Chapter 32

The two of them used the same soap for their bath, and their scents mingled together, making it hard to distinguish between them.

Pei Muheng lay next to her for a while, feeling warm and eventually moving a bit further away.

Xu Yunqi could hear her husband’s heavy breathing but noticed he made no further moves. She wondered if her mention of divorce had left a mark on his heart.

Pei Muheng wasn’t holding a grudge against Xu Yunqi; he knew that even though they had been intimate the night before, she could still leave decisively. If he didn’t understand by now, he would be a fool. Xu Yunqi didn’t have him in her heart, so he wouldn’t force her in such matters.

He wasn’t yet at the point of putting aside his pride for her.

The next morning, Qinghui Garden received a lively group of visitors.

Madam Yan brought her daughter and daughter-in-law to express their gratitude. They should have first paid their respects to Princess Consort Xi, but she had a severe headache and hadn’t slept all night, so she couldn’t receive guests. Madam Yan wasn’t there for Princess Consort anyway, so she went directly to Qinghui Garden.

Madam Yan’s eldest daughter, Yan Youhe, Pei Mushan’s cousin Xiao Fu, and Pei Mushan herself, enthusiastically crowded into Xu Yunqi’s small pharmacy. Yin Xing was filtering the medicine with a ladle while the three girls watched intently.

Xu Yunqi, on the other hand, was talking with Madam Yan and the Yan family’s eldest daughter-in-law. “How is Young Master Yan’s health?”

Madam Yan smiled and said, “Much better. He woke up yesterday around noon. Physician He gave him some medicinal soup, and he had some porridge in the afternoon. His complexion has improved, and he was able to speak this morning. The medicine you sent yesterday worked very well, and the wound was stitched up nicely. It’s hard to tell he was so seriously injured.”

Xu Yunqi nodded. “In about ten days, he should be able to get out of bed. Keep his diet light and avoid emotional extremes.”

Madam Yan glanced at the door of the small pharmacy where Pei Mushan was standing and said, “His heart is entirely with her. His moods depend on her.”

Xu Yunqi laughed, “He’s truly a passionate young man.”

Madam Yan, hearing her mature tone, teased, “You’re younger than Shaoling, but your temperament is much steadier.” As she spoke, she looked Xu Yunqi over. Xu Yunqi’s complexion was excellent, her cheeks rosy, her skin delicate and smooth, and her smile soft. She looked younger than the girls inside.

Madam Yan curiously asked, “If I may be so bold, how old are you?”

Xu Yunqi replied, “Nineteen.”

Madam Yan, full of admiration, said, “You wouldn’t know it by looking at you. You must have been born with this composure. Unlike my daughter, who was born mischievous and reckless. She’s fifteen now and still acts the same way.”

Xu Yunqi smiled without saying anything, holding her teacup.

At that moment, Yin Xing, who had been pushed out of the way by the other girls, peeked in from the pharmacy door and said, “My lady will turn nineteen next month.”

Madam Yan immediately became interested, “Oh, will the prince’s residence hold a birthday banquet? We should all come to celebrate.”

Xu Yunqi glared at her maid, “It’s not a significant birthday, so there’s no need for a celebration. Besides, I don’t like it.”

In the pharmacy, Yan Youhe looked at the array of medicine jars with great interest, “If she were my sister-in-law, I would come here every day to learn from her.” She said with regret, “Oh, why didn’t those brothers put in more effort yesterday?”

Pei Mushan, who had heard about the incident, laughed heartily, “Your Yan family really made my sister-in-law proud. No doubt, my brother must be furious.”

Xiao Fu playfully tapped her on the head, “You fool, if the Yan family had succeeded, you wouldn’t have a sister-in-law.”

Pei Mushan covered her forehead, realizing, “Oh no, I was so confused!”

Yan Youhe defended her, “She only cares about her sister-in-law, not her brother.”

The room was filled with laughter and cheer.

Meanwhile, back at Prince Qin’s residence, the little princess had been secretly beaten by people from Prince Xi’s residence. Princess Consort Qin found it satisfying and had no intention of making a fuss. Despite the little princess’s repeated complaints from her sickbed, asking Prince Qin to go to the emperor to complain, Prince Qin did not indulge his youngest daughter this time. He merely gave her some gold and jewels to appease her, and the matter was settled.

Due to this incident, the Yan family had clearly grown distant from Prince Qin’s residence. Prince Qin couldn’t afford to worsen the situation and sought to keep the peace instead.

As the case of selling official titles and ranks became more prominent, Prince Qin felt increasingly uneasy. He personally visited the Yan family, under the pretext of checking on Yan Shaoling, and naturally made his way to Yan Ping’s study.

“Uncle, this fire has unexpectedly spread to me. I need your help to mediate.”

Yan Ping, with his eyes half-closed, asked, “What’s the matter with Chen Mingshan? Is he related to you?”

Prince Qin forced a smile, “What could he have to do with me? It’s just that years ago, I sold a few official positions, and he happened to be one of them. He bought a position as a deputy magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture and later offered more money. Seeing his generosity, I transferred him to the Ministry of Works as a department head. I didn’t expect this guy to be so capable of making the Yinque Pavilion magnificent and earning my father’s praise. He was then promoted and made his way up to the prefect of Tongzhou.”

Prince Qin’s face darkened, “Uncle, there are countless officials in the court with private dealings. Why are they fixating on Chen Mingshan? There must be someone behind this, targeting both of us.”

Yan Ping, sitting in his round-backed chair, casually fiddled with a string of small-leaf red sandalwood beads and asked indifferently, “Does Your Highness know who is behind this?”

Prince Qin snorted, “Third Brother has always been against me. He and the Crown Prince squeezed me out back then, and now he’s stirring up trouble everywhere. He’s quite likely.”

“Moreover, our Twelfth Brother usually seems idle, but in this nomination list from the Directorate of Ceremonies, he has nearly as many recommendations for the Crown Prince as I do. Yesterday, when discussing marriages, the Empress blatantly chose Xun Yunhe’s daughter for him, clearly aiming for the Crown Prince position. The Empress usually doesn’t interfere in politics, often claiming illness for half the month. Yet, at critical moments, she doesn’t hesitate. It’s possible that Twelfth Brother is secretly causing trouble as well.”

“Don’t forget, when the granary in Tongzhou caught fire, it was Twelfth Brother who was ordered to investigate. He must have found out about my dealings with Chen Mingshan and is waiting for the Crown Prince to leave before biting me hard, aiming to elevate his own position.”

After Prince Qin finished speaking, Yan Ping’s expression remained unchanged.

“The current situation is indeed unfavorable for Your Highness. The practice of selling official positions has always been a major issue in our dynasty. Regardless of the circumstances, you and I cannot escape responsibility. Therefore, we must sacrifice the pawn to save the king.”

Prince Qin was stunned, “What do you mean?”

Yan Ping frowned at him, his tone casual, “I am an official in the Ministry of Personnel. Whether or not I was involved in this matter, I cannot escape blame. It is better to use me to ensure your safety.”

Prince Qin choked up, “How… how can this be?”

He felt more fear than guilt. Yan Ping had been in the position of chief advisor for nearly twenty years. Over the years, Prince Qin had relied on his powerful uncle to establish himself in the court and compete with the Crown Prince. Although he had managed to push the Crown Prince down, he had not yet ascended to the position of heir apparent. If Yan Ping were to retire now, it would be highly unfavorable for him.

“Isn’t there another way? Or can we find another scapegoat?”

Yan Ping ignored his suggestion and instead instructed him, “After I leave the court, Your Highness must be cautious and patient. As long as you do not lose the Emperor’s favor, you are still the eldest son. With your prestige in the court, the position of Crown Prince will eventually fall to you.”

These words reassured Prince Qin.

When Prince Qin left, he looked full of sorrow as if he couldn’t bear it. But once he got into the carriage, his expression cleared completely. His attendant asked, “Your Highness, will Lord Yan’s action truly protect you?”

Prince Qin sneered, “He isn’t sacrificing the pawn to save the king; he’s shedding his shell like a cicada. He’s a real old fox. Let’s head back. We need to come up with our own plan.”

Meanwhile, after seeing Prince Qin out, Yan Ping returned to his study, where the Yan family’s eldest son personally poured him a cup of plum blossom wine.

Yan Ping, a former top scholar with a reputation for elegance, had aged, and few remembered his youthful vigor. He disliked strong liquor, preferring plum blossom wine’s clear and mild taste.

He took a sip, savoring the lingering flavor.

Eldest Young Master Yan watched his father’s face, once blissful with intoxication, gradually return to normal and anxiously asked, “The case is coming in full force. Aren’t you worried?”

Yan Ping coldly eyed him, “Of course, I’m worried. The lives of hundreds of people in the Yan family rest on my shoulders. Did you see what happened to the Yang family? Though Yang Kang was allowed to retire in peace, the Yang family’s power was entirely stripped away, leaving only an empty title to appease the frontier soldiers.”

“We cannot let the Yan family suffer the same fate.”

Hearing this, Eldest Young Master Yan was so anxious that he nearly burst into tears. “So what should we do?”

Yan Ping slowly put down his small glass cup and sighed, “Prince Qin can only be relied on in times of hardship, not for sharing wealth and glory. It’s time to distance ourselves from him.”

“Throughout the thousands of years of recorded history, how many powerful ministers have met a good end? The key to success is knowing when to retreat. It’s time for me to step down from the court and let the younger generation take over.”

Eldest Young Master Yan was deeply moved by these words and nodded repeatedly, “I understand. So what do you plan to do next?”

Yan Ping instructed, “Find two censors to impeach me for dereliction of duty and poor supervision.”

“Understood, I’ll get it done.”

After leaving the study, Yan Ping headed east towards the Drooping Flower Gate, intending to go to the rear courtyard. However, he heard several clear voices nearby, one of which was confident and commanding, lacking the softness of a young girl but full of competence and decisiveness. Recognizing it as Pei Mushan, Yan Ping stopped in his tracks.

“Fu’er, if you keep talking nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth off!”

“Go ahead and tear it! Just now, who was speaking for the Yan family at the prince’s residence, even selling out her own brother? I see you already think of yourself as part of the Yan family even before marrying in.” Xiao Fu teased Pei Mushan with a smile, hiding behind a crabapple tree.

Yan Shaoling’s marriage had finally taken a positive turn. Yan Youhe, worried that Pei Mushan might be driven away by Xiao Fu, glared at Xiao Fu, “If the princess can marry into the Yan family, it would be a blessing for our whole family. If you mess things up, be careful, or I’ll scratch you.”

Xiao Fu understood Yan Youhe’s concerns and, seeing Pei Mushan on the steps, ready to pounce, quickly hid deeper into the flowers.

“If you don’t push her, she really has no sense of it.”

On the steps, the girl with bright eyes and a blushing face darted towards Xiao Fu. Poor Yan Youhe tried but couldn’t stop her. In the end, Xiao Fu was caught by her cousin and tickled, “I give up! Sister, have mercy! Sister, have mercy!”

Yan Ping stood at the Drooping Flower Gate, watching the elegant girl with a slow, amused smile.

People said he was retreating in a timely manner, but they didn’t know he was starting anew.

After messing around with her two younger sisters, Pei Mushan went to visit Yan Shaoling’s courtyard to check on him. Yan Youhe tactfully took Xiao Fu away, leaving Pei Mushan to enter Yan Shaoling’s hall alone.

It had rained heavily the day before, but today, it was sunny, and the heat quickly swept in. Yan Shaoling’s room was cooled with ice blocks, and as Pei Mushan entered, she shivered and sneezed twice.

Yan Shaoling, always sensitive to her voice, eagerly called out, “Shanshan, is that you?”

“Who else would come to see you?”

Pei Mushan swaggered in with her hands behind her back, first peeking around the screen. Apart from a young medicine boy preparing ointment, the room was empty. Her gaze shifted to the bed, where the usual little tyrant had his face covered.

Pei Mushan hurried over, sitting on a brocade stool by his side, “What’s wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?”

Yan Shaoling, unusually shy, covered his face with a thin quilt and cleared his throat, “Shanshan, you should go back. I don’t look good right now…”

His breath was weak and intermittent as he spoke.

Pei Mushan paused for a moment, then burst out laughing, “I’ve seen you at your worst. Maybe I like this fragile look.”

Thinking of the two refined young men who had followed Pei Mushan at the polo field the other day, Yan Shaoling tossed the quilt aside, revealing a handsome face darkened by frustration, “If you keep teasing me, I won’t get better.”

Pei Mushan covered her mouth, stifling her laughter. She looked so adorably spirited that Yan Shaoling almost lost his composure. He looked away and pointed towards a small table in the east, “The other day when I went hunting with the Twelfth Prince, he caught a deer, and I caught a little rabbit for you…” Yan Shaoling took a couple of breaths before continuing, “I meant to give it to you on the day of the polo match, but it’s still here today. Do you like it?”

Pei Mushan followed his gaze and saw a little white rabbit nibbling on grass in a cage under the sunset. It was adorably clumsy, and as if sensing her gaze, the rabbit lifted its bright red eyes, looking innocently at her. Pei Mushan’s eyes softened, and she recalled that day’s events, her eyes turning red again.

“Alright, I’ll take it home to play with.” She wasn’t one for sentimentality, so she quickly acted nonchalantly, picked up the cage, and played with it momentarily in front of Yan Shaoling before leaving.

On her way back, she found the rabbit so endearing that she couldn’t put it down. The only problem was its smell. When she returned to the prince’s residence, she went straight to find Xu Yunqi, intending to ask her sister-in-law for advice on removing the odor.

As she stepped onto the long corridor of Qinghui Garden, she saw Pei Muheng standing under the corridor, talking to Xu Yunqi.

The couple stopped talking when they saw Pei Mushan.

Pei Mushan descended the steps, holding the cage, and walked along the stone path in the courtyard. Her gaze unconsciously fell on her brother. Pei Muheng had not yet changed out of his court attire, and the maroon prince’s robe reflected the evening glow, making his face shine like jade with a captivating charm. She used to never tire of looking at her brother’s face, but today, for some reason, she lost interest.

Raising her eyes, Pei Mushan glanced over and saw her brother and sister-in-law standing under the corridor. In terms of appearance and temperament, they were indeed a very eye-catching couple, but the more she looked, the more she felt something was missing.

She recalled how Yan Shaoling shamelessly approached her while her brother kept a distance from his wife, with a gap wide enough to fit two of her.

Pei Mushan’s view of her brother instantly changed.

Dragging the cage, she slowly approached, but before she could climb the steps, Pei Muheng already smelled the odor from the rabbit and frowned in disgust, “Stay away from me.”

Pei Mushan paused, gave her brother a cool look, then turned to Xu Yunqi with a smile, “Sister-in-law, Yan Shaoling caught this rabbit for me. Isn’t it pretty?”

Xu Yunqi carefully examined the cage in her hands and sincerely said, “It’s very pretty and adorable.” She had also liked catching rabbits as a child, having ones not just in white but also gray and blue, and raising a whole nest of them was quite fun.

Pei Mushan chuckled and handed over the cage, “Sister-in-law, help me think of a way to get rid of this smell.”

Xu Yunqi was about to take it but glanced at her husband, signaling Yin Xing to take over, “I’ve raised rabbits before; I’ll come up with a solution for you.”

Pei Mushan glanced at her brother out of the corner of her eye, crossed her arms, and smiled, “Sister-in-law, I’ve suddenly realized that judging people by their looks isn’t right.”

Xu Yunqi thought she had seen the light and must have developed feelings for Yan Shaoling. Such a passionate young man was indeed touching, so she responded, “Exactly, it’s good that you understand.”

Pei Mushan nodded solemnly, “Yes, Shaoling may not be the best-looking in the capital, but in terms of sincerity, he’s hard to find.”

“Some people have a pretty face but are useless!”

Pei Muheng: “…”