Chapter Six: The Gathering Storm

Zheng Yanqing had never met Zheng Chang, but that didn’t mean he knew nothing of him. Living in Anyuan Hall, he had to pay attention to everyone, especially to the prominent figures there, whose characters he needed to scrutinize. Nearly twenty years of officialdom in his past life had instilled in him the habit of constant vigilance. Now, as a lowly servant whose life was entirely at the mercy of others, failing to observe words and expressions might spell disaster.

Fortunately, he was still just a child; people in Anyuan Hall did not deliberately avoid speaking in his presence. From what he gathered, Zheng Chang’s temperament differed from that of Master Zheng. Master Zheng was straightforward, cautious yet unburdened by details, while Zheng Chang was meticulous, never easily revealing his thoughts.

In other words, Zheng Chang was somewhat inscrutable.

Just months ago, he boasted of a promising future, only to suddenly lose his official position.

If it were someone else, Yanqing might not have cared, but Zheng Chang was Anyuan Hall’s second most important figure, his status highly significant. At present, Yanqing’s fate was entwined with Anyuan Hall, so he had to pay close attention. For reasons unknown, he sensed there was more to the story—a secret lurking in the shadows.

After supper, Zheng Shian retired to bed. He was not young, burdened by affairs and troubled feelings, so fatigue was inevitable.

Yanqing remained in the courtyard, gazing at the shimmering stars, his mind occupied by thoughts of Zheng Chang.

“Yanqing, why aren’t you back in your room resting?” Aunt Xu approached, holding a short-sleeved waistcoat, which she dressed him in. Then, her gentle voice asked, “Yanqing, do you have something on your mind?”

“Aunt Xu, Second Master is coming back!”

She always looked at Yanqing with warmth and kindness, as if he were her own child. Yanqing vaguely knew that Aunt Xu had a son about his age, whose whereabouts were now unknown.

Aunt Xu said, “I’ve heard about this. Second Master wasn’t favored in Taiyuan, so it’s natural he’d come home.”

“But I feel something is odd.”

“Odd?” Aunt Xu couldn’t help but laugh, rubbing Yanqing’s head. “You’re so young—do you even know what odd means?”

“I…” Yanqing smiled bitterly in his heart.

That was precisely the problem. At only five years old, his attempts at maturity would only seem strange to others. He couldn’t freely express his opinions; if he did, it might backfire.

Yet to remain silent felt like a bone stuck in his throat.

“Aunt Xu, don’t you find it strange? Just a few months ago, Second Master sent word saying all was well in Taiyuan—why was he suddenly dismissed?”

Aunt Xu’s eyes flashed with something unusual as she glanced at Yanqing.

“The ancients said, ‘To serve the lord is like serving a tiger.’ The ways of emperors are beyond the guesses of common folk. Perhaps Second Master said the wrong thing or made a mistake, so he lost his post. That’s normal; what are you imagining in that little head of yours?”

She stood up as she spoke. “It’s late—get some rest, don’t let your mind wander.”

The New Year was just months away… It was true, people said Second Master hadn’t returned for six or seven years.

New Year, New Year!

Zheng Shian had mentioned that after the New Year, he would take Luoyang. Aunt Xu had mentioned the New Year as well.

Suddenly, Yanqing recalled that it was already the third year of Renshou. Another year, and Emperor Wen of Sui would pass away, Emperor Yang would ascend the throne.

Prince Han—Yang Liang, Emperor Wen’s passing, Emperor Yang’s accession…

As these three figures connected in his mind, Yanqing suddenly understood.

When Emperor Yang ascended, Prince Han rebelled, but was swiftly suppressed by Yang Guang. Yang Liang, as Marshal of the Army and Governor of Bingzhou, commanded elite northern troops and held great power. In military achievements, he was not inferior to Yang Guang; in reputation, not lacking either. Crown Prince Yang Yong’s deposition must have caused Yang Liang some fear.

Thus, at the year’s start, Yang Liang advised Emperor Wen: “The Turks are strong; Taiyuan should be fortified as a strategic town, and military preparations made.”

Zheng Shian had privately commented, “Now Prince Han truly controls Bingzhou’s elite forces.”

At the time, Yanqing hadn’t thought much of it, nor considered its darker implications.

But now, Zheng Chang’s return was affecting him, forcing him to take the matter seriously.

If Zheng Chang harbored ulterior motives, it could spell disaster for Anyuan Hall.

In that moment, Yanqing seemed to grasp the true purpose behind Zheng Chang’s return…

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Xingyang—or more accurately, Xingzhou.

It was a major stronghold in the heart of the Central Plains, possessing a history stretching back through ages of turmoil and transformation. On one side, it had endured the ravages of war; on the other, it had grown within the flames. Gradually, it became the eastern bastion of Luoyang, standing tall alongside Daliang and Luoyang in the Central Plains.

Zheng Chang returned as expected!

Yanqing could do nothing to stop it.

On the day Zheng Chang arrived in Xingyang, Yanqing joined the entire Zheng family in welcoming him outside the gates.

Dozens of carriages lined up grandly at the entrance of Anyuan Hall. Boxes upon boxes were unloaded, making Yanqing secretly shudder.

This hardly looked like someone returning in disgrace—it was clearly a triumphant homecoming!

Zheng Chang, in his forties, was dignified in appearance, his frame slightly lean. Three strands of black beard hung from his chin, dressed in a blue robe with an ornate brocade coat, exuding a remarkable aura. Compared to Master Zheng’s aging figure, Zheng Chang had a more youthful vigor.

Behind him followed two men.

One scholarly, one martial; one plump, one lean.

The plump man dressed as a scholar, his face always bearing a harmless smile, evoking goodwill; the lean man was clad in martial attire, compact and muscular, not tall but radiating a sense of strength. While Master Zheng and Zheng Chang exchanged greetings at the door and entered arm in arm, when the lean man passed Yanqing, Yanqing’s heart trembled and he instinctively stepped back…

He felt a powerful, domineering pressure.

Such pressure was born of robust vitality. The saying goes, “Strength of blood and energy gives rise to authority,” and it is true; a person weakened in body could hardly inspire such awe.

When an elder and a vigorous adult stand before you, the adult’s presence far surpasses the elder’s—because of that vitality.

As the lean martial man passed, he glanced at Yanqing, his brows slightly furrowed.

He must have noticed the flow of energy within Yanqing, but seeing his servant’s attire, felt puzzled. Yet, remembering that the Zhengs of Anyuan Hall had established their house through martial prowess, it made sense that servants might practice martial arts.

In great clans, it was common to train trusted aides, passing down skills—nothing unusual.

Yet generally, only foundational techniques were imparted to non-lineal family.

Yanqing was at just such a foundational stage, so the warrior merely frowned, dismissing him from his concerns.

But that glance was enough to leave Yanqing’s heart pounding.

Such piercing eyes!

As if seeing through his soul—was this what it meant to be a true master?

Yanqing marveled inwardly, though his face remained calm.

He pretended nothing was amiss, watching the servants unload the boxes, carrying them inside one by one. Altogether, there were at least a hundred large wooden chests. From the way the servants labored, the contents were hardly light.

“Brother Junjing, let me help,” Yanqing said to a familiar servant.

“Yanqing, don’t add to the trouble… These boxes are heavy—you couldn’t lift them. If you get hurt, the old steward will blame me. Just stay aside; we’ve got it covered.”

“Brother Junjing, what’s inside these boxes that makes them so heavy?”

Junjing glanced around, ensuring no one was watching, then whispered, “One box was opened in the inner residence, full of top-grade Shu brocade and gold. I suspect this is why Second Master was dismissed… Don’t tell anyone.”

A dismissed official, yet so much wealth?

During the Sui dynasty, the currency was the two-zhu copper coin, used for trade, but most transactions were measured in gold and silk.

If all these hundred-plus boxes were filled with gold and brocade, how much was there?

Zheng Chang had been forced to return!

Even if Prince Han Yang Liang was generous, he surely wouldn’t permit Zheng Chang to bring so much treasure home. Moreover, those two companions seemed anything but ordinary. A martial master acting as an attendant for a disgraced official? Yanqing found it hard to believe.

As for the plump man, he appeared friendly enough.

But Yanqing felt that those triangular eyes flickered with a sinister glow.

Anyuan Hall seemed to be on the verge of a storm…