When Yan Liqiang realized that the four-wheeled carriage had stopped at the Carriage Alley, he asked the people who brought him here in shock, “Lord Sun still stays here?”
“Yes, Lord Sun has been staying in this old manor ever since he returned to the Imperial Capital and he ordered us to bring you here. He is usually busy with his duties at the Grand Secretariat, and will only return quite late at night. Please wait for him here, Lord Yan!”
“Alright!”
The carriage stopped at the entrance of Sun Bingchen’s old manor, and left as soon as Yan Liqiang got off. Yan Liqiang could only smile bitterly and shake his head at the familiar-looking manor. Given Sun Bingchen’s current position, getting a more lavish manor shouldn’t be a problem for him. Yet he still insisted on staying in this small manor. Was he attached to this place?
The manor still looked the same. The moment Yan Liqiang got off the carriage, he sensed a few piercing gazes on him. He was closely watched by experts who had probably hidden themselves in the courtyards, tea houses, and a hat shop nearby to protect Sun Bingchen. In any case, it would have been a joke if a Grand Secretary lived here without any guards.
The manor’s door was shut tightly. Yan Liqiang stepped forward, lifted the cold bronze knocker, and knocked it against the door loudly a few times.
As soon as he knocked, approaching footsteps were heard coming from inside before the door cracked open. An old man peered outside the door, “Who is it?”
“It’s me!” Yan Liqiang flashed his pearly whites. The old man was Sun Bingchen’s servant surnamed Li. He was no stranger to Yan Liqiang.
“Ah, Guard Yan…” A brilliant smile bloomed on the old man’s face as he immediately recognized Yan Liqiang. He was still addressing Yan Liqiang the way he did when he stayed back then. It seemed like he wasn’t informed of Yan Liqiang’s new position.
“It’s cold outside, come in quickly…!” The old man opened the door as he invited Yan Liqiang into the manor.
“Haha, it’s been so long. You still look as healthy as ever, Uncle Li…”
“Haha, I’m getting old. Guard Yan, you look so smart now…” The old man laughed as the door closed up with a creak. He looked at Yan Liqiang from top to toe, then spoke to him with warmth in his voice as he helped him take off his bamboo hat.
“Old Master sent someone over to inform me that Guard Yan was coming so the kitchen should prepare a few more dishes for dinner. It’s been a long time since he last saw you too, so he wants to have a drink with you. I was just preparing Old Master’s favorite duck soup in the kitchen with my wife. Oh right, I heard you left Imperial Capital for a few years and returned to Gan Province. How is everything there…?”
Yan Liqiang couldn’t help but laugh as he rubbed his nose. “I’m fine there, just working on putting food on my table. Thank you for your concern, Uncle Li…”
Uncle Li led Yan Liqiang into the living room, then looked around before whispering to him, “When Old Master returned to the Imperial Capital, many high-ranking officials came to find him. In the beginning they came on four-wheeled carriages and jammed the entire Carriage Alley. Old Master got angry and denied their requests to meet him. It was then that things calmed down a little. When I’m home, people often come bearing gifts and requests for me to pass messages or letters to Old Master. But he has set some rules here so I don’t dare to accept them.
“Let me tell you this, Guard Yan. You and Yijie are not outsiders so don’t be shy to speak up. Yijie followed Old Master for so many years and he has been made a high-ranking official. I heard that he gets sent out on duties. When you meet Old Master tonight, you should say something nice to him so that he will also confer an official title to you. It’s going to help you a lot. You should know that he often mentioned you when you weren’t by his side over the past few years. He always said that you were a lot more outstanding, capable, and loyal than most officials in the imperial court despite your young age…”
Yan Liqiang was quite amused at this point. “Alright, I’ll keep your words in mind, Uncle Li. Thank you for your advice. Oh yes, do you need help in the kitchen? I can help out!”
“No need, no need. I’m almost done in the kitchen. You just enjoy your tea here in the living room and wait for Old Master to come home. Help yourself to more tea. Maid Xu reached her coming of age last year, so Old Master married her off to a nice man. Now, only me, my wife, Old Master, and a horsekeeper live here…”
The old man led Yan Liqiang into the living room, then chatted with him for a while before he left. Yan Liqiang walked around the room and noticed that everything pretty much looked the same as back when he was still here. The only difference was probably the extra painting in the room. It was a painting of a moon hanging high up in the sky, surrounded by beautiful clouds. Beneath the moon, there were rolling mountains that resembled ocean waves. It was quite enchanting to look at.
Yan Liqiang read the inscription on the painting and found out that it was the work of Sun Bingchen. The more Yan Liqiang looked at it, the more hidden messages he found in the painting and he was gradually absorbed in it.
……
“Why, do you like this painting too, Liqiang?” Unbeknownst to Yan Liqiang, a familiar voice rang out behind him.
Yan Liqiang instantly spun around at the voice to find Sun Bingchen standing at the living room’s entrance, smiling at him. Despite not seeing him for many years, Sun Bingchen still looked the same. The only change was the official robe he wore. He looked extremely dignified in a qilin robe held together by a sash decorated with jade, typically worn by First Grade ministers. Since he had just returned home, he hadn’t managed to get changed.
“Yan Liqiang greets Lord Sun!” Yan Liqiang bowed deeply to Sun Bingchen.
“Hahaha, oh you…” Sun Bingchen laughed heartily while shaking his head as he came over. His eyes were sparkling as he looked at Yan Liqiang from head to toe.
“I heard from Yijie through his letter that he had no news about you after you received the royal decree that summoned you to the Imperial Capital and that he didn’t see you assembling your troops in Qiyun Prefecture either. So I surmised that you must have come alone to the capital and as expected, such news came to me today. Not bad, not bad. It’s been a few years since we saw each other. It seems like you have gotten stronger again…!”
“And you still look as graceful as ever after all these years, Lord Sun!” Yan Liqiang concealed his worries behind a smile. “Since you’re a Grand Secretary now, I thought you would only return tonight…”
“It’s just routine work. I came home earlier because I knew you were here. I brought back a few jars of fine wine from Yue Province this time, let’s enjoy them together tonight!”
“Hahaha, I’ll be glad to take up your offer!”
Yan Liqiang knew since long ago that people would change, especially when their position changed. Although he didn’t believe Sun Bingchen would one day become his enemy, the incident at the newspaper office and the situation in the capital regions made him extremely restless. When he met Sun Bingchen again this time, he involuntarily activated the Psychic Serpent in his head…
