Chapter 146: The Underground Palace
At night, the town mayor sent someone with a message saying that Cao Yunzhao had been kept there for drinks and hospitality, to discuss the arrangements for tomorrow’s wedding ceremony.
Xie Jing saw the messenger at the door and asked, “What about the secretary? Is he at the mayor’s house as well?”
The villager delivering the message wasn’t used to such matters and spoke haltingly. Seeing Xie Jing and his party, he looked nervous. “He’s there… all of them stayed there. They said they’ll go directly to the government office tomorrow and won’t be coming back.”
Hearing that Cao Yunzhao had people with him, Xie Jing didn’t ask further, nodded, and let the villager leave.
Early the next morning, just at dawn, Lord Bai Jiu prepared to depart for the Jiangkou area.
Worried for his safety, Xie Jing asked Hu Da to take some men along. Hu Da refused, speaking urgently, “Young master, when the family head came, he said if anything happened to you, I wouldn’t even need to return! You let them go, but I’m not leaving!”
Lord Bai Jiu spoke as well, “This time we won’t take carriages; horseback is faster. I only need twenty men. We’ll go and return quickly.”
Xie Jing thought for a moment and said, “Then pick another twenty men and horses, and bring a few more guns for protection. I’ll feel more at ease.”
“Alright.”
Xie Jing wasted no time and went to select the men—veterans accustomed to traveling long distances with caravans, familiar with mountain paths, and skilled in combat.
Before long, everyone had gathered and waited outside the main gate.
Xie Jing brought over a cloak and helped Lord Bai Jiu put it on. His brows remained furrowed.
Lord Bai Jiu looked at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
Xie Jing asked in confusion, “Lord, is something wrong?”
Lord Bai Jiu shook his head. As Xie Jing lowered his head to adjust the cloak, Lord Bai Jiu leaned down slightly, brushing his lips lightly against the top of Xie Jing’s head like a gentle kiss, and said with a smile, “I just feel that you’ve grown, become capable.”
Xie Jing’s hands paused briefly. He couldn’t see his own expression but noticed his earlobes faintly flushed.
After sending Lord Bai Jiu and his group off, Xie Jing soon received news about Cao Yunzhao.
Cao Yunzhao hadn’t returned all night. This morning, without waiting for Xie Jing, he sent a villager to invite him to attend the mayor’s wedding banquet.
The villager said, “Master Cao and the secretary are waiting at the mayor’s place. They also ask that you come, so as not to miss the auspicious time.”
Xie Jing considered briefly and agreed. Without a guide sent by the mayor, ascending the mountain would be troublesome. These villagers were conservative; they couldn’t attack unarmed people, so it was best to first deal with the mayor. Since Xie Jing hadn’t brought any gifts, and it would be inappropriate to attend the mayor’s wedding empty-handed, he asked Hu Da to buy a few bolts of silk, several jars of wine, and a few boxes of pastries from roadside shops.
Hu Da returned efficiently but looking unhappy, muttering, “Young master, you don’t know. There’s something wrong with the people in this town. Out of ten shops, seven or eight handle funerals, and silk can only be found at the funeral shops. I had to buy a few brocade fabrics to make do… so unlucky!”
Hearing this, Xie Jing felt that strange uneasy feeling again.
The sky was overcast, but at least it wasn’t raining.
Riding his horse, Xie Jing led a squad of men. He glanced at the sky and frowned slightly. Weather like this didn’t seem like an auspicious day.
The villager guiding them was on foot but moved quickly, almost jogging, leading them to a point near the town entrance and the base of the mountain.
Xie Jing shouted, “Stop!” The villager hadn’t reacted yet when Hu Da and the others swiftly flanked him, holding him at gunpoint, one pressing firmly against the back of his head.
Xie Jing looked at him and asked sternly, “Why take this route? This isn’t going to the mayor’s house, is it?”
The villager had never seen such a show of force. Panic drained his face white as he stammered, “It… it isn’t. The mayor’s house is old, so the wedding is being held at the government office. Please, young master, spare me, spare me!”
Xie Jing thought briefly, recalling that the mayor’s half-new, half-old clothing gave him the impression of being conservative and stingy. Using the government office wasn’t surprising—it was made of stone and more imposing. Perhaps he had even misappropriated some public property. But the office was safer than the mayor’s house, giving Xie Jing some peace of mind. He told Hu Da to lower the guns and followed the villager.
The terrified villager led them to the government office, pointed to the entrance, and ran off.
The office’s main gate had been newly decorated. Lanterns and ribbons in red and yellow wrapped around the stone pillars, giving the impression of a grand wedding. Many people bustled about the courtyard in red and green attire. Some worked in the kitchen, slaughtering pigs and cooking. The usually stingy mayor was unusually generous today; it was clear a lot had been spent.
The elderly mayor was supported as he walked over. His hair, eyebrows, and beard were all white. Today he wore a dark red silk robe that didn’t fit well and a small black silk cap adorned with a thumb-sized green stone. Trembling, he thanked them and, seeing their gifts, openly said they had spent a lot.
The old mayor, obsessed with rank, insisted on not opening the main gate even though the office was used for the wedding. Everyone had to enter through a side gate.
The reason was simple: none of them held official titles.
He said, “Without rank, not being a scholar or degree-holder, this is the tradition. Please don’t take offense.”
Xie Jing didn’t argue, handed over the gifts, and said, “I came in a hurry and have matters to attend to. Please have Master Cao come out; I have a few words and then we will leave.”
The old mayor nodded repeatedly and sent someone to fetch him. Soon, someone ran out saying, “Master Cao is busy inside. He says the young master may go in to speak.”
Xie Jing asked, “Busy with what?”
The old mayor’s face glowed red with a smile. “It’s an old man’s wedding; Master Cao is thinking about how to host and what ceremonial words to say.”
Xie Jing’s group was too large for the small office. He took Hu Da and a few others in, instructing the rest to guard outside.
Hu Da, rough and crude, couldn’t grasp the wedding etiquette, but Xie Jing had seen some when following Lord Bai Jiu before. He was somewhat surprised by the meticulous rules of the old mayor’s wedding. The ceremonial offerings and etiquette were elaborate, some unfamiliar to him, but it was clear that the mayor was marrying the new wife according to the proper rites of a principal wife—without any negligence.
Entering the rear courtyard into the guest hall, a small table was set at the door. An elder and a youth questioned Xie Jing’s group one by one about their age and zodiac, to avoid offending the newlyweds.
Xie Jing, born in the Year of the Horse, caused no conflict and entered the hall first.
The hall was empty. Not a single guest was present.
Xie Jing wanted to see Liu Ruyi but thought perhaps Cao Yunzhao’s absence last night was related to her. He sat quietly, saying nothing.
Through the wooden door, he could hear Hu Da arguing loudly outside, apparently about zodiac incompatibility preventing entry. After a while, no Cao Yunzhao appeared. A villager brought in tea, and Xie Jing asked, “Is the bride today Mrs. Ru?”
The villager nodded repeatedly: “Of course.”
Xie Jing asked again, “I heard she’s been in town for two or three years. Why marry today?”
The villager said, “The mayor calculated an auspicious date and strictly observes old rituals. In these three years, he has seen Mrs. Ru only once. Hence, the grand wedding is today.”
Further questions yielded no new information.
Outside, Hu Da argued with others about zodiac incompatibility, unable to enter the guest hall. Guarding the door, he called through the door, “Young master, are you still inside?”
Xie Jing: “Yes.”
Hu Da shouted, “We’ll wait fifteen minutes. If Master Cao doesn’t come, we’ll come in to get you!”
Outside, people heard him threatening to force entry and began to shout. Xie Jing remained silent, didn’t touch the tea, eyes fixed on the door. For some reason, he suddenly smelled damp earth after rain. At first faint, it grew stronger, blurring his vision. Biting his lip, he held his breath. Looking at his wrist, he noticed a patch of mycelium-like substance, blackened over time, covering part of his thumb.
The voices of Hu Da and the others sounded distant and unclear.
—
The Underground Palace
Bai Hongqi wrapped herself in her thin clothes, lips turning blue from the cold, body trembling.
Beside her, Bai Mingyu held a sharp tool, chiseling at the wall. Sweat dotted his forehead. He looked thinner, but still alert, far better than Bai Hongqi.
The underground air was damp with earthy smell, soft enough for the walls to be pushed aside. Bai Mingyu had already broken a hole. The tool in his hand had been one of Bai Hongqi’s high-heeled shoes, though one heel was broken.
Bai Hongqi sat barefoot, curled up. After Bai Mingyu chipped at the wall, she fumbled in her arms and brought out a pack of biscuits, feeding one to him.
Bai Mingyu ate while asking, “Aunt, have you eaten?”
Bai Hongqi murmured, “I ate. I’m not moving, not very hungry.”
Bai Mingyu touched her, feeling her burning body. He moved to remove his own clothes, but she stopped him: “No, like yesterday. Just hold me.”
He paused, then obeyed, embracing her completely.
Bai Hongqi felt warm, pressing closer, sighing softly.
Bai Mingyu rested his chin on her head, suddenly smiling. “Aunt, I’ve always wanted to hold you.”
“You flirt.”
“Like now, but I was afraid you’d hit me.”
Bai Hongqi remained silent but stayed in his arms.
Bai Mingyu nuzzled her head gently, like a child making peace, whispering, “I wrote you many letters. I used to hate that, but with you, I never got tired.”
After a moment, the girl in his arms hummed, “Don’t I need to thank you too?”
Bai Mingyu laughed, enjoying her spirited personality. Excited, he said, “I want a child in the future. I’ve already picked a name: Yiqiong.”
“Yiqiong?”
“Yes, we both surname Bai. ‘Yi Qiong,’ two Bais—it suits us perfectly.”
“…”
Bai Hongqi pinched him. He exclaimed, “Really! If I could marry you, I’d accept being kicked out of my home. Poor and bare, so what? I have strength, I have skill—I’ll support you.” He held her hand, not daring to look down in the dark, glancing up to whisper, “I’ll take care of you for life. Truly.”
Author’s Note – Mini Scene:
On imagining the combination “Yiqiong, Two Bais”—
Bai Mingyu (proudly): Aunt, look at me!
Bai Hongqi: …I think you’re a fool.
