Chapter 148: Encountering a Clear Day Chapter 127 Receiving Guests and Welcoming the Gods

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Protagonist:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

Half of April had passed, and before May, known as the "Poison Month," arrived, Shaowei entered the palace again to present pills and adjusted a prescription for the Emperor.

Upon entering Weiyang Palace, Shaowei noticed Taoists from Xian Tai Gong coming and going in the various halls and rooms, posting vermilion talisman papers.

In recent years, all talismans used in Weiyang Palace were drawn by Chiyang himself; this person had recently traveled between various major Taoist temples to preach and teach the Dao, and many nobles sought talismans from him to pacify homes, ward off evil, and drive away May poisonous creatures.

In the Main Hall of Weiyang Palace, as Shaowei took the Emperor's pulse, she noticed Prince Liang, seated nearby, casting his gaze upon her, withdrawing it only after a long while.

Prince Liang bore physical injuries; though his mind was not entirely dull, he no longer possessed his former sharpness and agility, and his words, actions, and gaze mostly appeared sluggish and blunt.

The Emperor smiled and asked: "Feng Ju, are you also curious about this, my extremely young new Grand Witch God?"

Hearing his royal brother call his courtesy name, Prince Liang came back to himself, smiling and nodding.

The Emperor then said: "Jiang Qing is skilled in the art of regulation; why not also examine this brother of mine and write a prescription for his daily nourishment and use?"

Shaowei thus obeyed the order to come to Prince Liang's side, examining his appearance and pulse, and pressing his legs through his robe; his legs lacked muscle strength, were flaccid and atrophied, indeed showing symptoms of long-term paralysis.

But he was well cared for, his qi and blood were fairly abundant, his cheeks still faintly rosy; if such manpower and material resources were always provided to support and nurture him, he might even outlive his royal brother.

However, whether members of the imperial family could live long depended more on external factors; even one as strong as a wild ox could drop dead at any moment.

Shaowei recalled this Prince Liang's fate in her previous life; it seemed that after the Emperor's death, the Crown Prince of Liang rebelled against the new Emperor Liu Cheng, Liang Guo was powerful and unmatched, the most conspicuous banner of rebellion, only she did not know exactly what role this injured Prince Liang played in his son's decision, whether he supported or opposed it.

Shaowei only wrote Prince Liang a conventional, ordinary prescription for regulation.

Not long after, Yushi Daifu Tai Yan requested an audience from outside; he was advanced in years, and the Emperor dared not keep him waiting, so he immediately ordered him into the hall, while Shaowei took her leave at the appropriate time.

Tai Yan had come to plead for his student; with Bitter Summer approaching, the miasma and poisonous insects of the South were rampant, he truly worried that that stubborn, hard-mouthed student would die there, so he had to lower his old face, which he was always lowering anyway, to beg the Emperor to set aside his anger and show leniency, transferring Zhuang Yuanzhi back to the Capital, even if he were to be punished again after returning to the Capital.

He was the Imperial Preceptor; since he had spoken, the Emperor, whose anger had already largely subsided, nodded and agreed to consider the matter.

Shaowei left Weiyang Palace; a court official coming toward her had a somewhat curious expression, and he saluted her with clasped hands: "This humble official pays respects to Grand Tai Puzhe Jiang."

This person was precisely Yan Chu; Shaowei looked at him, nodded in acknowledgment, and was about to leave, when she heard him speak quite warmly: "Grand Tai Puzhe, so young and accomplished, reminds me of another peerless extraordinary person—the Baili National Preceptor who has already ascended to immortality."

Shaowei was proud and arrogant by nature, disliked being compared to others, and even more disdained to flatter anyone; yet at this moment she nodded without the slightest pretense: "Thank you."

This unassuming thank-you left Yan Chu stunned, and he could not help but laugh heartily.

At this moment, another young court official came from behind him and also saluted Shaowei: "This humble official is Feng An; I have long heard of Grand Tai Puzhe Jiang's great name."

He had the background of a Hou Mansion and did not appear humble, but his attitude was very humble and friendly, with a faint smile on his face; this was a good look Shaowei had never seen in her previous life; in her memory, from their first meeting, this elder male cousin had always been a stern figure of fairness and objectivity.

This time was also their first meeting, but his attitude and expression were worlds apart.

Shaowei nodded silently and left just like that.

The greatest daily duty of court officials was to await the Emperor's summons; this post was leisurely, and they often gathered in one place to discuss poetry and prose; however, Yan Chu opened his mouth to ask: "... May I ask, Brother Feng, how is your maternal aunt's health recently?"

Feng An was obviously not as unrestrained and willful as he; he lowered his voice to answer: "Thank you for your concern; my aunt has recently shown signs of improvement, and my grandfather and grandmother are quite pleased."

Feng An pondered in his heart: Yan Xiangguo sent people to inquire every now and then, and the Prime Minister's son was the same... After so many years, his aunt was lovesick to this extent, had the Prime Minister's heart truly not changed?

Shaowei, relying on her excellent hearing, listened to Feng An's reply, and then strode away.

Quan Wa led the way in front; passing a winding path, flowers and grass on both sides were lush, branches and leaves swayed in the wind, and the root systems strained to absorb the underground moisture that had already begun to decrease.

Shaowei placed her hanging hands behind her back; as she raised her arm, her wide sleeves fluttered in the wind.

After walking not far, a tall figure wearing a bound-sleeve robe came toward her; it was the current Commander of the Fine Clothes Guard, He Pingchun.

This person stopped first, exchanged salutes with Shaowei, then made another salute, clasping his hands and bowing: "Thank you, Grand Tai Puzhe, for the grace of your medicine; today after asking a physician to examine her, my lady has no serious trouble."

The day before, a lady was helped by servants to the Shrine to seek medicine; she had unfortunately been bitten by a poisonous insect outside Nan Cheng, and fearing delay in treatment, after entering the City and passing the Shrine, knowing the Shrine had the ability to dispel epidemics and provide medicine, she quickly went inside to seek help.

At that time Shaowei only knew the visitor was a noble lady surnamed Teng; she had no intention of going personally, but because she heard the other party was pregnant, she hurried over and directed the Wu Nu to use medicine to remove poison for her.

After the treatment was finished, she learned the other party was the wife of Commander of the Fine Clothes Guard He Pingchun; Shaowei felt that since she had saved her, she gave the other party the insect-repelling sachet she carried, merely to deepen this connection casually, in case the other party insisted on repaying her, in case she might need her one day.

This was done casually and thoughtlessly; knowing that officialdom relationships were intricate and complex, Shaowei did not place much importance on studying such matters; she only exchanged a few brief words with He Pingchun, then left the palace.

When He Pingchun came before the Emperor, Yushi Daifu had already left, and Prince Liang, being tired, was helped to a Side Hall to rest.

After listening to He Pingchun's reports on news from various places, the Emperor then asked about the recent movements of the children of the various Vassal Kings; a few days ago, two Princes' heirs got drunk and fought, grabbing a chessboard to smash and beat, nearly causing a loss of life.

He Pingchun answered each in turn, then heard the Emperor ask: "What has Liu Qi been doing recently?"

"This subject was about to report this matter," He Pingchun said with a serious expression: "The Sixth Highness does not often go out to associate with people; only some young disciples led by the Commandery Princess of Zhao Guo visited the Sixth Prince's Residence twice. But the Fine Clothes Guard reported back that the Sixth Prince secretly sent people out of the City to search around for someone's whereabouts; they only know he was roughly looking for a young boy and a young girl."

The Emperor smiled meaningfully: "He really is going about it with great fanfare... If only other matters could heed my words as well."

He then ordered He Pingchun: "You need not intervene in this matter; just pay attention."

The sovereign and minister conversed on various matters; a breeze with faint warmth blew into the hall, fluttering the vermilion talisman papers posted on the hall doors.

The talisman papers fluttered and fluttered, until lamps were lit inside and outside the hall, and the breeze finally stopped, and the talisman papers returned to being flat and quiet.

But this night in the palace was not very quiet; approaching the Zi hour, several snakes and insects appeared disturbingly; Guo Shi led people to drive them away until past midnight, and the Emperor also did not sleep well.

Three days later, Shaowei was summoned into the palace again.

This time, besides Prince Liang, Liu Qi was also in the hall; when Shaowei entered and saluted, he knelt sitting calmly by the Emperor's case; the Emperor seemed to be testing him, saying in a tone of unclear praise or blame: "I really don't know what Tang Jia has taught you"; Prince Liang sat to one side, smiling and nodding.

Shaowei saluted; all gazes in the hall fell upon her; among them, only one gaze stood apart, carrying an indifferent thinness of disapproval.

When Shaowei straightened her upper body and raised her head, that gaze had already withdrawn; looking again, the youth by the case sat upright, his expression hidden in shadows, lowering his eyes to take up the brush, slowly beginning to write.

The Emperor did not pay attention to his son; he had already reprimanded this brat earlier for not being rude to Shrine officials again; at this moment he just let him write and draw, as long as he no longer spoke nonsense and acted wantonly.

Guo Shi, standing in attendance to one side, saw this scene; he smiled on his face, but could not smile in his heart, only left with a complex sigh; some people really were skilled at making the sovereign treat them like a child; even when they acted wantonly, they could still lie by Imperial Uncle's case and act as they pleased; this wantonness won them the sovereign father's small tolerance, occupying that one narrow inch of father-son gap.

Shaowei stood below respectfully listening to the Emperor's instructions.

After many years, the Emperor decided to let the Shrine witches enter the palace on the day of Duan Yang to drive away the Five Poisons and prevent evil plagues, and asked Hua Li if she had any other suggestions for warding off evil and removing poison.

Recently there were many poisonous insects appearing in the palace; vermilion talisman papers could not completely intimidate them.

Shaowei put forward the general items that needed to be prepared; these did not require detailed explanation to the Emperor, only discussion with other officials, but one matter had to obtain the Emperor's permission: "If you want to better deter all evil, besides the Emperor's dragon Qi, there should also be the Earth Mother's Kun Extremity; the two suppressing together is the true Heaven and Earth in their proper positions."

The Emperor looked up at her: "This meaning refers to letting the Empress return to the palace?"

The young woman answered with a serious expression: "Precisely."

Since the Empress is returning, the Crown Prince naturally must also return together; the Emperor did not rush to give a decision, but instead asked Hua Li: "These days, how has the Crown Prince's reflection in the shrine been?"

Guo Shi lowered his head and listened quietly; if he wanted to speak on the Crown Prince's behalf, now would be the moment to seize the opportunity and offer flattering praise...

That clear voice answered meticulously: "This humble official sees the Crown Prince paying respects with incense and kneeling before the statue every day."

This reply was so simple it was like a child answering a teacher's question; the Emperor actually laughed.

Liu Qi also looked toward the speaker in turn, gazing at that clever soul hidden beneath the naive and simple exterior.

A person like this — these days, what virtue or ability does Liu Cheng have to be able to see her every day?

Liu Qi immediately felt this period of reflection fundamentally could not be called any sort of punishment; it was more like a bestowed favor.

Before his eyes flashed again that day Liu Cheng's placating expression; for no reason it made him feel it was meddlesome and an eyesore; he actually still remembered it clearly to this day.

Sensing that Liu Qi's gaze seemed displeased, Shaowei could not be bothered to look up and meet his eyes; he was surely pretending again, and right now her heart was vexed, and she did not want to play along with his drama; anyway his acting was superb, he could perform flawlessly all by himself.

Shaowei stored away this eye contact, and only took it all out to use in the evening.

She had informed Dou Shiyi in advance that she would visit the Sixth Prince's Residence tonight, with proper business to discuss with Liu Qi.

Liu Qi was unwilling to let her run about; he originally wanted to come to her door, but was refused outright by Shaowei. Recently there were spies lurking near her residence; one must still be cautious first; not to mention her lightness skill was outstanding, even if her body technique were ordinary, she was still more agile on her feet than him.

Once her mind was set, Liu Qi waited for her in the residence, handled all affairs in advance, cleared away the surrounding people, set up a banquet with tables in the courtyard, had tea, snacks, melons and fruits prepared; the melons were cut open, the fruits were whole.

Liu Qi had bathed after returning from the palace; at this moment he wore a green robe, fresh and clean; he came to the table side, his left hand held behind his back, bending over with his right hand to arrange those plates of snacks, melons and fruits even more neatly and orderly; one plate of fresh peaches was even restacked by him — four placed below, the one sitting on top the most beautiful.

When the young man's clean, slender fingers left that peach, his pitch-black eyes held a hidden smile; he only felt this peach was exceptionally plump, fresh, and spirited, very much resembling a person.

Deng Hu stared blankly, only feeling this scene — to call it receiving a guest, it was more like welcoming a god.

Perhaps it was the fragrant aroma of melons and fruits and the youth's sincerity reaching the heavens, so that spirited divine raccoon dog soon descended.

The two people sat facing each other across the table; Deng Hu and A He both withdrew a distance.

Shaowei did not look at the fruit; she looked at Liu Qi first, and said to him seriously: "I came tonight to reveal a prophecy to you, so that if there are changes, you can respond in advance."

The source of her prophecy was an unspeakable secret, but Liu Qi never doubted, only asking: "Is it related to the fifth day of the fifth month, the Duan Yang day?"

Shaowei nodded; Liu Qi understood: "So that is why you had to enter the palace to drive away the Five Poisons."

Shaowei instead froze, suddenly a bit nervous: "How did you guess it was me who facilitated it? Since you can guess, would the people in the palace not also guess?"

Liu Qi shook his head, smiling: "The reason I could guess is because you treat me with absolutely no concealment; I have always known you are here to deceive people."

Thinking of it that way was also true; he had seized the initiative, had the good fortune to stand in the same position as her, so the perspective he saw was naturally different; Shaowei set her heart at ease, and explained her "prophecy" to him in a low voice, finally adding cautiously: "I am not completely certain it will happen on that very day; you just keep it in mind."

Liu Qi nodded.

This afternoon, the Emperor's edict ordering the shrine witches to enter the palace on Duan Yang to exorcise evil and ward off harm had already been issued; Yu Si Wu could hardly conceal her excitement, pulling Hua Li to the divine hall to offer incense and kowtow in thanks to the ghosts and spirits for their protection.

Shaowei was forced to thank the gods, only feeling that bowing was also bowing in vain; would ghosts and spirits dare claim incense offerings fraudulently?

There were fundamentally no ghosts or spirits protecting; it was her secretly scattering medicine powder that attracts snakes and insects when she entered the palace.

This medicine powder Shaowei had tested on black snakes and spiders; they were extremely excited and liked it. When Shaowei scattered it in the palace, it was in many places in small amounts, insufficient to attract human attention, and would not cause the abnormality of snakes and insects gathering densely, but it was already enough to attract them to break through the cinnabar talisman papers of the blazing yang.

The fifth day of the fifth month originally has the custom of witches removing poison and preventing epidemics; Shaowei needed to grasp this opportunity.

Shaowei also told her subsequent plans; Liu Qi gave her some proposals; Shaowei considered them seriously, and the two discussed.

After finishing discussing Shaowei's proper business, Liu Qi then asked in a roundabout way: "... Speaking of which, why use this matter to help the Empress and Crown Prince return to the palace?"

She is currently engaging in hollow diplomacy with Rui Hou — this matter, she had already told him frankly.

Shaowei reached out to pick up the tea, saying: "Your Imperial Uncle has mostly calmed down by now; I am merely conveniently building him a step down; anyway it costs no effort."

Liu Qi instead asked: "What do you now think of Rui Hou and Liu Cheng as people?"

Shaowei looked up, feeling it a bit strange; this really did not seem like something he would ask.

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