Chapter 631: Chapter 217: The Bird_3
Lu Tong nodded, "As long as Young Master Qi stays here until the effect of the medicine wears off, he should be safe within the hour."
Qi Yutai pondered for a moment, but ultimately could not resist the temptation of the narcotic. He had not taken it for several days, and at this moment, even though he knew what lay ahead was perilous, he preferred to enjoy it first.
"I trust you wouldn’t dare," he huffed lightly.
"May the Young Master enjoy himself to the fullest."
After saying this, Lu Tong stood up.
The door was left ajar, quietness reigned all around, only the light shining through the crack illuminated the belly of a figure, Qi Yutai couldn’t wait and hurriedly opened the paper package, inhaling deeply, his expression instantly one of intoxication.
Lost in the long-missed pleasure, he did not notice the gaze behind him.
"Click—"
A very faint sound echoed in the storage room.
Qi Yutai did not notice.
...
When Lu Tong returned to the banquet by Chang Le Pond, Lin Danqing was looking for her everywhere.
"Where were you?" she asked, "I’ve been looking all over and haven’t seen you."
"I got lost after returning from the lavatory, and had to ask a palace maid for directions back," Lu Tong replied.
Lin Danqing then realized, "It’s normal for you not to know your way around since you don’t often come to the palace." Then she added, "Marshal Pei came looking for you just a while ago."
Lu Tong was startled, "Looking for me? For what?"
"I don’t know," Lin Danqing shook her head, "He left when he saw you weren’t here."
Lu Tong fell silent.
As they were talking, the distant sounds of music started drifting from further away by Chang Le Pond.
"Hurry, hurry, hurry!" Lin Danqing turned her head to look, "The Nuo ritual is about to start. Speaking of which, I was really afraid that you would miss it. If you had been late, Chief Physician Chang would have had to penalize you again."
Lu Tong smiled slightly, "No, that won’t happen."
"Didn’t you tell me that this year’s Nuo ritual would start an hour earlier, beginning at the hour of Xu?"
She smiled faintly, "I’ve calculated the time carefully."
In the Imperial City of Shengjing, it had been many years since a Nuo ritual had been held.
This year, due to the locust disaster, the Nuo ritual was reinstated, leaving the Marriage Officer of the Imperial City and the Ministry of Music rushed. Lin Danqing, having extensive connections, happened to hear from the Ministry of Music that this year’s Nuo ritual was to start an hour earlier.
The sacrificial ceremony at Tianzhang Platform was of the utmost importance; not a single step must be made in error. While many different performances were simply for lively entertainment, the Nuo ritual was not given much attention by the officials.
After all, it was the final part of the day’s events, and they weren’t particularly inclined to remember this specific time.
After receiving early news of the event, Lin Danqing told Lu Tong and discussed with her, "If they are starting early, could it be that there’s something new about this year’s Nuo ritual?"
Lu Tong shook her head, indicating she did not know.
Lin Danqing then sighed, "Even if there is something new, it’s pointless. Instead of putting effort into this, they’d be better off sending Medical Officers to Su Nan to help with the disaster relief."
The sound of salutes outside disrupted Lu Tong’s train of thought. At another part of the long banquet area, not far away, Qi Huaying’s eyes revealed a flicker of anxiety as she looked at the empty seat beside her.
"You haven’t found my brother?" she asked in a low voice, turning to the Servant beside her.
The Servant shook their head.
"This is bad."
Qi Huaying felt a knot in her heart.
Just a stick of incense’s time before, Qi Yutai had claimed he needed to use the restroom and left his seat, and since then, there had been no sign of him, nor had he returned.
With Imperial Guards all around the Edge of Chang Le Pond, it was improbable for any danger to occur. Nevertheless, Qi Huaying couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.
Before they left, her father had repeatedly warned her that Qi Yutai’s fits could recur at any time and he must not be left unattended.
If he were to have a sudden episode somewhere...
"Have you informed father about this?" Qi Huaying inquired.
The Servant hesitated, "The Nuo ritual is about to begin, and the Grand Preceptor has already gone to see the Marriage Officer..."
Amidst the bustling crowd, Qi Huaying’s heart sank.
It seemed, all she could do was hope that Qi Yutai had merely temporarily left his seat and not yet returned.
If he indeed had an episode, she hoped it was in a place unnoticed by others.
...
In the storeroom, the oil lamp flickered dimly.
Surrounded by scattered hair and masks, amidst fragrant candles and fine cloths, puppets stood silent and still.
Qi Yutai hid among the puppets like a rat concealed in darkness, gnawing at the remnants of a meal.
No, not a rat.
It should be a bird.
A bird yearning to soar above the blue skies, lingering indecisively.
Perhaps it was because he had not taken the narcotic for several days, or maybe it was the sweet wine from the silver jug at the banquet that was too alluring, but as soon as the narcotic mixed with the wine entered his mouth, he felt an unfamiliar exhilaration. Unlike the narcotic Lu Tong brought him previously, this was akin to authentic Cold Food Powder—it was intensely hot, scalding, soul-consuming, yet without the suffocating feeling of desperation.
Only pleasure remained.
Neither the darkness nor the confined space made him feel claustrophobic. This place seemed to have become a safe birdcage for him, made of Gold, filled with delicacies and pure water.
Although the cage deprived the bird of its freedom, the luxurious confines offered comforts that no wild bird in the forests could ever experience in a lifetime.
He felt secure.
Indeed, this place was secure.
The Nuo ritual wouldn’t begin until the hour of Chen, and he had never been interested in it before. His father had only advised him not to make mistakes during the ceremonial rites. It was only today that he realized how enjoyable the Nuo ritual could be.