Chapter 089: The Ghost Festival

The Ghost Festival was steeped in mortal atmosphere. No matter their station, the common folk all regarded it with importance, and those within the imperial palace were no exception.

The sacrificial ceremony was to be held at the Ritual Altar—a high, auspicious place reserved solely for royal rites. At last, this lonely and cool spot bustled with life, overtaken by crowds; every step was filled, and in the center, on the Sun and Moon Altar, several black tables had been arrayed.

Sullen black clouds pressed low, the abrupt, lonely flapping of banners cutting through the air, and a solemn, reverent stillness pervaded.

The High Priest had already prepared the spirit altar and all the necessary sacrificial items, awaiting only the arrival of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

Elsewhere, Liu Li had been waiting in the Empress Dowager’s chambers for some time, but she was nowhere to be seen.

The palace was silent. It was neither the hour for rest nor for the Empress Dowager to admire the flowers; there was no reason for her to avoid Liu Li.

An entire hour passed before the Empress Dowager finally emerged. Her steps were slow, her face bleak and void of feeling, a striking contrast to her resplendent garb—enough to stir curiosity.

She glanced at Liu Li, then looked away, taking a seat on the couch and listening listlessly to his words.

“What is it?”

“Mother, have you forgotten that today is the Ghost Festival?”

She remained silent, her face shadowed with unbearable gravity. Of course she had not forgotten—the late Emperor’s death anniversary, how could she?

“Mother, if you are rested, let us go together to honor our ancestors.”

Her reply was cold, “I am unwell.”

“But today is not only a festival—it is Father’s deathday. Even if there were grievances between you and him, you should not avoid this day each year. He was, after all, the sovereign of Beihua, your husband.”

She snorted coldly, her eyes blazing. “How dare you speak so to me?”

“Mother, please do not be angry. I speak only the truth—honest words may offend but are for your good.”

“All day long you busy yourself with useless things. Can you not show some promise? Those living, you do not cherish, yet you insist on clinging to rituals. If you drag me there, will your father return to life? Lighting incense, bowing—what use is it?”

“Mother, though such observances may seem empty, they persist for a reason. Even if palace affairs weigh upon you, moments like this come only a few times a year—an occasion for both mourning and remembrance. Why refuse? Moreover, as members of the royal family, we must set an example. Many are waiting outside.”

Impatient, the Empress Dowager shot him a glance, her pride and coldness unyielding. “Are you finished? I am tired—leave me!”

“Mother—”

“Enough!”

With that, she swept all the objects from her side onto the floor before Liu Li. “I told you to leave!”

Liu Li regarded her helplessly, disappointment and sorrow welling in his heart. Was this truly his gentle and courteous mother?

Since the affair at Bluebird Lake, she had grown more desolate and irritable, her temperament altered for the worse, refusing visitors and often shutting herself away. Her composure and mood had become unbearable—in public, she restrained herself, but in solitude, her volatility and ferocity surfaced, as if she had become another person entirely.

Gao Hai said the Empress Dowager was ill from overwork and might soon cede power to Liu Li, but that thought brought him no joy. He would rather his mother be healthy; so long as the country was well ruled, he cared not who held authority.

Meanwhile, Fengxing was faring well in Apricot Blossom Village; happiness abounded, her warm smile radiant as a sunflower, filling the autumn with an unseasonal brightness.

Lianzi was delighted for days, praising Xue Ze repeatedly. Yet Xue Ze herself was not so pleased, sensing that Lianzi was becoming ever more entangled, falling for a path of hardship that was not hers.

After Liu Li’s departure, the Empress Dowager dismissed all maidservants and secluded herself. Lying on the bed, she contorted in agony, sweat covering her face, her body burning. At last, she fainted.

In that moment, a ball of fire split from her body and coalesced into a human form upon touching the ground.

He was tall and robust, handsome, with a hint of menace about him, and his attire exuded an unmistakable aura of a demonic lord.

He looked at the woman on the bed, then stroked her cheek.

“Such a beautiful woman, still so full of charm.”

As he finished speaking, the Empress Dowager awoke with a start, glancing in panic at the man beside her bed. “You—”

“You’re awake? Tell me, you’re so beautiful, why did the late Emperor never care for you?”

“Master, enough with your jokes. Help me up.”

“Help you up for what? Every year at this time, I’ve always refused for you—do you still wish to attend the ceremony?”

Lying on the bed, the Empress Dowager frowned at Shuo. “You’ve survived your tribulation—what more do you want? If I hadn’t shielded you with myself, would you not have died in that lake?”

He laughed. “We’ve weathered storms together for twenty years—do you want me to thank you?”

“That’s not it. I just want you to live—otherwise, how will my ambitions ever be realized? Twenty years ago, I risked so much to save you in the Azure Valley, and ever since, I’ve toiled for you day and night. Now you’ve finally perfected your spiritual body, yet you act recklessly, nearly courting disaster.”

“Calm yourself. Do you think I am so easily killed? Now that my essence is merged with the Vermilion Sun Pearl, I fear nothing—I am reborn like a phoenix. To kill me would require the blood of a celestial maiden; else, it would be your death instead. But didn’t you already consume the snow lotus? Ageless, undying—so I will not die so easily.”

The Empress Dowager’s confusion and suspicion faded somewhat, her mood lightening. “But both your hiding places have been discovered—what will you do now?”

Shuo drew closer, gently caressing her face. “Why not stay here, in your bed? No one dares enter, and I cannot bear to leave you. Besides, you cannot live without me, can you?”

“Master, do not jest!” She shifted away in panic. “This place is not suitable for you.”

“How is it not?” Shuo lay down where she had moved, wrapped his arms around her, and laughed. “Beauty, stop calling me ‘Master.’ Though I once thought myself superior in cultivation and years, after so long with you, I am but in my forties. Why not—”

“Let me go!”

“Don’t move—I’m not finished. Why not just call me Shuo? I’ve long wished to hear my name spoken in the world again. Once, I was Yan Shuo. Now that I have shed my mortal body, I’ll drop a character.”

He brushed her hair, fingers gliding to her collarbone, whispering in her ear, “Those people from Tianshan must have discovered our secret by now. You’re in danger. Shouldn’t you call me sweetly at a time like this?”

The Empress Dowager froze, then pushed him off and struggled to sit up. “Let’s discuss serious matters—enough of this. This time, we have not eliminated our foes but are at a disadvantage. Though two great cases have been settled, we have suffered losses. We must plan carefully. And your helper—did she survive or not?”

Shuo pulled her into his embrace. “You have remarkable composure, worrying about her even now?”

“If not her, then whom? Do you have another helper? Is she alive, or has her identity been discovered?”

“That is not your concern,” Shuo replied, hands roaming. “Don’t push me away—twenty years without a man, do you not feel desire? Am I not as good-looking as that frail scholar?”

Her face flushed, but she could not break free, and whispered, “That’s not why—let me go.”

“No chance! Whatever your reason, mine is clear. I’ve helped you so many times—now that you sit as Empress Dowager, have you forgotten your debts? Ten thousand years, and I do not have your patience. Come, I will reward you. Why not let me help you pass the throne to your eldest prince?”

She glared at him, suspicious. “What means do you have?”

“But of course—I am your greatest support.”

He laughed softly, thinking to himself: Did you really think I was enamored of your beauty? Ha, I must break this bond with you, lest your death drag me down as well. Only by severing the contract can I attain immortality. Only with immortality will I no longer fear anyone from Tianshan. Then, I will—