Green Mountain-Chapter 725 - 579: Wonton

The silhouettes of Ji and Princess Bai Li gradually receded into the distance until they disappeared behind the curtain of night.

Some spectators watching the direction in which the pair disappeared murmured, "It's false that Li Changge in the Four Dreams of Bianliang betrayed the Imperial Capital for the Commandery Princess. Tonight, Marquis Wu Xiang risked everything for Princess Bai Li. We witnessed it with our own eyes... Truly, like a tale from a storybook."

A spectator shouted, "I bet you within three days, this story will be turned into a new play for sure. I've already thought of the name, it'll be called 'Qilin Lang Night Escapes to the Imperial Music Bureau.'

"Oh, give it a rest. With that name, I thought it was one of those plays only recited in teahouses after 9 to 11 PM."

"Who knows when the master who wrote the Four Dreams of Bianliang will turn this incident into a storybook? It should be more exciting than the Four Dreams of Bianliang."

Tonight, the spectators looked as if they had watched a splendid storybook; those on stage, whether young, old, clean, or unkempt, were all performing fiercely, with swords flashing, entangled in love and hate, dreams shattering and palaces falling, and survival found at the last moment.

Now, the two lead actors passed through the crowd, marking an extraordinary curtain call; it was time for the show to end. No matter how reluctant the spectators were, all feasts must come to an end, and everyone has to go home and sleep.

Yanle Alley gradually quieted down, while the Imperial Music Bureau was still echoing with the cries of Qi Zhaoning, nearly fainting.

Qi Zhaoyun came to support her, while Jiao Tu, Yun Yang, Brother Pao, and Lord Bai Long just watched quietly.

When the Imperial Music Bureau quieted, Treasure Monkey, wearing his wooden monkey mask, hurried over, whispered a few words to Lord Bai Long, and left again swiftly.

Lord Bai Long looked at Brother Pao: "Chen Chong, today His Majesty has decreed to confiscate Ji's salt permit business, Meihua Ferry Crossing, Morning and Evening News. What do you plan to do?"

Brother Pao chuckled, straightforwardly pulled out property deeds from his arms, placed them on the square table beside Lord Bai Long: "I anticipated this would happen. Here are the property deeds for Meihua Ferry Crossing, take them, Lord Bai Long."

Jiao Tu smiled charmingly and said, "Brother Pao is a hero who can pick up and let go. But how did you guess that His Majesty would take these businesses from Ji, even preparing the property deeds?"

Brother Pao laughed mockingly: "There are smart people in the world; the salt permit and the newspapers are lethal only used once, and using them once means they no longer belong to oneself. Lord Bai Long, the women in Meihua Ferry Crossing are pitiful, I've already freed them from slavery. Now Meihua Ferry Crossing is an empty shell, let Ritual Supervision dispose of it as it pleases."

Jiao Tu covered her mouth and laughed softly and said: "Oh, didn't expect that Brother Pao is also a kind soul, dispersing his wealth without forgetting to lend a hand to those in distress."

Brother Pao laughed heartily and said: "It's a small matter."

Lord Bai Long glanced at the property deeds on the table, then looked at Brother Pao: "Would you be willing to work for my Ritual Supervision? The industries may no longer belong to Ji, but you don't have to follow him. I can allow you to continue being a shopkeeper, maintaining your share of the profits. You're only thirty-five this year; in just ten years, the Eight Great Merchants might become Nine Great Merchants."

Brother Pao dusted off his black cloth shirt, speaking slowly: "Lord Bai Long wishes for me to betray my landlord? Although everyone says that Jianghu has lost its rules, Jianghu is just Jianghu. Those with favor escape death, while those lacking heart face clear retribution. I appreciate Lord Bai Long's regard, but I cannot commit such acts of betrayal."

Yun Yang coldly spoke: "Your landlord has committed acts of betrayal as well."

Brother Pao shook his head: "He has his reasons."

Lord Bai Long tapped the table with his fingers: "Then I won't insist. Go and rest; if you change your mind, you can come to find me anytime."

"Thank you for your consideration, Lord Bai Long," Brother Pao clasped his fists and said: "Kindly remind everyone, although these businesses of the landlord have been taken away, there are not many who can manage them well. These businesses might return to the landlord someday. Farewell."

Brother Pao strode away.

After he walked out of Danbi Grand Music Hall, Liu Su stepped forward to pay respect: "Lord Bai Long, why not let me manage Meihua Ferry Crossing? Meirui Building still deals in salt permits. I won't manage it. For the rest, let me split the profits with Ritual Supervision, ten percent for me, ninety percent for Ritual Supervision."

Lord Bai Long examined Liu Su for a moment, then tossed out the property deeds: "Granted."

Liu Su took the deeds with a smile: "Thank you, Lord Bai Long, now I have a new protector."

She also turned and left.

Lord Bai Long looked at Jiao Tu: "Why haven't you left yet? Waiting for me to invite you to dinner?"

Jiao Tu covered her mouth and laughed: "Lord Bai Long is so heartless; clearly, we were just helping Ji together... Alright, alright, we'll leave."

Jiao Tu, feeling uneasy under the gaze of Lord Bai Long's dragon-pattern mask, immediately pulled Yun Yang and fled in panic.

The candles in the Imperial Music Bureau also burned out, one by one the lamps went out, the light faded, leaving Lord Bai Long sitting in the darkness, lost in thought.

Cautiously, the clerk from the Imperial Music Bureau approached Lord Bai Long: "Lord Bai Long, the Imperial Music Bureau is closing..."

Lord Bai Long seemingly just then regained his senses, stood up silently, and walked out.

Outside the Imperial Music Bureau, the previous commotion was gone; all that remained were scattered melon seed shells and bamboo paper scraps, slowly rolling along the green stone road in the autumn wind.

After the ultimate hustle and bustle comes the ultimate solitude.

Others walk with cheer and red carpets, only Bai Long walks alone through this desolate area, his white clothes resembling a lone leaf boat crossing the layered waves of the black Imperial Capital.

Bai Long exhaled deeply and headed straight for the Eagle House Office to check the pigeon cage.

Surprisingly, the two pigeon cages at the top, which never had copper tags and were always empty, today had one pigeon returned to the cage. He removed the bamboo tube from the pigeon's leg, poured out the note, glanced at the densely packed characters, and rubbed his fingers, turning the note into powder. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

After pondering for a moment, Bai Long walked alone through the West Gate, arriving beneath Jiefan Building.

Inside Jiefan Building, the mountain bull, sitting calmly in the shadows, said, "The Prime Minister is waiting for you."

Bai Long ascended the steps, this time the Prime Minister's door was not closed. Standing outside the door, he looked through the screen and saw the Prime Minister standing by the window, gazing in the direction of the Imperial Music Bureau.

Bai Long softly asked at the door, "Lord Prime Minister, since you enjoy the view of myriad lights, why not step out of Jiefan Building and see for yourself?"

The Prime Minister stood by the window, casually replying, "The myriad lights are not meant for those buried in their journey. Those wolf cubs from Wunian Mountain were decisive when they first arrived in the Imperial Capital, but over time, they all found attachments."

Indifferently, Bai Long said, "Are you worried about being trapped by the myriad lights?"

The Prime Minister smiled, "Stop trying to probe my intentions, speak of your own affairs."

Bai Long bowed and said, "News from the north says Princess Liyang returned alive to the Imperial Capital of Jing Dynasty, but Yuan Cheng did not return alive, reportedly dying at the hands of pirates. By her side are a few people, one elder and three youths, rumored to be from the Temple of Martial Arts, yet unconfirmed... The old Emperor of Jing Dynasty has reinstated her princess status, so the rumors are likely true, otherwise, it wouldn't be so easy."

The Prime Minister indifferently said, "Anything else?"

Bai Long continued, "Princess Liyang has led Longyou Road, Tokyo Road, and Xixia Road to serve under Yuan Xiang, Lu Jin promoted to Council Chief Executive Officer."

The slender silhouette behind the screen seemed indifferent to these affairs, casually asking, "So late, without resting, just to tell me this?"

Bai Long stood outside the screen and replied, "Princess Liyang's ambitions are grand, with assistance from the Temple of Martial Arts and joining forces with Yuan Xiang, it could stir the court of Jing Dynasty. Lu Jin's promotion gives him the qualification to rival Yuan Xiang, we in the Spy Department can seize the opportunity."

The Prime Minister's tone was casual, "Yuan Xiang is anxious. He could have placated Lu Jin with gratitude for recognition, restraining him from reckless acts, to maintain righteousness. Yet, like an aged bear startled as someone steps into his territory... Time has passed, even Yuan Xiang has aged."

At this point, the Prime Minister turned to Bai Long: "Carrier pigeons from Shangjing take at least seven days to reach our Ning Dynasty. Since it's news from seven days ago, learning it later is fine. You rushed to Jiefan Building not for Jing Dynasty matters, but to resign from your position as Bai Long, am I right?"

Bai Long did not answer.

The Prime Minister looked out the window again: "No need to rush the decision. Feng Wenzheng bets on your potential to perform better than Changxiu. Since this opportunity is present, it could be worthwhile to do meaningful work, even pursuing what you desire. After leaving my Jiefan Building, such a good chance would be hard to come by again."

Bai Long still did not answer.

Without turning back, the Prime Minister said: "Someone once told me, a brief reunion could be destiny's reward or punishment. It's too soon to decide... go on, this play is far from reaching the curtain call, wait a little longer."

Bai Long remained silent for a long time before bowing, "This subordinate takes leave."

Just as he was about to exit, the Prime Minister suddenly stopped him: "Wait."

Bai Long turned around and asked, "Any orders from the Prime Minister?"

With a smile, the Prime Minister said, "It's been a long time since the Imperial Capital was so bustling, and just as long since I've seen such youthful zest here. Yet all that burns brightly will eventually fade away, because they haven't had time to ponder what comes after the tumult. How long do you think they'll remain silent? What will be the first thing they say after?"

What the Prime Minister cares about always seems unconventional.

After considering for a while, Bai Long replied, "Are you hungry?"

The Prime Minister paused behind the screen, pondering deeply, then praised, "It's the right question for this situation."

Meanwhile, Chen Ji and Princess Bai Li had not returned to the small house in Shaojiu Alley.

The two walked silently along the quiet cobblestone road for an indeterminate time until Chen Ji finally broke the silence, "Are you hungry?"

Princess Bai Li stopped, looked towards the Forbidden City, and softly said, "Can you take me to eat a bowl of wonton? With hot soup, lots of coriander, and shrimp skin. I heard the night market at Tianqiao in the Imperial Capital has an old man with a stall, his broth boiled with chicken bones for three hours... Her Majesty the Empress has missed it for so long, it must be delicious."

Chen Ji thought for a moment, "Alright."