小草影院 

Chapter 530: Xia Chichi Copying Scriptures

Zhao Changhe had almost never seen Tang Wanzhuang so delighted and motivated; even his Rejuvenation Art failed to elicit such rejuvenation in her.

He sighed helplessly. “I don’t even know how much of it was due to my persuasion. It felt like he wanted to take some action himself. If Hebei really falls, it won’t be to his liking either. For now, it certainly does relieve some of the tension we’re under, allowing us to breathe a bit easier... But I advise you not to have any further expectations. He’s not someone you can rely on. We have to rely on ourselves.”

Tang Wanzhuang did not care about any of that. After all, this was the task she had given Zhao Changhe before he entered the palace, and he had truly accomplished it. She had not even expected him to succeed, yet Zhao Changhe had actually done it.

Tang Wanzhuang took his hand, replacing Xia Chichi, and walked with him through the streets at night. “Did I interrupt you and Xia Chichi?”

Zhao Changhe replied, “Chichi needed to meet with Vermillion Bird anyway. Given the sudden turn of events, they have a lot of information to exchange.”

Tang Wanzhuang remained silent for a moment.

Exchange what with Vermillion Bird? Wasn’t it Vermillion Bird who brought you both into the palace?

Tang Wanzhuang felt that Xia Chichi might just be the unluckiest person in the world right now.

“So, where were you originally planning to go?”

“Of course, to the Tang residence. I was going to check if your condition has improved.”

Tang Wanzhuang looked down, chuckling softly. She did not quite believe his words, feeling that he had just become more skilled in sweet talk lately. But, somehow... hearing it still made her happy.

Zhao Changhe asked, “But weren’t you in the middle of arresting suspects? Why did you leave?”

“I didn’t really need to go personally... Tonight, the imperial guards[1] are out in force, planning to arrest at least a hundred people. Which one am I supposed to go to? I was just restless and tagged along with one of the groups. But since I saw you, why would I bother?”

Zhao Changhe did not say anything. The affection in her words was so clear that even a deaf person could hear it.

And here they were, holding hands and walking openly through the capital. Tang Wanzhuang was not even trying to avoid notice. For her, this was probably harder than sneaking a kiss behind closed doors.

However, the medicine from earlier seemed to have worked. When Zhao Changhe tried probing her palm with his true qi, he noticed that her condition had improved considerably. No wonder she was restless and out arresting people.

Zhao Changhe sighed. “You’ve finally gotten a bit better. Can’t you just stay at home? I wasn’t just saying that earlier to make you feel better. Once things are settled here, I really was going to visit you, partly to check on your condition and partly to discuss something with you.”

Tang Wanzhuang hesitated, kicking a small stone on the street as she led him forward.

She had wanted to say they could talk right now, but somehow, she did not feel like it.

Why can others walk hand in hand with him leisurely? Now that I’ve finally found the courage to do the same, can’t we just not talk about serious matters for a while?

But the thought felt absurd... She always wanted him to be serious about important things, so why did she feel this way now? It was like she was under a spell.

No matter how much Zhao Changhe had grown in understanding women, there was no way he could fully grasp the intricacies of a woman’s heart.

Seeing Tang Wanzhuang remain silent, Zhao Changhe continued on his own, “The Wang Clan’s rebellion cannot be allowed to drag on like the incident with the Maitreya Cult. Despite the Maitreya Cult’s significant influence, it lacked widespread acceptance and couldn’t form alliances. They were essentially fighting alone. But the Wang Clan is different. They can find allies all over the land, and they might even form an alliance with the tribes among the northern barbarians. Batu’s strength is not enough to have a firm grip over everyone in the north. He may not be able to stop Timur if he makes a comeback.”

Tang Wanzhuang naturally understood this and asked, “So, what are you suggesting?”

“The longer it drags on, the worse the situation will become... If we want to resolve it quickly, dealing with the Wang Clan alone isn’t enough. We must deal with the Sea Tribe behind them first,” Zhao Changhe said. “I’m considering going out to sea to take a look.”

Tang Wanzhuang was shocked. “How could you do that? How could you possibly stand against gods and demons?”

Zhao Changhe replied, “Don’t worry... Although I just said we can’t rely on Xia Longyuan, this matter might be an exception. Xia Longyuan wants to kill the Sea Emperor of the Sea Tribe more than anyone else. I suspect that his sending Chichi overseas is an attempt to lure out the Sea Emperor... He’s like Schrödinger’s human—at any moment, he could turn into a cold, unfeeling god.”

Tang Wanzhuang did not understand who or what Schrödinger was, but she knew that Zhao Changhe was not just guessing aimlessly, especially when it came to the part about Xia Longyuan wanting to kill the Sea Emperor more than anyone else. She had seen his impatience during the Battle of Puyang.

“So this is a rare opportunity where we have a common goal with Old Xia. It would be a waste not to use it. I don’t feel comfortable letting Chichi go alone... Besides, I want to see what’s going on overseas for myself.”

“Then why are you discussing it with me?” Tang Wanzhuang sighed. “I can’t help with anything. The Great Xia’s reach overseas was originally extended through the Wang Clan. They were the Sea-Suppressing Marquis. But now that they’ve rebelled, we’re practically blind out there.”

“I don’t need much help... It’s just that before a husband goes on a trip, he should always inform his wife.”

“You!” Tang Wanzhuang’s face flushed, and she tried to pull her hand away, but he held it tightly, and she could not free her hand.

Tang Wanzhuang suddenly realized that, in her current weakened state, she might not be his match.

He’s really grown so strong...

Zhao Changhe then said softly, “It’s also to give you something to hold on to... This way, you won’t be so quick to disregard your own life.”

Tang Wanzhuang listened in a daze, her struggles gradually weakening until she no longer had any strength left.

They walked slowly through the night in the capital, without speaking another word.

After a long, long while, Tang Wanzhuang finally said, “If you decide to go to sea, the Tang Clan has the best ships. I’ll arrange for a group of Tang Clan sailors to help you. They have a lot of experience.”

As for the matter of Zhao Changhe informing his wife before leaving on a trip, she finally stopped arguing against it.

* * *

Meanwhile, Xia Chichi had arrived at the Four Idols Cult’s villa, where Vermillion Bird was sitting inside, leisurely drinking tea.

Seeing Xia Chichi return, Vermillion Bird said coolly, “You left the palace so early. Why did it take you so long to come here? Could it be that you enjoyed whispering sweet nothings with the Fire Pig of Shi that much?”

Internally, she was thinking otherwise. It’s good that you took so long, or else I wouldn’t have had time to finish my discussion with Shaozong at the Huangfu residence, change my outfit and hairstyle, and rush here to wait for you... I really thought I wouldn’t make it in time.

“Uh...” Xia Chichi noticed that the venerable’s attitude was indeed less hostile than before, so she did not retort, choosing instead to change the subject, “Did the Fire Serpent of Yi already report everything that happened in the palace to you?”

“She did, and very thoroughly at that,” Vermillion Bird replied, leaning back in her chair. “You’re planning to go out to sea. Alright, go.”

Xia Chichi was confused, “?”

The Fire Serpent of Yi must have misreported the situation. I only want to go to sea now after Zhao Changhe mentioned that he was planning to go out to sea, too. When did I ever say I wanted to go out to sea before?

But at this moment, she had no objections. Xia Chichi simply took the opportunity to complain about Huangfu Qing. “Venerable, you placed the Fire Serpent of Yi in charge of palace affairs, but instead of keeping a close eye on Xia Longyuan, she’s been indulging in debauchery and greatly increasing our risk of exposure.” n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Vermillion Bird: “...”

Seeing no reaction from Vermillion Bird, Xia Chichi added, “And she shamelessly goes around without clothes, letting other cult members see her. She’s making the once respectable Twenty-Eight Mansions look indecent, ruining the reputation of our holy cult. She should be severely punished!”

Vermillion Bird still gave no response.

Xia Chichi stole a glance at the venerable and saw her staring fixedly at her with an unreadable expression in her eyes.

Confused, Xia Chichi waited for a while longer. At last, Vermillion Bird sighed. “You’re right. I will certainly punish the Fire Serpent of Yi appropriately.”

I’ll punish her by making her sleep with your man—that should be harsh enough, right?

Xia Chichi’s face had just lit up when she heard Vermillion Bird continue, “But, Chichi, as the saintess of our cult, you knew full well that her actions were inappropriate, yet you failed to stop her on the spot. That is a dereliction of duty.”

Xia Chichi replied, “But you told me to follow her orders entirely. If she abuses that power, there’s nothing I can do.”

Plus, she somehow became my Empress Mother...

“If the saintess of our cult allows such behavior to sway her, letting a subordinate dictate her actions, then that is truly disappointing to me,” Vermillion Bird said calmly. “I heard from the Fire Serpent of Yi that Xia Longyuan made a remark, saying that you’re fierce yet lack authority... His words are quite insightful. Perhaps it’s due to your youth, but you should reflect on this.”

Xia Chichi scratched her head, thinking that the venerable was probably right. She should have been more assertive. How could she have let that rotten serpent’s claim of being her Empress Mother defeat her so easily?

Vermillion Bird looked at her, feeling both exasperated and amused. She took a sip of tea before continuing, “And... You’ve kept your true identity from me for so long. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Xia Chichi responded, “I didn’t intentionally hide it... And what’s the point of that identity anyway? I don’t even acknowledge it, and I’m against him. Venerable, you aren’t so petty, right? Shouldn’t you be considering how to make use of this identity to our advantage? Although, I’d still advise against it. He’s not the type to be restrained by such things.”

“Oh, you’re lecturing me now, are you?”

Xia Chichi stood there obediently.

Vermillion Bird said, “Anyway, both these issues demand punishment. Do you accept?”

Xia Chichi muttered, “As long as you also punish the Fire Serpent of Yi, I accept.”

“Of course, both of you will be punished. Do you think I would lie to you?” Vermillion Bird put down her tea cup but then suddenly changed the topic. “Going out to sea this time will be different from before... Last time, you didn’t have any enemies. This time, if it involves a struggle over treasures or secret realms, the Sea Tribe’s reaction could be unpredictable. I’m not comfortable with you going alone. I will write to your martial aunt, Black Tortoise, and if she’s available, she’ll go out to assist you. Don’t underestimate her just because she spends all her time in the desert playing with sand. Her affinity with water is actually very strong.”

Xia Chichi did not know why the venerable suddenly changed the topic, so she simply said, “Understood.”

Vermillion Bird nodded in satisfaction. “Then, until I contact Black Tortoise, you can spend your time copying scriptures to calm your mind and reflect.”

1. The word used here was 缇骑, which specifically refers to people who arrest lawbreakers, though in this case, it seems that they’re arresting traitors. ☜