Interrogation

Beneath the city-protecting canopy, the sunlight was no longer glaringly harsh.

Within a small courtyard nestled in a bamboo grove, two handsome young men sat across from each other over a game of chess, black and white pieces already covering the board.

Si Zijing wore a teasing smile on his delicate features. "Little Qing, looks like you've lost again."

Mu Qing silently raised his eyes, his tone somewhat helpless. "You still had the mind to study these crooked little side paths while you were in the capital? You really are idle."

The corners of Si Zijing's lips curled up as he replied with the smugness of someone deliberately going off-topic. "Huh? How did you know I often get to play chess with the Prime Minister?"

"..."

Mu Qing fell silent inside, but outwardly rolled his eyes without the slightest change in expression. "Showing off again. Who asked you?"

Si Zijing shrugged, amusement in his gaze. "Back when we were at Honglin Academy, every time you saw the Prime Minister, you'd brag to us for half a month. You've forgotten already?"

Honglin Academy was a place for cultivating talent as renowned as the Hanlin Academy, belonging exclusively to the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Mu Qing fell silent for a moment at those words, then snorted with a laugh and shook his head. "How many years has it been? Why bring that up?"

"Can't help it. I'm a sentimental man."

"That's enough."

"You couldn't have come looking for me just to reminisce. What's the real business?"

"Why can't I reminisce? Of our old classmates, only the two of us can still speak as equals. We can talk about personal matters first; it won't be too late to discuss business afterward."

"Then talk."

"..."

Seeing this, Si Zijing could only sigh softly. Then his