Chapter 486 — The Encounter

Though she had not seen him clearly, the Prince of Liao of that time had struck her as majestic, domineering, and unfathomably moody. But the Prince of Liao before her now was young, forthright, witty and humorous in speech, like a warm spring breeze.

She cast one swift glance at the Prince of Liao, then at once lowered her eyes, bent her knee in salute, and took her place behind Song Yan.

Song Yan was somewhat out of step. He bowed respectfully to the Prince of Liao and said, "In those days I was foolish. Now I know that a sovereign is always a sovereign and a subject always a subject, and I cannot help but feel some alarm. You know my temperament—I dread such disputes most of all, and so had no choice but to hide myself away."

"Come off it!" The Prince of Liao laughed heartily. "Are you the sort to be afraid of trouble? I think you must be nursing some grievance against me." As he spoke, he reached out to clap Song Zhi on the shoulder.

Song Sui suddenly turned and instructed Dou Yan, "The Prince's consort did not come with him. Take Yuan Heng back to the house first!" It was timed perfectly to evade the arm the Prince of Liao had extended.

It might have been mere coincidence—but it was far too much of a coincidence.

Song Cen strode forward, glaring, and hissed low, "Song Yantang," the warning plain in her voice.

"Enough, enough. You need not scold Yantang either," the Prince of Liao said with an entirely unconcerned wave of his hand, looking magnanimous. "I know well enough that today is not as it once was, and some things can never be recovered." As he spoke, his expression dimmed. "I should never have come back this time to begin with."

"The Prince misunderstands!" Song Cen said hastily. "Both His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress have been hoping you would come to the capital to see them..."

"Let us not speak of such things." The Prince of Liao cut Song Cen off with a smile, quickly recovering his former heartiness. Pointing at Yuan Heng, who had tired himself with play and fallen asleep in his wet nurse's arms, he laughed and said, "This is your eldest son, is it not? I hear his milk name is Yuan Heng, born just before or after His Majesty's third son, and that Father Emperor himself chose the name. You are a fortunate man indeed. I did not get to see him that day,"—he untied a jade pendant from his waist and held it out—"so let this serve as a gift of first meeting for Yuan Heng. Who knows when we shall meet again. Come, drink a cup or two with me." He turned and walked into the Yingzhenguo Estate. "It happens I have been wanting to ask you and Baisun what exactly is going on between you, the matter that has kicked up such a stir that even Mother Empress has heard of it."

Song Yan thought for a moment, then followed him into the estate.

Seeing this, Song Cen and Song Han hurried to flock after them.

Dou Yan swept her gaze across the servants and caught sight of Liu Zhang standing among the footmen, head bowed and eyes lowered.

She cast Liu Zhang a glance, then made her way to Yizhi Hall.

When she turned the corner past the ceremonial gate, she glanced back, and Liu Zhang was nowhere to be seen.

Dou Yan gave a slight nod and took Yuan Heng back to the inner chambers.

She bathed Yuan Heng, fed him goat's milk, and coaxed him to sleep. The faint beat of the second watch drum drifted to her ears.

A vague unease stirred in Dou Yan, and she asked Ruotong, "The heir has not returned yet?"

"No," Ruotong said. "The Xixiang Court is lit up bright as day—the banquet has not yet broken up!"

Dou Yan pondered a moment, then instructed Ruotong, "Go and invite Old Chen to come here."

Ruotong answered and left. After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, she led Chen Yanzhou in.

Dou Yan quietly told Chen Yanzhou of how Song Yan was in the Xixiang Court drinking with the Prince of Liao, and added, "Xia Lian escorted us back just now, but he cannot stay glued to the heir's side at every moment. Have Duan Bing and Chen Lanxu and the others find a way to slip quietly into the Xixiang Court—the heir must not be left alone."

Chen Yanzhou was greatly alarmed and at once grasped the gravity of the situation.

Heedless of his advanced age, he trotted out of the main courtyard.

Dou Ji sat on the heated brick bed by the prison window, knotting a cord, waiting for Song Yan.

Several quarter-hours later, Chen Yanzhou came back.

His expression somewhat strange, he said, "Madam, Lu Ming has returned to the estate—I know not when."

In other words, there was someone secretly guarding Song Yan's side.

Dou Yan murmured, "Amitabha," then sensed something was amiss.

When had Song Yan summoned Lu Ming back?

Why had he summoned Lu Ming back?

After all, Lu Ming was the one charged with training Song Yan's retainers who were ready to die for him!

To the sisters and brothers reading this: there will be a single update this weekend. First, I have come down with a bad cold; second, our child is taking part in the independent admissions exams these days and we have begun filling out the application materials. Please forgive me for putting my child's affairs ahead of my writing this time. (To be continued)