Green Mountain

The nun from Jingyang Palace looked at Bai Li with admiration in her eyes.

In this deep palace, forming relationships with nobility means living a little more comfortably, even if it's just establishing a connection with the noble's cat.

They looked over at Wu Yun in Bai Li's arms, wondering how Bai Li had such luck, why did this little creature jump into Bai Li's arms and not theirs?

A eunuch beside the Empress quietly reminded, "Madam, Lord Wu Xiu has already instructed the Jiefan Guard to prepare, it's time to set off."

The Empress nodded, turned to leave, but heard Wu Yun suddenly hiss.

She turned back, just in time to see Wu Yun baring its teeth at Xuanzhen, its ears flat against its head, full of hostility.

The Empress was somewhat surprised and looked up at Xuanzhen, "Master Xuanzhen, what happened to your face?"

Before Xuanzhen could answer, Aunt Yuan Jin had already clasped her hands and said, "The Master cursed the Mountain Lord calling him a little beast and attempted to strike him with her horsetail whisk. I slapped her face as punishment."

The Empress said sternly, "How could Yuan Jin behave like this? The Master, being the one who presides over this Jingyang Palace, is a figure who communicates between heaven and earth, how could she be punished so lightly?"

Yuan Jin bowed, "I was too reckless."

The Empress softened her expression and consoled Xuanzhen, "Master, don't worry. Once today's Silkworm God ritual is finished, I will certainly punish Yuan Jin. I notice your face is swollen, so today you need not bear the toil of performing the three offerings ritual, stay in Jingyang Palace and rest well."

Xuanzhen's expression changed, "Madam, I am fine."

The Empress lightly remarked, "Master, given how you look today, it wouldn't be proper for others to see you, don't you think?"

Yuan Jin calmly said, "Why not kneel and thank the Madam."

Xuanzhen hesitated for a moment, then knelt to the ground, "Thank you, Madam, for your care, may your noble health be well."

The Empress turned and walked away, the vast deep cyan robe train dragging along the ground like a fan, "Let's depart."

The eunuch exclaimed loudly, "Depart!"

The enormous Imperial Palace suddenly came alive, the Jiefan Guards formed into two lines to escort the Empress, with female servants from the palace carrying golden incense burners leading the way, female officials holding the Empress Golden Rattle behind, the Rattle clattering, warning everyone to remain silent and step aside.

Once the Empress walked out of the palace path, the Divine Chief Eunuch's Commander hurriedly urged, "Quick, as I taught you, line up in two rows behind the procession!"

Xuanzhen stood at Jingyang Palace gate, looking venomously at Bai Li.

Bai Li ignored her, holding Wu Yun quietly at the end of the line, as far from the Empress' palanquin as possible.

Zhu Lingyun walked ahead of her, turning her cheek to ask, "Sister, your green words..."

Bai Li calmly replied, "They were originally written to help you."

Zhu Lingyun was slightly stunned, her expression darkened, "Sister, I'm sorry."

Bai Li did not respond.

Zhu Lingyun's eyes reddened, "Sister, it was Xuanzhen who snatched the green words and burned them."

Bai Li said quietly, "You had the opportunity to tell me."

Zhu Lingyun desperately defended herself, "Xuanzhen said if I told you, she would replace the steward with Liu Pin Er, you know how severe Liu Pin Er is, she would never let me off if she becomes the steward..."

Bai Li interrupted, "Lingyun, I warned you, Xuanzhen had no good intentions, and now this is the result she wanted. She wanted us sisters to turn against each other, and she succeeded."

Zhu Lingyun hurriedly said, "Sister, I will listen to you from now on..."

Bai Li interrupted again, "Lingyun."

"Hmm?"

Bai Li said softly, "Do you remember, every time in the academy when you got into trouble, I took the blame for you? At Donglin Academy, I cooked for you and brother, you wanted to wear my clothes, my jewelry, use my rouge, I always let you."

"But Lingyun, I've let you have your way for over ten years, I could yesterday, I could tomorrow, but not today."

At this moment, the long procession left the Forbidden City's Beian Gate, passing through the vermilion palace gates. Every time a line of palace female servants passed, Yulin Army riders would accompany them side by side, guarding them from the sides.

When it was Bai Li's turn, she walked into the long shadow of the city gate, clutching Wu Yun.

She took a deep breath, then exhaled deeply.

She took another deep breath.

I came here to meet you.

In the next moment.

As she stepped out of the shadow of the city gate, into the light.

The Yulin Army, waiting since long outside Beian Gate, leisurely rode alongside, clad in silver armor, wearing white feathers, draped in white cloaks, and holding flags of sun, moon, and stars.

Over two hundred Yulin Army members with their snow-white cloaks and the fluttering vermilion flags in their hands, like flowers blooming along the roadside.

Bai Li couldn't help but look up, the Yulin Army beside her also looked down, their lips moving, silently saying, don't be afraid.

Chen Ji.

Bai Li's eyes reddened.

The procession walked slowly, as fast as Bai Li walked, Chen Ji rode along, both refraining from speaking, walking side by side down the bluestone road.

Bai Li couldn't hear anything else, only the sound of hooves beside her.

This world seemed devoid of others, with only the two of them walking side by side, even Wu Yun sensed the atmosphere and kept quiet.

...

...

On the long street, Chen Ji wished to find a chance to talk alone with Bai Li, but there were people all around, Bai Li wasn't even allowed to speak.

Further ahead was Shuntian Prefecture Street and Andingmen Avenue, after exiting the city gate, the procession followed the official road for three miles, and then the Jingyang Palace nun would follow the Empress into Ancestor Silkworm Altar, while Yulin Army could only stand guard outside the Ancestor Silkworm Altar.

Chen Ji meticulously recalled in his mind, but he couldn't find the opportunity or place to speak with Bai Li.

He could risk speaking to Bai Li, the consequence would merely be some reprimand, but if Bai Li broke the rules, she might have to pay a huge price.

At this moment, Chen Ji suddenly spoke to the Yulin Army in front of him, "Lin Yanchu."