Chapter 494 — Year's End
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
Seeing the tenderness written all over Dou Yan's face, Song Yan's eyes flickered. He slipped an arm around Dou Zhiwei's shoulder and said with a smile, "Let's carry Yuanheng to the front hall!"
Dou Yan felt that Ji Yong's words were important.
She told Song Yan everything that had happened, down to the smallest detail.
Song Yan was somewhat surprised. His brows drew together, then quickly smoothed out again, and he praised with a smile, "He certainly lives up to his reputation for rare brilliance—with scarcely any contact with the Prince of Liao, he saw the Prince's ambitions at a single glance."
Ji Yong's cleverness was beyond doubt. Dou Yan nodded, then asked with some concern, "Is Song Han really so close to the Prince of Liao's household?"
The last time Song Han had waylaid Miao Anping with a club, he had been spotted by the men Xuan Ying had sent to watch him, and they had reported it to Song Yan—which was how Miao Anping had kept his life.
Song Yan gave an "mm" and smiled. "I was just worrying over how to get Song Han onto the Prince of Liao's boat without anyone noticing. And what does he do but run aboard himself before I could lift a finger? I suppose that counts as an unexpected harvest."
Dou Yan began to dimly understand Song Yan's intent.
She could not help sighing to herself.
Whether in this life or the last, Song Yan had never intended to let Song Han off.
Still, Song Han truly was a piece of work. Miao Anping might be a scoundrel, but his crimes did not warrant death—yet Song Han would ruin a man's life the moment he took offense. That was cruelty beyond measure.
They left the study together with Song Yan.
And there, face to face with them, stood Ji Yong in the middle of the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back, watching them with cold eyes.
Dou Yan started, then said, "You're still here?"
Ji Yong looked as though he could not be bothered with her. His gaze went straight to Song Yan. "In the blink of an eye, Yuanheng can talk already."
Song Yan answered "Indeed," his smile gentle and composed. Yet for some reason, Dou Yan felt that Song Yan was like a cat that had met its natural enemy, fur bristling with vigilance.
She could not help calling softly, "Yantang."
Song Yan turned back, smiled at her as if to soothe her, then turned to exchange pleasantries with Ji Yong. "I hear His Majesty has often kept you at the Palace of Heavenly Purity these days for conversation. However do you find the leisure today to come to Yunqi Temple Lane?"
Ji Yong gave a cold laugh. "Dou Huaide is my cousin. How should I not come?" He was all thorns.
Song Yan took it in stride and smiled. "You are most thoughtful, Magistrate Ji. The front hall has wine prepared—if you do not disdain it, you might stay and drink a cup or two." He was every inch the host.
The veins stood out on Ji Yong's forehead. Just when Dou Yan thought he would say something infuriating again, he smiled faintly instead, all his ferocity melting away, and reached out to pluck a camellia blossom. He walked over to Yuanheng.
"Isn't it pretty?" he asked Yuanheng with a beaming smile, handing the flower to the child. "Take it and give it to your maternal grandfather. He will be very pleased."
Yuanheng did not know Ji Yong, but Ji Yong's manner was exceedingly kind. He turned to look at Dou Yan.
Song Yan's lips pressed slightly together.
Dou Yan was caught between laughter and tears. She scolded, "Cousin Ji, flowers are for admiring, not for picking. Do not teach the child to pluck flowers."
Ji Yong sneered. "Admiring them, wearing them—so long as a thing is put to its fullest use, it is no waste. Yuanheng, don't listen to your mother. She is always prattling on without getting to the point. If you listen to her, you will grow up to be a pedantic old scholar. Take this flower. If your mother dares to pull a face at you, come and find me—I am your uncle!"
What sort of uncle was he supposed to be!
Dou Yan did not know whether to laugh or cry.