水滿則溢。(Shuǐ mǎn zé yì) — Water flows in only to flow out.

It was two days after the winter banquet. The extended Zi family who was impromptu guests at the courtesy of the Emperor were getting ready to leave.

Zi Siwei stood next to Zi Xiyu with a stony expression. They have to take the same carriage back to the main Feng Yi Yu residence as per tradition.

The air around the two men was so tense it could be cut with a knife. It was no secret that their relationship wasn’t good. Yet, they were civil to keep appearances. It would do neither of them good to lose face now. Especially in the imperial palace.

In the carriage, father and son did not speak a word. The entire journey was full of suffocating silence until the driver announced they have arrived at the main house.

Both men exited the carriage and entered the residence. Servants were immediately on hand to help with anything that the master and the young master required. Zi Siwei wandered around the residence gardens to get rid of the nervous feeling in his stomach.

He and his father fell out six years ago. It was such a horrible falling-out that he now resides in the Bai family estate, where Bai Haoxia lives.

After lingering in the estate for a while, Zi Siwei left. He had stayed in case his father had a few words to say to him but since he had none, he just left. He made his way to the Bai estate on foot, passing by the Restaurant Quarter.

Glancing at all the lively shops reminded him of the time he caught Dawa frolicking without security and how they were nearly killed.

Speaking of which…

Zi Siwei made a detour and headed to The Court needing to speak to Minister Hao. As a member of the imperial army, he wasn’t allowed to actively take part in investigations but ever since that day, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.

Despite explicit instructions not to take part in anything going on, he had been coming to The Court almost every day to inquire about the dead body. Every single time he came, Minister Hao would say the same thing:

“You don’t have the authority to conduct investigations.”

However, the young man was always persistent. And while Minister Hao would probably allow him to participate, he could not do so. With his position at court unstable due to the failure of the ongoing investigation of The Mysterious Group, he could not afford to bend any rules.

At last, he warned Zi Siwei that he would have him arrested if he tried to interfere, putting an end to the requests to his former master.

Zi Siwei was frustrated that he couldn’t do anything but Minister Hao has been providing progress updates which are a decent compromise in exchange for his inaction.

He arrived at the gates of The Court and requested to see Minister Hao. It was granted and a servant led the young man to the Minister’s study.

The old Minister was standing with his back to the entrance when Zi Siwei arrived.

“Zi Siwei greets Minister Hao.”

Minister Hao turned around, “Mm. Take a seat.” He gestured to a low table with sitting mats.

Zi Siwei kneeled followed by the Minister. He requested for tea and snacks to be brought over. Once the refreshments were served, Minister Hao stroked his beard and gave a small smile.

“Here to ask to take part in the investigation again?”

Zi Siwei, “You jest, Minister. Is it so odd for a former disciple to visit their old master?”

Minister Hao chuckled softly, “Indeed. It is not every day that a man such as myself has visitors. If anything, I am the one doing the visiting.”

Zi Siwei, “Has Minister been quite busy lately?”

Minister Hao, “Indeed, I have. Winter festivities are just are as tedious as the spring ones. Sometimes I wish we only had one grand festival a year…”

Zi Siwei grimaced. He knew he had to accompany his father again to visit the palace during the spring festival too.

Minister Hao noticed his former disciple’s frown, “I suppose the winter banquet this year was not to your liking?”

Zi Siwei sipped his tea, “It was…tolerable.”

I can’t tell him that I became blackout drunk due to a silly mistake on my part…or that I met Concubine Li when we’re not supposed to meet ever. Worst of all, I can’t say I am probably going to meet her again.

Minister Hao, “Mm. I suppose that is a good thing since you never enjoyed the banquet before.”

Zi Siwei, “Zi Zhifan was there so it was a little better.”

Minister Hao looked a little confused, “Zi Zhifan? Ah…General Zi Liyu’s son. He’s a lively sort isn’t he?”

Zi Siwei relaxed, “Yes, indeed.”

Minister Hao sipped his tea, “Siwei, I’ve known you for a very long time. I know that you are worried about the political situation in this country.”

Zi Siwei pursed his lips. There was nothing that his former master cannot tell.

Minister Hao leaned forward, “You met the Princess.”

Zi Siwei remained silent.

Minister Hao chuckled, “Very well. I cannot control what you youngsters do but I know you are not foolish.”

Minister Hao stood up and walked to the window facing the now bare plum trees, “That girl’s situation is more precarious than you think. I hope you understand that.”

Zi Siwei looked at the tea in his teacup, “Our correspondence –”

Minister Hao, “It is still the same: Yu Chengfu is not the one who followed you that day. However, we are not denying that the Yu family is plotting something. The assassin who tried to kill you and the Princess is not anyone we know of. He is probably foreign – Eastern perhaps.”

Zi Siwei furrowed his brows, “I see…”

Minister Hao looked grave, “We’ve had twenty years of peace but I feel that it was just delaying the inevitable. The first Xiafeng Emperor’s death has set off something that is coming but we don’t know what. You feel it too no doubt.”

Zi Siwei, “Mm…”

Minister Hao turned to face his former disciple, “We have to keep our eyes open and our ears sharp. Anything can happen but you cannot look alarmed.”

Zi Siwei, “Siwei understands.”

Minister Hao nodded, “As for the Princess, do what you must but know that she has her own battle to fight. Imperial harem politics are not something that we outside men are familiar with.”

Zi Siwei glanced at Minister Hao.

Shifu, was it you who told Concubine Li to hide her personality?

Just then, Zheng Yao entered the Minister’s study, “Minister, Judge Wen wishes to speak to you.”

Minister Hao mused, “Is it that time already? Alright, let him in.”

Zi Siwei got up from his place on the floor and bowed to the Minister, “It was a pleasure to speak to you again. This one will take his leave now.”

Minister Hao held his hand up, “Wait. Did you come here just to inquire about the Princess?”

Zi Siwei bowed again, “This one will not say.”

Minister Hao frowned slightly, “Fine then, you may leave.”

Zi Siwei exited the Minister’s study and walked down the corridors. He noticed a young man around his age walking towards him – Judge Wen. The two men glanced at each other and continue to walk past.

Just then, Zi Siwei felt something familiar about Judge Wen. It was odd since he never met the man before. It felt like leaking spiritual energy but it cannot be since cultivators can’t be judges. He brushed it off and continued walking.

Bai Family Estate, Eastern Guxi City

The Bai family was purely military. Every single member of the family has held some sort of military position.

However, due to their stance during the insurrection, Bai military officials were required to go through extra checks and balances to ensure their loyalty. Their main residence was also moved from the central district to the east. It was a symbolic move to show that families who didn’t support the new royal family were not regarded at the same level as supportive families.

Zi Siwei has lived in the Bai family estate since his falling out with his father. Bai Haoxia had offered him a place to stay.

Zi Siwei entered the gates of the Bai residence and came across Bai Haoxia practising his sword forms.

Bai Haoxia noticed Zi Siwei, “Oh! You’re back. Did you manage to survive?”

Zi Siwei gave his friend a look, “It wasn’t too bad. Zhifan was there.”

Bai Haoxia, “Zhifan?! The little round kid who used to follow you around and call you ‘gege’?”

Zi Siwei nodded, “Mm.”

Bai Haoxia, “Wah…How long has it been since we’ve last seen him? Eh, how old is he now? If he was at the banquet, he must be at least fourteen now! Oh man, now I feel old HAHAHAHA!”

Zi Siwei walked past his laughing friend and made his way to his rooms.

Bai Haoxia stopped him, “Hey, would you like to spar? It’s been a while since we’ve practised together.”

Zi Siwei, “I’m not in the mood to today…”

Bai Haoxia complained, “Eh, come on! We just got back from our respective posts, then you had the banquet. We haven’t done anything together in forever!!”

Zi Siwei looked incredulously at Bai Haoxia.

Heavens. It’s like we are married and I’ve been neglecting him.

Zi Siwei sighed, “Fine. Just one round alright?” He shrugged off his winter coat and picked up a practice sword.

For the next hour and a half, the two young men sparred until it was time for lunch.