Chapter 136
Cui Pei stood guarding the carriage outside the palace gate, secretly pondering that His Majesty's meaning was already very clear: spare Cai Hui's life and preserve his reputation for filial piety.
The palace gates slowly opened, and Pei Lingjun appeared outside. Cui Pei hurriedly stepped forward and, seeing his displeased expression, guessed the outcome.
Snow has fallen again.
Cui Pei handed over the cloak in his arms. Pei Lingjun took the silver fox fur cloak, put it on without saying a word, his expression was cold and his eyes were sharp, as if he wanted to break through the many obstacles to see the true face of this imperial city.
As the year drew to a close, His Majesty claimed illness and did not attend court. From afar, only one carriage could be seen outside the palace gate.
Pei Lingjun withdrew his gaze, lifted the curtain, and boarded the carriage.
"Return to the residence."
Pei Lingjun returned from Shanzhou in secret, and apart from a few close confidants, no one else knew about it.
Cui Pei escorted Pei Lingjun to the gate of the Ningyuan Marquis's residence. There were only two almost faded red lanterns hanging outside the gate, exposed to the wind and sun for who knows how many years.
Perhaps it was because the furnishings of the mansion had remained outdated ever since his father and brother's accident.
"The end of the year is just around the corner. You've worked so hard running around with me these past few days. You should stay in Beijing during the year-end period."
Cui Pei, pulling on the horse's reins, asked in confusion, "What about you, boss?"
The young man wore a silver fox fur cloak, his dark hair half-loose, which made him look elegant and refined, but when you got close to him, you felt a sense of awe and coldness.
"I have my own plans."
Pei Lingjun beckoned, and the servant in the manor immediately understood and respectfully took out a sachet and handed it to Cui Pei.
He was stunned, only to hear the young man turn around and say, "The sachet embroidered by Miss Caiyun..."
Cui Pei was overjoyed, and a scene suddenly popped into his mind: a dark and windy night, a young man speaking in a low voice, the word "digging up graves" startling him.
"The other day, Caiyun, a young lady from Chunfang Pavilion, sent a beautifully embroidered sachet to the Marquis's residence. Would you like it?"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Cui Pei left, holding the brand-new sachet with a satisfied expression.
Even though it was already the end of the year, the Ningyuan Marquis's residence remained as deathly silent as ever.
Those who could move freely within the mansion were mostly his confidants, so Pei Lingjun had no qualms and walked towards the west side courtyard.
In his previous life, he brought Wen Shu to Jijing and settled her in the west courtyard.
At that time, she was without status or recognition with him, and their marriage in Anyang was no longer valid. He secretly thought that he would wait until he avenged his father and brother's deaths, and then he would marry her openly and honorably...
Past grievances, like dust and dirt, have been transformed into a small scene in the west courtyard.
After regaining his memories upon returning to Jijing, he had the west courtyard cleaned up and furnished exactly as he had in his previous life, according to the blueprints he had provided.
The fragrance of sandalwood wafted into his nostrils. On the chaise lounge by the window were intricately embroidered cushions and a pink pillow. Pei Lingjun stared intently at that spot, remembering how Wen Shu always loved to sit there, peering out the window at the spring scenery.
But now it is winter, with heavy snow and cold, the scenery is not the same as it was back then, and the people are no longer here.
He pushed open the window as if possessed, and a cold wind rushed in. Frost and snow fell on his eyebrows and eyes, turning into a few drops of water in no time.
Outside the window, the plum tree had long since lost its leaves and stood there all alone, no longer as fresh and beautiful as it used to be.
Pei Lingjun pinched his brow bone, his mind weary.
As I sat down, I suddenly looked out and my gaze passed over the plum tree outside the window, and I could just see the moon gate. The clumps of green bamboo at the moon gate were still fresh and green.
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