"Reporting to Your Highness, it is precisely because the封地 (fēngdì - fiefdom) has been too quiet that we are somewhat bewildered."
"Quiet?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, since Yan Xiuping was appointed to the封地, he has done nothing besides handling the handover procedures on the first day. Every day, he either accompanies his wife shopping or goes outside the city to slaughter sheep and roast them. He also tells people everywhere that he is grateful for the Emperor's immense grace in choosing such a good place for him to enjoy his retirement. It would be even better if the winters were a bit warmer."
"Hmph, he certainly knows how to enjoy himself." Prince Wucheng let out a cold snort, his gaze growing colder. "Tell Cheng Yi not to let his guard down. I don't believe that old fox Yan Xiuping is truly doing nothing."
"Your Highness, besides him and his wife, Yan Xiuping brought no attendants when he took office. Young Master Cheng Yi's idea is, since Yan Xiuping and his wife are deeply in love, should we make a move on Yan Xiuping's wife?"
Upon hearing this, Prince Wucheng said two words without thinking: "Absolutely not."
As if sensing his reaction was too strong, Prince Wucheng brought his fist to his lips and gave a light cough. "Cheng Yi has been raised by me since childhood and has never set foot in the capital, so he is not very familiar with Madam Yan."
"Judging from Your Highness's words, is that Madam Yan also quite formidable?"
Prince Wucheng subconsciously raised his hand to rub his shoulder. Perhaps recalling some unpleasant memory, his expression changed slightly, and he pondered, "In short, do not plot against Madam Yan."
"Yes." Although the black-clothed man was very curious, he dared not ask further and could only nod in agreement.
Meanwhile.
A thousand miles away in the northeast.
A man and a woman were riding horses in circles after finishing a roasted whole lamb. Just as a scout watching from afar was yawning and preparing to go back for lunch, the man and woman in the distance unexpectedly sped up their horses and headed for the official road outside the city. In the blink of an eye, they disappeared from sight.
The scout: ...
Setting aside how bewildered the scout responsible for surveillance was, the man and woman had run a considerable distance before stopping to drink water and rest. Both were in their early forties. Although their faces bore the marks of time, it couldn't hide their comely features and extraordinary temperament. The middle-aged woman, dressed in a fitted outfit and looking heroic, pouted and said, "Husband, is it really alright for us to sneak out like this? You've just taken office, shouldn't you make a show of force, burning them all to the ground? Also, you are, after all, half the commander of this city. Won't leaving so casually be used to impeach you and punish you by military law?"
Facing the woman's string of questions, the man simply smiled dismissively. "My dear, don't worry. Before leaving, I left a letter in my residence stating that I have been feeling unwell recently and will be seeking medical treatment, and I will return in about a month. As for mistakes, they should be wishing for me to get as far away as possible right now. Of course, if they are willing to impeach me, I would be delighted. This way, I will have enough time to accompany you on sightseeing trips and enjoy our time together."
After speaking, the man took the woman's hand, only to receive a pair of eye-rolls from her. "You're so indecent! How old are you, and your son is old enough to catch thieves. Yet you're still so glib!"
"How is this glib?" The man looked at the woman and said affectionately, "My dear, now that our children are grown and I'm at an age where I can hang up my armor and return to my farm. Don't you want to accompany me, living freely like companions in the mortal world, riding horses together and sharing the prosperity of the human realm?"
Although goosebumps rose all over her body, meeting the face that had remained handsome and extraordinary for over twenty years, the woman unconvincingly nodded. Perhaps despising herself for falling for his charm again, the woman shifted her grievances elsewhere. "Really! It's all because of that scoundrel Aze! Why did he have to stir up trouble? Instead of being a leisurely prince, he had to cause so many problems, even becoming a local emperor in the northeastern封地! As a result, even at our age, we have to leave home and be tossed around! When I return to the capital one day, I'll skin that scoundrel!"
"My dear, you are mistaken. Prince Wucheng, as a member of the royal family, has every right to aspire to the position of the Son of Heaven. However, history tells us that the winner becomes king, and the loser is vanquished. Prince Wucheng has already lost the opportune moment; no matter how much he plans or strategizes, he is no longer favored by destiny. But then again, I am still very grateful to Prince Wucheng. If it weren't for Prince Wucheng digging his own grave, the Grand Empress Dowager wouldn't have had to make him stay away from the capital to protect him, and impose a vow never to marry or have children. The marriage contract between you and Prince Wucheng, which was arranged by the late Emperor, would not have been forcibly dissolved, and I would not have been able to win your heart."
Hearing the strong undertone of jealousy in the man's words, the woman couldn't help but hiss, "Yan Xiuping, that's enough! These are matters from decades ago, yet you bring them up every now and then. Aren't you tired of it?"
"My dear, I don't want to annoy you. I'm just a bit jealous that I wasn't the one engaged to you initially, and I wasn't your childhood sweetheart." Yan Xiuping said, lowering his eyes, his entire demeanor dimming. Although his good looks were still present, this sorrowful appearance, as if hurt by love, did not match his age of over forty. However, the woman was still susceptible to this act, and her tone immediately softened. "How many times have I explained to you, there's nothing between Aze and me. It was the late Emperor who made a mismatched match. Besides, without what happened back then, Aze and I would have broken off the engagement anyway. After all, that scoundrel Aze was publicly involved with my best friend. Ethically and morally, I couldn't marry him anymore. So, why are you jealous?"
But Yan Xiuping heard this and let out an displeased sound from his nose. "Hmph, after so many years, you still call him 'Aze, Aze.' You don't even call me as intimately as that, my dear~"
"I've been calling him that since I was a child, so I'm used to it."
"No! My dear, you must also call me 'APing.' If that's too much, calling me 'AYan' would also be acceptable~"
Looking at the utterly captivating man who appealed to her every aesthetic sense, the woman pressed her hand to her forehead in exasperation. "Yan Xiuping, are you sick?"
"I know my dear is shy. You can secretly call me at night behind closed doors, if you feel ashamed to say it during the day. The night is long. My dear knows my capabilities best. You can call me from deep into the night until dawn. No matter what you call me, I'll never tire of hearing it~"
"Get lost—!" The woman roared, then kicked her horse forcefully, galloping away in a fit of rage. Watching the person and the horse disappear into the distance, Yan Xiuping narrowed his eyes slightly, the smile on his face gradually receding. After a long while, he murmured in a tone that was almost a soliloquy, "Silly girl. Prince Wucheng's target was always you. If I hadn't sensed it at the time, Prince Wucheng and you would have been cornered and surrounded by everyone that day. However, how could I ever let something like that happen..."