The imperial palace became lively. Everywhere one went, there were throngs of ladies, both consorts and maids, being selected in large numbers.
Li Yuruan, as she had wished, was enfeoffed as Empress.
She walked along the palace path, her phoenix coronet adorned, her demeanor graceful. Despite the biting wind and the withered gardens, her spirits were undamped.
Behind her followed a host of concubines. This feeling of being the center of attention was truly wonderful.
Fortunately, she hadn't married early. Look, who was laughing last was still uncertain!
She heard that the Fengque Tower housed many rare and exotic plants, which emitted fragrant scents even in the dead of winter. There were also golden goblets and jade cups, pearl-inlaid curtains, and countless treasures, visible everywhere.
She had never set foot there before; today, she would go and broaden her horizons.
That most magnificent building in the palace, like a shining piece of gold, or perhaps a delectable cake, beckoned her to explore.
However, she was stopped outside the palace hall.
"I am the Empress, and I cannot enter?"
Li Yuruan, clad in her Empress robes, held her back straight, dignified and noble.
The guard lowered his head. "Replying to Her Majesty the Empress, without the Emperor's decree, no one is permitted to enter."
Li Yuruan's expression stiffened slightly. Hearing a concubine behind her chuckle, she felt a surge of anger.
But she was adept at pretense, and merely smiled. "Then I shall seek the Emperor's permission to visit another day."
No rush. She had already entered the palace; entering Fengque Tower was merely a matter of time.
Everyone had left.
Everything here would eventually be hers.
In the Imperial Study, Emperor Mingde listened to Fulun's report, remaining silent for a long time.
He finished copying the last character of the Buddhist scripture and put down his brush.
He examined it, seemingly dissatisfied, and in an instant, tore it to shreds.
"I heard the Divine Maiden appeared in the Lingnan region. Are there no posted notices there? Does she not yet know what I have done? Otherwise, why no condemnation, not even a letter?"
Fulun dared not reply.
His Majesty seemed to have become somewhat deranged recently, his temper growing increasingly volatile, causing much discontent among the court officials.
"Or perhaps she does not care about this. Then what does she care about?"
"Feng Shihao, this traitorous official, opposes me daily. I shall not... Good. My Imperial Sister has a good relationship with him, so I shall make him my example. Let's see if my Imperial Sister becomes anxious."
"Issue my decree: weapons are hidden within the Jiangbei Prince's mansion, plotting rebellion. Imprison him in death row!"
"Your Majesty, absolutely not! The Jiangbei Prince has the support of many court officials; his influence is not to be underestimated. It would be better to prepare further..."
Fulun's words were cut short by Emperor Mingde's stern interruption: "Have Lei Hua raid the Jiangbei Prince's mansion!"
The Jiangbei Prince was thrown into prison.
Notices were once again spread throughout the Jing Kingdom.
Xiao Shan mobilized all available forces and finally obtained a lead on the Golden Lotus youth.
Baozi Village, Donglin County.
He suddenly understood. The defensive stone the person mentioned was the meteorite on Qingyun Mountain!
That's right. The Qirong demoness had said at the time that it was a stone from her courtyard.
It made sense; only that space would possess such miraculous items.
Xiao Shan immediately rushed to Qingyun Mountain.
Qingyun Mountain remained as it always was, evoking many memories for him. Standing on the mountain and looking down, he could see the scattered houses of Baozi Village. When he returned from hunting, he would always glance towards his own home first.
Sometimes, seeing the smoke from the kitchen, he would imagine Xue Niang's indistinct figure in the misty kitchen.
It was better here; this was life.
Suddenly, his gaze sharpened. He rubbed his eyes and looked again towards the village entrance. He hadn't misread; there were indeed two houses standing side by side. One was Granny Hua's, and the other... had someone else built a new house and moved in?
His heart felt a pang of sadness. He had originally intended to...
But that could wait.
He effortlessly found the several towering, sturdy pine trees that served as landmarks.
However, he discovered that the illusory forest he could previously enter was now inaccessible. He walked around and around, only to find himself circling the pine trees.
"Excuse me, how long will it take to repair the meridians?"
"May I come in to visit?"
"Then I shall wait in the village at the foot of the mountain?"
Xiao Shan had never been so polite to anyone before. But facing someone who could save Xue Niang, he would do anything, even kneel.
Yet, after calling out several times, there was no response. He dared not disturb them, but not hearing anything, he was unsure if anyone was inside, and he was reluctant to leave.
Until he heard that person's distinctive, cold voice from within.
"Just wait. It will take three to five years to repair."
Three to five years!
So long!
Good, good, he could wait, he could wait.
He would build another house at the foot of the mountain and stay here, waiting for Xue Niang to emerge.
Xiao Shan descended the mountain and first went to inspect the house at the village entrance. As he approached, he was somewhat surprised. The house was identical to the one that had burned down; he even suspected it was his own house.
What was going on?
He stood at the entrance, and Granny Hua's door opened.
Lu Qingsong, hearing the noise, came out to investigate. Upon seeing Xiao Shan, his expression immediately became solemn, and he was about to kneel, but Xiao Shan waved him to stop.
"What is this?"
"Replying to General, after you left, Liu Zhuzi led the villagers to rebuild it, with the same layout as before. A few days ago, two people from the capital came, inquired if this was your house, and then added furniture. Your subordinate had the brothers from the sect investigate; they were sent by the Jiangbei Prince. It is now fully furnished and ready to live in. Your subordinate cleans it daily."
Lu Qingsong finished speaking and presented the key with both hands.
So that was it.
Although Xiao Shan's heart was now calm, hearing this still stirred some emotion.
He had merely chosen a random place to settle down, but here he had met someone he cherished as his life. After living with the villagers for a few months, he thought he was just a passerby, but unexpectedly, they had already treated him as one of their own.
Coming back here after all the detours showed that he truly had a connection with this place.
Then he would put down roots here.
Xiao Shan opened the door and walked inside.
As expected, it was the Jiangbei Prince's doing. To live in the village, one had to look the part. He had arranged it: a Huangli wood eight immortals table, a rhombic bronze mirror, a rosewood cabinet, and the large kang bed was hung with double-layer gauze curtains, with a chaise longue placed beneath, and several flower pots, filling the room completely, rather incongruously.
If the house weren't so small, it was as if he wanted to move Fengque Tower here!
The yard was piled with firewood against the wall; indeed, nothing was lacking. He had thought of everything.
He had also built a small swing set.
Why hadn't he thought of this before?
That young man was probably in prison now; he should be counterattacking.
Xue Niang had told him not to meddle in royal affairs anymore, so he would not oppose Feng Shijin.
Now it was a fight between brothers; could he not just watch the spectacle?