Chapter 86: What Do You Want to Do to Me!? (52K, No.)

The private room fell into a sudden silence.

Ren Yidao did not speak immediately, but quietly watched Shi Xue, who had sobered up.

He was not so oblivious to the ways of the world as to treat the other party's decision as drunken babble.

To be able to make this decision, Shi Xue had also gone through a lot of deliberation.

After staring at each other for a while, Ren Yidao laughed and filled Shi Xue's cup with tea.

"Can you tell me the reason?"

He needed a clear reason to judge his own attitude afterward.

Seeing the serious expression on Ren Yidao's face, Shi Xue felt relaxed instead and teased:

"What? Are you nervous?"

"I thought you, Daoist, would agree without asking anything at all?"

That night in the Divine Path Sect, she had already witnessed Ren Yidao in his serious state with her own eyes.

Although he was usually carefree and joking, when it came to discussing serious matters, Ren Yidao could still make Shi Xue feel at ease.

She said:

"Daoist, you are new to Wentian and unfamiliar with the place; you must need a local guide."

"Moreover, you just fell out with Qiushui because of me, and I am worried that someone might act against you because of this."

"With me here, you can avoid quite a bit of trouble."

Laughing lightly, Shi Xue patted Ren Yidao on the shoulder and smiled nonchalantly:

"You really don't need to have any psychological burden; I have my own plans as well."

"Besides, having stayed in this Chongzhou City for so long, I also want to go home for a visit."

Slap, slap, slap!

With his back being patted with a slapping sound, Ren Yidao smiled helplessly.

The two members of the Shi Family he knew didn't have bad drinking habits, but they really did like to get handsy after drinking.

After patting for a while, Shi Xue's palm stopped.

The alcohol had worn off.

Shi Xue: "..."

With a serious expression but cheeks gradually flushing red, Shi Xue realized the impropriety of her current posture.

A lone man and woman, alone after drinking, arms draped over shoulders...

She wanted to pull her hand back, but didn't want to make it too obvious, as if she were a thief with a guilty conscience.

With her hand resting on Ren Yidao's shoulder, pulling it back abruptly wouldn't be good, and continuing to pat was even more inappropriate.

Just as she was thinking about how to withdraw her hand discreetly and normally, Ren Yidao spoke up.

"Miss Shi, can you tell me the real reason?"

When he asked this question, Ren Yidao's expression was exceptionally serious.

"Not the one for show, but the real reason that made you reach this decision."

Blinking, Shi Xue suddenly shook her head and laughed.

"You really are a strange person."

Simply not withdrawing her arm, she kept it draped over Ren Yidao's shoulder and asked in return:

"What other reason could there be? Not wanting a friend to get hurt because of oneself—does that need any special reason?"

"Daoist, don't be so polite."

Shi Xue was somewhat happy.

Because she suddenly discovered that this mysterious Daoist Ren was not proficient in every aspect.

He did not seem very good at accepting other people's kindness.

When encountering goodwill, he actually didn't accept it readily, but instead pondered whether there was some special hidden meaning behind it.

"We are friends, after all!"

Friends.

Listening to this word spoken so candidly from Shi Xue's mouth, Ren Yidao also laughed.

Little girl, do you think I really don't understand?

I am asking you about yourself!

Do you really understand your own heart?

Since you haven't noticed it, then let's leave it at that for now.

However, friends, huh...

Isn't that quite nice, too?

Being able to become friends with a female knight of this temperament is, in its own way, a rare pleasure.

Raising his cup to toast Shi Xue, Ren Yidao smiled shyly, as if embarrassed:

"It is I who was tactless."

Moreover, Ren Yidao had to admit one thing.

When Shi Xue first told the man in black that he was her friend, he was actually quite happy.

Should I be a bit nicer to her in the future?

"Hmm, just a little bit nicer; don't let her get too proud."

The two of them finished the rest of their... Sobering Tea, and Shi Xue remembered one thing and reminded him:

"There is one more thing I forgot to tell you just now."

"Oh?"

"Daoist, you may not be aware, but while Wentian is usually a place where fish and dragons mix and powers are intertwined, it is likely an even less safe place right now."

Her expression turned serious, and she said earnestly:

"During this period, many noble families and princes will go to Wentian to stir up trouble."

Even if Ren Yidao did not understand politics, he could understand that this was an unusual signal.

"What is their reason? It wouldn't be to enter the capital to serve the king, would it?"

Brother Li Long wouldn't be doing so miserably, would he?

Shaking her head to dismiss Ren Yidao's wild thoughts, Shi Xue stated the real reason.

"The current Prime Minister Wang is advanced in age, and over these years, he has submitted requests to resign many times, but because there was no successor, it was never approved."

"But just a few days ago, rumors spread from the palace that the Emperor now seems to have finally agreed to let him retire to his hometown."

!!!

"Then the reason this group of people is going to Wentian now is..."

"That's right, it's to vie for the position of Prime Minister!"

Shi Xue nodded and said in a low voice:

"As long as the Emperor has not announced the true candidate for the new Prime Minister, everything is possible."

"There are not a few people holding such thoughts; for the sake of this undecided Prime Minister position, the entire Wentian is likely already a quagmire at this moment."

"Speaking of which, I haven't asked you, Daoist, what exactly is the reason you are all going to Wentian this time?"

Invited by your Emperor.

If I were to say that, would you overthink it?

"Uh, my Junior Sister's relatives invited us, so it counts as going for a visit."

Phew...

Shi Xue breathed a sigh of relief and advised:

"That's fine then. Daoist, you must be extremely careful not to get dragged into it."

I hope so.

Tilting his head to look at the sunset clouds outside the window, Ren Yidao's mind drifted.

Does Li Long really just want to thank the people of Luoyue Peak?

Does he have other plans?

Regardless of whether he does or not, this trip to Wentian will likely not be peaceful.

"An eventful autumn."

But what does that have to do with me?

I am just a little fox going to collect rent from someone's parents.

Whether they vie for the Prime Minister position or not, what does that have to do with me!

The livelier, the better!

"Your Majesty, this is the information on those who entered the city today."

Eunuch Su bowed and served by Li Long's side, delivering the organized briefings to him for review.

"The Song Family and Wang Family from Jiangnan had a dispute while entering the city, but it was only verbal and they did not resort to force."

"The Zhao Family from Lingnan group checked into the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, and the Hua Family people did not go to their ancestral home, but instead borrowed lodging at the Shi family's residence."

"..."

"As of sunset, there are already over eighteen noble families in Wentian City."

After Eunuch Su finished speaking, he handed over another briefing.

"In addition, traces of spies from other dynasties were discovered, and they were allowed in according to Your Majesty's request."

"Your Majesty, please forgive this old servant for being dull, but is it not a bit inappropriate to let these spies enter Wentian? If they cause some trouble, I fear..."

"Trouble?"

Li Long raised his eyes to look at Eunuch Su and smiled playfully.

"Where in the world could be more chaotic than this Wentian City right now? Compared to those noble clans, what kind of major trouble could they possibly cause?"

"Besides, rather than worrying about those few small cats, I might as well worry more about the noble families."

With a faint laugh, Li Long said casually:

"In this world, the greatest rebels are this group of noble families."

!!!

Thump.

Eunuch Su reflexively knelt down, keeping his head low and saying nothing.

Cannot speak.

In front of the Emperor in this state, one must absolutely not speak!

No matter what is heard, once outside this door, it must be kept in one's stomach forever.

"Get up, don't put on that look. It's not the first time I've said this; don't you get tired of having this reaction every time?"

"... This old servant is terrified and dares not be negligent."

Accompanying the Emperor is like accompanying a tiger; one slight mistake leads to total destruction, so who would dare to be presumptuous?

Rising honestly, Eunuch Su asked:

"Is Your Majesty intentionally drawing the noble families into a trap?"

Li Long smiled as he stamped the seal and asked in return:

"What do you mean by intentional? Prime Minister Wang's resignation is real, and the selection of a new Prime Minister is also real; I am merely pushing the boat along with the current."

"The fishhook is placed right there; even without bait, they would bite, let alone now that there is truly a sufficiently tempting lure."

"Just wait, more people will come; among this group of greedy fellows, few can resist their own avarice."

Looking at the names on the briefing, Li Long's smile grew even more radiant.

"Let them all come; I, for one, want to see what kind of storm this group of fellows can stir up."

"In their eyes, do they still have me, their Emperor?"

Watching Li Long's undisguised smile, Eunuch Su felt a chill run through his heart.

Your Majesty...

What are you looking forward to again?

"Oh, right, there is one more thing."

Recalling something, Li Long's expression changed; he reined in his previous smile and adopted his usual attitude.

"Little Twelve is coming back with fellow sect members in a few days; go and arrange the welcoming matters, and remember to tell me once it's done."

Uh, could it be...

"What does Your Majesty mean?"

Giving the oblivious Grand Eunuch a strange look, Li Long criticized:

"Isn't that simple? Of course I am going to travel incognito! Eunuch Su, why are you getting more muddled as you age? How about you also retire to your hometown? Give those fellows a chance..."

No, Your Majesty, that is not what this old servant meant by asking that.

With so many noble families outside and the situation so chaotic, wouldn't it be better for you to just stay honestly in the palace?

Can you please stop adding to everyone's trouble?

"Do you understand?"

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Su immediately replied:

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, this old servant will certainly not fail the mission!"

The leader has a task, what else can one do?

Just get it done.

【Knight Girl Shi Xue has joined the party!】

【Shi Xue has temporarily left the party!】

After seeing Shi Xue off at the entrance of Zuixian Small Pavilion, Ren Yidao did not immediately step onto the road back to the Yu Mansion; he turned around and walked back.

Without needing a waiter to lead the way, he walked straight to the private room next door and knocked on the door.

There was no response from inside.

"Miss Li, I know you are inside; don't play dead."

Standing at the doorway with a smile, Ren Yidao kindly reminded her:

"You wouldn't want me to shout at the entrance of Zuixian Small Pavilion that Ninth Princess Li Qiushui is here drowning her sorrows, would you?"

Creak—

The door opened silently, and Ren Yidao, not worried about an ambush, walked straight in.

Killing intent.

From the moment he entered, cold, bone-piercing killing intent had been lingering on Ren Yidao's neck.

The person in the shadows was staring fixedly at the back of his neck, ready at any moment to give him a blade.

How terrifying~

Naturally pulling out a chair, Ren Yidao sat down opposite Li Qiushui and leaned back.

"Although it is a bit strange to say this at this time, eavesdropping on other people's conversations is really not a good habit."

"..."

Li Qiushui did not answer upon hearing this, but instead continued to pour and drink by herself.

At this moment, Li Qiushui had shed her previous disguise and changed back into palace attire.

Ren Yidao did not mind the other party's silence and openly admired the beauty before him.

Li Qiushui was worthy of the name "Qiushui" (Autumn Water); her appearance could rank among the very best Ren Yidao had ever seen.

A beauty like autumn water, peerless in her grace.

But what caught his attention most was not her stunning appearance, but the temperament she carried.

Grand and imposing, with an aura of dominance.

Even just sitting there quietly, she had a presence that made it impossible for anyone to ignore her.

Ren Yidao rarely felt such a domineering temperament in a woman.

King's Way.

This was a princess who walked the path of the King's Way.

After being watched silently by Ren Yidao for a long time, Li Qiushui, having finished the entire pot, finally spoke.

"You came to find me, what exactly is your purpose?"

Unlike Shi Xue, who would be swaying after one cup, confused after two, and collapsed after three, Li Qiushui, having drunk three full pots alone, showed no sign of drunkenness other than a slightly flushed face.

She hadn't even touched a single bite of food; she just drank straight.

"This sister, your tolerance for alcohol is astonishing."

"Actually, I don't have anything important to say, it's just that since we met here 'by such a coincidence,' we really ought to see each other, don't you think?"

Ren Yidao toyed with the cup before him, letting it spin and dance across his fingers.

"Since this is our second meeting, we really should introduce ourselves."

"I am Ren Yidao, a member of the Divine Path Sect, honored to meet the Ninth Princess."

Li Qiushui's brows twitched, and she asked with a frown:

"A member of the Divine Path Sect... are you one of Li Lingling's people?"

Shaking his head, Ren Yidao expressed strong protest against this.

"Regarding your phrasing, I feel there is a significant problem with it."

"I am Junior Sister Li's Senior Brother, but I am not 'her person'."

Strictly speaking, I am still the great Foster Father who bestowed upon her a new life, and your father's foster brother from a different father and mother.

"Then are you here this time to provoke me on her behalf?"

Looking at the increasingly serious Li Qiushui, Ren Yidao waved his hand.

"You're overthinking that. Didn't I say it before? I'm just here to greet you in a friendly manner."

"Oh right, and by the way, to talk to you about Shi Xue."

Clang!

Li Qiushui stood up ungracefully, glaring at the villain who had lured her good friend away.

"What did you do to Xiaoxue!!?"

"I didn't do anything! We were just drinking, eating, and patting each other on the shoulder... hey, hey, hey, don't get so excited."

Chuckling as he raised his hand, Ren Yidao tilted his head to dodge the empty wine pot thrown at him.

"She and I are friends; don't make it look like I've done something shameful."

We are perfectly innocent!

At least for now.

"The reason I came to tell you all this is to give you a reminder."

"There really isn't anything between Shi Xue and me yet, so don't go messing around behind our backs and make us actually have something happen."

Snap.

With a flick of his fingertip, he sent the cup in his hand flying, shattering the incoming wine pot.

Amidst the flying shards, Ren Yidao looked into Li Qiushui's cold eyes and smiled brightly:

"If it really comes to that, don't blame me."

At that time, don't blame me for not having warned you.

And don't go shedding little pearls!

I will definitely laugh at you.

"You and Shi Xue are good friends, and Shi Xue and I are also good friends; by that logic, you and I shouldn't be enemies either."

Standing up, Ren Yidao cupped his hands toward the expressionless Li Qiushui.

"Ninth Princess, let's get along well."

Having said that, Ren Yidao stopped looking at Li Qiushui's expression and turned to walk outside.

"…Ah, right, right, there is one more thing."

Just as he was about to leave, Ren Yidao turned his head back and said earnestly:

"Do you know? When you do something wrong, you should apologize."

"That is not only true for outsiders, but even more so for family and friends."

"Of course, it doesn't matter to me, but there are people who will care."

For example, Shi Xue.

He did not say it explicitly, but he believed Li Qiushui was not a fool without self-awareness.

She also knew what should be done, only that she was held back by her status and pride.

"Admitting a mistake is not a shameful thing."

"The world is full of people who are afraid to take the first step."

"I have already told you the method; as for whether you want to be brave enough to be the one to take the initiative, that is up to you."

"I wish you a wonderful evening."

With a light smile, Ren Yidao turned and left.

Just as Ren Yidao said, he did not care if Li Qiushui apologized to him; he was completely indifferent.

But he knew Shi Xue cared.

He did not want his friend to feel pain because she had lost a friend.

"Let's get along well, little Qiushui."

Thinking this, Ren Yidao leisurely stepped onto the path back to the Yu Mansion.

Inside the private room, Li Qiushui frowned as she watched Ren Yidao's retreating figure outside the window.

"Ren Yidao."

There are many men in the world, but only a few can catch her eye.

Regarding this stranger she met for the first time today, Li Qiushui had originally paid no mind.

She had thought she had seen through his essence, that he was just another piece of trash hovering around Shi Xue.

However, after that direct conversation just now, she suddenly found she could not understand him again.

He seemed to truly treat Shi Xue only as his good friend, and the reason he said those things to her was merely because he hoped she could reconcile with Shi Xue.

"Ren Yidao..."

Repeating this unfamiliar name once more, she narrowed her eyes and withdrew her gaze.

Regardless of what his true purpose might be, based on that conversation just now, what he said was correct.

But how could it be as simple as he made it sound?

"Should I go? A Princess going to apologize to someone... how could it be that easy."

After thinking for a while, she drank the last pot of wine in one gulp and slammed it heavily onto the ground.

"I'll go!"

Isn't it just an apology?

What is difficult about that?

Could it be that she, Shi Xue, would dare not accept this Princess's apology?

Hmph!

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump.

"Who is it?"

Shi Xue, who had just been preparing to sleep, cautiously pushed the door ajar; before she could clearly see the other person's face, she heard a sobbing voice.

Wuu wuu wuu!

"Xiaoxue—"

Slap!

A dark shadow pressed against the door crack, wailing toward the inside of the room:

"I was wrong!!!"

"Wuu wuu wuu, please don't ignore me—"

Shi Xue:???

Who?

Who are you!?

Why are you here pretending to be Li Qiushui!!?

The next morning.

Having been busy until late at night discussing matters regarding the child with Lady Yu and acting as a "time assassin" for once, Ren Yidao had only just returned to his room and laid down when he was woken up by a round of knocking.

Who is it?

"Senior Brother, Miss Shi has brought someone to see you."

Are you an office worker? Waking up so early?

Reluctantly throwing on his clothes and climbing out of bed, Ren Yidao pushed open the door with sleepy eyes.

Then, he was instantly wide awake.

Hm?

He watched as both Li Qiushui and Shi Xue stared at him with two pairs of bloodshot eyes.

!!!

He retreated half a step in alarm, looking out from inside the room.

What do you two mean by this?

Are you here to seek revenge on me first thing in the morning?

What are you trying to do to me!?

I'm warning you!

I don't have a single drop left!

Fourth day of writing ten thousand words, I've decided to change my schedule to live a little longer... no more life-and-death speed runs.