The streets of the Outer City were exceptionally cold and quiet after nightfall. Two sets of footsteps rang out clearly on the flagstone road. They walked in silence for a while, turning a corner until the warm yellow glow from the teahouse window had completely vanished into the night behind them. Then, Adrian broke the silence.
“Do you hate me?”
Adrian asked suddenly. His tone was flat, yet tinged with a touch of melancholy, as if he were already prepared for Lanqiu’s reproach.
Lanqiu’s footsteps faltered for a moment. He glanced at Adrian, his face devoid of expression, maintaining his usual cold demeanor. After a few seconds, he looked away and shook his head.
“I don't... This was our family's choice. We cannot blame anyone else for ending up like this. Besides, we all survived, didn't we?”
The fact that most of his family had survived was indeed unexpected. He suspected the Second Prince had exerted some influence behind the scenes... At that thought, Lanqiu felt a flicker of gratitude.
His voice was quiet but firm. From the moment the Cecil family decided to side with the Second Prince, they had staked everything on the gamble.
If they won, the family’s status would soar; if they lost, they would lose all honor and position... perhaps even their lives.
Now, his father was exiled thousands of miles away, and his own title had been stripped. Yet, such an outcome was already an act of mercy from the King—at least the family was still alive.
It was far better than the fate of those nobles who had been dragged to the block and beheaded.
Hearing this answer, a faint, ghost of a smile appeared on Adrian’s lips. It wasn't mockery, but rather self-deprecation.
“I calculated so many people,” he began, looking up at the night-shrouded street ahead. “I factored in the Royal Preceptor, the Blood Moon Cult, the nobles, and the ministers. I treated them all as my chess pieces, believing I was the only mastermind... Heh. Yet, I failed to account for my own capabilities. I overestimated myself and underestimated everyone else. In the end—”
He retracted his gaze and looked down at his palms.
“I lost the entire game. This end is fitting for a loser like me.”
Lanqiu opened his mouth to speak, but found that any words would be redundant. He remained silent for a while before speaking again, his tone softer than before.
“Actually, it wasn't a total loss. At the least, the majority of the kingdom's citizens now know that the royal family still has the power to protect them. Their confidence in the crown is much stronger than before.”
Adrian lowered his hands and shook his head slightly.
“That is nowhere near enough.”
His eyes flickered, the previous air of dejection vanishing instantly. Lanqiu could sense an underlying emotion, like a temporarily sleeping lion striving to wake once more.
This failure had not broken his will. He was still charging toward his goal.
“This one time isn't enough—not nearly enough! The people must be made to understand clearly that even without the Royal Preceptor, they can still rely on the royal family to protect this country. If once isn't enough, then twice. If twice isn't enough, then three times. One day, when people face trouble, the first thing they think of won't be the man in the Magic Tower, but the palace—the royal family! Only then will we have truly succeeded.”
Lanqiu listened in silence, feeling a surge of emotion. Who wouldn't want to see that day? The nobility and the royalty were one; he too hoped the people of his domain would have faith in their lord rather than praying to a distant Royal Preceptor.
But how difficult would it be to achieve such a goal? Even if they had succeeded this time, it might not have produced the desired effect. For a moment, he felt a sense of aimlessness.
They walked a bit further. The streetlamps grew sparse, and the flagstone road beneath their feet became uneven. The reconstruction of this district was not yet complete; cracks from the explosions still marred the surface, waiting to be filled.
The city gate was visible in the distance, a solitary signal light swaying gently in the night wind above it.
Adrian stopped.
“This is far enough... I'll walk the rest of the way alone.”
Lanqiu stopped as well. He looked at the gate, then at Adrian.
“Let me walk with you a bit further. I'd like to get some air anyway.”
Adrian turned, his dark gold eyes exceptionally calm in the night.
“This is the end of the line, Lanqiu.”
His tone was flat and brook no argument. Lanqiu looked at him and finally relented. After spending so much time together, he knew well that when this man spoke in such a tone, further words were meaningless.
Adrian looked away and prepared to turn, but then stopped as if remembering something. After a moment of hesitation, he looked back at Lanqiu.
“There is something you should pay attention to.”
Lanqiu looked up at him.
“That teahouse owner—if you get the chance, interact with him more... It would be best if you could become friends.”
Lanqiu’s expression froze in a visible daze. For such words to come from Adrian’s mouth was incredibly rare. He had been by the Second Prince’s side for a long time and knew that he rarely offered praise, let alone suggested actively approaching someone.
“Why?”
Adrian didn't answer immediately. He glanced back toward the teahouse, but the street had already been swallowed by the night, leaving only a blur.
“That teahouse owner is not as simple as he appears. He is far more than just an ordinary brewer.” He lowered his voice. “He has many secrets... but I cannot say more.”
He paused, then added one more thing.
“If you can gain his help, your family might even be able to recover its original title and return to the capital.”
Lanqiu’s expression changed instantly. He snapped his head up and opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Adrian patted his shoulder twice and turned toward the city gate.
His pace wasn't fast, but it was exceptionally steady.
“Secon—”
Lanqiu took a few steps forward, but the word died in his throat. Adrian didn't look back; he simply raised a hand and gave a casual wave as a final farewell.
Lanqiu stood there, watching the silhouette slowly disappear beyond the city gates.
...
After seeing off the last guests, Li Yuan tidied up, returned the tables and chairs to their places, and went back behind the bar counter.
He took a good look around the brand-new teahouse and nodded in satisfaction.
“As expected, this familiar feeling is the most reassuring.”
He then took out his prized green tea from his storage space to brew a pot for himself and retrieved the copy of 《The Three-Body Problem》 he hadn't finished reading last time from the bookshelf.
Books, tea, and—with a snap of his fingers, a low rumble of thunder echoed outside. Tens of seconds later, the sounds of thunder and rain began to play tonight’s symphony.
When the time was right, Li Yuan poured himself a cup of green tea, opened his book, and took a deep breath, immersing himself in this long-overdue moment of leisure.
Rate on N.U.
