Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 144

Chapter 144: Telling Her

Inside Yuqing Hall, Shopkeeper Cai was astonished. Unable to follow Shangguan Yue inside, he grabbed Jixiang, who was about to leave.

“What’s going on? Why did you suddenly come back?” he asked, “Weren’t you going to the Princess’s Residence?”

Jixiang scratched his head: “I don’t know either. Young Master ran into the Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir on the street, then said he was lucky, and then…..”

Before he could finish his sentence, Shopkeeper Cai’s voice suddenly rose, “Ran into who?”

Jixiang was startled: “The Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir…..”

Shopkeeper Cai hissed and muttered something under his breath.

Jixiang didn’t hear clearly and couldn’t help but ask: “What’s wrong, Shopkeeper Cai?”

Shopkeeper Cai waved his hand, hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice: “Where did you see the Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir going? Home or…..”

Why was he suddenly concerned about the Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir? Jixiang was puzzled, but he still thought about it. Fortunately, the Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir was quite conspicuous in the crowd and easy to spot. If it were that man who later came out of the teahouse, he wouldn’t have cared.

“The Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir turned east on the street, in the direction of the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence.”

Shopkeeper Cai let out a sigh of relief. It was good that he was going home, the husband and wife together.

But then he frowned again. He had to have a frank conversation with Young Master and ask him what he was really planning.

After sending Jixiang away, he entered the storeroom and saw Shangguan Yue sitting on a chair, seemingly lost in thought, or perhaps burdened with worries, his handsome brows furrowed…..

He looked quite troubled.

Even when they first came together, struggling and without a clue, Young Master had never shown such a worried expression.

A saying inexplicably flashed through Shopkeeper Cai’s mind: “Even heroes succumb to the charms of beautiful women.” He quickly shook it off, took a deep breath, and was about to speak.

At this moment, a guard rushed in.

“Young Master, I inquired at the teahouse. Marquis Zhou’s Heir attended the poetry and tea gathering hosted by Zhang Bai, the Prefect of the Capital Prefecture. Marquis Zhou’s Heir listened to one poem and then excused himself due to something urgent.”

Shopkeeper Cai hesitated.

Shangguan Yue sat up straight and asked: “Who else was at the gathering?”

The guard had done his job thoroughly and reported the attendees one by one. There weren’t many, and those who could be invited by Prefect Zhang were all renowned scholars.

Shangguan Yue was familiar with all these people. He shook his head, took out a portrait from his sleeve, and scrutinized it again. It didn’t match any of those men.

Shopkeeper Cai stood by his side and looked over. Who was this person?

So it wasn’t about following the Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir for the sake of the Marchioness of Dongyang.

Was it a new clue related to the Crown Prince’s case?

“Young Master.” Another attendant hurried in, “We found it.”

Shangguan Yue had split his men into two groups: one to inquire at the teahouse and the other to follow the man.

“That man entered the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. He’s a musician, quite famous among the musicians. We found out with just one inquiry.”

“His name is Shen Qing.”

Indeed famous, Shopkeeper Cai suddenly realized, “It’s him!”

This musician was quite renowned during the previous Emperor’s reign, but he disappeared after being expelled by Empress Jiang.

Although he hadn’t appeared in the capital for over ten years, people could still immediately recall him when his name was mentioned.

However, no one could remember what he looked like.

Shopkeeper Cai couldn’t help but look at the portrait again. After all, even with the previous Emperor’s praise, he was just a performer, and he had disappeared for so many years.

“Young Master, what’s the connection with this person?” He couldn’t help but ask, “Back then, this man was obsessed with music and somewhat arrogant, rarely interacting with people from the court.”

Shangguan Yue didn’t answer him immediately, lost in thought, “A musician, then Prefect Zhang might have invited him to the gathering, so…..”

This person might have been in the same place as Marquis Zhou’s Heir.

It wouldn’t matter at other times, but Bai Li wanted to find this person, saying he was dangerous, and Bai Li was possessing the Marchioness of Dongyang.

The most dangerous person was appearing by the side of the Marchioness of Dongyang’s closest person…..

Shangguan Yue turned to Shopkeeper Cai, “How do you avoid a husband to meet his wife at their home?”

Shopkeeper Cai was dumbfounded.

This, this, this, was he going to sneak into someone’s house to seduce their wife?!

✿✿✿

✿✿✿

When Zhou Jingyun stepped into the courtyard, Zhuang Li had just changed into her casual clothes and was at her desk, pondering how to arrange the crescent moon lantern.

“I thought you would be back very late, my lord.” She said, somewhat surprised.

“There were too many people. I found it noisy, so I came back early.” Zhou Jingyun said, then paused, “I went to Doctor Zhang’s clinic, they said you had just left.”

He even went to see her? Zhuang Li took the cloak he removed, “I would have waited a little longer if I had known. But don’t worry, my lord, there were many guards.”

There were many guards, what did that have to do with him going to pick her up? Zhou Jingyun was slightly taken aback, watching Zhuang Li turn around and hang the cloak on the rack.

“Go wash up,” she said, “Mother asked me to join her for dinner since you weren’t home. Now that you’re back, let’s go together.”

Zhou Jingyun hummed in agreement and went to wash up without further words.

Maids bustled in and out of the room, preparing clothes, tea, and snacks.

Zhuang Li fiddled with the crescent moon lantern, deciding to hang it by the window. She looked at it with a satisfied smile.

“What are you smiling about, Madam?” Chun Yue asked curiously.

Zhuang Li responded with an “Oh,” and pointed outside the window, “A sparrow flew by, it’s so plump.”

Chun Yue followed her gaze and vaguely saw a sparrow flying away from under the eaves.

What was so funny about a plump sparrow?

It must be because Madam was happy that the Marquis had returned early.

Chun Yue smiled and didn’t ask any more questions, preparing the cloak Zhuang Li would wear when going out.

Although it wasn’t dinner time yet, the Madam of Dongyang’s room was already full of people.

The New Year was meant to be lively, especially this year. Seeing Zhou Jingyun and Zhuang Li enter, the Madam of Dongyang’s smile deepened.

“It’s good that you came back early,” she said, looking at Zhou Jingyun, “It’s the New Year, don’t always run around outside.”

Zhou Jingyun responded with a smile, “Yes, Mother.” Zhuang Li also smiled faintly beside him, then turned to watch Zhou Jiuniang solve a puzzle.

Zhou Jingyun went to the outer room to chat with his brothers.

The Madam of Dongyang’s gaze followed the two, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Mama Xu noticed this and asked what was wrong while serving tea.

“Did they have an argument?” The Madam of Dongyang asked in a low voice.

This wasn’t the first time the Madam of Dongyang had asked. Mama Xu looked at Zhuang Li, who was happily playing with Zhou Jiuniang, and then at Zhou Jingyun in the outer room, who was listening attentively to his brothers.

“During the New Year, they haven’t even raised their voices at each other,” she whispered, “The Marquis now doesn’t even visit Concubine Mei anymore. They go out together and come back one after the other.”

✿✿✿

Then she chided.

“Madam, are you hoping for them to quarrel?”

The Madam of Dongyang spat at her, “I just didn’t like her before, but I never wished for discord in the household.”

Mama Xu pursed her lips and smiled, “Then you like her now.”

You only worry when you like someone.

The Madam of Dongyang snorted, took a sip of tea, and suddenly thought of something. She called out to Zhuang Li, “The day after tomorrow, the sixteenth of the first lunar month, there’s a lantern viewing banquet in the palace. You will accompany me to the palace to pay respects to the Empress.”

Not everyone could enter the imperial city. Only ladies of rank were eligible.

It was reasonable for Zhuang Li, as the wife of the Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir, to enter the palace with the Madam of Dongyang.

This also meant that the Madam of Dongyang was ready to introduce her to the noble ladies of the capital.

Zhou Jiuniang exclaimed “Wow!” with envy in her eyes, “The lanterns in the imperial city must be beautiful.”

Entering the imperial city? Before Zhuang Li could respond, Zhou Jingyun, who had heard the conversation from the outer room, came over, “Mother, let’s talk about this later.”

The Madam of Dongyang was taken aback and looked at Mama Xu.

See, they did argue!

Everyone else in the room was also stunned, and silence fell.

“My lord is just worried that I might be scared.” Zhuang Li stood up and said with a smile.

Mama Xu quickly added, “What’s there to be scared of? You’ll be with Madam.”

Zhou Jingyun looked at the Madam of Dongyang, “With Mother there, I naturally wouldn’t worry. It’s just that Ah Li is not in good health, the weather is cold, there will be many people, and the palace has many rules…..”

Zhou Jiuniang’s laughter rang out, “Elder Brother is so protective of Sister-in-law.”

The Madam of Dongyang snorted, about to say something, when a servant entered with a somewhat strange expression, “Madam, someone from the Zhang Family Medical Clinic is here with Doctor Zhang’s calling card to see the Young Madam.”

Zhou Jiuniang blurted out, “To see Sister-in-law for her illness?”

Everyone in the room became a little tense. Was she really ill? It seemed so, as she had been taking medicine and seeing doctors since she arrived…..

“No, they said it’s to deliver some prepared incense to the Young Madam.” The servant said, then added, “And to ask the Young Madam for a consultation.”

A consultation?

Someone was coming to her for a consultation?

“It’s a young lady,” the servant said, “She said Doctor Zhang asked the Young Madam to see if she could use that particular incense.”

The Madam of Dongyang wasn’t the type to despise her daughter-in-law for being a doctor and showing her face in public.

“Go and see her,” she said.

Zhuang Li responded with a “Yes, Mother.”

Since it was a female visitor, Zhou Jingyun didn’t follow. The Madam of Dongyang sent a servant to accompany Zhuang Li.

Discussions arose in the room, “Sister-in-law is so amazing, people are coming to her for consultations.”

The Madam of Dongyang glanced at Zhou Jingyun, “What will people say when they ask? That she can treat others but is a sickly person herself?”

“A doctor doesn’t treat themselves.” Zhou Jingyun said, “Just say she became skilled in medicine due to her long illness.”

He was still adamant about not letting Zhuang Li enter the palace for the banquet. The Madam of Dongyang felt somewhat annoyed, “Fine, it’s your wife, you decide. If people gossip and rumors spread, don’t blame me, your mother-in-law.”

Once they entered the palace, people would inevitably ask about his wife. It had been a year since their marriage, and it was fine to keep her hidden at home before. But for such an important occasion, not bringing her along, no matter the excuse, would make people think that his wife was not valued and couldn’t be presented in public.

Zhou Jingyun said, “Thank you, Mother. We don’t care about that. We just want to live a peaceful life.”

The Madam of Dongyang sneered, “So I’ve become the one disrupting your peaceful life.”

Seeing the mother and son arguing, the atmosphere in the room became somewhat strained. Zhou Jiuniang didn’t dare to giggle anymore.

Fortunately, the servant who had accompanied Zhuang Li returned at this moment, breaking the tension.

“It’s a young lady. Her family runs an embroidery workshop. I don’t know if it’s because of embroidery that her eyes were injured, but she can’t stand the light and always wants to close her eyes and sleep. It’s really affecting her livelihood. She heard about you from Madam Lin, whom you treated before, so she sought help from Doctor Zhang. Doctor Zhang couldn’t find any problems, she just feels sleepy, so he wanted you to see if you could use incense to adjust her condition.”

“The Young Madam is seeing the young lady in the Cherishing Spring Hall in the outer courtyard.”

…..

…..

Inside the Cherishing Spring Hall, Zhuang Li looked at the woman wearing a veil, dressed in a plain white silk dress. Her figure was delicate, like a willow swaying in the wind.

“Madam, Doctor Zhang recommended you. I’ve long admired your name.” The woman’s voice was hoarse, weak, and she coughed softly after each sentence, “You, see, can, you, take a look at me, I’m desperate.”

The young lady’s words were incoherent, sounding like she was rambling. Zhuang Li almost laughed, “Miss Li, you can remove your veil now.”

Miss Li seemed hesitant, her shoulders hunched, she fidgeted, “You, are you ready? Can you, see me clearly….”

“I can see you clearly.” Zhuang Li smiled, taking a step closer, “Young Master Shangguan.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Miss Li’s hunched shoulders instantly relaxed, and she seemed to grow taller.

Since she was going to do some examinations, the maids had retreated to the outer door.

Through the lattice window, she could see two maids standing with their backs to each other, whispering and giggling, completely unaware of the conversation inside, especially the phrase “Young Master.”

So they were prepared.

Miss Li let out a breath and reached out to remove her veil, revealing her face.

The lamps were already lit. Under the candlelight, the young lady’s skin was flawless, her eyebrows were delicately drawn, her lips were painted cherry red, and she wore a lotus crown. She was graceful and elegant, like a lotus emerging from the water.

Zhuang Li couldn’t help but scrutinize her and said with a smile, “Shangguan Yue, you look even better dressed as a young lady than as a young master.”

So, in other words, she thought he was good-looking as a young master too. Shangguan Yue covered his mouth with his sleeve and chuckled, “I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to see you, so I dressed up carefully to avoid being recognized as a fake at first glance.”

He sighed with relief.

“Fortunately, you came.”

This “came” must have referred to Bai Li’s ghost coming to possess her, right? Zhuang Li didn’t explain, just said, “Yes, as long as you get close to her, I can appear.”

Didn’t this mean that he was also a special case to her? Shangguan Yue thought to himself, then nodded. This was beyond doubt, after all, only he could see this ghost.

But now wasn’t the time to think about that.

“You were right, I am indeed very lucky.” He took a step closer, looked at Zhuang Li, and said in a low voice, “Today, I had just left Doctor Zhang’s clinic when I saw the person you were looking for.”

He saw him! So quickly, that person was in the capital. The thought flashed through Zhuang Li’s mind in an instant.

“And the Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir should know him.” Shangguan Yue looked at her, “They should have met today.”

After saying this, he saw Zhuang Li’s expression stiffen.

She probably didn’t expect the person she was looking for to be so close. Shangguan Yue sighed inwardly, which was why he was so eager to see her, even disguised as a woman.

He couldn’t delay for even a night.

The person beside your pillow was the closest, and also the most dangerous.