Chapter 394 — Dragon Boat Festival
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 2 of 4
Duan Bing chuckled. "I find this Chen Jia a most perceptive man. We need only invent some pretext; even if he knows the true reason, he will play deaf and dumb."
Dou Yan pondered. "I shall discuss this with the Heir Apparent first."
After all, it concerned Song Cen's reputation — were the events of those years dredged up, Song Yan, as his son, would lose face as well.
But Song Yan did not care in the least whether Song Cen might affect him. He laughed. "That Chen Jia is dying for the chance to do you a service or two. Whatever you need done, just hand it to him!"
Dou Yan said, "But what if he learns too much?"
Song Yan laughed aloud. "He rose through my patronage. Even if he knew nothing at all, he bears my mark — if he thought to change course, he could forget about making a career in officialdom."
Dou Yan thought it over, and it really was just so.
Song Yan shook his head with a smile. "You women — always so fond of fretting over these household trifles. How long has it been since they left, and you still want to know how the Li family is doing?"
Dou Yan giggled. "Isn't it just that I have nothing to do?"
Song Yan reflected that Dou Yan was full of vigor when she had something to occupy her and wilted like a flower when she did not, and could not help smiling.
If she found such matters interesting, then let her be!
Song Yan then told her of his plans for this period. "...The Imperial Medical Academy — we must have someone keeping watch there. But most of the imperial physicians have served there for generations; it is not easy to extract information from them. His Majesty has been complaining of headaches these past days, has he not? I have had Yan Che try to strike up conversations with the retainers of the border governors who came to the capital bearing festival gifts. When the time comes, they will surely recommend renowned physicians skilled in treating headaches to serve in the Academy. It will be much easier then."
The Imperial Medical Academy was tied to the Emperor's safety, and so was governed by the strictest rules.
Dou Yan cautioned him, "Be careful. Do not get yourself entangled."
"Mm!" Song Yan smiled and clasped Dou Yan's hand, then called for the little maid to come help him change his clothes.
Duan Bing, meanwhile, went to Chen Jia's residence in Yuqiao Alley.
The two drank upon the heated kang in the inner chamber of the main house.
Half in jest and half in earnest, Duan Bing complained to Chen Jia, "...I have been to Er Tiao Alley several times and got neither east nor west out of it. And the more often I went, the more I was recognized. Clearly this business of ferreting out secrets is not for everyone."
Chen Jia perked up at this, and said with a grin, "If there is nothing taboo about the matter, I can send a few men to make inquiries for you."
"That would be splendid," Duan Bing said with a smile. "You are the Heir Apparent's man; even if there were taboos, they would not apply to you."
So Chen Jia questioned him closely on all that had happened.
Before Duan Bing had even finished speaking, Chen Jia already had the measure of it.
Most likely it was a romantic debt left behind by the old Duke of Ying in years past, and now that the Heir Apparent and the Duke were locked in contention, the old affair was to be raked up again.
All he had to do was find the Li family, and the whole matter would come together.
And was this not precisely what he excelled at?
Yet however it was told, this was, after all, an old affair of the Ying Ducal Estate. That Duan Bing could entrust it to him meant either the Heir Apparent had given his consent, or Lady Dou had — and for either of them to consent, it was most likely Duan Bing who had put in a word for him.
Chen Jia smiled and poured wine for Duan Bing; after they had drunk, she tucked a purse into his hand and saw him personally to the front gate.
The business of inquiring into the Li family's affairs was thus handed over to Chen Jia.