I simply love to smile.

One can imagine, even if he returned home in the dead of night, the old grandmother would surely be sitting under the candlelight waiting for her grandson, holding a tea bowl or working on a shoe sole.

He must not let the old grandmother wait too long, nor should he return too early—around the first watch would be best. The smell of wine on him would effectively mask Yang Zan’s own scent. Yet it could not prevent the grandmother from touching her grandson’s face; after two years apart, it was natural for her to “look” at him properly in the quiet hours of the night.

Solving this wasn’t difficult: find someone to accompany him. Then he could claim that Yang Zan drank too much and was so drunk that a sworn brother had to bring him home. Such a reason wasn’t far-fetched.

If someone delivered your grandson to your door, you’d surely invite them inside for tea, wouldn’t you? Fine, then he would faint while drinking tea.

Pretend to faint—yes, just pretend. Say the wine was too strong, he hadn’t felt it before but now suddenly cannot bear it. There’s no choice but to share a bed with Brother Yang.

Hmph, I don’t believe the old lady would have the nerve to stay in her grandson’s room under these circumstances.

Thus, another night was muddled through.

In a grand household, there were strict rules at mealtime; the old lady would not suddenly throw down her bowl and rush to touch her grandson’s face, especially with a stranger present. This possibility was so remote it could be disregarded.

After breakfast, someone would surely arrive to escort Yang Zan to the Ministry of Personnel or another office to collect his appointment letter. His future was paramount; the grandmother would have no time to linger and touch his face.

Once the appointment was collected, the newly minted officials of the Great Tang would find a place to celebrate with a drink. Fine, let them go to Pingkang Lane… Actually, better to keep a low profile and head to East Market instead. If asked why not go to West Market since it’s closer, why should it matter? Is it not alright to dawdle a bit?

When the drinks are finished, it’s already dark. Tonight it’s Yang Zan’s turn to host, and the brothers will all accompany him home! The banquet will last until nightfall; oh, it’s already night, time to sleep. The curfew drums have sounded, the streets are empty, and curfew is enforced.

You say you’re worried? Scared of what?

That was before—now we are all officials. Can Great Tang’s officials fail to abide by its laws?

What? This is how it’s always been? Nonsense! That’s you, I’m not one of your gang!

Alright, alright, no need to be so surprised. I admit I spoke too sharply—let me punish myself with a drink. Just this once, never again, never again, ha.

Thus, the second day was muddled through.

The last day would be even easier. In the morning, claim that last night’s wine was strong, overslept and got up late. Then wait for breakfast; after breakfast, the steward would surely urge him to make return visits and pay respects. It’s proper etiquette; to receive without reciprocating is rude.

Brother Yang, you’re busy, we’ll be on our way.

Returning before the curfew drums at dusk would be considered fortunate.

The third night seemed the most perilous, didn’t it? With no one to support or help, no matter how many friends, one couldn’t rely on them forever. So, passing this test smoothly was entirely up to Yang Zan himself, and it seemed rather worrisome.

In fact, it didn’t matter. With three days of preparation, the old lady had already accepted in her heart that the false Yang Zan was indeed her grandson. Even if he slipped up now, it would not jeopardize the whole plan.

Moreover, with departure from the capital set for the following day, preparing luggage would keep the old lady busy enough.

Don’t tell me the luggage is already packed; as long as one hasn’t left, it is never truly ready. Any parent knows this. Shi Xiong, though young, already had a pair of children and understood this best.

Once this night was endured, dawn of the fourth day would come—sunrise, and the world would be wide open.

From then on, he would travel as an official, loyal to the emperor, serving the nation, seeking welfare for the common people.

The old lady, noble, elderly, frail, could not easily leave the capital. In the end, the poor household could only spend their nights longing for their beloved Zan. Cruel as it sounded, it was still better than telling her the grandson was gone forever; at least there remained hope.

Hope—wasn’t it what people lived on, many times?

Let it drag on for a few years; if the old lady passed away peacefully, all would rejoice. If they had to face the situation again, it would be much improved: “Yang Zan” would have grown from a young man to an adult, his appearance changed so much that even his mother might not recognize him. With so many years gone by, could the grandmother’s hands still recall those old memories?

Even in the worst case, if it didn’t work out, then “Yang Zan” would simply have to die once more...

Shi Xiong finished his last words and saw faint lines of gloom appear on everyone’s faces. He coughed and added, “I’m just speaking of the worst case. In reality, the old lady’s health will only last another year or two.”

Liu Motong nodded silently, saying, “Last time my elder sister wrote, she mentioned the old lady might not survive this winter. Otherwise, why would we go to such lengths and take such risks?”

Li Third had already plucked the few whiskers from his chin, but upon hearing this, he twisted even harder, almost pulling out the roots. He secretly rejoiced: it seemed his bet was right. The fake Yang Zan would leave the capital, and the old lady would pass away soon after; this secret would likely never see the light of day again. For a performer like him, suddenly gaining wealth—unless a horse kicked his head—he would never divulge the truth. As for those present, all were conspirators; who would ever speak?

Of course, there were a few in the Yang family who knew, but they should be easy to handle.

Cui Yudong’s face alternated between red, white, and black several times, then finally settled—his left cheek black, right cheek white, both eyes bloodshot in a strange display.

“I think it’s workable!” Liu Motong decided.

“But, but…” Cui Yudong hadn’t finished before Liu Motong landed a heavy blow on his shoulder. Deathly serious, he asked, “Third Brother, what wise ideas do you have?”

Cui Yudong swallowed his words and muttered, “I think it’ll work too.”

“Hmm, I agree. Shi First Brother is indeed both wise and brave—his reputation is well deserved,” Li Third praised, raising his thumb.

“But who will play Fourth Brother? He must be skilled in mimicry and not look too different,” Cui Yudong said, pulling a face.

“Leave it to me. Tomorrow I’ll head to Linzhou City and find someone,” Li Third declared, taking charge with great enthusiasm.

Liu Motong’s large hand landed heavily on his shoulder again. “Good brother, it’s all up to you now.”

“For my brothers, I’ll walk through fire and water!” Li Third grinned, standing tall.

“Ouch!” No sooner had he spoken than he suddenly felt the ground vanish beneath him. The world spun, and he landed with a thud, legs and arms splayed, before he realized what was happening. Suddenly fists and feet flew—a murderous atmosphere filled the air—and before he could react, he was thoroughly pummeled.

At first, Liu Motong and Shi Xiong beat him, and near the end, Cui Yudong joined in, kicking him a few times and landing a punch.

“Do you know why we’re beating you?”

Liu Motong, swinging his fist and panting, asked. His last punch had struck Li Third’s chest protector, hitting a nerve, so now his hand felt sore, numb, painful, and itchy all at once.

“I don’t know, did I offend you three somehow?” Li Third lay on the ground like an overturned turtle, his face mournful.

“Hmph, you dare say you don’t know? Then I’ll let you know.” Shi Xiong kicked Li Third twice more, shouting angrily, “My brother is dead, and you still have the nerve to laugh? Tell me, don’t you deserve a beating?”

“What?! Just for that?!” Li Third gaped in astonishment, thinking to himself: This smiling face was born with me—I even smiled when my grandmother died. It’s just my nature; must I be beaten for that?

――――