Chapter 44 Stormy Weather In Phoenix Dance City, a new storm is brewing…
Inside the study of the Eastern Palace, a silent tension permeated the air.
A secret agent dressed in night clothes knelt on one knee and reported in a very low voice:
"Your Highness, a one-armed wealthy merchant has recently arrived in Luoyang." The spy lowered his head even further. "This man is high-profile and generous. In just a few days, he has opened several money shops. His ruthless methods have almost robbed the old-established money shops in the city of all their business."
Galo Lin did not look up. His fingertips tapped the armrest of the rosewood chair intermittently, producing a dull thud, just like his deep thoughts.
The spies continued their report: "The man has a thick beard that almost completely covers his face, making it extremely difficult to discern his true appearance. His movements are also very secretive. Our men have been keeping watch on him for several days, but every time they get to a crucial point, he cleverly manages to easily escape. To this day... we still haven't been able to ascertain his true origins or address."
One-armed, extravagant, high-profile yet shrouded in mystery... These keywords flashed through Jia Luolin's mind, ultimately pointing to one person—his third brother, Jia Xuanyu, who had mysteriously disappeared many years ago.
Over the years, Galorin has never stopped secretly searching for the whereabouts of Galorin.
He knew his younger brother's character all too well: arrogant, conceited, and with an extremely strong will to survive, he would never easily take his own life.
That's why the seemingly plausible "disappearance" back then seems all the more suspicious, as if countless invisible threads are intertwined behind it, leading to a much larger conspiracy.
At this moment, the sudden appearance of this one-armed tycoon with such matching characteristics was like a stone thrown into a stagnant pond, instantly arousing his deepest vigilance.
He suddenly looked up, his gaze sharp as a knife, and called out in a deep voice, "Green Willow!"
Han Luliu, a trusted confidant who had been standing by his side like a shadow, immediately stepped forward, bowed, and replied, "Your Highness."
"You shall depart immediately and pay your respects to Bai Ziyuan," Galuo Lin instructed, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "Tell him that I have important business to discuss with him in person."
Bai Ziyuan is now a Lieutenant General, in charge of the defense of Luoyang City and exercising some investigative powers. Having him secretly assist in the investigation can not only avoid many eyes and ears, but also make it more secure.
After much deliberation, Galo Lin realized that this matter required caution; they must not alert the enemy and needed to plan it carefully.
"Yes, I understand." Han Luliu accepted the order and was about to turn and leave.
"Wait a minute." Galorin seemed to suddenly remember something and called out to him, asking casually, "I forgot to ask you, how is your sister doing lately?"
Han Luliu stopped in his tracks instantly. He turned around with an extremely complicated expression on his face, a mixture of hesitation, confusion, and even a hint of awkwardness that he couldn't bring himself to say.
“She…” Han Luliu opened her mouth, her voice a little dry, and finally sighed, saying with a hint of helplessness, “Your Highness, to be honest with you, I… I can’t quite understand her anymore.”
Galo Lin raised an eyebrow sharply. Han Luliu and he were not only master and servant, but also confidants who had fought side by side and shared life and death many times. Their friendship was extraordinary.
Because of this relationship, he trusted Han Luliu's sister, Han Liuyue, more. He originally thought she would be a well-behaved "pawn".
Under Galorin's calm yet extremely oppressive gaze, Han Luliu finally revealed all the doubts that had been building up in her heart.
It turns out that after that chance encounter with Jia Fengtian in the Imperial Garden and the opportunity to serve him meals, Han Liuyue seemed to have completely changed.
During the time when Jia Luolin went to the northern frontier to oversee the army, this Han Cairen, who used to seem gentle and low-key, actually used all her skills to carefully plan and create one "chance encounter" with Jia Fengtian after another. Her methods were so clever and her mind so meticulous that she was completely different from before.
Later, she became even bolder and secretly bribed Jia Fengtian's trusted eunuch, eventually getting Jia Fengtian to choose her.
Even more unexpectedly, Jia Fengtian, whose thoughts were always unpredictable, actually developed an unusual interest in Han Liuyue for some reason. From then on, he favored her exclusively, repeatedly calling her name in his presence. The extent of his favor was astonishing.
In the days that followed, everyone in the harem watched as Consort Han rose through the ranks at an astonishing speed, from an insignificant Consort to one of the Nine Concubines, becoming the most prominent woman in the harem.
“I’ve tried several times to find an opportunity to see her and get to the bottom of things, but she’s always made excuses to avoid it.” Han Luliu’s brows were furrowed, her voice filled with helplessness and worry. “Your Highness, I know her. Her original nature… was definitely not that of someone who acts so flamboyantly. I originally thought that her entry into the palace was merely an arrangement by her family, and that she herself wouldn’t be so unscrupulous in vying for favor…”
These words were like another heavy stone thrown into Galorin's heart.
A mysterious younger brother of the emperor, who seems to be making a comeback; a concubine who has undergone a drastic change in temperament and has quickly climbed to the top of power... Is there some unknown connection between the two?
Is it because her own ambition has grown, and she wants to break free from the original constraints and climb on her own?
Or... is there someone else behind her, intending to stir up trouble in the harem?
If his daughter was like this, how could Minister Han be any different?
Galorin's gaze returned to the flickering candlelight on the table, but her eyes grew even deeper and colder.
It seems that a new storm is brewing in Phoenix Dance City.
-
Today is the day Bai Ziyuan and Shuli return to the Bai residence.
Their carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the Bai residence. The entire Bai family, who had already received the news, waited respectfully outside the gate.
The carriage curtain was lifted by his attendant, and Bai Ziyuan got out of the carriage first. He was not wearing his official robes today, but only a plain blue robe after the rain. His posture was as upright as a pine tree. Now a father, his face had become more gentle.
He reached into the car, and a slender hand gently rested on his palm.
Shuli leaned out, wearing a simple lake-colored dress and a single plain jade hairpin in her hair. With her husband's help, she landed steadily, looked up at the familiar plaque of the Bai residence, and a faint but genuine smile appeared on her lips.
At this moment, the wet nurse carefully got off the bus, holding the baby who looked like a little bundle of flesh.
The child was about a year old, wearing a bright red jacket and trousers with gold trim. He had a chubby face and big, bright eyes, and was curiously looking around, not at all shy.
"Here he comes! Look, the young master is back!" The old gatekeeper couldn't help but whisper with joy. Changsun Rao'er couldn't contain herself any longer and, supported by her maid, came forward to greet him. Her gaze first swept quickly over her son and daughter-in-law to make sure they were alright, and then fell entirely on her grandson, her eyes crinkling into a loving smile.
"Grandma's dear grandson, I've missed you so much!" She stretched out her hand, and the child recognized her, babbling and opening his little arms to rush over, prompting the eldest grandson Rao'er to call her "my darling" repeatedly.
Bai Ziyuan and Shuli exchanged a smile and said gently, "Mother, we're back."
"Good, good, it's good to be back! Come inside quickly, what are you standing in the sun for?" Changsun Rao'er held her grandson and urged him repeatedly, then hurriedly ordered the servants, "Quickly bring the simmering lily sweet soup and the freshly made jade dew dumplings, Li'er loves them, prepare them all!"
The group entered the mansion gate. As they passed through the courtyard, the child was attracted by the koi in the pond and twisted his body to go down and see. Bai Ziyuan took his son from his mother's arms, held him, and squatted down by the pond, patiently pointing out the koi to him.
The sunlight shone on the father and son, bathing them in a warm glow.
Shuli didn't follow immediately; she stood under the eaves, quietly watching the scene unfold.
Ever since Bai Lian joined the army, Shu Li has been blaming herself; perhaps she really shouldn't have...
Just then, a warm hand gently patted her back, as if to comfort her. She turned around and saw her mother-in-law's kind and smiling face.
"Has Ziyuan taken good care of you?" Changsun Rao'er asked with concern.
Shuli grasped her mother-in-law's hand and gently shook her head: "He's fine, Mother, don't worry."
As they were talking, Bai Ziyuan came over carrying his son. The little guy had somehow caught a fallen leaf in his hand and was waving it excitedly, calling out indistinctly, "Daddy...Daddy...look!"
Bai Ziyuan smiled and responded to him, then looked up at his mother and wife under the eaves, his gaze falling on Shuli with gentleness and certainty.
The aroma of home-cooked meals wafted from the hall.
Bai Ziyuan and his father chatted quietly about interesting things happening in the court, while Changsun Rao'er held Shuli's hand and inquired about their daily lives.
The slight unease in Shu Li's heart was finally soothed by the everyday warmth and tranquility of the house, transforming into a peaceful and secure feeling.
She knew that they, like her, were carefully cherishing their happiness...
The family sat around the table for a meal, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
After a moment of silence, Bai Ziyuan put down his chopsticks, looked at his father at the head of the table, and asked with concern, "Father, I have recently heard that Lian'er has made new contributions in the Northern Frontier. I wonder... when will she be able to return?"
These words struck a chord with everyone. Bai Moyuan slowly finished his tea, pondered for a moment, and said, "His Majesty has already decreed that if there is no further major turmoil in the Northern Frontier, and once the situation has completely stabilized, she will be summoned back to the capital. At that time... she will also be granted a residence as a sign of imperial favor."
Before she finished speaking, Changsun Rao'er, who was sitting to the side, let out a long sigh of relief.
She gently touched the corner of her eye, as if afraid someone would see the tears welling up in her eyes, but she forced a relieved smile onto her lips, her voice trembling slightly: "It's good that she's back, it's good that she's back... As long as she's back safe and sound, that's more important than anything else. She's a young woman, going to that harsh and cold place, my heart has been in constant worry for her..."
Bai Ziyuan silently added hot soup to his mother's bowl and said in a deep voice, "My sister protected our whole family with her own strength. I am ashamed of my own lack of responsibility."
Bai Moyuan's gaze swept over his wife's slightly reddened eyes, then looked at his solemn-looking son, and finally landed on his innocent and adorable grandson's face. He sighed slowly, "Yes. If it weren't for Lian'er's military achievements stabilizing the family, how could my Bai family have such a peaceful life today? She has shouldered the burden of this family in her own way."
For a moment, no one spoke at the dinner table, only the soft crackling of the candlelight. A deep sense of gratitude and pride, mixed with a touch of heartache, quietly spread and settled heavily in everyone's heart.
At this moment, Bai Ziyuan's attendant hurriedly entered the hall and bowed to report, "Young Master, someone from the Eastern Palace has come and requests an audience with you."
"See me?" Bai Ziyuan was somewhat surprised. He exchanged a glance with Bai Moyuan and then hurriedly left his seat.
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