117 Getting Away with It
Of course, that story is for another time.
After punishing the group, I hurried to tend to the baby.
When it came to the baby, all my tolerance and kindness flew out the window. I couldn’t bear to see him harmed in the slightest, and I let no one who hurt him go unpunished.
Gently pushing open the door, I found the baby already sitting up, his eyes fixed on me, tears glistening within them.
“Mother…”
“What’s wrong, my darling?”
I hurriedly gathered him into my arms, checking if he was unwell anywhere.
“Mother, please don’t leave the baby alone, okay?”
“You silly child, Mother just stepped out to take care of some business. See, I’m back now.” I smoothed his hair, damp from sleeping under the covers.
“From now on, Mother, when you go out, the baby will come too, alright? The baby promises not to cause any trouble, promises to behave…”
His little hands clutched my garment. How could I refuse such innocence? I fear nothing except my son’s charm; I couldn’t bear to say no. So I coaxed and persuaded, finally agreeing.
Every day since, I kept the baby close, caring for him even while managing the affairs within the pavilion.
Indeed, since his birth, I had never left him for a day. Leaving for several days this time frightened him; he quietly followed me everywhere, afraid I might vanish when I turned away.
After my subordinates finished reporting, he would call out to handsome men and beautiful women alike, inviting them for tea and cakes. Soon, everyone vied to report to me, especially the Twelve Warriors of Slaughter, whose smiles seemed broader than ever.
The only thing that troubled me was that for over half a month, Guteng and Zijun had no contact with the Celestial Pavilion. News arrived that the Maple Leaf Auction had ended five days prior, and Guteng and Zijun had already left Maple Leaf City.
Afternoon came, and Afu took the baby down for his nap, while I sat alone on the black-gold Qilin chair in the great hall, my head heavy with thoughts.
“Why don’t you rest a bit?”
I looked up to see Dongfang Qingyu standing before me, offering a cup of water.
“You’ve come.”
“Have you taken your medicine?”
“I’m about to.” I took the pill from the jade bottle, then drank the water he handed me.
“How can you forget so easily if I don’t remind you?”
“Still no news?”
Dongfang Qingyu shook his head.
I set the tea aside, stood up, and slowly descended from the dais.
“Qingyu, my eyelid keeps twitching fiercely; I have a bad feeling.”
“You’re just tired.”
“Hopefully. If anything happens to Zijun, I’d bear the blame to death. The Huangfu family must not fall into my hands.”
“I’ll send people to investigate.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”
We both knew that even the Lianyun Celestial Pavilion couldn’t find him; this man must be formidable.
My premonition was correct. That night, Guteng was found unconscious at the foot of a nearby mountain by the Celestial Pavilion’s men and was brought back. He did not regain consciousness until noon the next day.
“Brother, I’m so glad you woke up.” I held Guteng’s hand, sitting by his bedside.
Blood relations are precious; I feared he might not wake again. The doctor said his injuries were severe.
“I thought I’d never hear you call me brother again.”
“I’ll call you once I’m better.”
“Ziyun, it’s my fault. I thought it was safe and brought Zijun back, but we fell into an ambush. Before I fainted, someone told me the Master of the Celestial Pavilion must come personally to Tanghui Palace to fetch you.”
“It’s not your fault. I’ll go then. You must get better, or Zijun will blame you. Also, the baby needs his uncle’s care; otherwise, he’ll keep pestering me.”
“Alright.”
Guteng’s injuries were serious; after medication, he lay down to rest.
I gave A Ling a few instructions and left the room.
“Ziyun, are you really going?”
“I have no choice, do I? I’m leaving the Celestial Pavilion in your hands…”
“Don’t even think about it.” Dongfang Qingyu gripped my hand firmly. “I’ll accompany you—I know martial arts, after all.”
“Alright.”
“Let’s go see the baby.”
“Hmm.”
In an instant, Dongfang Qingyu’s figure looked tall and sturdy. At least I wouldn’t be so exhausted; having someone to discuss things with felt good.
“Godfather, mother…”
The baby ran toward us.
“Slow down, be careful not to fall…”
Dongfang Qingyu bent down, and the little one dashed into his arms, laughing nonstop. The big and small played joyfully together. I waved to dismiss everyone.
“All right, let’s sit in the pavilion; don’t tire yourself out.”
Dongfang Qingyu placed the baby down in the pavilion. Seeing him sweating heavily, I handed him a handkerchief and poured some tea.
“Mother, the baby wants to wipe too.”
“Okay, wipe away.” I took another handkerchief and gently wiped the baby’s face.
“Mother, you have so many handkerchiefs.”
“…”
I held the baby on my lap.
“Baby, do you miss your uncle, Uncle Zijun?”
“Yes. Isn’t Uncle coming back soon?”
“Uncle is busy with something. Mother must go fetch him personally. Baby, wait here at the Celestial Pavilion, alright?”
“Mother said she wouldn’t leave the baby alone…”
“Baby isn’t alone. Uncle is sick, and Mother can’t handle everything, so Baby must take care of Uncle, okay?”
The baby pondered.
“Sigh, didn’t Baby say he’s grown and will take care of Mother? Now he won’t even take care of Uncle.” Dongfang Qingyu gave a sharp remark, and sure enough, the baby became unsettled.
“Who said that? Baby will take good care of Uncle! Mother, go with peace of mind.”
I shot Dongfang Qingyu an approving look—he’s clever indeed.
Leaving the Twelve Warriors of Slaughter at the Celestial Pavilion, Dongfang Qingyu and I, along with the four envoys, hurried to Tanghui Palace.
At a Tanghui Palace outpost, I showed the jade token at my waist, and they led me inside.
Outside Tanghui Palace, our group was stopped.
“My lord commands only the Master of the Celestial Pavilion may enter.” A servant reported.
“I am the Master of the Celestial Pavilion of the Cloud Heaven Pavilion; I must enter with her.”
The man hesitated, then said their princess permitted it.
My four envoys stayed outside the palace gate. I signaled them not to act rashly; after all, this was Tanghui Palace’s territory. Even a strong dragon cannot oppose the local snake, especially since Tanghui Palace’s power was comparable to ours.
The palace gates opened, revealing two men standing inside.
One wore white robes trimmed with gold thread, exuding nobility. A golden mask concealed his face tightly; he must be the fabled Master of Tanghui Palace.
The other was Kong Yulin. Rumor claimed Tanghui Palace’s envoy was a divine healer; it turned out to be Kong Yulin. I never expected he had hidden so deeply. What I saw five years ago was likely just the surface.
Five years passed without seeing him; meeting again under these circumstances was unexpected. Judging by his attire, he was the envoy of Tanghui Palace.
Suppressing my surprise, that man must be…
“What, forcing the Master of this pavilion to come personally? Surely not to visit the Master and envoy of Tanghui Palace?”
“Of course not.”
The Master turned away. At the moment our eyes met, I was certain he was Li Yexuan.
I folded my fan and smiled.
“Unexpectedly, Prince Xuan is the Master of Tanghui Palace. The world thought Prince Xuan a natural politician, unambitious, with the throne within easy reach yet unclaimed. It seems Prince Xuan is also the Master of Tanghui Palace.”
The three men present all showed a flicker of surprise.
“Master of the Celestial Pavilion, your reputation is well deserved.”
The golden mask fell, revealing a familiar face and a smile at the corner of his lips.
He glanced at Dongfang Qingyu, signaling him not to worry.
Between Li Yexuan and me, it was unclear who had trapped whom.
“Prince Xuan, you are indeed handsome, but since you’ve gone to such lengths to summon me, why not be straightforward? It would be more refreshing.”
“I shall not be courteous either. Since you know my identity, Master of the Celestial Pavilion, I wish to know yours. You bear a striking resemblance to someone I once knew. Also, the Celestial Pavilion would prefer the world not to know its master is a weak woman who cannot fight.”
He dared threaten me? Li Yexuan, just wait!
“Then I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.”
“Master of the Celestial Pavilion, would you remove your mask?”
“This…” I feigned hesitation, glancing at Dongfang Qingyu. “It wouldn’t hurt to look, but shouldn’t the Master of the Purple Celestial Pavilion be released first?”
Terms must be negotiated.
Li Yexuan waved his hand, and Zijun was brought in, looking unharmed. I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Zi Tian, come here.”
“Yes, Master.”
Before I could fully examine him, Dongfang Qingyu shielded him behind himself.
“Master of the Celestial Pavilion, may I remove my mask now?”
“Hopefully, it won’t frighten you.”
I slowly took off the mask, revealing a face entirely different from Huangfu Ziyun’s. I saw the disappointment in Li Yexuan’s eyes.
Quickly replacing the mask, half my hair again concealed half my face.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you. The Celestial Pavilion takes its leave.”
“Wait. I remember the other day when the heir of Bei’an fell into the prince’s mansion, the concubine in his arms resembled the Master of the Celestial Pavilion.”
My body jolted. How could I have forgotten this?
“Prince Xuan has a good memory. Celestial Pavilion belongs to this prince’s people. I’ve been too busy, so the Celestial Pavilion was entrusted to her. It’s just family affairs. No need for concern.”
Dongfang Qingyu pulled me into his embrace, asserting his possession.
“Didn’t expect the prince’s taste to be so fine.”
“Naturally.”
The sparks between the two men seemed to ignite instantly.
I felt a headache coming.
“In that case, Tanghui Palace was reckless. As for the injury to Master Ling of the Celestial Pavilion, that was caused by one of my subordinates.”
My heart skipped a beat. Guteng’s identity had been discovered.
“The Celestial Pavilion takes its leave.”
Dongfang Qingyu rubbed my back as we left, with Zijun following cleverly. No one noticed my palms were drenched in sweat. If I hadn’t prepared well and worn an extra layer of human-skin mask, and if Li Yexuan and Kong Yulin weren’t so fixated on finding Huangfu Ziyun, we wouldn’t have passed through so easily…