As if sensing the hostility in his eyes, Gao Dashan shifted his feet slightly, blocking his view.
"How is it?" the person on the other side of the wall asked.
"It's nothing." Ignoring the burly man in front of him, Shangguan looked down until the person involved confirmed it before looking away.
"It's just a minor injury," Wei Zhuofeng said.
"Alliance Leader, there's no need for thanks. If it weren't for the stone hitting the hilt and slowing down the blade, I wouldn't have had time to catch it."
As he spoke, Wei Zhuofeng gripped his injured right hand tightly, making no mention of how he had also been hit by the stone.
"Someone came to our aid. Who could it be?" On the other side of the wall, Yu Zigui seemed to be deep in thought.
"The capital is full of hidden talents, and it's not impossible that there are reclusive masters among the common people." His dark eyes slowly shifted away, revealing the warmth of spring again. Shangguan sat back down by the wall and said softly, "Are you still holding on? You must have already gone to sleep by now last night."
Whether the speaker meant it or not, the listener certainly took it to heart.
Upon hearing this, Wei Zhuofeng's face paled slightly. "The Alliance Leader doesn't live in the government office?"
"A government office?" Yu Zigui asked in surprise.
"If officials do not have private residences, they may stay overnight at government offices. Doesn't the alliance leader know this?"
"So officials do get benefits after all."
Hearing her sigh, it was clear she had completely missed the point. Wei Zhuofeng couldn't help but feel annoyed, and his tone became stern.
"There is an ancient saying that children under seven should not sit at the same table or eat from the same utensils. Although people in the martial arts world are not bound by such formalities, as a subject, the leader of the alliance should still be more cautious."
Behind the wall, Yu Zigui was slightly taken aback.
Was he her father or her mother? Even if he was, all he ever taught her was to pounce on anyone she found attractive. All that talk about not sitting at the same table or sharing the same utensils made it sound like she was some promiscuous widow, Miao Shijiu.
He felt slightly displeased, but said nothing, only listening to Shangguan Dao.
"Young Master Zhuofeng is right. Zigui is already engaged, so we should be more cautious with others."
Not only her, but even the person on the other side of the wall was speechless.
Is Zigui tiring?
Her face felt hot, and she responded.
"The Five City Commandery is built facing north, so it's colder than other places. Just take a nap, but don't fall asleep."
On the other end, Wei Zhuofeng sized up Shangguan. He heard him speak softly, but his dark eyes, fixed on him, suddenly became slightly serious.
This person is like the moon; seemingly gentle, yet radiating a cool, aloof light.
Wei Zhuofeng thought to himself.
Perhaps because of the wall separating them, Yu Zigui's voice sounded muffled, adding a touch of coquettishness to its indistinctness. Shangguan smiled slightly, the coldness in her eyes lessening, replaced by a gentle, warm glow like the spring moon.
Hearing such intimate whispers, he couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness.
Bitter?
Wei Zhuofeng suddenly snapped out of his daze, puzzled by the two words in his mind.
"Third Young Master?"
Seeing that Gao Dashan had misinterpreted his expression as one of unbearable internal injuries, Wei Zhuofeng gave him a sharp look. "How did you discover the Alliance Leader during the Great Exorcism just now?"
Upon hearing this, Gao Dashan was taken aback. "Dashan only has eyes for the Third Young Master."
The mountain only had eyes for him, but he saw Yu Zigui. He didn't understand, he didn't understand…
The answer was almost obvious to him, but he subconsciously avoided it, while his previous memories became clearer and clearer.
The crowd was immense. He sat in his own decorated tent, and a dark blue flowing robe caught his eye. It was a color slightly deeper than blue, yet more elegant. Young girls wouldn't choose this color, for they couldn't bring out its understated charm; older women wouldn't choose it either, fearing it would dull their already fading beauty. Yet, this elegant but awkwardly suggestive dark blue looked absolutely stunning on her.
Delicate silver threads outlined her dress, like moonlight bathing her, captivating all who looked away. Not only were they unable to look away, but everyone's gaze was irresistibly drawn to her.
Her striking presence made him suspect the person who gave her the clothes had ulterior motives, as if they were afraid someone wouldn't recognize her in the vast crowd.
Thinking of this, Wei Zhuofeng frowned, his expression turning cold and stern.
At some point, all sound gradually fell silent, both inside and outside the wall; the person on the other side seemed to be asleep. Shangguan Yi sat leaning against the wall, her dark eyes looking over with a half-smile.
"Was the leader's brocade robe a gift from Young Master Shangguan?" Wei Zhuofeng asked.
"Yes," Shangguan answered without a moment's hesitation.
"did you know--"
"I know." As if guessing what he was going to ask, Shangguan replied before he could finish speaking.
Why?
She glanced at him indifferently. Shangguan leaned against the wall, as if asking her to protect him. He smiled slightly. "Being in the public eye is the only way to avoid being framed."
Frame someone? What is this person implying?
Wei Zhuofeng glared at him.
"Young Master Zhuofeng, is your return to the capital truly solely for recuperating from your injuries?"
Wei Zhuofeng's eyebrows twitched slightly, and this subtle expression immediately caught Shangguan's eye.
"Indeed, that person's health has truly affected both the martial arts world and the imperial court, and only she is so devoted to protecting her own people."
As if he could see that person, Shangguan Yi's gaze towards the wall was extremely gentle. After a while, he withdrew his gaze, and his eyes regained their clear, cold light.
"The world is about to change, isn't it?"
The clouds obscured the moon, casting a dark shadow over the Forbidden City.
The three main halls of the outer court were brightly lit. Today was the winter solstice and also the current emperor's birthday, so many dignitaries gathered for the palace banquet. Not only the princes of the Zhu family from all directions, but even vassal states like Ryukyu and Korea sent people to offer their congratulations.
The twelve demons, played by palace maids, wore tall hats and gilded masks. Their every move was graceful and exquisite, lacking the rough and tumble spirit of folk exorcists but possessing more of the carefully rehearsed aristocratic elegance. With just a slight raise of his hand, the tenth demon, playing Huang Lang, suddenly flew up, spun several times in the air, and landed heavily.
"Chase them away!"
The ministers, slightly tipsy, uttered words that reeked of alcohol.
With the grandeur of a great bell, the musicians gracefully played the "Twelve Faces Eating Ghosts Song."
"In this prosperous era of the Celestial Empire, the King of Joseon wishes His Majesty peace, harmony, and longevity."
The Korean dress was a reform of the Great Wei dynasty. When officials came to pay homage, they would lift the crimson-painted apron at their waists and kneel and kowtow three times and nine times before the golden curtain in the palace.
After waiting for a long time, no sound came from the seat of honor. The North Korean official, his eyes darting around, slightly raised his head and peered through the curtain.
Joseon bordered both the Northern Barbarians and the Great Wei, and had to submit to both, trying to please both sides, making it a precarious situation. Hearing that the Great Wei emperor was unwell, the Joseon king sent several officials under the pretext of offering birthday greetings, hoping to seize an opportunity.
If the Great Wei is not good, then they will turn to the Northern Barbarians.
This morning's ceremony at the Circular Mound Altar was not to be observed by foreign officials; they could only hear about it from afar. They will only be able to see him in person during the Emperor's birthday celebrations tonight.
You only get one chance.
The North Korean official lowered his body, peering through the gap between the golden curtain and the ground, then slowly raised his head. Just as he was about to see the throne, the corner of Daozheng's red robe flashed into view.
"Didn't you hear His Majesty's summons?" Ji Junze rebuked.
The eunuch in charge of relaying the order was very perceptive and immediately knelt down facing the golden curtain.
"This servant deserves to die, this servant deserves to die! This servant was so distracted by the Nuo dance that I forgot to give the order. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
There was still no word from behind the curtain. The Korean official, kneeling on the ground, was filled with doubt when he heard an angry shout: "You dog slave, go to the eunuch's office and get your punishment!"
It is His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Wei.
Since this Emperor Yu-woo, he has represented North Korea at numerous audiences, and his voice is never mistaken.
"Guards, bring wine."
His Majesty's voice was somewhat weak, but that was probably because it was drowned out by the sound of drums and music. This Mid-Autumn Festival, His Majesty also specially hosted a banquet for some of the foreign officials stationed in the capital. At that time, both host and guests enjoyed themselves, and His Majesty showed no signs of illness.
Indeed, the Emperor of Wei was in his prime, at the height of his life, so why would he suddenly fall ill?
Thinking to himself, he cursed the Northern Di people for their treacherous instigation, then knelt down and kowtowed again, offering the imperial wine with both hands.
"Foreign minister, I thank you for your kindness."
"Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Trembling, the North Korean official wiped the cold sweat from his brow and carefully withdrew.
As if holding it in for a long time, a muffled cough came from behind the curtain. Ji Jun intentionally or unintentionally stood in front of the golden curtain, trying to block out the cough, but this action unexpectedly drew the glare of the chief minister Zheng.
Old fool, still thinking about vying for favor at a time like this!
Ji Jun snorted coldly.
"What time is it?" came a whisper from behind the curtain.
"Your Majesty, it's almost midnight," Ji Junze turned and bowed.
"Is that Minister Ji?"
"Yes." Ji Junze was taken aback, then answered.
Did Your Majesty only recognize him now? Is it because he hasn't had an audience with Your Majesty for a long time and has become forgetful, or is Your Majesty no longer able to recognize anyone?
Whatever the reason, it was an ominous sign for him.
“It’s getting late, Your Majesty, please retire for the night. You can leave this to this old minister.” Giving him a disapproving look, Chief Minister Zheng stepped forward.
"Is Xianmei outside the curtain?" (Zheng Ming, courtesy name Xianmei)
This question from Ji Jun almost confirms that His Majesty now identifies people by their voices, and probably can't see them clearly.
"Your Majesty, it is indeed your old minister."
"Come in."
"Your subject obeys the decree." Chief Minister Zheng smiled obsequiously, gave him a smug look, and walked behind the curtain.
He couldn't hear what His Majesty was saying to that old dog, but he knew that the center of power was excluding him.
Ji Aiqing, Xianmei, though only a difference in title, is enough to show the Emperor's favor.
As he pondered this, he saw the golden curtains clashing together, revealing a small gap, and the throne was now empty.
Ji Jun's eyes flickered as he looked at Zheng Ming.