The Tenglong Palace was the emperor’s residence, and the main palace of the imperial harem. It had a throne, side palaces and warm pavilions in the east and west, while the north had twenty identical wings. Each of these wings was the emperor’s bedroom, where he slept in a different room every night, supposedly as a precaution against assassins. That being said…
Yan Ge’s new residence was one of the side palaces, named Luoxue Palace. It offered a panoramic view with a wide expanse in three directions: a lake in the front, mountains at the back, and a forest to the left. During winter, the emperor occasionally stays there for a period of time to enjoy the snow. Now this splendid place had become Yan Ge’s abode, and he was quite satisfied with it. Although Luoxue Palace was connected to the emperor’s bedroom, it was not particularly close, and one could enter and leave the Tenglong Palace through another route. This arrangement didn’t disturb Huangfu Yuchen, and he felt more at ease.
After tidying up his new residence, Yan Ge made himself presentable and followed the proper etiquette to express his gratitude to the emperor.
Huangfu Yuchen did not meet him in person. Instead, he sent a eunuch to convey a message, granting him half a month to work on the new pen and presenting him with a golden token that allowed him unrestricted departure and entry to the palace. The token bore the character “Emperor,” signifying the emperor’s personal command.
Yan Ge felt helpless. Today, both his body and mind had endured a great battle, and it was already getting dark. Wasn’t it reasonable for him to rest before he devoted himself wholeheartedly again? He had confidence in making a fountain pen, so he wasn’t in a rush.
After having a late meal, he practiced swordsmanship unwaveringly for an hour before finally starting to draw the design for the pen.
In order to achieve finer lines, he specifically had Xiao Chuanzi and Wan Xiang retrieve goose feathers from the Emerald Lake, which he sharpened with a knife and dipped in ink.
The effect was quite satisfactory.
He was thankful for his childhood curiosity when he once dismantled a fountain pen to take a look. To make a fountain pen, one must first understand its components, including the nib, ink cartridge, ink sac, barrel, and cap. He drew each part separately, labeling them with numbers, and then depicted the step-by-step assembly process to ensure that the workers could understand. After finishing the drawing, he had a good night’s rest.
The next day, he rose early and changed into casual attire. These clothes were the ones he had brought with him when he entered the palace, looser and more comfortable than the male consort palace attire. When he put them on, he appeared even more handsome. He also carried a folding fan, undoubtedly looking like a graceful young man.
Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi were his only helpers within the palace. They still had to be cultivated carefully, so he would go out of the palace with them. Huangfu Yuchen knew he had few people to rely on, so he probably wouldn’t mind this minor matter.
He carefully placed the token into his sleeve pocket, but still felt somewhat uneasy. Thieves were skillful, whether in ancient or modern times. If he were to lose this token, it would be troublesome. He recalled the system backpack, “Xiao Jin.”
“Master, you finally remembered me? I’ve been so bored on my own.”
“Can items not originating from the system be stored in the backpack?”
“Of course they can. Didn’t you know, Master?”
Yan Ge: “…”
With a thought, the token disappeared from his hand and appeared in the backpack.
Yan Jin said pitifully, “Master, I can’t see the outside world without your permission. Can I frequently come out and have a look? Being alone is incredibly boring.”
Yan Ge hesitated. The feeling of being followed by invisible eyes at all times was uncomfortable, as if another person resided within his body.
Yan Jin seemed to have guessed his thoughts and sighed helplessly, “Master, you don’t pay too much attention to me. There’s a gray button in the system, after activating it, I can see the situation of your location. When it’s deactivated, I can’t see anything.”
“I see,” Yan Ge searched the screen and indeed found a gray button. “Alright, I will let you see the outside world. However, I will close it when necessary. Xiao Jin, I hope you understand.” Yan Ge unconsciously treated Yan Jin as a person. He would be with this system until his death and he hoped to maintain a good relationship with it.
Yan Jin happily exclaimed, “I understand, I understand! Master, you’re so kind.”
Listening to his sweet and joyful voice, Yan Ge’s mood also became good.
“Let’s go out of the palace.”
At this time, it was still early, equivalent to just past six o’clock, and the sky was not yet fully bright. However, the lights in the main hall were already lit because the morning court was held around this time.
Not long after walking out of Luoxue Palace, he met Huangfu Yuchen walking towards the main hall from another direction, followed by a large group of court ladies and eunuchs, carrying empty dragon chariots. The early court was held in the Taiping Palace in the center of the entire palace.
Meeting Huangfu Yuchen was inevitable, and Yan Ge took a few steps forward to pay his respects.
“This servant pays respects to Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be blessed.”
Huangfu Yuchen’s gaze fell upon him, lingering for a few seconds, his eyes deep with meaning. He then motioned for Yan Ge to rise. “You may rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Huangfu Yuchen observed how effortlessly and decisively Yan Ge stood up, as if he had been prepared to rise at any moment. He raised his eyebrows meaningfully, glanced at Yan Ge then continued on.
Only then did Yan Ge go to the palace gate and stepped out. Gao Feng and Gao Yun were already waiting outside, dressed in casual attire.
“Greetings, Yan Daying. May you have auspiciousness,” Gao Feng said.
Yan Ge replied, “No need for formalities. Outside the palace, you may address me as ‘Young master’.”
“Understood.”
The five of them exited the palace through the Beiyang Gate. Not far away, a carriage and two horses were waiting. If it weren’t for considering Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi, Yan Ge would have preferred to ride a horse. Riding a horse was faster and more convenient.
The carriage driver was a young man who appeared honest, probably in his early twenties. When he saw Gao Feng, he immediately jumped down from the carriage.
“Master Feng.”
Gao Feng said, “Young master, this is Xiaosl Shuanzi. He is humble and doesn’t speak much. No matter what he sees or hears, he won’t blabber about it.”
Yan Ge nodded approvingly, “Very good.”
Gao Feng introduced Xiao Shuanzi, “He is Young Master Yan, your master from now on.”
Unaware that Yan Ge was actually a palace consort, Xiao Shuanzi still guessed that he was a person of high status since he came from the palace. He knelt down and said, “Xiao Shuanzi pays respects to Young Master.”
“Please rise. Your monthly allowance will be one tael, and if you perform well, I will increase it. But if you perform poorly… heh.”
Xiao Shuanzi hurriedly replied, “I dare not. I will serve Young Master with all my heart.” He couldn’t conceal his joy. One tael was quite a lot. Previously, he earned just over 300 coins for washing dishes at an inn for a whole month.
Yan Ge instructed, “Prepare for departure. Let’s go to Yan Mansion first.”
It was a decision he carefully considered. If nothing unexpected happened, he would frequently operate in the capital city in the future, and sooner or later, the Yan family would find out about him. It was better to inform them early on to avoid unnecessary complications. Moreover, when he expanded his business in the future, he would certainly need the support of Yan Mansion in terms of finances, connections, and government affairs. Since he and Yan Mansion were already bound together, he would make good use of this connection.
“Yes, Young Master, please.” Xiao Shuanzi promptly took out a stepping stool from the carriage.
Gao Feng and Gao Yun rode their horses alongside the carriage.
Yan Ge asked Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi, “I overheard Xiao Shuanzi calling Gao Feng ‘Master Feng.’ Do you two know what that’s about?”
Xiao Chuanzi explained, “Young Master, it’s like this. Those who can serve as guards in the palace are all children of officials. Ordinary people don’t have this qualification. These guards may be ordinary inside the palace, but outside, they are masters.”
“I see,” Yan Ge understood.
Wan Xiang whispered, “I have inquired before. Gao Feng and Gao Yun are blood brothers. Their original names weren’t Gao Feng and Gao Yun, but because of their excellent martial arts skills, His Majesty personally bestowed them the names ‘Feng’ and ‘Yun.’ His Majesty sent such skilled guards to protect young master. How kind of him!”
Yan Ge smiled knowingly but didn’t explain. After all, he had no intention of engaging in things like treason. With these two powerful individuals by his side, he would have enough assistance.
