Nine
In the sacred altar of the Holy Sect on Mount Ailao, Xuanyuan Tianyi was leaning back in a bamboo chair, watching Siyi constantly glancing at Zhan Zhao, and said with a smile, "How long has it been since we last met?"
Hearing Xuan Yuan Tianyi's question, Si Yi reluctantly withdrew her gaze: "It's been several years. All these years you've only been focused on Brother Zhen, how could you have thought of me!"
"So you keep making these moves to remind me of your existence?" Although Xuan Yuan Tianyi still had that lazy smile on her face, anyone could hear the coldness in her voice.
With a charming smile, Siyi met Xuanyuan Tianyi's gaze directly: "Oh... what are you saying? It's as if I'm some kind of troublemaker. What can I do? I'm just enjoying some peace and quiet in this Ailao Mountain."
After a long stare, Xuanyuan Tianyi finally looked away and said softly, "I hope it's as you say."
"Don't you know me? I'm used to being carefree, unlike you who have too many things on your mind and too many responsibilities on your shoulders. My heart isn't that big; I only wish for my family to be safe and sound." Siyi's voice was soft and gentle, still sweet and delicate, but already tinged with a faint sorrow.
"When do you plan to return to the capital?" Xuan Yuantian asked casually, seemingly oblivious to the sorrow in Siyi's tone.
Siyi glanced at Xuan Yuantianyi and pouted, "I'm not going back!"
"Don't you miss your brother? He's not young anymore, and he spends all his time frequenting brothels. You should talk to him about it." Xuan Yuan Tianyi looked at him with a disappointed expression, which drew a sneer from Si Yi.
"Don't you know your brother? He won't listen to anyone's advice." Siyi's eyes darted around as she said this. "But if you're willing to be my sister-in-law, maybe he can change his ways."
"Don't get your hopes up. You think that just because I'm your sister-in-law, you can make your eyes on them? Impossible!" Xuan Yuan Tianyi chuckled as he looked at Si Yi.
"Tch... I'd like to see who you end up marrying!" Siyi said, glancing at Zhan Zhao. "I'll treat you to a welcome dinner tonight."
Xuan Yuan Tianyi carefully examined Si Yi for a moment, and finally nodded. Some people are destined to become enemies. Since nothing can be changed, let's cherish the time we have as friends. Xuan Yuan Tianyi knew that from the day he predicted that Zhao Zhen was the true Son of Heaven, the gears of fate had already begun to turn. He smiled and said, "Alright, let's have a good drink tonight."
The banquet was arranged below the stilted house where Xuan Yuan Tianyi and his companions were staying. Bai Yutang had expected elders and protectors from the Holy Sect to be present, but instead, besides Si Yi, it was just the three of them. His tense nerves relaxed slightly, and he exchanged a glance with Zhan Zhao. From their conversation during the day, they had sensed the undercurrents between Xuan Yuan Tianyi and Si Yi. Although they hadn't spoken openly, they remained tacitly vigilant. After all, witchcraft was a field they hadn't ventured into, and the actions of the Southern Frontier Holy Sect were always despised by righteous people. While they didn't know Xuan Yuan Tianyi's purpose in coming to Ailao Mountain, it couldn't be just for a chat. Therefore, if things changed, even if they couldn't gain any advantage, they at least needed to ensure their safe escape.
A few simple dishes were laid out on the table, with several jars of wine taking up most of the space. Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang exchanged a glance, finally understanding what Xuan Yuan Tianyi meant by "let's have a good drink." Si Yi picked up the wine jars and poured wine for Xuan Yuan Tianyi and Bai Yutang in turn. When it came to Zhan Zhao, he gently stopped her with his hand and said softly, "I don't drink."
"What grown man doesn't drink alcohol? Or is it that Tianyi forbids you from drinking?" Siyi asked, looking at Xuanyuan Tianyi.
Xuanyuan Tianyi smiled slightly at Zhan Zhao: "This is tribute wine, please try it."
Zhan Zhao reluctantly removed his hand. Si Yi poured Zhan Zhao a drink, then sat down and filled her own cup as well: "This first drink is to celebrate our long-awaited reunion." She then downed her drink first.
Seeing Siyi's reaction, Xuanyuan Tianyi didn't say anything more and downed his drink in one gulp. Afterwards, Xuanyuan Tianyi and Siyi ignored Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang and continued to drink and toast each other.
The climate in southern Xinjiang is hot. Although the sun wasn't completely setting, a gentle breeze brought a rare touch of coolness, making everyone feel exceptionally relaxed. After a few drinks, the conversation naturally flowed more freely.
Xuanyuan Tianyi filled his and Siyi's glasses to the brim, raised his glass with one hand, and looked at Siyi with hazy eyes: "Qingyuan has finally married Zhen as she wished."
"Marry? Is that really marriage? She's just a sacrifice for the national interest." Si Yi scoffed at Xuan Yuan Tianyi's words.
"And what about you? Aren't you a sacrifice for the family's interests?" When Xuan Yuantian said this, his originally dazed eyes became unusually clear.
Perhaps due to the effects of the alcohol, Siyi did not notice any changes in Xuanyuan Tianyi, and simply said to herself, "That's different. I'm taking back what I deserve. I've endured for too long; it's time to make my move."
"Are you absolutely certain?" Xuan Yuan Tianyi's voice sounded particularly cold at this moment.
After downing two cups of wine, Siyi's speech was no longer clear: "My brother has been working towards this day since he was born. No matter what, we have to try, even if it ends in failure, at least we can face our ancestors in the afterlife." Having mumbled this, Siyi picked up the wine jar and drank the rest in one gulp, then slumped onto the table, refusing to move. Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang were about to get up when Xuan Yuan Tianyi stopped them, emitting a bird-like chirp. Then, two disciples of the Holy Sect silently approached and carried Siyi away.
Seeing that the people had gone far away, Xuanyuan Tianyi glanced at the wine that Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang hadn't touched, a smile appeared on his lips, and he said softly, "There's nothing wrong with this wine, drink it. Even among tribute wines, this is considered top-grade."
Having already harbored doubts, Zhan Zhao couldn't help but ask after hearing what Xuan Yuan Tianyi said, "How come there's tribute wine here?"
"It was a gift from Zhen to Siyi's brother." Xuanyuan Tianyi picked up an unopened jar of wine and refilled Bai Yutang's empty wine cup because of his words.
"Siyi's brother?" Zhan Zhao frowned slightly, unable to think of anyone in the court who would be associated with the Southern Frontier Holy Sect.
He gestured for Zhan Zhao to drink the wine in his cup, and then said calmly, "Siyi's surname is Chai."
Zhan Zhao put down his empty wine cup and said with some surprise, "Chai Siyi? She's Princess Anyang?" After receiving a confirmation from Xuan Yuan Tianyi, Zhan Zhao finally understood the meaning behind Xuan Yuan Tianyi and Chai Siyi's words, and also understood why Chai Siyi called Zhao Zhen "Brother Zhen." Zhao Zhen and Chai Siyi were childhood sweethearts, and now the Chai family was ready to overthrow the court.
Bai Yutang had obviously figured this out as well, and asked without thinking, "Then we should quickly report to the Emperor and have him arrest Prince Chai."
Upon hearing Bai Yutang's words, Zhan Zhao's already furrowed brows tightened even more, while Xuan Yuan Tianyi's smile held a hint of helplessness.
Seeing the two of them acting this way, Bai Yutang looked at them with some confusion and said, "Why are you making such faces? Say something!"
"Back then, during the Chenqiao Mutiny, Emperor Taizu seized the throne from the orphaned and widowed Chai family. Whether he felt guilty or wanted to show off his loyalty and righteousness, he bestowed upon the Chai family a decree of honor and established an ancestral precept that no one could punish the Chai family for their crimes. Therefore, without evidence, no one could touch the Chai family." Xuan Yuantian recounted the old story while drinking his wine.
Bai Yutang was unaware of the reason for the matter, but he found Xuan Yuantian's evaluation of the Taizu quite agreeable. So he downed the wine in his cup in one gulp before asking, "If that's really the case, there's nothing we can do even if we have evidence."
“That’s not something we should be considering.” Xuan Yuan Tianyi opened the last jar of wine on the table, held it in his hand, and smiled at Bai Yutang, “How about one jar each?”
Bai Yutang glanced at the half-empty wine jar on the table and said somewhat unhappily, "One jar per person, I should be the one who drinks the full one..." However, before Bai Yutang could finish speaking, Xuan Yuantianyi had already picked up the wine jar and started chugging it down. Bai Yutang had no choice but to pick up the half-empty jar and drink it all in one gulp.
Seeing that Xuan Yuan Tianyi had already drunk a lot with Chai Siyi and was now drinking with Bai Yutang, Zhan Zhao felt somewhat helpless and reached out to snatch the wine jar from Xuan Yuan Tianyi's hand. However, Xuan Yuan Tianyi dodged left and right, and Zhan Zhao couldn't get close to him, only drawing laughter from Bai Yutang. He couldn't help but say, "Tianyi, you can't drink anymore." He then stepped forward again, and this time easily took the wine jar from Xuan Yuan Tianyi's hand, but it was already empty. Helplessly, he supported Xuan Yuan Tianyi's slightly unsteady body, saying, "I'll take you back to your room." Unexpectedly, Xuan Yuan Tianyi wrapped his arms around Zhan Zhao's neck, pressing his entire body against him. Zhan Zhao's handsome face flushed slightly as he met Bai Yutang's amused gaze. He quickly lowered his head, picked Xuan Yuan Tianyi up, and carried him towards the room, the low laughter of Bai Yutang echoing behind them…
Clutching his head, throbbing from a hangover, Xuan Yuan Tianyi glanced at Zhan Zhao, who was fast asleep on the table. He paused slightly, recalling the events of the previous night. After Chai Siyi was sent away, he and Bai Yutang had a drinking contest. Later… it seemed Zhan Zhao had escorted him back to his room. And then… Xuan Yuan Tianyi vaguely felt as if he had his arms wrapped around Zhan Zhao's neck, refusing to let go no matter how Zhan Zhao tried to coax him. He couldn't remember anything after that, but he figured he must have frightened Zhan Zhao. Xuan Yuan Tianyi knew he hadn't drunk much last night; it was just that the malevolent energy of Ailao Mountain was too strong, and by nightfall, his body simply couldn't take it. So, he had simply used the excuse of keeping Zhan Zhao in the room with him.
Xuan Yuan Tianyi was quite curious. Leng Moyan was an ancient divine beast, naturally immune to all evil; Zhao Zhen was the true Son of Heaven, protected by the aura of the Heavenly Gang; Bao Zheng was the reincarnation of the God of Literature, and evil spirits dared not approach him. So why did Zhan Zhao possess such pure aura? Thinking this, Xuan Yuan Tianyi stood up and walked towards Zhan Zhao. Gazing at the calm and composed man before him, he unconsciously placed his hand lightly on Zhan Zhao's face. Feeling the warmth on his face, Zhan Zhao instantly awoke, only to see Xuan Yuan Tianyi's hastily left hand. A blush rose to his face, and he murmured, "You were drunk last night, I... I was worried..."
Xuanyuan Tianyi knew that Zhan Zhao was concerned about his reputation, and that he would never have stayed in his room if Xuanyuan Tianyi hadn't insisted. Seeing Zhan Zhao's attitude, he chuckled and said, "Thank you. I'm sorry to have troubled you last night."
Hearing Xuan Yuan Tianyi's words, Zhan Zhao's face flushed even more, and she hurriedly stood up, saying, "I'll have someone fetch water for you." Without waiting for Xuan Yuan Tianyi to speak, she turned and walked out. Unexpectedly, she was met with Bai Yutang's thoughtful smile, who was already waiting outside. Zhan Zhao had expected Bai Yutang to mock her, but instead, Bai Yutang simply looked behind her. Surprised, Zhan Zhao turned around and met Xuan Yuan Tianyi's smiling face. Having frequently moved around the palace, Zhan Zhao had seen countless smiles from Xuan Yuan Tianyi—some cold and aloof, some unpredictable, some charming, some languid—but she had never seen her smile so pure, like a pool of autumn water that could melt anyone's heart. Seemingly sensing Zhan Zhao's gaze, Xuan Yuan Tianyi looked over. Zhan Zhao quickly looked away, turned back, and pulled the still-stunned Bai Yutang downstairs.
Xuanyuan Tianyi was fond of drinking, but rarely got drunk. The only times he did were when drinking with Leng Moyan. Whenever this happened, Leng Moyan would soothe him like a daughter. Strictly speaking, to an ancient divine beast whose life was endless, Xuanyuan Tianyi was merely an ordinary human. Their childhood companionship meant that when Xuanyuan Tianyi felt tired, he would inexplicably rely on Leng Moyan. This man, who was like a father, brother, teacher, and friend, could soothe his weary heart. Thinking of this, a smile tugged at the corner of Xuanyuan Tianyi's lips. Last night, Zhan Zhao had also gently coaxed him, letting him act as he pleased. That long-lost feeling, now with a different person, filled Xuanyuan Tianyi with a strange joy.
Thinking back to when she was three years old, chosen by Leng Moyan to be the master of Xiaoyao Tower, even her father, the head of the family, held her in high esteem, let alone the rest of the clan. From a young age, Xuan Yuan Tianyi understood the loneliness of high positions, so she and Zhao Zhen, who also held a high position, developed a mutual respect and affection. However, perhaps because the two were so alike—in status, personality, talent, and even circumstances—Xuan Yuan Tianyi, though happy with Zhao Zhen, never acted coquettishly, only revealing her girlish side in front of Leng Moyan, who had been by her side since childhood. But last night, Xuan Yuan Tianyi couldn't help but smile bitterly, fearing that Zhan Zhao was secretly annoyed with her.
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