Chapter Sixty-Seven
Hearing the door open, Yun Rufeng, who was about to descend the mountain, stopped and turned back in surprise, saying, "My lord."
At the entrance stood the sovereign, Yun Rufeng, and the current dynasty's Grand Preceptor, Rong Qi.
He was barefoot, wearing a moon-white robe, with his long hair draped over his shoulders, and his face still looked like that of a young man.
Rong Qi looked at Yun Rufeng in front of him, blinked slowly, and said softly, "Rufeng, you look much younger."
Yun Rufeng chuckled, scratched his head, and said, "Is Master joking with me?"
Rong Qi curled the corners of his lips, but did not answer.
His eyes looked strange.
Yun Rufeng was puzzled, but showed no sign on his face. He simply smiled nervously and said, "My lord has been in seclusion for several months. Many things have happened. I have been incompetent, and several ranches have..."
As he spoke, he carefully observed Rong Qi's expression.
Yun Rufeng had visited Baota Mountain several times before but had never seen Rong Qi. This time, she had no hope and was not prepared to be honest.
Upon hearing that several ranches had encountered trouble, Rong Qi's expression remained unchanged; he simply said, "I see."
Those two simple words instantly made Yun Rufeng tense. Many thoughts raced through his mind. He gritted his teeth and carefully changed the subject, saying, "The Anmin Festival is about to be held. People from all over have come to ask many times. Will you attend?"
"The Anmin Festival, huh?" Rong Qi smiled, not answering Yun Rufeng directly, but asking him, "What time is it today?"
September 21st.
"Which year?" Rong Qi's face showed a hint of confusion.
Upon hearing this, Yun Rufeng was genuinely taken aback. He observed Rong Qi with suspicion, thought for a moment, and then said seriously, word by word, "The current emperor has been on the throne for six years and has not yet changed the country's name. It is now the eighteenth year of Xingqi."
"Ah, I see," Rong Qi said with a sudden realization.
“My lord, you don’t look quite right, but when you were in seclusion…” Yun Rufeng whispered.
He observed Rong Qi and felt that the more he looked at him, the stranger he became. Upon closer examination, a chill ran down his spine.
Upon hearing this, Rong Qi burst into laughter. He shook his head and said, "I'm fine. It's just that the magic array malfunctioned, and the result deviated slightly from what I wanted."
The more he talked, the happier he became, as if he were in a very good mood.
Ke Rongqi's power fluctuated, and even Yun Rufeng noticed something was wrong. Not only did his magic array fail, but it also caused him to suffer hidden injuries.
Yun Rufeng was filled with doubts, but dared not ask any further questions. After hesitating for a long time, just as he was about to speak, Rong Qi suddenly said, "By the way, when is this year's Anmin Festival?"
"September 29th, eight days later."
Rong Qi hummed in agreement and smiled, "Please tell them that I will attend the Anmin Festival as usual."
Yun Rufeng immediately cupped his hands in agreement. He waited for a moment, but did not hear Rong Qi give any further instructions. After hesitating for a while, he still reminded him, "Then, what about the Emperor?"
Rong Qi was taken aback, then clapped his hands and exclaimed, "That's right! The Emperor and I have a very close personal relationship, so I'll write the letter to him myself."
Yun Rufeng dared not say anything more, forced a smile, and then bid farewell to Rong Qi.
On the way down the mountain, Yun Rufeng walked slowly, recalling every detail of her meeting with Rong Qi.
The more I thought about it, the more confused I became.
It is also unknown what happened during the period when Rongqi was shut down.
Baozhu and Li Zhi, who were walking on the road, also had doubts.
They arranged to meet Zhang He and Pei Xuanji at Zhang He's official residence, and since they lived not far away, they walked there.
Baozhu had been feeling uneasy these past few days. Every time she thought of Rong Qi, she felt terrified, as if they had overlooked something about her.
Walking hand in hand with Li Zhi on the street, surrounded by pedestrians who were either hurrying by or strolling together, Baozhu felt a sense of both liveliness and security, which made her feel a little better.
She was about to say something to Li Zhi when Li Zhi spoke first, saying, "Baozhu, I've been thinking about Rong Qi's seclusion these past few days, and I still feel that something is not right."
A certain guess has been constantly appearing in Li Zhi's mind lately. He has tried to suppress it several times, but it always comes back to him unconsciously.
That guess was too bizarre, and too terrifying.
But now that it was time to discuss it with his companions, this thought suddenly took hold of Li Zhi's mind again, making it impossible for him to ignore it.
Baozhu looked at him and said softly, "I also find it a little strange."
“In this new life, it seems that many things we encounter are different from before. For example, the severe drought in Jiangbei Prefecture is something that didn’t happen in the previous life.” Li Zhi’s voice blended with the noise of the street, adding a strange feeling. “And ultimately, it’s because Rong Qi went into seclusion for several months without reason and didn’t take care of his ranch in time.”
“Why did Rong Qi do this? Was it intentional, or did he encounter an accident…” Baozhu followed Li Zhi’s train of thought.
"Actually, there's another point, which seems to be related to this as well." Li Zhi's speech slowed down, his lips pressed tightly together. "Baozhu, do you remember when you were reborn?"
“Me?” Baozhu’s voice began to tremble. “When I was reborn, you were still in the village, around the beginning of July.”
“Yes, we both started over from that time,” Li Zhi said slowly.
Amidst the clamor of the crowd, Baozhu felt a chill run through her. She murmured, "Is our rebirth related to Rong Qi?"
Li Zhi grasped Baozhu's hand, applying slight pressure to offer her some comfort: "I think it might be because your soul is incomplete, which caused Rong Qi's original intention to change its effect."
“Rong Qi was forced into seclusion because he suffered a backlash,” Baozhu continued to reason. “Perhaps, it’s not just the two of us who have been reborn.”
Li Zhi continued, "If Rong Qi regains his senses, perhaps he will try to find the reason for his failure, starting with the changes around him."
“Then you…” Baozhu realized what was happening and turned to look at Li Zhi.
In his previous life, Li Zhi rose to the rank of Grand Scholar, but in this life, he is still an unknown new Celestial Master in the Temple of Strange People. If Rong Qi knew about the relationship between Baozhu and Li Zhi, he would only need to investigate slightly to discover the changes in Li Zhi.
Rong Qi will find Li Zhi immediately.
Li Zhi gently stroked Baozhu's hand reassuringly. His expression remained unchanged as he calmly said, "Your appearance at Pagoda Mountain was just an accident. He may not know about our relationship. Now that we know the truth before him and have seized the initiative, we already have a huge advantage."
Baozhu frowned, her tone turning cold: "In that case, as long as Rongqi lives, you are likely to be harmed."
Zhang He's official residence was already in front of them. Baozhu stood still and grasped Li Zhi's hand in return.
She looked at him and said, word by word, "Rong Qi must die."
Li Zhi patted the back of her hand and nodded, saying, "Yes."
In Zhang He's official residence, Pei Xuanji was already waiting inside, drinking tea with Zhang He and chatting about recent events in the capital. When she saw Baozhu and Li Zhi come in together, their faces looking rather unwell, she asked in surprise, "What's wrong? Did you two have a fight?"
Zhang Heqi asked, "That's strange. Is Old Li planning a rebellion?"
Li Zhi asked in surprise, "Brother Zhang, do you really think I'm such a capable person?"
After exchanging a few jokes, Zhang He served them tea and asked, "What exactly happened?"
Baozhu glanced at Li Zhi and sighed, "Let him speak. I'm afraid I can't explain it clearly."
Li Zhi shook his head: "It's not that Baozhu can't explain it, it's just that I happened to discover it."
So Li Zhi told his companions about Rong Qi, omitting the parts that involved him and Baozhu.
After Li Zhi finished speaking, Zhang He's official residence became completely silent.
Pei Xuanji and Zhang He had solemn expressions and didn't know what to say for a moment.
After a long while, Pei Xuanji finally spoke, "If we want to reveal Rong Qi's true colors, it will probably be very difficult."
Zhang He sighed, "Yes, don't you two feel there are just too many people on the street as you walk along?"
Baozhu recalled that there seemed to be many more than usual, and asked doubtfully, "So what?"
“Because the Anmin Festival is approaching, many people have come to the capital from other places. Guess what they came for?” Zhang He paused, his tone becoming increasingly heavy. “They just want to catch a glimpse of Rong Qi’s beauty.”
Pei Xuanji chimed in, "There are noblewomen like my mother in the capital who go to Rongqi's temple to pray for blessings every month. He has a very good relationship with the powerful and wealthy, especially with the Emperor. They met when the Emperor was still the Third Prince."
Zhang He continued, "Furthermore, this Yiren Temple is full of his disciples and followers. Not to mention Protector Yun, even Protector Pei cannot be said to have not received guidance from Rong Qi. We do not have any concrete evidence, and it is really difficult to bring him down with just a few words."
After listening to their story, Baozhu felt somewhat discouraged and said sadly, "Does he deserve no punishment at all for all the evil he has done? Shouldn't the Celestial Masters pursue justice? Why are there so many rules blocking your way?"
After she finished speaking, the three celestial masters felt a pang of sympathy, but they could not refute Baozhu.
Pei Xuanji murmured, "Mortals are always bound by countless rules."
The four companions sat in Zhang He's official residence and discussed for a long time. After several hours, they still couldn't find a way to bring down Rong Qi. As it got later and later, Pei Xuanji stood up and said, "I have to visit my sister today, so I'm afraid I have to go first. We can discuss it again tomorrow, but in my opinion, we need to have concrete evidence first."
Baozhu looked up at her in surprise, and after a moment's thought, she understood.
Pei Qi and Zhang He's feelings toward Rong Qi stemmed solely from a sense of justice. Even though they would do everything in their power to solve the case, it was an incredibly difficult one, and for them, they could only proceed slowly. They did not share the same sense of urgency as Bao Zhu and Li Zhi, who felt their lives were at stake.
Baozhu sighed, then remembered the matter of the white jade group, and stood up, saying, "Pei Qi, there is something else I want to tell you. Can I go with you? We can talk on the way."
Pei Qi hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
So Baozhu and Pei Qi rode together on one horse and headed towards the Taoist temple at the foot of Pagoda Mountain.
A few days ago, the matter of the White Jade Group was extremely heavy for Baozhu, but after learning many truths, this matter, which was originally difficult to talk about, was no longer so difficult.
Baozhu leaned against Pei Qi's back and whispered about how she had rescued Bai Yutuan before the Celestial Master could. Then she apologized to Pei Qi in a deep voice, "I overheard what your mother was saying to you and took Bai Yutuan away. I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me?"
After listening, Pei Qi sighed and said with melancholy, "If I didn't know about Rong Qi's matter, I would probably still be angry. After all, Bai Yutuan injured someone. Although it wasn't her fault, according to the rules, she should also be punished to some extent."
“But are the rules of the Temple of Strange People and the rules of the Celestial Master right or wrong?” Pei Qi’s voice was full of confusion. “I really don’t understand now.”
Pei Xuanji's horse was fast, and in no time they arrived at the foot of Pagoda Mountain.
It was getting late, and the crowd at the foot of Pagoda Mountain gradually dispersed.
Pei Xuanji rode against the flow of people and arrived in front of the Taoist temple. She reined in her horse and looked at the temple in front of her. She said to Baozhu, "Actually, I know that my sister will not see me, but I still want to come and see her."
After saying that, she dismounted and strolled toward the Taoist temple.
Baozhu followed behind her, asking suspiciously, "Why does your sister live in a Taoist temple outside the city? I thought we were going to some wealthy family in the city."
Pei Xuanji remained silent, but gently knocked on the door of the Taoist temple.
This time, the temple doors were not opened, and a maid inside said, "No matter who it is, the female Taoist priest will not see them. I'm sorry."
Upon hearing this, Baozhu secretly glanced at Pei Xuanji and saw that she only sighed after hearing these words, and did not seem particularly disappointed.
Pei Xuanji did not leave immediately, but stood there staring at the gate of the Taoist temple in a daze.
Her expression was worse than if she were crying.
Seeing this, Baozhu gently called to her, "Pei Qi, if you want to cry, that's fine too."
Pei Qi shook her head, about to speak, when she noticed Baozhu suddenly widen her eyes and look behind her.
She turned around and saw a child standing by the wall of the Taoist temple, looking at them in surprise.
In that instant, time seemed to stand still. The child's face magnified in Pei Xuanji's eyes, and she realized that the child had a face she was very familiar with.
Pei Xuanji felt as if she had returned to that day, that stormy night.
A thunderclap exploded in her ears, and the world before her eyes lost its color.
“Evidence…” Pei Xuanji looked at the child, her voice trembling uncontrollably, “Isn’t this the evidence…”
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