A Different World - Chapter 16: Need

Zuo Qingchuan stared in disbelief. He knew Zheyue Tower’s network of informants was extensive, but he hadn’t expected that even his impulsive decision to have Ye Chang’an go out and buy food for him would lead to the boy being monitored by their own people.

No, it wasn’t that they suddenly started watching. It seemed Zheyue Tower’s people had always been quietly following him, almost as if they were protecting the kid.

Realizing that what came next wasn’t something he should be privy to, Zuo Qingchuan quickly found an excuse: “The weather outside is nice. I’ll take the herbs out to dry.” With that, he hurriedly left the private room.

Ye Yin gazed at the closed door, his eyes reflecting a hint of approval. He then continued speaking to Jiang Yunxiu: “You mentioned earlier that the man is indeed from Qingdu and has also sent invitations to several sects?”

It seemed this man wasn’t here specifically for Zheyue Tower. Nine times out of ten, he was an official sent by the court to persuade and recruit during the martial arts assembly.

Jiang Yunxiu nodded. “We secretly followed the man and discovered he came from the official post station. Master, could it be that this gentleman has noticed something about Chang’an?”

Ye Yin pondered silently, not rushing to comment. He leaned back on the soft cushion, lightly flicking the prayer beads in his hand. The copper tassel swayed with the motion, and the beads clinked against each other with a crisp sound as they separated and reunited.

After a long pause, he finally spoke: “Ziyun.”

“I’m here.” Jiang Yunxiu bowed his head, awaiting orders.

“Keep an eye on that man. If he tries to send any information about Chang’an back to Qingdu, intercept it immediately.” Ye Yin’s voice was calm, but his eyes betrayed lingering concern.

“Yes.” Jiang Yunxiu acknowledged the command. As he was about to leave to deploy men for the task, he hesitated, unable to suppress his curiosity. He paused at the door and asked, “Master, are we really not going to tell Chang’an about his past?”

Ye Yin’s lips parted slightly, then pressed back together as he sighed. “I want him to return to Qingdu peacefully. Before that happens, he cannot become a variable in this game.”

Someday, Ye Yin would tell Chang’an everything that had happened. But before that, he wanted to pave the way for him as much as possible.

Besides, if Chang’an knew what he planned to do next, given the boy’s overly concerned nature, the plan would likely never progress.

Ye Yin couldn’t help but picture Chang’an’s prematurely mature demeanor. The boy often nagged him about not taking care of himself, both exasperating and endearing him. Yet, despite his frustration, Ye Yin couldn’t bring himself to say a single harsh word. The thought brought a faint smile to his face.

“Knock, knock—”

The sound of a knock interrupted his thoughts. Jiang Yunxiu opened the door slightly to check, taking a stack of invitation cards handed to him by a subordinate.

In just one afternoon, Zheyue Tower had received no fewer than a hundred invitations. Most of them were from people seeking favors, such as requests to gather information. Others were challenges, intending to spar with Zheyue Tower before the martial arts assembly officially began.

But among them, he had yet to find the invitation from that gentleman. Could it be that they had been exposed?

“I’m back.” Ye Chang’an knocked lightly on the door. After hearing Ye Yin’s response, he pushed it open and entered. “Zuo Shenyi said he sent up your medicine earlier. Did you drink it?”

As he spoke, he noticed Jiang Yunxiu was also in the room and gave him a second glance.

Focused on the invitation cards in his hand, Jiang Yunxiu didn’t notice Ye Chang’an’s gaze. When his eyes fell on one particular card, he froze, then quickly brought it to Ye Yin. “Master, please take a look at this.”

Ye Yin read the card:

“I am Min Jun, courtesy name Chengzhe, a silk merchant from Qingdu. This journey is to prepare for trade with Jianyue next year, to survey the rapids of the Xiu River and estimate business expenses. Recently, I have heard of Zheyue Tower’s great deeds in making way for others. Admiring your talents for some time, I eagerly seek an audience to discuss the navigation of the Xiu River. This letter is hastily written and incomplete in expressing my thoughts. I hope to speak further in person.”

“Min Chengzhe.” Ye Yin softly repeated the name. “Ziyun, investigate this… Mr. Min.”

He had been about to call him Lord Min but stopped, realizing Chang’an was present. It was better to avoid raising suspicions for now.

“Yes!” Jiang Yunxiu replied.

Ye Chang’an opened a bag of pastries and placed it beside Ye Yin. He then tested the temperature of the medicine bowl and urged, somewhat impatiently, “The medicine is cold.”

“Ah, I forgot.” Ye Yin finally reacted, standing up to take the bowl from Chang’an.

The bitter medicine slid down his throat, combining with the lingering bitterness in his mouth, making Ye Yin’s stomach churn.

Noticing his reaction, Ye Chang’an instinctively picked up a pastry and held it to Ye Yin’s lips. “Eat something sweet to counter the bitterness.”

Ye Yin froze, staring at the pastry in front of him, momentarily forgetting the bitterness in his mouth. Slowly, he took the pastry from Chang’an’s hand and placed it into his mouth.

To Chang’an, this was merely a habitual gesture, devoid of any ulterior motive. Perhaps Ye Yin was overthinking it.

“I washed my hands earlier,” Chang’an explained, misinterpreting Ye Yin’s expression.

Jiang Yunxiu quietly grabbed a piece of pastry to eat on the side. Having been out all day, his stomach was already empty. Hearing Ye Chang’an’s explanation, he almost choked.

Little Chang’an, isn’t the point whether you washed your hands or not!

Ye Yin cast a cold glance at Jiang Yunxiu, then turned to Chang’an, intending to explain, “Chang’an, you’ve grown up, and this kind of—”

Before he could say the word “inappropriate,” Ye Yin noticed Chang’an staring intently at the invitation on the table, lost in thought. He called out softly, “Chang’an?”

Hearing the call, Ye Chang’an snapped back to reality. After a moment of hesitation, he asked Ye Yin, “I don’t know why, but seeing the words ‘Qingdu’ makes my head ache. I’ve told you before—when I was little, I often dreamed of people calling out to me, crying by my ear, telling me to run.”

As he spoke, he crouched slightly in front of the soft chair, aligning his gaze with Ye Yin’s, and asked, “This person from Qingdu—are they related to me?”

So, he had figured out something after all.

Ye Yin’s breath deepened, and his hand holding the prayer beads tightened slightly. In a calm voice, he replied, “Ziyun only discovered that this person is from Qingdu. There’s no evidence of any direct connection to you.”

The entire former palace harem had perished in the fire, with dozens of princes executed. Chang’an’s mother, Consort Hui, had resisted the rebel army’s provocations and taken her own life with a blade.

Apart from the nobles who had pledged allegiance to Xie Yuanrui, there were no longer any close relatives of Chang’an left in the world.

“Chang’an, do you truly not remember anything from before?” Jiang Yunxiu probed. He recalled Zuo Qingchuan mentioning that the wound on the back of Ye Chang’an’s head had long since healed. How was it that after so many years, he could only recall fragmented memories?

Suspicious, Ye Chang’an asked, “What exactly happened to me?”

From Ziyun’s tone, it seemed that his past was very significant—something he should try to remember.

Ye Yin didn’t want to lie, nor did he wish to hide anything from Chang’an, who was wholeheartedly loyal to him. So, he said, “Chang’an, if you can remember it on your own, then so be it. If not, give me a little more time. Once the martial arts assembly concludes and everything settles down, I will tell you everything about the past.”

“Your plans—am I not allowed to know them?” Ye Chang’an’s expression darkened slightly. Despite all his efforts over the years, he still felt that he was of no real help to Ye Yin.

Ye Yin shook his head. “No, you are the most important part of the plan. I need you very much. I’m not telling you for now because I have arrangements in place. So, Chang’an—”

“Understood. I am at your command,” Ye Chang’an interrupted. He didn’t need Ye Yin to explain further. Just hearing the words “I need you” was enough.