What the Yin family said about the conflict between the government and the opposition was actually understandable, but Ji Yuan did not expect that the Hongwu Emperor Yang Hao would also have some suspicions about the Yin family. He thought that Yang Hao had complete faith in the Yin family's loyalty. Mainly because Ji Yuan had a good first impression of Yang Hao, as he was deeply impressed by the Ziwei aura back then.
Although the Yin family talked a lot about the affairs of the court and the country, Ji Yuan was listening. He still said that he would not take the initiative to interfere in the disputes between the court and the country in the human dynasty. Moreover, in the current situation, the Yin family's master has almost turned from open to covert. With only Yin Zhaoxian around, Ji Yuan might still be worried. But with Yin Qing and Yin Chong around, and a Princess Changping, Ji Yuan has no worries at all.
So after listening to Yin Qing's words, Ji Yuan did not go deeper into this aspect, but looked at Yin Zhaoxian with interest.
"Master Yin, this mask looks quite useful, huh?"
Yin Zhaoxian subconsciously touched his face. Whether it was the touch or anything else, it felt like touching his own skin. If he didn't know it in his heart, he would not have felt the existence of the mask at all.
“Haha, I didn’t actually think so before, but with this mask on, Yin couldn’t help but think that Hu Yun is also the legendary fox fairy.”
Yin Qing also smiled.
"I haven't visited him for a long time, but for him, time must have passed quickly."
After all, the world does not have such developed transportation. The long journey and busy government affairs have meant that the Yin family has not returned to their hometown for a long time.
"Yes, Hu Yun has calmed down a lot now. Now is the critical moment for cultivation, so the time is not that long."
"If only he wasn't so playful."
Yin Qing knew his friend very well, and he felt a little relieved to hear Mr. Ji's positive evaluation of Hu Yun, while Ji Yuan looked at Yin Zhong.
"By the way, Hu'er, your martial arts seem to have improved a lot. How are you doing with your military tactics and formations?"
Hearing Mr. Ji finally mention himself, Yin Zhong, who had been standing aside, showed a confident smile. Now he has a handsome face and a strong body, walking like the wind and standing like a pine tree. His childishness is gone and his strength is revealed.
"Mr. Ji, when it comes to martial arts, I haven't had many exchanges with martial arts masters. I have only fought with Uncle Yuan. Although I often go to the Imperial Guards' training grounds, I am not the leader in the army. But if I compare with the generals in the capital, my skills are definitely among the best. As for the deployment of troops and military chess, it is ultimately a discussion. I dare not say that I am really good, I just have confidence!"
In Ji Yuan's eyes, the vitality of Yin Zhong's blood and energy far exceeded that of ordinary warriors. It is said that people are fiery and hot-tempered, but in Yin Zhong's body, it feels like the fire is heavier than the energy. He has no experience in leading an army and has no blood evil. It can be seen that Yin Zhong is indeed very extraordinary.
"That's right. If you have the opportunity to lead an army in the future, you will definitely be able to go further."
Ji Yuan gave a bland compliment and did not go into too many military and political matters. Instead, he talked about the Yin family's daily life, some interesting things that happened when Yin Zhong and several princes went to the army for training, the new members of the Yin family, and the farce of the little paper crane's appearance just now.
This was a warm reunion. After the Yin family members finished their stories, Ji Yuan also picked out some interesting things to chat with everyone about some anecdotes, and then they went to the banquet together.
Since he had already arrived at Yin's house, Ji Yuan also stayed there, in the same wing room of the same courtyard. In addition to spending more time with the Yin family and observing the development of the Dazhen government, he also had a thought in mind that if the Yin family failed, he, Ji, would not stand idly by and would not interfere in government affairs, but saving the lives of his friend's family would not be a problem.
…
After living in Yin's house for half a month, Ji Yuan saw some students who either held official positions or were commoners coming to visit, as well as some important ministers, but he did not see anyone from the royal family, let alone Emperor Hongwu Yang Hao. He couldn't help but feel amused.
That morning, the two children of the Yin family ran one after the other to the room where Ji Yuan was.
"Mr. Ji! Mr. Ji!" "Sir, we are here..."
The cheerful voices of two children could be heard all the way, and a maid behind them carefully called out "slow down, slow down". Children's spiritual perception is always relatively sharp among mortals, and they can easily feel close to someone like Ji Yuan who is full of peace and harmony. So they quickly became familiar with him, and instead wanted to come here to listen to stories every few days. Naturally, the Yin family was very happy to see the children close to Ji Yuan, and they let the two children play around during the time when they thought they would not disturb Ji Yuan. Anyway, Mr. Ji would definitely not be angry.
Ji Yuan had just finished his breakfast, drank some tea and came out of the room. Normally, these two children would not come in the morning because everyone in the Yin family knew that Ji Yuan had the habit of sleeping in.
"You're in such a hurry to come here?"
The two children ran excitedly to Ji Yuan's house, stopped, stood side by side, and saluted Ji Yuan.
"Morning, Mr. Ji!"
"Morning!"
The older one laughed, “Hehe” and said to Ji Yuan.
"Sir, Dad asked us to come and tell you that the Crown Prince is here."
"oh?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan wanted to look towards the front yard of Yin's mansion. He opened his Dharma eyes slightly and vaguely saw a trace of Ziwei Qi submerged in the light of great righteousness. Then he lowered his head and looked at the two children.
"Chi'er Dian'er, let's go out for a walk."
"OK, all right!"
Ji Yuan smiled, holding the hands of the two children, and walked towards the front yard as if taking a walk. On a corridor that led to Yin Zhaoxian's courtyard, he unexpectedly ran into a man in casual clothes with two attendants beside him, as well as a steward from the Yin family, but no one from the Yin family followed. Although Ji Yuan did not recognize the man, judging from the wisp of Ziwei aura, he must be the prince without a doubt.
The prince was in a hurry. When he saw a handsome man walking towards him with two children from the Yin family, he frowned slightly and passed by them without saying a word. Ji Yuan just glanced at the prince and also said nothing. The two children from the Yin family also behaved well and did not say a word.
After passing by Ji Yuan and others, and after a while, Prince Yang Sheng turned around to look at Ji Yuan's back. The man was leading two jumping children, turning off the corridor and disappearing at a courtyard gate.
"Who is that person holding Yin Chi and Yin Dian's hands? Why have I never seen him before?"
When the prince asked the question, the steward from the Yin family knew that he was asking him, so he answered quickly.
"Your Highness, this man's surname is Ji and his given name is Yuan. He is from Ning'an County and has known several young masters of our Yin family before. I don't know much about the rest of him."
"oh!"
The prince nodded. Since he was from Ning'an County, it was not surprising that he was related to the county. Without thinking too much, he hurried to the room of the prefect Zhaoxian.
In Yin Zhaoxian's room, Yin Zhaoxian was lying on the bed without getting up. A servant came in first, walked to the bedside and whispered.
"Master, the Crown Prince is here."
As soon as he finished speaking, the prince stepped into the room and walked quickly to the bed.
"teacher!"
Looking at his teacher who was well-educated and had a great bearing now lying weakly on the bed, his condition seemed to be worse than the last time he came. Yang Sheng's breath was filled with a hint of excitement.
Yin Zhaoxian opened his eyes and looked at Yang Sheng.
"Your Highness, I'm sorry I can't get out of bed to pay my respects."
"Teacher! You, you and I, there's no need to talk about this. Your health is more important!"
"Etiquette cannot be abolished, even if you are a teacher and a student, but you are the prince!"
Yin Zhaoxian looked at his student. Up to his age now, he had taught many students, some of whom were diligent and hardworking, and some of whom were extremely smart. This prince was not outstanding among them, but he was one of his favorite students.
"Your Highness, didn't I tell you not to come and see me? Since Your Highness still recognizes me as your teacher, why don't you listen to my advice?"
The prince grasped the side of his thigh and tried to remain calm.
"Teacher, don't worry. I came here in plain clothes this time, so no one will know. Even if someone really knows, so what? Respecting teachers is natural! By the way, teacher, I heard that a heavenly master who was canonized by the previous emperor many years ago has returned to the capital. He seems to be quite extraordinary. Will he be able to help your condition?"
Yin Zhaoxian smiled weakly.
"Hahahaha... There are so many strange people in the world. Do you think that I, your teacher, don't know one or two? I don't know what unorthodox methods the one who came to the capital is using. Your Highness, don't bother. It's useless!"
Yang Sheng did not stay for very long. He only stayed with Yin Zhaoxian in the room for more than half an hour before being driven away by Yin Zhaoxian. After leaving Yin's house, Yang Sheng sighed and then returned to the palace.
In the East Palace, Yang Sheng, in a bad mood, hurried back. When he entered his study, he saw Emperor Hongwu standing inside. Yang Sheng was startled and quickly bowed to him.
"Greetings, Father!"
Yang Hao is almost seventy years old now, a few years older than Yin Zhaoxian, and he looks very old, but his complexion is much better than Yin Zhaoxian's sickly state. He looked at Yang Sheng expressionlessly, and could see beads of sweat on the other's forehead.
"Where did you go?"
"I will go, go..."
"Did you go to see Minister Yoon?"
The prince didn't dare to say anything. His father was here, so he probably knew the truth. If he said anything nonsense, he would be deceiving the emperor in person.
Yang Sheng's situation is different from that of Yang Hao back then. At that time, the two brothers would fight and one of them would die, but he, as the crown prince, is very stable. Yang Hao cannot say that he likes this son the most, but at least he recognizes him very much and really trains him as his successor with all his efforts.
"I think Yin Xiang should have told you to visit him less often, right?"
Yang Sheng frowned, slowly raised his head, his chest heaved a few times, but in the end he didn't say anything.
"Go ahead, say whatever you want to say."
After hearing what Yang Hao said, Yang Sheng finally couldn't help it.
"Father! The teacher is loyal to our Yang family and has exhausted himself in governing the country for decades. You are a wise ruler, why don't you trust the teacher?"
Yang Hao walked to the chair in his son's study and sat down, looking at his young and energetic son.
"I have never doubted Lord Yin's loyalty."
"Why?"
"hehe… "
The emperor smiled.
"Sheng'er, even though I believe in Yin Zhaoxian, Yin Zhong, and even Yin Qing, who sometimes I can't even see through, and I believe in the loyalty of the Yin family, but..."
The emperor paused and looked at Yang Sheng.
"As a ruler, you should be prepared for danger in times of peace. Sometimes it doesn't matter what you believe in. What matters is that you should always have the room for choice and the right to make a decision! Do you think I don't know the actions behind the scenes of Imperial Censor Xiao Du? Do you think I don't know the instigation of other parties?"
The emperor reached out and flipped through his son's desk, and found that almost all of them were Yin Zhaoxian's works.
"Haha, these books are all good books, and the principles they teach are all correct, but people can't just read these books. If you only know how to read these books, then you're just listening to them, right?"
The emperor raised his head and looked at his son with indifferent eyes.