Chapter 151: Dawn
Xie Jing did not know what preparations were still required for the wedding. With the world in chaos, customs had become muddled, and he hadn’t yet learned the proper etiquette.
Lord Bai Jiu sat before the mirror, carefully examining the reflection of the two of them. He reached out and lightly touched Xie Jing’s hand as he combed his hair, then suddenly smiled: “I can’t imagine us both with white hair.”
Xie Jing paused for a moment, then replied: “Just like now.” He ignored the noisy sounds outside and focused solely on the person in front of him.
Lord Bai Jiu said, “I am a few years older than you; I should be the first to get gray hair.”
Xie Jing quietly said, “You have too many worries, Master.”
Lord Bai Jiu sighed: “Too many, indeed. But it will be better in the future. Once Bai Er arrives, you can make him do the work, and I might have a few days of leisure.”
Xie Jing felt somewhat pleased. The doctor had said that if Lord Bai Jiu stopped overworking, his health might improve, and after a few years of proper care, there might be a chance for recovery.
They still had many years ahead. They could certainly spend many years together.
Outside, planes circled, roaring loudly at times near, at times far. Explosions seemed not too distant, shaking even the furniture inside the house.
Xie Jing steadied himself, his eyes filled with concern.
Lord Bai Jiu hesitated, looking at him as if wanting to say something, but Xie Jing quickly spoke first: “I’m not leaving. Master, don’t send me away.”
Lord Bai Jiu asked, “You don’t want to go outside?”
Xie Jing shook his head: “No. I was just checking the clothes by the door. I prepared many outfits, even extra pairs of boots, all the ones you usually wear.”
Lord Bai Jiu asked again, “Are you afraid staying here?”
Xie Jing chuckled: “Why would you ask that? I’m not afraid.”
He truly wasn’t afraid at all. If he could, he would even trade ten years of his life for this day.
Suddenly, a sharp headache struck him, and his mind flashed with images of himself, like traveling a long journey with no clear destination. The words “ten years” flashed across his mind… he felt as if he had forgotten something, though he couldn’t recall it, his head throbbed painfully.
Inside the stone tomb, Xie Jing rose and walked to the mirror, standing there, mechanically repeating the motions with his hands. Even with a strained expression, his hands trembled as he slowly continued.
No one dared speak loudly, afraid of disturbing him.
Alongside Hu Da and Liu Ruyi, there were three more people—Bai Mingyu and two others—who had tracked the main tomb chamber along the earthen tunnels.
Bai Mingyu had expended considerable effort to reach here. Along the way, the earthen walls were weak, and some sections had collapsed from tremors. Fortunately, they had set out early, managing to enter the stone tomb first. Here, the structure was far more solid—one of the safest spots.
When they arrived, it was just the moment Xie Jing was about to step out. Bai Er, strong and forceful, had used his shoulder to physically push Xie Jing back. Now, Bai Mingyu had completely exhausted himself, slumping to the side, dust covering his body, with fallen stones nearby.
Shaken, Bai Mingyu looked at Xie Jing and asked, “Mr. Huang, what is he doing?”
Huang Mingyou, also disheveled, observed briefly: “He’s combing his hair.”
Bai Mingyu was puzzled: “Combing his hair? Just gesturing in the air like this?”
Hu Da hurried over and whispered to them about the fungus as Liu Ruyi had explained. Huang Mingyou pondered for a moment: “I’ve only seen fragments in books. I didn’t expect such a fungus to truly exist. It doesn’t threaten life, so let’s not wake him yet. Just guard him carefully and don’t leave the stone tomb.”
Hu Da nodded. Seeing the others weak, he gave them some water and food and asked about their condition.
They exchanged information, though still knowing little about the underground palace. Most information came from them, while Huang Mingyou listened. Mr. Huang slowly compiled the details. When he heard from Hu Da that there were chambers with ancient artifacts, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he urgently asked to see them.
Hu Da said: “Sir, those are earthen chambers; some may have collapsed just now. It’s not very safe.”
Huang Mingyou said: “If the burial items were arranged by rank, there won’t be just gold and silver. There must also be bamboo slips and golden registers. The gold and silver aren’t valuable. The writings may contain previously undiscovered records. Take me to see them—grabbing even one item is worthwhile. Since we’re here, we can’t just watch them be destroyed.”
Mr. Huang, keenly interested in that period of history, repeatedly urged Hu Da to lead him there.
As Hu Da had said, those tombs were unstable. Following Mr. Huang’s instructions, they first salvaged the most important items—bamboo slips, scrolls, and golden registers.
Though the tomb contained countless treasures, Mr. Huang only cared about the written records. The Western King had plundered numerous ancient texts, some known only by name and unseen in later generations. Hu Da and the others brought some back to the stone tomb and continued to retrieve more. After a few trips, they noticed the ground beneath them had softened.
Hu Da looked down, face changing: “Water!”
The grand tomb had no protective measures—it didn’t need any. Built underground beneath Jiangkou, it was connected to a subterranean river. On the day it was opened, it was also near the time it would sink beneath the water.
Inside the stone tomb, everyone reacted differently.
Liu Ruyi curled against the wall, quietly shedding tears. Hu Da and the others, having survived several life-threatening situations, refused to give up even a trace of hope, pressing against the walls to listen for signs of digging above. Water flooded their feet. Anxiety was evident on their faces.
Huang Mingyou was seated on the stone table, holding the salvaged scrolls and golden registers. By the dim light of a tomb lamp, he gripped a scroll tightly, reading at a remarkable speed, ten lines at a glance. His hands trembled slightly, and he muttered as he read, a reaction reserved for moments of intense memorization. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
Bai Mingyu sat cross-legged on the phoenix bed, holding Bai Hongqi in his arms to keep her warm.
Bai Mingyu asked her, “Aunt, are you still cold?”
Bai Hongqi, slightly feverish, shook her head. Her gaze fell on a faintly glowing object on the floor. “What’s that?” she asked.
“Where?”
“Right by Little Xie’s feet.”
Bai Er looked and carefully picked it up. It was like a small pouch. Opening it, the glow brightened slightly, enough to illuminate a tiny area. He handed it to her: “It’s Little Xie’s luminous pearl. I’ve seen him wear it; he keeps it close, so it’s hard to see through the pouch.”
Bai Hongqi took it. The white pearl rolled into her palm, faintly glowing. If not for the dim tomb lamp, it wouldn’t have been visible. She recognized it instantly: “Isn’t this a family treasure? Grandma gave it to Lord Bai Lord Bai Jiuars ago, for the future mistress of the East Courtyard…”
Bai Mingyu already knew about Lord Bai Jiu and Xie Jing. Years ago, he had foolishly helped Xie Jing hide it from the East Courtyard, but later realized the whole courtyard already knew.
When Lord Bai Jiu was absent, only Xie Jing’s words were followed. His secrecy had been meaningless.
Assuming Aunt knew as well, Bai Mingyu was stunned to see her reaction: “Aunt, you didn’t know?”
Bai Hongqi asked: “Know what?”
Bai Mingyu whispered: “Little Xie and Lord Bai Jiu… they’ve been together for years.”
Bai Hongqi was shocked: “…What?!”
She truly had no idea. She had never heard a whisper of it, and even her grandmother probably only thought the East Courtyard would have a new mistress. Bai Mingyu quietly defended Xie Jing, having interacted with him the longest. Though they sometimes quarreled, he still leaned slightly toward Xie Jing.
After brief shock, Bai Hongqi relaxed and rested her head on Bai Mingyu’s shoulder. After a while, she sighed softly: “We don’t know if we can get out, but if it’s Little Xie, then it’s him. I think if it were someone else, they might not be as careful. Uncle treats him differently; I’ve noticed. And the person Uncle likes, we have no say.”
Bai Mingyu said: “Little Xie is a good person. He’s under the fungus illusion; only calling Lord Bai Jiu can wake him a little.”
Bai Hongqi nodded, her gaze softening.
She always knew Uncle treated Xie Jing differently, but seeing Xie Jing’s feelings toward him was the first time. Perhaps his feelings were even stronger than Uncle’s.
She hugged Bai Mingyu’s arm, and Bai Mingyu held her closer, whispering: “We’ll get out, don’t be afraid. Once we do, I’ll take you to eat the best fish here. There’s a sword hidden in the bones—so fun. Aunt, when we have children, I’ll bring him too, to find the fishbone sword…”
Bai Hongqi smiled, eyes reddening: “Alright.”
They guarded the tomb, the outside tremors lessening, but the sound of digging grew louder.
Huang Mingyou continued memorizing the scrolls. He briefly awakened to drink water and eat, then moved the group onto the stone bed, including Xie Jing, who was now partially unconscious. When Hu Da moved him, his fists were clenched, fingers white from gripping so tightly.
Huang Mingyou said: “Rescuers are outside. Judging by the sounds, they’re digging day and night. If we hold on a bit longer, we’ll be out. This is the strongest spot. Even if they dig above, the stone protects us. Other areas are too soft. Let’s wait here.”
Everyone agreed. Huang Mingyou resumed reading. The water had risen past their ankles; he feared the scrolls might be ruined, so he tried to memorize everything as quickly as possible.
Outside, in the government courtyard of Shuiniu Town:
The old Shuiniu Town government building had been completely leveled, the foundation dug out into a massive pit.
Night had fallen. Soldiers from two battalions dug tirelessly, hundreds of men at work. Torches lit both sides, working day and night, exposing the underground passages beneath the building, creating a huge hole.
The townspeople were controlled. Some tried to interfere with the excavation and were tied up; others were stopped at gunpoint, forbidden to advance or leave the town.
