Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 43

Chapter 43: Outside the Gate

Early autumn was even hotter than summer. Sitting in the carriage, Ruibo vigorously fanned himself with the fan in his hand.

“Young Master, why are we going to the Li Residence again?” He looked at Shangguan Yue beside him, puzzled. “Li Shilang only has a couple of days left, let’s stay away from the Li Residence.”

Shangguan Yue gazed out the carriage window at the Grand General Li’s Residence in the distance, seemingly lost in thought.

He had been staring intently like this for half a day. If Shilang were a girl, Ruibo would think that Shangguan Yue had fallen in love with her.

“I’m concerned about Fourth Young Master Lu.” Shangguan Yue said absentmindedly, “He’s so pitiful.”

Ruibo naturally didn’t believe him: “Does Young Master still want to watch the drama unfold?” He said directly, “Grand General Li won’t really do anything to the Duke of Ding’an’s son.”

Grand General Li had already cursed at the Duke of Ding’an, venting the resentment he had bottled up. The Duke of Ding’an would just have to compensate with some money, that’s all. He wouldn’t really demand Lu Wenjie’s life as retribution for Li Shilang.

It would be too absurd to blame the Duke of Ding’an’s Residence for a single flower.

“I’m not trying to watch the drama.” Shangguan Yue said lazily, “I truly hope Li Shilang will recover.”

As he said this, he abruptly sat up straight.

“Is that the Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir?”

The Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir?

Ruibo hurriedly looked over and saw a group of people stopping in front of the Li Residence. Four servants in blue, and a young man in a blue-green robe dismounted.

The Li Residence was magnificent, with servants in bright clothes and hats standing in front of the gate. But amidst all this brilliance, the young man was the most eye-catching.

Ruibo looked at the young man, murmuring softly: “It really is Zhou Jingyun, whom the late Emperor called an immortal descended into our court.”

Shangguan Yue quietly watched Zhou Jingyun dismount. His servant presented a visiting card, and the tall gatekeeper of the Li Residence instantly seemed to shrink a few inches, respectfully welcoming him inside.

His demeanor was composed, his steps leisurely.

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Chun Yue stood under the eaves, watching the sky. Chun Hong whispered beside her: “I’ve asked Chun Xiang to keep watch outside the main gate. We’ll know as soon as the Marquis’s Heir returns.”

As she spoke, she looked inside and saw Zhuang Li sitting at the desk, seemingly lost in thought. Her expression was calm, but her brows were slightly furrowed.

Chun Hong whispered: “Young Madam has been in a bad mood ever since returning from Madam’s place.”

How could she be in a good mood after encountering such a thing? Even if the Marquis’s Heir returned, Young Madam would probably feel even more uneasy.

Chun Yue gestured to Chun Hong: “Keep an eye on the outside.”

Chun Hong nodded.

Chun Yue entered the room and first poured tea for Zhuang Li, bringing it to her. She immediately noticed the lotus bud on the desk.

“Young Madam, you brought it back?” she blurted out.

Just now at Madam’s place, when the Madam of Ding’an threw it on the table and questioned her, she didn’t even notice when Young Madam took it.

Zhuang Li reached out and picked up the lotus bud: “I saw that no one cared about it, so I brought it back.”

At that time, everyone’s attention was on Zhou Jingyun.

Chun Yue looked at the lotus bud. It was no longer the same as before, only the head remained, and the petals were no longer tightly closed…

Zhuang Li gently squeezed it, and the petals scattered.

Chun Yue couldn’t help but gasp, hesitating for a moment before asking: “Can Young Madam fix it?”

Zhuang Li looked at Chun Yue with a smile: “Do you really think I’m an evil spirit?”

Chun Yue hurriedly waved her hand, saying angrily: “Young Madam, don’t say such absurd things.”

Zhuang Li smiled, looking at the scattered petals, her face darkening again.

The lotus bud, originally placed in the inner quarters of the Duke of Ding’an’s Residence, had unexpectedly been sent to Li Shilang’s side.

The wind blows differently on all things, causing them to perceive things differently. The little girl in the Duke of Ding’an’s Residence, yearning to live, saw the lotus bud as a life-saving remedy, while the murderous Li Shilang saw the flower spirit Xiaoxian coming to claim his life.

It was fine that he ended up scaring himself to death, but it was a pity that the lotus bud was also ruined.

“I told you, I have bad luck.” Zhuang Li sighed softly.

Bad luck? Chun Yue nodded. Indeed, a perfectly good flower sent out caused such trouble, it was truly a disaster out of nowhere.

“I’ll bury the petals in the courtyard.” Chun Yue said, “I’ll go pick another flower, and Young Madam can make it into a dried flower again. This time, we won’t give it to anyone.”

Zhuang Li smiled at her and said yes.

✿✿✿

…….

Zhou Jingyun walked out of the Grand General Li’s Residence; it was already afternoon.

The servant Jiang Yun hurriedly led the horse over, asking: “Marquis’s Heir, shall we return?”

✿✿✿

Zhou Jingyun took the reins: “Let’s go to the Duke of Ding’an’s Residence again. It would be better for both families’ face if the Duke comes in person.”

Jiang Yun curled his lip, with a hint of dissatisfaction: “They knew you were here, yet they didn’t even bother to come here themselves.”

They were just waiting for the Marquis’s Heir to settle the matter and reap the benefits.

Zhou Jingyun frowned: “Don’t say such things.”

Jiang Yun replied with a “yes,” then said cheerfully: “Marquis’s Heir, it’s time for lunch. I’ll go buy you a bowl of meat soup noodles from the street, from the shop you love the most.”

Anyway, the Marquis’s Heir wouldn’t eat at the Duke of Ding’an’s Residence.

Zhou Jingyun didn’t refuse, nodding: “Take a detour from that side.”

The master and servant mounted their horses, urging them forward. They left the gate of the Li Residence, and just as they turned the corner, a carriage rushed out, blocking their path.

Jiang Yun gripped the saber at his waist, about to shout, when a young man jumped out of the carriage and bowed deeply to Zhou Jingyun.

He said in a clear voice: “Thank you, Marquis’s Heir, for rescuing Young Master Wenjie from this predicament. Otherwise, our crimes would be even greater.”

Zhou Jingyun looked down at the young man. After he finished bowing, he raised his head, revealing handsome features with smiling eyes, brimming with brilliance.

“Shangguan Yue, I have met the Marquis’s Heir.” He said, cupping his fists again in greeting.

Shangguan Yue. Although he hadn’t been in the capital for a long time, Zhou Jingyun knew of this person.

Ten years ago, when Princess Jinyu discovered the Imperial Consort’s Husband keeping a mistress, it caused a huge uproar.

But at that time, Empress Jiang was in power, purging the princes who were plotting rebellion. The late Emperor was extremely disgusted with his children, and Princess Jinyu didn’t dare to make too much noise, fearing that she would be eliminated by Empress Jiang. She could only let the Imperial Consort’s Husband publicly acknowledge his illegitimate son.

Zhou Jingyun had even met this illegitimate son once.

At that time, he was about to get married, and the wealthy and influential families in the capital held banquets one after another. Princess Jinyu also sent an invitation. He, along with a group of renowned scholars, came to attend the banquet. When they passed the back gate, they saw a seven or eight-year-old boy squatting at the entrance.

He was dressed in luxurious clothes, but his face was covered in dirt. He cowered, and when he saw their group approaching, he panicked and tried to hide his face with his sleeve. But after all, he was a child, and he couldn’t help but peek from under his sleeve out of curiosity.

Those eyes were filled with fear and gloom.

“That’s the Imperial Consort’s Husband’s illegitimate son. The mother was sent away, and only the son remained.” Someone beside him said with a mocking laugh, “It’s common for princesses in our dynasty to keep lovers, but the Imperial Consort’s Husband is the only one who has kept a mistress and even had a child with her.”

“The Imperial Consort’s Husband is lucky. He happened to encounter a time when His Majesty was strictly disciplining his sons and daughters. Otherwise, just beating the mistress to death wouldn’t be enough. Even if the princess beat both the mistress and her son to death, no one would dare to say anything.”

“The princess is probably reluctant to part with the Imperial Consort’s Husband.”

The people around him whispered and chuckled. The next moment, the child was driven away by the servants at the back gate of the princess’s residence, retreating further away.

“You are too kind, Young Master.” Zhou Jingyun nodded in return, looking at Shangguan Yue who had raised his head again.

Compared to the gloomy and evasive eyes of his childhood, the young man’s eyes were now bright and full of spirit.

“The Marquis’s Heir should know that Li Shilang’s incident happened on my pleasure boat. Now that it involves Young Master Wenjie, I’m truly troubled day and night. Unfortunately, Grand General Li resents me, and I have no way to help Young Master Wenjie.” Shangguan Yue said, “Now that the Marquis’s Heir has returned, I’m relieved. You will certainly be able to persuade Grand General Li and clear up the misunderstanding.”

Zhou Jingyun looked at him, nodding slightly: “You are too kind, Young Master Shangguan. The matter of the Duke of Ding’an’s Residence is my duty.”

Shangguan Yue took a step forward: “I heard that the Marquis’s Heir is newly married. I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet.” He bowed once more after speaking.

He had just said that the Duke of Ding’an’s Residence was his duty, and now this young master brought up his new marriage? A strange look flashed across Zhou Jingyun’s eyes. He looked at the bowing Shangguan Yue from his horse and nodded: “Thank you.”

Shangguan Yue straightened up and said: “Wenjie mentioned before that the gift sent to the Li Residence was given by your wife. It’s unfortunate to encounter such things just after arriving in the capital. I hope it won’t cause any trouble for your wife.”

Zhou Jingyun’s expression became even stranger. He glanced at Shangguan Yue: “Our two families are related, and all interactions are handled by my mother. This kind of thing won’t cause any trouble.” He then raised his hand in a gesture of farewell, “Young Master Shangguan, I have matters to attend to at home, I’ll take my leave now.”

After speaking, he didn’t give Shangguan Yue another chance to speak, urging his horse forward, bypassing the carriage and leaving.

Shangguan Yue stood there, watching him go.

Ruibo, who was standing beside him, stepped forward, looking at him with a strange expression: “Young Master is also captivated by Marquis Zhou’s charm? But why did you mention his wife?”

Which man would be happy to talk about his wife in front of others? Otherwise, they could have chatted a bit more.

Shangguan Yue smiled but didn’t say anything, his gaze fixed on the direction Zhou Jingyun had left.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that something was wrong with that night on the pleasure boat.

The feeling of being half asleep and half awake, the words that inexplicably popped into his head urging Li Shilang to jump into the water, and the wisp of strange fragrance that suddenly appeared and disappeared without anyone noticing.

Just when he thought it was all an illusion, it suddenly reappeared on a lotus bud.

And along with the sudden appearance of this lotus bud came Zhou Jingyun’s wife.