Chapter 138 Between the Clouds (Twenty-Eight) Someone turned her face and pointed...
Inside Ling Shu's study, the doors and windows were tightly closed. A woman dressed as a maid sat with her legs dangling from the beam, flipping through a book. A rolled-up scroll lay beside her.
Since returning to Qilan Courtyard last night, Qingyun has been subtly inquiring about many private matters from Zhirou. Zhirou has also expressed to her, both openly and subtly, that she wishes to see Old Madam Ling in person to express her gratitude.
The next day, Zhi Rou got up and drank the medicine that Qing Yun brought her, without mentioning the matter of requesting an audience again. She walked around the room, stopping every now and then, and finally returned to the bedside and drew the bed curtains.
Thinking she was unwell, Qingyun walked over and lifted a corner of the curtain, when she suddenly felt a dull ache on the back of her neck and fell down.
"I'm sorry." A pair of hands supported Qingyun's shoulders and helped her to the bed.
A moment later, the figure who stepped down from the ground, smoothing his clothes, resembled Qingyun, but was a few inches taller than her.
Under the clear sky, the entire mansion seemed to be draped in a layer of golden gauze.
The Ling residence was spacious and orderly, with patrols conducted in an orderly manner. Patrols would rotate every half hour, with periods of rest.
Zhi Rou fell behind a group of maids, then changed pace every now and then, joining another group. From what she observed, this place was similar to the Ling Mansion in the capital, with each courtyard having its own unique numbering system.
If she remembered correctly, the "Qilin" was for the study. As the central divine beast, it guarded the central hub of the four directions. The Ling mansion was so vast and deep; how long would it take her to sneak there?
Zhi Rou's palms were sweaty.
After noon, she hid behind the study with difficulty. When she heard the footsteps in front of her gradually subside, she slowly opened the carved window and jumped inside.
Sunlight streamed through the southwest-facing window lattice with its dragon-patterned design, bathing the room in a misty glow. A potted asparagus fern stood quietly on the table, several old books were stacked on the high table, and behind them, a painting hung on the plain white east wall.
Zhi Rou was stunned the moment she saw it.
The girl in the painting is graceful and lively, like the rising sun.
Previously, Ling Hewei had painted a picture for her, but the person in that painting was standing still and silent; but now, she seemed to see her mother in her youth, her face vivid and lifelike.
Zhi Rou's expression shifted from astonishment to surprise, then after a moment, to suspicion. She stepped forward, carefully took down the painting, rolled it up, and held it close to her chest.
She looked around and casually flipped open a notebook. Her mind had calmed down considerably when she finished painting. She tucked the book and scroll into her sleeve, stretched her wrists and back, and loosened her muscles.
In a few steps, she leaped and landed suddenly on the beam.
A moment later, whispering voices could be heard outside the door.
Zhi Rou snapped out of her reverie, closed the book, and hid herself away.
With a "click," the door was pushed open from the outside. Zhi Rou glanced down and saw Ling Shu and a middle-aged man step into the room one after the other. He seemed to glance at the east wall and suddenly stopped in his tracks.
The person behind him also noticed, and after a moment of silence, said, "My lord, this..."
How could a thief have broken into the Ling residence?
He immediately became alert, his face serious, and asked Ling Shu for instructions: "Should we gather everyone here?"
Although the number of servants guarding this place is not as great as those in the neighboring courtyards, their skill lies in their quality. Such dereliction of duty is likely suspicious.
Ling Shu remained silent for a while, then said, "No need, I roughly know who did it."
In an instant, his appearance was restored. His gaze slowly moved across the desk, looking at the slightly uneven pen holder, and he stroked his beard and smiled.
"So be it... What's meant to happen can't be avoided, so what's the harm in going along with her?"
The houses in Chongyuan Lane rarely have plaques hanging on their doors. The residence of Wei Yuanzhan and his party was named "Yuanchen" (meaning "far from the dust"). At the northernmost part of the backyard, there is an open space with sparse vegetation, and the courtyard walls are completely mottled.
Su Du stood under a withered tree and told Wei Yuanzhan what he had learned that day.
“A caravan came to the city yesterday. Judging from the insignia on the carts, it seems to be the Wanyuan Merchant Guild.”
Even during years of war, this merchant guild continued to trade with the northern frontier, reaping considerable benefits. Today, they can be considered giants in the trade. Their methods differ from those of ordinary merchants; they are quite ruthless.
Su didn't take the news seriously when he first heard it. But then he suddenly remembered that Zhi Rou had been hunted down before, and although the attempt failed, those people might not give up.
Both the Pursuing Stone and the Wanyuan Merchant Guild have ties to Beili.
Out of caution, Su went to the Ning residence in person to see Zhi Rou and warn her, but she was not there.
"You know where she is, tell me."
Wei Yuanzhan frowned.
He remembered the Wanyuan Merchants Group.
At the end of last year, a major case occurred in the capital. At that time, he was still in the army. He heard General Gao mention that the court suspected the Wanyuan Merchant Guild of turning against its allies and set fire to Liuxianglou, killing all the diners and staff in the restaurant.
The case was jointly handled by the Ministry of Justice and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, causing a stir in the court and among the public.
He had been back in the capital from Lancheng for several months, yet he had not heard a single word about this merchant guild since, as if they had vanished without a trace. Now, they were entering the city without any restraint, displaying their old insignia; it was likely that they were in cahoots with officials in the court.
Who exactly has such a close relationship with the northern frontier and is so intolerant of Zhi Rou?
After pondering for a while, Wei Yuanzhan said to Su Du, "She is in the Ling residence."
Zhi Rou followed the same method and returned to Qilan Courtyard after many difficulties, arriving at dusk.
Qingyun woke up half an hour earlier and was shocked and terrified by her condition. Without bothering to describe it, she hurriedly returned to Old Madam Ling to report the matter.
There weren't many servants in Qilan Courtyard to begin with. Upon seeing Qingyun in strange attire, they discerned something and immediately returned to their original positions, pretending not to hear.
Before Zhi Rou could even step through the cave entrance, she saw the middle-aged man who had been beside Ling Shu earlier standing in the courtyard.
She moved the corners of her lips slightly and slowly walked inside.
There was a magnolia tree in front of the courtyard, its blossoms as soft and beautiful as silk. A figure dressed as a maid appeared from behind the branches. The man stared at her for a moment, feeling a strange sense of familiarity, but he couldn't remember where he had seen her before.
Once she had stopped, he waved his hand slightly: "Miss Song, my master invites you."
After passing through many corridors and courtyards, Zhi Rou followed him to the foot of a spacious high platform.
A stone staircase leads up the path, surrounded by railings on all sides. Bamboo blinds under the eaves are half-rolled up, and when the wind blows, the tassels sway from side to side.
Zhi Rou stopped a foot in front of the platform, presented the painting, and bowed, saying, "Please forgive my impetuousness, Lord Ling."
The platform was four zhang high, with a stone seat occupying half of it. Zhi Rou's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, like water hitting a jade surface, clear and transparent.
Upon hearing this, Ling Shu tilted his head and looked down disdainfully. After a moment, he chuckled lightly: "What crime have you committed?"
Zhi Rou bowed and did not rise, then lowered her eyes and said, "Taking Ling Gong's treasured items was not an intentional offense. It was only because the woman in the painting looked extremely similar to one of my elder relatives that I was momentarily distracted and committed this act. I had no intention of being disrespectful and hope that Ling Gong will understand."
She downplayed her involvement, avoiding the topic of her trespassing and focusing solely on her painting. Dressed simply, her demeanor was neither servile nor arrogant, which instead exuded a refined elegance.
"Come on up." Ling Shu turned around.
The servants took the scroll from her hand and led her onto the stage.
The pavilion was paved with bluestone, and a small table with upturned eaves was set up. Ling Shu sat upright behind the table, with a piece of calligraphy he had just finished writing in the center of the paperweight. He silently watched Zhi Rou, and when she came up, he pointed to the opposite side and invited her to sit down.
The servants withdrew and stood guard at the entrance to the garden.
Ling Shu's gaze swept over Zhi Rou's face, as if scrutinizing her. Zhi Rou noticed this and remained motionless, only half-covering her eyelashes, letting him examine her.
Wei Yuanzhan showed her the wedding invitation, which only listed the young master Wei and his friends, without mentioning her name. However, just now at Qilan Courtyard, the man clearly called her "Miss Song".
Ling Shu must already know her background very well.
The afternoon sun was warm, casting a leisurely and pleasant glow inside the pavilion.
After an unknown amount of time, his deep-set eyes flickered, and he finally spoke, asking, "What does Miss Song wish to obtain from me?"
His deep, gruff voice seemed to carry a natural air of authority, but Zhi Rou was not intimidated. She raised her hand again and said, "I have some doubts about what happened nineteen years ago. I humbly request Lord Ling to enlighten me."
After hearing this, Ling Shu remained silent for a moment.
He asked directly, and she answered without any pretense. Such a bold personality was truly unlike that of someone raised in the Song family.
He touched the hot tea beside him and took a sip: "I am old and can no longer remember many things from the past, so how can I answer Miss Song's questions?"
Judging from her expression, she seemed rather impulsive, and her tone was a mixture of arrogance and humility. Ling Shu raised an eyebrow slightly, and after a moment, a muffled laugh escaped his lips.
The voice reached Zhi Rou's ears, and she involuntarily clenched her fist, a hint of embarrassment on her face.
Ling Shu put down his teacup and said in a gentle tone, "Miss Song, please ask. I am not good with words and have a poor memory, so I dare not presume to answer anything."
Zhi Rou was confused for a moment upon hearing this, and lifted her eyelashes.
Opposite her was a composed face, with strong features and deep, unfathomable eyes fixed on her.
Although she didn't know why he suddenly agreed, Zhi Rou was surprised for a moment before pouring out all the questions that had been bothering her.
As the sun began to set, the shadows of the trees shifted beneath the stone base, and the orioles and butterflies that once fluttered in the garden vanished.
Zhi Rou's gaze was fixed on the table. Sitting for a long time had made her legs a little stiff and numb, but she seemed oblivious to it.
She was not surprised when Ling Shu confirmed the identity of Young Master Xinyi.
My thoughts drifted and settled on the Song family of Changxi.
At the Spring Search Banquet, when Song Lang saw her expression, wasn't it one of suspicion in her eyes and a face ashen? If what Ling Shu said is true, then Song Lang's family is the key she should be investigating right now.
Whose man is Zhang Fenglin?
Zhi Rou had one thought over and over again: she wanted to go back to Beijing.
The incense in front of the table had burned out. She glanced at the sky outside the pavilion and composed herself.
"Thank you for your enlightening words today, Master Ling. I have no further questions. I have troubled you for so long, so I will take my leave now. Take care, Master Ling."
He rose, lifted his robe, and bowed to Ling Shu.
She had only taken two steps when a voice swept up from behind her: "Miss Song, don't you want to stay in Qinyang?"
Zhi Rou stopped walking.
As the afterglow of the setting sun streamed into the pavilion, Ling Shu looked up and saw a straight, rebellious figure whose back gave him a momentary illusion.
Back then, he forbade her to practice swordsmanship and archery, but he couldn't stop her. Now, her daughter is just like her, traveling with martial arts skills.
Was her upbringing of her intentional or unintentional?
Zhi Rou turned her feet, bowed her head and kowtowed three times to Ling Shu.
He didn't hear her reply until her figure was completely swallowed by the stone steps.
Ling Shu suddenly felt a pang of regret. Why had he softened and agreed? He shook his chin, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips: "Getting old..."
The capital city, Zizhang Street, Song Mansion.
As dusk fell, lamps were lit one after another throughout the mansion. Wind chimes trembled gently under the eaves. Song Lang leaned on the railing and looked around. It seemed that only at this moment could he feel peace throughout the day.
The sun was about to set behind the treetops when footsteps approached from behind. Someone came up the stairs and stopped behind him.
"Master, our men sent to Jiangdong have returned with a reply, and they have not found any trace of Song Zhirou."
Song Lang turned his head to the side, his face filled with suspicion.
According to Song Congzhao's family, Song Zhirou left the capital to visit the old lady in Jiangdong. If it was a visit, how come no one has seen her? Could it be... she wasn't in Jiangdong at all?
Song Lang frowned, and after a long pause, he changed the subject and asked, "Is there any movement over there?"
Last month, Sun Siren sent someone over, claiming to be acting on the orders of the Crown Princess, to investigate Song Zhirou's background.
Since the Chang Yu case was closed, he and Sun Siren had rarely interacted privately. Whenever the Eastern Palace had any requests, it was always the Crown Prince's personal attendants who relayed the messages. This time, his behavior was quite unusual, and it involved a woman from the Song family, so he became suspicious and kept a watchful eye on the Sun residence.
"Minister Sun...it seems he sent someone to the north."
"What day was that?"
"A dozen or so days ago."
Upon hearing this, Song Lang turned around completely, frowning as she stared at him: "Why didn't you report this before?"
"The news is still unclear, and my subordinates dared not report it without authorization. I only learned of it today myself." The man bowed deeply and said, "Please forgive me, sir."
Song Lang's gaze swept over his face, she pursed her lips and exhaled a breath of stale air, finally reaching out to help him up.
He turned his back and muttered to himself, "The north... what is he sending people to the north for?"
After pondering for a while without finding a solution, he sighed and said, "Never mind." He then asked, "Has there been any news from the person I sent to Luozhou?"
Not yet.
Song Lang said, "Inform me immediately if you have any news."
Leaving the Ling residence required far more courtesy than entering. The Ling family arranged a carriage to take Zhi Rou home, never inquiring about her whereabouts, as if they already knew.
Zhi Rou couldn't help but think of Wei Yuanzhan, so she asked someone to put her down halfway.
The driver hesitated, but to his surprise, the woman stepped out of the carriage and jumped off the side of the carriage.
The sliver of the moon peeked out from the sky, and the streets were still bustling with people. The closer you got to the lake, the fewer tourists there were.
The lanterns swayed gently under the eaves, casting a few drops of light. A man walked in the shadows, holding a portrait and surveying the area. After a moment, his gaze met Zhi Rou's.
He looked down to compare the painting, then put it away.
Zhi Rou noticed the movement on the other side, slowly backed away, and after passing the alley entrance, she turned around and ran towards the boat.
The resounding blast of the arrow ripped through the sky, startling birds into flight.
A man dressed similarly was staring at her as he approached.
At first there were two or three people, but gradually there were six or seven around her.
Forced into an alley, the road stretched endlessly into the distance. The sun and moon shone in the darkness, and without a candle, all was shrouded in gloom.
Yesterday, at the banquet, Zhi Rou handed the dagger to Wei Yuanzhan, as she carried no other weapons. She clenched her fists, her breathing quickened, and her eyes were fixed on the newcomer.
This group of thugs was noticeably more cautious than the ones they had encountered before. Seemingly alerted, they moved with the swiftness of hungry wolves lurking in the shadows, their steps slow yet deliberate, as if crushing a heart.
Zhi Rou needs weapons, but they are unavailable anywhere else; only those in their hands can obtain them.
She glanced around quickly, her gaze settling on the hand of the man closest to her. Seeing it clearly, she strained her breath and scoffed, "Without all five fingers, can you even hold a knife properly?"
The man's eyes narrowed, he muttered something under his breath, and suddenly strode forward.
The blade flashed close, and Zhi Rou dodged continuously. The blade grazed her hair, slicing off several strands, and she floated lightly to the ground.
After dozens of moves, the man made another move. She slightly shifted her body, and in a flash, she grabbed the man's wrist holding the knife, twisted it forcefully, and kicked him hard. The man knelt in pain, and she flipped her left hand to snatch the knife hilt.
Knowing her cunning, the travelers were already on guard.
The leader flicked his hand and threw something, which flew through the air. Zhi Rou's eyes narrowed slightly, and she immediately cleaved it in two with her sword.
Unexpectedly, snowflakes suddenly fell from the sky, and powder got into her eyes. She immediately closed her eyes, feeling a stinging pain as if needles were being inserted into them.
Zhi Rou shook her head, and someone shouted in a low voice, "Go!"
Immediately, footsteps approached in quick succession, accompanied by the chilling sound of blades.
Zhi Rou retreated hastily. Because she couldn't see, it was especially difficult for her to defend herself. Her sleeves were torn several times by the cold blades. The killing intent clung to her skin, but she could no longer feel the pain.
As her momentum waned, she stumbled, and someone grabbed her waist from behind. A familiar scent enveloped her, and her wrist was also gripped. At that moment, her tense nerves and anger unconsciously relaxed.
The sounds of birdsong never ceased.
Zhi Rou seemed exhausted, her eyes half-open. Someone turned her face and touched her with their finger: "Are you alright?"
She recognized his voice and wanted to reply, but her consciousness grew increasingly hazy, and in the end, only three words remained, like babbling in her sleep.
"...Wei Yuanzhan."
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