TNIBFT -Chapter 221 There are two children outside the door

Ye Tian spoke.

Zhu Zhongyi didn’t answer. He tilted his head back and poured the wine from the bottle straight into his mouth.

The next second—

“Pft…”

“Cough! Cough! Cough!”

He choked violently, spilling wine around his mouth and on his neck. Frowning, he looked at Ye Tian and asked, “Why does it taste so awful?”

“Awful?”

Ye Tian was confused. The rice wine was low in alcohol. Seeing Zhu Zhongyi grimacing and making faces, he chuckled, “Have you never drunk alcohol before?”

“Seems your father really was strict with you.”

After saying this, Ye Tian handed Zhu Zhongyi a braised chicken leg. “Here.”

Zhu Zhongyi took it without a word and began devouring it in large bites.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Looking at the calm night sky, Ye Tian sorted through the few memories he still had: Ye Zhengyang was his father, and Meng Yuquan was the mother of his children.

Revenge.

And the matter of the children—it all tangled together in his mind, creating a chaotic mess.

In Zhu Zhongyi’s eyes, a sharp gleam flashed. He spoke, “I heard… you forgot the past?”

Zhu Zhongyi probed cautiously. The young boy’s face carried a few lines that didn’t belong to his age; fine wrinkles ran along the corners of his eyes and the sides of his nose. Ye Tian smiled, “Seems like I’m remembering a little now.”

“And what do you plan to do from now on?”

Zhu Zhongyi pressed further.

Ye Tian reached out to wrap his arms around his daughter sitting beside him, tucking her into the blanket. “I thought you didn’t want to talk to me.”

He smiled.

Zhu Zhongyi stood up with a stern expression and tossed the wine jar to Ye Tian.

Then, with a single leap, he jumped directly from the second floor into the middle of the courtyard. Landing steadily on his feet, he turned and gave Ye Tian a long, deep look before exiting the backyard.

Ye Shuangxue, unwilling to be outdone, said eagerly, “I can do it too!”

Seeing his daughter rolling up her sleeves and preparing to get up, Ye Tian could only press down on the little mischief-maker. “No jumping.”

“Why can big brother do it?”

“When you’re seventeen, you can too!”

“Hmph!”

Seventeen—the perfect age for rebellion: defying one’s father, daring to leap into the sea to catch dragons. Zhu Zhongyi’s face was lined with fine wrinkles; this child had clearly endured much, having grown up around adults without any freedom. His peculiar temperament was only natural.

Being an old subordinate of his biological father, it was only right to keep an eye on him.

…

The next morning.

The wind and snow gradually subsided.

Qin Fengyi and her trusted aides were in the study discussing matters.

The atmosphere in the study was solemn. All the men wore black clothes and armor, exuding a lethal aura. Qin Fengyi stood on the steps, surrounded by them. Today, she wore a dark red robe with black leather wrappings around her waist and sleeves, her long hair simply tied up with dark red tassels.

Striking and efficient.

Her eyes were sharp and bright, as if no scheme could escape her gaze.

“Your Majesty, the terrain at Honghekou is ideal for an ambush.”

“Honghekou is a long-standing location for hidden troops; Zhao Boping will surely be on guard.”

“Occupying the heights in advance is easier to defend and harder to attack. Are we really afraid of the people of Daliang?”

“Yes, Old Li is right!”

Voices clashed, red faces and heated arguments filling the room.

Qin Fengyi stared at the map on the table. As she reached for a teacup, her right hand suddenly trembled uncontrollably.

Clink!

The porcelain shattered.

Everyone was startled and knelt down in fear.

The study fell silent.

With her hands behind her back to hide any sign of weakness, Qin Fengyi’s gaze was cold as she looked at those kneeling. “This ambush against Zhao Boping will take place at Honghekou. No further discussion is needed—I will go personally.”

“Your Majesty?”

Nanfeng, standing behind, looked grave and stepped forward to say something, but Qin Fengyi raised her hand to stop him. “How fast can our light cavalry of Da Zhou arrive?”

“Five days!”

Qin Fengyi nodded. “Issue the orders to accelerate—we must arrive as quickly as possible.”

“Zhao Boping is the imperial uncle of Daliang and the eldest brother of the imperial consort. If Zhao Boping is killed, Sifang City will surely be drenched in blood. War is imminent. We must prepare defenses.”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

Everyone clasped their fists in salute. Some lifted their heads, eyes filled with fear as they looked at Qin Fengyi, whispering, “Your Majesty… is it really wise for us to rush to kill Zhao Boping and start a war with Daliang?”

“The emperor has just awoken from serious injury. Supplies, appointments for command—none of these have been prepared. Isn’t this too hasty…”

“I am the commander myself!”

“There is no need to debate further. With war at our doorstep, undermining morale is punishable by death!” Qin Fengyi’s phoenix-like eyes swept across the room. The speaker immediately collapsed to the ground, too afraid to say another word.

The atmosphere in the room was heavy.

You could hear a pin drop.

The advisors on the floor trembled with fear.

“Sir!”

“Sir!”

Someone outside rushed in with urgent news.

Qin Fengyi looked up. Soldiers had pushed open the door and stood at the entrance. “Sir, there are two children outside. They say they’ve come to see Lord Meng.”

Children?

Looking for her?

Qin Fengyi’s eyes lit up instantly. Just moments ago, she had been furious; now her brow relaxed, her whole body trembling with excitement, unsure what to do first.

It must be Yunting and Shuangxue.

Her children.

“I… no, I’ll go immediately! Where are they?”

“They haven’t left yet?”

“Go! Go, lead the way immediately!”

Qin Fengyi rushed off in a flurry, not even glancing back at the others, following the messenger.

Seeing Qin Fengyi leave, those lying on the ground finally dared to stand. Everyone knelt in awe, exchanging glances.

“It must be the little prince. Otherwise, who in all the world could bring the emperor such joy?”

“Old Li, you almost caused a disaster just now!”

“Indeed, if not for the timely arrival of the little prince, you would surely have faced military punishment.”

“For the safety of the three princes, the emperor is willing to go to war with Daliang prematurely. This battle is unavoidable—we must all be ready.”

Nanfeng swept a glance at everyone and took a few steps to follow Qin Fengyi.

Outside the relay station,

Ye Shuangxue wore a little tiger hat and a bulky red padded jacket. She held a candied hawthorn skewer in one hand, tiptoeing to peek inside the station, her small feet stamping back and forth in the snow.

“Big brother, are you sure she’s really our mother?”

“Do you think Ye Tian will hit us?”

Ye Shuangxue hesitated, nervous.

Most importantly, he was afraid Ye Tian would be upset.

“She won’t leave, and Ye Tian will never feel at ease. We won’t go with her either. So these matters, which started because of us, should be resolved by us siblings,” Ye Yunting said calmly.

Ye Shuangxue exhaled deeply.

Actually, she really liked Lord Meng.

But compared to Ye Tian, she could give up everything.

“Alright, I’ll listen to big brother!”

“Xiao Jiang will also listen to big brother.”

Ye Shuangxue nodded obediently.

Ye Yunting’s young yet mature face showed no expression. He looked toward the relay station and saw a red figure rushing toward the door. He clenched his palms tightly in tension. “Sister! She’s coming!”

Ye Shuangxue immediately stood straight.

“Shuangxue!”

“Lord Xiao Ye!”

Sure enough, it was her own children. Qin Fengyi’s eyes welled up with tears of emotion—her children had come to find her on their own. The feeling…

Qin Fengyi’s heart felt like a hot spring about to overflow. She took a few steps forward, half-kneeling, and hugged the two children tightly. Her voice was soft, choked with emotion: “Cold?”