Chapter 106.3
The lights in the Baiyun Temple burned all night.
Daoist Baiyun had only half an hour of shallow sleep before being wracked with pain all over, unable to sleep. He called for someone to change his bandages, and the touch of the wounds made him break out in a cold sweat.
He was in pain standing, and in pain lying down, cursing people in the room for most of the night.
As dawn approached, he drank a cup of cold tea but still felt a sharp pain.
"Master."
A shadow appeared outside the door.
Daoist Baiyuno did not look up, and the attendant standing by asked the person who entered, "Has the plan been thought out?"
The person was dripping with sweat, panting as they reported, "We have found out that the An family will be riding a boat on the river today. If we can tamper with their boat, we can make them sink to the bottom of the river without anyone suspecting us. There is a lot of boat traffic on the river today, so even if they have suspicions, they won't be able to trace it back to us."
Listening to this, Daoist Baiyundao smiled faintly, raising his eyes with a few wrinkles. He asked with malice, "Are all the preparations in order?"
"Yes, Master," the person bowed their head and continued, "We have a few young people with excellent swimming skills. They will discreetly puncture a hole in the An family's boat and make sure they sink without a trace."
"Hmm." Daoist Baiyundao nodded in satisfaction. "The An family has gone too far. They deserve to sink to the bottom of the lake in front of everyone. It's just that it's a pity. The An family is well-connected and backed by many court officials. Otherwise, I wouldn't need to resort to such tactics."
"Master has devoted himself to the emperor, and when they hit you, they are hitting the emperor's face. The emperor has always favored you, and if he finds out that you have suffered such injustice, he will surely compensate you," the attendant said.
Daoist Baiyun was aware of the discontent he had generated with his actions in the past and did not want to offend the An family at this juncture. However, the young man's physical attack on him yesterday, in front of everyone, along with the attitude of An Yuanqing at the Ministry of Justice, was unforgivable.
He couldn't swallow this anger.
"Go, I'll wait for your message," Daoist Baiyun pondered for a moment. "Master, rest assured," the person bowed respectfully and spoke solemnly.
After the person left, Daoist Baiyun waved off the young attendant. "Go down, I'll rest for a while."
"Yes." The Daoist boy closed the door as instructed, then turned and left the room.
Baiyun tried to turn over, but the movement tugged at his wounds, causing a sharp pain that made him gasp in cold air. Muttering curses under his breath, he cursed An Yuanqing and his cronies, descendants of traitorous scoundrels for generations.
The door suddenly creaked continuously, and he thought the Daoist hadn't closed it properly. Then he heard the clear sound of iron striking wood from outside the door.
As he turned his head to call for help, the fragile wooden door collapsed with a bang, and a slender figure entered the room.
The morning breeze gently rustled the person's robes as he looked up, seeing the young man moving like a ghost, appearing before him in the blink of an eye.
Before he could fully comprehend, the person drew a soft sword from somewhere, a flash of cold light pierced his throat accurately.
Thick blood flowed down the blade onto Li Wenjian's wrist. He watched Daoist Baiyun's face freeze in shock, emotionless, as he wiped the blood off his hands with a handkerchief.
"Crash."
The sound of a basin being tipped over at the door caused the attendant to pause for a moment before running frantically into the courtyard, shouting, "Assassin, assassin..."
Knowing he had committed many wrongs and fearing retaliatory actions, Daoist Baiyun had deliberately arranged for imperial guards to protect him in the temple to protect.
The attendant's cry alerted the guards and imperial soldiers within the temple.
Li Wenjian jumped onto the roof, then swiftly fled across the rooftops of the temple. Countless lanterns were lit in the temple, illuminating it as bright as day. The imperial soldiers soon spotted the figure on the roof, and a barrage of darts and arrows were shot towards him.
Silver light flashed.
Unable to dodge, Li Wenjian suddenly had a sharp cold sword blocking the projectiles, deflecting the darts and arrows. The person behind him grabbed his arm, easily leaping off the roof.
The two figures moved through the White Cloud Mountain in the early morning, running for an unknown distance until the sky began to lighten.
The goldenrod covered the hills in varying shades, illuminated by the pale morning light, creating a fresh and enchanting scene.
Lying on the grass, Wei Zhan breathed heavily, watching the stars flicker in the gradually brightening sky. "Let's take a break, I'm tired from running."
Li Wenjian lay beside him, pulling down the cloth covering his face as he struggled to breathe.
He caught a whiff of goldenrod and turned his head. "What are you doing here?"
Wei Zhan turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow as he observed Li Wenjian's profile. "I was going to ask you the same question." The crescent moon was fading in the sky, nearly swallowed by the dawn's light, and Li Wenjian's slender fingers slowly clenched.
Before he could speak, the slightly delighted voice of the person beside him was heard. "I know you came to help me vent."
With his hands behind his head and legs crossed, Wei Zhan lounged, casually plucking a blade of grass to chew on. "You're very loyal, not in vain have I considered you my brother for so many years."
Li Wenjian scanned the fading stars and moon, not wanting to shatter Wei Zhan's idealistic notions.
"Let's go, I'll treat you to some oil tea when we get back," Wei Zhan sat up, brushing off the grass clinging to him.
The aroma of breakfast filled Xiyue Street, where numerous food stalls tempted passersby. Li Wenjian and Wei Zhan, drawn by the familiar scent, found themselves at Baiji's stall.
As the owner, just setting up for the day, recognized them, he prepared their usual â a steaming bowl of oil tea, the first of the morning.
As they savored their breakfast, the rain began to pour, drumming incessantly on the tarpaulin roof of the stall. This shift in weather seemed to stir a memory in Wei Zhan.
"This isn't the first time his cruelty has been displayed so brazenly," Wei Zhan began, his voice low. "Just before I left Beijing, I witnessed a horrific event. A young child, no older than five or six, was trampled to death by a man on horseback."
Wei Zhan continued, his figure seeming to blur in the rain and mist, "The child's distraught parents sought justice, dragging the perpetrator before the officials. However, the man's followers brutally assaulted them."
A flicker of anger crossed Wei Zhan's face. "The punishment? A mere twenty taels of silver! Can you believe it? A child's life, snuffed out so carelessly, for such a paltry sum?"
The rain poured down on the shop's oiled cloth canopy, creating a cacophony of sounds.
"You're right," Li Wenjian placed the spoon down. "So you planned to kill him since then."
"Absolutely," Wei Zhan took a big sip of the oil tea. "But I was in a hurry to go to Meizhou at the time, and after returning to the capital, I was busy with Liang Xingyan's affairs. I temporarily spared his life. I didn't expect him to dare cross my path this time."
Stirring his tea, Wei Zhan picked up some pickled vegetables and continued, "When I came back from the yamen yesterday, I was determined to kill him this time. I didn't expect you to think the same way."
Li Wenjian put down his spoon. "The world has really turned rotten, forcing the hand that once held the pen to wield the blade."
"It's not all bad," Wei Zhan said, spooning up the tea. "At least there are like-minded people who stand against the corruption of the world."
"Then you must always be there," Li Wenjian said.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Wei Zhan was puzzled. "If I'm not here, where else would I go?"
Li Wenjian hung his head, noticing Wei Zhan's black boots covered in mud from the mountain path. "Nowhere else to go."
At his words, Wei Zhan scratched his head. This man was starting to talk strangely.
As they reached the junction of West Moon Street, Li Wenjian handed a bag of buns he had bought for An Xuyi to Wei Zhan. "Take this back for Xiao Silang."
"Where are you going?" Wei Zhan asked.
Without looking back, Li Wenjian headed towards the street corner to the east. "I'm going to buy lanterns for Ah Heng."
*
Thunder rumbled again.
A flash flood was about to erupt in the mountains, with rushing waters like a wild beast charging down, devouring all the fields and roads. Aniang lifted her daughter to the crumbling rooftop as the flood surged, sweeping Aniang away towards the distance.
The torrential rain poured into her eyes and ears, and she suddenly jumped into the raging flood, desperately searching for her mother's figure in the murky water.
However, the current was too strong, and she was helpless, being thrashed by the waves.
She knew she couldn't give up, couldn't let go of her mother's hand like she used to.
The muddy flood instantly engulfed her mouth and nose, her breathing becoming increasingly difficult.
Where was her mother?
Did her mother not want her anymore?
Her consciousness gradually returned, remembering that her mother had died in the sudden flood.
She wouldn't come to save her.
At that moment, a hand pulled her up from the water, relieving the suffocating feeling gripping her heart, and she could finally breathe again.
Wei Zhan lowered his eyes, watching the girl cry out continuously, his brow furrowing tightly. Her eyes tightly shut, she alternately called for her mother, then her father, tears flowing like the rain outside, unable to be wiped away.
"Wake up, please wake up," Wei Zhan thought of getting a towel to wipe her sweat, but her hand tightly gripped his wrist, like a drowning person clutching a life raft.
Yue Li groggily opened her eyes, her pupils clouded with mist, staring blankly at the unfamiliar surroundings, seeming momentarily lost and confused. She gazed steadily at Wei Zhan, and as the suffocating feeling gradually dissipated, she let go of his hand and hoarsely asked, "Why are you here?"
Wei Zhan poured a glass of hot water and helped the sweaty Yue Li, offering her the water at her lips. "I passed by the Lixiang Garden and heard you crying loudly, so I came in to see what was wrong."
"I think I was having a nightmare," Yue Li's voice was weak as she sipped the water from his hand.
Her lips were wet with droplets, and as she moved to wipe them, Wei Zhan handed her a handkerchief.
"Yes, I know," Wei Zhan said.
Yue Li looked down, took the handkerchief, and murmured, "Thank you."
"Do you want more?" Wei Zhan asked as she finished the water, getting ready to refill it.
"No, thank you," Yue Li shook her head, glancing out the window, her delicate eyebrows furrowed deeply at the distant rumble of thunder.
Seeing her expression, Wei Zhan asked, "Are you scared of thunder?"
"No," she sniffed and glanced at the handkerchief now wrinkled in her hand.
"You're lying," Wei Zhan said.
"I'm not lying to you," Yue Li defended.
"Last time, when you brought Ah Heng back, it was a stormy day, you carried a bow and kept gripping it tightly," Wei Zhan said, "Today, with the thunderstorm, you were terrified again. You're clearly afraid of thunder."
Yue Li looked at him in surprise, tears still visible on her eyelashes, reflecting a faint light in the sparse daylight. "It's not fear."
As she finished speaking, a large hand gently stroked her head.
"There's nothing shameful about being afraid," the touch of the hand comforted her.
Yue Li raised her eyes, gazing unwaveringly at Wei Zhan.
Growing up, her mother often gently patted her head like this to calm her emotions. Since her mother's death, her father, already quiet and reserved, became even more silent and less likely to comfort her in such a gentle manner.
"My mother died in a thunderstorm," Yue Li said as she looked at the clear-eyed young man, feeling a pang of sorrow.
Wei Zhan stiffened for a moment, then forced a smile, "Has your mother turned into a star in the sky too?"
Star in the sky?
Yue Li had never heard that people turned into stars after they died, lifting her head to ask Wei Zhan, "Do people turn into stars after they die?"
"No, some go to purgatory hell when they die, while others become stars," Wei Zhan made up a soothing story for her, "You're kind, saved Ah Heng, and even saved my sister. So, your mother must have been a kind person and gone to the heavens."
Yue Li looked at the misty sky, unable to see the stars in the light of dawn.
Seeing her thoughts, Wei Zhan said, "If you miss her, on a clear night you can talk to her in the sky, she will surely hear you."
"Okay," Yue Li's voice wavered with a touch of sadness.
"Are you hungry?" Wei Zhan suddenly asked.
She hadn't thought about it, but when he mentioned it, she did feel a bit hungry, nodding slightly, "A little."
Wei Zhan picked up a package of buns and slowly unwrapped it, the warm aroma spreading, making one's appetite stir even more.
"These are buns from Chen Ji's, try them," Wei Zhan smiled, offering the bun to her.
"Where did you get them?" Yue Li asked.
Wei Zhan was afraid she wouldn't eat it and casually fibbed, "I bought them specially for you."
He poured another glass of water, urging her, "Go ahead, eat. After that, I'll take you to stroll by the river."
*
In the early summer morning, the sky had a light haze of mountain color, and Zhao Heng groggily opened her eyes, curled up in bed.
The sound of rain outside was soft and steady, she heard the dripping water, and suddenly sat up in bed, subconsciously looking out the window. The lush courtyard was adorned with clusters of white coreopsis flowers. Frowning, she worried whether such weather would still allow her to go see the dragon boat race.
Just as she sat dazed on the bed, she heard a melodious voice outside, "Young Master."
Zhao Heng quickly got up, hastily dressed, and walked out of the room. As soon as she stepped out, she saw a young man in a white round-necked robe, with gentle and noble features, holding a beautiful glass lantern, gazing outside at the white coreopsis flowers piled up like snowdrifts, an elusive joy flickering in his expression.
At that moment, he noticed her, his gentle eyes looking at her, he said, "Zhao Heng."
Zhao Heng ran towards him.
Li Wenjian handed her the lantern, smiling, "Do you like it?"
Without the sun today, the dim light fell on him, making him look dignified and handsome, like an unblemished jade bead under the daylight.
"Like it." Zhao Heng carried the lantern, happily playing with the crystal pendant hanging under the light. She looked up and asked Li Wenjian, "Where did it come from?"
"Just bought it for you a moment ago." Li Wenjian was infected by her smile, and his lips curved into a smile.
Zhao Heng looked at the tired look in his eyes, knowing that he must have gone to buy the lantern early in the morning. She fumbled in her sleeve for a while, then tiptoed and brought something to his mouth. "Ah, open your mouth."
Li Wenjian obediently opened his mouth, and a piece of orange candy fell onto his tongue, spreading a faint fragrance in his mouth.
Zhao Heng smiled with narrowed eyes. "You're very good to me. This is a reward for you."
Li Wenjian flicked her forehead.
"And there's more good news."
Zhao Heng asked, "What?"
"Daoist Baiyun has died." Afraid that she wouldn't know who he was, he reminded her, "He's the bad guy who bullied you yesterday and was stabbed to death last night."
Zhao Heng stared at Li Wenjian in astonishment for a moment before cheering, "Who was the hero? So powerful!"
"I don't know." Li Wenjian couldn't help but raise the corners of his lips. "The authorities are still investigating."