Chapter 1799 - 904: Chen Yuanlu

The carriage crossed the bustling Chessboard Street, bypassed the densely crowded Lamp Market, and turned into a relatively quiet alley near Chongwen Gate in North City.

Here, the streets were much neater, the blue stone slabs swept clean, flanked mostly by high walls and deep courtyards, their vermilion gates tightly shut. Occasionally, a carriage would enter or exit, quietly and without disturbance.

The earlier clamor at the city gates, the roar of factories, the chugging of Flint Wheel Cars, and the screams of brawls—all vanished, as if entering another world within the city.

Finally, the carriage stopped in front of a residence.

The black lacquered gate had a modest lintel but was solidly built, with gleaming copper rings.

The surrounding walls were made of blue bricks, extending and occupying most of the street.

A pair of modest stone lions stood at the entrance, their craftsmanship simple yet exuding a sense of stability.

Chen Wenxian jumped down from the shaft and cupped his hands to Li Yan and the group: "Young Hero Li, everyone, we’ve arrived."

He pointed at the courtyard gate: "This was once the villa of a Commandery Prince, who got into trouble last year, and his title was revoked. Thus, this residence became public property. The place isn’t large, with three courtyards and a secluded garden, not grandiose by Capital standards. His Highness knows you prefer subtlety and chose this place especially."

"It’s also a small gift from His Highness, please accept with a smile."

Li Yan glanced up at this "not large" residence.

In the Capital’s inner city, where land is precious, to occupy such a quiet street, the term "not large" was rather modest.

"Thank you, Chief Historian Chen, and please convey our gratitude to His Highness," Li Yan cupped his hands.

Receiving such a generous gift naturally signified many things.

Yet, they entered the city with many eyes watching.

If they intended to reject it, they would’ve done so tactfully then.

Chen Wenxian smiled wearily: "Everyone has journeyed and toiled, and the day is drawing to a close, please rest first. Everything required is prepared in the house—the servants and cooks are reliable."

"Tomorrow at辰时, I’ll come again to lead you to the Crown Prince Mansion."

After entrusting a few more words, he bid farewell with his guards.

The sound of the carriage wheels gradually faded, and the alley returned to silence.

Sha Lifei stepped forward and pushed open the black lacquered gate.

The door pivoted with a deep creaking sound.

Facing them was a screen wall, carved with pine cranes wishing longevity on blue bricks, aged but well-preserved.

Rounding the screen was a spacious courtyard, paved with blue bricks, with a few old plum trees planted in the corners, sparsely blooming yellow flowers, their fragrance faint.

The main house had five rooms, with three rooms each in the east and west wings, the columns painted half-new, the windows bright and clean.

A head butler-looking figure, accompanied by several attendants and maids, stood waiting below the porch, seeing them, bowed in greeting—all actions were proper, with no excessive words.

Sha Lifei circled in and out, returning to the courtyard, clicking his tongue: "Wow, and they call this ’not large’? Front and back three courtyards, a garden and a secluded garden. The Crown Prince is truly generous!"

He patted a column, chuckling: "In the Capital, we now have a proper place to stay. Much better than an inn."

Wang Daoxuan shook his head slightly, gazing at the old plum tree in the courtyard, murmuring: "This gift, it burns."

Li Yan understood his implication.

He walked to the old plum tree, reaching out to touch the cool petals.

The fragrance gently greeted his nose.

"Even if it burns, we must accept it," Li Yan replied calmly, "from the moment we decided to return to the Capital, there was no avoiding it."

He turned to the waiting butler: "Prepare hot water and meals, keep it simple. Do not disturb us unless necessary."

The butler bowed and led the servants quietly away.

Before long, the butler returned with two maids, silently bringing in food boxes.

The dishes set on the table were a blend of Jiao State cuisine and Jingjin flavors: a large plate of glossy soy-red scallion braised sea cucumber, the sea cucumber tender, scallion aromatic; a pot of milk soup with wild vegetables, the soup creamy white, vegetables crisp; and authentic Beijing-style shredded pork, paired with thin pancakes; the main dish being firm steamed buns, filling and satisfying, with several side dishes to cleanse the palate.

Having traveled continuously, enduring the wind and sleeping rough, their stomachs had long lacked sustenance, so they spoke little and focused on eating.

In just a quarter hour, the dishes were cleared.

After the bowls and plates were removed, simple tea was served, and everyone sat together, the candlelight crackling and jumping.

Seeing the butler had left completely, Li Yan finally spoke: "Tomorrow, Mr. Wang and I will go to the Crown Prince Mansion to see what is required of us there, no need for too many."

Sha Lifei grinned: "Good, I’ll go out with Dayou for a stroll, he’s familiar with the area and might have information the Cao Gang can’t uncover. At such times, the intelligence from the Golden Swallow Sect is unreliable too."

Kuai Dayou didn’t waste words, nodded silently in agreement.

Kong Shangzhao interjected: "I’ll go to the Captain Bureau to find Master Luo Mingzi."

Luo Mingzi, being Li Yan’s friend and Kong Shangzhao’s benefactor, was one of the few people they trusted most in the Capital.

"Good, let’s do that."

Li Yan nodded slightly, then looked at Long Yan’er and Wu Ba: "Your injuries aren’t entirely healed, we have many valuable items, so stay at home and don’t wander."

With plans set, each went to rest.

Deep courtyard, faintly distant sounds of the night watchman’s rattle echoed.

"Night, third watch, be cautious of fire..."

...

The next day, just at dawn, a layer of cold air clung to the ground.

Sha Lifei and Kuai Dayou slipped out the side door, quickly disappearing into the streets and alleys.

Kong Shangzhao left a bit later, calling for an inconspicuous green-canopy carriage, heading to the Captain Bureau.

Not long after they left, Chen Wenxian’s carriage punctually halted at the gate.

It was still that modest green-canopy carriage, the horses exhaling white breath.

Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan boarded the carriage, Chen Wenxian nodded to the driver, and the carriage moved briskly.