De repente, Feng Qi levou um susto. Estava tão distraído que não percebeu a aproximação de Tian Ming. No instante em que se deu conta, Feng Qi recuou dois passos e instintivamente assumiu uma postura defensiva.
"Olhares perigosos..." Tian Ming comentou com leveza. "Senhorita Bai Lan, eu realmente não esperava que você estivesse tendo um caso com seu guarda." Um leve sorriso surgiu no rosto de Tian Ming enquanto ele se aproximava de Bai Lan, seu olhar fixo nela enquanto aguardava uma resposta. Era evidente que os toques frequentes entre Feng Qi e Bai Lan o haviam desagradado profundamente.
"Um caso extraconjugal? Você está louca?" Bai Lan respondeu bruscamente. "Ele é um amigo próximo, assim como Luo Zixuan. Não diga bobagens." Sua voz era firme, mas por dentro ela estava abalada pela acusação repentina de Tian Ming.
"Ele não parece ser alguém que te vê apenas como um amigo", disse Tian Ming, voltando sua atenção para Feng Qi. Ele se aproximou, examinando cuidadosamente cada detalhe do jovem à sua frente.
Feng Qi manteve-se firme, endireitou as costas e ergueu o queixo. Apesar de tudo, ele não temia aquele homem.
"Diga-me", perguntou Tian Ming, calmamente, "você nutre algum sentimento por sua jovem senhorita?"
"Fui traído pela mulher que amava há cerca de um mês." Feng Qi suspirou antes de continuar, com a voz alta e clara. "Depois de tamanha decepção, não tenho a menor intenção de me interessar por outra mulher tão cedo."
"Oh?" Tian Ming ergueu uma sobrancelha. "Que surpresa. Meus pêsames." Então seu olhar escureceu. "Mesmo assim, isso me incomoda. Procurei inúmeras maneiras de me aproximar da senhorita Bai Lan, mas ela nunca me permitiu sequer tocar em sua mão. E você... você a tocando... isso me irrita. Muito irrita."
Os olhos de Tian Ming fitaram profundamente Feng Qi.
Feng Qi não recuou. Não sentiu medo. Matar aquele homem ali mesmo não seria impossível. No entanto, o verdadeiro problema era a Família Tian. Por ora, ele teria que suportar aquela humilhação. Isso o fez lembrar de como se contera com Lin Tianhao antes. Embora ansioso e impaciente, Feng Qi entendia que a imprudência só traria infortúnio. Sua força ainda era insuficiente.
"Peço desculpas se o ofendi", disse Feng Qi, baixando a cabeça e curvando-se levemente.
Tian Ming ficou momentaneamente surpreso com essa reação. Bai Lan, no entanto, foi quem se irritou.
"Um guarda da família Bai jamais se curva — nem mesmo aos céus!", gritou ela. Apressou-se para o lado de Feng Qi e o repreendeu por suas ações. Feng Qi apenas a encarou surpreso, sem saber como reagir.
Isso foi apenas uma atuação. Fingir fraqueza para devorar o tigre.
Por causa disso, Tian Ming perdeu o interesse em continuar intimidando o guarda.
Com um gesto desinteressado, caminhou até o final do jardim e contemplou a distância, onde a silhueta de Qingyao se estendia ao longe. A Mansão Tian ficava nos arredores da cidade.
"Você vê tudo isso?" disse Tian Ming em voz baixa. "Um dia, tudo isso poderá ser destruído. Eu costumo pensar sobre o tempo... nada perdura no longo Rio do Tempo. Tudo muda, envelhece, desmorona e desaparece. O Império Chenyang existe há muitos anos. A Dinastia Imperial se arrastou por séculos. Acredito que seu fim está próximo. O dia da tribulação chegará e, quando chegar, todos os que estão ligados a ele — seus aliados e simpatizantes — naturalmente perecerão junto com o Império."
Seus olhos acompanhavam as nuvens puras no céu enquanto elas lentamente mudavam, se dispersavam, se fundiam e formavam novas formas, até que nada permanecesse igual.
"O mundo é como as nuvens — sempre mudando." Ele se virou para Bai Lan. "Senhorita Bai, convido você e seu estimado pai a abandonarem a ideia de apoiar a Corte Imperial. Não estou pedindo que os confrontem diretamente. Peço apenas que nos apoiem quando chegar a hora. Até lá, podem continuar vivendo como de costume. Se houver informantes entre as famílias Tian e Han, que continuem a nos fornecer informações à Corte... e ataquem quando menos esperarem."
Tian Ming colheu uma flor, esmagou-a na mão e deixou-a cair no chão.
"Todo o Império Chenyang perecerá."
Bai Lan ficou horrorizada com as palavras dele. Mesmo assim, ela entendeu parte do que ele disse. Os tempos haviam mudado, e adaptar-se a uma Nova Era significava abandonar o passado. Ainda assim, seu pai poderia não aceitar isso — e se a Família Bai aceitasse, seriam os primeiros a serem executados sob a Lei Imperial.
"Eu sei o que você está pensando", continuou Tian Ming calmamente. "Não precisa se preocupar. Simplesmente deixe metade das finanças da cidade conosco, e toda a nossa rivalidade poderá ser deixada de lado."
O coração de Bai Lan batia forte. Essa nunca fora sua intenção. Ela não esperava que as coisas se complicassem tanto. Qualquer decisão precisaria da aprovação de seu pai — e ela sabia que ele jamais a permitiria. Contudo, no fundo, ela se sentia tentada — não pela riqueza ou pelos recursos, mas pela possibilidade de ter dois caminhos para sobreviver.
"Não confio em você", disse ela em voz baixa.
"Eu também não confio em você", respondeu Tian Ming. "Mas consigo imaginar por que você hesita. Você quer uma maneira de participar sem ser culpado."
Eles ficaram de pé, frente a frente, em silêncio. Uma gota de suor escorreu pela bochecha de Bai Lan, enquanto Tian Ming continuava a encará-la com uma expressão fria.
"Lord Tian Ming," Bai Lan finally said, "I came here only to obtain an honest answer regarding your alliance with the Han Family. If both of your families use your strength to create chaos within the city, the governor will be forced to use everything at his disposal to maintain order."
She lowered her head, her gaze fixed on the ground, sadness evident in her eyes. There was no escape. Trusting these people was like offering her neck to executioners. Even if the Imperial Court was threatened, there was no easy way out.
At best, surviving this tribulation meant either fleeing to another region—or aligning with both families.
"Why do you believe we would be the ones to cause chaos?" Tian Ming countered. "Look at our servants, our household. The people love the Tian Family. Despite our authority and wealth, we do not oppress the weak. This city still maintains a semblance of order because of us."
Bai Lan let out a soft laugh, raising a hand to hide her smile. Tian Ming was not surprised and continued to look at her calmly.
"Forgive me," she said. "But hearing that from the ones who control the Black Market sounds rather amusing."
"Laugh all you want," Tian Ming replied. "The Black Market you speak of forbids the sale of slaves and other races. We maintain an open and fair market, far removed from true depravity."
Listening to their exchange, Feng Qi gradually understood everyone's position. There was no good or evil—only interests. In truth, the Bai Family feared losing their authority and wealth. Justice had nothing to do with it. The same was true for all clans and sects.
Strangely, Feng Qi felt a sense of relief. To be precise, it was freedom from guilt. In the end, this was the law of life—no one was exempt, not even him.
"Lord Tian Ming," Bai Lan said after a pause, "I truly wish to cooperate with your family in sincerity. We can divide half of the finances with you and even provide additional resources and privileges—if you promise a partial alliance with us."
"A partial alliance?" Tian Ming laughed. "And what exactly do you offer us?"
Bai Lan lowered her head once more, calculating carefully. If the Northern forces truly had influence over the Chenyang Empire—and if both the Tian and Han families were aligned with them—then resistance would be futile. Survival demanded a strong alliance.
"If what you say about the Northern forces is true," she said, "then I'm willing to accept your proposal—on one condition."
"Speak."
She let out a deep sigh before continuing. "I want protection in case the Empire launches a counterattack," she said with complete sincerity.
Tian Ming remained serious, though he was no longer as indifferent as before.
"Very well. There's no need for proof. Let things follow their natural course. You are the Minister of External Relations of the city—you hold authority. Tell your father that we will take half of everything Qingyao produces. In return, we guarantee your family's safety and provide you with an ally to rely upon."
Bai Lan clearly did not believe him. It was almost certain that everything he said was a lie.But… what if it wasn't?
Recently, many laws had been revoked, and the Imperial Decrees themselves carried subtle changes in wording and intent—as though influenced by unseen forces. Even her father had commented on it weeks earlier.
If all of this were truly real, then every one of these lands—indeed, the entire Southern Region—would undergo grotesque changes, reduced to a mere vassal state, existing only to nourish the Northern Region. The Northeast and Southeast Regions were already nothing more than vassal states. Who could guarantee that the Northern Region had not finally set foot in the South?
That was what Bai Lan feared most.
These people were ruthless, cruel, utterly merciless. Once caught in their grasp, escape would be impossible. Even the great powers of the Southern Region were regarded as nothing more than barbarians by the North. That was how the South was labeled—
The Barbarian Region.
"I also wish to demand the understanding of the Han Family—"
Before she could finish, she was interrupted by Young Master Tian.
"The Han Family is another matter entirely. Our alliance with them is not as solid as you believe. To be honest, it is far easier for us to coexist peacefully than to walk the same path as the Han Family," he said calmly.
"What? Wait— I thought you had reached an agreement. Our informants—"The beautiful young woman stopped herself abruptly, realizing she had revealed something she should not have.
"Why do you think I called you here?" Tian Ming replied indifferently. "And don't worry about your spies within my family. We already know where they are."
Feng Qi listened attentively, committing every word to memory. He intended to take advantage of this situation. And now, openly and without the slightest hesitation, Bai Lan had traded the city and the Empire for the safety of her family.
He did not judge her.
In her place, he would have done the same.
Still, the sudden turn of events caught him off guard.
"So this is how betrayal is born…" he thought.
"Very well. Then we are in agreement. My father may not approve of this, but knowing him, I am certain he will change his mind the moment the Northern Region is mentioned."A trace of sadness appeared in Bai Lan's eyes. She was visibly shaken, her gaze lowered. "If he refuses, I will try to persuade him."
Seeing this, Tian Ming dismissed her. He had many matters to attend to. However, before leaving, he cast a cold glance toward Feng Qi.
"He really does like you, Young Lady," Feng Qi said mockingly.
"I have a headache! Stop bothering me!"Without a second thought for her own safety, Bai Lan turned and left. Her two guards hurried after her.
As they departed, Feng Qi caught sight of a familiar silhouette out of the corner of his eye. When he paused to look more closely, he recognized the figure—
Feng Shidao.His grandfather.
"Why is that damned old man here?" he muttered.
"Hey!" A voice suddenly called out—it was Luo Zixuan. "Hurry up!"
Feng Qi ignored his grandfather's presence, yet a bitter taste lingered in his mouth. If those people discovered him, trouble would surely follow. He lowered his head, concealing his face as best he could.
Bai Lan left the main hall in silence, still burdened by the weight of her profound conversation with Tian Ming. His words echoed endlessly in her mind, like slow waves that refused to dissipate. As she approached the grand gates of the Tian Family, her posture remained composed, yet her heart was far from calm.
Before she could cross into the outer courtyard, a presence blocked her path.
"Han Yucheng…"
Her tone was icy. She preferred to keep her distance from this man and his family. If there were any way for the Bai Family to take part in this scheme without the involvement of the Han Family, everything would proceed far more smoothly—without worry or needless headaches.
Dressed in refined robes embroidered with the emblem of the Han Family, Han Yucheng stood there with a restrained smile—too elegant to be warm, too rigid to be casual. His eyes, however, betrayed the turbulence hidden beneath his composed façade. From the moment he had seen Bai Lan beside Feng Qi, watching him touch her whenever possible, something within him had grown dangerously unstable.
"Bai Lan," he called softly, his voice carrying an intimacy that had never been granted permission to exist.
For a brief moment, Han Yucheng's gaze shifted toward the guard named Zhao Long. Memories of hands touching Bai Lan with casual familiarity—again and again, without restraint—caused his jaw to tighten. His fist slowly clenched, though the smile still lingered on his lips. To him, this was no trivial gesture, but a silent provocation.
The Han Family possessed power equal to that of the Tian Family. Han Yucheng had grown up knowing this, just as he had grown up harboring feelings for Bai Lan—feelings that were never returned in the way he desired. Politics no longer mattered to him. That might have been the excuse used by those who manipulated him, but in his heart, there was only one woman.
Bai Lan.
Seeing Feng Qi so close to her felt like an invisible blade pressing against his pride.
Meanwhile, Feng Qi remained alert. His calm expression concealed the unease spreading through his chest. This place was not safe. The mere possibility of the Feng Clan discovering his presence caused his body to shift subtly, almost imperceptibly. Being within the Tian Family's territory was already dangerous; prolonging the situation—especially under Han Yucheng's gaze—made everything far more precarious.
The air grew heavy.
Between the gates of the Tian Family, unspoken emotions, latent rivalries, and intricate power games intertwined. What seemed like a casual encounter was merely the harbinger of far greater conflicts to come.
At that moment, Bai Lan imagined the worst.
Han Yucheng—the man who had relentlessly harassed her with marriage proposals.
Suddenly, many eyes turned toward Bai Lan. A heavy pressure fell upon Feng Qi as well. His gaze darkened as he noticed members of the Feng Clan among the onlookers. He feared the worst.
"My delicate and beautiful Bai Lan… how are you on such a wonderful day?"Han Yucheng stepped forward to greet her.
Unlike Tian Ming, this man was much shorter. His long hair was tied into a ponytail that fell to his shoulders. Despite his extravagant clothing, he lacked charisma, often behaving like an eccentric madman. Many regarded him as a nuisance—someone difficult to even hold a conversation with.
"What do you want?"Bai Lan's voice was frigid. She wished to keep as much distance as possible from him and his family.
"My dear, don't be like that. After all, we are engaged. I have already spoken with your father—"
Before he could finish, Bai Lan laid everything bare.
"My father approved nothing! And even if he did, I would rather be disowned than suffer such humiliation!"Her hands clenched tightly as she stared at her detestable admirer. "I have already spoken with Tian Ming. Everything is settled now. There is no need to continue this nonsense."
"I love you regardless of what my relatives say," Han Yucheng replied earnestly. "I don't care about what they hide beneath the surface. I follow only the will of my heart. Bai Lan, please accept my proposal. Become my future wife."
"You must be insane if you think I would accept such a proposal. I have no interest in you or your family."Though her words were firm, Bai Lan felt intimidated. Her chest tightened whenever she remembered how persistent this man was.
"Miss Bai, this is for the good of both families, for the city, and for the new order that will descend upon the Southern Region," he continued. "We could even come to love each other in time. Why make something so simple so difficult? Am I truly that unappealing to you?"His head lowered slightly, his expression tinged with sorrow. "I overheard your conversation."
"Então o que você quer?!" Bai Lan já não tinha mais paciência. Sua cabeça latejava violentamente e, independentemente do que ele dissesse, não passava de um disparate vazio.
Na verdade, muitos olhos observavam a conversa de Bai Lan com Tian Ming. A família Han estava entre eles. Han Yucheng havia claramente observado as ações de Zhao Long, e isso alimentou sua fúria. Ele era genuinamente obcecado por Bai Lan. Vê-la sendo cortejada por outros homens o enlouquecia.
E foi Feng Qi quem ele finalmente decidiu atacar.
"Minha querida jovem senhora, por que tanta impaciência?", disse Han Yucheng, lançando um olhar para Zhao Long. "Somos aliados agora. Você deveria me ter em melhor consideração. Ouvi dizer que Tian Ming lhe contou que você está tendo um caso com seu guarda... isso é verdade?"
Seu sorriso desapareceu abruptamente, substituído por uma carranca sombria.
"Tian Ming? Você estava espionando nossa conversa?" Bai Lan disparou. "Que falta de respeito! E agora pretende continuar com essa loucura? De onde você tira o direito de se intrometer na minha vida pessoal? Eu não te devo nada!"
"Senhorita Bai, o que pensariam os habitantes da cidade se vissem um membro da Família Bai envolvido com um mero guarda?", respondeu Han Yucheng calmamente, embora seus olhos permanecessem fixos em Zhao Long. "A reputação de sua família seria arruinada e a autoridade de seu pai poderia ficar abalada."
Enquanto isso, Feng Qi temia os olhares ao seu redor. Entre eles, estavam membros do Clã Feng. Em pouco tempo, eles poderiam reconhecê-lo.
"Aquele verme imundo... algumas pessoas realmente buscam a própria morte..." Uma intenção assassina surgiu lentamente nos olhos de Feng Qi. Seu punho se fechou, sua respiração ficou mais profunda, como se ele estivesse pronto para atacar a qualquer momento.
"Onde foi que revelaram que estou tendo um caso com meu guarda?!" gritou Bai Lan. "Tragam aquele desgraçado à minha presença, e eu lhe darei uma lição! Han Yucheng, não provoque problemas. Podemos agir com civilidade, mas aviso: a Família Bai não tolerará essa afronta!"
Um passo. Depois outro.
Bai Lan endireitou as costas, ergueu o queixo e encarou Han Yucheng diretamente nos olhos. Ela não falava mais como Ministra da Diplomacia, mas como filha do Governador. Embora a Família Bai não fosse a mais poderosa, ainda detinha a autoridade da Corte Imperial.
"Entendo, jovem senhora... mas creio que você deva manter a guarda no lugar certo", disse Han Yucheng friamente. "Afinal, você é uma mulher pura—"
"O que isso tem a ver com você?!"
A conversa, antes amigável, foi aos poucos se tornando mais sombria, atraindo cada vez mais atenção. Entre os espectadores, alguém reconheceu um dos guardas.
"Feng Qi?!"