Facing the Holy Wrath
The horse's hooves pounded through the remaining snow on the official road, splashing mud and water. Xiao Diting tightened the reins and pulled up his mask to block out some of the biting cold wind.
She and Pei Wenjin rode side by side at high speed, heading ahead of each other towards the capital.
A few days before his departure, Pei Wenjin received instructions from the capital to return as soon as possible. He was to travel light and travel simply to get there quickly, and no one dared to delay him any further.
Pei Wenjin led the way, observing the road conditions to ensure safety as soon as possible. His indigo cloak fluttered in the wind, and Xiao Diting followed closely behind. The two traveled day and night, undeterred by wind or rain.
For several days in a row, apart from the necessary watering and resting, the two of them almost stopped working. The emperor was urging them too hard, and any further delay would probably make their situation even more difficult.
By the time they reached the last post station outside the capital, dusk was approaching. Pei Wenjin was the first to dismount and hand her a water bag, his voice slightly hoarse from the long journey: "Your Highness, you have been traveling for several days. Please rest here."
Xiao Diting took the water bag, sat down by the railing, tilted her head back and drank a few mouthfuls of cold water to suppress the thirst in her throat and a trace of inexplicable irritation.
"Lord Pei has been quite sparing with his words throughout this journey." She put down her water pouch, wiped her mouth with her sleeve, and looked at the dark figure in the distance. The city walls of the capital were already faintly visible. It was rare for her to have the mind to joke.
Pei Wenjin was inspecting the saddle when he heard this, so he paused and looked up at her.
The afterglow of the setting sun fell into his eyes, reflecting an emotion she was familiar with, exactly the same as when she had proposed to travel with Jin Yi.
"What does Your Highness wish to hear?" He tugged at the corners of his mouth, but the smile did not reach his eyes.
Xiao Diting felt a chill run down her spine when she saw his faint smile. Pei Wenjin was still as composed as ever. The relaxation and frankness that she had managed to pry open in Huaizhou seemed to have gradually retreated back into his shell as they approached the capital.
Although the Huaizhou case appears to be closed, it only reveals the tip of the iceberg. The Crown Prince, having lost Yang Li's arm and cut off Huaizhou's financial lifeline, will not let it go easily. As for the Emperor, while he cannot openly dismiss her for the commotion she caused in Jiangnan, he will certainly not make things difficult for her.
As for Pei Wenjin, it's likely that he disobeyed orders and went to Jiangnan on his own. The emperor discovered that his "henchmen" weren't so obedient, and it probably wasn't as simple as just "giving him a warning".
These thoughts pierced her heart like ice picks, instantly bringing her to her senses.
She looked at Pei Wenjin, who stood in the twilight, his figure still upright, yet seemingly shrouded in an impenetrable mist.
All genuine feelings need a brief escape from their cage before they can retract their sharp teeth and reveal their soft belly.
“Perhaps you can ask me.” Xiao Diting tossed the water pouch back to him with a smile, his tone casual, as if it were just a casual remark. “I am, after all, a great contributor to this trip. It shouldn’t be too difficult for my father to grant me a little face.”
She deliberately emphasized the words "great contributor" and then observed Pei Wenjin's expression.
She said that, and Pei Wenjin knew it was a joke. Her father was stubborn, suspicious, and cold-hearted; if the princess got too involved with powerful ministers, it would only arouse his suspicion.
As expected, Lord Pei, who had been traveling a long way and had a furrowed brow, couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this. He packed his bags and gestured to the princess that they could continue their journey: "Once we enter the capital, we will all be relying on Your Highness."
"Go into the city."
Xiao Diting mounted his horse and, at a command, the hooves reared up once more. The majestic city walls of the capital came into view, like a silent behemoth opening its jaws to devour everything.
Their immediate priority was to report back to the emperor, and the two entered the city just in time for the morning court session. They sped along without resting, traveling against the flow of officials leaving the palace, attracting many glances back and a chorus of greetings.
An elderly man with white hair affectionately called out to Xiao Diting.
Xiao Diting paused, turned her head, and saw the old man step forward, take her hand, pat her approvingly in his palm, and then, without saying a word, waved his sleeve and went down the steps.
Xiao Diting looked at Pei Wenjin with a puzzled expression.
Pei Wenjin tilted his head: "That's the Grand Tutor. He once taught you to read and write. Now, who in the whole country doesn't know your great achievements? I stopped you to encourage you."
Xiao Diting felt a mix of emotions. She had a more real sense of having done something important. She had been somewhat anxious about facing the Emperor, but now she suddenly felt a surge of courage.
"The Grand Tutor is very kind." She watched the old man leave, his figure disappearing at the city gate. She then followed Pei Wenjin up the steps, winding her way from the Hall of Diligent Governance to the Imperial Study.
As they passed an intersection, Pei Wenjin called out to her, "Wait, Your Highness."
Xiao Di turned around, puzzled, and casually teased, "Are you going to cheer me on too?"
Pei Wenjin shook his head helplessly, clasped his hands respectfully and said, "This humble servant believes that Your Highness should first go to the palace to tidy up and change your clothes before going to see the Emperor. Officials occasionally come and go in the study, Your Highness should not lose the dignity of the royal family."
The reasons he gave were so convoluted they seemed to stretch from the palace gates all the way to the Northwest. The princess was about to retort that he was spouting nonsense, but before she could even utter a curse, Pei Wenjin glared at her and shut her up.
He repeated, emphasizing his words, "Your Highness, would you like to freshen up first?"
Xiao Diting subconsciously took a step back, understanding his unspoken meaning: he wanted to send her away first so he could go see the emperor himself.
This is not the time to be sentimental. Fearing that the walls might be overheard, Xiao Diting pretended to realize something and exclaimed, "Oh dear!" "Look at my memory. I really have to trouble Lord Pei."
After speaking, she turned and left, parting ways with Lord Pei at the intersection. She did not ask Pei Wenjin any further questions, nor was she allowed to ask more questions in the palace.
"I'm back in the capital." Xiao Diting clenched his fists, involuntarily feeling that the temperature today was excessively low, so bitingly cold.
Pei Wenjin persuaded the princess to leave without lingering, as if they had only met by chance and exchanged a casual greeting before going their separate ways, without any trace of their previous familiarity.
What Xiao Diting could think of, Pei Wenjin would only think of more than she could.
He went to Huaizhou alone to fight the epidemic, and he used some tricks to run away without saying goodbye. The emperor was probably furious and was waiting for him to come back to settle the score.
The emperor had always known about the crown prince's underhanded actions, and it was even possible that the crown prince had instructed him to do so, but he had never brought this to light. Pei Wenjin had also always been aware of the reasons behind this, and he planned to take advantage of this loophole by telling the emperor that he was there to "cooperate" with His Highness, so that the emperor could only say on the surface that he had "done things effectively."
However, closing the case means that a portion of the supply lines can be forcibly terminated by following the clues, which is a devastating blow to filling the "purse strings." The emperor can't touch Xiao Diting, but someone will have to take the blame and bear the pressure.
Even a fool would think it's him, Pei Wenjin, and it can only be him, Pei Wenjin.
As Pei Wenjin approached the Imperial Study, a red figure hurried up the corridor to greet him. It was the Grand Eunuch Shouxi, with a whisk hanging from his elbow. Upon seeing him, his eyes lit up: "Oh, young Master Pei, you've finally returned!"
Pei Wenjin paused, glancing past Shouxi towards the Imperial Study. He could vaguely hear the sound of porcelain shattering coming from inside. He frowned slightly and asked, "What is this, Eunuch?"
"You don't know yet?" Shouxi leaned closer, his voice low and filled with anxiety. "An urgent report was sent at the morning court session just now. War has broken out in the Northwest! Commander Yu was ordered to go to the northern frontier to oversee the army. The Northwest garrison was leaderless, and last night, someone took advantage of the situation and lost three cities overnight. Even Juyan Mountain, which we had just recaptured, was taken back!"
Pei Wenjin frowned deeply. With his excellent hearing, he listened to the increasingly furious curses coming from the study, and his expression turned extremely ugly. Juyan Mountain was strategically important, the throat of the Northwest. Losing it was tantamount to opening half of the gate to the enemy.
"His Majesty was furious when he saw the report this morning." Shouxi glanced at the Imperial Study again, lowering his voice even further. "As soon as the morning court session ended, he summoned His Highness the Crown Prince for a private talk. Things were smashed inside several times. Listen to the noise... If you go in now, aren't you just walking into the line of fire? This old servant advises you to wait in the side hall until His Majesty calms down, and then this old servant will inform him on your behalf."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a furious shout suddenly rang out from the imperial study, followed by the clatter of books being smashed on the floor, and the emperor's suppressed roar: "A bunch of useless trash! I raised you all just to cause trouble at this critical juncture?"
Pei Wenjin paused for a moment, closed his eyes several times, and finally made up his mind. He looked up at Shouxi and nodded slightly: "Thank you for reminding me, but I have something to discuss with His Majesty."
When Shouxi saw that Pei Wenjin was determined to go and run into the line of fire, he was anxious and angry, but he also knew that Pei Wenjin had been stubborn since childhood and could not be swayed by ten horses. He was a master who would not turn back until he hit a wall.
Unable to dissuade him, Eunuch Shouxi could only reluctantly lift the heavy cotton curtain of the Imperial Study and tiptoe in like a feather.
The oppressive silence in the hall was broken by this commotion. The emperor's angry voice suddenly stopped, followed by the crown prince's low "Father, please calm down." The rest of his words were muffled behind the curtain and could not be heard clearly.
Pei Wenjin stood under the corridor, listening intently to the sounds inside, his nerves constantly on edge, trying to catch every single sound from the hall.
The cold wind whipped up snowflakes and lashed at his face, but he was oblivious. He felt that the air inside the Imperial Study was even colder than the ice caves beyond the Great Wall.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the cotton curtain was suddenly lifted with a "whoosh," and Eunuch Shouxi poked his head out. His face was even paler than when he went in, and he waved to him repeatedly: "Lord Pei, His Majesty summons you in."
He had just lifted his foot when he saw several people walking out of the hall. Leading the way was the Minister of War, whose official robe still had a half-dried tea stain on the hem. When he saw Pei Wenjin, he only glanced at him sullenly, and did not dare to stop walking. He moved out almost as if he were moving his hands and feet at the same time.
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, who followed closely behind, was even more so. He buried his head almost to his chest and didn't dare to glance at him out of the corner of his eye. The group squeezed out of the door, looking so flustered that it was as if a flood or a ferocious beast was chasing them. They didn't even care about the official etiquette they usually paid the most attention to.
Pei Wenjin withdrew his gaze and decisively lifted the curtain to enter.
The warm atmosphere inside the hall did little to make him feel better. He walked around the screen and looked at the shattered porcelain and crumpled memorials on the floor.
The Crown Prince stood on the left side of the table, his black python robe making his expression even colder. When Pei Wenjin entered, he didn't even lift his eyelids, only staring at the bookshelf beside him, as if the extra person in the hall was just an insignificant breeze.
The emperor leaned against the table, standing in the very center with his hands behind his back. When his gaze fell on him, it was like a knife chilled to the bone, sending a chill down one's spine.
He watched Pei Wenjin walk in step by step, and after a long while, he finally managed to utter a somber question: "You're back?"
Pei Wenjin dared not hesitate. He walked up to the emperor, lifted his robe, and knelt down. His knees had just touched the floor tiles, and before he could say, "Your subject Pei Wenjin greets Your Majesty," the emperor suddenly raised his foot and kicked him hard in the shoulder.
Caught off guard, he was kicked and staggered two steps to the side, his elbow hitting a shard of porcelain, a sharp pain instantly shooting through his body.
"Come back? You finally know how to come back!" The Emperor slammed his fist on the table, and the Crown Prince leaned closer to the bookshelf to avoid being accidentally injured. "I ordered you to wait in the capital, and you, without a word, ran off to Danzhou! Do you even have any respect for me as your sovereign? Do you even respect the rules of the court!"
The angry shouts came as expected. Pei Wenjin gritted his teeth, propped himself up, and knelt down again, his forehead touching the ground. His voice remained steady: "Your subject knows his crime, but the epidemic in Danzhou is urgent, and Your Highness is in danger. Your subject..."
"Shut up!" the emperor interrupted him, grabbing an inkstone from the table and smashing it against him. The ink, still wet, splashed all over his face. "I don't want to hear your high-sounding nonsense! Do you think I don't know what you've done?"
He gasped for breath, his chest heaving, and his gaze swept over Pei Wenjin on the ground, his tone full of disgust: "Get out! Kneel outside the palace! Don't get in my way!"
Pei Wenjin felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and bowed his head to kowtow, saying, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
The emperor glared coldly at the crown prince, who had remained silent ever since Pei Wenjin entered. Feeling annoyed, he coughed twice and waved his hand dismissively: "You get out too, you're getting on my nerves!"
The crown prince happily accepted the order and left.
When Xiao Yiyu passed by Pei Wenjin, he noticed that Pei Wenjin was moving slowly. Seeing that his father had no other way to show off his power, he kindly helped Pei Wenjin up. They had been study companions in their youth and had some friendship with each other.
They walked out of the imperial study together, and as the curtains were drawn, they caught their breath in the cold air outside.
"You went to Jiangnan behind Father Emperor's back for my imperial sister, didn't you?" Xiao Yiyu was not as easy to fool as the emperor. The two of them were chatting at the door, and there was nothing they couldn't say.
Xiao Yiyu was used to being sarcastic, and Pei Wenjin had just been scolded by the emperor, so he held back and didn't say anything hurtful. He just casually asked about it as if it were a friendly greeting.
Pei Wenjin stared at him blankly, then said succinctly, "Yes."
"You should have heard something about the Northwest Military News when you came back... But I'm warning you, it's not a smart move to put all your eggs in one basket."
"Your Highness is joking?" Pei Wenjin retorted, resuming his familiar mask from their first meeting, subtly avoiding the Crown Prince's hints. "If Your Highness gives me more guidance, this humble servant should kneel on the ground."
Xiao Yiyu withdrew his olive branch, rolled his eyes, left with the words "follow the rules," and walked away arrogantly.
Pei Wenjin was left alone, his robes straightened, kneeling in the very center of the snow.
When Xiao Diting finished tidying up, she rushed over and saw this scene. She paused, feeling that the figure kneeling upright in front of the jade steps was both towering and incredibly eye-catching.
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