With only one day left before departing from the capital, everything felt rushed.
Ying Xiaoman and her adoptive mother took Zhi to the meat bun shop. The Ying family of three said goodbye to the elderly couple, leaving them the ten or so pounds of mutton they had stored at home, and promised to meet again next spring in February.
The Ying family took down their new shop sign that had only been up for a few days, packed everything away, thoroughly cleaned the shop, and locked the doors.
Some regular customers passing by greeted them in surprise: "Why is the shop locked? Didn't you say you'd stay open until the end of August?"
Ying Xiaoman smiled apologetically, "We're heading back to our hometown early. We'll return to the capital next spring."
The storefront wasn't large, so it didn't take long to tidy up. Ying Xiaoman picked up Zhi and looked back wistfully at the locked meat shop door in the morning light.
"Let's go."
They had spent about half an hour at the storefront.
In that short time, it was enough for someone with ulterior motives to receive a tip-off and rush over.
At some point, a team of imperial guards in shining armor had reined in their horses by the street. Yan Erlang, wearing a crisp vermilion official robe, had been watching them from horseback for a while.
"During my morning patrol, I saw your family of three from afar. I thought you were out doing business, but I didn't expect you were closing the shop," he said, dismounting and walking a few steps closer to stand in front of Ying Xiaoman.
"Heading back to your hometown early? What happened to make you leave in such a hurry?" He carefully studied the young woman's expression, his words probing.
"The six etiquette gifts with the Yan family haven't even been completed yet."
Ying Xiaoman retorted, "Is it against the law to return to our hometown early? Step aside, we're in a hurry."
Yan Erlang insisted, "I'll let you go once you explain clearly."
Ying Xiaoman threatened, "Do you want to get beaten up?"
Her adoptive mother cautiously came over to mediate, "Sir, we really are in a hurry to return to our hometown. We're leaving tomorrow morning. If you've come to buy meat from the shop, when we return next spring—"
Ying Xiaoman interrupted her mother, "Mother, have you forgotten? This is Yan Erlang, the one who chased us all the way to our house in Tongluo Alley and made threats. He even followed us to Seven Scholars Lane later."
The adoptive mother was shocked, "Yan Erlang? It's him?!"
She had only seen Yan Erlang once from afar when they first moved to Seven Scholars Lane, and had long forgotten his appearance. But the name was familiar!
The adoptive mother immediately stepped forward nervously, shielding her daughter.
Yan Erlang tried to explain, "Wait, Madam, there were misunderstandings before..."
Zhi blinked her grape-like black eyes, suddenly seeming to remember something. She raised her little hand and angrily pointed at Yan Erlang, "Sister, it's him! The bad man in the red robe! Beat him up, Sister!"
Yan Erlang protested, "No, little sister..."
Ying Xiaoman spat, "Who's your little sister?"
Last night, the Seventh Young Master had indeed mentioned that Yan Erlang now led two groups of imperial guards and was in charge of maintaining security in the capital. He could be useful.
But Yan Erlang had left such a bad impression on the Ying family that none of the three wanted to deal with him.
With the adoptive mother shielding them in front, Ying Xiaoman carrying Zhi, the family of three cast wary and defensive glances as they quickened their pace, squeezing past Yan Erlang's side. They passed through the alley entrance where the imperial guards were stationed and headed towards the Ministry of Justice office across the main street.
Yan Erlang didn't order anyone to stop them.
He stood by the street with his arms folded, thoughtfully watching the slender figure walk away and disappear at the entrance of the government office.
A lieutenant of the imperial guards asked in a low voice, "Should we follow them?"
Yan Erlang calculated in his mind: "They're leaving for their hometown tomorrow. Returning next spring... Six months, two of the six etiquette gifts completed. The Seventh Young Master Yan still has cases on hand, so he'll definitely be in the capital. In six months, sending people back and forth between two places to complete the remaining rituals... is that enough time?" He murmured to himself, "When they return to the capital next spring, it'll be time for the wedding ceremony."
The lieutenant beside him didn't hear clearly and asked again, "They've entered the Ministry of Justice. Should the men keep watch?"
Yan Erlang paced a few steps towards the roadside, then suddenly turned around and asked the lieutenant, "Where does the imperial guards' duty of maintaining security in the capital end? Just inside the city gates, or does it include all the counties and towns in the entire capital region?"
The lieutenant answered truthfully, "Maintaining security in the capital region, of course, means the entire capital area is under the jurisdiction of the imperial guards. It extends all the way to about a hundred li outside the city, up to the boundary stone of the capital region. Beyond the boundary stone is where local prefectures and counties take over security, no longer under our management."
"A hundred li outside the city..." Yan Erlang pondered for a while. "For ordinary people hiring a carriage, it would take about two days to reach the boundary stone of the capital region."
"It depends on the pace. Horse carriages are faster, donkey carts are slower. If the pace is slow, it could even take three or four days."
Yan Erlang nodded, mounted his horse, but didn't rush to patrol. The horse took small steps, leisurely strolling along the street.
After about a hundred paces, he slowly passed in front of the Ministry of Justice. Yan Erlang reined in his horse and looked up, casting a meaningful glance at the sign of the Ministry of Justice high above.
As the horse continued its small steps forward, Yan Erlang beckoned the lieutenant closer, and asked in a low voice:
"On the stretch of road about a hundred li south of the city, before reaching the boundary stone of the capital region, finding a place to cause a small accident that would delay an ordinary family's hired carriage for a day or half... that wouldn't be difficult, right?"
This was all too easy.
The lieutenant's eyes didn't even blink as ideas came one after another: "A carriage wheel could get stuck in a rut and overturn. A tree could fall and block the official road. A noble's carriage could be passing through, and roadblocks could be set up, blocking the official road for a day or half—no one would dare to complain. There's also..."
"Alright, alright," Yan Erlang cut off the stream of dubious ideas. "The wind is strong in autumn, and it rains often in the mornings and evenings. A fallen tree blocking the official road would be quite good. There are elderly and children in the carriage, don't hurt anyone or let them catch cold. Find a place that can shelter from wind and rain, and let a tree fall there."
This lieutenant of the imperial guards had been a trusted subordinate who had followed Yan Erlang through promotions and demotions. Having witnessed his superior's entanglement with the Ying family's young lady over the past few months, he couldn't help but offer some advice in a low voice.
"Making a tree fall is easy enough. But what's the use of keeping the young lady in the capital region for an extra day or half? Her temper doesn't seem very good..."
Yan Erlang hadn't been idle these past few days. He had sent people in all directions to ask questions, and the efficient imperial guards had uncovered quite a bit of information in just two or three days.
"Her temper is indeed not very good towards me, but it's very good towards that person from the Yan family in Changle Alley. Do you know why?"
The lieutenant blinked his eyes, which were gleaming with curiosity, "This subordinate doesn't know."
Yan Erlang laughed, loosening the collar of his robe to expose a section of his sturdy chest in the autumn wind.
"Because my body is too strong."
A strong body can endure beatings.
When he sent people to inquire door-to-door in Tongluo Alley, some neighbors still remembered the young man who had suddenly appeared in the Ying family. His height and build matched, and the timing coincided perfectly with the period when Yan Rongshi had been attacked and gone missing in the spring. Later, he had moved away with the Ying family.
So, the reason why Ying Xiaoman and the Seventh Young Master Yan, two people who originally had no connection, came to know each other and ended up together was because Ying Xiaoman had saved Yan Rongshi. During the time when the Seventh Young Master was recovering from his injuries in Tongluo Alley, the two had secretly fallen for each other.
"She really is a little white rabbit," Yan Erlang muttered to himself. "Pure and natural in character, not a single word was wrong about her."
Seeing the Seventh Young Master injured and pitiful, she felt sorry for him and treated him kindly. Seeing him, Yan Erlang, strong and capable, sturdy enough to withstand beatings, she constantly scolded and hit him, slapping him at every turn...
A day or half certainly couldn't stop the young lady from eagerly returning home.
But a day or half was enough for him to appear sickly and miserable in front of the Ying family.
With Ying Xiaoman's gentle nature, could she really leave him stranded by the roadside?
Having made up his mind, Yan Erlang beckoned the lieutenant to come closer and gave firm instructions.
"Find a suitable place. Make a tree fall."
"Choose several dozen reliable and capable men who can keep their mouths shut. Have them disguise themselves and cooperate with me in putting on a show."
"Don't worry, it won't affect your future prospects. There will be handsome rewards if this succeeds."
Inside the Ministry of Justice office, the lamps burned brightly.
A small red wooden box with carved flowers sat open on the black lacquered long desk. Yan Rongshi squinted slightly in the lamplight, examining the three iron keys lying quietly in the wooden box.
"Did anyone touch the box after I left last night?" he asked the clerks who had cleaned in the morning. "I think the position of the wooden box seems to have moved."
The cleaning clerks hurriedly explained, "We wouldn't dare touch the important items on the Deputy Minister's desk."
"Last night, we saw the box right here, on top of the documents. Look, Deputy Minister, the impression is still there."
The early-arriving deputy of the Ministry of Justice hurried over to check. Yan Rongshi locked the carved rosewood box as it was originally, and said nonchalantly: "Indeed, the imprints are still there. The three keys in the box are all present. Alright, there's nothing amiss, you may withdraw."
After the cleaning staff retreated, Yan Rongshi closed the door, reopened the wooden box, and spoke privately with the deputy of the Ministry of Justice.
"Precisely because no one touches it usually, and I don't move it either, these keys have gathered dust. But after one night, the surface of the keys has become clean and spotless."
The deputy of the Ministry of Justice, a veteran investigator of many years, took the three iron keys, carefully ran his fingers over them, and suddenly changed color, saying: "They have indeed been tampered with. The surface feels smooth to the touch, it must have been pressed into clay molds, then carefully wiped clean and replaced in the box."
Pressing keys into clay molds was, of course, for the purpose of making copies.
The deputy of the Ministry of Justice said solemnly: "This matter is extremely serious and must be investigated."
But Yan Rongshi smiled.
He raised his hand to his lips, "Shh. This matter is known only to you and me. For what I'm about to say next, I ask the deputy to keep it confidential."
"Ah?"
"These three keys were left in the official residence, waiting for someone with ulterior motives. Now that someone has indeed tampered with the keys, I can rest easy."
Half a city away, in the mansion where Prime Minister Zheng had resided for many years.
Prime Minister Zheng, wearing a plain blue cloth robe and black cloth shoes, sat in his study. He narrowed his slender eyes, carefully examining the three keys before him.
The finely crafted iron keys, made overnight, each weighing about ten taels, felt heavy in his palm.
"They're truly identical? A hair's breadth of difference can lead to a thousand miles of error. If the key is off by even a bit, it won't open the lock."
Bowing respectfully before him was a young seventh-rank official from the Ministry of Works, dressed in a blue official robe. He maintained a student's etiquette, showing extreme respect towards Prime Minister Zheng.
"On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th, the young lord of the Yan family summoned a craftsman from the Ministry of Works. I questioned him in person, but it seems to be a matter of great importance, and the craftsman was unwilling to say much. However, the records of the Ministry of Works clearly state that the craftsman didn't even go home for the Mid-Autumn Festival, and that night he took five catties of fine iron from the warehouse, recorded as 'urgent requisition by the Ministry of Justice'. This expense was sent from the Ministry of Works to the Ministry of Justice, which has already paid in full."
"So, these three keys were what the craftsman rushed to make overnight, not even taking a break for the Mid-Autumn Festival?" Prime Minister Zheng carefully compared the three very similar keys.
"The original was burned with melted edges, it's impressive that the craftsman could restore the keys so well."
He praised and encouraged the official from the Ministry of Works, and put the keys into a drawer in front of him.
"I suspect that behind the surface case of stolen weapons from the Ministry of War, there is another major case, with connections to Northern spies."
"The investigation of the stolen weapons case has been ongoing since last autumn and winter, and has been difficult to solve. There may be a mole in the Ministry of Justice. This matter is of great importance, concerning the foundation of the state, and everything is under secret investigation. He Sheng, you must keep this absolutely confidential."
The young official named He Sheng from the Ministry of Works showed a shocked expression, solemnly agreed, and left the study.
The study returned to silence.
A moment later, several groups of people entered and exited the study, reporting different pieces of news.
The old servant from the old house in the murder case in Tongluo Alley has been cleared of suspicion and released from the Ministry of Justice prison today.
"The two old houses in Tongluo Alley have been demolished to the ground, and the old servant has nowhere to go. He's just squatting in the alley."
Prime Minister Zheng shook his head and sighed: "This old servant belonged to an old friend of mine years ago. Now my old friend is no longer in this world, leaving behind a deaf and blind old servant who, at his age, got involved in a murder case. Fortunately, his innocence has been proven. I'll prepare some silver and clothes to gift him."
The advisor who brought the news showed an expression of admiration, bowed deeply and praised: "Prime Minister Zheng is truly benevolent." He then left the study.
The next group of advisors brought news about the Ying family.
"The Ying family's butcher shop is locked up. They say they're returning to their hometown early."
Prime Minister Zheng shook his head again and sighed: "My old friend was stubborn, and his daughter is stubborn too. Isn't it easier to make a living in the capital than in their hometown? I sent someone to persuade them before, but they wouldn't listen and still want to leave. Well, let them do as they wish. I'll prepare some silver and clothes to gift them."
The advisor who brought the news also showed an expression of admiration: "Prime Minister Zheng is righteous."
After several groups of people left, the study finally fell completely silent.
Prime Minister Zheng sat alone in the study, opened a small drawer, and fiddled with the keys for a while.
"The young prodigy of the Yan family," Prime Minister Zheng murmured to himself with a smile.
"He does have some skills. It's a pity that he missed the most important clue at Yuqing Tower, only dug out Fang Xiang's nest and hastily concluded the case. Compared to his grandfather, that old fox, he's still a bit green after all."
After all, he's young. For the sake of some romance, for the sake of the young lady he likes, he cleanly extracted the Ying family from the case. The confession only mentions Zhuang Jiu, not Ying Dashuo.
"Without Ying Dashuo, it's just Zhuang Jiu's line of inquiry. Not daring to dig deeper into the origin of the iron key obtained by the Ying family's young lady, hehe, how can he thoroughly investigate? These three fine iron keys, in the hands of Yan Rongshi, are ultimately just scrap iron."
"One leaf blocks the view, hiding the mountain."
The three fine iron keys made a crisp sound as they moved. Prime Minister Zheng put the keys back in the drawer, leisurely clasped his hands behind his back and walked out of the study, giving orders.
"Prepare the carriage. I'm going to visit an old friend in the west of the city."
*
As evening approached, a light rain began to fall on the horizon.
In Tongluo Alley in the west of the city, the old servant squatted on the ground, his cloudy eyes staring at the completely demolished patch of ground in front of him that used to be his home.
Having spent half a month in jail, he was still wearing the same thin autumn clothes he had on when he was arrested.
A sympathetic neighbor handed him a padded jacket, gesturing to explain to the old servant: "The officials have demolished both of your master's old houses! Don't squat here in the rain, go find a place to shelter! Put on the clothes, it's not good to catch a chill."
The autumn rain drizzled down, but the old servant, now wearing the padded jacket, still squatted at the spot where the old house's entrance used to be. Passing neighbors all sighed in pity.
Night fell. The old servant still hadn't moved from his spot.
An inconspicuous, plain horse-drawn carriage turned into the entrance of Tongluo Alley.
Ordinary black cloth shoes stepped down from the carriage onto the ground, walked through several puddles, and stopped in front of the old servant.
"Old friend, it's been a while."
The voice was steady and friendly, sounding like a man in his fifties. Although the newcomer's voice wasn't loud, mixed with the pitter-patter of the rain, the old servant responded by looking up.
The cloudy eyes with white cataracts rolled upwards, and the old servant, squatting on the ground, said coldly, "You're not dead yet?"
Prime Minister Zheng, holding an umbrella in the rain, smiled as he looked at his "old friend": "If you're still alive and well, why would I be dead?"
The sound of the intensifying autumn rain obscured the conversation in the dark alley.
*
The weather wasn't very good on August 22nd.
It had rained all night, and when morning came, fallen leaves covered the ground, with a light rain still falling overhead.
In the dim morning light, Yan Rongshi stood at the gate of the small courtyard, carefully inquiring about the conversation between the Ying family and Yan Erlang on the street yesterday.
"So he knows that the Ying family is leaving for their hometown this morning. Yesterday, he left the conversation half-finished, you left abruptly, and he didn't pursue. "
Ying Xiaoman recalled, still quite surprised. "It's rare not to see him pestering. I scolded him a couple of times, pushed past the imperial guards and left, and he didn't chase after me. Perhaps he wanted to save face in front of his subordinates?"
Yan Rongshi calmly said: "He's determined to follow you out of the city."
Ying Xiaoman: "...Ah?!"
"It's no matter. Let him escort you for a while, it's fine."
The Yan family's carriage was waiting at the gate of the official residence, with boxes and luggage almost packed. Yan Rongshi, holding the sleepy Zhi, opened an umbrella and walked slowly towards the main gate of the official residence side by side with Ying Xiaoman.
"There's at least one point where Yan Erlang and I agree."
"That is, to never let anything happen to you or your family."
Despite these words, Ying Xiaoman still felt in her heart that nothing would happen on the Ying family's trip back to their hometown. But with Yan Erlang trailing behind, who knows what mess might occur.
With the parting imminent, Ying Xiaoman's own heart was also clenched.
"Rongshi, we'll move slowly ahead. But no matter how slow we go, we should reach home by the end of September. Will you really catch up to us on horseback? Will you really be safe in the capital?"
Yan Rongshi answered briefly but forcefully: "I won't be in danger. I will catch up with you."
His adoptive mother took Zhi, and Ying Xiaoman helped them onto the carriage.
When it was her turn to board, her slender hand grasped the carriage door. In the moment before the curtain fell, in the howling autumn wind and rain of the capital's streets, she couldn't help but turn back for a last glance through that brief gap of light.
The curtain above never fell. The crack of light by the wooden door always remained.
Yan Rongshi's hand rested on the high part of the cloth curtain, gazing deeply in return.
At the moment of parting, the layer of calm composure covering the surface finally cracked open, the usual smile on his lips now gone. At this moment, his gaze was intense and restrained, carrying many emotions difficult to express in public, yet he only called her name: "Xiaoman."
Before the sound of his voice had settled, Ying Xiaoman had already jumped down from the carriage.
In the dim morning light shrouded by misty rain, she rushed over heedlessly, throwing her arms open to embrace him tightly: "Seventh Brother!"
A sudden silence fell around them. A girl's voice immediately came from inside the carriage: "Aunt, I want to get down too! I also want to hug Sister and Seventh Brother—mmph!"
The adoptive mother's hand reached out from the carriage door, pulling the swaying curtain tight.
Sui Miao, standing by the carriage, coughed and led a dozen or so of the Yan family's attendants to the street side, forming a human wall to block the view.
The lovers about to be separated embraced for a long time in the fine rain.
The sound of rain was continuous, raindrops washing the ground. Even when a gaze from far down the street blazed with fire, the two figures embracing by the carriage still hadn't separated.
About a hundred paces away, diagonally across from the government office, in the small alley by the Ying family's butcher shop. A horse paced back and forth restlessly with small steps, while Yan Erlang stared with a belly full of irritation:
"Will they ever finish? How much longer is Yan Seven going to hug her? My Xiaoman's clothes are all wet!"
Before his words had faded, Yan Rongshi had already opened an umbrella.
In the fine curtain of rain, the large oiled paper umbrella gradually lowered, concealing the faces that gazed at each other, drawing ever closer.
Yan Erlang glared at the umbrella from afar.
After staring for a while, the more he looked, the more it seemed like... He couldn't believe his eyes: "Are they... kissing in the street?!"