Green Mountain

Bai Li ignored it.

When the nuns arrived at the palace gate, the Commander of the Divine Chief Eunuch raised his voice: "Bring out the green words immediately. We need to verify them thoroughly before offering them to the Taoist Ancestor during the Three Sacrifices Ceremony. Everyone, collect the green words as per the register, seventeen sheets per person, not one less."

Xuanzhen looked at Zhu Lingyun: "Xuanyun, give the green words to the Court Minister of the Divine Chief Eunuch."

Zhu Lingyun held a thick stack of green words, while the little eunuch carried a registry, verifying each person and marking a circle on the register with a vermillion pen.

As he was marking, the little eunuch suddenly asked: "Where are Zhu Baili's green words?"

Everyone instantly looked at Bai Li, who in turn looked at Zhu Lingyun, standing straight, eyes as sharp as a sword.

The nuns glanced at each other, knowing well that Bai Li, for the sake of leaving the palace today, had been up since early morning, washing and preparing meticulously. She was usually diligent in writing the green words, yet now they were missing.

No one spoke.

Silence seemed to create a rift, tearing the green bricks between Bai Li and Zhu Lingyun. Zhu Lingyun looked at Bai Li but saw a pool of black lake water in her eyes, deep and mournful.

The Commander of the Divine Chief Eunuch frowned and urged: "Where are Zhu Baili's green words?"

Zhu Lingyun lowered her head guiltily: "Zhu Baili didn't write them."

Xuanzhen, holding the horsetail whisk, said indifferently: "Didn't I tell you to supervise them daily? If she didn't write, why didn't you urge her? I had even guaranteed to Lord Admiral before about this matter; isn't this making me break my word?"

The Commander of the Divine Chief Eunuch scrutinized the few people, chuckled: "Isn't there always a black sheep? It's no fault of the true one, only to blame the subordinates for being too lazy."

Xuanzhen sincerely said: "Since she didn't write them, let's not allow her to attend the Three Sacrifices Ceremony today."

The Commander said unhurriedly: "Is it that simple? We ordered everyone to write a piece of green words, clearly stated, and still someone doesn't write, what are they intending? Our Divine Chief Eunuch is a quiet place, so we don't have so many rules usually, nor do we wish to restrain you, but the green words are not ordered by us, but by Your Majesty. Bring someone here, cane her forty strokes to give her a lasting lesson."

Several little eunuchs came forward, while Zhu Lingyun started to breathe rapidly.

The Commander said sternly: "Take this Zhu Baili back to Jingyang Palace and cane her forty strokes."

Zhu Lingyun stepped forward: "Wait!"

The Commander looked at her askance: "What?"

Xuanzhen on the side said lightly: "What is Xuanyun to say right now? If you delay Lord Admiral's affairs, this board might land on you instead."

Zhu Lingyun shivered, retreating: "No, nothing."

Bai Li watched her quietly, not uttering a word.

The Commander urged: "What are you waiting for, drag Zhu Baili in, don't delay the time, Her Majesty the Empress is about to set off."

Bai Li was about to say something when she heard a commotion from afar.

Everyone turned to look, seeing with surprise a Little Black Cat rapidly darting along the palace path of Dongliu Palace, weaving amongst the palace people and Jiefan Guard.

A Jiefan Guard bent down to catch it but caught nothing.

Little Black Cat ran through the Dongliu Palace path and into Jingyang Palace, leaping into Bai Li's arms. Bai Li lowered her head, cradling it, murmuring softly: "Wu Yun? Is it you, Wu Yun?"

Wu Yun tilted its head, tapping Bai Li's nose with the tip of its nose: "Meow!"

"Where did this little beast come from," Xuanzhen swung the horsetail whisk towards Wu Yun in Bai Li's arms. Bai Li instinctively turned her back, holding Wu Yun securely in her arms.

A crisp crack echoed through Jingyang Palace, but Xuanzhen's horsetail whisk never landed.

Bai Li hesitated to turn around, only to see a woman wearing a purple high-collared jacket standing behind her, a clear red handprint on Xuanzhen's face.

Xuanzhen staggered a few steps backward, feeling her molars loosen, her half face rapidly swelling, with delicate skin seeping blood.

She had wanted to dodge just now, but this woman was too fast to avoid.

Seeking Dao Realm Grand Official!

The woman spoke calmly: "It has the name 'Mountain Lord' bestowed by Your Majesty, it is no little beast."

The Commander hastily bowed: "Aunt Yuan Jin."

Xuanzhen's face burned painfully, the skin twitching uncontrollably, yet she hurriedly bowed: "I've seen Aunt Yuan Jin."

The nuns were as silent as cicadas in winter; they had all seen Yuan Jin before, knowing well her status, they hurriedly chorused: "We have seen Aunt Yuan Jin."

Yuan Jin looked at Xuanzhen coldly: "Lift your head."

Xuanzhen put away the vicious look in his eyes, slowly raised his head, and forced a smile: "Aunt Yuan Jin gave orders."

Yuan Jin smiled: "You put away that look, good."

It was only at this time that several palace maidservants came chasing clumsily, lifting their skirts.

One of them bowed to Aunt Yuan Jin and apologized: "Aunt Yuan Jin, we usually keep a good watch, but just as you went to inspect the Empress's retinue, Mountain Lord took the opportunity to climb over the wall of Kunning Palace, we simply couldn't catch up."

Aunt Yuan Jin glanced at Wu Yun in Bai Li's arms: "Forget it, it's as smart as a ghost, can't manage without me watching, it's understandable that you can't keep an eye on it."

Saying so, she reached out to grab the skin of Wu Yun's neck, but Wu Yun's claws tightly gripped Bai Li's clothes.

Aunt Yuan Jin said sternly: "Let go!"

Wu Yun ignored her.

Aunt Yuan Jin took a deep breath: "Please, Mountain Lord, let go."

Wu Yun still ignored her.

Aunt Yuan Jin, seeing that usual methods were ineffective, was about to tear Wu Yun off Bai Li.

At this moment, a gentle voice came from the palace path: "What's going on here?"

Hearing the voice, everyone turned again to look.

They saw a dignified woman clad in a dark blue ceremonial robe, embroidered with twelve rows of the bird hui patterns, dragon cloud patterns stitched on the collar, a crown of twelve golden silkworms on her head, adorned with beads like cocoons.

In front of her, two Shangyi Bureau female officials carried a golden incense burner to lead her way.

Behind her, an emissary holding high the Empress Golden Rattle, warning all not to look directly at the Phoenix Carriage.

Everyone was instantly taken aback and knelt on the spot: "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."

Aunt Yuan Jin released Wu Yun, stepped forward, and saluted: "Your Majesty, the Mountain Lord suddenly came to this Jingyang Palace and jumped into a nun's arms, unwilling to let go."

"Oh?" The Empress glanced over at everyone: "What happened, why is everyone gathered here?"

The Divine Chief Eunuch answered in a panic: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Court Minister today, under orders of the Prime Minister, was leading the nun from Jingyang Palace to the Ancestor Silkworm Altar for a ceremony. However, His Majesty instructed they write a green word daily as a sign of devotion, but Miss Bai Li hasn't written a single one, the Court Minister was just about to punish her..."

The Empress nodded: "Since His Majesty instructed it, naturally punishment is due, you did nothing wrong, no need to panic."

The Divine Chief Eunuch and Xuanzhen both breathed a sigh of relief.

But just as they exhaled half their breath, they saw Bai Li pull out a stack of green bamboo paper from her sleeve: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the commoner has written them, not missing a single piece. It's just that in the rush earlier, I hadn't had the chance to submit them to Lord Admiral for review."

Zhu Lingyun was stunned, clearly Xuanzhen had already burned the green words, how could Bai Li have prepared an extra set.

The Empress looked at Bai Li, then at Xuanzhen and the others, with an understanding smile: "Alright, since they are written then it's fine. It's rare for the Mountain Lord to like someone so much, what is your name?"

Bai Li, holding Wu Yun, knelt on the green brick: "Reporting to Your Majesty the Empress, the commoner is Zhu Baili."

"Zhu Baili?" The Empress was taken aback: "You are Bai Li?"

Aunt Yuan Jin quietly reminded: "Your Majesty, it's time to leave."

The Empress ignored and smiled at Bai Li, saying: "So it's you, I didn't expect you've grown so much. I still remember when your father brought you to the palace during the nineteenth year of Jianing."

Aunt Yuan Jin's voice turned serious: "Your Majesty!"

Bai Li spoke in a low voice: "The commoner was very young then, I don't remember much."

"Oh?" The Empress said: "Then it's just as well, since the Mountain Lord is so fond of Miss Bai Li, let her hold the Mountain Lord and follow by my side for now, accompany me to the Ancestor Silkworm Altar."

The Divine Chief Eunuch hesitated for a moment: "Your Majesty, it is not appropriate, how can a convicted official's daughter accompany you, what if something happens, I cannot afford it even with ten lives."

The Empress gradually withdrew her smile: "The Mountain Lord is very clever, it can tell who is good and who is bad."

Aunt Yuan Jin quietly reminded: "Your Majesty, Prince Jing was convicted of the crime of treason by His Majesty."

The Empress was silent for a long time: "What crime has his daughter committed?"

Aunt Yuan Jin's expression changed: "Your Majesty, be mindful of your words!"

The Empress glanced at her, then said slowly: "Then let this Miss Bai Li hold the Mountain Lord for now, when the Mountain Lord is tired of playing, Yuan Jin, you take it back. Yuan Jin, you are also always picking bones with this little creature."