Chapter 153

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Protagonist:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

Everywhere was a chaotic mess; the Imperial Guard searched all quarters, palace staff were busy fighting the fire, and the people from the Taiyi Shu were run off their feet.

Shaowei was settled in a side hall; her wound was quickly treated, medicated, and bandaged.

Many people came to inquire about Huali's injuries — some from the Emperor's side, some from the Crown Prince's side; the Taichang Temple Minister came in person, and Quan Wa also visited.

There was also an unfamiliar eunuch who had many fruit snacks and tea sent over. There were quite a few people in the side hall, and the items weren't said to be exclusively for Huali alone; only when this eunuch stepped forward to pay respects did he ask Huali in a low voice: "I wonder if Jiang Jun is badly hurt? Is there any need for this servant to be of service?"

Shaowei then knew whose man he was, so she secretly had him take back eight characters.

These eight characters were soon transmitted back to Liu Qi's ears, unchanged: "No need to mind me; focus wholeheartedly on filial duty."

Liu Qi went along readily, forcibly taking the medicinal soup a eunuch presented, squeezing through the ministers and royal clan members to reach the Dragon Couch, intending to personally serve the medicine.

On the other side, the thirsty and hungry Shaowei had already sat cross-legged behind the case table and drunk two bowls of tea, eating snacks while thinking.

Yu Si Wu, who had gone out to settle the other wu, returned and, seeing this fox could eat and drink, felt greatly relieved.

Immediately after, the faint sound of palace maids paying respects came from the hall door: "Greetings, Commandery Princess..."

Liu Ming walked quickly into the hall. One of Shaowei's cheeks was stuffed full with a snack; she temporarily stopped chewing and subconsciously looked behind her — no one there.

Shaowei withdrew her gaze and was about to raise her hand in salute when Liu Ming hurriedly bent down to support her elbow, then knelt before the case table, telling everyone else in the hall not to stand on ceremony and to just rest easy and recover from the shock.

She spoke to Shaowei across the table: "... I've been busy and chaotic as well, only just heard that Tai Puzhe Jiang was injured; I wonder where the injury is? Is it serious? Has the medicine helped?"

"The injury is on the shoulder and arm; it's nothing serious." Shaowei had already swallowed the pastry in her mouth, and her heart settled along with it.

Although Liu Ming's hair bun hadn't yet been tidied properly, her words and actions were orderly; presumably her younger brother hadn't met with any major mishap.

Shaowei's heart had just settled when a thread of self-bewilderment arose within it. Although she prided herself on now understanding human nature quite well, she was far from being deeply sentimental; she had simply saved Liu Ming on a whim, so why did she now specially care about Liu Ming's younger brother's life and death?

This time Shaowei acted using the thunder-fire, utilizing a predetermined event; this natural disaster was not caused by her, and the assassin chaos was not within her expectations either. Shaowei acted on her own principles and did not believe she bore any so-called responsibility for everyone's life and death.

But Liu Ming survived, and now learning that Liu Chun hadn't died either, beyond her peace of mind she slowly felt a kind of gratifying relief. Shaowei chewed this emotion together with the pastry, and soon chewed her way to a sudden realization.

The death of the Liu Ming siblings was originally a settled outcome, but because of her intervention this death sentence was rewritten — like scratching up and overturning the Heavenly Dao chessboard in Chiyang's mouth. This feeling of opposing "Heavenly Dao" and succeeding, relieving her anger while boosting her own morale, made Shaowei unconsciously more confident in what she had to do.

The more Shaowei thought, the more invigorated she felt, with quite a bit of the petty person's triumph.

But the Heavenly Dao is so vast; beneath it, which living being is not a "petty person"? To resist Heaven with a petty person's strength, if one can succeed then one should rejoice in it.

Shaowei was in a good mood; she picked up a piece of pastry and offered it to her symbol of triumph — Liu Ming — simply as a secret congratulation for "having survived."

Liu Ming's spirit had not truly settled after the panic and shock; she had no appetite to speak of, but meeting the girl's eyes that held a hint of sharing, she inexplicably felt a strong stirring, sensing that what the other party shared with her was not just this piece of pastry.

Having escaped death, the space between life and death is supreme terror; even now Liu Ming still felt one of her souls lingering outside the Ghost Gate. Facing this girl who had saved her and was incomparably mysterious, she could not help but accept the pastry with a heart of gratitude.

Several royal clan members who had just finished bandaging their wounds passed outside the hall, peered in, and saw Liu Ming — who usually trained them like stupid dogs — now kneeling with head bowed, slowly eating a piece of pastry with both hands, her bearing exceptionally gentle and obedient.

Looking at the one sitting opposite her, the younger boy Wu Shen was even more casual in posture, swallowing a pastry in two bites — at a glance, Liu Ming actually resembled a doe in the mountains devoutly worshipping a tiger.

Liu Ming finished a whole pastry and voluntarily spoke of her younger brother: "... Chuntian is fortunately unharmed, just bruised in a few places; it was Sixth Brother who saved him in time."

Shaowei listened, her thoughts scattering. In her previous life Liu Qi had not returned to the capital, so naturally he could not have participated in this night banquet; his return to the capital was a variable, and now this variable brought new variables — who knew to what extent this chaotic world would ultimately change.

"Tai Puzhe should know, the Sixth Brother I speak of is Prince Liu Qi of Wuling Commandery." Liu Ming hesitated, then said: "As far as I know, Sixth Brother's nature isn't bad, it's just that after experiencing various upheavals he can't help being suspicious... but tonight Tai Puzhe Jiang questioned Heaven at the Jiantai, received a thunder response, and he witnessed it with his own eyes, seeing such a marvel; one would think he'll have no more reason to be unconvinced from now on!"

Her being so sincere made Shaowei feel a guilty conscience, as if she had unwittingly toyed with her; she could only compose her face and nod, not saying more. Because once she opened her mouth, she felt every word would carry the suspicion of toying with her even more severely.

Liu Ming didn't stay long either; she was still worried about the injured and frightened Liu Chun.

Although Huali was injured she wasn't frightened; after Yu Si Wu inquired and observed and confirmed all was well, she went to look after and arrange the other wu.

Before long, many physicians and apprentices came to distribute shock-calming medicinal soups; the one who knelt before Shaowei was precisely the Spider Woman.

Shaowei took the medicine bowl the Spider Woman presented, drank two sips then paused to slow down, using this to speak with the Spider Woman.

The Spider Woman couldn't help but first ask after Huali's injury; learning it was only a light wound, she put away her apprehension, then said in a small voice: "Only got an extremely small amount of medicine juice; haven't been able to analyze every ingredient yet."

At that time she had a tuft of silk floss wrapped in a towel hidden in her sleeve, took advantage of the chaos to absorb the medicine juice, but that disciple was truly cautious, and what he stored wasn't much in the end.

The Spider Woman was somewhat ashamed, but seeing Huali's eyes brighten slightly, her voice quick and low: "Already very good, thank you."

Shaowei had entrusted the Spider Woman to find a chance to steal the medicine Chiyang took, but this plan was more to confuse Chiyang's vision; the focus wasn't on necessarily succeeding, but on acting carefully and not exposing the Spider Woman instead.

Also because of these scruples, Shaowei repeatedly instructed the Spider Woman to just do her best, and these past few days hadn't rashly made contact, until now when there was this natural opportunity to meet.

Since she hadn't held much hope, hearing the Spider Woman's words, Shaowei only felt an unexpected delight, and was very satisfied.

What made Shaowei even more satisfied came from the Spider Woman's mouth: "Quite a few people in the Taiyi Shu are saying, the Great Wu Shen questioned Heaven at the Jiantai, asking the source of the drought, when suddenly heavenly thunder appeared, striking down upon the Ge Yuan protected by the Immortal Master..."

In reality the thunder-fire struck a tree, the broken tree smashed onto the Wangcang Pavilion, but this version that contradicted the truth made Shaowei especially satisfied.

Repaying him with his own methods — he should also taste the fear of being threatened by gods and spirits.

The Taoists of Xian Tai Gong were settled in a palace chamber not far from Shaowei; all disciples were in utter turmoil, while Chiyang remained silently seated the whole time.

He stayed silent here, with no chance to speak, until after dawn when everyone was allowed to leave the palace; Chiyang still hadn't waited for the Emperor's summons and questioning.

Poison Month, Poison Day, one night banquet, two disasters, such extremely evil omens occurred, yet the Emperor did not summon his Immortal Master again.

Stepping out the palace gate, a round red morning sun was just rising; Chiyang raised his head, a piece of flying ash in his snow-white hair lifted by the wind, the ash drifting in the air, rising and falling several times, still falling to the ground.

Chiyang stepped over that broken flying ash, boarded the carriage and left.

Wheels rumbling, matching the horse hooves; on horseback He Pingchun led a squad of Embroidered Uniform Guards to personally clear the way for the carriages behind.

When Embroidered Uniform Guards appear, it's either for investigation or confiscation; all along the way people avoided them, no household dared open their gates wide, servants of high gates observed through door cracks, countless pairs of eyes relaying the sight until they saw that force reach the city south, stopping before a residence with a plaque bearing the two characters "Jiang Zhai."

The gatekeeper waiting for the Master's return saw the Embroidered Uniform Guards and was so frightened he immediately wanted to shut the gate, but was stopped by Yong Er.

Yong Er thought: the evil god has already arrived at the gate and reined in his horse; shutting the gate now would only add to the crime. Moreover, where was it certain this was necessarily a disaster? She was the Steward personally appointed by the Young Master; she couldn't hear a bit of noise and get scared into shutting the door, hugging her head, losing her wits and scrambling in panic.

Yong Er forced herself to steady her composure, about to open her mouth to ask the reason, when she saw those evil gods dismount, and a carriage stopped steady right in front of the gate, its curtain lifted, and a figure jumped down.

"Young Master!" Yong Er shouted joyfully, rushing forward.

Shaowei stood still, and He Pingchun clasped his hands in salute to her: "Tai Puzhe Jiang, rest well; He will not disturb you further."

The flower fox was injured, and the Emperor ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to escort it back to its residence; He Pingchun also had to leave the palace, so he personally brought men to escort it.

The injured fox returns to its nest; the fierce god retreats.

Having sent Yong Er to prepare hot water, Shaowei strode back to Ju Yuan; the household servants Mo Li, Xiao Yu, and Zhan Zhan emerged from the various rooms as if crawling out of caves, and hurriedly surrounded her.

The household servant had clearly not slept all night, dark circles under his eyes; he looked at Shaowei, who was similarly somewhat bedraggled.

She still wore the dark robes and red skirt of the sacrifice; the mask was gone, her hair bun had come undone, the loose hair below was temporarily gathered into a single side braid. The woven multicolored bird feathers on her shoulders had been soaked by water; though long since dry, they appeared dry, wrinkled, and disordered, only a few strands still full and fluffy, shimmering with life in the sunlight.

Set off like this, she looked exactly like a tiger returning from the hunt; though its fur had not yet had time to be licked and groomed sleek and presentable, the aura of victory came rushing at one's face.

She opened her mouth and announced: "Although an unforeseen event occurred, the plan was executed fairly satisfactorily."

The worried household servant had already secretly scouted the Palace City at night, but the Imperial Guard had strengthened patrols to search for assassins, so he could not learn the specifics; now seeing her return safe and sound, and hearing her declare it fairly satisfactory, he nodded in relief.

Mo Li caught the words "fairly satisfactory," automatically triggering a congratulatory matter, and immediately raised his hand to apply: "Young Master, more meat food!"

Having obtained the Young Master's approval, Mo Li ran to the front courtyard kitchen to fetch more meat.

Yong Er soon brought two buckets of hot soup; Xiao Yu arranged the bathing utensils, then brought clean clothes for the Young Master and draped them over the screen, finally looking eagerly at the Young Master: "Young Master, this time can you let Xiao Yu help you scrub your back and wash your hair?"

Shaowei beside the bath tub stood with hands on hips and shook her head, iron-faced and ruthless.

Were it not for being injured and unable to move, Shaowei had never been able to accept having her body witnessed by others; in the past at Taoxi Township during medicinal baths, she never allowed Jiang Fu to be at her side, let alone outsiders.

Precisely for this reason, in the palace she did not agree to let strange palace maids serve her changing clothes, also out of vigilance, not wanting to give anyone an opening again; thus she only washed her face and arms, barely enduring until returning home now, stripping off clothes and entering the water, giving herself a thorough wash.

Bathing complete, the rice was also cooked, a thorough good eat.

By this point exhausted beyond measure, she returned to the bedroom, a thorough deep sleep.

When she opened her eyes again, the sky was dark; Shaowei let her hair down and came out, just in time for the late meal.

Mo Li and Xiao Yu squatted in the corridor eating; Shaowei and the household servant likewise sat facing each other at tables in the courtyard; the household servant spoke of some outside news, and also of Liu Qi: "I asked at the pancake stall; this child has not yet left the palace."

Shaowei held the sweet soup, thinking secretly: this must be a thoroughly satisfying act of filial piety.

For now there is no need to mind this filial piety person; Shaowei first lowered her voice and recounted last night's events to the household servant: "... As expected, she was indeed struck by lightning, only I did not expect there would be assassins causing chaos; fortunately, before they acted, the plan had already been completed, and no excessive impact was caused."

Of course, those assassins must also have seized upon the chaos after the fire started to decide to act.

This summer lightning fire event, Shaowei determined the specific date only through repeated recollection and speculation; such a large-scale banquet with all the royal clan present — only the Five-Fifths Banquet.

She also prepared for the possibility of guessing and remembering everything wrong; if nothing happened at all, she would just treat it as an ordinary, by-the-book sacrifice, meekly deepening Chiyang's impression that she could not stir up any tricks, and that would be that.

Moreover, Shaowei only roughly knew lightning fire would injure people at the banquet, but did not know the specific strike location; as long as lightning fire appeared that night, she could direct suspicion onto Chiyang; she absolutely had to force Chiyang into the trap.

That night Shaowei discussed this matter with Liu Qi; Liu Qi gave her many supplementary suggestions; Shaowei drew inferences and thus wove the entire plan.

Just one point: Shaowei originally insisted on making it more "explicit," wanting to point directly at Chiyang as the disaster source in her words; Liu Qi knew she was frantic with anxiety, yet still advised her: this plan already bears traces of her handling; it is unwise to further expose intentions openly; the Emperor is suspicious — better to hand this suspicion to the Emperor, to avoid the Emperor instead suspecting her motives.

Knowing Liu Qi was far more experienced than herself in calculating people's hearts, Shaowei suppressed her emotions and forced herself to calm down.

Chiyang is not Zhu Zhi; she cannot use medicine or such means to make Chiyang reveal strangeness before people; with no ten-percent certainty to pin him as a demon evil incarnation on the spot, better to follow Liu Qi's proposal and first plant a seed of suspicion that cannot be ignored, then let it develop afterward; she pushing waves and aiding the surge from the dark is more secure.

Liu Qi did not merely propose with empty words and no sincerity of action; he petitioned to Shaowei, and afterward also allowed him to come and exert a share of effort.

Shaowei herself had also early on buried a backup that could push waves and aid the surge; at this moment she asked the household servant: "Have you gone out of the city these two days? How much has the river water dropped again?"

"These past days I haven't had the chance; tomorrow I'll go check again."

Shaowei nodded; she sat cross-legged holding the bowl, suddenly raised her head and asked: "Zhao Shu, does this count as a very large step forward?"

Zhao Qie'an was stunned, met her eyes, then nodded affirmatively, voice hoarse: "Of course; didn't we just eat meat to celebrate?"

And corrected her: "But it is not one step; it is a hundred steps accumulated over these days."

Since entering the capital, how anxious this child has been every single day, he has seen clearly; she wanted to run to find a person, day and night without rest.

Shaowei raised her head even higher, looking at the sky full of brilliant stars.

The household servant looked at her, seeing her unconsciously clutch the empty bowl in her hand tightly, silent determination, as if wanting to catch falling stars.

Good night everyone~