The tiny pine nuts yielded little when chewed, but their rich fragrance was enough to accompany a cup of wine.
Liang Xingcheng raised his cup and drained it with a loud, appreciative slurp. Casting Shi Fengchen a sidelong glance, he said, "You can even make use of disciples from the Water-Moon Convent?"
At the half-smile on the old man's face, Shi Fengchen laughed. "How could I have that sort of ability? It's the people over there who are using her."
Liang Xingcheng frowned in distaste. He did not want to hear that name, even when Shi Fengchen referred to it only as "over there."
As if oblivious to the other man's aversion, Shi Fengchen continued with a smile, "Whatever a customer has in mind, the people over there have the ability to make it happen."
Liang Xingcheng set down his cup and looked at him. "And what do you have in mind?"
Shi Fengchen said solemnly, "Only to share His Highness's burdens."
The little tavern was noisy. Drunken patrons argued endlessly over this move and that move, drowning out his voice completely.
Naturally, Liang Xingcheng did not believe this claim, nor did Shi Fengchen himself. Both merely understood that, as subjects, there were certain things they had to say.
He stared into Shi Fengchen's eyes and asked, "Are you certain this can succeed?"
Shi Fengchen smiled. "Once Zhao Layue is dead and the blame is pinned on the Noble Consort, she will have no road left but death, however favored she may be."
Liang Xingcheng picked up his cup, then put it down again. "Can you really be certain? The Noble Consort is no ordinary person."
"At the risk of saying something grossly disrespectful, what would it matter even if she were the empress? His Majesty would still have to