TNIBFT -Chapter 137 A Nightly Journey, Different Each Time

Left Chancellor?

Lin Ronghua’s eyes flickered, a murderous glint flashing across them.

During the past five years, while His Majesty lay in a coma, the Left and Right Chancellors had each operated independently, vying for power openly and covertly. Lin Ronghua was certain this latest scheme was the work of the Left Chancellor.

Anger surged within him as he began calculating how to retaliate.

Suddenly, a thought struck him. Lin Ronghua looked up at Qin Fengyi and slowly said, “Your Majesty, the troops and provisions in Daliang have been frequently moved lately. I fear there may be some ulterior motive.”

Qin Fengyi, half-asleep and seemingly indifferent, replied, “This matter is up to you, minister.”

Lin Ronghua’s face brightened subtly. After waking from her long slumber, Qin Fengyi seemed like a completely different person.

No longer sharp and cutting, she now resembled a once-pristine blade, dulled by dust. Where she once couldn’t tolerate even a speck of sand in her eyes, she now regarded both major and minor matters with faint interest. The phrase she uttered most often was: “This matter is up to you, minister.”

Could it be that her physical condition limited her movements, causing her to give up entirely?

That would actually work to his advantage.

As he prepared to leave, Lin Ronghua reminded the nearby young eunuch, “Take utmost care of His Majesty. If anything happens, send someone to inform me immediately.”

“His Majesty is the Heaven of Dazhou; nothing must go wrong,” the eunuch replied earnestly.

Qin Fengyi nodded repeatedly, pretending to rise to thank the Right Chancellor.

The two played their parts perfectly, appearing touching and sincere.

Loyal ministers and wise rulers—a scene worthy of legend.

Once Lin Ronghua departed, Qin Fengyi’s face changed immediately.

The young eunuch whispered, “Those two old foxes—dog bites dog. Only then can we breathe a little easier.”

“Prepare the night clothes. I’m going out again tonight.”

Qin Fengyi rose. Her figure was slender and lean, yet upright and poised; no one would guess anything was amiss.

The young eunuch, Xiao Gaozi, hurriedly stepped forward, tense.

Each time Her Majesty went out, it was different. Every night, obstacles were eliminated, the people of the imperial city were thrown into panic, and even now, there was no clue as to what she was planning. The Left and Right Chancellors constantly vied and sabotaged one another, causing Her Majesty daily headaches, surrounded by imperial physicians, while the people of Dazhou had begun praying for her safety on their own.

There were even mass petitions of blood submitted by the populace.

Xiao Gaozi said, “Your Majesty, you’ve just recovered. You must not overexert yourself; your health is paramount.”

Qin Fengyi ignored him. She slipped the dagger from the dragon table into her shoes and socks, removed her golden crown, neatly tied up her long hair, and prepared herself swiftly. Seeing that her warning would not sway her, Xiao Gaozi quietly went to fetch her night clothes.

Bending down, Qin Fengyi retrieved the small shoes she had hidden earlier. She scanned the hall and then leapt, tucking them behind the plaque inscribed Strive for Governance. No one would guess that in the place meant for imperial decrees of past emperors, there were only the children’s little shoes.

After finishing these preparations, a faint smile curved her lips.

Soon, when everything was ready, she would bring her children home…

Then she would declare a general amnesty across the realm…

Proclaim it to the world!

At this moment, she could hardly wait another second.

……

Daliang, Sifang City.

By the time Ye Tian and his companions finished moving their belongings and returned to the village, the moon had climbed high.

Sifang City was cold by day—and colder by night.

Ye Tian walked alone along the path. The snow on the ground had frozen solid, making each step feel like a skating performance. The north wind howled, and Ye Tian shivered, huddling himself against the cold.

In the distance, a figure seemed to appear.

Ye Tian narrowed his eyes, suspecting his vision was playing tricks. As he drew closer, he realized it was a real person.

Ye Tian bent slightly, meeting the stranger’s gaze.

The man was large, with a full beard and exuding a bloody, deadly aura. He was not someone to be trifled with. Ye Tian’s first instinct was to leave quickly.

He hurriedly turned his head, pretending not to see him.

“Swish!” A sharp sound rang out—something icy pressed against the back of his neck.

If he wasn’t mistaken, it should be a sword or something similar.

Ye Tian froze in place and quickly raised both hands. “Big brother, big brother, let’s talk this through! I’m just an ordinary villager. My family has been poor peasants for three generations. We’ve never done anything cruel or wrong. Please, don’t act impulsively…”

“Do you know where Ye Tian’s house is?”

The big man’s voice was cold.

Ye Tian froze.

Damn it—this is about him?

Before he could say anything, the icy blade pressed closer to his neck. Ye Tian hurriedly nodded. “I know! I know!”

“Don’t get excited. I’ll take you there right now.”

Ye Tian’s legs went weak. He didn’t look like a trained fighter—traveling at night and living in the village, the man sized him up in an instant and immediately decided Ye Tian was just a struggling man making a living outside the city. He sheathed the sword.

“I don’t expect you to hide anything. If you try to play tricks, I’ll kill you on the spot!”

Ye Tian nodded vigorously. “Y-Yes, yes! I’ll lead the way now.”

Bow-headed, Ye Tian started walking forward. The children were home, but Sun Wuji was also there. Bringing this guy back would definitely earn Ye Tian a severe beating from Sun Wuji.

Even if Sun Wuji didn’t act, Duan Qingshan could handle him.

“Big brother, are you visiting relatives?”

Ye Tian asked with a playful grin.

The burly man glared at him fiercely. Ye Tian’s mouth twitched as he quickly said, “If you’re asking me, then you asked the right person. To be honest, I know Ye Tian’s house well. I go there often.”

After saying this, Ye Tian even winked at the big man, then continued, “Don’t be fooled by the tall gate. To me, it’s practically meaningless. They have a hotpot restaurant in the city, and I’ve heard all their earnings are kept in the bank. I’ve checked—the house really has no money inside. Don’t doubt it. Ye Tian is stingy. There’s no meat in the house. If you go there, you’ll come back empty-handed.”

The burly man’s mouth twitched.

Unexpectedly, he had caught a habitual thief.

Listening to Ye Tian ramble on, the big man felt his head was about to explode. He barked coldly, “Shut up!”

Ye Tian immediately fell silent.

All around them was dead quiet.

The two of them walked through the snow, one in front of the other, only the wind howling. Looks like next time, he’d need to bring some gear—or a bodyguard.

After more than ten minutes, in the blizzard, a sturdy house stood alone on the snowy plain. Ye Tian raised his hand. “That’s Ye Tian’s house. The villagers don’t want to live near him. Go quickly. Don’t worry, no one will know.”

Ye Tian spoke.

The big man looked at him with contempt. “Once I see him, I’ll let you leave.”

“Knock on the door!”

The man’s cold eyes stayed on Ye Tian. He stepped forward and lightly knocked. While knocking, he called out, “Old Man Sun, I brought you roasted chicken!”

“Hurry up and open the door!”

Creak! The door swung open. Duan Qingshan looked calm as he looked at Ye Tian. Just as Ye Tian tried to speak, Duan Qingshan’s pupils constricted. He yanked Ye Tian back, and Ye Tian slammed into the door, his back aching as if it had split in two.

“Damn, that hurts!”

“You bastard…”

Ye Tian cursed. Outside, Duan Qingshan had already engaged in combat with the big man. The man struck with deadly precision, while Duan Qingshan, unarmed, could only dodge.

Snow flew everywhere.

Clashes of metal rang in their ears.

“Duan Qingshan, do you think hiding there can save your life?”