Chapter Sixty-Nine
The little half-demon earnestly begged the pearl to send him back. The little creature, who had not yet grown up, believed that as long as he did not appear, as long as he disappeared, he could save his mother from her suffering.
But could things be that simple? Baozhu had her doubts.
Night had fallen, and the chirping of insects filled the air around them. The forest was bustling with noise, which only added to Baozhu's complicated feelings.
She remained silent for a long time, her heart filled with conflicting emotions.
Feeling uneasy, Hui reached out a hand and cautiously tugged at Baozhu's sleeve, softly asking, "Is it alright?"
Baozhu pursed her lips, shook her head and said, "You're still too young. I really don't know what to do. Let me think about it."
After Baozhu finished speaking, she looked up at the moon in the sky.
The moon is bright and not obscured by clouds; tomorrow will be a good day.
So, for Hui, is there still a good future for him?
Baozhu and Hui were locked in a stalemate in the woods outside the capital.
Pei Xuanji, who had been left behind, stood there in a daze for a while before turning around and walking back.
She returned to the nameless Taoist temple at the foot of Pagoda Mountain, mounted her horse, and looked back one last time.
What do you want me to do? What should I do to free you from this predicament?
Pei Xuanji hadn't seen her sister for a long time, and her longing for her sister grew stronger every day. She longed to be able to lean on her sister's shoulder and whisper secrets, just like when she was a child.
But even though they knew where her sister was, the sisters were worlds apart.
Pei Xuanji turned around and rode home.
The city gates were already closed. She took out the token she had obtained from Sun San and had the guard open a small door in one corner.
After entering the city, she dismounted and led her horse toward the general's mansion.
Pei Xuanji actually had the right to ride a horse in the capital after nightfall, which was given to her by Sun San. During the years the emperor lived in General Pei's mansion, he regarded Pei Xuanji as his own younger sister and granted her various privileges after ascending the throne.
However, Pei Xuanji never used these special privileges again after her sister left the palace.
Except for today.
When Pei Xuanji finally led her horse home, she suddenly noticed that General Pei's mansion was somewhat different today.
At the entrance of General Pei's mansion, a squad of armored guards stood quietly to one side.
She slowed her pace, stopped at the gate, and looked at the guards.
The guards all turned their gaze to her.
Pei Xuanji recognized several faces among the guards. They had been by the Emperor's side for many years, and if the Emperor were to leave the palace and travel around the capital, he would definitely take them with him.
The fact that they could be seen meant that the Emperor was at General Pei's residence at that time.
What's meant to happen will happen eventually. Pei Xuanji took a deep breath and led her horse into the house.
Upon entering the mansion, she saw General Pei's personal guards. Pei Xuanji was taken aback, but then she understood why the Emperor was in the mansion—her father, General Pei, who had rarely returned home, had come back to the capital today.
The Emperor was deeply grateful for General Pei's kindness, and knowing that General Pei rarely returned, it was only natural for him to pay a visit.
Pei Xuanji pursed her lips, slowly escorted the horse back to the stable, personally brushed its coat for a while, fed it some good feed and a few candies, and whiled away a long time in the stable.
Only when she was certain that it was already late, and even though the Emperor had invited her to stay for a meal, it was past time to return to the palace, did Pei Xuanji head towards her courtyard.
But she stopped halfway through her journey.
The Emperor, her former brother-in-law, was waiting on her way back to her own courtyard, looking up at the moon in the sky.
Pei Xuanji murmured, "Your Majesty."
“The moon is quite bright tonight, tomorrow should be a good day.” Sun San sat alone in the pavilion, the guards around him kept their distance. He turned to look at Pei Xuanji, his eyes filled with reproach. “I just had dinner with the General and his wife. I heard from your mother that you’ve been getting more and more out of line lately.”
Sun San was a man forged by General Pei. When he was ineligible for the throne, General Pei once commented that he was worthy of being a fierce general.
But Sun San has become increasingly dejected in recent years. He rarely exercises anymore, and his once robust body has gradually become thin, with lines appearing between his eyebrows.
Pei Xuanji felt that he had lost his former spirit and was becoming more and more like a faceless sculpture.
Although Sun San himself did not think so.
Seeing Pei Xuanji lower her head and remain silent, Sun San asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Did something happen? Even when you come back this late from playing outside in the past, you always have a good story to tell when I ask you about it."
“What else could possibly happen to me…” Pei Xuanji said with a wry smile.
“Indeed, Pei Qi is now a Celestial Master. I’ve heard that you’ve solved many cases these days, so you must be working very hard. Madam is worrying too much,” Sun San said with a smile.
"You know about the case too?"
“You’ve been back in the capital for a long time without writing a letter. I have no choice but to ask Protector Pei,” Sun San said to Pei Xuanji with a hint of dissatisfaction.
After saying that, he stood up and sighed, "It's getting late, I have to go back. Just one more thing, it's a good thing that you have ideals and ambitions, but your wife is getting old and her mind isn't working as well. So please don't upset her too much."
After finishing his dinner, Sun San waited for Pei Xuanji for a long time, only because he had heard Madam Zeng's complaints and wanted to talk to Pei Qi to mediate the relationship between the mother and daughter.
He has always treated the Pei family very well.
Pei Xuanji suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable.
She blocked Sun San's way back and whispered, "Your Majesty..."
Her expression was grim. Sun San noticed this and his heart skipped a beat. He secretly waved to the approaching guards and whispered, "What is it?"
"Your Majesty..." Pei Xuanji began with difficulty, "Brother-in-law, there is something I don't know how to tell you."
Since that incident, Pei Xuanji hasn't called him brother-in-law for a long time.
Sun San's expression vanished instantly. His face stiffened, and he calmly said, "Speak freely."
"I want to ask you, is your sister still that important to you now?" Pei Xuanji's face scrunched up as she spoke, each word distinct. "If I knew the truth, and the truth is embarrassing, would you... would you still want to know?"
Pei Xuanji's words were vague, but she didn't need to be very clear.
Because they both loved the same person, she and Sun San shared a painful secret that consumed them every moment.
Pei Xuanji's words finally unveiled the illusion surrounding Sun San's sculpture.
He stopped pretending to be the same as always. He stared at Pei Xuanji like a walking corpse, and after a long while, he slowly asked, "Who is it?"
Pei Xuanji said with difficulty, "It's someone we once trusted."
Sun San lowered his eyes and stared at the ground without moving.
After a long while, he walked out without saying a word, staggering.
Pei Xuanji didn't look back. She thought that at least for this moment, she should leave Sun San with some dignity.
Back in her courtyard, Pei Xuanji barely slept a wink all night. She stared blankly at the ceiling until dawn.
Having been outside for so long, she was no longer used to having someone serve her personally. The maids in the courtyard would only come in when she gave permission. But at this moment, Pei Xuanji seemed to hear some noise outside.
Pei Xuanji suddenly threw off the covers and got out of bed, walking to the window.
Outside the window, a guest who never likes to use the main entrance is quietly waiting for something.
"How much longer are you going to pretend to be mute outside?" Pei Xuanji couldn't help but grit her teeth and say.
"I was afraid you were still angry with me, so I didn't dare to speak first." Baozhu's voice sounded somewhat muffled through the window.
Pei Xuanji felt a lump in her throat and pushed open the window, saying, "Come in and we'll talk."
As soon as the window opened, Baozhu was seen peering longingly at the windowsill. She noticed that Pei Xuanji's eyes were red and her face was sallow. She stammered, "You didn't sleep well."
After saying that, he climbed in through the window as usual.
Pei Xuanji wanted to pretend to be angry, but when she saw Baozhu, she was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. As soon as she turned her back, tears started falling uncontrollably.
Baozhu quickly leaned over and coaxed her in a fawning manner, "Don't cry. If you're upset, I'll pull Li Zhi over and let you punch me a couple of times."
"Why would I hit your Li Zhi for no reason?" Pei Xuanji said, both amused and exasperated, turning around and lightly punching Baozhu twice. "If anyone's going to hit someone, it'll be you."
Baozhu pretended to fall backward, rolled her eyes, and said, "What a powerful Celestial Master, he actually killed me."
After saying that, he stuck out his tongue, looking like a dead fox.
Pei Xuanji couldn't help but laugh. She stepped forward and pulled the playful Baozhu up from the ground, scolding, "You're just good at making me happy."
Baozhu took her hand and said with a smile, "Pei Qi, don't be sad. I'm on your side. We will definitely bring that person down."
Without waiting for Pei Xuanji's reply, she quickly relayed what Hui had said to her.
After hearing this, Pei Xuanji was even more confused about her own feelings.
She loved her sister, and the child loved his mother; besides, they shared the same blood.
She spent the whole night lost in thought, and finally realized that her hatred for that child was entirely misplaced anger.
What mistakes can a child who knows nothing possibly make?
Pei Xuanji was filled with emotion and was about to speak when she suddenly heard a maid knocking on the door outside the courtyard and saying, "Miss, there is a letter from the palace that was delivered to your residence early this morning."
She exchanged a glance with Baozhu, went out to take the letter, read it at the door, and then returned to the room.
Seeing that she looked dazed again, Baozhu quickly asked, "What's wrong?"
Pei Xuanji looked at her and said, "My brother-in-law sent a letter."
"What did your brother-in-law say?"
“He said that Xianhui is more important than anything else,” Pei Xuanji murmured.
“Your sister’s name is Xianhui.” Baozhu recalled the little demon telling her his name last night and was filled with emotion. “That child said his name was Hui.”
“You, your brother-in-law, and Hui, the three of you are actually on the same side.”
Pei Xuanji was silent for a moment, then said to Baozhu, "In that case, I would like to let my brother-in-law see... that child. We discussed yesterday that it would be difficult for the few of us to deal with that person."
Baozhu understood, and she said, "But if your brother-in-law intervenes, then it will be different."
Pei Xuanji nodded.
Baozhu thought for a while and then slowly said, "I can take him to see your brother-in-law, but I must ensure his safety. Adult matters really shouldn't involve children. What do you think?"
“Okay,” Pei Xuanji replied.
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