Meng Zhao’s expression darkened instantly.
Chao Yan said, “I cannot help much with the case of the substituted death row prisoner, so I had people keep watch on movements within Prince Yan’s estate. These past few days, nothing unusual has been discovered. However, tonight I went to the outer city to investigate the current situation of the refugees. Of the three matters, the relief for refugees in the cold must be prepared as early as possible.
“After finishing my investigation, I intended to ask you to find some scholars of talent and integrity to supervise the construction of warm cellars and the like, but I happened upon a corpse. This is him. I thought it might be useful to you, so I brought him back.”
Meng Zhao bowed, first thanking Chao Yan, then said, “Where did Your Highness find the body? I would like to send people to investigate. Perhaps there may still be clues. The man is already dead; we can only place our hopes there now.”
Chao Yan replied, “I have already had people examine the area. There were no clues. It does not appear to be the scene of the crime. However, this matter is of great importance, so it is still worth another search.” He gestured for Li Lan to take Meng Zhao’s men to the location where the body had been found.
Li Lan glanced at Meng Zhao, then lowered his head and replied, “Yes.” Meng Zhao said, “I trouble Li-xiong then.”
Chao Yan patted Meng Zhao’s shoulder. “It is not that I wish to speak ill of things, but if nothing is found, what do you plan to do next?”
Meng Zhao replied, “Then I can only make use of this body and see whether I can close the case.” His tone carried a hint of distaste; it was clear he disliked dealing with corpses.
After discussing this matter, Meng Zhao brought up the three tasks assigned to him by the Emperor. “These are no easy matters. I suspect many are watching from the shadows. If Your Highness requires my assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.”
Chao Yan smiled. “So you have come knocking at the door yourself.”
Meng Zhao laughed aloud. On the side, Meng Ji had been watching for some time and interjected, “The rest of the Meng family is also willing to help. Your Highness must not stand on ceremony with us.”
Chao Yan did not respond, his smile fading. The atmosphere abruptly cooled.
Meng Zhao glanced at Meng Ji. “Da-ge*, are you perhaps too tired?”
(*TN: eldest brother)
Chao Yan stood up. “It is late. I will not disturb you further. I shall take my leave.”
Meng Zhao said, “I will see you out.”
After seeing him off, Meng Zhao returned and said to Meng Ji, “His Highness made his position very clear before. What exactly were you doing? When I spoke to His Highness, it was as a friend. On what grounds did you speak just now? On behalf of the Meng family? Must you insist on tying the Meng family to His Highness? Do you want to see His Highness sever ties with us? I thought that after I relayed His Highness’s words to you that day, you all already understood the Crown Prince’s stance.”
Meng Ji was left stunned for a moment. Then anger surged up from being rebuked by his younger brother.
He said, “So you think you’re so clever? If you are so clever, how did you end up being played by Prince Yan?”
The rift between Meng Zhao and Meng Ji did not affect Chao Yan.
Life always needs a bit of turbulence to serve as seasoning, does it not?
He left the Meng residence and returned to the Eastern Palace late at night. When he inquired about Gu Yun, Zhang Zhangshe said she had already fallen asleep, though she had woken once and suffered a nightmare.
“What nightmare?”
Zhang Zhangshe replied, “She did not say, but she said it was not a nightmare. It was a premonition of a terrible future.”
Chao Yan lowered his eyes in thought. After a moment, he raised his hand, dismissing her, and stepped into the bedchamber.
Approaching the warm pavilion, he softened his footsteps.
A warm breath spilled out from within, making the entire body feel heated. Chao Yan loosened his collar slightly and entered quietly.
Inside, the light was dim. He lifted the plain bed curtains, revealing a rounded shape beneath the bedding. She was clearly fast asleep, her face still half-buried in the soft quilt, cheeks faintly flushed.
Chao Yan sat by the bedside and watched for a while, then pressed a finger against Gu Yun’s forehead and pushed gently.
“You were cursing me earlier, weren’t you?”
Gu Yun frowned in his sleep and muttered something indistinct before drifting off again.
A suppressed laugh vibrated in Chao Yan’s chest. He relaxed completely, lay down on his side, and settled beside Gu Yun beneath the silk quilt.
…
After winter set in, Gu Yun found himself with considerably more free time. He first completed the planned production of the Thunderclap Bomb.
As the employer, Chao Yan heard the news immediately and made time to inspect the test site.
The weapon was extremely powerful, so the testing ground had to be in an uninhabited area. The outskirts of the capital were largely mountainous, but finding a truly deserted location was not easy. After several days, a suitable site was finally found.
Surrounded by dense trees, and with no proper roads through the mountains making horses impractical, everyone travelled on foot.
Upon arrival, they encountered a brown bear foraging.
Without hesitation, Chao Yan led his men in pursuit.
Gu Yun assumed he intended to drive the bear away and prepared the test area, cutting a firebreak and waiting. However, shortly after, the bear was dragged back.
Gu Yun’s blood ran cold. He was about to blurt, “Are you insane?” when he saw the blood-soaked fur and swallowed the words.
Chao Yan said, “I want to see how much damage your Thunderclap Bomb can do to a thick-skinned beast like a bear.”
Gu Yun looked at the bear. “Is it completely dead?”
Chao Yan replied, “If it were not, I would not dare bring it back. These things will counterattack as long as there is breath left in them.” He leaned against a tree nearby, lethargically untying his sleeve cords and rolling up his sleeve. A long, deep wound ran across his arm, exposing firm, well-defined muscle.
Gu Yun, directing others to move the bear to a safe distance, happened to see this.
His sleeve was intact, so where had the wound come from? A previous injury? That did not match the location. And judging by its freshness, it was clearly from today, perhaps only a few hours ago. Why had it not been bandaged?
Chao Yan noticed his gaze and tilted his head slightly.
Somehow, Gu Yun understood his meaning.
He took out medicine and a handkerchief from his sleeve, then asked Zhou Si for a flask of clean water. He approached, lifted the other’s arm, cleaned the wound, applied the medicine evenly, and bandaged it with two handkerchiefs twisted together.
The environment was crude; only handkerchiefs could serve as bandages.
Chao Yan smiled faintly. “Much obliged.”
Gu Yun put away the medicine and rolled up his sleeve further.
The sleeve was not tight, easily rolled up to the upper arm. He saw the previous wound he had caused; it had healed, with no abnormal scarring, only a faint redness.
He extended a finger and lightly poked it. There was a slight firmness beneath the skin.
The other man’s body tensed; the muscle tightened and became sharply defined. Gu Yun glanced at him and admitted inwardly that his physique was far better than his own. He clicked his tongue softly and let go of his arm, asking where the new injury had come from.
Chao Yan lowered his sleeve again. “A fight.”
Gu Yun was puzzled. A Crown Prince, fighting whom? The answer came quickly.
“An assassin.”
Gu Yun: “?”
His eyes widened. Under the Emperor’s very nose, who had the audacity to send assassins after the Crown Prince? He looked at Chao Yan in utter disbelief.
Chao Yan said, “Don’t look at me. I don’t know either. The assassin failed and took poison to kill himself. This may be related to my investigation into old cases in the Ministry of Justice.”
These days, Chao Yan had already begun carrying out the tasks assigned by the Emperor.
At present, the focus was the review of old Ministry of Justice cases. As for river freeze monitoring and refugee relief, since the weather was not yet severe, the rivers had not frozen and there had not yet been large-scale displacement, leaving time for preventive measures.
Compared with the old cases, the latter two were far more troublesome, as they could easily develop beyond human control.
Chao Yan was doing his best to ensure proper preparation to reduce future risks.
“Several old cases have already been uncovered. Those of minor consequence have been dealt with, but…”
Gu Yun’s temple throbbed and he immediately covered his mouth. “My lord, I do not understand martial affairs, and I am terribly afraid of dying. I really do not want to hear this.”
Chao Yan agreed.
Gu Yun exhaled in relief and was about to withdraw his hand when he felt a damp sensation on his palm.
He froze, stepped back, and looked at the other man.
Chao Yan said, “Apologies. I was just trying to lick my lips. They were too dry, it hurts.”
Gu Yun looked at his lips and confirmed they were indeed very dry, with several cracks and even slight peeling.
Gu Yun wiped his palm on his sleeve and said, “Why are you not drinking water?”
Chao Yan pressed his brow. “I was too busy and forgot.” His eyes were faintly shadowed, exhaustion evident.
Gu Yun looked at him, and the anger he had been holding gradually faded. For some reason, a heaviness settled in his chest. He was about to tell him to take care of himself when the other suddenly asked, “Do I disgust you that much?”
“No.” Gu Yun replied instinctively, then paused, noticing his still awkward gesture, and slowly stopped.
After that question, Chao Yan said nothing further. Gu Yun shuffled closer, pursed his lips, and quietly apologised. The sound of the thunderous explosion at the test site drowned out his apology.
Gu Yun: “…”
