Pang Jin's family had an old house in the capital. He had come to Bianliang City with his grandfather and father before. The reason he stayed at the inn was because the old house needed to be tidied up.
Yan Liang spent his mornings practicing martial arts and his afternoons visiting Pang Jin whenever he had free time. They became quite familiar with each other after three days. Pang Jin thought he had found a companion who could show him around the capital, but Yan Liang was also unfamiliar with the city. The two wandered around aimlessly, but it was still quite enjoyable.
However, Pang Jin's terrible sense of direction was beyond Yan Liang's imagination. Occasionally, if Yan Liang wasn't careful, Pang Jin would disappear.
"You've gone to the wrong place again."
Yan Liang reached out and grabbed Pang Jin's collar. Before he grabbed Pang Jin, the guy was looking at the people coming and going on the road with a confused expression, and wanted to continue walking further away.
Pang Jin turned to look at him with delight and said, "You really found me again!"
Yan Liang: ...Again, again, you know it's "again".
The capital city is bustling, and it's impossible to explore it all on foot in a short time, especially since Pang Jin always wanders off. Sometimes even Yan Liang can't tell which way is which and has to ask for directions. But no matter when or where, Yan Liang can always find Pang Jin in some mysterious place after he disappears.
Pang Jin was extremely surprised: "How did you know where I was?"
Yan Liang replied in a mysterious tone, "I calculated it."
Pang Jin chuckled: "My grandfather said that his friend was also a fortune teller. Back then, he told fortunes and read faces for people all the way to Bianjing (Kaifeng)."
Yan Liang laughed: "This means we are destined to meet."
After they got tired of shopping, the two went into a restaurant, ordered some dishes, and found a seat by the window on the second floor. While they sat down to talk, Pang Jin talked a lot about himself.
For example, Pang Jin was a disciple of Zhan Zhao, and he brought Bai Yutang's and Zhan Zhao's swords and knives with him when he came to sweep the tomb.
Pang Jin's sword is none other than Zhan Zhao's Juque.
For example, his trip to Beijing this time was for two reasons: first, to visit the grave of his grandfather's friend, and second, to experience the ways of the world.
Unlike his father and grandfather, Pang Jin had been yearning for the martial arts world since childhood. He did not seek to stand out from the crowd, but only hoped to be in the martial arts world and see what the Imperial Cat and the Golden-haired Rat had been like back then.
“I know him: Zhan Zhao, the Imperial Cat; Bai Yutang, the Brocade-Clad Rat; and Pang Yu, the Imperial Uncle.” Yan Liang said with a smile, “You have an extraordinary background.”
Pang Jin asked in surprise, "You've heard of their names? I've only ever heard of relatively recent heroes in the capital."
"Of course." Yan Liang grinned. "I saw the Imperial Cat and the Golden-haired Rat in the book. Their nicknames were so interesting that I couldn't help but pay more attention to them... Speaking of which, when Young Master Pang was framed by the Prince of Xiangyang and fled, shouldn't it have been Fifth Master Bai who captured him and brought him back?"
“No, no, back then, Grandpa Yan found my grandfather and took him to the capital. We met Grandpa Bai when we were almost in Bianjing,” Pang Jin denied. “It’s just that Grandpa Yan had nothing to do with the Chenzhou case, so Lord Bao didn’t reveal his affairs.”
As the boy addressed him as "Grandpa Yan" repeatedly, Yan Liang smiled faintly and said, "I see. No wonder you said earlier that the Master Yan who shares my name brought your grandfather to the capital."
Pang Jin told him about his situation, and Yan Liang couldn't very well remain silent. Although he was usually carefree, he knew that revealing his identity as the crown prince wouldn't be a good thing—even if he wanted to speak frankly, his bodyguard brother, who was secretly following him, wouldn't allow it—so Yan Liang could only conceal his real name and reveal Zhao Huan's family situation.
Although Pang Jin sensed that Yan Liang was hiding something, she wasn't exactly a hot commodity herself, and she was quite happy with Yan Liang, so she didn't expose him or ask directly.
He knew that people in the martial arts world often used aliases for various reasons, but he himself was upright and honest. Besides, even if Yan Liang was using an alias to deceive him, having the same name as his grandfather was a kind of fate.
Yan Liang couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Although Pang Jin and Pang Yu had similarities, Pang Jin was obviously much more clever than Pang Yu back then.
*
Aside from the comfort he found in spending time with Pang Jin, the heavy snow also lifted Yan Liang's spirits. Playing with the cat and strolling around Bianjing with Pang Jin filled Yan Liang with contentment each day. However, happy times are always fleeting. After the necessary arrangements for the Crown Prince's court sessions were finalized, Yan Liang began attending court to listen to state affairs.
On the first day of court, Yan Liang listened in on the whole process and saw that all the civil officials in the court were eloquent and spouting a bunch of lies.
Yan Liang patiently listened to them talk about politics, the people's conditions, Zhao Ji's paintings, and a whole bunch of trivial matters. Even after the morning court session ended, he still didn't know what these people had actually discussed.
When discussing politics, he made no mention of the Jurchen uprising on the border; when talking about the people's conditions, he only mentioned the prosperity of the capital, and instead praised Zhao Ji's paintings to the skies.
After the court session ended, Crown Prince Yan Liang was surrounded by some ministers. They exchanged a few polite words and asked the Crown Prince about his feelings about attending court for the first time. Yan Liang humbly replied that he had learned a lot and dealt with them.
I've certainly learned my lesson. Only a few people truly care about the country; the rest are all parasites, especially Cai Jing and Fu Zongshu.
Zhuge Zhengwo appeared before Yan Liang after he had finished dealing with those ministers who were looking for trouble.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Zhuge Zhengwo bowed.
Yan Liang knew that he was Zhuge Shenhou, and that he had met Zhao Huan several times in the palace.
Yan Liang returned the greeting: "Grand Tutor."
Zhuge Shenhou was the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty and a descendant of Zhuge Liang. He held immense prestige, and some called him Grand Tutor while others called him Shenhou. Yan Liang chose to call him Grand Tutor.
Without needing to say more, the two walked out at a distance. Zhuge Zhengwo asked the Crown Prince about his feelings about the morning court session, subtly observing the Crown Prince's expression.
His Highness the Crown Prince hesitated for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly, looking rather displeased. He said, "I didn't understand what they were saying."
Zhuge Zhengwo: "...What makes you say that, Your Highness?"
The crown prince gave a slightly sarcastic smile and said softly, "It's as if I didn't say anything at all. There's no point in understanding such nonsense."
His words were already out of line, but he spoke very softly. Zhuge Zhengwo had exceptional hearing and heard the Crown Prince's words clearly.
Zhuge Zhengwo turned his head to look at the Crown Prince and finally realized what had been bothering him all day—the former Prince Ding, Zhao Huan, was taciturn and reserved, but today the Crown Prince was still quiet, though his eyes shone brightly.
Even when the two parted ways outside the palace, Zhuge Zhengye did not ask the Crown Prince about the meaning of his words.
There's no need to ask further; His Highness the Crown Prince's attitude is already very clear.
He disliked today's morning court session.
Zhuge Zhengwo also disliked it.
In recent years, Emperor Zhao Ji has become increasingly incompetent, blinded by treacherous officials and villains. He only sees the prosperous era, but not the parasites that breed and spread beneath it.
Zhuge Zhengwo suggested to the emperor that the crown prince attend court, precisely to gauge the prince's attitude. If the prince had the world at heart, he could be assisted; but if he was like his father, Zhuge Zhengwo was unsure what to do.
Fortunately, the crown prince did not disappoint him.
Zhuge Zhengwo was somewhat relieved. The emperor was incompetent, and if the crown prince was a good one, it would be beneficial to the Song Dynasty. He thought about it, but he did not immediately conclude that the crown prince was a promising talent. He would just wait and see how the crown prince fared in court.
His plan was perfect, but in the following days, whenever the Crown Prince was mentioned in court, he would respond with "I know," "You're right," or "So that's how it is." After court, he would even go to the Emperor to play football, paint, and play with birds.
After several days, the Crown Prince did not show any concern for the world. All that was known was that the Crown Prince was increasingly favored by the Emperor, and the two of them were having more and more fun than the other.
The Crown Prince was praised by the Emperor for his excellent calligraphy, which surprised the Emperor, who had never known the Crown Prince could write so well. The Crown Prince humbly replied that it was the result of many years of hard work. However, he was only fifteen years old at the time, and his calligraphy was not only elegant and unrestrained but also possessed the charm of Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan's styles, which made the Emperor even more fond of him.
Zhuge Zhengwo stood below the hall watching the father and son blatantly avoid discussing serious matters, while most of the ministers joined in with praise and congratulations. He couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Is it really true that the Song Dynasty has no wise rulers?
*
Yan Liang, who has been on Zhuge Shenhou's mind for many days, is now facing a predicament.
"Which way should we go?"
Pang Jin asked.
"It's you who's sweeping the grave, not me."
Yan Liang answered him.
"I don't know the way."
Pang Jin said.
"I don't know the way either."
Yan Liang said.
The two men stood at the city gate, gazing at the majestic green mountains ahead, and engaged in a pointless conversation.
After the conversation ended, both Yan Liang and Pang Jin remained silent.
Pang Jin prepared the items for tomb sweeping today, carefully memorizing the route his grandfather had told him, and prepared to go sweep the tomb.
Yan Liang came to find him after court and joined his ranks.
Pang Jin did not bring a servant. He insisted that since it was his first time going to pay respects to Grandpa Yan alone, he should bring his own gifts to show his sincerity.
Grandpa Yan, who joined the group midway, quietly said that as long as you don't get lost on the way to worship him, sincerity is not important, just being there is enough.
Now, Yan Liang held the Daughter's Red wine for the sacrifice in his right hand and Bai Yutang's knife in his left hand—Zhan Zhao's Juque sword was at Pang Jin's waist—he watched as Pang Jin once again took out a piece of paper with a line drawn on it from his bosom and fell silent as he looked at the lines on it.
"Where is Mingyue Mountain?"
Pang Jin asked.
"I don't know, but I guess it's one of the two mountains in front of us."
Yan Liang answered honestly and shared his guess.
"Aren't you from the capital?"
After asking the question, Pang Jin realized he had asked in vain. It was clear from their aimless wandering around the capital that Yan Liang, this supposed local, was a fake.
Yan Liang responded with a smile.
Pang Yu's drawing was terrible; the paper he gave Pang Jin only had two ink blots with distorted lines underneath.
Yan Liang tried to calculate his own grave site, but it was always shrouded in mist; he could only calculate where his friends were buried.
Pang Jin was the link, which is why Yan Liang was able to find out where his friends were buried after meeting him, but he was completely clueless about his own grave and couldn't figure it out at all.
Pang Jin, who has no sense of direction, is not very reliable.
Not far from the city gate, there was a tea stall with a few people sitting scattered under it. Yan Liang and Pang Jin discussed it and decided to go to the tea stall to ask the tea master.
"Mingyue Mountain?"
The tea master looked at the two people in front of him with great curiosity, and pointed out the location of Mingyue Mountain to them, which was the one on the left of the two big mountains.
"That mountain on the right is Jade Spring Mountain, which is the territory of Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion. Don't go to the wrong place," the tea master advised. "Also, there have been large tigers on Bright Moon Mountain lately, so you'd better not go there."
The two simply thanked him and sat down to order tea as a token of their gratitude.
Do you know where Grandpa Yan's grave is?
Yan Liang asked him lazily.
“I know.” Pang Jin said decisively, “I’ve been here before. Just go straight up, and at the top of the mountain is Grandpa Yan’s grave!”
Yan Liang looked at him with an indescribable expression.
Pang Jin touched his face: "...Why are you looking at me like that?"
Yan Liang smiled meaningfully: "A couple of days ago, you and I were walking on East Street, which is a very straight road. Do you remember where I found you later?"
Pang Jin was speechless and silently took a sip of tea to hide her embarrassment.
That day, Pang Jin got separated from Yan Liang again. Yan Liang found him at the entrance of Xiaotianshui Alley.
The two places are more than a little distance apart.
The air fell silent for a moment, but then the two of them heard a soft laugh and looked at the person who had laughed.
It was early spring, the weather was warm and sunny, yet the man was still wrapped in a fur coat, his face pale, only his eyes gleaming like embers, flashing with a cold light.
Seeing that both boys turned to look at him, the young man gave them a generous smile.
They both returned the smile.
Their conversation ended there, as Yan Liang and Pang Jin quickly finished their tea, picked up their belongings again, and headed towards Mingyue Mountain.
In the teahouse behind them, Su Mengzhen watched the two young men walk away into the distance, a smile appearing in her eyes.
The vitality of youth is like spring flowers, always bringing joy.
Author's Note: #About the nickname "Uncle Yan"#
Yan Liang: I call him Grandpa, no problem.
#Regarding the matter of worshipping Grandpa Yan#
Yan Liang: It's funny that I worship myself. Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants between 2020-03-11 11:59:10 and 2020-03-12 13:28:03!
Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: Jun Changli (1);
Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: 10 bottles of Yinghuo Shouxin;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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