Chapter 27 Desire to See

  As soon as he heard the voice, his mind went "buzz" and he clearly remembered that it was the same call from the Red Mansion that day. There was only one thought in his mind: "It's her, it must be her!" His hands trembled slightly, and his feet were nailed to the ground, unable to move at all.

  Bai Chenxiang saw him like this and couldn't help but rush, pushing twice without a reaction. In a moment of anxiety, she picked up a jade Ruyi from the table and hit Gao Qiang's head with force, scolding in a low voice: "Gao Qiang, what are you doing?" But she didn't dare to speak loudly, fearing that it would startle the people in the courtyard.

  This sudden blow to the head finally woke up this super star chaser who had traveled through time and space. Gao Liang touched the spot on his head that was hit, almost crying out in pain, but was covered by Bai Xiangxiang's soft, smooth and slippery small hand. Her almond-shaped eyes widened as she stared at Gao Liang: "Does the official remember what he promised to Xiangxiang just now? If there is even a slight disagreement, everything will be cancelled!"

  Gao Liang finally came back to his senses, secretly calling out "shameful"! It turned out that when it comes down to it, no matter how great a person is, they still get flustered when they're concerned. He used to look down on those crazy fans who shouted and screamed in the streets, but now he was just as unbearable, the only difference being the object of his pursuit.

  He rushed towards Xiang Xiang, who was covering her mouth, and nodded slightly to signal her to be at ease. He then retreated two steps back, turned around, and hid behind the screen.

  Bai Chenxiang heard the sound and let out a gentle sigh, instructing two maids to tidy up the cabin slightly while she went out to greet them. Before long, she heard the soft footsteps of two people entering the cabin, chatting and laughing softly along the way. When they sat down, it turned out that Li Qingzhao was sitting in the seat closest to the screen, whether by Bai Chenxiang's deliberate arrangement or coincidence. Gao Qiang held his breath, regretting that he had not mastered any superior martial arts, such as the "Forget Love Heavenly Book" or the "Long Life Secret", which would have allowed him to remain hidden and unnoticed. At this moment, having such a skill would be extremely useful, and he wouldn't have to hold his breath like this, afraid of startling his idol, the talented and elegant E'an Hermit.

  One had to pay attention to the movements on the other side of the screen, not missing a single word or smile from Li Qingzhao, while at the same time fully controlling one's own breathing and actions, not daring to make any slight movement that might be detected. Under such intense mental strain, it was still the sweltering season of September's " Osmanthus fragrans steaming", and if one wasn't extremely careful for even a moment, one would be drenched in sweat. However, human thoughts are extremely strange, and the more tense and focused one is, the easier it is to have wild and fanciful ideas. At this moment, what floated into Gao Fang's mind was the image of another fool: "When Duan Yu first met his fairy sister, did he feel the same way as I do?"

  Bai Xiang smiled and said: "Sister, you haven't come for days, why are you suddenly free to visit me today?"

  "This is just a casual courtesy, but unexpectedly Li Qingzhao sighed and said: 'Sister, you are a quiet person living in the midst of the bustling city as if you were in a distant mountain. I dare not come to disturb you easily, fearing that my worldly aura would affect you.'"

  "What's the meaning of this?" The same reaction appeared in both Bai Chenxiang's mouth and Gao Qiang's heart. With Li Yi'an's elegant demeanor, although Bai Chenxiang was a remarkable woman of her generation, she couldn't take away even half of his aura, how could he say something so common?

  "Just then, Li Qingzhao sighed and said: 'Sister, you don't know that Father has recently fallen out of favor and is likely to be dismissed soon. When the time comes, Cai will definitely take over, I really don't know how things will end!'"

  These days, Bai Chenxiang has been following Gao Qiang and others, so she knows a bit about the political struggles between them. After hearing this, she didn't feel surprised, but it's not good to say that she also participated in the action of overthrowing her husband. She just smiled and said: "Sister, why are you so worried? The imperial court has always been generous to scholars and officials, and your father-in-law is a prominent figure who has entered the government twice. Even if he loses his position, it's just a loss of power, and he can still live a carefree life in retirement. Your husband also passed the autumn examination last year, and after next spring, he will be granted a real official position. Will this storm really affect you?"

  "Sister, you only know one side, not the other." Li Qingzhao sighed again, and Gao's heart trembled at the sound of her sigh, feeling as if it had pierced straight into his own heart: "Is Cai Jing, the Duke of Cai, an ordinary person? Even someone like Sima Guang or Su Shi, renowned scholars and high-ranking officials, because they had offended Cai in the past and were demoted and dismissed from office. After Cai came to power and assisted the current emperor, he actually fabricated a case of party prohibition, writing it with his own imperial brush, erecting a stele as evidence. Not only did he tarnish the posthumous reputation of those officials and scholars, but also exiled their disciples and sons to distant provinces. Has our dynasty ever employed such ruthless tactics against those who held different political views?"

  Moreover, Jia Yong was originally a person trusted by Chancellor Cai. On the day he first entered the government, it was also because of Chancellor Cai's promotion. He wanted to use him as a support, but unexpectedly, Jia Yong wanted to stand out on his own and set up an opposing front against Chancellor Cai. Without anyone powerful to help him, after several rounds of struggle, he was driven out of the government. At that time, he was so frightened that he requested to be sent away to avoid disaster.

  "Alas, if only they had lost power and been dismissed at that time, there would have been fewer troubles. But heaven sent disasters and calamities, a comet streaked across the sky, and Chancellor Cai resigned to pray for relief from the disaster. My father-in-law thought it was heavenly assistance, and he and Liu Shilang were overjoyed, recklessly abolishing Chancellor Cai's laws and regulations. At that time, I told my husband that the celestial signs were not reliable, and it would be better to accumulate virtue and good deeds. But as a woman with no official position, speaking about grandiose matters was of little interest to him, and state affairs were not something I could easily get involved in."

  Bai Chenxiang smiled again: "Although sister is a woman, but the discussions she had with her younger sister in the past are not inferior to those of the current officials. However, since Father has resigned from his position, it's hard for us to stay in the capital. It wouldn't be difficult to request an external appointment, and it would be great to see what official position Zhao Gongzi is granted. Wouldn't it be wonderful for our whole family to go out and live a carefree life?"

  Gao was so absorbed in the music that every word and sentence of Li Qingzhao's poem seemed like heavenly music, requiring him to savor the sound before grasping the meaning. Just as he got to this point, he suddenly stopped, hearing only footsteps, followed by the clinking of bowls and cups and the pouring of water. It turned out that two maidservants had brought in tea to serve the guests. At this moment, Gao felt his mouth dry and tongue parched, unsure whether it was due to hiding behind the screen and sweating or excitement at about to meet his idol. Unfortunately, the timing wasn't right yet, so he had to continue lurking.

  Li Qingzhao picked up the teacup and took a sip, as if it was a bit hot, sucking in air and putting down the cup, continuing: "Sister, I came today to bid farewell to you, I'm afraid that once we part ways today, it will be a long time before we meet again."

  As soon as this was said, Bai Chenxiang and Gao Qiang were both slightly surprised. Saying goodbye wasn't anything unexpected, but what exactly did "no period of farewell" mean?

  My heart is burning with anxiety, I hate to be unable to take a step forward and say "This humble official has the honor", but earlier I had already agreed on the conditions with Bai Chenxiang, if I act rashly again it would be unbecoming. A man of honor cannot go back on his word to a beauty! "Endure, I must endure!"

  Bai Chenxiang listened to the screen fan and was silent, secretly praising this little eunuch for being quite good. He could remain calm after hearing it, so he helped him: "Sister, why say such a thing? Even if you follow Zhao Gongzi out as an official, in three years or six years, you can return to the capital. At that time, won't we be able to see each other again? Moreover, younger sister has freedom of movement, and whenever she misses her older sister, she can go visit at any time. How can it be said that they will not meet again?"

  Li Qingzhao smiled wryly and said, "Sister has taken note of your kindness. However, that Cai Xianggong is a ruthless person who will definitely retaliate when provoked. Father has also opposed him twice before, so I'm afraid this time it won't be easy to resolve the situation with just an external transfer. There must be more schemes to come. Haven't you seen how viciously Cai Xianggong dealt with the four scholars of the Su family in the past? I fear that if I go this time, I will be sent to a remote and desolate place, a far-off military state on the border, where the air is thick with smoke and evil. How can someone as delicate as you endure such a place?"

  Cai Jing's cold sweat dripped down, this section he had never thought of before. Cai Jing was notorious for being talented but immoral, and his methods of revenge against political enemies were ruthless. How could he possibly let off twice the betrayal of Zhao Tingzhi? Just looking at how he usually referred to him as "Yixiangzi" without mentioning his name, one can see how deep his resentment ran. This time, if Zhao Tingzhi fell from power and wasn't thoroughly destroyed by Cai Jing, it would be strange. In fact, Cai Jing didn't think about this section at all, because the life or death of Zhao Tingzhi had nothing to do with him, and he hadn't even considered what would happen after Zhao Tingzhi's downfall.

  Now it's different, related to the life happiness of "Goddess Sister" Li Qingzhao in his heart. He can't just sit back and relax, he must find a way to turn things around for her. If all else fails, he has to teach Cai Jing that his revenge won't harm Li Qingzhao. In an instant, Gao made up his mind, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth, his face twisted in a terrifying expression, as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight. Fortunately, he was hiding behind a screen, or else several more talented women would have been scared away by him.

  On this side, no one knows the psychological changes, on that side, Bai Chenxiang still remembers the promise made to Gao Qiang. After hearing Li Qingzhao say that there is no date for the meeting, he thought to himself: "This little servant can't die of anxiety?" He quickly changed the subject to avoid him doing something rash in his anxious state: "Sister, you are a lucky person with a good destiny, this time everything will go smoothly and safely, don't worry too much. Let's not talk about those disturbing things, sister, do you still remember that poem 'Qing Yu An' that your younger sister showed you back then?"

  Li Qingzhao was originally in a bad mood, but as soon as she heard Bai Chenxiang mention the lyrics, her spirit lifted: "How could I not remember? Those lyrics are elegant and refined, with a subtle and lasting charm. The wonderful thing about them is that they're rarely seen in recent times, and even Li Houzhu's lyrics can't compare to them. Ever since my sister got this poem, she's been playing with it every day, and can even recite it backwards. It's really an exquisite piece of writing."

  Bai Chenxiang smiled: "Sister, since you so admire this poem, would you like to see more of the poet's works?" As she spoke, she unfolded a piece of paper and wrote out several other poems by Jiang Kui that Gao Qiang had plagiarized. Gao Qiang, hiding behind the screen, was initially delighted, thinking he had found something that suited her tastes. But then he stomped his foot in frustration, realizing too late that Bai Chenxiang had already written a poem about Lu You's "Jade Hairpin" and given it to him earlier. It's worth noting that Jiang Kui's poems have a lofty and distant atmosphere, which is not quite suitable for moving a beautiful woman. Just like how CJ's writing style is popular among girls but ridiculed by men.

  White as incense, written at random, Li Qingzhao read it randomly, and couldn't help but praise it repeatedly, saying: "I really don't know how this person cultivated themselves, they are so elegant in their writing, not a single word is common, my sister can't write such a wonderful atmosphere even if she spent her whole life trying."

  Bai Xiangxiang finished writing and saw Li Qingzhao so excited, then smiled and said: "Sister, do you know who this person is?"

  The strong breathing stopped immediately, waiting for the answer from the other side of the screen. Never felt that the world was so quiet, as if one's own heartbeat filled the entire cabin.