Chapter 67: Concubine. During those years of hardship, he had long forgotten her...
He Yao became a complete cripple and had no possibility of inheriting the Marquisate. Pei Ji's previous plan to report the Jing'an Marquisate was suppressed again. After all, they were all trivial matters. He had wanted to take the opportunity to bring them up, but something went wrong.
Because, although the He family had its retribution, their luck seemed not to have completely come to an end. He Hongan had only been away for two days, and He Ruxi was about to become the prince's concubine.
If she were the legitimate daughter of an ordinary marquisate, she could become the legitimate wife of an aristocratic family. However, the Jing'an Marquisate was only in name only and could not be compared with those legitimate marquisates.
Being just a concubine is still a bit low.
【She is willing? 】
He Zhiliao was a little surprised. Others might not know, but he knew He Ruxi very well. When he was in Jing'an Marquis' Mansion, it seemed that He Ruman often bullied him, but most of the time it was He Ruxi who provoked trouble.
Although she is young, she can understand the He family thoroughly and have them under her control.
Yanhua said, "I heard that she is willing. Besides, in the eyes of ordinary people, becoming the prince's concubine may one day lead to becoming the imperial consort."
This is probably what all the women who want to enter the Prince's Mansion think. After all, the Prince is now in good shape. Even if they don't make any achievements, as long as they live a stable life, they can successfully become His Majesty.
He Ruxi was more thoughtful than the others. After all, no noble lady was willing to lower herself to become a concubine, even the prince's concubine.
If she continues to gain power, the Crown Princess will probably be very distressed.
He Zhiliao was not worried at all that He Ruxi would counterattack. Not to mention that she had no idea why the Jing'an Marquis Mansion had become what it was now. Even if she really knew, with the Crown Princess around, what waves could she cause in the Crown Prince's Mansion?
The Crown Princess's mother's family is from the Shangshu Mansion. Even if the Crown Prince goes crazy, he will not really do anything to the Crown Princess.
"Young Master, why bother thinking about these things? The Marquis of Jing'an's Mansion is no longer as good as it used to be. Even if there is a concubine for the prince, she will only be a concubine." Chun Jian lowered his voice deliberately at the end of his words.
The feud with the Prince's Mansion had been going on for a long time, and the Pei Mansion would not watch the Prince ascend the throne.
"Zhengjun, the doorman came to report that the Crown Princess's maid invited you to a gathering at the teahouse." Xixin said as he walked into the room, "Would you like to go?"
If the meeting was to be held at the Crown Prince's residence, He Zhiliao would indeed refuse, but if the meeting was to be held at a teahouse, he would believe that the Crown Princess would not have the intention to plot against him again.
After all, what is more important than him at this moment is that her status is not affected.
[I might know what she wants to do. It wouldn't hurt to go and see.]
Hearing what he said, Yanhua and Xixin immediately prepared to accompany him.
Mingqin Pavilion.
The Crown Princess specially booked the entire three floors of the teahouse, and only after instructing the waiter to serve the best tea and snacks did she send someone to invite He Zhi.
Her maid went to invite him personally, and she believed that He Zhiliao would not be so disrespectful.
Sure enough, when she was waiting anxiously, He Zhiliao came.
"Please take a seat. I called you so abruptly today. Did I disturb you?" The Crown Princess changed her previous arrogance and sarcasm. This time, her expression was particularly gentle. "Last time, I should have thanked you for saving people in time. Otherwise, I would have been reprimanded as well."
During the last banquet, His Majesty learned that they had secretly opened up a bridge to the adjacent Marquis' Mansion for their own use. He specially summoned the Crown Prince to reprimand him and ordered him to repair the bridge to the Marquis' Mansion. He also forbade them to occupy the Marquis' Mansion again and even repaired the wall that had been opened up previously.
But because she had brought those ladies there secretly, she was discovered. The prince was angry with her and had ignored her for a long time. She had just been feeling better in recent days, but she didn't expect that he would take a concubine.
In her opinion, he was clearly still angry with her.
He Zhiliao accepted her kindness but never showed anything. After all, this princess was very good at hurting people without them knowing it.
[There's no need to be so polite, Princess.]
He tried to speak as briefly as possible, after all, he didn't understand lip reading.
The Crown Princess stared at his mouth and laughed, "No matter what, I should thank you."
He Zhiliao smiled when he heard that, but didn't say anything else. It was time to get to the point.
Seeing that he was unwilling to ask, the Crown Princess thought for a moment and then spoke first. She took a sip of tea and asked with a smile, "I think Pei Zhengjun has heard about what happened recently, that your sister is going to be the Crown Prince's concubine."
[Of course.] He Zhiliao nodded.
"Pei Zhengjun does not have a close relationship with the Jing'an Marquis's Mansion, and is even more distant from those brothers and sisters-in-law. But if she becomes the prince's concubine, it is tantamount to getting the prince's protection. Pei Zhengjun is afraid that she will suffer." The Crown Princess said meaningfully.
He Zhiliao hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement with her words. It was indeed like that.
After all, the prince is the prince. If the prince really wants to attack the Pei family, although they can fight back, they will inevitably suffer losses themselves.
Seeing him nod, the Crown Princess assumed he had taken her words to heart, and continued, "It seems the rift between you two is quite deep. How about joining forces with me? We'll prevent her from entering the Crown Prince's Mansion."
He Zhiliao's smile deepened when he heard this.
Why does everyone treat him like a fool? In the eyes of outsiders, he was indeed a male lord who was once unpopular, but that doesn't mean he has not made any progress since arriving at the Pei Mansion.
"Crown Princess, you're joking. Even though I'm not close to my family, He Ruxi is my sister after all, and our family's prosperity is shared by all. Besides, her marriage to the Crown Prince doesn't harm my interests."
He spoke a long string of words to himself, and it was only after Xixin repeated it that I understood what he meant - he refused to cooperate.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Such friends refuse to cooperate simply because the benefits offered are not enough to impress people.
"I know what you mean. I have a secret recipe here that is extremely effective. If you take it, you will definitely be able to have a boy in one go." The Crown Princess said with a smile, and the maid serving behind her immediately handed him a folded piece of paper.
He Zhiliao lowered his eyes and took a look. Although he could read, he really didn't understand pharmacology. As long as the medicine was not prescribed by the doctor of the Pei family, he would not import it. Naturally, he had no interest in it.
Moreover, if she could really give birth to a boy, would the Crown Princess still be childless over the years?
But he still wanted to know what the other party was going to do next, so he didn't refuse after taking it.
[What does the Crown Princess want to do? ]
"Of course, we must prevent her from entering the Crown Prince's Mansion." The Crown Princess's face was gloomy, but there was a flash of gloom in her eyes. She has been on high alert all these years, and the Crown Prince has never explicitly stated that he wants to take a concubine. How could she allow He Ruxi to succeed?
He Zhiliao nodded slightly. How should it be implemented specifically?
The Crown Princess's idea was simple. According to the methods she used in the harem, all she needed to easily destroy a woman was some rumors.
But he particularly disliked He Ruxi. Not only did he want to stop her from entering the Prince's Mansion, he also wanted to completely destroy her.
So her plan was crude and vicious.
"If something like that happens, let alone marrying up to the crown prince, even if I really become his legitimate wife, I can only be a peddler and a horseman." The crown princess had a smug and cold smile on her face.
She was like a bright red poisonous snake, coiled and spitting out its tongue. No one knew who she would attack next.
For the Crown Princess, drugging someone may be just a simple but permanent matter, so she can do this to anyone without caring about the gains and losses or the consequences.
It’s not that He Zhi realized how noble he was, but he didn’t expect to accomplish such a thing. It was just a sentence.
[What does the Crown Princess want me to do? Given your current relationship, it shouldn't be difficult to meet earlier.]
Since she had already made up her mind about what to do, why did she need to call him over? She couldn't ask him to be a witness, right?
"I was thinking that if I called her alone, she would be wary, but if you called her, she would definitely go happily. Isn't it more convenient than me?" The Crown Princess' voice was very soft, and she looked like she really wanted to cooperate with him.
He Zhiliao understood.
Meng Wanxin wanted him to take the blame and make him the scapegoat. If anything happened to He Ruxi at his invitation, he would have to bear all the responsibility.
They said they wanted to cooperate, but in fact they just wanted to harm him.
He sighed slightly. Once a person thinks that others are fools, he will become the foolishest one.
[Then I will send someone to invite her now, otherwise if it is any later, she might have already entered the mansion.]
"Okay!" The Crown Princess smiled immediately, even impatiently.
He Zhiliao winked at Chun Jianle, and the latter immediately went downstairs.
Chun Jian went out happily. Everyone who saw him knew that Pei Sizhengjun must be in the teahouse, and they would inevitably chat with him. He smiled at everyone he met, and said loudly that their Zhengjun and the Crown Princess were having tea together, and now they were going to invite He Sixiao.
Now everyone in the capital city knew that Miss He Si of the Jing'an Marquis's Mansion was about to become the Crown Prince's concubine. No one was unaware that He Zhi had a bad relationship with the Marquis' Mansion, so why would he invite He Ruxi to have tea?
Thinking that the Crown Princess was also there, he would naturally soon find out that it was the Crown Princess who forced He Zhile to invite He Ruxi.
"you!"
Meng Wanxin was standing by the window with her eyes fixed on the corner of her mouth when she left. When she heard the discussion downstairs, she suddenly turned her head to look at He Zhiliao.
"Won't you be alerting the enemy by doing this?" She suppressed her anger and looked at him in confusion. "Will she still keep the appointment like this?"
He Zhiliao shook his head innocently. Who knows?
But whether he goes to the appointment or not, this matter cannot fall on him. Even Meng Wanxin herself knows to avoid suspicion, so how could he easily take the blame?
Meng Wanxin stared at him intently, her expression becoming increasingly gloomy. She narrowed her eyes and asked, "Did you do this on purpose?"
[I don't understand what the Crown Princess is talking about, but I've already called someone over for you. Don't miss this opportunity.]
After He Zhiliao finished speaking, he stood up and was about to leave with Yanhua and Xixin. Meng Wanxin's maid wanted to stop them, but was pushed away by Yanhua and Xixin.
Not long after he returned home, Chunjian also came back.
"He Ruxi knew the visitor had ill intentions, but she still went." Chun Jian said, "Master, why do you think she did that?"
He Ruxi's wedding date hasn't been set yet. If something unexpected happens during this period, she might not even be eligible to discuss marriage. If she can prove that the Crown Princess is plotting against her, she can seize the opportunity to enter the Crown Prince's residence as soon as possible.
Of course, these are also He Zhiliao’s thoughts.
Speaking of this, Chun Jian hesitated for some reason, "But... He Ruxi hasn't even reached the age of marriage yet... Does she really have to get married in such a hurry?"
Both girls and men should get married after they reach the age of 15, but He Ruxi will not reach the age of 15 until next year, so she is really young now.
Hearing him say this, He Zhiliao was also stunned.
It turns out that He Ruxi is already scheming, vicious, and courageous enough at such a young age that she doesn't have any mercy at all when it comes to harming him.
During those years of hardship, he had long forgotten her age. Whenever he looked at her, he always felt that she was already a mature person.
Seeing his silence, Chun Jian thought he was blaming himself, so she quickly tried to persuade him, "No matter what she did, she was asking for trouble. Besides, she agreed to it in the first place. Master, there's no need to pity her. She's done so many bad things, and she deserves to hurt the Crown Princess!"
What's the big deal about always hurting their young master?
He Zhiliao smiled silently. It was time for them to fight each other. It would be better if they didn't bother him again in the future.
In the evening, Pei Ji returned home.
When he learned that bad things had happened during the day, even though He Zhiliao had never complained to him, he still hugged him with heartache.
"I'll handle all the He family affairs from now on. Don't get involved in this mess anymore. And Meng Wanxin, do you think the Crown Prince really loves her?" Pei Ji said softly, "The Crown Prince needs ladies from noble families to pave the way for him, but concubines don't need noble status. They just need to satisfy his selfish desires."
If he really cared about the Crown Princess who gave birth to his children, even marrying a few concubines would be better than having concubines.
That's why Meng Wanxin was anxious and eager to cooperate with He Zhiliao to destroy He Ruxi.
He Zhiliao didn't quite understand men's minds. Perhaps it was too narrow-minded to talk about love alone, but he always felt that if one could easily be affectionate with anyone, then what else was there to talk about love?
Pei Ji pinched his cheek and said, "Don't think about it anymore. It's spring now, so I thought of taking you to the farm to play. It's neither too hot nor too cold, so I can see how your horsemanship is."
【horse riding! 】
He Zhiliao instantly became energetic again. It was not convenient to ride a horse in the capital city. It would be more interesting to go to a farm in the countryside. Pei Ji's farm was particularly spacious and there were many wooden stakes for practicing boxing and kicking.
Although he is a male monarch, he is also curious about these things.
Pei Ji smiled and nodded. "I think the horse I left for you earlier was because I missed you. But Song Yu and Yan Qi are also going this time. Are you willing?"
This is natural. They are your friends, so they will naturally go to your Zhuangzi.
"What's mine is yours, so I have to ask your opinion." Pei Ji said with a smile, "If you don't want to, I will abandon them and not allow them to follow me!"
He Zhiliao smiled with his eyes curved. Pei Ji had been very good to him. He had rejected Song Yu and Yan Qi several times before in order to accompany him. If he refused again, it would probably hurt their relationship.
With permission, Pei Ji could invite them both again.
Pei Ji was a man of his word, and since He Zhiliao was willing to go, he packed up and prepared to head to the manor the next morning.
He Zhi, who had just woken up and was still a little confused, said: "???"
"If you feel sleepy, go to the carriage and sleep. There are many wild animals in the mountains in spring, and they are urging us to go hunting." Pei Ji hugged him and said softly, with an intention of admitting his mistake and trying to please him.
Unexpectedly, when He Zhiliao heard what he said, he immediately got out of bed and walked towards the wash rack with his legs empty. He also had to wash up quickly and go hunting!
Pei Ji's farm was still the same as before. When the carriage stopped, a group of strong men rushed out to help them carry their luggage and help pull the carriage to the backyard.
He Zhiliao wasn't frightened by them this time, and his gaze involuntarily fell on the wooden arenas in the courtyard, but the smell was a little unpleasant...
"Put your things down first, I'll take you out to play later." Pei Ji pushed him into the house.
Song Yu and Yan Qi were also very familiar with his manor, and knew which way to go without being told.
After they had packed up, it was still some time before noon, so the group of people prepared to go into the mountains with their hunting equipment.
"Do you really want to ride alone?" Pei Jiwei frowned, "I'm worried."
Yuan Rong immediately said, "I'll lead the horse for you, Lord Zheng! I'm very familiar with walking in the snow!"
Pei Ji sighed softly, "Are you the only one who talks too much nonsense?"
Yuan Rong immediately covered his mouth with a look of grievance, but his hands were still holding He Zhiliao's horse very skillfully.
[I can do it. If you catch prey, you must show it to me.]
He Zhiliao was only concerned about whether he could go hunting today, and he didn't care whether Pei Ji would accompany him. Besides, he could ride a horse alone now, so he didn't really need anyone to accompany him.
All he had to do was ride slower and he wouldn't get hurt.
Pei Ji had no choice but to repeatedly urge Yuan Rong to protect him well, and patted Taxue's head, "My dear girl, I have entrusted my life and property to you."
Upon hearing this, Taxue immediately raised his head and neighed, as if to assure him.
"Let's go!" Pei Ji rode Zhuying and led them into the mountains and forests.
Taxue, led by Yuanrong, walked slowly behind. Anyway, it could smell Zhuying's scent and would not lose him.
Spring is a good time of year. The mountains and forests are filled with the fragrance of young grass, and the trees that have welcomed spring have already sprouted new branches. The green look makes people feel relaxed all over.
Whoosh——
It seemed like something passed by him in an instant. He Zhiliao turned his head and saw a gray rabbit standing in the grass in a daze. Without thinking, he patted Taxue's back and signaled it to chase after it.
Taxue was a smart horse, so Yuanrong did not try to hold it, but the reins slipped out of his hands in an instant. He turned his head suddenly and saw that Taxue had already run away with He Zhile on his back.
Oh my God!
Yuanrong immediately ran after him, jumping and leaping with all his might, but there was no way he could catch up with Taxue who went for a walk in the mountains every day!
Why not just die?
Yuan Rong was stunned thinking, tears in his eyes, and he chased after him with even more energy!
He Zhiliao held the reins of the horse tightly. Taxue still remembered Pei Ji's instructions, and used his body to block many branches when leading him through the woods.
Seeing the rabbit running so fast, He Zhiliao couldn't help but feel anxious, afraid that he would not be able to catch up. However, he didn't expect that the horse would speed up immediately, and then suddenly jumped up. When he landed, the horse's hoof had already trampled the rabbit unconscious.
He Zhiliao slowed down and quickly got off the horse. Could it be that the rabbit's head had already been mixed up?
Oh, not yet.
He picked up the unconscious rabbit, climbed onto the horse again, patted the snow, and knew that they should go back and pick up Yuanrong.
Naihe Taxue thought that it wanted it to continue moving forward and chasing the shadow, so it went in another direction.
Pei Ji bent his bow and drew his arrow, which pierced a wild bird the moment it flew out. His attendant immediately picked it up, and he already had a few wild rabbits in his hands.
"Nice aim!" Yan Qi laughed out loud. "It's finally time to go hunting this autumn. It's hard to hunt too many wild animals in the mountains and forests, so these are enough!"
Pei Ji naturally nodded. Besides, He Zhiliao had not come over for a long time, so he was a little worried.
"I'll go meet him. You guys go ahead. There's a river over there where you can catch fish." After giving his instructions, Pei Ji was about to ride his horse back, but before he could start running, Zhuying neighed, and soon the sound of horse hooves reached their ears.
He Zhiliao put the rabbit on the horse's back, held the reins tightly with both hands, and ran to Pei Ji safely.
He smiled and showed the rabbit in his hand to Pei Ji.
"Sister-in-law, you're fine!" Yan Qi laughed. "Look, the rabbit is still alive, but it was trampled by the snow? She really did choose the right name!"
Such obvious teasing made Taxue neigh, as if mocking him.
Pei Ji looked him over and saw that his hair was just a little messy and there was no sign of injury. Only then was he completely relieved.
He turned his head and glanced, "Where's Yuanrong?"
He Zhiliao smiled a little embarrassedly and showed him the hare in his hand again. Pei Ji then understood that Yuanrong had been left behind to chase the hare.
Yuanrong is probably chasing after him while crying.
Pei Ji walked directly towards He Zhiliao, opened his arms towards him, and with a little effort, he lifted him directly onto his horse. He patted Zhuying and said, "Hurry and fetch Yuanrong."
Taxue touched He Zhiliao's leg with his head, then turned and left.
He Zhiliao leaned in Pei Ji's arms and showed him the rabbit again.
Pei Ji: “…”
Pei Ji smiled helplessly, "Very impressive. You and Taxue have a tacit understanding in cooperation. You did a good job. But next time if something like this happens again, you should be more careful and don't run around. It's best to bring Yuanrong with you, he can take a beating."
He Zhiliao smiled with his eyes curved and nodded obediently.
Pei Ji took the unconscious rabbit from his hand and handed it to the servant, and then they rode their horses directly to the river.
The rivers in the mountains are always clear and seem a little cool in spring.
He Zhiliao tried it lightly, then obediently withdrew his hand.
"Stay on the shore and don't go into the water." Pei Ji warned him, then leaned over to whisper in his ear, "If you dare to go into the water, you'll be beaten to death tonight."
He Zhiliao looked up at him and actually wanted to hit him?
Um?
Um? ? ?
His cheeks suddenly turned red as clouds, and He Zhiliao squatted on the smooth stone with his face covered. He absolutely, absolutely... absolutely would not go into the water!
Pei Ji burst into laughter and went into the water.
These young masters had never done anything to fish slacking off. They just played around in the water. Occasionally, if they were lucky enough to catch one, they would quickly throw it onto the shore.
When this happens, He Zhi will immediately grab a stone and knock the fish unconscious, otherwise the fish will flap its tail and run into the water, which is very scary!
"Masa-kun wu!!!"
Just when He Zhiliao smashed the third fish, Yuanrong, who was picked up by Taxue, arrived and even slid down to his knees in front of him. His attitude of admitting his mistake was particularly good.
He Zhiliao was holding a stone in his hand, not wanting to hit it. He kicked Yuanrong and said, "Get out of the way quickly, or the stone will hit your head!"
Yuan Rong glanced at Pei Ji secretly, and seeing that he didn't object, he quickly stood up and said, "Zheng Jun, what are you doing? Let me help you."
【Knock it out.】
As He Zhiliao spoke, he raised a stone and dropped it. The fish that was still swaying was instantly knocked unconscious and its mouth could not even open or close.
He pursed his lips and frowned, looking a little unhappy.
Yuan Rong immediately forced a smile and said, "Why don't you hit me? I'm stronger, I'll just faint, not die!"
He Zhiliao immediately stared at him with wide eyes.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Pei Ji threw a fish directly at Yuan Rong. He had really had enough of his crazy talk.
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The author has something to say: Why did Little Zhiliao show the fainting rabbit three times?! Is this a distortion of human nature, or a decline in morality?
Check out the next episode – the bunny is so cute and smells so good!
It's the end of the month, and the nutrient solution is about to expire. Give it to me to keep it fresh [scatter flowers][scatter flowers][scatter flowers]
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