought for a moment, "They probably didn't fight us."
If they were to suppress the bandits now, it would be tantamount to disregarding his and Li Yang's safety. Zhuang Dongqing still trusted Cen Yan.
Hu Lin, however, worried, "What if..."
Knowing that Mr. Hu was overthinking things, Zhuang Dongqing sat down on the ground and calmly said, "Then let's wait. If it's just an announcement, then things will be orderly here. If they attack, then someone will come and take us hostage."
Hu Lin: "..."
Later, other people came, but they didn't bring anyone away; they just gave them food and water.
but……
The portion was smaller than yesterday's.
Hu Lin, worried that Li Yang would go hungry, made a few noises and demanded more food... and was beaten.
Moreover, he brutally punched her in the face and then punched her in the chest.
After beating up Hu Lin, the thuggish man looked at the two of them with a provocative expression, leaving Li Yang and Zhuang Dongqing speechless.
After everyone left, they quickly helped Mr. Hu up. Zhuang Dongqing checked on him and said that although he hadn't killed him, the beating was still quite severe.
Knowing why, Zhuang Dongqing dared not say it.
Because Li Yang and his group are of no value to the Eighth Prince.
even,
If Li Yang were to die on the mountain by some accident, it would actually eliminate a potential rival brother.
What he didn't say, Hu Lin later told Li Yang about on his own initiative after he had recovered.
Zhuang Dongqing could only listen quietly, her gaze constantly shifting between Hu Lin and Li Yang.
Li Yang seemed genuinely weary of everything that had happened, and his response, in Zhuang Dongqing's view, was rather perfunctory: "Father is still alive; it hasn't come to this point of a stalemate between the snipe and the clam."
"Your Highness..."
"Alright, even if it's true, what can you do about it?"
Hu Lin choked.
Li Yang lowered her head: "If you don't have anything, then don't say anything. Say something useful."
Zhuang Dongqing asked softly, "It's useful. How do we divide the food and water?"
"We can still divide it into three portions now. If we reduce the amount later, we won't be able to get enough to eat. Even if we have a chance later, we won't have the strength to run away."
These words were too practical, leaving Li Yang speechless.
Hu Lin said, "Since we can divide it into three parts, let's divide it into three parts first, and then talk about reducing it later."
Zhuang Dongqing lowered her eyes slightly, hardening her heart: "I still want to go out. Let me make one thing clear: I will not give the food to anyone."
Too realistic. After he finished speaking, only silence remained in the cell.
But Zhuang Dongqing didn't feel sorry.
He really wanted to go home.
Very, extremely.
*
After the food and water were distributed, Zhuang Dongqing sat leaning against the door.
He tried to hear what was happening outside through the crack in the door.
Of course, he didn't just want to hear what was happening in the outer room; he also wanted to hear what was going on next door.
Sure enough, they were given food and water first in this room. After a long time, the door to the next room was opened. Zhuang Dongqing heard a chaotic sound, mixed with a woman's screams. Zhuang Dongqing was nervous and couldn't help but hold his breath and listen.
They breathed a sigh of relief when they heard a "What are you doing?" followed by a chaotic commotion.
Li Yang's chance to escape has arrived.
If not tonight, then tomorrow night.
Zhuang Dongqing touched the things she had tucked into her arms for Cen An'an, then lowered her hand. Now wasn't a good time, and besides…
Zhuang Dongqing straightened his body and sat down again.
I sat there until the afternoon, and the commotion in the military camp was very strange.
"It doesn't seem like anyone has attacked. Although there are always teams passing by, it's more like they're on some kind of mission."
Zhuang Dongqing concluded.
Hu Lin asked curiously, "What kind of mission requires us to do it on the mountain?"
Zhuang Dongqing didn't know, but the sound of footsteps coming and going was clearly not something that should be heard during daily training.
By evening, a vague answer had been found to this question.
There was definitely movement in the military camp, as if they were searching for something.
After discussing for a while, Zhuang Dongqing suddenly had a flash of inspiration, "Could it be that they are searching for the young master?"
Hu Lin: "?"
Li Yang: "?"
Hu Lin: "But the young master is not..."
Zhuang Dongqing: "The people on the mountain don't know that they arrested us because they were afraid the young master would escape. We didn't say anything, so could it be that Cen Yan is using this as a pretext to spread rumors that the young master is missing, making them mistakenly believe..."
Then, as if remembering something else, she became even more certain, "Oh right, no one has come to ask us anything today. Could it be because they've been too busy?"
Li Yang's eyebrows twitched slightly, realizing something, but she didn't ask.
Mr. Hu was initially delighted, but then, upon reflection, he subconsciously denied it: "Of course, this is the best way, but it's too much trouble. If we do that, wouldn't we have to keep it a secret from the prefect and governor in Hangzhou... Your Highness, would Your Highness do that?"
When Zhuang Dongqing heard about the best solution, she felt relieved. "Yes, it will."
Li Yang spoke without changing his expression, but his temple twitched again, and Hu Lin subconsciously argued again.
When Li CCTV's line fell on Zhuang Dongqing, Zhuang Dongqing again did not respond directly, maintaining her attitude of "believe it or not."
The food supply for dinner wasn't reduced, but it was still limited, and we weren't full.
After the score was split evenly, Zhuang Dongqing waited for a long time, but to his disappointment, no one came.
Zhuang Dongqing could only tell herself to wait a little longer.
The next day, unfortunately, the food intake remained unchanged, just enough to keep him alive.
Zhuang Dongqing felt her strength draining away quickly, so in order to conserve her energy, she sat in a corner and didn't talk much.
Fortunately, no one paid them any attention today. The military camp seemed much emptier than before, judging from the noise. After discussing it with Mr. Hu, Hu Lin finally began to believe that they were searching for the Crown Prince, because if the search area hadn't expanded, the military camp wouldn't have been so empty at dusk.
Mr. Hu murmured, "If that's really the case, then that would be wonderful."
Making these private soldiers believe that the crown prince is still missing will both exhaust their energy and divert their attention. Although it is difficult to do and requires careful maintenance of balance in all aspects to keep the lie going, it is entirely beneficial to them.
Having figured out Mr. Hu's personality, Zhuang Dongqing didn't say anything more this time.
I just viewed this matter calmly.
Li Yang suddenly spoke up: "Does Your Highness really need to go to such lengths for me?"
Mr. Hu: "Perhaps Your Highness has a discerning eye and also has high hopes for the prince?"
Li Yang: "...Perhaps."
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
It's better if he doesn't say anything.
That evening, Zhuang Dongqing finally heard the door open, a sound she had been eagerly anticipating.
The maid Li Yang saved has returned to repay her kindness.
The door was opened stealthily, and a strong-looking man entered with a dagger, looking around.
Hu Lin and Li Yang were startled by the dagger in his hand and dared not speak.
Only Zhuang Dongqing was the first to raise his hands, which were bound hand and foot, and said shamelessly, "Here."
The incision had already begun when his sister came in, exclaiming in surprise, "Brother, he's not a prince!"
The man was taken aback.
Zhuang Dongqing: "Finish it first!"
Perhaps it was because his words were too forceful, or perhaps it was because he had spent so much time with Cen Yan that Zhuang Dongqing's speech carried his imposing manner. In any case, the man subconsciously tugged twice more, and the rope broke.
The girl anxiously asked her brother to untie Li Yang. Zhuang Dongqing checked himself over and, still having the strength, warned, "If you want to take him away, keep your voice down, or nobody will be able to leave!"
That earned him a glare from the girl.
Zhuang Dongqing didn't care, because the girl wasn't stupid; she shut up as soon as he finished speaking.
After Li Yang's rope was cut, Hu Lin reached out his hand, but the man refused, saying, "I can't take that many people."
Hu Lin's eyes dimmed, but in an instant he made a decision and said firmly, "Then you protect the Sixth Prince and leave, quickly!"
Zhuang Dongqing's expression was complicated upon hearing this, but she spoke up at the right moment: "Take me with you."
Girl: "..."
man:"……"
Li Yang only glanced at Zhuang Dongqing.
Zhuang Dongqing took a breath and forced a confident expression, saying, "I want to come along."
“First of all, I still have food. If you take me with you, I will share some with him. Otherwise, he will be very hungry and you won’t be able to go far.”
The man stepped forward, Zhuang Dongqing stepped back, and then quickly said, "Secondly."
"I can still speak. There are guards in the surrounding area, right? If you want to rob or tie me up, let's see if you can move faster or I can shout faster!"
The man paused.
The girl gritted her teeth.
Li Yang said, "Take him with you."
Girl: "But..."
Zhuang Dongqing said coldly, "If you don't take me with you, even if he gets out, he might not be safe."
With her fingers clenched tightly at her sides, Zhuang Dongqing tried her best to control herself and resist the urge to pick at her hands.
The man suddenly seemed to understand something. "Are you from that prince's mansion?"
Zhuang Dongqing: "Yes."
Zhuang Dongqing: "If you agree, I'll distribute the food, and we'll set off after we finish eating."
Li Yang also chimed in, "I am indeed very hungry, I can't run very far."
Having finally agreed, the man went out to keep watch, while Zhuang Dongqing took out three flower cakes that her grandmother had made for the little boy.
He had kept these things in case Cen An'an ate too much on the way, and he never expected they would come in handy.
He gave one to Li Yang and ate two himself.
The girl's eyes widened, and Zhuang Dongqing quickly took a bite. The two pancakes were stacked together, and both had teeth marks on them.
Li Yang: "..."
Girl: "..."
Hu Lin: "..."
Hu Lin, his hands bound, covered his forehead and said, "Young master, there's no need for this."
Zhuang Dongqing lowered her head and quickly ate the pancake, saying softly, "I'm sorry."
The girl lowered her voice: "I think you're pretty shameless!"
Zhuang Dongqing didn't want to explain too much, focusing all her attention on eating. She finished her meal in a few bites, almost as fast as Li Yang.
The biscuits were very filling, and even though they needed to be digested, they hadn't eaten enough in the past two days. These few biscuits were just enough to make their stomachs feel better, so even if they ran away immediately, they wouldn't vomit from the strenuous exercise.
When the man returned and was about to take them away, Zhuang Dongqing subconsciously glanced at Hu Lin.
But Zhuang Dongqing had nothing to say. He didn't know which part of the mountain was safer, so he could only force himself not to turn back.
There are still people waiting for him outside, so he should leave first.
They followed the man stealthily as they made their way out. This part of the journey didn't require running, which gave them time to process what was happening.
As they approached the outer perimeter, Li Yang suddenly asked, "Brother Dongqing, you're not just a retainer of the Prince's mansion, are you?"
The voice was very low, only the two of them could hear it.
Zhuang Dongqing's mind raced. The moment she met Li CCTV's line, she sensed something and felt relieved. "You figured it out? When?"
Li Yang: "Actually, I've always felt that your friendship with the prince is different from your friendship with me..."
He paused, then returned to the question, "You addressed the Prince by his full name many times today, and it sounded very natural."
It's like something you say all the time.
"oh."
This was indeed a flaw, but Zhuang Dongqing was in a panic and couldn't possibly pay attention to such a small matter.
After walking for a while, until they reached a place where they could talk, Li Yang spoke again, "Was it worth it to risk your life alone to protect the Crown Prince?"
"Did you...do all of this voluntarily?"
Zhuang Dongqing looked at Li Yang for a while, then suddenly said, "Actually, I feel like you owe me a life."
It's one thing if it's someone else, but bringing Li Yang into this doesn't put too much pressure on Zhuang Dongqing.
Li Yang was stunned for a moment before Zhuang Dongqing said, "The wine I drank for you at Guangyuetai was poisoned. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gotten involved with Cen Yan."
Li Yang was truly dumbfounded.
Zhuang Dongqing then said, "I thought you would first ask me what my relationship with Cen Yan is."
Li Yang's thoughts were drawn away by him. She swallowed and said hoarsely, "Then, he is now..."
But Zhuang Dongqing smiled and said firmly, "Oh, it's the person I love."
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