Chang’an Small Restaurant Chapter 104 (Part 2)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 104.2 Shaoguang’s Capabilities
While Shen Shaoguang was teased by Shao Jie, she received high praise from Lin Yan.
The raid on the Prince of Zhao residence by the Imperial Guards continued through the night and half of the next day. While a few suspicious individuals were apprehended, initial interrogations revealed they were not Li Yù. Thus, the search for him would now hinge upon the distribution of warrants and wanted notices.
Widespread distribution of warrants and wanted notices required cooperation from every Lane Guard, a task managed by the city’s government repository.
Given the importance of Li Yù, Qin Xiang personally oversaw the handover of this matter to the government repository.
Looking at the sketch of Li Yù, Lin Yan frowned slightly. The sketch depicted a handsome young man with striking peach blossom eyes. In the description, he was labeled as twenty-four years old, standing about seven ‘feet’ tall[1], and bore a red birthmark the size of a date behind his ear. Many warrants and wanted notices featured portraits like this—some even less detailed. While such illustrations served well enough for general identification, attempting to quickly locate someone in a vast sea of people with them alone was an arduous task.
Lin Yan suddenly recalled the particularly accurate likeness drawn by Shen Shaoguang. "Miss Shen has seen Li Yù before; she’s very meticulous and might remember additional details. Moreover, she’s skilled in drawing. Perhaps General Qin could send someone to ask her."
Qin Xiang raised an eyebrow at Lin Yan's unabashed intimate reference.
Lin Yan faintly smiled. "Miss Shen is my fiancée."
"In that case, I should go personally." Smiling affably, Qin Xiang addressed Lin Yan with a gesture of thoughtful regard.
"Allow me to accompany you, General."
Even with a heart full of agitation, Qin Xiang smiled nonetheless. Alas, young men…
…
Having just seen off the scholars burdened with the cares of their country, Shen Shaoguang now welcomed the commander of the Imperial Guards and the capital’s Deputy Minister. She solemnly bid her ceremony before casting a furtive glance at Lin Yan. His eyes bore the marks of fatigue, with stubble sprouting on his jaw, presenting the image of a weary worker pushed to his limits. Yet, his youth and striking looks lent him a certain roguish charm—or perhaps, sensuality.
Lin Yan simply gazed at her with a gentle look.
"Ahem—" Qin Xiang cleared his throat.
With a smile, Shen Shaoguang regarded Qin Xiang. Having served as a palace maid for so long, she had only encountered this prominent figure in the Imperial Guards twice; now that she was outside the palace, she found herself seeing him much more frequently. The rumors surrounding General Qin’s formidable reputation had circulated widely, but he appeared far more approachable than she had anticipated.
Qin Xiang explained his purpose, "Deputy Magistrate Lin suggested that Miss Shen’s keen observation and drawing skills might be of assistance. Could you help us by creating a detailed sketch of Li Yù, miss?"
Shen Shaoguang was somewhat surprised that Li Yù had managed to evade capture. He didn’t strike her as particularly clever or cautious. However, as she reconsidered, it dawned on her that he was undoubtedly benefiting from his status; after all, Official Qiao would surely go to great lengths to ensure his safety.
"General’s request is one I cannot refuse. Please wait a moment," Shen Shaoguang replied with gravity.
Shen Shaoguang had studied portrait sketching, though her skills were modest. In a later era, she might have set up a stall on the street, charging ten yuan per drawing, likely earning no more than five commissions a day. However, at this moment, her ability to create wanted posters was more than sufficient—indeed, it was even somewhat astonishing.
Qin Xiang exclaimed in surprise, "How is it that you’ve captured such a striking likeness, miss?" With such a portrait in hand, combined with the keen eyes of those searching, even if Li Yù were to disguise himself, he could still be recognized. This drawing was truly exceptional!
Shen Shaoguang found it difficult to explain that this skill stemmed from her previous life, so she merely chuckled awkwardly and replied, "Perhaps just born with—attention to detail?"
Lin Yan cast her a reproachful glance. Mischievous! Though he couldn’t help but curve the corners of his lips into a smile.
Qin Xiang hadn't intended to delve deeper, he was merely voicing his surprise and admiration were evident. Noting that she echoed Deputy Magistrate Lin’s comments, and observing their exchanged glances, he inwardly clicked his tongue. Tsk, tsk, the young men and ladies these days...
After their lighthearted exchange, Qin Xiang turned to Shen Shaoguang and inquired whether she remembered anything else from the scene.
Shen Shaoguang responded, "I’ve heard a term before, ‘comfort zone.’ People tend to stay in places where they feel safe and secure. I’ve interacted with Sir Li Four a couple of times. From my observations, he’s appeared clever and somewhat arrogant, likely raised in a sheltered environment. Such individuals, when faced with danger, often exhibit a strong attachment to home. Even if he had multiple aliases to blend in with the crowd, he would probably choose to hide in places connected to the Prince of Zhao’s residence—perhaps in an annex, a shop, or even with the household of a servant.
Recalling Li Yù’s distinctive peach-blossom eyes, Shen Shaoguang considered that he might have another psychological ‘comfort zone’. "Sir Li Four seems to have a rather flirtatious nature." Having transmigrated and lived in this era for quite some time, Shen Shaoguang, as a woman, felt a certain embarrassment when discussing such matters. "The General and Deputy Minister might find it beneficial to have someone look into brothels and entertainment venues; he may feel more at ease in such surroundings."
Qin Xiang was increasingly astonished, exclaiming with a smile, "You possess quite the flair of a seasoned criminal investigator, miss. If you were a young man, I would surely recommend you for a position in the Imperial Court of Judicial Review or the Ministry of Justice. In truth, we are in great need of such talent within the Imperial Guards." As he spoke, he shook his head slightly, a hint of regret in his expression.
Shen Shaoguang thanked him, and Lin Yan smiled as well. Though subtle, Qin Xiang could see a hint of pride in their expressions.
Qin Xiang felt a tinge of sympathy for Lin Yan. Though he may appear quite joyful now, should any ulterior motives arise in the future, it may be rather difficult to conceal them from a wife like that… Though he couldn't say for certain. He reflected on the beautifully executed ambush—these two truly seemed like a worthy match. Suddenly, he recalled Deputy Minister Han, who, a couple days prior, had been ridiculed by His Majesty after being chased out of his home by his wife wielding a large wooden stick. Qin Xiang couldn't help but envision what it would look like if Miss Shen were to pursue Deputy Minister Lin in a similar manner.
Someone came to report a matter, interrupting Qin Xiang's ‘daydreaming’. He smiled at Lin Yan and Shen Shaoguang and said, "I still have some business to attend to, so I won't keep you."
Lin Yan and Shen Shaoguang saw him off, but before he departed, Shen Shaoguang added, "I will draw a few more portraits in the next couple of days and send them over."
"Then I'll leave it to you, miss." Qin Xiang bid them farewell once more and left on horseback with his entourage.
Lin Yan also had a pile of tasks to handle and couldn’t stay for long.
He finally smiled at Shen Shaoguang, who also smiled back at him with narrowed eyes. Some people could bring joy with just their presence alone, though it would be even more delightful if they could engage in other activities as well.
Lin Yan said gently, "I'm leaving now, so take care of yourself. Don’t think it’s a hassle to go out with someone; the intentions of some wicked individuals can be unpredictable. You must be wary, for cornered rats can be dangerous." When he first began planning this matter, Lin Yan had indeed assigned Shen Shaoguang several capable chamberlains, such as Zhou Kui, to ensure her safety.
Shen Shaoguang nodded obediently, then leaned in a bit closer, curving her eyes into crescents and whispering with a smile, "Sir Yan—say something nice, would you?"
Lin Yan was once again reminded of the fox that had evaded capture during the hunt. He mused that it must have appeared much like this, watching the small birds and creatures succumb to its cunning ambush.
Yet, Lin Yan was willing to be that little bird. He paused for a moment, lightly licked his lips, and softly said, "My A'Ji— is the finest (ding) lady under heaven."
This time, Shen Shaoguang grinned like a fox that had just indulged in a lavish chicken banquet.
.
.
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Footnote:
[1] seven ‘feet’ tall - originates from the phrase ‘七尺男儿’, meaning "seven-foot man." This expression was commonly used to describe adult males during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. At that time, one Chinese foot, or chi (尺), measured approximately 23.1 cm, making a seven-foot man roughly 1.61 meters tall. However, since this novel is set in the Tang Dynasty, the length of one chi varied between 25 to 29 cm, depending on the specific year. Consequently, Li Yù’s height would be approximately between 1.75 and 2.03 meters.
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