NOVPUB"I won’t go. You don’t need to worry about this matter anymore. There’s still more than a month left, I have plenty of time to handle it," Chen Xi waved his hand dismissively. He had already planned to just whip up any old outfit; after all, between the wedding, the bestowment of a jade tablet, and the conferment of nobility, Li Que would prepare a set of attire for him to avoid disgrace anyway. Chen Xi felt completely pressure-free about that. As for what others might think of the appropriateness of his attire at the time, they would understand why once the ennoblement was conferred.
"Oh," Fan Jian nodded her head. She thought Chen Xi planned to go out and arrange a suit for himself, especially since the tailors in Fenggao were quite capable now and could easily make a suit fit for a feudal lord.
Though she was a bit displeased that her husband would not be wearing clothes prepared by his family, at this point, it was not appropriate to be particular about such matters.
"Just rest easy. I’m planning to go check out the construction of Jingling Palace," Chen Xi patted Fan Jian’s head, signaling that she didn’t need to worry about these issues. What did a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl have to worry about such matters for?
Fan Jian, not entirely pleased, shook her head, her hairpin loosened from resting, and her hair scattered messily. It was clear she was somewhat dissatisfied with Chen Xi treating her like a child.
"Hmph, come back soon," Fan Jian said, not very cheerfully.
"Don’t worry, I’m leaving," Chen Xi waved his hand, ready to depart. Besides Jingling Palace, he also had to visit the Library Pavilion and Liu Bei’s house. As the quality supervision inspector, he needed to check on the progress of the construction.
To be honest, Chen Xi’s opinion about Liu Bei’s house was that as long as it did not collapse and was inhabitable, that was sufficient. The glamorous and shiny exterior did not concern him much; he regarded Liu Bei’s house mostly as a façade, at best, serving some educational purpose, with everything else being ephemeral.
In summary, as long as it looked grand and awe-inspiring, that was enough. Therefore, the tiles in Liu Bei’s house varied in color, with the aim of dazzling variety. It seemed this was due to inconsistencies in production—supposedly identical items came out different after being fired…
Next came the Library Pavilion. This was relatively more important, but still, it was just okay. The important things inside were the books, not the decorative objects. That it was built luxuriously was just to illustrate the saying, "In books one finds houses of gold, in books one finds ladies as fair as jade." In fact, even if all the decorations were stripped away, the Library Pavilion would still be the Library Pavilion.
As for Jingling Palace, this was Chen Xi’s main focus for inspection. This place truly needed to present the right image. The respect owed to the deceased must be observed by the living. As the final resting place for all heroic spirits, the place must be solemn and oppressive, making the living feel as if their souls are being watched upon arrival.
Of course, whether it could achieve that was uncertain. Chen Xi’s original demand was simple: he wanted the ground to be black, the bricks on the road to be black, shiny enough to be reflective. Only red spider lilies would be planted on both sides, red on the left and white on the right, aiming for that kind of atmosphere!
Black bricks, black walls, black pillars—the entire Jingling Palace was unabatedly black, while all hanging objects turned white. In that place, apart from black, white, and red, he didn’t want any other colors. Chen Xi believed there shouldn’t be any problem with his sense of aesthetics.
Liu Bei could see the expanse of black walls from afar, his movements unconsciously slowing. Walking a few more steps, including the ground itself, everything turned pitch black, slightly reflecting the sunlight but not appearing gloomy—just somewhat cool.
"Big brother!" Zhang Fei’s voice reached Liu Bei’s ears. It was not the deafening roar of before, but rather considerably subdued.
"Third brother, it’s really you guarding this place. I hadn’t expected you to understand restraint," Liu Bei said with a smile, "No one has caused any trouble, have they?"
"I don’t know why, but after coming here, I can’t help but be much more cautious. My soldiers are the same. Follow me to offer incense at the Memorial Stele, big brother," Zhang Fei said, scratching his head.
"I was just planning to come and see the construction of Jingling Palace. Yide, as you’re stationed here, have you noticed any issues with the building?" Liu Bei nodded and then inquired.
"Zichuan built it well," Zhang Fei led Liu Bei and two others toward the Jingling Palace, stopping in front of the more than ten-meter-tall black Wordless Stele. Taking great care, Zhang Fei pulled out several incense sticks from the side, lit them, and handed them to the others.
Liu Bei and his companions received the incense and bowed thrice toward the towering stele, their hearts filled with tranquility as they inserted the sticks into the earthenware jar before the monument. One glance at this jar would reveal it as an item a soldier had brought from home, likely the incense as well.
"Why do I feel so at peace here, unconsciously lowering my voice?" Zhang Fei said pensively as he gazed at the massive black Wordless Stele. Even his robust figure, fierce stature, and dark complexion radiated a literary air as he looked up.
"So do I!" Liu Bei placed his hand on Zhang Fei’s shoulder, standing beside him and looking up at the giant black Wordless Stele. 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝒃.𝒄𝒐𝙢
In that moment, the two felt a serenity they had never experienced before. After a long while, Liu Bei took another stick of incense, lit it, and placed it in the jar.
"All valiant souls resting in Jingling Palace, please find peace. I, Liu Xuande, will manage the affairs of your families after your departure. I will do my utmost to ensure your parents, spouses, and children receive all they deserve. If I, Liu Xuande, knowingly allow your families to suffer injustice and do not extend my help, then may I, Liu Xuande, be offered in sacrifice to the spirits as a testament to the heavens and the divine," Liu Bei calmly professed his vow to the Memorial Stele, as if speaking to a person.
"Agreed!" A faint voice echoed between heaven and earth, its source uncertain, elusive, yet heard by the few present. At this sound, Liu Bei and his companions were taken aback, but showed no great surprise, merely bowing silently to the Memorial Stele.
After Liu Bei and the others left the front courtyard of Jingling Palace, an elderly man with the visage of a youth appeared at the main doors. "Liu Xuande truly is a man of benevolence and virtue. It’s no waste that I came from Lujiang to Mount Tai to see this. I wonder if my consent, on behalf of Heaven, will bring any troubles," Zuo Ci mumbled to himself, pinching his fingers in a habitual divination.
"Have I shortened my lifespan? But it doesn’t matter. To witness such a virtuous and kind ruler, there’s indeed hope for great governance in this world." Zuo Ci spoke unconcernedly, accustomed to life’s joy and sorrow, he viewed his own life and death with detachment. Born in the Great Han, he lacked the coldness of Taoism, instead harboring hope that the Han Dynasty would endure.
Taking up a stick of incense, Zuo Ci calmly lit it and placed it in the jar before softly chanting an ancient shamanic song of rebirth.
When Chen Xi entered, half of the incense in the jar was still burning, and he could faintly hear a song that soothed the soul, causing him to frown slightly.
"Who’s here?" Chen Xi frowned at the space before the Memorial Stele. He couldn’t see anyone, but he felt someone standing there. Despite the eerie nature of this presence, the fact remained that someone was definitely there.
No answer came, but Chen Xi vaguely sensed the tranquility-inducing song waver. He instantly felt reassured; unknown beings frightened him, but intelligent life he could sense did not.
With his mind at ease, Chen Xi walked around the spot where Zuo Ci stood, took a stick of incense, lit it, bowed to the Memorial Stele, placed it in the jar, and then quietly waited for the song to end.
"Marquis Chen, Zuo Yuanfang gives his respects," said the Daoist-looking man with childlike features and white hair who appeared where Chen Xi had been watching, after the stick of incense had burned out and the song finished. He bowed to Chen Xi.
"Zuo Yuanfang?" Chen Xi started, then realized and returned the bow. "Chen Zichuan has seen the Chief Priest."
"Well said, well said," Zuo Ci replied calmly, his gaze fixed on Chen Xi as he calculated unceasingly, but every inkling of a result was blurred. He could only use the basic Method of Observing Qi to determine that Chen Xi was indescribably noble.
"Since the Chief Priest is already at Mount Tai, why conceal yourself here? Are you afraid that Mount Tai’s hospitality is lacking?" Chen Xi said with a smile, remaining composed in the presence of characters like immortal gods from his memory.
Not only had the records shown Zuo Ci’s admiration for Liu Bei, but even if Chen Xi and Zuo Ci were foes, Chen Xi would not fear him. The most orthodox immortal of China would not strike down mortals, especially not those who did good for the world. Chen Xi was confident; even if unclear about the extent of his own merit, he believed the phrase "a living population of millions" was no exaggeration! (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)
