Yecao Cao did not even try to hide his yawn in front of the ministers who looked solemnly at him beside the Emperor. Lin Hai stood not far away from them while his eyes trailed on him almost like he was making sure that he behaved himself.

In front of the Emperor stood the jade prince Jían, Wang Yu Jían, with a slight smile on his face and serene eyes that followed the movements of the entire hall. He fanned himself while making few other moves. Though Wang Yu Jían’s face was gentle, his powerful aura made the ministers cautious. That included the Emperor who looked far from pleased by his uncle’s presence.

The only one unaffected was Yecao Cao who had just woken up from his rest and was in no shape to care about the heavy atmosphere in the room.

“Well, is anyone going to comment? Who dares attack my harbor? Taichang, Taipu, Dahong Lu! You three are from the Shu family. Have you gotten any news?”

The three ministers of ceremonies, coachmen and heralds stepped forward and bowed to the Emperor with trembling steps.

“We are not sure, Huángdi.” They all said in unison. Yecao Cao rubbed his eyes as he watched the three. His former minister Taichang looked ready to faint. Taipu was in no better condition. The minister of Coachmen had rarely been summoned in front of the Emperor and was understandably nervous. Dahong Lu, the minister of heralds, was the calmest as he often talked to the Emperor and he was the one that delivered the message about the attack to the court.

“No information at all? Dahong Lu?”

“None, Huángdi.”

Dahong Lu’s voice was steady. So were his eyes. He was neither pale or nervous. He did not sweat or fidget. This man was telling the truth. Yecao Cao watched the other two closely. They showed signs of nervousness and fear but no signs of lying.

“How can that be? You should at least know if it was a force from Tiandi or if our neighbors across the sea of Qinghai have attacked us.”

“The news is uncertain, Huángdi. There was a sudden mist from the sea and then came a large number of ships who attacked the harbor. We have still not heard about what kind of damage was inflicted or for that matter if anything was looted,” the Dahong Lu informed and a rush of whispered streamed through the hall.

“The ships must be from Faraheim or Diamanas. We are the only ones with a decent armada in Tiandi!”

“You forget the four islands between Diamanas and Tiandi. They might-“

“Those are occupied by four different sects. The sects have no interests in mortal affairs!”

“No, but maybe some of the islands are occupied by pirates.”

“Don’t be foolish! The sects would never allow pirates to be so close to their home.”

“Quiet!” The Emperor’s fierce voice silenced all whispers but eyes were still darting around the room as they speculated on the incident.

“You said that there was a large number of ships which attacked the harbor?” Yecao Cao suddenly asked Dahong Lu. All stared at the pretentious Zhiji. He had no experience so why did he open his mouth? Dahong Lu had no intention of speculating and just answered the newly appointed Zhiji.

“Yes, they hid in the mist.”

“Then how do you know that there was a large number of ships?”

Duhong Lu stared speechless at Yecao Cao who scratched his head with a dull expression on his face. The room immediately answered by sounding like a swarm of angry bees.

“Pretentious! You dare question the Duhong Lu?”

“Even a blind person can distinguish a large number of ships when they attack.”

“Do you take us for fools?”

Yecao Cao had no intention of giving the angry ministers any face as he could not understand why they were angry. He had not insulted them and only questioned the report of panicked civilians.

“Silence,” Wang Yu Jían’s voice was gentle as a breeze but sounded over all the ministers who froze in place. “The Zhiji’s question is valid. If they were hidden in the mist, then we have no idea if they were many or just a few moving around to make it seem that they are plenty. This is a common tactic to create fear among your enemy.”

No one dared to refute the Wang and just looked down onto the floor avoiding the Emperor’s perusing gaze. Only two ministers dared to step forward.

Yu Yuwang, the Zhang Xia. He controlled all the Gáng, generals of the army, and was cousin to the former Emperor. He was also the father of Fu Chun but Yecao Cao saw no resemblance between this brutish man and the fair and proud concubine.

The other one made Yecao Cao grimace as he was Da Sinong, the minister of Finance. The old man still looked arrogant and send Yecao Cao a repulsed glare. “Yes, look at this lowly Tóng whose brother you looked down upon.”

Yecao Cao had learned later that Da Sinong’s name was San Hei. He was the brother to the governor of Sinchuan and one of the most powerful minister’s in the Imperial Court. No one dared to slight him without being prepared for the consequences. Well, all except Yecao Cao who had been on the man’s bad side since he refused to join his ministerium to join the low status Ministry of Ceremonies instead.

“Wang Yu Jían forgets that it takes powerful magic or cultivation techniques to create mist,” Yu Yuwang said with a huff.

“Oh, he did not forget. It is just simply not true. Even children can create a so-called mist with smoke. My sisters did it all the time to sneak food out of the kitchen,” snorted Yecao Cao.

“You!”

“Zhang Xia! Zhiji’s words may be blunt but they sound true,” Wang Yu Jían said gently to the large man who looked far from appeased.

“They are surely true when they come from such a… qualified advisor,” said Da Sinong and made a dramatic pause for the waves of laughter. Yecao Cao could only roll his eyes.

“What is he? An actor waiting for applause?”

“With such a keen eye. Would it not be a good idea to send Zhiji to investigate, Huángdi?” Da Sinong said with a smirk and bowed to the Emperor. That sent the room into chaos. Send the fool? What was Da Sinong thinking?

Yecao Cao wanted to protest but he already saw his doom in the Emperor’s eyes who gleamed excitingly. This was a good opportunity to be a bait and Da Sinong’s offer not only made it possible but also made him a suspect.

“I agree, but I would want my uncle to accompany him.”

Protest from every minister echoed throughout the hall but the Emperor just ignored them and stared at Wang Yu Jían who merely smiled.

“It would be my honor.”

*****

Di Xúe ignored the silenced glares of his Shaofu who followed him into his office. He knew why he was displeased but this was far too good of an opportunity for Di Xúe not to send the little plum into the hornet’s nest. No matter if Lin Hai disliked it or not.

“Was that really-“

“Yes, it was. This is a golden opportunity that was presented by Da Sinong. We cannot give it up because of your ridiculous fancy for that plum,” Di Xúe said callously and he could almost hear Lin Hai clench his teeth.

“He will be in danger.”

“That is the point. He is the bait. But for your peace of mind I send my uncle with him. He can protect him.”

“You suspect your uncle to be the culprit!”

“Which also makes this a good opportunity. I have moved all the pieces into place. Let’s see if my uncle, the San family or the Shu family takes the bait.”

Lin Hai looked ready to strangle Di Xúe but took a deep breath before looking at him with determination.

“Then I should follow him. I can-“

“No.”

“Huángdi!”

“I will not alert them to this trap.”

“If I go with him the bait will become even more tempting. The lover and the childhood friend of the Emperor all in one-“

“I don’t care. I won’t allow it.”

“Why not?!”

“Because he is expendable. You are not.”

Di Xúe faced Lin Hai’s eyes head-on and for the first time, he saw something he had never seen before on his face. Disappointment. Lin Hai huffed and turned his back on him.

“If you continue to sacrifice people like this, you will truly be just like your father and brothers.”

A sharp pain rushed through Di Xúe’s chest as the words cut deep. Lin Hai did not turn around again and merely left without saying another word.

Di Xúe fell into a heap with a groan that slowly turned into a sigh. He rubbed his temples while thinking of that damn little plum. Was he wrong?

No, the little plum had the heavens on his side. There was no way of him not coming out of this alive. At least he sincerely hoped so as his Shaofu would most likely never forgive him and Di Xúe did not want to have to look over his shoulder every time Lin Hai was displeased. He did not want to kill his childhood friend. Not for such a ridiculous matter.

*****

The trees had now turned to a vibrant color signaling that the autumn was here. The birds had moved to seek warmer climates while Yecao Cao could only envy them as he too missed the comfortable warmth of the summer. He cared not for the icy morning air and could not fathom how the three men before him could look so impervious.

“Take care, Xiao Mei. Do not take risks,” Lin Hai said for the fifth time while straightening Yecao Cao’s thick robes.

“When did the Shaofu become a worrying mother?” thought Yecao Cao with another yawn. His siblings had not come but Yecao Ji had sent along several cakes with a letter with the words don’t bring shame to the family written onto it. He had also gotten several perfumes and other products from his family's shops to sell in Dongzhou. All of them were carried by a second carriage beside the one that would carry Yecao Cao and Wang Yu Jían.

“Stop fretting like a useless woman,” muttered the Emperor grimly but his uncle merely laughed.

“Shaofu Hai is gentle towards the Zhiji. That is commendable. I assure you honored Shaofu that I will bring him home safely,” Wang Yu Jían fanned himself with a pondering look on his face. “Though I wonder to whom I shall bring him to?”

Yecao Cao rolled his eyes at the Emperor’s dull expression. If he wants to keep up this charade then he better improve his acting. Not even the slightest care crossed the Emperor’s face even though he was about to send his so-called lover to a city recently attacked.

“My brother will most likely send a lot of angry letters to the court if his little chick brother gets killed,” Yecao Cao chuckled to change the subject. Wang Yu Jían merely smiled and Yecao Cao could not decipher if he had succeeded or not.

Lin Hai looked solemnly at the two powerful men before leaning discreetly towards Yecao Cao.

“Trust no one,” he whispered and looked deeply into Yecao Cao’s eyes. They were truly beautiful and currently filled with such worry that Yecao Cao could not help but to feel moved.

“Not even myself?” Yecao Cao said with a lighthearted chuckle and Lin Hai sighed forlornly before giving Yecao Cao a feeble smile.

“Be careful. I would not like you to be harmed.”

“Neither do I. Don’t worry. My mind is clear as the sky. I will be fine,” Yecao Cao said in an effort to comfort Lin Hai before entering the carriage with Wang Yu Jían. They left the capital with a large escort of guards but Lin Hai could still feel doubt cloud his mind.

He looks up at the sky who becomes dark with clouds and rumbling of thunder was heard in a distance.

“Clear as the sky,” he muttered, going inside before it started to rain.