Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 127

Chapter 127: Daily Life

After the imperial chariot returned to the palace, the court officials relieved their fatigue. Before the Marquis of Dongyang left the palace gate, he made an appointment with several old counts to drink to their heart’s content tonight.

Zhou Jingyun also received many invitations.

However, he declined them all and walked straight out of the palace gate. He saw Jiang Yun leading the servants from his house rushing towards him.

Zhou Jingyun’s footsteps paused, and then he hurried up.

“Marquis Zhou’s Heir, Young Madam has seen the doctor, she’s fine.” The servant said.

These words, without context, were even more frightening. Zhou Jingyun’s face was gloomy.

“It was Madam who sent someone to say that you should hurry home as soon as you were done.” Jiang Yun explained from the side, “Young Madam was a little unwell this morning.”

“Yes, yes.” The servant nodded hurriedly. He forgot that the person sent earlier hadn’t seen Marquis Zhou’s Heir and hadn’t yet conveyed the bad news. His sudden good news was actually frightening. “But Young Madam went to see the doctor, and he said it was nothing serious. Madam and Young Madam asked me to come quickly and tell Marquis Zhou’s Heir so that you wouldn’t be anxious and worried.”

Zhou Jingyun’s face softened slightly. While the servant was speaking, he had already taken the reins and rushed back on horseback.

The servant sent by Madam was left behind, so he couldn’t relay the news of Marquis Zhou’s Heir in advance.

In any case, it’s good to be back.

After having a lively dinner with Madam, the Marchioness of Dongyang didn’t let Zhou Jingyun stay any longer: “You’re tired from being out, go back and rest quickly.”

Zhou Jingyun didn’t stand on ceremony and left with Zhuang Li after bidding farewell.

The maids carried lanterns in front and behind, lighting the way for the two, but keeping a certain distance.

“Are you sure you can make that incense?” Zhou Jingyun asked.

Just now, during dinner, Zhou Jiuniang had already excitedly chattered about Zhuang Li being entrusted by Doctor Zhang to develop a detoxifying incense.

During that time, Zhou Jingyun kept smiling and nodding, not asking or saying much.

Including not asking why she went to the medical clinic, or where she felt unwell in the morning.

The Marchioness of Dongyang didn’t mention it again either. After all, she had already sent someone to tell him that it was nothing serious, and he had seen it with his own eyes, so there was no need to say it again.

But Zhuang Li knew that Zhou Jingyun wasn’t not asking, it was just not the right time to ask.

See, after leaving Madam, the conversation started with the topic of the medical clinic.

“Yes.” Zhuang Li said, holding back a smile, “Just like when we encountered miasma in the south and burned incense to drive away the poison, I prepared it when I went to the south with Madam Zhuang.”

Zhou Jingyun nodded and glanced at her: “Tell me, was it another sleepless night? Or did your old illness act up again?”

Zhuang Li chuckled, then stopped laughing and answered seriously: “I didn’t sleep well, I had a nightmare. I woke up in a hurry to get out of bed and tripped over myself.”

Zhou Jingyun looked at her, seeming a little helpless: “Even if you’re not used to having maids sleep with you, you could let them sleep on the footstool.”

As he spoke, a thought flashed through his mind. Actually, she was someone who wasn’t used to having people sleep beside her.

For the sake of their fake marriage, she had been sleeping with him these days, was it also because she had no other choice?

But it seemed like she slept very well, on the contrary, when he wasn’t home…

His mind was in a mess, and he heard Zhuang Li’s voice.

“Okay, I’ll remember that. I won’t do that again next time.”

As she spoke, she reached out and pinched his sleeve, shaking it gently.

Zhou Jingyun looked at his sleeve being pinched by her slender fingers, shook his head and said: “Next time, next time, you…”

He seemed not to believe her, but he didn’t force her.

Zhuang Li smiled and said nothing more.

Whether it was the dark and slippery road, or she wanted to be lazy and borrow strength, her fingers didn’t retract. She held Zhou Jingyun’s sleeve and walked slowly forward.

Zhou Jingyun also seemed unaware, only slightly tensing his arm, making her hand holding his sleeve feel like it was resting on his arm, making her steps lighter.

Because they were tired from being out, after returning to their courtyard and washing up briefly, the two went to bed early to rest.

The maids retreated, and it was quiet inside and out. A lamp was lit by the bed, and the room was filled with warmth. Zhou Jingyun leaned back on the bed and couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.

It’s still comfortable at home.

But then he mocked himself inwardly. He hadn’t felt this way in the past few years when he was away.

There was a rustling sound beside him, and a quilt was draped over him.

“It’s been cold these past two days, add another one.” Zhuang Li said, leaning over and reaching out to straighten the quilt.

Zhou Jingyun stretched out his long arm, straightened it himself, and gestured to her: “Lie down quickly, you’re dressed thinly.”

Zhuang Li lay down, rubbed against the quilt, squinted her eyes and said: “Marquis Zhou’s Heir is back, even the quilt is much warmer.”

Zhou Jingyun laughed. Yes, that’s right, a living person is also equivalent to a large heater. Then he coughed lightly. When it was just the two of them, they could talk about more private matters.

“That night at the traveling palace, it seems that Empress Jiang’s faction made a move again.” He said.

Zhuang Li propped herself up with her hand, asking curiously: “What move?” Then she was filled with worry, “Are you alright?”

Her first thought was still to worry about him. Zhou Jingyun gave her a reassuring smile: “I’m fine.” He recounted the events of that night.

“It still started with Consort Bai, and ended with paper figures being found around the altar.” He said finally, “It’s confirmed that it was Empress Jiang’s remnants using illusionary techniques.”

So the dream she was pulled into that night was from Empress Jiang’s faction. There really was someone like her, an extraordinary person, among them. Zhuang Li suddenly understood. So the figure bowing at the altar was Empress Jiang?

No wonder she wanted to offer sacrifices to heaven and claim to be the emperor by the mandate of heaven.

Empress Jiang was executed because she was determined to ascend the throne and replace the Li clan of the Great Zhou, which angered everyone.

Zhuang Li was silent for a moment, then a thought popped up. The shadow separated from under her feet. Was this just the absurdity of the dream, or did it have other… implications?

“Don’t think about it anymore.” Seeing her lost in thought, Zhou Jingyun said. He subconsciously wanted to stroke her head, but luckily he came to his senses in time. His hand brushed past her head and landed on her shoulder, pulling the quilt up. “They just want to create chaos and make His Majesty fearful and uneasy, but…”

He shook his head, looking at the flickering candlelight.

That person was gone, dead. Illusionary techniques were ultimately just illusionary techniques, what could they do?

He always felt that instead of doing these things, it would be better to finish what she left unfinished, to do what she wanted and thought about.

Zhuang Li hummed in agreement and nodded. Suddenly she asked: “The former Crown Prince’s son, what was that little Grandson of the Emperor called?”

Zhou Jingyun froze, surprised that she would suddenly ask this.

“Oh, today when I went to the medical clinic, I took a detour and passed by Yongxing Ward. Chun Yue mentioned the past.” Zhuang Li said, looking at Zhou Jingyun, curiously asking, “Did that little Grandson of the Emperor also die?”

Zhou Jingyun nodded: “He died.” He paused for a moment. “Actually, at that time, the Crown Prince was unwilling to be deposed as a commoner and imprisoned, so he used death to retaliate against the late Emperor. He sealed the Eastern Palace himself, and when the fire started, it was so big that even when the troops arrived, they couldn’t save him. They surrounded it to prevent the fire from spreading to more places.”

Oh, so it was said that Empress Jiang sent troops to surround and prevent anyone from escaping the Eastern Palace, but it wasn’t actually like that? Zhuang Li looked at him.

Zhou Jingyun didn’t continue the topic, saying: “What was the little Grandson of the Emperor called?” He shook his head. “I don’t know, I didn’t pay attention. He was too young at that time. Although he was the Grandson of the Emperor, he wasn’t at the point where everyone knew and remembered his name.”

Speaking of this, he added.

“But there should be records. I’ll find an opportunity to check.”

✿✿✿

Zhuang Li hurriedly said: “No need, no need, don’t cause any trouble. I was just casually mentioning it.”

Zhou Jingyun only said: “Although the former Crown Prince’s family was also rebellious, it’s different from Empress Jiang’s faction. Nobody cares.”

Zhuang Li said okay: “It’s getting late, let’s sleep.” After saying that, she lay down on the pillow and looked at him.

She was waiting for him to read. Zhou Jingyun pursed his lips, picked up the book from his pillow and opened it, reciting softly.

The lamplight flickered, and the sound in the room became quieter and quieter until it was silent.

Zhuang Li lay on the pillow, looking at Zhou Jingyun who was sleeping with his eyes closed. It seemed that he was really tired. He had coaxed her to sleep so early today.

She stretched out a finger and poked Zhou Jingyun’s arm lightly, whispering: “Why did you take in this fugitive orphan?”

At that time, she said she was from Empress Jiang’s faction. Of course, Empress Jiang’s faction should protect each other.

She had also planned to go to the capital at that time, so she didn’t care about Zhou Jingyun’s reason.

Well… she actually didn’t care now either.

Empress Jiang’s faction should naturally take good care of each other.

Zhuang Li pursed her lips, but in fact, neither of them seemed to be from Empress Jiang’s faction.

She quietly looked at Zhou Jingyun’s sleeping face for a moment, got up and took away the book that had fallen on his chest, put his arm back into the quilt, and extinguished the lamp.

…….

…….

Zhou Jingyun suddenly woke up. His vision was blurry, and he was a little dazed. He subconsciously turned his head to look beside him. The woman beside him was sleeping with her back to him, a strand of black hair scattered across his cheek.

He wasn’t on the cold bed in the traveling palace.

Zhou Jingyun relaxed his body. He was home. No wonder he slept soundly all night without dreaming. He didn’t even know when he fell asleep.

He looked at Zhuang Li’s back again. But why was she sleeping with her back to him? Wasn’t she used to snuggling up to him before…

The thought flashed through his mind, and Zhuang Li turned over, opening her eyes with a hint of laziness. Their eyes met, and Zhuang Li seemed a little dazed. The next moment, a smile appeared on her face.

“Marquis Zhou’s Heir is back.” She said.

He hadn’t been home for two nights, and it was as if they hadn’t seen each other for a long time. She couldn’t even believe he was sleeping beside her? Zhou Jingyun laughed, and then thought, wasn’t he the same just now?

“Yes, I came back last night.” He said with a smile.

Zhuang Li smiled too, and reached out to touch her face, with a hint of unease: “When Marquis Zhou’s Heir wasn’t home, I dreamed that I turned into someone else, it scared me to death.”

Turned into someone else? Zhou Jingyun’s heart skipped a beat, as if he thought of something, but then he immediately shook his head: “Dreams are strange and illogical, don’t think about it after you wake up.”

Zhuang Li looked at his expression and said: “Then if Marquis Zhou’s Heir sees that I’ve changed, you must tell me.”

“No.” Zhou Jingyun said decisively, “What are you talking about, you are you.”

He frowned as he spoke.

“You’re like this when you sleep alone, overthinking things, no wonder you’re always unwell.”

Zhuang Li smiled and propped herself up: “I know, I know.”

Zhou Jingyun also got up and poured her some water.

The maids’ voices came from outside: “Marquis Zhou’s Heir, Young Madam, you’re awake.”

Zhou Jingyun hummed in response.

The maids came in, and the morning light also poured in, making both inside and outside lively.

“Do you still need to go to the Ministry of Revenue today?”

Zhuang Li asked after breakfast.

Zhou Jingyun nodded: “I need to go there. It’s the end of the year, and there are some things to deal with.”

Zhuang Li took out a letter and a small package: “When I went out yesterday, I bought a type of incense ingredient from Doctor Zhang. I saw that its quality was very good, please help me deliver it to her. There’s also a letter of greetings.”

They had already sent New Year’s gifts to Madam Zhuang in the name of their couple before, but Zhuang Li grew up with Madam Zhuang, and she still missed her after being away for so long. Zhou Jingyun nodded, took the small package and the letter, and said: “I’ll come back early this afternoon. It’s almost New Year’s, and Mother is very busy.”

Zhuang Li nodded: “I’ll finish making incense in the morning and go over to see if there’s anything I can help with.”

As they chatted, Zhuang Li took off his cloak. Because Zhou Jingyun was carrying things in his hands, she wanted to put it on him personally, but she was too short and it was a little awkward…

Chun Yue hurriedly came to help, but she saw Zhou Jingyun bend his knees and lower his body, looking at Zhuang Li at eye level.

Zhuang Li put the cloak on him, fastened it, and stood on the porch, watching Zhou Jingyun walk out. Because of the cloak’s cover, she couldn’t see the package and the letter he was carrying.

In the letter, she described to Madam Zhuang the strangeness she had encountered.

She hoped to receive a reply soon.

Zhuang Li reached out and touched her cheek, exhaling softly, and looked up at the sky.

It was already the twelfth lunar month, and the sound of firecrackers could be heard faintly from time to time, adding a touch of liveliness to the bleak winter day.

Another year was coming to an end, and a new year was about to begin.

How time flies.

Bai Ying thought as she sat on the folding stool.

It seemed like yesterday she was still living in the Cold Palace, waiting for an opportunity to turn things around that might never come, and in the blink of an eye, she was sitting in the heated room beside the Emperor, and she was even pregnant with the imperial heir.

This year had passed like a dream.

As she was lost in thought, she heard voices coming from outside.

“Inspector General is here, there are many people waiting for you at His Majesty’s place.”

“Yes, I’m not in a hurry.”

“It’s cold outside, Inspector General, come and wait in the heated room.”

As the voices spoke, Wang Degui led Zhang Ze in.

Because the Emperor always kept Bai Ying by his side when handling government affairs, it was impossible to avoid the coming and going of court officials.

Although they felt that it was against etiquette, the imperial heir was also a major concern for the court officials, so they simply pretended not to see her. It would only be ten months until the baby was born.

The court officials turned a blind eye to her, and Bai Ying also seemed to turn a blind eye to them. This time, when Zhang Ze entered, she was still staring at the narcissus flowers in the hall, lost in thought.

Even when Zhang Ze said that he had checked the capital’s entry and exit records, including the lodgings in inns, and found no women resembling Bai Ying in appearance, she still seemed to be lost in thought.

“What is Consort Bai thinking about?” Zhang Ze could only ask.

Bai Ying said in a daze: “I’m thinking about changes.”

Changes? Zhang Ze was puzzled: “What changes?”

“It’s about what changes occur around us before every event happens.” Bai Ying’s gaze was still fixed on the narcissus flowers, her hand gently gesturing in front of her, as if trying to sort something out. “…For example, when I first encountered Empress Jiang’s haunting, what happened that was different from usual?”