Chapter 80: Old Fishhead

Cai Xiao slowed his eating. “That Taoist is a demon, and that’s that. If the matter of the wronged souls is beyond the magistrate, then let’s not spread it around.”

“But I think what we saw was real—those women…”

Cai Xiao grabbed the constable by the collar and dragged him out. “Remember, you saw nothing last night.”

Feeling the grip on the back of his neck, the constable nodded. “Understood, Brother Cai.”

When Jiang Lan left the palace, two more carriages followed—one carrying a fierce tiger, the other loaded with chests of the finest treasures bestowed upon him. Jiang Lan deliberately ordered no attempt to conceal these; instead, the carriages rolled openly through the streets, attracting countless curious gazes.

Jiang Lan leaned against the carriage window, half his head protruding outside, humming a carefree tune. Beside him, Eunuch Yu Yuan shrank into a corner, doing his utmost to make himself invisible, all the while marveling at how extraordinary the young lord truly was.

To confront Prince Anping without hesitation, to remain unflustered even after an assassination attempt—such is the bearing of nobility, truly impressive!

“My lord, perhaps you should pull your head back in. Isn’t this a bit dangerous?” Yu Yuan suggested.

“Don’t worry. I checked—the frame of this carriage is made from the finest century-old agarwood, strong and resilient. Unless they shoot a heavy crossbow at us, nothing will pierce it.” As Jiang Lan spoke, he patted the carriage’s body. “Listen—the sound alone tells you how sturdy it is.”

“But your head is still outside.”

Carriages from the palace were always grand, and the windows on both sides especially wide. Even with half his body stretched out, Jiang Lan did not seem cramped in the least.

Yu Yuan fell silent. He gave up trying to persuade him. He finally understood—this young lord was truly reckless with his life. Thankfully, the Empress Dowager had dispatched the Imperial Guard to escort them, and though the official reason was to deliver the white tiger, everyone knew it was really for the young lord’s protection. Perhaps even General White Tiger was meant as a bodyguard.

The Empress Dowager, moved by the young lord’s inability to care for the white tiger, had even granted it the title of general, and reassigned a dozen palace beast tamers to the Duke of Weiguo’s household, with their salaries drawn from the imperial menagerie.

Though the young lord’s looks were less than remarkable, his flattery was unmatched—enviable beyond compare.

As dusk approached, the streets were filled with people hurrying home.

The procession of carriages wound its way past the rarely visited Wucheng Military Command. Jiang Lan, still hanging half out of the window, now held his signature golden fan, the golden bells of the carriage tinkling all the way.

“Tsk, tsk—who would have thought that girl would actually show up out here, and right…” Jiang Lan paused, turning to Yu Yuan. “Old Fish Head, should I go say hello to Fang?”

Old Fish Head? Yu Yuan’s mouth twitched. Clearly, the young lord was holding a grudge—he’d never let go of what happened with Prince Anping. Even today, in coming to fetch him, he was tepid at best; if not for the Empress Dowager’s sake, the young lord would hardly have given him a glance.

Still, if he must be called Old Fish Head, so be it.

But what was this about Fang?

Seeing Yu Yuan’s confusion, Jiang Lan pulled him closer and pointed to a man and woman standing by the carriage outside the Wucheng Military Command. “Take a look.”

Noting the young lord’s eager expression, Yu Yuan couldn’t help but poke his head out as well.

“Isn’t that Second Sister Fang? And the man facing her looks so familiar! Really familiar!” As the evening breeze picked up, Yu Yuan clutched his hat, pondering for a moment. “Ah! Isn’t that Lord Mu?”

Yu Yuan announced as if revealing a treasure.

Jiang Lan’s eyes glinted with rainbow hues. “Well then, Old Fish Head, you know them well?”

“Very well! My lord, if you wish to know anything, your humble servant will tell all, leaving nothing out!” Yu Yuan fawned, genuinely wary of these audacious, reckless nobles—any one of them could crush him in an instant if they chose.

He hadn’t thought much of this young lord before, believing him to be simply favored by the Empress Dowager and thus worth placating. Now, thinking it over, he broke into a cold sweat.

Terrifying!

Nothing is more frightening than someone truly powerful pretending to be a fool.

Why hadn’t he realized it sooner?

“Tell the drivers ahead to slow down.”

Jiang Lan’s brows danced, face alight with curiosity and warmth, but in Yu Yuan’s eyes, it was nothing short of terrifying.

“Is he plotting to tease them again?” Yu Yuan thought, and as he lifted the curtain to relay the order, he cast a sympathetic glance at Second Sister Fang in the distance, then began to pity himself. “Second Sister Fang merely offended the County Princess Chen and has been on the young lord’s mind ever since. As for the things I’ve done…”

Yu Yuan shivered. Was it too late to switch sides now?

“My lord, that Lord Mu is one of the most eligible gentlemen in the imperial capital. Many daughters of noble houses in Jiankang dream of marrying him.”

“Oh? Tell me more.”

Jiang Lan perched himself on the wide carriage window, one leg crossed, leisurely fanning himself with the golden fan, sending cool spring air drifting through.

Yu Yuan, seated below, stroked his chin, assuming the posture of a storyteller.

“There are four renowned gentlemen in the capital. The first, whom you’ve met, is the eldest son of the Prime Minister’s household, who recently returned—he’s distantly related to you, my lord.”

Jiang Lan raised his brows, motioning for him to continue.

“The Prime Minister’s first wife died young, leaving only a daughter. He later married Her Highness, the Princess of Jinyang. The eldest son is their child.”

“And that eldest daughter, though a stepchild, was raised by the princess as her own. She grew up at her side and later married the heir of the Duke of England, now the present Duke.”

“My uncle?”

Yu Yuan nodded vigorously.

“At that time, the eldest son was just a child, sickly since birth, and mostly raised by the Duchess. The Princess, not in good health, could not care for him, and the Duchess, though remarried, would often bring him to the Duke’s estate.”

“So, we are indeed related.” Jiang Lan nodded. “By my aunt’s side, that eldest son and I are cousins; by my mother’s side, I should call him uncle.”

“That’s correct.”

Jiang Lan waved his hand, not wishing to dwell further on this complicated web of kinship.

“The four great gentlemen—so this Lord Mu must be among them.”

“My lord, your wisdom knows no bounds…” Yu Yuan wiped the sweat from his brow and continued, “Lord Mu’s background is not to be underestimated, either. He is the only son of the Marquis of Liu and Lady Changle, doted on by all. Though he excels in martial arts, his literary talent is also superb!”

Jiang Lan rubbed his hands together, lowering his voice. “I’m not interested in your stories. Just tell me about the situation at hand.”

“This situation?” Now the aged Yu Yuan stole a glance out the window, his face flushing red. He was a rootless man—how was he supposed to comment on this? His heart pounded with anxiety, heat rising to his cheeks.

But, thinking of the ruthless young lord, Yu Yuan had no choice but to press on against the wind.