If officials in the current Imperial Court were to witness this scene, they'd probably want to gouge out their own eyes.
The old man before them had always been calm and dignified in front of all the officials, could almost be called a veteran of three dynasties, with trendous dignity. Every act and every move he made was by the book. How could he now look so helpless?
The elderly scholar was watching him with a beaming smile that did not resemble a scholar at all.
anwhile, the old man held his bowl of tofu pudding and drank leisurely.
His surna was Zhou, with a refined na of Fengyue, which mimicked the tones of wind and moon—a style often associated with scholars in brothels, softly singing and composing poems. He hailed from a prominent family in the Land of Lu, his father having established their household as a strategist, affable and composed in all his dealings, his son, however, was completely different.
From childhood, he studied hard and earned a reputation as a talented scholar. Yet, when he entered officialdom, he did so as a military officer before eventually switching to civil service.
In the official circles, relationships were highly valued, and it was often best to avoid taking things too far, but his straightforwardness was alarming to many.
Since entering officialdom, wherever he went, he managed to offend the powerful thoroughly, enduring a rocky and tumbling journey. Now, he had reached the pinnacle of ministerial power, having been granted the title of Minister of the Middle Secretariat and Duke of Xing, governing the world. Political rivals who had once banged on the table and glared at him had all departed this life.
He was known for his integrity and impartiality and was deeply respected and trusted by the current Emperor. There were rumors that he was one of the masterminds behind the plot to kill the Crown Prince and force the palace, but the issue had never been conclusively settled. In recent years, no one dared to discuss it, and he had been good friends with the Great General of the Great Qin Tiance.
However, when Wang Tiance left the Heaven Capital City, it was said that the old gentleman did not see him off, choosing instead to compose a written piece with calmness in his study.
This ti, he had received a ssage from Flying Eagle, whom he hadn't seen for over a decade, and, despite his illness, he had asked for leave from the early court assembly. He had co here to eat a five-coin bowl of tofu pudding and, incidentally, to et Li Qidao, whom he had not seen for many years.
Perhaps to et Li Qidao, whom he had not seen for years, and, incidentally, to secretly enjoy a bowl of tofu pudding.
Ever since he failed to guess a single riddle, Li Qidao, while concealing his identity, enjoyed dressing as a scholar, complete with ceremonial sword and jade pendant, his wild white hair ticulously tied up as if he were a lion.
Now, with one hand behind his back, he strolled along with Zhou Fengyue on a small path in Heaven Capital City of Great Qin, saying with a familiar smile,
"Old Pri Minister, among the Three Provinces and six ministries under the Great Qin Middle Secretariat, there are three Chief Ministers acting as Pri Ministers, ranking the highest among the officials. Aren't you afraid that our Emperor will be irritated by having soone of your stature accompany , a re commoner?"
Zhou Fengyue replied calmly,
"'An old man who does not die is a thief'; since I'm already old, I should make room for the younger generation to show their talents. If not for His Majesty's refusal, I would have long retired from office."
"Besides, the Great General of the Great Qin Dragon Guard, Second Rank, cannot be considered a commoner even if he has retired."
Li Qidao waved his hand and chuckled,
"The Great General of the Dragon Guard? The foremost of the Imperial Court's twelve guards? They're nothing more than two big dogs tethered at Great Qin's gate—barking or biting on command, and silenced when told. It's suffocating."
Zhou Fengyue struggled for words.
Li Qidao had once charged out of Heaven Capital City with Wang Tiance, cutting down thirteen of the Suicide Squad that blocked their way, turning the scene before them into a bloody red. Since then, he hadn't returned to the capital. In just a decade, Heaven Capital City had undergone monuntal changes since he had left.
If anything, it had beco even more prosperous and showed an even more magnificent specter of a golden age.
As the two n walked together, those around them seed not to notice, yet people in front of them unconsciously shifted aside. They often walked dozens of steps before realizing they had veered off their path, and yet couldn't find any fault.
As Li Qidao admired the scenery along the road, he said offhandedly,
"Our Supre Emperor, is his health still robust?"
Zhou Fengyue answered slowly,
"The Forr Emperor's health remains as before, though he is increasingly indulgent in pleasure. Every day he consus elixirs and powdered minerals from alchemists; there has been no sign of ill effects."
Li Qidao snorted and said with a snide smile,
"Powdered minerals? Haven't those charlatans from Jianghu been wiped out yet?"
Zhou Fengyue softly reminded him, "The use of powdered minerals has a long history and has never ceased; there must be so reason behind it. Moreover, because of the Forr Emperor's favor, the alchemists are rather arrogant in Heaven Capital City. You wouldn't want to provoke them."
Li Qidao patted the ceremonial sword at his waist and laughed coldly,
"Alchemists?"
"I could behead them with one slash of my sword, believe it or not?"
Zhou Fengyue sighed, "But you wouldn't want to draw the Forr Emperor's attention."
Li Qidao scoffed, but this ti he did not respond.
After walking several hundred more steps, Zhou Fengyue, having served in the Imperial Court and witnessed the passing of two emperors, remained silent, and Li Qidao, raising an eyebrow teasingly, said,
"Quite patient, aren't you?"
"You've been an official for so many years, and while it's unclear how much you've learned about governing and serving the people, you have certainly honed your patience to be the best in the world. A veteran of three dynasties, governing the world... have your political skills turned you into a turtle in the end?"
Zhou Fengyue remained unruffled, speaking softly,
"Just wisely protecting myself is all."
Li Qidao's eyes widened slightly, contemplating the four words 'wisely protecting oneself', with a flash of purple lightning in his pupils. He only laughed with a snort, patted Zhou Fengyue on the shoulder, and said,
"Trying to provoke ?"
"Hahaha... Not enough, Old Zhou, still not enough, you're far from it now."
Li Qidao shook his head, laughing heartily as he strode away.
Zhou Fengyue halted his steps, glanced at the burnt black fabric on his shoulder, shook his head, and murmured softly before following in Li Qidao's footsteps, walking shoulder to shoulder with him. Because Zhou Fengyue didn't ask, Li Qidao took it upon himself to question:
"You hold a high position, so you should know about Wang Tiance's progeny. The Emperor doesn't want Tiance's descendants to be exposed, which I can understand, but tell , did the Supre Emperor have plans from the start to deal with Tiance's offspring?"
"Don't rush to deny it. I've experienced the capabilities of the Great Qin's Imperial Astronomical Bureau firsthand."
Zhou Fengyue fell silent for a mont, then said:
"After all, it was the Supre Emperor who promoted you, and you served under him for many years. Even if your lord has his faults, you shouldn't speak of him with such disrespect."
Li Qidao laughed loudly and said:
"Your lack of denial ans I'm correct?"
Zhou Fengyue heaved a sigh, his face showing a hint of helplessness.
Li Qidao shook his head with a smile and said:
"You needn't say I've wronged that old fellow, the Supre Emperor."
"He lifted from the dust and set upon a great path, for which I'm grateful, and I respect him. When he personally poured wine and, as an emperor, played the Formation Breakthrough Tune at the victory feast for us, honestly, my gratitude knew no bounds."
"But I, Li, have also renounced my parent's na to join the sect, and later defected, having tumbled through the gates of hell on the battlefield countless tis. A man should lay down his life for those who understand him, but the life I owed him I had already repaid long ago."
"He was a man of integrity, repaying both kindness and vengeance, and I am the sa. If it weren't for so unfinished business, I would truly love to charge into the Imperial Palace with my sword, drag him to that Scholar's grave, and fiercely knock my forehead to the ground three tis!"
"And then..."
Zhou Fengyue shook his head and interrupted softly:
"We've arrived."
The two n stopped in their tracks.
In front of them was an old but thoroughly clean courtyard.
When that young Scholar clad in common attire first ca to the most bustling place in the world, he had won Zhou Fengyue's promise under the willow trees on the street with a ga of chess. When people knelt down recognizing the noble identity of the old man, he traded that promise for a stead bun to fill his stomach.
Afterward, he spent much effort to rent a small courtyard in Heaven Capital City for a short ti.
This was the place.
Li Qidao's expression changed, and he beca more somber.
Zhou Fengyue stood beside him and spoke softly, "After you left, I bought this place."
"I thought, compared to other places, you would prefer to stay here."
Li Qidao ca back to his senses, laughed, and scolded:
"You crafty old turtle, you've done sothing decent for a change."
Zhou Fengyue remained silent, watching Li Qidao push the gate open and walk in. Just as he entered, Zhou Fengyue suddenly asked, "What is Wang Tiance's child's na?"
Li Qidao stopped in his tracks, turned to him, and asked:
"You want to know?"
Zhou Fengyue spoke more softly:
"Back then, we agreed that I would be the child's godfather."
Li Qidao looked intently at Zhou Fengyue and suddenly laughed, saying:
"When Wang Tiance died, he said he did not bla you. So telling you should do no harm..."
Zhou Fengyue's expression remained solemn, yet there seed to be a touch of sorrow.
Li Qidao gestured for him to co closer and whispered:
"But I just won't tell you..."
Zhou Fengyue was taken aback as Li Qidao laughed heartily and turned to enter the yard.
He then emphatically shut the door with a clang.
PS: Here's the second update of the day...
Well, does anyone know when the comnts section will be back up? Let know in the group, and those who have sothing to say can join the group discussion (resting my chin on my hand).
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