Chapter 31: Su Er Gongzi

  There was an unexpected guest in the house, but Yanling Jun didn't find it surprising at all. He closed the door behind him and walked in, saying: "What's going on?"

  He walked over and sat down in front of the man with a swish of his sleeve.

  "You've said it, we're old friends after all. Knowing you've arrived here, I may not be able to play the host properly, but I couldn't just ignore you and let you pass by!" The man smiled slightly and pushed over a black-glazed ceramic jug from his left side.

  Yanling Jun picked up the chess piece in his hand and played it on the board, enjoying himself as he made a move that would change the course of the game.

  After exchanging a few moves, Yanling Jun finally spoke in a careless tone, "How did you end up here?"

  The extent of the skill under Zǐ's hands is unknown, let alone just the lightness kung fu ——

  There aren't many people who can get her to eat.

  So from the time of the failed expedition against Qi, Yanling Jun had already made up his mind.

  The man in the black robe smiled, revealing his teeth, but instead of answering, he asked, "Isn't your question putting the cart before the horse? If anyone should be asking questions, it's me. What brings you all the way here, and why are you meddling in the affairs of the Eastern Palace?"

  Yanling Jun didn't say a word and calmly played his move with an unchanged expression.

  The man looked at him and subtly let out a breath, his face slightly pale as he said, "I've heard about what happened in Chu State recently. It must be the doing of those people."

  Yanling Jun's lips curled up into an arc, but his eyes were piercingly cold, and he simply toyed with the chess piece in his hand for a long time without speaking.

  Although the two were close friends, few people could grasp Yanling Jun's mind.

  The man raised an eyebrow and said, "With your temperament, shouldn't you be hiding here enjoying peace and quiet? What's going on? Are there other arrangements in the imperial capital?"

  "No!" Lord Yanling shook his head and lightly spat out a word, then fell another move. "I was originally on my way back, but I was blocked by Father halfway."

  He didn't say the specific reason and cause, and the man in black robe also knew it was related to Nan Hua's government affairs, so he didn't ask further.

  However, Yanling Jun's temperament has always been one of keeping people at arm's length. He would suddenly take an interest in Chu Jinyang's affairs, which was quite unexpected by others.

  "What about what happened on the street today, aren't you going to say something to me?" The man in black immediately changed the subject, his eyes gleaming with a hint of a smile as he raised an eyebrow and said, "If my information is correct, during the incident the other day, the Princess of Junyang should have been in Chu State. What kind of encounter was it that left such a deep impression, that you're actually chasing after her all the way here?"

  What kind of encounter? Etched in memory?

  This man's mouth is usually very poisonous, but this time the four words he used were obviously pleasing to Yanling Jun.

  Yanling Jun raised his eyes and glanced at him, neither affirming nor denying.

  Looking at the inexplicable glow revealed in his eyes and eyebrows, the man in black robe was stunned, and then he tapped on the chessboard with a start, "Ah, oh no, someone has moved their mortal heart, look, even his eyes are wavering!"

  This is getting more and more unbearable to listen to.

  Yanling Jun's eyebrows and eyes showed a hint of annoyance, without saying a word, he simply swept his sleeve and overturned the porcelain vase beside him, directly smashing it onto that person's head.

  That person was indeed well-prepared for his temper, and had been on guard from the start. Seeing the situation, he also narrowed his eyes slightly, and with a flick of his sleeve, he gathered up all the chess pieces that were scattered everywhere. At the same time, he snatched the porcelain vase and was about to put it back on the table when suddenly there was a loud crash as the door was kicked open by someone who had rushed back - it was Yingzi, who had heard the commotion inside the house and burst in.

  Yanling Jun's lips curled up with a faint smile, looking at him with a leisurely and carefree attitude.

  When he saw Yingzi with a murderous aura all over his face, the man in black robes was stunned for an instant.

  However, his reaction was also extremely quick. Seeing that Jingzi was about to pounce over, he swung his hand and threw the empty ceramic pot over.

  He instinctively raised his hand to receive it, and at the same time, the man's other sleeve shook, pouring the chess pieces stored in his wide sleeve into another ceramic vase filled with white pieces.

  Then, he stood up, patted his robe, and walked out while saying in a very familiar and casual tone: "For no reason, I was chased by your servant girl for several streets, running with a sweaty body. Since you won't entertain me, I'll just go back and wash myself. I'll leave on my own, so there's no need to see me off!"

  If he doesn't explain, Prince Yanling will definitely watch as Yingzi fights with him to the death.

  Sometimes it's better for people to know when to stop.

  Ming Zi heard his words and naturally wouldn't casually lay a hand on Prince Yanling's guest, but stood there with an unpleasant expression.

  "Su Qing!" Lord Yanling sat on the couch without moving, and only now suddenly spoke up to stop him.

  The man stopped in his tracks but did not turn around.

  "I don't suggest you get involved in the Su family's affairs." Yanling Jun didn't move, just gazing at his back, saying seriously, "In the imperial court's struggle for power, the biggest taboo is for a subject to take sides and meddle. Those people are overestimating their abilities, you don't need to clean up after them."

  "I'm different from you, I can't be as carefree and unrestrained as you are." Su Qing's eyes dimmed slightly as he turned to look at Yan Ling Jun, his smile still warm and elegant. "You can abandon your identity and wealth if you want, but I - I cannot let the foundation that my grandfather built through half a lifetime of war be destroyed by those people. Even if I know it's a futile effort, I have no choice but to take the plunge."

  Yanling Jun pursed his lips, but didn't try to persuade him again.

  In fact, he and Su Qing are essentially the same kind of person. He can now regard those people's plots as nothing because they have not really threatened what he cares about; otherwise...

  Even if it's a scorched earth policy with no holds barred, he will be even more obsessed than Su Qing.

  Su Qing didn't want him to be infected with such a heavy topic, so he smiled mysteriously and said, "Let's talk about something serious. That Miss of Jiangyang has a special identity. According to the information I have in my hands, the Crown Prince is extremely fond of her. Although it's impossible for him to use her as a tool for alliance or to control the officials, he will definitely not rush into deciding her marriage. If you really have long-term plans, you'd better think carefully."

  Having said that, he didn't linger and left with big strides.

  Chu Yi'an would not take advantage of Chu Youyang, but if they really wanted to discuss marriage, the man's status could not be too low. Even if he was not a noble with a rich background, at least he should be a prominent new aristocrat in the imperial court. Yanling Jun is from Nan Hua and has an extremely special identity, it is obvious that this matter is difficult to handle.

  Su Qing said it was pouring cold water, and even more so a kind reminder.

  Ying Zi watched his back disappear and hesitantly asked, "Master, who is this person——"

  "Su Yi!" said Lord Yanling.

  "The Second Young Master of Changshun Wangfu, Su Yi?" Yingzi raised an eyebrow, still greatly surprised by this person's identity.

  Marquis Yanling didn't say much, but casually asked, "How come you've been gone for so long? Did something happen?"

  "No." Yingzi said, hastily collecting her thoughts. "However, the mistress of Junyang County returned to the manor and stayed for less than half an hour before being accompanied by the steward out again. I followed them for a while, it seemed like they were going..."

  Ying Zi said, then seemed to have an unspoken secret and paused for a moment. She glanced at Yanling Jun's face with the corner of her eye and said, "He went to the music school on East City's Willow Street."

  Digression

  Good buddy is very loving, right? My family's Yanling pot wants to take root in Xiyue and chase his wife, clenched fists!