Chapter 30. He shouldn't have acted so recklessly.
Pei Heng's mind exploded like fireworks, and in a daze, a similar autumn night from many years ago flashed by.
In the brick house of Wangshan Village, a small table is placed on the kang (a heated brick bed), and a lonely candle is lit on the table. The warm candlelight illuminates Yuezhi, who is concentrating on sewing clothes, and his figure, who is reading a book.
The autumn and winter in the north are very cold. Back then, because of the money to buy charcoal for heating, there wasn't much money left in the house, so the two of them had to squeeze together to use candlelight. He sat at the small table, and by slightly raising his eyes, he could see Yuezhi's focused expression.
A pair of bright, large eyes, fair and soft cheeks, soft hair dyed golden by the candlelight, and a pair of nimble, slender hands that deftly manipulated needle and thread.
At that time, he thought: Yuezhi is so beautiful, she could have married someone else, but she chose to stay by his side and protect him. When he grows up, he will definitely protect an even bigger world for Yuezhi.
Inside the small main room, the crackling sound of the lamp wick popping occasionally rang out, while the autumn wind whistled past the window.
When he got tired of reading, he closed the book, turned over and rested his head on Yuezhi's lap, smelling the faint scent of gardenias on her body. He curled up into a ball and fell asleep softly, listening to her breathing.
Peace and contentment were all I knew at the time; it seemed so ordinary.
Power and wealth are dazzling, and Pei Heng felt very confused at this moment. He knew he shouldn't be so frivolous towards her, but he had no choice but to do so.
They had such a wonderful past, how could Yuezhi let him go so easily?
She had overestimated Liang Zhang's abilities. He needed to show her the true nature of a man hidden beneath his restraint and etiquette, so that she would back down and carefully consider the timing of her marriage to the prince consort.
But as the moisture deepened, my thoughts became blurred.
So sweet, so fragrant, so soft...
He realized that kissing her lips felt so good; his body didn't feel like it was on a boat, but rather like it was floating in the clouds... This novel experience made him forget that the kiss was originally a despicable trick he had used to scare her and make her back down, driven by a malicious desire for revenge.
In the quiet night, far from the hustle and bustle, the bridge obscured the faint candlelight shining from inside the boat. The cramped cabin was like a corner of a gentle night dream, tightly enveloping him and the person in his palm.
Her response was cautious and timid; her tongue barely probed before retracting, which only fueled Pei Heng's competitive spirit, making him determined to draw it out and relentlessly pursue it.
He shouldn't have acted so recklessly.
Even after thinking about it hundreds of times, he was unwilling to let go of her even for a moment, and even less willing to end this sweet kiss.
There was no other woman in the world who could earn his unconditional trust like Yuezhi, so it was only natural that he gave her his first kiss, which was better than giving it to someone else.
He thought to himself again and again: I'm not wrong, I'm not wrong, this is good, whatever I do, as long as I'm with Yuezhi, it's good.
"Hmm...uh...cough cough"
Yuezhi, who was being suppressed, was almost suffocated. She turned her head away uncontrollably, avoiding his lips, and only then did she get a chance to catch her breath.
The strong scent of pine and ink in the air completely overwhelmed the light fragrance of gardenia. Yuezhi felt a little dizzy from smelling the young man's fragrance. She drooled, beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her eyes and brows were flushed with a hot, moist red.
In her dazed state, she still managed to raise her hand and press it against his chest, "Young Master Liang, this is truly impolite, please let me go..."
The air grew increasingly dangerous. Even though she was unfamiliar with matters between men and women, she could instinctively sense from the heavy breathing around her ears and the growing sense of oppression on her body that she had unwittingly unleashed a wild beast.
"Second Young Master, why the rush? I... cough cough, I already know your feelings. I will submit the wedding date to the Emperor as soon as possible. How about we set it for next month?"
Yuezhi's face was flushed, and she stared at the unidentified person in front of her with her eyes slightly open. Although she was nervous, she also felt a joy and excitement she had never experienced before in her life.
She recalled the day she spoke with He Zhiyan, mentioning how good her husband had been to her, at which point He Zhiyan became too shy to speak.
This must be what a husband's love for his wife is like—sweet and tender. No wonder He Zhiyan couldn't bring herself to say it. If someone were to ask her about the "goodness" between her and her husband, she certainly wouldn't be able to answer.
Her heart pounded as she awaited the young man's answer.
Pei Heng's eyes were calm. Because she turned her face away, he could only see her red lips moistened by saliva and her fair profile. Her soft facial features led down to her neck, which was flushed red, and the beautiful crimson color disappeared into the bodice of her dress.
He was breathing heavily, his heart was racing, and some unspeakable thoughts were popping into his mind.
Half flustered and half happy, she told him not to rush and to set a wedding date. She showed no resentment at his earlier offensive behavior, clearly smitten with her "prince consort."
He closed his eyes and turned his head away from her.
"Since the princess has made her decision, this humble subject will comply." Pei Heng could no longer distinguish whether the emotions surging in his heart were heartache or joy. Perhaps it was this bittersweet feeling of thinking about someone she had already let go of.
He chuckled, mocking himself for interrupting the couple's private rendezvous and making a fool of himself by coming all this way.
His repeated transgressions weren't the grand "concern" he claimed to have, but rather attempts to prove his worth in her heart, only to be met with stark reality time and again.
She fell in love with Liang Zhang, and there was no longer any place for him in her heart.
Yuezhi, who once firmly chose him, has now chosen someone else. For her, Liang Zhang is a good place to belong.
He's grown up long ago; he should let go gracefully and let her go to the person she truly loves, so she can find the happiness she deserves.
"I acted impulsively just now and offended the princess. Please forgive me." He wiped away the glistening saliva from his lips, gently straightened her up, and tidied the stray strands of hair that had fallen down her temples.
Yuezhi sat up straight and cautiously asked, "I just mentioned that the wedding date is set for next month. Are you willing?"
“Of course I would,” he said in a low, hoarse voice.
Still feeling the heat on his body, Pei Heng lowered his eyes, not daring to look at her. Even a fleeting glance was enough to make him afraid that he would lose control of his impulses again.
Yuezhi smiled and turned her head to show him the jade hairpin in her hair. "I wear the hairpin you gave me every day."
After saying that, the young man grasped her hand with his rough hand and led her to his waist.
It was a net, the one she gave him, now tied to a cool jade ring, which he wore close to his body.
Yuezhi lowered her head shyly, confirming that he was truly devoted to her, but she couldn't help but think about the kiss just now—the atmosphere was so intoxicating, she couldn't see anything, and she was so afraid that he would impulsively kiss her again.
"Now that the wedding date has been set, it is not appropriate for me to meet with you privately anymore... We can meet again on the wedding day."
Her voice was gentle and soothing, and Pei Heng listened quietly without arguing.
They wouldn't see each other again before the wedding. In more than a month, she would forget his voice completely. When she saw her real husband again, she wouldn't give herself away. After all, she could never distinguish between similar voices.
This time, we really won't see each other again.
Pei Heng raised his eyes, looked at her deeply one last time, and replied softly amidst her shy smile, "Alright, I'll wait for the day I see the princess again."
As night deepens and autumn grows cooler, the river flows eastward, gently propelling the small boats moored by the bridge.
Half a red candle burned in the cabin; a fake marriage that couldn't be made could never bring back the true feelings of the past.
The tall young man disembarked from the boat, and several pairs of eyes were watching him from afar under the shadows of the trees on the riverbank.
"Quickly, hurry and catch up with him." Shen Xian urged her maid to take two servants and follow the unfamiliar young man who got into the carriage.
After the young man's carriage had gone far away, Yuezhi was helped off the boat by Huachun. Just as she was about to get into her own carriage, she heard a group of uninvited footsteps.
Shen Xian gestured for the servants behind her to stop, then walked out of the night alone, standing proudly in front of Yue Zhi with a smug expression.
"You didn't expect that, did you? I followed you for most of the night and finally caught the two of you."
Upon first hearing the voice, Yuezhi couldn't recall who it was at all. She turned to Huachun in confusion, who was also completely bewildered.
Seeing the other party's arrogant attitude, Huachun asked a little more cautiously: "My young lady doesn't seem to have any dealings with you. May I ask who you are?"
Shen Xian frowned, unable to discern anything unusual about Yue Zhi's face in the darkness. She assumed that Yue Zhi had become a princess, disdaining to mention the past and putting on airs towards her old friends.
She scoffed, "You dare say we've never had any contact? Wasn't it my father who had the foresight to give her cousin a chance to defy fate? Back then, the siblings would still be living a hard life in Yanjing. Now that she's a princess, she thinks she can turn her back on us?"
Upon hearing this, Yuezhi realized her identity and said apologetically, "Please forgive me, Miss Chen. My eyesight is not very good, and I can't distinguish voices, so I didn't recognize you."
"Can't you see clearly?" Shen Xian cast a suspicious glance at her.
Marquis Jing'an was Pei Heng's benefactor, and his daughters, Yuezhi and Shandao, were naturally also considered benefactors.
"Miss Chen, are you here for a boat ride? The banks of the Xiang River are indeed lively, but this area is a bit quiet. By the way, I rented that boat for the night. If you would like to take a night cruise, you are welcome to bring people aboard."
Shen Xian frowned as she listened, and seeing her gentle and easy-going demeanor, she became even more annoyed.
"Don't even think about changing the subject. I've caught both of you. Aren't you afraid I'll spread your shameful secrets? Besides, don't call me Miss Shen. I am a princess personally appointed by the Emperor. Please address me with proper respect, Your Highness."
Yuezhi was puzzled. She and Shen Xian had no recent grudges and didn't interact much. Why would the other party suddenly come out and say something shameful? It was very strange.
"What is Princess Shen talking about? A scandalous affair?"
"Still trying to play dumb with me? The Emperor has bestowed a marriage upon you and the second young master of the Liang family, yet you've been secretly meeting with a man of unknown origin behind their backs. I saw you two together on the boat with my own eyes; heaven knows what sordid things you did there. Once I find out the man's identity and expose him to the public, your reputation will be ruined."
Shen Xian was smug and just waiting for her to beg for mercy so that she could make a request to ask her to plead with the Emperor to end the marriage with the Liang family.
In this way, Yuezhi can go wherever she wants to have fun with that wild man, and at least she won't have to stay stuck with that rocky Chen Lanze anymore, and can finally marry the truly talented Liang Zhang.
A woman's happiness in her later years depends entirely on her husband. She used to admire the wealth of the Chen family, but now she only thinks of the considerate and kind Liang Zhang. In the end, she should choose a husband who will cherish her.
"Since you've done something as shameful as having an affair, you should know that the Liang family has very strict rules and won't like a woman like you who doesn't know any manners. You'd better get out of here..."
Shen Xian recited the words with great clarity and logic, which made Yue Zhi unable to suppress her amusement, so she had no choice but to interrupt her.
“Princess Shen, I think you have misunderstood. If there is nothing else, I should return to my residence. Please make yourself at home.”
My impression of Shen Xian was still that of a spoiled young lady who didn't know her place at the banquet, and the image of Shen Xian crying and coming to her mansion to apologize.
She didn't recall Pei Heng mentioning the matter of bestowing the title of Princess upon Shen Xian. If he wasn't intentionally concealing it, then it was simply too trivial to be worth mentioning.
After saying that, he told Huachun to help her into the carriage.
"If you dare to leave, tomorrow the whole capital will know that you had a secret rendezvous with a wild man. This violates the Emperor's decree for marriage and is a crime of deceiving the Emperor!" Shen Xian thought she was in the right and wouldn't let it go, so she came up to grab her sleeve.
Hua Chun coldly slapped her hand away, protected Yue Zhi and got into the carriage first, then turned around and stared at Shen Xian with an unfriendly expression.
“Princess Shen, my princess is in poor health. Even the Emperor is taking good care of her and has sent a royal physician to the residence to give her medicine every day to nourish her body. But you, princess, are showing no restraint and are pulling and tugging at her, injuring her. I’m afraid you can’t bear the consequences.”
Shen Xian was spoiled by her family since childhood, and after entering the capital, she relied on the title of princess personally bestowed by the emperor, and was surrounded by people wherever she went. At this moment, she was scolded by a servant.
He glared at her, looking up at her angrily, and said, "I'm talking to Princess Ning'an, what right do you, a mere servant, have to interrupt?"
Hua Chun glanced at her with disdain.
"The princess has already said she is going back to her residence and has no time to fool around with you. If you want to investigate some wild man or spread rumors about secret meetings, go ahead and try if you dare. If you really make a big fuss, the princess should think about whether the emperor will believe you or our princess."
Having said that, he ignored Shen Xian, forcefully removed the footstool, and ordered the driver to drive the carriage back to the mansion.
"The servants in your princess's residence have really gone too far!" Shen Xian was thrown off the carriage and stomped her feet in anger.
Not long after, her personal maid returned, followed by two servants with bruised and swollen faces who were walking unsteadily.
The maid, still shaken, said in a panic, "Miss, that man is some kind of extraordinary person. He has many skilled fighters around him. We were just following him from a distance, and we were discovered before we had gone even a mile. They beat us up."
Fortunately, the maid was a woman, and they showed her mercy, preventing her from suffering the same fate as the servants.
Shen Xian tapped her head in distress, wondering what was wrong.
Yuezhi was caught having an affair and acted self-righteously. Did she think that after marrying Liang Zhang, she could openly keep male lovers? How come she gets all the good things?
After a moment of silence, the maid whispered, "Miss, I don't think this matter is easy to handle. Why don't you just let it go? Actually, Young Master Chen is a pretty good person. He's just not very talkative. Princess, please don't take it to heart."
Shen Xian frowned in deep thought, "Little Sparrow, how could I, a lady from a humble household, have attained such power and wealth?"
Little Sparrow: "Because of the master's kindness and favor towards the emperor."
Shen Xian raised her head proudly: "This is an opportunity. With this opportunity, our whole family can continue the wealth of the Marquis's mansion. But if I hadn't made a scene at my father's funeral, I would have been stuck in the Marquis's mansion, waiting to marry a general like my father, and then watching my husband die on the battlefield like my father, becoming a widow like my mother, guarding an empty house alone."
Her innocent eyes revealed an ambition beyond her years.
Turning to look at Xiao Que, his eyes were earnest, "A woman's fate is changed once she marries, and now another opportunity is presented to me, how can I give it up so easily?"
Marrying Chen Lanze certainly brought her a life of wealth and luxury, but it lacked the warmth and tenderness between husband and wife.
Although marrying Liang Zhang wouldn't bring her immense wealth, she would still receive the stipend of a princess and enjoy a harmonious marriage with her husband.
“I’ve thought this through very clearly. Marrying Liang Zhang will ensure my happiness and peace of mind for the rest of my life. Xiao Que, this is a chance to change my fate, and I must fight for it.”
Little Sparrow blinked, seemingly confused. She understood, yet not quite.
The young lady always wants the best, competing with other wealthy young ladies in Yanjing and with the young master at home... because she is proud, radiant, and deserves the best.
"Whatever Miss wants to do, this servant will do it for you."
"My dear little sparrow, once I marry into the Liang family, I will definitely find you a good marriage and prepare a generous dowry so that you can have a grand wedding."
"This servant does not want to get married; I only want to stay with you, Miss."
The master and servant chatted amongst themselves, quickly putting aside the setbacks they had encountered that night. As they walked back to their carriage, they discussed how to use Princess Ning'an's secret meeting with her lover to sever the marriage ties between the princess's residence and the Liang family.
The river murmured gently, the flowing water washing over the empty boat and dispelling the ambiguous atmosphere inside.
Before long, no one could be seen on the bridge anymore.
The night is long...
*
As the crescent moon gradually set in the west, the Milky Way above the dome lit up and then went out. In the latter half of the night, there was complete silence inside and outside the palace walls.
Inside the Taiji Hall, from the dragon bed with its curtains drawn, came suppressed, low breathing sounds.
Pei Heng tried to fall asleep several times, but as soon as he closed his eyes, he had bizarre and fantastical dreams. His body felt restless and hot, and he couldn't sleep well no matter what he did. The lingering feeling of that kiss lingered, even seeping down from his heart, making it impossible for him to sleep all night.
The personal eunuch was unaware of his secret rendezvous with Yuezhi. Cheng Yuan, who handled these matters for him, was always tight-lipped and wouldn't ask any questions. Pei Heng was filled with frustration and didn't know where to vent it.
He reviewed memorials for three days in a row, but still couldn't suppress his nameless rage. So angry that he went to the martial arts arena and asked the commander of the Imperial Guards to spar with him.
The emperor's unusual behavior these days, his youthful impetuosity and restlessness, have been observed by those who attend to him closely.
"How long has it been since you last trained? Your martial arts skills have become so rusty?"
On the training ground, Pei Heng tossed his sword to Cheng Yuan in the distance with displeasure, then turned to look at the commander of the Imperial Guards with an unfriendly expression.
"If I remember correctly, you're almost fifty this year, aren't you? At this age, you should be mature and steady, with your martial arts skills mastered. Yet you couldn't even withstand ten of my moves. Were you deliberately letting me win, or are you simply not good enough?"
The commander knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty is exceptionally brave and powerful. I am old and could not possibly defeat Your Majesty."
If this explanation were given to the late emperor, he might have been spared out of consideration for the emperor's hard work, merits, and lack of intention to cause trouble.
However, Pei Heng's temperament was very different from that of the late emperor. He disliked the cowardice of military generals and the arrogance of civil officials. He had rectified most of the previous dynasty's problems, and he could not let the palace go unpunished either.
"Even I can't defeat you, so how can I trust you to lead the Imperial Guard to protect me? Since you're getting old, you don't need to stay in the palace anymore. I'll reward you with a hundred taels of gold and send you back to your hometown to retire."
The Imperial Guard Commander was taken aback, dared not argue further, and bowed his head in gratitude, saying, "Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."
A eunuch attending him handed over a handkerchief, which Pei Heng casually took to wipe his sweat as he watched the commander leave the training ground.
"Go to the military camp outside the city and call Xiao Duan over."
"Yes." The eunuch left quickly.
Half an incense stick later, a young and lean general arrived at the training ground. Upon seeing Pei Heng, he knelt down respectfully and bowed, saying, "This humble general greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well."
Pei Heng waved his hand impatiently, "Get up, take your weapon and spar with me."
"Your subordinate obeys." The young general took the spear thrown to him by his lieutenant, somersaulted to the edge of the training ground, used the tip of the spear to pick up a long-handled sword, and kicked it towards Pei Heng.
"Your Majesty, please accept this sword!"
Pei Heng reached out and caught the Mo Dao steadily, then leaped up to fight him in a real battle, fighting with great gusto.
The two brothers, who had fought side by side on the battlefield, were evenly matched in martial arts. The young general thought they could fight to a draw as usual, but he did not expect Pei Heng to use particularly fierce force this time. The force of his sword made the handle of the spear tremble, and his hand holding the handle of the spear was numb from the vibration.
After nearly a hundred moves, the young general finally ran out of energy, braced himself on the ground with the tip of his spear, and admitted defeat, panting and exclaiming, "No, no, how angry is His Majesty? Does he really want to kill this humble general?"
Pei Heng was panting heavily, also covered in sweat. He threw the Mo Dao back to the edge, picked up a towel, and quickly regained his composure.
"Jinbao".
"Your servant is here."
"By imperial decree, effective immediately, Duan Yunting, a fourth-rank valiant general, is promoted to second-rank commander of the Imperial Guard, in charge of the palace's security."
"Yes, this servant will go and convey the decree immediately." Jinbao took a few more steps to Duan Yunting's side. "General, have you heard the Emperor's decree clearly? Why aren't you going to express your gratitude?"
Duan Yunting put away his spear, still feeling the effects of the attack, and dragged his sweat-soaked body to Pei Heng to express his gratitude.
"No need for formalities, get up quickly, you're all dirty." Pei Heng couldn't help but feel disgusted when he saw that Pei Heng's sweaty body had picked up the dust from the training ground as he knelt down.
Duan Yunting stood up with a silly grin, not happy about his promotion, but instead quietly moved closer to the emperor and asked in a low voice.
"Is Your Majesty so angry today because you have been busy with state affairs for days and have accumulated too much fatigue?"
After saying that, he frowned and said, "It shouldn't be like this. The Emperor has three thousand beauties in his harem, and countless gentle and beautiful women surround you. How can you still have endless anger?"
Pei Heng turned his head and glared at him.
Duan Yunting looked startled and laughed it off, saying, "It's not that I meant to tease you, but at your age, you should have gotten married and become empress long ago. It's only natural to hold a selection of concubines to enrich your harem. What man wouldn't want to get married?"
He was two years younger than Pei Heng and had been under Pei Heng's command since he joined the Liangzhou army. He learned martial arts faster than others and was more willing to fight desperately. Now, he was even bolder to talk about these things that had nothing to do with life and death.
Knowing that he had no intention of offending him, and that the suggestion was made out of good intentions, Pei Heng sighed softly.
"I have no woman I desire."
If a couple cannot grow old together after marriage, he would rather focus on politics than be like his father, who indulged in multiple wives, favoring one over the other, which led to the tragic deaths of his concubines and the exile of his wife and children, leaving them with no peace.
"Does it have to be someone you admire to help the Emperor solve his problems?" Duan Yunting smiled innocently and lowered his voice. "Has the Emperor never had that irresistible impulse towards any beauty?"
People who haven't read books are always exceptionally honest when talking about primal desires.
Pei Heng took a deep breath.
"This matter ends here. You may leave."
Duan Yunting put away his smile, bowed, and withdrew, leaving him alone in the training ground in deep thought.
Jinbao was originally a steward eunuch in the palace. He was only promoted to serve in front of the emperor after the new emperor ascended the throne. These past few days, seeing the emperor irritable during the day and unable to sleep soundly at night, he was both anxious and worried.
Looking at Duan Yunting who had just retreated, he asked in a low voice, "General, can you tell what the Emperor's attitude is towards the selection of concubines?"
Duan Yunting shrugged, unable to explain, and muttered, "It seems that the Emperor doesn't have a favorite woman. A few years ago when we were in the army, I only heard him talking about his elder sister at home. I never saw him talk about beauties with us. I guess the Emperor's elder sister is as beautiful as an angel. In the Emperor's heart, no beauty can compare to her."
"General, be careful what you say. How can you confuse Princess Ning'an with the Emperor's selection of concubines?" Jinbao said solemnly, thinking that if the Emperor heard these nonsense words, they would both lose their heads.
Duan Yunting didn't seem to care at all; he was telling the truth, not just making things up.
"Go and serve him, sir. I'm going to take up my post in the Imperial Guard." With that, he picked up his spear, took his deputy, and left with a triumphant air.
Before long, Jinbao was indeed summoned over.
The sparring session had ended, but Pei Heng's face grew increasingly red.
Jinbao thought that Duan Xiaojiang's words had enlightened him and he had finally taken a liking to the imperial concubine selection. He was pleased, but then he heard the young emperor speak.
"Go to the princess's residence."
Jinbao sighed helplessly: "The princess's residence again? Just as General Duan said, the emperor really only cares about Princess Ning'an."
"Tell her that I cannot sleep at night, and ask the princess to give me an old piece of clothing from the past to help me sleep peacefully."
After saying that, Pei Heng's long breath became hot, and the fire that had been released during the fight inexplicably burned up in his chest again.
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