Chapter 229 Red Line

In the Golden Palace, Pei Jingming spoke in a clear voice about the case of corruption by the governor of Yuezhou.

After listening to this, the emperor nodded and said, "You did a great job, Jingming. You really didn't disappoint me."

Pei Jingming's eyes were dark and blue, but all the fatigue in his body disappeared.

"You look haggard, are you too tired from the long journey?" The emperor's gaze lingered on his face.

"It's because I was too late to sort out the files last night. It's not a big deal."

The emperor said, "After the court session, go to the east warm room in the back hall and rest. I have a task for you."

"I obey the decree."

"You have done a good job in your mission in Yuezhou," the emperor said, intending to elevate his status. "I will reward you."

Pei Jingming knelt down and said, "I dare not."

"You and the Crown Prince are both my children. I will make you a prince and grant you the title, Rui."

Pei Jingming just felt bitter and astringent in his heart.

In the Golden Palace, congratulations came like a tide.

"Prince Rui is very happy."

"Your Highness is truly young and promising."

......

The emperor was also happy and ordered the Ministry of Works to select a good mansion and renovate it carefully.

Then he asked, "Does Jingming have a house he wants?"

Pei Jingming does.

But the princess's mansion has been given to Qu Ling.

"Why don't you pick one for me, Your Majesty?"

It would be a good idea to let her personally grant the house.

The emperor pondered for a moment. "The Prince's Palace, just across the wall from the Princess's Palace, is a very good one, but it has been incorporated into the Princess's Palace. So, I'll give you the mansion on Red Ibis Street. A great general lived there before."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After the court session, Pei Jingming was led by the eunuch to rest.

He was preoccupied and tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep, so he simply got up and went to the Council Hall.

Zhao Yuanrong was there, but unexpectedly, the Imperial Censor Zhang Jing was also there.

Seeing him come in, Zhang Jing bowed and said, "I want to thank you for saving my daughter at the night market last time. If it weren't for your help, my daughter would have been in great trouble."

Pei Jingming thought of the girl who was plotted against by Song Yuzhen. "It's just a small favor, Master Zhang, don't worry about it."

Zhang Jing was a straightforward man. In front of the emperor, he said, "When I return home, I will remember your kindness. I dare to ask your majesty to grant my daughter a marriage."

He was the emperor's confidant in Binzhou.

Now he is in a high position and Pei Jingming is a new upstart, and he doesn't think his daughter is unworthy of him.

The emperor became interested and said, "This is a good thing. Jingming is not young anymore. It's time for him to get married."

She looked at Pei Jingming, "What do you think?"

Pei Jingming lowered his eyes and remained motionless.

Outsiders just thought he was thinking.

In fact, he felt a little dizzy and bit his tongue until it bled to prevent himself from losing composure.

Sooner or later this day will come.

He knows it very well.

The more important the task, the more people will notice you.

The secret buried deep in his heart cannot be revealed to the world.

He didn't dare reveal anything.

Because he knew that once he was discovered, death would be the only way waiting for him.

"I'm afraid I'll be letting your kindness down, sir."

Pei Jingming swallowed a mouthful of blood.

"Why not?" The emperor frowned, more confused.

"I...have someone I love."

As he said this, his eyes were fixed on the ground, not daring to look at anyone.

The whole person looked like he was fished out of a wine jar, floating in the clouds in a daze.

Zhang Jing tactfully stood up and left.

Another one that has a heart.

He is really old and can't understand the young people of today.

After Zhang Jing left, the emperor asked, "What are you hiding from me? What are you thinking about that you can't tell me?"

Pei Jingming felt his throat tighten.

What can he say?

"Mom, don't force him." Zhao Yuanrong suddenly interrupted.

"Maybe the other party's status is not equal, and I'm afraid you will be unhappy."

The emperor's eyes moved between the two of them, and he finally sighed.

"Jingming, you, Yuanrong, and A Ling are all the same in my heart."

"A Ling has been in Jiangzhou for a long time, and hasn't been with me for a long time, but he is closer to me than you."

She said, "After all, you have grown up and become estranged from your mother."

The word "mother" stabbed into Pei Jingming's heart like a knife.

He sobered up a lot, quickly suppressed his surging emotions, and knelt on the ground, "Your son dare not."

"You just need to tell me who your crush is."

The emperor seemed to be asking questions today. "Whether you are of humble status or distinguished family, mother will grant your wish."

After a pause, he added, "Even if you want to marry Xiao Ciyu's granddaughter, it doesn't matter."

No one would suspect him.

Pei Jingming took a deep breath and said, "I will ask her first. If she is willing, I will ask mother to grant the marriage."

After coming out of the Council Hall, Zhao Yuanrong invited him to the Eastern Palace.

"Isn't the Zhang family's daughter very nice?"

Pei Jingming shook his head, "Why ruin someone's life?"

Besides, he was afraid that his thoughts would be discovered by others.

"You're so reluctant to get married, Mother will definitely get suspicious," Zhao Yuanrong said slowly, "You won't be able to withstand scrutiny."

The two walked very slowly.

"Where can you find a suitable girl?" Zhao Yuanrong was also worried.

"We are brothers and sisters, I don't want to stand by and watch someone die."

She added, "It's not been easy for Mom these past few years, and I don't want her to be sad."

After saying this, he paused, raised his head and squinted his eyes, "Hide it for me, hide it tightly."

When they arrived at the East Palace, they started talking about business.

"The imperial clan and the aristocratic families are restless. Students from Jiangnan are frequently causing unrest. The King of Yunnan has repeatedly submitted petitions to enter the capital, and the northern border is also ready to make a move." Zhao Yuanrong looked at the mountain of documents on the top of the desk. "This is a turbulent time."

“Too slow.”

Pei Jingming only said three words.

"What are your plans?" Zhao Yuanrong asked.

Pei Jingming didn't try to be mysterious. "Pei Qi is dead."

This sentence made Zhao Yuanrong silent.

After a while, she said, "Don't put yourself in danger."

Pei Jingming, "I have a long life and I will never die."

After leaving the palace, he returned to Pei Mansion.

"Keep Pei Qi's death a secret for now, and find someone to impersonate him. If there are any correspondences between the noble families, bring them directly to me."

I was a little impulsive last night.

But it's just as well that he died, so as to avoid ruining his plans.

He was thinking about the emperor's marriage proposal, but he didn't know where to find a suitable girl at the moment.

"Princess sister knows a lot of people."

Pei Jingming immediately picked up his pen and wrote a letter to Qu Ling.

Qu Ling went to Jiangnan by water. He was seasick and vomited bitter water. He lay on the couch half dead.

"Princess, a letter from the capital."

"A Yuan, read to me." Qu Ling leaned on Nian Sihua, weakly.

Pei Jingming first praised her for her good work, then expressed regret that the timing of their return to Beijing was unfortunate, and finally brought up the business.

"Let me help him with the red line."

Qu Ling felt much better after being interrupted.

Pei Jingming was probably forced to look for her because he had no other choice.

However, she did have a suitable candidate.