Chapter 136: Sand Against the Current

Bai Yifei’s expression remained indifferent, yet his eyes carried an eerie glint.

"What does the Great General intend to do?"

Ji Wuye did not beat around the bush: "Let the ghost soldiers strike again and plunge Xinzheng into complete chaos. Those rivals of ours have lived long enough!"

"However, Han Fei is not an easy opponent right now, especially with the addition of the mysterious Zilan Pavilion."

Wanting to make the Blood-stained Marquis deal with Han Fei, the marquis certainly had the capability, but he had no desire to stand directly at the forefront.

"To strike fear into the King of Han, we must release the Crown Prince of Baiyue. Only those old rats still possess any destructive power!"

Ji Wuye frowned: "Can you be certain you can control Tianze? After all, a few of those rats still haven't been rounded up!"

"Rest assured, General. If they weren't still of some use, they wouldn't have survived until today." Bai Yifei had not previously taken them seriously.

"Very well! Since the Bird Clan alone is too conspicuous, make the arrangements, Marquis. Eliminate Han Fei at the very first opportunity." Without dwelling on it further, Ji Wuye gave his direct approval.

While the Night Membrane conspired in the shadows, the members of Quicksand—not yet officially formed—also began their deliberations.

"It really is him! It seems Ji Wuye has run out of patience. Has the Ninth Prince made his preparations?" Wei Zhuang smiled faintly as he looked at Han Fei, knowing this prince could ultimately not escape his destiny.

Setting down his wine cup, Han Fei turned solemn.

"The enemy is strong while we are weak, and they are in the dark while we are in the light. Brother Wei Zhuang, are you willing to take risks with me?"

The more chaotic Han, the better. Naturally, Ziyuan would agree, though her nod was not for the sake of her family, but for this man.

"The ambition of the Night Membrane is vast, and the Zhang family cannot remain aloof either. I ask the Prince for much guidance in the future." Zhang Liang showed not a shred of hesitation!

Vast as the world was, Wei Zhuang found there was no place truly suited for him. Perhaps drawing Han Fei into this vortex would also be quite fascinating.

"Since I have nothing better to do, I shall follow the Ninth Prince and test the waters, to see if we can scatter this dark membrane of Han."

With the master swordsman's consent, Han Fei's confidence grew by two notches.

"Good! To have the assistance of Brother Wei Zhuang is truly the fortune of Han."

"An invisible power fills the hearts of the common folk, and our goal is to reverse the swirling sands of this world."

Wei Zhuang nodded faintly: "Then let us see if our invisible Quicksand can disperse the tangible Night Membrane."

Having decided to act against the Night Membrane, they had to unite; all of them understood this, and even Ziyuan offered no objection.

They say a young woman's heart leans outward; Ziyuan intended to take Zilan Pavilion and offer it as a dowry to her beloved.

Lin Shu, of course, had not forgotten his broadcast.

"Counter-current Quicksand versus the Night Membrane! It seems Xinzheng is truly about to become lively." Concubine Yan glanced at the joyful Nongyu, realizing her husband had indeed saved this foolish girl!

Seeing Elder Sister Ziyuan join them without the slightest hesitation, Nongyu began to worry!

She knew Ziyuan possessed a powerful family backing, though she was unclear of their surname or their true agenda.

Within a clan as secretive as a hidden rodent, even Ziyuan did not know very much.

"Nongyu, if you hadn't come with us, would you have joined them as well?" Princess Dasiming had always been curious as to how her husband knew so much.

This! Nongyu smiled bitterly and nodded. "I suppose I would have! Though my abilities are meager."

"There is no need to worry, Nongyu. This prince will keep watch; at the very least, they should not die." Lin Shu knew Nongyu worried for Ziyuan—not related by blood, yet bound by a deep debt of upbringing.

"Understood, My Lord." Nongyu offered no grand expression of gratitude; everything was conveyed within her gentle gaze.

Her heart fluttering, Lin Shu looked down, uncertain whether he should feel joyful or apprehensive!

He wouldn't mind adding another two or three interesting beauties to his household, yet he worried about wearing out the affections of his current companions!

Case in point, this time he could only accompany Concubine Yan and Shao Siming, while back home still awaited Da Siming and Luna...

The marvelous broadcast temporarily ended, and Nongyu went downstairs to accompany her mother.

Madam Hu looked quite youthful and beautiful, but she was a married woman after all, a flower that had already bloomed. Lin Shu did not arrange for her to reside on the main master bedroom floor.

Time always flies. After lunch, a nap, and a brief session of listening to the zither, evening had arrived.

Following dinner and cleansing, a carriage shrouded in the night gently drifted from the tiled rooftops toward Zilan Pavilion.

Gazing at the brightly lit and joyous Zilan Pavilion, Nongyu suddenly felt a sense of unfamiliarity.

She disliked bustling noise. Now, eating, sleeping, strumming the zither, and chatting constituted her most cherished moments of leisure.

Her mother, Madam Hu, no longer had the heart to return to the Liu residence. If not for the lingering sorrow over her lost daughter and occasional meetings with her younger sister, Lady Hu, she probably wouldn't have endured until today.

Some drank small cups of wine on the ground floor while watching passionate dances; others listened to gentle tunes and light dances in soundproof second-floor private rooms while playfully teasing attentive maidens; still others embraced young women and hurried off to side buildings to seek physical intimacy.

Others, much like Han Fei, reclined in the quiet third-floor rooms, letting beauties pour their wine.

This third floor was also the finest viewing gallery in Zilan Pavilion; those lacking prominent status or substantial wealth could only amuse themselves on the first and second floors.

The carriage hovered quietly in mid-air, the merry sounds of the entertainment house drifting clearly into the cabin.

"What is my husband looking at?" Shao Siming, however, disliked these decadent melodies.

"Nothing much! Purely out of curiosity!" Lin Shu spoke the truth. Such large-scale, high-end establishments were things he had never witnessed before. Of course, he was merely observing; sharing courtesans was hardly something that interested him now.

The members of Quicksand had gathered once more, primarily to exchange intelligence.

"My two royal uncles suffered not a single wound, as though they were genuinely frightened to death!" Han Fei had investigated all afternoon without finding any useful clues.

Wei Zhuang sneered: "This is silencing witnesses! It seems the Night Membrane has begun to make its move! Who knows whose turn it is next?"

Han Fei nodded: "The Night Membrane wishes to fish in troubled waters!"

"My Prince, you must not leave tonight; several pairs of eyes are waiting for you outside!" Ziyuan cared little for the broader picture; her primary concern was the safety of her beloved.

Without Nongyu's distraction, the relationship between Han Fei and Ziyuan had progressed with increasing swiftness; now, only a held hand and an embrace remained.

"I have also troubled you tonight, Liang!" Startled, Zhang Liang decided to stay the night as well! If he failed to find the prince, the frantic Night Membrane might well make him their venting target.

Ziyuan chuckled softly: "Very well, you may stay too, provided you aren't afraid of the Prime Minister's reprimand."

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door, and Ziyuan rose to open it and step outside.

Before long, Ziyuan returned and closed the door behind her.

"Liu Yi is dead!"

Han Fei frowned: "Liu Yi no longer held any utility, but there was no need to kill him."

Zhang Liang chimed in: "After all, Liu Yi was once part of the Night Membrane's forces. Ji Wuye would not act rashly and chill the hearts of his subordinates. Thus, a third-party faction is truly likely at play."

"Indeed! And there is also the disappearance of Madam Hu last night! To think Liu Yi would die on the very next night!" Ziyuan could not help a quiet smile; she had long wished for Liu Yi's early demise.

The carriage parked outside the window did not forget to broadcast the scene.

"Wonderful, simply wonderful!" Nongyu was the most delighted, even unable to resist glancing toward her Lord Lin.

Lin Shu shook his head: "I did not issue the order; it must be one of Liu Yi's enemies, but there is no need to concern ourselves with him."

"Yes!" Nongyu nodded softly, her grateful gaze growing ever more tender. Fortunately, His Majesty had rescued her mother; otherwise, she would have been implicated by that damned scoundrel.

Meeting Nongyu's water-soft gaze, Shao Siming could not help tightening her grip on the hand resting beside her leg.

"Don't move." Ignoring Shao Siming's bashfulness, Lin Shu leaned in and kissed her.

At this, little Yan'er in Shao Siming's arms became displeased.

"Hmph! Is Daddy ever going to stop? Kissing inside the room, and kissing outside too! If you like kissing so much, you should just kiss baby!"

Lin Shu scooped little Yan'er into his arms. "Very well, a kiss for you."

"Come, Fourth Mother will kiss you too." Shao Siming pressed her cheek against little Yan'er's.

"Ah! It tickles! Daddy forgot to shave his beard again!"

Little Yan'er was both happy and aggrieved, as Third Mother leaned over too—her mischievous daddy wasn't kissing her anymore! Instead, he was back with Third Mother!

Ah! Watching the family of four, Nongyu lowered her head with a sigh.

She envied little Yan'er, and she could not help envying the two wives held tightly in his arms.