Fortunately, it was a false alarm

Chapter 20: A False Surprise

The golden imperial edict was casually placed on the table. Peng Zuoyuan took a sip of tea and commented, "Old slicker."

"What did Liang Yanxiu say?"

The imperial edict passed through the Secretariat. Liang Yanxiu did not say anything in this obvious trap.

"Liang Pushe said that the Left and Right Guards are not pushovers. They've been secretly competing with the Ten Commanders of the Eastern Palace. The one in the Ruyuanfang has a lot of influence over the Sixteen Guards. I predict that your situation will make you feel caught between a rock and a hard place."

Chang Yi's retelling was a bit more euphemistic. Liang Yanxiu's original words were that Peng Zuodan came to the capital alone without the support of a military camp, and was afraid of being affected by the struggle for the throne, so he was not recruited by either side.

Abandoned pieces are even more miserable than the gambler's chess pieces.

Chang San will stay in the army and take charge of everything according to the imperial edict, if it really comes to that.

Peng Zuoyan didn't say what to do next, but his eyes flashed with ambition. He would definitely plan more carefully and would never fall into the shame of Panshi again.

Three days after the imperial edict was issued, the Jiedufu still showed no intention of leaving for Beijing to take up his post. Dexin could no longer sit still and sent a letter to invite him.

With one word, a door opened to block the eunuchs in the palace. Yi Huan sat on the right side of the main hall, listening to Chang Er's report that De Xin had left. He couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you afraid of the saint?"

"Looking at Ah Huan's tone, I'm not afraid either."

If he had seen it with his own eyes, Yi Huan would have certainly paid due respect to the emperor, but a soul influenced by socialism could not learn to feel subconscious fear.

"Three days have passed, and Eunuch Dexin has been coming to ask for you every day. You really can't sit still."

"It takes a long time to enter the capital, and it takes time to make sales on the road, and it also takes time to establish relationships and settle down in Jiannan Road."

However, the favors he exchanged were secret orders to prepare for emergencies, and the military forces assembled by all parties were complicated. It took Peng Zuoyang several years just to control the governors who held real power in each state. As soon as he was "defeated", many people could not sit still.

Peng Zuoyan had his own thoughts. His eyes fell on the girl in the pink dress beside him, and he suddenly said, "Whether it's Gongzhou or Rongzhou, they probably won't come here in the future. Ah Huan, take advantage of these few days to take a closer look."

"You won't let me go where I want to go."

"I won't allow it, so don't mention it, Ah Huan."

Yi Huan's face fell as he did, and he said in a bad tone: "Then don't say it!"

Yi Huan fell asleep halfway through the journey, stopping and starting frequently. Peng Zuoyan thought it was just her reaction to being in a car, but unexpectedly, his fingertips felt hot when he touched her face.

His palms were close to her back, and it was indeed very hot. Peng Zuoyan hugged her and scolded her, "Don't you know how to tell me if you feel unwell?"

"Changyi, hurry up and find a doctor."

"yes."

Yi Huan's mind was very confused, and she vaguely felt that someone was holding her.

But this was in a carriage, and she was swaying back and forth with the carriage. It was an illusion. How could it be Chao Lanyou?

"Ayu..."

Peng Zuoyan didn't hear clearly, so he leaned in closer and asked, "Ah Huan, what did you say?"

After walking for several miles, he finally found a doctor with an old beard. The old man smacked his lips and smiled with his skinny face, saying, "Congratulations, my dear! Your wife is pregnant."

Peng Zuoyan looked up in disbelief, his chest filled with complex emotions. After a few seconds, he said, "First, look at her fever. She's almost dizzy."

"Hey, Madam, your fever isn't serious. I'll take another look."

The next day, the carriage continued its journey as usual. Peng Zuoyuan held the cold medicine that had turned from hot to warm in his hand, and stared at the person who was still sleeping with his dark eyes.

His eyes moved to his covered lower abdomen, and Peng Zuoyan was rarely hesitant.

He shouldn't keep him. A bastard with an unknown mother would be of no benefit to him. But, this is also Ah Huan's child. Would she be willing to keep the child?

Yi Huan opened his eyes after getting enough sleep and saw him staring at him in a daze. "Are you stupid?"

"Ahuan, you are pregnant."

Yi Huan was more amused than surprised. After rinsing his mouth, he replied nonchalantly, "Am I still dreaming or are you still asleep?"

Peng Zuoyan didn't smile. He handed the medicine in his hand to her and said, "It's for driving away the cold. Drink it while it's hot." He pointed to the oil-paper bag next to him and said word by word, "It's for pregnancy maintenance."

After making sure that he was not joking, Yi Huan straightened the corners of his lips seriously, placed his palms on his legs, and blinked briefly to hide the panic in his heart.

"You want a bastard?"

"I want to know your wishes."

Peng Zuoyan closed the distance between them, staring into her half-closed eyes, and demanding an answer, "Ah Huan, are you willing to give birth to my child?"

"I don't want to." He acted a little strangely. Yi Huan suspected something and said with disgust, "You won't either."

He kept asking, was he really concerned about her feelings, or was he just avoiding his own uncertainty?

Yi Huan leaned back against his collar and asked, "Peng Zuoyuan, do you want me to say yes?"

"laugh."

The relief in his heart could deceive himself but not others. Peng Zuoyao took her hand and said in a cold tone, "You are right. I haven't even married yet, so how can I have a bastard son?"

"I don't plan on staying, so why bother with polite words? I want the best abortion pills with no side effects."

It was one thing for Peng Zuoyan not to want to stay, but he also couldn't stand her being so active in the abortion issue, so he said bluntly, "What's the rush?"

The medicine makes one sleepy, and Yi Huan falls into a deep sleep. Peng Zuoyan holds her in his arms through the quilt. The regular rolling sound of the wheels is mixed with the deep and silent silence. He narrows his eyes slightly and enjoys the experience.

The spring night is delicate and clear, and holding her in my arms is like filling a corner of my heart.

Peng Zuoyan wasn't sure if this was love. If it was, how could he have been attracted to Yi Huan? Shouldn't love be about careful care? He had never provided Yi Huan with any care.

But if not, where would he find the peace that only Yi Huan could give him? He only wanted the peace that Yi Huan was with him.

Her hanging hair slipped into the gaps between Peng Zuoyan's fingers, fluttering lightly and tickling his heart.

Peng Zuoyan had a gentle smile on his lips. He bent down and kissed her forehead, saying to himself, Ah Huan, please stay with me. You are a good girl. I will protect you all my life.

I owe you a child, and I will give it to you in the future.

During the three days at the next post station, Yi Huan did not feel any discomfort as if she was pregnant. She had a vague suspicion in her mind, and she was relieved only after two consecutive doctors overturned the diagnosis of pregnancy. She thought it must be because the old doctor was too old and his hands were shaking, and she was not pregnant at all.

There were only two people in the main hall of the post station. Yi Huan squinted at him and exposed his previous hesitation, saying, "There's no need to hesitate now, and you don't have to pretend to be reluctant."

"You don't have to take the medicine to have an abortion anymore." Peng Zuoyan still felt that his criticism was not enough, so he continued, "It also saves you from forcing certain people."

"whispering sound."

In mid-March, the team arrived at the gate of Chang'an City.

Yi Huan looked out through the half-lifted curtain. The city wall, which was taller and wider than Yizhou's, looked like an exquisite and cold ornament.

"Everyone has weaknesses. Don't you have any?"

Peng Zuoyan followed her gaze and said firmly, "I don't have any."

Although he was raised by his biological mother, Hu, the relationship between them was not very strong. In addition, Peng Zuoyang joined the army, so apart from blood ties, he had no affection for his biological mother that grew over time.

"Then why did you join the army? Your father treated you harshly?"

"Ha, after all, he's his only surviving son, so I'll take care of him at least."

Speaking of his original purpose, Peng Zuoyan's idea was simple: "I joined the army to fulfill my duty and to achieve my ambition."

Yi Huan laughed out loud, mocking his words: "Then you have betrayed your original intention. Now you only engage in acts of force and abuse of power."

“The original intention will change, and it’s good now.”

Peng Zuoyan accepted the change in his mentality and let go of the youthful spirit that he could not catch up with. Now, what he wanted was power and money, and absolute voice among those in power. He would never bow down to others.

After driving safely into the city, Dexin stood outside the carriage to say goodbye, then turned around and dropped all his kindness as he was helped onto the horse by others.

The eldest son of a fifth-rank doctor would have to crouch like a snake in the Dragon and Tiger Pool.

Peng Zuoyuan looked at the street and saw an old sign. He said, "This is Bafanglou. I'll take you to dinner when I have time."

"This is a pharmacy, a pawnshop..."

"I can understand the characters without your introduction."

Peng Zuoyao didn't continue the topic, and taught meaningfully: "Ah Huan, there are many people in Chang'an who have strong backing. You don't need to be too humble to follow me, but you must also keep your original heart and abide by your status."

"You are so kind-hearted."

Hearing her sarcasm, Peng Zuoyan changed his tone and said, "Ha, I haven't been to the capital for more than ten years. I will get to know you better."

"I'm afraid of being criticized when I travel with my concubine. I don't like being under other people's scrutiny."

Yi Huan just wants to be alone quietly, not see anyone and not take care of things.

"You're right. I'm 29 years old now, and it's time for me to get married. Why don't you help me choose one?" Peng Zuoyuan was both testing and giving him a heads-up. He was definitely going to marry his wife, and since he had decided to settle down in the capital, he naturally needed help.

Yi Huan gave him a complicated look, "If your future wife knew you looked down on her so much, she would definitely be alienated from you."

"I didn't expect Ah Huan to still have such respect for the mistress." Peng Zuoyan approached jokingly, "I thought Ah Huan was just cursing at everyone and was a firecracker reincarnated."

"If she tolerates me, I will respect her."

Peng Zuoyao hooked a strand of her hair and flicked the Six Dynasties jade beads on her temples with his fingers. "What else?"

Yi Huan was unhappy with his close proximity, so he took a step back and didn't respond.

She just couldn't stand Peng Zuoyan treating others as a joke, especially a wife who was on an equal footing with her husband.

"But don't worry, Ah Huan. You've been with me for a long time and you know how to handle things. If you respect me as much as you respect her, no one will dare to upset you."

Yi Huan scoffed at his condescending consolation and asked himself, "Do you think I will fight for you? You think too highly of yourself."

"You are popular with everyone."

Peng Zuoyan didn't believe in evil. What he said at one time might be overturned at another time. He firmly believed in himself and said, "Then we'll see."

Peng Xun had been at home since he retired at the age of 62. He had just finished pruning the branches when the housekeeper came to announce that the eldest son had returned.

Yi Huan was walking behind Peng Zuoyuan, and when he saw the man in the dark blue brocade robe, Peng Zuoyuan grabbed him and pulled him out.

"Jinjin?"

"No, no, no." Without waiting for the two to speak, Peng Xun denied it repeatedly. Compared with the person in his impression, she lacked charm, was not charming enough, not mature enough, and her figure was too thin. He only felt familiar at first sight, but after looking carefully, they were still two different people.

Peng Zuo-yang knew that the mansion was once Peng Xun's concubine, so he said bluntly, "She is not Concubine Deng. Are you old and stupid?"

"Hey, you're talking to your dad like that after not seeing him for eighteen years?"

"Do you look like me?"

Not wanting to cause any unpleasantness after such a long separation, Peng Xun turned his gaze away, "Hmph, what are you and...?"

"Yi Huan."

Yi Huan quickly glanced at the head of the Peng family. Apart from his loss of composure after the first meeting, the leisurely and skinny man had returned to normal and did not ask her any questions.

"You two go live in the backyard and don't bother me if you have nothing to do."

Peng Zuoyan agreed, and with his hands behind his back, he looked around with a reminiscent and unfamiliar look, and along with it, he also had a vague idea of ​​the people here.

In the past, one had to pass through many corridors to get from the Hu family's courtyard to the main courtyard. Now, looking at it, it seems that the road under one's feet has shrunk exponentially.

Peng Xun jokingly said, recalling the past: "Why, you insisted on joining the army at the age of eleven, and now you want to live a peaceful life and regret it?"

"Which eye of yours looks at me with regret?" Peng Zuoyuan turned around and came back, standing in front of Peng Xun, even towering over him. "I say, you haven't thought about repairing it in more than ten years?"

"It's changed after it's been repaired. Here, I can still think about it."

Peng Zuoyang had always disapproved of Peng Xun's soft nature and his stubborn desire to have his cake and eat it too. The worst incident was the death of Peng Pang, who was less than three years old. He was nine years old and remembered those people and events clearly.

The old man's heart is biased towards Aunt Deng, and he is reluctant to lose face for Hu Shi. Isn't it the end of both of them? If he were in their place today, he would never lose passively.

Not wanting to go, Peng Xun suppressed his emotions and said with the demeanor of an elder, "Come to me when you're settled. We'll discuss your transfer to Beijing."

"Um.