Chapter Seventeen: A Complete Departure from the Norm

Yue Qianling did not take my warning to heart. She brought the pastry to her mouth and took a bite, but suddenly, a "squeak" sound emerged—the sound was coming from the pastry itself.

Startled, Yue Qianling stopped chewing and looked down at what was in her hand. Half of a wriggling creature was embedded inside the pastry. She thought her eyes were playing tricks on her, but after swallowing the bite she had already taken, she examined it closely. Her face drained of color, and she shuddered in horror.

"What... what is inside this?"

I replied with a wry, helpless smile, "A mouse."

"Why is it still moving?" Yue Qianling seemed unable to process the situation.

"Because it’s a live mouse!"

Yue Qianling pried the pastry open. It was indeed a headless mouse, and the remaining half was still squirming. The realization that she had just swallowed the other half—a live mouse head—hit her. She spun around, threw open the door, and rushed outside to retch, desperate to empty her stomach. The very thought made her sick.

I followed her out and eventually managed to calm her down. By the time we returned to the room, the plate of pastries had been removed.

"Seeing Qianling like this reminds me of the first time I ate that dish. She looks exactly like I did back then," Li Zhao said with a faint smile.

Yue Qianling, still covering her mouth and feeling nauseated at the memory of the squirming mouse, asked with great surprise, "Aunt Li, you... you actually eat mice?"

I poured her a glass of water, struggling to suppress my laughter. "I warned you, but you wouldn't listen. Not everyone dares to eat this dish, but it is known as one of the world's exotic delicacies. You should consider yourself lucky to have had the chance to try it."

"You try eating a bite and see how it goes," Yue Qianling shot back, glaring at me.

"Why is this... this dish called 'Drunken Life, Dreaming Death'?" Gu Anqi, who had already set down her chopsticks, asked. Seeing Yue Qianling’s ordeal, she didn't dare touch a single dish on the table.

"This dish requires a mouse born less than three days ago—hairless and with eyes still closed. It is clean and free of any impurities. These young mice, known as 'zi-mice,' are first drowned in wine. Eating them raw is said to have magical properties: strengthening the body, nourishing the essence, and preserving a youthful appearance. Since it was born into a drunken state and is being eaten while it is essentially 'dreaming,' wouldn't you say it is aptly named 'Drunken Life, Dreaming Death'?"

"This dish was actually prepared for me by Qingyang. I apologize for not warning you beforehand," Li Zhao said apologetically.

"It's fine, it's fine..." Yue Qianling waved her hand helplessly, though she still looked like she wanted to vomit.

I raised my wine glass and said humbly to Li Zhao, "Aunt Li, today is your birthday. I came quite abruptly and didn't prepare a gift for you. Let me toast you with this glass."

"A gift... speaking of gifts, there is one I would like you to give me," Li Zhao said, raising her glass with composure.

"Me?" I was stunned, not catching her meaning. "Please, Aunt Li, speak your mind."

"I have heard from Nuo’er and Qingyang that you are highly skilled in metaphysics and destiny. Since it is my birthday today, why don't you read my fortune and offer me a few words?"

I answered without hesitation, "I observed your physiognomy the moment you walked in, Aunt Li. Your expression is profound and your gaze clear, making you difficult to read. I’m not even sure if my assessment will be accurate."

"No matter, speak freely. Tell me whatever you see."

"Aunt Li’s features are naturally perfect. The center of your forehead is prominent, shaped like the sun; this is a sign of immense nobility. Without even mentioning the rest, your eyes and eyebrows are rare in this world," I said, setting down my glass and speaking with gravity. "Your eyebrows are clear and long; people with such brows come from wealthy families, have many siblings, and enjoy lasting fame. As for the eyes, they are shaped like a phoenix’s, with clear pupils like the sun and moon. It is said that eyes that are elegant and long belong to those as noble as monarchs."

Li Zhao smiled without speaking, took a small sip of wine, and looked at Qingyang.

"You aren't just saying nice things because it's your Aunt Li's birthday, are you?" Qingyang asked with a laugh.

"Of course not. I am speaking based on Aunt Li’s physiognomy, not just making things up."

"Brother Yanhui isn't exaggerating. Aunt Li’s features are indeed incredibly noble. Furthermore, the combination of dragon eyes and a phoenix neck is the physiognomy of Fuxi. For a man, such features suggest a level of wealth and power that reaches the absolute pinnacle," Gu Anqi added.

"You said it’s good for a man to have those features, but Aunt Li is a woman. What happens if a woman has this physiognomy?" Yue Qianling asked.

"Ruler of the world!" I said with certainty.

"Ruler... ruler of the world?!" Yue Qianling was startled. She looked up at Li Zhao, unsure of what to say.

Li Zhao smiled charmingly and drank the wine in her glass, unfazed. "It is merely a matter of fate and destiny. Consider it just something pleasant said on my birthday; there is no need to take it to heart."

Qiu Nuo set down her chopsticks and said earnestly, "Mother, Brother Yanhui’s attainments in metaphysics are extraordinary. He isn't speaking nonsense. Everything he has predicted in the past has been accurate; perhaps he is just being a bit careless this time."

Yue Qianling smiled triumphantly at me. "So, you can be wrong sometimes! Ha! This is the happiest part of the day."

"Right or wrong is not important. Yanhui is simply saying what he sees," Li Zhao said with a dignified smile. "However, many years ago, someone else read my fortune, and the result was exactly the same as Yanhui’s..."

"And... did it come true?" Gu Anqi asked curiously.

"Later..." Li Zhao paused, not knowing how to respond.

"Later, you founded the Sheng Tang Group. Such a massive enterprise can certainly be called a commercial empire. In this empire, you are, of course, the ruler of the world. It seems the prediction wasn't wrong after all," Qingyang chimed in.

"Heh heh, your mind is always quick. That is exactly what it means, exactly," Li Zhao said, looking relieved and laughing lightly.

Yue Qianling took a Tang Sancai female figurine out of her bag. "Aunt Li, today is your birthday. Qiu Nuo told me you love Tang Dynasty culture, so I specifically chose this for you. It’s not an antique, just a craft piece, but I hope you don't mind."

"I love it. I love it very much," Li Zhao said, accepting the gift with genuine joy. "Gifts don't need to be expensive; it’s the thought that counts. It’s rare for Qianling to be so thoughtful."

Gu Anqi’s gift was a Tang-style gold-inlaid jade armlet. It was also a replica, but it showed that she had put in a lot of effort; this particular armlet had a significant backstory.

As Li Zhao looked at the armlet, a faint shadow passed over her previously pleasant face. Qingyang quickly stepped in, taking the gift and saying warmly, "Anqi chose this because she thought it was beautiful. The child is very thoughtful."

"Aunt Qing, I really put a lot of effort into choosing this," Gu Anqi said, noticing Li Zhao’s slight dissatisfaction. "This armlet has a story. It is said that Consort Yang broke a jade bracelet gifted by Emperor Xuanzong while drunk. It was a capital crime, but instead of blaming her, the Emperor laughed and said, 'May you be safe year after year,' and had it repaired with gold foil before gifting it back to her. I gave this to wish for you, Aunt Li, to be able to overcome any adversity and find peace in all things, just like Consort Yang."

As soon as Gu Anqi finished speaking, I saw Qingyang’s expression change. She looked at Li Zhao timidly, at a loss for words.

"Good, very good. You wish for me to be like Yang Yuhuan," Li Zhao said with a faint, cold smile. "Since you wish for me to be 'safe,' I will grant your wish!"

Li Zhao took the gold-inlaid jade armlet from Qingyang and, without even looking at it, threw it onto the floor.

*Clang!*

The jade armlet shattered into pieces. Yue Qianling and I looked at each other in shock, wondering why Li Zhao had suddenly undergone such a change in demeanor, throwing away a perfectly good gift.

"It is getting late. Please, make yourselves at home. I have evening lessons to attend in the Buddha hall," Li Zhao said coolly before turning to leave. Qingyang followed, but was instructed by Li Zhao to stay and keep our guests company.

"Aunt Qing, did... did I say something wrong?" Gu Anqi asked, feeling very wronged.

"Silly girl, you didn't say anything wrong," Qingyang said comfortingly. "It’s just that while Yang Yuhuan was deeply loved, she was considered a 'femme fatale.' The decline of the Great Tang was closely linked to the An Lushan Rebellion, and she had a great deal to do with it. Your Aunt Li has never liked her. Don't take it to heart, Anqi."

I thought to myself, contemplative. I knew that Qiu Nuo’s family had a special fondness for Tang culture, but I hadn't realized that Li Zhao’s attachment to the Great Tang was so deep-seated that she held such a grudge against a woman from over a thousand years ago.

After dinner, Qingyang invited us to stay the night. I had been hoping for an opportunity to ask her about the wordless stele, so I agreed. The three girls returned to their rooms early. I waited for a long time, but I didn't see Qingyang again.

Thinking it was too late to disturb her and feeling no urge to sleep, I went for a walk outside. Qingyang’s house wasn't large, but there was a fair-sized garden outside that was impeccably kept. It was a pity it was the middle of winter; otherwise, viewing the flowers at night would have been quite charming.

As I reached the garden, I saw Li Zhao standing quietly at the edge, draped in a white fur coat.

"Aunt Li, you’re still awake."

"The night is lonely and cold; I came out for some fresh air," Li Zhao said calmly, without turning her head.

"Aunt Li, Anqi didn't know you disliked Consort Yang..."

"It has nothing to do with Anqi; I simply lost my composure for a moment," Li Zhao interrupted. "Help me tell Anqi tomorrow that I hope she won't take offense at my poor hospitality."

"You are an elder; she won't take it to heart. Please don't overthink it."

"By the way, I heard from Qingyang that you want to enter the Qianling Mausoleum?"

"Yes," I nodded. "Aunt Qing advised me that to enter the Qianling Mausoleum, I must first understand the meaning of the wordless stele."

"And what have you been able to discern?" Li Zhao asked, turning her head with a calm expression.

"I am dull-witted and have yet to grasp the deeper meaning," I sighed.

"Then take your time to think it over. I won't disturb you; I’m going back to my room," Li Zhao said with a faint smile.

I had hoped she would give me a hint, but she didn't offer a single word. I watched her leave, feeling a bit disappointed.

Just as Li Zhao reached her door, she stopped and said meaningfully, "If a stone stele is left without a single word, what clues could one possibly find? Perhaps you should try looking at it from a different angle: for whom was this stele left?"