Chapter 544: Hard to Change True Nature |
Inside the Forbidden City at the Hai hour (9 - 11 PM), it was seemingly resembling a magnificent inner and outer coffin.
Palaces seat by seat had their windows tightly shut. Unable to penetrate out a single trace of smiling intention. Clearly it was summer days, the bluestone floorboards actually from the soles of the feet seeped out a single trace of cooling energy. The wind howled whistling past the palace roads... actually not for the sake of breaking the stillness and silence, but instead was for the sake of measuring the depth and breadth of the stillness and silence.
It contained the Ning Dynasty's most exquisite Propriety rules, the most strict and harsh hierarchies, the most massive wealth, the most supreme and unparalleled power. Also containing congealed and frozen youth, oppressed and suppressed desires, forgotten savage ambitions.
In the black night, Bai Li changed into a full set of grey-colored eunuch clothing. Drawing her eyebrows causing herself to again resemble that small eunuch several fractions.
She followed behind Xu Xi's back hurriedly and hastily walking past the palace roads. The two people's both hands gathered inside the broad and wide sleeves. Lowering their heads, resembling walking inside an immense dark shadow.
The inner court's small eunuchs began night patrols.
They set out from Black Tortoise Gate. Dragging small palace lanterns. Beating sounding watch drums. With fixed footsteps and rhythms. Passing through line by line palace gates. Dragging lengthy, monotonous trailing tones reporting the watches: "Under Heaven! Supreme Peace!"
The Hai hour (9 - 11 PM) was Under Heaven Supreme Peace.
The Zi hour (11 PM - 1 AM) was the North Star Precisely Positioned.
The Yin hour (3 - 5 AM) was Heavens Clear and Earth Tranquil.
The Mao hour (5 - 7 AM) was The Hundred Officials making Prohibitions.
However ever since Emperor Ning deeply submerged his heart cultivating Dao at Renshou Palace. Simply only Under Heaven Supreme Peace was pulling the throat shouting it out. All the rest universally turned into small voices muttering and grumbling. The Yin hour's 'Heavens Clear and Earth Tranquil' also turned into 'Ten Thousand Longevities Lacking Boundaries'.
At this time, Bai Li followed behind Xu Xi's back. Crossing bodies passing by the small eunuch beating sounding the watch drum. The other party didn't ask their destination... inside these palace prohibitions, having one more matter is inferior to having one less matter. Blind people and deaf people live lengthier and longer than bystanders.
After distancing far, Xu Xi slanted his head explaining and instructing: "Commandery Princess. When exiting Black Tortoise Gate do not panic and grow flustered. These past few months we and our peers have already deliberately arranged this identity to constantly exit the palace. The Trouble-Resolving Guards acting on duty inside the palace have universally entirely seen his appearance. Waiting until the Trouble-Resolving Guards catch sight of you, in the black night they will subconsciously simply take you treating you as him."
Xu Xi continued saying: "There is someone receiving you departing Bei'an Gate. After exiting Bei'an Gate, beside Yue Bridge is parked a small boat. Taking you from Jishui Pool exiting the water pass— The Guild Master said, the people your heart misses and thinks of and the matters you hang in your thoughts... can universally all be first let down and set aside. The days to come are squarely long. Tonight no matter what must depart Capital City. Walking the water routes heading southwards. Otherwise waiting until the royal court reacts and reflects coming over, his preparations of these eight months of effort will simply entirely all be wasted."
Bai Li silently inscribed it in her heart.
Xu Xi continued saying in a low voice: "Commandery Princess set down your heart. Our Canal Transport Guild still possesses a dozen myriad brothers. Whatever happens also won't allow you to mistakenly and vainly suffer grievances. Waiting until after exiting Capital City, the Guild Master will bring you heading southwards. Waiting until which day the Jing Dynasty again strikes coming, we simply sever the royal court's grain routes, lifting banners rising up from the south—"
Bai Li didn't place these words upon her heart. Also completely lacked the intention of lifting banners rising up in rebellion.
In the next moment, she heard rapid and hasty footsteps sounds ring out ahead. Raising her head looking over. Actually it was twelve Trouble-Resolving Guards carrying lanterns by hand mutually facing coming over. Mutually on a narrow road inside the palace road meeting... lacking paths to evade.
These Trouble-Resolving Guards had their hands pressing upon their waist sabers. Traveling appearances hasty and rushed. It absolutely was not ordinary shifting rotations. It absolutely must be the palace inside possessed matters occurring.
Watching the Trouble-Resolving Guards getting closer and closer. Xu Xi drew his body tight. He deeply, deeply inhaled a breath of air, suppressing down his voice: "Commandery Princess don't panic. They aren't necessarily rushing us coming over. Even if they are rushing us coming over, they also aren't necessarily aware you have already changed identities.
[Translation note: skipped typo]
Still possessing a dozen-some steps of distance, the Trouble-Resolving Guards simply shouted loudly: "What person is still walking inside the palace road at the Hai hour?"
Xu Xi hastily and hurriedly took out his Waist Plaque, swapping upon a smiling face: "Various lords. This lowly one is the Directorate of Imperial Clothing primary rank-seven recording eunuch Xu Xi. Behind is this one is our Directorate of Imperial Clothing's attendant Wang Wenbiao. Today a bolt of Cloud Brocade tailored for the Empress Dowager had muddled stitches. The Empress Dowager she is precisely grandly erupting thunderous fury. Lord Supervisor commanded us two people to hastily exit the palace interrogating and questioning. Looking to see where the problem occurred. Accompanying convenience for the Empress Dowager her elderly self again tailoring a new one sending it over."
Xu Xi and the others handled the matters until a single drop of water couldn't leak through. The supposedly so-called Empress Dowager because of Cloud Brocade erupting thunderous fury matter also indeed possessed occurrence. This originally was precisely an opportunity manufactured for the sake of tonight departing Capital City.
During the speech, Xu Xi bold of gallbladder and fine of heart (bold yet cautious) raised his head looking toward the Trouble-Resolving Guards. Saying with pleasant surprise: "Yi, it's Lord Li. You are still acting on duty late to this extent? How come, the palace inside possessed a massive matter occurring?"
A single person among the Trouble-Resolving Guards received over the Waist Plaque evaluating it, again tossing the Waist Plaque passing to Xu Xi: "So it's you rascal. Do not ask what ought not to be asked. Hastily scramble away."
Xu Xi received passing the Waist Plaque, mockingly smiling: "It is this lowly one not understanding the rules."
He pulled Bai Li retreating arriving beside the palace road. Silently waiting for the Trouble-Resolving Guards to depart away, only then continuing to walk northwards.
But having just walked two steps, from behind their backs again transmitted over the Trouble-Resolving Guards' voices: "Wait down."
Xu Xi and Bai Li repeatedly again stopped their footsteps turning their heads looking over. That Trouble-Resolving Guard pressing the handle of his waist saber walked slowly coming over: "That one in the back. Raise up your head."
Inside Xu Xi's heart he gripped tight. Deeply afraid Bai Li would act timid and weak leaking out a horse's foot (revealing flaws). But Bai Li calmly and frankly raised her head, allowing the other party to evaluate her freely.
Two breaths later. That Trouble-Resolving Guard pressing his waist saber said in a cold voice: "It will do. Go."
Xu Xi and Bai Li simultaneously bowed their bodies announcing their leave. Hurtling in wild haste rushing heading to Black Tortoise Gate. If they still didn't walk faster, Black Tortoise Gate simply would drop its locks.
When Black Tortoise Gate appeared inside their field of vision, Bai Li subconsciously turned her head back looking over. Wishing to again look at Palace of Earthly Tranquility's lantern fires. But Palace of Earthly Tranquility's outlines had early on already been drowned inside the palace halls crowd.
The Trouble-Resolving Guards passed through the Eastern Six Palaces' palace roads. Precisely about to turn entering Jingyang Palace. A single person among them alertly turned his head, staring deadly fixedly at the Zhongcui Palace enveloped in darkness.
Zhongcui Palace lacked lantern fires. Palace halls and buildings universally exhaustively were enveloped inside dark shadows. Below that swathe of shadow, a black human figure stood lonely and solitary before the palace gates. Silently staring and gazing at the Trouble-Resolving Guards.
And perhaps instead it was silently staring and gazing at the Jingyang Palace the Trouble-Resolving Guards were about to go to.
The Trouble-Resolving Guard pulled out his waist saber, condensing his voice saying: "Who? Come out!"
His colleague hastily and hurriedly pressed down his wrists, suppressing down his voice: "Are you mad? That's His Highness the Crown Prince!"
The blade-holding Trouble-Resolving Guard with sudden realization... hastily and hurriedly gathered his blade cupping his fists: "Offending His Highness the Crown Prince, this lowly official's crimes merit ten thousand deaths."
That human figure inside Zhongcui Palace didn't speak words. Leaning on a crutch limping and limping returning inside the dark Zhongcui Palace.
The Trouble-Resolving Guards mutually looked for a glance. A single person among them said in a low voice: "Never mind it. Proper matters are important."
The Trouble-Resolving Guards dashed entering Jingyang Palace, shouting loudly: "Trouble-Resolving Guards handle cases. All people exit from the rear hall!"
The palace's female Daoist crowns had only just recently slept down. Flocking in succession crawling their bodies up from the large communal bed. Honestly and properly wearing their clothing decently exiting the rear hall. Lowering their heads standing forming a single row.
The twelve Trouble-Resolving Guards meticulously evaluated the twenty-some female Daoist crowns. Suddenly asking: "Which one is Zhu Baili?"
The female Daoist crowns Looked at One Another. Lowering their heads exchanging gazes left and right. Not knowing why the Trouble-Resolving Guards suddenly sought Commandery Princess Baili deep in the night?
Xuan Su's eyes flickered and flashed: "Various lords seeking Commandery Princess Baili to do what?"
A single Trouble-Resolving Guard sunkenly voiced saying: "She is the descendant of criminal prisoners. Having early on already stopped being any Commandery Princess. I again ask a single time. Where is Zhu Baili?"
The female Daoist crowns were trembling and terrified. Lowering their heads without speaking.
Du Miao hesitated for a moment opening her mouth saying: "Zhu Baili went—"
Xuan Su said in a harsh voice: "Du Miao!! Daring to speak words blindly, inside these Six Palaces there lacks your grounds of accommodating your body!"
Du Miao hastily and hurriedly shut upon her mouth.
A single Trouble-Resolving Guard stepped forward a step. Using the blade handle viciously knocking upon Xuan Su's abdomen. Hurting until Xuan Su drew in a backward breath of cold air curling up and shrinking upon the ground.
She exhausted effort raising her head looking over. Yet seeing the Trouble-Resolving Guard stand his body straight coldly looking downward overlooking her: "We and our peers received line-reports (tips). There are people who want to mutually assist Zhu Baili to escape the palace prohibitions. If we let her walk away, neither you nor I will universally possess good days to pass anymore. I moreover ask you all again a single time. Where is Zhu Baili?"
The female Daoist crowns' complexions universally changed. Only then did they know what matters had occurred.
At this time, outside Jingyang Palace again transmitted over footstep sounds. The Trouble-Resolving Guards turned their heads looking over. Imposingly it was a single set of red-colored python robes Wu Xiu leading several dozens of Trouble-Resolving Guards passing through the main hall.
The Trouble-Resolving Guards universally entirely lowered their heads cupping fists: "Milord."
Wu Xiu's gaze swept past over the female Daoist crowns' faces one by one. Slowly and methodically saying: "Whoever speaks out Zhu Baili's dropping destination (whereabouts). This Seat permits her to act as Jingyang Palace's Managing True Human."
The female Daoist crowns still as before lowered their heads without speaking.
Wu Xiu placing both hands upon his back lightly faintly smiled a single sound: "Various people compared with Zhu Baili are not identical. You universally are not criminal sinners who committed Gargantuan Mistakes. By no means are people who universally must live a single lifetime inside Jingyang Palace. Human life possesses a hasty several tens of years. Standing inside this Jingyang Palace, even the sky universally cannot be seen completely entirely. Neither able to see the sun rising, nor able to see the sun setting. Passing this kind of days worse and inferior than pigs and dogs. Why must you care about bystanders' death or living?"
Wu Xiu walked past step by single step before the female Daoist crowns' faces. His gaze staring and gazing at the facial features of the female Daoist crowns: "Set down your hearts. There will not be people seeking vengeance upon you and your peers... The first single one to speak out Zhu Baili's whereabouts, This Seat permits her exiting the palace."
The female Daoist crowns' expressions universally bolted upright.
Exiting the palace?
Xuan Su suddenly snatched up speaking: "Tonight at the Xu hour (7 - 9 PM). The Empress's side's female maid Changming invited Zhu Baili away. Saying the Empress inside Palace of Earthly Tranquility had set up a banquet. Before the Hai hour she would return."
The female Daoist crowns watched her difficultly able to put trust in it (in disbelief). Yet she totally uncaring disregarded them speaking: "Milord. Now the Hai hour has already passed! Bai Li absolutely must have fled!"
Wu Xiu turned his body and simply walked. Leading a crowd of Trouble-Resolving Guards departing away: "To Palace of Earthly Tranquility."
Xuan Su snatched stepping forward a single step wishing to go drag and pull Wu Xiu: "Milord—"
A Trouble-Resolving Guard with a cold and indifferent expression blocked her down: "Unrestrained insolence."
Xuan Su separated by the Trouble-Resolving Guard. Looking at the back figure of Wu Xiu saying loudly: "Milord! You once promised the first single person to speak out Zhu Baili's whereabouts can exit the palace."
Wu Xiu answered without turning his head back: "Set down your heart. Waiting until you die... This Seat will command people take your corpse tossing it out of the palace."
Xuan Su's complexion vastly changed: "Milord! You cannot have words yet lack Trust! Otherwise from now and heading later who will still handle matters for you?!"
Wu Xiu calmly and indifferently said: "Slap the mouth."
The Trouble-Resolving Guard blocking Xuan Su pinched her neck opening his bow left and right (slapping rapidly left and right). Fanning (slapping) until Xuan Su's mouth corners cracked and split completely open.
Wu Xiu walked out of Jingyang Palace. Still able to hear from behind his back transmit over Du Miao letting loose her voice grandly laughing. Repercussions of laughter inside the sealed off and densely dark palace courtyard twisted and twisted: "Xuan Su! I treated you as having changed your temperament! The resultant outcomes you still are a dog unable to change eating shit! You forgot what precisely you leaned upon receiving Xuan Zhen's heavy use?! Leaning precisely upon inside this Jingyang Palace it belongs to you as the most lowly and cheap. Extensively counting you as the most fierce and vicious. Extensively counting you as the most astutely clever. Extensively counting you as being best at putting on an act!"
"Setting aside Xuan Zhen that Demon and Monster's other things without speaking. She absolutely precisely viewing people was the most impeccably accurate. You one person, Zhu Lingyun one person. In your bones universally you all are cheap species who are selfish and care for self-benefit. We and our peers merely wish to snatch mouthfuls of tribute fruits to eat. You people universally actually want to eat people. The old saying speaks it well... if a single completely rotten person suddenly turns better, it is absolutely not her overturning awakening thoroughly repenting... but instead it is she knows how to fake it!"
"Now it is good! We universally together will rot entirely here! Who universally also don't even think of walking away!"
(End of this chapter)