Pitter patter pattered as the rain pelted down onto the streets. There were no pedestrians on the streets. An ox-cart was parked under the eaves of an official's residence. A woman with makeup was seated within the cart, her face was filled with worry. It was the Grand Princess.
An imperial guard who was also the driver of the ox-cart looked out from time to time, "Dao Master Pei's carriage is here."
The Grand Princess then said, "Go and invite Dao Master Pei over."
"Yes!" The imperial guard heard this and walked towards Pei Zi Yun's ox-cart.
"Young Master, the rain came too suddenly." Outside the carriage, Ren Wei was wearing a raincoat as he drove the ox-cart. The sound of the rain hitting the stone floor was crisp and clear.
"You're prepared." Pei Zi Yun looked at Ren Wei and said.
"It's not that I'm prepared. It's just that no matter what the weather is, an ox-cart always carries a raincoat. Especially in summer, nobody knows when the rain will come."
As Ren Wei spoke, someone blocked the way. He was so frightened that he shouted for the ox-cart to stop. Luckily, the ox-cart was docile and stopped. He then shouted, "Who are you? Why are you blocking the way? "
The warrior who blocked the way then said, "Mister Ren, is this Dao Master Pei's carriage? The Grand Princess requests your presence! "
The rain was heavy, but he could hear that it was the Grand Princess. Pei Zi Yun opened his eyes and saw Ren Wei pull the curtain aside and asked, "Young Master, it's the Grand Princess …."
"Alright, I know. Let's go." Pei Zi Yun said as the ox-cart reached the eaves of the official's residence. He then got off the ox-cart and saw the Grand Princess.
The Grand Princess looked haggard, her eyes were filled with worry and anger, as well as disappointment. Seeing Pei Zi Yun get on the ox-cart, she then ordered, "Return to the mansion!"
The ox-cart started moving, as the incense within the carriage started to rise. The two of them did not speak. The Grand Princess looked out the window as the rain hit the stone floor, splashing water everywhere. It sounded like a melody.
After some time, the Grand Princess then turned around, tears welling up in her eyes, "Thousand Leaf is sick."
Hearing these words, Pei Zi Yun's heart sank, as though he was in pain. He hesitated before asking softly, "What illness? Have you seen a doctor?"
Hearing Pei Zi Yun's words, the Grand Princess turned around and glared at him, "You'll know once you see it. Why bother asking? Don't tell me that Qianye is sick and you don't even want to take a look?"
Pei Zi Yun did not speak, he just sighed. The rain outside was getting heavier. When he reached the Grand Princess's Mansion, someone immediately came to welcome him with an umbrella. He walked up the stairs and along the walkway. Inside the mansion, not a single drop of rain could be seen.
He walked all the way to the small building and was welcomed by several serving ladies. They didn't say a word and bowed to him. The Grand Princess then turned around and spoke to Pei Zi Yun, "Go in, Thousand Leaf is inside."
As he spoke, his eyes reddened.
Pei Zi Yun didn't know why but he was a little nervous and hesitated. The Grand Princess was infuriated, "Qianye is in such a state and you don't want to see her anymore? Then why did you provoke her back then? "
As she spoke, tears flowed down her cheeks. The nannies and maids beside her were all silent.
Pei Zi Yun did not speak as he entered the building. There was another serving lady standing in the walkway, her eyes were red. When she saw Pei Zi Yun, she bowed, "Dao Master, the Canton Princess is resting. Please follow me."
When he entered the building, Pei Zi Yun's heart sank. The Canton Princess was lying on the bed with a blanket covering her. Her cheeks were sunken in, and her hair was yellow. She was as skinny as a stick, and looked as cute as ever.
It was almost as if it was the night of the lantern festival. She was still jumping up and down beside him, "Brother Pei, my name is Qi Qianye. Brother Pei, don't call me Canton Princess from now on. Just call me Qianye."
"Brother Pei, I'm so happy that you accompanied me to watch the lantern festival."
"I wish time would stay here forever."
As he thought of this, Pei Zi Yun's eyes turned red as well. The room was filled with the smell of medicine. He stretched out his hand and caressed the Canton Princess's cheeks. The Canton Princess seemed to sense something as she called out softly, "Brother Pei!"
Her voice was soft, and he had to lean in to hear her clearly. Pei Zi Yun then replied, "I know, I'm here."
"Brother Pei, I really like you. Why don't you want me?" She mumbled to herself in her dreams. Pei Zi Yun's heart ached for some time before he sighed heavily and left the room.
When he reached the corridor outside, the serving maid started sobbing, "The doctor said that the Canton Princess is suffering from a mental illness. Her body isn't really ill, but she doesn't want to eat or drink. Sometimes she would play the zither, and sometimes she would smile at the paintings. She's getting thinner and thinner."
As the serving maid spoke, she started sobbing softly. At this point, the Grand Princess walked up to Pei Zi Yun. Her eyes were red and swollen. She looked at Pei Zi Yun for some time before waving her hands, "You may leave."
The serving maid and granny left the room without saying a word. The Grand Princess looked at the unconscious Canton Princess in the room before walking further into the corridor.
Pei Zi Yun followed her. On both sides of the corridor was a small garden. Raindrops fell on the roof and onto the green stone floor. The Grand Princess did not turn back. She walked to a corner and looked at a pond. All of a sudden, she said, "Have you heard about the affair between me and Prince Consort Mei?"
Hearing this, Pei Zi Yun was slightly surprised. He nodded his head, "I've heard a little about it."
Prince Consort Mei was from a scholarly family, and owned 200 mu of land. He was a High Scholar of the previous dynasty, and was well-versed in history and history. He was a strategist, and was skilled in archery and horses. Back then, many people respected him.
After that, he joined the Emperor's camp. He provided disaster relief, guarded the city, and governed the country. His orders were strict and he won the Grand Princess's heart. The couple got along well.
However, good times did not last long. Not long after the founding of the country, he died a mysterious death. He drowned in a river.
The Emperor conferred him the title of Count Feng.
Thinking about this, the Grand Princess's eyes turned red. She stretched out her hands to catch the rain. She was almost forty years old, and her hands were as straight as a spring onion. The raindrops hit her palms and splashed water everywhere.
"Prince Consort Mei had no sons, and only had a daughter. Qianye was the apple of my eye."
"Your talent is even higher than Prince Consort Mei's. That year, when you took the Top Scorer examination, I ordered someone to take a look at it. Indeed, every word was a gem. Even my brother said that this was the Top Scorer examination."
"You don't envy riches and riches. Although I felt that it was a pity to cultivate the Dao for your father, I also felt that it was a sign of filial piety."
"Your poems and writings have spread far and wide. You've been famous for a while, and no one can match up to you. In the future, your name will be known throughout the world. I'm happy for you."
"As for your Quelling the Bandits, you opened up the borders and led the troops to quell the rebellion. In the blink of an eye, everything was settled. Just like what Count Zhong Qin said, I've followed the Emperor on his expeditions to the south and the north, and have seen many people. I've seen this man take care of the bandits, and he was flawless. Even if I were to replace him, how could I be as flawless as this man?"
"To have such talent, it's truly shocking. Actually, when you rejected the marriage proposal, I wasn't angry at all. After all, a poor friend should not be forgotten, and a poor wife should not be married. You have such talent and integrity. What else can I say?"
"I can only respect you even more."
The Grand Princess spoke with melancholy, her eyes were cold as she stared at the rain. After a long time, she said, "It's just that I didn't expect the little Canton Princess to be so deeply in love. You're getting more and more haggard by the day. Although I've always admired you, and the Imperial Court has always relied on you, the little Canton Princess is the flesh and blood of my heart. If anything were to happen to her, I would no longer be the Grand Princess, but a mother who has lost her only hope. What do you think I should do?"
As the Grand Princess spoke, she looked at Pei Zi Yun, her eyes filled with hatred.
Pei Zi Yun avoided her gaze and looked at the raindrops falling on the lotus leaves. He stood still and turned around, "Ai, what is love in this world? It makes people want to live and die for each other."
"Since ancient times, love doesn't last long. What have I done to deserve the little Canton Princess's love?"
"As a mother, if you blame me, I have nothing to say. I've let the little Canton Princess down." Pei Zi Yun laughed bitterly. Although he spoke calmly, when he thought of her pitiful face, his heart was filled with emotions. As he spoke up to this point, he swallowed hard.
"What is love in this world? It makes people want to live and die for each other."
"Since ancient times, love doesn't last long."
"You're really talented, but I don't want to hear all this. I just want to know how you're going to treat Qianye. If you divorce your wife and marry Qianye, I'll help you get the title of True Sovereign. I'll even help you bear the pressure of the Imperial Court."
"If you're not willing, you might think that you're irreplaceable. If you think that way, you're wrong." The Grand Princess's voice was very soft, and sounded very clear and sinister. Even Pei Zi Yun felt a chill down his spine.
After some time, Pei Zi Yun finally calmed himself down. He stared at the rain and said, "I've already married a wife, and it's impossible for me to divorce her. However, the Grand Princess has two thousand hectares of land, while the Canton Princess only has eight hundred hectares of land. My Golden Island has five thousand hectares of land."
These words came out of nowhere, and were very harsh. The Grand Princess paused before she understood. She was enraged, "How dare you! You want Qianye to be your concubine?"
"When others said that you were extremely daring, I didn't believe them. But now I do." This matter concerned the dignity of the Imperial Family, and was impossible. The Grand Princess was truly enraged, and her words were laced with killing intent.
He then replied plainly, "It's impossible for me to marry the Canton Princess, but Qianye can. Furthermore, she's not a concubine. I'm a Daoist, and do not need to follow the rules. I'm just a wife. My wife loves me deeply, and I never expected Qianye to be so infatuated with me. I can't let her down. This is the only way."
"Grand Princess your highness, rules are dead, people are alive. The Canton Princess loves me deeply, and I have no choice but to suggest this."
"You're saying that you want the Canton Princess to fake her death and marry you?" The Grand Princess was an intelligent person, and understood what was going on. She was so angry that her entire body was trembling. She had never seen such a shameless person before. Just as she was about to explode in anger, she heard Pei Zi Yun ask coldly, "Grand Princess, have you read the Immortal Records? Like Shen Zi Yuan? Why is it that Dark Altar Sect is involved in the Crown Prince's rebellion, and yet the Imperial Court doesn't say anything? "
The Grand Princess was shocked as she looked at Pei Zi Yun and sighed, "Of course, it's not that the Imperial Court is afraid. Even if it's a paradise, the Imperial Court can break through it easily. It's just that an Earth Immortal has a physical body, and is able to suppress an entire area. He doesn't follow the Imperial Court's orders, and hasn't been killed.
Pei Zi Yun looked at the Grand Princess's ashen face. He then turned around and looked at the misty rain. A bird flew across the sky, killing insects before flying back to its nest.
Pei Zi Yun paused, "Besides, around Dark Altar Mountain, the Earth Immortals are much more powerful. If they were to engage in guerilla warfare, even a thousand soldiers would find it hard to defend against them. In the Immortal Records, there's no mention of risking one's life to assassinate the Emperor. Could it be that the Imperial Court doesn't want to destroy the Daoist sects? It's not that they don't want to, it's just that the price is too high."
"Before we destroy King Lu, we can't afford to lose all decorum." Pei Zi Yun then turned around and spoke in a hoarse voice, "With this person's help, King Lu will be like a tiger that has grown wings. I'm the Daoist who is the closest to becoming an Earth Immortal."
As he spoke, he didn't wait for the Grand Princess to reply. Pei Zi Yun bowed, "Your subject shall take his leave."
The pathway within the mansion was paved with green stones. Pei Zi Yun stepped onto it and walked away slowly. He wasn't wearing a raincoat, but the raindrops that fell within three feet of him seemed to have hit a transparent barrier, as they fell onto the ground without getting wet at all.
Seeing this, the Grand Princess's face fell.
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