Light and Shadow

38 - Cui Yan's Plight

After telling Sima Yi that they were departing for Anlui at dawn, Xun Yu went to visit Cui Yan at his home on the city's outer edge, near the western gate entrance. As he approached Cui Yan's place of residence, the clear night sky became cloudy and dim. Xun Yu knocked on the door and patiently waited for Cui Yan to answer. Shortly after, he heard movement from inside of the home and watched as the door slowly opened to reveal a bewildered and slightly erratic Cui Yan.

 He peaked his head out of the door, his expression was one of fear as he did his best to look around without exiting from behind the safety of his front door; however, his panicked demeaner changed slightly to a more relaxed one once he noticed Xun Yu standing solemnly next to the slightly ajar door. He smiled politely and widened the crack only slightly.

"Ah, greetings Minister Xun," He began, sounding relieved and somewhat out of breath. "What brings you here today?"

His eyes darted around, like he was nervous or attempting to hide something.

"Greeting Master Cui Yan. Forgive me for my sudden intrusion, but I have not heard from you in a while and was worried about you. Is everything okay?" Xun Yu inquired as he observed the man, taking note of any suspicious behavior.

"Minister Xun, thank you for your thoughtfulness, but I assure you that I am fine. Now, if you will excuse me." Cui Yan replied curtly and attempted to close the door but was stopped by Xun Yu putting his arm in the way.

Cui Yan looked at him in shock.

"Master Cui Yan, I will be honest with you. Our Lord sent me here to check on you because he is suspicious of you. I also find your behavior to be rather strange this evening. Is something wrong? Please, let me know if I can help you." Xun Yu inquired quietly.

Cui Yan frantically looked around again and grabbed Xun Yu's arm, pulling him inside of the home and closing the door behind him. He sighed and leaned back against the door as his heart pounded against his chest. A few beads of sweat trickled down his forehead and he quickly wiped them away as Xun Yu patiently stood in front of him awaiting an explanation.

"Minister Xun, please do not think ill of me for my recent actions, but I suspect that our Lord is planning to dispose of me. I have been too afraid to leave my home for several days." Cui Yan said as calmly as he could manage while he looked at Xun Yu with a fearful and desperate expression. He was trying his best to remain calm as he relayed his fears to Xun Yu; however, he was on edge and felt as though his calm façade was going to shatter at any moment. Regardless of Xun Yu's kind and gentle nature, knowing that he was close to the man whom he feared also did not help with his nerves.

Xun Yu was taken aback by the man's alarming words, frightened expression, and disheveled appearance. He was not accustomed to seeing the typically calm man in a state of distress.

"Master, why do you think that? You are of great importance to this kingdom and our Lord. I do not think that he would do something so rash without proper justification. Have you done anything to incur his wrath?" Xun Yu asked, somewhat skeptical of the man's fear.

Cui Yan bounded over to Xun Yu and placed his hands on his shoulders, clasping them tightly.

"It's because I objected to how close you two are during the council that day. That has to be why I have seen strange people following me home when I leave the palace for the past few days! It only began to happen after that!" Cui Yan gushed. He released his grip on Xun Yu's shoulders and began to frantically pace back and forth.

Xun Yu was stunned and did not want to believe what he was hearing. Would our Lord really kill him over something as minor as that? He has killed people over minor instances of disrespect before, but, if Cui Yan's suspicion is right, then our Lord's paranoia is getting worse. Will he not stop until all opposition is eliminated? Is he treading farther down a path that I cannot bear to follow? Xun Yu thought silently to himself. He thought of immediately rushing back to his Lord's room and confronting him, but what good would his word be against the man's resolve? He needed to find proof that he was targeting Cui Yan, lest the man dismiss his concerns.