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52: Four Years

Four years.

Four years can change many people.

In four years, a cultured, gentle youth became even more calm and collected. In four years, a bewitchingly beautiful young man became even more stunning. In four years, a thin and frail youth matured.

Many things can happen in four years.

In four years, Dongling prime minister Ren Fengyao weeds out all threats to emperor Dongfang Chao. In four years, the battle for the throne in Xili comes to a close. In four years, the empress of Nanrong's position solidifies, and her cousin Nangong Piaoran gradually comes to the forefront. With the status of sage king*, he traveled the world. At the same time, he advised the empress wholeheartedly. In the same four years, East Zhi's already had a mountain of staple foods, while West Zhi's army secretly alarmed the bordering countries.

*a mere title given to royal members with goodwill, just proclaims them as a "sage" aka good person

In four years, the state of affairs had changed subtly. East and West Zhi's conflictions grew more and more intense.

Four years prior, Ye Yin's slew of actions shocked the world. Four years later, he and his wife, Xie Lanzhi, were dubbed the most affectionate couple under the sky.

Four years could change many people's views.

In four years, Hua Jianli's could face crafty plots and machinations expressionlessly. In this four years time, Ye Yin did not need to be guarded against Nangong Piaoran.

In a spacious and refined study, an elegant individual in plain clothes frowned as he started to write. After a while, it seemed he could not make up a decision, so he set down his brush and sighed.

In these four years, the youth's appearance had not changed much. He still had the same androgynous, handsome face that could throw the world into turmoil. However, he appeared more mature. After four years, the youth now carried the lofty air of wintry plum flowers.

He grabbed a cloak draped on the back of his chair, then left the study. He had developed a habit over the years. Whenever he had difficulty making a decision, he would take a stroll in the streets, breathing fresh air while he pondered.

Two people silently followed from behind. Ye Yin did not turn back to look nor utter a sound. Because of the poisoning incident four years ago, Du Luo had specially looked for skilled martial artists to serve as his secret body guards.

Their names were Ji Nanyun and Xu Yesong. They treated him very deferentially, so deferentially that Ye Yin was suspicious who they actually listened to. They would listen to his commands, but if he told them to leave to do something on his behalf, one would always stay behind. It seemed that someone had ordered them to consider his safety first and foremost.

In fact, Ye Yin had overheard Ji Nanyun once say that it was not Du Luo who had found them, but they who stayed with Du Luo once they met him at the Intoxicated Dream brothel in West Zhi. Ji Nanyun was the person who had raised the bid on Rouge on Du Luo's behalf that night.

In four years, Ye Yin understood many thing, but also grew perplexed at certain things. But Ye Yin did not intend to investigate these things, including who exactly these two individuals were and what Zhuo Ran's words truly meant.

Slowly strolling, the streets were bustling as always. This was the fruits of his labor for the last four years.

To Ye Yin, these last four years had passed slowly. They were the most cumbersome four years of Ye Yin's entire life. In these four years, he had traveled far and wide, meeting many people personally. In these four years, he had experienced all types of bitterness. He had been paid the price for everything he had done.