Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Something More Exciting

South Gate Long Street.

Dozens of riders galloped through the bustling street, leaving behind startled cries.

At the front rode five young men dressed in splendid robes, with expressions as flamboyant as their attire. Several guards followed closely behind.

“Ye Rong! Heard your father made you copy books again yesterday. No offense, my friend, but you haven’t memorized the Thousand Character Classic yet?”

“Oh, don’t remind me!” groaned Ye Rong, the only son of Ye Zhuo Yun, the Minister of Revenue. Hearing about studying made his head ache. “Tell me honestly—am I really my father’s son? When he reads, words just flow right into his brain. Young Master stares at the page for half an hour and can’t remember a single line!”

“Haha, you ought to ask your mother that question,” laughed Pei Yu An, heir of the Grand General of Huaihua.

“Bah! If Young Master asked her that, she’d surely beat me to death!”

The banter continued as Shang Hang Yu rode at the head of the group, approaching the city gate. Soon someone noticed today’s route was different from usual.

“Second Young Master Shang, aren’t we headed to Flower Pavilion today?” Pei Yu An asked as he trotted his horse closer.

Shang Hang Yu pulled the reins lightly, and his horse neighed softly before turning around.

His gaze swept over his companions, sparkling with wild mischief. “Drinking and fooling around all the time has lost its charm. Today, let’s do something more exciting!”

“What?”

“What could be more exciting?”

The spoiled young nobles grew curious at once. They had visited every pleasure house and gambling hall in the Capital City and nearby towns; there wasn’t anywhere more interesting left to go.

But Second Young Master Shang always had fresh ideas. They eagerly crowded around him.

“There have been some strange happenings near the capital lately. Have you heard?” Shang Hang Yu said mysteriously.

“Huh? Stranger than that Lady Meng, the farmer’s daughter?” Chen Bao Jing, eldest son of Censor Doctor Chen Dao Tan, asked, rubbing his chubby cheeks.

“I know!” Ye Rong interrupted, excited. “First, a fortune-teller appeared outside Morning Light Temple. Second, the grandson of the Grand General Who Pacifies the Nation, Han Ming Rui, disappeared along with his mother.”

Ye Rong’s voice lowered with sadness at the mention of Han Ming Rui.

Although Han Ming Rui was still young and rarely played with them, both his father and grandfather were renowned warriors. Thirty years ago, General Han Ce had inspired awe throughout the land. Later, his son, Han Zi An, showed equal bravery, and many believed he would follow in his father’s footsteps.

Yet who could have foreseen that Han Zi An would fall in battle, his body mutilated, never returning home intact?

Han Ming Rui was Han Zi An’s posthumous son, born prematurely upon news of his father’s death. Frail from birth, he was the sole heir to the dwindling Han family line.

General Han Ce was already over fifty. If Han Ming Rui did not return safely, their line would come to an end.

A thoughtful silence fell among the young noblemen. Though known as reckless youths in the Capital City, they truly respected General Han Ce and his late son.

“Second Shang, don’t tell me you’re planning to look for Han Ming Rui?” Ye Rong asked.

“Why, are you not interested?” Shang Hang Yu’s eyes gleamed playfully. “Think about it—if we really found Han Ming Rui, the Han family would owe us greatly. Who would dare call us worthless then? Ye Rong, even your father would stop forcing you to memorize books.”

“That’s right!” Ye Rong slapped his thigh eagerly. “If Young Master finds Han Ming Rui, not only the Han family but even His Majesty himself would praise us. Who would dare mock Young Master as worthless after that?”

“I’m in!” Ye Rong’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

Shang Hang Yu nearly laughed aloud. Indeed, the Han family would owe them, and His Majesty would surely praise them—but whether that praise was sincere or not was another matter. After all, the emperor was wary of the Han family’s dwindling yet powerful line. Even Han Zi An’s death was rumored to involve royal schemes.

Still, Shang Hang Yu kept these dark thoughts to himself, nodding as he glanced around. “What about you all? Are you coming?”

Among the group, some felt uneasy.

Zhou Yu Zheng, youngest son of the Vice Minister of Works, voiced his fear. “But…what if we really encounter bandits?”

“Why worry?” Ye Rong scoffed before Shang Hang Yu could reply. “Right beneath the emperor’s eyes, near the capital—what bandit would dare attack a group like ours? They’d be courting death! Besides, Young Master’s martial skills aren’t just for show!”

“So, are you in or out? If you’re scared, don’t follow Young Master around anymore,” Ye Rong sneered.

Zhou Yu Zheng gritted his teeth. “Fine! I’m in!”

Anyway, his father had already scolded him enough for his lazy ways. Making friends with these young masters was also a skill!

They were just searching for someone; who knew if bandits were even real? And even if they were, it didn’t mean they’d encounter them!

Thus, after a brief discussion, the spirited group galloped enthusiastically toward Morning Light Temple.