Chapter Fifty-Five: The Virtuous Prince and the Idle King

The sun at the horizon had fully revealed its smiling face, lavishly spreading its brilliant rays over the world. Yet the scenery by the Qinhuai River seemed untouched by this jubilant dawn, still enveloped in a profound slumber.

Yang Yaozong was reviewing intelligence reports categorized by Jing Yijun. After finishing one and making his remarks, he reached for another, but caught a glimpse of something white beside him in the corner of his eye. Startled, he turned his head sharply, only to find Jing Yijun standing at his side—he had no idea when she had appeared. Ever since their first meeting, she had always worn a white dress; never had he seen her in any other color.

Sitting in his chair, Yang Yaozong frowned and looked at her with irritation. "When did you float over here? Not a sound at all. If this keeps up, you're going to scare me to death one day."

Jing Yijun ignored his teasing and merely stared at him coldly, making Yang Yaozong feel uncomfortable under her gaze. "Is there a flower on my face or something? Why are you staring at me like that?" he grumbled, a little annoyed.

Jing Yijun snorted, walked to the low couch, and with a casual motion, shut the previously opened blinds tight. Sitting down, she asked, seemingly offhanded, "You still remember to go home and change your clothes?"

Yang Yaozong looked at the report in his hand and replied with a questioning, "Hm?"

Jing Yijun furrowed her brows, as if she could see through the bookshelf to Yang Yaozong's expression. "Did you come straight from Drunken Red Dust?" She didn't know why she needed to press him for details, but she did.

Still reading the report, Yang Yaozong answered, "Mm."

Jing Yijun snorted lightly through her nose and turned to look outside, only to realize the window was already fully blocked by the blinds. She had thought that not looking across would ease her mood, but now she felt even more unsettled.

Yang Yaozong, holding the compiled intelligence summary, stood and paced behind the bookshelf, pausing when he noticed the blinds had been closed at some point. The small room now felt stifling and the light dim.

He sat on the couch by the window, pulled on the cord to let in a bit of light, which brightened the cramped space and eased the oppressive feeling. Turning, he placed the intelligence summary on the table, then lounged sideways on the couch, one hand propping up his cheek and the other pointing at the reports on the small table. He looked at Jing Yijun and asked, "Yijun, how well do you know Prince Xian?"

Yang Yaozong truly knew little about Prince Xian, save that he was idle all day, frequenting taverns for food and drink; the people called him Prince Idle.

Jing Yijun looked at him as if he were a fool. "He's my third uncle. How could I not know him?"

Yang Yaozong pursed his lips. "And how much do you know about Prince Qin?"

Jing Yijun snorted, "That's different. Third uncle and my father were born to the same mother. They look alike, but third uncle is more than ten years younger, so he appears much younger. He was raised doted on by my father, which gave him his carefree character. He ignores all court affairs—my father has asked him many times to help, but he always refused. Though, when he was young, he did command the City Guard."

Yang Yaozong nodded. "Your third uncle treats you well, doesn't he?"

Jing Yijun nodded, "Yes. Though he is a prince, he has only one wife and no children to this day. He treats me as if I were his own daughter—well, that was when I was a child. I left the palace with my teacher when I was five, and since returning, I haven't seen him yet. I wonder if he would still recognize me." At this, she smiled mischievously, like a little girl.

It was rare for Yang Yaozong to see Jing Yijun so joyful, her brows and eyes curved with delight. He blurted out, "Yijun, how old are you this year?"

She replied casually, "I'm twenty..." Then, realizing her slip, she fixed Yang Yaozong with a cold look. "Why do you ask? What does my age have to do with you?"

Yang Yaozong gave an awkward, dry laugh.

Jing Yijun snorted. "You still haven't told me why you're asking about third uncle."

"Mm..." Yang Yaozong sat up. "It's nothing special. Just something odd. Maybe I'm overthinking it."

Jing Yijun stared at him, a little exasperated. "Do you always suspect people for no reason? Stop beating around the bush and just say it."

Yang Yaozong thought to himself, I'm hardly beating around the bush. He pursed his lips and looked at her. "I checked the timeline for important guests at the tavern recorded by the Elephant Squad and noticed that every time Prince Xian appears at the tavern, so does Prince Qin's second son. Mm... Your third uncle and your cousin seem to have taken a liking to the stories told at our tavern lately—they come every day. Yet the two only exchange greetings, and that's what strikes me as odd. They're both there alone, but as uncle and nephew, why don't they sit together? Why keep apart? It seems deliberate. And why is it always so coincidental that they're there at the same time—if not one arriving just as the other is leaving, then both present with overlapping times."

Jing Yijun continued to glare at him coldly. "What's your point?"

Yang Yaozong thought, am I not clear enough? He frowned, "I think there's something between them. Just a feeling. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but lately I've felt uneasy, as if something is about to happen."

Jing Yijun glanced at him, "A grown man talking about feelings. Is it because you've done something you're guilty about?" Seeing Yang Yaozong didn't respond, she snorted, "My third uncle is approachable and values talented people. Although the people call him Prince Idle—idle as in leisure—he doesn't mind. And Prince Qin's second son, Jing Yu, is also an easygoing heir. Besides, my third uncle has never been close to Prince Qin's branch of the family, so it's not strange that they sit separately at the tavern."

Yang Yaozong raised his eyebrows, "Oh." Then asked, "Why haven't you gone to see your third uncle since returning to the capital?"

Jing Yijun frowned, "I'll see him when it's time. It's none of your business!"

Yang Yaozong was left speechless again. All morning, he'd felt Jing Yijun was particularly irritable towards him. Confused, he asked, "What did I do to upset you? Why are you acting as if you've swallowed gunpowder today?"

Jing Yijun shot him a cold look, picked up a book at her side, and ignored him.

Yang Yaozong, watching her proud and aloof demeanor, felt thoroughly frustrated.