Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Words

He clearly saw the bird fly up with his own eyes and heard the bird’s chirping. How could it be fake?

Zhang Ze used his knife to poke the bird and examined it carefully.

It was indeed a fake bird woven from grass, without a trace of flesh and blood.

“Illusionary techniques?” Zhang Ze asked the man.

The man bowed and nodded obsequiously: “Yes, it can also be said to be an illusionary technique. This is also a type of Zhuyou Ritual. The ancient shaman, the father of Miao, used straw as a mat and grass as a dog. He would face north and perform rituals to heal people. I only learned a little bit of it. I used grass to weave a bird, to entertain people in the market and make a living.”

Zhang Ze knew that there were such illusionary performances on the streets, but they were just sleight of hand. However, what this person displayed was much more powerful than sleight of hand.

He had truly believed that what he saw was a real sparrow.

“It’s complicated to explain, but to put it simply, I use words to make everyone believe that there is a real bird in my arms. And when you believe it, you will really treat it as real…” The man explained, and then added, “Inspector, my ability can only achieve this, and only for a short moment. After a while, you will be able to find out that something is wrong. But if it’s someone with superb skills, you may never find out…”

Zhang Ze reached out and took the woven bird, examining it thoughtfully. “So, the monks at Lingquan Temple were all put to sleep by Zhuyou Ritual without realizing it.”

If that’s the case, then Zhu Shan’s death can also be explained.

He was bewitched by Zhuyou Ritual and strangled himself to death.

✿✿✿

✿✿✿

The morning at Princess Jinyu’s Residence was quieter than usual.

The quietness revealed a hint of unease.

Ah Ju frowned when she saw the invitation card handed over by the servant. “This is an invitation from ten days ago. This person is too rude.”

The Princess’s voice came from behind the bed curtains: “Who is being rude to me again?”

Ah Ju hurriedly lifted the bed curtains and walked in with the invitation card. She saw Princess Jinyu reclining on the folding stool, with a hint of anger between her brows.

“It’s Shen Qing.” Ah Ju said, handing over the invitation card. “You invited him to the banquet ten days ago, but he didn’t come.”

Princess Jinyu seemed a bit dazed as she looked at the name: “Shen Qing…”

It seemed familiar.

Then she remembered something.

“That musician.”

She snorted coldly.

“I asked him to come and play the guqin that day, but he didn’t come. What is he doing here now?”

She sneered again.

“Good, go and call him in. I’ll see if he can play the guqin for me with his knees!”

✿✿✿

✿✿✿

Two young attendants stood in the front yard, looking at the man standing among them.

The man was dressed in a blue robe, with a guqin on his back. He was about the same age as the Imperial Consort’s Husband, but their appearances were worlds apart.

As the thought flashed through their minds, the two attendants were slightly dazed, feeling as if they had had this thought before.

This scene also felt strangely familiar.

But how could that be? They had only come to the Princess’s side in the past two years, and this was the first time they had seen this palace musician who was said to have been bestowed the title of Guqin Prodigy by the previous Emperor.

Ah Ju walked out from inside.

Seeing her, Shen Qing bowed deeply.

“Princess,” he said sincerely, “Shen Qing broke his promise and let down your kind intentions.”

Ah Ju smiled. “Go and explain to the Princess.”

✿✿✿

✿✿✿

“Although it was His Majesty who summoned me back, each emperor has his own court. Even in the music court, there is no longer a place for me.”

Shen Qing held the guqin, his expression melancholic as he sighed deeply.

“These days, I originally wanted to use my guqin skills to gain a position, but even if I played well, I couldn’t get a front-row position. The musicians who were selected either had the backing of the Imperial Treasury or various other connections.”

He looked at Princess Jinyu, who was reclining with her eyes closed as if asleep, and bowed deeply.

“Shen Qing originally wanted to maintain some dignity in front of the Princess, but in the end, he still came to beg for your mercy.”

Princess Jinyu sneered with her eyes closed. “You’re too late. I could have shown you some mercy ten days ago, but now I can’t even protect myself, and I have to wait for the Emperor’s mercy.”

These words seemed to be mocking Shen Qing for breaking his promise, but in reality, she was venting her own resentment.

Shen Qing said: “Princess, you’re joking. You are a Princess of the Great Zhou, and you share the same blood as His Majesty.” He smiled as he said this. “How can there be talk of mercy between you siblings?”

Although she had heard these words many times, everyone loved to hear pleasantries, especially the phrase “you share the same blood as His Majesty.” Princess Jinyu opened her eyes and glanced at Shen Qing.

That’s right, she and His Majesty were both children of the previous Emperor. It was only because Prince Changyang was a man that he became the Emperor.

✿✿✿

If she were a man, it wouldn’t have been Prince Changyang’s turn.

Smooth thoughts surged from the bottom of her heart, and Princess Jinyu couldn’t help but let out a breath.

“Yes, His Majesty and I are siblings, but when something happens, he only blames and scolds me.” She said, sighing with resentment. “Liulang is really not like Father at all. Why is he taking his anger out on me because Consort Bai is pregnant and feeling unwell?”

She paused as she said this, feeling something was wrong. It seemed like she shouldn’t have said this, but it also felt like she had already said it.

Then she saw Shen Qing in front of her, his eyes curious.

“I heard from some old friends in the palace that there is a consort by the Emperor’s side, and the Emperor takes her wherever he goes. She even accompanies him in the next room during court sessions. She is incredibly favored. What is this Consort Bai’s background? I’ve been away for many years, and I only know that His Majesty married the Yang family’s daughter when he was Prince Changyang.”

As Shen Qing spoke, Princess Jinyu repeated these words in her mind, as if she had already heard them once.

This wasn’t strange.

She had long seen through the hearts of these men. They spoke sweet words, but they were only moved by power.

She looked at Shen Qing with a half-smile. “What? Do you want to curry favor with this favored consort by the Emperor’s side?”

Shen Qing laughed heartily. “Princess, you’re joking. In Shen Qing’s eyes, only the Princess is truly reliable.”

Princess Jinyu nodded, feeling incredibly clear-headed. “Yes, relying on the Emperor’s favor is just borrowing power. No matter how powerful, it’s a castle in the air, an empty dream, like the previous Empress Jiang.”

She smiled as she said this.

“If Empress Jiang had my status, she would still be in a high position, and you wouldn’t have the opportunity to return to the capital.”

Shen Qing bowed solemnly. “The Princess is right. That’s why Shen Qing said that the Princess is the most reliable woman in our Great Zhou.”

Princess Jinyu didn’t feel proud of his flattery, but instead frowned, thinking of something she had overlooked.

She had been driven mad by those monks before, only focused on arguing with them. The root of this matter still lay in the Emperor’s love for Consort Bai.

Empress Jiang gained power by relying on the Emperor’s favor, and now Consort Bai was showing the same signs.

If it weren’t for Consort Bai, the Emperor wouldn’t have reprimanded her repeatedly.

This couldn’t go on, or His Majesty would truly become disgusted with her.

She looked at Shen Qing and smiled. “You don’t have to say these nice words anymore. I’m tired of hearing them. Let me hear your guqin and calm my mind.”

Shen Qing responded with a “yes,” took the guqin and placed it on his lap, and began to play.

The sound of the guqin echoed, and Ah Ju, who was standing in the room, and the attendants outside the door couldn’t help but be immersed in it, praising in their hearts. He was indeed worthy of the title of Guqin Prodigy bestowed by the previous Emperor.

However, the Princess didn’t enjoy her leisure for long before it was reported that Zhang Ze was requesting an audience.

In the past, Princess Jinyu would have been too lazy to see Zhang Ze. Although he was said to be eliminating the remnants of Empress Jiang’s faction, Zhang Ze didn’t show any respect to them, the imperial relatives and nobles.

But now she heard that Zhang Ze was thoroughly investigating the matter at Lingquan Temple, which was considered standing up for her.

“Invite him in.”

Shen Qing hurriedly got up and excused himself. “I won’t disturb the Princess any longer.”

Princess Jinyu didn’t try to keep him. She felt that after he came today and they talked for a while, her mind felt much clearer, so she gave him a promise: “There’s still some time before the Winter Solstice Sacrifice. You can wait patiently.”

Shen Qing bowed deeply, holding the guqin as he walked out.

Zhang Ze had already walked in, followed by a young man in a Taoist robe.

The young man looked sleepy, yawning and complaining as he walked, “Didn’t you say I didn’t need to come? Don’t delay my return to the Taoist temple.”

Zhang Ze didn’t turn his head and said coldly, “It’s been days, and I haven’t seen you return to the Taoist temple. You’re always fooling around on the pleasure boat. I thought you had forgotten that you’re a Taoist priest.”

As he said this, he saw Shen Qing walking out.

Zhang Ze narrowed his eyes slightly and sized him up.

Shen Qing hurriedly lowered his head and bowed. Ah Ju introduced them from the steps: “Inspector, this is the musician who came to play the guqin for the Princess, Shen Qing.”

Zhang Ze obviously knew who Shen Qing was. He glanced at him and smiled. “Musician Shen is quite lucky to have the opportunity to return to the capital.”

He was referring to Shen Qing being expelled by Empress Jiang. Now that Empress Jiang was dead, he finally had the opportunity to come back.

Shen Qing smiled and said: “Thanks to the Inspector’s blessing.”

Zhang Ze laughed heartily. “That’s true. Musician Shen, don’t forget my kindness after you regain your wealth and status.”

Shen Qing bowed. “I wouldn’t dare to forget.”

Zhang Ze ignored him and walked into the hall.

Shen Qing straightened up and looked at his back, his gaze then sliding over the young Taoist priest following behind.

“Musician Shen, this way please.” The attendant reminded him.

Shen Qing withdrew his gaze and smiled at the attendant, following him away.