#154: Ah Jin

“What if…” Yunyi bit her lip, raising her graceful neck and softly asking, “What if I really am an assassin?”

Her question surprised Li Shimin. “Why ask such a thing?”

Yunyi smiled faintly. “Just asking. If I were an assassin, would Second Young Master kill me?”

Li Shimin fell silent for a moment before firmly declaring, “If you were an assassin, I would personally kill you!”

Yunyi’s hands clenched tightly in her sleeves at his words. Suppressing the lump in her throat, she raised her brows and laughed. “Then I’m afraid Second Young Master will be disappointed.”

Li Shimin chuckled softly, his warm gaze resting on Yunyi’s beautiful face. “I hope there will never be such an opportunity.”

In response, Yunyi offered a faint smile…

Li Shimin, if only you weren’t Li Yuan’s son, if only you hadn’t harmed Mo Ping… Unfortunately… no matter how kind you are to me, we… can only ever be enemies!

The spring scenery was at its most vibrant and picturesque. Along the way, willow branches swayed gently, peach blossoms bloomed vibrantly, and half-grown children played joyfully amidst a grove of peach trees. A few other children ran around flying a kite shaped like an eagle. Their laughter filled the air.

Li Shimin gazed at the children and sighed. “Nowadays, only children can still laugh freely.”

Yunyi understood he was referring to the conscription. Indeed, because of it, the entire Honghua Prefecture was shrouded in gloom. Every face was either weighed down with sorrow or devoid of expression entirely.

“I heard about the memorial the Taishou sent to the Emperor. Did His Majesty agree?” Facing Yunyi’s question, Li Shimin shook his head and replied gravely, “I don’t know. No news has arrived yet. Let’s hope everything goes smoothly.”

As they headed toward Wu Laosan’s home, a thin youth appeared outside the Li residence. Approaching one of the guards, he timidly said, “Excuse me, sir, I… I’d like to see the Taishou!”

The guard leaned back slightly to avoid the strong fishy smell emanating from the youth. “Who are you, and why do you wish to see the Taishou?”

The youth quickly replied, “My surname is Fang. Everyone in the village calls me Ah Jin. I’m a fisherman.” Scratching his head, he added, “Actually, I don’t even know what business I have with the Taishou.”

The guard couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’re quite bold for a commoner, coming to the Taishou’s residence for fun.”

Ah Jin waved his hands frantically. “It’s not like that! Someone told me to come find the Taishou, but he wouldn’t tell me what it was about. He just said he knows the Taishou. His name is…”

After waiting a moment without hearing more, the guard prodded, “What’s his name?”

Ah Jin glanced at them nervously and whispered, “He said he’d only reveal his name if I met the Taishou.”

“In my opinion, there’s no such person.” The guard waved dismissively. “Alright, alright. The Taishou isn’t in the residence. Don’t cause trouble here—leave quickly.” They didn’t believe a lowly fisherman like Ah Jin could possibly know anyone acquainted with the Taishou.

Ah Jin let out a disappointed “Ah” and hesitantly asked, “Then… when will the Taishou return?”

The guard grew impatient. “Didn’t I just tell you to leave? Why so many questions?”

“But… he said it’s urgent—he must see the Taishou.” Ah Jin looked troubled. “Otherwise… I’ll wait here for the Taishou.” With that, he crouched in a corner.

Seeing that he refused to leave, the guard’s expression hardened. “Are you deaf? Leave now!”

Startled by the guard’s sharp tone, Ah Jin shrank back and muttered softly, “But… I promised him I’d meet the Taishou. My mother always taught me never to break a promise!”

The guard lost patience and shoved Ah Jin away by his patched-up collar. “Leave now, or don’t blame us for being rough!”

Stumbling down the steps, Ah Jin wanted to approach again but didn’t dare. Just then, the red-painted gates opened, and someone emerged. The guards immediately bowed respectfully. “Third Young Master!”

The newcomer was none other than Li Xuanba. He was on his way to the county office when he was suddenly blocked by a fishy-smelling figure. “You… are you the Taishou?”

It was Ah Jin, who hadn’t caught the guards’ address to Li Xuanba. Seeing their respectful demeanor, he boldly stepped forward to ask.

“Me? The Taishou?” Li Xuanba pointed to himself and chuckled. “Do I look like one?”

Ah Jin nervously wrung his hands and muttered, “I… I don’t know.”

One of the guards stepped forward and pushed Ah Jin aside. “This is Third Young Master, not the Taishou. If you know what’s good for you, stop bothering us.”

Li Xuanba gestured for the guard to step back and asked, “What business do you have with my father?”

“Father…” Ah Jin repeated softly, his eyes lighting up with realization. “So you’re the Taishou’s son?”

“Yes.” As Li Xuanba nodded, Ah Jin eagerly asked, “Can you take me to see the Taishou? I’m not causing trouble—I truly have something important.”

Li Xuanba frowned. “You still haven’t said what it’s about.”

Ah Jin’s response was the same as before—he couldn’t explain the matter or name the person who sent him. Li Xuanba shook his head. “You’d better have that person come to my father directly.” With that, he turned to leave, but Ah Jin quickly rushed forward to block him. “He… he can’t come.”

Annoyed by Ah Jin’s persistence, Li Xuanba’s expression darkened. “If that’s the case, there’s nothing I can do. I have matters to attend to—don’t get in my way.”

Watching Li Xuanba walk away, Ah Jin grew increasingly anxious. Muttering to himself, he decided, “He’s the Taishou’s son—it shouldn’t matter if I tell him.” Steeling himself, he chased after Li Xuanba again. Before Li Xuanba could grow angry, Ah Jin quickly blurted, “That man is gravely injured. He said his name is Feng Li!”

Li Xuanba froze, his brow furrowing. “What did you say his name was?”

“Feng Li!” This time, Li Xuanba heard clearly. Feng Li wasn’t supposed to be in Hedong with Elder Brother? How could he be with this Ah Jin, and injured too? Could something have happened to Elder Brother?

With this thought, Li Xuanba urgently said, “Take me to him immediately!”

“The Taishou…” Li Xuanba cut him off. “After I see Feng Li, I’ll inform him myself. Lead the way!”

Having no other choice, Ah Jin reluctantly agreed and led Li Xuanba toward his home. After leaving the city and walking for about an hour, he pointed to two small wooden houses by the Qing River. “We’re here—it’s right there!”

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanba quickened his pace, pulling Ah Jin along. On the way, Ah Jin recounted Feng Li’s story. About half a month ago, while fishing by the river as usual, Ah Jin had spotted a waterlogged man lying motionless by the shore, his lower body still submerged in the water. It seemed he had been swept downstream.