May no one in this world grow old without turning gray (Part Two)
In the side room of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Pinghai smiled and handed a black iron token and a stack of account books to Zhiwei: "Miss Yan, congratulations. His Majesty has personally appointed you to assist in the procurement outside the palace. This job is lucrative, has many connections, and has always been fraught with trouble. Ordinary people can't even get a foothold in it. His Majesty has given you this opportunity because he considers you one of his own."
Zhiwei took the token; it felt heavy in her hand, the sharp edges digging into her palm.
There was no joy on her face; she simply said, "Thank you for Your Majesty's grace, and thank you, Eunuch Ping."
Seeing that Zhiwei was about to turn around and do her own thing, Pinghai didn't say anything more and planned to go about his own business. But when he got to the entrance of the corridor, Zhiwei suddenly turned around and said, "Eunuch Ping, I remember that you weren't called by this name before."
Zhiwei had known Zhu Liji for some time. She had met Pinghai when he was the crown prince. However, Zhu Liji was a man of habitual silence, and Pinghai, like his master, did not talk much.
Pinghai smiled and cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "It's kind of you, Miss Yan, to have such a good memory."
“My former name was Fuhai. When His Majesty ascended the throne, he said he wanted a new atmosphere, so he changed my name, saying it meant to bring peace to the world and bring order to the land. His Majesty has lofty ambitions, and we servants can also benefit from them, can’t we?” Pinghai bowed, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes curving.
Upon hearing this, Zhiwei smiled meaningfully: "So, Eunuch Ping, your name is truly full of trust."
Her words carried a hint of teasing and a deeper meaning. Pinghai was momentarily speechless, chuckled dryly, and couldn't find a reply for a moment.
——
Assisting with procurement, though called assistance, is actually a form of supervision.
The job, which was held every five days, allowed free access to the palace and even overnight stays outside, making it a desirable position for those who had long resided within its walls.
Zhiwei changed into a worn-out gray-blue men's robe, tucked all her hair into her turban, and walked one after the other with Shaoyang, who was also dressed as a servant, amidst the flow of carriages and people leaving the palace to make purchases.
The long-lost atmosphere of the marketplace rushed towards her, bustling and noisy, carrying the mixed smells of dust and food. Zhiwei, however, only felt the noise, and the sunlight stung her eyes.
At the eastern end of the city, the arched bridge's bluestone slabs have been polished smooth by wind and rain. The water flowing beneath the bridge remains the same, but the bustling market scene of yesteryear, filled with lanterns and couples, is long gone.
As Zhiwei stepped onto the bridge, she recalled the lantern festival that year, when Shao Zhao blushed and hid behind Sun Wei, clutching the roasted chestnuts Sun Wei had bought for her, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons when she smiled.
Life is but a fleeting dream, and the seasons of life are but a few autumns.
A few young men who looked like scholars brushed past me, laughing and joking. Their words drifted over: "There are fireworks in the west of the city tonight. I heard it's even more exciting than the lantern festival in previous years..."
Upon hearing this, Zhiwei stopped in her tracks: "Shaoyang."
Zhiwei softly called out, "Let's watch the fireworks before we return to the palace."
Shao Yang was stunned for a moment: "We haven't finished buying everything we need yet..."
“It won’t delay us.” Zhiwei interrupted her, already heading towards the west of the city. “We can go back after watching the fireworks. We’ll have enough time.”
——
West of the city, the market.
Children carrying lanterns weaved through the crowd, the shouts of vendors mingling with laughter, creating a lively scene that felt almost unreal. Zhiwei found a high spot to stand, and just as she settled down, a burst of golden-red fireworks exploded in the night sky, instantly illuminating half the heavens.
Then, a second, a third… fireworks burst forth in succession, so dazzling that it was hard to open one's eyes. The people around cheered, but Zhiwei felt her eyes burning and her vision gradually blurring.
A clumsy confession, the burning breath in my ear... those vibrant days, like a brief firework display, after they shone brightly, all that remained was desolation.
"Master?" Shao Yang noticed Zhiwei's unusual behavior and handed her a handkerchief. "Have you been crying?"
Zhiwei took the handkerchief, wiped her eyes haphazardly, suppressed her surging emotions, and forced a smile: "It's nothing, the fireworks were just too dazzling. I'm thirsty, go to the tea stall over there and buy two bowls of iced tea, I'll wait for you here."
"Yes," Shao Yang replied and left.
Zhiwei watched her figure disappear into the crowd, but instead of waiting in place, she turned and quickly turned into a quiet, deserted narrow alley next to the bridge pier.
As night deepened, Zhiwei slowly ventured deeper into the alley. Two figures dressed in dark casual clothes stood in the shadows. One of them turned around, revealing a familiar face—it was Li Mingjing's adopted son, Li Tai.
Zhiwei narrowed her eyes. The other person was wearing a mask and a wide-brimmed hat that covered half of their face, so their face was not visible.
"Miss Yan, how have you been?" Li Tai greeted her with a smile.
Zhiwei stopped and clutched the note in her hand. It was something someone had secretly slipped to her as she brushed past the crowd; it contained the time and place to meet.
The person he was meeting wasn't mentioned, but Zhiwei knew it must be an old acquaintance.
Zhiwei looked up at Li Tai, her expression unchanged: "Li Jinwu, you went to all this trouble to find me, surely not just to chat with me?"
Li Tai's gaze swept over Zhiwei, then he looked at the masked man beside him and smiled: "Of course, we have important matters to discuss."
Zhiwei: "Why aren't you in the palace?"
"Because this is a big deal."
Zhiwei raised an eyebrow: "How big could it be?"
"It could cost me my head."
Li Tai stepped forward, lowering his voice but his eyes shining brightly: "I've come to ask you, young lady, if you're interested in joining a rebellion?"
Upon hearing this, Zhiwei's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected to be involved in such a secret matter. She took a deep breath, trying to remain calm: "Li Tai, His Majesty has treated you well. Do you know that betraying His Majesty is a capital offense?"
“Treason is an overstatement,” Li Tai interrupted her. “His Majesty has the qualities of a wise ruler, but he lacks the ability to recognize talent.”
"Miss Yan, do you still remember the injustice my godfather suffered many years ago? I am but a humble man, yet I dare not forget. Now that I have gained strength, I only wish to cleanse the court of corrupt officials, set the world right, bring down Wang Miaoxiao, and seek justice for those who died unjustly."
Originally, it was because of the treacherous villain that Zhiwei's cold expression softened somewhat. How could he possibly bring someone down from their horse and gather evidence of their rebellion? Getting Zhu Liji to order the punishment of his loyal minister was far more difficult than ambushing Wang Miaoxiao halfway through the journey and personally sending him on his way.
Moreover, Zhiwei knew that she couldn't readily agree to Li Tai's words. Li Tai was only looking for her to find out the news closest to the Emperor. However, Zhu Liji was inherently suspicious. Although she couldn't do anything substantial to harm him, she couldn't guarantee that one day her actions would be exposed and she would get herself into trouble.
Zhiwei coldly asked, "Li Tai, do you think you can change the situation in the court?"
“Wang Miaoxiao is like His Majesty’s sword. Does His Majesty not know Wang Miaoxiao’s character? Yet he still chose to employ him. Moreover, now that fellow has married the Eldest Princess, he is at the height of his power in the capital. If you think you can use the same methods that General Mingjing used to subdue Wang Miaoxiao, you are really overthinking it.”
"Li Tai, do you have a death wish?"
Or do you think you're the reincarnation of Nezha, with three heads and six arms, able to grow back even if you cut them off?
Zhiwei's lips curved into a very faint smile, like mockery, or perhaps self-reflection.
Zhiwei said, “This cooperation is too risky. If it is exposed, I will surely die. Therefore, I do not want to get involved in your grudges. I advise you to give up this idea as well. You are still young, and there is no need to ruin your future for such trivial matters.”
“Jinwuwei is a talented man. I’ll treat today’s events as a dream, nothing actually happened. I’ll take my leave now.” Zhiwei shifted her body slightly. She was sincerely trying to persuade him, but this only ignited the anger in Li Tai’s eyes.
Li Tai grew anxious and grabbed Zhiwei's forearm, preventing her from leaving: "Miss Yan, Mingyu often mentioned you before he died, saying that you were loyal and righteous and would never sit idly by. Do you really want to let him down?"
“Helping me deal with Wang Miaoxiao is also a way to put an end to Brother Mingyu’s worries. If he has a spirit in heaven, he would not want to see his adoptive father suffer injustice while his enemy lives a life of glory and freedom.” Li Tai’s words were firm, and he tightened his grip on Zhiwei’s sleeve.
Zhiwei winced in pain. It was the masked man beside Li Tai who noticed Li Tai's loss of composure and, in a hoarse voice, urged him to relax.
Zhiwei then withdrew her hand.
She glared at Li Tai fiercely: "What nonsense are you talking about? Since you said Ming Yu mentioned me to you, did he tell you that besides holding grudges, I'm also afraid of trouble, especially death?"
Zhiwei's gaze swept over Li Tai and the silent figure behind him: "Li Tai, take my advice. Your future is bright right now, there's no need to rush things and ruin yourself."
"Li Jinwu, be careful not to hurt your hand with the woodcutter's knife and end up covered in blood." After saying this, Zhiwei turned and walked out of the alley without looking at Li Tai's instantly darkened face.
The night was dark, and the sound of footsteps was particularly clear in the empty alley.
As Zhiwei walked, she mentally prepared an explanation for Shaoyang. Although Shaoyang had confessed to her that she was a spy and promised never to be used by Zhu Liji again, Zhiwei was still somewhat wary. Things had only just gotten a little easier, and she couldn't let Li Tai implicate her; she had important things to do.
As Zhiwei was thinking, she heard very low and light footsteps behind her. The steps were so light that they almost blended into the wind, yet they followed her like a shadow.
Zhiwei turned around abruptly and saw a masked guard standing in the shadows; it was the same person who had been following Li Tai earlier.
“Your master is still not giving up, so he sent you to ambush me,” Zhiwei asked coldly. “Aren’t you afraid that once I return to the palace, I will report everything that happened tonight to His Majesty? At that time, you will probably not be able to escape death.”
Zhiwei stood a few steps away from the guards, in the light.
The guard remained silent, his hat pulled low, revealing only a sliver of his taut chin and a pair of eyes hidden in the shadows.
Although it was their first meeting, Zhiwei felt a sense of familiarity. Despite being alone together, she felt more curiosity than fear.
After a long silence, an extremely hoarse voice came from behind the mask: "You're overthinking it, young lady."
The guard bowed to Zhiwei, saying, "However, it's late at night and the alley is narrow; there might be unforeseen circumstances. I'll escort you on your way."
"Will you give me a ride?" Zhiwei pondered the deeper meaning of those words, then touched the hairpin on her head. Only when she was sure the guard had no other intentions did she reluctantly withdraw her hand.
"Thank you very much then," Zhiwei said.
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