Chapter 188: Clear Sky Day Chapter 165: Must Go

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Protagonists:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

He Pingchun led men into this mechanism-laden, bloodstained secret chamber; seeing the bizarre array hidden within, even he could not help but change color.

Even leaving aside the bloody, sinister degree of this array, those hanging "talisman papers" alone were shocking enough — on them were written not only indecipherable talismans, but also birth-date eight-characters he dared not examine closely.

And Liu Qi once again identified them for him, having men take down several "talisman papers" and hand them to him.

He Pingchun wrapped them in black cloth with a grave expression and put them away securely.

Only five or six hours had passed, and he had to enter the palace once more.

Before leaving, He Pingchun could not help but say: "."

From the moment he stepped into this hidden secret chamber, observing traces along the way, he knew what a perilous ordeal had taken place — the Sixth Prince was wounded, having received only simple bandaging.

And the Great Wu Shaman, moved by resonance, though she could command ghosts and spirits, was still a mortal body with no martial arts to protect her; she presumably followed in at the very rear, yet was still injured, and looked as if her energy was exhausted, like a wooden puppet or stone statue, silent and speechless, yet for some reason unwilling to leave.

Sensing He Pingchun's misgivings, Liu Qi said: "This array is yin and evil; the Tai Puzhe sits in suppression — Commandant need not worry, I will have people watch over her."

He Pingchun replied "Understood," and departed.

Liu Qi's men and the Embroidered Uniform Guards searched this secret chamber carefully, eliminating other possibilities.

As the searching and digging progressed, the array was already destroyed, yet the blue-clothed person lying in the pit remained unchanged in silence; likewise unchanged was Shaowei sitting in her original place.

She appeared absent-minded, yet could still clearly hear everything beside her ear; by now she had confirmed that this array's function lay in stealing dragon fortune — and was targeted at the current Son of Heaven.

From the very beginning, Shaowei knew the cover story that Chiyang would take Jiang Fu's corpse back to his sect for suppression; thinking back now, his true purpose in capturing Jiang Fu originally may have been precisely to accomplish this array.

Shaowei's face showed no expression — not that she wasn't angry, but she remained blocked off outside weariness and bewilderment.

Countless days and nights of searching, never a moment of slackening, yet at this moment she seemed covered by the myriad accumulated fatigues of this journey.

She needed rest, wanted to rest a while, but could not truly rest; even with eyes closed, she still unwillingly fantasized, yet every fantasy was refuted and negated, each time bringing greater weariness.

She refused to leave; no one could force her. Before Liu Qi left this dark chamber, he summoned several timid young Nuguan, screened her with a cloth curtain, treated her wounds and applied medicine on the spot, and had food and water sent.

Shaowei neither moved nor spoke; the household servant deeply understood the principle that Mo Li won't drink water if you can't force her head down, so he could only let her be, while he himself sat cross-legged and ate and drank his fill — he had to ensure his physical strength first before he could attend and accompany her.

Facing an old corpse while eating and drinking, the household servant also persuaded: "Perhaps it really isn't her."

Having spoken, he fell silent on his own.

He spoke empty words but could produce no evidence; and the child was stunned, not foolish — she could not be coaxed or comforted by deception.

After who knows how long, the household servant spoke again: "I just went out a trip; heard that the one in Xian Tai Gong who was assassinated — life and death unknown."

And in a hoarse low voice: "I said long ago, she can't suppress your ominous fate."

Shaowei heard, yet still had no reaction.

The failed household servant continued in silence.

Until Mo Li, curled beside Shaowei, woke from a nap and broke this silence — Mo Li opened her eyes, sat up, looked around, reacted for a moment, and asked: "Going to work today?"

By "work" he meant forging iron; Zhao Qie'an said in a low voice: "Not going for now, rest a bit, many people here, speak less."

Mo Li went "Oh," saw a flatbread nearby, immediately perked up and pointed at it, asking softly: "Just one sentence — can I eat it?"

The household servant nodded; Mo Li took it herself and ate in big mouthfuls.

The household servant looked at the dazed Shaowei, the flatbread-eating Mo Li, then at the figure in the pit, and actually felt this moment and place had a bit of a household air — though like a house holding a funeral.

Near midday, Yi Ming Gongzhu's corpse was wrapped and carried out, finally leaving that gold-threaded coffin.

The praying womenfolk were finally able to leave Lianqing Guan one after another; whether muddleheaded or frightened, they still found Yi Ming Gongzhu's great treason unthinkable.

Midday sunlight blazed high, yet inside Weiyang Palace everyone was silent as winter cicadas.

In a night and half a day, too many things happened: first Yi Ming Gongzhu raised dead soldiers and committed suicide out of guilt; then Tianji suffered assassination; now it was said Lianqing Guan hid an evil array that offended superiors and harmed the state…

He Pingchun bore the pressure and explained the facts, but the monarch on high this time restrained himself and did not fly into a great rage — merely closed his eyes and said: "Yi Ming truly makes Us look at her with new eyes."

Opening his eyes again, he asked: "You say it was the Tai Puzhe who led the way, and Liu Qi alone led men into that concealed evil array?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, precisely so." He Pingchun said: "The Sixth Prince's injuries are not light; he is still investigating follow-up matters. The Tai Puzhe was also injured for this — at this moment she still sits in suppression purifying that treacherous array for Your Majesty."

Guo Shi, kneeling and attending at the side, lowered his eyes, and heard the Emperor say: "Have Liu Qi return to recuperate and rest — say it is Our imperial edict. The drought-sacrifice ritual is tomorrow; the Tai Puzhe must also be well looked after and attended."

Finished speaking, the Emperor looked at the Crown Prince: "Liu Cheng, you go in Our stead and see with your own eyes just what kind of evil array it is."

Liu Cheng had always shrank from such matters, yet this time he immediately agreed; without much preparation, he went out of the palace together with He Pingchun; just as they were leaving the palace gate, they ran into several physicians hurriedly returning from Xian Tai Gong.

The physicians halted and saluted the Crown Prince; the Crown Prince did not linger, did not inquire.

The news that Tianji was gravely wounded and still unconscious was brought before the Holy Presence by the physicians.

The Emperor's brows showed a few degrees of weariness; he waved his hand and dismissed them.

The investigation of the assassins was underway, but Tianji's life and death concerned a great deal; Guo Shi said softly: "Your Majesty set your mind at ease — the Tianji Incarnation's fate is extraordinary; she will surely turn danger into safety."

"We also think so…" The Emperor's weary eyes still held a thread of sharpness: "If she cannot pass this tribulation, then she certainly is not the true Tianji."

— Rather than Our Great Qian's national fortune being about to sever.

Guo Shi bowed his head in agreement.

Inside Xian Tai Gong, Feng Xu, who had rushed over on hearing the news, knelt beside the bed; at this moment his eyes were blurred with tears, raising his sleeve to wipe them.

"Good child, you must strive to pass this ordeal… otherwise how will your uncle answer to your poor Mother?"

The physicians guarding at the side sighed inwardly — this Lu Hou heir cared not for Tianji, national fortune, or people's hearts, but for his own sister… clearly he was truly panicked and disordered.

Tianji's injuries were critical; if not for someone blocking the second arrow, if not for the many physicians waiting in Xian Tai Gong, this girl would have no life left now… but even so, the situation was still very unfavorable.

The physicians were extremely cautious; Feng Xu stayed until dark before leaving; besides the frightened Qiao Jiang who had come to apologize, he also left two newly brought Feng family maidservants to attend from the side.

Returning to the Hou Mansion, Feng Xu explained the situation to his wife with extreme worry; after changing clothes, he went to the study: "Must send word to Father and Mother quickly."

However, upon reaching the study, his letter was still unfinished when a carrier pigeon landed on the open window lattice, bringing back a bamboo tube.

The bamboo tube opened, and a narrow, short strip of cloth unfurled, showing only two characters: 【Task accomplished】

A sigh welled up in Feng Xu's chest; he burned that cloth strip.

Leaving the study, he alone ascended the highest pavilion in the residence; leaning on the railing here, he could take in the entire Lu Hou Mansion at a glance.

Magnificent and extraordinary, the lights were sparse — a fine scene, pity the plants and trees were mostly withered, as if autumn and winter had arrived early.

After the drought occurred, Madam Shentu and the Marquis of Lu strictly ordered the household to conserve water, forbidding the watering of flowers and plants, including the peonies in Feng Zhu's courtyard.

Feng Xu sighed once more.

Father and Mother couldn't even let him decide such a small matter, especially after Zhu'er returned, Mother grew increasingly lucid...

Feng Xu's gaze shifted far again, looking toward the main gate of the Marquis's mansion.

That vermilion-painted grand gate would soon have to be hung with white silk.

"Father, Mother, Zhu'er..." he sighed softly: "Rest assured, I will guard the household well."

This was what Father and Mother most often said to him.

Under the bright moon and sparse stars, Feng Xu stood quietly for a long time without leaving.

The stars and moon hid away; the fifth day of the seventh month arrived, and it was clear skies again.

Sunlight could not penetrate the dark chamber; Shaowei still sat in her original spot.

In the span of a day and a night, the array was thoroughly destroyed, the wall paintings ruined, the human-skin talisman papers collected and burned, the stone statues moved aside, and that large bronze bell above the array eye was also taken down by joint effort; only that female corpse in the pit remained in place, temporarily covered with white cloth, awaiting the next step of disposal.

Liu Cheng arrived at Lianqing Guan yesterday, inspected this dark chamber's evil array, inquired about all affairs' progress, and rested a night in the chaotic observatory; such courage and decisiveness made many Embroidered Uniform Guards look at him with new respect.

Before returning to the palace, Liu Cheng entered that dark chamber again, only to see the flower fox-cat sitting cross-legged in a daze, seemingly lost in thought or enlightened; it must be because she was truly too exhausted, had not rested for too long, and had injuries on her body — she looked devoid of her usual vigorous vitality, as if her heart-fire had been burned out, her five senses cut off, and she didn't even bother to salute him.

Liu Cheng felt worried, stepped forward and persuaded gently: "The array is destroyed, Tai Puzhe should go back... today there is still the Great Sacrifice."

The young woman hung her eyes and didn't speak; Liu Cheng looked at the people guarding her on left and right — one was her servant, the other an ordinary middle-aged guard whose attire marked him as Sixth Brother's personal guard...

At this moment, the young man's voice came from behind: "Your Highness the Crown Prince, everything should follow the Witch God's own will."

Liu Cheng turned his head, looking at that person who had not obeyed the decree to go rest.

Four eyes met; Liu Cheng said: "I am also worried about the Tai Puzhe's body."

Having spoken, he unfastened the light, draping outer robe from his body, bent down and draped it over the flower fox-cat: "Tai Puzhe, take care; I must first return to the palace to report to Imperial Uncle."

Liu Cheng left with his guards; Deng Hu looked at the outer robe draped over Jiang Jun, inexplicably finding it an eyesore — this place was somewhat cold and damp, but Sixth Prince had long since sent someone to bring a Daoist robe to drape over her, so why add another layer?

Liu Qi also looked at that outer robe; after a moment, he walked over, only kneeling down beside Shaowei, and asked the first sentence of this day and night: "Have you decided to end it here?"

Shaowei's eyeballs moved slightly, looking at him.

Found the end, saw the rot; by rights it should be the end, but a spark in her heart refused to die out, and one matter remained unfinished.

Meeting those somewhat withered eyes, Liu Qi said: "Before dawn, I returned to the Xiuyi Prison and checked — Chiyang still has a breath of residual Qi, enough to last through today's Great Sacrifice, and can die awake and in pain."

"If you don't want to see him, the Great Sacrifice can be delegated to another." Liu Qi said: "If you want to personally sacrifice him to heaven, you can set out now."

Shaowei looked at the white cloth in the pit; after a moment, she braced her hand on the ground, her figure swayed slightly, and slowly stood up.

After another moment, she went to the pit, lifted a corner of the white cloth, took the longevity-knot jade pendant from the corpse's waist, clutched it tightly in her hand, then tilted her head to look up at the household slaves and Liu Qi above.

Since finding this place, she had been silent and voiceless until now; at this moment Liu Qi spoke first: "Rest assured, I will have people guard her well; she will not be lost."

As he spoke, he leaned forward and extended a hand; she grasped it, and he pulled her up.

Shaowei left this dark chamber; Liu Qi and the household slave Mo Li followed her out.

The people of the Shen Ci were already waiting outside; Yu Si Wu led people, holding the Great Witch's garments and mask.

Seeing the flower fox-cat's face was weak, her lip color also pale, Yu Si Wu's heart tightened: "Is the Tai Puzhe alright? Can she still go today...?"

Before the words were finished, but seeing the flower fox-cat extend her hand, pick up that mask belonging to the Great Witch God, and cover her face with it.

Can go.

Must go.

Not over yet; she won't let it end — kill those who should be killed, personally finish off those who deserve death, then speak of other plans.

Body extremely weak and exhausted, disobedient thoughts all frozen stiff; Shaowei wearing the mask, raised her head to the sky — sunlight too glaring, she closed her eyes for a moment, lifted her leg and left; Yu Si Wu and the others followed respectfully.

Liu Qi watched that retreating figure depart.

"Your Highness, you must go back and rest." Deng Hu couldn't help but remind.

Since the Nanshan assassination, His Highness has carried injuries; besides daily affairs, he has frequently searched and interrogated day and night, rushed about inside and outside the city; this time capturing Hu Sheng, interrogating Hu Sheng, then tracing to Lianqing Guan, dark chamber adding injury to injury — several days and nights combined only two or three hours of rest.

Liu Qi lifted his foot and left, saying: "Wait one more day."

Today is the final day of the deadline she set.

Since in her view it isn't over yet, this day still cannot be treated as an ordinary day; he likewise must do whatever is within his power, even if this outsider at this moment also doesn't know if there are other possibilities.

The household slave brought Mo Li back to the residence.

The completely eyebrow-less Xiao Yu was waving and shouting at Zhan Zhan, urging her "Go find the Shaowei King! Go find the Shaowei King!"

The household slave, likewise struck by fatigue and only now daring to show it, replied hoarsely to the bird: "The King is on duty; you go."

Zhan Zhan's mind had long bound the King's duty with the Shen Ci location; hearing this, she immediately flew off to find the Master she hadn't seen for two days.

Mo Li burrowed into the stove house; Xiao Yu chased the household slave asking: "Uncle Zhao, did you find the Head of Household?"

Household slave: "Perhaps."

This strange answer left Xiao Yu baffled, yet she saw Uncle Zhao sit down on the platform steps just like the Young Master usually does — his whole bearing seemed even more withered than usual; clearly no rain, yet he looked like a soaked wolf, or a pool of fresh egg smashed by a slip of the hand.

Xiao Yu blinked, making conversation: "Uncle Zhao, just now someone threw a scroll of a letter over from outside the wall."

The household slave "hmmed" once; Xiao Yu added: "I saw 'Yingniang' two characters written on it."

Xiao Yu had a deep impression of Yingniang; the household slave raised his head and said: "Bring it for me to see."

?? Good night everyone, see you tomorrow.