Waiting for
When Mu Huaying was mentioned, Xie Lang suddenly calmed down and said, "They are both in the Imperial Prison."
Pei Yuanli, who had been holding onto the chair, suddenly let go, straightened his back, and his previously blank gaze suddenly became bright and sharp.
He said, word by word, "Your Majesty, please state your terms."
Xie Lang's expression also became calm and insightful, and he clearly said, "I want you, Yuanli Shu, to bow your head to Li Chongyu."
Pei Yuanli laughed in anger, snorting coldly, "He's just a junior. Why? Is Your Majesty so afraid of him? The Pei family has been high-ranking officials for five generations, yet we have to beg for mercy from a rough man from the borderlands? Your Majesty, this isn't just about my personal reputation. Have you considered the reputation of the entire Southern Dynasty's aristocratic families? What are we in the eyes of those commoners?"
Xie Lang calmly said, "For the Northern Expedition, we need to unite with the Marquis of Guannei. Those who plot to conquer the world never fight for face."
He added clearly and calmly, "This is a national policy that the Junior Tutor established many years ago."
Gu Yi once pointed out that the Northern Qiang people, since entering the Central Plains, have been plundering and have never ceased their covetousness towards the Southern Dynasties. If they do not take the initiative to launch a northern expedition when they have the strength, several generations later, the barbarian horses will move south, leaving the people of the south with no place to live.
Therefore, joining forces with Li Chongyu and Fan Ying to launch a northern expedition was something he had to accomplish while he was still alive.
Pei Yuanli remained unmoved and said, "If Li Chongyu wanted my head, would Your Majesty offer it up for the sake of the world?"
His rebuttal was extremely sharp, leaving Xie Lang with almost no room for maneuver.
Xie Lang's sharply defined face revealed a slight smile as he said deeply, "I would like to ask you a question in return: if that were the case, Uncle Yuanli, would you be willing to offer your head for the sake of the world?"
Xie Lang's counter-question was extremely difficult to resist. If Pei Yuanli's answer was "no," he would immediately be seen as a cowardly coward. But if his answer was "yes," it would be tantamount to agreeing to Xie Lang's request.
If Li Chongyu really makes this request in the future, he will be in a difficult position.
Xie Lang was sharp-tongued, and this answer was a matter of life and death, so Pei Yuanli dared not answer lightly, thus putting him at a disadvantage.
Pei Yuanli then realized that his judgment of Emperor Xie Lang, a nephew of the Xie family, over the years might not have been accurate.
He always believed that Xie Lang was able to sit in this position because Gu Yi valued the Xie family behind him, which was enough to balance all the powerful clans in Jiangzuo. He also believed that Xie Lang was able to rest easy all these years because Gu Yi was in charge of the overall situation, and the former Flying Phoenix Four Guards were planning and executing for him.
In retrospect, he severely underestimated Xie Lang's intelligence and decisiveness.
He probably needs to revise his initial assessment: even without Gu Yi, Xie Lang is probably not such an easy emperor to control.
Xie Lang gave him no more time to think and said coldly, "Uncle Yuanli need not answer this question, and I will not let things take that step. However," he emphasized, "if this question had been asked of the Marquis of Guannei or the Marquis of Yongding, I'm afraid those two would not have hesitated to answer like Uncle Yuanli."
Marquis Li Chongyu of Guannei was decisive and resolute, and Marquis Fan Ying of Yongding was even more so. The female generals of the Fan family were willing to sacrifice their lives for righteousness and always put the greater good of the world first.
Xie Lang's two sentences clearly pointed out the difference in ability between Pei Yuanli and these two men. That is to say, even in a direct confrontation, Pei Yuanli would not be a match for Li Chongyu.
Pei Yuanli knew that he had already lost in this contest within the palace city that had been triggered by the entry of the Shuofang army into the city, a contest without bloodshed.
With his daughter Pei Yu and wife Hua Ying both imprisoned, he had no more leverage to blackmail the court.
He lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then raised his eyebrows and said, "I can grant Li Chongyu any request except my life."
Xie Lang, his expression unreadable, slowly nodded and said, "Very well. The people are deeply grateful for the Marquis of Dongguang's consideration for the country."
Pei Yuanli said without flinching, "However, I also have a request for Your Majesty."
Xie Lang stared at him for a long time, his gaze deep, and said, "Has Marquis Dongguang thought it through and is he sure he wants to make this request to me?" Clearly, he already knew what request Pei Yuanli would make.
Pei Yuanli said firmly, "Yes. Your Majesty, I request that you grant my daughter, Pei Yu, the position of Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace."
Xie Lang stared at him intently for a moment, then finally relaxed his gaze, sighed, and said, "The Pei family is already a prominent family in the Southern Dynasty. Why must Marquis Dongguang insist that his daughter go even further?"
This was the first time Xie Lang had publicly revealed his opinion on the Crown Princess candidate. That was, he didn't approve of the Pei family.
Previously, the position of Crown Princess was vacant, and there was much speculation among the court officials, but it was only because Xie Lang favored the Shangguan family, which the Shangguan family had never given their consent. But now, Xie Lang's attitude is that even if Shangguan Yuqi ultimately cannot become the Crown Princess, he does not want the Pei family to get involved in this matter.
Pei Yuanli retorted sharply, "Your Majesty is already the supreme ruler, so why did you still allow Hua Ying to marry me back then?"
Xie Lang's eyes were practically spitting fire as he gritted his teeth and said, "It's not that I want her to marry, but that she is willing herself, and Marquis Dongguang didn't object, did he?"
Back then, Mu Huaying resigned from her position as Minister of Justice and chose to marry Pei Yuanli, a powerful general who commanded a large army, as her second wife. Many people were unaware of the inside story and assumed it was at Xie Lang's behest. But one thing was clear: if Pei Yuanli was unwilling, no one could force him.
Pei Yuanli's face, weathered by years of political struggle, finally revealed a trace of desolation as he said, "I know it wasn't Your Majesty who forced me, and that's why I agreed."
Before Xie Lang could react, he continued, "Since His Majesty agreed to marry Hua Ying to me back then, wouldn't it be even better to let Yu'er marry the Crown Prince? Our two families will become even closer through marriage."
Xie Lang finally understood his intentions. He sighed deeply and said, "This is also why I am unwilling to agree. Lord Pei, marriage is different from other collaborations. It is not something that can be decided by your and my consent alone."
He continued, "Back then, you were at least willing to marry Hua Ying. With a large army under your command, you didn't utter a single word of objection, which shows your willingness. But did you even ask Pei Yu if he was willing?"
He emphasized, "If one party is unwilling, it will be a lifelong regret."
Pei Yuanli sneered, "Yet His Majesty shows no concern for the eldest daughter of the Shangguan family."
Xie Lang regained his usual solemnity and said nonchalantly, "Have I ever forced Miss Shangguan in the slightest?"
Pei Yuanli was speechless. Indeed, it was a well-known fact that Xie Lang favored Shangguan Yuqi, but neither Shangguan Yuqi herself nor the Shangguan family, Xie Lang, though earnestly inquiring and eager to know, ever used his power to force them.
Otherwise, the Crown Prince would not still be single and unmarried, without even a concubine.
Such sincerity can be described as "openly awaiting your arrival," but it cannot be described as forceful acquisition.
Judging from the mindset and imperial strategies of a monarch, Xie Lang's refusal to use his children's marriages as a bargaining chip demonstrates his deep emotional attachment, making him an exceptionally rare figure among emperors.
Pei Yuanli also said nonchalantly, "Since Your Majesty is of noble character and unwilling to trade marriage with power, then please at least give Yu'er a chance to fight for it. If His Highness the Crown Prince is also willing to grant the marriage in the end, please do not obstruct it. I will not marry anyone but the daughter of Shangguan."
He emphasized his last sentence very heavily.
Xie Lang chuckled and said, "Am I that kind of person?" He looked out the window, a bitter smile appearing on his face, and said, "However, it seems that Lord Pei doesn't quite understand his daughter. In my opinion, the position of Crown Princess may not be what she aspires to be."
For the first time, the usually shrewd and capable Pei Yuanli looked bewildered and asked, "What is Your Majesty talking about?"
The Chongji Hall and Jinling Terrace are well-known as the residence of the Junior Tutor Gu Yi. The area within several dozen feet is heavily guarded, and no one can enter.
It is said that the Grand Tutor returned here tonight after the White Silk Dance and has not left since, and has strictly ordered no other officials or courtiers to come and disturb him.
Even the people sent by Consort Li to invite the Junior Tutor were stopped outside Jinling Terrace.
But these guards and informants did not stop A-Qiu, who was holding the Junior Tutor's token. A masked Junior Tutor even gave her directions, saying, "The Junior Tutor's residence is on the third floor of Jinling Terrace. Don't go to the wrong place, young lady." His words seemed to have a deeper meaning.
It was a woman's voice. Only then did A Qiu realize that the Junior Master Charioteer was also a woman.
Following his instructions, A Qiu went straight to the third floor, which was brightly lit, but there were no servants or maids along the way. The room was fully furnished with bookshelves, screens, tables, and other furniture, but there was no one in sight.
She recalled that she had felt the same way when Gu Yi had abducted her the last time.
In her past assassinations, she had visited the residences and mansions of many high-ranking officials. But compared to these mansions, Gu Yi's residence was noticeably lacking in one thing: a sense of life.
It's more accurate to say that Jinlingtai was his place of business than his private residence. The piles of documents, letters, and geomantic materials were neatly arranged, but apart from writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, there was almost nothing else of value.
There were none of the decorative items such as paintings, bonsai, stoves, and vases used in wealthy households.
Gu Yi must have been extremely detached from worldly desires, having no interest in any of the pleasing entertainment or amusement in the world.
It wasn't until she saw the "Ling Shu" zither hanging on the wall and the large bed she had lain on during her last visit that A Qiu felt the room was somewhat familiar; it must be Gu Yi's bedroom.
Otherwise, it's really not much different from the other rooms.
The curtains over the large bed were drawn. The light was dim, with only a lamp on the bedside table casting a soft glow.
Ah Qiu was always thick-skinned and had no regard for the distinction between men and women. When she carried out her assassination, she could enter any room without any restrictions, whether it was a boudoir, the backyard, or the guest room or the staff quarters.
But for some reason, standing before Gu Yi's bedside, she felt her face flush and instinctively stopped a few feet away, hesitating before finally asking, "Gu Yi?"
She waited patiently for a moment, but Gu Yi did not respond. The shadows inside the curtain made it impossible to see if anyone was there.
She couldn't help but panic. After weighing the pros and cons, she finally hesitated and stepped forward to pull back the curtains on the bed.
To her surprise, the curtain was drawn back, and she was even more astonished.
The bedding was neatly folded, and the pillows were arranged in an orderly fashion, but the place was empty, with no sign of anyone sitting or lying down. If it weren't already dark, she would have thought the owner of the place had just gotten up and gone out early in the morning.
The entire Jinling Terrace exuded an indescribable emptiness and silence. Lights flickered in the distance, but there was not a soul in sight.
If it weren't for her agreement with Gu Yi, she would almost suspect that this was a trap set for her.
Ah Qiu calmed down and paced around the bedroom. With each step, she listened to the sound of her footsteps.
She recalled that the young master had specifically reminded her that "the young master's residence is on the third floor," which was clearly not unfounded. If Gu Yi wasn't even here, the other party wouldn't have needed to go to such lengths to remind her.
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