Extra 2 Pei Zhao returns to Beijing
Midsummer of the first year of Jianping.
With overwhelming evidence that officials in Qizhou were plotting to murder Inspector Pei, the imperial court dispatched troops to eliminate the local corrupt officials. Superintendent Censor Pei Zhao, credited with the successful investigation of the case, was summoned back to the capital and promoted to Chief Censor, responsible for reviewing suspected cases and supervising all officials.
The journey back to the capital was smooth. When he arrived at the east gate of Kyoto, many scholars and writers came to greet him and wrote poems in praise of his deeds.
"After so many years, Master Pei is still as charming as ever. Now he has returned to the capital and has been promoted. He is truly the envy of others."
The person who spoke was unfamiliar, but Pei Zhao was a gentle person. Even if he didn't know him, he wouldn't embarrass him. He smiled calmly and bowed, "Sir, you are so kind."
Everyone enthusiastically surrounded Pei Zhao. Suddenly, soldiers at the city gate shouted "Make way!" and with great difficulty, they finally cleared a path out.
The carriage with a red tassel and a canopy stopped not far away. Princess Changyang lifted the curtain and got out of the carriage. Her eyes fell on the thin and slender figure, and her eyes instantly became red.
"It's been nearly three years since I left Beijing. Are you doing well?"
The sleeves of his moon-white robe fluttered in the wind. Pei Zhao's eyes held a hint of melancholy. "Three years have passed in the blink of an eye. Everything is fine. Thank you for your concern, Princess."
Princess Changyang glanced at the scholars around her and asked softly, "After you enter the city, will you return to the Pei Mansion first?"
Pei Zhao nodded calmly: "My family is still waiting for me to reunite at home. After that, I have to report to the palace, so I can't stay with the princess for long."
"Go to the palace to report on your duties?" Princess Changyang's eyes dimmed slightly, and the corners of her lips smiled faintly. "My brother will probably not summon you to the palace to report on your duties today."
Before Pei Zhao could get confused, she raised her eyebrows and said bluntly, "The Empress gave birth today. After the morning court session, my brother went to Yongning Palace to guard the palace. The palace was very busy. Even when the Prime Minister had something to report to me, he didn't get to see me."
While saying this, Princess Changyang kept staring at Pei Zhao's face, but did not notice anything unusual.
"I see." Pei Zhao's eyelashes drooped slightly, covering the coldness in his eyes. When he raised his eyes again, the layer of ice in his eyes melted, and some of the coldness dissipated. "In this case, I will wait for His Majesty to summon me in Pei Mansion."
"I just returned to the capital today, and I still have a lot of things to deal with, so I won't chat with you any longer. I'll host a banquet at my mansion another day, and I'll invite you all to come over then."
Pei Zhao bowed to the crowd like a scholar, his manners elegant, and his whole body exuded an indescribable sense of aloofness.
“Eh…”
Princess Changyang wanted to keep the person to talk for a while, but the moon-white figure got on the carriage and didn't give her any chance.
The palace maid standing by said angrily, "Princess, this young Master Pei is truly rude. You went out of the city specifically to welcome him, and he actually returned like this. Does he think that because he has made great contributions in Qizhou and has been promoted back in the capital, he can look down on everyone?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Princess Changyang glanced at her personal maid and said coquettishly, "Jianzhi has a proud and aloof personality. If he were to fawn over me, that would be abnormal."
As Pei Zhao's carriage entered the city, the scholars and writers gathered at the city gate gradually dispersed.
The streets are bustling.
The graceful figure at the city gate finally shed her forced calmness in the carriage, and the aura around her was like a fierce wind and scorching sun suddenly encountering a cold frost in February.
The servants in the carriage could tell their master was in a bad mood, so they didn't dare to say much during the journey. The atmosphere was heavy. The carriage advanced slowly along the bluestone road, finally stopping outside the Pei Mansion.
The Pei family had already been waiting at the door of the Pei Mansion.
Guan looked at the tall figure. It had only been three years since they last saw each other, but it felt like a lifetime ago. Her nose felt sore.
She hurried down the stone steps, held Pei Zhao's arm and looked at him, raised her sleeve to wipe away her tears, and choked out the words "You've lost weight."
Pei Zhao's brows relaxed, and he smiled warmly, "The food in Qizhou and Kyoto is quite different. Besides, my son is going to Qizhou on business, not for pleasure, so it's normal for him to lose weight."
"Erlang has been promoted to Chief Censor when he returned to the capital this time. This shows that His Majesty values you very much. Lunch has been prepared in the mansion, and there is no rush to go to the palace to meet you and report on your work..." Xiang smiled faintly, and before she finished her words, she was interrupted by Pei Tingyou's light cough beside her.
Erlang and Lingyi had been engaged and shared a deep affection. Had it not been for Dalang's sudden accident, the two would have married long ago. Unfortunately, life is unpredictable. Less than a year after Erlang left the capital, Lingyi married into the Eastern Palace and became the Crown Princess. Last year, after the late Emperor passed away, Empress Dowager Shen once again traveled to Baohua Temple to pray for a permanent residence. Lingyi then became the Empress Dowager, ruling over the six harems.
News came from the palace this morning that Lingyi's stomach started to ache at 5 a.m.
There is no rush to go to the palace to report on my work. If Erlang asks about it, it will inevitably hurt my feelings.
"Erlang is less than 25 years old and he has already taken the position of Chief Censor. It's really like the new generation pushing the old generation forward." Pei Tingyou said a few pleasantries with a smile and changed the topic.
Fortunately, Pei Zhao didn't ask any more questions. He said calmly, "Second Uncle, you're too kind to me. I've only just started my career, and I still have a lot to learn from you."
After saying this, he turned to look at Pei Ling beside him, his brows softening. "It's been a while since we last met. Aling has grown into a very graceful young lady. The last time I received a letter from home, she said she was looking for a suitable young man of the right age for you. I wonder if you have found anyone you like."
Speaking of marriage, Pei Ling lowered her eyes shyly: "It's my parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. Aling, I'll leave it to my father and mother to decide."
"Don't stand at the door, come into the house quickly." Guan urged with a smile.
A group of people walked into the mansion one after another.
The dining room was filled with a sumptuous feast with all kinds of food and aroma. Considering Pei Zhao's hard work, after he finished his lunch and before he could think of an excuse to leave, Pei Tingyou took the initiative to let him go back to the yard to rest.
Pei Zhao passed through the second gate and walked down the stone steps. The golden afternoon sunlight shone through the petals of a trumpet creeper in the courtyard, casting spots on the bluestone slabs.
He reached out and caught a bit of the pale golden sunlight in his hand. Qizhou was barren, and it was rare to see such lush greenery and flourishing vegetation. He still remembered the first time he met Lingyi, around midsummer, she was sitting among flowers and weeping willows, her eyes gleaming like stars.
Just by looking at her extremely beautiful and lively black eyes, he recognized her as the little girl he had met on the outskirts of Qingshi Town. Perhaps it was fate that had he recognized her as the cousin of the Lu family, everything would have been different.
I'm returning to Beijing today, hoping everything goes well.
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