Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

Chapter 58: Matters in the Palace

Before because of the princess’s fainting matter, the Imperial Garden had been carefully searched once. But the purpose then was to find people, so some areas that were impossible to hide a person were missed. Now, after His Holiness just scolded the two princes, he ordered the search with a sullen face. The people in charge of the search naturally understood. His Holiness was very angry, so when they searched, they were extra careful. They simply wanted to lift up every piece of turf to look carefully to see if anything was hidden at the bottom. 

It was very hot outside the room. The people outside faced the sun, as they searched through the Imperial garden, while they waited inside the room. In every corner of the room, there were large amounts of ice being placed to cool it down. There were also maids on the side fanning the fan so that it wasn’t as hot. Bai Tianrui was afraid that they would be thirsty so he even asked someone to bring over chilled plum soup[1]. After what had happened last night at the inn, Lin Rufei did not sleep for most of the night. Now that he was sitting in the room to rest, he felt a bit sleepy. But in the end, he was in front of the emperor so he didn’t feel appropriate to be too obvious. Instead, he let out a few occasional small yawns when he chatted with Xuan Qing. 

“Is Lin gongzi tired?” However, Xuan Qing was very sensitive and he caught the tired look on Lin Rufei’s face, “Since you are tired, do you want to go back to rest first?”

Lin Rufei shook his head and said in a strained voice, “No problem, I just didn’t rest well last night, I’m just a little sleepy.”

When Bai Jinglun heard this, he said that there was a guest room next to this room and if Lin Rufei didn’t mind, he could take a short nap in the guest room. Lin Rufei refused, saying that he had never slept well before and that Bai Jinglun should not worry too much about it.

Hearing this, Bai Jinglun also did not continue to persuade. It could be seen that his mood at this time was extremely bad because whether or not they were able to the items of Loathing Victory in the Imperial Garden like the sixth prince said, it wasn’t good. If they were found, it showed that the third princess really had a harmful heart. But if they were not found, it showed that the sixth prince was instigated by someone and learned some things that should not be learned. His own child got into trouble and he, the father, naturally was not happy.

Bai Tianrui was not the least bit nervous. He and Xuan Qing happily chatted about what happened during the past few years.

From their conversation, Lin Rufei learned that the two had been friends for decades, yet the person Xuan Qing first met was not Bai Tianrui, but Bai Jinglun, who had already become the emperor. If one were to count the years, the three should have been friends for many years. However, the attitude that Xuan Qing had with the Bai family did not show such. Whether it was facing Bai Jinglun or Bai Tianrui, Xuan Qing would always have a gentle and courteous appearance. There was no transgression between his words and it was very appropriate. Although this was polite, in the end, there was a loss of the friendliness that only friends had.

Lin Rufei was not familiar with them so he sat on the side drinking the plum soup and acted as if he was listening to the story.

This plum soup tasted very good. It was sweet and sour and after it was chilled, it helped relieve the heat even more. Lin Rufei drank a cup and just as he was planning to pour a second cup, the head of the search team came back from the Imperial Garden.

From appearance, the leader looked like he should be a guard and on such a hot day, he was naturally sweaty from searching through the Imperial Garden for so long. However, at this time his face was as white as paper and one could not see a hint of color. He walked in front of Bai Jinglun and heavily kneeled down as he spoke in a trembling voice: “Your Majesty, it’s been found………”

“Found what?” Bai Jinglun narrowed his eyes and his tone was unkind. 

“Found the item of Loathing Victory…… just that my subordinates do not know much about the object and do not know what use it has.” The head guard kneeled on the ground and answered in a low voice.

Just as the words left his mouth, a loud “bang” resounded. Bai Jinglun was so angry that he threw the plum soup, that was on the table, directly onto the floor. He then said in a fierce voice: “Where is it?”

“It’s under the plum tree in the imperial garden, this subordinate didn’t dare to move it.” The head guard replied in a low voice.

Bai Jinglun got up and left. By the time Lin Rufei had reacted, he had already taken a few steps out of the room. 

The three people left in the room looked at each other and the atmosphere was slightly awkward. Bai Tianrui sighed, shook his head, and then proceeded to follow him.

Lin Rufei and Xuan Qing also got up to follow. Xuan Qing walked beside Lin Rufei and explained in a low voice why Bai Jinglun was so angry.

It turned out that Bai Jinglun, amongst the several heir apparents, loved the third princess the most. The third princess’s mother was very favored but her health was not good. After she gave birth to the eldest son and the third princess, she quickly passed away and the third princess was raised under the Empress Dowager. The emperor was mindful of the fact that she had lost her mother since childhood and loved her very much. If she really used the art of Loathing Victory to harm people, most likely the one in most distress, was Bai Jinglun, this father. 

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Lin Rufei and Xuan Qing walked behind them slowly. When they reached the Imperial Garden, they heard Bai Jinglun’s suppressed anger as he told them to dig out something.

The object was buried under a tall plum tree. It was said that the third princess was very fond of this plum tree and did not allow anyone to go near it at all. Now that the object was dug up from under the plum tree, wouldn’t it be a confirmation of the sixth prince’s words?

Although Lin Rufei had read many history books and knew that the imperial struggles have always been cruel, at this time, a complex emotion surfaced in his heart as he finally had the privilege of witnessing it with his own eyes. 

Xuan Qing stood next to him and watched the movement of the guards carefully. His handsome face was without sadness or joy and was still not moved by such external objects.

“It……It’s this……” The head guard warily took out an iron box and carefully opened it to reveal what was inside.

Lin Rufei was able to see the objects inside the gift box from afar. There was a strange-shaped cloth doll and a book with pages that had turned yellow. There seemed to be something else pressed beneath the book and Bai Jinglun took out the thing from beneath. After shaking it open, he found that it was actually a few pages of painting that carried a childish style. These paintings looked like a mess. It was so messy and unorganized that it looked like a child’s spontaneous work. However, Bai Jinglun’s original heavy and gloomy expression softened a lot after seeing the paintings and even a soft sigh escaped out of his mouth.

The crowd all showed a strange look but it was Xuan Qing who was the first to understand. He shook his head and said, “You guys are mistaken, this is not the art of Loathing Victory, it is just old relics of the princess.”

“Master Xuan Qing is right.” Bai Jinglun nodded his head, sort of approving Xuan Qing’s statement. He gently picked up the doll and carefully placed it in his hand, caressing it gently. His eyes were full of memories and warmth as he reminisced of the past, “This doll was her handiwork. She had poor craftsmanship and in order to coax the child, she made such a contraption, but it scared Moumou badly.”

As he finished speaking, he put the doll back into the box, “After that, I thought the doll was thrown away by Moumou’s mother, I never thought I would still see it here.” As he said this, he shook his head, revealing some vicissitudes and handed the box to Xuan Qing who had been standing next to him, “Master Xuan Qing take a look, are there any suspicious objects in the box?”

Xuan Qing stepped forward, took the iron box, and carefully examined the contents. He looked at the odd-shaped doll a few times, then put it back down. Then he turned to the book and searched page by page until the end and did not seem to find anything strange on it. Finally, it was only the few childish paintings at the bottom of the box. When Xuan Qing picked up one of them and carefully observed it, Lin Rufei, who was standing next to him, suddenly frowned. 

Xuan Qing held up a painting. At first glance, it looked like a child’s doodles and there were no peculiarities, but after careful observation, one would notice that all these doodles were printed with black ink stains. The content of the paintings was very rich; there were people and landscapes but the person who painted was too young, so the shape of the things drawn was very strange and they could only barely be recognized.

In one of the paintings, the ink stain seemed to have become the main character. It was drawn in the center of the paper and was surrounded by a rough depiction of a few small people. She probably wanted to express that a group of children was playing around this thing in the middle. At a rough look, it didn’t seem to be much, but if one were to look at it for a long time, their back would start to feel a chill for no apparent reason.  

“What, is there something wrong with these paintings, Lin gongzi?” Bai Tianrui noticed that Lin Rufei looked grave and asked casually.

Lin Rufei questioned, “When were these paintings painted?”

“They were painted by Moumou when she was a child.” Bai Jinglun answered Lin Rufei’s question, “She is impatient and didn’t like literary things like the zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting and when her teacher taught her, she would get very naughty——very naughty.” As he talked about the princess’s faults, his expression showed pride, “But her skills in riding and shooting were one of the best, even stronger than her several brothers. If she were not a girl……” His words carried a hint of regret and anyone who heard it could tell.

Bai Jinglun’s love for the princess was evident, but what could he do even if he loved her? From the moment she was born she was destined to be a princess no matter how favored she was.

Lin Rufei also felt regret. If this third princess was born in a family of cultivators, as long as her talent was good enough, whether male or female, she would be the most favored one. However, unfortunately, she was born in the mortal world, she still could not escape this unwilling fate.

“Why is there a cloud of black ink on every one of the princess’s paintings?” Lin Rufei wondered.

Bai Jinglun disagreed: “Ink? It’s probably because she was naughty and accidentally soiled her paintings.”

Lin Rufei asked, “This iron box contains the princess’ beloved things, right?”

Bai Jinglun nodded his head.

Lin Rufei pondered, “Since it is a beloved object, how could it be soiled by hand?”

He did have a few points and when the crowd heard these words, they also started pondering for a moment. However, Bai Tianrui suddenly spoke: “It’s hard to stay outside in this heat, why don’t we go inside and continue?”

“Yes.” Bai Jinglun agreed.

Several people then returned the same way and re-entered the study.

Only when they walked halfway, Bai Tianrui took the iron box from Xuan Qing’s hand and examined it for himself. However, he was not interested in the painting and instead focused on the oddly shaped cloth doll. He held it in his hand and kneaded it around for a while. Lin Rufei, who was standing beside him, noticed his unnusual movements. Seeing that Xuan Qing and Bai Jinglun were talking, he took advantage and deliberately slowed down. And just like that, the two of them fell behind.  

When Bai Tianrui noticed Lin Rufei’s sudden pause, he smiled at him, “Lin gongzi, what are you doing beside me instead of catching up with them? Is it possible that you also like me?”

Lin Rufei ignored his half-hearted words and asked directly, “What is so special about the third princess’s doll?”

Bai Tianrui lowered his eyes, but he didn’t say anything.

Lin Rufei said, “If you don’t take it out now, you won’t have a chance to do so when you enter the room later.”

In the end, Bai Tianrui sighed and with some helplessness in his eyes, he responded, “Lin gongzi, Lin gongzi, there are times when being too smart……is really not a good thing.” As he spoke, the hand that Bai Tianrui had used to hold the doll, exerted a small amount of force. What he didn’t expect was to actually see a few shiny, sharp needles being squeezed out from the doll’s body. He casually pulled these needles off the doll and threw it into the grass to the side before placing the doll back into the box.

Lin Rufei saw the needles and froze.

“Lin gongzi might not know.” Bai Tianrui lowered his voice and whispered, “My brother’s concubines, in fact, gave birth to more than two dozen children for him. However, either by accident or illness, the number of premature deaths was innumerable. And in the end, there were only six that have survived until now.”

Lin Rufei listened in silence.

“These things are common and I have long been used to it.” Bai Tianrui continued, “He loves the third princess because he feels that the third princess is like her, do you know who she is?”

Lin Rufei said, “……White……rabbit?”

Bai Tianrui suppressed a smile, “Yes, that white rabbit spirit.” He waved his hand, “She was also smart, no, was a smart rabbit. She was less courageous than anyone else and when she noticed that things were not right, she quickly slipped away. My brother used all the methods, but still could not bring her back.” 

When Lin Rufei realize that they were about to arrive at the room, he frowned and said, “What do you mean by saying this to me?” He still didn’t understand what Bai Tianrui’s words had to do with the needles in the doll.

Bai Tianrui said: “I say this because I just think that if some things can not be changed, it is better to be confused. You see, the third princess is a poor little girl in the eyes of her father, so let her stay as is. After all, in terms of certain things, she does count as a pitiful child.”

Lin Rufei finally understood his meanings.

The iron box was placed under the plum tree by the third princess. The third princess did not use the art of Loathing Victory, so there were no traces of it. But just because she didn’t use the art of Loathing Victory it didn’t mean that she didn’t have resentment in her heart. She was resenting someone and even hated them to the point that she would put needles one by one into the body of the doll. Bai Tianrui took the needles out because he did not want Bai Jinglun to know of these dirty things hidden in his beloved daughter’s heart. He only wanted to leave his brother with a clean and innocent little girl.

Lin Rufei fell into silence. He once again witnessed the complexity of human nature.

Once they entered the room, the group sat down. Xuan Qing once again checked the iron box, affirming that this thing had nothing to do with Loathing Victory. When Bai Jinglun heard this, he smiled. He put the things away with a gentle look and said that he would hand it back to the princess when she woke up. When Bai Tianrui saw this, laughed: “Brother, why are you relaxed? If the princess didn’t do this, then the culprit has not been found, why are you so eager to be happy?”

Then it dawned upon Bai Jinglun: “You’re right.”

“This monk does have some leads.” Xuan Qing folded his hands and smiled, “But I still need some time.”

“Oh, what lead?” Bai Jinglun asked.

Xuan Qing commented, “It’s still too early to say, when I am sure, I will tell His Holiness.”

Bai Jinglun trusted Xuan Qing so much that he didn’t ask any follow-up questions and just nodded his head in agreement.

After a busy morning, it was finally time to eat. Xuan Qing found an excuse not to eat with the two brothers of the Bai family and dragged Lin Rufei out of the palace to eat.

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Sitting at the table, Xuan Qing was obviously a little hungry. When the vegetarian foods were brought out, he gorged himself full. But from time to time, he would also urge Lin Rufei to eat.

Lin Rufei didn’t have a very high appetite so there was a hitch in eating the food in front of him: “Master Xuan Qing, did you really have any important discovery?”

Xuan Qing remarked, “Discovery, well. Yes, there is.” Who knew that he would sigh and show a headache expression, “But I really do not want to get involved in those things in his family.”

Lin Rufei said, “Heir apparent?”

Xuan Qing nodded.

“The heir apparent has something to do with the attack on the princes?” Lin Rufei couldn’t understand. Logically speaking, that thing was very powerful. If it was involved with the imperial family then it should have made its move long ago, why would it need to wait until now?

Xuan Qing continued: “I carefully asked about the situation on the day of the princes’ accident and then compared to what happened to Lin gongzi yesterday, I found a pattern.”

Lin Rufei asked, “What is the pattern?”

Xuan Qing said, “They all happened at night.” He slowly continued, “Actually, it’s not unusual for such assassinations to happen at night. After all, after night, the guards will slack off, and then it won’t be easily detected by others. It’s just that this thing comes and goes without a trace and according to Lin gongzi, it was right in front of your eyes, yet you still couldn’t see him…… Since that’s the case, it doesn’t seem to matter when it makes its move.” 

Lin Rufei slightly narrowed his eyes. He followed Xuan Qing’s words and began his train of thoughts.

Xuan Qing said, “In that case, why does it have to choose at night? Unless……”

“Unless night is necessary for it to appear.” Lin Rufei stated Xuan Qing’s speculation, “But what does this have to do with the establishment of the heir apparent?”

Xuan Qing let out a long sigh: “Naturally there is a relationship. Since it can choose the time it appears, it means that the thing’s behavior is not a demonic move, but a conscious choice. Now the people in trouble are the Second Prince and the Sixth Prince, who do you think……is the most suspicious?”

If the second prince and the sixth prince died, the one that benefitted now was of course the first prince. This was the simplest way to discern this matter, just look at who could benefit the most from this matter. This was indeed reasonable, but Lin Rufei still felt that there was something fishy about it.

“So the Third Princess’ coma was also intentional?” Lin Rufei knew that the third princess and the first prince were siblings of the same father and mother, “Wouldn’t this method be a bit too risky?”

Xuan Qing said, “True or false, false or real, everyone thinks that the third princess is suffering. The person who did it naturally will not be the eldest prince who was closest to her. If you would think so, the emperor would also think so.” He folded his hands and let out a long sigh, “I watched the third princess grow up, she should be a good child, but who could say for sure that good children didn’t have their own thoughts? The emperor likes her, and with her, he also likes the eldest prince……”

This matter was indeed troublesome, a careless mistake would involve all sides of the forces.

Lin Rufei looked at Xuan Qing’s downcast gaze and suddenly asked: “In fact, if Master Xuan Qing wanted to solve this matter, it would not be difficult, right?”

Xuan Qing was curious, “Why does Lin gongzi say that?”

Lin Rufei thought for a moment and said, “There is a not-so-appropriate analogy.”

Xuan Qing: “Hmm?”

Lin Rufei said, “You see two ants fighting, wanting them to stop is a very simple matter, just crush one. But if the two ants are your favorite, then this matter becomes difficult. A careless, heavy method and the ants will be missing hands and feet, and even die a miserable death.”

Xuan Qing pondered: “Human lives are like ants, it is a good analogy.” He was born as a monk and dedicated his life to the Lord Buddha. However, there was no compassion in his eyes, or rather, his compassion was different from the ordinary monks. At least the matter of life and death was not so important in his eyes. Some people who live in this world might as well go to bliss and be reincarnated by Lord Buddha. 

“I wonder if Master can tell me why he is so dedicated in helping the Bai family?” Lin Rufei propped up his chin, looked obliquely at Xuan Qing, and asked the question he was most curious about.

Xuan Qing smiled and muttered, “It’s been many years, so it’s better not to mention it.”

Lin Rufei knew he was not willing to talk about it so he did not force him to say. He lifted the teapot to his own cup of tea and refilled it. He then raised the cup and toasted Xuan Qing. Xuan Qing also looked back at Lin Rufei, with eyes as warm and gentle as the Spring breeze: “If it were Lin gongzi, what would you do when encountering these complicated things?”

Lin Rufei blinked: “If it were me……”

Xuan Qing said, “Hmm?”

Lin Rufei said, “If it were me, I would first pull that thing out, make sure it would not harm anyone, and then find a random excuse to slip away.” He put down the cup of tea in his hand and said seriously, “Anyway, Bai Tianrui has to sit and guard Dajing so he has no time to catch me.”

When Xuan Qing heard this, he glanced and then applauded in laughter. He didn’t know the true nature of this mountain, only because he was on the mountain. He was truly tempted by the devil. 

Regarding the nasty things in the imperial family, Lin Rufei was really not too interested. However, he was more interested in finding that thing sooner. He did not understand what the words “Heavenly Ruler” that the thing called out in his ear meant. The Heavenly Ruler was a legend from a hundred years ago and was already a mythical existence to him, so what did this myth have to do with this fierce thing that wanted to take his life?

At this time, Lin Rufei couldn’t wait to know the answer.

“Is there any method to hook that thing out?” Lin Rufei was almost done eating so he put down his chopsticks and concentrated on discussing with Xuan Qing, “Since he struck a third time, there will definitely be a fourth……Master Xuan Qing, what does this look you are giving me mean?……” As he said, he noticed Xuan Qing smiling and staring at himself. That look, no matter how he looked, felt like it was harboring ill intent.

Xuan Qing said, “Lin gongzi, what happened last night, are you hiding something?”

Lin Rufei was stunned.

Xuan Qing continued: “Don’t be in a hurry to deny. I’m not asking what you’re hiding, I just think that that thing seems to be extraordinarily interested in you.”

Lin Rufei raised his eyebrows slightly, “How so?”

Xuan Qing stated: “Take a look. Before, the people who were in accidents were all the imperial princes and princesses in the palace. Once Lin gongzi came, you immediately became a scapegoat. Say, isn’t that thing extraordinarily interested in Lin gongzi?”

After listening to Xuan Qing’s statement, Lin Rufei was a bit speechless: “……Well, that’s true.”

Xuan Qing continued, “The method that Lin gongzi said can indeed be tried……”

Lin Rufei already understood Xuan Qing’s meaning and raised his hand to point at himself, “Then how do you know it will still come to me?”

Xuan Qing said, “That’s why it’s just trying.” 

Lin Rufei remembered the dangerous situation last night, when he was nearly strangled to death, and fell into deep thought for a moment.

Xuan Qing saw this and explained: “If you don’t want to, I won’t force you, after all if you don’t do this right, it could kill you.”

But Lin Rufei said straightforwardly, “There is no harm in trying.” If Xuan Qing’s guess was right and that thing was indeed interested in him, then as long as he didn’t leave the place, there was a possibility that he would be attacked again.

“But if it succeeds, I would have done Master Xuan Qing such a big favor, Master Xuan Qing should then compensate me for something, right?” Lin Rufei said.

Xuan Qing nodded: “That’s natural, I wonder what Lin gongzi would like?”

Lin Rufei stated, “Then let’s hear the story of Master Xuan Qing and the Bai family back then.”

Xuan Qing pursed his lips slightly, but then he nodded slowly, “Alright.”

Lin Rufei reached out his hand at him, “Then it’s a deal, high five as a pledge!”

Xuan Qing also raised his hand and slapped it against Lin Rufei’s palm. The two palms came together with a light sound and a faint smile appeared on both of their faces.

********

The author has something to say:

Lin Rufei: The third day senior has been offline. 

Gu Xuandu: In fact, seriously, I wasn’t offline yesterday.

Lin Rufei: You still have the guts to say that?

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[1] Plum soup.