Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Although Mama Huang said that the palace knew the Marquis’s Heir had returned and specially sent someone to deliver an imperial edict, Zhou Jingyun’s face darkened slightly after getting into the carriage.

Was the edict for him alone, or for both of them as a couple?

Logically, it shouldn’t be. He hadn’t submitted a memorial to the palace yet.

More importantly, Jiang Yun said that Zhang Ze had returned.

Zhang Ze, the palace, Consort Bai.

Zhou Jingyun’s hands resting on his lap clenched slightly. He glanced at Zhuang Li, but saw that her expression was calm, and she was even eating a piece of pastry.

Madam Xue regretted that they couldn’t stay for the banquet, so she stuffed a package of pastries into Zhuang Li’s hands before they left.

She was actually eating them? Was she not worried at all?

Seeing Zhou Jingyun looking over, Zhuang Li thought for a moment and asked, “Do you want some?”

Because they had to make a detour to the Duke of Ding’an’s Residence in the morning, they only had a quick bite to eat. After arriving at the Xue Residence, they chatted for half a day without eating, and now they were on their way back… He was indeed a little hungry. Zhou Jingyun reached out his hand.

Zhuang Li picked up a piece of pastry and placed it in his palm, saying, “Do what you can, and leave the rest to fate.”

Zhou Jingyun looked at the osmanthus cake in his hand and said with a smile, “You are quite calm.”

Zhuang Li smiled, “When my whole family was sentenced to death, I went crazy, but it was useless. It only caused Master Zhuang to exhaust his life to save me. So, I’m calm now, knowing that panicking is useless.”

Zhou Jingyun didn’t speak anymore and took a bite of the osmanthus cake, slowly eating it.

By the time they finished the package of pastries, they had also returned to the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence.

The Marquis of Dongyang was not at home. He had left the capital to tour the mountains and wouldn’t be back for a while. Only the Madam of Dongyang was sitting in the main hall, accompanied by an Imperial Attendant and a Palace Attendant.

Seeing Zhou Jingyun and Zhuang Li walk in, the two attendants’ gazes were momentarily drawn to Zhou Jingyun, then they immediately stood up and bowed.

“The Marquis’s Heir has returned.”

“This is the first time we’ve seen the Marquis’s Heir.”

They said, their faces beaming with smiles.

Zhou Jingyun nodded in return and glanced at the two. They were in their thirties, with unfamiliar faces. He hadn’t been inside the Imperial City for five or six years, and the people there had already changed.

The Madam of Dongyang felt a little relieved. She had been in and out of the palace these past few years, but these two were also unfamiliar. They only reported their names, didn’t say anything else when asked, and their expressions were strange, making her feel uneasy. Now, seeing their respectful and enthusiastic attitude towards Zhou Jingyun, she felt a little better.

However, the next moment, their gazes fell on Zhuang Li, and their smiles turned forced.

“So this is the Young Madam.”

Zhuang Li nodded and bowed.

“I heard it was the Young Madam who first recognized the Empress’s silk flowers.” The Palace Attendant said, “Now everyone is asking for the Empress’s silk flowers, and the Empress is worried.”

She said, laughing.

Zhuang Li curtsied and said, “The Empress is so ingenious. When this subject saw the silk flowers, I was amazed.”

The Madam of Dongyang smiled and said from the side, “Many people must know about the Empress’s ingenuity. It’s just that she’s young and makes a fuss over a novelty. Please forgive her, Your Majesty.”

Regarding the palace flower incident, Madam Xue had mentioned Zhuang Li at the Empress’s banquet. The Madam of Dongyang knew about this. At the time, the Empress had praised Zhuang Li, which gave her some face at the banquet. So, after returning, she gave the rewards from the banquet to Zhuang Li.

So, was this the Empress coming to praise Zhuang Li again?

It didn’t seem like the Empress’s style. The Empress was always stingy, reluctant to give gifts and unwilling to praise others.

The Palace Attendant said with a smile, “No worries. I heard Madam Xue gave the Young Madam a silk flower. Young Madam, please fetch it for us to see.”

The Madam of Dongyang was stunned again. This topic, why did it feel so strange?

Why did they want to see the silk flower bestowed by the Empress?

She heard the Imperial Attendant’s seemingly amused voice.

“Is it convenient for the Young Madam? It should still be there, right?”

The Madam of Dongyang’s heart skipped a beat. After all, she had been immersed in the inner chambers for many years and immediately understood the meaning. Something was wrong with that silk flower. She felt dizzy for a moment and looked at Zhuang Li. She, she—

Zhou Jingyun’s gaze also darkened as he looked at Zhuang Li.

“It’s convenient.” Zhuang Li’s eyes were calm, and a smile played on her lips. She turned and called out to Chun Yue, “Go and fetch the Empress’s palace flower that Madam Xue gave me.”

Chun Yue, who was standing outside the door, answered “Yes” and turned to leave, but was called back.

The Imperial Attendant said with a chuckle, “This servant will go with you and personally hold the Empress’s silk flower.”

This was not about holding a silk flower; this was clearly about guarding against them.

The Madam of Dongyang was now certain that something was wrong with the silk flower, but seeing Zhuang Li’s calm expression, she didn’t dare to speak rashly.

What on earth had this Zhuang woman done?

Zhuang Li smiled and nodded, “Alright, thank you for your trouble.”

✿✿✿

The Imperial Attendant glanced at her, seemingly surprised by her calmness. He didn’t say anything and followed Chun Yue.

“I wonder—” The Madam of Dongyang looked at the Palace Attendant standing in the hall and gritted her teeth, wanting to ask.

“Please have a seat, Aunt.” Zhou Jingyun interrupted with a smile, “Try the tea I brought back.”

The Palace Attendant looked at Zhou Jingyun with a smile on her face, “Alright, alright. It’s already good luck to be able to see the Marquis’s Heir today, and to be able to drink his tea is even more a blessing in this life.”

While fetching tea for the Palace Attendant, Zhou Jingyun whispered to the Madam of Dongyang, “Since they are showing goodwill towards us, it means the matter is still uncertain. Don’t let her make things explicit, lest it becomes awkward in the future and they turn against us.”

The Madam of Dongyang nodded and glanced at Zhuang Li.

During this time, Zhuang Li didn’t speak, remaining quiet and still, as if everything had nothing to do with her.

Before long, the Imperial Attendant and Chun Yue returned, holding a small brocade box.

“We’ve brought it.” He said, his expression looking a bit odd.

The Palace Attendant looked at him, her eyes showing some surprise, and said, “That was fast.” She glanced at the silk flower in the box, then picked it up and looked at it from all angles, exchanging glances with the Imperial Attendant for a moment.

“Madam, Marquis’s Heir, we’ll take this back for the Empress to see.” The Palace Attendant said with a smile.

The Madam of Dongyang hurriedly replied, “Of course, the Empress’s belongings can be seen at any time.”

Zhou Jingyun smiled and nodded, and Zhuang Li also curtsied.

The Palace Attendant and the Imperial Attendant glanced at Zhuang Li, took the silk flower, and excused themselves. Zhou Jingyun personally saw them off.

As soon as they left, the Madam of Dongyang grabbed Zhuang Li’s arm and asked in a hoarse voice, “What’s wrong with the silk flower?”

She gritted her teeth fiercely.

“That’s an imperial gift. If something goes wrong, our whole family will be in trouble. Don’t you dare lie to me.”

Zhuang Li shook her head, “Mother, I know the importance of imperial gifts. After Aunt gave it to me, I had the maids put it away and have been keeping it carefully.”

Really? The Madam of Dongyang stared at Zhuang Li’s face, but unfortunately, this woman always had the same expression, making it impossible to tell anything.

“Perhaps the Empress is just curious.” Zhuang Li said, “She wants to see if there’s something special about this flower, how come others couldn’t recognize it but I could.”

The Empress indeed disliked it when others stole the limelight. The Madam of Dongyang pondered, then looked at Zhuang Li, her expression filled with regret, “You shouldn’t have said that at the time. There must have been others who recognized it, but they didn’t say anything.”

But she was young and naive, easily provoked by the other girls to show off.

Thinking of this, she hated Old Madam Xue. It was this old woman who tricked them into attending the banquet.

Zhou Jingyun returned after seeing the attendants off and heard their conversation. He said, “Don’t mention the past anymore, Mother, and don’t worry. The Empress bestowing silk flowers is a sign of favor. How could she blame someone for showing off the silk flower?”

The Madam of Dongyang wanted to say something, but Zhou Jingyun had already turned and called Mama Xu, “Quickly help Mother inside to rest. She’s been frightened.”

Mama Xu nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes, this old servant was also scared.”

Was she afraid that she was frightened, or was she afraid that she would scold his wife again? The Madam of Dongyang said angrily, “What frightened? It’s not like our residence has never received people from the palace.”

Although she was indeed frightened, as a Marchioness, she couldn’t appear less composed than an orphan.

“We came here in a hurry from Aunt’s place and haven’t eaten yet. Also, Aunt is worried too. Mother, quickly send someone to tell her.” Zhou Jingyun said.

She couldn’t let her son go hungry, nor could she let her sister be anxious. The Madam of Dongyang immediately waved her hand, “You two go back and eat something.” Then she called Mama Huang, “Go to my sister’s place again. I’ll write a letter to her, so that there’s no misunderstanding.”

The Madam of Dongyang went to take care of things, and Zhou Jingyun and Zhuang Li withdrew. The two looked at each other.

“Xueliu?” Zhou Jingyun whispered.

Zhuang Li didn’t speak but looked him up and down, making Zhou Jingyun feel inexplicably scrutinized.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, “Did I guess wrong?”

Zhuang Li said, “No, the Marquis’s Heir guessed correctly. I was just thinking, how could someone as smart as the Marquis’s Heir make the decision to bring me home after meeting Master Zhuang?”

Why bother?

A smart person should prioritize self-preservation, especially someone associated with Empress Jiang. He was originally safe and unnoticed. Bringing her, a danger, back really made her live in fear every moment.

Zhou Jingyun didn’t expect her to say this and was stunned. He glanced at the maids following them not far behind, coughed lightly, and lowered his gaze, “Naturally, it’s because I’m willing.”

Yes, in this world, nothing could overcome “I’m willing.” It had nothing to do with being smart or foolish. Zhuang Li smiled.

Chun Yue, following behind, was both stunned and shy. How come the Marquis’s Heir and the Young Madam suddenly became so lovey-dovey?