Chapter 217 Outwardly Harmonious, Inwardly Divided
Pei Yanzhi held Ji Shu's hand and walked inside, saying, "This is my temporary palace. You can stay here for the next few days. It will be more convenient for both travel and lodging. Is that alright?"
Ji Shu glanced at him thoughtfully, nodded slightly, and said nothing more.
Pei Yanzhi spoke softly and patiently to comfort her all the way, which shocked everyone, including Granny Xia and the palace maids behind him.
His Majesty has been on the throne for more than three years, and not only is there no one in the harem, but even the people who serve him personally are eunuchs.
If it weren't for the fact that there was already a crown prince and a young prince, who knows how outrageous the rumors would have become.
They were transferred from the palace to the temporary palace four or five days in advance, so that the temporary palace could be thoroughly cleaned and tidied.
Everyone originally thought that His Majesty would stay at the palace for a while longer.
Now we see that it's not His Majesty who wants to stay here, but clearly this graceful lady.
Looking at His Majesty's tender expression, it was something I had never heard of before.
Four years later, Pei Yanzhi pushed open the tightly closed door, and Ji Shu immediately sensed something was amiss as soon as she entered.
The furnishings and layout here were exactly the same as those in Wenxin Pavilion in Yanzhou. For a moment, she felt as if she had returned to Yanzhou.
The further you go in, the more you see the wisps of smoke rising, and the scent is clearly the incense that Wenxin Pavilion usually uses.
She couldn't help but look up at him, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
I initially thought Wu Yang was exaggerating. If he hated her so much back then, why would he bother to restore the past to its current state?
Now I've seen it with my own eyes.
Pei Yanzhi, unaware of the turmoil in her heart, simply said, "Are you satisfied with this room? It took me some effort to arrange it to resemble the original."
Ji Shu paced slowly around the room for a few steps, nodding with mixed feelings.
He was indeed quite tired from traveling for several days, and he needed to return to the palace. These days, Xingjian and the Imperial Preceptor had been handling government affairs.
He then said, "You all settle in first and get some rest. I'll come and keep you company later."
After saying that, she turned to her son and said, "Be a good boy and stay with your mother, okay?"
"Father, please go ahead with your work. I understand."
After speaking, Pei Yanzhi gave Ji Shu a deep look, noticing her looking around the room.
Four years later, the family was finally reunited.
...
In the prince's residence.
Wei Heng carried the walnut pastries she had made herself toward the study, before she even reached the door.
Then they heard what sounded like the Crown Prince's voice coming from inside.
The guard at the gate first saluted, then went in to announce his arrival, and soon came out.
He said respectfully, "Your Highness, His Highness said he is busy with official duties today and cannot see you."
Wei Heng showed no surprise on her dignified face. She simply gestured for Yinzi to hand over the food box and said gently, "Please take this food box inside and tell His Highness the Crown Prince not to overwork himself."
The guard took it and nodded.
After saying that, Wei Heng left.
The guard watched the Crown Princess's retreating figure and couldn't help but shake his head. He had only mentioned it briefly before His Highness waved his hand.
His expression was completely detached and indifferent. He sighed inwardly and looked down at the food box in his hand.
Hesitant for a moment about whether or not to send it in.
Inside the study.
Pei Xingjian listened to his subordinate's report, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Did Father go to the temporary palace first? Instead of returning directly to the palace?"
The general below replied, "Yes."
The general recalled what his subordinates had said and added, "However, I heard that His Majesty transferred Granny Xia to the imperial palace to serve him, but I know nothing else."
After all, how could ordinary people possibly know the whereabouts of the emperor? The slightest carelessness could be a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family.
Pei Xingjian pondered for a long time, then his brows furrowed, as if he felt things weren't so simple.
"Where is the young prince now?"
The general replied, "We did not see Prince Qinghe. His Majesty did not take the young prince back with him when he returned to the palace."
"I suppose... the young prince is also staying at the imperial palace."
In the past, it wouldn't have been strange for the Emperor to live in the imperial palace, as it was a place that was warm in winter and cool in summer, making it extremely suitable for recuperation.
Especially after that person left, the emperor would stay there for a period of time every year, and every winter he would stay at the palace for one or two months, and government affairs would be delivered there by special personnel.
Even court officials rarely get to see him on ordinary days.
However, it was not yet winter, let alone sending Granny Xia there, which was somewhat unusual.
But unable to figure it out, he said, "Okay, I understand. You may leave."
At this moment, the guards at the door entered carrying a food box.
"Your Highness, these are snacks sent by the Crown Princess, who wished you to take care of your health."
Pei Xingjian didn't even glance at it, looking down at the memorial in his hand, and said indifferently, "Hmm, I understand, withdraw it."
"yes."
In the afternoon, after returning to the palace, Pei Yanzhi first summoned the Imperial Preceptor.
Gongsun Li gave a detailed report on the government affairs of the past few days.
As the two sat on the cushions playing chess and drinking tea, they noticed that His Majesty seemed to be in a good mood.
Gongsun Li stroked his beard and asked, "Your Majesty, did you have any extraordinary encounters on this trip?"
Pei Yanzhi: "Oh? Why do you ask that?"
Gongsun Li: "I observe that His Majesty's complexion is rosy and shows no signs of fatigue from the journey. I suppose this trip has pleased His Majesty greatly."
Pei Yanzhi paused slightly with his chess piece, then placed it down with a crisp sound.
He raised his eyelids, his gaze falling on Gongsun Li's shrewd and calculating face, a smile playing on his lips: "Why isn't it me who feels relieved after removing the Qin King, this malignant tumor?"
Gongsun Li smiled and shook his head, clearly not believing it, but since His Majesty was unwilling to talk about it further, he wisely kept quiet.
When asked about something else, she asked, "Was that imperial edict from the King of Qin... really true?"
Pei Yanzhi narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of sarcasm flashing across his face. "Qin Yi thought he was clever enough to believe that the imperial edict was a powerful sword given to him by Emperor Xie. Little did he know that he was also tricked by Empress Dowager Song and Emperor Xie. That imperial edict was a complete fake."
"I only found out after I got my hands on it."
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Li nodded thoughtfully. "So, Emperor Xie only resorted to this tactic to bring the Prince of Qin under his control. He must have known about the Prince's ambition all along, which is why he was preventing him from growing too powerful and seizing power."
“Not bad!” Pei Yanzhi nodded. “It’s laughable that Qin Yi only found out when he died. But I was still merciful to him and didn’t execute his entire family.”
"However, I have already dealt with all of my henchmen. If they harbor any rebellious intentions, I will never use them again."
"So, we had all the blood transfusions done."
Gongsun Li sighed softly and continued her game of chess with Pei Yanzhi.
After Gongsun Li left, a palace attendant stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager knows that your siege of the King of Qin was extremely dangerous, and has come to invite you to have dinner."
Pei Yanzhi said calmly, "Is there anything else?"
The eunuch bowed respectfully and said that there was none left.
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