Chapter 16: Asking for a Beating at Midnight

Yang Zhan gave another set of clothes, boots, and a hairpin to Lǜ Yáng.

Lǜ Yáng’s face lit up with joy, her cheeks flushed like a child’s, and she danced about gleefully.

Unable to wait, she grabbed the clothes and dashed inside to change.

Soon after, Lǜ Yáng emerged, twirling before Yang Zhan in her new outfit. “Second Master, how do I look?”

Yang Zhan felt a bit awkward.

The clothes were slightly too large, making them appear loose.

“A bit big,” he admitted.

“No matter, Second Master bought them for me. I’m so happy. I like them very much,” Lǜ Yáng said, still beaming.

She also wore the hairpin and the new boots, her joy genuine and heartfelt.

“Oh, I almost forgot. I’ve brewed some soup for Second Master,” she said, hopping away in her new clothes.

Even from a distance, Yang Zhan could still hear her calling out, “Third Brother, Second Master bought me new clothes and boots!” and “Fourth Brother, do you think it’s pretty? Second Master bought it for me.”

Yang Zhan’s gaze flickered. What exactly is Lǜ Yáng’s role? She’s no good as a spy—getting so easily delighted. Or is she merely trying to curry favor? Or perhaps… putting on a show for others?

Not long after, a modest horse-drawn carriage slowly arrived at the gate of the prison.

The carriage driver stepped down, and a woman inside lifted the curtain and carefully stepped out.

Despite her plain clothes, she exuded an air of dignified nobility.

Fourth Brother stood guard at the gate.

Upon seeing the woman, his expression changed to one of admiration, as if he were about to drool.

“Huh? Haven’t I seen her before?” Suddenly, something clicked in Fourth Brother’s mind, and his face grew serious. He stepped forward a few paces. “Greetings, Crown Princess!”

Yu Shu, the official wife of the Crown Prince and future Empress, had arrived alone with just a carriage driver at the prison.

Yu Shu glanced at Fourth Brother and smiled slightly. “You must be Li Si, the fierce general under General Yang?”

Li Si was taken aback, then grinned foolishly. “The Crown Princess remembers me!”

“Of course. If it weren’t for your general leading you to meet His Highness back then, we would have been torn apart by the barbarian imperial army.”

“Hehe, that was thanks to our Second Master’s strategic planning.”

Yu Shu looked toward the prison gate. “Where is the general? I wish to see him.”

“Second Master is inside.”

Yu Shu nodded and turned to the carriage driver. “Wait outside.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

...

When Yang Zhan saw Yu Shu, he was somewhat surprised.

Then he smiled. “Did the Crown Princess come to check if I mistreat Lǜ Yáng?”

Yu Shu glanced at him. “General, you do have a sense of humor.”

She then surveyed Yang Zhan’s living quarters.

Sighing, she said, “The conditions are poor. I’m sorry for your hardship.”

Yang Zhan shook his head. “It’s not bad. Much better than enduring the wind and dew up north in Beiji.”

Yu Shu turned to face him. “General Yang, it was the Crown Prince who sent me to visit you.”

“Hmm? Is there something?”

“You are in danger. His Majesty has lost patience.”

Since the arrival of the three prisoners, Yang Zhan had already suspected as much, so he wasn’t surprised.

He remained silent, quietly awaiting the Crown Princess’s next words.

Yu Shu studied Yang Zhan’s calm demeanor. “Aren’t you worried at all?”

“What good would worrying do?”

“The Crown Prince asked me to tell you he will help you.”

Yang Zhan smiled wryly. “I appreciate His Highness’s kindness, but I’m just a prison guard now. There’s nothing worth helping.”

Yu Shu sighed. “Actually, His Highness has always been thinking of you, but he dared not come himself. If His Majesty knew, he might misunderstand and suspect you even more.”

Yang Zhan said nothing, remaining composed.

Yu Shu continued, “But now, His Highness has sent me because he hopes to help you break free.”

“How?”

“Your old battlefield injury has flared up again. Medicine can no longer cure it, and you cannot serve your post. You must resign.”

Looking at Yu Shu, Yang Zhan suddenly smiled. “How could this escape the Emperor’s notice? He would surely see through my plan at once. This would also implicate the Crown Prince. Do you know the consequences?”

Yu Shu took out a pill. “Take this. Even divine doctors won’t detect it. His Highness has considered the consequences, so you need not worry.”

Yang Zhan frowned slightly. “Has His Highness encountered difficulties?”

Yu Shu was momentarily stunned, then smiled. “People say you are the Great War God of Dàxià, but they don’t realize you are talented both in literature and martial arts.”

“No need to flatter me; I tend to get arrogant when praised.”

“No flattery. General Yang, you truly are remarkable. His Highness’s situation is bleak as well—he’s been under house arrest for half a year.”

Yang Zhan’s eyes flickered. He had sensed something amiss in the court but never expected the Crown Prince to be confined for so long.

This meant the struggle for imperial power had reached a boiling point.

The Crown Prince must have been cornered with no choice but to take this desperate gamble, seeking to bind Yang Zhan to his cause.

Moreover, many officials in the palace had been replaced, making the internal situation even more complex.

Yang Zhan pondered briefly, piecing together the political landscape.

He looked at Yu Shu. “I’m barely able to save myself now. I’m afraid I can’t assist His Highness.”

Yu Shu’s eyes gleamed. “You need not worry. His Highness hopes only that you can break the deadlock. The rest will be dealt with later.”

...

After a pause, Yu Shu added, “You need not have any reservations. His Highness said this is simply an act of gratitude, with no conditions attached.”

Yang Zhan nodded. “Please convey my thanks to the Crown Prince. I appreciate his goodwill. But I ask that he take care of his own health and do nothing on my behalf.”

Yu Shu furrowed her brow slightly, then her eyes brightened. “Could it be that you already have a plan?”

Yang Zhan said nothing, merely smiling. “It’s cold. This prison is filthy. Crown Princess, please return early. I won’t see you off.”

Yu Shu looked deeply at Yang Zhan, then took back the pill. “Please take care of yourself as well. If you need anything, have Lǜ Yáng send a message.”

“All right, thank you.”

Yu Shu departed.

Yang Zhan frowned. “The Crown Prince’s intervention only puts me at a disadvantage. He must be driven to desperation to resort to this.”

But Yang Zhan had no interest in imperial power struggles.

Night had fallen.

A group swiftly arrived at the prison entrance, quickly sealing off all exits.

Four men carried a small sedan chair and hurried inside.

Even the night guards, the fifth and sixth brothers, were restrained nearby.

Seeing the official badges the men produced, the guards did not resist.

Yang Zhan had already fallen asleep.

But this moment woke him instantly.

He glanced at Lǜ Yáng, who was sleeping by the bedside.

Gently, Yang Zhan got out of bed.

He opened the door and stepped outside.

The small courtyard was already filled with people, their presence tense and deadly.

Among them was a black sedan chair.

From inside came a chilling voice: “Everyone, stand back!”

“Yes, Your Honor!”

The crowd filed out in order.

Yang Zhan looked at the sedan door. “Chief Han, a late-night visit? Is there urgent business?”

Suddenly, a cold gleam shot from the carriage door.

Yang Zhan’s eyes flickered. With two fingers forming a blade, he caught a flying dart between them.

At the same time, a figure darted out from the sedan.

Yang Zhan immediately met the attack with a punch.

Fists and feet collided as the shadow quickly retreated back into the carriage.

The sedan shook violently, and Yang Zhan was knocked back a step.

Yet his expression remained calm and composed.

“Chief Han, have you come seeking a fight in the dead of night?”