Chapter 33

A tale of intrigue and innuendo in the martial world.

Upon hearing Bai She refer to someone as a 'tailgater,' Shi Mei slightly furrowed her brows. Could Qin Xianglian still be having her followed?

"This time, it's not someone from the officialdom, but a person from the martial world," Baisha said, helping Shimei onto the horse. He mounted his own and they rode off together.

"How do we shake them off?" asked Shi Mei.

Bai She pondered, "They just want to know if we've uncovered any clues. Why not lead them on a wild goose chase?"

"Detour?" Shimei was somewhat puzzled.

"How about we go sightseeing?" Bai She suddenly suggested. "I've heard from Qin Dai that the imperial city has many interesting places."

Shi Mei was taken aback—sightseeing?

So, Bai She first took Shi Mei to a theater to listen to some opera; then they bought a delicate seven-stringed zither at Yipinzhai; next, they enjoyed almond tofu and a pot of Biluochun tea at Wumei Pavilion; they took a leisurely break on a painted boat in the middle of the lake; in the evening, they visited a bookstore and bought books; they strolled through the flower market, picking up two peony plants and a pot of peonies; finally, they even stopped by a cosmetics shop to pick up some rouge and face powder for Zan Yue and the others...

At the hour of lamp lighting, Bai She took Shi Mei to the best restaurant in the capital for dinner. They packed a dozen boxes of delicious food to take back to the fragrance estate and Bai's house.

It was already dark when the two leisurely strolled back to the fragrance estate, each returning to their respective homes, leading their horses.

Upon entering her home, Shi Mei was still puzzled... What exactly was this day about? Was it investigating a case, shaking off a tail, or just aimless wandering?

Xiang'er saw Shi Mei come back with bags of various sizes, her face a picture of confusion.

Zan Yue and Red Leaves were eating with a group of girls in the courtyard. Seeing Shi Mei return, they asked, "Did you go out on a case, or just for fun?"

Shi Mei herself was unsure, tilting her head in thought... What was Bai She’s play here?

The next day.

Bai She came to find Shi Mei again. This time, they visited ancient temples in the west of the city, burning incense and seeking fortunes, and then strolled through the antique street. They spent the entire afternoon there, buying many items and having dinner before going home.

The third day.

They went to watch operas and listen to music, and also shopped for clothes at a ready-to-wear shop.

……

By the fourth morning, Shi Mei refused to get out of bed, rolling around with Xiao Fuzi and grumbling, "This is so annoying!"

"Annoyed about what?" Zan Yue, sitting at the table sketching a pattern for Xiang'er's embroidery, laughed, "Look, you have Bai She, a handsome man, accompanying you shopping, dining, escorting you, and even paying for you. How many women can even dream of that?"

"I paid with my own money," Shi Mei muttered, "I wouldn’t spend his money."

"Who knows that?" Red Leaves said, fanning herself. "You always reimburse him later at his house."

"He's just too quick with his money on the street," Shi Mei earnestly said. "I've calculated and paid him back, not wanting any ambiguity."

"But Sister Mei," Xiang'er suddenly said, "now the whole capital knows you and Bai She are a couple!"

"What?" Shimei sat up abruptly, asking, "Does the whole capital know already?"

"How could they not?" Zan Yue shook her head, "You two have been strutting around the city together so conspicuously, who wouldn’t think you're a couple?"

"Exactly," Xiang'er agreed, "Yesterday, Xiao Xi told me the Empress Dowager sent Bai She a soft whip made of eight-treasure white snake skin. It seems like she's quite pleased with him."

"Bai She has met the Empress Dowager?" Shi Mei was a bit incredulous.

"Oh, not that," Red Leaves clarified, "You two have been flaunting around the city for three whole days. Anyone who isn't blind or deaf would know by now."

……

Shi Mei fell silent for a long moment before slapping the bed and exclaiming, "Ah! I've been tricked!"

Everyone looked at her, "Tricked by what?"

"Could it be... Baisha did it on purpose?" Zanyue seemed to understand, "This way, the whole world knows about your relationship."

Shi Mei cuddled Xiao Fuzi in bed, sulking. Could it be true? Had Bai She outsmarted her again? How did she not see it before, so foolish!

……

"I say, Boss."

Inside Bai Residence, Qin Dai propped his chin with one hand, looking at Bai She, "You're too clever, aren’t you? How did you come up with such a devious plan?"

Bai She sipped his tea quietly, "What about it?"

"Is this your way of striking first?" Qin Dai asked with a smile, "Now the entire martial world knows you and the Fragrance Mistress are inseparable. The future lady of the Bai family is making waves."

Bai She raised an eyebrow, not uttering a word. After glancing at the sky, he summoned a servant and instructed him to inquire at the fragrance estate about Shi Mei's plans for the day.

The servant returned shortly, his face a bit awkward.

Bai She looked up at him.

The servant chuckled nervously, "Young Master, Miss Chen said…"

"Said what?" Qin Dai asked with interest.

"She said, she'll go if it’s serious business, but no more playing around," the servant replied.

Qin Dai laughed, "The girl’s reaction is slow, huh? She's only just figured it out."

"That's what makes her interesting," Bai She smiled, then said to the servant, "Go back and tell her that today is indeed serious business, and ask her to dress nicely."

The servant ran back to convey the message.

Shi Mei, perplexed upon hearing this, wondered... why dress up nicely for serious business?

But having no choice, and considering it was for Aunt Huo's sake, she started to dress up elegantly.

Red Leaves commented, "You know, Bai She’s ruse might actually have its advantages."

"What advantages?"

"It'll reduce the number of people following you. Who knows where you two might go off to play next, right?"

"That's true," Shimei nodded, though internally she wondered, was such a tactic really necessary?

After lunch, Shimei stepped out in a narrow-waisted, narrow-sleeved rouge long dress. A pure white silk belt wrapped around her waist, the ends looping over her arms and hanging down elegantly in the breeze. A red cord was tied in a lotus knot at her waist, with two delicate lapis lazuli pendants. She wore a sheer overlay skirt over the pleated one, with matching embroidered shoes, and carried a brocaded bag. She appeared slightly slimmer and more radiant than before.

Baisha raised his eyebrows slightly, seemingly pleased with Shimei's attire. Seeing her about to call for a horse, he stopped her, "No need for a horse today, I've prepared a carriage."

Shimei glanced at the carriage and asked Baisha, "Where are we going?"

Baisha smiled, "You'll find out soon."

As Shimei was about to get into the carriage, she heard a "meow" behind her.

Turning around, she saw Xiaofuzi squatting at the door, gently swishing its fluffy tail towards her.

"Xiaofuzi, how did you get out? Go back inside."

"Meow~" Xiaofuzi called again, as if wanting to come along.

Shi Mei hesitated for a moment, and upon seeing this, Bai She said, "Bring it along, it's fine in the carriage."

After hearing this, Shimei thought it made sense. Having Xiaofuzi with her could ease the awkwardness, offering something to focus on when she didn’t know where to look. She turned back, beckoned Xiaofuzi, who immediately jumped up, and she took it into the carriage. As soon as they settled, Baisha also got in, told the coachman to head to the south of the city, and off they went with a crack of the whip.

Baisha sat next to Shimei in the carriage, which was spacious enough for comfort yet intimate enough for their shoulders to touch.

Xiaofuzi in Shimei’s arms reached out its paws, playfully interacting with Baisha.

“Where are we going?” Shimei asked Baisha after they had been traveling for a while.

“To attend someone's funeral,” Baisha replied.

"What?!" Shimei exclaimed, shocked. "Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I’m dressed all in red.”

Baisha smiled slightly, “So what?”

“You...” Shimei, unsure if Baisha was joking, replied anxiously, “It’s inappropriate to wear such festive colors to a funeral, especially since you told me to dress up.”

Baisha looked at Shimei, nodded, and said, “You do look beautiful in that.”

Shi Mei's face showed a mix of embarrassment and anger. She gave Bai She a reproachful look, wondering what he was up to. Was he trying to make her feel awkward? But Bai She had always been kind to her; he couldn't be that kind of person.

After a while, the carriage stopped in front of a manor near the southern city gate.

Bai She lifted the carriage curtain, offering to help Shi Mei disembark.

Shimei glanced out the window and saw a large white lantern with the character "Condolences" hanging at the entrance of a household. She cringed, realizing it was indeed a funeral. “It’s too much,” she thought, “arriving at a funeral in red and carrying a cat.” Reluctantly, she hesitated to get out of the carriage.

Bai She looked at her from the carriage door, saying, "It's okay, come on down."

Shi Mei shook her head from inside the carriage, clearly indicating she didn't want to go.

Bai She, feeling helpless, got into the carriage and reached out to pull her.

Unable to resist him, Shi Mei reluctantly allowed herself to be led out of the carriage, only to be stunned by what she saw.

At the manor entrance, there were several "Condolence" lanterns of various colors—red, yellow, white, green... More absurdly, there were streamers hanging under the eaves and a pair of red couplets on either side, reading "Every year has today, every generation has this moment," with the horizontal scroll saying, "Died well!"

Shi Mei stood frozen, wondering who would organize a funeral in such a bizarre manner.

As Bai She led her inside, they saw several burly men at the entrance, and a long line of people waiting to enter the hall. The guards turned away anyone dressed too plainly but respectfully welcomed those in colorful attire, even giving each person a red envelope as they entered.

"Is this a wedding or a funeral?" Shi Mei asked Bai She.

"Look at the plaque," Bai She prompted her.

Shi Mei looked up and saw the grandeur of the mansion, with a large character "Mad" on the plaque. She burst into laughter, "Is the host mad to conduct a funeral like this?"

"In the martial arts world, there are four Sects, three Demons, two Saints, and one Supreme," Bai She explained to Shi Mei, "These are families of great martial prowess and high standing. You've heard of the four Sects before. The three Demons include the Mad Demon, whom we visited in the mountains last time, and this funeral is hosted by the Demented Demon. There's also a Wild Demon."

"Oh…" Shi Mei nodded, "So, who is the Demented Demon mourning?"

"Apparently, it's his wife," Bai She said with a smile, "The Demented Demon's wife was notoriously domineering, and after enduring her tyranny for most of his life, he’s celebrating her passing, indicating he’s now free to frolic."

Shimei, half laughing and half crying, muttered, “How can someone be so insensitive?”

"How else could he be called 'Demented'?" Bai She chuckled, "In his invitation, he stated that everyone should bring a beautiful female companion, or they wouldn't be allowed in."

Shi Mei glanced at Bai She, "Don’t you have girls in your Ghost Blade Sect? This seems like your martial world’s affair."

"None are as beautiful as you," Bai She stated nonchalantly. "There are fewer beauties in the martial arts world."

Shi Mei felt a bit embarrassed but also quite pleased inside, "Aren't you afraid of offending the female heroes in the martial arts world with such a comment?"

Bai She shrugged slightly, "It doesn't matter. I prefer gentle, non-martial women."

Pondering for a moment, Shimei thought to herself that she was usually quite gentle and reliable. “What did Baisha mean by his comment?”

They entered the gates smoothly, only to find the large courtyard bustling with people and tables and chairs almost fully occupied.

Shi Mei looked around in surprise, "Does this Demented Demon have such wide connections in the martial arts world? So many people here to indulge his whims?"

Bai She slightly lifted the corner of his mouth, "As I said, today is a serious matter."

Shi Mei was taken aback, looking up at Bai She, "Serious matter? Is there a clue about the Jade Buddha here?"

Bai She nodded and whispered into Shi Mei's ear, "It's said that the Demented Demon's late wife had several treasures, and he’s planning to sell them. One of them is a half piece of the Jade Buddha."