Looking for the Dreamer
Pei Zhaoying recalled Jiang Yubai and trained the imperial guards every day.
In the inner house, they joined forces with the four housekeepers and maids to sort out the servants and remove the spies. Those who couldn't keep their mouths shut were also released with their indentures.
Pei Zhaoying finally breathed a sigh of relief when he realized that the place was impregnable both inside and outside.
The emperor discussed with the Ministry of Rites matters such as the princess's lowering of status, and the process of selecting a husband had to be carried out externally, which would take at least a month. Pei Zhaoying had to do more work before the marriage to avoid being controlled by others if there were any changes after the marriage.
It's funny to say that the nightmare that has been haunting Pei Zhaoying for a long time did not just make her heartbroken. Pei Zhaoying could still vaguely remember that there was someone in the dream who accompanied her silently, playing the piano and music. The music seemed to have the power to soothe her heart, becoming the only light in her endless torture.
That man made her change from a melancholy look to a cheerful drinking and laughing one. Her joy was not only because of the music, but also because of the person who played the music for her.
However, Pei Zhaoying put the life and death catastrophe revealed in the dream first, and only after having a break in the past few days did he think about it.
In her dream, she seemed to call the zither player "Jun Dan"...
"Your Highness, I've inquired around all the music houses in the capital, and there's no musician named 'Jun Dan'." The subordinate reported carefully.
"I understand. Go ahead." Pei Zhaoying rubbed his brows with a headache. Maybe it was just a nightmare and shouldn't be taken seriously, but he always felt uneasy.
"Your Highness, I've heard that the musicians at Yaoyue Tower are the most proficient in stringed instruments and zither in the capital. Your Highness must be tired these days. Why not go to Yaoyue Tower and listen to some music to relax? If you happen to run into the person you're looking for, it would be a pleasant surprise."
Qiluo made suggestions at the right time.
Pei Zhaoying has become much better than before, when she was easily tempted by unexpected events. Back then, people in the mansion did not dare to walk quickly in front of her, for fear that she would be sad and punish them.
Now that everyone in the mansion was feeling better, Qiluo tried every possible way to make the princess more cheerful.
Pei Zhaoying thought it made sense, so he left immediately, gathered his followers and guards, and went to Yaoyue Tower.
The Yaoyue Tower was elegant and not vulgar, attracting many dignitaries to linger there frequently. Pei Zhaoying was the most noble person under the emperor, and was placed in a pavilion on the Jinming Pond in front of the Yaoyue Tower. The musicians of the Yaoyue Tower were called one after another to try out the piano.
Suddenly, the sounds of elegant stringed instruments and music spread along the banks of Jinming Lake.
Xiao Bo was on a day off today, so he traveled light and dressed simply, his attire was extremely simple and low-key, but his handsome face attracted attention wherever he went.
He simply put on half a white jade mask to cover himself, and circled around the street a few times to prevent being followed, before heading straight for the back door of Yaoyue Tower.
He knocked lightly several times on an inconspicuous wooden door. When the signal was correct, the door opened, revealing a face of a passerby that had been deliberately disguised so as to be unrememberable.
"The Princess's assassination is said to have been carried out by the Prince of Qi's former subordinates. I haven't found any clues at the Dali Temple. The evidence is very limited. Please investigate further and see if you can find any other clues."
Xiao Bo whispered in his ear.
The guests in Yaoyue Tower were either rich or noble, and they would accidentally drop useful words while drinking. Xiao Bo had his secret agents buried deep in the building, so he was well-informed.
"Yes." Wei Si was the loyal servant passed down to Xiao Bo by his father. He obeyed orders and was loyal. He would never ask questions that were not necessary.
Wei Si briefly reported the news Xiao Bo had noticed last time, and finally said:
"Her Royal Highness the Princess summoned all the musicians in Yaoyue Tower to play music today at Jinming Lake. She seemed to be looking for someone."
Xiao Bo maintained an expressionless face. After a while, the corners of his lips began to rise, and his tone unconsciously softened:
"...I see. Can you lend me a change of clothes?"
Now, he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to open the screen in front of the people he cared about.
As dusk fell, Pei Zhaoying became more and more restless. None of the musicians could give her the calmness and peace of mind that she had in her dreams. Some of the musicians played only a few notes before she impatiently waved them away to collect her reward.
Perhaps, if I hadn't really given up hope at the beginning, I wouldn't have been so disappointed.
When people are on the verge of hope, they are always unable to face reality.
Pei Zhaoying stared at the remaining wine in silence. It was pointless to continue wasting time staying, but she didn't want to leave.
I suddenly thought of someone for no reason.
Jiang Yubai said that he had fought with Xiao Bo, and he did not expect that Xiao Bo not only knew kung fu, but also that his martial arts skills were not inferior to his at all. It was inconvenient for the two to fight with all their strength in the Dali Temple, but he did not get any advantage from Xiao Bo.
At the Qionghua Banquet that day, Xiao Bo's blind shooting skills amazed everyone. Pei Zhaoying guessed that this person had martial arts skills, but when she heard that Jiang Yubai had not defeated Xiao Bo, she was shocked for a while.
Jiang Yubai had lived on the edge of a knife and practiced martial arts many times, going through life and death situations.
Xiao Bo is always calm and collected, never showing off, and keeping his edge hidden. Whenever the moment is needed, he seems to be omnipotent and has become the mainstay needed in the current situation.
Can Xiao Bo play the qin? Pei Zhaoying was amused by the sudden thought in her mind.
Never mind, maybe it’s not our destiny yet.
Pei Zhaoying was about to signal to go home when she suddenly heard string music coming from far away, blending seamlessly with the setting sun and the water.
The melody soothes people's hearts as gently as the natural scenery, and it has a sense of pride that transcends external things.
Just like the bits of comfort Pei Zhaoying got in her nightmare.
Pei Zhaoying was stunned for a moment.
A pleasure boat was approaching slowly, and someone on the boat was playing the piano, the sound of the piano was like a waterfall.
Before Pei Zhaoying could say anything, the guards outside had already drawn their swords vigilantly.
The person playing the piano played it neither fast nor slow, and did not ask the boatman to stop. He waited until the song was over before standing up and bowing to Pei Zhaoying from a distance.
The scholars and peddlers along the coast all applauded his piano skills and commented on them.
"This guy doesn't look like a musician from Yaoyue Tower, does he? Yet, he plays ten, a hundred times better than the other musicians!"
"Masters are everywhere. I don't want to go to Yaoyue Tower to pay to listen to music anymore. It's true that once you've seen the ocean, you'll never be impressed."
"Tsk, you talk as if you can afford to go to Yaoyue Tower. You're lucky today. You didn't spend a penny, and it's like listening to heavenly music."
It is absolutely correct to describe this piano music as "celestial music".
Xiao Bo's figure gradually became clearer in Pei Zhaoying's eyes.
When she was hazy, Pei Zhaoying was really scared. It was him who appeared in her dream. She couldn't tell him this ridiculous thing, as if it was a lie she made up to forcefully prove that they were destined to be together.
But after he approached, Pei Zhaoying's breathing slowed down. It was Xiao Bo, which was better than anyone else. In this situation, she would rather meet Xiao Bo.
"Lord Xiao Bo."
Pei Zhaoying raised his hand to signal the guards to put down their swords and invited him to go ashore.
Xiao Bo was extremely careful about his manners. He only stepped ashore after receiving clear instructions from Pei Zhaoying, walked steadily, and then bowed.
The guards were in a state of panic. Although they had put away their weapons, they all stared at Xiao Bo's every move, fearing that he would suddenly attack. Qi Luo stood beside Pei Zhaoying, not daring to breathe.
Xiao Bo changed out of the coarse cloth clothes he wore when he went out, and now he was wearing a moon-white brocade robe. His hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, without any unnecessary carvings. He looked handsome and imposing, and looked straight into Pei Zhaoying's eyes.
Pei Zhaoying investigated all the musicians in a big way this time, and Xiao Bo guessed that it was related to him.
But he was not sure how much Pei Zhaoying knew and how she would treat him, Xiao and Cheng.
Playing the piano music again and bumping into Pei Zhaoying was both an expression of emotion and a test.
Xiao Bo was anxious to read something from Pei Zhaoying's expression. He didn't believe that Pei Zhaoying was just in a good mood this time, but if he talked about other things, he was afraid that if he spoke too much, he would lose Pei Zhaoying's trust.
Pei Zhaoying offered him a seat, had someone pour wine for Xiao Bo, and asked slowly:
"I didn't know that Master Xiao Bo's piano skills are amazing. Master Xiao Bo came to see me specifically. Is there something important?"
She couldn't risk the lives of everyone in the mansion.
Even though he had a heart for talent, he had to be extremely cautious when it came to marrying Xiao Bo in a month.
She could see that Xiao Bo was a loner in the court, cold and isolated, and would not take the initiative to interact with others without a reason.
"I can't say it was a special purpose. I just saw Your Highness looking for musicians here, and it seemed that none of them caught Your Highness's eye, so I'm here to offer my humble opinion."
Pei Zhaoying said a few polite and complimentary words, but when she saw that Xiao Bo remained expressionless, she became annoyed again.
Pei Zhaoying was anxious and had many questions to ask him, such as whether he was really willing to join her team. She was afraid that if she spoke first in a hurry, she would be at a disadvantage, and she would be angry that Xiao Bo was so calm after "falling into the trap".
Pei Zhaoying was feeling restless and irritable, and even after trying her best to hide it, it still showed on her face.
Xiao Bo took a quick look and had a rough idea. If Pei Zhaoying knew a lot, she would definitely sit behind the scenes and start making plans slowly and steadily, treating others as her prey.
Judging from her current demeanor, she probably only knows some minor details, so she is so anxious to try to find the moon in the ocean with just a clue.
In fact, Pei Zhaoying didn't need to be confused and frightened at all. This time he was going to help her to the end.
Seeing the frustration in her eyes and eyebrows, Xiao Bo no longer deliberately maintained his unyielding dignity. His heart softened, and his voice softened:
"Is Your Highness looking for someone? The Dali Temple has many officials and they have gathered a lot of information. I might be able to help Your Highness."
Pei Zhaoying evaded the question. Seeing that he was willing to help, she finally found a reason to ask him questions:
"Why would Sir Xiao help me? On official business, my political views coincide with his. Why would Sir Xiao keep helping me with other matters? I don't want to be burdened with anything for no reason."
Xiao Bo picked up the wine cup, took a sip of the wine, and smiled at Pei Zhaoying in her eagerness:
"Last time, Your Highness sent someone to recruit talented individuals. I saw that Your Highness valued talent and was dedicated to the people, so I immediately...agreed. Doesn't Your Highness remember this?"
Putting down the wine cup, Xiao Bo slowly raised his eyes and emphasized the words:
"So now, I am your Highness's subordinate, and it is my duty to share your Highness's worries."
The dim sunlight makes the pearls shine even more brightly.
Away from the serious occasions of handling official business, Xiao Bo's handsome appearance is really impossible to ignore. His masculine beauty that does not appear feminine stands out from the light and shadow, making Pei Zhaoying's ears hot.
Xiao Bo was expressing his loyalty to her as a loyal subject, and seemed to have accepted her invitation. She should be happy to have another good subject to help her.
Pei Zhaoying was so upset by these simple words that her face flushed and she only regretted not sending the people around her away.
It seemed as if Xiao Bo was saying some extremely ferocious words.
It's too ambiguous.
It was difficult for Pei Zhaoying to confirm whether Xiao Bo did it on purpose. In short, he looked upright and there was nothing wrong with him. If Pei Zhaoying did what he wanted, it would seem that she was not upright.
Therefore, Pei Zhaoying bit the tip of her tongue lightly, using the slight sting to calm herself down.
"I know that Sir Xiao is not an ordinary person, but Sir Xiao, rest assured, no matter what doubts you have, I will treat you with sincerity."
Xiao Bo smiled and said:
"Actually, it's Your Highness who has doubts, right?"
Pei Zhaoying's thoughts were revealed and she had no intention of hiding it from Xiao Bo, but she remained silent.
Indeed, she was cautious and tentative at every step. She needed talents and was eager to hire them, but she was also afraid that if she was not careful, she would make a mistake and fall into an irretrievable situation.
Xiao Bo was not annoyed, but seized this opportune opportunity to make his position clear to Pei Zhaoying:
"I stand on Your Highness' side. Your Highness may be confused or wary, but all that matters is how I will serve Your Highness loyally in the future."
Pei Zhaoying guessed why he had chosen her as his own. Xiao Bo had a bad relationship with Xiao Yucheng, and his kinship with the Xiao family was weak. The aristocratic family that had been entrenched for centuries was always arrogant and looked down on Xiao Bo, who had climbed to this position step by step without any recommendation. Perhaps, the eldest princess's favor was the best choice Xiao Bo could get.
Pei Zhaoying asked:
"Master Xiao, do you have any ambitions you wish to pursue? Any wishes you wish to realize? As long as it does not harm the country, I will fulfill your wish."
If she walked too smoothly, Pei Zhaoying would start to doubt whether she was walking firmly.
It would be best if Xiao Bo could make some requests, and Pei Zhaoying would try her best to fulfill them in exchange for something of equal value, and then she could talk to him about the marriage that would be announced soon.
Xiao Bo's eyes were like autumn water:
"If I must say what I wish for, it would be that... Your Highness is safe."
He spoke calmly, but could not conceal the weight of his sincerity, which was so heavy that Pei Zhaoying could not remain calm. The hand holding the wine cup trembled, and some wine overflowed, gathering into a flowing stream on the small table.
Xiao Bo was afraid that this was too harsh, so he added:
"Now, powerful ministers are bullying the emperor, and the princes are fighting for their own interests. The only one who has the ambition and ability to change the political situation and benefit the people is Your Highness. Your Highness's safety is a blessing for all the people of the world."
Pei Zhaoying was thin-skinned and her ears were burning so much that she almost lost her dignity. After he said this, it finally didn't sound like the sweet talk between lovers anymore, and Pei Zhaoying was relieved.
The attitudes of the two have been made clear enough. There will be plenty of opportunities to examine whether Xiao Bo's loyalty is useful or not in the future.
Pei Zhaoying was thinking about how to tell Xiao Bo about the candidate for the son-in-law in advance, when she suddenly saw Xiao Bo's alert eyes. He glanced around to confirm that there were no outsiders, then lowered his voice and spoke to Pei Zhaoying sternly about business.
"I am also re-investigating the assassination of His Highness. I'm afraid I can't believe a single word of the claim that it was done by the Prince of Qi's former subordinates."
Xiao Bo knew that by starting with the old case, he could gain Pei Zhaoying's trust and prepare for her future hidden dangers.
Pei Zhaoying's eyes were sore. He looked around and saw that they were all his own people. He felt relieved. Even so, he covered his face with a round fan so that outsiders could not see his mouth shape, and then he said softly:
"My people copied the assassination case files from you right in front of me. I won't hide it from you. Even His Majesty told me personally that the culprit was one of the King of Qi's former subordinates. Everyone agrees."
"That's because no one wants to make the decision on Your Highness's behalf. All those involved committed suicide, completely exterminating the case. Blaming it on the Prince of Qi's former subordinates is the easiest option. Your Majesty is even more worried that a deeper investigation might uncover individuals beyond his control, leaving him in a difficult position and a difficult outcome. However, this matter concerns Your Highness's safety, and must be taken seriously. I will do my utmost to find clues for Your Highness."
Xiao Bo spoke in a very low voice, and except for Pei Zhaoying, even her attendants were unlikely to hear a few words.
The weight is as heavy as Mount Tai.
Pei Zhaoying blinked frequently to suppress the unbearable sadness, and forced herself to look at the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains, so as not to burst into tears in front of others.
She understood what Xiao Bo said, but this was the first time someone had revealed these principles and clearly stood on her side.
The emperor kept emphasizing the love between siblings and their dependence on each other, but after the incident, she was humiliated and disabled. The emperor was most afraid that her throne would be in danger, and he would not take any risks unless the fire burned himself.
Doesn’t Pei Heng understand that the person behind Pei Zhaoying’s assassination was ultimately plotting to take the throne?
If no one were to lift that layer of veil, everyone could keep the peace and Pei Heng could sit on the throne for a while longer. If it were to be exposed, Pei Heng would probably be in danger.
The various parties who wanted to seize power from Pei Zhaoying had no intention of investigating her thoroughly. They were very happy to divide the power in her hands, as if it was a happy event.
Therefore, letting Pei Zhaoying sacrifice and suffer for no apparent reason is in the best interest of everyone.
But is this what Pei Zhaoying owes everyone? Why should others trample on her life and safety to enjoy power and pleasure?
She really didn't want to accept this and couldn't just follow the bad guys' wishes and be destroyed step by step.
Little lotus just showed its head, and birds were splashing on the water in the sunset. Pei Zhaoying wanted to ask Xiao Bo why he went against everyone's wishes and reopened the old case for her, but then she thought, Xiao Bo had already answered this question.
He was doing it for her safety.
Pei Zhaoying was silent for a few breaths to dispel the grievance, and was about to say thank you, but at this moment, he heard the familiar "whoosh" sound of a feather arrow breaking through the air.
Then, "bang——".
A sharp black iron arrow pierced into the supporting pillar of the pavilion, leaving only white tail feathers, and this tail feather was only a palm's length away from Pei Zhaoying's cheek.
If the person drawing the bow and arrow had deviated slightly, the arrow would have pierced Pei Zhaoying's throat and killed her instantly!
All this happened in the blink of an eye. Pei Zhaoying felt as if her nightmare was replaying. Her first reaction was to hide, but her legs had no feeling at all and she couldn't stand up. There were tables, chairs, pillars and stones everywhere that could serve as shelter, and she couldn't move her body at all!
He was like a lamb to be slaughtered, completely unable to protect himself.
"Protect His Highness! There is an assassin! Protect His Highness!" Xiao Bo shouted. He was a man who could remain calm even in the face of a catastrophe, but now he could no longer maintain his composure and flew to protect Pei Zhaoying.
He also moved Pei Zhaoying's wheelchair so that there was a pillar behind Pei Zhaoying, preventing the thieves from attacking from behind.
In front of Pei Zhaoying, he used his flesh and blood body as a shield to block the attack tightly.
Pei Zhaoying's eyes darkened, and her cheek pressed against Xiao Bo's waist and abdomen.
Because they happened to be talking about an old assassination case, the arrow flew at this moment. The fear of the past and the present came over her at once, overwhelming her. Pei Zhaoying couldn't breathe. She didn't try to cry, but tears fell down.
At such a close distance, she could hear Xiao Bo's disordered breathing, which became a disjointed line.
Xiao Bo's soul was about to collapse, but his body was always protecting her. Pei Zhaoying didn't understand what he was afraid of or why he was like that. A mixture of emotions forced her to cry out.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Xiao Bo's voice came from above his head.
In the chaos, he was concerned about Pei Zhaoying's safety, and he was extremely determined and would never give in.
The guards also reacted extremely quickly. Although their movements were not as swift as Xiao Bo's, they quickly formed a formation and drew their swords, looking for the source of the arrows and protecting Pei Zhaoying in the middle.
Shouting words like "Catch the assassin" and "Protect His Highness", the vendors and tourists who were doing business by the Jinming Lake were so frightened by the scene of weapons clashing that they fled in panic, bumping into each other and falling off their horses, fearing that if they ran too slowly they would be shot to death by the assassin's arrows and lose their lives.
For a time, the capital, a place with the most prosperity and stable people's lives, was in turmoil as if it had just experienced a human catastrophe, and everyone was crying for their lives and fleeing.
Xiao Bo thought he would be faced with a rain of arrows that covered the sky, but after the first arrow, there was no continuous attack.
In addition, Jinmingchi is the center of the capital city with a large population. How could an assassin dare to act in the inner city in broad daylight?
After thinking it through, Xiao Bo felt that the situation was not that bad. At least Pei Zhaoying would not die here. He breathed a sigh of relief and lowered his head to comfort Pei Zhaoying.
"It's okay. There's no assassin. It's probably some blind and disrespectful traitor. He won't be able to accomplish anything."
Pei Zhaoying's face was still pale, and he was temporarily stunned by the overlapping of new and old experiences.
Qiluo was so frightened that she almost couldn't stand. She leaned on the table to check on Pei Zhaoying's condition. Seeing that she was very scared, she called out "Your Highness, Your Highness".
"Hahahaha, I was just joking with Your Highness. When did Your Highness and your brother become such cowards? How can you support the country like this?"
There was a tall man riding a horse, laughing loudly. He dismounted, handed the bow and arrow to his followers, and walked towards the pavilion in a proud manner.
Xiao Bo angrily called out his name word by word:
"Xiao Yucheng, you've gone too far! Are you trying to murder the princess?"
"Xiao Bo, you are so rude. You call me brother by my first name. Is this how the Xiao family taught you? Stop embarrassing our Xiao family in public."
Xiao Yucheng led his followers and found a place to sit down without any hesitation, admiring Pei Zhaoying's fear and helplessness.
Everyone knows that the royal family is in decline and the young emperor has no prestige. Now even Pei Zhaoying, who has been unaware of his mistake and has repeatedly clashed with him, has been frightened by him. Xiao and Cheng are very happy.
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