Chapter 52 In this world, can young couples truly stay together until…
Pei Yu opened the door and came out. His tired eyes lit up with a smile the moment he saw Huiyin. He walked over and hugged her, gently resting his head on her shoulder and closing his eyes without saying a word.
Huiyin hugged him back, stroking his shoulders and neck in silent comfort. She nuzzled Pei Yu's face and gently kissed the corner of his tired eyes, "Rest if you're tired, I'm here."
Pei Yu held Huiyin tightly, wishing he could embed the person in his arms into his body. How could there be someone in this world who suited his heart so well, someone he loved so much?
Huiyin stepped out of his embrace, took his hand, and returned to the west courtyard. Pei Yu had rushed back and probably hadn't had lunch yet, so she instructed Yan Niang to prepare some food.
After entering the house, Huiyin pulled Pei Yu into the inner room, her face serious. "Your Majesty is skilled in the art of weighing power, but why does it seem to me that the Zheng family is trying to suppress the Pei family? Can you tell me about the current situation?"
Pei Yu propped his head up with one hand, raised his hand and gently hooked Huiyin's nose, smiling, "What, afraid of the Pei family's downfall?"
Huiyin pulled his hand away, patted his shoulder, and said sternly, "You sit down properly, and answer whatever I ask!"
Pei Yu obediently sat up straight, not even the hem of his clothes was ruffled. He looked at Huiyin sincerely, "Ask me, and I will tell you the truth."
"The Zheng family is indeed riding high recently. His Majesty has granted permission for the Marquis of Pingyang to hold a banquet in Pingning Palace for his fortieth birthday."
The Pingning Hall was reserved exclusively for the royal family, so to use it for a banquet for a mere subject was indeed a great honor.
Huiyin frowned and remained silent. This was already a great honor; His Majesty's actions were clearly intended to promote the Prince of Wu. Could the rumors be true? Did he truly favor the Prince of Wu, born to Consort Zheng?
Pei Yu seemed to guess what Huiyin was thinking, and he tapped her forehead with his finger. "Don't overthink it. His Majesty is indeed favoring the Zheng family, but he has no plans to change the crown prince at the moment."
"Why is His Majesty acting this way? Hasn't he always liked to balance the power between the two factions?"
Pei Yu explained, "The wedding date for Guangling is set for November this year. His Majesty dotes on this daughter, and with the influence of Consort Zheng, he wants to give the Zheng family more honors."
Huiyin lowered her eyes. The matter of Guangling was closely related to her, and Guangling's marriage to the Prince of Zhennan would inevitably bring the Prince of Zhennan to the camp of the Prince of Wu.
Currently, the Zheng family relies on civil officials, while the Pei family relies on military generals, creating a balance between them. However, if the Prince of Zhennan were to serve the Zheng family, then the Prince of Wu of the Zheng family would possess both civil and military power, greatly increasing their influence.
Huiyin finally understood why the Empress had chosen her as the Crown Princess: her father was the highest-ranking civil official besides the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister was old and a loyal subject who only served His Majesty.
With the Song family in trouble, the Su family took over their position, and Su Jinghao became the Crown Princess. In other words, the marriage between the Crown Prince and Su Jinghao was inevitable and irreversible.
Sure enough, Pei Yu said the next moment, "The Empress has discussed with His Majesty and set the Crown Prince's wedding for before the end of the year."
Huiyin's heart sank. If Su Jinghao became the Crown Princess, would she still have a chance to bring down the Su family? Would the Empress and His Majesty protect the royal family's reputation, and would Pei Yu protect the Su family because of the civil officials behind them?
She didn't know.
If they insist on protecting the Su family, she can only rely on the Zheng family and the Prince of Wu to bring down the Su family, but in doing so, the Crown Prince's faction will suffer a heavy blow.
Huiyin closed her eyes, her mind racing as she considered what she should do.
Seeing that Huiyin remained silent for a long time, Pei Yu worried that she was frightened. He took Huiyin's hand and held her hand tightly. "Don't worry, if one day I really can't go on, I will definitely send you away and not let anyone hurt you."
Huiyin's eyes stung, and she lowered her head, tears streaming down her face. "Don't say such unlucky things."
Pei Yu leaned closer and helplessly wiped away Huiyin's tears, "Why do you cry so much?"
Huiyin slapped his hand away and retorted, "I don't like to cry." But when she said this, her eyes were red and her voice was soft, which was not convincing at all.
Pei Yu thought to himself that he was really sick, actually finding Huiyin's crying appearance pitiful and cute.
"Would you like to come with me to the Marquis of Pingyang's birthday banquet?"
Huiyin wiped away her tears, paused upon hearing this, her eyelids still red, "Oh my god, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
Pei Yu hadn't eaten all morning, and his stomach was rumbling. He lazily picked up a pear from the table and started munching on it, while holding Huiyin in his arms and offering her the bitten pear.
For some reason, he gritted his teeth and said, "What's wrong with that? I just want to declare our sovereignty to everyone. You are mine, and I want to tell those people with ulterior motives to get lost."
Huiyin didn't understand his implied meaning. She lowered her head and took a bite of the pear, the sweet juice bursting in her mouth. Outside, Yanniang was knocking on the door. Huiyin got up and went out to fetch the food.
During the meal, Pei Yu suddenly remembered something and said to Huiyin, "Can you do me a favor? Can you help me find out about Pei Yan's sweetheart?"
Huiyin broke the sweet baked cake into small pieces and ate them one by one. Hearing this, she hesitated a little, after all, it was her duty as a sister-in-law to help her brother-in-law find a future wife.
In her heart, she didn't really want to get involved in the Pei family's private affairs. The matter of Madam Pei was out of necessity, and as for Pei Yan's marriage, she didn't really want to interfere.
Huiyin swallowed the flatbread and refused without hesitation, "You should send He Jiaying."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yu merely raised an eyebrow and nodded to indicate that he understood.
He had to go to the Yuanlin government office in the afternoon. After finishing his meal, Pei Yu left Yingfeng Pavilion and saw Pei Yan waiting at the door, looking pale and sickly.
He strolled over slowly, and Pei Yan's eyes lit up as soon as he saw him. He eagerly asked, "Brother, what did Mother say?"
Pei Yu stared at Pei Yan without speaking, his gaze darkening. Pei Yan's heart sank instantly. Even his elder brother couldn't persuade their mother?
Pei Yan's lips trembled, and his body swayed. Pei Yu, seeing that it was about time, cleared his throat and said with great difficulty, "Mother has relented, but..."
"But what?!" Pei Yan grabbed Pei Yu's hand and asked nervously.
"I don't know what kind of person your sweetheart is, she's worried about him."
Pei Yan immediately pointed to the sky and swore, "She is the best girl in the world."
Pei Yu shook his head, feigning profundity, "What you say doesn't count. We need to find someone she trusts to talk to her."
Pei Yan frowned as he carefully considered the candidate, remaining silent for a long time.
Pei Yu glanced speechlessly at her silly younger brother and reminded him again, "Your sister-in-law is quite nice."
"Sister-in-law?" Pei Yan asked in confusion, it took him a while to realize, "I'll go find Sister Huiyin right now, no, I mean sister-in-law for help!"
Pei Yu smiled, Huiyin was still too green to compete with him.
——
Inside the inner room, layers of curtains hung down, creating a cool atmosphere even without ice. On the table, wisps of incense from the gilded sandalwood incense burner rose gently.
After translating the ancient characters, Huiyin felt her eyes were a little tired, so she took a nap on the bamboo mat and didn't wake up until early afternoon.
Hearing the commotion from the inner room, Yan Niang hurried in and whispered in Huiyin's ear, who was not yet fully awake, "Young Master has arrived. He has been waiting for half an hour."
Huiyin yawned and sat up. "Why didn't you call me sooner?"
“Young master wouldn’t allow it, saying he needs your help.” Yan Niang handed over a damp handkerchief to wipe Huiyin’s face.
"Beg me?"
Huiyin looked confused. What did Pei Yan want from her? She bent down to put on her shoes and suddenly remembered what Pei Yu had said at noon about Shangguan Su's character.
She paused in putting on her shoes, instantly realizing why Pei Yan had come. Damn Pei Yu! She'd already said she didn't want to get involved anymore, but he's so cunning, sending Pei Yan to find her—is he sure she won't refuse?
As Huiyin finished getting ready to leave, Pei Yan was "humbly" offering to help Aheng sweep the corner of the yard, reaching out to snatch the broom. Aheng looked terrified and waved her hands repeatedly in refusal.
"Pei Yan." Huiyin interrupted their argument and beckoned to Pei Yan.
Pei Yan's eyes lit up as he ran to Huiyin, a smile playing on his lips, revealing a row of neat white teeth, two of which had sharp canine teeth.
"Sister-in-law, you're awake."
Huiyin frowned when she heard the word "sister-in-law". If she remembered correctly, Pei Yan had once told her that he would never acknowledge her as his sister-in-law.
Pei Yan also remembered this incident, and lowered his head awkwardly. He quickly raised his head again, scratching the back of his head, and said embarrassedly, "I was naughty in the past. I'm sorry, sister-in-law. Please forgive me, sister-in-law."
Huiyin subtly raised an eyebrow, turned around and sat down on the seat under the eaves, gesturing for Pei Yan to sit as well.
Pei Yan sat upright opposite Huiyin, extremely well-behaved, showing no trace of his former mischievousness and domineering nature.
Huiyin poured a cup of tea for both of them and said slowly, "I know why you've come. Before I can help you, you have to answer two questions for me."
Pei Yan nodded repeatedly, "Sister-in-law, please ask."
"First, you can only choose one between Shangguan Su and your brother. Who do you choose?"
"Second, if one day you find that you no longer like Shangguan Su, what will you do?"
Pei Yan was completely stunned after hearing this. What kind of question was this? It was completely impossible.
Huiyin took a sip of tea and smiled slightly. "You can think about it slowly. I have other things to do. Please do as you please."
As she got up to leave, she heard Pei Yan behind her grit his teeth and ask, "These two problems will never happen! So I can't answer them."
Huiyin turned her head, smiled enigmatically, and asked sharply, "How could it not happen? Under the oppression of imperial power, anyone can become an enemy of the Pei family. What if someone threatens Shangguan Su with her family members, demanding that she murder your brother?"
"Secondly, there are many young couples in this world who grow old together but can't stand each other and break up. Only a few can stay together until old age. You like Shangguan Su very much now, so much so that you are willing to defy your mother for her. But have you ever thought that when you are in a high position of power and influence, Shangguan Su's beauty will fade, and you will be surrounded by many young and beautiful women. Won't you fall in love with someone else?"
“Your status is worlds apart from Shangguan Su’s. If you fall in love with someone else, have you ever thought about how Shangguan Su, who is deeply trapped in the inner palace and completely dependent on you, will feel? She has no right to say no. When it comes to feelings, it’s all about the present moment. No one can predict what will happen in the future.”
After Huiyin finished speaking, she got up and left. She liked Shangguan Su quite a bit, and all she could do was to find a way out for her. As for anything else, she couldn't interfere.
Pei Yan clenched his fists and pressed his lips together. Huiyin's words stirred up a storm in his heart. He had never thought about these two questions before.
But what Huiyin said is true. Maybe it will really happen one day. What will he do then?
"I choose my brother!"
Huiyin stopped in her tracks without turning around. She heard Pei Yan say with unwavering determination, "If that day ever comes, I will choose my brother. I will not allow anything to harm him."
"The second question," Pei Yan said, his voice slowing down and becoming hoarse, "If one day I no longer like Shangguan Su, I will ask for her opinion. If she stays, I will give her the dignity and honor of a wife. If she wants to leave, I will send her away and protect her for the rest of her life."
“Okay,” Huiyin said with a smile, turning around and waving, “I’ll take this favor. Wait for my news.”
Pei Yan was overjoyed and stepped forward to bow respectfully, clasping his hands in a fist salute. "Sister-in-law, you are willing to help me despite past grievances. I am deeply grateful..."
Huiyin walked into the inner room and waved her hand, "Thank me on your wedding day."
——
Pingning Hall is located on a high platform in the northwest of Ganquan Palace. Its roof is covered with black ceramic tiles, which shine with a purple-gold glow when the sun shines on it. The pillars of the hall are all made of huge trees from Nanshan Mountain, with red lacquer as the base and carved with cloud patterns, making it exceptionally luxurious.
It was late summer dusk, the cicadas chirped incessantly, and the palace was adorned with embroidered curtains and brightly lit. Four doormen in long blue robes stood guard at the palace entrance, loudly announcing the names of each distinguished guest who had come to offer their congratulations.
Huiyin followed Pei Yu into the palace, and the doorman announced loudly, "General Pei has arrived."
The guests rose and bowed, and Pei Yu returned the bows one by one. Following the maid's directions, he sat down in the first seat on the left of the main seat. King Wu had already sat down and was now looking up and nodding at Pei Yu from afar. Behind him, a beautiful concubine was kneeling.
As soon as he sat down, the King of Wu said with a smile, "Brother Yuanxi, it seems that we are kindred spirits."
As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Huiyin behind Pei Yu. The guests who were already seated around them fell silent, focusing their attention on the conversation between the two important figures above them.
Pei Yu chuckled and instructed the maid to place another brocade mat beside him, arranging them side by side. He then pulled Huiyin to sit down, poured wine and served her dishes, ignoring the surprised looks of the crowd, and replied, "Your Highness's words are inappropriate. You and I have never been on the same path."
The King of Wu sneered, "Hmph, of course. You treat a concubine like a treasure, but I can't do that."
Pei Yu took the short dagger and cut the roasted meat into small pieces to make it easier for Huiyin to eat. With a flick of his wrist, he threw the dagger, which pierced the table in front of the King of Wu, penetrating deep into the wood and even causing cracks to appear around it.
King Wu was greatly alarmed and slammed his fist on the table, shouting angrily, "Pei Yu, you!"
Pei Yu straightened up, withdrew the dagger in front of the King of Wu, and smiled slightly, "Your Highness, my hand slipped for a moment, please forgive me."
King Wu's face turned pale and then red, his fists clenched tightly. If the people around him hadn't stopped him, he probably would have attacked Pei Yu right then and there.
Huiyin ignored the conflict between the two of them. All her attention was on the beautiful concubine behind the King of Wu. She recognized the woman; she was Leyi, who had saved her at the palace banquet two months ago.
Le Yi noticed Hui Yin's gaze, raised her head slightly and smiled, then lowered her head again, demurely pouring wine for the King of Wu.
A hand with distinct knuckles reached out to him, and in that hand lay a neatly peeled tangerine, emitting a faint tangerine fragrance. Pei Yu, while engaged in a verbal battle with the King of Wu, was not idle either.
Before the banquet began and the main dishes were served, seasonal fruits and vegetables were already present, with autumn pears, tangerines, melons, and crisp dates served on lacquered plates.
Huiyin peeled a tangerine and ate it, then asked Pei Yu in a voice only the two of them could hear, "What are your plans for today?"
Pei Yu said, "The Zheng family is all here today. I plan to sneak into the residence of the Marquis of Pingyang tonight."
Huiyin looked up at him, a smile in her eyes, "If you want my help, beg me."
This was the first time Pei Yu had seen her so lively and charming; her eyes sparkled with allure, every glimpse of her face radiating captivating beauty. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he whispered, "Please."
He paused, then said again, "Huiyin, I beg you."
Huiyin took a bite of the crisp jujube, the sweet flesh swirling in her mouth. She slightly raised her chin, like a proud little peacock, and said, "I want to eat oranges too."
As the two whispered to each other, a fragrant breeze suddenly wafted towards them. A young woman in a pink dress and green hair, with beautiful eyebrows and eyes, gently bit her lower lip and gracefully curtsied.
Huiyin and Pei Yu paused simultaneously, frowning as they looked at Li Yingyue, wondering what she was going to do.
Li Yingyue clenched her fists, her eyes filled with affection, her voice as gentle as water, "General Pei, I want to ask you, why didn't you come to visit that day?"
Huiyin suddenly felt that the crisp dates in her mouth tasted like chewing. She looked up at Li Yingyue, her eyes brimming with tears, her body trembling, looking so delicate and pitiful that it made people feel sorry for her.
Pei Yu poured the wine with a calm expression, his eyes not even glancing at him. "Miss Li, you have been rude."
Li Yingyue trembled, tears streaming down her face. She clutched her chest in disbelief, sobbing, "General Pei, why... is it because of this vile woman?"
She turned her head and glared at Huiyin resentfully, her face full of unwillingness.
Li Yingyue had been standing in front of the two people's desk for some time, and she looked extremely aggrieved and tearful. The discussion in the hall gradually subsided, and everyone looked at her.
King Wu, fearing nothing more than peace and quiet, said, “Yuan Xi, your charm is indeed as strong as ever. Beauties are vying to throw themselves into your arms. You are truly blessed.”
Pei Yu's face turned completely cold. He was never one to show mercy to women, and he had never met Li Yingyue before. If it weren't for his mother's secret dealings with the Li family and his own fault, he would have ignored Li Yingyue and had her dragged away long ago.
He gave Li Yingyue a cold look, his patience wearing thin, "Miss Li, my affairs are none of your business."
Tears streamed down Li Yingyue's face as she refused to leave, her eyes red.
Seeing Huiyin's smile gradually fade, Pei Yu felt extremely annoyed and coldly rebuked her, "Listen carefully, my mother did not inform me of anything she said. I know nothing about what she told you, and I will not accept any of it. Stop putting on this pitiful act and causing rumors to spread. Leave at once!"
Li Yingyue refused to leave, venting her resentment at the humiliation on Huiyin, "You're talking nonsense! It's clearly you who were seduced by this slut, that's why you don't want to acknowledge your engagement with me."
"Shut up!"
Be careful what you say!
Two rebukes rang out simultaneously. Pei Yu slammed his fist on the table in fury and said angrily, "I made everything clear to your father, and the compensation was given in full. Yet you keep making trouble and insulting my beloved. Do you think I, Pei Yu, am a dead man?"
"Guards, throw him out of the hall!"
"Yes!" Fang Mu and Chi Yan, who were waiting outside the hall, entered the hall in full armor and armed with weapons, their boots stomping heavily on the ground.
Li Yingyue felt a chill run down her spine, realizing the fear that had followed her. Tears streamed down her face as she frantically searched for help. She had run away from home secretly, without her parents' knowledge. She had long admired Pei Yu, and she was unwilling to give up this opportunity.
"I......"
King Wu glanced at the furious Yueyi, his face showing surprise. If he hadn't misheard, it was she who had said the words "be careful with your words." He didn't have time to think about Yueyi's intentions before getting up to stir up trouble.
King Wu walked to Li Yingyue's side and sighed, "Pei Yuanxi, what are you doing? It's one thing to dislike a girl who admires you, but why bully her?"
The others followed suit, offering their advice and telling Pei Yumo not to bother with a mere young girl.
Pei Yu said with a half-smile, "When did Your Highness become so chivalrous? I am neither a good person nor a gentleman, and today I am determined to settle this score."
Huiyin, being directly involved, remained silent during the incident. She stared at Yueyi, lost in thought. She was certain she didn't know Yueyi, so why had Yueyi repeatedly helped her?
Li Yingyue trembled and hid behind the King of Wu. She had already imagined how many people would ridicule her after she was driven out. After today, everyone would laugh at her for being shameless, and her reputation would be completely ruined!
"I'm sorry, I was wrong! I was wrong! Please forgive me..." Li Yingyue broke down in tears and fell to the ground.
Pei Yu showed no mercy and waved for his men to drag him out.
"What are you doing?"
The host of the birthday celebration, Marquis Pingyang, arrived late. Dressed in traditional attire, he stroked his magnificent beard and smiled as he entered the main hall.
Immediately, someone stepped forward and told them everything that had just happened. Marquis Pingyang was forty years old this year and was the person in charge of the Zheng family and the King of Wu.
He was a humble and courteous man who loved making friends and had many disciples. After hearing the whole story, he first opened his arms and smiled to comfort the astonished guests.
Then he slowly walked up to Pei Yu and the others, stroked his beard, pointed at the weeping Li Yingyue and said with a smile: "I have some connections with this girl's father. General Pei, could you please make an exception for me?"
Pei Yu sneered, "If everyone offends me like she does, what will I have left to say in the future?"
Li Yingyue stared at Pei Yu with tears streaming down her face, not understanding why he had suddenly become so terrifying, when he had been so kind that day.
Marquis Pingyang shook his head slightly, stepped forward and sat down in the main seat, speaking earnestly, "You are still young and impetuous. You should know the principle of being forgiving when you can."
Pei Yu raised his wine cup and toasted the Marquis of Pingyang from afar, saying jokingly, "What you said is most inappropriate, Marquis. Three years ago, a minor official offended you, and you submitted a memorial to have his entire family executed."
The Marquis of Pingyang's smile faded, and he narrowed his eyes as he stared at Pei Yu.
Pei Yu toyed with his wine cup and looked back, his eyes as black as ink.
The pleasant sounds of string and wind instruments in the hall had stopped sometime ago, leaving only a faint sound coming from Pei Yu's desk.
Everyone looked up and saw the stunningly beautiful woman sitting next to Pei Yu eating with chopsticks. The sound they had just heard was the chopsticks hitting the lacquered plate.
Huiyin was completely oblivious and continued eating, after all, food is the most important thing for people.
Pei Yu propped his head up and watched her eat with great interest, occasionally refilling her cup.
The King of Wu couldn't help but rebuke, "Pei Yu, don't be so arrogant!"
Pei Yu impatiently covered his ears, wondering why he had never noticed how noisy the King of Wu was before.
Seeing that Huiyin had finished her meal, he handed her a clean handkerchief and asked, "Are you full?"
Huiyin nodded, and Pei Yu then took her hand and stood up, looking at the Prince of Wu with displeasure, "Since Your Highness and the Marquis have both pleaded for this woman, then so be it. Consider it my congratulatory gift to the Marquis. Farewell!"
"General Pei, please wait!"
"General Pei!"
Marquis Pingyang suppressed his anger. His birthday celebration had been ruined before it even began. If His Majesty hadn't repeatedly instructed the two families not to break off relations, he would never have invited Pei Yu.
Pei Yu led Huiyin away from the main hall. When they reached the corner, they separated, and he instructed Chi Yan to escort Huiyin back.
Huiyin asked, "Li Yingyue?"
Pei Yu frowned, seemingly unwilling to discuss this person any further. "Today I originally intended to cause trouble for the King of Wu, but she insisted on coming here and refused to let it go, even insulting you. It's only right that she was taught a lesson."
Huiyin nodded, said nothing more, and instructed, "Be careful."
Pei Yu's figure disappeared into the night. On the way back, Huiyin bumped into someone: Wei Pingrong, the Commandant of Changle, Pingzhen's elder brother.
Pingrong saw Huiyin turn around and lead him over, his eyes darting around, "Isn't this Miss Song? How have you been lately?"
Huiyin bowed with a calm expression, "Reporting to Lord Wei, I am well."
Ping Rong teased, reaching out to touch Huiyin's face, "What's so good about following Pei Yu? Why not come with me..."
"Smack—"
Ping Rong felt a sudden numbness and pain in his arm and cried out in pain.
Chi Yan sheathed his sword, his tone not very respectful, "Lord Wei, please do not be rude."
Ping Rong clutched his arm, his face contorted with rage. He looked up, about to hurl a few curses, when he saw Chi Yan standing before him, his sword held high, staring coldly at him. This man was Pei Yu's personal bodyguard, holding an official position. Ping Rong wasn't afraid of him, but he was wary of Pei Yu behind him.
He glanced at Huiyin, snorted coldly, and left.
Huiyin watched his departing figure, her eyes flickering slightly.
Seeing Huiyin staring intently at Pingrong's retreating figure, Chi Yan asked, "Wife, what's wrong?"
Huiyin withdrew her gaze, stepped away, and said, "Are you familiar with this Pingrong?"
Chi Yan recalled for a moment and said, "I'm not very familiar with him, but the young general said he was short-sighted, arrogant, and incapable of achieving great things."
Huiyin nodded and asked some other unimportant questions.
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