Chapter 108: Sensible enough to part ways immediately, leaving behind a faint yet ambiguous feeling...
After lunch, the two tidied up and went to visit Old Master Pei.
The Songhe Hall was furnished in a simple and elegant style, exuding a strong scholarly atmosphere, with a faint, calming sandalwood fragrance. The old master had been busy for most of the day yesterday, but today he was full of energy. After drinking the tea served by his granddaughter-in-law, his spirits soared even higher.
“From now on, we’re all family, so there’s no need to be so formal.” The old man’s gaze was gentle. “There’s a long road ahead, so you two should be considerate of each other, support each other, and make the most of your lives. Then I’ll have nothing to worry about.”
Meng Lingyao had expected the old master to give some advice on the matter of having an heir, but to her surprise, he didn't mention it at all. After taking a couple of sips of tea, he sent them off to pay their respects to the Princess.
The afternoon sun shone brightly, casting dappled, warm light through the fine bamboo curtains of the carriage. The wheels rolled gently over the cobblestones, making a rhythmic, soft clatter.
Meng Lingyao sat side by side with Pei Xu. She was somewhat exhausted, and the slight swaying of the carriage, combined with the languid feeling after her meal, made her restless. Pei Xu noticed and gently put his arm around her shoulder, letting her lean against him.
Meng Lingyao relaxed her body and rested her head on his lap, finding a comfortable position before closing her eyes.
The carriage was quiet, with only their breathing and the faint sounds of the marketplace outside. Pei Xu looked down at the person on his lap. Today, she wore a begonia-red brocade dress with floral patterns, her fair skin making the small dark circles under her eyes particularly noticeable. His heart softened, and his fingers unconsciously twirled the few strands of her hair that had fallen onto his robe, his movements gentle.
Just when he thought she was about to fall asleep, Meng Lingyao suddenly yawned softly, her eyelashes fluttering, but she didn't open her eyes. She just mumbled sleepily, "Pei Xu... Grandfather, he didn't mention anything about having offspring..."
This was truly unexpected for her. By the time of Pei Xu, the Pei family line was extremely small, so it was perfectly normal for the old master to hope for a great-grandson.
Pei Xu paused slightly as he stroked her hair, then resumed his normal motion, his voice calm and expressionless, revealing no emotion, "Mm."
Meng Lingyao waited a while, but heard nothing more. She half-opened her eyes and looked up at him. From this angle, she could only see his sharply defined jawline and slightly pursed lips. She blinked, her drowsiness dissipating slightly. "Why?"
Pei Xu cast his gaze at the street scene rushing past the window, remained silent for a moment, and said softly, "My mother... fell ill when she gave birth to me, and passed away a few years later. My father was heartbroken because of this, studied medicine diligently, and then left home to travel."
Perhaps he was looking for an answer, or perhaps for relief.
After learning to read, he saw many medical books in his father's study, and later he read many of them himself.
He clearly remembered that the "Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces" stated, "After a woman has given birth, her five internal organs are weak and feeble. She should only be nourished and not purged... If she purged herself, she would suffer from a hundred diseases."
There were also many more obscure records describing various postpartum complications and the ineffectiveness of medicine, which he read and never forgot a single word of. Behind those words lay his mother, whose face was blurred in his memory, who died young because of him, and the reason for his father's life of wandering.
He calmly thought that if any of the conditions described in the book—weakness, hemorrhage, depression—occurred in Meng Lingyao, he would probably feel the same heartache and unease as his father.
If it were something worse... he almost dared not think about it. Perhaps, he would choose to follow her in death.
Meng Lingyao stared at him blankly, then reached out and grasped his fingers in return.
After a long while, she spoke softly, breaking the silence, "Then... Pei Xu, do you want a child?"
Pei Xu withdrew his gaze from the void and refocused it on her face, asking instead of answering, "Where's Yaoyao? Do you want her?"
Meng Lingyao began to ponder seriously. Girls her age mostly learned about childbirth from hearsay or bystanders. She had seen older women in her clan or close friends; some became plump and gentle during pregnancy, their faces always glowing with a soft light; others were tormented by morning sickness, edema, and other discomforts, looking haggard; and still others seemed stable, but their brows always concealed unspeakable worries and burdens.
She answered honestly, "I...don't want to yet." She frowned slightly, trying to express herself more clearly, "It's not that I'm afraid of hardship or anything else, it's just that I feel like I'm not ready...to shoulder another life that depends entirely on me. That responsibility is too heavy."
Pei Xu nodded, "Then I don't want to either."
Meng Lingyao paused for a moment, then reached out and pinched his waist. "And what did you do last night...?"
A lot of it was put in.
Pei Xu's body trembled slightly, and a very soft groan escaped his throat. He looked down and saw her flushed earlobes and her profile as she tried to remain calm. A faint smile flickered deep in his eyes. He leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "I used the drug."
Seeing her suddenly open her eyes and look at him, he added, "Something to avoid having children."
Meng Lingyao suddenly opened her eyes wide and looked up at him. "Medicine? What medicine? I've never heard of a male... Will that medicine harm your body?"
Within her knowledge, most of the methods used by women in the inner quarters of the house were to prevent concubines from taking away favor from the emperor; she had never heard of men taking such drugs voluntarily.
“It’s alright,” Pei Xu replied briefly, seemingly unwilling to go into details. He paused, noticing the lingering worry in her eyes, and softened his tone, “Just tell me when you feel ready.”
Even if there is some damage, it is much better for him to suffer than for her.
Meng Lingyao felt a gentle, bittersweet sensation in her heart. Gazing at his handsome face so close to hers, she reached out and lightly tugged at his collar with her fingertips.
Pei Xu lowered his head following the slight force.
A gentle kiss, carrying the faint scent of her rouge, landed on his cheek. It was fleeting, leaving a faint, ambiguous red mark.
Pei Xu's brows furrowed in surprise. He gently traced the slightly damp spot with his fingertips, his voice slightly hoarse, "What does this mean?"
Meng Lingyao coughed lightly and raised her hand to wipe his face with her sleeve, but the stain only spread more noticeably. She could only pretend to be calm and pat his shoulder, her eyes crinkling, "A reward for your... good manners."
"Keep it up."
Pei Xu nodded. "Okay."
Before long, the carriage slowly came to a stop, and the driver announced that they had arrived at the Princess's residence.
The two straightened their robes, and Meng Lingyao took out a handkerchief to wipe the lipstick marks off Pei Xu's face before getting out of the carriage together.
Upon entering the Princess's residence, a maid led them to the flower hall. The Princess was seated in the main seat, talking to a maid beside her, radiant and in excellent health.
Seeing them enter, the princess smiled and looked up. Her gaze lingered on the two men, noting their handsome and upright appearance and their bright and dignified beauty. Standing together, they resembled jade trees reflected in the rosy clouds, a truly pleasing sight. She felt incredibly pleased. Ever since their first meeting at the villa last year, she had felt that the two were an exceptionally well-matched couple, and now it seemed that her judgment was indeed correct.
The two stepped forward to greet each other.
"No need for formalities," the princess said cheerfully, gesturing for them to sit down. "You've come at the perfect time. Try this year's newly tribute tea."
After chatting for a while, the atmosphere was harmonious. The eldest princess was in high spirits, and the conversation naturally turned to her observations from her trip to the southwest. She talked about how hot and humid the climate was there, and how lush and verdant the trees and flowers grew. She said that the famous flowers that her gardeners painstakingly cultivated were probably just ordinary things growing randomly by the roadside in the mountains there.
Meng Lingyao listened intently, her eyes brightening slightly, and a natural longing appearing on her face.
Seeing her adorable appearance, the eldest princess deliberately changed the subject, saying with a hint of mockery, "She is beautiful, but the snakes, insects, and rodents there are also unusually large and astonishing. The mosquitoes there, tsk tsk, are probably twice the size of those in the capital. One bite from one of them is unbearably painful and itchy."
Meng Lingyao's eyes widened, and she subconsciously revealed a hint of fear. The change in her expression made the princess chuckle.
After laughing, her expression turned serious, and she said, "However, speaking of this, I must thank Yaoyao for sending me those mosquito-repelling and miasma-avoiding perfumes. They were a great help. Not only did I find them comfortable, but the soldiers in the army also benefited greatly, suffering less from mosquitoes. I have already submitted a memorial to His Majesty about this matter, and His Majesty has been very pleased with it."
Meng Lingyao quickly replied, "Your Highness is too kind. It is merely a small token of my appreciation, and I am already honored to have done my part."
The eldest princess didn't speak, but smiled and took her hand, patting it gently.
Just then, a palace attendant rushed in to report that His Majesty had summoned Pei Xu and Meng Lingyao to the palace for an audience immediately. Knowing that the two were at the residence of the Eldest Princess, His Majesty had sent someone here to convey the decree.
Upon hearing this, the eldest princess was not surprised. She nodded slightly and said to the two of them, "Since His Majesty has summoned you, you should hurry up and not keep His Majesty waiting."
"Yes." The two men rose and bowed, then followed the eunuch out of the Princess's residence and headed towards the palace.
The carriage arrived at the palace gates, where eunuchs were already waiting to lead the way. After passing through numerous palace gates, the two were led to the Imperial Study to await their summons. Meng Lingyao remained calm on the surface, but couldn't help but wonder about the Emperor's intentions. However, seeing the knowing smile in the Princess's eyes when she heard the Emperor summon her at the Princess's residence earlier, she felt somewhat relieved and vaguely sensed that this trip to the palace was probably not a bad thing.
The eunuch called out their names, and the two men straightened their clothes and entered the hall. The emperor was standing in front of a large sandalwood table, holding a scroll in his hand. Hearing the call, he looked up and gazed at them with a kind expression, as if looking at two beloved juniors.
Meng Lingyao didn't think the emperor would really like them that much, after all, he was an emperor who dealt with even his own sons decisively, but his attitude at this moment already said a lot.
"Rise, please." The emperor's voice was gentle and amiable. "This is not the main hall; there's no need for such formalities. Please take a seat."
“I watched Yanxing grow up, and in my heart he is no different from my own son or nephew. Now that I see him settled down and married a good woman, I am very pleased.”
Pei Xu immediately stood up and bowed again, saying, "Your Majesty's kindness is deeply appreciated." Meng Lingyao followed suit.
"I've already said there's no need for formalities, please sit down and let's talk."
The emperor looked at the two people before him, and from his eyes to his heart, there was no part of him that was not pleased. He had always thought Pei Xu was good in every way, except that he lacked family connections. He never expected that Pei Xu would quietly find a wife who would suit him so well.
He turned to Meng Lingyao and said with a smile, "Your elder sister and Yanxing have been talking about you a lot. In the Lu family case and the salt and iron case, you secretly helped on many occasions, coming up with all sorts of clever ideas. In the Cui family case this time, it was thanks to your meticulousness that you found the key evidence in Jinling, which allowed us to see the light of day. In my opinion, you and Yanxing are truly a perfect match, a match made in heaven."
Meng Lingyao immediately lowered her head, "Your Majesty's praise is too great for me to bear. The case was solved and the criminals were apprehended entirely thanks to the keen observation of the Junior Minister, and Your Majesty's enlightened mind and guidance. I have only done my part. As a citizen of the court, it is my duty to speak out against injustice. I am truly humbled by Your Majesty's praise."
Seeing her like this, the Emperor's eyes showed even greater satisfaction. He stroked his beard and smiled, "No need to be so modest. I know your merits. The Princess also mentioned to me that you generously donated fragrant dew to relieve the soldiers' suffering from mosquitoes, even offering up your most treasured secret recipe. This shows your great righteousness." He looked at Pei Xu, his tone teasing, "Yan Xing, you've certainly married a virtuous wife."
Before Pei Xu could speak, he stood up and said, "My elder sister and I have discussed this for a long time. You have made so many contributions. It would be unfair to give all the rewards to Yan Xing. We must give you some special treatment." He paused slightly and gestured to the side.
The chief eunuch standing to the side immediately stepped forward, unfurled the bright yellow scroll, and loudly proclaimed the imperial edict. The edict listed the rewards one by one: Meng Lingyao was conferred the title of Lady of the Third Rank, the royal villa "Ningxiang Garden" on Qingluan Mountain was granted to her as her private property, and a certain amount of gold, silver, pearls, jade and silk from the imperial treasury was also awarded.
The rewards were so generous that they drew attention. For Meng Lingyao's age, a third-rank imperial consort was already an extremely high honor, not to mention the royal villa and abundant wealth. Qingluan Mountain Hot Springs were renowned far and wide, and Ningxiang Garden, with its vast area, was a perfect place where spring-like weather prevailed all year round and flowers bloomed without ever fading.
Meng Lingyao clenched her palms tightly in her sleeve, barely suppressing the upward curve of her lips, and rose to join Pei Xu in expressing their gratitude.
"Get up quickly." The emperor was in a good mood and gestured with his hand. "I hope you will make good use of this place in the future, and develop more wonderful prescriptions to benefit the people."
"Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail you." Meng Lingyao replied respectfully. She hesitated for a moment, then knelt down again. "Your Majesty, I have another request. I humbly beg Your Majesty's grace and hope that Your Majesty will forgive my greed."
The emperor raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Speak freely."
"I run a perfume shop in the capital called 'Juxianglou'. Business is doing well, but there is one thing that I always regret," Meng Lingyao said, looking up with sincere eyes. "I feel that the shop's signboard lacks grandeur and is not worthy of the capital's splendor. I humbly request Your Majesty to bestow upon me your calligraphy, so that the three characters 'Juxianglou' may be used as the signboard, which will not only bring glory to my shop but also allow all the people who come and go to feel grateful for Your Majesty's benevolence."
Upon hearing this, the emperor was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter, "Very well! I will grant your wish. Someone, prepare ink!"
The eunuch quickly spread out the finest Xuan paper and prepared the rich ink. The emperor held the brush in his hand and wielded it with composure and elegance. The royal children received top-notch education from a young age, and the emperor was among the best. His brushstrokes were powerful and vigorous, penetrating the paper. The three large characters "Juxianglou" were written in an instant, with a rigorous structure and a majestic momentum, exuding a royal and dignified air.
Overjoyed, Meng Lingyao repeatedly expressed her gratitude before carefully stepping forward and respectfully holding the calligraphy as if it were a rare treasure. The genuine joy in her eyes made the emperor even more pleased.
At this moment, a young eunuch quietly stepped forward and whispered a few words in the ear of the chief eunuch. The chief eunuch stepped forward and respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, Consort Jing heard that Lady Pei has entered the palace and wishes to invite her over for a chat."
The Emperor nodded and said to Meng Lingyao, "In that case, you may go and sit in Consort Jing's palace. I have some matters to discuss with Yanxing."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Meng Lingyao held the calligraphy, bowed respectfully, and then followed the eunuch leading the way out of the Imperial Study.
As they walked through the deep palace gardens and reached a palace path lush with flowers and trees, they encountered a group of people escorting a beautiful woman in palace attire. The woman was adorned with jewels and pearls, dressed in brocade robes, and her makeup was exquisite and meticulous.
She was Consort Wen.
However, unlike her flamboyant self in the past, a gloom seemed to hang over her brows at this moment, and even the heavy makeup could not hide her dark complexion.
When their eyes met, Meng Lingyao was the first to stop.
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Author's Note: The young couple in the main story are both childless by choice! [rainbow fart]
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