When people were in Qin, they captured Zhao and questioned Qin.

Chapter 2 Yan Dan

The side gate to the front yard was open, and the wind blew in through the doorway, stirring up the dust on the ground.

A boy of about thirteen or fourteen years old stood at the door, much taller than Zhao Heng. He wore a dark blue blouse with a piece of jade at his waist. He stood straight and had a maturity in his eyes that was beyond his years.

Two servants stood behind him with their hands at their sides, carrying several packages carefully wrapped in coarse linen.

Upon seeing Zhao Heng being helped by Madam Fu, and then seeing Madam Han surrounded by maids, the young man dared not be careless. He hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully bowed.

"Prince Dan of Yan greets the Lady and the Prince."

His voice was clear and his demeanor was composed. His gaze then fell on Zhao Heng's pale face, and his brows twitched slightly: "This must be Young Master Heng? He does indeed look unwell, but it's fortunate that he can still get up."

Zhao Heng looked at the man without saying a word.

Madam Han merely nodded slightly in return, while Madam Fu spoke on her behalf, saying, "Young Master Yan is too kind. My young master has just woken up and cannot stand for long. May I ask what brings you here...?"

Yan Dan stepped aside, gesturing for the servant to present the package.

"To be honest, Dan came here for two reasons: first, to convey my regards to a friend, and second, to return some old items."

He looked at Zhao Heng honestly, his tone sincere.

"The mother of the man from Weifeng Lane was very uneasy when she heard about the young master's situation. She said that the young master had always been kind and helpful, and her son had been protected by him. She remembered all these kindnesses. Although this turmoil was not her and her son's intention, it was ultimately caused by them. Because of their status, they felt guilty but did not know what to do, so they asked Dan to make this trip."

He paused, then looked at the cloth bundles: "Inside are some items that the young master used to send me, which Madam Zhao asked me to return. She said that given the current situation, we really cannot accept any more favors from the young master, lest we cause him further trouble."

Zhao Heng ignored the other items and looked directly into Yan Dan's eyes: "Why didn't Prince Zheng come himself?"

"He can't come." Yan Dan was taken aback, then looked Zhao Heng in the eye honestly. "Young Master should know the reason."

Zhao Heng didn't press the matter further; he didn't actually want Ying Zheng to come.

Although Ying Zheng and his mother Zhao Ji's situation was somewhat eased because Yiren was favored by Lady Huayang, the favorite concubine of the Crown Prince of Qin, and they no longer had to hide, Zhao Ji's maternal clan had also declined over the years and was no longer able to provide them with much protection.

Their current situation is only slightly better than it was a few years ago.

Putting everything else aside, if Ying Zheng were to go out alone, those wandering knights from Handan who knew his identity would probably not let him go.

At this moment, Zhao Su, who had rushed over after receiving the news, happened to walk behind Han Shi. He first bowed respectfully to Yan Dan, and then, taking advantage of the opportunity to turn to the side, whispered in a volume just loud enough for Han Shi and Fu Ma to hear: "Madam, Fu Ma, this Yan hostage Dan seems to have a very close relationship with that Qin hostage..."

Madam Fu's eyes narrowed slightly, while Madam Han gently tightened her grip on her sleeve.

Yan Dan seemed oblivious to the subtle commotion. He simply looked at Zhao Heng, moved closer, and continued:

"Zheng is usually a man of few words when things happen, and he was somewhat caught off guard by this matter. Dan Chi is a few years older than Zheng and is Zheng's friend, so it is only right that he go on this trip for him today. He also feels apologetic. But this world... is sometimes like this, one is not in control of one's own destiny and only causes trouble. The things are returned, and the message is delivered."

He spoke frankly, with a straightforwardness rarely seen in a young man, "We've known each other for a while now, and whatever the future holds, today is the end of that story. Let's part on good terms."

The wind swept through the courtyard, swirling up dust.

Zhao Heng looked at Yan Dan, then glanced at the few dusty packages.

That was something "I" had sent over before, perhaps some grain, a few bolts of cloth, and some odds and ends.

Ying Zheng and his mother were universally reviled in Handan. Although Zhao Ji's maternal family was once wealthy merchants, they had been ruined in recent years and were now living in dire straits. These things might be important to them, but at this moment they had to be returned to them as they were.

If this is considered a return, it's more like a severance, and also a form of self-protection.

Zhao Heng raised his eyes and looked at Yan Dan again.

"I'm grateful that you made this trip, Young Master Dan. Please convey to Young Master Zheng that I appreciate his kindness. However, since these old items have already been given away, there's no reason to take them back."

Yan Dan was taken aback, seemingly not expecting to be rejected, but it didn't matter. Seeing that Zhao Heng had survived falling into the water in the cold spring was already good news.

Otherwise, Ying Zheng would truly be facing an undeserved disaster.

Before Yan Dan could speak again, Zhao Heng continued, "As for today's events, they cannot be blamed on him. If you truly cherish our past friendship... please remember this, Prince Zheng, and if there is an opportunity in the future, please do me a favor."

Upon hearing this, not only Yan Dan looked astonished, but even Han Shi and Fu Mu, who were standing to the side, looked at Zhao Heng with surprise once again.

The implication of these words was entirely unlike that of an eleven-year-old child who had just recovered from a serious illness.

The steward, Zhao Su, exchanged bewildered glances with the others, wondering why Zhao Heng had changed so drastically after falling into the water.

Yan Dan frowned, took only half a step forward, and lowered his voice even further: "Young Master Zhao, why do this? After this incident, countless eyes in Handan are watching. Why linger in this mess? Listen to me, continuing to associate with Zheng Xiang will not be a good thing for you."

Zhao Heng couldn't help but glance at Yan Dan. For a boy of this age to have such insight was already quite remarkable.

But he didn't respond to that, instead turning to Zhao Su beside him: "Master, please deliver these old items to Young Master Dan on my behalf."

"Heng'er..." Madam Han was a little anxious. Madam Fu frowned, but ultimately did not speak.

Yan Dan looked at Zhao Heng, momentarily at a loss for words. After a moment of silence, he finally raised his hand and bowed again: "In that case, Dan will take his leave. Take care, young master."

"Let's talk another day," Zhao Heng replied.

Zhao Su had no choice but to bow and lead the way. The servants picked up the unclaimed packages again and followed behind Yan Dan. The group then silently retraced their steps.

Madam Fu supported Zhao Heng, looking down at her young master, speechless for a moment.

Madam Han also came over, holding Zhao Heng's other hand with a worried expression. After a long while, she said with heartache, "Heng'er, let's go back."

Zhao Heng hummed in agreement and allowed his mother and Madam Fu to help him turn around.

"Young Master," Madam Fu spoke softly, "Just now..."

However, she didn't finish her sentence. Zhao Heng's gaze had already passed over her and was now fixed on the distant corridor.

Then, around the corner, a gray-blue figure quietly turned around, its steps unhurried, and disappeared behind the pillars.

"Who is that?" Zhao Heng asked.

Following his gaze, Madam Fu explained, "It might be Mr. Wei. He has visited twice during the days the young master has been unconscious."

Mr. Wei?

Zhao Heng searched his memory for the name, but found that he didn't have a particularly deep impression of the person.

This Mr. Wei was not a retainer left in Handan by Lord Chunping, but rather a teacher appointed to him by the King of Zhao.

He taught classics and history, as well as horsemanship and archery. In my memory, he was a silent middle-aged man who lectured in a very methodical manner. He never discussed politics with me, nor did he inquire about my private affairs. He even seemed somewhat indifferent to matters of the household.

A pure teacher.

Zhao Heng thought about it carefully, then looked away, feeling a faint pain in his chest return.

"Go back," he said.

------

At that time, Lord Chunping was a hostage in Qin. Emperor Taizu missed his father dearly. Hearing that the Qin hostage, Zheng, was residing in Weifeng Lane, he frequently visited him, secretly providing him with grain and silk. Some of his attendants advised against this, but Emperor Taizu said, "He is also a fatherless son; how can I bear to see him suffer from hunger and cold?"

However, Qin and Zhao were sworn enemies, and many of the youths in Handan were hostile to the people of Qin. On the day of Bing-Shen in the second month, Emperor Taizu returned from Weifeng Lane. When he crossed Niushou Bridge, he encountered a noisy gathering of young men from the alleys. Emperor Taizu accidentally fell into the water and nearly died. When he awoke, Emperor Taizu suddenly had a different ambition. He was of a calm and far-reaching nature and showed signs of being preordained.

Yan's son, Dan, came to visit on behalf of a friend. Emperor Taizu, despite being ill, met with him and refused to return the gifts offered. He said sternly, "If you remember our past friendship, please repay my promise in the future." Dan was astonished, and those around him were also surprised. Some advised him against taking the risk, but he replied, "A dragon, hidden in the abyss, will not change its scales because of the turbulent waves; a scholar, standing in the world, will not change his will because of the clamor of the masses." Those who heard this were terrified, unable to fathom his meaning. — *Old Book of Zhao*, Volume 1, Annals of Emperor Taizu Gao