Chapter 542: Sending Off |
Once upon a time, Chen Ji thought he was already very close to that conclusion.
He entered the Trouble-Resolving Tower, using Lin Chaojing to return the Inner Chancellor's first life. Although failing to grasp Lin Chaoqing, but separating from next year's April's Universal Grand Awakening there was still a large half-year. No matter what it was enough to make up perfectly the second life.
He could properly let out a breath of air, resting for a spell. And afterwards waiting for the Inner Chancellor to tell him who he wanted killed.
During this period perhaps he could take Xiaoman and the Little Monk to stroll around Checkerboard Street's night market. Or perhaps looking at how the Eight Great Hutongs select a Floral Queen. Together looking at how splendidly beautiful and prosperously bustling the Ning Dynasty Capital City's Lantern Festival night is.
But at the single moment when the Annan Envoy entered the capital, everything universally began taking a rapid turn straight down.
At a certain moment, Chen Ji felt after he came to the Ning Dynasty he simply lived very hurriedly and hastily. As if all the people universally couldn't bear to see him stop down panting a breath of air.
Chen Ji waited for a single night. Continuing until the sky was hazily bright Brother Pao only then returned.
Brother Pao alone arrived upstairs, patting the dust upon his body: "The Canal Transport Guild's Hall Masters are not easy to seek. Directly seeking arriving at the door to go is unable to find the person. Therefore I last night found the Three Mountains Society's Lord Qi to act as a middleman. But Lord Qi was unwilling to wade this muddy water acting as an introducer for me. I simply anew sought Qian Ping."
Chen Ji was bewildered: "Qian Ping, that one of Harmony Guild?"
Brother Pao hoisted up the teapot from upon the table directly toward his mouth fiercely pouring a mouthful of tea water: "Qian Ping said, it precisely happened amidst the 'Four Beams and Eight Pillars' people had just recently arrived at Capital City. He simply led me going to Chongnan Ward to meet a single person among them, Zhu Xiao. Zhu Xiao actually also wasn't muddying the ink (was straightforward). Agreeing to Qian Ping he would before today's sunset take the words bringing them to Han Tong. As to whether Han Tong is willing or unwilling to attend the appointment, he also does not know."
Chen Ji seemed as if possessing thoughts: "It seems inside this Capital City, it still is the Three Mountains Society's face that is even better to use. Even the promise to take the words bringing them arriving before sunset they universally dare to give. Also not afraid of exposing the information that Han Tong is currently exactly in Capital City—"
Brother Pao explained: "Qian Ping said Han Tong in February of this year simply quietly entered the capital. Continuously hiding within Chongnan Ward. The Secret Spy Division's people sought him for very long, but universally returned lacking merits."
Chen Ji speculated: "Han Tong ought to also have come for the sake of Commandery Princess Baili. The other party is also thinking of methods to rescue her. Waiting for Han Tong to return words right. Viewing whether or not he can help upon any busyness."
From early morning arriving at sunset, Chen Ji upon Plum Blossom Pavilion waited and waited anew. Continuing until seeing the opposite Cold Plum Building lighting up lantern fires. He also failed to be able to wait arriving at the Canal Transport Guild's reply. Only waiting arriving at Qian Ping coming.
Today Qian Ping wore a full set of brown-colored Daoist robes. Atop his head simply binding it using a wooden hairpin. After entering the Three Mountains Society, upon this Master Qian's body it lacked several fractions of killing aura, and multiplied several fractions of refined scholarly elegance.
He followed behind Er Dao's back heading upstairs. Seeing Chen Ji he simply politely and courteously cupped his hands saying: "Baron of Wuxiang County ten thousand peaces."
Qian Ping's left hand lacked its pinky finger. Wearing a single black finger sleeve. Below the finger sleeve was a fake finger made of wood. This was the price he paid back then for the sake of Harmony Guild and Lucky Auspices Swearing A Blood Oath of alliance. And now, Harmony Guild and Lucky Auspices both no longer existed.
Chen Ji opened the door seeing the mountain (went straight to the point) saying: "Master Qian. Does the Canal Transport Guild possess a returned word?"
Qian Ping corrected him: "Marketplace Stick Bearers call me a single sound of Master Qian, I also simply shamelessly acknowledge it down. The Baron of Wuxiang County calling me a single sound of Master Qian... this defeated general under your hands absolutely, ten thousand times dares not acknowledge it. You calling me Qian Ping simply works."
Chen Ji did not entangle upon this matter: "How does the Canal Transport Guild speak?"
Qian Ping steadily and calmly said: "That Zhu Xiao of the Canal Transport Guild replied. Han Tong says... paths not identical do not mutually act as schemers (those who walk different paths cannot make plans together). Everyone originally wasn't fellow travelers on the identical road. Then do not mutually meet."
Within Chen Ji's heart he sank down.
Previously in Luo City, Chen Ji used Han Tong to lead away Yun Yang, Jiao Tu, and Jin Zhu. Reaching the point where the other party was almost grasped. Chen Ji also wasn't completely certain whether or not the other party misunderstood him as colluding with the Eunuch Faction selling out the other party. Now looking at it, Han Tong still as before didn't believe him.
Qian Ping at this time turned the edge of his words (shifted the topic): "This subordinate does not know what the Baron of Wuxiang County is seeking the Canal Transport Guild to do. But can tell you... the 'Four Beams and Eight Pillars' today universally gathered in Capital City. Even that Zhu Zheng who during ordinary days extremely rarely reveals his face also arrived. Thinking it must be they possess massive movements. If the Baron of Wuxiang County possesses enmity with the Canal Transport Guild, please as hastily as possible return going to the inner city. If the Baron of Wuxiang County merely plans to mutually scheme something with the Canal Transport Guild... recently you also must separate distantly somewhat. In order to evade being implicated by the matters they are about to do."
Chen Ji inquired: "Master Qian. Why do you want me to separate distantly somewhat from the Canal Transport Guild?"
Qian Ping lowered his eyelids: "The 'Four Beams and Eight Pillars' universally arriving... maybe they want to do massive business of Property Confiscation and severing heads. People stained upon this matter universally will not possess a good concluding end. Furthermore the Canal Transport Guild these recent several years has been down and out. Han Tong hiding east and concealing west. Hall Masters under his banner universally dare to privately receive business violating taboos. Among the 'Four Beams and Eight Pillars' people's hearts are also not definitely universally aligned together. Say inaccurately inside there are already people who have surrendered to the royal court."
Chen Ji lowered his head pondering: Ever since Han Tong arrived at Capital City, the Canal Transport Guild initiated use of several small eunuchs inside the Forbidden City secretly assisting Bai Li. Aside from supplying every-day required necessities outside of that... there ought to also be discussing how to cleanly escape out of the Forbidden City.
But Zhu Xiao these 'Four Beams and Eight Pillars' suddenly arriving at Capital City. Ought to also be having heard of the matters of the peace marriage. Wishing to step ahead early rescuing and taking away Bai Li—
This everything entirely ought to also lack not the Empress's mutual assistance.
Therefore, Han Tong already mutually joined hands with the Empress?
Not certain.
Chen Ji cupped his hands to Qian Ping saying: "Many thanks for Master Qian's reminding and waking. Red Gate definitely will possess thick rewards."
Qian Ping slightly shook his head: "No need. The so-called Jianghu enmities and grudges... two not mutually owing. Last time this Qian certain owed the Red Gate human sentiments. This time returning them upward, a single cause and a single effect has already concluded into a knot. From now and heading later, Red Gate is Red Gate, Three Mountains Society is Three Mountains Society. Mutually Well Water Does Not Interfere With River Water, anew lacking entanglement."
Chen Ji nodded his head: "Alright."
Qian Ping cupped his hands once again: "Taking leave."
Chen Ji watched Er Dao lead Qian Ping departing away. At this time, upon Cold Plum Building from far, far away there were singing voices drifting over. Precisely singing tonight's new lyric-verses "Water Melody". Mildly tactful, sorrowful and grieving. Chen Ji quietly listened. Continuing until the song girl finished singing the final single sentence.
He deeply, deeply inhaled a breath of air. Wait again anew, the matters perhaps still possess a turning opportunity.
Chen Ji stood upon Plum Blossom Pavilion exhausting his eyes gazing far distantly. His gaze seeming as if it would pass through the lofty and towering Zhengyang Gate and Meridian Gate. Catching sight of Jingyang Palace inside the Forbidden City.
Jingyang Palace.
A palace female maid dragging a palace lantern in her left hand, and dragging a Food Box in her right hand. Arriving before the palace gates lightly calling in a soft voice: "Commandery Princess. It's time to head to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. The Empress today made up for the banquet inside the palace."
Bai Li's figure slowly floated up from inside the main hall. Behind her back still following that plump and fat Xuan Su.
She arrived before the female maid's face: "Elder sister cannot call me Commandery Princess anew anymore. If it is listened away by outsiders... I'm afraid again possessing troubles."
The female maid smilingly said: "Who dares chew their tongue blindly?"
Xuan Su hastily and hurriedly followed up harmonizing: "We and our peers will not speak blindly."
Bai Li no longer argued and debated. She from within the female maid's hands received over the Food Box. And completely handed it passing it to Xuan Su. Lowly warning and instructing: "Inside are two roasted geese and some mooncakes rewarded from the Empress. You take them heading to the rear hall and with everyone divide them right... Everyone universally is people with bitter lives and fates. Absolutely cannot bully people anew anymore."
Xuan Su who was blinded in a single eye mockingly smiled: "What the Commandery Princess says is. Now this Jingyang Palace finally with great difficulty hoped arriving at a bit of good days. Whoever doesn't cherish it, whoever precisely is a heart blinded by pig's fat. Set down your heart right... even if I don't eat a single mouthful, I will also cause them and they every single person to universally be capable of eating it."
Bai Li nodded her head: "Then I am heading to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. Before the Hai hour (9 - 11 PM) coming back."
Waiting until Bai Li followed the female maid departing. Xuan Su dragging the Food Box returned to within the rear hall. The female Daoist crowns completely flocked surrounding gathering together over. Before even lifting open the Food Box they simply smelled nose-striking meat flagrance.
Xuan Su took the Food Box setting it upon the large communal bed. Saying in a cold voice: "All do not snatch. The Commandery Princess instructed and commanded every single person possesses a share."
The female Daoist crowns widely staring watched Xuan Su take the goose meat tearing it down bit by bit, distributing it passing to every single person. She herself ultimately actually only was left with a goose chest skeleton lacking meat slowly gnawing it.
Du Miao holding her own goose leg gathered stepping in front: "Manager. You eat this one of mine right."
Xuan Su with a face lacking expression said: "You eat yours. Do not come presenting solicitous hospitality. I simply spoke yesterday. Tribute fruits are precisely everyone taking turns eating. You pleasingly currying favor with me or offending me... this rule entirely will not change. Do not ponder it anew anymore."
Du Miao resentfully retreated returning back: "Taking a good heart and treating it like donkey liver and lungs (biting the hand that feeds you). I am doing this for your good, how come you still don't accept the sentiments."
Xuan Su picking off a tiny bit of fine meat upon the goose chest skeleton, completely un-minding said: "Think thinking these thirty-some years passing days the same as worse than pigs and dogs. Again think thinking what days are passed now. Universally inside the heart chant and chant the Commandery Princess's goodness. Don't anew inside your heart strike a small Abacus (make petty calculations). Also don't apply that set of yours upon my body, it's not good to use. If you make a fuss rising anew, be careful even goose meat you won't get to eat."
Du Miao curled her lips saying in a small voice: "Peering at that pug dog appearance of yours. You eat goose meat precisely here... that Commandery Princess actually went to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility to eat the Empress's formal banquet. You are this loyal, how come they didn't see the Commandery Princess taking you also bringing you over? Don't forget who precisely pierced and blinded that single eye of yours."
Xuan Su raised her head looking at her: "Jingyang Palace's whole root sources all lie at Xuan Zhen. Back then if not for the Commandery Princess's hands showing mercy (lenience)... I'm afraid I would have already died upon the hands of you people. Say another single phrase of bad words about the Commandery Princess... be careful I tear and ruin that mouth of yours."
At this exact moment of time, Bai Li followed behind the female maid's back. Silently passing through line by line still and silent palace roads. Inside every single line of palace road universally possessed Trouble-Resolving Guards standing guard. Every quarter of an shichen (15 mins) still possessed Trouble-Resolving Guards taking turns patrolling. Yet toward Bai Li heading to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility they were accustomed to it regarding it as completely normal, seeing it yet ignoring it.
Arriving at the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. From far away simply seeing the Empress inside her embrace hugging Wu Yun. Standing inside the main hall's door sill waiting for her. The sky's weather was inflamed and hot. Wu Yun today didn't wear a small jacket anew anymore. Only upon its neck was still hanging a single pure gold longevity lock.
Bai Li seeing the Empress precisely waiting for her. Hastily and hurriedly fast walked two steps. Wu Yun nimbly and cleverly drilled out from within the Empress's embrace falling upon the ground. In several steps simply hopping entering inside her embrace.
Bai Li lowered her head. Using her nose tip and Wu Yun's nose tip to lightly bump and bump.
The Empress feigning jealousy playfully scolded: "How come the Mountain Lord is simply this intimate with you? As soon as seeing you come... simply whoever she doesn't cast an extra single glance at immediately drilling entering inside your embrace. During ordinary days was it universally a fake intention coaxing me right?"
Wu Yun to the Empress adorably and cleverly meowed out a single sound.
Bai Li smilingly explained: "The Empress wrongfully blamed Wu Yun—"
The Empress pulled her arms teasingly saying: "Alright alright. No need to debate and explain for this small little creature. Hastily come and eat the meal right. This meal tonight is for the sake of Sending Off for you. After tonight... also don't know whether we two mother-and-daughter possess the opportunity to mutually meet anew anymore. Waiting until you depart this Forbidden City, definitely do not forget this Palace."
Bai Li only then discovered, today inside the Palace of Earthly Tranquility it was exceptionally empty and vast. All the female maids inside the palace aside from the Empress's trusted confidants during ordinary days, universally had all been sent away.
(End of this chapter)