So, as I said previously, I’ve decided to finish the book😅. I just felt uncomfortable leaving it like that and I also want to see how Yan Ge reaches the top!!
Inside the palace, during the first New Year, Yan Ge was as busy as a spinning top while everyone were on holiday.
After the New Year, he and Huangfu Yuchen were going to disguise themselves and embark on a journey to the south. Before that, they had to arrange the affairs of the company. Linlang Pavilion, the amusement park, the toy house… all were steadily developing.
In November, the newly opened large-scale winery, “Zuixianju,” made a big splash as the weather gradually turned cold, and now it was thriving under the management of Gao Feng and Gao Yun. In addition, Yan Ge ordered a large batch of gloves and knee pads, but he kept the news under wraps and stored them in a secret warehouse. They were not to be sold this winter; they had another purpose.
The business of the First Company was growing, and Yan Ge could easily come up with two hundred thousand taels. However, on one hand, he and Huangfu Yuchen were still in the Enlightenment stage of cultivation and didn’t need to rush into the next level of techniques. On the other hand, he had gained power too quickly in the past year and needed to restrain himself a bit. Moreover, he was also busy with the company’s new development plan. After he left, it would be entrusted to Wei Jushen and Little Jin.
Huangfu Yuchen was also
arranging political matters for the next four months. This southern journey served two purposes.
On one hand, it was an opportunity for Yan Ge to have some fun. On the other hand, it allowed them to inspect the current conditions of the people in the south. They would be accompanied by Deng Mande, Prime Minister Wen Jiang Gan, Grand Tutor Song Chaobang, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards Yang Zhuo, Imperial Guards Gao Feng and Gao Yun, palace maid Du Juan, Court Physician Zhang, as well as several guards.
The political affairs would be managed by Grand Tutor You and Prince Dai (Huangfu Yuhu), who will be supervised by the six ministers.
“Brother, you’re not taking me with you? I also want to travel around,” Huangfu Yuhu walked discontentedly to the imperial desk, protesting as he looked at Huangfu Yuchen.
“You will obediently stay behind to handle political affairs,” Huangfu Yuchen lowered his head to read the memorials and glanced at him, “Who has been leisurely traveling to various places for two to three months every year for the past five years? Don’t expect it this time.”
“Fine, I’ll stay,” Huangfu Yuhu deflated, but then he smirked, “By the way, I still remember that time we casually saw Yan Guiren in the Imperial Garden, and you dismissively said ‘just a man.’ Who would have thought that you would care so much about him now?”
“He is the person I love,” Huangfu Yuchen thought of Yan Ge, and warmth filled his eyes, “With him, I truly feel alive.”
“Hmm, tsk, tsk!” Huangfu Yuhu snickered.
Huangfu Yuchen cleared his throat, “Enough, you have no business here.”
“Alright, alright, alright, I won’t disturb the Emperor and his ‘important matters,’” Huangfu Yuhu laughed mischievously and quickly fled.
Not long after, a eunuch announced from outside the door, “Announcing to the Emperor, Grand Tutor Song requests an audience.”
“Let him in.”
Song Chaobang walked in with high spirits, “The old minister pays respects to the Emperor.”
“No need for formalities, Teacher. Please have a seat and enjoy some tea,” Huangfu Yuchen was very polite to the Grand Tutor. “It snowed heavily yesterday, and the roads are slippery from the cold. How did Teacher manage to come to the palace?”
Song Chaobang sat down and then stood up again, looking like he had something difficult to say, “To be honest with the Emperor, the old minister has a request.”
“What is it Teacher, speak directly,” Huangfu Yuchen urged.
Song Chaobang knelt on the ground, “The old minister heard that Song Guiren has been ill for a long time, and it’s because of his pent-up worries. I am deeply concerned, so I have gathered the courage to ask the Emperor to allow him to accompany us, so that Song Guiren can relax.”
Huangfu Yuchen’s face showed surprise, “
Song Guiren is ill? Grand Tutor Song, you are mistaken. If he is ill, he should focus on recuperating. At the end of winter, with the extreme cold, Song Guiren shouldn’t leave the palace. But rest assured, We will have all the imperial physicians go to Chunfeng Palace and make sure they provide proper medical treatment for him.”
Song Chaobang’s remaining words were all blocked by Huangfu Yuchen. He was left with a heavy heart, unable to say anything, so he thanked Huangfu Yuchen and left.
Yan Ge walked steadily towards the study, stepping on the creaking snow. Soon, he saw a person approaching from the front.
“Greetings, Prince Dai.”
“Yan Guiren?” Huangfu Yuhu was surprised. He paused in front of Yan Ge, and gazed at him with a smile, “Yan Guiren, there is no need for too much courtesy. Speaking of which, although I often come and go from the palace, this is the first time I’ve met Yan Guiren. I am pleased to meet you.”
Yan Ge smiled but didn’t say anything. There were many eyes and ears within the palace, and Huangfu Yuhu, even if he was close to Huangfu Yuchen, was still an outsider. He couldn’t give anyone an opportunity to gossip.
Huangfu Yuhu could sense what Yan Ge was worried about. He paused for a moment, then smiled again, “Just now, my brother mentioned you to me. Yan Guiren, you have made such significant contributions to the Great Han Kingdom. I also want to express my gratitude to you.”
Yan Ge’s expression remained unchanged, but he frowned inwardly.
Was he overthinking? Did Huangfu Yuhu’s words imply that Huangfu Yuchen’s kindness to him was merely because of his merits to the Great Han Kingdom?
“Prince Dai, your words carry weight, and I dare not refuse. I’ll go ahead and see the Emperor first.”
“Wait.” Huangfu Yuhu held up his hand stove and handed it to Yan Ge, with a faint reproach in his tone. “Why didn’t Yan Guiren bring a hand stove when he came out? You are too careless, take mine.”
“No need to trouble yourself, Prince Dai. The Emperor will make arrangements for me,” Yan Ge gracefully stepped back, evading his hand, nodded, and left on his own.
Huangfu Yuhu was stunned on the spot. Just a minor consort had shown such disrespect to him, a prince. Moreover, he heard that he didn’t even bow to the Emperor, let alone to him. Thinking of this, Huangfu Yuhu shook his head and left.
After walking a while, Wan Xiang couldn’t help but murmur, “Young Master, Prince Dai is too rude. You belong to the Emperor, how could he treat you so lightly?”
Yan Ge warned her with a glance and whispered, “Don’t speak nonsense.”
Wan Xiang stiffened and discreetly scanned her surroundings, “Yes!”
Song Chaobang absentmindedly walked on the snowy path and noticed Yan Ge. His heart stirred, and he quickly approached him.
“Respectful greetings to Yan Guiren.”
Yan Ge slightly turned away, evading his salute, and smiled faintly, “Grand Tutor Song, an elder of two dynasties, with remarkable achievements. I am truly in awe.”
Song Chaobang said, “Yan Guiren, you flatter me. In fact, I have a request.”
Yan Ge became cautious and smoothly changed the topic, “Grand Tutor Song, your high praise is undeserved. If you have any difficulties, you can always consult the Emperor. We are not far from the Imperial Study. I am willing to accompany Grand Tutor Song to see the Emperor. Grand Tutor Song, please.”
“Yan Guiren,” Song Chaobang felt irritated dealing with this slippery person. “I just came out of the Imperial Study, and the Emperor did not agree to my request.”
“In that case, Yan Guiren is powerless,” Yan Ge’s caution grew heavier. “Grand Tutor Song, aren’t you making things difficult for me? If the Emperor does not agree, he must have his reasons. If I were to request it and the Emperor agrees, won’t I be suspected of meddling in politics?” Song Chaobang had once made a remark about him during a court session, so he took the opportunity to retaliate.
Song Chaobang paused and earnestly said, “At that time, I was not targeting Yan Guiren, but acting for the sake of the monarch and the nation. Later, I realized it was just a misunderstanding, and I should give me apologizes to Yan Guiren.”
Yan Ge couldn’t really let him apologize, so he could only say, “I dare not.”
Song Chaobang sighed, “I am only concerned about Song Guiren’s prolonged illness and wanted him to accompany us on the journey south to relax. I hope Yan Guiren can speak a few good words for me in front of the Emperor, considering my position as a father. Besides, this matter is also the Emperor’s personal affair and should not be considered meddling in politics.”
With the conversation reaching this point, Yan Ge couldn’t easily refuse anymore and said, “I will mention this matter to the Emperor, but I cannot guarantee anything.”
Song Chaobang hurriedly said, “Thank you, Yan Guiren.”
The door to the Imperial Study was pushed open, and a gust of cold wind rushed in. Huangfu Yuchen knew it was Yan Ge without even looking. He ordered, “Hot tea, hand stove, refreshments.”
As he spoke, he got up and quickly walked to Yan Ge, wrapping his hand in his warm palm and pulling him towards the couch. “Why did you come here on such a cold day? You didn’t even bring a hand stove, nor did you wear warmer clothes.”
The couch was covered with a soft fur blanket, warm and comfortable. Huangfu Yuchen pushed him to sit down and grabbed a neatly folded blanket nearby to wrap him up.
The eunuchs and palace maids quickly closed the door, blocking out the cold air, and brought a charcoal brazier to the side of the couch. The high-quality silver-threaded charcoal not only produced no smoke but also emitted a faint fragrance along with high heat.
Deng Mande swiftly poured a steaming cup of tea and placed it on the small table.
“Don’t you know that I’m not afraid of the cold?” Yan Ge used his spiritual sense to communicate with Huangfu Yuchen. Although he said so, he didn’t take his hand away from Huangfu Yuchen’s hand. Instead, he quietly held it.
“Although that’s the case, I can’t help but worry,” Huangfu Yuchen embraced him through the blanket and whispered, “Do you miss me? I’ve been busy these days.”
Yan Ge nodded and relaxed, leaning against him. “When I came in just now, I saw that your complexion wasn’t too good. What happened?”
After Deng Mande and the others retreated, Huangfu Yuchen kissed Yan Ge’s lips a few times and spoke against his lips, “Grand Tutor Song just came, asking me to allow Song Guiren to accompany us on the journey south. You know, I had considered arranging for Song Ruhao to leave the palace if he didn’t want to let him in. But he refused, and at that time, he should have anticipated that things wouldn’t end well for Song Ruhao‘s once he came into the deep palace. And now… it seems his pride has gotten the better of him.”
Yan Ge said, “I met him earlier and he asked me to speak a few good words for him in front of you.”
Huangfu Yuchen frowned, “Did you agree?”
“No,” Yan Ge said, “but after all, he is an elder of two dynasties and is your teacher, as well as the Crown Prince’s. It wouldn’t be appropriate to deny him face. However, I wouldn’t want to bring Song Ruhao with us.”
Huangfu Yuchen looked at his conflicted expression, smiled gently and pulled back the blanket. He hugged him tightly, and then wrapped him back in the blanket. “We won’t bring him. As for saving face, we can compensate Grand Tutor Song in other ways.”
“Since Grand Tutor Song is your teacher, if news of this spreads, won’t others think you are heartless? Should we bring him along?” Yan Ge continued his conflicting thoughts. “But, what if Song Ruhao tries some tricks on the road, like getting you drunk, sending aphrodisiacs, blocking assassins’ swords for you? Or even pretending to be seriously ill or hanging himself, staging a ‘sacrifice’… That would be disastrous.”
Huangfu Yuchen helplessly said, “How did you come up with all of this?”
“Didn’t I tell you about the other world?” Yan Ge looked up at him. “It’s all staged like that in the dramas.”
“It will not to bring him,” Huangfu Yuchen made a decisive and domineering decision, gently bumping his forehead against Yan Ge’s. “You sit here, and I’ll return to Tenglong Palace after finishing the plan.”
Yan Ge lay on the fur blanket, struggled for a while, and then ran over to Huangfu Yuchen’s side.
Huangfu Yuchen glanced at his bare feet, gave him a stern look, and then sat down with him on his lap.
“Eat this.” After completing several side missions in the past few months, Yan Ge had received quite a number of rewards. He had actually forgotten about the Poison Immunity Pill he had obtained a long time ago, only remembering it just now. After confirming with Yan Jin, he learned that this Poison Immunity Pill not only neutralized toxins but also acted as an aphrodisiac antidote.
Huangfu Yuchen glanced at it without much interest and swallowed it, saying, “It’s a bit bitter, what is it?”
“A poison,” Yan Ge smirked.
Huangfu Yuchen remained calm and continued writing on the paper, “In that case, I should devour you before the poison takes effect, even if it means becoming a debauched ghost in death.”
Yan Ge quickly said, “It’s a Poison Immunity Pill. I’ve thought it over, and we should bring Song Ruhao along.” If he dared to do anything, he would send him straight to the Cold Palace, putting an end to it once and for all.
Huangfu Yuchen glanced at him helplessly, “You just can’t be satisfied, can you?”
“Du Changzai should come too,” Yan Ge had his own plans, with Du Zhengfeng, a shadow guard, he would have a reliable ally. “Song Guiren is still ill, and Du Changzai’s rank is lower than his, so it’s only natural for him to take care of Song Guiren continuously.”
Du Zhengfeng, who was sitting in a warm room and dozing off, felt an inexplicable chill in his heart.
“It’s up to you,” Huangfu Yuchen conceded, he just had no way to argue with Yan Ge. However, he and Yan Ge had made significant progress in their cultivation, both reaching the mid-stage of the Enlightenment stage. Even the most formidable experts were not necessarily their opponents, so there was no need to worry about what Song Ruhao could do to them.
