Chapter 92: Even with All the Means, It's Hard to Escape the Net

Ye Chang! He had never imagined that the newly appointed county magistrate would be none other than Yuan Cai—the Yuan Cai he had humiliated and driven out of Chang'an after composing five poems in rapid succession.

This outcome completely surpassed his expectations. He had believed that after suffering such humiliation, Yuan Cai would be too ashamed to remain in the capital and would never again tread the path of officialdom. Instead, the man had not only returned within half a year but had also secured the position of county magistrate. What made it worse was that, out of more than a thousand counties under imperial jurisdiction, he had chosen Xiuwu specifically.

“You… know each other?” Yuan Gonglu asked, startled.

“We do. Ye Langjun and I met in Chang'an many years ago—old friends, old friends. Had I not known that he was from Xiuwu, I would not have requested this post.” Yuan Cai smiled with sunny ease, his gleaming white teeth catching the light.

“Ah ha. I had planned to introduce Ye Langjun to Lord Yuan, but it seems my efforts were unnecessary.”

Yuan Gonglu laughed it off, pretending not to register the undercurrents in their exchange. Yet his heart raced. Ye Chang and Yuan Cai were acquainted and clearly harbored deep enmity—an alliance he had been unaware of. They shared a surname but had never crossed paths. Ye Chang had omitted any mention of his time in Chang'an, and though the incident at Qinglong Temple had been witnessed by several people, they had kept silent. Thus, Yuan Gonglu knew nothing of the rift between the two.

“Ye Langjun, why the silence?” Yuan Cai observed the quiet and smiled again. “Your eloquence is unmatched, your wits swift, your verse flowing like water. Why remain mute now?”

Ye Chang lifted his gaze and replied with a faint smile. “I was momentarily stunned that Lord Yuan would come to Xiuwu.”

Yuan Cai laughed heartily.

“Please, take your seats, take your seats.” Yuan Gonglu sensed the tension and tried to ease the mood. “Today we welcome an old friend—let us drink deeply before we part.”

“My lord’s kindness is gratefully received.” Yet Yuan Cai refused to yield the moment, merely offering a terse bow. “I still have duties that cannot be delayed. My purpose here is twofold: to apologize to Lord Mingfu, and to request the temporary use of one of his men.”

Yuan Cai’s face twitched. He had hoped to remain neutral in the conflict between Ye Chang and himself, but by tearing off his mask, Yuan Cai left him no grace and left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“B<|eos|>