Chapter 130 - Clouds Gather, Storm Stirs

Today, Ye Beizhi avoided Chi Nanwei and went to the Listening Storm Pavilion alone.

Although the festive New Year atmosphere had spread across the capital, the Listening Storm Pavilion remained as quiet and serene as usual.

The servant who led the way brought Ye Beizhi to a private room separated by bamboo curtains and then left.

Although Listening Storm Pavilion was the headquarters of the informant Ye Fan, it usually served as just a refined teahouse. Private rooms, like the one Ye Beizhi was in, were arranged in a square around a courtyard with rock gardens, flowing water, and stone-paved walkways.

A few people sat scattered in other private rooms, all quietly sipping tea and chatting softly, careful not to disturb the rare tranquility.

Ye Beizhi entered the room, sat cross-legged on a cushion, and closed his eyes as if he were taking a nap. He wasn’t here for tea, he was here to meet someone.

After waiting for a long time without anyone arriving, Ye Beizhi frowned, wondering what scheme Ye Fan had concocted this time.

Just as he was thinking this, footsteps echoed from the hallway outside the room.

Someone lifted the curtain and stepped inside.

Ye Beizhi looked up, but the person who entered was not Ye Fan. The person appeared to be a shopkeeper, so Ye Beizhi looked at him with a trace of confusion.

Seeing Ye Beizhi staring at him, the shopkeeper bowed slightly at the door before walking over with a smile. "Greetings, sir, my master sent me to deliver a message."

Ye Beizhi tapped his fingers on the table, paused, and said, "Speak."

"Of course," the shopkeeper said, cupping his hands. My master said he knows why you’ve come today. He’s worried that if he comes personally, it will inevitably lead to another heated argument with you, which would be unbecoming. So, he asked me to bring this letter."

As he spoke, the shopkeeper pulled a folded sheet of paper from his sleeve. The ink was slightly smeared across the page, indicating that it had been freshly written and folded.

Ye Beizhi took the letter and unfolded it. It contained only a few words.

"On the first day of the new year, Qi Zongbi will certainly go to Heavenly Divination Shrine in the northwest of the capital to pay respects to his late master, as he does every year."

Seeing Ye Beizhi finish reading, the shopkeeper spoke again. "My master also asked me to relay one more message."

"

Hmm

?" Ye Beizhi looked up at him.

The shopkeeper cleared his throat and looked at Ye Beizhi seriously as he conveyed his master's words.

"Right now, the waters of the capital are too muddy. Mute Ye, if you truly want to get involved, be careful not to drown."

After delivering this message, the shopkeeper smiled again and cupped his hands.

"Please, don’t take offense, sir. These were my master’s exact words, so I hope you won’t be offended."

Ye Beizhi nodded, pocketed the letter, stood up, and lifted the curtain to walk out.

The shopkeeper quickly caught up to him from behind. "I’ll see you out, sir."

The two walked in silence, one in front and one behind, until they reached the main entrance.

"By the way, tell Wary Listener." Ye Beizhi suddenly stopped at the door and turned to look at the shopkeeper. "If I die there, Chi—"

The shopkeeper, still smiling, interrupted Ye Beizhi’s words as if he knew what Ye Beizhi was about to tell him. "Rest assured, sir. My master has already made arrangements regarding Miss Chi."

Ye Beizhi closed his mouth, silently nodded, and then walked away.

As he turned a street corner, Ye Beizhi flicked his hand, scattering fragments of the letter into the wind. The flakes of paper fluttered and danced like snowflakes.

Creak—

A door creaked open, and Baili Gucheng turned his head. The dim room had no lights, and Yang Lu stood by it, half of her body hidden in the shadows.

"I’m asking you one last time." Yang Lu’s slightly muffled voice from the shadows. "Have you truly made up your mind?"

Baili Gucheng turned back and softly replied, "Yes."

Though she had expected this answer, Yang Lu couldn’t help but sigh, a hint of sadness in her tone.

"We can still wait a bit longer... Forget it."

Yang Lu didn’t try to persuade him further. She opened the door and stepped out. Before closing the door, she said, "Every year, on the first day after the New Year, Qi Zongbi goes to Heavenly Divination Shrine to pay respects to his late teacher, Li Xun. If you’re going to act, that will be your best chance. Impending Sword... You... Take care of yourself."

With that, Yang Lu shook her head gently, closed the door, and left.

Inside the room, Baili Gucheng looked out the window, toward the North Watching Pass.

"New Year's,

huh,

" Baili Gucheng muttered to himself, "When was the last time I celebrated New Year's?"

The New Year's festivities at the External Prime Minister’s residence were far grander than those made by ordinary citizens.

Their mistress had requested that this year’s celebrations should be livelier than usual. The servants were busier than usual, but their faces were all lit with cheerful smiles. They knew that after New Year's, their master would be leaving on a long journey.

Another major difference this year was that, unlike in previous years, the officials and military officers who visited during this time brought gifts and cheer.

This year was different, every official who came to the external minister’s residence had a serious, tense expression. Upon entering, they immediately sought the External Prime Minister to discuss urgent matters.

"My lord, are you finished?" Madam Tan entered the room with a bowl of ginger soup.

Qi Zongbi had just finished meeting with an official from the Ministry of War and finally had a moment of respite. When Madam Tan entered, he took the ginger soup and set it on the table, before rubbing his temples with a tired expression.

"Thank you for your concern... I can’t help it, you know... The day of battle is approaching, so naturally, there’s much to do."

Madam Tan walked behind Qi Zongbi and gently massaged his head.

"I understand, I do but it's New Year's and they are still making you worry. Don’t they want anyone to enjoy the holiday?"

Qi Zongbi gradually eased his frown as he closed his eyes and leaned his head back against his wife.

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"

Mm

... We’ll still celebrate the New Year... We’ve done just about everything we can. All that’s left is to wait for the battle. As for the rest... we leave it to fate."

Madam Tan smiled as she gazed down at the man who had spent half his life with her. Although he was no longer as handsome as he was when they first met, she never grew tired of looking at him.

"My lord," Madam Tan called softly.

"

Mm

?" Qi Zongbi shifted his head slightly, finding a more comfortable position, but he still didn’t open his eyes. He seemed truly exhausted.

Madam Tan bit her lip, her hands unconsciously stopping. After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "Can you tell me the truth... have you ever blamed me... for not being able to give you a child?"

Qi Zongbi’s body visibly tensed for a moment, but he quickly relaxed again. He opened his eyes, looked up at Madam Tan, and saw that she was gazing back at him, her eyes glistening.

He reached out and clasped her hand in his.

"You’re still thinking about that..."

"

Heh

." Madam Tan’s lips twitched, but she couldn’t force a smile. "How could I not think about it... I..."

"Don’t say anymore." Qi Zongbi gently patted her hand. "I’ve never blamed you. Even if I had to choose again, I’d still marry you."

"My lord..." Madam Tan was choked with emotion.

"Let’s not talk about that anymore." Qi Zongbi rested his head back on Madam Tan and smiled with his eyes closed. "Keep massaging me. Once I go to the frontlines, I won’t be able to enjoy my wife’s care."

"

Heh

..." Madam Tan laughed through her tears and gently wiped away the drop at the corner of her eye. "Then you’d better hurry back after the battle. Don’t make me wait too long."

This time, Qi Zongbi didn’t reply, as if he hadn’t heard her.

Madam Tan didn’t ask again, but a trace of sorrow appeared in her tender eyes.

One stood, one sat. One person had his eyes closed, the other refused to look away.

After a long time, Qi Zongbi suddenly said, "When I go to pay respects to my teacher after the New Year, I’ll stop by to see my junior brother. Let’s see if he has any final advice... If something unexpected happens, we’ll need his strategies."

"

Mm

, that’s how it should be." Madam Tan smiled. "This year, I’ve made him new clothes again. After all, it’s New Year, and he should have new clothes. Take them to him when you go."

Qi Zongbi nodded. "You have a good heart, my dear."

Clouds were gathering; a storm was stirring.