White Fence Dream

Chapter 145 Arrangement
As the Lantern Festival approaches, the capital city is lit up brightly, even more brilliantly than on New Year’s Eve.

There were bright lights inside and outside the Dongyang Marquis Mansion.

A carriage was parked at the corner gate, with a driver sitting in the carriage. He wore a thick felt hat that covered his head and face, making him look like a sculpture.

"Brother, come in and sit for a while." The doorman at the corner gate greeted, "It's too cold outside."

But the driver seemed shy: "No, no, my wife will be out soon, I won't bother you anymore."

People from small families were reserved, and the gatekeeper of the Dongyang Marquis's Mansion did not force them, but comforted them: "Our young lady has a kind heart and real ability."

The driver nodded twice, and it was unclear whether he heard it or not. Suddenly, he straightened up and said, "My little...wife is back."

The gateman of the Dongyang Marquis's Mansion looked inside and saw a maid holding a lantern leading two people out.

One of them was a young man who came to deliver something with Doctor Zhang’s business card.

The other person was wearing a veil, her dress fluttering as she walked, and her figure was graceful. She was the young lady who came to seek medical treatment.

"The young lady is back." said the driver as he jumped off the car.

His voice sounded a little trembling, and I didn't know whether it was because of excitement or worry about his wife's illness.

The young lady just nodded lightly and stood in front of the car.

The driver was still in a daze, and the maid next to him came forward and said, "I'll get you a footstool."

The driver then came to his senses and realized that the young lady had to step on a stool to get on the bus.

"I'll do it, I'll do it." The driver quickly grabbed the stool and stretched out his hand again.

The young lady stepped onto the stool, held his arm, got into the car, and bowed to the maid: "Thank you."

The maid returned the greeting with a smile, and looked at the coachman and the clinic's employee sitting in the front of the carriage, whipping the horses forward and disappearing into the dazzling streets.

After turning another corner and moving away from the Dongyang Marquis Mansion, the shop assistant took the whip and the coachman turned around and got into the carriage.

The street lights made the vision inside the car dim.

The young lady had taken off her veil and was sitting on her knees in a not-so-elegant posture, supporting her chin with one hand and sighing softly. Her pretty face seemed both happy and sad.

Shopkeeper Cai took off his hat and said, "Sir, you really can't do this. If you get caught, it will be a big deal. This reputation is different from the previous ones."

"Caught?" Shangguan Yue was interrupted and didn't quite hear what he heard. She shook her head and said, "No, I will be careful."

This is not a reminder! This is a warning, an exhortation. Shopkeeper Cai was stunned. He said, "Be careful, be careful again. There is no wall that is impenetrable in this world!"

"Sir, you can't have any more contact with her--" he said directly.

Shangguan Yue looked at him and laughed: "What are you talking about? I am with her... I am not here to see the young lady of Dongyang Marquis, I am..."

Well, there is no way to explain this.

That's it.

Looking at Shopkeeper Cai who was eagerly waiting for his explanation.

"Don't worry about this matter. I know what to do."

What's the point? They all dress up as women and go to other people's houses to meet secretly! Shopkeeper Cai called him "Young Master" helplessly.

Shangguan Yue ignored his gloomy face and waved the name card she stole from Doctor Zhang: "Send it back to Doctor Zhang..." Then she shook her head and said, "Keep it. It will be convenient when you need it."

It turned out that as long as he appeared beside the young wife of Marquis Dongyang and wanted to see her, she would appear as well.

Shangguan Yue couldn't help but smile and reached out to touch her face.

Moreover, she praised him for his good looks today.

……

……

When Zhuang Li returned to the wife of Marquis Dongyang, dinner was served.

After simply answering everyone's questions, the matter was over.

The wife of the Marquis of Dongyang was not in a good mood either, probably because Zhou Jingyun had spoiled her mood about entering the palace, so they finished the meal in a hurry.

"Nowadays, Bai Fei is always brought by the Queen."

Back in the room, the maids all left and Zhou Jingyun explained to her.

"If you go to pay homage to the Queen, you will definitely meet her."

Even if there are many ladies at that time, it will not be safe to hide in the back.

After all, she is a bride that many people are curious about.

Especially since he had dealt indirectly with the Queen in the past because of the matter of palace flowers.

Zhuang Li nodded: "Your Highness is right."

Zhou Jingyun glanced at her and saw that she was talking with a smile but seemed absent-minded.

"Do you think Miss Li's illness is okay?" he asked after a moment of hesitation.

Zhuang Li smiled at him: "It's okay, nothing, just overworked, just take a rest."

Zhou Jingyun said "oh" and said nothing more, then walked towards the bathroom.

Zhuang Li was watching quietly behind him.

It was just like seeing Jiang Yun in Mrs. Zhuang’s dream. She was surprised at first, but when she thought about it again, there was nothing surprising about it. Intercepting her letter was not the end. Based on the content of the letter, she had to keep an eye on Mrs. Zhuang and find out the truth.

So when she heard Shangguan Yue say that the man knew Zhou Jingyun and they were very likely together today, she was shocked, but after thinking about it again, she was not surprised.

Since the man appeared when she was on the verge of death, it was normal for him to appear again after Zhou Jingyun came to take her back to Beijing.

It's reasonable that someone makes the arrangements and someone does the work.

Zhuang Li withdrew his gaze, turned around and walked into the dormitory.

Zhou Jingyun paused at the door of the bathroom, looked back, and saw Zhuang Li making the bed, with the night light gently casting a shadow on her.

……

……

On the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, the whole city was already hung with lanterns.

Because of the Sixteenth Palace Lantern Festival, the Imperial Street was also decorated, making it look a little less solemn.

There are quite a few officials in the government office. When the emperor holds a grand banquet, many officials have been busy since the beginning of the year.

"Jingyun is here so early."

Seeing Zhou Jingyun, several officials greeted him with a smile.

"Once you're done with today, you'll have more free time tomorrow."

Someone else invited: "Let's go to the city to enjoy the lanterns tomorrow night."

The fifteenth is the lively Lantern Festival in the city, and the people of the capital city party almost all night long.

Zhou Jingyun responded with a smile, and then said goodbye to everyone: "I will go to the palace to see His Majesty."

An official warned: "Don't talk too much about complicated matters when you meet His Majesty. Wait until after the festival to avoid ruining His Majesty's mood and it will not benefit you."

Another official joked: "Don't worry, as long as Jingyun sits in front of His Majesty, His Majesty will be happy with whatever he says."

Zhou Jingyun was already used to being teased about his appearance, so he didn't take it seriously and wasn't angry. He smiled and went to the imperial city.

His main purpose of going to the imperial city today was to ask for leave from the emperor, in case Zhuang Li did not enter the palace and the queen would be displeased when she asked about it.

However, the Lantern Festival...
He looked at the tall mountains of lights that had been set up around the imperial city.

When I go back later, buy a lamp from the street and give it to her.

Although there are lights at home.

But, it's a holiday.

Zhou Jingyun looked ahead and let out a sigh of relief. Although many strange things have happened recently, he still has to live a good life.

Everything is false, only the present moment is real.

……

……

"Young Madam, look, this is the lamp that my aunt gave me."

In the carriage, Chunyue held up a lantern for Zhuang Li to see.

Early this morning, not long after the prince left the house, Zhuang Li told the wife of Marquis Dongyang and went to deliver the newly made incense to Madam Xue.

Mrs. Dongyang Marquis agreed. After Zhuang Li left, she complained to Mother Xu, "I don't know what Jingyun wants. She insists on keeping me at home. Even if she is of a low birth, she can cure my sister. If she tells others about it, no one will dare to look down on her." This time, she was really only angry at her son, and did not think that her daughter-in-law instigated her son not to attend the palace banquet. Mother Xu smiled and comforted him, "Let him be. There is no need to rush. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Zhuang Li was unaware of the complaints of the wife of the Marquis of Dongyang. When she arrived at the Xue Mansion, Mrs. Xue was very happy to see her and kept her for lunch before letting her go. She also gave her a lot of gifts before she left.

In addition to festive snacks, there are also lanterns.

Zhuang Li looked at the lamp with a smile and nodded: "It looks very nice."

Chunyue said, "Go back and hang it in the house."

Zhuang Li did not look at the lanterns anymore. He reached out and lifted the curtain to look outside the carriage. "The prince is almost done with his work. When he left, he said that we could go back in the afternoon."

Chunyue nodded. When she went out in the morning, the young lady asked the prince whether he would finish his work after noon, and the prince replied yes.

Zhuang Li looked outside and suddenly said, "Why don't I go and take the prince home?"

Pick up the prince? Chunyue looked at her.

"If you don't go to the government office, you can wait for him at the entrance of Imperial Street." Zhuang Li said with a happy smile and high spirits.

So, if the prince suddenly saw the young lady waiting for him, he would definitely be very happy. Chunyue nodded: "Okay, okay."

……

……

Standing in a restaurant near Imperial Street, Shopkeeper Cai walked up to Shangguan Yue and looked outside with him.

"Old Cai, just mind your own business. It's too dangerous to follow me." Shangguan Yue turned around and frowned.

Cai Songnian's external identity was the manager of Yuqingtang, and he relied on the Supervisory Board to provide it with a list of people to be reported.

If he is found to be in close contact with Shangguan Yue, I am afraid that the Board of Supervisors will also target Shangguan Yue.

"You have been the son of the imperial consort for so many years, and you should have checked everything that needs to be checked. The Board of Supervisors won't care." Cai Songnian said, looking outside over his shoulder. "Besides, you sold all the money and property collected from the gamblers on your ship to us. You are our big customer, so it is only natural for me to serve you as the shopkeeper."

What's so dangerous about identity?

Princess Jin Yu already knows about it and will protect her under her wings.

It doesn't matter even if it's exposed.

Compared to this, the most dangerous thing is that the young man is having an affair with a married woman.

"Here it comes." He said, looking at a carriage slowly approaching the street corner.

Shangguan Yue also saw the familiar carriage of the wife of the Marquis of Dongyang, as well as the four or five guards beside the carriage. Even though there were many people and cars on the street at that time, it was still very eye-catching.

Shangguan Yue couldn't help but smile when looking at the carriage, but the next moment she frowned, looking a little nervous.

"Isn't it too dangerous..." he murmured in a low voice.

Cai Songnian's ears perked up and he grabbed Shangguan Yue's arm: "Of course it's dangerous! This is the Imperial Street, and all the people coming and going are officials. If you are seen fighting here, everyone will know."

In comparison, it would be better to be caught in the Dongyang Marquis Mansion. At least the family shame will not be exposed.

He held Shangguan Yue's arm tightly and made up his mind that even if he knocked the young master unconscious, he would not let him have a tryst with the Young Lady of Dongyang Marquis in the street!

Shangguan Yue was amused by him.

"Lao Cai, I'm not here to see her." He said, "I'm here to help her see someone."

Last night, Bai Li asked him to help lure Shen Qing out. He felt it was a bit risky. Didn’t he suffer a loss at the hands of this guy before?
But Bai Li insisted: "I won't actually meet him, I'll just be by his side and take a look."

Bai Li's face looked very unhappy at that time. Shangguan Yue couldn't bear to disappoint her again, so she had to agree.

The two agreed to meet at this street corner, and he would send a eunuch to call Shen Qing out of the Taichang Temple in the name of the Princess's Mansion.

Bai Li sat in the car and took a look at the intersection under the pretext of waiting for her husband.

Although he didn't need to show up in person, and he didn't understand the methods used by the evil spirits in their fights, he was really worried and wanted to come and watch on the scene. If a fight really broke out, he would fall asleep immediately and perhaps be able to help.

"Coming." Shangguan Yue said in a low voice, looking towards the direction of the imperial city with a slightly focused gaze.

A young eunuch took Shen Qing for a walk and chatted with him.

"The princess really doesn't feast all night now," said the eunuch. "Everyone in the house has been driven away, leaving only the old and ugly ones."

Shen Qing smiled and said, "Princess, you don't have to be like this. After all, you are the princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty. It's too unfair for you."

"No, I'm not wronged." The eunuch waved his hands. "The princess is very happy. She said that she can live a refreshing life now. Now she has invited Lord Zheng to teach her painting. She also wants to learn the guqin. She will congratulate His Majesty at the palace banquet tomorrow. But she is worried that her skills are not good enough, so she asked you, Mr. Shen, to give her some advice."

Before Shen Qing could say something, the young eunuch spoke first.

"I don't ask for mastery in one night, Princess, I just ask for the technique to not make big mistakes."

Shen Qing said nothing, but nodded with a smile: "I will do my best to help the princess realize her talent."

The two of them walked out along the Imperial Street, chatting and laughing.

The officials passing by looked over and turned their eyes away indifferently. He was just a musician, a eunuch, and a servant.

A minor official followed Shen Qing slowly, holding a few rolls of documents in his hands, as if he was going to deliver them somewhere. He glanced ahead from time to time, and the next moment he stopped, walked past Shen Qing and the eunuch, and saw the street intersection.

There was a carriage at the corner of the street, and there were familiar guards——

The minor official's face suddenly changed and he turned around and ran back.

This is also common on the streets, and officials are busy and work very fast.

The minor official rushed to the gate of the imperial city in one breath, just in time to see Zhou Jingyun walking out.

"Ah, Prince Zhou." He rushed over, bowed frantically, and raised the scroll in his hand, "It's a good thing I met you. Take a look. Is this scroll the one you're in charge of?"

The people around laughed when they saw it and said, "It's a hassle to manage money. You get caught wherever you go."

Zhou Jingyun smiled and said to everyone, "Of course, of course." He went closer to the minor official's arms and looked through the document.

The minor official whispered, "Shen Qing was invited away by the people in the Princess's Mansion."

This was the person he arranged in Taichang Temple to keep an eye on Shen Qing.

If Shen Qing can keep an eye on him, he can naturally keep an eye on him too.

Zhou Jingyun nodded to show that he understood, and pulled out a scroll of documents: "Here, let me see——"

But the minor official did not leave. Instead, he came closer and lowered his voice: "Your wife is at the street corner and seems to be waiting for you."

Zhou Jingyun paused holding the document, and the next moment his face changed. He looked forward, and among the officials coming and going, he could see Shen Qing and the eunuchs walking. In the distance, there was a familiar carriage -

He clutched a scroll.

"I'll check it out and give it to you later."

After saying this, the man strode forward.

The green cloak fluttered in the air as he ran.

Everyone around was startled.

"what happened?"

"Is this Zhou Jingyun?"

"Why is he running? What happened?"

"What does your majesty want so urgently?"

"Ah, this is the first time I see Prince Zhou so anxious."

"Prince Zhou looks so good when he runs——"

"Quiet as a virgin, agile as a deer—"

Zhou Jingyun ignored the discussions and surprised looks around him. He only looked at the carriage at the intersection ahead.

At this moment, he felt that the Imperial Street was really long.

It never felt long before.

He untied his cloak and draped it over his arms to prevent it from fluttering and slowing him down.

The official hat also shook, and he raised his hand to take it off and held it in his hand.

The hair may be messy because of running.

This doesn't matter anymore.

He ran past the surprised gaze, past Shen Qing and the eunuchs, and heard the young eunuch's surprised voice, "Eh—it's Prince Zhou—why is he running? What happened?"

Shen Qing looked at Zhou Jingyun who suddenly ran past him. His scarlet official robe slid past like a sharp arrow.

Shen Qing followed Li Jian and looked towards the street corner. He saw a car. The guard beside the car said something to someone inside. The curtain was lifted, revealing a woman's face.

The beautiful jade face looks like flowing pearls and ripples in clear water.