Chapter 25: Escort. I will also wait for you at home. ...
Return to Pei Mansion.
He Zhiliao, with his legs weak, hid in Qingyuan with the help of Chunjian. Fortunately, it was dark and no one could see his red face and lips swollen from being sucked. Even the slightest breath made him feel a burning pain.
Pei Ji followed behind with a smile on his face, occasionally licking the corners of his dry lips, his whole body exuding laziness and satisfaction.
"Tell the front yard that we will eat in the small kitchen tonight, so there's no need to wait." Pei Ji gave the instructions, and Yanhua immediately went to the front yard to inform them.
After saying this, Pei Ji looked at Yuan Rong again and said, "Tomorrow, Zheng Jun and I will move back to the main courtyard. Remember to invite the craftsmen and have them begin renovating Qingyuan according to my specifications."
Yuan Rong thought of his master's request and responded hesitantly.
I need to find a master craftsman with extraordinary skills, otherwise I am afraid no one can meet my requirements.
When He Zhiliao learned that he had to move back to the main courtyard, he no longer resisted as much as before. He had previously hidden in the Qing Courtyard in shame, but now Pei Ji was urging him to move back to the main courtyard. Naturally, he was happy.
The main courtyard was still as clean and tidy as before, and there was no need to move clothes and belongings back and forth anymore. The wardrobe in the main courtyard's bedroom was fully stocked.
Even the red wedding dress he had worn before was still neatly folded in the closet, stacked with Pei Ji's wedding dress, which was quite heartwarming.
"I'm thinking of tidying up Qingyuan. Once everything is ready, if you still want to stay there for a while, you can go there." Pei Ji said with a smile.
【Ah.】 He Zhiliao nodded.
I moved from the main courtyard to the green courtyard on the second day after my wedding. I was not only unfamiliar with the main courtyard, but I had never been familiar with it at all.
The Pei Mansion covers a large area. There is some distance between the courtyards, all decorated with pavilions and corridors. There are also views of small bridges and flowing water. Even if you are tired, you can take a rest and enjoy the scenery.
The main courtyard of each compound was extremely spacious, like an independent house, with everything fully furnished. The beds in the main courtyard were especially spacious, much larger than those in the green courtyard.
This is the bed that He Zhiliao once slept on with his clothes on for a night, and from now on he will be able to fully enjoy it as the owner.
Seeing his gaze fall on the spacious bed, Pei Ji couldn't help but apologize softly: "It was my fault for what happened before. I was in a bad mood at that time, so I let you suffer those grievances."
No matter in past or present life, he always owed He Zhiliao, so he always wanted to give him more, but he could distinguish between debt and love, and the two were not contradictory in themselves.
The young general who returned victoriously should be waiting for rewards, promotions, and entry into the court to make achievements.
However, because of the He family's calculations, his original ambitions became vain. If it were him, he would also feel resentful. It was only because he was misunderstood that Pei Ji seemed hateful.
He Zhiliao touched the back of his hands clasped around his waist, gently hugged his arm, and shook her head at him. Pei Ji had said such words many times, and he had forgiven him long ago and no longer took it to heart.
We should always look forward to the future; the present and the future are the most important.
When he returned to the main courtyard, he found that there were more servants than he had imagined. Every morning from dusk, there were different people working around him. It was enough to show that Pei Ji must have felt a little depressed when he lived with him in Qingyuan.
Pei Ji had been very quiet and peaceful during this period. Pei Xiao and his two sons hid at home for a few days before returning to the court, and the candidates for the disaster relief trip to the east were also decided soon after.
"The Third Prince?" Pei Ji was a little surprised. "Why is it him?"
In terms of seniority, the second prince is naturally the most suitable one to go, but in terms of noble status, the third prince, who is born of the legitimate wife, should be the one to go.
What's more, the third prince has already started a family. Now he just needs to make a name for himself and maybe he can even take the position of crown prince.
If this is true, the queen will be even more proud, and the eldest sister will inevitably have a harder time in the harem, not to mention that if the third prince becomes the new emperor in the future, the fate of their Pei family can be imagined!
Pei Su nodded gently. "He is of noble status. If he goes, he will surely be able to appease the people. I believe Your Majesty has the same idea."
"He is actually willing to go?" Pei Ji frowned.
According to the previous life, the trip to the East was planned in advance. If the Third Prince goes there, can it be ruled out that he was not the one who persecuted the Second Prince in the previous life?
Not entirely, he could have stopped quickly after knowing that it was him who went there.
It is not impossible that it could be other princes and concubines.
"He happily accepted the task, but this matter also involves you." Pei Ding said lightly, and everyone's eyes fell on Pei Ji.
One glance was enough to make his hair stand on end.
He tutted his words. "What do you mean? You can't possibly want me to go with him? Or is this the errand he assigned to me?"
There was an eerie silence.
Even though Pei Ji had a good temper, he couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Is that really the case?"
"Of course!" Pei Xiao responded with full energy, "It was you, a brat, who insisted on asking him to help you. Now, you have to escort him over!"
"Just an escort?" Pei Ji's originally frowned brows gradually relaxed.
Pei Xiao: "Yes, although it's just an escort, no one knows what happened along the way. If you do it well, you will definitely be rewarded, but if you don't do it well, all the blame will fall on you."
Pei Ji was somewhat tempted. In his previous life, the incident with the second prince made Concubine De suspicious of the Pei family. Although there was no attempt to murder, his mother's family caused a lot of trouble for the Pei family, and also caused the little mute to be neglected and ridiculed.
Although things in the previous life might have changed, he couldn't miss any opportunity to test the princes.
The Pei family's position involves state affairs and affects who will ascend the throne in the future. Those who persecuted the Pei family in the previous life must have been the princes whom the Pei family never supported.
Every one of them must be investigated.
Pei Su saw his intention clearly through his expression. He reminded him pointedly, "You have to think it over carefully. The journey to the East is not something that can be completed in just a few days. Have you ever thought about Ah Zhi?"
"I can--"
"You can't." Pei Su's gentle face was filled with dissatisfaction. "There are many disaster victims in the East Land, and they are prone to rioting. If someone takes advantage of the opportunity to sneak in, how are you going to take care of him?"
Pei Ji gritted his teeth and said, "I'm not going."
Pei Xiao laughed: "No future!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he was punched by Qin Yurong. He always talked nonsense and quarreled with the children all day long!
"If you want to go, go ahead, but don't think about taking him with you," Qin Yurong said. "We can all take care of him at home. If he goes with you... Pei Yunzhou, don't make things difficult for yourself."
Pei Ji naturally wanted to go.
He did not intend to get close to the Third Prince, but just wanted to take the opportunity to enter the court and get into the eyes of Emperor An.
If you cannot gain the trust of your superiors, no matter how high your status is, you can be brought down at any time, just like in your previous life.
"If there really is an order, I will discuss it with him." Pei Ji said.
This is not the only way to get in front of Emperor An, so if the little mute is unwilling, he will find a way to turn this matter down.
In the evening.
Peng Tongmin came to the mansion to read the imperial edict.
Emperor An meant to let Pei Ji lead the team to escort the third prince to the east, and of course, to escort the disaster relief grain and silver. He had no intention of asking him to stay there to help with the disaster relief.
Emperor An was on guard against him, or rather, he was on guard against the Pei family.
Pei Ji calmly accepted the order and just provided an escort.
What's more, the third prince is the legitimate son and the prince that the queen values the most. The Jin family will certainly find ways to protect him, so Pei Ji doesn't need to worry too much.
He just needs to deliver both the person and the goods safely.
It was the simplest job, but he still had to praise the Third Prince. It was funny to think about it.
Before He Zhiliao could come to his senses, Pei Ji took him back to the yard. He didn't understand why he had to go so far away for no reason?
"I'm sorry." Pei Ji apologized in a deep voice, "Do you still remember that the Third Prince said he would keep an eye out for errands for me?"
【ah……】
At that time, He Zhiliao had already been sent home by Yuan Rong. Pei Ji told him this after he came back. He had also heard him mention it before.
The Third Prince is His Majesty's legitimate son and is the most likely to inherit the ancestral temple and become the future Crown Prince or even His Majesty. If the Pei family can make friends with the Third Prince, it will be beneficial to them.
Although he had been bullied by the Queen, he did not know anything else, but he knew the saying "profits come together". If they shared the same interests, those conflicts could be put aside temporarily.
Besides, Pei Ji clearly wanted to go.
【It's time to go.】
[Not to mention that the decree has been issued, if this matter is profitable, you should go.]
Pei Ji frowned, "If I go, I must leave you at home. I'm afraid that if I'm not here, you'll be bullied by those people again. They're always jealous of your cuteness."
【It doesn't matter. 】
I can take care of myself.
【I will also wait for you at home. 】
He Zhiliao's eyes curved into a smile. Although she felt a little disappointed that Pei Ji was going out, she could take care of herself. If she was afraid of being bullied and let her husband stay at home with her every day, that would be the most shameful thing.
At this moment he was indeed timid and weak, but tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow... things would slowly become different.
He cannot always live under the protection of others and cannot become a burden to Pei Ji.
"Thank you for understanding me." Pei Ji hugged him tightly.
He Zhiliao gently scratched his palm. If it weren't for him, Pei Ji wouldn't have to rely on others to get his job. It was his fault.
So now is a rare opportunity, and we must not let him down again.
…
Five days later.
Pei Ji escorted the third prince to the East. This trip could not be delayed. Five days was already a long time, so they had to travel non-stop. The longer the delay, the more uncontrollable the situation would become.
Even in the early morning, the scorching sun was hanging overhead, scorching everyone's exposed skin, causing it to become red, swollen, and itchy, making people want to scratch the flesh off.
The team Pei Ji brought was a small group of his trusted confidants, as well as the twenty elite guards approved by His Majesty to escort the food and fodder. Together with the people brought by the Third Prince himself, they brought nearly sixty people on this trip.
The team was not small, and even their food and accommodation were a bit difficult, so they had to keep everything simple.
Fortunately, the third prince was very cooperative. He ate and slept with them, and did not act like a prince and shout while they were on the road. This was a good thing for Pei Ji.
He naturally knew that the Third Prince's true nature was not like this, but since putting on a show could benefit himself, no one would expose his tricks.
During the day, the sun was scorching, so they had to hide. Only at night did they have to travel.
After more than ten days of tiring journey by boat and car, we finally entered the drought-stricken area of the east.
The journey was remarkably smooth. Occasionally, some wandering refugees would surround them and ask for food, but there were no other obstacles. This made Pei Ji suspect that even if the riot in the previous life was not instigated by the Third Prince, he must have been involved.
"We will soon reach the capital city where the disaster is most severe, and Guard Pei will be able to retire with his mission accomplished." The Third Prince's face was abnormally red, and his skin was cracked and ugly, but he still smiled and joked.
After all, Pei Ji's only duty was to escort the troops, and it would be troublesome if he were really asked to stay behind to provide disaster relief.
Pei Ji smiled and said, "Of course. The rest will be up to you, Third Prince. If Your Highness handles this matter well, you might even be crowned Crown Prince."
"You are the only one who dares to say such nonsense." The Third Prince chuckled and said seriously, "I am only here for the people of Dawn. After all, this world belongs to the people."
"Your Highness is kind." Pei Ji smiled.
Everyone who comes out of the palace is good at acting.
But no matter how he acts, a gentleman judges his actions, not his heart. If what he does can benefit the people, then no matter what his intentions are, there is no reason to criticize him.
Soon, the scouts reported that there was a shady area ahead, which was just right for them to rest and adjust. The third prince then ordered them to go there and have a good rest.
Pei Ji pursed his cracked lips. The destination was just ahead. As long as he finished this matter, he could return immediately...
That's what he thought.
However, due to his relaxed mind and tired body, he forgot about the possible ambush!
When a group of "assassins" rushed out of the woods, Pei Ji immediately led the team to be alert. It was not until he saw clearly the weapons in their hands that he realized that the situation in the city was probably even worse.
They held all kinds of sharp farm tools and tried to force Pei Ji and others to give them food and fodder.
They were refugees, all dressed in rags, their skin sunburned and cracked, their cracked lips red, as if they had once sucked blood from the broken mouth.
"Everyone! I am the Third Prince An Huan. I have been ordered to come here to save you from danger. Please believe me, we have brought enough food and herbs to keep you alive!"
As he spoke, he dismounted and stood in front of the crowd, trying to use his status to get them to "lay down their butcher knives." Every word he said seemed to be for their own good.
Pei Ji frowned fiercely and signaled the guards behind him to act quietly, not only to protect the third prince, but also to catch all the refugees in one fell swoop.
"You're talking nonsense!"
"This little food is not enough for us! You are just here to go through the motions and don't even think about taking care of us! It's obvious that you want to trap us here to death!"
"What the hell is this Third Prince? How could a prince be here? You're all liars! Hand over the food! Otherwise, we won't be polite!"
Seeing that the crowd was furious, the third prince did not take it seriously. He just thought that they were irritable because they were very hungry, and continued to reason with them.
Pei Ji frowned and felt something was wrong. He wanted to remind him not to talk too much to these refugees, but the other party ignored him.
Although these refugees were dressed in tattered clothes and had haggard faces, their hands holding their weapons were extremely powerful, and their eyes emitted a faint light, as if they had seen prey.
What's even more bizarre is that these refugees are all adult men, with no old, young, women or children...
"careful!"
Pei Ji shouted loudly, and at the critical moment rushed forward to protect the third prince who was almost injured by the axe, and kicked the man who was rushing towards him three meters away.
The accompanying guards saw this situation and joined the battle without saying a word. As they fought each other, they were surprised to find that these so-called refugees were extremely powerful!
Pei Ji swung the long knife in his hand and dropped it, swiftly reaping the assassin's head. The warm blood splashed on his face and quickly dried, as if his skin was sucking it hungrily.
The Third Prince roared in shock, "Pei Ji, what are you doing!"
“They are not refugees!”
Pei Ji also roared, you are so stupid!
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