Chapter 161: Encountering a Sunny Day Chapter 140: Empress of Mount Li, Boundless Magic Power

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Protagonist:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

Above the courtyard, night stars twinkled, just like Shaowei's mood.

Inside the courtyard, Xiao Yu practiced stick fighting, Mo Li gnawed on a cake, the green ox lay down blowing in the wind to cool off, Zhan Zhan pecked at its head, but it remained unmoved, only occasionally swishing its trimmed tail.

Hot weather makes oxen restless; when night fell, the green ox leapt out of the ox shed and fought a fine horse in the stable. Mo Li tried to stop it but failed, and in the posture of a talebearer, forcibly dragged the green ox before the Young Master. But the Young Master had no mind to punish or teach, only pacing back and forth in the courtyard, as if repeatedly patrolling his territory.

Until the house slave returned, Shaowei finally stopped this aimless patrolling and quickly went to meet him.

Seeing the house slave with empty hands, Shaowei was about to speak when she first heard the house slave say: "Talk inside the house."

The house slave pulled down his face veil and went straight into the hall. Shaowei followed with long strides. The house slave sat down and poured water, saying while doing so: "No, only upon going there did I know that the Liang Wang Fu's vigilance is especially strict."

He drank a whole bowl of water in one breath before explaining the detailed situation.

Liang Guo is wealthy and prosperous. The Liang Wang has often suffered assassination attempts in recent years, and coupled with his inconvenient movement, the Emperor specially allowed him to bring twice as many guards as other Vassal Kings when entering the capital.

But merely having twice the number of people is not enough to stump the First Swordsman. Zhao Qie'an infiltrated the Liang Wang Fu and discovered that every guard was one in a hundred, vigilant to the extreme, guarding the Liang Wang Fu so tightly that not even water could leak through. Especially the Liang Wang's residence, with layers of personnel inside and out, making it impossible to approach easily, let alone force entry, much less infiltrate silently.

The Liang Wang has an illness, and after returning to his residence, he rarely leaves it. Those who often do thievery know that such a person's possessions are the hardest to steal.

Only an elite thief can see clearly the excellence of those guards; ordinary small thieves have no chance to get close enough to gauge the strength within.

This lord of Liang Guo, who has mines in his home, is rich and cherishes his life. The house slave spent a great deal of effort before barely managing to explore the layout of the Liang Wang Fu.

The only fortunate thing is that the residence of the one named Xiangzhi and several other family children is some distance from the Liang Wang's residence, and the defense there is relatively lax. But to suddenly take a living person out of the residence is still a difficult problem. Moreover, Zhao Qie'an was not sure whether Xiangzhi would trust a strange self like him. Out of caution, he did not suddenly appear, but first returned to explain the situation.

This situation could not stop Shaowei's eager heart. She decisively said: "I want to go there personally."

She at least had to go confirm whether there was a homeless blue bird perched on Xiangzhi's head that had flown out of Taoxi Township.

The house slave subconsciously said: "No."

Shaowei, who had already turned around, looked back at him.

Meeting those eager eyes, the house slave reined in his horse at the cliff's edge, stood up, and said: "You cannot go alone. I will make another trip and keep watch for you."

Shaowei's lightness skill is not inferior to the house slave's, and her art of deception is accumulating day by day, but in the matter of thievery, she is ultimately a novice. For her first infiltration of such a strictly guarded place, to be perfect, she still needs the protection and guidance of a senior expert.

Like an apprentice in a trial, Shaowei followed behind the house slave, feeling her way into the Liang Wang Fu, and only then knew that what the house slave said was no exaggeration.

Shaowei has keen perception. Feeling her way along, she felt that this residence was different from the towering, exposed, huge Imperial Palace. It had a limited physique but was profound and restrained, with abundant qi and blood, strong and powerful, like a spirited giant beast, enough to swallow all uninvited guests.

While dodging and weaving, Shaowei inexplicably thought: if such a giant beast could be stolen and given to Jiang Fu, it would surely be able to protect her from wind and rain.

But at this moment, this giant beast is raised by outsiders. Its body may perhaps imprison the gentle A Jie.

After a journey of scares but no danger, she finally infiltrated that small courtyard. The courtyard was not large, with houses where people lived on both the east and west sides. At this moment, the several opposite rooms were all lit.

Shaowei first crouched on the west roof, staring at the two rooms on the east. From the voices, she distinguished that the people in those two rooms were not living alone. At this moment, another woman dressed as a maidservant, holding a basin, pushed open one of the doors.

Shaowei had already learned from Quan Wa that the family child who followed the Liang Wang in and out was named Xiangzhi, and was extremely favored and well-treated by the Liang Wang.

Since she was well-treated, she should at least have a separate bedroom for living. Shaowei then silently leaped to behind the east roof ridge. She saw that under the window of the only lit room on the west side, a shadow of someone sitting still was cast.

Even just a silhouette possessed a slender and exquisite quality!

Shaowei hesitated no more. Having the house slave keep watch, she ran to the back of that house and raised her hand to knock on the rear small window.

The person inside was startled, came to the rear window with light steps, paused, and then tried to speak: "Who?"

This single short word was spoken weakly and tremulously, the tone indistinguishable. Through one window, Shaowei feared it might be a flower in the mirror, moon in the water, or some strange plot against her. So she restrained the impulse to push open the window and force entry, and said in a low voice: "Empress of Mount Li—"

She held her breath waiting. The person inside suddenly let out a very low sob and answered in a choked voice: "Boundless magic power..."

At that time, loud shouting was cheering.

Now, quiet replies are for reunion.

Accompanying this reply, tears welled up in Shaowei's eyes. The window lattice before her suddenly opened, and candlelight rushed out.

The Xiangzhi inside the window, or rather Qingxiang, likewise had tearful eyes, looking at the black shadow that suddenly descended outside the small window. Black hair, black clothes, pupils dark and bright, stunned and tearful, like a civet cat traveling and seeking at night—exactly the one she dreamed of day and night!

Qingxiang covered her mouth with one hand, barely restraining her sobs. Tears rolled and smashed onto the back of her hand, but she suddenly turned around and ran to extinguish the candlelight.

The light extinguished, Qingxiang turned back. In the dimness, she saw Shaowei running over. She immediately opened her arms, threw herself over, and hugged Shaowei tightly.

Shaowei stood straight, letting her hug tightly, letting her shed all her tears on Shaowei's shoulder. But Shaowei was impatient by nature, and still urged anxiously first: "A Jie, how did you become Xiangzhi and come to this place?"

This opportunity to meet was so precious that Qingxiang dared not waste it on crying. She grabbed one of Shaowei's hands, pulled her to sit on the mat spread on the ground, and said: "My story is long... Jiang Sister, how did you become a flower civet? In this capital, has anyone bullied you?"

"Never!" Shaowei said. "No one bullies me; I can handle it. A Jie, tell your story first. Quickly, I want to hear it now!"

Qingxiang hurriedly complied and began: "After Jiang Sister, you had an accident and left, I was afraid in my heart, so I wanted to send a message to Yan Family Brother, asking him to think of a way to find you together. Just then, Yan Family Brother sent a letter, asking me and Mother to leave Taoxi Township together and go to Chenliu Commandery..."

Shaowei nodded: "Going to Chenliu Commandery to settle a marriage engagement—I know all about this!"

Qingxiang's tears welled up again. The younger sister knew everything—that meant she was looking for her.

She gripped Shaowei's hand and whispered in a choked voice, omitting what Shaowei already knew: "But who knew our luck would be bad, and we encountered river bandits in the Jiangxia area... I thought I wouldn't survive, but after twists and turns, my mother and I were presented to the ruler of Liu Guo..."

"I never saw that Liu Wang. It should be one of his subordinate advisors who taught me to read and write, and I learned some other things... Afterwards, they created a new identity for me, entering the capital as a selected family child."

"My Mother does hard labor in their hands. They told me, after entering the capital, to pay attention to news from all sides and act as an informant. Others came with us as well. They originally planned to have me stay in the Imperial Palace or by the Crown Prince's side, but who knew that by a twist of fate, I entered this Liang Wang Fu..."

Through Liu Qi, Shaowei also had a rough understanding. It is common for various Vassal States and the Court to plant informants in each other. These people usually act as informants, and in sudden situations can become assassins. If they die cleanly or achieve merit, their families will be treated well; but if they expose the master behind them, their families will surely be buried with them.

Those Vassal States are not necessarily all rebelling; some are out of self-preservation, worried that with their eyes and ears blocked, a sudden crisis might arise. But whatever the purpose, planting informants in the Court is a great crime. Qingxiang A Jie's identity and situation are extremely dangerous. Shaowei was burning with anger and hurriedly asked: "A Jie, have you told this secret to anyone else?"

Qingxiang shook her head: "Never!"

Yan Chu had told her many times that if she had difficulties, she should just speak up. The Liang Wang also held her hand and said she could ask for anything she wanted. Their identities were more and more precious, and both could save her from water and fire. But how could she trust them?

Qingxiang said with tears: "In this Chang'an City, I trust no one. I only trust Jiang Sister."

Shaowei wanted to clasp A Jie's hand in return to give her some sense of security, but her fingers touched the wrapped bandage, and only then did she remember to ask about the cause of this injury.

Qingxiang only said: "It's nothing. I was accidentally scalded..."

When facing someone she truly trusted, a person instead became poor at lying. Shaowei furrowed her brow and shook off her hand: "A Jie, since I've come to see you, you can't keep hiding from me anymore. Whatever I ask, you must answer fully and honestly! Otherwise I won't come see you again!"

Back in Taoxi Township, Shaowei had been the leader of the four of them; now she was a great witch god and had even learned interrogation methods like questioning criminals, making her dignity extraordinary. Qingtou finally dared not disobey, and whispered truthfully: "It was the Steward by Prince Liang's side who had someone burn you with charcoal..."

Shaowei flew into a great rage, and a desire for revenge arose. Qingtou grabbed her arms with both hands: "Shaowei Sister, don't be impulsive, listen to me..."

"The reason Prince Liang favors me especially is because they all say I resemble his late Princess Liang. About seven or eight days ago, that Steward said that the Princess had a burn scar on her right hand when she was alive. If I have one too, I'll resemble her even more, and Prince Liang will like me even more..."

Qingtou soothed Shaowei's emotions: "It's just this one matter, everything else is fine. Prince Liang treats me very well!"

"If he truly treated you well, he wouldn't have had someone burn you!" Shaowei could not be persuaded, and said hatefully: "Clearly this goodness is fake; he only treats you as a replacement object."

"I know." Qingtou lowered her eyes: "I can sense that he has a disability, and through me, he can recall the glory of his youthful, strong days. That's why he likes me..."

Saying this, Qingtou's voice grew even smaller: "That Steward also said that Prince Liang's birthday is coming soon. By then, he will have me..."

She hesitated, unable to finish. Shaowei felt confused and uneasy: "Have you do what?"

"That is..." Qingtou was somewhat embarrassed, but because of the dignity and threat Shaowei had just displayed, she still whispered: "Have me truly become Prince Liang's person."

Shaowei was even more confused. She was already Prince Liang's person—how could she become it any further?

But the next moment, she vaguely understood, and stared wide-eyed in astonishment: "You mean become the kind of relationship where they bear children together? But how can he still father children?"

"Supposedly there are many methods; it doesn't necessarily require bearing children, bearing children is just the result..." Qingtou, equally half-understanding, lowered her head more and more.

"In any case, this isn't a good thing, and you can't agree!" Shaowei made a decisive conclusion, then hurriedly asked Qingtou's wishes: "A Jie, would you really be willing to do this?"

Matters related to bearing children were all secretive; Shaowei only cared about Qingtou's thoughts.

Qingtou: "Although unwilling, but..."

Shaowei didn't wait for her to finish, and immediately said: "If unwilling, you can't agree, and I won't agree either! He's already so old, yet covets your youth, and treats you without sincerity. How is that different from those evil monsters in strange tales who feed on human essence blood and chew on human lifespans?"

Qingtou had always feared those strange tale rumors. Hearing this now, she grew even more frightened: "If I don't agree, there won't be a good outcome. But I absolutely cannot just leave like this. Mother is still in Liu Guo, and their people in the Capital will watch me..."

"Don't worry. I'll have someone find a way to steal Aunt out as soon as possible." Shaowei said: "As for this matter of Prince Liang, I'll think of a way!"

Whoever opposed something should naturally be the one to resolve it. Shaowei felt this was especially natural.

Qingtou dared not cry anymore; her tears were held back in her heart, washing away the fear of these past days.

Jiang Sister was still as before, full of strength, making one feel safe.

Yet she was also different from before, much calmer. She did not insist on forcibly taking her away, but thoughtfully went to solve her difficulties and arranged ways to help her.

The lamp in the house was extinguished, but this was the brightest night since she entered the Capital.

"Sister, who exactly were those people back then?" Qingtou asked in a low voice. "Is Mo Li well? Is Jiang's Eldest Sister well?"

"The leader of those people has already been executed by me. Only one remains." Shaowei said: "Mo Li is well..."

Qingtou felt uneasy: "And Eldest Sister?"

"I'm looking for her." Shaowei said in a low voice: "Once I find her, and the trouble with Aunt's side is resolved, A Jie, we'll leave together to find Ji Jin, and you two can continue your engagement."

Qingtou couldn't help but say: "We still don't know how Yan Family Brother and Father are..."

"I've had someone inquire too, and found some clues." Shaowei said: "When I have clearer news, I'll tell you."

Qingtou nodded.

The two said some other things. Qingtou suddenly remembered something and opened a food box beside her in the dim light.

Shaowei had good eyesight and saw several pastries neatly arranged inside, knowing they were specially left for her. Indeed, she heard Qingtou say: "When I saw you today, I guessed you'd come. I thought you probably couldn't eat anything... I only have these here. Eat some quickly."

After speaking, she put down the food box, took the damp towel draped over the edge of the copper basin beside her, grabbed Shaowei's hand, and carefully wiped it for her.

Shaowei sat cross-legged, extending both hands straight, like a raccoon's paw retracting its sharp claws. After they were wiped clean and dry, she took the pastries to eat.

Outside, crises lurked everywhere, and dangerous trials still awaited. But at this moment, with her long-reunited A Jie watching over her, she could eat pastries in peace.

Shaowei didn't eat quickly. Qingtou saw it in her eyes and immediately knew she was lying—how could she not have been bullied, when the people here were so skilled at bullying others?

But she didn't expose her. Qingtou only raised her hand and gently stroked Shaowei's bowed head as she ate pastries.

Then she fumbled to pour a bowl of cool tea. Just as she was about to hand it to Shaowei, she heard a bird call ring out.

This call was quite ordinary, but Shaowei immediately became vigilant. She swallowed her food and said: "A Jie, someone is patrolling this way. I have to go! Don't be afraid. I'll think of a way for you! When I get a chance, I'll come see you again! If I can't get away, I'll send someone in my place. The signal is the one we just spoke of!"

Qingtou nodded quickly, stood up, and saw her to the window edge.

Shaowei's silhouette disappeared under the gaze of a pair of tear-filled eyes.

Leaving Liang Wang Fu, Shaowei ran into the night wind. Her shoulders were damp, her belly was no longer empty, and her heart felt stronger.

Midway, the house slave noticed the child behind him hadn't kept up. He climbed a large tree, stared and searched for a while, and still found Zhan Zhan first, before locating that black shadow crouched above Lianqing Guan.

The house slave looked toward Lu Hou Fu in the front direction, then squatted on the tree trunk to wait.

Approaching the Zi hour, Lianqing Guan tonight still had many lamps unextinguished. Because of the drought, many clan ladies and wealthy women had come to pray for blessings and stay briefly, making the temple unusually busy.

Shaowei didn't intend to stay long. Just as she was about to leave, she was attracted by the sight of a Nuguan walking into view, and couldn't help but look twice.

?? 4400 words, everyone good night.