After Rescuing The Sickly White Moonlight - Chapter 18

Chapter 18

“I say, Little Young Master, exactly who did you offend?” A’chengyu asked in a low, breathy whisper.

Lin Yu retorted using ventriloquism, “How should I know? I only came out with you today. Why don’t you consider that you are the one who offended someone?”

Several men in black drew their blades and charged. A’chengyu cursed, pulling a whip from his waist to meet them. Lin Yu leaned back, dodging to the side, and delivered a swift kick to the attacker’s flank. The man was momentarily dazed by the force of the kick, but his companion steadied him, and both lunged at Lin Yu with their swords.

A glint flashed in Lin Yu’s eyes as he drew the soft sword hidden in his robes to meet them, his sleeves fluttering in the wind.

A’chengyu swung his whip; it was made of an unknown material that left no mark even when struck by a blade.

Lin Yu didn’t stop talking: “Who sent you? Suo Lou? Is this all you brought? Two against four—hardly fair!”

Irritated by his chatter, one of the black-clad men roared, “So much nonsense!” Their movements grew faster. Lin Yu realized they weren’t aiming for lethal blows; they seemed intent only on causing trouble.

Hearing Lin Yu’s leisure for small talk, A’chengyu felt the boy might be a bit touched in the head. “Little Young Master, can you be quiet for just a moment!”

Lin Yu smiled. A’chengyu bound two of the men with his whip, but then heard the sound of frantic footsteps approaching from behind. He whipped his head around.

Several figures rushed around the corner. A’chengyu tossed a captured sword to the ground. Meanwhile, Lin Yu had struck the pressure points of his two opponents and added a few needle punctures for good measure; they stood frozen, unable to move.

Flexing his fingers, Lin Yu pulled out the silver needles and carefully tucked them away. He smiled at the two captives. “See? You shouldn’t have moved. You made me hit the wrong acupoints, didn’t you? Now it’ll just hurt—no other side effects.”

He looked toward the newcomers and flashed a grin. “Guanyue, you’re late.”

Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes, Guanyue replied, “Young Master, next time, why don’t you try finding markers on the roadside that are smaller than a soybean?”

Lin Yu brushed the dust off his clothes and pulled A’chengyu along. “We’ll change the marker next time, hahaha! Leave these guys to you—don’t let them die. I’ll head back once I finish my errands.”

After searching the men to ensure they carried no poison, Guanyue and his team pulled off the black masks and stuffed them into the captives’ mouths.

Self-produced, self-consumed, Guanyue thought sardonically.

A’chengyu was dragged away by Lin Yu. It took half a block before he finally reacted. “You knew something was going to happen?”

Lin Yu looked at the road ahead as if calculating the route. “Huh? Oh, yeah.”

A’chengyu was frantic. “Did you ever consider what we’d do if we couldn’t beat them?”

Lin Yu paused. “I actually didn’t think about that. I didn’t expect…”

A’chengyu’s heart skipped a beat at the unfinished sentence. He swallowed hard. “Didn’t expect what?”

Lin Yu seemed oblivious to the tension. “I didn’t expect Guanyue to be so slow.”

A’chengyu fell silent. They eventually found Master Smith Wang. Lin Yu handed over a sketch he had drawn. “Master, can this be made?”

The smith examined it carefully. “It can, but it will take about a month.”

“What if I help make it?” Lin Yu pressed.

The smith waved his hand. “Young Master, no offense, but if you want to do it yourself, you’d have to come every day and stay for a long time. Just leave it to us; rest assured.”

Lin Yu compromised. “I’ll come by every few days. You tell me what I can help with, and the rest is in your hands.”

The smith quickly agreed. “No trouble at all.”

Stepping back onto the street, Lin Yu caught a sweet fragrance. He followed the scent to a stall selling snow-white, freshly steamed pastries. A’chengyu followed his gaze and, seeing the target, finally thought the boy looked a bit like a child. He laughed. “What? Does the Little Young Master want a treat?”

Lin Yu withdrew his gaze. “No, I just remembered something delicious I can make. Come on, let’s see what else we can buy. I want to make something good for Qingyun.”

Nearly toppling over from Lin Yu’s sudden pull, A’chengyu scrambled to keep up. How can this kid not go a single day without mentioning Zheng Qingyun? he wondered.

In the end, they brought back a variety of snacks. Naturally, Lin Yu paid; A’chengyu’s pockets were cleaner than his face.

When they returned, Zheng Qingyun was resting, so Lin Yu didn’t disturb him. He found Uncle Zhang, borrowed the kitchen, and dove into his work.

In his sleep, Zheng Qingyun smelled a sweet aroma. He smacked his lips, feeling the scent move closer. He felt a bit of warmth near his mouth and took a bite. A burst of sweetness exploded in his mouth, making him realize it wasn’t a dream.

Lin Yu had entered with a small plate of custard buns (naihuangbao). It was his first time making pastries. He had sent some to the Old Lady and Zheng Mingtang; Zheng Zhili didn’t care for sweets, but he tried one to confirm it wasn’t to his taste.

Seeing Zheng Qingyun’s face nestled in the quilt, looking a bit flushed from the heat—even the small mole beneath his eye tinting pink—Lin Yu took a bun and waved it near his nose. He chuckled as he saw the boy’s nose twitch. As Zheng Qingyun lunged for a bite, he accidentally nipped Lin Yu’s finger.

Lin Yu hissed softly and quickly retracted his hand. Sensing something hard in his mouth that wasn’t bun, Zheng Qingyun opened his eyes to see Lin Yu sitting by the bed. He chewed a few times and squinted happily.

Lin Yu stuffed the rest of the bun into the boy’s mouth. Zheng Qingyun’s cheeks puffed out like a squirrel’s as he finished it in a few bites. He then noticed a faint tooth mark on Lin Yu’s finger resting on the quilt. He gasped and grabbed the hand. “What happened?”

Lin Yu smiled without speaking. Zheng Qingyun thought back, unsure. “Did I bite you?”

Lin Yu hummed an affirmative. “Cravings for meat?”

Zheng Qingyun’s face turned red. “I’m sorry, Brother Xiao Yu.”

Lin Yu pulled the covers back and helped him up. “It’s nothing. Since you’re awake, get up. It’s time to ‘pickle’ you again tonight.”

Zheng Qingyun washed up obediently. The two sat together to review their studies, exchanging a few words now and then. Qingyun didn’t ask about the danger that morning, and Lin Yu didn’t mention it; they both simply waited for the evening.

When night fell, Zheng Zhili hurried over. Upon seeing Lin Yu, he whispered, “A’chengyu’s whip…”

Lin Yu nodded. “It’s a soft whip, but the material is extraordinary.” He added with a frown, “And the assassins seemed to know him. They didn’t aim for my vitals—they were just trying to keep me busy—but they were also holding back against him. A’chengyu might be connected to Suo Lou.”

Zheng Qingyun pondered. “What is his goal? Isn’t he afraid of being caught?”

Lin Yu shook his head. “Two possibilities. Either they know each other, or Suo Lou knows who he is and is afraid to offend him. Based on what I saw, the second is more likely. Also, the fact that he’s targeting me means we’re disrupting his plans. That’s good news,” he joked.

Zheng Zhili glared at him. “You’re still laughing? What if Guanyue hadn’t made it in time? What if something happened to you?”

Lin Yu listened to the lecture obediently. Though he had made arrangements, they were still a bit rough; it was only natural for them to worry.

Zheng Zhili continued, “Eldest Brother just left! If something happened to you, how would I explain it to him? That I couldn’t look after you? You really are…”

Listening to the scolding from the side, Zheng Qingyun stifled a laugh. Zhili wasn’t usually one to lecture, but Lin Yu had managed to trigger it this time.

The quiet days passed quickly. The captured assassins yielded no useful information and were handed over to the authorities, only for the group to hear they had committed suicide a few days later.

The rumor of the Gu family daughter and the Crown Prince falling in love at first sight slowly faded. The popular stories in the streets went through several revisions, but ultimately, the Emperor never issued a marriage decree.

“They say the Gu girl is in poor health. The Emperor spoke with the Prince several times, but the Prince wouldn’t change his mind. Yet, for some reason, the Gu girl doesn’t seem that deeply in love with him either. Anyway, who knows what’s true?” Zheng Mingtang chatted with the Old Lady under the pear blossoms.

Yuan Xiu laughed. “A young girl like you, listening to such gossip all day.”

The Old Lady took a small bite of a pastry. “One has to find their own fun in life, doesn’t one? Xiu, I’m serious—you’re still so young. Don’t you want to find someone you like?”

Yuan Xiu shook her head. “No, Mother. I think things are fine as they are. I just want Mingtang to grow up well and to run my shop.”

The Old Lady sighed softly but didn’t press further. Zheng Mingtang hugged her arm. “Grandmother, isn’t it good for Mother and me to be by your side? I want to stay with you for a long time.”

Night fell.

Liang Yi’an opened a secret letter. The elegant handwriting indicated it was from a woman.

“I hope Your Highness keeps his promise.”

Liang Yi’an tossed the note into the incense burner, his mood excellent. He recalled the day Zheng Yanzhang returned. He had booked a private room at Yunhe Restaurant and sent someone to invite him. On the table were the gifts he had prepared for the new Top Scholar, as well as the bow Yanzhang had given him.

The bow was exquisitely made; it was clear the giver had put much heart into it. Zheng Yanzhang had lingered at the door for a long time before entering. Once he was inside, Li Su closed the door, leaving the two of them to face each other.

Liang Yi’an tapped the seat opposite him with the bow. “Sit. Why so stiff?”

Zheng Yanzhang gave a forced smile and sat down. He was about to take a sip of water when the man opposite him said slowly, “Yanzhang, Mother says I am fond of you. What do you think?”

Startled, Yanzhang choked on his water, coughing violently. He clutched his chest and looked at the calm man across from him, searching for any sign of a joke.

But the Crown Prince wasn’t joking at all.