Chapter 141

·

·

·

Characters:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

When he smiled, his eyes were like cold stars; though weak, he resembled a fragile glazed sword about to snap, yet its light remained undimmed. At first glance, one could be left shaken in spirit and soul.

Shaowei was stunned for a moment, not bothering to respond to his smile, and with muddled thoughts felt she was never good at smiling herself. She could not easily laugh on his level; if she forced a laugh, she would surely be made to look dry and dull by comparison, and thus lose the contest.

Liu Qi had never expected her to respond anyway. Feeling his appearance was disheveled, he said nothing more, only extending his right hand to take the medicine bowl A He handed over.

He tilted his face back slightly to drink the medicine, his neck fully exposed. Just as Shaowei was about to withdraw her gaze, she saw his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed the herbal decoction.

There was no such thing as strict separation between men and women in this day and age, and Shaowei had always been unrestrained. Whether on Tianlang Mountain or in Taoxi Township, in summer countless men went shirtless, and she had never thought anything of it. But now, for some reason, she felt they were too close; she should not stare at him drinking medicine on the bed like this.

So she rose and paced directly around the room, idly looking at the calligraphy, paintings, and furnishings.

Liu Qi held the empty medicine bowl, seeing her turn her back and stroll idly. One moment she tilted her head to look at the painting on the wall; the next she leaned in to stare at the colorful fish in the vat. But she only looked, never touched, her hands always clasped behind her back.

A voice he did not know where it came from spoke in his heart: she should reach out and touch the painting, poke the fish; everything here she could touch.

Her touch must have the power to enliven things. And even if she kept her hands clasped behind her back, merely walking back and forth in the room, looking here and there, had already made this place different.

Liu Qi followed her gaze to observe the objects, and each one became vivid and extraordinary. Then a more rampant and disorderly voice arose in his heart: if only she could stay here forever.

Finally startled back to his senses by this inner voice, Liu Qi was confused and bewildered. That night under the moon when they had formed an alliance, he had already reflected on this and issued a strict order to himself in his heart: no matter how much he coveted her wondrous ability, if she had made it clear she wanted to leave, then even if he felt regret, he should send her off generously in the days to come.

At that time he had clearly convinced himself to put away his greed.

Since childhood he had gone in and out of the army with his uncle, and later, in the struggle of life-and-death hatred, had cultivated the habit of restraining himself. Whatever he forbade in his heart must not be violated or regretted. But now... this greed he thought had been removed actually came back with renewed force.

He did not understand why. Outside the plan, though it was only a single thought, it meant his mind was out of control. At this moment he had no clue, and could only explain it as poisoning and physical weakness causing hallucinations and confusion.

She in black robes turned around, and he, feeling guilty, lowered his eyes to avoid her gaze.

A He carried the medicine bowl out to the outer room. A Ya, standing by in attendance, looked at the black-robed girl, then silently glanced at the youth on the bed. After a moment, she too slowly lowered her eyes.

Shaowei did not sit back down, but merely walked closer and told Liu Qi about various news she had recently gathered.

When she saw Liu Qi's returned letter, Shaowei had already been thinking: for fairness, she would also share with him the news she had obtained through her own abilities. Telling him in person just now happened to save her from writing a letter.

Shaowei now had channels for gathering news both openly and in secret. Though not as deep and long-established as Liu Qi's hidden agents, news in the capital was complex, and no one could guarantee they could uncover everything. Therefore, exchanging information was very important.

Her news was of all kinds, carrying an unfiltered richness and confusion. In this matter she was still learning, while Liu Qi listened very seriously.

Finally, Liu Qi seriously asked her again for the detailed appearance of the two people she was seeking: "... Dou Shiyi's account might have omissions. Once we get news, we can identify them more accurately."

Shaowei first described Qingxiang in detail, then Ji Jin: "He is eighteen now, his temperament and nature are both as good as Sister Qingxiang's. He speaks with proper etiquette, acts with responsibility, and his appearance..."

Shaowei recalled seriously, and also referred to Jiang Fu and the evaluations of the neighbors in Taoxi Township: "He is a first-rate gentleman, tall and handsome like a jade tree."

Liu Qi, sitting up with his clothes on, looked at her. After a moment, he confirmed: "The 'Sister' you speak of is to be betrothed to him?"

Shaowei nodded: "Exactly. Sister Qingxiang went to Chenliu this time to discuss the marriage arrangement. When asking around, it can also serve as a clue for inquiry."

Liu Qi agreed with a smile: "Very well."

He thought of something and asked her another question: "What age and appearance are the people you came to the capital to find? Are they men or women? Now that you and I are both in the capital, perhaps I can help."

Shaowei hesitated now. Unlike Qingxiang and Ji Jin, Jiang Fu had previously concealed her identity as the National Preceptor while posing as a man. She did not know if there were any hidden circumstances or taboos. She knew too little of Jiang Fu's past, with too many uncertainties. Though she was now cooperating with Liu Qi, it was not Jiang Fu cooperating with Liu Qi. After thinking it over, she ultimately did not want to take it upon herself to expose too much for Jiang Fu.

"Her matter is somewhat complex. I don't know whether I should speak for her or not." Shaowei said: "Anyway, if she is alive, she must be in Chiyang's hands. Driving Chiyang into a dead end is the fastest shortcut to finding her."

This was different from searching for a needle in the haystack everywhere. Appearance, age, and features were not important. What mattered was dealing with Chiyang.

Liu Qi did not press further.

Actually, regarding that "somewhat detestable person" she was seeking, he had previously made a rough guess. Earlier, when she was recuperating from injuries in Wuling Commandery and decided to enter the capital, she had once asked him to send someone to Taoxi Township to deliver a letter to Hero Zhao. At that time he had already harbored selfish motives, so he had someone look into her past in Taoxi Township, learning that she had once relied on her "Elder Sister" for survival.

Afraid of bringing her traces and trouble, he only made general inquiries and did not dare to dig deeply. Therefore, he still did not know her name. In that place she rarely had close dealings with others, and the people there called them the Jiang family sisters from outside.

The house was burned down, and both "Jiang family sisters" disappeared. He naturally made the inference that the person she was seeking was her "Elder Sister."

But later, when he entered the capital, he encountered Hero Zhao secretly tracking the Immortal Master's Mansion's group. He used the pretext of a search to forcibly inspect the carriage. The bait inside was clearly a man. Although Hero Zhao denied it with a single word "fake," he could not help but guess that the person she was seeking might not necessarily be that Elder Sister.

Everything about her was mysterious and unknown. She was unwilling to speak in detail, so he could not ask further.

Moreover, whether male or female, older or younger, seemed not so important. Anyway, whoever it was, they were someone she would risk her life to find, and had resolved to leave Chang'an with and never return to again, occupying the most important place in her heart.

Liu Qi thought: that person, even if they had suffered great misfortune, was also extremely fortunate.

Having said all that needed to be said, Shaowei could not think of anything else, so she said: "If there is nothing else, I will return first..."

Her voice had not finished when she suddenly heard Liu Qi begin to cough.

The youth supported himself with both hands on the bed before him. His hair bun was slightly disheveled. His originally straight shoulders slumped, his head also bowed, and he coughed without stopping.

A Ya immediately stepped forward, and Shaowei also walked closer. Liu Qi forcibly stopped his coughing, raised his head, and a trace of blood hung at the corner of his mouth.

Shaowei could not help but ask: "Just how badly are you poisoned? Even if you're making a fake real, you should show some restraint, shouldn't you!"

Liu Qi took the cotton towel A Ya handed him to wipe his mouth, and said in a weak voice: "I did show restraint. It's just that this poison is violent."

Shaowei furrowed her brow: "Then remember to rest well. In the short term, you must absolutely not go rushing to receive punishment and injuries again. Otherwise I'm afraid you'll truly kick the bucket."

"Very well." Liu Qi supported himself and showed her a weak smile.

Outside, faint footsteps and voices approached. After a moment, Deng Hu came in from outside and announced: "Your Highness, Tang Changshi has returned and requests an audience outside."

Hearing this name, Shaowei habitually said: "Do I need to hide?"

After speaking, she quickly added: "I might as well jump out the window and leave!"

"No need to leave, and no need to hide anymore." Liu Qi said: "Changshi is now one of our own. You might as well meet him in passing. If you meet him outside in the future, you'll be able to respond and look after each other in time."

So when Tang Jia entered, he saw a strange black-robed girl standing abruptly in the room.

The strange girl stood upright, without fear or apprehension, completely unconstrained. A pair of exceptionally bright eyes looked straight at him, leaving him stunned in place.

Liu Qi spoke to introduce them: "Changshi need not be nervous. This is Tai Puzhe Jiang."

Tang Jia had originally just failed to react. Upon hearing this, he instead became nervous.

Jiang Tai Zhu? He knows!

To put it near, it's said this person was thoroughly offended by his Prince... to put it a bit farther, it's heard the other party can summon the Grand Ancestor's soul to descend upon his body!

Under the shock, Tang Jia, who had been crying in the palace until dizzy and swollen-headed, had an even more chaotic mind, momentarily unable to determine whether the other party came seeking revenge, or came on behalf of the Grand Ancestor to visit his pitiable grandson?

Though he has his dull moments, he is not a complete fool; combining the current situation, the former possibility was eliminated in just an instant, the latter however was uncertain, he is a person who believes in ghosts and gods, and the person before him has a uniquely extraordinary bearing, making it impossible not to overthink.

Therefore, when Shaowei raised her hand to pay respects to him, he kept his hand raised for a long time without lowering it, his knees trembling, bending but not bending, not knowing ultimately which courtesy he should return.

Shaowei felt baffled, turned to look at Liu Qi, but saw he was suddenly laughing, his shoulders trembling slightly with laughter, saying to Tang Jia: "I already said no need to be tense, tonight's visitor is Jiang Tai Zhu——"

As these words fell, Tang Jia's raised hand only then dared to lower, finally regaining a sense of reality.

Shaowei only came to meet him face to face, there wasn't much need for detailed explanation; he is Liu Qi's person, whatever needs explaining will naturally be explained by Liu Qi.

After a round of not-too-smooth simple pleasantries, Shaowei took her leave and departed.

Tang Jia, having seen her off respectfully, straightened his waist, suddenly thinking: that day Sixth Prince threw him down and rushed to the Capital like flying, killed the people at Zhu Zhi's Mountain Villa, shot and killed Zhu Zhi, endured beating and punishment... this series of events, most likely all relate to this Wu Nu who completed a sensational Great Sacrifice that night.

The details of this matter need not be deeply investigated, what must be asked is: "Does the Prince know her from long ago? Unknown how he met such a strange person?"

Liu Qi thought for a moment, answered: "When young, not fighting not knowing each other."

Tang Jia was surprised, yet also upright and fair in saying: "However young, but Sixth Prince has practiced martial arts since childhood, how could he bully and beat a little girl? This is rather improper."

Liu Qi: "It was she who beat me."

Tang Jia was even more astonished, not bullying a little girl, but being bullied by a little girl? But why does his tone imply joy? This is rather improper.

Could only ask again: "... Unknown what kind of person this person ultimately is? What is her true origin?"

Liu Qi still sitting, at this moment looking toward where the door is: "Her origin is unknown, seems like a ghost or god in the flesh, like a mountain hermit, in heaven and earth only this one."

Tang Jia opened his mouth wordlessly, looking again at the youth's bearing, a reverberation slowly emerged in his mind once more: This is rather improper.

Outside the door watched by the youth, the moon bright and stars sparse, passing through one gate after another, leaving this Prince's Mansion, one can see lights sparse in all directions, the whole of Chang'an City under the moon's peeping gaze.

The moon also watches that pair of agile appearing-and-disappearing divine birds, one is a true divine bird, the other a black flying shadow.

About to pass a stretch of continuous grand mansions, the flying shadow stopped, climbed nearby to the top of a Taoist Temple pavilion that had already extinguished most of its lights, concealed in the night, distantly gazing toward one of the mansions ahead, that is where Lu Hou Fu is located.

Zhan Zhan flying ahead didn't expect Shaowei to suddenly stop, emergency braked in mid-air and turned back, landing on top of Shaowei's head.

The little bird doesn't know what its person is thinking, but knows the person has been very worried and tired lately, so uses its long beak to scratch the person's head.

Various matters flashed through Shaowei's mind, by the time she recovered, the top of her head had been scratched into a bird's nest mess.

Waving away the little bird, Shaowei scratched her hair, before leaving, took a look at the full view of this Taoist Temple, this temple's momentum is lofty and grand, many pavilions and high platforms, inside digging pools and channeling water, far beyond what an ordinary Taoist Temple can compare to.

Out of curiosity, Shaowei deliberately went around to the outside of the temple, took a look at the temple name——Lianqing Guan.

Shaowei then suddenly understood.

Lianqing Guan she had heard of, this Taoist Temple's abbot is a woman, and is a Princess.

The title she can't remember, only knows she is the current Emperor's half-sister.

Shaowei has heard some rumors about this Princess, among them one is most widely known.

It's said after this Princess's husband died early, she once openly wanted to marry Yan Mian who had not yet risen to the position of Prime Minister; at that time the world knew Lu Hou's daughter had already "passed away" for several years, but Yan Mian still did not agree to the Princess's affection.

The Princess fasted for many days, the Emperor also mediated from the middle, still could not obtain Yan Mian's compromise.

The Princess who ultimately could not obtain her beloved's pity, at the brink of death received immortal enlightenment and comprehended the Dao, from then on saw through Red Dust, became a nun to cultivate purely, built this temple, to accumulate blessings for Great Qian's mountains, rivers, and people.

This Lianqing Guan counts as half a royal Taoist Temple, such grandeur is not surprising.

Night wind shakes the copper bells hanging under the Taoist Temple's high pavilion, the bell sound intermittently shakes and disperses the night, calling forth the morning sun to emerge from the mountain, palace gates opening in succession.

Shaowei crosses layer upon layer of palace gates, under the guidance of a eunuch goes to Weiyang Palace, presents Elixir to the Emperor.

Someone arrived earlier than Shaowei, a black-robed snow-white-haired person stands in the hall, listening to the Emperor's words: "Immortal Master's meaning, is that these noble ladies, including those family sons and daughters, all lack suitability for the Crown Prince Consort position?"

The Crown Prince is now seventeen, marriage matters should be put on the agenda, these past days many women's Eight Characters of Birth were sent to Xian Tai Gong, entrusted to the Immortal Master to divine on their behalf.

Chi Yang lowered his eyes to answer: "Opportunity though not yet appeared, yet also not far, still request Your Majesty to wait quietly."

The Emperor pondered and nodded, head faintly aching, at this time a eunuch entered the hall to announce: "Your Majesty, Jiang Tai Zhu requests an audience."

?? Thank you book friend iampetty for the ten thousand reward! Thank you book friends silence is gold's quality, soda bubble tea, ancient rhyme LW, cats and dogs family, miya likes ancient style romance, rouge tiger 1, book friend, book friend, book friend, book friend, Ai Ling and other book friends for your generous rewards.

? Thank you every precious monthly ticket, every comment, wish everyone life smooth.