Chapter 157: Conspiracy Within the Window

Night was falling, and outside the world was veiled in a hazy dusk.

She stood by the window, staring blankly at the courtyard, where the lamps had yet to be lit. That Lady Luqi truly troubled her. At first glance, she seemed merely a delicate, charming beauty, but… what exactly was Zuo Qiu Liye plotting?

Unfortunately, she had been unable to hear any more of their conversation, and the uncertainty left her deeply uneasy.

Moreover, she had always assumed that Zuo Qiu Liye and Elder Yue would meet in Taixi. She had never imagined that they would rendezvous at this inn. Since Zuo Qiu Liye was not going to Taixi, where would he take her instead?

She rubbed her forehead, troubled for a moment.

Her gaze drifted unconsciously toward the window. Something flashed briefly across her eyes.

In the Yuntian Pavilion of the inn, sandalwood incense curled through the air. Upon an ancient zither, a pair of slender, nimble hands moved gracefully, while the delicate notes seemed to tell a story in a soft, unhurried voice.

Within the fragrant smoke, the face of a beauty appeared and disappeared like a vision. Her bright eyes were as clear as water, and a sweet smile curved her lips, making her resemble an oriole singing merrily.

“Lady Luqi’s zither playing grows more exquisite by the day. I wonder what Your Highness thinks?” Yue Chengxi looked toward Zuo Qiu Liye across from him. He sipped his tea and asked as though in passing.

“I did not come here to listen to music.” Zuo Qiu Liye glanced at him, a probing light in his eyes. “I have yet to ask you about Gongsun Linger, and you already have the leisure to discuss refinement with me.”

“Is Your Highness here to call me to account?” Yue Chengxi smiled faintly, apparently untroubled by the accusation in his words. “I too have found the matter of the young mistress exceedingly troublesome. But Your Highness knows her temperament better than anyone. I am merely an elder—how could I possibly control her thoughts?”

“Oh?” At those words, a hint of danger entered Zuo Qiu Liye’s seemingly careless tone. “I believed that, at the very least, she would be standing safely at your side. Have I overestimated Elder Yue’s abilities, or have you failed the task I entrusted to you?”

“I would not dare.” Yue Chengxi hurriedly rose and bowed respectfully. “It is true that I mishandled the matter. However, the young mistress has devoted herself entirely to the King of Ji. This time, she even committed a grave error, damaging Your Highness’s reputation. The King of Ji was enraged and therefore had her seized.”

“You need not tell me what kind of person she is. But is this the extent of your ability?”

“One must preserve some strength in order to contend with Ji, Your Highness.” Yue Chengxi continued smiling. It was not an irritating smile, however.

“It does seem that Elder Yue handled the matter poorly, allowing our young mistress to be captured by Ji. Yet I believe his words are not without reason. With wars breaking out one after another, we must not lose sight of the greater picture over a minor issue.” Lady Luqi rose from beside the zither and walked to Yue Chengxi’s side, speaking with great seriousness.

At that moment, Lady Luqi seemed like an entirely different person. The lively innocence of the young woman she had been moments earlier was gone, replaced by wisdom and composure.

“Heh.” Zuo Qiu Liye suddenly laughed, though no one could tell what his amusement meant. He lifted a cup of tea. “The two of you sing in perfect harmony. Have you thought of a way to make amends?”

“Ji has already advanced its armies toward Taixi. It is time we let them learn the extent of our strength.” Lady Luqi’s voice held none of a woman’s simple innocence. It was harsh and resolute. She resembled a female general clad in armor, an ominous ruthlessness radiating from her.

“If Lady Luqi goes to Taixi, she will surely be able to hold them back for some time on Your Highness’s behalf. In addition, the young mistress’s safety will be assured.” Yue Chengxi seemed to have absolute confidence in Lady Luqi.

“You have finally come to the real subject.” Zuo Qiu Liye appeared somewhat interested. He waved for them to sit, then leaned back in his chair, revealing a trace of languor.

Outside, night descended over the world. Lamps had been lit in the courtyard, yet not a single person could be seen there. It was so quiet that the whole place seemed asleep.

Blood Snow leaned against the window, concealed upon the low stones beneath it. Her black clothing blended with the vegetation growing below the sill, making her so still that no one could detect her. As she listened to the conversation within, she could not help pondering.

What was Lady Luqi’s true background? How could she give Elder Yue such confidence?

The Shadow Pavilion of Wu was responsible for all matters conducted in secret throughout the Kingdom of Wu. Moreover, Wu had practiced for generations the arts that other nations condemned as sorcery. The Shadow Pavilion was therefore an extraordinary existence.

Lady Luqi, meanwhile, appeared to be an elder of the Shadow Pavilion—and one with considerable authority. From that alone, it was clear that her abilities could not be underestimated.

With that thought, Blood Snow continued to lie in wait, hoping to hear what else they might say.

But the voices inside suddenly ceased, as though everything she had heard before had merely been her own conjecture.

She steadied her mind. As the saying went: when the enemy does not move, neither should one.

She was leaning against the window when something seemed to shoot toward her. Instinctively, she turned her head. At that very moment, a willow-leaf throwing blade flew past her ear, and a lock of hair drifted gently to the ground.

It was one of Zuo Qiu Liye’s hidden weapons!

Yet while an open spear could be avoided, a concealed arrow was difficult to guard against. Several more weapons followed close behind. One grazed her arm, leaving a shallow mark.

Without time to think, she hurried away and returned to her room.

“Someone was eavesdropping?” Seeing the several holes pierced through the window, Yue Chengxi belatedly understood. A gentle, playful amusement appeared at the corners of his lips.

“How could that be?” Lady Luqi seemed unconvinced. If someone had been listening, how could she have failed to notice?

Zuo Qiu Liye had already reached the window. He pushed it open and examined the area carefully. Suddenly, he reached down and lifted a strand of hair caught upon the climbing vines beneath the sill. The smile at the corners of his mouth froze.

“Who could be so bold? Could it be remnants of the Crown Prince’s faction? After all these years, they still refuse to give up. Perhaps we should make their deaths sufficiently painful and eradicate them completely…”

“Lady Luqi, His Highness has most likely already made his decision.” Yue Chengxi stepped forward. There was always something faintly malicious in his smile. “In that case, Your Highness, we shall not disturb you while you attend to official matters. Leave the affairs of Taixi to us without concern…”

Zuo Qiu Liye stood by the window, twisting the strand of hair between his fingers. His hand slowly tightened until his knuckles turned a vicious white.

Yue Chengxi was the first to leave the Yuntian Pavilion. Lady Luqi seemed to understand something as well and followed him out.

“Elder Yue, stop speaking in riddles. What exactly is going on?” She stood before him. Her lovely face should have been as pure and cheerful as a singing bird’s, yet it now held a trace of gloom.

“You have already guessed, have you not? What else could make His Highness behave so strangely, apart from Winter Snow?”

“I thought it was merely a rumor. I never imagined His Highness had truly lost his heart to that woman.” She had heard, more or less, from the Shadow Pavilion about the foolish things His Highness had done for that blind girl, yet she still found it unbelievable.

Could the wise and brilliant ruler truly be ensnared by love?

“You do not appear angry, jealous, or even sad, Lady Luqi.” Yue Chengxi asked with some curiosity.

“You, on the other hand, seem rather disappointed, Elder Yue.” Lady Luqi met his gaze openly. “That is your one failing. You should be a presence as gentle as moonlight, yet sometimes you become the other side of the moon. You wait in dark corners to watch the spectacle, but never take part in it.”

“Lady Luqi…” Yue Chengxi’s expression stiffened slightly.

“It must be unpleasant to have someone see through you. So do not casually speculate about another person’s thoughts, and do not boldly announce it when you happen to guess their feelings correctly. That is my advice to you, Elder Yue.” Lady Luqi gave him a radiant smile. “I am going to rest. Make yourself at home.”

She cast him a meaningful glance, then turned and swept away.

“The dark corners?” He watched her retreating figure, the meaning of his smile impossible to discern. “Advice?”

Meanwhile, Blood Snow quickly returned to her room. She changed out of the garment with the torn sleeve. Once she removed her outer robe, she saw that a little blood had stained the white undergarment beneath it.

The wound on her arm was only shallow, but it had still bled quite a bit.

Fortunately, it had begun to clot. She slowly changed into another set of clothes, moving carefully and without the slightest haste.

Zuo Qiu Liye had not sent guards after her. He must have known it was she. Therefore, she truly had no need to hurry. He would certainly give her enough time to prepare—to prepare for how she would deal with him.

At last, she had finished tidying herself. She tossed the clothes she had changed out of onto the bed, making no attempt to conceal them.

A moment later, footsteps stopped outside her door. At the head of the group was Zuo Qiu Liye.

“Little Snow, are you asleep?” His voice was gentle, as though he did not wish to disturb her pleasant dreams.

Blood Snow did not answer. She stood by the window, looking out at the brightly lit courtyard.

A table had been set in the courtyard. Beautiful wine cups and jars were arranged upon it one after another, while several small plates of pastries seemed to exist merely as decoration.

At last, the door was pushed softly open.

“Since you are awake, keep me company for a few cups of wine.”

“If Your Highness insists.” Blood Snow looked at him, her gaze indifferent.

He had never given her the chance to say no. So if she wanted an opportunity, she would have to create one herself.

The two sat facing each other. The faint fragrance of wine carried the fresh scent of bamboo, making it seem as though they were deep within a moonlit bamboo grove—secluded and tranquil.

Zuo Qiu Liye personally picked up the slender wine jar and poured her a cup.

“This is Wu’s distinctive bamboo-blossom wine. I wonder what flavor you will find in it.”

“Some wines are light and fragrant, some mellow and rich, and some fiery and potent. But when all is said and done, they are still wine. To those who love it, each is a treasure. To those who do not drink, they are merely water to be scorned. And to those who dislike wine, it is the source of sin, a form of corruption…”

Under cover of the night, she too felt a trace of melancholy rising within her.

“It is only a few cups of wine. Why must you judge it so absolutely, Little Snow? Or are you afraid I might do something to you?”

“Why speak in riddles, Your Highness? Would it not be more convenient to say it plainly?”

She lifted the cup and brought it close to her nose, inhaling its fragrance. It was certainly the kind of wine any woman would adore.

No wonder Yu Bufan had come up with the foolish idea of borrowing wine from Wu. No wonder Princess Luyi loved wine so dearly.

A hearty laugh came from beside her.

“The way you smell wine is rather similar to hers. It is quite amusing…”