Chapter Sixty-Six
This is the capital city. In the capital city, the demon Bai Yutuan severely injured Young Master Shi in front of the Celestial Masters, and then fought back and escaped from the Celestial Masters. Such a terrible and strange event has not happened in the city for a long time.
Baozhu could already imagine that not only Pei Xuanji, but all the Heavenly Masters patrolling the city had probably already heard the news. They would form small teams of three to five people and search the capital city inch by inch until they found the evil monster.
Then, what awaits the Baiyu Group is surely the most terrible outcome.
Baozhu needs to find the white jade ball before everyone else, so she needs a helper.
In the small courtyard in front of the Yuan residence, Suanpan had been working day and night for ten days straight, and finally had a day off. He was leisurely lying on a rocking chair, enjoying tea, basking in the sun, and daydreaming in the courtyard.
Suddenly everything went dark, and a fox demon descended from the sky without knocking, landing beside him.
The abacus froze in place for a moment, then slowly turned its head.
He looked Baozhu up and down, who had a serious expression, and said suspiciously, "I've been working hard for a long time. I'm finally getting a day off today, so don't come looking for me if you need anything."
Baozhu pretended not to hear and said in a deep voice, "Bai Yutuan seriously injured Young Master Shi in front of the Celestial Master, and now all the Celestial Masters in the capital are looking for her."
"What!"
After Baozhu finished speaking, Suanpan was shocked and jumped up from the rocking chair: "This child is foolish!"
"The only way to protect her now is to find her before the Celestial Masters do. I can't do it, so it's all up to you, Suanpan." Baozhu patted Suanpan's shoulder and sighed.
Upon hearing this, Suanpan silently placed the teacup in his hand on the small table, and then with a somersault, he climbed onto the wall.
He straddled the wall, turned his head and anxiously said to Baozhu, who hadn't reacted yet, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up!"
"Coming, coming!" Baozhu quickly caught up with them.
Suanpan had spent a long time in the capital, so he was familiar with both the white jade treasury and the local area.
They first arrived near the small courtyard where Bai Yutuan and Shi Gongzi lived in the city after their marriage. Just as Baozhu had expected, the place was surrounded by layers of people, including the Celestial Master of Yiren Temple and the Captain of Bingma Division.
Although Baozhu and the abacus couldn't get close, the abacus, being outside, smelled a faint scent of blood belonging to Baiyutuan.
"The child is injured." Suanpan's face crumpled as he sighed.
"Is it serious? Which way did she go?" Baozhu asked gravely.
"The smell of blood is not strong, so the injury should not be serious."
After saying this, Suanpan simply lay down on the ground and started sniffing. After a while, he stood up and said to Baozhu, "This way."
Just as they were about to set off, Baozhu suddenly noticed a Taoist master holding a compass walking outside the small courtyard behind them, waiting for the compass to provide guidance.
Baozhu gasped, turning to Suanpan and saying, "They have dogs too, Suanpan, hurry up!"
Suanpan wiped the sweat from his brow and gritted his teeth, saying, "I'll do my best."
Having lived for over a hundred years, Suanpan used all his demonic power without holding back, scaling walls, climbing trees, and crawling through dog holes in the capital with the pearl. The two demons almost circled the capital before finally spotting the white rabbit spirit at the corner of a restaurant.
The white jade ball had transformed into its original form, a snow-white rabbit with some mottled bloodstains on its body, huddled in a corner, trembling.
Baozhu saw this and felt very bad. She exchanged a glance with Suanpan and gestured for Suanpan, who was more familiar with Bai Yutuan, to go and call her.
Suanpan took a breath, afraid of startling Bai Yutuan, and carefully took a step forward, saying softly, "Bai Yutuan, I am Suanpan. When you were little, I took you to buy candied hawthorns."
Upon hearing this, Bai Yutuan shakily raised her head, tears welling up in her eyes before she could speak. She sighed, "Suanpan, you actually found me. I'm so sorry to my mother. Please tell her that I know I was wrong."
Her words made Suanpan inexplicably burst into tears. He wiped his face haphazardly and coaxed, "Good boy, let's go first. This matter may not be so bad."
The little white rabbit looked up at the abacus, its red eyes brimming with tears, and asked in confusion, "What else can I do? I think I killed Young Master Shi. I'm afraid even Mother can't protect me."
“Why couldn’t your mother protect you? If she couldn’t, I’ll protect you too,” Baozhu said coldly.
Their time was running out. Baozhu felt that the Celestial Masters were right behind her. She couldn't explain it to Baiyutuan in a short time, so she opened the abacus, picked up Baiyutuan from the ground, gave the abacus a wink, and the three monsters hurriedly left.
Bai Yutuan nestled blankly in Baozhu's arms and whispered, "But I hurt someone."
Baozhu hurried towards the city gate with a blank expression. Upon hearing Bai Yutuan's words, she asked, "What exactly happened?"
Bai Yutuan trembled and began to recount what had happened.
It turns out that the relationship between Bai Yutuan and Shi Gongzi had been gradually deteriorating since the day they got married.
Young Master Shi was a famous young master in the capital. He was a regular at brothels and theaters, and he loved excitement and drinking and having fun with his friends.
After marrying Bai Yutuan and living in the millet garden for a few days, Young Master Shi was not used to it. He felt that although Granny Rat never interfered with the young couple's life, she was still a monster and might be watching them all the time.
Moreover, the location of the millet garden was too remote, and it was very difficult to go to the city. It seemed that he had really broken away from his previous life, and apart from looking at Bai Yutuan every day, he had no other entertainment.
All of this greatly annoyed Young Master Shi.
Seeing that Young Master Shi was sullen, Bai Yutuan was also unhappy. She suggested to Granny Shu that she and her husband move out together and live independently as a young couple.
When Granny Mouse heard this, she was naturally very unhappy, but since her daughter was already married and it was indeed time for her to leave the nest, she had no choice but to reluctantly nod and let them move out of the millet garden.
Bai Yutuan and Shi Gongzi found a small courtyard in the city and rented it.
When Young Master Shi finally returned to his familiar life, more conflicts arose between them.
First, there were the daily chores. Bai Yutuan couldn't do them, and neither could Young Master Shi. The first few days were fine, but as the house became increasingly chaotic, Young Master Shi frowned and sighed constantly, and he was no longer as gentle with Bai Yutuan as before.
He boasted that he would invite several maids back to take care of the household affairs, but Young Master Shi had cut off contact with his family, so where would he get the money?
So Young Master Shi told Bai Yutuan that he had several very close friends who could support him, but his friends had not seen him for a long time, and he wanted to rebuild his relationship with them.
Bai Yutuan had no reason to stop him.
However, after this renovation, Young Master Shi went back to the brothel and encountered the snake demon Meimei.
Mei Mei was a courtesan in a brothel. She had seen Young Master Shi several times these days, but she wanted to pretend she hadn't seen him. It was someone else's family matter. She had mentioned it to Bai Yutuan once before, but Bai Yutuan didn't believe her, so Mei Mei didn't want to meddle anymore.
Unexpectedly, Young Master Shi was so audacious that he actually set his sights on Mei Mei.
Mei Mei was furious. This was the husband of the child she had watched grow up, and he turned out to be such a scoundrel. In a fit of anger, she bypassed Bai Yutuan and told Granny Rat about it.
And so, on that day, Granny Rat went to the city to mediate the relationship between her daughter and son-in-law.
Baozhu suddenly realized and said to Suanpan, "So it wasn't because Baiyutuan confessed that mortals and demons can't have children that day, but because Granny Rat was covering up for Young Master Shi."
Upon hearing this, Bai Yutuan blushed with shame and murmured, "I have failed my mother's good intentions."
Suanpan sighed and asked Bai Yutuan, "Since Meimei has already exposed everything and even your mother-in-law has left, why didn't you come back with your mother back then?"
"I..." Bai Yutuan's voice was barely audible, "because he swore to the heavens that it would never happen again..."
Granny Mouse sighed and shook her head, saying, "It's alright. Bai Yutuan is still young and stubborn. She will never turn back unless she experiences it firsthand and hits a wall."
She gave Young Master Shi a meaningful look, then said to Bai Yutuan, "Remember, your mother will always be your mother."
In her daze, Bai Yutuan only felt that she had hurt Granny Rat. After her mother left, she felt sad and, like Young Master Shi, she did not give him a kind look.
After humbly submitting to the emperor for several days, Young Master Shi finally grew impatient and left home.
This time, Bai Yutuan was more cautious. She no longer trusted Young Master Shi and let him wander around outside. Instead, she secretly followed behind him, wanting to know where he was going.
She followed Young Master Shi to the door of a house. She remembered that the family seemed to be surnamed Zhu.
After waiting at the door for a while, Young Master Shi found a quiet little teahouse not far away and sat down. Soon after, a maid came out of the Zhu residence, went to the teahouse, and chatted with Young Master Shi for a few words.
Bai Yutuan saw that Young Master Shi had taken out some silver coins, handed them to the maid, and then left the teahouse.
Bai Yutuan was filled with doubts and hurriedly followed the maid from the Zhu family. She followed her to a secluded courtyard, where she saw a woman who had just given birth and was still in her postpartum confinement period. As Bai Yutuan said this, Baozhu and Suanpan exchanged a glance, both of them seeing surprise in each other's eyes. It was none other than the woman who had brought her into contact with Young Master Shi and who had sold herself in the restaurant to bury her father.
At the time, Young Master Shi clearly identified her as a swindler, so why did he later contact her maid? Even though his purse is now completely empty, he still gave her money.
The woman has now given birth to a child, but whose child is it?
Bai Yutuan's mind went blank. He immediately found Young Master Shi and told him everything, asking him whose child the woman had.
Young Master Shi hesitated at first, then fell silent.
It wasn't until the Taoist priest he had secretly invited finally arrived that he told Bai Yutuan the truth with a grin. He had indeed had a relationship with that woman, but he had grown tired of it. The woman then turned to a young master surnamed Zhu and became his mistress, giving birth to a full-term baby boy prematurely.
She herself was confused about whether the child in her belly would be surnamed Shi or Zhu.
After saying this, the Celestial Master arrived. Bai Yutuan's mind went blank, and in the struggle, he lost control and seriously injured Young Master Shi.
After Bai Yutuan finished telling this sad story, Suanpan suddenly revealed a strange smile on his face. It was unclear whether he had instantly come up with a dozen or so ways to fight within the household for Yuan Xiaonan, in order to lend her a hand.
Baozhu caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of her eye and cleared her throat in a warning tone.
The abacus was finally put away with difficulty.
They had arrived at the city gate, and sure enough, there were many more guards at the gate, as well as Taoist priests in uniforms, who were cautiously observing the crowd.
Upon seeing this, Bai Yutuan was so frightened that she couldn't utter a word and buried her entire head in Baozhu's arms.
Suanpan also looked at the city gate with concern. After a while, he hesitated and turned to Baozhu, saying, "Baozhu, do you have any celestial masters as friends? If you ask them, will they help you?"
Upon hearing this, Baozhu felt somewhat lost. If she pleaded with Pei Qi, would he let Bai Yutuan go? If she explained the whole story clearly, she felt that Pei Qi would understand that Bai Yutuan was not an evil monster.
However, Bai Yutuan had seriously injured Young Master Shi in front of the Celestial Masters, and Young Master Shi's fate was currently unknown.
According to the rules of mortals and the rules of the Temple of Strange People, Bai Yutuan should be punished.
Baozhu's good friend, Pei Qi, is a celestial master, and celestial masters have rules to follow.
Baozhu wanted to spare Baiyu Tuan from any punishment, but she felt that she shouldn't disturb Pei Qi's Dao heart and use their friendship to make her break the rules. At this moment, they each had different positions.
Baozhu slowly shook her head and said in a deep voice, "I don't want to go to them."
"That would probably be more convenient," Suanpan said hesitantly.
"But that's not good."
Clearly, Suanpan didn't understand what Baozhu was saying, and Baozhu didn't say anything more to Suanpan. Her expression was solemn, and after thinking for a long time, she used her magic to transform the white jade ball into a baby girl in front of Suanpan.
The abacus immediately widened its eyes.
Baozhu held the little girl in the white jade ball and looked at it from all angles, frowning as she said, "Why does it look like there's demonic energy emanating from it? Won't this fool the Heavenly Master at the city gate?"
Suanpan looked at her in surprise and said, "You have such abilities? There's no demonic aura emanating from you. You're just an ordinary little girl."
Baozhu was also taken aback and asked in surprise, "You really can't see it? Look carefully, use your demonic power!"
"I really can't tell!" Suanpan almost put his head close to Baiyutuan's face and sniffed hard. "Baozhu, you're really amazing now. There's not a single flaw!"
Baozhu looked at the abacus with suspicion until she was sure that the abacus was serious and not just trying to fool her, before she felt relieved.
Holding the white jade ball, she said to the abacus, "Let's pretend to be three generations of a family. You play my father, and she plays my daughter."
Suanpan was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately replied loudly, "Oh, my good daughter!"
Not to mention how many punches and kicks Suanpan received from Baozhu for calling her "good daughter," the three monsters actually did not disturb the Celestial Master when they passed through the city gate.
The master even held the compass and looked at the three of them for a long time, but the compass didn't move at all.
Baozhu left the city amidst a storm of emotions.
Standing outside the city gate, she looked back and seemed to vaguely see Zhang He and several Celestial Masters, hurriedly changing shifts with the Celestial Masters at the city gate.
"Are we too powerful? Or is that Celestial Master's cultivation insufficient? He left the city so easily," Baozhu said to Suanpan.
"We're so powerful, even that Celestial Master's cultivation isn't enough," Suanpan replied cheerfully.
Baozhu became somewhat confused. In the past, when she was still a fox spirit in the mountains, she was terrified of the Celestial Masters. Back then, it seemed that any Celestial Master could take away her freedom and her life.
Now, she used her magic to transform a demon into a mortal, and swaggered out of the city gate in front of the Celestial Master, who remained completely unaware.
As Baozhu walked towards the millet garden, she watched the withered yellow leaves of the trees on both sides of the road fluttering in the autumn wind.
She suddenly felt a lightness in her body.
The heavy burdens that once weighed on her head have vanished like fallen leaves in the wind.
Baozhu and Suanpan traveled for a while longer before finally arriving at the millet garden.
The big rat guarding the gate was dozing off when it saw Baozhu carrying Baiyutuan, who was covered in blood. It was so frightened that it forgot to report the danger and dragged Baozhu and the others into the house, shouting as it ran, "Grandma, something bad has happened! Baiyutuan has come back injured!"
Grandma Mouse was taking a nap when she suddenly jumped out of bed, her hair disheveled, and exclaimed in surprise, "What happened to my daughter?"
"Mother!" Bai Yutuan could no longer hold back. She jumped down from Baozhu's arms and threw herself into Granny Rat's arms, wailing as she recounted how she had seriously injured Young Master Shi.
Grandma Mouse hugged her daughter tightly, her expression changed upon hearing this, and she slowly said, "Don't be afraid, Mother is here."
A hint of malice flashed in her eyes as she turned to Baozhu and said, "Thank you and Suanpan this time."
Baozhu hesitated for a moment before asking, "Grandma, where are you going to send the white jade ball?"
She definitely can't stay in the capital. Although Granny Rat has many connections with the capital, the Shi family is not to be trifled with. If she wants to protect her daughter, she'd better send Bai Yutuan away.
Sure enough, Granny Rat paused slightly and said softly, "Send her to Jinlin. Jinlin is the local tyrant there, and he can always protect the White Jade Clan for me."
Baozhu breathed a sigh of relief, then said, "But King Jinlin's ship only comes once every ten days, and the next one won't come for several days."
"Yes, these past few days..." Granny Mouse said, falling into deep thought.
Baozhu thought for a while and suggested, "I have a place that no one can find. Let Baiyu Tuan go there to avoid trouble for the next few days, and then send her away as soon as the ship arrives."
The eyes of the other three monsters present all turned to her.
Grandma Mouse stared at Baozhu for a while, then suddenly froze. She looked at Baozhu with surprise and uncertainty and said, "Your clothes... what's going on?"
Suanpan suddenly realized and said, "You want to deliver the white jade ball to the place I searched for you for ten days last time!"
Bai Yu Tuan nestled in Granny Mouse's arms, looking around listlessly at this and then at that.
Baozhu smiled and said, "That's right, I'll send her to Tiger Roar Mountain first."
"Tiger Roaring Mountain, what a familiar name." Granny Rat sighed, looking at Baozhu with deep emotion, "Lord Mountain Lord, she's still alive."
“She’s going to die.” Baozhu’s eyes dimmed.
For a moment, they fell silent.
The abacus and the white jade ball, unaware of the situation, sensed the emotions within and quieted down.
After a moment, Granny Mouse came to her senses and said to Baozhu, "You may take her there."
After saying that, she turned to Bai Yutuan and said, "I won't see you off on the ship. There will definitely be many people watching me. When you get to Jin Lin, you must listen to him and never be willful or naughty again."
This separation may mean they won't see each other again for a very, very long time.
Grandma Mouse looked at her daughter, her eyes filled with a multitude of emotions, but she couldn't utter a single word.
The white jade ball, as white as snow, was originally a monster with congenital deficiencies. After being discovered by its fellow creatures, it was sent to Granny Rat.
Grandma Mouse raised her from a tiny girl to a graceful young lady, and only she knows how much effort and love she put into it.
Of course, Bai Yutuan also knew some of it.
She hugged her adoptive mother and wept bitterly.
Things that were once so commonplace that they didn't seem particularly special suddenly welled up in Bai Yutuan's heart when it was time to part.
Bai Yutuan has the best mother. No matter what, her mother always fulfills all her wishes and covers for all her actions.
Grandma Mouse stroked her daughter's back, holding back her tears.
When her daughter left the nest before, Granny Mouse cried many times in front of everyone. But now that her daughter was in front of her, she became strong, like an invincible warrior, silently supporting herself.
Bai Yutuan cried for a while, then stopped crying at Granny Mouse's request.
She left home empty-handed, without any luggage, under the watchful eyes of Granny Mouse.
Just like when she came empty-handed.
Baozhu bid farewell to Granny Rat and Abacus, and then headed to Tiger Roar Mountain alone with Baiyu Tuan.
Throughout the journey, Bai Yutuan neither cried nor spoke.
She curled up quietly in Baozhu's arms.
Upon arriving at the destination, Baozhu opened the passage leading to Lord Shanjun's cave, and the white jade ball slid down through the crevice.
To everyone's surprise, Lord Mountain Lord was awake at this moment, and was hanging the little demon upside down in the cave, saying that he was going to train his physical skills.
The little demon, his head throbbing and face flushed, was overjoyed to see Baozhu return with a new friend. He exclaimed, "Baozhu, how come you're back so soon!"
The mountain lord also looked at her and Bai Yutuan with great interest, raising an eyebrow and asking, "What's wrong?"
Baozhu first apologized for her uninvited visit, and then explained to Shanjun the reason for her visit.
After listening, the mountain king shook his head at the white jade ball and sighed, "Little thing, you really don't seem like Miss Rat's daughter. Do you know what happened to your mother back then..."
Before Shan Jun could finish speaking, Bao Zhu interrupted him, saying in a flustered manner, "Shan Jun, please don't say such things in front of the child!"
Bai Yutuan, who had been timidly standing beside Baozhu like a quail, suddenly mustered up courage upon hearing the words "Miss Mouse" and looked at Shan Jun with awe.
Shan Jun teased her, "She told me not to tell her, but it's okay, I'll tell you after she leaves."
That's true, Baozhu will be leaving soon.
Hearing this, the little half-demon hanging upside down seemed to find it very amusing and giggled.
Baozhu had no choice but to say to Baiyutuan, "When it's time to board the ship, I won't come to pick you up. Go to the dock by yourself, and Xiaoman will meet you there. Is that alright?"
Bai Yutuan obediently nodded and said, "Okay."
At this moment, the mountain spirit spoke again. She pointed to the little half-demon hanging upside down and chuckled, "Let him take you there. This little thing is cooped up in the cave all day long, I think he's going to get moldy. He's also very good at hiding, so he can help you."
The little demon who was pointed at first instinctively wanted to refuse, but then she caught a glimpse of Bai Yutuan's face and saw that she looked expectant. She was obviously scared and wanted a companion to stay with her, so she softened.
"Okay, can I go with you then?" the little demon said shyly to Bai Yutuan.
Bai Yutuan immediately replied, "Okay, thank you."
After saying that, she turned to Baozhu and Shanjun and said, "Thank you both, sirs."
Shan Jun chuckled, not caring much, but Bao Zhu blushed when Bai Yu Tuan called her "Master," and waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "Of course, I'll be going now. Take care on your journey."
Baozhu finally finished dealing with the matter of the white jade group, and Li Zhi on the other side finally raised his head from the mountain of paper.
He rubbed his wrists, and seeing Protector Pei nod in satisfaction, he was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Holding the petition written by Li Zhi, Protector Pei's thoughts wandered elsewhere. He said to Li Zhi with concern, "I don't know if the Imperial Preceptor will be able to attend this year's Anmin Festival. There's not much time left. Last time I went to Baota Mountain to visit the Imperial Preceptor, I saw that preparations for the parade had already begun at the foot of the mountain. If he is not present when it officially begins, I'm afraid the people will have some doubts."
This year is the year for the Anmin Festival, a fact Li Zhi already knew. He didn't know whether the Imperial Preceptor would attend; he was more concerned about another point that Protector Pei had just mentioned.
"I had only heard that the late emperor built a temple for the Grand Preceptor next to the Imperial Temple so that he could focus on his practice. So the Grand Preceptor also has a residence on Pagoda Mountain?" Li Zhi asked naturally.
Protector Pei didn't take it seriously and explained to him, "The Imperial Preceptor stopped residing at that temple many years ago. He now lives more often on Pagoda Mountain, where he has a private residence in a secluded spot. Not many people know about this."
But she also told Li Zhi without any hesitation.
It's Pagoda Hill again.
In her previous life, Baozhu died at Baota Mountain.
Li Zhi felt extremely uncomfortable, as if he were sitting on pins and needles. He was almost certain that in his previous life, his poor precious pearl had probably plunged into Rong Qi's magic array and lost its life.
Given her constitution and her appearance before Rong Qi, why should he let her go?
For a moment, each lost in their own thoughts, the room fell silent.
After a while, Protector Pei finally came to her senses. She looked at the sky outside and exclaimed in surprise, "It's already getting late. You should pack up and go back now."
As Protector Pei was speaking, a young man's voice suddenly came from outside the house, calling out to her, "Protector Pei, are you still here? I am Yun Rufeng."
The sound reached Li Zhi's ears, causing him to pause in his work of tidying up the books.
Protector Pei, standing to the side, curled his lip and whispered to him, "Yun Rufeng is the youngest protector of our Yiren Temple. It is said that he has a very close relationship with the Imperial Preceptor, which is why he became a protector at such a young age."
Protector Pei had mentioned this name in Tiger Roar Mountain that day, and Li Zhi still remembered it. What puzzled him was not the name, but the voice—it sounded somewhat familiar.
Seeing that Protector Pei did not answer, Yun Rufeng moved closer, stuck his head into the room, and knocked on the door. He smiled and said, "Isn't Protector Pei here?"
His eyes were full of inquiry as he slowly surveyed the room.
Just as Yun Rufeng's gaze was about to sweep over Li Zhi at this critical moment.
Li Zhi suddenly turned to the side, his back to Yun Rufeng, and began organizing the files.
At this moment, Pei Jiangping also stood up indifferently and walked towards Yun Rufeng.
She clearly didn't want this person to enter the house, so she led him to the courtyard outside.
This happened in a very short moment.
Li Zhi felt a chill run down his spine; he finally remembered where he had heard that voice before.
Before Ying Ji's demise, the strange Madam Ge reverted to her original voice as she left Gejiabao.
The owner of the voice was none other than Yun Rufeng, who was now standing very close to Li Zhi.
Upon realizing this, many thoughts flashed through Li Zhi's mind in a flash.
Yun Rufeng used his original voice in front of so many Celestial Masters. Was it because he acted unconventionally and recklessly, or because he was confident that anyone who accused him would not succeed?
Furthermore, he had met Li Zhi.
Li Zhi cautiously glanced at Yun Rufeng, who was talking with Protector Pei in the courtyard. Protector Yun was indeed young, looking about the same age as Li Zhi at this moment.
He thought for a moment, picked up a stack of files that could cover his face, and walked out of Protector Pei's office. From a distance, he mumbled to her, "Protector Pei, I'm leaving now."
Protector Pei responded and then turned back to talk intently to Yun Rufeng.
Yun Rufeng suddenly stopped. He stared at Li Zhi's departing figure, tilted his head, and said, "Have I seen this person somewhere before?"
Upon hearing this, Protector Pei's face fell, and he glared at him, saying, "This is a promising talent I've taken a liking to, a newcomer who just joined this year. What do you want to do with him?"
If you're a newbie who just started this year, then you've probably made a mistake.
Yun Rufeng smiled indifferently at Protector Pei and said, "It's nothing, Protector Pei. You've been too impolite to me."
They talked about some other things later, but it had nothing to do with Li Zhi, who had already left.
After Li Zhi left the yamen and returned home, he opened the door and saw that the table in the main room was already full of food. Baozhu was sitting in a chair, looking bored and lost in thought.
Hearing the noise, she immediately turned to Li Zhi, smiled at him, and said reproachfully, "If you don't come back soon, the food will get cold!"
This heartwarming scene finally brought Li Zhi's heart back to its place.
His shoulders relaxed, and he laughed, "It's my fault, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
After saying this, Li Zhi put the dossier in his hand into the study, returned to the table and sat down, and had a rare, serious meal with Baozhu.
After finishing his meal, Li Zhi first cleared the table of dishes and chopsticks, then turned back to sit opposite Baozhu and said, "There is something I need to tell you today."
Baozhu also said, "Coincidentally, I also have something to tell you."
Since that's the case, Baozhu should definitely speak first.
Baozhu then recounted from the beginning how she went to find Pei Qi to play with, and how she got involved in the Baiyu Group case.
After saying that, Baozhu sighed, "I must tell Pei Qi the truth about this, but I don't know how to say it, and I don't know if Pei Qi will blame me after I tell him."
Regarding the matter between Baozhu and her friends, Li Zhi felt that he should not make decisions on his own. He wanted Baozhu to figure things out herself, so he just listened silently, occasionally giving Baozhu an encouraging smile.
Baozhu talked to herself for a long time, and when she finally stopped, she still couldn't make up her mind. She scratched her head and asked Li Zhi, "What is it you want to talk about?"
Li Zhi held a cup of tea, remained silent for a moment, then looked up at Baozhu and said, "The Imperial Preceptor Rong Qi is the mastermind behind the Gejiabao case, the Shennv Temple case, and the Huxiaoshan case. In your previous life, you also died because of him."
His calm words struck like a bolt from the blue, leaving Baozhu stunned for a long time.
After a long while, she clutched her chest and said in a trembling voice, "Why didn't you tell me about such an important matter as soon as you came in?"
Li Zhi blinked and said, "In that case, I'm afraid you won't have the appetite."
Baozhu clutched her chest and fell straight into Li Zhi's arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and saying, "Tell me the whole story quickly."
Li Zhi then began his conversation with Protector Pei and continued until he reached Yun Rufeng.
After listening, Baozhu leaned against Li Zhi's chest and murmured, "I feel like we've been involuntarily drawn into something terrible."
Li Zhi lowered his head and kissed her, whispering, "Sometimes, fate always throws people into a whirlpool unexpectedly."
"What should we do?" Baozhu buried her head in Li Zhi's arms, her voice sounding muffled. "Do you remember, in the last life, did Rong Qi actually participate in the Anmin Ritual?"
“I remember that he not only participated in the Anmin Festival at the end of September, but also appeared to pray for blessings during the autumn imperial examinations in August,” Li Zhi replied.
"Then why was he absent in this life? Why did he go into seclusion for so long?"
After Baozhu finished speaking, her heart suddenly pounded like a drum. She looked into Li Zhi's eyes and felt fear for the first time in a long time.
Whether Rong Qi will appear at the Anmin Festival will not be known until the end of September.
A few days later, the day arrived for Bai Yutuan to board the ship.
The little demon nervously followed the instructions of Lord Mountain Lord, carefully carrying the white jade ball and concealing its presence all the way to the dock.
Sure enough, a robust monster weighing about 200 pounds met them at the dock. He looked strong and powerful, which made the little half-demon feel at ease.
The robust monster led them around the celestial masters patrolling the dock and quietly got Bai Yutuan onto a ship that looked inconspicuous from the outside.
As Bai Yutuan was leaving, she quietly thanked the little demon and asked him, "How should I address you?"
The little demon was stunned. He lowered his head and thought for a moment. Before Bai Yutuan was about to board the ship, he finally came up with a name for himself. He whispered, "Call me Hui."
Bai Yutuan nodded and said softly, "Hui, thank you."
Hui stood there, watching the boat carrying Bai Yutuan leave the dock. He declined the invitation from the robust demon to have lunch and set off alone on his way back to Tiger Roar Mountain.
However, his feet seemed to be out of his control, and when he passed a fork in the road, he chose the road leading to Pagoda Hill.
Hui vowed in his heart that this time, he was really just going to see his mother and would absolutely not let anyone find him.
When he arrived at the foot of Pagoda Mountain, he was surprised to find that many people were practicing there because it was not far from the capital and there was a large open space at the foot of the mountain. They formed a long dragon one moment and a square formation the next.
In addition, many musicians occupied their own spaces and were practicing ensemble pieces together.
Hui watched with great interest for a while, and finally remembered that these people seemed to be preparing in advance for the Anmin Festival.
Thinking of this, Hui's heart sank instantly.
He immediately went to his mother's place.
Sure enough, his mother had another episode, but this time it wasn't because she saw him or sensed his presence.
He heard his mother screaming inside the house, and a maidservant nearby seemed to be saying anxiously, "What can we do? There's still such a long time until the Anmin Festival. Will the nun be like this forever?"
Another maid exclaimed, seemingly reaching out to grab her mother, and said rapidly, "Wasn't it the same two years ago?"
Hui answered in her heart with great worry, "Yes, it was the same for the past two years. When the noises outside came, my mother seemed very scared. As soon as she heard any noise, she would start making a fuss, which would continue all day until night when those people left."
Two years have passed since then, and Hui has grown up to be smarter and more self-controlled than before.
He carefully concealed himself so that no one in the house would notice him, and came to his mother's side.
Hui, separated by a door, watched her out-of-control mother through her tears.
Mother seemed to have aged; her hair had long since turned silver-white, and her eyes, like Hui's, were light-colored.
She still looked beautiful, but now, her face only showed terror.
The maids removed everything hard from her side, but Pei Xianhui still couldn't control her urge to hurt herself. The maids had no choice but to carefully bind her hands with soft towels and stuff corks into her ears, finally calming her down for a while.
The maidservant closest to Pei Xianhui looked at her listless eyes with concern and whispered, "Why are you so afraid of the Anmin Festival?"
Pei Xianhui didn't listen to a word the maid said.
The sounds outside brought her back to the memories that had caused her a lifetime of pain.
Pei Xianhui was unable to escape and was forced to watch this memory that drove her mad again and again.
The Anmin Ritual four years ago was the first one since Sun San ascended the throne.
Sun San took it very seriously and had several careful discussions with Pei Xianhui about how they should act on the day of the ceremony.
However, Pei Xianhui was not interested.
The Empress had been dead for less than a year at that time. For Sun San, that was long enough, but for Pei Xianhui, it felt like it was just yesterday.
No one dared to mention it in front of her, but every night when Pei Xianhui fell asleep, she seemed to hear someone whispering in her ear, "You're the one who harmed the Empress, aren't you? You're the one who did it, aren't you?"
It wasn't her.
Although the Empress and she were at odds, Pei Xianhui never intended to kill her.
But Pei Xianhui dared not even think about who had taken the Empress's life; the thought made her breathless.
That was the man she loved dearly; she never imagined he would turn into someone Pei Xianhui wouldn't recognize.
Pei Xianhui gradually drifted apart from Sun San.
Sun San was well aware of this, but despite his best efforts, he still couldn't reconcile with Pei Xianhui. Even though he had removed all the obstacles between them, Xianhui seemed to be getting further and further away from him.
So he came up with a solution.
After the Anmin sacrificial ceremony, as was customary, Sun San would stay in the imperial temple for a period of time with his wife and children to pray for the well-being of the people.
At this time, the Imperial Advisor Rong Qi would also accompany them.
Sun San trusted Rong Qi completely. Rong Qi was both his mentor and friend, a person different from General Pei. Rong Qi was also the person he had ever met who could soothe people's hearts with his words.
If Rong Qi were to counsel Xian Hui, she would likely not be so distressed, and their relationship would improve.
Sun San was so naive that he made the biggest mistake of his life.
On the day of the Anmin Festival, although Pei Xianhui was not in high spirits, she still completed her task meticulously. She and Sun San went to the Imperial Temple. Sun San had to complete the remaining rituals, while she had to wait on the side.
After Sun San finished all the ceremonies, he brought someone with him to Pei Xianhui's side; it was the Imperial Preceptor, Rong Qi.
Sun San looked at her expectantly and said to her, "The Imperial Preceptor is always very good at enlightening people. If Xianhui has any worries in her heart, she can tell the Imperial Preceptor."
Looking at Rong Qiye's beautiful face, Pei Xianhui did not believe Sun San's words.
However, Rong Qi is indeed very good at calming people's hearts.
He simply stood beside Sun San, smiling and greeting Pei Xianhui, and Pei Xianhui felt strangely calm.
Perhaps the Imperial Advisor could truly stop her from having nightmares every night; that's what Pei Xianhui thought at the time.
Thus, during their time at the Imperial Temple, Pei Xianhui and Rong Qi would sit far apart, talking in an unobstructed waterside pavilion, sometimes accompanied by numerous maids, servants, and guards. Other times, after finishing his official duties, Sun San would personally accompany Pei Xianhui to talk with the Imperial Preceptor.
At first, Pei Xianhui did get much better; she was able to take the medicine that Rong Qi prescribed for her.
Rong Qi also gave her a calming incense. After lighting it, Pei Xianhui was indeed able to fall asleep peacefully and was no longer troubled by nightmares.
However, when the nightmares stopped, Rong Qi appeared in her dreams.
At first, they spoke politely in their dreams as they would in daytime. But then, Pei Xianhui noticed that Rong Qi in her dreams was becoming more and more alluring each day.
He no longer tied his hair up properly, and his clothes were inappropriate, only covering half of his chest. On his bewitchingly beautiful face, below his temple where no one would notice, there was a small red mole that tempted Pei Xianhui to commit an unforgivable sin.
Pei Xianhui was terrified. She ended her conversation with Rong Qi, but she could still dream about him.
These shameful dreams upset her again, and Pei Xianhui broke down in a rage, demanding that Sun Sanda return to the palace immediately.
Sun San was puzzled, but he obeyed Pei Xianhui's request and returned to the palace.
Deep within the palace, Pei Xianhui was trapped under numerous restrictions, and she could no longer see Rong Qi. She finally felt safe.
However, not long after returning to the palace from the imperial temple, Pei Xianhui discovered that her body had changed, and it seemed that something was surging within her.
Even more terrifying, she discovered she was pregnant.
Pei Xianhui felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave; her teeth were chattering, and she could barely stand.
But she clung to her last glimmer of hope, after all, Pei Xianhui had never actually had any contact with Rong Qi; it was all a dream, and dreams are all fake.
The child stayed in her womb for an exceptionally long time, so long that, logically speaking, it couldn't have been conceived in the royal temple.
Sun San was very happy, and so, with her husband's company and influence, Pei Xianhui gradually became happy as well.
On a rainy day.
She suddenly went into labor when her sister came to visit.
Pei Xianhui endured the pain for a long time before finally giving birth. Her face was covered in sweat as she looked expectantly at the people around her and asked, "Is it a boy or a girl?"
Everyone fell silent.
Pei Xianhui struggled to her feet and glanced at her child. It wasn't a normal child at all; it wasn't Sun San's child, it was—
It was real in my dream.
Pei Xianhui was devastated. What had she done? How could she have betrayed her husband?
Her body also began to change drastically; her hair started to turn white, and her eyes became lighter in color.
Amid the chaos, she heard her husband speaking to her sister at the door.
Pei Xianhui...is of noble character, chaste and virtuous.
No, no, no.
Sun San was wrong.
His words were like a sharp blade, piercing Pei Xianhui's mind.
She lost consciousness at that moment.
She then spent a few days in a daze. It seemed that they had taken away the child that had driven her to the brink of collapse, which led Pei Xianhui to begin numbing herself.
Perhaps she didn't give birth to the child; she simply miscarried.
One night, she woke up in a fright and looked out the window to find a little figure staring at her without moving.
She realized that this was the child she had given birth to.
He had grown a bit, and some of the downy hair that had been obscuring his vision had fallen away, revealing his face.
Pei Xianhui noticed that he looked very much like Rong Qi, and there was also a small mole near his temple.
Pei Xianhui could no longer deceive herself; she was of noble character, chaste and virtuous, yet she had committed an unforgivable crime.
She couldn't face it, and she screamed.
Having already left the palace, Pei Xianhui, now at the foot of Pagoda Mountain, was lost in memories, tears slowly streaming down her face.
The little demon, who already had a name and was called Hui, had no idea what his mother was thinking.
There was nothing he could do but anxiously wait outside his mother's door.
As Hui grew up, he looked more like his mother, and he was very satisfied with his face, except for a red mole on his sideburn that he didn't like.
He always covered that area with his hair.
Hui looked up at Pagoda Hill, her heart heavy with worry. When would this peace-making ceremony finally begin? She hoped it would start soon, so that her mother would no longer suffer.
At that very moment, Baozhu and Li Zhi were about to go out to discuss Rong Qi's matter with Pei Xuanji and Zhang He.
Standing at her doorstep, a gust of wind blew by. Baozhu looked up in the direction of Pagoda Mountain, frowned, and asked Li Zhi, "Will Rong Qi show up that day?"
Li Zhi shook his head and, along with Baozhu, looked up in the direction of Pagoda Mountain.
The area at the foot of Pagoda Mountain was bustling with activity, but the mountain itself was utterly silent.
Yun Rufeng strolled through the mountains and came to a secluded house.
He went up to the door without much hope and knocked, calling softly, "My lord."
After waiting for a long time, there was still no movement from inside the house.
Yun Rufeng sighed and was about to turn around and go down the mountain when he suddenly heard a creaking sound.
The door opened from the inside.
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