Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 158

Chapter 158: Paying Respects

Paying respects to Consort Bai?

Gao Shi’er had served as an Imperial Attendant for several decades. He had seen all kinds of sycophants and heard all kinds of flattery. He was no longer surprised by such things. But when he heard Zhou Jingyun say this, he still couldn’t hide his surprise.

Back then, when facing the Previous Emperor and Empress Jiang, Marquis Zhou’s Heir had been arrogant, throwing tantrums whenever he felt like it. Now, he was actually going to pay respects to a palace consort with no title or status, just because she was carrying the Imperial Heir. Was it really necessary to be so obsequious?

Emperors change. The once youthful immortal, after seven or eight years of being sent away and wasting his time, was no different from anyone else.

With a hint of disdain, Gao Shi’er watched as Zhou Jingyun walked towards the side hall. The even more obsequious Wang Degui rushed out from the side hall and bowed.

He didn’t follow. He clasped his hands in front of him and didn’t enter the hall to report.

Let Marquis Zhou’s Heir wait like the other officials, according to their order of arrival.

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When Zhou Jingyun reached the side hall, Bai Ying was sitting on a soft couch, dozing off.

As her pregnancy progressed, she often felt exhausted, especially when listening to the Emperor and his ministers talking nonsense.

The Emperor wasn’t truly diligent; he simply enjoyed the atmosphere of diligence. Most of the time, he was idle.

Of course, even so, she still preferred being by the Emperor’s side, which was better than sitting idly in the harem.

But lately, she hadn’t been able to come here often.

Thinking of this, Bai Ying’s sleepiness vanished. She sneered inwardly.

The Empress was truly skilled.

These days, the Empress had been taking care of her even more attentively than the Emperor. She no longer bickered or argued with the Emperor. She readily obeyed anything the Emperor thought of, and she constantly reminded him of things he hadn’t considered.

After all, they were a young couple. The Emperor still trusted the Empress. Thus, he felt at ease leaving Bai Ying in the Empress’s care and even accepted the beauty the Empress had gifted him.

During the New Year celebrations, the Emperor had practically spent every night with that new beauty. The Empress had been showering him with tonics and care, the couple united in their desire to add another heir to the palace.

To avoid having her, the already pregnant one, become an obstacle, the Empress kept her by her side every day, allowing the Emperor to be with the new consort.

It was only in the past two days, with the Empress busy preparing for the banquet – a significant event where she, as the mother of the nation, would receive bows from the court officials and their wives – and to demonstrate her regard for the Imperial Heir, that she had been sent to the Emperor’s side.

This couldn’t continue.

She didn’t mind other women in the palace getting pregnant, nor did she mind the Empress’s existence. But if this Empress gained the Emperor’s trust and reliance, and was also virtuous and benevolent, then it would be troublesome.

Why hadn’t Zhang Ze returned yet?

Was a Duke of Ding’an so difficult to investigate?

At most, there were only a few hundred people. It shouldn’t take so long, even if he killed them all, right?

Bai Ying was about to summon Wang Degui, but before she could speak, Wang Degui’s voice came from outside: “Your Ladyship, Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir requests an audience.”

Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir?

Bai Ying was taken aback. Although she was a consort in the harem, she wasn’t completely ignorant of the outside world and its affairs.

She knew about Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir.

But what did it mean for Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir to request an audience?

To see her?

Impossible!

Those court officials all ignored her. If they had to see her, it was only out of courtesy for the Imperial Heir in her womb that they would offer a perfunctory greeting.

She, a consort of humble origins and now the daughter of a convicted criminal, wasn’t even considered worthy of their attention.

Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir, born noble, had withdrawn from the court due to Empress Jiang’s misrule. Now, he was even more renowned for his integrity, a young official favored by the Emperor and about to embark on a grand career. How could he possibly come to see her?

Wang Degui must have misspoken. Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir must have come to see His Majesty. He was probably waiting here because there were other people there.

This side hall she was in was originally intended for officials to rest and wait.

However, it was rare for Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir to be willing to come in and rest. After all, everyone was now avoiding and disdaining being in the same room with her.

Bai Ying sat up straight.

“Quickly invite the Marquis’s Heir in,” she said softly.

She hadn’t met this beauty, famed throughout the Great Zhou since childhood.

Wang Degui respectfully gestured for the person behind him to enter. Bai Ying saw a young man stride in.

Today was still within the festive period, not considered a formal court day, so private attire was allowed. He wore a dark green robe, a white jade belt, and a dark red cloak. With a face like white jade, a clear and refined demeanor, he was a sight to behold.

It wasn’t a dazzling beauty, but a kind that held one’s gaze, making one want to simply watch him quietly.

A beauty that captivated the senses, never tiring.

He met Bai Ying’s gaze. Perhaps accustomed to being observed, he showed no fear, nor did he avert his eyes out of propriety. Instead, he looked back at her intently.

Bai Ying found this even more intriguing.

Those court officials, when facing women, would either sneak peeks or look down upon them with disdain. Rarely did they look directly with such composure.

No wonder everyone adored Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir. His every move was indeed pleasing.

Bai Ying smiled. “Has the Marquis’s Heir come to see His Majesty? It’s a banquet tonight, so there are many guests.”

She gestured for Zhou Jingyun to take a seat.

Zhou Jingyun didn’t express gratitude, nor did he sit down. Instead, he surveyed the side hall.

The side hall wasn’t large. Perhaps Bai Ying desired tranquility, as there were no palace maids or eunuchs present at the moment, only this Eunuch Wang standing by the door.

Seeing Zhou Jingyun look over, Wang Degui enthusiastically said, “There are also some snacks prepared here. If the Marquis’s Heir doesn’t mind, would you like to have some first?”

Zhou Jingyun didn’t answer, withdrawing his gaze and looking at Bai Ying.

“I’ve come to see you, Consort Bai,” he said.

Bai Ying froze, thinking she had misheard again.

“See me?” she couldn’t help but ask.

Zhou Jingyun glanced at Wang Degui. “It should be safe to speak here, Your Ladyship. With Inspector General Zhang’s assistance, those around Your Ladyship are all your own people, right?”

Bai Ying still had a smile on her face, but her eyebrows had furrowed.

She knew that secrets couldn’t be kept forever, nor did she believe that Zhang Ze’s service to her could remain hidden indefinitely.

But at this moment, it was still too early!

Zhou Jingyun, how did he know?

This was impossible!

Silence fell over the hall, and Wang Degui, standing by the door, seemed to have frozen in place.

Zhou Jingyun sat down, his expression calm.

Bai Ying quickly recovered, looking at Zhou Jingyun. “Marquis’s Heir, have you come to threaten me?”

For a palace consort to associate with a court official was a grave offense, especially after Empress Jiang’s meddling in politics. Even the current Empress didn’t dare to have any dealings with court officials. Any transgression would lead to certain death.

Zhou Jingyun looked at her. Bai Ying’s face was pale, her expression seemingly confused, wronged, and timidly uneasy. But her eyes were calm, without a trace of fear…

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My sister is very capable.

He recalled what Zhuang Li had said about her older sister.

He couldn’t help but smile. “Your Ladyship doesn’t seem afraid.”

Bai Ying leaned against a bolster, her hand gently stroking her swollen belly.

“What’s the use of being afraid?” she said. “False accusations, slander… I’m helpless. I’m the daughter of a convicted criminal, my reputation already ruined. If it weren’t for this Imperial Heir, I would be dead by now. One more charge, and it’s still just death.”

She chuckled.

“But I didn’t expect the Marquis’s Heir to be the first to come and question Inspector General Zhang. I’m curious, will the Marquis’s Heir be digging his own grave, or will he rally others and eradicate this cruel official in one fell swoop?”

She had deftly shifted the topic, making it seem like Zhou Jingyun was dissatisfied with the cruel official and wanted to take action against Zhang Ze, while she was merely an innocent bystander dragged in as evidence.

Zhou Jingyun looked at her. “Your Ladyship needn’t change the subject. I haven’t come to accuse anyone. I’m simply informing Your Ladyship that I know about this matter.”

Bai Ying seemed helpless. “Then how did you find out, Marquis’s Heir? What evidence do you have?”

Zhou Jingyun said, “I saw it in a dream.”

Bai Ying was stunned, then burst into laughter. “Marquis’s Heir, what kind of joke is this?”

Actually, when Zhuang Li had first mentioned it, he had also found it amusing.

A palace consort and the cruel official who had investigated and executed her entire family were not only not enemies, but they had an unusual relationship.

Zhuang Li’s reasoning for this belief was, “I saw it in my sister’s dream.”

It was back at the traveling palace, while the Imperial Bell was absent, that she had entered Bai Ying’s dream. When she appeared in someone’s dream, she took the form of the person they desired to see…

At that time, her sister had wanted to see Zhang Ze.

For most people, if asked for evidence and they claimed to have dreamt it, they would be dismissed as talking nonsense.

But this was Zhuang Li.

Zhou Jingyun looked at Bai Ying quietly.

Bai Ying looked at this handsome man with a face like white jade and found him no longer pleasing to the eye, but rather somewhat sinister.

What was he trying to do!

“I’m not here to tell jokes,” Zhou Jingyun said, smiling faintly. “Nor am I here to threaten Your Ladyship.”

Bai Ying gave a half-smile. “Oh? Then what has the Marquis’s Heir come for?”

“I’ve come to betray a secret to Your Ladyship,” Zhou Jingyun said.

Bai Ying expressed even more confusion. “To me? I’m just a disgraced palace consort. The Marquis’s Heir should speak directly to Inspector General Zhang. But I can put in a good word for you.” She nervously stroked her belly again. “I’m here to rest and recuperate. I don’t understand many things.”

Her expression was delicate, bewildered, and timid. All her emotions were on display, as if she were an open book.

The two sisters were indeed different in temperament.

However, Zhuang Li had said that she resembled her older sister.

Zhou Jingyun looked at Bai Ying, then lowered his gaze.

Wang Degui, who had been standing silently by the door, now spoke in a panicked voice, “Your Ladyship, should we summon the Imperial Physician?”

Once the Imperial Physician was summoned, it would imply a threat to the Imperial Heir. Zhou Jingyun, no matter what your intentions were, you would be the first to die!

Zhou Jingyun ignored him, looking at Bai Ying. “Your younger sister, Bai Li, is in my hands.”

Bai Ying’s expression faltered, her hand pausing on her belly.

“You… you’ve captured her?” she couldn’t help but ask.

Zhou Jingyun said, “It’s more accurate to say that I’ve married her.”

Bai Ying looked stunned.

What? Married her? Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir… then the Marchioness of Dongyang was Bai Li —

That newly married young wife who had caused such a stir earlier.

Her mind buzzed, countless thoughts swirling, finally converging into a single sentence: As expected, Bai Li was right beside her, having arrived long ago.

The Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence.

Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir!

She looked at Zhou Jingyun.

“Then the Marquis’s Heir hasn’t come to threaten me, nor to betray a secret,” she said. “You’ve come to surrender.”

She shook her head.

“Marquis’s Heir, you’ve come a little late. Inspector General Zhang won’t let you off. No wonder you’ve come to see me. Are you hoping I’ll plead for you, for the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence?”

Her expression was filled with pity.

“It’s no use, Marquis’s Heir. You know Zhang Ze’s temperament. You… you’re a member of Empress Jiang’s faction in his eyes. You can’t escape, and neither can your Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence.”

She laughed again.

“How pitiful.”

Though her words expressed pity, her lips curled into a smile.

Zhou Jingyun looked at her. “Your Ladyship only feels pity, not regret?”

Regret? Bai Ying looked at Zhou Jingyun. Hmm, it was a pity that such a handsome face would be torn to shreds by Zhang Ze.

But there was nothing that could be done. He had touched what he shouldn’t have, seeking his own death. Even an immortal deserved it.

Zhou Jingyun said, “Your Ladyship has lofty ambitions, but relying solely on Zhang Ze, isn’t that a bit too weak? Moreover, Zhang Ze is a cruel official. He can indeed intimidate the petty for Your Ladyship, but he will also cause talented and virtuous individuals to keep their distance. Your Ladyship has witnessed Empress Jiang’s fate. Shouldn’t you learn a lesson?”

Bai Ying looked surprised.

“You… what are you talking about?” she said. “What Empress Jiang? How dare you mention her!”

Zhou Jingyun smiled.

“I’ve said so much, and all Your Ladyship hears is Empress Jiang.” He looked at Bai Ying and said softly, “Your Ladyship must know what I’m talking about.”