After Rebirth, She Becomes the Revenge Queen-Chapter 486 - 334: King Yan (Requesting Monthly Votes)_3

He exchanged a glance with Liang Chen, who picked up the cue skillfully and mentioned two paintings recently done by King Yan, thus leaving the Imperial Guard Office.

Outside, Liang Chen couldn’t help but ask, "What on earth are you up to? Why the sudden visit to King Yan?"

Pei Zhan, placing his hands on his hips, looked at the layers of palace buildings, furrowing his brow, and said: "A few days ago, when I went to the Heavenly Prison to inquire about some of my grandfather’s past matters from Prince Rong and his son, I heard something from Yang Zhan.

"He said that the palace had sent out two groups to search for the Emperor’s eldest son. One was sent by the Emperor, and the other by the Empress. However, the group sent by the Emperor was unaware that the Empress had also sent people out."

Liang Chen paused: "Why would the Empress do this?"

"If I knew, would I need to drag you here?" Pei Zhan snorted, "The only people the Empress can mobilize are the palace guards, but the people from the Imperial Guard Office said that the guards from Kunning Palace have never left the Imperial Palace."

Liang Chen understood: "So, you mean the guards from Prince Yan’s Palace, who go out a few times every year to procure medicine, are actually the ones secretly searching for the Emperor’s eldest son?"

"It can only be them." Pei Zhan looked at him, "In today’s harem, aside from the people loyal to the Emperor and Empress, only King Yan’s guards can be sent out of the palace independently.

"The Crown Prince sent out people from Prince Rong’s Mansion, and this group wouldn’t hide things from Yang Zhan, so we can rule out the Eastern Palace.

"The harem concubines don’t have that kind of influence; they wouldn’t dare meddle with the Emperor’s eldest son.

"It’s just unclear whether the group was dispatched by King Yan or the Empress."

Liang Chen nodded, "I see. So we really should pay a visit to King Yan."

Pei Zhan started to walk, "Let’s go."

...

King Yan resided in Jingren Palace, not far from Kunning Palace.

When Pei Zhan and Liang Chen arrived outside Jingren Palace, a eunuch, who was just coming out, greeted them. Pei Zhan asked to be announced, and the eunuch said, "His Highness King Yan is in the imperial garden."

The two then headed to the imperial garden.

King Yan’s illness was not congenital. He was quite lively as a child, but after contracting the illness, he spent more than half the year confined to his Jingren Palace, unable to go out. He only ventured out from late spring to early autumn.

The imperial garden was already fragrant with osmanthus, and in the octagonal pavilion surrounded by various chrysanthemums, King Yan was playing the zither, while the Empress sat beside him, lost in the music.

After the eunuch announced their arrival, the mother and son both looked down from the pavilion.

King Yan stood up, "Great General, General Pei."

The young boy’s face was pale, but his obsidian eyes were exceptionally bright. Having grown up by his parents’ sides, his voice carried a hint of innocence.

"Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress, His Highness King Yan."

Pei Zhan and Liang Chen saluted, and the Empress also stood up, speaking warmly, "How did you find this place? Is something wrong?"

Her face still bore traces of absentmindedness, and no one knew what she was thinking when the zither played a moment ago.

"The Emperor summoned us to the palace to discuss military reports when we encountered the case of the Emperor’s eldest son. We then visited Commander Zhang at the Imperial Guard Office and thought it had been a while since we last paid our respects to His Highness King Yan, so we came over."

King Yan said, "The two generals are busy with military affairs; how could I dare delay you? Please, have a seat."

The Empress also said, "Sit down. It’s good if nothing is amiss."

The two took seats on the stools the eunuch had brought, and Pei Zhan looked at the tailpiece zither, "His Highness is looking splendid; it’s a fortunate thing for the court and the people."

King Yan shyly replied, "I am just practicing irregularly and not skilled in the art, almost bringing shame to the Grand Tutor; I’m sure the general is laughing at me."

"Laugh at what? Aside from wielding spears and swords, he knows nothing of poetry or painting, nor can he carry a tune, so how can he laugh at you? Besides, I know even less; I’m worse than him!"

Liang Chen said with a laugh.

The Empress looked at him with a smile, "How are your mother and second aunt? I heard you’ve returned but haven’t come to the palace to see me."

"I shall deliver the imperial decree as soon as I return!"

"Already a father, and still so mischievous!" The Empress scolded with a smile before turning to Pei Zhan, "I saw your wife just yesterday, and here you are today. You have a good eye; that girl is poised and calm, making a fine match for you."

Pei Zhan smiled too, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. However, this time, if we accomplish a great case, my wife truly deserves the highest credit."

The Empress nodded solemnly, "That is why I have also richly rewarded the Ning Family. It’s a pity Ning Pochi left us too soon.

"—Have some tea."

Pei Zhan picked up the tea, and without betraying any emotion, said, "My mother-in-law has taken over the Ning Family’s business, with shops all over Jiangnan, also dealing in medicinal herbs, and has served as an Imperial Merchant in the previous dynasty.

"I wonder if His Highness King Yan has enough medicinal herbs recently? Is there anything I can assist with?"