Chapter 132: The Person Without an Identity

Watching his uncle, who had been thoroughly intoxicated, being carried away in the courtyard, Chen Yu finally let out a sigh of relief and instructed his servants to settle him in properly.

Turning around, he caught sight of Chen Shou, who was preparing to leave. "It is so late already; why not stay at the villa tonight?"

Chen Shou glanced back. "There is no need."

Chen Yu lowered his gaze. "We will handle the matter regarding that woman. As for Mother..."

"Rest assured, I will say nothing, nor will my people. Big Brother, just see to it that you keep the people in this courtyard in check." His voice was icy, even more piercing than the biting night wind.

"Are these rumors spreading everywhere your own doing?" After a moment's hesitation, Chen Yu felt compelled to voice his lingering doubt.

"Me? Do you think I am that capable? To have every street and alley, and even the entire imperial court, aware of this in an instant—in your eyes, Big Brother, I, Chen Shou, am truly that formidable."

Chen Yu looked at the person standing in the moonlight, who appeared as a mirror image of himself. His hands, pale as jade, were busy at work, yet they seemed stained with endless blood, a sight that made one shudder.

"Why bother denying it? Besides you, who else under the heavens possesses such swift methods and cunning?"

Chen Shou turned around, facing that identical face. "Is there not you, Big Brother?"

"Chen Sui'an, my patience has its limits. If you continue to act under my name like this, next time, I will not help you clean up your mess!"

"Ha! Do you think I am happy to go by your name, Big Brother? In the memories of those people out there, the second young master of the Anping Prince’s Mansion has never existed. My birth was never even recorded in the jade genealogy! A person without a name and without status—ha, how laughable!"

Chen Shou turned away and said calmly, "I never begged you to clean up after me. Besides, had you not intervened, none of them would have been able to rise again anyway."

"Stop sending people to contact Hai Cen; he has been completely exposed. You had best not touch the pieces in the palace. I will find someone to fill his position. If you continue to act this way, Father will eventually find out. If you ruin Father’s plans, he will not spare you."

Chen Shou cast a sidelong glance and then walked away.

Chen Yu gave orders to his men in the shadows, "Remove all the secret agents who had contact with Hai Cen. If they can be withdrawn, withdraw them. If it is absolutely..." Chen Yu rubbed his brow. "Find a way to dispose of them."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The next day, Jiang Lan looked at the young boy opposite him, who had grown significantly taller, and instructed, "My sister was right; it is best to drink milk regularly. Qingli, give Ming-ge’er another dumpling; the flavor is quite good."

"As you wish."

"Has Sanmu left yet?" Jiang Lan asked, sipping his thin congee.

Qingli placed a plum pastry she had made onto Jiang Lan’s plate. "He has. I went to knock on his door at the crack of dawn, fearing he might miss the hour. I only returned to prepare breakfast after seeing him set off. Young Master, please try this; I made it specifically for you."

The crust of the plum pastry was coated in a layer of oil, glowing a brilliant golden yellow, and sprinkled with white granulated sugar. One bite revealed a deep purple, floral-scented filling; the fragrance of plum blossoms filled the taste buds instantly.

"Where did you get plum blossoms at this time of year?"

Seeing that Jiang Lan enjoyed it—finishing one in two bites—Qingli served him a few more. "I found them in the cellar yesterday. They were preserved in snow. They make an excellent filling for these square pastries, so I kneaded the dough early this morning to let you have a fresh taste."

"Excellent. Give some to Ming-ge’er."

A while later, Ming-ge’er finished his meal and bowed to Jiang Lan. "Great-uncle, I have finished my meal. I am off to school now."

Jiang Lan inquired about the things the servant was carrying outside. "The school supplies look different from yesterday’s. Why is that?"

"The willow trees by the river are swaying gracefully in the third month, sprouting new buds. The teacher is taking us out for a spring outing today, so we brought different things."

Jiang Lan nodded and advised, "In that case, be sure to mind your safety while out. Go on, don't be late and incur the teacher's displeasure."

"Yes, Great-uncle."

Watching Ming-ge’er walk away, Jiang Lan sighed, "It is good to be young; so much time to squander."

"Is the Young Master not young yourself? Why speak such nonsense?" Qingli chuckled from the side. In her eyes, Jiang Lan was merely a mortal who knew some magic and was a bit more capable than others; there was nothing unusual about him.

"Yes, indeed, I am still young."

Having been granted a second chance, every step must be taken without error.

***

Outside the guesthouse, Sanmu, who had been denied entry, paced back and forth, scratching his head. "That wretched girl was in such a rush that I didn't bring the Duke’s invitation. Now look at this—who would recognize me, a humble Daoist? I cannot even get through the door, let alone meet the Great Master of Baima Temple. Bah, it’s all that girl’s fault!"

Sanmu squatted outside a shop across from the guesthouse that had yet to open for business, using a stick to draw circles haphazardly on the ground.

"Forget it, leave it to fate. I shall just wait here. I don't believe I won't be able to catch Kongkong leaving."

No sooner had Sanmu finished speaking than a luxurious carriage pulled up to the gate opposite him.

Seeing the emblem of the Duke of England’s mansion on the carriage, Sanmu rubbed his hands in excitement. "As expected, the Ancestor still looks kindly upon me."

Straightening his robes, Sanmu walked toward the main entrance of the guesthouse once more.

"This humble Daoist is a retainer of the heir of the Duke of Wei’s mansion. I have come today at the request of the heir to exchange insights with Great Master Kongkong. If you do not believe me, you may go to the Duke’s mansion to verify the truth of the matter."

"Go, go, go! Where did this stinking Daoist come from? Don't think that just because you're dressed like a human you can go around swindling people. Do you know what kind of place this is? How dare you be so presumptuous here!"

"Hey! You soldier, how rude! How am I swindling anyone? Am I eating your rice or drinking your broth?"

Xue Mingrui was standing to the side, waiting for his personal servant, Xue Kai, to present his credentials. He heard the commotion not far away.

Xue Kai tucked the name card into his robe and walked over to Xue Mingrui. "Young Master, we may enter now."

Xue Mingrui raised a hand and ordered, "I just heard my cousin's name mentioned. Go and see what is happening."

Seeing the direction the Young Master gestured toward, Xue Kai nodded and walked over.

"I do not know what the two of you are arguing about, but this guesthouse is currently hosting foreign dignitaries. Such behavior is quite unseemly."

Seeing that Xue Kai was dressed as an attendant to a high-ranking noble family, both men ceased their exchange of insults.

Sanmu bowed. "This humble Daoist is a retainer of the heir of the Duke of Wei. I came here today on his behalf, but the matter was urgent, and I carelessly misplaced the invitation. I merely wished to explain or have them relay a message to the Master inside to confirm my identity. I did not expect this soldier to be so insolent. I lost my temper and argued with him, losing my composure and bringing shame upon my master."

Seeing that the Daoist spoke with a refined air, Xue Kai recalled that the heir’s mansion had indeed welcomed a Daoist priest the day before, even designating a specific courtyard for him—though the most famous thing about it was not the courtyard itself, but the Daoist’s cousin.

It was said the heir was quite fond of her; she had moved into the heir’s own courtyard to serve him that very day. The news had spread throughout the entirety of Jiankang.

"Do not worry, Daoist. My master is related to the heir. I will go and inquire."

Sanmu expressed his gratitude, and after Xue Kai departed, he cast a proud glance at the soldier who had been so rude.