Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 161

Chapter 161: Inspection

Lanterns piled up before the palace hall, resembling a mountain range echoing the three-story building behind it, just like a celestial paradise.

Zhuang Li walked among them, looking left and right. Although she had seen many magnificent dreamscapes, reality was always more brilliant.

“How is it? Are you tired?”

Madam Xue walked over from the side and asked with a smile.

Along the way, countless people had spoken to Madam of Dongyang, scrutinizing this new Young Madam. Zhuang Li, following Madam of Dongyang’s introductions, greeted each one politely.

Now, finally reaching the front of the hall, the surrounding ladies, their curiosity satisfied, dispersed.

“Not tired, Mother is here.” Zhuang Li said with a smile.

“It’s tiring to follow your mother.” Madam Xue said, “Come with me later, I’ll take you to see the lanterns.”

Madam of Dongyang glared at her: “Don’t you need to attend to your mother-in-law?”

“My mother-in-law would rather I wasn’t in front of her.” Madam Xue said with a chuckle.

The sound of drums and music echoed from the hall ahead.

“His Majesty and the Empress are coming soon.” Madam Xue said, no longer lingering. Each family had their designated seats. She smiled at Zhuang Li, “I’ll come find you later.”

Zhuang Li nodded with a smile, watched Madam Xue leave, then supported Madam of Dongyang as they entered the hall in order.

The lights inside the hall were even more dazzling.

On the wide carpet in the center, dozens of dancers twirled gracefully, while musicians sat on the second floor, their music seeming to descend from the heavens.

A gaze fell upon Zhuang Li as she passed by the dancers.

Shen Qing frowned slightly.

It was not yet time for him to play his instrument, so he waited among the other musicians.

His gaze followed Zhuang Li, his expression shifting slightly.

“You…” He turned and beckoned to an eunuch standing by the stairs.

The eunuch hurried over.

Shen Qing pointed to Zhuang Li moving through the hall and whispered a few words.

The eunuch nodded and turned away.

“His Majesty and the Empress have arrived.”

Another eunuch ascended the stairs and announced.

Shen Qing hurried back to the musicians and sat down at his guqin.

The musicians playing stopped, the dancers retreated, and the people in the hall ceased their conversations. Silence fell instantly.

“His Majesty has arrived—”

Accompanied by the clear voice, the entire hall bowed and shouted, “Long live the Emperor—”

Shen Qing lowered his head and played the guqin, the music resonating, melodious and lingering.

The Emperor and Empress arrived slowly, accompanied by cheers and palace music, and took their seats.

Zhuang Li looked forward from behind Madam of Dongyang.

Besides the Emperor and Empress, there were over ten imperial consorts seated on both sides, each with their own unique beauty, like a hundred flowers blooming together.

Bai Ying was not among them.

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“Your Majesty can rest assured, I also have a son now.”

Princess Jinyu sighed to the Emperor.

Accompanying her words, Shangguan Yue knelt before the throne: “Shangguan Yue pays his respects to Your Majesty.”

The matter of Princess Jinyu acknowledging the Imperial Consort’s Husband’s illegitimate son had already reached the Emperor through various channels during the New Year period.

Looking at the young man kneeling before him in obeisance, the Emperor showed no surprise and observed him with a hint of curiosity.

The Imperial Consort’s Husband’s illegitimate son had been causing trouble for over ten years now.

Although he had been a notorious prodigal son in the capital for over a decade, due to Princess Jinyu’s face, he was only brought into the imperial city today.

Whether it was due to the excitement of meeting the Emperor or nervousness, Shangguan Yue kept his head bowed, not daring to raise it.

From the throne, the Emperor could only see his black hair, slender neck, and the somewhat extravagant robes.

The Imperial Consort’s Husband reminded him from the side, “Raise your head and let His Majesty have a look.”

Shangguan Yue seemed to come back to his senses, raised his head, and smiled at the Emperor.

His smile was radiant.

The Emperor thought, as expected of the Imperial Consort’s Husband’s son, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

The originally somewhat extravagant robes were instantly overshadowed, becoming ordinary.

“Good, good, not bad.” The Emperor praised with a smile.

He was praising both his looks and the situation.

The Imperial Consort’s Husband choked up: “I thank Your Majesty.”

The Empress smiled from the side: “The Imperial Consort’s Husband should thank the Princess.”

“My gratitude to the Princess is beyond words.” The Imperial Consort’s Husband said, “If I ever betray the Princess, may I die a horrible death.”

Princess Jinyu laughed from the side and said, “It’s a festive occasion, why is the Imperial Consort’s Husband talking about life and death?”

The Imperial Consort’s Husband raised his hand to wipe away tears: “I’m happy, happy.”

The Emperor saw that the Imperial Consort’s Husband was truly crying and felt deeply moved. Indeed, his son could finally hold his head high.

Who doesn’t love their own son?

Thinking of this, the Emperor was also happy. He was going to have a son too, his own biological son.

Although Consort Bai had not given birth yet, everyone was certain it would be a son.

This was also what Xuanyangzi had determined.

If it wasn’t a son, why would Empress Jiang’s ghost need to harm it?

The Emperor’s gaze shifted to his side, but he didn’t see Bai Ying. He was startled: “Consort Bai she…”

The words “Consort Bai” rang in her ears. The Empress, who had been watching Princess Jinyu’s family of three with amusement, froze and slowly looked towards her brother, the Maternal Uncle of the Emperor, sitting not far away.

Sensing her gaze, the Maternal Uncle of the Emperor immediately curved his lips, a smile spreading across his face.

The next moment, a smile also bloomed on the Empress’s lips.

“Your Majesty has forgotten? Bai is afraid of crowds and is not feeling well, so she stayed behind.” She said softly.

The Emperor remembered and made a sound of understanding, then frowned with concern: “Is she alright on her own?”

The Empress’s gaze flickered, the smile on her face deepening: “She’s in the neighboring Jielin Tower, where she can see the main hall and stay within the Emperor’s dragon aura. The imperial physicians are attending to her, and guards are stationed, with no unauthorized personnel allowed near. The Imperial Bell has also been moved there.”

She stood up as she spoke.

“If Your Majesty is worried, I’ll go check on her.”

The Emperor hurriedly reached out to stop her. The Empress’s arrangements were already considerate. With all the high-ranking officials present, it wouldn’t be appropriate for the Empress to leave for a consort.

“Empress, please sit down. You’ve worked hard for days, enjoy yourself today.” The Emperor said with a smile.

The hand he held brought the Empress’s frozen gaze back to life, and the smile on her lips became genuine.

Princess Jinyu watched the Empress from the side, feigning relief: “Empress, please sit down. In a little while, you, like me, will also be a mother.”

The Empress pinched her palm and smiled at her: “Then I’ll borrow the Princess’s good fortune today and have a drink for my nephew—”

She looked over as she spoke, only to find that Shangguan Yue, who had just greeted them, had already run into a group of noble youths with a cup of wine in his hand.

“This is the wine bestowed upon me by His Majesty and the Princess—”

The noble youths surrounded him with congratulations. Shangguan Yue raised his head and drank, his arrogance unconcealed.

The Empress chuckled and looked at Princess Jinyu: “Princess, you’ll have to work hard to discipline him in the future.”

Princess Jinyu was not angered by the Empress’s veiled mockery. She said solemnly, “Please rest assured, Your Majesty and Empress, I have learned from my past mistakes and will strictly discipline him.”

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The Emperor laughed: “Sister, don’t be so hard on yourself. You and I, brother and sister, have both been through hardships, there’s no need to dwell on the past.”

Princess Jinyu, seeing the Emperor’s affectionate expression, was content and quickly expressed her loyalty: “Let’s not talk about the past, I will do my utmost to assist Your Majesty in the future.”

The Imperial Consort’s Husband, seemingly ashamed, apologized to the Emperor and Princess Jinyu: “I’ll call him back.”

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“Since you’re here, you should talk more with His Majesty.”

The Imperial Consort’s Husband pulled Shangguan Yue out from the noisy banquet and whispered instructions behind a pillar.

Shangguan Yue glanced at the throne and saw Princess Jinyu chatting and laughing with the Emperor.

“The Princess doesn’t really like me. I just need to act outrageous in front of her to highlight her righteous image.” He whispered, “Staying too long would steal the show and she wouldn’t be happy.”

He smiled at the Imperial Consort’s Husband.

“Don’t worry, Imperial Consort’s Husband. I can enter the imperial city now, the rest will come slowly.”

The Imperial Consort’s Husband nodded. Indeed, haste makes waste. It was better to let the Emperor slowly adapt to his presence.

As the thought flashed through his mind, he saw Shangguan Yue walking outwards and hurriedly grabbed him.

“Where are you going? Don’t wander around.”

Shangguan Yue looked outside the hall, a trace of melancholy flashing across his face: “I want to look around.”

To look around. For others, it was to admire the scenery, but for Shangguan Yue, it was to revisit old places.

The Imperial Consort’s Husband sighed in his heart and nodded, saying softly, “Go ahead.” He then cautioned, “Things are different now, don’t wander around carelessly, be careful.”

Shangguan Yue smiled and agreed, then turned and disappeared into the crowd, vanishing among the dazzling lights in a few twists and turns.

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“Where’s Li Niang?”

Madam Xue pulled Madam of Dongyang away from a group of ladies and asked in a low voice.

After watching Old Madam Xue greet the Emperor and Empress, Madam Xue came here to look for Zhuang Li, but she couldn’t find the young woman amidst the dazzling lights.

Only Madam of Dongyang sat in her seat, chatting and laughing with the ladies on both sides.

“Naturally, she was called away by Jingyun.” Madam of Dongyang glanced at her, “Did you really think she wanted to stay with old women like us?”

Madam Xue chuckled: “If you want to be old, be old yourself, I’m still young.”

Madam of Dongyang looked at Madam Xue’s bright eyes under the lantern light. Compared to before, Madam Xue indeed looked younger now, full of energy.

“What young? You’re already a grandmother.” She hummed, the smile on her face deepening.

Madam Xue patted her hand and chuckled: “You’ll be a grandmother by the end of this year too.”

Madam of Dongyang couldn’t help but laugh, then whispered, “Actually, I’m not in a hurry. She’s young, it’s good to wait a little longer.”

As the two sisters whispered to each other, Zhou Jingyun, who was standing by the corridor admiring the lanterns, was bumped into.

The person who bumped into him did not apologize.

Zhou Jingyun turned around and saw Shen Qing standing behind him.

“Is the Marquis’s Heir waiting for someone here?” Shen Qing asked.

Zhou Jingyun said indifferently, “Not waiting for uninvited guests.”

Was he saying he didn’t want to see him? Shen Qing smiled, not minding his rudeness, and asked, “Why did you bring her into the palace?”

Zhou Jingyun subconsciously glanced around, as if to see if it was another illusion. The surrounding lights were dazzling and confusing, with shadows of people coming and going everywhere. It was difficult to distinguish reality from illusion in the night.

“What’s so strange about her entering the palace?” He said, “She’s been married in for so long, if she hasn’t even paid respects to the Emperor and Empress, wouldn’t it invite gossip?”

Shen Qing was about to say something when an eunuch rushed over from the side.

“Musician Shen.” He called out softly.

Seeing someone next to Shen Qing, he stopped.

“It’s alright, speak.” Shen Qing said.

The eunuch stepped forward and glanced at Zhou Jingyun, seemingly surprised that the Marquis’s Heir was actually acquainted with Shen Qing…

Cough, however, staring at someone else’s wife…

“The Young Madam of Dongyang, she was called away…” He whispered.

Shen Qing hummed in acknowledgment. He knew, he had been watching. He saw Zhou Jingyun say something to a palace maid, point towards where the ladies were seated, and then walk out ahead of time to stand by the corridor.

He must be waiting to invite his wife to admire the lanterns.

“…She went to Jielin Tower.” The eunuch’s voice continued.

Shen Qing’s face stiffened: “What?”

He looked at Zhou Jingyun.

“You didn’t call her out?”

Zhou Jingyun looked at him, a faint smile playing on his lips: “I didn’t.”

Shen Qing’s expression changed: “Consort Bai!” He looked at Zhou Jingyun, gritting his teeth, “You brought her into the palace to see Consort Bai!”

Zhou Jingyun smiled: “Don’t you know? She came to the capital because of her sister. Her sister is her only relative in this world.”

Shen Qing’s face darkened: “You don’t understand at all. That sister of hers is not a good person—”

“I don’t understand, you do. Why didn’t you say something earlier?” Zhou Jingyun interrupted him coldly.

Because in his eyes, there had never been this Young Lady Bai. What she thought or wanted to do was irrelevant. Shen Qing glared at Zhou Jingyun and turned away, flicking his sleeves.

“Explain yourself—” Zhou Jingyun said, reaching out to grab Shen Qing.

His hand grasped emptiness. Shen Qing’s figure dissipated among the lights.

Zhou Jingyun swayed slightly and saw that he was still standing by the corridor. A lantern swayed before his eyes, and men and women chatted and passed by.

On the second floor of the hall, Shen Qing stood up, holding his guqin. The musicians playing beside him were oblivious. On the first floor, in the main hall, a new dance performance began, eliciting cheers and applause.

From Jielin Tower, next to the main hall, one could overlook the entire Linde Hall. Lanterns before the hall were like mountains, while those behind the hall, by Lake Taiye, resembled a sea of lights.

Bai Ying stood by the railing, watching the lantern scenery with great interest.

“Your Ladyship, be careful of the cold.” Wang Degui said, taking a white cloak and draping it over her.

Footsteps echoed from the stairs, and a palace maid ascended.

“Your Ladyship, the Young Madam of Dongyang is downstairs.” She said, “Shall I invite her up?”

Bai Ying withdrew her gaze and looked at her: “She’s here? Then—”

Before she could finish speaking, the palace maid before her, with her jade snail bun and colorful skirt, suddenly shattered like porcelain.

Bai Ying gasped in alarm, raising her hand to cover her mouth.

With her cry, the shattered porcelain pieces rose from the ground and reassembled into a human form.

A young woman stood there, dressed in a red skirt and blouse, her hair styled in a peony bun, two swaying hair ornaments adorning it. Her fair face was framed by eyes that sparkled like stars, full of life.

She stepped onto the floor and, as if sensing something, glanced down at the hem of her skirt before raising her head to meet Bai Ying’s gaze.

“I didn’t fool you.” She said with a bright smile, “Second Sister, do you still recognize me?”

Zhuang Li looked at Bai Ying and slowly shook her head.

“You’ve really changed, I almost didn’t recognize you.”