The young man was exceedingly handsome, with striking features and an extraordinary bearing.
Despite his attire not being particularly opulent, he possessed an innate aura that elevated him above others.
Furthermore, he was exceptionally polite.
After inquiring about the location of the Wu'an Marquis's residence, he not only clasped his hands in thanks but also presented the informant with a packet of medicine, claiming it would alleviate the old man's cough.
His identity was a source of great curiosity.
Under many curious gazes, the young man headed directly for the Wu'an Marquis's residence.
He soon arrived at the Wu'an Marquis's mansion.
The exterior of the Wu'an Marquis's residence appeared as dilapidated as ever.
Just as it had been over a decade ago. In the eyes of the world, it was considered a noble estate, but in reality, the Marquis of Wu'an and his son, Xie Jin, who was nearing forty and still unmarried, were both impoverished.
They were often seen out and about in patched clothing.
Even the mansion's main gate, it was said, frequently fell into disrepair.
Craftsmen were regularly hired to fix the gate, and the internal fixtures of the mansion would break down every few days.
They would rather spend a few copper coins to have them repaired than tens of taels of silver to replace them.
Consequently, among the noble ladies of the capital, marrying Xie Jin was the least desirable prospect, for fear of a life of hardship.
Yet, for reasons unknown, although Heir Xie was poor and not highly sought after, he had quite a few confidantes. It was a mystery what these enchanting ladies saw in him.
In the past, the Wu'an Marquis's residence rarely received visitors.
However, in the past two days, two young men had arrived in succession.
Both were of such striking handsomeness that they would make the young ladies of the capital blush.
One could not find anyone in the entire capital to rival them.
The latter young man, after knocking on the door, was immediately invited in by someone from the Wu'an Marquis's household.
Those curious to gather information craned their necks, eager to discover the identities of these two young men.
Once inside the mansion, the young man directly asked the elderly man who had invited him in, "Are Uncle Xie and my brother currently in the residence?"
The old man smiled and nodded, "Yes, yes, this old servant will take the young master to see them."
"Thank you, Elder."
The old man smiled, his heart filled with admiration. He observed how exceptional the two sons of Prince Ye and Princess Ye were!
And they did not look down upon him, this old servant.
This was their first visit to the capital. Two days prior, the elder son of Prince Ye and Princess Ye, Heir Li, had arrived, followed by their second son, Zhan Xiaofeng, today.
This second young master was no ordinary person; it was said his medical skills were exceedingly profound, not inferior to Princess Ye's.
Prince Ye and Princess Ye had lived in reclusion for many years, and many had sought Princess Ye in vain. If not for a certain turn of events involving the Emperor, Princess Ye's children likely would not have come to the capital.
He had previously heard the Heir mention that Prince Ye and Princess Ye would never set foot in the capital in their lifetimes.
The power struggles of the capital had nothing to do with them.
However, if anyone assumed they could be easily bullied because they were not in the capital, they would be courting their own destruction.
Before long, Zhan Xiaofeng met Xie Jin and Zhan Xiaoli.
"Elder Brother," Zhan Xiaofeng cupped his hands and bowed to Zhan Xiaoli.
His elder brother had arrived in the capital before him. These days, the three brothers were occupied with their own matters. Their parents had long since ceased to concern themselves with them, allowing them to travel the world or do as they pleased.
However, they had been separated for several months.
As for Yun Xiaojing, he had taken their younger sister, Xiao Jun, to the northern frontier again.
Like him, his younger sister Xiao Jun had been interested in medicine and poison from a young age. Moreover, Xiao Jun's expertise extended beyond medicine. Although she was seven years younger than them, pampered by all of them, she was the one who feared hardship the least. Every day, she studied martial arts with her maternal grandfather, father, and mother.
There was no need to worry about the two of them causing trouble in the northern frontier.
However, they should have received the news of their arrival in the capital by now, and might be on their way.
He did not particularly miss Yun Xiaojing, but he greatly missed his sister.
"Second Brother," Zhan Xiaoli rose and nodded at Zhan Xiaofeng.
Xie Jin's eyes lit up upon seeing Zhan Xiaofeng. "You've all grown up! In the blink of an eye, the two little children who used to call me Uncle Xie are now grown. They're old enough to marry and have children! Tsk tsk, if you take a fancy to any women in the capital this time, tell Uncle Xie, and Uncle Xie will help you win them over, how about that?"
"Uncle Xie should worry about his own lifelong commitment first," Zhan Xiaofeng said with a straight face.
Zhan Xiaoli, always taciturn, had no intention or need for marriage.
After resolving matters in the capital, he intended to wander the world.
Xie Jin's mouth twitched fiercely, feeling utterly speechless. "As expected of Prince Ye and Princess Ye's sons, they know how to strike where it hurts. A few words have rendered me speechless. What's so great about women? Look how carefree I am now. Besides, your Uncle Xie is too poor, no one is willing to marry down. Why don't you split some of your family fortune with me? Let me marry three wives and have four concubines? Uncle Xie's happy old age depends on you all."
"Uncle Xie, I know that two-thirds of the brothels scattered throughout the capital originated from you..." Zhan Xiaoli said calmly.
Xie Jin's mouth twitched fiercely again upon hearing this. "I have no secrets in front of you all."
"And I also heard that Uncle Xie actually has someone he favors recently and is about to get married," Zhan Xiaofeng added.
The two brothers exchanged a glance.
Although they were not in the capital, they could know about all the major and minor events in the world if they wished.
Xie Jin rolled his eyes, completely speechless. "Your entire family is terrifying. I have no secrets in front of you!"
His little pretense was enough to fool the people of the capital.
It was completely insufficient to fool Prince Ye and his children.
"By the way, when are Xiao Jing and Xiao Jun arriving in the capital? Why is there no news yet?" Xie Jin smoothly changed the subject.
If they continued this conversation, he would have no face left.
Speaking of marriage, he thought of that young woman, the one who truly captivated his heart.
"Upon receiving our carrier pigeon message, they should arrive soon. But it's also possible they won't, they are having too much fun in the northern frontier and might find the capital boring," Zhan Xiaofeng said.
"Alright then, Xiaofeng, do you want to rest a bit, and we'll go to the palace tomorrow?" Xie Jin composed himself and brought up the main matter.
After all, the reason the two brothers came to the capital this time was for serious business.
Zhan Xiaofeng glanced at the sky outside. It was still early before dark. Going to the palace now might mean leaving by nightfall. "Let's go to the palace first. The longer we delay, the more troublesome it will be."