Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 178

Chapter 178: Enjoyment

The curtains were drawn open, and the room didn’t yet need candles lit.

Shangguan Yue walked out after a simple wash, looked at the pastries arranged on a small plate on the table, and said with a smile, “See-through rice cakes, I haven’t had these in a long time.”

Bai Li smiled: “There are plenty of pastries in your pleasure boat, surely there are see-through rice cakes.”

Yes, there should be. He had instructed that the food, drinks, and supplies on the boat should all be of the highest quality. The stewards and maids would certainly have made thorough arrangements.

But those weren’t specifically for him, and he had never paid attention to such things.

He was a picky eater when he was young. Even with delicacies from all over the world presented before him, he would nitpick and find fault with everything.

After the incident, he followed the Imperial Consort’s Husband, and delicacies were still readily available, but he stopped being picky. Because his heart was filled with anxiety, he didn’t care what he ate.

Thinking back, the most flavorful food was a bowl of sweet soup Ruibo gave him every morning.

Hmm, he remembered, he did have a sweet tooth.

Shangguan Yue reached out, picked up a see-through rice cake from the plate, and threw it into his mouth.

“Mmm, from the Yang family shop.”

“Young Lady Bai is impressive, knowing the best pastry shop in the capital.”

He was beaming with delight and praising her repeatedly.

Bai Li was also beaming with pride from his praise: “Of course, after all, I’ve been a ghost for so long, I’ve already gotten to know the capital thoroughly.”

Of course, she didn’t actually know it was the best pastry shop. It was Zhou Jingyun who had bought it before, and she remembered the name he mentioned.

Since he bought it, it must be excellent, right?

Bai Li looked at Shangguan Yue and exclaimed again, “You are the impressive one, to be able to tell which shop it’s from just by tasting it.”

When she ate this at the time, she felt it was no different from what was made in the kitchen at home. It was all…delicious.

Hmm, shouldn’t say home, the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence.

Shangguan Yue shook his head: “The pastry shops in this capital, even the pastries of powerful and noble families, even if they use the same ingredients, they all taste different.” He then asked Bai Li if she had specifically gone out to buy it. “It seems I really slept well, to not have noticed you leaving and coming back.”

Bai Li said with a smile, “Of course, I keep my word.”

Because after encountering illusions one after another, he was frightened and couldn’t sleep. His small wish was to have a good sleep, so Bai Li prepared incense and sat by the bed, reading poetry and books to him.

Of course, her reading of poetry and books was much more effective than Zhou Jingyun’s. Zhou Jingyun’s reading could only lull himself to sleep.

“Where did you go today? Is it convenient for you to go out? Do you need a few guards?”

Shangguan Yue’s voice came, and Bai Li pulled back from her wandering thoughts, looking at him: “I went for a walk on the streets, met my enemy. It’s very convenient for me to go out now, no need for guards—”

She answered seriously, but Shangguan Yue had already stood up with wide eyes: “Your enemy? You, you went to take revenge alone?”

He knew she was very capable, but back then he thought she was a ghost, and he, a mortal, couldn’t help with matters of the ghost realm. Now knowing she was actually human, then her enemy must also be human…

“You always say I’m your lifesaver, but how did I save you? Either sending people to stare at you, or carrying you around when no one else could see you…” he said somewhat helplessly, “At least let me show off with real swords and spears.”

Bai Li said with a serious expression, “Revenge doesn’t necessarily require a group of people rushing in, nor does it necessarily require swords and spears. We kill without bloodshed.”

Shangguan Yue was stunned.

Bai Li smiled again.

“Just kidding,” she said, her expression sincere, “Don’t worry, I’ve never been polite when I needed your help.”

Shangguan Yue said alright, then picked up another piece of see-through rice cake and ate it: “You better remember, I’ve eaten your food, so I owe you a favor.”

Bai Li nodded: “Remember, remember.” She then pointed at the see-through rice cakes, “They’re very expensive.”

Shangguan Yue laughed again.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, accompanied by an inquiry: “Young Master, the guests are about to board the boat.”

Bai Li looked out the window. Night was slowly falling, the evening drums sounded, reminding people of the approaching curfew. Those who needed to rush home did so, and the pleasure boat also began to welcome guests.

“Young Master, you go first,” Bai Li said, “I’ll get ready.”

Although Shangguan Yue could make her invisible on the pleasure boat, Bai Li still chose to walk among people. The identity of a maid was still very convenient.

Shangguan Yue stuffed the last see-through rice cake into his mouth: “I’ll wait for you outside.”

Compared to the Marchioness of Dongyang’s meeting with people, a maid’s preparation was simple: change into a dress, apply some powder and rouge, and put on a veil.

Bai Li looked at the mirror, no longer using bewitching techniques to shape a new appearance. But through the pearl veil, coupled with the brilliant lights, her features became hazy.

Bai Li smiled at herself in the mirror, got up, and walked out.

The pleasure boat had already left the shore, and the cabin was filled with the sounds of people and music.

After Shangguan Yue finished welcoming the guests, he leaned against the railing, watching everyone enjoy themselves.

“Young Master, please have some.” Bai Li took a cup of tea and a cup of wine from a maid, walked over, and handed him the tea.

Shangguan Yue took it with a smile. The wine was naturally Bai Li’s, and she drank it all in one gulp.

“Don’t turn into an alcoholic,” Shangguan Yue said with a smile.

✿✿✿

Bai Li looked around the boat: “I’ve only been here for a few days, and I always want to drink, and I also want to watch the excitement at the gambling tables. After a few more days, I’ll definitely be itching to join in.” She then looked at Shangguan Yue, “You’ve been here for so many years and haven’t indulged in pleasure, you hardly even drink. So you are the unstained gentleman described in books.”

Shangguan Yue laughed heartily: “I don’t deserve such praise.”

In the past, their meetings were either during life-or-death situations or in a state of confusion. They were always anxious and worried, exchanging a few words before parting. He didn’t realize she was so witty. Shangguan Yue’s smile deepened and he said, “It’s not that I’m a gentleman, it’s that I’m not qualified to enjoy pleasure.”

From the moment he was held by the Imperial Consort’s Husband and presented as an illegitimate son, he was no longer qualified to enjoy pleasure.

He was Li Yu, and he was also Shangguan Yue.

Shangguan Yue wanted to be arrogant, a prodigal son, indulging in food, drink, and pleasure.

But Li Yu had to live precariously and strive for survival.

Under this dual identity, how could he dare to indulge in pleasure? All his energy was spent on staying clear-headed.

Clear-headed to be Shangguan Yue, clear-headed to never forget Li Yu.

Bai Li looked at him. Under the lamplight, the young man’s face was pale, his brows and eyes were lively, and even when he was talking about melancholy things, the corners of his mouth still held a smile.

It was because she was standing close to him and was most adept at seeing through people’s emotions that she saw the flash of sadness in his eyes.

She thought of the layers of sleeping children in the dream world.

He couldn’t even relax in his sleep.

She thought back to the first time she saw him after entering the capital and transforming into a dream. At that time, she thought he was a prodigal son, happy as a god.

She didn’t expect that she would encounter him dead on the street in the middle of the night.

He was lying on the ground alone, his breath fading, yet still struggling to crawl forward.

She couldn’t help but sigh, “I used to think my life was hard, but now it seems yours isn’t easy either.”

She actually felt sorry for him? Obviously, her life was the hard one. Shangguan Yue smiled again: “We should say, no one’s life is easy.”

Bai Li nodded: “In that case, everyone has the right to enjoy pleasure.” She then turned and took a few steps, beckoning to the maid standing by the stairs, “Sister.”

The maid approached with a smile. Although she had only been here for two or three days, she already knew Bai Li’s habits and handed her a cup of wine.

Bai Li took it with a grin, returned to Shangguan Yue’s side, and handed it to him.

“Regardless of the past or the future, at this moment, I’m here,” Bai Li said with a smile, “You can indulge in pleasure as you wish.”

Shangguan Yue smiled, reached out to take it, and drank it all in one gulp. He truly felt an unprecedented joy.

But the next moment, this joy was interrupted by several calls.

“Young Master Shangguan, Young Master Shangguan.”

Shangguan Yue followed the sound and saw Wang Tong, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, staggering up the stairs. He abruptly stepped forward, blocking Bai Li behind him, and raised his hand: “Brother Wang, don’t move.”

Wang Tong was startled. Seeing Shangguan Yue’s anxious face, he subconsciously stopped and stood still.

“He’s from the Temple of the Holy Ancestor, assisting Zhang Ze in investigating the haunting. He’s carrying a Taoist ritual object given by Xuanyangzi,” Shangguan Yue whispered quickly to Bai Li behind him.

Bai Li suddenly understood. He was worried that this person would be harmful to her.

“Have you forgotten?” she chuckled softly, “I’m not a ghost anymore.”

Shangguan Yue also came to his senses after speaking: “Then—”

Bai Li leaned slightly from behind him: “Then invite him over, so I can observe him closely.”

Her gaze fell on the small Three Purities Bell hanging from the young Taoist’s waist.

As her voice fell, Shangguan Yue walked towards the stairs.

“Brother Wang, slow down,” he said urgently, “You must be tired from traveling. Let me help you.”

Wang Tong was overjoyed. Although Young Master Shangguan always welcomed guests with a smile, the prodigal son had many bad habits and, with Princess Jinyu as his backer, was arrogant, unruly, and unpredictable.

This was the first time he had shown such concern for him.

“No need, no need.” He hurriedly said, taking two steps at a time up the stairs and reaching out to Shangguan Yue.

However, Shangguan Yue had already withdrawn his hand, and a veiled maid stepped forward, supporting his arm.

“Young Master Wang, please take a seat,” a sweet female voice said.

Shangguan Yue asked with concern, “Is everything alright outside?” He handed him a cup of wine.

Wang Tong took the wine, looked at the handsome face in front of him, and thought it would be even better if the maid supporting him was also replaced by Young Master Shangguan.

One should be content.

He sighed deeply: “Compared to this moment, the days outside were truly unbearable.”