Chapter 55
The separation of men and women within the palace was not strictly enforced. The next day, after Qi Yu and Zuo Huixin met up, the two rode horses for a couple of hours, and while resting and drinking tea in the pavilion, they saw the heir of Marquis Wenxin bringing his wife, Qin Yun, over.
The heir of Marquis Wenxin, named Yang Siqian, escorted the man to the outside of the pavilion and then stopped.
Qin Yun held a handkerchief and waved it at them. Her maid was carrying a food box.
Qi Yu and Zuo Huixin both stood up. Before they could greet them, Qin Yun quickly stepped forward and said, "I brought pastries for Your Highness and Huixin. Even Princess Yunping said she liked the food made by our cook."
Qi Yu pulled Qin Jun to sit down: "That's great, we were just getting bored with drinking tea."
The cool, pale golden sunlight shone on Qi Yu, making the bracelet on her wrist gleam with a subtle luster. Yang Siqian, who was about to leave, stared at her with a start, momentarily lost in thought.
He had seen this bracelet before.
But how could Pei Jin be associated with a concubine who has absolutely no connection to him?
Yang Siqian left quietly.
The three people inside the pavilion were still talking when Qi Yu remembered that Qin Yun had mentioned Yun Ping earlier, so she sent someone to call out to Yun Ping.
She should like this kind of occasion.
As for Wen Yuchan, Qi Yu had seen her from afar while riding a horse. A man and a woman were walking along the edge of an empty forest. She guessed that the person next to Wen Yuchan was the Imperial Uncle Bo Xingzhou, so she didn't let anyone disturb them.
Meanwhile, after Yang Siqian left, he went to find Pei Jin.
"Brother Pei, did you lose the bracelet your aunt left you?"
Pei Jin's maternal grandmother was a businesswoman who built a very large business. At the time, she also had the backing of Pei's father, who was in the imperial court, so no one dared to covet her business.
Pei Jin was the only son of Pei's parents, and it could be said that he played with jade from a young age. Despite his seemingly penniless appearance, none of the talented young men of his age in the entire capital were richer than him.
Pei Jin is only twenty years old this year, a few years younger than His Majesty.
Therefore, Yang Siqian was deeply impressed by Aunt Pei's generosity and naturally took notice of the bracelet.
He originally thought it had fallen into Zhao Wanyi's hands, but who knew that he would see it on the Imperial Concubine's wrist today.
He was certain he hadn't misread it.
Yang Siqian was completely baffled. He wanted to guess that Zhao Wanyi had given it to the Imperial Concubine, but how could Zhao Wanyi just give away something so significant?
Pei Jin: "Why do you ask that?"
Yang Siqian said in a complicated tone, "Today, when I was taking Yun'er to school, I met the Imperial Concubine and saw the bracelet that my aunt had prepared on her wrist."
Pei Jin remained calm, as if it were no big deal. He said, "It was probably mistakenly sent among the thank-you gifts. You know, I was seriously injured in an assassination attempt some time ago. Actually, it wasn't His Majesty who saved me, but the Imperial Concubine."
"I see." Yang Siqian frowned.
But would Pei Jin neglect something so important?
Moreover, Pei Jin's reaction was so nonchalant that Yang Siqian began to wonder if he was making a mountain out of a molehill.
Yang Siqian recalled that His Majesty had seen this bracelet before. Given Princess Yunping's attentiveness to the Consort, he could glean from this that His Majesty also cared about the Consort: "As for His Majesty..."
Pei Jin said gently, "Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, how could you possibly notice such a trivial matter?"
“Since it has already been given away, there is no reason to ask for it back. Brother Yang, there is no need to mention this matter again. This bracelet is nothing more than a piece of jewelry that the Imperial Concubine can wear and admire at will. If anyone asks about it, just say that you made a mistake. You must not ruin the Imperial Concubine’s reputation.”
Yang Siqian patted his chest: "Don't you trust me? I'm the most reliable person when it comes to getting things done."
He then asked, "Brother Pei, how is your injury?"
Pei Jin: "He is fine now and should be able to attend the banquet in three days."
Three days later is the day His Majesty will host a banquet for the officials on their southern tour and local officials in Jiangnan, at the imperial palace.
Three days passed quickly.
However, Pei Jin suddenly fell ill and was unable to attend the banquet, so His Majesty specially dispatched an imperial physician to attend.
The banquet soon began, and Yang Siqian rose and bowed along with everyone else. He lowered his eyes and saw His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine taking their seats together. He then heard His Majesty say, "All of you, rise."
A strange feeling welled up in Yang Siqian's heart.
"Husband, what's wrong?" Qin Jun asked softly.
After Yang Siqian sat down, he said, "It's nothing, it's just that Brother Pei is unwell and couldn't come, which I regret."
But when he went to see Pei Jin in the morning, he was perfectly fine and even had the leisure to brew tea and play chess.
Why did you suddenly fall ill this afternoon?
Yang Siqian had a bold guess: Pei Jin's absence was perhaps a special "care" from His Majesty.
After all, besides His Majesty, who else has such great power to go against Pei Jin's wishes?
"Madam, you often spend time with the Imperial Concubine. What kind of person is she?"
“Your Highness, Consort,” Qin Yun thought for a moment, a gentle smile on her lips, “there are very few noble ladies in the palace who are so approachable. She gets along very well with Miss Zuo, and even Princess Yunping would act coquettishly around her.”
Because of the complex situation in the court, few people would be on good terms with the Left General's Mansion, but the Consort seemed to be completely unaware of this. Every time she went out, she would ask someone to inquire about Zuo Huixin, giving her plenty of face.
Princess Yunping, a proud person, became as docile as a cat in front of the Imperial Concubine.
Qin Jun found it amusing just by thinking about it.
"Why does my husband ask this?"
Yang Siqian answered in a low voice with unimportant words.
Sitting in the main seat, Qi Yu looked down listlessly.
Pei Jin did not appear.
When Wu Shiyan saw Qi Yu's gaze, he handed over a plate of fish meat with the bones removed.
Qi Yu suddenly asked, "Your Majesty, has Lord Pei truly lost his memory?"
She asked this question simply to see if Wu Shiyan had any flaws, so she kept a close eye on his expression.
Qi Yu had long since come to terms with it: whether Pei Jinzhen had genuine amnesia or was faking it, ultimately, their fate was simply too shallow.
She simply had doubts about Wu Shiyan, so she wanted to use this opportunity to test him.
Without any hesitation, Wu Shiyan placed a plate of fish in front of Qi Yu and said without thinking, "Of course, that's what Pei Jin said."
"I'm not doing anything to him, so why would he lie?"
That's too bold! How could Qi Yu mention Pei Jin in front of him?
The man kept a mistress but knew not to mention it to his wife. How could he be so magnanimous?
Wu Shiyan was extremely frustrated, and the corners of his lips, which had been curved upwards, fell back down without him noticing.
Even if he was indeed involved, he still felt wronged.
To be an emperor, you need to be able to speak with confidence and righteousness.
Qi Yu always doubted herself. Could it be that Pei Jin, who seemed like an upright and honest person, looked like someone who would use coercion and bribery?
Wu Shiyan, filled with resentment, withdrew his hand.
Qi Yu couldn't see any flaws, so she had no choice but to give up.
She was weak and gave Wu Shiyan a fawning smile.
Wu Shiyan adopted an air of superiority, his face slightly somber.
The ministers below were very familiar with His Majesty's demeanor; he was almost always like this whenever His Majesty held court, making everyone afraid to even breathe.
However, when they saw His Majesty smiling at the Imperial Concubine, they realized that they were nothing but subjects, and could not possibly deserve His Majesty's smiles.
When His Majesty regained his sullen and angry demeanor, the ministers were relieved; this was the His Majesty they knew.
"His Majesty?"
Wu Shiyan remained silent.
Qi Yu had no choice but to pull Wu Shiyan's hand over and massage his arm from bottom to top, saying sweetly, "Your Majesty, please take care of me."
Wu Shiyan raised his chin slightly, feeling quite pleased, but who could be appeased so quickly when angry?
He then said after a long pause, "The fish is getting cold."
Qi Yu released him and began to eat the fish.
Wu Shiyan felt very embarrassed when he realized that she had let go of him so decisively.
Qi Yu wasn't worried about not being able to appease Wu Shiyan. After finishing her meal, she continued to look at him with her eyes crinkling, and even exchanged glances with Wen Yuchan.
The man she saw standing next to Wen Yuchan that day was the emperor's brother-in-law, who was also present at the banquet.
Just then, she met Wen Yuchan's gaze. Wen Yuchan looked at her with a smile in her eyes, laughing at her and His Majesty. Naturally, she also wanted to tease her and the young imperial uncle.
Seeing Wen Yuchan biting her teeth and lowering her head in embarrassment, Qi Yu withdrew her gaze as if she had won a battle.
Wu Shiyan held Qi Yu's hand, feeling that her ability to play dumb was so refined that she was just trying to fool him.
"Don't look at others, look at me."
Wu Shiyan stared straight ahead, his expression calm. No one could tell that he was playing with Qi Yu's hand under the table while saying these words.
Qi Yu: "..."
There are countless talented people in the capital. It's really hard to gain a foothold without some skills. Yang Siqian happens to be able to read lips. Just now, when he toasted His Majesty, it was as if His Majesty was saying: Don't look at others, look at me.
It's not hard to guess that His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine have a very good relationship, making it difficult for anyone else to interfere.
Despite the fine wine, Yang Siqian's mind was in turmoil.
Therefore, as soon as the banquet ended, Yang Siqian went straight to Pei Jin's residence.
As the sun set, Pei Jin sat in a rattan chair in the courtyard, studying a chess score.
Yang Siqian asked, "Where is the imperial physician?"
"They've already left."
Pei Jin's expression was indifferent, and Yang Siqian was a little unsure. He forced himself to say, "The Imperial Concubine and His Majesty have a very good relationship."
Pei Jin glanced at him sideways.
It seemed to be saying, "What kind of look is that?"
If the Imperial Concubine and His Majesty truly had no animosity, he would not have been able to take advantage of the situation. Ultimately, it was His Majesty who gave him the opportunity.
Yang Siqian didn't notice this and continued, "I thought that Yun'er and I were a perfect couple, but after seeing His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine, I realized that the emperor makes concessions to his beloved. Besides, His Majesty has only ever loved the Imperial Concubine all these years."
Pei Jin interrupted, "It was widely rumored in the capital that His Majesty favors my wife. Furthermore, there are three other beauties in His Majesty's palace."
How come Yang Siqian sees her as devoted to one person?
Yang Siqian felt like his heart was about to explode. He knew this guy was coveting the Imperial Concubine!
Yang Siqian asked with a blank expression, "And what about your wife?"
Pei Jin said calmly, "I will continue to love my wife as always."
As long as one goes to the capital, an unexpected event can occur on the Qixi Festival.
Zhao Wanyi, who was determined to seek revenge, would never refuse his proposal. Once Qi Yu entered the Pei family, it would be a foregone conclusion that she would be Mrs. Pei.
He was the only one left in the Pei residence, and the area behind him was completely empty.
Therefore, he was not afraid of anything.
If Your Majesty acts recklessly, history will surely record your infamy of taking away a subject's wife.
He had already entered into the situation, hoping that Qi Yu could stay by his side for a while longer, as his wife.
He was willing to do it even if it was just for a few days.
Yang Siqian didn't understand the hidden meaning in Pei Jin's words, and he breathed a sigh of relief: "Just take care of yourself."
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