He couldn’t help but silently clench his fists hidden in his sleeves, his nails digging deeply into his flesh.
But just at that moment, a shout came from the courtyard.
"Zhao Ya is here to pay respects."
Upon hearing this name, Yun Yuan’s eyes snapped open, and he turned his head in disbelief.
A tall and heroic-looking man boldly entered the spirit tent, took a stick of incense from the table, lit it using the eternal lamp, and waved it in front of the coffin before placing it into the incense burner.
After finishing these actions, Zhao Ya stepped forward to Yun Yuan and spoke loudly.
"Young Master Yun, please accept my condolences."
This address "Young Master" was particularly jarring in the spirit tent.
At least Mrs. Yun’s face changed instantly.
The atmosphere she had painstakingly arranged was half ruined by this single utterance of "Young Master Yun."
Hence, Mrs. Yun glared angrily at Zhao Ya and asked in a low voice to those beside her.
"Who is this fellow?"
In fact, she wasn’t the only one puzzled; many present were also taken aback.
Because none of them had seen Zhao Ya before, and the name felt unfamiliar.
"Judging by his outstanding demeanor, he should be a son from a noble family."
"But there aren’t any noble families with the surname Zhao in Yan Capital City. Besides, if he came from a noble family, why wouldn’t he announce his name just now? I guess he’s probably just an ordinary person."
"No, this name sounds somewhat familiar to me, as if he’s a figure from the Jianghu."
While these people were whispering among themselves, Yun Yuan, too, broke from his initial shock and nodded gratefully towards Zhao Ya.
"Thank you, Young Hero Zhao."
He genuinely hadn’t expected Zhao Ya to come to pay respects and even openly stand by his side.
For someone deliberately neglected like him, this was like delivering charcoal in a snowy weather, and of course, he was deeply grateful.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ya merely smiled faintly.
The so-called practice of accepting someone’s favor and resolving their troubles; since he had taken so much Black Flood Dragon Dried Meat from Yun Yuan, it was only natural to come to his aid now that a situation had arisen.
However, before coming, Zhao Ya had not expected it to be such a situation.
He had merely intended to use the pretext of paying respects to come and see what was going on.
But he hadn’t expected that as soon as he entered the spirit tent, he would sense something was amiss.
Yun Yuan was left isolated, alone and unaided.
In contrast, the other side was bustling; many who came to pay respects stayed behind to chat with Mrs. Yun, forming a stark contrast.
Zhao Ya immediately understood what was happening.
One had to admit that a woman like Mrs. Yun had little other skill but was an expert at orchestrating such scenarios.
This was clearly an effort to disgust Yun Yuan and create an atmosphere where he seemed abandoned and without support.
Zhao Ya’s response was simple: to directly announce Yun Yuan’s identity and deliberately exert pressure on Mrs. Yun.
At this point, Zhao Ya squatted down and whispered to Yun Yuan.
"It seems your stepmother hasn’t given up, so you need to be on guard. I’m afraid this matter won’t be resolved so easily."
Yun Yuan took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "I understand."
Zhao Ya patted Yun Yuan’s shoulder, intending to leave.
Just then, someone stopped him.
"Wait a moment."
Zhao Ya paused, turned to face the person who called him, and slightly raised an eyebrow.
"Something you need?"
The person who stopped him was none other than Mrs. Yun.
She looked at Zhao Ya with unwillingness, "Who might you be, sir? Why haven’t I heard my husband mention you before?"
"I’m just an ordinary person, naturally unnoticed by esteemed individuals like you. But I’ve once met Young Master Yun, so I came upon hearing the news to pay my respects. Why? Not allowed?"
Mrs. Yun was momentarily rendered speechless.
Indeed.
When someone comes to pay respects, there’s no legitimate reason for refusal.
Yet, however unwilling she was, she couldn’t accept this outcome.
Just as she racked her brains for an excuse to further inquire, a surprised voice came from outside the door.
"Brother Zhao?"
Then Yun Jin stepped into the spirit tent.
"It really is you, Brother Zhao!" Yun Jin exclaimed with great surprise.
Zhao Ya nodded, "Upon hearing the bad news, I rushed over to pay my respects."
Yun Jin immediately sensed something amiss, particularly noticing the desolation on Yun Yuan’s side, and a trace of anger appeared on her face.
But at this juncture, she couldn’t say much and could only express, "Thank you, Brother Zhao, for coming to comfort my brother."
Saying this, she approached Yun Yuan, arranged her skirt, and knelt down.
Yun Yuan was somewhat surprised, "Jin’er, what are you doing?"
"Keeping vigil with you; although we don’t have the influence to gather many to support publicly, as your cousin, it’s proper for me to stay by your side for this vigil." Yun Jin deliberately said it loudly.
Mrs. Yun was left alternating between pale and ashen, yet she dared not say anything.
After all, Yun Jin was the legitimate daughter of the second household, whom she dared not provoke easily.
Due to this commotion, suddenly someone remembered something and shouted, "I remember now, he was the one who exchanged moves with Yan Tianjiao from Washing Sword Manor a while ago!"
Swish.
Numerous eyes focused on Zhao Ya.
Within these gazes were shock, confusion, and doubt.
They simply couldn’t fathom how Yun Yuan got associated with this young man.
Especially Mrs. Yun, whose face turned even darker upon hearing this.
To this, Zhao Ya merely chuckled, then strode away.
He had little interest in the petty struggles within these noble families.
However, from an outsider’s perspective, the situation was quite amusing.
A group engaged in scheming for a false sense of righteousness, with secrets hidden within a glance or a word—what else but insanity could this be?
Zhao Ya left the Yun Mansion and returned to the Shang Family.
Upon arriving home, he found that Shang Jingchuan, usually not at home, was there, and with a look of excitement.
Upon seeing Zhao Ya, he reached out, caught him, and said excitedly, "Ya, you must share a drink with me tonight!"
Zhao Ya chuckled, surprised, "What’s bringing you such joy?"
"Haha, I’ve just received news that tomorrow the Holy Emperor will convene a grand court meeting, during which my position will be appointed. Now tell me, isn’t that fantastic news?"
"Hmm, that indeed is a cause for celebration," Zhao Ya replied.
Although he was indifferent to what office Shang Jingchuan might assume, or even to the court and the so-called Holy Emperor Shang served,
it didn’t hinder Zhao Ya from congratulating him.
After all, everyone has their own choices and thoughts. Although he might not understand, he could respect them.
"Haha, I knew it. You understand me the best, unlike Luoluo, who says something like the situation is yet uncertain, and conclusions can’t be drawn prematurely when it’s already a foregone conclusion; what’s there to remain uncertain about?"
Shang Jingchuan excitedly rubbed his hands, pacing back and forth.
"What position do you think the Holy Emperor will assign to me? Will it be too soon to enter the cabinet as a minister? Perhaps it’s best to remain low-key and initially serve as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, ascending later over time, so people won’t have any objections; what do you think?"
"Hmm, not bad." This was all Zhao Ya could politely respond with.
Yet, even this perfunctory comment was seen as a treasure by Shang Jingchuan, who wouldn’t let go of Zhao Ya while endlessly voicing his thoughts.
"Being a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites isn’t bad either, but taking an active post right upon my return might be overstepping. Hence, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat suits me best; it holds rank but is a nominal position, ideal for building prestige, so that after some time...."
Zhao Ya could only listen with resignation, unable to extricate himself until Shang Luoluo eventually intervened to rescue him.
"Sorry, my father gets like this upon encountering something happy; sometimes he’s like a child, talking nonsensically," Shang Luoluo said helplessly.
Zhao Ya smiled, "It’s not to blame Shang; after all, it’s his dream come true after many years. It’s natural to get excited."
"Do you really think it can happen?" Shang Luoluo suddenly asked.