Chapter 67: Three Months Later

Chapter 67: Three Months Later

Li Zhiming came down from the city gate tower, pulled his robes tighter, and prepared to return to the mansion.

"Lord Li."

Someone called out to him from behind.

The voice sounded somewhat familiar.

Li Zhiming looked toward the source of the sound. A scholarly-looking man sat in a sedan chair, and upon seeing him, got out with a look of delighted surprise.

"Su Yi?"

"Yes, it's me." Su Yi brushed off his robes and made a respectful bow with clasped hands. "Su Yi pays his respects to Lord Li. I didn't expect to run into you on the very day I returned to the capital. I was planning to rest up and then call on you."

Li Zhiming noted his travel-worn look—the sedan bearers and attendants, too, seemed to have come a long way, their expressions somewhat weary.

"No need for such formality. You just got back?"

"Yes."

"What a lucky coincidence."

"Would Lord Li do me the honor of sitting down for a chat over drinks tomorrow?"

"That sounds great."

Su Yi beamed and invited Li Zhiming into his carriage to travel back together, filling him in on his own story along the way.

Back then, after leaving the Li mansion, Su Yi had followed his gut and the clues to other places.

If his hunch was right, his sister had already been killed.

Maybe because he'd braced himself, he didn't fall apart. Instead, he grew even more driven and hardworking. When the spring imperial exams came the next year, he passed with flying colors and was posted to a provincial post.

At the time, Li Zhiming was bogged down with all sorts of affairs and had no mind for the outside world—let alone the fact that he was already drowning in rumors and hated the outside noise even more.

Su Yi had come by several times but was turned away at the door, told Li Zhiming had no time.

Though Su Yi never said who'd stopped him, Li Zhiming could guess—it had to be that creep Sang Yu, who kept him cooped up day and night, treating him like a pet.

He'd originally wanted to kill Su Yi, so he sure as hell wouldn't let them meet.

"Lord Li, do you remember what you taught me that day? I've kept every word close to my heart. Now that I'm an official, I'll serve the country, the emperor, and the people, and be a pillar of the state."

His eyes sparkled, and his youthful fire was as strong as ever.

That's great.

Li Zhiming was no longer the man he used to be. He nodded, a little helplessly. "You're right. Serve the sovereign and the people."

But what about Sang Yu?

Why had he come back all of a sudden? Was it for his people?

Su Yi noticed his distraction, and a fleeting, bizarre image flashed through his bright eyes before being quickly suppressed. Without realizing it, the image of Sang Yu surfaced in his mind.

A cool, aloof young man, with a chill and detachment unlike anyone else.

*

Su Yi's return breathed new life into Li Zhiming's days, and even the shadow of Sang Yu's absence slowly faded, as if things had settled back into a new normal.

And yet, something still felt off.

Ever since he'd woken up in this world, he'd been tangled up with this guy, Sang Yu.

Whether he liked it or not, every little thing in his life here was tied to Sang Yu—as if he'd come to this world because of Sang Yu in the first place.

Why?

He didn't know.

Li Zhiming thought back to the death loop he'd pieced together. As a true modern person, he'd never faced real hardship, let alone death.

He thought he had strong mental fortitude, but Sang Yu was the one who'd killed him over and over.

He didn't think he could stay calm around his killer—let alone live with him day and night, sharing a bed.

But that's exactly what he'd done, wasn't it?

Li Zhiming came back from Su Yi's place and didn't go out again. He paid his respects to his parents, dropped by to see his sister, and then headed back to his own courtyard to rest.

"Feng Yin, tell me—why does this tree keep shaking?"

He stared at the tree in the courtyard.

Feng Yin looked up at the sky, thinking his master seemed a bit off his rocker, but didn't dare contradict him. He could only go along with it: "Maybe it's the wind. When it blows, the tree sways."

"I see. So if there were no wind, the tree wouldn't shake?"

"..."

"People are the same way. Without a reason, they wouldn't do things. Some people are dead set on doing certain things—is it because they have to, for some reason?"

"..."

Thanks, I'm lost.

Feng Yin scratched his head, trying hard to think of something to agree with, but couldn't find a way to jump in. He ended up just sitting there like a clueless student.

Three months flew by in a flash.

The political situation at court gradually settled down. The Second Prince, who'd been lying low for years, started to show his teeth.

Meanwhile, the ever-gentle and polite Third Prince had been quietly rallying the Crown Prince's old supporters since the hunting trip, gaining a lot of backing.

Those two were the main contenders.

There was still the Fifth Prince, young and just a kid. His mother had ambitions, but with weak support and a son too young, he was no threat to the two older princes.

Funny enough, the Crown Prince and Fourth Prince, who'd been the most prominent, were the first to die.

But as an outsider, Li Zhiming couldn't care less about these royal matters. His father, though, cared a whole lot—his worrying almost rivaled the emperor's.

He'd figured it out by now: the Old Prime Minister was just a loyal minister who loved to worry. Even at home, his mind was still on the court and the country, way more than on his own family.

Whenever the Old Prime Minister gave a lecture, Li Zhiming would listen quietly without a word.

Until he heard about Nanxun from his father's own mouth.

"Today, an envoy from Nanxun reported that a riot has broken out in the Nanxun capital. After Young Master Yu returned, he and the King of Nanxun, father and son, have come to blows, locked in bitter conflict. Civil war seems imminent."

Li Zhiming's ears pricked up, listening more intently than usual.

The Old Prime Minister, not noticing his son's unusual expression, continued, "With Young Master Yu's departure, he is likely in grave danger. His Majesty is deeply concerned and plans to send someone to his aid."

At this point, the Old Prime Minister finally looked up at his good-for-nothing son: "You're not a kid anymore. You should pay more attention to state affairs. If you can ease His Majesty's worries, your official career will surely be smooth."

"Yes, Father."

Li Zhiming nodded obediently and asked, "May I ask whom His Majesty plans to send?"

"You."

"Me?"

Li Zhiming was shocked.

The Old Prime Minister stroked his beard, sighed, and shook his head: "His Majesty said that Sang Yu has repeatedly mentioned and praised you before him, suggesting a close relationship between you. If you go, perhaps you might offer some counsel."

Li Zhiming was taken aback, and amid his trepidation, a thread of relief and anticipation unexpectedly welled up within him.

He found himself somewhat looking forward to going to Nanxun.

"Also," the Old Prime Minister added, "your abilities are insufficient, so you'll need someone to accompany you. I have petitioned the throne for the rising star Su Yi to accompany you.

He is resourceful and has made significant contributions in Yunzhou and Fanzhou—a rare talent. With no leading general in the court at present, the two of you will lead a few military officers on this mission. Just bring the man back safely."

His Majesty only wants him safe; nothing else matters.

Perhaps it's a matter of blood ties.

The Old Prime Minister was aware of the inside story, but what he didn't know was that his son had learned of Sang Yu's identity even earlier than he had.