Chapter 11 The Fish Has Taken the Bait

Chapter 11 The Fish Took the Bait

Late morning, Yan Weichu's carriage entered Zhanyun Garden. As soon as it stopped, Zheng Shize, smiling, stepped forward and personally helped him alight.

"Your Majesty..."

The moment he spoke, noticing Yan Weichu's displeased expression, he immediately understood and changed his address: "Young Master Yan."

Yan Weichu nodded. "Go attend to your own affairs. There's no need to mind me. Don’t let anyone know we’re acquainted."

"Alright."

Seeing that his flattery had missed the mark, Zheng Shize decided not to press his luck. He left an attentive steward to attend to Yan Weichu and went on his way.

The steward smiled ingratiatingly and gestured. "Young Master, this way, please."

Yan Weichu followed.

They passed through a covered corridor, where pavilions and towers rose according to the terrain. Red-painted buildings were nestled among soaring galleries, with a cascading waterfall pouring into a stone pool, the sound of water clear and melodious. Every step offered a new view.

The guiding steward explained to Yan Weichu that this area, named Zhenliuqi (Resting-by-the-Stream Lodge), was a place for distinguished guests to rest and stay. The Moma Yard (stables) was located to the east. If he was interested, he could personally go and select a horse to his liking.

Entering the Wangxuan Lodge (Outlook Pavilion) in the mountains, one could lean on the railings and overlook the polo field ahead.

Those who had arrived early were already on the field, the atmosphere lively, with bursts of cheers and shouts occasionally drifting over.

Zhanyun Garden was a place bestowed by Emperor Taizu back in the day. Originally a private training ground for the noble scions of the capital to practice archery and horsemanship and spar in martial arts, over the past hundred years it had evolved into a venue exclusively for these young masters to play polo, amuse themselves, and pass the time.

Various families took turns organizing events, with matches held every now and then, making it quite bustling.

This time was Zheng Shize's first time hosting. After Yan Weichu posthumously honored his birth mother, he also granted the Zheng family an earldom. Though it wasn’t hereditary, Zheng Shize had still managed to step into this circle.

Invitations were sent to all the young masters from prominent families in the capital. Regardless of how those people privately looked down on Zheng Shize, each one was urged by their elders to attend.

After all, with the emperor now taking the reins personally, the Zheng family was bound to become influential. It was also an opportunity to sound out the emperor’s attitude toward them through the Zheng family.

But the idea of holding this polo match actually came from Yan Weichu. The identity he had borrowed as the heir of the Count of Anding should also make himself known.

Firstly, to see how many among these noble scions still had real skill, and secondly... to find a pretext to get to know Xie Xiao.

On the entry road, Zheng Shize was giving instructions to his subordinates when he glanced over and saw the carriage from the Marquis of Dingbei's residence approaching. He breathed a sigh of relief—he’d worried Xie Xiao wouldn’t come and he wouldn’t be able to explain it to Yan Weichu.

So he put on a smiling face and went to greet them.

But more than just Xie Xiao stepped out of the carriage; there was also his "childhood friend." Zheng Shize quickly signaled to someone nearby to report to Yan Weichu, then stepped forward: "Marquis, it’s an honor!"

After a few perfunctory pleasantries, Zheng Shize had to attend to other guests and left his attendants to welcome them inside.

Once they were farther away, Su Ping remarked, "I see quite a few people here today—carriages from every residence. The Zheng family must have quite the influence."

Xie Xiao said lightly, "Close to the emperor, it’s always been like this. Fortunes shift, that’s all."

Yan Weichu was still drinking tea in the lodge. After hearing what his subordinate said, he frowned and asked, "The Marquis brought him along? Your master even sent an invitation to that person?"

"I’m innocent!" Zheng Shize knew these subordinates couldn’t explain clearly and hurried over personally to clarify. Sure enough, as soon as he entered, he heard Yan Weichu questioning him and quickly cried out in protest. "Why would I send him an invitation? The highest-ranking uncle in Young Master Su's family is just a regional assistant commander. I didn’t even think of him. He clearly came with the Marquis of Dingbei..."

"You can shut up now," Yan Weichu coldly cut him off.

Zheng Shize obediently closed his mouth.

Yan Weichu asked, "Where are they now?"

Zheng Shize answered honestly, "They went straight to the Moma Yard to pick horses."

So they also headed to the Moma Yard and indeed saw Xie Xiao and Su Ping there.

By then, everyone else had gone to the polo field, so no one else was around the Moma Yard. Xie Xiao was carefully selecting a horse, while Su Ping stood to the side. Neither noticed Yan Weichu and his group not far behind them.

"Mingzhao, did you come specifically for today’s top prize—the Green Frost Sword that belonged to the old Marquis of Loyal?" Su Ping's voice carried over.

Hearing this form of address, Yan Weichu’s expression shifted slightly.

Xie Xiao’s attention was entirely on the horses. He nodded. "My grandfather’s treasured sword—I want to reclaim it."

Su Ping asked curiously, "Wasn’t the Green Frost Sword bestowed to his subordinate before the old Marquis of Loyal passed away? How did it end up in the hands of the Zheng family, and even offered as a prize?"

"Not sure."

Xie Xiao truly didn’t know. His grandfather, the Marquis of Loyal, was also a veteran general who had fought on the battlefield but passed away when Xie Xiao was young. Why his personal sword ended up with the Zheng family was indeed strange, but since the opportunity presented itself, he would simply take it back.

That was also why he had accepted the invitation to come to Zhanyun Garden today.

Su Ping laughed. "The people on the field probably only know some flashy moves, right? Their horsemanship can’t compare to yours—a real general who’s been on the battlefield. Winning the top prize should be effortless for you."

"Not necessarily," Xie Xiao said. "One should never underestimate the enemy. There’s always someone better."

Su Ping smiled and nodded. "Mingzhao is right. I’ll take that to heart."

Xie Xiao soon selected a horse and went to change.

Watching their backs as they left, Zheng Shize tutted. "The Marquis of Dingbei and this Young Master Su really do go everywhere together. All that banter..."

He mimicked Su Ping’s tone, pitching his voice higher and drawing it out: "I’ll take that to heart~"

Then he glanced sideways and saw the displeasure on his imperial cousin’s face. With an awkward laugh, he raised his hand and smacked his own talkative mouth twice.

Yan Weichu ignored him and signaled to the Jinyiwei captain disguised as a guard behind him. "Go ask why the Marquis of Dingbei brought someone along."

His entourage today officially included only these two Jinyiwei captains, but Jinyiwei personnel were actually hidden throughout Zhanyun Garden. Soon, someone came to report that when Zheng Shize’s people delivered the invitation to the Marquis of Dingbei's residence, Young Master Su happened to be at the marquis’s residence returning books and ran into them.

As for whether the Marquis of Dingbei suggested it himself, that remained unknown.

Hearing this, Yan Weichu shot a glare at Zheng Shize beside him. How incompetent—he couldn’t even choose the right time to deliver an invitation.

Zheng Shize: "..."

What an undeserved trouble.

"Get lost," Yan Weichu waved him away. "I’m going to the polo field. Don’t follow me."

Zheng Shize still had the previous steward escort Yan Weichu over and made himself scarce.

He didn’t want to serve anyway!

The steward smiled even more nervously along the way, telling Yan Weichu about who had come today, who was close with whom, and who was at odds with whom.

Hearing that the arrogant and domineering Third Son Xie from the Duke of Zhenguo's residence was also here, Yan Weichu raised an eyebrow.

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind: "Halt!"

"I'm talking to you! Stop right there, didn't young master hear me?!"

Xie Shi swaggered over with his gang and, spotting Yan Weichu, immediately stepped forward to block his way.

"It really is you! Well, well, young master has been looking everywhere for you, and now I've run into you here!" Xie Shi looked Yan Weichu over with malicious intent. That night at the Nightless District, though he was thoroughly drunk, he remembered Yan Weichu vividly—after all, a beauty like that is hard to forget, and a beauty that dared slap him across the face was even harder to forget.

"Xie Laosan, who is he? Haven't seen him before."

"Yeah, he's quite good-looking. Hey, which family are you from? Who brought you here?"

"Xie Laosan, you're really something, hiding such a beauty and not introducing us."

A group of young dandies laughed and joked, making comments about Yan Weichu, one of them whistling flirtatiously.

Most of these young men were indiscriminate about gender—as long as the other person's family status was beneath theirs, they felt free to take advantage.

Xie Shi sneered, "He's young master's. None of your business. Get lost."

Yan Weichu stopped and coldly watched these little beasts already courting death, privately considering how likely it was that he could teach them a lesson without Xie Xiao finding out.

He remained silent, and even though the two Imperial Guards behind him had already placed their hands on their swords, they did not act immediately.

The group of dandies exchanged puzzled glances. The Count of Anding? Where did he come from?

They were all young and mostly the unfilial descendants of their families, so they naturally hadn't heard of the Count of Anding's former reputation.

Xie Shi paid no attention to such talk. The Count of Anding? Even the Duke of Ning, who commanded the capital garrison, had to show deference before their Duke of Zhenguo's household—he wasn't scared in the slightest.

Daring to slap him and make him lose face—this person would pay for it!

"Seize him!"

Xie Shi's attendants rolled up their sleeves ready for a fight and stepped forward. The Imperial Guards were about to draw their swords when they saw their Emperor subtly wave a hand behind his back, signaling them not to move.

Yan Weichu's gaze swept past the dandies and landed on Xie Xiao, who was approaching from ahead. In a flash of inspiration, he changed his plan.

As Xie Shi's men grabbed his arms, Yan Weichu feigned timidity, making his eyes redden: "What are you doing...?"

Seeing him like this, Xie Shi grew even more smug. "Heir of the Count of Anding? Weren't you something? Daring to disrespect young master at the Nightless District—now you know fear?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Yan Weichu stammered in panic, struggling fearfully. "I've never been to the Nightless District. I don't know when I offended you. Please let me go, I beg you..."

"You think young master is blind?" Xie Shi cursed angrily. "If you don't get down on your knees and beg young master today, this isn't over!"

Yan Weichu pretended to be on the verge of tears. "Don't..."

The two Imperial Guard commanders silently took a step back, keeping their eyes down and minds to themselves, allowing Xie Shi's men to block them.

The steward of the Zheng estate stood gaping, stunned, but no one paid him any mind.

The young eunuch disguised as Yan Weichu's servant was quick-thinking. He threw himself forward, playing the loyal servant, crying out anxiously, "Please, let our heir go!"

Xie Xiao approached with Su Ping and his own attendants, witnessing the commotion, and barked, "What are you doing? Stop this at once!"

A faint smile flickered in Yan Weichu's lowered eyes.

The fish had bitten.