Even in the brightly lit city of Bianliang, there were still dark corners.
Yujia Lane was such a place. Though it was part of Bianliang city, it was always pitch black at night.
This was not for any other reason than that it was inhabited by the lowest class of common people. Candles were a luxury only the rich could afford, while the poor could only light an oil lamp.
An oil lamp, like a bean, could not illuminate a large area. Beyond three feet, it was difficult to see, let alone through a hazy window.
“Master, what are we waiting for?” asked the attendant, listening to Cai Jing’s heavy breathing.
“You just wait!”
Though his face could not be seen through the carriage window, the attendant’s heart was in his mouth, hearing Cai Jing’s labored breaths. If anything were to happen to Cai Jing, they would all be in serious trouble.
“Master, shall I fetch some chicken soup for you?” the attendant asked again in a low voice, hearing the fatigue in Cai Jing’s voice.
“It’s fine, the one who provides the meal will be here soon…”
Before Cai Jing could finish speaking, a faint snore came from inside the carriage.
“Master has fallen asleep!” the maidservant attending him in the carriage whispered urgently.
Hearing Cai Jing’s snores, the attendant could only resign himself to ordering his men to move quietly, maintain vigilance, and put a muzzle on the mare pulling the carriage.
In the gentle evening breeze, a pleasure boat drifted slowly towards Yujia Lane.
“Is that the carriage of Minister Cai ahead?” A rough voice rang out as soon as the pleasure boat docked.
Hearing Gao Shun asking about Cai Jing, the attendant beside him quickly made a shushing gesture.
“No need to ask. The one providing the meal has arrived. I can already smell the pigeon soup!”
Before the attendant could even ask Gao Shun who he was, Cai Jing’s voice suddenly came from the carriage.
“Master, these people’s origins are unknown. Should I…” The attendant looked worriedly at Cai Jing, gazing at the pleasure boat in the darkness.
“At my age, what is there to fear?” Cai Jing scoffed at their concern. After all, at his current age, even if no one were to harm him, he wouldn't live much longer. There was no need for anyone to take the risk of losing their head to do anything to him now. Moreover, he had paid a significant price to secure this meeting opportunity from Yu Shen. Although he was not entirely sure if the other party would come, it seemed he had guessed correctly.
“My master has prepared a banquet for you on the boat. Will you attend, sir?” Seeing that Cai Jing’s carriage showed no signs of moving, the boatman suddenly jumped ashore and came straight to Cai Jing’s carriage.
“Please ask your master to wait a moment. I am old, and my legs have gone numb from being in the carriage for too long. I will need some time!” As soon as Gao Shun finished speaking, Cai Jing from inside the carriage explained with a light laugh.
“I have learned some massage techniques. Would you like me to help you, sir?”
“Oh? That would be wonderful. Then I will trouble you!” Hearing Gao Shun’s offer, Cai Jing invited him without the slightest hesitation. Gao Shun did not stand on ceremony and immediately stepped onto the carriage to give Cai Jing a massage.
“Indeed, this is superb. Such skill would take at least ten years to master!” Cai Jing said, nodding with satisfaction after a slight movement.
“I am glad you like it, sir!” Gao Shun showed a hint of a smile at Cai Jing’s praise.
“Let’s go. Since my legs are better, it’s not good to keep them waiting. However, I am old and frail, so I’m afraid you’ll have to carry me!”
“You are too kind, sir!” Gao Shun bowed to him again, looking at Cai Jing’s smiling face. He did not think highly of Cai Jing’s character, but since Cai Jing was already so old, he could not say much and could only remain silent.
“Master!” Hearing that Cai Jing intended to leave with a stranger like this, his attendants were stunned. Cai Jing’s words clearly indicated that he planned to board the boat alone.
“It’s fine. You follow the carriage along the Bian River!” Waving his hand at his attendants, Cai Jing then leaned onto Gao Shun’s back.
“Master, my lord is in the cabin!” After carrying Cai Jing to the entrance of the cabin, Gao Shun gently put him down.
“Thank you for your trouble!” After tidying his clothes and beard, Cai Jing slowly pushed open the cabin door.
“It’s you?” Seeing Han Mo, Cai Jing froze in place, his eyes filled with unconcealed surprise. However, after a moment, the surprise in his eyes turned complex.
“Minister, have you been well?” Han Mo also stood up with a smile and cupped his hands at Cai Jing, who was standing frozen.
“As expected, the waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves before it. A new generation replaces the old. From beginning to end, it was you all along…” Cai Jing murmured self-mockingly as he examined Han Mo’s excessively young face.
“You flatter me, sir. If you were ten years younger, Han Mo would not dare to take such a risk!”
“If I’m not mistaken, this scheme has not yet fully unfolded, has it?” Cai Jing asked, shaking his head with a wry smile, then sighed and slowly walked into the cabin with his cane, sitting directly in front of Han Mo.
“You are correct, sir. This is the overall plan of my subordinates. All the groundwork has been laid, and we are just waiting for you to fall into the trap!” Han Mo said, as he took out a small booklet from his sleeve and placed it in front of Cai Jing.
“You appear before me tonight and show me this. Aren’t you afraid I’ll turn the tables?” Looking at the booklet before him, Cai Jing did not open it immediately. Instead, he looked at Han Mo with interest and asked.
“I am afraid! However, I believe you are a wise man, sir!” Han Mo replied directly after a moment of thought.
“A wise man? It’s been many years since anyone called me that. The last person to evaluate me this way was probably Sima Junshi…” Cai Jing said, his eyes half-closed as he slowly opened the booklet before him.
“This is for you, sir. Perhaps it will alleviate your poor eyesight!” Seeing Cai Jing’s cloudy eyes, Han Mo smiled and took out a pair of reading glasses he had prepared. Although the lenses were indeed flawed, and the glasses of this era were merely imperfect products, they were still barely usable for Cai Jing. After Han Mo briefly explained how to use them, Cai Jing quickly mastered them. When he put them on his nose, the blurry text before his eyes suddenly became clear.