Chapter 246: Nightmare

Morning light crept through the window and into the room, just tentatively touching the bed curtains, when the bed curtains were suddenly thrown open and someone tumbled down.

“No, no.”

He let out a series of rapid, messy, and vague shouts.

Cai Songnian, who was guarding by the side, immediately rushed over. “Young Master, Young Master.”

He held Li Yu down, looking at the young man in front of him. His face was pale, his head was covered in sweat, his eyes were already open, but they were full of fear.

“Young Master, did you have a nightmare?”

“Young Master, wake up, wake up, it’s alright.”

Perhaps because of his comfort, Li Yu stopped shouting, sat down by the bed, breathing rapidly, his expression changing.

Cai Songnian looked at him uneasily and asked, “Your Highness, what happened last night? Why did you go to the Imperial City?”

Last night, Li Yu sneaked out. After he found out, he went to look for him. He originally thought Li Yu had gone to the Li family’s residence, but unexpectedly, the Imperial City Guards sent him back.

“His Highness the Prince of Chu wanted to enter the palace, but the palace gates were already closed. Please come back tomorrow.”

Why did His Highness run to the Imperial City?

Hearing his question, Li Yu’s shoulders tensed again. He wanted to go to the palace to see if there were still two moons above his head, if he was actually still standing on the stone tower outside Linde Hall, if it wasn’t actually now, but still the night of the palace banquet in the Imperial City.

His mind was in chaos, he didn’t know what he was doing, this wouldn’t do, he felt like he was going crazy.

He reached out and clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, the stinging pain keeping him awake.

He slowly said, “It’s nothing. Being in the Imperial City makes me less suspicious.”

Cai Songnian breathed a sigh of relief. Although Li Yu looked frightened, his thinking was still clear.

“Your Highness is right.” He hurriedly said, “Although Li Chengyuan killed himself, after all, Your Highness had a conflict with him just now, it’s best to avoid being framed by those with ulterior motives.”

Speaking of this, his face couldn’t help but change as well.

He really didn’t expect that Li Chengyuan would actually die, killing himself in front of everyone, it was like a dream.

“Tell me the details of what happened at the Li family’s residence last night.” Li Yu said slowly.

Cai Songnian responded with a “yes.” In fact, he had investigated it last night. After all, Li Chengyuan held the banquet openly, without concealing anything, and the process was visible to everyone.

It was just that last night when he was about to tell Li Yu about it, Li Yu stopped him after hearing that Li Chengyuan was dead, saying he was tired and wanted to rest first.

At that time, seeing Li Yu looking lost and his face extremely pale, Cai Songnian didn’t say much.

“…Zhou Jingyun and Zhang Ze both went.”

“…Li Chengyuan suddenly said he wanted to perform a broadsword dance. He wasn’t instigated by anyone else, he was just being smug and wanting to show off.”

“He didn’t drink much either, the maid by his side said he only had two cups.”

“When Li Chengyuan was dancing with the sword, his every step was graceful and powerful.”

“The accident happened suddenly. When he threw the sword up, he didn’t catch it.”

“Maybe he’s just old after all.”

Cai Songnian took the booklet again and read out what Li Chengyuan and the guests had said before and after the incident. When he heard Zhou Jingyun’s two sarcastic remarks, the quiet Li Yu raised his head.

“Eating at the banquet.” He softly repeated.

Cai Songnian nodded: “Marquis Zhou’s Heir’s words to Li Chengyuan were indeed impolite at the time, and after seeing Li Chengyuan’s death, he even calmly took a sip of wine.”

Of course, Cai Songnian didn’t mention those absurd rumors. Thinking of something, he added.

“Also, some guests who were standing in front said they heard Li Chengyuan shout ‘Empress Jiang’ while he was dancing with the sword.”

Li Yu abruptly looked at him.

Cai Songnian froze under his gaze, Young Master’s eyes were a bit frightening.

“Maybe Li Chengyuan was thinking about the time he killed Empress Jiang, to show off his bravery.” He added.

It wasn’t strange, this was something Li Chengyuan was proud of and often talked about.

Li Yu didn’t speak, staring at him, his eyes seeming both deep and unfocused.

“Young Master?” Cai Songnian couldn’t help but ask, “Is something wrong?”

Li Yu slowly said, “You can go down first, I want to be alone for a while.”

Cai Songnian hesitated for a moment, then responded with a “yes” and stood up. He walked to the door and looked back. He saw Li Yu still sitting on the ground, his head lowered.

What’s wrong with Young Master? Li Chengyuan’s death is a good thing.

Without Li Chengyuan, Princess Jinyu wouldn’t marry into the Li family, and Young Master wouldn’t be forced to marry Li’s granddaughter.

The crisis was resolved just like that, Young Master should be happy.

But why did Young Master look so sad, like a withered leaf hanging on a branch, desolate and fragile?

“Young Master, why don’t you sleep a little longer.” Cai Songnian said softly, “I’ll be right outside, call me if you need anything.”

Li Yu hummed in response without raising his head, listening as Cai Songnian lightly walked out and closed the door.

He actually hadn’t slept since he came back last night. He couldn’t fall asleep, he didn’t dare to fall asleep, he didn’t even know if he was awake or dreaming right now.

Was he dreaming?

Otherwise, how could he have seen Empress Jiang?

But, he had seen Empress Jiang before.

That time was on the street during the Lantern Festival. He looked up in the crowd and saw Zhou Jingyun sitting by the window with a woman. That woman had Empress Jiang’s face.

At that time…

Li Yu couldn’t help but reach out and hold his head, his memory was already blurred. Ah Li had told him not to remember those strange things, lest he go crazy.

But now he was going crazy, he had to remember those strange things that had happened, he had to figure out what was going on.

At that time, he thought Ah Li was a ghost, possessing the Young Madam of the Marquis of Dongyang. Then, Empress Jiang was also a ghost, and she also wanted to find a body to possess. So Empress Jiang snatched the Young Madam of the Marquis of Dongyang’s body. At that time, he rushed over and pushed down the Young Madam of the Marquis of Dongyang, driving Empress Jiang away, and Ah Li came back.

Later, Ah Li explained to him, saying that she had encountered danger and thanked him for his help in resolving the danger.

Then, Li Yu thought hard. He saw two moons in the palace, then, the Young Madam of the Marquis of Dongyang fell to her death, then he brought back a lotus root, and the lotus root turned into Ah Li.

And then Ah Li had been by his side ever since.

Li Yu slowly released his hands from his head and looked up, his eyes red.

That time, was the Ah Li he brought back really Ah Li?

Otherwise, why, when two moons appeared again, did he see Empress Jiang again?

He not only saw her, but also heard her.

✿✿✿

She said, “I, Jiang Mian’er, have slain Li Chengyuan today.”

Cai Songnian stood outside the door, pricking up his ears to listen inside. Inside, it was silent, as if Young Master had even stopped breathing.

He couldn’t help but frown. He should find a doctor to take a look. If Young Master was unwell, he could see a doctor. If he was fine, he could pretend to be ill and avoid the commotion caused by Li Chengyuan’s death.

Just as the thought flashed through his mind, footsteps suddenly came, and the next moment the door was slammed open, Li Yu rushed out.

“Your Highness!” Cai Songnian hurriedly called out, “Where are you going?”

“Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence!”

Cai Songnian watched as the young man disappeared from sight in a few steps. It seemed his body was fine, but he was acting crazy and reckless. Li Chengyuan had just died, the marriage proposal was called off, and he immediately went to the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence, it was conceivable that the rumors outside would become even worse!

Cai Songnian stomped his foot and chased after him.

Seeing the Prince of Chu’s carriage and horses, the gatekeeper of the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence also had an unpleasant look on his face, but he still invited Li Yu in and directly escorted him to the Heir’s study.

“The Heir has instructed,” the gatekeeper stammered, “His Highness can come in directly.”

As soon as Li Yu walked into the study, footsteps came from outside, and Zhou Jingyun appeared at the door, raising his hand in greeting, “Your Highness has arrived.”

Li Yu looked past Zhou Jingyun to behind him.

The servants behind him were all retreating, the doorway instantly quiet and empty.

There was no sign of a woman.

Zhou Jingyun closed the door, interrupting Li Yu’s gaze.

“Your Highness is here to ask about last night’s matter, right?” He said, “Rest assured, Your Highness, everything has been taken care of, it won’t have anything to do with you.”

Was he here because he cared about being implicated? Li Yu looked at Zhou Jingyun and asked directly, “Was last night’s matter Ah Li’s doing?”

Zhou Jingyun nodded: “Yes.”

“How did she do it?” Li Yu blurted out.

Zhou Jingyun glanced at him: “I don’t know, it’s her secret technique, but it should be the same method she used to help you avoid Princess Jinyu’s scheme.”

Why didn’t you ask her how she did it then? Li Yu understood the meaning behind his words. What was the point of asking now?

Actually, he hadn’t interacted much with Marquis Zhou’s Heir, but, yes, Zhou Jingyun was indeed a blunt person.

Especially when it came to Ah Li, he appeared gentle, but in reality, he was alert and guarded.

Yes, at that time, he had never thought of asking her how she did it. At that time, his heart and mind were full of Ah Li, his Ah Li. As long as it was his Ah Li, he didn’t care what she did or how she did it. Li Yu lowered his eyes slightly: “I mean, was she hurt?”

“I don’t know for now.” Zhou Jingyun said.

Don’t know for now? What did that mean? Li Yu raised his head, no longer wanting to talk to Zhou Jingyun, and said directly, “I’m going to see her.”

Besides, didn’t Zhou Jingyun tell her that he was here?

If she knew he was here, why didn’t she come to see him?

Before, whenever he came, she would come to see him.

A flicker of sadness flashed through Zhou Jingyun’s eyes: “She’s still in a coma.”

A coma?

Li Yu was startled: “How could she…” Then he was overjoyed, “I know, I know—”

Just like that time during the Lantern Festival, the Young Madam of the Marquis of Dongyang he saw had turned into Empress Jiang, that was because her body had been taken over by Empress Jiang’s ghost!

So, Ah Li couldn’t come back, so she was in a coma.

Yes, yes, it must be like this, it was the same this time!

“Take me to see her, I can save her!”

But Zhou Jingyun refused him.

“Your Highness, it’s not possible now.” He said, “Madam Zhuang is treating her with medicine, she can’t be disturbed.”

Madam Zhuang?

Li Yu sneered: “She harmed Ah Li before, Ah Li doesn’t trust her at all, and I don’t trust her words either.” After saying that, he turned and walked out, “I’m going to see her, only I can save her!”

Zhou Jingyun reached out and grabbed him: “Li Yu! Madam Zhuang said, the more people approach her, the more easily her soul will become disordered, just wait a little longer!”

Li Yu flung his hand away and shouted angrily, “Wait? Wait for what? Zhou Jingyun, I don’t believe in Madam Zhuang, and I don’t believe your words, I must see her!”

After saying that, he walked out again.

This time, Zhou Jingyun didn’t grab him, only said in a deep voice, “Jiang Yun.”

Li Yu only felt a blur before his eyes, a figure pounced towards him. He dodged and retreated, but it was still too late. He was forcefully hugged, and at the same time, he was flipped over. Accompanied by dizziness, he was pressed to the ground.

“Zhou Jingyun!” He roared angrily, “How dare you!”

Zhou Jingyun looked at him: “I won’t let you in at this time, just wait a little longer. As long as we get through tonight, whether she wakes up or not, I will invite you to come.”

He bowed deeply.

“Please forgive my rudeness, Your Highness.”

After saying that, he stood up and looked at Li Yu, who was being held down by Jiang Yun.

Li Yu’s fair face turned crimson, his eyes full of anger.

“I believe that even if I am rude, Your Highness will not speak carelessly or do anything inappropriate, exposing her to the public.” Zhou Jingyun said softly. After that, he gestured to Jiang Yun, “Escort His Highness out.”

Under the shocked gaze of the gatekeeper of the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence and the incredulous stare of Cai Songnian, Li Yu was thrown out by Jiang Yun.

Li Yu pushed away Cai Songnian, who was supporting him, and looked at the closed door, his fists slamming against it fiercely.

“Zhou Jingyun————”

Zhou Jingyun!

Give Bai Li back to me!

Give her back to me!!