Zi Xiyu and Zi Siwei were sitting opposite each other in the Master study, stoically staring at each other not saying a word.

Bai Haoxia’s eyes darted between the two men, the tense atmosphere suffocating. His knees ached but he dared not move them, fearing that any sound he made would reverberate throughout the room – even though it was not likely that it would be heard.

Heavens...I knew that Siwei and Sect Leader Zi do not get along with each other but I didn’t think it would be this awkward!

Zi Xiyu finally spoke first, “So, what ridiculous request do you have this time?”

He looked at Bai Haoxia disdainfully, “The fact that you brought him of all people means that it is quite important, no?”

Zi Siwei’s eyes darkened but he kept his composure, “Me bringing a friend of mine is none of your concern. However, you are correct when you say that the request is important.”

“No need to get defensive. You two are together a lot of the time so what point does it make for me to be irritated?” Zi Xiyu replied in response to his son’s unpleasant expression.

Zi Siwei looked at the uncomfortable Bai Haoxia and took a deep breath, “I would like permission to access the main library.”

Zi Xiyu paused, holding his teacup in mid-air for a second before placing it down quietly.

“Does this have something to do with your little excursion at the Zhao estate?”

Zi Siwei and Bai Haoxia stiffened – they were not expecting this.

Zi Xiyu, however, remained calm, “I won’t question your actions since you haven’t been living under my roof for almost 6 years. But…” He folded his hands and leaned forward, handing over a scroll with written permission, “I will warn you not to get too involved in the affairs of the palace. Not everyone is as astute as Minister Hao.”

Zi Siwei clenched his fist under the table.

“I will take care to remember that, Father. Please excuse me.”

Zi Siwei and Bai Haoxia left the study scroll in hand.

The Zi family library was in the city centre, next to The Court. It was established just after the previous Emperor came to power and was a public place, intended to be a meeting spot for scholars and intellectuals. The front library contained novels and scholarly works so it was accessible to the public. The main library contained the Zi family documents and other important articles and needed permission to access.

During the short trek to the Zi family library, Bai Haoxia couldn’t shake the stormy atmosphere that is surrounding his blood brother.

It was no secret that Zi Xiyu held the Bai family with disdain, being one of the main driving forces behind the strained relationship between father and son. The incident with Maiden Pei was just the last straw.

“Siwei, there is no need for you to be angry on my behalf. It is natural for members of the Zi family to dislike me.” Bai Haoxia tried to placate him.

Zi Siwei stopped and sighed deeply, “I know. But I wonder if things would be different if Father was kind to me from the beginning.”

“What do you mean by that?” Bai Haoxia asked.

Zi Siwei started walking again. Bai Haoxia looked on worriedly.

Why tell me when you don’t want to answer…

Both men reached the entrance to the main library and Zi Siwei handed the permission scroll to the custodian.

The main library contained scrolls upon scrolls of information on the imperial family and beyond. If there was anything about the Zhao family, it was bound to be here.

Bai Haoxia’s heart sank.

S-so many…It would take forever to sort through all these!

“Uh…Brother…do you mean we have to look through every single scroll?”

“Of course not.” Zi Siwei replied, “I already know what to look for.”

“Huh?! Then what am I doing here?!” Bai Haoxia asked, incredulous that his blood brother would need a companion to just collect a scroll.

“Keep your eyes peeled.” Zi Siwei simply replied.

Bai Haoxia eyes darted around the spacious building.

Peeled? Wait, does he expect someone else to be here as well?

Zi Siwei calmly made his way to the aisle and pulled out a scroll embedded among similar-looking scrolls. A hand clasped his shoulder as he came face-to-face with the custodian that greeted them earlier.

Zi Siwei gave a small smile, “May I know who you are sir? The custodian you are impersonating is at his hometown at the moment so there is no way he is here right now.”

The ‘custodian’ looked a little panicked and tried to flee but Bai Haoxia stood behind him. He pushed Zi Siwei roughly into the scroll shelves and ran forward, jumping over the shelves with great skill. Bai Haoxia followed easily, managing to catch him at the entrance to the main library. Luckily, they were the only ones inside so no passersby were able to see what was happening.

Bai Haoxia pinned the ‘custodian’ to the ground and pinned his arms behind him. He had tremendous strength and it took Bai Haoxia all he had without using spiritual energy to keep him on the ground. Zi Siwei came running over and helped Bai Haoxia lift the imposter up without letting him go easily.

“Let’s go into this room.” Zi Siwei instructed.

The men dragged the ‘custodian’ into a side room, closing the sliding door to ensure privacy. Bai Haoxia continued to pin the ‘custodian’s’ arms behind his back the entire time.

“Let him go, Haoxia.” Zi Siwei instructed.

“Huh?!” Bai Haoxia was taken aback, “But he –”

“I know who he is.” Zi Siwei answered, “There is no one who is able to jump over those high shelves. Am I right, Zheng Yao?”

Bai Haoxia’s eyes bulged in surprise, “Zheng Yao?!” He let go of the ‘custodian’ whose panicked expression changed drastically to a calmer one.

His face seemed to melt as the spiritual energy holding the disguise dissipated, revealing the youthful Zheng Yao, Minister Hao’s assistant.

“As expected of Master’s student, to be able to know a person’s identity based on physicality alone.” Zheng Yao smirked. His pride, usually subdued in the presence of Minister Hao, on show.

“What does the Minister want with us.” Zi Siwei asked.

“Straight to the point as usual.” Zheng Yao sighed with a smile on his face, “Just a little warning, is all.”

“Is he keeping an eye on us because we broke into the Zhao residence?” Bai Haoxia suspected.

Zheng Yao clapped his hands as if he was impressed. Bai Haoxia scowled – he never liked Zheng Yao, especially when he was on his high horse.

“Master doesn’t care what you do but you are treading too close to secrets that are not meant for you to see.” Zheng Yao spoke cryptically.

Zi Siwei and Bai Haoxia looked at each other with a knowing glance.

“Tell Minister Hao that we understand and we will heed his warning.” Zi Siwei replied.

Zheng Yao nodded, “I suppose I underestimated you. I should prepare a better disguise to keep an eye on you better.”

“Hey!” Bai Haoxia protested, “You don’t have the right –”

“I understand.” Zi Siwei cut him off, “Do what you wish.”

Zheng Yao put his ‘custodian’ disguise back and left the side room.

Once Zheng Yao had left, Bai Haoxia folded his arms unhappily, “I never liked that arrogant busybody.”

Zi Siwei ignored him and held the scroll with the information they needed. He needed to get word to Dawa once he and Bai Haoxia had looked over the scroll.

“Let’s go.”

Both men left the main library ignoring Zheng Yao in disguise waving goodbye to them.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Liu Xu was on an adjacent building, quietly hidden from view. He watched the entire exchange between Zi Siwei, Bai Haoxia and Zheng Yao.

He quickly penned a note and used spiritual energy to mould it into a bird before leaving undetected:

The generals are on the move.