kvmb Chapter 108: What kind of reunion is this?
Chapter 108: What kind of reunion is this?
Qi Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and he swallowed unconsciously. Could Ning Wanxiao be someone arranged by Huaxi Villa? Or maybe it wasn't Ning Wanxiao, but His Majesty? The Xuanji Camp?
Ning Wanxiao paused, took a sip of tea, and smiled softly, "Folklore says Taibai and Tianlang are both ominous and catastrophic stars, but that's not true. Stargazing is about understanding the laws of nature, so it's natural to consider the right time and place. Last night's phenomenon was something Ning Wanxiao had never seen before, so he was very surprised. So he cast a hexagram, and it turned out to be the Yu hexagram, which was even more surprising."
Qi Xiao tried his best to control his emotions, not daring to reveal anything in front of Ning Wanxiao. After a moment's pause, he asked, "Master Ning's words are quite profound. Please forgive my ignorance and my inability to understand the underlying meaning of your words."
Ning Wanxiao was still smiling, his eyes were blindfolded, Qi Xiao couldn't see what kind of look he had or what expression he had. From the slightly raised corners of his mouth, Qi Xiao couldn't guess what he meant.
"Yu, with its firm response and aspirations carried out, moves smoothly. Yu, the greatest symbol, can be interpreted as peace. Judging from the hexagram's image, it is auspicious, not ominous. However, Yu can also be interpreted as laziness, with danger lurking in the dark."
...Just astrology and hexagrams?
Qi Xiao remained silent for a while. Although he was able to keep his composure, he was also disturbed by Ning Wanxiao's weird words.
Huaxi Villa was heavily guarded. If the Xuanji Battalion tried to sneak in at night, Ye Huai wouldn't be able to do so without being noticed. Even someone as skilled in Qinggong as Chi Yue couldn't really come and go without a trace. Furthermore, Zong Sheng was constantly watching Chi Yue.
...Ning Wanxiao...what does it mean?
Ning Wanxiao stood up and poured Qi Xiao more tea, the faint smile on his face never changing. He continued, "I presented the astrological signs and divinations to His Majesty this morning, and His Majesty immediately ordered that Young Master Tang be summoned to Linxiantai to participate in the Moon Festival tomorrow. Since His Majesty is so concerned about last night's divination, I imagine His Majesty would also like to know."
"...Thank you, Master Ning, for clearing my doubts. Fuxi's art is profound and mysterious. A mere mortal like me cannot comprehend the will of Heaven. Thanks to Master Ning, you can understand the will of Heaven and convey it to the emperor. Dachen is truly fortunate."
"Hahahahahahaha..." Ning Wanxiao couldn't help laughing out loud when he heard Qi Xiao flattering him with his roundabout and perfunctory words. His ability to pretend to be calm and stupid was really not something a seventeen-year-old boy could have.
Qi Xiao couldn't figure out Ning Wanxiao's purpose for a moment, and Ning Wanxiao never said anything to Qi Xiao afterwards, also because he had no chance. In the afternoon, the emperor came to Linxiantai to listen to the scriptures, and Qi Xiao accompanied him. He was confused and sleepy all the time, but he had to force himself to stay awake, kneeling and sitting upright. From time to time, the emperor would ask him a few questions, as if to test his understanding.
Qi Xiao endured for nearly two hours until Ning Wanxiao finally finished his lecture and sent His Majesty away. Qi Xiao hurriedly said goodbye to Ning Wanxiao and rushed to Qiyun Palace to visit Concubine Lin before sunset.
In Qiyun Palace, Fang Yuanpan had been taking care of her personally. When Qi Xiao went there, Concubine Lin happened to have taken some medicine and fallen asleep, so he did not disturb her. He just took a look from a distance and then left.
Doctor Fang was waiting outside the door and said to Qi Xiao, "Don't worry, Your Highness. Your Majesty is so weak because of the stagnation of blood and qi. It will take a day or two for her to recover. My humble prescription is gentle and nourishing, and it is supplemented with acupuncture to activate blood circulation and unblock the meridians. Your Majesty will have a good sleep tonight, and will feel much better when she wakes up tomorrow."
Qi Xiao sighed softly, "Thank you for your trouble, Judge Fang."
Doctor Fang smiled, but inwardly he felt a certain fear of Qi Xiao. He had a vivid memory of his murderous expression yesterday. Furthermore, His Majesty had personally visited Qiyun Palace the previous night. Although he had only said he was passing through, and Concubine Tinglin hadn't entered since she was asleep, who didn't know how far Chengming Palace was from Qiyun Palace? How could he have possibly just passed by? Everyone in the palace knew that His Majesty valued the Ninth Prince, so not only was Doctor Fang committed to doing his utmost, but the entire Imperial Hospital was eager to do their utmost, fearing even the slightest slack.
Qi Xiao had just heard from Liu Shuang about His Majesty's visit last night. He felt surprised, relieved, and inevitably resentful. If His Majesty had shown him and his son a little compassion in the past, why would it have become like this? Why...
***
It was already night when Qi Xiao returned to the guild hall. When he went to Huaxi Villa, he found that the envoys from the Zhou Kingdom were having a private banquet in the courtyard, and Tang Ling was among them.
Qi Xiao did not disturb her and went into Tang Ling's inner courtyard room. He held Tang Ling's hand and read "Records of Mountains and Rivers" for several days. He was waiting for Tang Ling tonight.
***
In Yangxizhai, the master Qi Xiao was not at home, so Bai Xiqiao took charge and took his personal guards out for a drink and fun, leaving only Zong Sheng and Chi Yue guarding the empty yard.
"What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you." Chi Yue said and walked towards the small kitchen.
Zong Sheng followed Chi Yue and said, "Let's cook a bowl of noodles."
"It's Mid-Autumn Festival after all, let's eat something good."
"Why don't you go out for a drink with Bai Xiqiao and the others? I can stay here alone."
Chi Yue stopped and looked back at Zong Sheng: "Are you still hating me for what happened in the past? Didn't you whip me? Why don't you even want to have a reunion dinner with me?"
Chi Yue looked at Zong Sheng with a look of annoyance and grievance, which made him freeze in place, not knowing how to react. What was the ambiguity in his words just now that caused Chi Yue to misunderstand and suddenly change his expression?
"That's not what I meant. There are only two of us left at Yangxizhai, and I'd like to have a simple meal. I'm afraid there aren't many ingredients in the small kitchen. If you want to eat better, you should go out with Bai Xiqiao to eat."
Chi Yue took a step toward Zong Sheng, approached him, stared at him closely, and said, "Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for reunion. What does this have to do with Baixi Bridge? What kind of reunion is that?"
“…You…I…” Zong Sheng didn’t know why Chi Yue was so aggressive, didn’t understand what he meant, and couldn’t answer his questions.
"You mean, you have nothing to do with me, right?" Chi Yue suddenly lowered his head and chuckled, "That's right, what does it matter?"
Zong Sheng felt a sour taste in his mouth when he heard Chi Yue's words, as if countless small needles were pricking him densely, itching, hurting, and unable to avoid. Somehow, he suddenly reached out and grabbed Chi Yue: "That's not what I meant."
"What does that mean?" Chi Yue still lowered his head. The lights in the corridor were dim, so Zong Sheng couldn't see his expression clearly.
"...What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you."