Advance and retreat together
Pei Zhaoying is not a saint.
She was disgusted with the person who dared to poison her.
If Xiao Yucheng had not intervened, Pei Zhaoying would have really killed Xiao Caizhen and let her receive the punishment she deserved.
Since she is Xiao Yucheng's sister and cannot avenge this blood feud for the time being, Pei Zhaoying is willing to see Xiao Caizhen killed for poisoning the royal family, but she doesn't want to see a woman being denigrated and excluded because of all kinds of rumors... She always feels that it is a kind of shameful abuse.
Xiao Caizhen raised her eyes angrily, dissatisfied with Pei Zhaoying's indifference, as if she had nothing to do with her predicament, and she stayed out of it cleanly and was being kind-hearted.
However, today was her brother's celebration banquet, so Xiao Caizhen suppressed her temper, forced out a grand and bright smile, straightened the hem of her dress, and walked towards Pei Zhaoying with her head held high and her chest puffed out.
The girls were delighted by the exquisite and luxurious brocade flowers, but they maintained their composure and gave way to each other. Sang Ningyun chose a delicate and elegant lily, keeping it inconspicuous, leaving the more vibrant and eye-catching flowers for the other girls. The girls shyly chose the peonies, peach blossoms, roses, and other intricate and magnificent brocade flowers.
Xiao Caizhen stretched out her hand and aimed at the elegant peony in the middle of the table without any hesitation or humility.
After getting it, Xiao Caizhen raised the corners of her lips in satisfaction, and immediately put the peony on her bun, saying complacently:
"They say the peony is the king of flowers. Seeing it today, I find it truly suits me. My brother returned victorious from suppressing the rebellion in Huaiyang. He is a top-ranking hero of Daliang, so Your Majesty specially held a banquet to celebrate his victory. I would like to thank you all for joining us in the fun on my brother's behalf."
There was complete silence.
Xiao Caizhen began to act like a master in front of the eldest princess and in the palace. She was so arrogant that no one supported her. After all, even if Xiao Yucheng wanted to support her sister, she had no control over the female members of the family.
Some people remained silent, secretly waiting to see Pei Zhaoying's reaction.
Pei Zhaoying twitched the corner of his mouth, feeling that Xiao Caizhen was such a stupid idiot.
This is probably the biggest obstacle on Xiao and Cheng's road to dominance.
She reminded:
"Miss Xiao, you're joking. Thunder and rain are all grace from the Emperor. We, as ministers, should be most grateful for His Majesty's ability to use people wisely. This is the palace, so Miss Xiao, it would be best to restrain your words and actions. Otherwise, if you implicate your brother and make His Majesty unhappy, wouldn't that be your fault?"
Things are different now.
Pei Heng followed Xiao Bo's advice, opened up many special examinations, recognized talents and made good use of them, and promoted young scholars out of turn, so that talented people did not have to submit letters of allegiance to aristocratic families and flatter and negotiate day after day, and they could shine in suitable positions.
Moreover, Xiao Bo, under tremendous pressure, resolved old major cases and cleaned up the bureaucracy, which freed up many important positions. There was a major reshuffle in the bureaucracy, and the voice of loyalty to the emperor finally prevailed after years of chaos.
Pei Heng gained confidence because he had help. Even if one day he had to fight with Xiao and Cheng in real life, he had a trump card and would not shrink back in fear.
Pei Zhaoying covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief and signaled the maid to push her away, lest Xiao Caizhen come up with another vicious idea to harm her.
She further advised:
"Miss Xiao, the last time we met, I even called you 'County Lady Xiao'. I hope that confinement and reflection will be of some benefit to you."
Mentioning the fact that she was stripped of her county princess title and placed under house arrest at a celebration banquet is no different from slapping someone in the face.
Pei Zhaoying felt that this was just the extent of the crime and it was considered an easy punishment for the murderer.
The banquet was about to begin, and she coldly ordered someone to take her to the pre-arranged seating area. Thinking of how she had nearly died from poisoning, she broke out in a cold sweat on a summer's day. How could a pretty, young girl poison someone with whom she had no grudge?
Pei Zhaoying thought that she had only met the Xiao siblings briefly on official business and didn't get along well with them, while Xiao Bo had lived with this wolf-like pair in the Xiao family's vast compound for over twenty years...
Pei Zhaoying was so heartbroken that she couldn't form words. She returned to Xiao Bo and held his hand tightly without letting go.
With their fingers intertwined, Pei Zhaoying took Xiao Bo's hand and placed the palm of his hand against her chin, feeling Xiao Bo's presence and warmth without worrying about being laughed at by others.
Such a good person, too good to exist in this world.
Pei Zhaoying was afraid that if she didn't hold him tightly, Xiao Bo would disappear like mist when the wind blew.
She was not good at comforting people, so she used this method to let Xiao Bo feel her, and she also felt Xiao Bo, and the two of them were firmly together in this world and no one would leave the other.
"What's wrong? Did someone say something rude or offend you?"
Pei Zhaoying shook her head and muttered:
"No. Who would dare to offend me? I just don't want anyone to make your life difficult or make you sad..."
"I'm not sad. I'm only sad for the people I care about. People I don't care about, whether they treat me well or not, won't cause me any fluctuations, let alone hurt me."
Pei Zhaoying asked knowingly:
"Then who can hurt Master Xiao Bo?"
Xiao Bo understood her intentions completely. He would tell her all the sweet words she wanted to hear.
Xiao Bo adjusted her white jade hairpin. Knowing that Pei Zhaoying hated the pain of having her scalp pulled, he loosened the hairpin a little and took the opportunity to lean over and murmur:
"Of course it's Aying... So Aying, you have to be nice to me and not make me sad."
Her breath smells like orchid.
The breath, neither light nor heavy, stimulated Pei Zhaoying's earlobe.
Pei Zhaoying said nothing and rested her head on her husband's waist.
A bold young woman glanced at Xiao Bo and his wife secretly out of the corner of her eye, feeling envious. She suddenly realized that no matter how cold and arrogant a man is, he will be willing to bow his head and be obedient and kind to the one he loves.
It is a bit regrettable that such a handsome man cannot become one's husband.
However, since he was the one chosen by the eldest princess, no one else could compete with him, and everyone was secretly envious of him.
Xiao Yucheng looked at the beautiful couple and felt a surge of resentment and unwillingness... He didn't blame Pei Zhaoying for stealing the limelight at his celebration banquet and using the royal power to suppress him, but he felt that the treasure that should have been pampered in his hands was taken away by someone else, and he had lost a unique and wonderful thing.
Xiao Bo, you snatched away the wife who originally belonged to you, and you still dare to show off in public!
Xiao Yucheng couldn't control his growing anger, and with a "crack", the teacup in his hand was crushed by him.
The scalding tea spilled onto his hands, but he didn't feel the pain due to his thick skin. He calmly asked the palace servant to change his cup of tea.
If it was a brass wine jug, it would be deformed by his grip.
"My lord..." Xue Can had a bad premonition. Worriedly, Xiao Yucheng wiped the tea stains off their bodies and gave him an uneasy look.
"It's a small matter, military advisor, don't worry about it."
Having said that, Xue Can's intuition told him that Xiao Yucheng had changed a lot after returning from Huaiyang.
Xiao Yucheng is bold and outspoken. If it weren't for the suppression of the royal family, he would surely be a hero who could unify the world and end the troubled times. Wherever he went, the powerful and prominent families were all impressed by him. According to past circumstances, Xiao Yucheng should have been drinking, singing and laughing freely, or even suppressing the royal prestige, instead of sitting gloomily and serious.
What's the problem?
Xue Can was so anxious that he had no interest in the banquet. Finally, he followed Xiao Yucheng's gaze and saw the beautiful eldest princess. He suddenly felt some emotions, but he didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse.
Pei Heng and the Queen Mother arrived just before the banquet began, accepted the congratulations of all the officials, and took their seats calmly.
In just a few months, the young emperor was reborn, with a calm and composed demeanor despite holding great power, which made Xiao Yucheng frown uncomfortably. He originally wanted to control the emperor quickly, but it seemed that this plan could not be realized smoothly.
When Pei Heng was in the imperial study, he heard a palace maid come to report that the eldest princess and her husband were accepting praise and receiving compliments from the ministers for Xiao and Cheng. His goal was achieved and Pei Heng felt very pleased.
"My dear ministers, there is no need to be so formal. It is a great blessing for our country to have a hero like the Grand Marshal." Pei Heng said some insincere words and took the lead in toasting Xiao Yucheng.
Xiao and Cheng responded calmly and drank it all in one gulp.
Unexpectedly, Pei Heng quickly changed the subject and began praising others:
"Recently, the Prince Consort has diligently handled cases, selflessly serving the public, and has eliminated a swath of corrupt officials in the court. It's truly a good time to serve the country! The Prince Consort's tenure at the Dali Temple has reached its peak. It seems I will soon confer a title of nobility upon him! The Xiao family is truly a family of loyal and brave men. With you, the 'Second Xiao', here, I feel very relieved."
From this, everyone understood that the emperor was nominally congratulating the Grand Marshal, but in reality he was playing the game of checks and balances. The "two Xiaos" were coexisting to restrain the power and military authority of Xiao and Cheng.
After a moment of stiffness, Pei Zhaoying and Xiao Bo looked at each other and joined hands to express their gratitude.
Pei Zhaoying knew that Pei Heng was not praising Xiao Bo, but supporting Xiao Bo to fight against Xiao Yucheng.
Then, how much more attacks and harassment will Xiao Bo have to endure from Xiao and Cheng's group in the future?
Pei Zhaoying carefully concealed her sadness in front of Xiao Bo. Xiao Bo had promised her that he would find a way to retire and live a peaceful and stable life with her. She believed him and thought that the current difficult situation must be only temporary. However, she couldn't help but grumble and blame Pei Heng in her heart.
Why drag her and her husband into this?
Just because she was honored and worshipped, should she be exploited and squeezed dry by them?
She wanted a little real warmth, something only Xiao Bo could give her. The emperor and his mother, every time she longed for warmth, only offered her hypocritical crocodile tears. Even if she died protecting Pei Heng one day, would they only be glad it wasn't Pei Heng who died? Would they shed a tear of genuine emotion for her?
When he was a child, Pei Heng was so cute... but now he looks sickly, with thin and slender limbs and chubby cheeks. He was also an unnoticed child from a side branch of the palace, and was treated harshly by the servants, so there was always a look of fear in his eyes like a deer.
In the past, Pei Zhaoying and Pei Heng had few opportunities to meet. Every time they met, she would teach Pei Heng some martial arts to strengthen his body, or take him climbing trees to exercise, hoping that he could grow stronger and be able to protect himself when he grew up, and no longer need to be protected by others.
When he grew up, Pei Heng was pushed to the throne... Mother and son joined forces and put a medicine that blocked the blood circulation into Pei Zhaoying's health-preserving medicine when she was about to get married.
Pei Zhaoying closed her eyes sadly, not wanting to see the expression on Pei Heng's face when he was playing power games.
The favor was misplaced, and her only source of warmth now was Xiao Bo's palm.
Xiao Bo pinched her hand and blinked.
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