Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 413 190 Writing a Letter
The palace of Bai Huaxiu lay in a forsaken corner of the southwest Imperial Palace. As a Princess at odds with the King, it naturally saw few visitors, and thus the place had taken on a desolate air.
As the King walked on the path paved with Green Stone Slabs, he frowned at the spotted ground where stubborn grass peeked through the cracks, swaying in the wind.
"How often is this place cleaned?" the King asked, somewhat displeased. After all, this was his once beloved daughter, and despite the past discord that had strained their relationship, the sight before him was deeply unsettling. He could be angry with his daughter, but no one else should dare mistreat her.
By his side, the eunuch leading the way was now sweating profusely, trembling involuntarily. Hearing the King's words, he quickly knelt down, smacking his own face vigorously. The sharp slaps resounded in this tranquil area.
Foll𝑜w current novℯls on ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm.
"This servant deserves death, may Your Majesty spare my life."
The King cast a disgusted glance at the eunuch and noticed a wet patch beneath him, a foul smell wafting over that made him involuntarily wrinkle his nose with distaste, "Take him away and deal with him!" he ordered with revulsion.
A guard, having earlier received the command, grasped the eunuch and began to lead him out, leaving only the pitiful cries for mercy echoing through the air.
"The people in this Imperial Palace are really becoming too unruly," the King muttered to himself.
The steward by his side hurriedly added with a flattering smile, "You are right, Your Majesty. It is my negligence. I will address this issue as soon as possible."
Inside the palace, Bai Huaxiu was busily sewing clothes for her two children. A recent letter had informed her that they had made significant progress and she hoped to see them soon, which filled this mother with energy. The bed was already covered with clothes, all of which she had made over the years for her two children.
Her maid, threading needles for her, was busy and cheerful. Living such a peaceful and harmonious life with her mistress was truly a joy for her.
"What's the matter, why all this commotion?" Bai Huaxiu snipped the thread with her teeth, slightly frowning as she asked.
The maid craned her neck to look outside but saw nothing amiss, then said, "I reckon it's the eunuchs at the front causing trouble again. They've been getting bolder recently, gambling in groups instead of doing their jobs."
"You should really discipline them, so they don't disrespect their betters and behave disgracefully," the maid said indignantly, having no kind face for those who dared to slight her mistress.
"Let it be, why stoop to their level? They are just a bunch of pitiful people." Now content with her children's well-being, Bai Huaxiu spent her days tending to her own small world, contented and patient, quietly awaiting the day her family would be reunited.
Just then, she heard voices from outside, and as the Old Monarch stepped in and saw Bai Huaxiu sewing clothes, tears instantly welled up in his eyes. Was this the pampered daughter he knew, wearing plain clothes and sitting on the bed like an ordinary citizen, sewing?
Bai Huaxiu looked up to see the tear-streaked King and asked in surprise, "Father, what brings you here?"
The Old Monarch said with some embarrassment, "It's been a long time. I came to see you. Why are you doing this yourself? What use are those servants if not for this?"
In that moment, he roared angrily, like a furious lion, his inner guilt long since transformed into towering rage, ready to lash out at anyone near.
Fortunately, Bai Huaxiu stopped him and said softly, "It's not their fault; this is something I prepared for the two children, and I want to do it myself."
"It has been years since I've seen you, and you've aged, Father!" Bai Huaxiu also spoke with emotion. Despite the unpleasantness that had occurred between them, they were still blood relatives after all. Moreover, when she was young, the King had never let Bai Huaxiu suffer the slightest grievance. She was nurtured and treasured like a precious jewel.
Now, looking at her father's aged face and his temples tinged with silver, Bai Huaxiu couldn't bring herself to be hard-hearted.
"Indeed, Father has aged, but you haven't changed at all," said the King with a touch of emotion.
Bai Huaxiu, noticing the embarrassment on her father's face, realized that there might be an ulterior motive for his visit and asked with a smile, "Father must have other matters to attend to in coming here, I presume."
The comment made the Old Monarch's face show a touch of awkwardness. Being too proud to visit his daughter over the years, he now turned to her in time of need, which made him feel somewhat ashamed.
Fortunately, his many years of political life had taught him to face various difficult situations with composure, and he quickly regained his composure to explain the current predicament he faced.
Then, Bai Huaxiu said, "My husband was punished for his clandestine visit to the mortal world last time and is still under penalty. I'm afraid he can't make it to the mortal world. Mr. Lu might be able to come, though. After all, in a few days, the two children will come to visit me. I'll write a letter and see if I can request his presence."
Bai Huaxiu did not dare to guarantee too much, for a revered figure like Lu Yu would consider worldly matters trivial; they simply could not pique his interest. However, the strange sound within the Treasure Elephant Country might well capture his attention, so she emphasized the effect of the sound in her letter.
Following this event, the father and daughter reconciled, and the Old Monarch bestowed upon her countless treasures, all of which Bai Huaxiu refused. Having awakened the memories of her past life, she had little enthusiasm for such things.
As for the eunuchs and maids in the palace, they experienced a stroke of misfortune. Although Bai Huaxiu was not inclined to pursue the matter, the King was not willing to let these people off the hook. He transferred all his guilt into anger towards them, causing a solemn atmosphere throughout the Imperial Palace.
Atop Mountain Luoxia, Lu Yu unfolded the letter Bai Huaxiu had sent, only then learning of the recent upheaval in the Treasure Elephant Country.
"This must be a consequence of the great change that occurred last time. However, this sound doesn't seem to be the doing of malevolent forces, as there is too little information to draw any conclusions," Lu Yu pondered quietly.
Meanwhile, the two brothers Kui Ping and Kui An were stretching their necks, looking at the letter in their teacher's hands with anticipation. It was from their mother, whom the two little fellows had not seen for a long time and missed dearly.
"Teacher, Teacher, what did my mother say in the letter?" the two little men asked eagerly.
No sooner had they spoken than they were thumped on the head by their eldest senior brother, causing them to clutch their heads in pain.
"I tell you two scamps to study hard, but you don't listen. You're so big and yet you still can't recognize all the characters. Making Teacher read the letter for you, don't you feel ashamed?"
The two little men stealthily stuck out their tongues, then complained, "Senior Brother, those books you gave us are just too difficult. I fall asleep as soon as I look at them; I simply can't concentrate. Besides, we've made a lot of progress already. Just another month, no, half a year, and we'll definitely have learned it all."
