undercurrent
A few days later, Yan Shu and Ling Yuan returned from the market, while Ling Ying and A Yun carried large and small bags of things. The four of them chatted and laughed all the way. When they were almost at the courtyard, they saw Aunt Yu standing at their door with a basin in her hand, and a man standing next to her, presumably Aunt Yu's husband.
Seeing them return, Aunt Yu hurried to greet them, her eyes fixed on the basin in her hands, afraid of spilling it. Turning around, she found her husband standing there, stunned, and nudged him with her elbow. Then, turning their heads, the couple's gazes fell on Ling Yuan's face, and they were both dumbfounded.
That night, when Xiaozhu was retrieving the ball, Lingyuan had her back to them, and it was nighttime, so they couldn't see her face clearly. Yan Shu was confused by their stares, and Ayun stepped forward and asked, "Aunt Yu?"
This sound brought Aunt Yu back to her senses, and she hurriedly said, "We...we made mutton and flatbread to thank Young Master Lin and Madam Lin for taking care of Xiaozhu."
Yan Shu took the still-warm basin: "Thank you, Aunt Yu and Brother Yu. It's nothing for Xiao Zhuzi to come and ask about things; he loves learning."
Ling Yuan simply nodded, and the four of them went inside.
As Aunt Yu and her husband watched the courtyard gate close, Yu Shan whispered, "Go back quickly."
Upon entering their house, the two hurriedly sat down. Yu Shan lowered his voice and said, "Don't you think that young master Lin reminds you of someone?"
Aunt Yu nodded repeatedly: "It does resemble him, but that man is now a prince with considerable military power. It's impossible for him to leave the capital without permission, and why would he come to such a small place? Even if he came to the northern border, he should be in a military camp, not living here like an ordinary citizen?"
"Perhaps it's just a resemblance," Yu Shan said. "However, we'd better be careful."
---
Yan Shu was carrying the bowl of mutton and flatbread when her stomach started growling. A Yun and Ling Ying hurried to get bowls and chopsticks.
"This is a new dish here," A-Yun said while serving rice. "It only came into existence a few years ago after the trade routes opened up. Even when the Prince and Ling Ying were here, they hadn't seen it. It's made by combining mutton, a favorite dish of the Western Regions, with local flatbread."
The aroma was irresistible, and Yan Shu ate with great relish. She felt a little sleepy after the meal and went to bed early.
Ling Yuan stood in the courtyard and whispered to Ling Ying, "It should be them. You saw their reaction today. Send another message to your uncle and tell him to get the evidence."
"Yes," Ling Ying replied. "Also, Your Highness, news has come from the capital that Prince Chen is coming to the Northern Territory to discuss trade matters with envoys from the Western Regions. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau has stated that there are no auspicious days this year, and that Prince Chen should wait until the latter half of next year to hold his wedding."
He handed over a slip of paper: "This is a list of key figures. General Lin has set up a business for us; please verify it as soon as possible."
Ling Yuan nodded.
---
Early the next morning, Ling Yuan and Ling Ying went out. They arrived at the place responsible for purchasing seeds for the army's agricultural settlements. The place was bustling with people, all merchants selling seeds. The man sitting there, named Chen Li, was the largest buyer; he bought all the seeds and then resold them to the army.
Ling Yuan and Ling Ying stood aside, listening to the merchants and Chen Li haggling over prices.
"Lord Chen, this area is mostly desert, and it takes several days to transport the harvested rice. Could you perhaps raise the price a little?"
Chen Li glanced sideways at the merchant who had spoken: "Hmph, this is for the army. You think you can make money off the imperial court and the army? Two taels of silver per shi (unit of dry measure) of seeds."
"Lord Chen, two taels of silver isn't even enough to cover the initial investment!"
"If you don't want to sell, then don't sell!" Chen Li sneered. "I'll report this to Lord Wang right now, saying you're unwilling to support the new policies and the army. Don't blame me when you're punished!"
Upon hearing this, the merchants had no choice but to accept it. One by one, they shook their heads and sighed as they left with the meager sum of money.
Ling Ying stopped a merchant to ask him something, and the man sighed, "Ever since the policy of military land reclamation was implemented, we've started buying seeds. At first, the price was alright, enough to feed a family. Now...sigh..."
Ling Yuan's expression was grave. He knew all too well that these people bought seeds for two taels of silver and then resold them to the army for ten taels. The eight taels difference was clearly someone lining their own pockets. It seemed he needed to get the ledger and have his uncle cooperate in the army to find that corrupt official.
---
When Yan Shu woke up, she didn't see Ling Yuan and called out a few times, "Your Highness?"
Ayun came in: "Your Highness, the Prince and Lingying have gone out. I'll accompany you."
Just then, someone knocked on the door. When A-Yun opened it, she saw Xiao-Zhu. He was holding a small white dog in his arms.
Yan Shu came out, assuming he had come looking for Ling Yuan again, and said, "Uncle Lin isn't here."
Little Pillar shook his head: "Mrs. Lin, I'd like to give you a puppy."
Yan Shu looked at the fluffy puppy with joy, took it, and thanked him.
When Lingyuan and Lingying returned, Yanshu and Ayun were squatting in the yard playing with the dog.
"Shu'er, what are you doing?" Ling Yuan asked as he approached.
Yan Shu looked up and saw him return. She said happily, "Your Highness, look, Xiao Zhuzi gave us a puppy. Shall we name it Xiao Qi?" She gently stroked the puppy's head, her eyes crinkling with joy.
Ling Yuan smiled and said, "Okay."
Yan Shu got the puppy and was all smiles, always finding ways to amuse Xiao Qi. The puppy was clever and always followed her around her feet.
That day, A-Yun came in carrying a bamboo basket: "Your Highness, it's almost Dragon Boat Festival, shall we make some zongzi?"
Yan Shu was surprised to realize how quickly time had flown by; they had already been in Xiayun City for over a month. "Great!" she replied with a smile, "I've been craving zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) too."
The two were busy preparing the bamboo leaves and glutinous rice for the bamboo dumplings, while in the small house next door, Ling Ying was reporting to Ling Yuan:
"Your Highness, we've investigated thoroughly. General Lin had sent people to investigate before, but every time there was any activity, the genuine merchants would disappear. What's even stranger is that whenever the General sent people to investigate, the merchants' purchase prices would rise to eight or nine taels. There might be a mole within the General's ranks."
Ling Yuan's expression turned solemn: "As expected."
"Your Highness—" came Yan Shu's call from outside.
Ling Yuan winked at Ling Ying, then got up and went out the door. He saw Yan Shu standing in the courtyard, holding bamboo leaves, smiling at him: "Your Highness, shall we wrap some rice dumplings together?"
Ling Yuan looked at the table laden with glutinous rice and bamboo leaves. Having grown up in the palace and later being granted a princely title, these matters were always handled by servants. But seeing Yan Shu's expectant eyes, he nodded: "Alright."
Ayun chuckled to herself, while Lingying, standing by the door watching the scene, also laughed.
Yan Shu pulled him down to sit and patiently taught him how to fold the bamboo leaves, put in the rice, and tie the string. Although it was Ling Yuan's first time doing these things, he learned very seriously, his slender fingers carefully manipulating the emerald green bamboo leaves.
"Has Your Highness ever wrapped zongzi before?" Yan Shu asked as she helped him adjust his hand gestures.
Ling Yuan looked at the crooked zongzi in his hand and smiled helplessly: "In the palace, the Imperial Kitchen prepares the food for festivals, and after establishing my own residence, I also have cooks to manage it."
Yan Shu thought of his noble and privileged status, and a sweet feeling welled up in her heart. She softened her voice and said, "Then this year I'll teach Your Highness, and we'll make them together every year from now on."
Little Qi twirled happily around their feet, occasionally chasing after falling bamboo leaves. The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the courtyard, gilding everyone's figures with a warm golden hue.
Ling Ying also stepped forward to A Yun's side, watching the once powerful Prince Duan intently learning to wrap zongzi, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This kind of warmth in an ordinary family was a rare and precious moment for them.
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