Chapter 282: Transition

Summer days dawned early, but the Temple of the Holy Ancestor, nestled in the hills outside the capital, still seemed shrouded in the grayness of night.

The knocking persisted until the door finally swung open.

“Boy, do you even know where this is?” A Taoist priest barked, his tone sour. But as his eyes landed on the face of the visitor, his voice faltered. “Good looks won’t get you in.” He muttered.

Zhou Jingyun bowed to the priest. “Zhou Jingyun of the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence, requesting an audience with Master Xuanyangzi.”

The priest let out a laugh, tinged with mockery, but refrained from further insults. “Wait then. Ancestor is at morning lessons.”

With that, he slammed the door shut.

Zhou Jingyun understood the meaning behind that jeering laughter. Even the Emperor himself was often denied an audience with Xuanyangzi, eight times out of ten. He, a mere Marquis’ Heir, not even a full-fledged Marquis The priest might relay his request, but even if he did, Xuanyangzi would surely refuse to see him.

Perhaps the priest wouldn’t even bother.

Zhou Jingyun stared at the closed temple gate. Of course, he hadn’t come here to naively wait. He had knocked; the occupants were aware of his presence. It wouldn’t be considered trespassing now.

His gaze fell on the low wall beside the gate. Tucking his robes into his sash, he took a short run-up and scaled the wall.

He hadn’t climbed a wall in this lifetime, so his movements were inevitably clumsy and ungainly.

Fortunately, there was no one to see.

He swung one leg over the wall, then hoisted himself up. The next moment, he saw a figure standing in the courtyard, staring at him in astonishment.

“Marquis Zhou’s Heir!”

Wang Tong’s voice was a shout, his expression a mix of disbelief and shock.

“It really is you!”

“I was just at morning lessons, heard someone muttering about Zhou Jingyun being here, thought I was dreaming.”

“Oh, morning lessons are too early. I was up late last night, studying by lamplight. Dead tired. Morning lessons are just for sleeping.”

Wang Tong’s words eased Zhou Jingyun’s momentary embarrassment. He hummed in agreement, pulled his other leg over, and, showing no sign of retreat, jumped down from the wall right in front of Wang Tong.

“Careful, careful.” Wang Tong reached out to steady him. “Let me help you.”

Zhou Jingyun landed firmly. Wang Tong’s hands were not idle, brushing the dust off his robes.

“Marquis’ Heir, I know this is hard, but you have to let it go.” He sighed, his tone full of sympathy.

Zhou Jingyun was taken aback. “What?”

Wang Tong looked at him, his expression both compassionate and indignant. “You can’t just become a monk and renounce the world because Li Yu moved on and married someone else.”

Zhou Jingyun was momentarily speechless. “I’m here to see Xuanyangzi.”

Wang Tong nodded. “Right, of course. If you want to become a monk here, you need Xuanyangzi’s approval.” He lowered his voice. “This old man is quite greedy for money. My grandfather had to give him a lot to get me in.” He looked at Zhou Jingyun’s face and murmured, “Perhaps the Marquis’ Heir won’t need money…”

Zhou Jingyun swallowed his retort. “Where is Xuanyangzi? Would you kindly lead the way, Master Wang?”

Wang Tong nodded. “No problem.” He started walking, muttering, “Xuanyangzi never attends morning lessons. He’s probably still in his room, sound asleep.”

The Temple of the Holy Ancestor wasn’t large. In a few steps, they arrived at a building in the back courtyard.

“I’ll go in myself.” Zhou Jingyun stopped Wang Tong, who was about to push the door open.

Wang Tong thought for a moment and nodded. “Alright. I won’t pry into the Marquis’ Heir’s private matters.”

What if the Marquis’ Heir broke down and cried in front of Xuanyangzi? He couldn’t handle that. He was too soft-hearted, couldn’t bear to witness such a scene.

“Just talk it out. Try to let it go.” He patted Zhou Jingyun’s arm again. “The mortal world may be full of pain, but it would be a shame for the Marquis’ Heir to leave it behind.”

Zhou Jingyun ignored his words, merely nodding in acknowledgment and thanks before stepping forward to knock on the door.

There was no response from within.

But Zhou Jingyun didn’t mind. The door wasn’t locked. There was no need to climb through windows. He simply pushed the door open, stepped inside, and closed it behind him.

Inside the small, spartan room, an old Taoist priest lay fast asleep in front of the altar, completely oblivious to the conversation outside, the opening of the door, and the approaching footsteps.

“Master.” Zhou Jingyun called out.

Xuanyangzi remained motionless.

Zhou Jingyun knelt down and nudged him. Xuanyangzi, who had been lying on his side, rolled onto his back, stretched, and then promptly fell asleep again.

Zhou Jingyun glanced around the room. He stood up and looked at the teacup on the table. There was still half a cup of tea left. He picked it up and splashed the contents onto Xuanyangzi’s face.

The next instant, Zhou Jingyun’s vision seemed to freeze. He saw a sleeve rise, the water droplets suspended in mid-air, then vanish as the sleeve swept them away.

The wind from the sleeve brushed past, and Zhou Jingyun’s vision returned to normal. He saw Xuanyangzi’s sleeve fall back, now damp with tea.

“Marquis Zhou’s Heir.” Xuanyangzi sat up, a hint of exasperation on his sleep-muddled face. “Do you think I’m like your wife, lost in dreams, needing a splash of water to wake up?”

His wife.

The corner of Zhou Jingyun’s mouth twitched into a smile. He knelt down and bowed. “My apologies for the disrespect, Master. I was truly troubled and sought your guidance.”

Xuanyangzi flicked his sleeve. “Your troubles are about your wife, right? What’s wrong with her now?”

Zhou Jingyun instinctively opened his mouth to speak, then stopped and shook his head. “Master, you know my wife is dead.”

Xuanyangzi hummed. “So your confusion is that your wife shouldn’t have died?”

Zhou Jingyun was silent for a moment. “My confusion is…what defines ‘should’?”

✿✿✿

✿✿✿

Princess Jinyu, rudely awakened from her sleep, first slapped her maid, Ah Ju, then flung the summons token from the Directorate of Ceremonial onto the floor.

“What do they want me at the palace for?” She roared. “It’s already giving them face that I’m not making a scene!”

Ah Ju knelt on the floor, not daring to wipe the blood from her cheek. “The Prince of Chu and his wife have also been summoned. Perhaps His Majesty intends for them to apologize to you.”

Princess Jinyu scoffed. “Apologize to me? Or force me to bow my head?”

Her eyes flickered.

“Fine, let’s see if they dare to show me disrespect in front of the Emperor when I refuse to budge!”

Besides, she suspected that her recent encounters with Empress Jiang’s ghost were because of the Prince of Chu and his wife.

It was the bad luck they brought.

She would go before the Emperor, let him see this bad luck too, and see if he still protected those two wretches.

“Someone, help me dress.”

As Princess Jinyu rose, Princess Jinyu’s Residence bustled with activity.

Hearing that the Princess was getting ready, Shangguan Xue, the Imperial Consort’s Husband, smiled at the eunuch who had delivered the summons. “Don’t worry, Eunuch.”

The eunuch sighed in relief. “This servant was truly afraid of being scolded by the Princess first, then by those above upon my return.”

Shangguan Xue smiled but didn’t comment.

This cowardly pretty boy, the eunuch thought.

As they were talking, Ah Ju walked in.

“Consort, the Princess requests your presence.”

Shangguan Xue excused himself to the eunuch, who rose to see him off.

✿✿✿

Shangguan Xue stepped out of the door, and Ah Ju, who was leading the way, stopped.

“Consort, the Prince of Chu says you shouldn’t go to the palace.” She whispered.

Shangguan Xue was taken aback, his face changing slightly. “Is something wrong?”

Ah Ju shook her head. “His Highness didn’t tell me the details, only said for you to avoid going.” She added, “He also said for you not to worry.”

Shangguan Xue smiled, glancing towards the Imperial City.

“He doesn’t understand. I can only truly stop worrying if I see it with my own eyes.”

Ah Ju wanted to persuade him further, but Shangguan Xue stopped her.

“Don’t worry, I know my limits.” He said, then walked ahead towards where the Princess was. “Princess, let me draw your eyebrows.”

✿✿✿

✿✿✿

Dawn had broken, and the morning light finally crept through the windows, brightening the room considerably.

Xuanyangzi stretched lazily.

“You shouldn’t be asking me about ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’.” He said. “Empress Jiang jumped from the building herself. Your wife also jumped from the building herself. You should be asking them.”

“Yes, those were their choices.” Zhou Jingyun said. “Then why did you interfere? Why did you release the Millet Seed Pearl from the Imperial Bell to threaten them?”

Xuanyangzi shook his head. “Again, you shouldn’t be asking me. The Millet Seed Pearl wasn’t something I created. It’s a manifestation of obsession—the obsession of others, and the obsession of those who see it.”

Zhou Jingyun looked at him. “Then my obsession is Bai Li’s safety. I’m here today to watch you. I won’t let you harm her.”

Xuanyangzi laughed. “Then this obsession of yours will harm you.”

Zhou Jingyun placed a dagger in front of him.

“I don’t care.” He said. “I’m just going to keep an eye on you today.”

✿✿✿

✿✿✿

Looking at the palace ahead, Li Yu took a deep breath.

“What’s wrong?” Bai Li, holding Nannan in her arms, noticed his intake of breath and asked softly.

Li Yu looked at her and whispered, “I’m a little nervous.” He lifted his hand and gently stroked Bai Li’s right cheek. “But don’t worry, Ah Li, I’ve arranged everything.”

His hand touched Bai Li’s right cheek, then withdrew like a dragonfly skimming water, landing on Nannan’s face, poking her gently.

Nannan cooed and reached out to Li Yu.

Li Yu took her and held her in his arms.

Bai Li smiled and patted his arm. “I’m here. Don’t worry.”

Li Yu smiled and nodded. “I know.”

His gaze swept over Bai Li’s face, lingering on her left cheek for a moment, then he lifted Nannan high, striding forward with her giggles echoing in the air.

Seeing the two of them and the child appear, Bai Ying stood up.

“You’re here.” She said with a smile, gesturing before they could bow. “Sit down.”

Li Yu smiled, but Bai Li didn’t even bother, sitting down directly.

Bai Ying glanced at her, seemingly helpless.

“His Majesty summoned us today to reconcile you with Princess Jinyu.” She said, then looked at the eunuch in the hall. “Has the Princess arrived?”

The eunuch stepped forward. “The Princess and the Consort have entered the palace, but the Princess said she wanted to visit the Hundred Flowers Palace first, to see her childhood residence.”

Bai Ying nodded. “Very well, we’ll wait.”

She looked at Li Yu and Bai Li.

“His Majesty has just finished his court session. There are still many officials discussing matters there. We’ll have to wait a little longer.”

Li Yu smiled. “We’re not in a hurry.”

Bai Li remained silent.

Bai Ying looked at her and said softly, “Try some pastries. I specially asked the Imperial Kitchen to make them. You…used to love these Shrimp Whisker Pastries.”

Bai Li looked at the golden pastries on the table. When she and Bai Ying went to the market as children, like all kids, she was greedy and had begged for these pastries, but Bai Ying refused to buy them for her…

“Now, things are different. You can have as many as you want.”

Bai Ying’s voice came through.

Bai Li let out a laugh and looked at her. “Yes, things are different now. I wouldn’t dare eat anything you offer.”

Bai Ying seemed annoyed. “You…” She appeared about to scold her, but then suppressed it. “Fine, don’t eat then.” She turned away, refusing to look at her.

Silence fell over the hall.

From the side hall came the murmur of voices, the Emperor and his officials laughing and talking.

Amidst the buzzing, a voice became clear.

“Your Majesty, Guo Shun, Vice-Director of the Censorate, requests an audience!”

The buzzing paused, and silence fell over there as well.

“Guo Shun?” The Emperor muttered. “Where’s Zhang Ze?” Then he raised his voice. “Let him in.”

Following the eunuch’s announcement, footsteps approached, a chaotic clatter, as if many people were coming. Then came the sound of chests hitting the floor, and finally, Guo Shun’s voice.

“Your subject, Guo Shun, has an urgent matter to report!”

Bai Ying tensed, her hands clenching in front of her. Suddenly, Bai Li’s voice rang out.

“Your Highness.”

Bai Ying looked at her, startled, then a smile appeared on her face. “What is it?”

Bai Li looked at her. “How did you hurt your hand?”

Hand…

Bai Ying was about to speak, but Guo Shun’s voice continued from the main hall.

“…Consort Bai Ying colluded with Zhang Ze of the Censorate, using a fake dragon to replace the true phoenix, disrupting the Emperor’s bloodline!”

A deathly silence descended, so profound that Bai Ying could only hear the pounding of her own heart.

Was she dreaming?

Why was what she was hearing different from what was planned?

This is a transition chapter. I have a meeting to attend today, so I won’t be able to write more. No updates tomorrow. See you the day after!