Chapter 104 - Power Dynamics

The atmosphere in the room was somewhat stiff.

Baili Gucheng and Yang Lu were both silent, neither of them speaking.

The sky gradually darkened, but no one thought to light a lamp... the darkness slowly invaded every corner of the room.

After an unknown amount of time, Yang Lu's somewhat bitter voice came from the darkness. "So... what now?"

A faint

swish

sound came from the window, it was the sound of Baili Gucheng’s hand sliding over the shackle as he said, "We can still try."

"You need to think it through." In the dark, Yang Lu’s eyes glimmered as she stared his way, "There are many skilled fighters around Qi Zongbi... it could cost you your life."

The moon peeked out from behind the clouds, spilling silver light into the room like a thawing waterfall.

Yang Lu looked over to the window where Baili Gucheng was gazing outside. She could only see half of his profile, his snow-white hair illuminated by the moonlight, shimmering with hints of silver, giving him an ethereal appearance.

"I have thought it through." Baili Gucheng did not turn around, still looking at the crescent moon outside the window. "This is not just for avenging you... but also because the North Watching Pass is depending on me."

"Qi Zongbi must die."

***

"Qi Zongbi must die."

In the garden, Emperor Chen Kaiming of the Reun Dynasty gazed at the moon overhead, his tone filled with undeniable authority.

Eunuch Yue stood behind him with his hands down, not daring to respond to this statement.

"

Cough, cough

." Chen Kaiming turned around, casually plucking an orchid from nearby, "Regardless of whether it is for the Ruen Dynasty or the common people... he must die."

The old man's complexion was even more dry and wan than the last time, and his body under the dragon robe was weaker than ever, yet his bright eyes remained as clear as ever.

The old man lowered his head, carefully examining the pale yellow flower in his palm. "Qi Zongbi is a clever man... he must already understand."

Eunuch Yue lowered his head, shifted his feet, and stood behind the old man once more.

"To come up with such a scheme..." The old man's gaze became sharp as he clenched his fists. "And to commit an act of treason for this scheme... he should have been aware of the consequences long ago."

"Return to the study." The old man flicked his sleeve and led the way.

"Yes." Eunuch Yue followed him out.

On the ground, the discarded, withered little flowers gradually wilted in the wind.

***

In the Emperor's study, Eunuch Yue gently opened the door, carrying a tray with a bowl of medicine on it.

"Your Majesty, it's time for your medicine." Eunuch Yue carefully placed the tray on a side table.

Chen Kaiming sat beside the desk, holding a history book. Hearing Eunuch Yue call him, he waved his hand.

"

Cough...

just set it aside for now."

Eunuch Yue gave a faint, bitter smile.

"It cannot be left aside... if it's set aside any longer, it will cool, Your Majesty."

Chen Kaiming nodded with his back to him but showed no intention of taking the medicine.

𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Eunuch Yue was about to persuade him again when Chen Kaiming spoke, "Ah Dou, do you think... our Ruen Dynasty can last for a thousand generations?"

Eunuch Yue slightly bent his body and replied, "That is without a doubt. Your Majesty is an enlightened ruler, and the Ruen Dynasty is strong. How could it not last for the ages?"

"Then why have such dynasties never appeared in the historical records? Weren't the Liu, Han, Li, and Tang Dynasties strong? Yet they too disappeared, becoming mere ink in the annals."

Chen Kaiming paused, preoccupied with his thoughts.

"No matter how prosperous the countries were in the past, they ultimately had a ruler who brought ruin,

cough cough

... Even the most enlightened and wise monarchs eventually have successors who eventually misgoverned... Ah Dou..."

"Your Majesty?" Eunuch Yue slightly raised his head to look at the old man sitting in front.

Chen Kaiming sighed and turned around,."Ah Dou, do you know what I am most worried about right now?"

Eunuch Yue fell silent, and after a while, he slowly said, "Yes... His Highness the Crown Prince."

Chen Kaiming sighed again. "Indeed... Xun'er is still young,

cough cough

... I worry whether he can bear the weight of our Ruen Dynasty after I am gone..."

Chen Kaiming fell silent.

"Your, Your Majesty..." Eunuch Yue forced a laugh. "You are speaking of such inauspicious things again... How about, how about you drink the medicine first, Your Majesty?"

Chen Kaiming finally nodded.

Eunuch Yue hurriedly brought the medicine bowl over and handed it to the old man at the desk.

The old man scooped a spoonful of the medicinal soup. He just brought it to his lips when, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned to Eunuch Yue and asked, "By the way, has Xun'er made any progress in his studies at the Hanlin Academy?"

"

Ah

...?" Eunuch Yue opened his mouth, momentarily stunned, but quickly came to his senses and replied, "The Crown Prince is gifted. As long as he diligently studies, he should be making progress."

"

Mm

?" In confusion, Chen Kaiming looked at Eunuch Yue, who had lowered his head, "What? Are you saying... that you don't know?"

"Well... I will inquire at the Hanlin Academy tomorrow." Eunuch Yue discreetly wiped the cold sweat from his brow; just thinking about that mischievous Crown Prince gave him a headache.

"

Mm

... that's fine then." The old man nodded, sipped the medicine, and instantly frowned. "Mm... so bitter..."

***

Grand Marshal Ying Gutong and External Prime Minister Qi Zongbi sat facing each other in the study at the Marshal's Residence.

Ying Gutong, who had a military background, spoke with a commanding presence.

"In a few days, we will be mobilizing troops."

Upon hearing this, Qi Zongbi, who sat opposite him, showed little reaction. He lifted his teacup and gently blew across the tea leaves floating on the surface.

"

Mm

... the time is almost right."

Seeing Qi Zongbi not even glance at him, Ying Gutong remained unperturbed and continued, "You devised this strategy. Think carefully if there is anything you haven’t explained, lest something goes wrong later."

Qi Zongbi slightly shook his head and said, "I've said what needs to be said. The rest will be left to fate."

"Really... there's nothing else?" Ying Gutong leaned his hands on the table, narrowing his eyes as he stared at Qi Zongbi.

Qi Zongbi maintained his indifferent expression, and shook his head. "That's it."

Bang!

Ying Gutong slammed his palm on the table, causing cups and plates to jump.

"What about the imperial decree the Emperor gave you?!" Ying Gutong glared at Qi Zongbi, "You didn’t intend to tell me?! Huh?!"

Qi Zongbi gently placed the teacup on the table, sat upright, and looked into Ying Gutong's eyes.

"Since you know about the decree, then you should also understand my intentions."

"So you don't plan to follow the Emperor's orders to replace thousands of refugees with soldiers?" Ying Gutong asked with a dark expression.

"Correct."

Qi Zongbi replied with neither humility nor arrogance.

"Marshal Ying, you are also a soldier. You should understand the difference between civilians and soldiers on the battlefield better than I do. This is the only way to ensure that this plan succeeds without fail."

Ying Gutong clenched his fists tightly. "Is this really the only way?"

"This way is the only way." Qi Zongbi nodded solemnly.

Ying Gutong fell silent, his expression cloudy and unsettled.

Seeing Ying Gutong wavering, Qi Zongbi spoke again, "Marshal Ying, what are you worried about? Regardless of how the battle goes, all the consequences will fall to me, a dead man, won't they?"

Ying Gutong relaxed his clenched fists, and his gaze toward Qi Zongbi became more candid.

Qi Zongbi smiled.

"From the beginning to now, you, Marshal Ying, have never known about the Emperor's decree I possess... Isn't that right?"