[Sifeng Inn]
Everyone was ready to continue the journey.
He Yan, Qin Yan and Mo Xiuyan were seated in a carriage.
Qin Yan's face was as indifferent as ever while He Yan struggled to keep eye contact with him as he tried to figure out what he did that warranted Qin Yan's attack.
Mo Xiuyan sensed the growing tension and spoke up.
"Prince Cheng, how is your injury?" he asked the worst possible question.
"It's fine", was all He Yan could say.
After a short pause, He Yan felt safe from Qin Yan because of Mo Xiuyan's presence and decided to speak further.
"Commander Mo, what are you doing here?" he asked.
Mo Xiuyan had suddenly appeared out of nowhere and helped them out of the situation.
"I had already finished the task His Majesty sent me to do and was on my way back when I heard the sounds of fighting. Then I saw Ming'an and realized you were being attacked. So I stepped in", Mo Xiuyan answered.
The soldiers on He Yan's side were already losing. Luckily, Mo Xiuyan arrived.
"Thank you for saving my life", He Yan thanked him.
"It's my duty", Mo Xiuyan waved him off before adding, "I would like to have a word with Qin Yan in private. Your highness, please excuse us"
He Yan looked at both of them for a second.
He wanted to know what Mo Xiuyan would say but he knew better than to interfere and stepped out of the carriage.
As soon as he left, Mo Xiuyan turned to Qin Yan, "you haven't changed, have you?"
Qin Yan did not respond.
"Anyways, I have nothing to say to you. It won't make any difference anyways. How is my sister?" he asked Qin Yan eagerly.
"She was fine when I left", was the reply he got.
"When you left? Does that mean she is not doing well in your absence? Is that so-called Grand Prince mistreating her?" Mo Xiuyan asked his hand tightening around his sword.
He tapped it on the floor once in an intimidating manner.
Qin Yan looked at him for a second and felt he should give a clearer explanation but still couldn't be bothered to say anything. If anything was wrong, Mo Xiuyan could see for himself.
Mo Xiuyan paused for a minute and studied Qin Yan, "though your words are direct, they are never clear to understand. You must mean she's alright"
Qin Yan did not respond.
"I'll be leaving now. Although I know you don't care, I'll still say this. He Yan is a prince regardless of his behavior, be careful", he said and came down from the carriage.
He Yan was standing nearby.
"Prince Cheng", Mo Xiuyan called out to him.
He Yan walked up to him, "Commander Mo" "I'll be leaving now, take care", Mo Xiuyan responded and walked past him.
On a second thought, he paused and placed his hand on He Yan's shoulder and whispered in his ear, "a word of advice - don't touch his sword again", he said and left to speak with Ming'an.
He decided to give his escorts to accompany He Yan as he would be fine and most of He Yan's escorts were either severely injured or no more.
He Yan stood still for a moment.
Was Qin Yan's earlier act against him all for the sword? What was so special about it?
******
The days rolled by peacefully with no major events but, of course, a major event was also coming.
Mo Xiuyan was finally returning to the Capital after several months away.
As the Commander of the Imperial Guards, his return was expected to shake the Capital.
[Channing Palace]
"Your highness, you seem quite happy today. Is it because of Commander Mo?" Xin Xie observed.
Lingxi was preparing food in the kitchen. She had given Chef Zhou a day off and decided to cook herself.
She smiled as she cut the chicken into smaller pieces.
Xin Lan was standing next to Xin Xie.
Now a bodyguard, her outfit was different from Xin Xie's.
She was wearing a white inner robe while her outer robe was more tightly fitted than others and was dark teal in color. Her sleeves flowed lightly with the white inner robe slightly visible. Her hair was let down and she had a simple hairpin on it.
She looked calm and mature which was in contrast to her previous demeanor as a maid.
"What are you making?" Xin Xie asked curious.
"I'm making spicy braised chicken", Lingxi answered as she skillfully chopped the chicken into smaller pieces.
"It seems my wife is busy", He Yu's voice was heard as he entered the kitchen.
Xin Xie and Xin Lan curtsied as they made way from him.
"Are you making these dishes for your brother?" he asked though his voice sounded sure.
"Yes. How are you so sure?" Lingxi asked looking at him.
"Merely looking at the ingredients, it's easy to tell", He Yu responded.
Lingxi looked at the table.
There were dried chilies, ginger, garlic, peppers and among others.
Each ingredient clearly yelled spicy.
Lingxi recalled the last time she made He Yu spicy chicken soup and he choked. He was not good with spicy food.
Lingxi exchanged a short glance with him.
She was about to say something when He Yu shifted and placed his hand over hers holding the knife.
He took it from her and helped with the chopping.
"You….." Lingxi wanted to say.
"Mo Xiuyan is your brother. That means he is also my brother", He Yu said.
Lingxi smiled and let him do the work.
She shifted the ingredients that needed chopping towards him.
"Since you are so willing to help, you might as well do the work"
He Yu did not refuse, "how can I let my wife work when I'm here?"
Lingxi watched him prepare the ingredients and when he was done, she proceeded to prepare the dishes herself.
Soon they were done.
He Yu looked at the dishes and couldn't help asking, "so your brother likes spicy dishes?"
Lingxi nodded confidently, "yes. I loved making sweet and spicy dishes. He said he loved them"
"But I don't see any sweet dishes", He Yu said.
He had begun to suspect that like him, Mo Xiuyan couldn't handle spice.
"That's not necessary", she said.
A eunuch came over and whispered something to Xin Lan. Xin Lan turned to Lingxi, "Your highness, Commander Mo is close to the capital",she passed the message.
Lingxi nodded, "I'll go change"
She walked out with Xin Xie and Xin Lan behind her.
On a second thought, she paused and turned to He Yu, "if you want to have something sweet, you can make it", she said and left.
He Yu smiled briefly and opened the dishes.
The sight of the spicy dishes made him feel the heat.
He closed it and went on to prepare snacks.
[Main Hall]
Mo Xiuyan highlighted from his horse in front of the palace and went into the Main Hall to pay his respects to He Jingcheng first.
The hall was empty save for He Jingcheng and Eunuch Go.
Mo Xiuyan walked in, each step commanding respect and reverence.
He stopped in front of He Jingcheng and knelt on one knee, "I, Mo Xiuyan, pay respects to Your Majesty"
He Jingcheng walked up to him and helped him up, "there is no need for formalities"
"Thank you, Your Majesty"
"You just got back. How was your journey?"
"Responding to your majesty, everything was safe and sound. I also encountered Prince Cheng on my way back", Mo Xiuyan reported.
"Prince Cheng? Is he safe?" He Jingcheng asked.
"Prince Cheng is fine although he was almost assassinated"
"Assassinated?"
"His Highness was attacked while resting at Sifeng Inn outside the Capital", Mo Xiuyan explained.
He Jingcheng heaved a short sigh of relief, "it's good that he's fine. Luckily, you stepped in on time"
"I dare not take credit for that. It was guard Qin Yan who saved his life", Mo Xiuyan corrected.
"I made a good decision to have him mentor He Yan", He Jingcheng's approval of Qin Yan was increasing.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will do everything in my power to ensure the culprit is found", Mo Xiuyan assured He Jingcheng.
"How did the investigation go?" He Jingcheng asked him referring to the secret mission he had sent Mo Xiuyan.
"Everything is progressing smoothly", he answered.
He Jingcheng nodded and tapped his shoulders, "you've worked hard. Take some time off to yourself. As for the assassination, when you are ready, work together with Prince Jing to investigate"
"I'll do as Your Majesty says", he said and bowed, "I will take my leave now"
"Go"
[Channing Palace]
Lingxi was standing outside the gates of Channing Palace patiently waiting for Mo Xiuyan to arrive.
"Are you sure Commander Mo will visit Channing Palace?" Xin Xie asked looking around.
There was no sight of Mo Xiuyan but Lingxi was certain he would show up.
He Yu walked out of the gates too behind Lingxi. He paused by her side and looked at Lingxi's outfit.
She was wearing a white inner robe and an ivory as an outer wear with flowing cloud and flowering patterns embroidered on it. It was indeed different from what she normally wore.
Her hair was decorated simply with white jade hairpin and gold pieces.
"Zhizhi is dressed so differently today. Is it all for Xiuyan?" he asked.
Lingxi turned to him, "my brother gifted me this outfit once. I haven't worn it before. Is it pretty?" she asked and eagerly waited for his opinion.
He Yu studied her for a minute, "you are pretty", he clearly emphasized the 'you' in his statement.
That was not the compliment Lingxi was expecting.
Was he saying the outfit was not good?
Xin Xie and Xin Lan struggled to hide their smile.
The outfit itself was clearly beautiful. He Yu was the one who was jealous.
Lingxi was about to respond to him but the sound of galloping attracted her.
Mo Xiuyan was seen coming in their direction with a horse. He stopped in front of the palace.
"Zhizhi", he called and alighted from the horse and walked quickly towards her.
In one swift motion, he lifted her up and spun her around.
He Yu watched with an expression one could not exactly read.
Lingxi finally felt her feet rest on the ground and she looked at Xiuyan with a smile, "Brother, you're back".
Mo Xiuyan nodded with a smile.
"Come in", Lingxi said holding his arm and pulling him in.
However, before going in, he did not forget to give Lingxi a slight nod acknowledging his presence.
Xin Xie and Xin Lan followed both of them while He Yu paused outside for a minute.
The glance Mo Xiuyan had given him did not look friendly at all and even looked dismissive.
He realized winning over his brother-in-law would be no easy feat.