Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 143

Chapter 143: Searching for Someone

Perhaps because Shangguan Yue first saw her true appearance in a dream, and their second encounter was when she was on the verge of death, he had always mistakenly believed that the youngest daughter of the Bai family ultimately did not escape the disaster and died.

People fear people, and people are wary of people, but between people and ghosts, because their paths are different, it’s easier to get along.

Zhuang Li thought about Li Yu, who slept in layers of dreamless realms. Although he was alive, his identity was that of a dead person. Whether awake or asleep, he hid his true self.

Now she could remain conscious in his dreamless realm, while he could be relaxed and at ease in front of her, a ghost.

Let this misunderstanding continue.

Zhuang Li did not explain, and smiled as she shook the crescent moon lantern in her hand: “No need. This way, I can see it anytime. If it’s burned, I can only see a fake.”

Shangguan Yue made a sound of agreement. Seeing that because of her laughter just now, the sadness on her face had faded, and the tears in her eyes had dispersed, he felt relieved.

It’s good that she’s not sad anymore.

Even if she became a vengeful ghost, she is still a child.

“Next, do you still want to continue watching that Madam Zhuang?” he asked.

Others would go through fire and water to repay a life-saving grace, but he repaid a life-saving grace by either sleeping or watching people on the street. It was too easy.

Although Zhuang Li didn’t ask him to investigate, he did a little research. Madam Zhuang’s surname was Huang, her given name was Ru, and she was the wife of Zhuang Feizi from Dengzhou. She adopted the Marchioness of Dongyang.

Although she was Zhuang Feizi’s wife, her learning was no less than his.

Could it be that this person is more suitable for possession? Or does she have a way to turn a ghost into a human?

As he was lost in thought, he heard Zhuang Li’s voice.

“No need, you can let him come back.”

Ah? She really just wanted to take a look?

“There’s something new I need your help with.”

Hearing these words, Shangguan Yue hurriedly looked over and saw Zhuang Li holding out a piece of paper with a portrait of a man on it. The lines were simple, and the features were somewhat blurred.

“Help me find out who this person is,” she said, watching as Shangguan Yue took the portrait. “I don’t know anything about him, not even where he is. I can only provide a face, and the face is not clearly drawn.”

If it weren’t for Shangguan Yue’s dreamless realm, she wouldn’t even have discovered this person. In that short dream, no one mentioned his name.

She could only take a chance.

Shangguan Yue immediately swallowed the question he was about to ask: “It doesn’t matter. Many times, finding people is like this. For example, the Censorate’s wanted notice for you had no content, and even the portrait used your older sister’s image. But so what?”

He raised his eyebrows as he spoke.

“I still recognized you at a glance.”

Zhuang Li laughed: “Then I’ll borrow your good luck this time. I hope someone can recognize him at a glance too.”

Shangguan Yue looked at the portrait again, folded it, and put it away: “Don’t worry, even if this person is living in seclusion, he was raised by humans. He must have left some traces.”

Zhuang Li cautioned: “Even if you find this person, don’t approach him.”

Although it wasn’t a physical danger, the ability to invade other people’s dreams could kill someone without leaving a trace, a bloodless murder.

Shangguan Yue thought for a moment and asked: “Does this person have… the techniques of a vengeful ghost?”

So even the vengeful ghost Bai Li warned her so solemnly?

Zhuang Li chuckled and nodded: “Yes, that’s right. You could say that.” She gave a wry smile. “I suffered a great loss at his hands.” She looked at Shangguan Yue. “You must be careful.”

So this was the person who made her sad and tearful just now. Shangguan Yue nodded solemnly: “I’ll remember that.”

Zhuang Li bowed again: “Thank you, Young Master. I have nothing else.”

Was she leaving? Shangguan Yue felt a little regretful, but he thought that being attached to someone during the day was very dangerous for her. Moreover, from their conversation just now, he could guess that she had just experienced danger, and her body and mind probably needed more rest. He nodded without hesitation: “I’ll go ahead.”

He turned and walked away, but after taking two steps, he turned back.

“If you have an urgent matter and need to find me, go to Yuqing Hall and look for Shopkeeper Cai. I’ll instruct him.”

Zhuang Li said okay and watched as Shangguan Yue walked out and disappeared onto the roof.

Shangguan Yue didn’t recognize this man.

She wondered if he would recognize Mian’er’s portrait if she took it out…

In the dream, every time Li Yu would point at her split face and cry. She didn’t know if he was crying because he was frightened by the strange appearance or because he recognized that half of the face.

But she didn’t plan to ask. Knowing too much about that person would be counterproductive. She would be influenced even more deeply…

She was Bai Li. She had always been Bai Li.

Zhuang Li took a deep breath and raised her hand to extinguish the incense stick.

With a thud, Chun Yue put down the pestle in her hand and asked: “Marchioness, do you think this is enough?”

Zhuang Li walked over and looked carefully, then said: “Add some more.”

Chun Yue said okay, picked up a few pieces of incense from the dustpan beside her, threw them in, and continued to pound vigorously.

Footsteps sounded outside the door.

“Marchioness, have some tea and take a break,” Zhang Shilin’s voice came from outside.

The guard by the door had already reached out to take the teapot that Zhang Shilin was carrying, and another young disciple came in and set the table.

Zhang Shilin sat down: “I wonder what the Marquis’s Heir is busy with.”

Zhuang Li picked up her tea and smiled: “He’s definitely not as leisurely as you and I.”

Zhang Shilin laughed heartily.

The scent of medicine and tea filled the apothecary workshop.

✿✿✿

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The water in the small stove in the room was boiling vigorously. A spoonful of salt was added, followed by the ground tea powder. The aroma of tea spread throughout the room.

A bowl of tea was pushed in front of him, steam rising, blurring the person’s face.

“Marquis’s Heir, try my tea,” Shen Qing said. “His Majesty praised it highly back then.”

✿✿✿

He looked at Zhou Jingyun, who was sitting opposite him, motionless and without the slightest interest.

He smiled.

“Don’t you like it, Marquis’s Heir?”

He nodded again.

“Yes, everyone has different tastes. Her Majesty didn’t like it either.”

Zhou Jingyun said: “It has nothing to do with taste. I’m not interested in drinking your tea.” He looked at Shen Qing. “Were the Zhuang Feizi couple your people from the beginning?”

Shen Qing took a sip of tea: “That’s not the case. They were just admirers of Her Majesty. Just like you, Marquis’s Heir, they regretted her unfinished business.”

Zhou Jingyun sneered: “So you’re saying that Master Shen also had people watching me and restricting my freedom?”

Shen Qing laughed and asked: “Have you gone to see Madam Zhuang?” He shook his head. “I didn’t restrict Madam Zhuang. All this was her own choice. If you don’t believe me, bring Madam Zhuang here and ask her yourself.”

Zhou Jingyun looked at the teacup in front of him: “Having witnessed Master Shen’s methods, I don’t even believe what I see myself, and I don’t believe what others say.”

Shen Qing smiled as if helpless: “Then there’s nothing I can do. In your eyes, Marquis’s Heir, I’m already a bad person.” He paused thoughtfully. “I am a bad person. I was when Her Majesty was alive, and I naturally still am now that she’s gone.” He laughed heartily.

His eyes were narrow and long. Even when he laughed, the mirth didn’t reach his eyes, making them appear even narrower and longer, shining with a strange light.

Zhou Jingyun stared at him blankly: “I know you’re not reconciled to her death, but she’s already dead. Your obsession is just creating more sin, and this sin will ultimately be placed on her head—”

“She won’t die!” Shen Qing interrupted him abruptly, slapping his hand on the table. The teacups rattled, and tea spilled everywhere. “You don’t understand at all what death is, what life is.”

He pointed to his head.

“As long as Her Majesty’s will doesn’t die, Her Majesty’s person can be reborn.”

“Absurd,” Zhou Jingyun said.

“You’re the one who’s absurd.” Shen Qing sneered. “You saw it with your own eyes, but you still refuse to believe it. Zhou Jingyun, you’re really deceiving yourself. You were before, and you still are now.”

Zhou Jingyun suddenly smiled: “Is what you see with your own eyes necessarily true? Master Shen, you’ve created so many illusions for people to see with their own eyes, and you still believe that seeing is believing? How ridiculous. You’re the one deceiving yourself.”

He stood up.

“Your so-called life and death are just what you want, not what Her Majesty wants.”

“No matter what you did to me before, stay away from me now!”

He paused.

“Stay away from my family!”

He turned and walked out.

The door opened and was slammed shut again with extreme rudeness. The shop assistant standing outside closed the door with a dazed look.

Shen Qing looked at the messy tea table and suddenly smiled: “Family.”

He reached into his sleeve and took out a half sheet of music with a swallow character on it. He opened it, and the writing on it looked as if it had been soaked in tea and was blurred.

But Shen Qing’s smile only deepened.

“This sheet of music has finally come in handy.”

“Although I couldn’t play it for you in person last time, this time, Madam Zhuang’s family dream is more suitable for you.”

He raised his hand and tossed the blurred sheet of music into the charcoal brazier. It was instantly engulfed in flames.

He stood up, opened the door, and walked out.

✿✿✿

✿✿✿

Horses’ hooves clattered. Shangguan Yue sat on his horse, wrapped in a cloak, swaying as if about to fall asleep.

“Are you sleepy, Young Master?” Jixiang asked from beside him. “Were you busy last night and didn’t return to the pleasure boat?”

Now, the Young Master didn’t need him to accompany him to Yuqing Hall, so he didn’t know what he had done last night. Moreover, when he went to Yuqing Hall to pick him up just now, Shopkeeper Cai’s face didn’t look very good.

Had something happened last night?

These words reminded Shangguan Yue, and he sat up straight: “Oh, that’s right, I’m not sleepy. I slept last night.”

He didn’t need to pretend to be sleepy during the day.

He smiled at the thought. He always couldn’t help but get distracted after seeing Bai Li.

He reached up and lifted his hat: “I wasn’t busy. I slept well. Just in time to have the energy to deal with the Princess tonight…”

“Don’t worry, Young Master. The Imperial Consort’s Husband is there.” Jixiang said. Before he could finish speaking, he saw Shangguan Yue rein in his horse and lift his chin toward the front.

“Hey, isn’t that the Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir?”

Jixiang looked ahead. On the bustling street, a man with a guard walked out of a teahouse and merged into the lively crowd. His posture was straight and tall like a crane, very conspicuous.

“Yes,” Jixiang nodded.

The capital was both big and small. Powerful families and high-ranking officials often encountered each other.

“Although Marquis Zhou’s Heir seems approachable, he is actually not easy to get along with and is quite arrogant,” he explained.

Did the Young Master want to interact with Zhou Jingyun?

Shangguan Yue didn’t say anything and just smiled. He didn’t seem to have any intention of going up to greet him. Instead, he stopped where he was, as if to distance himself. The next moment, his expression turned serious again as he looked at the entrance of the teahouse.

“My luck is too good,” he blurted out.

Jixiang was a little puzzled. What good luck? What was wrong? He followed Shangguan Yue’s gaze.

Guests came and went in front of the teahouse. Besides the Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir who had walked away, another man in his forties walked out. His face was ordinary, his clothes were ordinary, and he disappeared into the crowd without a trace.