Chapter 61: A Momentous Incident

Feng Yao departed from the Minister's mansion, carrying Su Yuxin, employing remarkable agility and grace to navigate the rooftops. A series of events followed discreetly behind them. The guards at the Minister's mansion remained oblivious, not due to their incompetence, but because the General's residence was a haven of hidden talents and skilled individuals. After leaving the Minister's mansion, they turned into a narrow alley off the backstreet. Cloud, with a joyful cry, darted to Su Yuxin's side, affectionately nudging her arm with narrowed eyes. Trailing behind was the sound of four hooves, gentle and serene, resembling a peaceful winter scene. Had it not been widely known that the black owl held such prestige, the sight of four snow-white hooves trotting by in the dead of night might have induced sheer terror. Wood Spirit couldn't help but adopt a mischievous expression. "Black Soil, avoid wearing white clothing when you venture out next time." Enraged, Earth Spirit immediately engaged in a scuffle. The two began an airborne tussle.

Originally, Feng Yao intended for Su Yuxin to ride in a carriage, but she preferred not to attract attention with its conspicuousness. She desired to ride a horse herself. Since the last time she brought Cloud back to the General's residence, she hadn't had an opportunity to ride. She was not adept at horseback riding; taming Cloud had genuinely been a stroke of fate. Sensing her inexperience, Cloud ran steadily along the way, albeit a bit slower. Yet, she was exhilarated, relishing the sensation of riding freely atop the horse, unrestrained and liberated. "How about I teach you to ride when we find the time?" Feng Yao held Su Yuxin's small hand gently, proposing. "Yes, absolutely!" Su Yuxin joyfully nodded.

At that moment, Black Owl nudged Su Yuxin's arm affectionately, exhibiting a complete 180-degree shift in attitude towards her ever since Cloud joined her, a stark contrast to the absence of such sycophantic behavior towards Feng Yao. Pushing away Black Owl's massive head, Su Yuxin asserted, "Flattery is useless. Stop bothering my Cloud." Frustrated, Black Owl snorted loudly. Having exhausted various methods—chatter, affectionate gestures, and treats—Black Owl's fondness for black rice cakes, prepared daily by the General's household, had shifted solely to pleasing Cloud. However, Cloud did not fancy black rice cakes and even appeared repulsed by their scent. Despite this, Black Owl, oblivious, persisted in offering these treats to Cloud. Annoyed, Cloud kicked it each time. Faced with this setback, Black Owl sought an indirect approach but was met with rejection from Su Yuxin as well. Feeling both heartbroken and dejected, it hung its head in despondency.

Reflecting on her earlier words, Su Yuxin wondered if she had been too harsh. Had she wounded Black Owl's pride inadvertently? But she hadn't said much; could a horse's feelings be so fragile? She gently patted Black Owl's head, remarking, "Cloud is still young; we must wait for it to grow up." This statement lightened the mood, and Black Owl joyfully barked a couple of times before beginning to nuzzle Su Yuxin's arm again, entirely forgetting its master, Feng Yao.

Infuriated, Feng Yao slapped Black Owl's massive head as it persisted in its affectionate antics, causing it to stare back at him with a twisted neck, clearly indignant. Unperturbed by Black Owl's reaction, Feng Yao lifted Su Yuxin onto Cloud and then leaped onto Black Owl's back himself. Immediately, Black Owl sprang up, engaging in a playful tussle with Feng Yao. It seemed concerned that the damaged image would be unfitting to accompany Cloud.

Familiar with Black Owl's eccentricities and boasting top-notch equestrian skills, Feng Yao maintained a steady seat on the horse's back regardless of its acrobatics. On the contrary, Su Yuxin, observing nervously, hastily interjected, "Enough with the antics." Cloud responded with a soft whinny.

Black Owl instantly calmed down, trotting over to Cloud's side with small, eager steps, its happiness evident from the sparkle in its eyes. Feng Yao, wearing a doting expression, reached out to tuck away Su Yuxin's hair, swayed by the night breeze.

Wood Spirit, who had already finished the altercation with Earth Spirit, observed with twitching eyes. The General, ruled by the General's wife in affairs of the heart, now saw even the General's mount enthralled by the General's wife's steed. The prominent position within the General's household would undoubtedly belong to the General's wife in the future. Choosing sides was imperative; one must undoubtedly latch onto the General's wife's influence firmly. Even Earth Spirit pondered the idea of "defection." Recognizing the prevailing situation was the mark of a discerning individual.

Following their departure from the Minister's mansion, Feng Yao's party headed straight for Li Gui's residence. Although Lv Shiyán hadn't explicitly stated Li Gui's location, Jin Ling had gleaned it from Jin Mama's disclosures. Li Gui resided in the civilian western district, precisely at the first house on Qingyun Alley. The house's exterior seemed unremarkable, much like its surroundings, but a view from above revealed a hidden paradise within—an abode seemingly unfit for an ordinary citizen. Feng Yao carried Su Yuxin, accompanied by Jin Ling and the others, employing their adept light-footedness to ascend to the rooftop.

The courtyard lay eerily quiet, a typical sight during the late hours. However, a house in the rear exhibited illuminated windows. Feng Yao carried Su Yuxin effortlessly to the rooftop of that specific house, with Jin Ling and the rest following closely. Wood Spirit crouched down, silently lifting the rooftop tiles for discreet observation. Su Yuxin peered inside. The room contained two individuals: a middle-aged man with a square face and a young man adorned in peculiar attire. They conversed in a foreign language, a dialect unfamiliar to Su Yuxin. Their heated argument, evident from their flushed faces and intense exchange, seemed to be escalating.

Earth Spirit whispered, "That's the language of the Chahetai people." Chahetai? Su Yuxin pursed her lips. In her previous life, she remembered Feng Yao's military campaign against Chahetai for border invasions. She couldn't recall the specifics, but this deduction hinted at the unfavorable relationship between Chahetai and Dalang. Yet, why were Chahetai people present in Shengjing? Moreover, carrying Golden Thread Ants? Could they be planning an assassination of the Dalang Emperor? This realization startled Su Yuxin. However, upon reflection, she found it improbable; after all, the palace was expansive, heavily guarded, and inaccessible to ordinary people. So, who could be their target? 

Feng Yao, after listening for a while, suddenly turned ashen, unleashing two precise bursts of energy from his fingertips. The two individuals inside immediately froze, a technique executed from a distance. Furthermore, it was Feng Yao's unique method that only someone with inferior internal energy could

 not resist. Blinking in awe, Su Yuxin turned her head, regarding Feng Yao with deep admiration. However, Feng Yao's expression was somber, a dark cloud shadowing his face, exuding layers of a menacing aura, his eyes even turning red.

Without needing any instructions from Feng Yao, Jin Ling and Wood Spirit leaped down, binding the two individuals securely. Even the usually garrulous Wood Spirit wore a serious expression, his eyes emanating an icy chill. Su Yuxin speculated that the conversation between those two individuals must have been a truly dire affair.