Underneath The Moonlit Night

Chapter 80: The Sea Does Not Weep

The gentle trickle of a stone fountain mingled with hushed voices in Lord Wen Ruyi's private garden pavilion. Sheltered from the harsh desert sun by intricately carved lattice screens, the small tea room offered both seclusion and comfort. Date palms swayed beyond the pavilion's edge, their fronds rustling in the occasional breeze that carried the sweet scent of desert blooms cultivated in ceramic pots around the space. Moisture from the fountain created a pocket of cool air in defiance of Khufu's relentless heat.

Wen Ruyi and Xie Zhongwen sat across from each other at a low sandalwood table, their conversation protected by the ambient sounds of water and wind. To any servant who might glimpse them, they appeared to be merely enjoying morning tea, but their tense expressions betrayed deeper concerns.

"That ritual," Wen Ruyi began, his voice a careful murmur as he toyed with the rim of his teacup. "To think, the entire court witnessed that spectacle yesterday. Spirits called forth to spill their secrets—secrets we all knew but dared not voice."

His lips curled into a bitter smile. "It seems the dead are far braver than the living."

Xie Zhongwen exhaled sharply, his tone low and taut. "It was far too close, Ruyi. Back then, if we'd been there that night—if anyone had seen us near the West Wing—it would've been the end of us. Knowing about it was already dangerous enough, but to actually be present?"

He shook his head, his hands tightening into fists on the table. "We're fortunate the ghosts had no names to give—just a truth left dangling. For now."

Wen Ruyi's fingers tightened around his teacup, as though steadying himself. "I have always been loyal to His Grace, Duke Fengxian."

His voice was quiet, but the conviction behind it was unmistakable. "When he relinquished the crown, I struggled to understand why, but my faith in him never wavered. And when he chose to reclaim what was rightfully his, I pledged my support without hesitation."

He exhaled, a shadow passing over his face. "I believed in his son as well. And those sacrifices... they were necessary. A tragic cost, but one that had to be paid to secure the crown for them."

His thumb traced the rim of the cup, his voice dropping into something almost weary. "Or so we thought."

"Or so we thought." Xie Zhongwen repeated grimly, his voice edged with unease. His fingers tensed around his teacup.

"Did you notice how that demon-eyed Grand Duke watched us during the ritual? The way his gaze lingered..." He suppressed a shudder. "He knows we were complicit."

"Qing Yi is the real threat here," Wen Ruyi agreed, his expression darkening.

"Kai Ze may wear the crown, but it's the Grand Duke who truly rules. His influence grows by the day. The shadow assassins, the celestial beast's power, the support of the cultivation world through his connection to Gusu Lan—he's becoming untouchable."

Xie Zhongwen leaned forward, his eyes darting toward the garden to ensure no servants lingered nearby. "You think I don't know that? Every move we make, every word we speak, we're watched. Those shadow assassins of his—always lurking, always listening. I can't even leave my quarters at night without feeling their eyes on me."

He set his teacup down with a sharp clink against the saucer. "Sending word to Duke Fengxian has become nearly impossible. The risks are too great."

"This changes nothing," Xie Zhongwen cut in sharply. "The late king chose Ming Zhe as his heir. That was his right. This... this usurper and his pet sorcerer have no claim—"

"Careful," Wen Ruyi warned, though his eyes showed agreement. "Even here, we must watch our words." He paused, considering.

"But you're right. The Grand Duke is the key. Remove him, and Kai Ze's support would crumble. The cultivation world would withdraw, the shadow assassins would lose their master..."