Chapter 118

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Protagonist:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

"Zhu Zhi." Shaowei answered very directly.

The house slave looked at her: "Poison him? But he is deeply suspicious, and has many doctors around him, making it very difficult to poison directly. Once discovered by him, you would face mortal danger immediately."

Shaowei said seriously: "I know all of this, naturally I cannot be stupid enough to poison directly."

The house slave then knew she had another plan, but: "Recently aren't you supposed to focus on preparing for the Third Day of the Third Month sacrifice?"

Zhao Qie'an knew his own child had a strong body and a tough mouth, eating more than twice as much as an ordinary person when eating, but doing things and eating are not the same after all, handling two important matters simultaneously makes it very easy to neglect one for the other.

"It is to prepare for the Third Day of the Third Month sacrifice." Shaowei said: "But this sacrifice can also be prepared for him at the same time."

The young woman sat cross-legged, hands resting on her knees, posture very casual, yet her pitch-black eyes were filled with solemn killing intent:

"This person cannot be kept any longer, he will find out who I am sooner or later, letting him live is a huge hidden danger, who knows which day he might jump out and bite me. And I have heard the Emperor still has the possibility of reappointing him, if not killed now, it will be even harder to find a chance to act when that time comes."

"I already have a countermeasure, Zhao Shu, you listen and see if there is anything that needs supplementing."

Hearing this last sentence, the house slave couldn't help but nod.

Shaowei then told the plan to him.

This plan was not a whim, she had already anticipated that Zhu Zhi would surely send someone to invite her to visit in recent days, the sick rush to the doctor, and her reputation had already risen, this was inevitable.

The house slave fell silent for a while after hearing her plan.

This was already a good plan, even though it still carried some risk, but even doing nothing, just breathing in this Chang'an City, is likewise taking a risk. Coming to this place was taking a risk.

Even this child already knows how to be indirect very well, she is very skilled at thinking and growing, and besides that, there is another huge change: she is actually willing to sit down like this and discuss countermeasures with him in detail.

The house slave's heart was suddenly somewhat moved.

He was originally a cold and indifferent person, and due to being arrogant and solitary, in his youth he had also followed the trend to give himself a jianghu nickname: Evil Wind Cold Wolf.

Later he met that person, even the swiftest wind was captured and tethered.

Now guarding the child left behind by that person, even the coldest wolf has been penned and warmed.

The former was an immortal's rope, the latter like a lined winter coat, one tethers a person without knowing it, one moves a person without knowing it.

The house slave sank into self-emotion for a good while before meeting those waiting eyes, and supplemented the plan details with her.

Finally he said: "At that time Mo Li and I will guard nearby, ready to coordinate with you at any moment."

After settling this matter, the house slave turned and said: "There is another matter to tell you, that child Shan Gu still has not been able to return to Taoxi Township until the end of the first month."

Last time Shaowei learned Shan Gu had not yet returned home, though it was within the normal travel time range, she still entrusted the house slave to have people secretly help watch for news.

Zhao Qie'an hired wandering knights-errant of the roads to help, and just yesterday received the latest road transmission.

Shaowei became tense: "It shouldn't have dragged until the end of the first month no matter what, he said he would definitely rush back before New Year's Day... could something have happened?"

"Unknown for now, I sent a reply letter telling them to continue investigating, but indeed discovered suspicious people active in the nearby area, should be dispatched by Zhu Zhi." The house slave said: "As for that Zhou Family Couple, they have already been safely sent away by the people I entrusted."

The wandering knights-errant acted swiftly and neatly, and were excessively agile: "The letter says, the Zhou Family Couple couldn't bear to leave their home grain fields, and also weren't at ease leaving with them, so they knocked the couple unconscious at night and carried them away."

Shaowei's emotions were in turmoil, she only managed to subconsciously ask: "Carried to where?"

House slave: "Not far, Wuling Commandery."

Shaowei was surprised: "Liu Qi's place?"

"Mm." The house slave's tone was ordinary: "Since he is willing to be used by you, not using him would be a waste."

And said: "Moreover that couple is not young anymore, if they suffer from the long journey and then can't acclimate, if they die it would be very bad."

Shaowei was silent for a while, earlier she had told the house slave all her concerns, the house slave only said he would do his best to have people arrange it, but didn't expect it to be arranged like this... though it is indeed very secure.

But asking someone to help requires showing attitude, the house slave proposed at this moment: "You can write a letter to him expressing thanks for the trouble."

The tone was like teaching a child how to interact normally with people.

And he also owes quite a few debts, highly skilled wandering knights-errant won't help him run errands for nothing, what the knights-errant demand is not money, but enemy lives, he already owes several heads of quite difficult-to-kill people, currently in a credit state, and still has them stored on the Master's neck.

"Writing the letter must wait until after the Shangsi Festival." Shaowei said: "At that time I will speak, you write for me."

The house slave, though not understanding why she wouldn't write herself, said: "After the Shangsi Festival there's no need to write anymore, better to say it in person."

Shaowei was stunned for a moment, quickly reacted: "He is coming to Chang'an? Why is he coming?"

This is far from the time of Liu Qi's rebellion, she originally planned to free her hands after the Shangsi Festival to properly think about matters related to him, how come the person comes now?

"It is by the Emperor's secret decree, entering the capital openly and aboveboard." The house slave said: "I learned of this matter from his people, quite a few big figures in the Capital have also heard the news. If traveling normally, he would arrive in the capital by mid-March."

The house slave and the ten guards Liu Qi dispatched to escort Shaowei were already very familiar with each other.

The house slave doesn't like socializing, but familiarity makes things easier to handle, the child stays in the Shen Ci all day busy and hard to see, many times unable to communicate with the outside in time, if he doesn't manage these things who will.

Hearing these words, Shaowei's emotions fluctuated.

In the previous life Liu Qi, from being exiled to Cangwu, returned to the capital again and died by her hand in the mountain forest, that was the following summer.

This life, Liu Qi became the Prince of Wuling Commandery, the time and manner of his return to the capital have all changed.

Shaowei thought seriously for a good while, then raised her head and said: "Zhao Shu, we must find Shan Gu, besides that, do Qingxiang Sister and Ji Jin have any news?"

Compared to Liu Qi returning to the capital early, she cares more about the safety of those close to her, weighing the two, she should naturally throw the former matter to the back of her mind first, it won't be late to talk after he enters the capital.

"The Ji family youngster's side also temporarily has no definite news, Chenliu Commandery's water disaster is not calm, a popular uprising has started, someone has already gathered people to rebel."

The house slave is always indifferent to others' affairs, only because Shaowei cares does he pay this much attention, at this moment his tone carries some comfort: "But Ji Jin is a scholar, in the rebels' eyes he is also a piece of sweet cake, better to use than to kill. Furthermore, amidst the disorder, traces that the wandering knights-errant can't find, Zhu Zhi won't easily find either."

Though it is comfort, it is also truth, Zhu Zhi has been stripped of his post, his usable manpower is not comparable to before, even more people have to personally protect his safety, and search for Shaowei's whereabouts.

And the Zhou Family Couple as well, Ji Jin and Qingxiang's family too, in the eyes of the Taoxi Township people they are at most those who walked slightly closer with Shaowei, in Zhu Zhi's eyes their value is not that great, if their whereabouts are hard to investigate, it is also far from reaching the point of sparing no cost.

And Chi Yang lacks martial manpower, otherwise he wouldn't have needed to seek cooperation with Zhu Zhi for the previous action targeting Jiang Fu.

The affairs Chiyang presides over are matters of ghosts and spirits; his power derives from the Emperor, and the closer he is to the Emperor, the more vast the power in his hands becomes.

Shaowei also understands these principles, yet still finds it very hard to calm her mood.

The most dangerous thing right now is Shan Gu, whose whereabouts are unknown and who is acting alone outside.

Shaowei's voice is not loud, yet it is full of anxiety suppressed and endured: "If Shan Gu has truly fallen into their hands, or met with mishap while being pursued, then it is I who implicated him."

The household servant, as a bystander, is much calmer: "Shan Gu has been out for a long time; by rights Zhu Zhi couldn't possibly have found him this quickly following your lead. No need to worry too much for now; I will entrust people to continue searching."

Shaowei speaks no more, sitting cross-legged with head lowered, her eyelids casting a shadow over her eyelids, her spine straight and stiff as a taut bowstring.

The news she heard tonight makes her feel with incomparable clarity that none of these matters are within her control; not only can she not control them, she cannot even find out news of the person she cares about.

Tension, powerlessness, apprehension, anxiety, and the self-blame and frustration of resenting her own incompetence and uselessness press down on her like a row of black mountains. The more so, the more Shaowei refuses to bend her spine, silently resisting in this way.

Seeing this, the household servant is somewhat at a loss, and can only raise a hand to pour a bowl of tea first: "Drink some hot water."

Shaowei still does not move, not a word spoken.

The household servant then falls silent as well; after a long time, he says: "You are not slow anymore."

Shaowei finally lifts her slightly red eyes and asks: "But what if I exert all my strength and still cannot catch up?"

The household servant can only answer from the heart: "Then we walk until wherever we reach counts as wherever we reach."

Shaowei's demeanor shows a moment of stubborn dissatisfaction; such an answer is clearly insufficient to satisfy her unyielding competitive spirit, but she now understands many principles and has experienced many things, and knows that although these words are annoying, they are also a kind of fact.

She sulks for a while, then says: "If I die halfway, don't forget the matter I entrusted to you."

She has never been one to walk until wherever counts; rather, she dies wherever she dies, and the direction under her feet cannot stop or change short of death.

Shaowei reiterates her dying wish, and the household servant agrees as usual: "Rest assured, I won't forget."

Getting this answer, Shaowei no longer allows herself to immerse in those emotions; she stands up, ending this conversation: "Remember to buy the things back."

She pushes open the hall gate and looks out at the chaotic night curtain.

Dark clouds roam and obscure; a few dim little stars are momentarily covered, then struggle out again.

Whenever Shaowei is entangled by numerous negative emotions, she always gives rise to anger; this time is no exception. Anger burns into fire, forcibly burning all those useless emotions into determination to move forward.

She strides into the night color, Zhan Zhan following all the way.

Early morning, after Shaowei finishes washing up, she puts on her mask, strides under the not-too-glaring morning sun, and steps across into the Shen Dian.

The Shen Ci this day is very unsettled, only because the Taichang Temple has delivered an imperial edict.

The Nuo ritual festival of the Shangsi Festival on the third day of the third month will be held at Changling.

Apart from the four seasonal sacrifices, the wu in the Shen Ci often go out to hold Nuo sacrifices, or tour the city bestowing blessings, or march with the great army, or sacrifice to heaven and earth, even the Fengshan grand ceremony — all require the participation of wu-nuo.

The Shangsi Festival sacrifice is a great matter; once the wu in the Shen Ci would enter the palace on this day to hold the sacrifice, but that was long ago.

The official from the Taichang Temple who came to convey the edict stated: this time Changling collapsed, the court needs to appease the hearts of officials and commoners; coincidentally it is the Shangsi Festival, so His Majesty wishes to hold this grand sacrifice at Changling, to drive away inauspicious things, and to pray for the protection of ancestors and mountain spirits, ghosts and gods.

Also going along are the Taoists from Xian Tai Gong.

Everyone in the Shen Ci, high and low, is roused and inspired.

Yu Si Wu shows no loss of composure, merely passes through the crowd and walks straight toward Hua Li, suppressing her voice low: "Changling Grand Sacrifice — this is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity... you must seize it."

Beneath the deep blue mask, the young girl's expression is indiscernible.

The Changling Grand Sacrifice requires setting out seven days in advance.

Yu Si Wu's heart surges; she immediately leads people to prepare all affairs.

The clamor mostly disperses; Shaowei is different from the crowd — what she senses is not opportunity and glory, but possible changes and dangers lurking beneath.

Shaowei stands quietly in the palace interior pondering; unknown how much time passes, a shout comes from outside the hall: "Hua Li, Yu Si Wu tells you to go to the Rear Hall too!"

Shaowei then steps out of the Shen Dian; walking along, she subconsciously looks north.

Above the vault of heaven clouds stack up; the towering Star Gazing Platform seen from afar seems about to connect with the cloud masses.

A purple bamboo umbrella passes beneath the Star Gazing Platform; the umbrella holder is a youth of eighteen or nineteen, a young Taoist; beneath the umbrella is Chiyang wrapped in a black robe.

Spring is deep, sunlight grows harsh; whenever Chiyang goes out, a Taoist always holds an umbrella for him.

The young Taoist's name is Shunzhen; he is Chiyang's privately accepted disciple, and has always followed at Chiyang's side.

The master and disciple walk past the Star Gazing Platform; with no one around, Shunzhen asks in a low voice: "Master, why did you propose to His Majesty that the wu in the Shen Ci also go to Changling for the sacrifice?"

Originally His Majesty only planned for them, Xian Tai Gong, to accompany him to Changling.

Chiyang slowly shakes his head: "His Majesty already had this intention; I merely spoke on His Majesty's behalf."

"But if Master did not agree, His Majesty would surely also harbor doubts and weigh the matter."

"No..." Chiyang's voice is calm: "We must make her walk out of the Shen Ci, only then can we tear off that ghost mask."

Whether it is an insect or something else, he still does not know.

But whichever it is, such a variable that should not exist in the world ought to disappear as early as possible.

It's just that the methods needed for the two differ; he must first distinguish clearly.

News comes back from the Shen Ci: since the audience, this little wu has not parted with her mask.

On the day of the audience, naturally there were people in the palace who saw her appearance, but it is not suitable to inquire in detail; moreover, the retelling by uninterested parties always produces discrepancies.

He must personally discern.

And if beneath the mask, it truly is as he thinks...

Chiyang's pupils move slightly; he asks: "I heard Zhu Zhi sent people to the Shen Ci?"

"Yes." Shunzhen is responsible for gathering intelligence from all quarters; at this moment he answers fluently: "That Hua Li refused to visit and diagnose Zhu Zhi; her explanation to the Shen Ci people was that she must follow the imperial command and wholeheartedly prepare for the Shangsi Festival grand sacrifice."

Chiyang: "Zhu Zhi was refused, and just endured it like that?"

Shunzhen's voice lowers further: "According to the spies' report, Zhu Zhi also flared up in anger, but did not act out rampantly; it should be that he is wary of the two words 'imperial command' in Hua Li's mouth, and temporarily endures. Moreover he seems to have other business; early this morning he went to a villa outside the city, bringing all his confidants and doctors; our spies could not keep up."

Chiyang smiles faintly: "Without the Embroidered Uniform Command Token and his right arm, he now knows his hands and feet are bound too."

A mad dog that has learned to have scruples — if one wants to drive it again, one must cover its eyes.

The black robe trailing to the ground disappears behind the corridor, like a black snake tail sliding into the abyss.

All around fell quiet again, until a group of youths clad in blue-gray robes passed by, discussing in low voices the matter of going to Changling.

Ming Dan was surrounded in their midst; hearing that the Witches of the Shrine would also go, the misgiving she had found extremely hard to suppress suddenly surfaced once more... would she see that Wu Nu?

Carrying this misgiving, the time of departure soon arrived.

Only seven days remained until the Shangsi Festival; on this morning, the Chang'an city gates opened wide, the Son of Heaven's ceremonial guard leading the way ahead.

Behind the imperial carriage, the Empress and the Heir Apparent followed, surrounded and guarded by the Imperial Guard.

After them came the officials' carriage train, then closely following were the people of Xian Tai Gong, and at the very rear were the multitude of witches.

The Great Sacrifice procession moved like a swimming dragon, galloping toward Changling.

?? 【Family slave early screen name: Evil Wind Cold Wolf.

? Shaowei breathing evenly, family slave: She has truly grown up, moving.】