Yang Yi originally wasn’t paying attention, but as he listened, he couldn’t help but turn his head.

He saw shadows moving behind the screen, and two men in silk robes were leaning in close, whispering to each other. Their voices weren’t particularly clear, but his long-term vigilance allowed him to hear their conversation distinctly.

Who was the "one above" that liked "osmanthus"? Who was important enough to warrant such a solemn meeting, even requiring a chance to pay respects?

Yang Yi couldn’t help but perk up his ears, but saw the two men gathering up two scrolls of paintings, heading to the counter to settle their bill.

Yang Yi gave a look to Chen Song at the door, then continued to look down at the paintings.

Xie Zhang selected two paintings and brought them over: "What do you think of these two? I remember the Empress once commented on a similar piece at a palace banquet, perhaps she would like these grand landscapes."

Yang Yi examined them carefully and nodded: "Mother’s poise and grace don’t lose to any man’s, these would indeed be her type. However, I’ve noticed she tends to wear milder colors recently, so perhaps we should choose another bright garden painting."

"Makes sense."

Xie Zhang agreed.

So they asked the Shopkeeper to bring over some suitable paintings, and Yang Yi selected one more to place with the previous two.

Paintings by renowned artists aren’t cheap, and since he didn’t have enough money with him, he arranged for them to be delivered to his residence, where He Zhao would receive them.

Seeing that it was still early and his place wasn’t far, Xie Zhang invited Yang Yi to come over to his house.

Yang Yi cupped his hands: "Sir, you deal with countless affairs daily, and I’ve already taken up much of your time today, thank you. I’ll pay a special visit another day when you’re not busy."

Xie Zhang knew he wasn’t a pretentious person, so he let it go.

The two parted ways at the shop entrance, Xie Zhang leisurely returned home, while Yang Yi looked around and called over the guard stationed by the horses: "Which direction did Chen Song go?"

The guard pointed to the east end of the street: "Guard Chen followed the two men who bought the paintings towards Sanyang Lane."

Yang Yi glanced ahead and immediately started walking: "Let’s go take a look."

The two men purchasing paintings were plotting in low voices, and though not a single word pointed directly, Yang Yi happened to know of a fitting candidate, the Empress.

The Empress liked osmanthus.

As the Empress of a nation, she was important enough for anyone to speak of her in such a cautious manner.

Since it likely involved the Empress, what was the "gain" they mentioned obtaining?

Why would they take such expensive paintings to see the Empress?

Perhaps Yang Yi wasn’t very familiar with handling state affairs, but his vigilance was unmatched.

If not for his sharp instincts over these years, he wouldn’t still be alive and well.

He and the guard quickly reached Sanyang Lane, and upon entering, his attention was drawn to the high walls on both sides.

There were several official residences in this lane; the bluestone road was polished bright by carriage wheels, and they walked half a mile without seeing many civilians.

"Master!"

Just as they reached a vermilion gate, Chen Song emerged from an alley between two houses and pointed to the gate: "Those two men just entered here."

Yang Yi looked up at the plaque with the bold characters "Yi Mansion" and asked, "Whose home is this?"

"I’ve already found out that the owner of this house is named Yi Yun, who was a staff member of the Crown Prince, stationed at the Chamberlain’s Office. After the deposed Crown Prince was executed, the Yi Family was implicated, and Yi Yun was demoted to a sixth-rank official at the Ministry of Imperial Stables."

Yang Yi frowned: "A sixth-rank official, and one implicated in the deposed Crown Prince’s rebellion, how can he still have the provisions of a first-rank official?"

"I’ve heard his father left it to him. But the exact reasons, I haven’t had time to clarify."

Yang Yi withdrew his gaze from the vermilion door: "Find out as soon as possible. Also, look into the backgrounds of those two men from earlier, including this Yi Yun."

Chen Song acknowledged and retreated, while Yang Yi turned around, leading his people out of the lane.

From the other side of an alley in the distance, Fu Zhen and Pei Zhan poked their heads out one after the other. Once Yang Yi and his men had walked far enough, the couple left the other side of the alley and returned to their carriage.

As soon as they sat down, Fu Zhen remarked: "The senior prince indeed sensed something; I wonder what will happen once he finds something out?"

Pei Zhan replied: "No matter what, since this matter has now crossed into his vision, it’s best if we don’t interfere too much. We should continue to uncover what the Yi Family has been up to all these years!"