Chapter 97

The windows and doors were shut tightly, sealing the room as though afraid even the faintest sound might escape.

After breakfast, Lady Gantang and Nan Yi sat alone in a room, both visibly uncomfortable. Lady Gantang tried to speak several times but didn’t know where to begin. She awkwardly sipped her tea repeatedly until the cup was nearly empty, yet no words came out.

Nan Yi wrung her hands in her sleeves so fiercely she almost started a fire, bowing her head like a child waiting to be scolded.

“Do you… have some kind of grievance?”

Nan Yi hadn’t expected this to be Lady Gantang’s opening line. She looked up at her in surprise, her face immediately flushing with heat.

Overwhelmed with shame—truly overwhelmed with shame.

If this were before, she might have had some excuse, but last night was nothing but mutual desire and a moment of reckless passion.

Lady Gantang added another line, as if to help her save face: “Were you perhaps… trying to gather some information?”

Nan Yi felt utterly humiliated. She even wished Lady Gantang would scold her outright or punish her, anything but this considerate approach.

Taking the easiest way out, Nan Yi nodded absentmindedly, her lie born out of sheer desperation. How else could she explain it? Only such an answer could barely preserve everyone’s dignity.

Lady Gantang visibly relaxed.

“When Elder Brother remarried and brought you into this household, it was a last resort. It was the Xie family’s failure to do right by you. If you wish to remarry, I won’t let anyone say a word against it. You’re free to come and go as you please in this household.”

“I don’t… have such thoughts right now,” Nan Yi’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz. “Let’s wait until the situation in the city stabilizes.”

Gan Tang Madam nodded thoughtfully and said with concern, “If you ever face any difficulties in the future, feel free to come to me—”

She paused for a moment, her tone becoming subtly distant.

“The Xie family upholds a clean and upright reputation. Even if Xie Que Shan is back, he cannot tarnish the values held by the entire family.”

Nan Yi understood.

Gan Tang Madam was reproaching Xie Que Shan, but she was also telling her that she could choose anyone freely—just not Xie Que Shan.

Even if she was merely the nominal daughter-in-law of the Xie family, she couldn’t violate societal ethics and decorum. This was Gan Tang Madam’s bottom line.

Those untamed, surging emotions, once laid bare, could only meet the fate of being utterly extinguished.

Nan Yi felt that she was now a step closer to being proper and upright, yet she also felt a certain emptiness within.

She walked away from Gan Tang Madam’s courtyard with slow, heavy steps. As she passed under the covered walkway, someone suddenly pulled her aside.

“What did Second Sister say to you? Did she reprimand you?”

Xie Que Shan was standing very close to her. Instinctively, Nan Yi took a step back.

“Why are you still at home?”

“I couldn’t rest easy knowing Second Sister called you over.”

Xie Que Shan now avoided no criticism at all. His tone was so familiar that it seemed like they were an old married couple chatting privately.

Nan Yi straightened herself and looked up at him, speaking earnestly, “What happened last night… let’s pretend it never happened. From now on, we shouldn’t bring it up, nor should we act that way again.”

Xie Que Shan frowned, sensing the distance in her words.

“The rules of Wangxuewu (Snowy Retreat) can’t bind me,” he replied.

“But Gan Tang Madam treats me very well. I can’t do something under her nose that would disgrace her.”

Xie Que Shan grew anxious and began speaking without thinking. “Haven’t I treated you well too?”

“What do you want, then?” Nan Yi retorted.

This one question made Xie Que Shan suddenly come to his senses, leaving him momentarily speechless.

He was merely resisting the feeling of Nan Yi distancing herself from him, but what exactly did he want?

That murky little thought in his mind wasn’t something he could say out loud.

Nan Yi added, “Didn’t you say it yourself? A man’s love for a woman is cheap, and a woman’s love for a man isn’t much nobler. It’s all just a fleeting whim, being blinded by lust, without any deeper meaning.”

Xie Que Shan’s gaze turned icy all at once. His face seemed calm, but he was already fuming internally.

This woman had such a ruthless heart. Last night, she had gazed at him with tenderness and affection, yet now—

His tone grew harsh: “There’s only one rule between us. Nothing else matters.”

But Nan Yi seemed completely unaffected, even sounding confident as she said, “But I know you’re an upright gentleman.”

Xie Que Shan: ?

Was she flattering him?

Yet, just like that, she put him on a pedestal, making it impossible for him to respond or retreat.

Nan Yi patted Xie Que Shan’s shoulder with exaggerated magnanimity, pretending to be wise and mature. “You’ve acted on impulse a few times. Let’s call it even.”

And then she walked away, head held high.

At the end of the covered walkway, Nan Yi felt an emptiness in her heart. She turned back to look, but Xie Que Shan was no longer there.

Hua Chao Pavilion. The sun was high in the sky.

Zhang Yuehui, lost in indulgence and revelry, rolled over in his sleep and fell off the chaise lounge along with his thin blanket.

Fully awake now, he rubbed his hungover head and pushed open the window.

Leaning against the window frame, he let the cool breeze flow in to clear his mind. Suddenly, something caught his eye, and his usually indifferent gaze sharpened slightly.

He lightly rang the bronze bell in the room, and soon a servant entered.

“Master,” the servant said.

Zhang Yuehui motioned for the servant to come closer, gave him a few instructions, and the servant quickly left.

Outside Hua Chao Pavilion, more and more covert operatives from the Hei Ya Camp (Black Crow Battalion) disguised themselves as travelers, passersby, or diners—all with the sole purpose of keeping an eye on Zhang Yuehui.

Lately, Zhang Yuehui’s most notable move had been his bold and public pursuit of Xie family’s widow. Coming from him, such behavior wasn’t surprising; in fact, it even seemed fitting. Perhaps this immensely wealthy merchant just had a preference for married women?

Since that day, Hua Chao Pavilion had been unusually quiet, with no significant movements.

The operatives thought they were well-concealed, but one day, a group of maidservants emerged from Hua Chao Pavilion, unerringly identifying all the disguised operatives. They handed each one exquisite tea and pastries, along with a message: “This is from the Master. Thank you for your hard work.”

The operatives were dumbfounded, unsure whether to accept the gesture or not.

Such tricks were no match for Zhang Yuehui’s keen eyes.

Afterwards, he bathed, burned incense, and prepared himself. He waited quietly in a private room, and sure enough, an uninvited guest appeared.

The visitor was a woman.

Zhang Yuehui hadn’t expected that the winds of Lidu Prefecture would bring her here as well.

She was a petite female Qi person, dressed in a crimson jacket with fur trim at the sleeves and collar, made of white fox fur. The attire made her appear both regal and striking. Her face had only a touch of makeup, but her deep brow bones paired with a pair of phoenix eyes lent her an air of allure. Her gaze, like a feather fan, seemed to brush lightly over one’s face, exuding a natural charm.

For once, Zhang Yuehui displayed a cautious demeanor. He stood up and respectfully saluted her.

“Your servant greets the Eldest Princess.”

This was Wan Yan Puruo, the current Eldest Princess of Qi, and the king’s own sister. Though she was a woman, and her appearance could even be described as sweet, her decisive and sharp methods were no less than those of any man. She held no official position in the court, yet she wielded influence over every decision in the Qi dynasty. The Hei Ya Camp, nominally led by Ya Jiu, ultimately answered to her.

In an instant, Zhang Yuehui pieced everything together.

When the Hei Ya Camp entered Lidu Prefecture, Wan Yan Puruo must have come along. The lack of progress in locating Prince Ling’an suggested a breakdown in coordination between Hu Sha and Wan Yan Jun. She must have arrived to sort out this mess.

She had always stayed hidden in the shadows, quietly observing every move in Lidu Prefecture. This made Zhang Yuehui uneasy—what had she already found out?

She and Zhang Yuehui were old acquaintances. His ability to swiftly integrate into the Qi people’s inner circles and grow his business exponentially was due in no small part to his connections with high-ranking officials. Among them, Wanyan Puruo had been Zhang Yuehui’s biggest patron in the Qi Kingdom.

She admired this merchant, believing that extraordinary times required unconventional talents. Many off-the-record tasks were entrusted to Zhang Yuehui, who always managed to deliver unexpected and impeccable results. However, ever since he moved south to Lidu Prefecture, her ability to monitor his movements had waned significantly.

This was one of the rare instances where Zhang Yuehui had to be on high alert. Neither Husha nor Wanyan Jun could interfere with the matters of Guilai Hall, but Wanyan Puruo was different. Much of his business had been built on wealth he had helped her amass, so she knew Guilai Hall inside and out.

Wanyan Puruo’s gaze scrutinized Zhang Yuehui from head to toe, as if peeling him apart. Then, leisurely, she sat down on the chaise. “Boss Zhang, have you made up your mind yet?”

Zhang Yuehui raised an eyebrow, feigning a look of relaxed confusion.

“Last time, I suggested you consider becoming my consort. Instead, you fled to Lidu Prefecture the very next day and stayed here for months without so much as sending me a message. What’s the matter? Do I look like a wild beast to you, making you avoid me like this?”

“Your Highness, the truth is…” Zhang Yuehui furrowed his brows and lowered his voice as though in pain. “I have… a hidden ailment.”

Zhang Yuehui was truly a man unafraid to say anything.

Wanyan Puruo wasn’t offended. She simply gave him a pitying look, glanced from his lower half to his handsome face, and sighed regretfully. “You should have told me earlier. I’ve been pining for you and even had a few… steamy dreams.”

Her tone was casual, devoid of any shyness. Clearly, she too was someone who spoke without restraint.

Suddenly, she seemed to think of something and asked, “Then how come you proposed to a widow?”

“While my body fails me, I do have… certain unspeakable proclivities,” Zhang Yuehui replied with a perfectly straight face.

Wanyan Puruo appeared to understand, nodding knowingly. “So that’s how it is. Well, if that’s the case, there’s no point discussing feelings. Let’s talk business instead.”

“Guilai Hall belongs entirely to you, Your Highness. Whatever you wish to know, simply say the word,” Zhang Yuehui answered obsequiously.

“You haven’t gotten involved in Lidu Prefecture’s affairs, have you?” Wanyan Puruo asked lazily, her raised eyebrow seeming flirtatious. Yet her words sent a chill down his spine.

Zhang Yuehui replied truthfully, “I have, quite extensively.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“I did indeed gather some intelligence and earned a fair bit from General Husha and Master Wanyan Jun. However, it seems there’s some discord between the two of them, which ultimately caused the mission to fail. Frankly, I bear some responsibility for this, and it’s been weighing on me.”

Zhang Yuehui knew he looked suspicious. Reflecting on the events, he realized that his involvement could easily be seen as sabotaging both sides.

It wasn’t entirely intentional on his part—he simply didn’t feel like exposing the truth.

Who in their right mind would spend all day scheming against their own people? Zhang Yuehui’s moral standards weren’t particularly high, but he still had a shred of conscience.

Thus, he subtly shifted the blame onto Husha and Wanyan Jun, ensuring they bore the brunt of it.

Wanyan Puruo said indifferently, “Whether it’s Husha or Wanyan Jun, they are both trusted ministers of the royal court. Their loyalties are beyond doubt. But in their actions… each has personal ambitions, which inevitably leads to mistakes. I’ve come here to investigate whether their errors are due to incompetence or manipulation by others.”

The subtext was clear to Zhang Yuehui.

Previously, he could remain uninvolved, staying above the fray and offering a detached perspective. Thanks to this position, he could see the bigger picture clearly. Several times, Xie Queshan and the Candle Bureau exploited the rivalry between Wanyan Jun and Husha, orchestrating schemes that allowed them to escape unscathed.

But now that Wanyan Puruo had arrived, this gap would soon be sealed.

Whatever the Candle Bureau tried next would become far more challenging. No wonder the efficiency of the Black Raven Corps in Lidu Prefecture had skyrocketed recently—there was a mastermind behind it all.

Initially, Zhang Yuehui could afford not to care. But with Nanyi involved in the Candle Bureau, he found himself unable to remain indifferent.

“In the past, I didn’t question your loyalties because I admired and trusted you. But now the situation has changed—” Wanyan Puruo gave him a slightly aggrieved look. “You need to pick a side and show me your allegiance.”

“Matters of the world are just transactions of interest. What’s the importance of allegiance?”

“That’s not enough. I’m not satisfied anymore.” Wanyan Puruo leaned in, draped an arm around Zhang Yuehui’s neck, and feigned coquettishness.

But this act of affection carried no warmth—only veiled menace.

Zhang Yuehui smiled faintly. “What choice is there? My heart is, of course, with you.”

His expression was flawless, but inwardly, he felt as if he were falling into an abyss. Zhang Yuehui knew he had no choice now but to step into the fray.

He had hoped to leave all this behind for Nanyi’s sake and escape the turmoil. But he was too late. At this moment, there was no longer any way to remain uninvolved.

“A man’s words…” Wanyan Puruo mused, “I normally wouldn’t trust them. But since you are dear to me, Boss Zhang, I’ll believe you this time.” She released him, her eyes narrowing to reveal a hint of coldness. “If you lie to me… hmm… I’ll make sure you die a miserable death. And the things you care about—”

Wanyan Puruo idly played with the incense burner on the table. Suddenly, she blew the ash directly into Zhang Yuehui’s face.

“Poof—reduced to nothing but ash.”