Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 129

Chapter 129: Passing By

Zhou Jingyun walked onto the Imperial Street and saw many officials hurrying towards the Imperial City.

What happened?

It was almost New Year’s Eve, and the day after tomorrow was the official rest day. There were fewer officials coming to the government office these days.

Why are so many people coming out now that it’s evening?

If it weren’t for their joyful expressions, Zhou Jingyun would have suspected something had happened in the palace.

“Jingyun, Jingyun.” An official who recognized him greeted him with a smile. “Let’s go into the palace, His Majesty is hosting a banquet tonight.”

What is His Majesty suddenly hosting a banquet for? This emperor probably had too many fearful experiences at banquets when he was young, so he rarely hosts them.

“I just heard the news, Zhang Qi and Zheng Qing are back.” The official said, “His Majesty is overjoyed and wants to host a banquet.”

Zhou Jingyun didn’t have much of an impression of Zhang Qi. He remembered him being a painter and calligrapher who had once tutored the princes, but he left the court soon after.

However, Zheng Qing was a famous figure, once serving as Prime Minister. But just after taking office, the late Emperor wanted to make Jiang Mian’er the Empress. Zheng Qing scolded him in court, saying that the Empress is the mother of the nation and cannot be appointed randomly, she must be virtuous and capable. Women like Bao Si, Da Ji, and Li Ji would only bring chaos to the court and lead to the destruction of the world.

This undoubtedly compared the late Emperor to King You, King Zhou, and Duke Xian of Jin. The late Emperor, who already had a bad temper, almost beat Zheng Qing to death in the hall. Empress Jiang, who was still Consort Jiang at the time, stopped him with a smile.

“Wouldn’t beating him to death fulfill his wish? Let him live and see if I am like Bao Si, Da Ji, or if Your Majesty is like King You or King Zhou.”

Zheng Qing was exiled, and his whereabouts were unknown. Some said he was assassinated by Empress Jiang.

Zhou Jingyun thought to himself, Empress Jiang was actually misunderstood in this matter. She wouldn’t hide if she wanted to kill someone.

“If you want to kill, kill them openly, kill them in a grand manner, kill them so that everyone knows. What’s the point of assassination or secret killing?”

Unexpectedly, Zheng Qing had returned now.

“Jingyun, come join us, His Majesty is in a good mood today.”

Zhou Jingyun smiled, “I won’t go, I have something to do at home. Since Duke Zheng is back, we must gather and celebrate during the New Year.”

People like Zhou Jingyun shine wherever they go. When they were in front of His Majesty, the Emperor only had eyes for him, and everyone else became background characters. It was better not to go.

The officials laughed and didn’t insist.

Zhou Jingyun walked out of the Imperial Street, facing the increasing number of officials. He looked back at the Imperial City and urged his horse to gallop away.

“The Marquis’s Heir is back.”

Maids along the way smiled and greeted him. Little maids giggled and ran to announce his arrival. As he stepped through the door, he saw Zhuang Li already waiting under the eaves of the corridor.

She had a smile on her face, and the maids following her were also smiling.

The little maids standing under the corridor, holding candied hawthorns that had obviously just been distributed, were also smiling.

Zhou Jingyun couldn’t help but smile as well.

“The Marquis’s Heir is back early today.” Zhuang Li said with a smile.

Chun Yue and the others lifted the curtain.

“You don’t have to go after two more days of rest.” Zhou Jingyun said, reaching out to gently support her arm. “Come in quickly, it’s cold.”

Zhuang Li smiled and entered first. Zhou Jingyun followed behind. The warmth of the room and the scent of medicinal incense filled the air.

“Is the incense ready?” Zhou Jingyun asked, taking off his cloak and looking at the table in the east side room.

The original brush, ink, paper, and inkstone had been removed, replaced with various incense tools, messy yet lively.

“Almost done, I’ll go to Doctor Zhang’s place tomorrow for final adjustments.” Zhuang Li said.

Chun Xiang took the cloak and put it away. Zhou Jingyun sat down. Chun Yue brought tea and then retreated with Chun Xiang.

The room became quiet again.

Zhou Jingyun sat by the window, drinking tea and watching Zhuang Li fiddle with the incense ingredients, muttering to herself, “It’ll be good once the rest days start. I didn’t know there were so many things to do for New Year’s. Mother is really busy running around.” “You can help her at home.” “I don’t know how to do anything. I’ve never celebrated New Year’s like this since I was a child. I always end up messing things up.” “Mother told me to go sell medicine and make money, and not to add to her troubles here.”

She laughed as she said this.

She didn’t mind Madam of Dongyang’s words at all.

Zhou Jingyun had been smiling along as she spoke, and now he nodded, “I also think it’s better to make money.”

Zhuang Li glanced at him, “I’ll go to the clinic tomorrow to make money, finish the incense, and then I’ll rest with the Marquis’s Heir. We won’t have to go out anymore.”

Zhou Jingyun nodded with a smile and lowered his head to drink his tea.

“Oh right, Madam Zhuang should have received the letter, right?” Zhuang Li asked, remembering something.

Zhou Jingyun calculated the days, “It should be within these two days.”

Zhuang Li breathed a sigh of relief, “It’s good to receive it before the New Year, it’s as if I’m accompanying Madam.”

Zhou Jingyun smiled, not mentioning that he thought the same way, so he had added more people and horses to deliver the letter as quickly as possible.

“Marquis’s Heir, Young Madam, Madam has prepared dinner.” Chun Yue came in to remind them.

Chun Xiang came in with an umbrella, smiling, “It’s snowing.”

It was snowing again. Zhuang Li stood up and looked outside, seeing snowflakes fluttering in the courtyard.

Zhou Jingyun put his cloak on her, “Let’s go, the snow will get heavier soon.”

Zhuang Li smiled and nodded, walking out. Chun Xiang wanted to hold the umbrella for Zhuang Li, but Zhou Jingyun took it from her. She pursed her lips and smiled, stepping back to watch Zhou Jingyun hold the umbrella as he walked side by side with Zhuang Li.

✿✿✿

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As the New Year approached, the number of guests on the pleasure boat did not decrease, but became even more boisterous.

Shangguan Yue, who had resumed his nocturnal lifestyle, fell into a deep sleep after a night of revelry, only to be awakened by a gentle knocking on the wall.

Shangguan Yue opened his eyes, sat up, moved to the wall, and opened the door. He bowed his head to the ground, “What are your orders, Princess?”

The maid hurriedly said, “There’s no need for such formality, Young Master.” Then, with a beaming smile, she continued, “The Princess took the person to present to His Majesty yesterday. His Majesty was overjoyed and held a banquet. During the banquet, he praised and thanked her, and the siblings have reconciled. No, they are even closer than before.”

“That’s wonderful.” Shangguan Yue bowed his head to the ground, his voice filled with joy. “I share in my aunt’s happiness.”

“The Princess said, since she has already repented…” The maid continued, “She will pretend to improve her relationship with you for the sake of the Imperial Consort’s Husband. This way, it will be easier for you to be by her side in the future.”

Shangguan Yue replied with a “Yes.”

The maid didn’t say anything more, she bowed and left.

The door in the wall closed. Shangguan Yue remained motionless, his head pressed against the ground, until he slowly lay down and opened his eyes, stretching his body on the floor.

Only now did he feel truly awake.

“Jixiang, Jixiang.” He called out.

After calling out, he thought, “Hmm, he wouldn’t call the wrong name anymore.”

Jixiang entered from outside and saw Shangguan Yue lying on the floor with a smile on his face.

“Young Master, you seem very happy.” Jixiang said with a smile. “It’s just past noon, Young Master, you can sleep a little longer.”

Shangguan Yue shook his head and sat up, “I’m going to Yuqing Hall.”

Jixiang thought to himself that Young Master had been going to Yuqing Hall quite frequently recently, but he didn’t ask any questions and replied with a “Yes,” helping Shangguan Yue change his clothes.

The winter afternoon sun was also dazzling.

Shangguan Yue, riding on horseback, pulled his hat almost completely down to cover his face, but it still couldn’t block the bright light in front of him.

As the New Year approached, the streets were crowded with people, hawkers’ cries, children’s noise, and the sound of firecrackers rising and falling.

New Year’s was really noisy.

Shangguan Yue closed his eyes and swayed with the movement of the horse, half asleep and half awake. Suddenly, a soft call reached his ears.

“Li Yu.”

Shangguan Yue’s hair stood on end in an instant. The surrounding noise disappeared, and he could only hear his own heartbeat.

Thump, thump, thump.

He remained motionless, still swaying forward. In the blink of an eye, the surroundings returned to their noisy state, as if the voice just now was just his illusion.

“Jixiang.” He called out.

Jixiang, who was riding beside him, moved closer. Shangguan Yue slightly lifted his hat and, while talking to Jixiang, used his peripheral vision to glance back.

There were many people and carriages coming and going on the street, among them a carriage surrounded by guards. His instinct told him that it was this carriage that had just passed by him.

And he recognized this carriage.

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After all, he had stared at it before, remembered its markings and style, even the attire of the servants.

It was the carriage of the Young Madam of the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence.

Perhaps to enjoy the bustling street scene, the curtain of the carriage window was lifted, and someone was leaning against the window looking out. However, he couldn’t see her face, only the faint glimmer of pearls and jade swaying on her hair bun.

It was the Young Madam of the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence.

Was it her who called him by the name Li Yu just now?

How was that possible?

Or was it really just a dream he had while half asleep and half awake?

Or maybe someone really did call out “Li Yu.” There were so many people on the street, it was inevitable that there would be people with the same name.

Despite the turmoil in his heart, Shangguan Yue instantly sat up straight, not showing any abnormality. He pulled his hat back over his head, but he didn’t close his eyes to sleep again.

Was it an accident?

Was it a misunderstanding?

Was it an illusion?

Turning the corner, Shangguan Yue reined in his horse.

Jixiang, beside him, was taken aback and hurriedly reined in his horse as well, “Young Master?”

Shangguan Yue’s deep voice came from under his hat.

“Prepare the men.”

No speculation was allowed now, he had to be absolutely certain.

Young Madam of the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence, no matter what your background was, as long as you posed a threat…

He could only apologize to Zhou Jingyun and make him a widower once again.

……

……

Because the streets were crowded as the New Year approached, it was difficult to park at the front gate. The apothecary workshop was in the backyard, so Zhuang Li’s carriage stopped at the back door.

Zhang Shilin came over with a smile, “Young Madam, you’re here.”

Zhuang Li got out of the carriage, supported by Chun Yue’s hand. A waiting disciple took the box containing the incense from the carriage.

“The pharmacy is ready.” Zhang Shilin said with a smile.

Zhuang Li smiled and said, “Success or failure depends on today.”

Zhang Shilin laughed heartily and went in first. Zhuang Li, supported by Chun Yue, walked inside. As she stepped through the door, she looked back again.

It seemed that Shangguan Yue and Li Yu didn’t know each other.

She had just seen Shangguan Yue walking towards her. Although he was covering his head and face, and although they had never interacted in daily life, to her, he was not a stranger. She recognized him at a glance.

Although she had initially suspected that the Realm of No Dreams belonged to Shangguan Yue, when the little boy said his name was Li Yu, she wavered. After learning that Li Yu might be the former Grandson of the Emperor, she didn’t think about it much anymore.

However, when she saw Shangguan Yue getting closer and closer, it was a rare opportunity.

After all, she could only see Shangguan Yue in the dream world.

The dream world was woven by her, it was not as good as seeing him in person to obtain more accurate information.

So she couldn’t help but test him. As they passed each other, she called out the name “Li Yu.”

People are very sensitive to their own names, or the names of people they know well.

They will subconsciously respond.

They will subconsciously look towards the sound.

But Shangguan Yue didn’t react at all. He just swayed past, without even turning his head.

She had been overthinking it.

“Young Madam, be careful of the steps.” Chun Yue said.

Zhuang Li retracted her gaze, slightly lifted her skirt, and stepped through the door.

Because they knew Zhuang Li was coming today, the apothecary workshop in the backyard had been specially emptied, and the disciples had all withdrawn.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two got busy. Chun Yue assisted them, fetching various medicinal herbs and delivering various tools.

Zhuang Li was lowering her head to grind the incense when the sound of Doctor Zhang chopping herbs suddenly stopped. She subconsciously looked up and saw two figures, like shadows, slipping in through the door. They were silent and agile, striking the back of Doctor Zhang’s neck with a palm.

Doctor Zhang fell forward and was caught by the person.

At the same time, Chun Yue, who was on tiptoe fetching medicinal herbs from the medicine cabinet, also collapsed softly into someone’s arms.

“Don’t shout, Young Madam,” a voice came, “Otherwise, these two will die.”

As the voice spoke, another person walked in.

As he walked in, the sound of chopping herbs resumed in the apothecary workshop. Doctor Zhang was propped up by someone, his hands held as he continued chopping herbs. Chun Yue was also placed on a chair, leaning against the table, her arm seemingly controlled by someone as if she was picking up herbs.

At the same time, knives were pressed against their hearts.

Zhuang Li looked at the person who walked in, her expression surprised.

Shangguan Yue didn’t cover his face, he even took off his hat, meeting Zhuang Li’s gaze.

This was the second time he had seen the Young Madam of the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence, although he had wanted to see her many times before.

Thinking back to the past, it was like a dream.

If this Young Madam of the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence really knew about Li Yu, then his previous speculations were not absurd.

This woman was indeed extraordinary.

The last time they passed each other at the entrance of the pharmacy, he had glanced back. Her appearance was similar to other women, the kind of person you wouldn’t remember after a glance.

At this moment, perhaps because of the fear on her face, the woman’s features were somewhat blurred.

It didn’t matter what she looked like.

“I’m just here to ask one question…” Shangguan Yue said.

But before he could finish his sentence, the woman in front of him broke into a smile.

“You really are Li Yu.” She said, “That’s great!”

She looked at him, seemingly curious and suddenly enlightened.

“It seems you don’t recognize me when I’m awake.”

What did she mean by “awake”? What was the difference between her being awake or asleep? Wasn’t it still her?

Shangguan Yue felt that the scene was strange. This Young Madam, being suddenly held hostage, showed no fear but was instead delighted.

What trick was she playing?

He reached out and grabbed Zhuang Li’s arm, pulling her in front of him as a hostage. “Don’t talk nonsense…”

“…Let’s get straight to the point.” The person being held hostage in front of him finished his sentence. “Leave this to me.”

Shangguan Yue didn’t want to be distracted, but he couldn’t help but pause when he heard this sentence. What did she mean by “leave this to her”…

As this thought flashed through his mind, he suddenly felt his vision blur, and everything around him became hazy. In his hazy vision, the servants who were holding Doctor Zhang and the maid hostage stood up, walked to the door, and sat down. Doctor Zhang and the maid both opened their eyes and sat up straight, but they seemed unaware of the extra people in the room and what had happened. They didn’t scream, but one continued chopping herbs and the other continued picking up herbs.

What was going on?

Had he seen a ghost?

Shangguan Yue heard himself shouting in his mind, but no sound came out.

He looked at the Young Madam of the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence, who was being held hostage in front of him.

The woman’s face suddenly rippled like water, instantly dispersing, and then re-coalescing in the next moment.

A face appeared, and at the same time, a voice rang in his ears.

“Do you recognize who I am now?”

Looking at the face that suddenly appeared, Shangguan Yue had only one thought left in his mind.

He had really seen a ghost!

“Bai Li!” He heard his own voice ring out. “You’ve possessed the Young Madam of the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence?”