Chapter 112

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

The eunuch serving tea froze for a moment before giving a slight nod.

The young lady before him clearly reacted in an unusual way; was it because she had stayed in Xian Tai Gong for a long time without seeing her family, and upon suddenly hearing the news, became overly agitated? Or was it because Marquis Lu was too awe-inspiring, and this young lady, having not grown up before his eyes, felt panic in her heart facing such a formidable elder? That could also be understood……

"Haven't seen Grandfather in a long time…… I'll go take a look!" Ming Dan left a fairly rational explanation, rose, and walked out.

She said she was going to take a look, but Weiyang Palace is not a place where one can walk freely; the range these youths were allowed to move in was limited, and at this moment they could only walk along the corridors outside the hall, with eunuchs guarding both the end of the long corridor and the foot of the steps.

Ming Dan could not possibly have the audacity to barge into the main hall; she only stood in the corridor, craning her neck to look toward the main hall, her heart pounding anxiously as if on a hot griddle.

If it wasn't her eyes playing tricks, and if that Wu Nu truly bore a resemblance to Shaowei, then that would also mean a resemblance to her; if Marquis Lu saw her, would he grow suspicious because of it?

Was it truly an illusion? Was it truly a coincidence?

Ming Dan stared fixedly at the main hall doors; before long, she saw someone withdraw from inside the hall, and hurriedly focused her gaze, but it was neither that Wu Nu nor Marquis Lu — it was Yan Xiangguo.

Over these two years, Ming Dan had occasionally heard rumors that this Yan Xiangguo and Feng Zhu had been deeply in love in their youth; because Yan Xiangguo had never taken a wife to this day, his only son being an adopted heir, this past affair was still passed down as a tale of devoted love.

Young girls with budding hearts are easily moved by such devotion, even giving rise to longing and envy; thus some privately told Ming Dan that since Yan Xiangguo was so faithful, he would surely love her too by extension.

Ming Dan smiled without commenting, but in her heart she did not agree in the slightest.

These people are truly excessively naive; one must know that what Yan Xiangguo liked was merely that radiant, beautiful young lady of the Hou Mansion back then; with the passage of time, who would still remain devoted to a crippled madwoman?

The Feng Zhu of today has lost her looks, her dignity, and even her sanity; how could she still dream of old affections?

Even taking ten thousand steps back, "she" is the child born of Feng Zhu and another man; how could Yan Xiangguo possibly have a good impression of her? Forget clinging to him; staying far away is the best strategy.

Therefore Ming Dan never dared to approach this Xiangguo, fearing only to touch his ill luck.

For people who were of no benefit to her, she never wasted extra thought; at this moment her gaze did not linger on Yan Xiangguo, but still looked toward the inside of the hall — who knew if that Wu Nu had come out yet?

After leaving Weiyang Palace, Shaowei had walked only a short distance when she ran into Rui Huanghou head-on.

Rui Huanghou called herself shallow in experience, almost never inquired about court affairs, and did not share a shred of authority with the Emperor; on the contrary, she was the most special Empress since the founding of Great Qian.

But this matter of the Changling collapse was different; it was both a state affair and a family affair, concerning filial piety, so she could not refrain from appearing and inquiring.

She arrived somewhat late; it was said she was paying respects to the gods, but in truth she had also deliberately waited until the Emperor had finished seeing officials from all quarters and was no longer so busy, before coming over.

Shaowei, following the guiding eunuch, bowed together with him, but never expected this Empress to halt before her and say to her: "No need for excessive courtesy, you little Wu…… this time you have truly made many people, including this Palace, look at you with new eyes."

Rui Huanghou's voice was very light and fine; she said with shame: "That day in the Shen Ci, this Palace thought you were instructed by someone to deliberately harm Cheng Er…… this Palace was narrow-minded; you possess true ability."

Shaowei listened, and felt very surprised.

Since stepping into this palace, even a mere eunuch could reprimand and question her; she had silently endured humiliation and borne the burden, and that counted as enduring out actual experience; how could this mother of a nation be so polite instead? This clearly contradicted her experience and understanding.

Shaowei couldn't help but raise her head slightly, looking at the Rui Huanghou before her.

Before entering the capital, Shaowei had already gained a general understanding of the backgrounds of many important figures in the capital from Liu Qi, so she was not unfamiliar with this Rui Huanghou who also had many rumors among the common people.

Rui Huanghou came from a common background; in her youth she had been married, then widowed and remained chaste; her mother sent her to a powerful noble's household, and that noble, seeing her outstanding appearance, in turn presented her to Crown Prince Liu Shu, who is the current Sage Emperor.

Even though Shaowei did not care about beauty or ugliness, looking closely at Rui Huanghou now, her heart immediately formed a clear ranking; among the women she had seen, this Empress's looks could rank in the top three.

And having given birth to Crown Prince Liu Cheng, she ought to be nearly forty, yet to the naked eye she looked no more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with not a trace of fading beauty.

Beautiful women are not common; to remain beautiful for so long is even rarer; therefore Shaowei concluded in her heart that this person was extraordinarily gifted in the matter of beauty.

It was just unknown whether this extraordinarily gifted Empress was so kind because her origins and temperament were overly approachable? Or because she saw Shaowei's prophecy was accurate, that she was a useful person, and thus showed goodwill to win her over?

Shaowei had no answer for the moment, so she could only bring out her all-purpose reply: "Empress overpraises; this is but Hua Li's duty."

"Hua Li." Rui Huanghou said softly: "A very interesting name; this Palace has remembered it; I expect many others have remembered it too…… this time you can be said to have emerged from obscurity, stunning everyone with a single cry."

As they spoke, Rui Huanghou was also sizing up the little Wu before her, and couldn't help but say thoughtfully: "Have you been to the capital before? Looking closely at you today, this Palace feels you have a few points of familiarity……"

Shaowei: "Hua Li is entering the capital for the first time."

"Then perhaps this Palace misremembered." Rui Huanghou said no more: "Are you going back to the Shen Ci? Then go."

Shaowei obediently assented, and had just lifted one foot when she was suddenly pulled aside by a eunuch at her side, who bowed his head and looked at her with his eyes — the noble said go, but you must wait until the noble has left before you can go!

Shaowei stored away another humiliating experience, unwilling in heart but resolute in will, and recorded it.

Estimating she should be able to leave now, she had just moved her right foot when she faintly heard Rui Huanghou's voice speaking with someone behind her: "Yan Xiangguo……"

Shaowei very much wanted to hurry away, but the eunuch beside her had already made the motion of bowing; she could only follow suit, while feeling anxious, thinking that if a stream of nobles and officials kept passing by, would she not have to keep dodging and bowing, circling in place until dark? This palace had no array to trap people, yet it surpassed arrays a hundredfold; it had clearly achieved another, more sophisticated formless Ghost Wall empty-handed.

And this Yan Xiangguo's steps actually stopped before her.

Sensing the gaze from above containing scrutiny, Shaowei did not raise her head.

In a flash, Shaowei recalled some rumors she had heard in her previous life, and that sentence Feng Xian had mentioned when he came seeking death — Yan Xiangguo knew of her existence, and intended to have his adopted son marry her.

Facing such an elder, even though Shaowei easily felt no goodwill toward people, she would not have any bad impression of him either.

And at this moment, this Xiangguo meticulously said to her: "Though a Wu handles affairs of ghosts and gods, what she walks is the human Dao; since she is in this human world's court, if she wishes to long serve by the ruler's side, she must clarify her mind and cultivate virtue, not fail Heaven above, and not shame the living below."

This sudden teaching was diametrically opposed to what Shaowei thought in her heart, but playing along still required obedience: "Yes, Hua Li will remember."

Yan Mian added: "Red Yang Immortal Master has set talisman arrays in Weiyang Palace; the incense burner must not be moved without permission, and windows must not be opened without permission."

With these words spoken, Yan Mian departed.

After a good while, Shaowei finally raised her head, looking at that departing dignified back.

If the first sentence was a teaching, or a warning on the Emperor's behalf that she must follow rules in her conduct, then this last sentence was an explanation, dispelling Shaowei's many guesses.

The Emperor did not open the window because of the array; and the reason he did not allow her to immediately approach and take his pulse lay in the previous sentence — she had just arrived, her character unknown, and could not yet be permitted to "serve by the ruler's side".

Stunning everyone with a single cry was already the limit; ascending to heaven in one step was mere delusion.

Shaowei walked all the way, pondering all the way, and couldn't help but further recognize Red Yang's status in the palace; in this place even the windows could be under his control.

"To receive such guidance from the Empress and the Xiangguo, Wu Shi need only seize the opportunity in the future, and a grand display of talent is just around the corner……" Arriving at an empty, open area, the guiding eunuch said with a smile: "If one day you stand above others, Wu Shi must not forget this slave who guided you today."

This was the habitual flattery of one skilled in reading words and expressions; the eunuch knew his own lowliness and had not originally expected any clear response, but unexpectedly the girl turned to look at him and asked quite seriously, "Go on, what is your name?"

Those eyes were black and bright; though full of confidence, they did not look down on others. The young eunuch, so worldly-wise, was instead stunned for a moment before forcing out a smile and answering, "My slave name is Quan Wa."

Shaowei nodded. "Mm, I remember."

The palace gate was right before them; Quan Wa stepped aside to let Shaowei go first.

The moment Shaowei stepped out of the Inner Palace gate, Marquis Lu raised his foot and emerged from the Main Hall of Weiyang Palace, likewise crossing the tall vermilion door threshold.

Seeing Marquis Lu descend the stone steps, his gaze drawing nearer, Ming Dan in the corridor plucked up courage and called out, "Grandfather!"

Marquis Lu heard the voice and looked over; after a moment of surprise, he nodded with a kind expression.

Weiyang Palace was no place for idle chat, and just then the great matter of Changling's collapse had occurred, so Marquis Lu merely waved his hand at the girl, saying, "Good child, go about your business."

Ming Dan nodded repeatedly, greatly relieved in her heart. It seemed she had not been seen, or perhaps her eyes had deceived her!

Marquis Lu had already strode away, and several girls gathered around Ming Dan, whispering enviously, "Is that Old Marquis Feng? Truly extraordinary in might!"

The middle-aged eunuch who had always been impatient with these girls stepped forward, his tone unconsciously much kinder and more tolerant: "All right, all right... Ladies, please come inside; the next scripture recitation is about to begin."

The eunuch had sharp eyes; just now, observing Marquis Lu's attitude—though he had not spoken much—he still held this cheap granddaughter found along the way in some regard...

As Ming Dan passed, the eunuch standing to the side slightly lowered his body.

Ming Dan saw it in her eyes; her face showed no concern, but her heart surged within.

Grandfather had merely appeared, and these people's attitudes had changed so much... Her identity as a daughter of the Feng Family seemed even more glorious than she had imagined—not only in Xian Tai Gong, but even within the Imperial Palace, she carried weight.

Ming Dan sat back in her original place, only to see the seat of honor empty; Red Yang Immortal Master and His Highness the Crown Prince were no longer there.

She subconsciously turned to look at the half-rolled bamboo curtain, only to see someone sitting upright behind it copying scriptures; the bamboo curtain blocked his head and face, showing only his wide sleeves and the hand holding the brush.

There was no need to see his face; from these fine clothes alone one could tell who it was. No one knew what material it was, but it faintly glowed with splendor, embroidered with gold and silver threads in elaborate and noble patterns, dazzling to the eye. Looking closely, there were the sun and moon, mountains, and the huachong...

Similar sun-and-moon colorful feather totems were also carved on the pillars before the Main Hall of Shen Ci; the recent rain and moisture made the carvings' colors even more vivid, and the depicted birds and beasts all the more lifelike.

Yu Si Wu stood in the Imperial City, appearing calm, but inside he burned like fire.

Was that fox still alive and well? Had he mishandled things, offended the Imperial Countenance, and been dragged away to be burned? Or had he revealed other ulterior motives and been taken by the Embroidered Uniform Guard for interrogation?

Beside him, an official of Taichang Temple paced back and forth, equally anxious at heart: "No one knows how it went."

Changling collapsed just like that; for Taichang Temple this matter brought many troubles. The Sizong was busy enough to lose his head right now, and if the matter of the flower fox's prophecy were recognized by His Majesty, it would count as a merit, and the Sizong could then return home to catch his breath.

After all, it was their Taichang Temple's shaman; punishment would be theirs to bear, and merit should be theirs to claim.

But would His Majesty recognize it? Could that little shaman pass His Majesty's test?

The wind howled; in the corridor, as if an invisible die spun without cease, win or lose, life or death unknown—wait and see which side the die would stop on.

Until a Wu Nu hurried over, as if pressing down that invisible die: "Yu Si Wu, the flower fox is back!"

Yu Si Wu, who had stood like a sculpture for who knows how long, strode out to welcome her; the official even lifted his official robe and trotted along.

That flower fox walked over with all four paws intact, completely unharmed, and quite smug. This originally annoying appearance made Yu Si Wu almost red-eyed; she suppressed her emotions and asked, "How was it?"

The official also hurriedly asked, "What did His Majesty say?"

Shaowei, who had been so restrained in the Imperial Palace that her very bones ached, now stood casually with one hand on her hip, calmly repeating: "He said—'The flower fox, not bad.'"

The official cried out in dismay, his face instantly full of joy.

Yu Si Wu instead widened her eyes and hurriedly scolded in a low voice: "Impertinent, what 'he'... it is His Majesty!"

"Etiquette should be well learned! From now on, opportunities for an audience will surely be many!" the official said with a smile. "To receive even a word of recognition from His Majesty, then all will be well..."

Yu Si Wu dared not lightly believe it, and asked in a low voice: "Since His Majesty recognizes it, why is there no reward?"

The official whispered in reply: "Changling's collapse is ultimately no auspicious event; how could one hurry to bestow rewards with great fanfare? That the person returned safely is already recognition of this merit!"

"Yes, yes, I was muddled for a moment..." Yu Si Wu came to her senses, and only then did a hint of elation appear between her brows.

The official left in a hurry, rushing back to Taichang Temple to report the news.

Shaowei looked at Yu Si Wu: "I have returned alive; what will you do about it, Si Wu?"

Amid surging emotions, Yu Si Wu thought of the fierce scene of grabbing this fox's collar, and somewhat guiltily countered: "What do you want?"

"I want to eat." Shaowei demanded righteously: "More meat."

Yu Si Wu was stunned into silence.

Again this attitude of asking a sky-high price, haughtily extending one finger, yet when speaking only acting like someone asking for a single coin... Truly extraordinary.

The unresolved feeling of "when exactly does she intend to take revenge for the humiliation she inflicted on me" compelled Yu Si Wu to ask: "And then?"

"I'll decide when I think of it." Shaowei had already turned, leaving only one sentence: "The food had better be quick; I am starving."

The sky was already near dark; it was time for the late meal.

Half an hour later, Shaowei ate heartily, enjoying the most sumptuous meal since entering the capital.

Night deepened, all around was quiet; Shaowei prepared to sneak out to see her household servants and Mo Li.

?? Good night, everyone.