Chapter 127: The Baili and Gu Families

The waiter withdrew his gaze and replied flatly, "No."

"Why not?"

"Our boss is not here."

"Not here? Then what do you do when your wine runs out?"

"When it’s sold out, the boss will have someone send more."

Queyunzi turned away in silence. How could he not be here? One who can brew Royal Grandson Wine is certainly no ordinary person. It seems that if he wishes to meet the person behind this, he will have to find another way.

Seeing him remain silent, the waiter added, "Rest assured, our Autumn Heart Pavilion has no shortage of anything except perhaps wine. If there is no Royal Grandson Wine, we have plenty of others."

"Hahaha, thank you for the reminder, little brother," Queyunzi chuckled wryly, having Zou Jiren pay the silver and tuck all the bottles into his sleeves before they departed.

Once outside, the young women from the building across the street had already dispersed. The three began their return journey, but at a fork in the road, Queyunzi spotted someone.

He muttered, "What is that brat running so fast for? Don't tell me he's up to no good again?"

Yun Xingyu glanced over, puzzled. "Do you know him?"

Queyunzi turned his gaze away, continuing to walk as he spoke. "Yes, he's from the He clan. But that kid is just like his old man—neither of them is any good."

Zou Jiren looked back and asked, "When did you ever cross paths with them?" He had never heard of such a thing.

"That was when the He brat and his people first left the Human Emperor Island. I had been waiting for them on the shore since I left Lion Island, and then I followed them all the way, spotting this kid from the shadows."

"I see."

***

Baili Leren had hurried back because the assassin he had arranged to meet for a delivery today never showed up. Furthermore, he had gone to check near the Wangyun Inn and found that Su He was not only alive but perfectly fine, laughing and chatting with Yi Qingchen as if nothing had happened.

On his way back, he heard that someone had found a large dead python today and taken it away to make a meal. He had intended to go take a look, but upon hearing it was just an ordinary snake, he lost interest. He decided to return home and sound out the old man to see if there was any useful information.

However, as soon as he reached the entrance of the White Duckweed Angry Billows Courtyard, the guards blocked his path.

"Are you sure that’s what the old man said? He won't let me in?" *Mother of pearl, are you sure you aren't suffering from a brain fever and heard him wrong?*

Guard A was helpless. "It is absolutely true. That is exactly what the Master said. He also said that if you have business, you should wait outside the gate."

Guard B quickly tugged at Guard A's sleeve, signaling him to stop talking—the more said, the more mistakes made; survival was the priority.

Baili Leren swept a sharp glance over them, terrifying Guard B into standing bolt upright, though he dared not meet his eyes.

"Go and fetch me a chair."

B didn't move, so Baili Leren kicked him. "Did you not hear me?"

"Yes..." B scrambled up from the ground and brought a chair out from the courtyard.

"Right, just put it there." Baili Leren adjusted his robes, sat down in the shade of the tree, and said, "Go, bring me a plate of iced watermelon."

"Yes." Guard B, perhaps terrified by the kick, scurried off before another word could be spoken.

Baili Leren stared at the entrance of the White Duckweed Angry Billows, a chaotic mess of thoughts churning in his mind. *What is the old man up to? He never blocked me from entering before.*

He looked at the scorching sun and the endless chirping of cicadas in the trees, unable to help but curse, "Damn the heavens! It’s bad enough to be roasted to death, but you’re trying to cook even the immortals, aren't you?"

Usually, there would be stifling thunder, howling winds, and lightning, but now? Nothing. Only the cicadas singing in the trees: *“Hot to death, hot to death…”*

At first, Baili Leren didn't think it sounded like that, but perhaps he was lightheaded from the sun, or perhaps he was moved by the cicadas' tireless persistence. In the end, all he could hear was: *“Hot to death, hot to death.”*

No matter how much he complained, the heavens showed no intention of cooling down.

***

Inside the White Duckweed Angry Billows, Baili Liunian was meeting with Xiao the Fourth.

Sitting before his desk, he picked up a brush and wrote, "So, have you found a lead?"

Xiao the Fourth bowed. "Indeed."

"Tell me."

"I have found the blade to dispose of Baili Su He."

"Oh? Who is it?"

"The Master will not be unfamiliar with this person. It is Lin Mao, the former Master of the Willow Heart Studio. He has a grudge against Su He from the destruction of his studio, and a vendetta over the theft of his confidante. Now, there is yet another score to settle."

Baili Liunian raised an eyebrow, dipping his brush in ink. "So, there is a backstory?"

"Indeed. Baili Su He is quite the romantic. He has a beauty like the Mistress of Sparse Star Tower by his side yet refuses to settle down, turning instead to get involved with the top courtesan of the Nine Luminaries Tower as soon as he reached the Royal City. Coincidentally, Lin Mao is that woman's lover. As for the woman, she truly embodies the old saying: 'The heartless whore, the faithless actor.' Lin Mao has been driven to madness by her."

"Heh heh heh. Humans with desires are easy to manipulate. Use them well, and you may find you get exactly what you want."

"Does this mean the Master agrees to Xiao's request?" Xiao the Fourth stole a glance at Baili Liunian.

"The ancients said: One need not be without wicked neighbors, nor without harmful friends; one must simply maintain one's own resolve between the two. As long as you, Xiao, have the ability to make the world acknowledge you, what does it matter if it is the Seventh Gate or the Eighth?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao the Fourth was overjoyed. He had harbored this ambition ever since Lian Hen approached him with the proposal, but he had lacked the opportunity. Now that a chance had fallen from the sky, there was no reason to let it pass. Being a slave to others would always leave one as a slave; only by rising to power could one truly stand tall.

He bowed deeply. "Thank you!"

After speaking a few more words with Baili Liunian, he was escorted out through a secret door by Lian Hen.

Baili Liunian looked toward the door, knowing his son's patience outside must be wearing thin. He used his internal energy to command, neither too loud nor too soft, "Come in."

Baili Leren, who had been sitting outside nearly dreaming of carousing at the Nine Luminaries Tower with his cronies, was suddenly startled by his father. He stood up reluctantly and dragged his feet for a long while before entering the study.

"Look at yourself! Is there any dignity of a young master left in you?" Baili Liunian, who hadn't looked up before, felt his temper flare at the sight of his son's listless appearance. He grabbed a paperweight and hurled it.

Baili Leren jumped, narrowly dodging it, and fumed, "What are you doing? Are you trying to murder your own son?"

"With how you behave, dying would be well-deserved."

"Hey! You made me wait outside all this time just to say that?"

"What else? Should I ask where you were fooling around today?"

Baili Leren’s heart sank, and he immediately forced a smile. "Don't be like that. Your son only has those few hobbies; isn't it boring to talk about them? At least leave me some face, won't you?"

Baili Liunian set down his brush, inspected what he had written, found it unsatisfactory, and tossed it into the charcoal brazier to burn. Watching the flames consume every word, he stood up, walked to the stand to wash his hands, dried them, and threw the towel at his son's face.

Baili Leren scrambled to catch it, tucked it away on a side table, and asked, "Dad, why did you have someone block me outside today? If I had been roasted to death, would you ask Mom to give birth to another?" He added, "Can she even do that?"

"What nonsense are you spouting, you brat?" Baili Liunian immediately turned red with rage and slapped his son. His courage had grown quite large to dare chew on his father's ears.

"No, no, you haven't told me why you wouldn't let me in. Or is it that you've taken a concubine behind Mom's back?"

"Are you asking for a beating?"

"No, no, let's talk business. Why wouldn't you let me in?" His intuition told him his father was hiding something. But since Baili Liunian wouldn't say, he couldn't force him.

"Have you been fooling around with that brat Ji Yao lately?"

"Heh heh, didn't you already know that? Why bring it up?"

"What about Lele? You haven't been bullying that child, have you?" Baili Liunian glanced sideways, waiting for his son to follow.

"How could I? She's your future daughter-in-law. I cherish her dearly."

Baili Liunian nodded slightly, signaling his son to take a walk in the courtyard.

Baili Leren followed, rubbing his hands and grinning. "Dad, why are you so concerned about Lele lately? Do you really not hate her anymore?"

"Am I such a fossil?"

"Yes."

"Hmm?"

"Ah... no, no, you are the most enlightened person." After receiving a few sharp glares from Baili Liunian, he quickly changed his tune.

"The Desire Sea Heaven is not peaceful lately, and Lele is a young girl. You should visit her more often and show more concern."

Baili Leren looked at his father in astonishment, suddenly grabbing his hand and saying with great emotion, "Dad, you really are my own father. My love for you is like the surging river, endless and continuous..."

"Stop." Unable to stand his son's cheesiness, Baili Liunian pulled his hand back and rubbed it vigorously. "I heard that someone attacked the Wangyun Inn last night and lured Baili Su He to the riverside for a duel. He trapped four and killed three. Later, others tried to target him, but they didn't find an opening."

After a pause, he said slowly, "The Desire Sea Heaven is beginning to descend into chaos; the Royal City is no longer an untouchable land. From now on, you must be extra careful when you go out. Tell Lele to go out less, and when she does, make sure you accompany and protect her."

Baili Leren squinted his eyes. "Dad, why have you become so reasonable? Tell me, do you have some ulterior motive?"

"I'll motive your head." Baili Liunian froze for a moment and smacked his son on the head. Baili Leren hit the wall with a thud. "I just know it’s not easy for you to find someone you care about. Do you think I enjoy dealing with that fox, Gu Wanfeng?"

Baili Leren rubbed his forehead, grimacing. "That’s more like it. Just now, I thought my dad had been swapped."

"You... are you looking for a beating?" *No respect, acting like a rebel.*

"No," Baili Leren waved his hands. *Joking aside, with your strength, I'm not looking to get hurt.*

Seeing that Baili Liunian had no further intention of hitting him, Baili Leren dared to ask, "Dad, do you know who attacked the Wangyun Inn? And who were the ones who went later?"

As he spoke, he could hear his own heartbeat—it was in his throat.

"Why, were you involved?" Baili Liunian raised his eyes sharply. "I am warning you, you can fool around however you like, but you cannot touch Baili Su He. Otherwise, you'll see how I deal with you."

"I know, I know. I was just saying. I know my own worth."

"As long as you know. If there's nothing else, get out. You annoy me. Get lost."

Baili Leren jumped up from his seat, brushed off his pants, and said, "Alright, I'm rolling away right now."

He darted out of the courtyard and, after a few turns, made it out of the Baili estate. Only when he was a long way off did he dare to heave a sigh of relief. Seeing that it was nearly noon, he hurried toward the Gu residence.