Chapter 23 Not Daring to Aspire to Be a Princess
When Li Yuanzhao got up to leave, the Hibiscus Garden was bustling with activity.
The crowd gathered under the crabapple tree to play a game of "flying flowers" (a traditional Chinese drinking game), creating a lively atmosphere.
Some young men were playing pitch-pot around the bluestone table. The soft whistling of arrows piercing the air, mixed with cheers, made the spring scenery in the garden even more vibrant.
Although Li Yuanzhao was only eighteen, he really had no interest in these things.
On her way back, she dismounted from the palanquin and strolled slowly along the banks of Qujiang Pool.
A gentle spring breeze caresses the face, and the air is filled with the fragrance of flowers.
The pleasant scenery softened the aloofness in her eyes, and she slowed her pace.
Ru Mo had disappeared, and only Chen Yanqing silently followed behind.
He rarely saw her so relaxed.
He didn't understand. The eldest princess, being of noble birth and holding power, clearly had more right and means to enjoy life than the pampered noble children in the courtyard.
But she seemed to be constantly busy, dealing with endless files from morning till night and meeting with countless court officials, making even a moment of relaxation seem exceptionally rare.
Perhaps having seen more of her unknown side, although the initial fear still remained, I unconsciously began to admire her.
She might truly deserve the title of "National Protector".
When the two arrived at Caixia Pavilion, they saw that someone was already sitting inside.
The man was wearing a light blue round-necked robe made of the finest Hangzhou silk.
He wore a gold and jade belt around his waist, from which hung fish-shaped tallies and sachets, a typical outfit of a noble young master from the capital.
This man was none other than Pei Huaijin, a newly appointed scholar who had passed the imperial examinations, and the eldest son of the Pei family of Hedong.
At the height of his success, Young Master Pei remained as gentle and refined as ever, with not a trace of smugness in his eyes.
At this moment, he is looking out the window at the fish swimming in the pond, his posture relaxed.
Upon seeing the two from afar, he immediately stood up and bowed respectfully from a distance.
When Li Yuanzhao saw him, there was no surprise on his face.
After all, she came here today specifically to see him.
She said to Chen Yanqing beside her, "Stay here."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yanqing felt a slight displeasure.
But he could only bow his head and reply "Yes," standing under the corridor outside the pavilion, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding scenery with some irritation.
Inside the pavilion, Li Yuanzhao sat down on the stone bench opposite Pei Huaijin.
Pei Huaijin spoke first, "May I ask why Your Highness has summoned me?"
Li Yuanzhao looked straight at him and said slowly, "I heard that your uncle secretly arranged for you to be a county magistrate in Lingnan?"
Pei Huaijin's father died early, leaving behind an orphan and a widow to depend on each other for survival.
Pei clan's communal property was managed by Pei Guyan, Pei's uncle.
According to clan rules, Pei Guyan is only temporarily in charge of the Pei family. After he comes of age, he should return the clan leader's seal and let Pei Huaijin inherit the family business.
But people are inherently power-hungry, and who would willingly relinquish power once it's in their hands?
Moreover, Pei Huaijin passed the imperial examination before he was even twenty, so his future is limitless.
Pei Guyan, on the other hand, only obtained his official position through hereditary privilege. After more than twenty years of ups and downs in the officialdom, he was still just the governor of Hedong.
The gap between the two had long fueled Pei Guyan's jealousy and resentment.
He feared that Pei Huaijin's abilities would surpass his own, but he was even more afraid that once Pei Huaijin had gained enough power, he would no longer be able to control him.
At that time, not only will the position of family head be lost, but even the existing power will likely fall into other hands.
That's why they manipulated things behind the scenes when he was being appointed to an official post, and managed to send him to Lingnan.
Lingnan is a place shrouded in miasma, and its people are known for their fierce and unruly nature. Although the position is called a county magistrate, it is practically equivalent to being exiled.
Far from the capital, the center of power, no matter how talented he is, without connections or family support, he can't cause any trouble.
Pei Huaijin lowered his eyes. "That is indeed true."
Li Yuanzhao: "Your uncle really dotes on you. Instead of choosing a good position near the capital, he insists on sending you to that desolate place."
Pei Huaijin, however, maintained his composure on the surface, saying, "Although Lingnan is remote, it can temper one's character."
"Experience?" Li Yuanzhao chuckled, his laughter tinged with sarcasm. "That's enough to fool yourself; why bother telling others?"
Pei Huaijin's lips moved a few times, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, it only turned into a long sigh.
Under his uncle's relentless pressure, he and his widow had no chance of resistance within the clan.
Li Yuanzhao took in his disappointment and suppressed emotions. "If you don't want to go, I can help you."
Pei Huaijin raised his head and looked at Li Yuanzhao, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes.
The eldest princess wields immense power in the court. With just a word from her, I could not only stay in the capital, but I might even get a better official position and escape my uncle's control.
But how could there be such a thing as a free lunch in this world?
"What does Her Highness the Princess want me to do?"
Li Yuanzhao stared directly at him, his eyes devoid of any emotion. "What I want is very simple..."
She paused, then said, word by word, "How about becoming my consort?"
Pei Huaijin's pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with disbelief. He almost thought he had misheard, and after a moment of stunned silence, he asked, "Does Your Highness truly believe this?"
Li Yuanzhao met his gaze and said firmly, "It is indeed true."
Pei Huaijin was somewhat confused. He was just an abandoned son of the Pei family, possessing the reputation of a prestigious family, yet his life was not as easy as that of an ordinary poor scholar.
With his uncle holding the reins of power in the clan, he found himself unable to move an inch in the Pei family, unable even to resist a minor appointment as a county magistrate.
She has many capable and well-connected men around her, so why did she choose me to be her husband?
"Your Highness, please forgive my boldness in asking, but why me?"
Li Yuanzhao's gaze fell on him, carrying a scrutinizing tone, "You are indeed of little use now. But..."
She suddenly changed the subject, "You are the rightful heir to the Pei clan, and this identity itself has value. As long as you become my consort, taking back the Pei clan will be a piece of cake."
Pei Huaijin immediately sensed something was wrong.
The eldest princess actually intends to support him and control the Pei family?
But what use would it be for her if he became the head of the Pei family?
He suddenly remembered the rumor.
Does she really have that idea?
This is absurd.
Pei Huaijin became increasingly alarmed as he thought about it.
The eldest princess is ambitious. Once she agrees, the Pei family will be completely drawn into the conflict and become pawns in her hands.
Although he had suffered greatly in the clan, he was still of Pei blood, so how could he stand by and watch his family be dragged into the abyss of the struggle for imperial power?
Pei Huaijin took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed deeply to Li Yuanzhao.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness. When my father passed away, I made a vow to establish myself before getting married. Now that I have accomplished nothing, I dare not break my vow, let alone presume to marry a princess."
This was clearly a direct rejection.
Li Yuanzhao's expression instantly turned cold. "You know, no one has ever been able to refuse me."
Pei Huaijin maintained his bowed posture without flinching.
"Please forgive my offense, Your Highness. You have no objection to how you wish to punish me. However, I am truly unable to accept the position of Imperial Son-in-Law."
The air inside the pavilion seemed to freeze, and even the spring breeze carried a chill.
Li Yuanzhao stared at Pei Huaijin as if trying to see right through him.
Pei Huaijin, however, kept his head down the whole time, without wavering in the slightest.
After a long while, Li Yuanzhao slowly spoke, "I will only say this once, and I hope that Young Master Pei will not regret his refusal today."
After he finished speaking, the silence in the pavilion grew even deeper.
Pei Huaijin maintained his bowed posture, but his fingertips trembled slightly.
"If Your Highness has no further instructions, I shall take my leave."
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