The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1400 - 722: First Meeting with the Crown Prince

To the esteemed Li:

We have not met for several days. Coincidentally, my humble abode has recently acquired several rare items from Nanzhao.

Tonight at 7:45 PM, Tingquan Pavilion in Su Courtyard awaits you.

The gold thread is the proof, do not wait at the door.

Respectfully, Su Yu

Looking at the indigo blue and gold-embossed invitation in his hand, Li Yan frowned slightly.

He relied on others for help, but did not seek the Golden Swallow Sect.

The reason is simple: the Golden Swallow Sect's methods are too wild. They engage in matchmaking and exchange of interests, inevitably attracting much trouble. Previously, Lu Xun from the Ministry of Industry leaked secrets and had already pledged allegiance to the Prince Mansion Chief of Zhao Qingxu to set a trap. The Golden Swallow Sect facilitated this deal.

Although they were kept in the dark, the trouble that followed was not insignificant.

Therefore, later when Su Yu came to ask for help, he requested Li Yan to speak to Luo Mingzi to show mercy.

No benefits were gained, but trouble arrived first.

After this incident, Li Yan was not inclined to deal with the Golden Swallow Sect. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

This time, he was unsure where the other party got the information from...

But after pondering for a moment, Li Yan still decided to go to the appointment.

This time, in the urgent search for the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Treasure, he would inevitably owe someone a favor. He urgently needed to use it; if he missed the opportunity, it would be delayed by at least half a month.

...

Li Yan looked up at the sky and saw the dusk dyeing the eaves, and then stepped into the gate of Su Garden.

"Young Hero Li, this way please~"

The same guide as last time, now even more respectful.

Walking through the flowers and brushing past willows, the two bypassed two shadow walls, and the sound of water gradually became clear.

Su Garden is renowned among the upper echelons of the Capital, and the scenery inside is naturally extraordinary. Along the way, beside the cobblestone road, winding water is drawn from a live spring and babbles in a blue stone channel, a few koi stirring lotus leaves setting off ripples.

At the twist of the corridor, the lights meander, and the sound of silk and bamboo whisperingly disperses into the dusk like light smoke.

"Tingquan Pavilion" is a small waterside pavilion with three open sides along the corridor.

Li Yan gradually slowed his pace, and the guide behind him silently withdrew.

He saw a woman inside the pavilion tuning strings with her back turned, her lotus-colored cloud brocade skirt trailing on the ground, gauze lightly swaying with the evening breeze between her arms.

Hearing the footsteps, she suddenly turned around, her almond eyes smiling like a crescent moon beneath willow leaf eyebrows, and said, "Since we parted in Linqing, Mr. Li's steps have been slower."

The speaker was Zhao Wanfang, smiling sweetly.

"When did you return?"

Li Yan smiled wryly and stepped into the pavilion with no formalities in his words.

The two of them had once endured hardships together in Chang'an and both had enmity with Jianmu. Although Zhao Wanfang could not escape the changes brought by the Capital after her arrival, he was no longer the insignificant figure he once was, but their relationship was still good.

"Just returned a couple of days ago."

Zhao Wanfang picked up a porcelain pot on a red clay stove, "Even before reaching the Capital, I heard your name resounding everywhere, just as before, you are the center of attention wherever you go."

Speaking, she poured tea with drooping lashes, the amber tea poured into a sky-blue cup, exuding a refreshing tea fragrance.

"Oh, anything interesting in the South?"

Li Yan took a sip of tea and asked with a smile.

He was naturally asking about intelligence from the South, not the scenery.

"It's quite lively there."

Zhao Wanfang did not hide anything, setting a delicate snack beside her as she whispered, "Since the opening of the sea, many wealthy merchants have started setting up factories in large numbers. Whether it's silk, tea, or porcelain, a single overseas trip can yield profits dozens of times over."

"People of the pugilistic world, mystic sorcerers, all are heavily recruited onto ships, the seas are bustling, the inland is no less peaceful, various Green Forest Roads are coming alive again, evil spirits causing trouble, manpower is scarce, and even those low-lifes from before have doubled their worth. If your Twelve Primordial Spirits went, undoubtedly everyone would invite you..."

Li Yan was amazed, "The South is in such chaos?"

According to Zhao Wanfang, it was completely different from the North.

"The world is like a tide, all just drifting with the current."

Zhao Wanfang glanced outside and whispered, "My master troubled you recently, always thinking of repaying the favor. Upon hearing of your urgent need for spiritual materials, she asked around and unexpectedly, a nobleperson extended an invitation, so today I arranged a meeting."

"If you do not wish to be involved, say nothing later, my master will handle the aftermath."

"Oh?"

Li Yan was somewhat surprised, "Even your Golden Swallow Sect cannot afford to offend this one, who are they?"

Zhao Wanfang said nothing, directly dipping her finger in tea and writing the characters "Zhao De" on the table, then swiftly wiping it away with a cloth.

Zhao De?!

Seeing this, Li Yan furrowed his brow.

The so-called "Zhao De" referred to Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng.

Titled Zhao De, known for his literary talent and kindness, he was revered by the Confucian scholars. However, due to trauma in his youth, he had been physically unwell and frail since childhood.

For this reason, the position of Crown Prince was only confirmed this year.

Affairs involving these princes and imperial grandsons are always troublesome, no wonder Zhao Wanfang spoke the way she did.

Just as he was about to inquire further, Li Yan noticed something with a slight motion of his nose, looking towards the door.

Only to see candlelight flickering on the winding path outside, beside the ink shadows of Taihu rock, accompanied by a faint fragrance, Su Garden's owner, Su Yu was personally leading the way holding a lantern.

Following behind was a slender figure, even in early summer wearing a white fox fur coat.

Wearing a jade crown and dressed in white, with a sickly complexion but gentle eyes, flanked by two individuals.

A tall and burly eunuch, cautiously supporting him.

The other, a middle-aged man with a goatee.

Li Yan hesitated for a moment but still stood to greet them, cupping his hands, "Commoner Li Yan greets His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Young Hero Li, no need for formalities."

Crown Prince Xiao Jingheng's voice was clear and elegant, his smile was gentle and warm.

After the eunuch assisted him to sit down, Su Yu smiled and said, "Today, new fresh items arrived. I feared I couldn't enjoy them alone, so I invited Young Hero Li and His Highness the Crown Prince. I heard from Wanfang that Young Hero Li is also a connoisseur of food, tonight will not be in vain."