Chapter 31: Big Trouble
At this moment, Chao Yinzhen walked into the inner room and said in a low and soft voice: "Your Majesty, Lord Pei sent someone to visit Miss Luo."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Princess gave Luo Zhaohan a gentle smile.
Luo Zhaohan stood up and politely took his leave, but a sense of uneasiness welled up in his heart.
She suddenly felt a little nervous. When she was half asleep and half awake before...did she say anything she shouldn't have said in front of Pei Ji?
A honey-colored gauze curtain separated the inside and outside. Luo Zhaohan sat on an embroidered cushion in the inner room, while the tall figure outside was always separated by three layers of gauze curtains.
This wing room was specially arranged by Princess Duan, and even the window frames were pasted with double layers of cotton paper.
"Miss Luo, could you please elaborate on what happened in the changing room?"
The cold voice penetrated the gauze curtain, startling Luo Zhaohan so much that his fingertips trembled.
As she stood up to return the greeting, she caught a glimpse of the emerald green hem of her skirt brushing against the wet water stains on the blue bricks. "Excuse me, sir."
Pei Ji turned sideways to look at the lanterns swaying in the corridor and said, "Let's start from when we parted at the pavilion."
The autumn wind blew dead leaves past the window lattice. Luo Zhaohan wrinkled and smoothed his sleeves, recounting his experience from encountering the crying little grandson to the cold gleam of the thief's sleeve arrow as it pierced the air.
When he talked about the slap on his chest, a fishy and sweet taste rose in his throat.
Suddenly, a corner of the veil was lifted by the wind, and Pei Ji saw the veins bulging on the back of the girl's hand as she clutched the handkerchief. He turned to the celadon vase on the antique shelf and asked, "Is there a mark on the thief's left wrist?"
"There is a scorpion tattoo on the tiger's mouth." Luo Zhaohan blurted out, and only then realized that he had said something wrong.
In her previous life, at the execution ground, the dark blue scorpion pattern on Xie Wuqi’s wrist had been seared into her eyes.
Suddenly, the tapping of teacups could be heard from outside. Pei Ji's fingertips stroked the jade token at his waist. "Thank you, Deputy Commander of the East City Military Command. I've been wandering around Shuntian Street for quite some time today."
Luo Zhaohan suddenly stood up, and the embroidered cushion fell with a dull thud. The figure outside the heavy curtain remained as straight as a pine tree, as if what had just been thrown out was not thunder but casual chat.
"While unconscious, the girl called out Deputy Commander Xie's name."
Cold sweat soaked through her shirt. Luo Zhaohan held onto the table, a phantom pain from the whipping of a past life suddenly hitting her back. She opened her mouth, only to see Pei Ji's dark cloak sweep across the threshold.
"Sir, please wait!" She chased him to the moon-shaped cave entrance, withered leaves swirling and falling on his stockings. "Xie Wuqi... is he really having an affair with the thief?"
Pei Ji stopped and looked back, the dusk casting a shadow on his brow: "What do you think, girl?"
Lanterns in the corridor suddenly burst into flames. Luo Zhaohan stared at the goldfish bag swaying at his waist, and suddenly remembered that in his previous life, when the new emperor ascended the throne, Pei Ji used this item to control the imperial prison.
Those court officials who were framed by Xie Wuqi were eventually sent to the torture chamber of the owner of the goldfish bag.
"His presence here today is definitely not accidental." She dug her nails into her palm. "Have you ever thought about why the thief chose to flee to Shuntian Street?"
The autumn wind carried the fragrance of medicine through the corridor.
Pei Ji looked at the flickering fire in the girl's eyes, suddenly frowned, and remained silent, as if lost in thought.
Luo Zhaohan took in Pei Ji's expression and suddenly chuckled.
In his previous life, Xie Wuqi rose to prominence thanks to the case at Prince Duan's Mansion. In this life, it's time for someone else to step on this stepping stone.
Seeing that Luo Zhaohan was hesitant to speak, Pei Ji bowed and said, "If Miss Luo has nothing else to say, I will take my leave."
Just as Jinxue turned the corner of the corridor, there was a sudden sound of a bead curtain behind him.
Luo Zhaohan chased after him, her skirt lifted. Her pomegranate-red shawl tangled with wisteria branches, ripping off several petals. She stopped on the stone steps three steps away from him, her chest heaving violently. "Master Pei!"
The autumn wind, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus, blew through the moonlit cavern. Pei Ji turned back just as the young woman tucked her hair behind her ear. The flower ornaments on her forehead were slightly damp with sweat, but a strange light shone in her eyes: "The human heart is like an abyss, difficult to guard against hidden arrows. Some people cannot bear to see a pearl covered in dust, and even more delight to see a jade branch sink into the mud—do you understand, my lord?"
Pei Ji's eyes moved slightly, and the jade ring turned half a circle in his sleeve.
"Even though you are so cautious..." Luo Zhaohan suddenly took a half step forward, her embroidered shoes crushing the falling osmanthus flowers. "Dearest relative, mentor, dear friend..." Her throat rolled, and she finally swallowed the second half of the sentence, bowing solemnly. "I only hope that you will be safe and sound, so that you can continue to work for the benefit of the people."
The copper bells under the eaves were jingling in the wind.
Pei Ji watched the girl's back as she hurried away, her dark official robe stained with golden sunlight. When she had just mentioned the word "closest relatives," her fingers had clearly trembled.
Luo Zhaohan passed through the Chuihua Gate, and crescent-shaped marks were already left on his palms from being pinched by his fingernails.
In the previous life, when the Luo family was in trouble, it was Pei Ji who stepped forward; in this life, she is determined to defy fate and change this person's fate.
However, not long after that, the witchcraft case broke out in the Changning Earl's Mansion, and the Pei family was in danger. They were too involved and could easily get into trouble if they were not careful.
"Miss!" The maid chased after her, holding a cloak. "Princess Duan has sent someone to urge her."
"The Peony Pavilion" is being performed on the stage in the front yard.
As Luo Zhaohan sat down, he caught a glimpse of Feng Linzhi gazing towards Tingyu Pavilion. This idiot probably didn't realize her good brother was currently making love with Liu Yueli in the other courtyard.
"I'm sorry to frighten you all." Princess Duan came slowly, supported by her maid, the phoenix hairpin on her temples untouched. "There were thieves in the mansion, but thanks to Lord Pei's help, they're all safe now."
She raised her hand to signal the maid to add more wine, "This jar of Lihuabai was brewed by the prince himself, just as an apology."
The ladies raised their glasses in response, but their eyes drifted towards the men's seats.
Luo Zhaohan sipped his wine and glanced at the empty seat opposite him - Xie Wuqi was indeed not there.
At three quarters past ten, Feng Linzhi left the table on the pretext of changing clothes.
Luo Zhaohan put down his wine cup and tapped the table three times with his fingertips. The shadow guard waiting in the dark understood and followed him silently.
Feng Linzhi rushed over in a hurry, but Tingyu Pavilion was already empty. She wondered where that bitch Liu Yueli was having fun with her brother!
She was secretly hesitating in her heart. Just now, she was surrounded by a group of ladies and had suffered wave after wave of exclusion and ridicule. Her face was like broken porcelain, which could not be put back together.
At this moment, she could only grit her teeth and barely hold on until the feast was over. When night fell, she would return alone to the cold and gloomy courtyard to settle accounts with Liu Yueli and completely expose her pretentious and hypocritical face!
…
Before the gong sounded at the hour of You, most of the guests at Prince Duan's Mansion had already left.
Luo Zhaohan leaned against the cushion of the carriage and watched Chao Yinzhen chasing out with his skirt lifted up, his pomegranate-red shawl fluttering in the twilight.
"It's agreed. I'll bring the imperial physician to see you in a few days!" The little princess clung to the shaft of the carriage, her pearl hairpins askew. "If you dare to feign illness to avoid me, I'll... I'll invite the entire East City Opera Troupe to perform at the Luo Mansion for three days and three nights!"
Luo Zhaohan smiled and handed her a handkerchief to wipe her sweat: "My princess, you are so kind. I will definitely open the bed to welcome you."
When the carriage curtain fell, she caught a glimpse of Princess Duan standing under the hanging flower gate, wiping her tears.
Today's disaster really scared this beautiful lady who was raised in the deep palace.
In the main hall of Prince Duan's Mansion, wisps of green smoke rose from the Suanni stove.
Prince Duan held the princess's hand, his thumb stroking the Buddhist beads on her wrist. "Before leaving, Pei Shaoqing said that the thief was found with a Southern Xinjiang Gu worm."
The princess's fingertips trembled, and her Buddhist beads clattered against the table. Southern Xinjiang is eight hundred miles from the capital, and the nearest garrison is... She suddenly covered her mouth, not daring to think further.
"The emperor just praised the Third Prince for his military prowess the other day." Prince Duan looked at the lanterns swaying on the window lattice. "Isn't it a coincidence that spies from Southern Xinjiang have infiltrated the palace today?"
The autumn wind blew dead leaves against the window paper. The princess suddenly grabbed her husband's sleeve and said, "Why don't you let Yinzhen come with me to Daxiangguo Temple to pray for blessings?"
"You can avoid it for a while, but not forever." Prince Duan stroked the golden phoenix in her hair. "It would be better to find a suitable family for Yinzhen so that she doesn't have to run to the Dali Temple all day."
The princess' eyes lit up: "Pei Shaoqing is young and promising, handsome and talented, why not..."
"No!" Prince Duan stood up suddenly, his teacup falling over in shock. "Why do you think Pei Ji was able to stay in the Dali Temple? Last month, when he investigated the grain transport corruption and threw the Minister of Revenue's legitimate son into prison, three poisoned crossbow arrows were nailed to the window frame of his study."
The candlelight crackled.
Princess Duan stared at the water stain winding across the carpet, thinking of the young man she had met during the spring hunt. His crimson official robes framed his features, but those eyes… She shuddered, as if gazing into a bottomless, icy pond.
"He wants to be the knife in Your Majesty's hand." Prince Duan picked up the broken porcelain. "The sharper the blade, the more likely the hand holding it will bleed." The broken porcelain scratched his palm with blood. "Our Yinzhen deserves someone who understands his feelings."
The sound of clappers could be heard from afar. The princess looked at the lanterns swaying in the corridor and suddenly remembered that on her daughter's coming-of-age day, she had insisted on hanging Pei Ji's portrait in her boudoir.
At that time I just thought it was my little girl’s thoughts, but now when I think about it, the shadow cast by the lantern actually looks like the gallows at the execution ground.
She suddenly thought of something, and the teacup in her hand clattered against the table, causing smoke to rise from the incense burner. "I was so focused on showing my face to Yinzhen that I didn't even hear the hidden meaning of what the Crown Princess said!"
"What do you mean?" Prince Duan put down his tea bowl.
"I'm afraid Her Majesty is trying to match the girl from the Luo family with Pei Ji." Princess Duan paced back and forth, twisting her handkerchief. "Although she didn't say it explicitly, when she praised Luo Zhaohan for his courage and strategy, she deliberately glanced at Master Pei several times."
Prince Duan stroked his jade ring: "The mess that the Pei family has..."
Before he finished speaking, the beaded curtain rustled and Chao Yinzhen rushed in, holding up the hem of her skirt: "Father, my mother!"
The couple changed the subject in tacit agreement. Princess Duan pulled her daughter over to wipe her sweat. "Where did you go for fun again?"
…
In the west wing, Chao Yinzhen was taking off her hair in front of a bronze mirror.
The maid came in holding a gift box and said, "Princess, Lord Pei sent someone to deliver medicine for the wound."
The diamond-shaped mirror reflected the girl's eyes that suddenly lit up.
She grabbed the celadon bottle and held it against her chest. The bottle still had the unique agarwood fragrance of the Dali Temple.
Suddenly, he remembered Luo Zhaohan coughing up blood during the day. His fingertips rubbed the mouth of the bottle for a long time, and finally put it back into the box.
"Tomorrow... send it to General Fuyuan's Mansion."
"yes!"
…
In front of the villa in Yuqian Lane, Feng Linzhi jumped down from the carriage seat, and her embroidered shoes rolled heavily over the bluestone slabs.
She searched everywhere for her brother at Prince Duan's Mansion at noon but couldn't find him. When the banquet was over, she heard that Feng Linyu had escorted Liu Yueli home early. At this moment, even the golden hairpin in her bun was shaking.
"Miss, go slower." The maid ran into the alley.
Feng Linzhi was filled with resentment, her heart was like a volcano erupting, she felt that her brother had betrayed her trust, and her hatred for Liu Yueli was like a poisonous snake gnawing at her bones.
She vowed to create a huge uproar!
Feng Linzhi waved her skirt and angrily strode to the gate of the villa. Her fierce posture seemed to tear the tranquility of the entire courtyard apart.
The red lacquer door to the courtyard was ajar at this time. Feng Linzhi heard Liu Yueli sobbing through the crack of the door: "Sister Linzhi must be angry with me..."
She dug her nails into her palms, gently pushed the door open and slipped in.
"Mr. Feng is so kind, Yue Li has no way to repay him." The window paper reflected the delicate silhouette of a woman, who was adding tea to the man's cup.
Feng Linyu's voice was tinged with laughter. "It's just a small favor. But that girl Lin Zhi is always being fooled around by Luo Zhaohan."
"It's Yueli's fault." Liu Yueli suddenly choked up. "When the Luo family kicked me out, no one showed any sympathy except Master Xie. Sister Linzhi treated me so well, but I..." She cried so hard that she couldn't breathe. "I'm such a despicable person, I deserve to be alone and helpless!"
"Miss Liu!" Feng Linyu's silhouette stood up suddenly, as if to support her shoulders with his hands.
Feng Linzhi couldn't stand it anymore and kicked the door open.
The carved wooden door hit the wall, startling the swallows in the beams and sending them flying in panic.
The two people in the room separated in a hurry, and the teacup fell to the ground with a clang.
"You guys!" Feng Linzhi pointed at her brother's hand on Liu Yueli's shoulder, her fingertips trembling. Liu Yueli's dress was half-off, revealing a faint red mark on her collarbone.
Feng Linyu took two steps back, his skirt knocking over the stool: "Linzhi, let me explain!"
"What's there to explain?" Feng Linzhi grabbed the teapot on the table and threw it at him. "Send her home and even to her bed?"
Porcelain fragments flew everywhere, Liu Yueli screamed "Ah", and hid in Feng Linyu's arms.
The maid stamped her feet anxiously outside the door: "Miss, be careful!"
"Sister, you misunderstood." Feng Linyu protected Liu Yueli and hid behind the screen. "Miss Liu just had a heart attack. I was just about to call a doctor."
Feng Linzhi picked up a feather duster and chased after her: "Do you want to untie your belt because of palpitations? Do you want a hug?" The duster hit the screen, startling Liu Yueli so much that her hairpins and rings fell to the ground.
Suddenly, she slipped and fell towards Feng Linyu.
"Be careful!" Feng Linyu hugged her around the waist, and they both fell onto the couch.
The gauze curtain billowed like waves, and Feng Linzhi's eyes turned red with anger.
The veins on the back of her hand bulged, and her fingertips almost dug into the carved wood grain.
Staring at the folded corners of clothes on the soft couch, his throat felt like a ball of vinegar-soaked cotton was stuffed in it.
"You...how dare you..."
Liu Yueli hurriedly broke free from Feng Linyu's arms and knelt beside the couch with her hair disheveled.
The moon-white hem of her skirt swept across the overturned teacup on the ground, and the spilled water stains left dark marks on the green bricks.
"Linzhi, listen to me!" Feng Linyu overturned the incense burner on the table as he stood up, and the ash fell into Liu Yueli's hair. "Yueli was crying so hard that she almost died. I just handed her a handkerchief."
"Do I need to hold someone in my arms to comfort them when I hand them a handkerchief?" Feng Linzhi kicked the incense burner that had rolled to her feet. The copper burner crashed onto the antique shelf, shaking the celadon vase to the point of falling. "The banquet ended at three o'clock in the evening. Brother, do you know how I escaped from Prince Duan's mansion in public?"
Liu Yueli suddenly came over on her knees and tugged at the hem of her skirt: "Everything is my fault, Linzhi, don't get so angry that you get yourself sick."
"Don't touch me!" Feng Linzhi shook her hand off, her embroidered shoes inlaid with South China pearls stepping on the wet carpet. "Since you and Xie Wuqi have secretly agreed to spend their lives together, why are you messing with my brother?"
Feng Linyu's expression suddenly changed: "What do you mean by private engagement?"
"Brother, you don't know yet, do you?" Feng Linzhi pointed at the trembling Liu Yueli and sneered, "This Miss Liu has been exchanging love letters with the young master of the Xie family and have been secretly in love with her!"
Thunder roared outside the window, and raindrops hit the glazed tiles with a crackling sound.
Liu Yueli suddenly started coughing violently, her pale fingers clutching the collar of her clothes over her chest, and she fell to Feng Linyu's feet.
"Yueli!" Feng Linyu hurried over to help her, looking up and growling at his sister, "Are you going to give up until someone dies?"
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