Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 133

Chapter 133: New Year

Why did Zhou Jingyun take in a fugitive orphan like her?

The answer he gave was, the Empress Jiang faction protects the Empress Jiang faction.

At first, she didn’t care because she had other plans in mind. If he dared to take her in, she dared to come.

Later…

She thought, Zhou Jingyun is a kind person. He himself isn’t completely clean and can’t withstand the scrutiny of the Censorate, but in the face of Director Lin’s plea for help, he was still willing to let her treat and save people.

She also saw that Zhou Jingyun was not part of the Empress Jiang faction. He was not part of any faction. He was just doing his duty for the country and the people. Seeing Zhang Ze and others abusing their power, imprisoning people unjustly, and refusing to let anyone off, he was powerless to stop it and could only do his best to reduce the suffering in the world.

To comfort her, an orphan, he was willing to share his home with her.

Zhuang Li couldn’t help but smile.

How wonderful.

For someone who has lost their family and has no one to rely on, this life is truly beautiful.

Beautiful like a dream. Her luck in the dream is too good, isn’t it?

Family ruined, soul scattered, trapped in a labyrinth, she was able to be rescued.

Unwilling to give up, determined to go to the capital, she met a good man.

The capital is dangerous, full of strange people and artifacts, but she hides in a high-walled mansion, and someone inquires about news for her and shields her from the wind and rain.

She can’t go out, but someone remembers to bring her delicious food and snacks from the capital.

She can’t sleep, and someone is willing to read to her and lull her to sleep.

Zhuang Li, oh Zhuang Li, you have been Zhuang Li for so long that you have forgotten what Bai Li is like.

Bai Li, a jinx who killed her mother at birth, killed her family when she grew up, killed her relatives and friends, a person who was hated by everyone, who would be thrown stones at by children and bitten by dogs when she walked, who could only wander in the mountains and wilderness, living in seclusion, a thing entangled by misfortune!

How could she have such good luck!

How could she meet such a good person!

Zhuang Li released her knees and looked up, laughing, spreading her hands and lying on the ground.

It’s not anyone else’s fault, it’s her own confidence and arrogance.

She herself hid her thoughts, concealed her true nature, and took the opportunity to come to the capital, so why can’t others also have hidden motives for taking her in?

Zhuang Li turned her head and saw the sleeping face of the young child.

He slept so sweetly and peacefully that she felt sleepy.

She was indeed sleepy.

She didn’t dare to sleep last night.

That home, that bed, that person beside her…

However, her luck wasn’t too bad. She encountered this realm of no dreams, which could eliminate distractions for her, allow her to discover things in time, and even provide her with a place to sleep peacefully at this moment.

Zhuang Li turned over, lying face to face with the young child, and closed her eyes.

In the vast expanse of heaven and earth, two people lay side by side, becoming even quieter.

“Young Madam, Young Madam.”

The dream world shook.

Zhuang Li felt someone pushing her and was startled. She really fell asleep, and now was not the time to sleep peacefully.

She reached out and pinched the young child’s nose: “Li Yu, it’s time to wake up.”

This was not her dream world. To get out, the owner needed to wake up.

With her action, the sleeping child opened his eyes: “You—”

The vision collapsed.

Zhuang Li opened her eyes and saw Zhou Jingyun’s face close to hers in a daze. She subconsciously tensed up and raised her hand.

Chun Yue, who was sitting by the bed, hurriedly supported her arm.

“Young Madam, what’s wrong?” she asked uneasily.

Zhou Jingyun, who was about to reach out, withdrew his hand and asked with a frown, “Are you alright?”

Zhuang Li took a breath, her vision became clear, and seeing that it was already dusk outside, she said, “I just took a nap in the afternoon, how did I fall asleep so deeply?” She then reproached Chun Yue, “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

It’s normal for the Young Madam to sleep a little longer, Chun Yue thought. There was nothing to do in the afternoon, and she planned to wake the Young Madam half an hour before dinner. Unexpectedly, the Marquis’s Heir came back and, hearing that the Young Madam was sleeping, rushed in and shook the Young Madam to wake her up…

Suddenly waking up a sleeping person can give them nightmares.

Chun Yue was a little dissatisfied. What was wrong with the Marquis’s Heir? Could it be that he felt it was inappropriate for the daughter-in-law to be lying in bed while everyone else was busy?

If it were in the past, Chun Yue would have thought so too, but now, she pursed her lips in displeasure.

If you have something to say, just say it nicely.

“This servant was keeping track of the time,” she said to Zhuang Li, not hiding her grievance. “Madam is busy, she said for the Young Madam to eat dinner and then go over.”

Zhuang Li smiled and looked at Zhou Jingyun again.

Zhou Jingyun didn’t pay attention to what the maid said, only saying, “The days are short and the nights are long in winter, don’t sleep so much.”

Zhuang Li said yes: “I understand, I won’t next time.”

Zhou Jingyun glanced at her and said softly, “Get ready for dinner, and go see Mother after you finish eating.”

Zhuang Li nodded, and Zhou Jingyun turned and went out.

Chun Yue helped Zhuang Li up, seemingly contradicting Zhou Jingyun’s words: “Young Madam, lie down for a while longer, get up slowly, be careful of dizziness.”

Zhuang Li smiled and sat up, supporting herself: “I’m fine, I’m not that delicate.”

Isn’t she always delicate? Chun Yue glared at her but didn’t persuade her further. She carefully helped her up and suddenly saw a hairpin slide down Zhuang Li’s skirt as she stood up.

“How did this get here?” she said, reaching down to pick it up.

Although she didn’t undo her hair bun during her nap, she took off her hairpins. Why was there still a silver hairpin left?

Zhuang Li had already reached out and picked it up, smiling at her: “I have a lot of hair, I must have missed it.”

The hairpin was small, with a crabapple flower at the end, a small piece, indeed very inconspicuous. Chun Yue didn’t ask further, tidied Zhuang Li’s robe after she stood up, and went to get the outer garment from the hanger.

Zhuang Li looked down at the hairpin in her hand. She had been hiding it in her hand while sleeping, and she had also clenched it tightly when she was startled awake.

Although this hairpin was small and not as sharp as a dagger, with her special abilities, the hairpin could become a long sword in the eyes of those who wanted to harm her…

Enough for self-defense, and also enough to injure others.

Zhuang Li lowered her gaze and inserted the hairpin into her hair.

✿✿✿

✿✿✿

At Yuqing Hall, Shopkeeper Cai pushed open the door and saw Shangguan Yue sitting inside, seemingly lost in thought, then a smile appeared on his face.

“Young Master, you haven’t slept?” he couldn’t help but ask.

Shangguan Yue had been coming to Yuqing Hall frequently lately, almost every afternoon, and after arriving, he would find a place to sleep.

In fact, although he was not allowed to enter the Princess’s Residence, and the Shangguan family didn’t dare to take him in, the Imperial Consort’s Husband had arranged a residence for Shangguan Yue in the city.

But since Ruibo’s death, the Young Master had become even more vigilant, only sleeping at Yuqing Hall.

This was the place he had personally established, and the people here were all those who had followed the Crown Prince and refused to give up even in death.

“I slept,” Shangguan Yue said, the smile spreading in his eyes. “I even had a dream.”

He didn’t dream of Bai Li, and he was still a little uneasy, not knowing if sleeping had helped her, not knowing if she still needed help.

And the Madam of Dongyang, deep in her mansion, was not someone he could easily meet, and even if he did meet her, Bai Li might not necessarily possess her.

So he simply came to sleep at the same time as before.

Sure enough, this time, the moment he woke up from his dream, he saw Bai Li.

✿✿✿

Just like the first time, she pinched his face, smiled at him, and disappeared.

This meant she had indeed come to his dream.

It was a pity that the time was too short.

It was a pity that they couldn’t talk.

It was a pity that he couldn’t ask her if there was anything else he could help with.

“Young Master?” Shopkeeper Cai asked, seeing the changing expressions on Shangguan Yue’s face. “Are you alright?”

Why did he look so strange? He couldn’t help but recall a time when Ruibo said that the Young Master had a nightmare while sleeping.

Shangguan Yue stood up: “I’m fine, very fine.” He said and walked out. “I’m going to the Princess’s Residence.”

Shopkeeper Cai asked, “To see the Imperial Consort’s Husband? He’s been at the Shangguan Residence these past few days and will return to the Princess’s Residence during the New Year.”

Shangguan Yue said “Oh”: “I’m going to see the Princess, to discuss the matter of her acknowledging me during the New Year.” He then turned to look at Shopkeeper Cai. “Keep an eye on the Imperial Consort’s Husband, don’t let him find out.”

These words sounded a little strange. The Princess acknowledging the Imperial Consort’s Husband’s son, the people discussing it were the Princess and the child, and they had to avoid the Imperial Consort’s Husband. Cai Songnian replied, “Yes.”

There was no other way, who let the Young Master not be the real son of the Imperial Consort’s Husband?

“Congratulations, Young Master,” he said with a smile, his expression somewhat emotional. “You can enter and leave the palace with the Princess from now on.”

Although not as a member of the imperial family, after more than ten years, he could finally step into the palace again.

The day he regained his identity was not far away.

Accompanied by the increasingly loud sound of firecrackers, the sons of the Marquis of Dongyang who had established families elsewhere rushed back with their wives and children on the day before New Year’s Eve.

The Madam of Dongyang’s room was crowded with people, and the concubines who used to serve by her side could only stand under the eaves.

Zhou Jingyun reminisced with his brothers, talking all night, and only returned in the latter half of the night.

As if afraid of waking her up, he slept on the folding bed in the outer room.

Inside the bed curtains, Zhuang Li thought, if he was really afraid of waking her up, why didn’t he sleep in the study?

Zhuang Li didn’t get up to call him back to bed.

The next day, New Year’s Eve arrived, and the families of the Second and Third Masters also came to pay respects to their ancestors. The men performed the rituals, and the women, with their daughters-in-law, offered sacrifices.

Naturally, Zhuang Li followed closely behind the Madam of Dongyang, and the two daughters-in-law of the concubine sons obediently stayed one step behind.

After the ancestral worship, they had New Year’s Eve dinner, and then it was time to set off fireworks. Standing in the courtyard, besides seeing their own, they could also see the entire capital as if enveloped in fireworks.

The Madam of Dongyang was afraid of the noise, smoke, and fire, so she didn’t go out. Sitting in the room, she could still feel the redness outside the window. As she watched, she suddenly raised her hand to wipe away tears.

“Oh, Madam, it’s New Year’s Eve, what’s wrong?” Mama Xu hurriedly said.

The maids had all gone out to watch the excitement. Taking advantage of the sound of firecrackers outside, the Madam of Dongyang sighed softly.

“You don’t know, when I saw her handing me the offerings in the ancestral hall, my heart…” she said, holding Mama Xu’s hand, her eyes reddening again. “Nine years, standing in the ancestral hall, my side is finally complete, our Jingyun won’t be alone anymore.”

Mama Xu reproached her: “Shouldn’t you be happy? Why are you crying?” As she spoke, her own tears fell.

The Madam of Dongyang spat at her: “You’re crying too.”

As they were talking, the door curtain rustled, accompanied by Zhou Jiuniang’s voice: “Mother, look at this little firework.” She then called out, “Sister-in-law, hold it steady, it hasn’t burned out yet, right?”

As she spoke, Zhou Jiuniang ran in. The maids lifted the curtain, and Zhuang Li was holding a bamboo stick with a ground rat firework hanging from it, spinning and emitting a bright light.

Mama Xu exclaimed, “Be careful not to burn your hand!”

The Madam of Dongyang was both angry and amused: “You’re really being reckless, Jingyun isn’t even watching you.”

Zhou Jiuniang said with a smile, “Brother Heir gave it to Sister-in-law.” She then reached out, wanting to take it. “Let me hold it.”

Of course Zhuang Li wouldn’t really let the child play with it. She said with a smile, “I’ll let the Heir pick a firework from the Hundred Flowers Trellis for you later.”

The fireworks on the Hundred Flowers Trellis were much more beautiful than the ground rat. Zhou Jiuniang clapped her hands happily and rushed out impatiently.

Zhuang Li smiled at the Madam of Dongyang and patiently waited for the ground rat to burn out: “This one is quiet and has beautiful colors.”

The Madam of Dongyang didn’t scold her again, nor did she look away. She watched the spinning ground rat burn out, and Mama Xu smiled and took the bamboo stick. “Young Madam, don’t indulge Ninth Miss, she’ll want you to set off fireworks later.”

Zhuang Li smiled: “The Heir is watching.” She then bowed to the Madam of Dongyang. “Mother, I’ll go out now.”

“Wait a moment.”

The Madam of Dongyang suddenly said.

Zhuang Li was a little surprised, and Mama Xu was obviously also a little surprised. They both looked over and saw the Madam of Dongyang take out a pouch from her sleeve.

“For you,” she said.

What? Zhuang Li hesitated for a moment, and Mama Xu, having regained her senses, hurriedly stepped forward, took it, and stuffed it into Zhuang Li’s hand.

“It’s your first New Year at home, this is for you, New Year’s money.” The Madam of Dongyang said, then turned her gaze away and picked up her teacup to drink tea.

Zhuang Li looked at the pouch stuffed into her hand, pursed her lips, and curtsied: “Thank you, Mother.”

Mama Xu said to her with a smile: “Young Madam, go out and have fun.”

Zhuang Li then retreated, standing under the eaves behind the maids, slightly lost in thought.

Zhou Jingyun was in the courtyard handing fireworks to his brothers, his gaze falling on the doorway. He met her gaze across the maids.

Zhuang Li smiled.

Zhou Jingyun also smiled and looked away.

In these past two days, it seemed that there was only eye contact between them.

Zhuang Li lowered her head and looked at the pouch the Madam of Dongyang had stuffed into her hand. She could feel the gold and silver inside.

When she was a child at home, her father would give her New Year’s money every year. After she went to live with Master and Madam Zhuang, they would also give her New Year’s money.

Now her home was gone, and Master Zhuang was gone too. She didn’t expect to continue receiving New Year’s money this year.

And it was given by someone she didn’t expect.

And at this time.

Zhuang Li’s expression was complicated.

Did something happen to Madam Zhuang?

Zhou Jingyun didn’t deliver her letter.

Was it true or false that he said he had sent Madam Zhuang back to her hometown, Dengzhou?

Where is Madam Zhuang now?

Madam Zhuang, is she alright?

After she entered the capital, all the information she received was from Zhou Jingyun. At that time, she was very happy, thinking that with Zhou Jingyun, even though she was in a deep mansion, she would know everything.

She didn’t even think at that time, what if the information Zhou Jingyun gave her was all lies?

Zhuang Li suddenly reached out and slapped herself in the face.

Why had her brain become muddled after entering the capital? Was she really here to be the Young Madam of Dongyang?

The maid beside her was startled: “Young Madam, you…”

Zhuang Li smiled at her: “There was a bug.”

A flying insect? In the middle of winter, were there still flying insects? The maid was in a trance. Seeing the Young Madam smile again, “Let’s watch the fireworks,” she replied, “Yes,” and withdrew her gaze, continuing to look at the night sky. The incident just now disappeared from her memory like fireworks.