Chapter Sixteen: An Unexpected Turn

The emperor, his father, had warned him to keep his distance from Khitan women, and Crown Prince Zhao Huan had also tried to use this matter to attack him. Zhao Yu himself couldn’t quite explain why he had suggested hosting a farewell banquet for Xiao Yiyi. But since the words were already spoken, how could a true man go back on his promise?

Yet, unexpectedly, though Xiao Yiyi’s eyes sparkled, she shook her head and replied sorrowfully, “There’s no time. It doesn’t matter, really. I… I just wanted to come and say goodbye. After this, I doubt we’ll ever meet again. Will you… will you remember me?”

He chuckled. “Such childish talk! Don’t worry. If I have the chance, I will definitely come visit you in Liao.”

“Do you mean it? You’re not allowed to go back on your word!” As she spoke, Xiao Yiyi suddenly unfastened the jeweled dagger from her waist and tossed it to Zhao Yu.

“With this, you’ll be able to find me. Remember, you must keep your promise!”

Her cheeks flushed as she finished, flashing Zhao Yu a brilliant smile before swiftly turning, mounting her horse, and tugging the reins. She galloped away down the street.

From afar, her laughter, as clear as silver bells, drifted back on the wind.

Watching her retreating figure, then glancing down at the dagger, still carrying the faint fragrance of the girl, Zhao Yu felt a sudden pang of loss. He wasn’t a fool—how could he not see through Xiao Yiyi’s feelings?

Straightforward, decisive, of noble birth—such a girl would surely have countless admirers wherever she went.

Zhao Yu could sense his own heart: if they truly spent time together, he would inevitably fall for this cheerful, candid girl. But their identities and circumstances were simply too fraught; to be together was nearly impossible.

Well, who can say what the future holds? One step at a time.

With that thought, Zhao Yu put the dagger away, gave a wry smile, and stepped into his residence.

He hadn’t noticed the peddler at the street corner, his gaze never leaving Zhao Yu.

Nor did Zhao Yu know that Li Yan’s attempt to secure the prisoner was not going smoothly. What he’d thought would be a simple task had taken an unexpected turn.

Upon hearing Li Yan had arrived, Gao Qiu offered him a warm and respectful welcome, personally escorting him into his study, serving him the finest tea and water. But when Li Yan stated his purpose, Gao Qiu looked troubled.

Gao Qiu explained that it wasn’t a matter of refusing the favor, but that on the day after Lin Chong was imprisoned, with the evidence against him being irrefutable, his subordinates had already sent Lin Chong under escort to Qingzhou without his knowledge. Even if someone were dispatched to retrieve him now, it would not be a matter of a moment.

Li Yan couldn’t help but be skeptical. This fellow, aside from wielding power through connections, knew nothing of military affairs and would believe anything he was told.

But he couldn’t return empty-handed! The emperor might be easy to placate, but what about Prince Yi?

Gao Qiu, however, gave him due respect, immediately instructing his men, in Li Yan’s presence, to take his warrant to Qingzhou and release Lin Chong.

With things as they were, Li Yan had no desire to linger. Helpless, he bid Gao Qiu farewell and headed straight for Zhao Yu’s residence.

Gao Qiu dared to challenge Cai Jing, but he would never risk offending a close imperial attendant like Li Yan. Still, the slap Zhao Yu had given him was too resounding to ignore; if he didn’t regain some dignity, where would he put his old face?

If he couldn’t deal with Zhao Yu, he could still handle Lin Chong.

Once Li Yan was gone, Gao Qiu immediately issued secret orders: Lin Chong was to be executed that very night.

Hearing Li Yan had arrived, Zhao Yu greeted him joyfully, but seeing Li Yan alone, he asked in confusion, “Lord Li, where is Lin Chong?”

Li Yan would never admit his own failure. With a laugh, he replied, “To be honest, Your Highness, you came to me a bit late. Lin Chong has already been sent to Qingzhou. But don’t worry—with me here, Grand Marshal Gao won’t dare harm him. He’s already sent men to fetch Lin Chong back. In a day or two, you’ll see Lin Chong, safe and sound.”

Zhao Yu looked at Li Yan as if he were an idiot, then said, “If that’s the case, let me thank you in advance on Lin Chong’s behalf. Please, come inside for tea.”

Li Yan, though unfamiliar with military affairs, was not stupid. He could read Zhao Yu’s expression: only someone with a pig’s brain would believe Gao Qiu’s nonsense.

But it was too late for regrets; Li Yan, both embarrassed and angry, could hardly bear to stay for tea. He made his excuses and hurried away, from that moment placing Gao Qiu at the top of his enemies list.

Distressed, he returned to his study and immediately ordered someone to fetch Lu Zhishen.

Zhao Yu knew that with Li Yan’s failure, Gao Qiu would surely silence the witness at the first opportunity. Had he known, he wouldn’t have sent Li Yan in the first place—the man was more hindrance than help.

But thinking it over, perhaps it wasn’t Li Yan’s fault. No matter who went, Gao Qiu would never have released the prisoner. In that case, another plan was needed.

It wasn’t long before Lu Zhishen hurried in and, before Zhao Yu could speak, said, “Brother, there’s been someone watching the mansion all this time—haven’t you noticed?”

Zhao Yu was startled, instantly realizing he had likely been exposed to prying eyes for some time.

“Don’t worry about me right now, Brother. Second Brother is in danger!”

He then explained to Lu Zhishen everything Li Yan had reported and his own analysis.

Finally, he said, “I’m certain Gao Qiu will strike at Lin Chong tonight, and he may well have set a trap for us. We can’t confront him head-on.”

“What, then? We can’t just stand by and let Brother Lin Chong come to harm!”

They had originally planned for Lu Zhishen to rescue Lin Chong once he was sent out of the capital, but now Lin Chong was locked in the heavily guarded imperial prison. No matter how skilled Lu Zhishen was, a reckless attempt would be meaningless—it wasn’t a question of courage, but of practicality.

Zhao Yu pondered for a moment, then a thought struck him: what if Lin Chong feigned death in the cell?

After careful consideration, he said, “Brother, do you know anyone adept at sneaking about and skilled in medicine? My idea is to get some drug into the prison, have Second Brother fake his death, and while you, disguised, launch a night assault on the Grand Marshal’s residence to distract Gao Qiu, we seize the chance to rescue him. What do you think?”

With no outstanding strategists at his side, Zhao Yu could only devise his own plans.

Lu Zhishen’s eyes brightened at his words. “A brilliant diversion! I know a master thief, currently in Bianliang. If we can get his help, this can succeed. As for someone skilled with drugs—let me think.”

“A master thief! Do you mean Shi Qian?”

Lu Zhishen was surprised, nodding. “So you do know people in the underworld. Indeed, it’s Shi Qian, known as ‘The Flea on the Drum.’”

Zhao Yu smiled wryly. This was getting more and more far-fetched—he hadn’t met many prominent figures from the Song dynasty, but the heroes of Liangshan from Outlaws of the Marsh kept popping up: Lu Zhishen, Lin Chong, Shi Qian. Who would be next?

“Well, there’s no time to lose. I can’t go out myself—Brother, please make the arrangements. By the way, are those spies still watching me?”

In Zhao Yu’s mind, anyone interested in him now must be Gao Qiu. If he could catch the men Gao Qiu had sent to spy on him, perhaps it would yield some unexpected gains.