Chapter 486 — The Encounter
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 2 of 4
Dou Yan leaned against Song Yan's knee, so comfortable that she closed her eyes, and said, "Not tired, exactly—only sick at heart. I have no wish to play the hypocrite with these people of the Prince of Liao's household." Then she asked about the Prince of Liao. "We did not bring Yuan Heng. Did he say anything?"
"He asked," Song Yan said, shifting his position so that Dou Yan might lean more comfortably. "I said the child was too young, and I feared a strange place would frighten him. He did not say he would."
Only then did Dou Yan's heart settle.
Yet who would have thought that before two days had passed, Song Cen told Song Yan and Dou Yan that he would return the Prince of Liao's hospitality at the Duke of Yingguo's residence.
Song Yan stared at Song Cen without expression and said, "Do you know what you are saying? The Prince of Liao is a vassal prince. Have you no fear that the Crown Prince will take offense? Or do you think that since the Duke of Yingguo's residence will be mine hereafter, good or ill it no longer concerns you? If that is so, then go into the palace this very day and tell the Emperor you wish to pass the title to me in advance—then when the Duke of Yingguo's house falls on hard times, you may perhaps escape calamity."
Song Yan's father went red in the face with fury and shouted, "You wretch! The Emperor himself has said nothing, yet you must leap out and find fault with everything, without ever asking whether others even count you in their eyes! If you dislike it so much, by all means do not stay in this house."
Song Yan had no choice but to go with Dou Yan and Yuan Heng to visit the house in the lane behind the temple.
The new glutinous rice just sent up from Jiangnan had come to Song Yan in a few catties; seeing that most elderly folk are fond of glutinous foods, he sent half to his grandmother. When they arrived, Grandmother was in the kitchen with Aunt Hong making rice balls from the freshly ground glutinous rice and the newly pickled osmanthus sugar. She washed her hands and came out to greet them still wearing her apron, calling loudly to the maids and serving women about her, "Quick, bring out the pastries the Sixth Lady sent over the day before yesterday and let Yuan Heng have a taste!"
Dou Yan was much surprised and said with a smile, "The Sixth Aunt has been here?"
"Yes!" Grandmother said with a smile. "She said she came to pay her respects, and she brought a great deal of food—some of the pastries were said to be gifts from the palace. They looked so good that I had them put away, to bring out for Yuan Heng when you came."
Palace-granted pastries were a rare thing to others, but to Yuan Heng, who was often in and out of the palace, what were they worth? Yet Grandmother's feeling warmed the heart.
Song Yan stepped forward to support Grandmother, and as they went into the main hall he made small talk with the old lady: "It has been some days since we came to see you. Have you been well these days? Is there anything the household needs?"
"All is well, all is well," Grandmother said, gazing at Song Yan with joy brimming in her eyes.
Song Yan truly had a bond with his elders!
Dou Yan thought this without a trace of jealousy, and carried Yuan Heng into the main hall.
That evening, Dou Huaiying and Dou Huaide, having heard the news, came over for dinner.
They talked and laughed together until the lamps were lit before dispersing.
But what Dou Yan and Song Yan had not expected was that the Duke of Yingguo's feast would only be breaking up at this hour.
They ran straight into Song Cen and Song Han, who were seeing the Prince of Liao out.
The Prince of Liao stepped up and clapped Song Yan on the shoulder, saying with a laugh, "You rascal! Even if we are not what we once were, there is no need to avoid me so plainly. You wound me deeply. Still, I did not linger this long waiting for you—I was late because the Empress Mother kept questioning me at the palace. Do not be overthinking it!"