Chapter 6 Spend more time with your new beautiful bride
It was nearly midnight, and the lamps in the post station were gradually going out. The helpers who had been busy earlier had all gone to sleep and rested, leaving only a few ceramic lamps lit in the wooden corridor.
Yan Niang waited anxiously outside the gate with a silk lantern in her hand, her gaze frequently drifting towards the heavily guarded main hall. Half an hour had passed since Huiyin left, and she was starting to panic.
Finally, she saw a figure in plain clothes slowly approaching from around the corner. Her eyebrows and eyes were not clearly visible under her hood, but the glow of the ceramic lamp illuminated her from behind. Yan Niang went to greet her, looking Huiyin up and down. Only after finding her unharmed did she relax and take Huiyin's arm as they returned to their room.
The room was filled with steam, and the heat from the round wooden tub rose slowly. Huiyin leaned against the edge of the tub, her long hair tied back, her brows glistening with moisture, staring absently at her reflection on the water's surface.
She thought a lot. Her father's embezzlement case seemed to have solid evidence, but upon closer examination, there were many loopholes. The embezzled military supplies had not yet been found.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Song came from wealthy local families and had considerable assets. Not to mention the enormous wealth Mr. Song had accumulated over his years as an official. What was the motive for accusing him of embezzlement?
Her father committed suicide five days after being imprisoned. Even if there were doubts about the case, no one would dare to question it at this critical juncture. Besides, her father was a man of strong character, and Huiyin absolutely refused to believe that he would confess to suicide before the case was fully investigated. She was certain that he had been murdered.
Is it the Crown Prince, the King of Wu, or one of the Three Dukes?
Yan Niang was busy behind her. Huiyin raised her hand and scooped up hot water to pour over herself. Yan Niang hadn't asked her anything since she returned. She took the initiative to say, "Tomorrow morning, we'll go back to Chang'an with Pei Yu."
Huiyin couldn't see Yanniang's expression, but she heard her muffled voice: "Is the young lady really decided?"
She struggled to turn around in the bathtub, grabbed Yan Niang's arm, the steam making her face flush red. Huiyin smiled, her eyes crinkling, and her adorable appearance was irresistible to Yan Niang.
Yan Niang sighed and hugged Hui Yin, murmuring as if making a vow: "I will always stay with you, my lady."
Huiyin nestled in Yanniang's arms, like a fledgling returning to its nest. Madam Song was in poor health and spent most of her time recuperating; her spirits wouldn't allow Huiyin and Jingchuan to bother her. Therefore, Huiyin was raised by Yanniang from birth, and only gradually became close to Madam Song after she grew older and more aware of things.
Huiyin hugged Yanniang tightly, burying her face in her arms and saying aggrievedly, "I will be Pei Yu's concubine from now on, Mother Fu. Do you think Father and Mother will blame me? Will they resent me for disgracing the Song family?"
With tears in her eyes, Yan Niang gently stroked Huiyin's head with her large, warm hand, coaxing her softly, "No, the head of the family and the madam are too busy doting on you to blame you."
Huiyin closed her eyes, her face streaked with tears, and murmured, "That's good."
——
At sunrise, the chirping of birds filled the air. On the official road through the lush forest, a troop of elite soldiers in black armor stood in neat rows, their leader, a general, riding a magnificent black steed.
Behind him followed hundreds of elite cavalrymen, fully equipped and ready to go. The soldiers at the rear marched in perfect formation, their eyes fixed straight ahead, and no one glanced at them.
The people hurrying into the city stood on both sides of the official road, huddled together in twos and threes, staring at the gleaming silver spears in the hands of the group, not daring to utter a word. At the very back of the procession, a carriage with a green wooden canopy followed slowly behind.
Fang Mu, riding in front, shifted his gaze slightly, raised his foot and gently nudged Chi Yan beside him, asking with his eyes, "Who is inside the carriage?"
Chi Yan kept his mouth tightly shut, not moving an inch. He hadn't recovered from yesterday's close call, and he certainly hadn't imagined that the young general would actually take Huiyin as a concubine. But he couldn't withstand Fang Mu's constant harassment, so he could only reply in a whisper, "Go ask the young general yourself if you dare!"
After he finished speaking, he gently spurred the horse forward, leaving Fang Mu behind. Fang Mu looked back and saw the carriage's light gauze curtains fluttering in the breeze, revealing a corner of a dark blue dress. He recalled the scene of the woman getting into the carriage earlier; she wore a veil, obscuring her face, but her graceful figure showed that she was a beautiful woman.
He turned back to look at Pei Yu's lean figure ahead, covered his mouth and began to chuckle. His young general had finally figured it out.
Suddenly, a stone came flying at him. Fang Mu grimaced and looked up to see his young general staring at him with a frosty expression. He said with a slight smirk, "Discipline is lax. Go down and receive ten strokes of the cane."
After punishing Fang Mu, Pei Yu glanced at the carriage lagging behind, then turned around expressionlessly and quickened the march.
Huiyin leaned listlessly against the carriage, while Yanniang massaged her acupoints. She nestled in Yanniang's arms and closed her eyes to rest.
She had gone to bed too late last night and was worried about missing her departure time this morning, so she packed up early and waited at the post station. She hadn't slept well all night, and the road was steep and the carriage was small and unstable, so she was feeling extremely dizzy.
As noon approached, they arrived at the Middle East Gate, where a group of soldiers in red armor had been waiting for a long time, standing in neat rows and solemnly watching the direction of the approaching people.
A light cavalry officer rode up, wearing a military cap and armor, with a broad face and eagle-like eyes. He dismounted three zhang away from Pei Yu, stood respectfully in front of Pei Yu, and bowed: "Li Gan, the city gate captain, is here to welcome General Pei by order of His Majesty."
Pei Yu tightened the reins, nodded to him, and instructed Chi Yan to send Huiyin back to the Pei residence first, while he went to the palace to report to His Majesty. After Huiyin's carriage had gone far away, Pei Yu withdrew his gaze and followed the captain, riding towards the Vermilion Bird Gate of the Southern Palace.
The palaces of the Southern Dynasties were magnificent and vast, occupying most of the area of Chang'an City. They included Weiyang Palace, Changle Palace, Jianzhang Palace and the North Palace, and were rich, elegant and majestic in color.
Outside the Xuan Shi Hall, Pei Yu removed his armor and shoes and entered the hall. Wang Changshi, who was standing by, stepped forward and led him into the Xuan Shi Hall, saying respectfully, "Congratulations, General Pei, on pacifying Dong'ou. Your youthful talent is truly a blessing to our Southern Dynasty."
Pei Yu lowered his head to adjust the sleeve on his wrist, the light and shadow falling on the right side of his face, a smile on his lips: "It is my duty as a subject, Your Excellency is too kind in praising me."
The Xuan Shi Hall is divided into three sections: the front hall, the middle hall, and the rear hall. The front hall was where grand court assemblies were held and officials were received. The middle hall served as the emperor's study, where he discussed state affairs with his close advisors.
Upon entering the central hall, it was found to be empty. Camphor incense burned quietly in the censer. A painted mica screen stood in the center, and on the weapon rack to the right hung the emperor's sword, "Si Zhao," inscribed with the words "Responding to the stars above, slaying the wicked below." A charcoal-burning underfloor heater kept the room warm and cozy, filled with a faint aroma of pepper.
A loud laugh came from behind the screen. Emperor Xuan, wearing a crown, with a full forehead and a square jaw, and a pair of phoenix eyes like torches, walked out from behind the curtain in a black and red robe with gold thread.
Pei Yu stepped forward, knelt, and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant Pei Yu respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health."
"Get up."
Emperor Xuan, with his hands on his hips, walked to the low sandalwood couch in the center and knelt down. At the same time, he beckoned Pei Yu to sit on the brocade mat in front of him, saying in a kind tone, "Sit."
"You won this battle against Dong'ou brilliantly! You have enhanced the prestige of our Southern Dynasty, and I am overjoyed. I hereby grant you an additional two thousand households as your fief, and appoint you as the General of the Tiger Guard, in charge of the Tiger Guard's personal guard."
Pei Yu smiled faintly and bowed again, "Your subject accepts the decree and will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust."
Emperor Xuan was overjoyed, "What else do you want? I will grant it to you."
Pei Yu smiled and said, "Let's save them for now, and ask His Majesty for them next time."
"As you wish."
Emperor Xuan stroked his magnificent beard, reached out to help him up, and teased, "Get up. It's just the two of us here, no need for formalities. Just call me uncle."
"Ritual must not be abandoned."
"What do you mean 'cannot be abolished'? Come here quickly and tell me about the battle situation in Dong'ou." Emperor Xuan seemed to be harboring anger, beckoning Pei Yu to come closer.
Pei Yu chuckled and dragged the brocade mat closer to Emperor Xuan, saying, "If this gets out, the censors will again accuse me of being an insubordinate and disrespectful to my superiors."
Emperor Xuan glared, puffing out his beard and shouting, "Who dares?"
Seeing Pei Yu's disbelief, he recalled the past.
When Pei Yu returned to Chang'an a year ago, Emperor Xuan invited him to the palace every day to discuss the war against the Xiongnu. The two of them were very casual with each other in private. Emperor Xuan accidentally let slip that this had reached the ears of the old scholars in the Imperial Censorate, who impeached Pei Yu for disrespecting the emperor and father and for being disobedient to his superiors for a whole month.
Emperor Xuan gave an awkward laugh and hurriedly explained, "It was a misunderstanding last time. I will never let it slip this time."
Wang Changshi stood calmly outside the door, blocking the inner room where people were about to go in to deliver tea and fruit, and waved his hand, saying, "Go down, we can take care of things here, you can go down."
A handsome young eunuch standing beside him, with bright eyes and a sharp gaze, quickly approached and said ingratiatingly, "Lord Attendant, what do you think His Majesty and General Pei are talking about inside? It's been more than half an hour and they still haven't come out."
Wang Changshi glanced at him sideways and scoffed, "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, or you'll lose your head!"
He glanced through the crack in the door and saw two people inside chatting animatedly. His Majesty favored General Pei, no less than any of the princes. He had overheard His Majesty complaining in private why a son like Pei Yu had never come from their family.
Before long, three palace maids came along the palace road toward Xuan Shi Hall. The one in the middle was wearing a light green wide-sleeved curved skirt, with her hair tied up in two buns behind her head. The two maids behind her were wearing the palace-style light green short skirts and long dresses, with their hair in double buns. They walked gracefully.
With a smile on his face, Wang Changshi pulled the eunuch beside him forward, and the two exchanged greetings. "Grand Chamberlain, what brings you here in person today? You could have just sent someone to deliver a message."
That Grand Chamberlain was Yao Lan, the Empress's personal maid, in charge of all affairs in the Empress's palace and conveying the Empress's orders. She was about thirty years old, with long eyebrows and thin lips. She slightly bowed and did not smile: "Attendant Wang, Her Majesty the Empress heard that General Pei has entered the palace and specially sent me to pick him up. I wonder if His Majesty has finished talking with General Pei?"
Wang Changshi smiled and said, "His Majesty is discussing important matters with the General. Grand Chamberlain, please wait a moment."
Wang Changshi gestured for her to rest in the adjacent side room. A young eunuch quickly brought tea and snacks and lowered the curtain to keep out the cold wind. Wang Changshi picked up an iron hook and fiddled with the charcoal brazier, then chatted with Yao Lan beside him.
"Attendant, Grand Chamberlain, His Majesty and General Pei have finished their conversation, and General Pei has left the hall," a young eunuch reported from outside the door.
Yao Lan nodded to Wang Changshi, then led her entourage out of the side room toward Pei Yu, smiling as she greeted him, "This servant would like to offer my congratulations to General Pei. Her Majesty the Empress has been thinking of you for a long time and requests a chat with you."
Pei Yu bent down to put on his shoes, looked up and saw Yao Lan, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. He leaned against the door frame and chuckled softly, his laughter like the gentle clatter of jade. The sun shone on his shoulders. "Aunt Yao Lan, are you well?"
The Jiaofang Palace was lavishly furnished, with walls coated with a mixture of pepper seeds and clay, which was fragrant, repelled insects, and kept the palace warm in winter and cool in summer. The floor was paved with finely patterned ceramic bricks, and layers of crimson brocade curtains were laid out. A fire channel was installed under the palace foundation, so that in winter, there was no need for charcoal braziers, and one could walk barefoot.
Pei Yu knelt before a lacquered low table, with exquisite lacquerware laid out before him. The aroma of roasted mutton filled the air. A palace maid served him wine with a lacquered ladle. He picked up the lacquered wine cup, took a sip, and turned his gaze to Empress Pei, who sat in the main seat.
Empress Pei was nearly forty, but her appearance was well-maintained, making her look like a woman in her thirties. Her brows were firm, her lips were full, and the round mole on the tip of her nose, like a pearl, made her look even more delicate, vaguely revealing her youthful charm.
She nodded slightly, gesturing for the maid beside her to bring forward a tray, and said, "This is a top-quality wound medicine prepared by the Imperial Physician. Take all of these back with you, so as not to worry your aunt."
Pei Yu took the wooden box from the tray and thanked her, saying, "Thank you, Aunt. It's just a minor injury, nothing serious."
Empress Pei smiled and shook her head. She was dressed in a light blue straight-hemmed silk robe, simple and elegant, exuding a free and easy spirit in every gesture. Her hair was tied back with a golden sparrow hairpin, and she gently stroked the blood jade bracelet on her arm, saying, "A thousand-mile dike can be breached by an ant's bite. Don't take your youth for granted and neglect your health."
Pei Yu responded respectfully.
Empress Pei rose and walked to the window. A maid with delicate eyebrows handed her scissors. She raised her hand to trim the potted dogwood plant beside her, and asked, "What did you talk about with His Majesty?"
Pei Yu put down his wine cup and said frankly, "His Majesty was curious about the war in Dong'ou and kept me talking about it for a long time."
Empress Pei covered her face and laughed, "Your Majesty's temperament is still the same as before; you enjoy listening to these things."
She put down the scissors, smiled at Pei Yu, and said, "Now that the war in Dong'ou has ended, you can stay in Chang'an a little longer and settle your life's most important matter."
Pei Yu said helplessly, "Aunt, your nephew is still..."
Empress Pei interrupted Pei Yu, "Don't try to fob me off with those words. I'm not your easily fooled mother. Your brother has left you and Ayan alone. Now, continuing the family line is your top priority!"
She softened her tone and earnestly advised, "Yuanxi, you are almost twenty years old. Other people's sons and daughters are all running around, but you are still all alone. If you still miss Liu Tan, that's fine. Your aunt has selected a few good girls for you to take back first. As for Liu Tan, you can marry her after her chastity period is over."
Empress Pei clapped her hands, and Yao Lan led four palace maids into the hall. The four maids, their flowing skirts trailing on the ground, moved gracefully. Some were delicate and graceful, some were bright and flamboyant, some were lively and energetic, and some were aloof and ethereal. All of them gazed at Pei Yu with shyness and trepidation, their eyes revealing affection.
Pei Yu put down his bowl, his gaze lingering for a moment on the aloof palace maid before he raised his hand to politely decline, "Thank you for your kindness, Aunt, but I already took a concubine yesterday."
Pei Hou looked puzzled. "Are you trying to trick me?"
Her nephew is good in every way, a prodigy who became famous at a young age and a talented young man, but he always makes excuses about marriage. No one knows what kind of bewitching spell Liu Tan has cast on him, because he has only ever thought about her all these years.
“I wouldn’t dare. My aunt knows that person too; her name is Song Huiyin.”
Empress Pei paused, her hand still holding her teacup, her face showing surprise. "Song Huiyin, Song Wei's daughter?"
It's her.
Empress Pei's eyes flickered, then she suddenly covered her mouth and chuckled, shaking her head slightly, "If you were interested in her, why didn't you say so earlier? Why would I..."
"She's good. I feel at ease with her by your side."
Empress Pei gave Yao Lan a look, signaling her to lead everyone away. After everyone had left, she brought up the important matter: "The Crown Prince has rendered meritorious service during his inspection of Ji Province. His Majesty publicly stated in court that he would entrust the construction of the abdication platform to him. What do you think of this matter?"
Pei Yu picked up his wine cup, the wine swirling around him. “It’s a good thing, and a bad thing. If it’s built properly, it will be extremely profitable and solidify the Crown Prince’s position. But I’m afraid someone will try to sabotage it and use the natural disaster to manipulate power and frame him.”
Empress Pei nodded heavily, recalling the Crown Prince's disappointed expression, "If only the Crown Prince were half as vigilant as you..."
“Your Highness is still young and your mind is not yet settled.” Pei Yu took the dagger, cut the roasted pork into small pieces, placed them on a lacquer plate with animal patterns, and handed it to Empress Pei.
Empress Pei took the lacquer tray and sighed, "He's only two years younger than you, and he's not even half as thoughtful as you."
Pei Yu did not respond, but instead brought up another matter: "I want to go out of the capital to Hangu Pass to welcome the Crown Prince."
Empress Pei frowned and disapproved, saying, "You've just returned and haven't had a chance to rest. How can you leave the capital again?"
Pei Yu: "The Crown Prince has not brought many men with him, and I am not at ease with him."
Empress Pei said no more, pointing to the silks, satins, gold ornaments and jade objects displayed on the right, and said, "It's getting late, you should leave the palace to see your mother soon. She caught a cold a while ago, and these things are what I prepared for her. Take them back with you."
Empress Pei paused, remembering that there was a cousin in the Pei household who was infatuated with Pei Yu, and now with Song Huiyin added to the mix, she wondered how much drama there would be to watch.
With a hint of interest in her eyes, she said, as if she wanted to stir up trouble, "When you come back, spend more time with your mother and your new beautiful bride."
A note from the author:
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Here it comes! I thought no one was following along, so the update was a day late. Sorry, my little angels.
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