Chapter 813 - 4 Months at the Latest

"If you ask me, the fact that they are still being hunted down means this is no ordinary matter. The people after them won’t be easy to deal with, either. You’ve just come back; if you can avoid getting involved, then don’t." Zhan Chi was somewhat apprehensive about getting tangled in troublesome affairs.

"I know what I’m doing."

Zhan Chi nodded slightly. Suddenly, a thought struck him. "Just now, you said *I* was returning to Beili? Are you not coming back to Beili with me after the Four Countries Chamber of Commerce ends?"

"I won’t be going for the time being. I need to visit Fourth Granny."

"I can take a detour and go with you."

"There’s no need. Dad, you are under orders to escort Li Mu. If you leave the group, you will definitely be punished upon returning to the capital." Ye Qianning knew what kind of person Li Mu was; he held deep grudges.

Considering what Mr. Zhan had done in Dayu City, Li Mu had probably kept a whole ledger of grudges by now.

"Let them punish me. It’s just a few strikes from a military cane." Zhan Chi couldn’t care less.

"After the birthday banquet, my identity is no longer a secret," Ye Qianning said. "In another seven or eight days, the news will definitely reach Beili. There might be some nasty rumors floating around by then. I can’t just return without a word."

Zhan Chi froze for a moment. She was right; after leaving the way she did back then, a sudden return would be jarring.

"I didn’t think this through. Once I return to Beili, I will definitely find a way to secure an imperial edict for you."

"Dad, you don’t need to do anything. In fact, don’t mention a single word about me after returning to the capital. If the Emperor asks, just give a vague, perfunctory answer. Four months—in four months at the latest, I will go to Beili." Ye Qianning had changed her previous plans.

Zhan Chi was confused. "Why?"

"Just sit back and wait for a good show, Dad." Ye Qianning was setting up a grand scheme.

"All right." Zhan Chi still couldn’t wrap his head around it.

However, from their time together over the past few days, it was obvious that his daughter was much smarter than him. She had been smarter than him since she was six!

"Greetings, General," a soldier clad in Beili armor said as he walked in.

"What is it?"

"Mr. Li has a matter to discuss with you, General. He requests that you return immediately."

Zhan Chi’s face instantly darkened. "I understand."

The soldier remained standing in place, looking as though he intended to wait there until Zhan Chi left.

Ye Qianning glanced at the soldier. "Dad, you should go back first."

"He seeks me out for discussions every single day. If I were the one calling the shots in these discussions, what use would the Emperor have for him?" Just the thought of Li Mu made Zhan Chi’s blood boil.

"Let him talk, and just listen. When he’s done, drop one line on him: you’re only responsible for his safety. If he argues, just remember never to argue right and wrong with a fool, Dad."

This was a classic trick of treacherous scoundrels—ostensibly inviting others to discuss matters with great enthusiasm. The moment something went wrong, they would immediately shift the blame to someone else.

"All right, I’ll try my best to keep my temper in check." Zhan Chi stood up. "I’ll head back now."

Ye Qianning nodded, rising to walk him to the door.

Out on the street, the fishy stench was much stronger than usual. Both sides of the road seemed to be lined with stalls selling aquatic products. Normally, freshly caught seafood would be carted directly from the port to various regions, leaving only a small portion to be sold at the local market.

But now, the port was ruined. With it sealed off and impassable, and the ships anchored there that day smashed, the seafood couldn’t be shipped out. The fishermen were left holding the bag, forced to bring their catch to the market to sell.

Although Dayu City had a large population, it was a coastal town. None of the local fishermen or seafood harvesters would spend money on aquatic products. As for outsiders, they mostly stayed in inns and ate at restaurants and taverns. Even though the seafood was fresh, these travelers neither knew how to cook nor had the utensils to do so. Why would they buy raw food to take back with them?

Because of this, the stall-keeping fishermen had seen abysmal business, with hardly a soul asking about their wares.

As Ye Qianning swept her gaze over the seafood vendors, she noticed the hidden sorrow on many of their faces.