Chapter 40

Su Ci was half-asleep, almost drifting off, but suddenly remembered something and woke up immediately. She quickly got up, jumped out of bed, and hugged Yang Yanzong’s arm, “Husband, dear, I have something to tell you!”

Yang Yanzong glanced at her, his hands still fastening his inner armor. Such sweet words? He raised an eyebrow, “What is it?”

Su Ci flashed him a sweet smile and quickly said, “It’s about my sister. You know my sister, right? She’s currently helping out at the medical camp.”

“Yes.”

Thinking about it, Su Ci frowned. “You know, my sister has been practicing martial arts for over ten years. It’s such a waste for her to just carry things around at the medical camp. She hasn’t been exposed to this before, so she can only do rough work.”

Like a buddy, she nudged Yang Yanzong with her hip and said, “Can you arrange a different job for my sister? Something where she can showcase her skills. She’s good at light-footed techniques, tracking, and gathering information. Having a woman around can sometimes be more convenient, right?”

Su Ci had this idea for a long time, but her relationship with Yang Yanzong had not reached that level before, so it wasn’t appropriate to bring it up.

Does Yang Yanzong have flaws? Of course, he does. For example, he’s quite the male chauvinist. However, every situation has pros and cons, and Yang Yanzong’s strengths far outweigh his weaknesses.

One of his strengths, which Su Ci greatly admired, was that he didn’t discriminate based on gender. If you had the skills, he would let you shine! When Su Ci demonstrated her solid medical knowledge and considerable flexibility and courage in the military town, he didn’t hesitate to bring her into the medical camp personally. In modern times, this is such a rare and valuable trait! Talent comes first, then gender. As long as you have the skills, he doesn’t care if you’re a man or a woman—he can use you.

Su Ci greatly admired this about him. He was truly remarkable, transcending the limitations of his era. No wonder he was a future hero in the making.

“Su Yan?” Yang Yanzong raised an eyebrow. He took the outer robe from the wooden hanger, glanced at Su Ci hanging on his arm, and raised an eyebrow, “But why should I agree to this?”

He said, “I don’t lack scouts.”

This guy! Su Ci clicked her tongue, “But I’m your wife, right?” She shook his arm, “What’s wrong with solving a problem for your wife?”

And it’s your sister-in-law, too. What’s wrong with giving her some support?

“That does make some sense.” Yang Yanzong nodded, seemingly agreeing with her. He smiled with interest, threw the outer robe into her arms, and pointed to the teacup on the table with his chin, crossing his arms. “Let’s see how you perform.”

Su Ci: “…” Alright, fine, no problem.

“Let’s see how you perform” meant there was a chance! Totally OK!

The outer robe was so big it covered her head. She pulled it off and smiled sweetly, “Just wait, sir, I’ll be right back!”

Yang Yanzong coughed, spreading his arms. She diligently helped him put on the outer robe, fastened the leather belt, adjusted the collar and belt, and then, like a servant attending to an emperor, invited him to sit. She ran to fetch the long boots, brought in the food box, set the table, and served a cup of strong post-meal tea, working like a busy little bee.

Yang Yanzong enjoyed the attentive service and felt completely relaxed. He glanced at her, took the teacup, placed it on the table, and pulled her onto his lap. The brazier was warm, and though she was lightly dressed, her hands weren’t cold. He played with her delicate fingers, “So, your sister is planning to marry in?”

“Yes,” Su Ci nodded. Su Yan had always wanted this, and after years of struggle, Su Di and Mrs. Chen seemed to be gradually accepting it. “I think it’s good. With her personality, I wouldn’t want her to be constrained and mistreated in someone else’s home. As long as she’s happy, that’s what matters. Nowadays, if you look hard enough, you can find someone decent, and with our family watching over her, she won’t suffer.”

“My mother doesn’t have a son, so it’s nice for one of us sisters to stay at home.”

Yang Yanzong didn’t object. Since marrying Su Ci, his tolerance for Su Yan’s behavior has increased significantly. If the Su family was willing, there was nothing more to say. “Alright, I’ll have her follow Yanzhen for now. How about that?”

Su Ci immediately nodded. She had gone out with the main force before, so she knew Yanzhen was responsible for part of the tracking and scouting work.

This was great. Her sister would enjoy it, and having someone familiar around would make it safer and easier to integrate.

Su Ci was delighted, hugging Yang Yanzong’s neck and showering him with kisses, her voice sickly sweet, “Husband, dear, you’re the best~”

Yang Yanzong chuckled. Now she was truly happy, no longer grumbling behind his back. He stood up, Su Ci’s weight light as a feather to him. He easily lifted her and carried her back to the inner room, half-kneeling on the bed and pinning her down, staring at her sweet, pink lips for a moment before kissing her deeply.

They tangled on the bed for a while, almost losing control, but Yang Yanzong remembered he had to go out. At the last moment, he rolled over and lay on his back, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths to calm down.

Then Su Ci remembered something else; her curiosity was piqued again. She wasn’t having it, “Hey,” she nudged him with her foot, “who were you talking about yesterday? How is it no problem?”

Didn’t he say he’d tell her if she took good care of him? They had a great time yesterday, so he couldn’t go back on his word!

She leaned over and shook his arm, whispering, “Come on, tell me.”

Half-revealed secrets are the worst.

Yang Yanzong opened his eyes, his gaze deepening as he mentioned Ji Yan. After a moment, he glanced at her and whispered, “Ji Ye.” His voice was calm but carried a chilling insight.

Su Ci: “Ji Ye?”

Isn’t that Concubine Yan’s adopted son? After the Sixth Princess took Ji Yan away, Concubine Yan never had any more children, so she adopted another concubine’s son a few years later for comfort.

Ji Ye had a gentle personality, and due to his natural relationship with Concubine Yan, he had followed Ji Yan since childhood. He wasn’t particularly outstanding, but among the many concubine-born sons in the Prince’s residence, he was the only one not suppressed by the Princess and Ji Yan. He usually followed Ji Yan, handling some trivial matters.

Su Ci’s eyes widened, “But isn’t he… gentle and courteous?”

She didn’t know how to put it, but Ji Ye had always seemed gentle and refined, never one to compete or stand out. He was Ji Yan’s man, always proper and never overstepping. To Su Ci, he seemed like a good, honest person who didn’t want to compete, so he never made much of an impression.

Yang Yanzong scoffed, “Gentle and courteous?”

Even Su Ci thought so, which showed how successful Ji Ye had been.

A person everyone thought harmless, but this gentle, proper, non-competitive person had quietly followed Ji Yan into the outer study, becoming someone even the Sixth Prince knew about.

Looking at the result rather than the process, Yang Yanzong smiled meaningfully, “Do you still think he’s harmless and proper?”

Remember, the Sixth Prince’s residence had over twenty concubine-born sons. The Sixth Prince wasn’t one to pay much attention to the inner residence, often forgetting the ages of his children. Under the combined suppression of the Princess and Ji Yan, Ji Ye was the only one, besides Ji Yan, who frequently appeared before the Sixth Prince. Quietly and subtly, he made everyone think he was harmless. Could such a person be simple? Could he really be without desires?

Yang Yanzong didn’t believe it. If Ji Ye was waiting for an opportunity, he had found it.

Su Ci was stunned. Yang Yanzong sat up and patted her face. “Sleep for a while. I’ll send someone to the back courtyard to inform them.”

Su Ci immediately gave him a look, her big eyes peeking out from the red bedding. Yang Yanzong glanced at her, annoyed, “I’ll say you came back late from the medical camp last night.”

Su Ci was instantly pleased, half-rising from the bedding to kiss his cheek. “That’s the way to do it. Good job, there’s a reward.”

Yang Yanzong snorted, adjusted his clothes, and, seeing the time, didn’t delay any further. He turned and quickly left.

Su Ci snuggled back into the warm bedding and fell asleep within a minute.

The early spring morning was very cold before dawn. As Yang Yanzong strode out of the main house, the cold wind blew away the last trace of softness from his expression, and his sharp, eagle-like eyes regained their fierce look.

Ji Yan.

Ji Ye.

He snorted, took the whip, mounted his horse, and rode off swiftly.

The conversation between Yang Yanzong and Ji Ye took place that evening.

That day, Yang Yanzong first went to Yangdu, then hurried back to Suiping in the afternoon. The list of people from the Sixth Prince’s residence going to the river had been tentatively decided. They discussed the details in the study all afternoon, and finally, the Sixth Prince instructed those on the list to prepare to depart in the next two or three days.

Yang Yanzong, however, was unhurried. The residence had prepared many supplies for them. When the Sixth Prince gave the order, Ji Ye got up to distribute the prepared items, delivering them to those living in the residence first and arranging for the rest to be loaded onto carts. He usually handled these trivial but unimportant tasks, and everyone was used to it. Everything was as usual, but today, while overseeing the loading of carts outside the stables, someone approached him and said, “Seventh Young Master, your meticulous mind is wasted on these trivial tasks.” The calm, indifferent male voice seemed to state a simple fact.

Ji Ye’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he turned his head in surprise, meeting Yang Yanzong’s knowing, cold eyes.

This powerful man, who had risen several ranks in less than two years and now held a high position capable of supporting the Sixth Prince’s residence, smiled and said, “You know about the enmity between Ji Yan and me,” Yang Yanzong said calmly, “Only one of us can survive. Seventh Young Master, you must know, you won’t get a better opportunity than this!”

“We can cooperate for mutual benefit, can’t we?” Yang Yanzong tilted his head slightly, his lips barely moving as he spoke in a voice only the two could hear, “I need him to go to the river.”

Then they brushed past each other, Yang Yanzong walking straight out the door towards the prepared carts and horses. As they crossed paths, their gazes locked for a moment.

Ji Ye lowered his eyes, hiding the look that didn’t match his gentle persona.

Yang Yanzong strode forward, smiling.

Mutual interests and common goals are the strongest foundation for cooperation.

“Seventh Young Master.”

“Seventh Young Master.”

After loading the carts and exchanging a few polite words, Ji Ye slowly returned to his courtyard.

It was already dark, and along the way, the household staff lit lamps and bowed to him. These people were more respectful to him than to the brothers the Sixth Prince had forgotten, but compared to Ji Yan, there was always something lacking.

It was that genuine, heartfelt respect. But why? Weren’t they all concubine-born sons? Even if they were Concubine Yan’s sons, being raised by the Princess made Ji Yan so much more noble?

From a young age, Ji Yan had been bossy, calling him a brother, but his status was only slightly better than that of a servant. He never dared disobey or show any dissatisfaction. Since childhood, he was constantly taught to be obedient and content as a loyal follower. But he wanted to ask, why?!

If Ji Yan were the Princess’s biological son, born noble, that would be one thing. But Ji Yan was just the son of a lowly concubine, the offspring of a disgraced official. His birth mother was of even lower status than Ji Ye’s! At least Ji Ye’s mother was the daughter of a scholar. There was no need to hesitate. Ji Ye had been waiting for this opportunity for many years. Yang Yanzong was right; he wouldn’t get a better chance than this!

The sunken silver in the river, right?

Ji Ye smiled and nodded to the servants. When one of them accidentally fell from a high stool, he even helped him up. But once he returned to his residence, that gentle and refined smile faded, and a shadow of sharpness appeared on his handsome face. He quickly wrote two lines, cut them with a paper knife, and handed them to his trusted servant. “Deliver this to Zhang Dongling as soon as possible.”

The servant carefully folded the note and hurried out.

In the dimly lit room, Ji Ye was left alone. He stared at the door that had just closed with a creak, then slowly struck a fire starter and lit the candle. The orange-yellow light flickered, and he stared at the flame.

Yang Yanzong had come to him, and he was right to do so. Ji Ye was absolutely confident about this matter!

…

No one knew that one of Ji Yan’s most trusted advisors, Zhang Dongling, was actually Ji Ye’s man. He had planted this piece almost eight years ago, never moving it, waiting for this day. And Zhang Dongling didn’t have to work hard to facilitate this trip to the river.

Ji Yan had been indecisive these past few days, unsure whether to go to the river or not. If he went, he was wary of Yang Yanzong—not afraid, but aware of how troublesome he could be. He didn’t want to get involved unnecessarily. But if he didn’t go, the truth was, the sunken silver in the river was an essential task. The Sixth Prince’s residence had previously tampered with it, and this time, with the unpredictable situation, only elites were going. According to information from the Fourth and Seventh Princes’ residences, both the Fourth and Seventh Princes’ heirs personally led the mission.

Gaining achievements, building reputation, showcasing abilities, and, most importantly, grasping the pulse of the frontline situation was crucial for the heir of any faction.

“Hmm, to go or not to go, the heir must decide soon,” Zhang Dongling stroked his beard. The final list will be submitted to the Sixth Prince tomorrow.

“What do you all think? Should I go or not?” Ji Yan took a sip of tea, found it bland, frowned, and set the cup down, looking around at everyone.

The cup clattered on the table, and Zhang Dongling’s eyebrow twitched slightly. For some reason, Ji Yan seemed more irritable than usual tonight. However, this didn’t stop him from standing up and cupping his hands respectfully. “Your Highness, forgive my bluntness, but if the heirs of the Fourth and Seventh Princes go and you do not, it might be fine if nothing happens. But if something does occur at the river, the Prince might have some thoughts…”

Moreover, would Ji Yan avoid every task Yang Yanzong was involved in?

Zhang Dongling shook his head slightly. “That’s not a long-term solution.” He cupped his hands again. “Your Highness, I believe you should go.”

The Shi brothers exchanged glances and nodded in agreement with Zhang Dongling. “Your Highness, perhaps you should go?”

Of the five people present, three agreed to go. Ji Yan pondered for a moment and finally made up his mind. “Alright, I’ll go tell Father now!” He stood up, feeling a sense of relief. In fact, Ji Yan had another secret that even his closest advisors, including Zhang Dongling, didn’t know—he had placed people under his father’s command and had also tampered with the silver before this river mission.

Gathering a faction and supporting so many people wasn’t easy. The Sixth Prince’s residence had lost the support of the Liu Ying brothers and the empty salaries, putting financial pressure on them. But Ji Yan also had his own private soldiers, which even the Sixth Prince didn’t know about, costing a lot of money annually. With the current turbulent situation, Ji Yan, like the other princes, feared that the situation might spiral out of control and become unmanageable.

The Sixth, Fourth, and Seventh Princes’ residences sent so many people for this reason, which was one of the most important reasons.

Ji Yan gave a few instructions and quickly left. The Shi brothers exchanged glances, understanding Ji Yan’s recent caution and hesitation due to their knowledge of his private soldiers.

No one said anything, but Zhang Dongling, with his keen senses, understood because Ji Ye had told him about Ji Yan’s private soldiers. With a slight smile, he understood.

…

That night, after bathing and grooming, Ji Ye went to pay his respects to Concubine Yan. Before entering the small pavilion, he received the news. He bowed and inquired about Concubine Yan’s diet and sleep, comforting her with warm words about her longing for her son. Finally, he helped her to bed, tucking her in. “Mother, please rest well.”

Stepping out of the pavilion, the night wind was cold. Ji Ye stared at the lake’s cold, radiant glow and smiled. “Send a message to Yang Yanzong tomorrow. It’s done.”

“Also, I’ll give him another piece of information. Ji Yan likely tampered with the silver ships!”

The servant was surprised, but Ji Ye smiled. “Don’t be surprised. My brother has always been skilled and daring, thinking several steps ahead.”

What wouldn’t he dare to do? He was the heir of the Sixth Prince, second only to one and above thousands!

…

The next day, Yang Yanzong received the news while at home. Salvaging the sunken silver in the river was urgent. Official documents had been sent to nearby prefectures, and all necessary tools and personnel had been urgently recruited. After the morning court session, the emperor issued an edict to set off as soon as possible and salvage the silver!

They had to leave today. Yang Yanzong returned from Yangdu to Suiping, packed his belongings, and bid farewell to his parents.

Su Ci smiled, “Father, Mother, please take good care of yourselves. The spring nights are cold, so don’t skimp on the charcoal.”

Yang Chongying nodded. “Thank you for your concern. Be careful on your journey and take care of Yang Yanzong and yourself.”

Mrs. Yan’s lips moved. She was unhappy that Yang Yanzong was taking Su Ci along, but she had no say in external matters. Yang Chongying finished speaking and gave her a warning look. Mrs. Yan grumbled a few words but was ignored, so she had to remain silent.

Yang Yanzong stood by the hall door, and Su Ci noticed A Zhao approaching. He took a few steps outside.

A Zhao whispered a few words in his ear.

Yang Yanzong suddenly smiled.