The next day, Duke Ying, Zhang Rong, who resided in the capital, bribed Yan Xin, the steward of the Yan Mansion. In the afternoon, he arrived at the Yan Mansion with four servants, carrying two loads of valuable gifts.
After submitting the gift list, he waited in the guest room for half an hour. Yan Xin then reappeared and led Zhang Rong to a閣樓 (gé lóu - pavilion/tower). This was a small courtyard, quite secluded. As he walked halfway down the corridor, before reaching the inner hall, he heard a hearty laugh.
Yan Shifan, dressed casually, walked over quickly and cupped his hands, saying, "Duke Ying's esteemed presence truly illuminates my humble abode!"
Zhang Rong bowed in return, saying, "Brother Donglou, your demeanor is as elegant as ever. Congratulations."
Yan Shifan acted with great warmth, pulling Zhang Rong into the inner hall. The interior was elegantly furnished, with precious calligraphy and paintings everywhere. A comfortable and refined long couch was placed there. Yan Song, with his white beard and hair, came out smiling and said gently, "Duke Ying, why bring gifts when you visit? That makes us seem like strangers!"
Zhang Rong and Yan Song had actually known each other for over ten years. Seeing Yan Song, now advanced in years but still vigorous, Zhang Rong was secretly amazed. He thought to himself, "Good people don't live long, while villains last a thousand years"—this saying was indeed true. At this rate, Yan Song would likely live past a hundred without much issue. In contrast, Zhang Rong, not yet seventy, already showed signs of aging that rivaled this old devil.
"Duke Fenyí, you have the spirit of a dragon and horse... It must have been seven or eight years since I last saw you?"
Zhang Rong was, after all, more than ten years his junior, and he immediately went to help him.
Yan Song patted his arm and said, "It must be twelve or thirteen years, shouldn't it? I remember when I first met Your Grace, you could still ride a horse! Hahaha."
Zhang Rong also felt a sense of emotion and helped him to sit down, saying, "The Grand Secretary attends to state affairs, while I am a man of leisure, hence our infrequent meetings."
Yan Shifan had already prepared tea and placed it on the table. He smiled and said, "Duke Ying, I presume your visit today is not merely for reminiscing?"
Zhang Rong thought to himself: They likely don't know the news of Prince Jing's return to the capital. If I reveal it suddenly, I can gauge the true feelings of this father and son. "Heh heh, I have come today to be a go-between."
Oh?
The father and son were truly taken aback by his directness.
Yan Shifan feigned casualness and chuckled, "What in the world could bring Duke Ying here as a mediator? You jest... Hahaha!"
Zhang Rong nodded, took a sip of tea, and then, with feigned gravitas, said, "Grand Secretary, I recently heard a piece of news that is truly astonishing. Thinking about the current difficult situation that needs resolving, I suddenly remembered in a dream last night that the one who can untie the knot is right before me." "Oh?"
The father and son were genuinely intrigued at this point.
Yan Shifan put on a serious expression and said, "What major affairs are there now? My old father has been in semi-retirement for a long time, and I myself have been feeling unwell recently and have taken sick leave! There are no major affairs..."
Zhang Rong ignored him and continued, "Grand Secretary, try to guess what this news of mine is?"
Yan Song was already somewhat alarmed. He knew Zhang Rong to be a very cautious man, and his words today were exceptionally unusual. He immediately laughed it off, mocking himself, "Duke Ying, I have been living in seclusion for a long time. Even if the sky were to fall, I would have no interest."
Zhang Rong knew Yan Song's nature well. This reaction indicated that he was indeed tempted. He then observed them carefully and said slowly, "I heard that the one from Anlu has already arrived in the capital..."
Hiss!
With a snap, the jade bracelet in Yan Shifan's hand fell. But he caught it with his left hand, his expression changing drastically. However, it was fleeting, and he resumed playing with it, smiling and asking, "What is Duke Ying talking about?"
Yan Song, however, stared intently at Zhang Rong, his expression no longer concealed. He now understood clearly: this man was indeed here as a mediator! He wanted to use the news of Prince Jing's return to the capital to strike a deal, to get him to continue supporting Prince Yu.
But Zhang Rong had no idea: this Prince Jing was Zhu Xue!
Only then did Yan Song deliberately stop concealing his reactions. He appeared shocked and angry, revealing a sense of resentment as if his plans had been intercepted.
Zhang Rong had now received two pieces of information: First, this father and son truly did not know of Prince Jing's return to the capital. Second, Prince Jing's return to the capital was a significant blow to them, but their true attitude remained unclear. "Grand Secretary, have I come to good purpose today?"
Zhang Rong tested them directly.
The father and son remained silent, both lost in thought. After a while, Yan Song slowly said, "They sent some sable furs from Liaodong. Shifan, take Duke Ying to pick some! The cold weather is fast approaching. When one is older, one needs to stay warm!"
Yan Shifan responded, "Yes, Father!"
"Duke Ying, this batch of goods is excellent! It was personally selected by that rascal Niu Xin. They were obtained from the Jurchens in the far north. They are truly rare and very warm to wear!"
Zhang Rong was surprised that the father and son were dismissing him and was momentarily bewildered. He had carefully observed their expressions just now, and it seemed they still had some cards up their sleeves? That was why they were so composed?
At this moment, he suddenly recalled Mu Chaobi's words: "If the father and son are evasive, there must be a hidden scheme." After a moment of thought, he also smiled and said, "Grand Secretary, speaking of sable furs, I truly have no good ones at my manor! What a coincidence!" "Good, good," Yan Song stood up, supporting him by the shoulder, and walked him out, saying gently, "Duke Ying, you must visit more often... We are all old now. Let the young people cause all the trouble; the sky won't fall, ah?"
"Yes, yes, the Grand Secretary is right..."
Zhang Rong could now see that although the father and son were shocked, they were not panicked. It was likely as Mu Chaobi had predicted: Yan Shifan was the one who had framed Prince Jing back then, and he had never let up on him since. Perhaps he already had a trump card and was not afraid of Prince Jing ascending the throne at all? If Prince Jing was truly harmed by Yan Shifan, wouldn't he seek to eradicate the Yan family after ascending the throne?
At this thought, he suddenly felt that Yan Song's words held a very deep strategic plan, and there was a sense of confident control over Prince Jing. At the same time, another thought was swirling: Mu Chaobi needed to act quickly. If he delayed, it might be too late. Perhaps after today, there would be no more opportunities. The three exchanged pleasantries as they exited. To stall for time, Zhang Rong actually went to the storeroom to pick out some furs for a while, finally taking three sable furs. Yan Shifan escorted him to the door without any sign of impatience.
He returned to the secret residence.
Prince Yu was already waiting. Zhang Rong recounted the events. After a short discussion, everyone felt that the Yan family had likely secured their hold over Prince Jing, but they couldn't figure out how they had managed it.
Prince Yu paced anxiously, "This is strange. Logically, since Yan Shifan had harmed Prince Jing, shouldn't this person seek revenge upon his return? Why is the Yan family not flustered at all?"
Zhang Er thought for a long time and then said, "Your Highness, could it be that Yan Shifan has already sent someone to find Prince Jing, and the two sides have reached an agreement? The Yan family supports Prince Jing's succession, and Prince Jing forgives all past grievances?"
Prince Yu said, "You all don't know, but that Prince Jing is extremely vindictive. Even for a small matter, he can hold a grudge for three to five years. If Yan Shifan truly harmed him so grievously, then it's certain death!" The others fell silent.
Yin Tai suddenly said, "Your Highness, could it be that the rumors in the world are false? That Yan Shifan never harmed Prince Jing? They laid this plan many years ago?"
Everyone suddenly felt that this statement had a lot of merit. Otherwise, how could they explain the Yan family's calm demeanor?
Just then, the courtyard gate opened, and Mu Chaobi strode in. His rough voice could be heard from outside, "Your Highness, there were four in total, one escaped!"
Ah?
Everyone hurried out. They saw Mu Chaobi's face a mixture of joy and worry. He strode in, grabbed the teapot, and took a large gulp before saying, "Shaoting escaped, claiming he had left the capital some time ago. Shaokang, Shaoqing, and Shaoying are all here. I've locked them up in Zhihua Temple..."
Everyone knew that Yan Shifan had over twenty wives and concubines, and six or seven sons. The most valued among them were given names with the prefix 'Shao.' They normally resided in the old mansion, which was Yan Song's earliest residence in Beijing. Yan Shifan, however, either lived in a side courtyard of the Yan Song mansion or in a separate villa outside, rarely returning to the old residence. If not for this, Mu Chaobi would not have devised this plan.
Prince Yu quickly asked, "Did it cause any disturbance?"
Mu Chaobi, experienced in such matters, smiled and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, the people I found are untraceable! The Yan family's old residence is usually unoccupied. Although it's not far from the Imperial City, it's quite secluded. I had them climb in, tie up the people, and throw them back over the wall. The house guards were subdued. Even now, perhaps no one knows!"