It was still early evening, just before curfew, the liveliest time in the capital. The lights were dazzling, the atmosphere warm and fragrant. Perhaps because war was imminent, people cherished these moments even more. The city was more bustling at night than usual, and to reassure the populace, the curfew had been extended, seemingly to create an illusion of peace and prosperity.
People came and went at street corners. The teahouses hadn’t opened yet, making the scene appear quite deserted.
Chaolu had brought in a few experienced secret agents from the south. With this, Ji Yuluo finally had a foothold in the capital.
At this moment, her heart felt a sense of security.
With a creak, the door opened.
Ji Yuluo was reading the southern gazette and didn’t look up. “What is it?”
A maid softly replied, “Miss.”
Immediately following, there was the sound of a carriage wheel turning.
Ji Yuluo paused, turned her head, her gaze sharpening. The hairpin she was playing with slipped from her fingers, landing with a clatter. She came to her senses and said, “Serve the tea.”
The maid responded, poured the tea, and then retreated, leaving the room quiet.
Across a square table, two people sat facing each other.
Ji Yuluo looked at Xie Subai, pushed a teacup towards him, and asked, “Has something happened? If there’s an issue, you could have sent someone. If that wasn’t possible, there’s still Shen Qingli.”
As she spoke, she got up to close the window tightly, ensuring no draft could enter.
It was always like this.
He was like a delicate porcelain figure, a mere breeze could shatter him.
Only after she sat back down did Xie Subai speak, “Don’t worry, everything’s fine. I’ve been bored from being cooped up indoors every day.”
Ji Yuluo observed his “everything’s fine” demeanor. The last time she saw him, it was only a distant glimpse through a curtain. Compared to that, today indeed seemed much better.
But she knew it was temporary, all a front.
Recalling Lou Panshun’s words, Ji Yuluo’s lips tightened. In fact, if Xie Subai hadn’t come to her, she would have sought him out.
Just as she was about to speak, she heard Xie Subai say, “I heard you have set up some personnel in the capital, and you no longer visit Uncle Li’s pharmacy. Are you still upset with me over Hongshuang?”
Ji Yuluo paused briefly and replied, “I wouldn’t dare.”
Wouldn’t dare.
The curve of Xie Subai’s lips faded slightly. He said, “Since I arrived in the capital, I’ve known it to be a place full of trouble. Seeing your deep obsession with Zhao Yong, there are many things I can’t disclose. I thought I’d give you a few days, and it wouldn’t be too late to leave after things are settled. But I didn’t expect you to stay, and stay until now.”
He looked up at her, asking gently, “If I asked you to leave now, would you go?”
Xie Subai’s eyes were exceptionally clear and cold, different from Huo Xian’s sharp, peach-blossom eyes. It seemed like nothing in the world could capture his attention, as if he had no desires or needs.
However, he was the opposite; what he desired and sought was more persistent than anyone else’s.
Therefore, beneath that calm gaze were countless unspoken intentions. His apparent question about whether she was willing to leave was actually asking: Have you decided between Cuixue Tower and Huo Xian?
Yet he remained so composed, as if her decision to stay or leave was entirely up to her.
He always gave her plenty of choices, just like in the past. Besides the basic necessities, he would invite the best teachers for those additional talents. After her lessons, he would ask if she enjoyed them.
If she liked them, she would continue to learn diligently. If she didn’t, he never forced her.
He used the gentlest tone to let her make her own decisions.
He was always unhurried, advancing and retreating with grace.
Ji Yuluo clenched the hairpin in her hand, the sharp end pressing into her palm. The pain kept her exceptionally clear-headed.
After a moment of silence, she said, “I know what you’re planning. If Xing Nanyue can attack and enter the capital, it would be ideal. The ensuing chaos would terrify the officials, and with Crown Prince Huaijin’s good reputation, the people would long for a wise ruler to restore order. That would be your best opportunity. If Prince Xingnan is useless and gets captured by Xiao Cheng, Xiao Cheng’s attack on the capital would still benefit you. Although dealing with Xiao Cheng would be more complicated, you must have someone planted by his side.”
Crown Prince Huaijin had left behind a unit of the Jiuxuan Army. Xie Subai had many people he could use in the military, which was not a difficult task for him.
A trace of a smile appeared at the corner of Xie Subai’s eyes as he listened intently to her.
Ji Yuluo continued, “But it’s not necessary to let the war reach the capital. That’s not the best method. Once the enemy is lured in, you can’t be completely sure you’ll be able to capture them, can you?”
Xie Subai remained silent.
It was a high-stakes gamble.
And since it was a gamble, there were chances of both winning and losing. But he could afford to lose more than anyone else.
Ji Yuluo suggested, “What if we compromise? If the Jinyiwei eeleases the news in advance, and the Imperial Academy builds momentum, can you ascend to the throne legitimately before the rebels enter the capital? Can Cuixue Tower deploy its troops early?”
She held her breath after speaking, her eyes clear and determined.
She was very aware that at this point, Huo Xian was still tirelessly working to eliminate traitors, ensuring that the throne was cleaned not to hand it over to the rebel Prince Xingnan, Duke Huo Zhen. He would never let enemy forces enter the capital!
The Ning Prince’s Mansion had troops, and to avoid staining the Ning Prince’s reputation, there was only one way: he had to fight himself.
Xie Subai’s gentle smile vanished. He looked at Ji Yuluo seriously and said, “The Imperial Academy? You are indeed clever… But have you asked if he is willing? Even if he is, is the Ning Prince’s Mansion, which has been preparing for years, also willing?”
Ji Yuluo’s eyebrows twitched. She didn’t ask how he knew about this, but she started to understand.
The real threat was the Ning Prince’s Mansion. The enemy’s entry into the city was not just to pressure the officials and the people but also to force Huo Xian to deploy his troops. Only by stirring the waters could all the hidden players reveal themselves. Once the Ning Prince’s forces were exhausted, both the mantis and the cicada would be captured, allowing the oriole to ascend the throne peacefully.
She said, “What if I can persuade him?”
After a long silence, Xie Subai lifted his eyes and said, “Are you putting in all this effort just for Zhao Yong? I can let you kill him right now.”
Ji Yuluo remained silent.
Xie Subai lowered his head, chuckled softly, and sighed, “Do you really like him that much?”
The wind rattled the window. Girls on the bridge were releasing floating lanterns for blessings, illuminating the twilight sky.
Xie Subai wheeled himself forward, took the hairpin from her hand, brushed the frost flower on top with his sleeve, and inserted it into her bun, saying, “What if I disagree?”
“Lu’er, I truly don’t like him anymore.”
“You always find ways to trouble me.”
Xie Subai left.
Ji Yuluo sat quietly at the table for a long time before slowly coming back to her senses. She massaged her temples and sighed.
Whenever he said the last word, it meant he had agreed.
But he had only agreed to let her try. If Huo Xian insisted on defying, Xie Subai would not show mercy.
A boy on surveillance knocked on the door, “Miss, should I lock up?”
Ji Yuluo stretched her neck, easing her muscles, and responded, “Yes.” She pushed open the window. The noise had gradually subsided, no longer as lively as before. The hawker selling sugar figures downstairs had also stopped shouting. She leaned wearily on the windowsill, the night breeze cooling her anxieties.
Just as she was about to close the window, she glimpsed two figures slowly walking at the end of the street. Ji Yuluo was momentarily stunned and then looked closer. It was Xiao Yuanjing…
Behind him was a servant carrying a rabbit lantern, probably bought from a street vendor. They didn’t look like they were passing by on official business but rather strolling leisurely, enjoying the market.
When she looked down again, she saw a sneaky servant in the alley below. She squinted her eyes and couldn’t help but laugh. She stood up and went out.
Just as the boy was about to lock up, she said, “I have something to do. Make sure everything is taken care of. Remember to follow my daytime instructions closely; the capital is not like the south, be cautious.”
They all bowed and acknowledged.
Ji Yuluo then walked straight to the alley, grabbed the sneaky servant, and said with a smile, “You’ve been watching all day, must be tired. Come in for a cup of tea?”
—
As curfew approached, Huo Xian sat at the stone table under the wutong tree in the courtyard, feeding birds.
The red-feathered bird was clearly full, unwilling to open its beak. However, Huo Xian kept placing peanuts in its dish. The bird couldn’t resist and pecked at a few more, its belly growing rounder.
Nanyue couldn’t stand it anymore. He yawned and took the birdcage away. “Master…it’s almost stuffed to death.”
Nanny Liu, fanning away mosquitoes nearby, said, “You haven’t been home these past few days, and neither has the madam. The bed was untouched all night and she only returned at dawn. It’s not my place to speak, but a woman should keep her heart in the home. The madam is a decent person, but there are too many temptations outside.”
Huo Xian glanced at Nanny Liu, who coughed nervously. “My people just happened to pass by; they weren’t intentionally following…”
However, Ji Yuluo’s people were not easy to follow. They probably didn’t bother to confront them and just let them tag along on purpose.
He stood up and asked, “Which shop?”
Nanny Liu was shocked. “You want to go now? It’s on the other side of Lantern Bridge, on the east side of town. It’s a secluded shop and looks quite deserted.”
Nanyue also straightened up, slowly realizing the situation. His drowsiness vanished instantly.
But after taking only a few steps, they bumped into someone at the archway.
The person who had just returned raised an eyebrow slightly, “Where are you going?”
Before Huo Xian could speak, Nanyue excitedly replied, “To catch an adulterer!”
Nanny Liu slapped Nanyue on the arm, pulling him aside and scolding him in a low voice, “What nonsense are you spouting? You can’t say things like that!”
Ji Yuluo, seemingly thoughtful, said, “Oh, really?”
Huo Xian pulled her towards the wutong tree, and they both sat on the stone bench. He said, “I didn’t have anyone follow you.”
“I know.”
If Huo Xian had sent someone, he would have sent a clever Jinyiwei, not an inexperienced servant.
She teased the red-feathered bird in the cage and casually fed it the remaining peanuts from the dish. “How’s your matter going? Any progress?”
Huo Xian responded with an “Mm,” “Want to hear?”
Ji Yuluo asked, “Can’t say?”
Huo Xian patted his leg and looked at her.
Ji Yuluo understood and confidently sat down on his lap, smiling wryly, “Why trouble yourself, Master Huo?”
There was a hint of mockery in her tone.
Huo Xian had meant to tease her without any ulterior motives, but her words brought back memories from three days ago, so he had her sit back on the stone bench.
