Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Interesting Talk

Zhou Jingyun, the Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir.

When he was still a child, he had an audience with the previous Emperor. The Emperor, who was sitting, stood up laughing and exclaimed, “An immortal has entered my court!”

For the previous Emperor, who had countless beauties and was accustomed to seeing beauty, to make such an exclamation, one can imagine how stunning Zhou Jingyun’s appearance was.

Zhou Jingyun is no longer a child or a teenager, but even after growing up, his immortal aura has not faded, and his elegant demeanor is even more captivating.

Although Zhang Ze was indifferent to beauty and ugliness, being a man himself, every time he saw Zhou Jingyun, he couldn’t help but take a look at him before speaking.

“I thought you had already arrived in the capital,” Zhang Ze continued.

Zhou Jingyun nodded slightly in greeting and said, “Madam Zhuang took Master Zhuang’s coffin back to Bozhou, and I accompanied her for a part of the journey, taking a detour.”

Zhang Ze naturally knew about Master Zhuang. In fact, he had just gone to investigate this Master Zhuang previously.

Because a calligraphy scroll was found in the home of Bai Xun, who was convicted as Empress Jiang’s accomplice, it was a gift from Zhuang Feizi.

Zhuang Pengyi, courtesy name Feizi, from the Zhuang clan of Bozhou, was said to be a descendant of Zhuang Zhou, the philosopher Zhuangzi. In his youth, he lectured in the capital, known for his quick wit and considerable fame.

But he refused the court’s offer of an official position and also declined the invitation from the Temple of the Holy Ancestor to cultivate Taoism. He did not enter officialdom, nor did he leave the world of mortals. He traveled extensively, later establishing an academy to teach, enjoying a good reputation.

Zhang Ze had to investigate anyone who had dealings with Bai Xun, so he came to find Zhuang Feizi.

As a result, this Zhuang Feizi, whether he was truly in poor health or was frightened to death like that prefect, actually became seriously ill and was not expected to live long.

Fortunately, there was still time to ask him a few questions.

“That calligraphy was bought from me by Bai Xun for one hundred taels of silver. He, a mere military man, had a penchant for pretending to be cultured. I was passing through Shuofang, and my wife was ill and bedridden, short of money, so I…” Zhuang Feizi explained with a ashamed look.

The servant also produced the prescriptions from the medical consultations in Shuofang at that time, as well as the receipts for the unpaid medical and medicine fees.

Bai Xun indeed liked to pretend to be cultured. This time he was convicted because someone reported that Bai Xun had written a poem praising Empress Jiang as a hero, expressing his admiration for her. This became Bai Xun’s death warrant.

Zhang Ze didn’t ask any more questions, nor could he ask any more. Three days later, Zhuang Feizi died.

Because he wanted to return to his hometown after death, Zhuang Feizi was cremated.

Zhang Ze personally watched as Zhuang Feizi was burned to ashes, and the investigation ended there.

It seems that a person can live for a long time, yet vanish in an instant.

Zhang Ze coughed lightly, bringing his thoughts back to the present. “If I had known that Madam Zhuang would return to her hometown so soon, I would have stayed longer and not left so early, to see Master Zhuang off again.”

Zhou Jingyun said, “The Inspector General is busy with official matters, don’t burden yourself with these mundane affairs.”

Zhang Ze smiled, “Don’t flatter me, Your Excellency. I, Zhang Ze, am like a black crow, annoying and troublesome.” Without waiting for Zhou Jingyun to speak, he beckoned, “Come, come, sit down and talk.”

Although Zhou Jingyun had entered, he hesitated again, “Am I disturbing the Inspector General?”

When he saw the elite guards standing solemnly outside the post station, he should have guessed something.

The Inspector General, Zhang Ze, was hated by people because of his ruthless methods, having confiscated property and exterminated countless families over the years. He often encountered assassins, so he asked the Emperor to grant him about one hundred elite guards, armed with an imperial decree that read “as if I were present in person.” Wherever they went, commoners, officials, and scholars had to yield.

It was just that the night was dark, and he didn’t urge his horse forward for a moment. Moreover, the guards outside saw him and beckoned him over. To avoid being resented by Zhang Ze later for not inquiring, he stepped forward and announced his identity.

He didn’t expect Zhang Ze to invite him in.

Zhang Ze said with a half-smile, “What? Does Your Excellency also think I’m a treacherous official, afraid of tarnishing your reputation by getting close to me?”

Zhang Ze was skilled at fabricating charges. Even with just a single word or a page of paper, he could weave a monstrous crime.

It was said that he originally wanted to join Empress Jiang’s faction, but unfortunately, there were too many treacherous officials under Empress Jiang, and there was no place for him. So, Zhang Ze switched to Prince Changyang’s side.

When Prince Changyang ascended the throne, executed Empress Jiang, and swept away all the treacherous officials under Empress Jiang, he rose to prominence with his notoriety spreading far and wide.

In addition to being skilled at fabrication, Zhang Ze was also narrow-minded. He once retaliated against an official for not greeting him, believing that the official held a grudge against him.

Hearing Zhang Ze’s questioning words, Zhou Jingyun was not frightened or uneasy, but simply said, “I was afraid of disturbing the Inspector General’s official business.”

His gaze glanced at Zhang Ze’s desk.

Zhang Ze changed his expression to a smile again, “There’s no official business, it’s just some interesting news from the capital.”

Zhou Jingyun then stopped declining and sat down as instructed, asking, “What interesting news is there in the capital?”

Zhang Ze laughed heartily and said, “There’s a lot of interesting news in the capital recently, and Your Excellency is one of them!”

Zhou Jingyun suddenly getting married, and marrying an orphaned daughter from a poor scholar’s family, was truly unexpected and interesting news.

When he came to investigate Zhuang Feizi, he didn’t expect to encounter Zhou Jingyun, and even less expected Zhou Jingyun to be getting married.

It was said that it was the daughter of Zhuang Feizi’s disciple. The disciple and his wife had died early, and their daughter was raised by Zhuang Feizi and his wife. Now that Zhuang Feizi was nearing the end of his life, Zhou Jingyun happened to visit him. One was an orphaned girl with no one to rely on, and the other was a widower with no wife, so they were matched together.

“It was to give Master Zhuang peace of mind,” Zhou Jingyun explained to him at the time, “and also to stop people from picking and choosing my marriage.”

The latter sentence was the key.

Zhang Ze immediately understood Zhou Jingyun’s intention.

Many people in the capital were inquiring about Zhou Jingyun’s marriage, and even the Emperor was prepared to intervene. It seemed that Zhou Jingyun no longer wanted to be bestowed with a marriage by the Emperor.

Hearing Zhang Ze teasing him about this matter again, Zhou Jingyun said with a smile, “My marriage is not interesting news. It would be interesting news if I renounced the world and became a monk, never to marry again.”

Zhang Ze laughed heartily.

He didn’t care about Zhou Jingyun’s intention.

Zhou Jingyun was offending the Emperor, not him. He didn’t have a daughter to marry off to Zhou Jingyun.

He was happy to watch the fun and went along with Zhou Jingyun’s words, “I also think this is indeed not interesting news. When it comes to taking a wife, it’s better to choose a simple and ordinary family.”

He casually picked up an official document from his desk and shook it with a snap.

“For example, those who became in-laws with Bai Xun, the Military Governor of Shuofang, were so proud before, and now they are filled with regret.”

Bai Xun, the Military Governor of Shuofang.

✿✿✿

Zhou Jingyun’s gaze fell on the official document.

The case of Bai Xun had been settled. The three clans were exterminated, including Bai’s family, his mother’s family, and his wife’s family. All were guilty.

The in-laws who had married Bai’s daughters or married into Bai’s family as daughters-in-law had all suffered greatly.

“Fortune and misfortune are intertwined,” he said, lowering his gaze. “Since they enjoyed the glory of being in-laws, they naturally have to bear the misfortune of being in-laws.”

After speaking, he raised his eyes with a hint of curiosity.

“Then, will Virtuous Consort be put to death?”

As Bai Xun’s daughter, Virtuous Consort could not escape implication. She was stripped of her title and thrown into the Cold Palace. Logically, she should be put to death next.

Zhang Ze smiled and shook his head, “The Emperor is too sentimental, he can’t bear to give her a cup of poisoned wine.”

Zhou Jingyun took a sip of tea, “In the Cold Palace, it’s like living a life worse than death.”

After all, she was the Emperor’s woman, and it was not appropriate to talk about her too much. Zhang Ze looked at Zhou Jingyun sitting opposite him and changed the subject, saying, “We met again on the way back to the capital. Your Excellency and I are truly fated. This time you’re back in the capital, the Emperor will surely bestow an official position on you. How about coming to work for me? My department is extremely lucrative.”

Zhou Jingyun shook his head.

The smile beneath Zhang Ze’s thin eyebrows turned sinister, and he twirled his teacup, “Indeed, I have a notorious reputation, I’m crude and vulgar, I would tarnish Your Excellency’s good name.”

Zhou Jingyun said, “My ambition is not to get rich. I want to join the Ministry of Revenue and safeguard the Emperor’s wealth.” Saying this, he raised his teacup, “And also to let Inspector General Zhang turn the ill-gotten gains you’ve confiscated into funds that benefit the people and the country, assisting the Emperor in his grand achievements, and making our dynasty prosperous and the people peaceful.”

Zhang Ze let out a “ha” sound, “Then wouldn’t this also be considered my contribution?”

Zhou Jingyun nodded, “Of course.”

Zhang Ze laughed heartily, clinking his cup with Zhou Jingyun’s, “Then I wish Your Excellency all the best in achieving your aspirations.” He laughed again, “No, you will definitely achieve your aspirations. Whoever dares to hinder Your Excellency’s path is trying to sabotage my great contribution, and I, Zhang Ze, will make them pay!”

Zhou Jingyun smiled and drank his tea in one gulp.

Zhang Ze also finished his tea.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhou Jingyun stood up to take his leave, “I have to leave early tomorrow morning, so I’ll go and rest now.”

Zhang Ze didn’t try to persuade him to stay, “I can’t leave tomorrow, so I won’t be able to travel with Your Excellency. We’ll meet again when we reach the capital.”

Zhou Jingyun said “good” and bowed once more, then turned and walked away gracefully, disappearing from sight.

Zhang Ze stared at the doorway, lost in thought.

“Master,” said the servant who was warming the wine, “The Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir refused your kindness, aren’t you angry?”

Zhang Ze picked up a bean and tossed it into his mouth.

“I would be angry if he didn’t refuse me,” he said, stroking his chin. “If Zhou Jingyun was like everyone else, bowing and scraping before me…”

Imagining that scene, Zhang Ze showed disgust. That beautiful face making such a gesture would be truly repulsive.

He would have to get rid of him immediately!

While master and servant were talking, a servant in blue walked to the door and bowed, “Inspector General, my master was bathing and suddenly remembered that he left in a hurry just now and didn’t hear all of what you had to say. He sent me to ask, what other interesting news is there in the capital?”

Zhang Ze laughed heartily, “Your Excellency is truly interesting!”

Zhou Jingyun was the first person who dared to leave and then ask about what was left unsaid in front of him, Zhang Ze.

Marquis Zhou’s Heir was open and magnanimous, and he, Zhang Ze, couldn’t be petty.

“Find that court gazette and give it to His Excellency to read.”

The servant bowed in thanks and retreated. In the darkness, guards with swords rushed over.

“Inspector General, a letter from Shuofang has arrived.”

The servant in blue opened the letter under the lamp and said, “It’s a report about the members of Bai Xun’s clan.”

Zhang Ze seemed somewhat indifferent.

The male criminals in Bai Xun’s case had already been beheaded. He had personally inspected each head.

The remaining criminals were either exiled or sent to the Court Entertainment Bureau, becoming slaves for three generations, unable to turn their lives around.

“The female members of Bai Xun’s family, taking advantage of the handover, hanged themselves, young and old alike. They couldn’t be escorted to the capital.”

Hearing the servant’s words, Zhang Ze’s expression darkened.

“So many people were waiting to enjoy the Bai family daughters.” He spat, cursing their bad luck, and then said hatefully, “The Emperor’s grace spared their lives, yet they didn’t know what was good for them. Hang their corpses for public display!”

The servant in blue responded with a “yes” and then frowned slightly, “There’s one more thing. There seems to be an error in the Bai family register, it seems like someone is missing.”

Missing one?

For Zhang Ze, who liked to wipe out entire families and leave no one alive, this was absolutely intolerable. He flew into a rage, “How can there be an error in the register? Did someone falsify it to protect the Bai family?”

The servant hurriedly said, “It’s not a falsification, it simply wasn’t on the register when the arrests were made.”

What did he mean by “not on the register”? How could someone be missing if they weren’t on the register in the first place?

The servant unrolled a bamboo scroll register that came with the letter on the table, “Please have a look, Inspector General.”

Bai Xun did not come from a prestigious family. His father’s generation was the first to hold official positions, and their family tree only became lively then. However, it was short-lived, the prosperity had just begun when it all came crashing down. Future generations would either start anew from slavery or their lineage would simply end.

The servant’s finger slid down the list of names under Bai Xun’s name, past his five sons and two daughters, and landed on the empty space at the end.

“When the officials checked the register again after the deaths of the female members of the Bai family, they found traces of erasure here.”

Zhang Ze reached out and touched the spot, his fingertip feeling rough and gritty. It seemed like a name had been carved there and then erased.