Chapter 59 (First published on Jinjiang Literature City) (A long excerpt has been added...)
Chapter 59
Lin Rong asked Pei Zan in a soft voice if his face hurt, not because she truly cared for him, but as a delaying tactic to appease him.
She was just trying it out, but unexpectedly, Pei Zan gradually suppressed his surging evil intentions because of her tenderness.
Lin Rong knew that Pei Zan's personal visit to Kucha must have been to negotiate a joint military alliance between the two countries to defend against the enemy. Since Kucha had been incorporated into the territory of Western Wei, and with the Wei army's assistance, there would surely be peace in the future.
Lin Rong wouldn't be foolish enough to flee further west. If she fell into the hands of the brutal Rong and Di tribes, she would suffer a fate worse than death.
All Lin Rong wanted was to stay in the peaceful little country beyond the Great Wall and live the nomadic life she loved.
Having thought this through, Lin Rong made her decision. She would simply have to play along with Pei Zan for a few days. If she could persuade him kindly afterward and promise not to run away again, and that she would stay in the small Western Regions country that had submitted to Western Wei, Pei Zan would probably not make things difficult for her.
This move not only stabilizes Pei Zan, but also allows his son Yu Nu to frequently visit Lin Rong, reuniting the mother and son—truly a brilliant plan that kills two birds with one stone.
Lin Rong felt relieved.
She was exhausted after a long day and felt soreness in her lower back and limbs, and her period, which was usually irregular, started.
-
Pei Zan's visit to Kucha was not only aimed at making Kucha a vassal state, but also at having Western Wei artisans master Kucha's iron smelting and forging techniques to prepare superior military equipment for future conquests and defenses.
The Rong and Di tribes beyond the Great Wall had strong troops. Although Pei Zan had used the terrain and climate of Liangzhou to breed warhorses and overcome the disadvantage of the army's horses, there was still room for improvement in the weapons and equipment. Therefore, Pei Zan was willing to make a trip to the Kingdom of Kucha so that he could personally inspect the renowned iron smelting and casting techniques of the Kingdom of Kucha.
Since Pei Zan had already agreed to help the Kingdom of Kucha defend against foreign enemies, he would naturally set up a protectorate and send Wei troops to protect the vassal state.
Pei Zan wanted to return to Liangzhou immediately to mobilize troops, so he declined King Mengti's invitation to a banquet and issued a military order to return to the city that very night, breaking camp and heading back.
That night, King Monti personally rode off to see him off.
The cavalry of both countries held torches with blazing flames. The bright flames were torn apart by the desert wind, like a scarlet flag illuminating Pei Zan's cold and unapproachable face.
As night fell, the red mark on Pei Zan's chin had not yet faded, and it stood out conspicuously in the towering flames.
King Monti wanted to ask Lin Rong about her origins several times, but he kept his many questions to himself.
After Pei Zan led his army away, King Mengti dared to ask the interpreter beside him, who was well-versed in the affairs of the Great Wei, "That woman... had been living in our Kucha Kingdom before, right? I sent the Emperor of Western Wei a gentle and considerate beauty, but he didn't want her. Instead, he preferred this ferocious tigress?"
The interpreter thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps men have different tastes; some people just have this kind of fetish... the more you beat him, the happier he gets!"
King Monti was in a daze, staring blankly for a long time. He sighed and said, "Send troops to protect that woman's house... Keep it well hidden, and don't let the Northern Rong people disturb the civilians. As for the rest, do as you please."
-
Liangzhou is located on the border, only a thousand miles away from the small kingdom of Kucha in the Western Regions.
Pei Zan rode his horse through wind and rain, covering three or four hundred li a day, and would return to the capital in just three or four days.
In the past few days, Pei Zan took Lin Rong on a long journey. He was worried that Lin Rong might not be feeling well, so he deliberately slowed down his pace.
Lin Rong did not mistreat herself when she returned to the city with Pei Zan. She had already gotten used to life in the Western Regions. She stayed at the inn with Pei Zan at night and even knew to spend Pei Zan's money, ordering more food from the innkeeper than she would normally afford.
Such as braised lamb in a fire pit, spicy lamb trotters, mare's milk wine...
After eating and drinking her fill, Lin Rong went back to her room to wash up and take a bath. She would be traveling again in a covered carriage the next day, so she wanted to go to sleep early tonight.
Unexpectedly, just as the lamps in the inn were turned off, the door was opened.
Looking through the hazy moonlight, Lin Rong suddenly remembered... Pei Zan had ordered his servants to prepare the bedding, as he wanted to share a room with Lin Rong.
Lin Rong glanced at the man who had already washed up.
Pei Zan was as handsome as ever, with long, black hair that was draped over his shoulders and wrung out with a dry handkerchief, the ends of his hair, as sharp as pine needles, still slightly damp.
Despite the harsh winter weather beyond the Great Wall, he was dressed in thin clothes, wearing only a frosty white long robe. As he walked, the hem of his robe fluttered like the gentle ripples of a lotus pond.
Before Lin Rong could slowly make way for a bed, Pei Zan had already knelt on one knee and pressed down on the petite Lin Rong.
The man's long, cold fingers pressed lightly against the soft flesh of Lin Rongxue's neck.
Jade-like fingertips rubbed against bone and blood, tracing their way subtly across Lin Rong's rounded shoulders.
Pei Zan made only a slight movement.
Even so, a trace of boiling heat could seep into her jade-like skin.
Lin Rong couldn't help but curl up in pain...
I tried to avoid that unfamiliar, tingling sensation.
Pei Zan did not stop, but instead leaned down and gently sucked on her plump and soft earlobe.
A tiny piece of meat, white and clean as jade.
It was held between the man's beautifully shaped thin lips, pressed against by his rosy tongue, with a little bit of white glint occasionally surfacing.
Pei Zan wantonly licked and teased Lin Rong's earlobe.
It used a bit of force, maliciously holding, biting, and swallowing.
Lin Rong's earlobe was enveloped by the man's warm lips.
The dampness and humidity left her feeling lost and disoriented.
But when Pei Zan moved his lips and teeth, he slightly bit the thin strap of the lotus-patterned undergarment that Lin Rong was wearing.
Lin Rong opened her misty almond-shaped eyes again, her voice trembling as she stopped him: "Don't pull it open..."
Pei Zan looked up, his bewitching eyes revealing a hint of coldness due to his wife's rejection.
He stroked Lin Rong's pointed chin, his voice low and husky with desire, and asked her, "I've endured for five years... why haven't you been moved? Could it be that you have someone else to relieve your cravings, and you're already satisfied? Who is it? Yang Feng?"
Pei Zan's gaze was cold and indifferent. If Lin Rong hadn't known his character well, she would have really thought that he wasn't feeling any anger rising within him.
Seeing that Pei Zan was about to harbor unspeakable and vicious murderous intent again, Lin Rong could only helplessly explain, "I'm on my period... really."
Upon hearing this, Pei Zan's anger subsided slightly.
This time, he wasn't as hateful as before, and instead of examining Lin Rong's clothes, he pulled her into the thick quilt.
Pei Zan's hot body pressed close, covering Lin Rong's shoulders and back.
Lin Rong was drenched in sweat and struggled to dodge.
But Pei Zan grabbed her slender waist and pulled her into his arms.
Lin Rong was stunned for a long time.
Until Pei Zan took her hand and taught her how to control his weakness.
Pei Zan straightened his back slightly, his voice low and husky, softly seductive.
"Lin Rong, don't hide."
"Touch it..."
-
Liangzhou, the Imperial Palace.
Pei Zan did not bring Pei Jiashu on his mission to the Western Regions this time because of the harsh climate and severe winter. He was worried that his son would get cold.
Five-year-old Pei Jiashu obediently stayed in the palace, waiting for his father to return.
Three days later, he saw Pei Zan's hawk soaring in the distance, circling above the rooftops of Chongshan.
Pei Jiashu was overjoyed. He hurriedly ran back to his bedchamber with his short legs, put on the leather eagle-catching wrist guards, and rushed out of the main hall.
"Sour jujubes, here they are!"
Pei Jiashu jumped three feet high and beckoned the falcon named Suanzao above him to land.
Soon, Black Hawk spotted its young master and swooped down arrogantly.
The sharp eagle claws swiftly grabbed the child's arm, suddenly knocking him to the ground.
Upon seeing this, Uncle Feng screamed in fright and hurriedly led several eunuchs over.
"Oh dear, Your Highness, what are you doing! What if you get hurt? If you want to regain our trust, why don't you just call the falconer?"
Uncle Feng was an old steward. Now that Pei Zan had become king and emperor, his status had also risen, and he had become the steward of the inner palace of the Eastern Palace. He usually followed Pei Jiashu's lead.
Pei Zan was very rough in raising his children, spoiling them in the slightest. He even dared to let his son reach out and catch a falcon that weighed twenty or thirty pounds.
Pei Jiashu, however, was resilient from a young age, never crying or making a fuss. Even when he was caught by an eagle, he could still chuckle and comfort the wailing eunuch beside him: "It's alright, it doesn't hurt at all. Why are you crying? Don't be afraid! I won't tell Father Emperor!"
After catching the eagle, Pei Jiashu's clothes, which he had just changed into today, were covered in mud, and his back was completely black.
He didn't care, raised his hand and patted it, his chubby little hand grabbing the letter and pulling the scroll out of the bamboo tube.
Pei Jiashu opened the letter to read it.
After reading it once, his grape-like eyes widened instantly.
Pei Jiashu was incredulous... He counted the words and read it again.
Uncle Feng was terrified by the child's dazed and confused appearance.
Uncle Feng hurriedly asked, "You must have been injured! Your Highness, where are you hurt?!"
Pei Jiashu handed the letter to Uncle Feng and said excitedly, "My mother is back!"
Uncle Feng was also dumbfounded.
His Highness the Crown Prince's birth mother is Lin Rong.
Five years ago, Rong was attacked and her fate was unknown. Uncle Feng had long thought she was dead. Could it be that the emperor really found her and brought her back?
Uncle Feng was skeptical and dared not speak.
Pei Jiashu, being young and knowing full well that his father wouldn't lie, became so excited that he became incoherent.
He pulled Uncle Feng back to the palace and asked the eunuchs to help him take out the brand-new winter clothes one by one and spread them on the couch.
This year's winter clothes haven't been made yet; the trunks and wardrobes are filled with new clothes that haven't been worn in previous years.
Pei Jiashu washed his hands clean, forgetting even to change out of his dirty clothes.
He impatiently touched the cloak with the rabbit fur collar, holding it up to compare: "Does this white one look good?"
After asking, she touched another scarlet robe: "What about this red one? Will Mother like it?"
Pei Jiashu had never met his mother, and his only impression of Lin Rong was from the beautiful portraits of her left by his father, Pei Zan.
Pei Jiashu was unaware of Lin Rong's temperament and was afraid that he wouldn't be liked by her, so he felt uneasy.
But Uncle Feng said that his mother risked her life to lure the enemy to protect him back then... His mother would definitely like him.
After selecting the clothes, Pei Jiashu went to the study, brought over a chair, and took out several paintings and calligraphic works from a box.
These are all calligraphic works that Pei Zan praised. He wanted to pick out a few of the best ones to show his mother.
And those Four Books and Five Classics, he could recite them to his mother whenever she picked a passage.
Pei Jiashu hoped that in his mother's eyes, he was an exceptionally intelligent child.
After preparing these books, Pei Jiashu took out the key, opened the chest, and began selecting a gift for the meeting.
Several mahogany chests were stuffed full of gold and silver jewelry.
These treasures were all Pei Jiashu's private stash, which he had been slowly hiding away.
There are coral ornaments, agate beads, glass pendants... a dazzling array of precious items.
At every official banquet, the children who accompanied the Crown Prince to study would take their seats together with their mothers and their sisters, both legitimate and illegitimate.
Their mothers would hold their children, showering them with warmth and whispering sweet nothings.
The mother and son would watch together as the snow fell outside the palace and the flowers drifted down from the pavilions.
Even a gust of wind can make them nervous enough to put a cloak over their child to keep them warm, or feed them sweet soup to warm their stomach.
Pei Jiashu watched from afar, feeling envious, but his face remained expressionless.
He doesn't need anyone's sympathy or pity; he still has his father, and his loneliness cannot be seen by anyone.
Some unscrupulous noblewomen thought that Pei Jiashu must lack the love of elders since he lost his mother at a young age.
They deliberately went to the wrong palace, offering Pei Jiashu clothes and food, and showing concern to build a closer relationship.
But Pei Jiashu knew that the palace was strictly guarded, and without the guidance of a eunuch, how could he possibly reach the East Palace?
Pei Jiashu understood that these people all had ulterior motives, but he didn't fall for it. He always kept a stern face to outsiders and didn't let outsiders get close to him easily.
Pei Jiashu told his father about the matter and let Pei Zan deal with the servants who had ulterior motives.
He only has his father left, and he wants to protect his family.
He was afraid that if his mother came home one day and saw him being close to strangers, she would feel disappointed and become even more distant from him.
Pei Jiashu was well taken care of by Pei Zan. He didn't lack love; he just missed his mother.
Pei Zan once said that one day he would see Lin Rong again.
Pei Jiashu was obedient and sensible; he waited patiently.
He would prepare three portions of all the rewards: one for himself, one for his father, and one for his mother.
Pei Jiashu didn't want his mother to lack anything; if other mothers had jewelry, hair ornaments, and fine silks, his mother should have them too.
Pei Jiashu would also ask Pei Zan to help him buy all the beautiful jewelry he saw when he went to banquets and sightseeing, and store them in the storeroom, hoarding them one by one, waiting to present them to his mother one day.
In this way, Lin Rong can get everything as soon as she gets home, and she will not be absent from Pei Jiashu's life.
Pei Jiashu had always hoped that he could reunite with Lin Rong someday.
The hall was dimly lit, and Pei Jiashu's thin figure was kneeling in front of the large boxes.
He curled his fingers, gripping the silver butterfly hairpin tightly.
Crystal-clear tears fell onto his clothes.
Pei Jiashu raised his soft hand and kept wiping his eyes. Mud mixed with his little face, leaving black marks.
It's very dirty.
Despite his face being smeared with dirt, Pei Jiashu smiled.
He waited until Lin Rong returned home.
Finally, one day, Pei Jiashu could openly miss his mother, unafraid to reopen his father's wounds, and unafraid of the strange pity from others.
"I have a mother now..."
Pei Jiashu will never envy other children again.
Author's note: This chapter is Friday's update. See you on Saturday! It might still be updated in the evening on Saturday =3=!
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