Baili Cheng’an looked at Qi Ming who visited late at night with slight surprise, “Senior Brother?”
Qi Ming, surrounded by a thick smell of alcohol, laughed when he heard this, “You haven’t called me Senior Brother for a long time.”
“Senior Brother has been studying abroad for many years, naturally it’s not easy to meet,” Baili Cheng’an stood at the courtyard gate, his expression as cold as frost.
“But now I’m back,” Qi Ming looked into his eyes, “Teacher specifically instructed me before he passed to take extra care of you, but now it seems Junior Brother has gained the Prince’s favor and official success, and doesn’t need my care. I just didn’t expect that Junior Brother who claims to be upright would end up just like me.”
Baili Cheng’an said coldly, “Senior Brother, you’re drunk.”
“I’m not drunk,” Qi Ming grabbed the doorframe and said softly, “Do you think the Prince of Danyang is someone easy to deal with? He might even be slightly more capable than His Majesty. Don’t end up making wedding clothes for others in the end.”
“It’s not our place to judge the Prince,” Baili Cheng’an said, “I only see that the Prince works for the country and the people, that’s enough.”
“Why do you always have to go against me!” Qi Ming’s voice suddenly rose, “It was like this ten years ago, and it’s the same now in the assembly hall!”
“I only follow what’s in my heart,” Baili Cheng’an said, “If it can save Great Liang, I’m willing to die.”
Qi Ming was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, “Wenbin, listen to yourself, what’s the point of saying that?”
“Qi Ming, you were by Teacher’s side when he passed away, I’m grateful for that, which is why I called you Senior Brother,” Baili Cheng’an’s gaze turned cold.
“Baili Cheng’an, search your heart, how did I treat you in the past?” Qi Ming patted his chest, laughing self-mockingly, “Yes, I know you despise how I curry favor and play both sides, you think it’s beneath our dignity, but what about now? Look at us, both brothers have entered the cabinet, and the Prince even values me more! You waited painstakingly until Teacher died to have a chance to transfer to the capital, but I’ve been back in the capital for just a short year and already matched your ten years of diligent service. I was never inferior to you!”
Baili Cheng’an closed his eyes briefly, “Senior Brother, Teacher said your talent was not inferior to mine, and you were more suited for officialdom than me.”
“Ha, that was just to comfort me,” Qi Ming sneered, “In Teacher’s heart, you were always his pride and joy. His final words to me were all about you. He never truly saw me! You’re the same, acting so noble!”
“If you came just to say these things, please leave,” Baili Cheng’an’s eyes showed traces of annoyance as he raised his hand to close the door.
“Wenbin!” Qi Ming suddenly grabbed his hand, “You can’t defeat the noble families! Why must you seek your own death? Just listen to Senior Brother this once!”
“Qi Ming!” Baili Cheng’an shouted coldly, “Let go!”
“You should know my intentions!” Qi Ming pulled him outward, causing Baili Cheng’an to stumble and grab the doorframe for support.
The next second, the person who wouldn’t let go was kicked away heavily by someone.
“Long Xiang, come back,” Baili Cheng’an called to stop the person who was about to draw his sword.
Long Xiang gave Qi Ming a cold look, sheathed his sword, and returned to stand behind Baili Cheng’an.
“Qi Ming, you’re drunk today, so I won’t hold this against you,” Baili Cheng’an stood at the door looking at him expressionlessly, “If you speak out of turn again, don’t blame me for being discourteous.”
Qi Ming struggled to get up from the ground, seeming to have been kicked half-sober, but his eyes were still somewhat clouded as he said softly, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll make your matters public and completely end your official career?”
Upon hearing this, Long Xiang immediately drew his sword and held it to his throat.
“Long Xiang,” Baili Cheng’an called out sharply. Long Xiang glared at Qi Ming through gritted teeth, not pressing harder but also not withdrawing his sword.
“I, Baili Cheng’an, have acted with integrity. Even if my official career ends, I’ll have no regrets! Long Xiang, come back.” With that, he turned and entered the courtyard.
Long Xiang gave Qi Ming a look of disgust, swiftly sheathed his sword, and turned to leave.
The courtyard gate slammed shut in front of Qi Ming.
Qi Ming stood at the door for a long while, half-drunk and half-awake, before hazily walking away, his mind seemingly not in this world.
On the rooftop, Wang Dian was freezing cold while Chong Heng, holding his sword, asked puzzledly, “You spiked Qi Ming’s wine with Immortal Wine just to watch him act drunk?”
Wang Dian pulled his sleeves together, his eyes showing what might have been regret, disappointment, or perhaps just pure pity, “Yes, I wanted to see.”
“Just as boring as Master,” Chong Heng was unsatisfied with Wang Dian’s simple request for help, but couldn’t help asking curiously, “So what did you figure out?”
“They say true friends are hard to find,” Wang Dian turned his head with a smile, “That saying is very true.”
Chong Heng was bewildered.
“Keep a close watch on Qi Ming, I want to know his every move,” Wang Dian patted his shoulder, “Don’t think about stealing any Immortal Wine, your master will kill you if he finds out.”
Chong Heng responded with an “oh.”
Back at the palace, he pulled his sleeves together, the cold blocked out by the thick cloak, as he slowly climbed the steps leading to the discussion hall, one step at a time.
How ruthless you are, Wang Dian, to scheme against even friends.
He had never planned to move against the noble families now.
The day’s events in the discussion hall were a grand play he had orchestrated, showing his determination to immediately eliminate the noble families. The more resolute his stance, the more panicked they would become; the more silent he remained, the more uncertain they became. Everyone in their seats had become pieces on his chessboard, and every word, every subtle expression and reaction was captured in his eyes.
As expected, most were opposed, but some seemingly clever words instead made Wang Dian suspicious of Qi Ming, and after testing him with the Immortal Wine-spiked drink, Wang Dian became certain.
However, he hadn’t expected Qi Ming to repeatedly warn him of danger.
Even though he had discovered the truth, he couldn’t scrape up even a bit of pleasure from the bottom of his heart.
What was more tragic was that he couldn’t find any sadness or anger either. The moment he confirmed the results, his mind was filled only with thoughts of how to use Qi Ming to expose those behind him and completely eliminate the threat at its root.
He had become someone who trusted no one.
Just a few months ago, they were still engaged in grand discussions, drinking together until dawn.
The grand doors of the discusssion hall were right before him. Wang Dian stopped his steps and turned to look back. In the twilight, the towering and fierce palace seemed endless, openly yet silently devouring certain things.
Under power, ambition and desire would be infinitely magnified.
He could not become an exception either.
Yun Fu came forward to greet him, taking the cloak from his hands, “Your Highness.”
“Keep a close watch on Bian Yunxin and Tan Yishuang,” Wang Dian lowered his gaze, taking the wet cloth handed by Yu Ying, and methodically wiped his fingers while looking down, “Find something to keep Chong Heng occupied, don’t let him keep running to Kangning Palace.”
“Yes.”
