Chapter 45

Returning to Qinghui Garden, Xu Yunqi first had the prepared gifts delivered to various rooms by Nanny Chen. A chilly breeze blew in, making Xu Yunqi feel cold. She took a hot bath in the bathroom and emerged feeling comfortable, only to hear Yin Xing sobbing on a soft pillow by the window.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Xu Yunqi gently fastened her robe and went to check on her.

Yin Xing raised her hand, wiping away tears, “I was moved by the master’s words. That’s what a father should be like. You’ve been drifting for so many years, just hoping for a home.”

With tears streaming down her face, the young girl cried earnestly and wholeheartedly. Xu Yunqi tightened her collar and slowly sat down opposite her.

“You’re worrying unnecessarily. Don’t I have a good life here at the palace? I live comfortably and freely. I can either stay in one place or travel the world. With a big heart and open mind, everywhere is home. Why bind yourself to the idea of a single home? That’s like creating a cocoon around yourself.”

“There are countless people who suffer and even more who are poor. We have enough to eat and wear, and we’re healthy. That’s the greatest happiness in the world.”

“Stop crying now…” Xu Yunqi patted her shoulder. “I brought back so many medicinal herbs; we need to sort them out.”

Xu Yunqi stood up and went to the small pharmacy.

After crying for a while, Yin Xing felt it was pointless. She hummed softly and followed her into the pharmacy.

The master and servant sat across from each other with a long table between them, each illuminated by a bright palace lantern. Yin Xing sorted herbs while Xu Yunqi prepared the medicine, matching herbs to the appropriate pills and weighing them carefully before placing them in a jar.

During this time, Yin Xing occasionally asked about Xu Yunqi’s time in Yangzhou.

“Well, the Third Master is very good. Officially, I’m his servant, but in reality, he takes care of me in every way…”

“I didn’t suffer any losses. Sometimes, I accompanied him to the yamen for social gatherings, and sometimes, I wandered the market alone. We’ve been to Yangzhou city before, haven’t we? The pharmacies around Jinshui River are quite good. The shopkeepers even recognized me and chatted for a while, saying they wanted to send an apprentice to learn acupuncture from me…”

“Pah, is he even worthy? If he has the ability, let him come and kowtow to become my apprentice!”

The master and servant chatted idly.

Xu Yunqi chuckled, “The Third Master took me to tour the Yangzhou Maritime Commission. There were quite a few supplies there, and I got some realgar, musk, pepper, cloves, ivory, and rhino horn. Oh, and I brought you a string of coral beads. They’re in the box outside, you can take a look later.”

Yin Xing’s eyes curved with happiness, “Miss, to be honest, the Third Master treats you quite well.”

Xu Yunqi nodded, “Indeed, he does.”

Yin Xing tilted her head and murmured, “For a blind marriage, the Third Master treats you so well. If he married a woman he loved, I wonder how much he would cherish her.”

Xu Yunqi nodded again, “You have a point,” and after a moment added, “The Third Master is a very responsible person. It’s rare to do this well without any affection involved.”

“Yes, that’s what the old man used to say: emotions can’t be trusted, but character can. Emotions come and go quickly, but character is hard to change. As long as he’s a good person, even if he doesn’t like you, he won’t be too bad.” Yin Xing sighed.

Xu Yunqi listened to her rambling and smiled at her, “Are you speaking from experience, or is this the stirrings of a young heart?”

Yin Xing blushed deeply, “Miss, what nonsense are you talking about? I don’t have such feelings.”

Xu Yunqi laughed, “Oh, I didn’t say anything, yet you jumped to claim it. Looks like I need to ask Shanshan tomorrow about who you’ve been seeing lately…”

Yin Xing buried her face in the herbs, refusing to speak.

Xu Yunqi laughed heartily.

After a while, Nanny Chen came in with a box.

“What’s that?” Yin Xing turned and asked.:

Nanny Chen smiled bitterly, “This was sent by Master Xun from next door, and he said he made it himself.”

Xu Yunqi rubbed her forehead without saying anything.

Curious, Yin Xing turned around and took the box, opening it to reveal a plate of freshly made candied hawthorns emitting a fragrant aroma. She glanced at Xu Yunqi, her eyes lighting up. “Miss, this is from Master Xun. Do you want to eat it?”

Xu Yunqi shook her head and continued preparing the medicine.

Yin Xing took the box outside, intending to try a piece before returning it. However, after one bite, she couldn’t resist another, and soon, her little greedy mouth had eaten most of it. She carried the empty box to the front gate and noticed the housekeeper from the Xun residence chatting with the steward of the royal residence. Smiling, she handed the empty box over.

“Hey, these candied hawthorns were quite tasty. But my lady doesn’t eat sweets, so to avoid waste, I took care of them.”

The housekeeper of the Xun residence smiled silently and took the box back. He could see that Yin Xing was very clever and didn’t want to embarrass his master, so she made a compromise.

He relayed the message to Xun Yunhe, who, though not disappointed, remained silent for a moment before getting up, changing into his court attire, and heading to the palace.

At this moment, Pei Muheng was kneeling before the emperor, reporting every detail of the Yangzhou case.

Pei Muheng understood very well that while the emperor had openly sent him to Yangzhou, there were undoubtedly Imperial Guards and Eastern Depot agents accompanying him in secret. The emperor always relied on these three groups to control the court and balance the officialdom.

The emperor might tolerate him making decisions on his own, but he would never tolerate him concealing anything, so Pei Muheng revealed everything.

The emperor read the confession and remained silent for a long time.

Pei Muheng’s meticulous mind was clear. He did not want to implicate the Governor of Liangjiang, preserving such a pillar of the nation for the people and stabilizing Jiangnan. He also did not want to drag the case toward the Twelfth Prince, so he stopped after identifying the left-handed deputy general. It was commendable how he navigated the court, Prince Qin, the Twelfth Prince, and even his grandfather so thoroughly.

The emperor certainly did not want to lose Qu Weizhen, as Jiangnan still relied on him to maintain control. He also did not want to see this case turn into a bloody struggle for the throne among the princes. Instead, he used this case to successfully implement national policies. Pei Muheng’s actions perfectly aligned with the emperor’s intentions.

The emperor was very satisfied. Satisfied, yet he felt a tinge of regret, though he did not immediately understand its source.

“The method you tried in Yangzhou is excellent. So, I will issue an edict shortly. From now on, you will oversee the Ministry of Revenue and be fully responsible for implementing national policies.”

Pei Muheng looked at the emperor, stunned for a moment, then immediately kowtowed in gratitude, “Grandson thanks His Majesty for his trust. Grandson will do his utmost.”

Soon, Pei Muheng, holding the imperial edict, went to the Ministry of Revenue with the eunuch who delivered the decree. As he left, he bumped into Liu Xiwen, the Director of the Department of Ceremonial Affairs, holding a box of memorials. Their gazes met.

Liu Xiwen’s look was solemn. Pei Muheng understood that Liu Xiwen appreciated his favor.

As Pei Muheng left, Xun Yunhe entered the imperial study.

The emperor looked at him and smiled, beckoning, “Xuzhi, come and sit by me.”

Xun Yunhe lifted his robe and sat on the brocade stool beside the emperor.

The emperor handed him the case reports. “Look, these are all your son-in-law’s handiwork.”

Xun Yunhe smiled bitterly, “Your Majesty, I may regard him as my son-in-law in my heart, but he may not accept me as his father-in-law.”

“Hahaha!” The emperor looked at him sympathetically. Previously, Xun Yunhe had shared his feelings with the emperor, who could relate. Both had their first daughters, both lively and innocent. Princess Mingyue brought blessings to the Jin dynasty, and Xu Yunqi was born on Xun Yunhe’s birthday, whom he regarded as the most precious gift from heaven. Both fathers shared the same deep love for their daughters.

“But you are much luckier than I am.” The emperor’s smile faded.

Xun Yunhe bowed and said, “I am also fortunate thanks to Your Majesty’s blessings, which allowed me to find my lost treasure.”

The apparent reason was that the emperor had ordered him to organize a birthday celebration, allowing his wife and daughter to uncover the truth.

The emperor nodded, his gaze returning to the stack of confessions and documents. “Henger has the ability to govern the state; he is a talent for assisting kings.”

Hearing these last four words, Xun Yunhe squinted slightly.

A single phrase, “talent for assisting kings,” effectively excluded Prince Xi’s residence from the struggle for the throne.

As long as the mystery of Prince Xi’s loss of favor remained unsolved, the emperor would never consider Prince Xi’s residence.

Xun Yunhe understood that the emperor’s words were both a sigh and a test. He immediately nodded and said, “It was a blessing for my daughter when Your Majesty bestowed her upon the Third Young Master.”

Xun Yunhe mentioned this to indicate that Xu Yunqi’s practice of medicine made her unsuitable for becoming the empress, reassuring the emperor that he was not helping Prince Xi’s residence in their struggle for the throne.

The emperor indeed smiled. Pei Muheng has gained prominence in the court and achieved numerous successes in recent years. How could the emperor not suspect that his grandson had ambitions for the throne? However, when he personally brought Xu Yunqi back recently, the emperor’s doubts were dispelled.

The Jin dynasty could never have a queen who practiced medicine.

Pei Muheng bringing Xu Yunqi back was also a way to express his stance.

“I also heard that you personally cooked for your daughter. Don’t you understand the saying that a gentleman stays away from the kitchen?”

The emperor’s remark indicated to Xun Yunhe that every move he and Prince Xi’s residence made was under the surveillance of the Imperial Guards. The emperor wanted to use Xun Yunhe but did not wish for him to overstep his bounds.

Xun Yunhe understood perfectly. “She has suffered too much. When she needed me, I wasn’t there for her. No matter what I do now, it’s just my way of comforting myself.”

The emperor’s intention was to remind him not to truly oppose him reconciling with his daughter. If Xun Yunhe concealed things, it would backfire.

Seeing his red eyes, the emperor comforted him, “Slow and steady wins the race. When the opportunity arises, I will help you.”

Pei Muheng exited through the Meridian Gate and walked along the white jade path towards the government office district opposite. When he reached the Chengtian Gate, he saw someone slowly walking towards the Meridian Gate with the help of an attendant.

Pei Muheng paused for a moment, then stepped forward to greet him, “Twelfth Uncle,” his gaze falling to the man’s leg, frowning, “Twelfth Uncle, has your leg trouble flared up again?”

The lantern light faintly illuminated Pei Xun’s clear and expansive face.

Pei Xun had already noticed him, a faint smile at the corner of his lips, and spoke in his usual gentle tone, “The sudden autumn chill is a bit difficult to get used to, causing some slight pain. By the way, I heard you achieved great success in Yangzhou. Your method has been highly praised in the court and could be implemented nationwide. It not only ensures military supplies but also strengthens the border. Henger, you are a talent for state affairs.”

A person who is considered a talent for state affairs is a capable and efficient official, a potential prime minister. Assisting whom? Naturally, it would be him, the Twelfth Prince.

Pei Muheng, however, appeared ashamed and bowed to him, “Yangzhou is the territory of Twelfth Uncle’s maternal family. If it weren’t for your generosity, how could I have achieved such success and returned to the capital so easily? This act of kindness from you, I am deeply grateful.”

Pei Xun smiled, “Don’t say such things. The salt merchants in Yangzhou have always been arrogant and lawless. Out of respect for my elders, I have shown leniency in the past. Now with you handling things, it saves me the trouble. Otherwise, why would I have recommended you in the first place?”

This statement was to tell Pei Muheng that Prince Qin recommended him to push him into the fire, while Pei Xun’s recommendation was out of trust. Unfortunately, Pei Muheng had failed to live up to that trust.

Pei Muheng sighed, “The political situation is difficult, and the emperor’s will is unpredictable. I am still young and inexperienced, struggling to make the right decisions. If I have made any mistakes, I hope Twelfth Uncle can forgive me.”

The implication was clear: he didn’t want to be caught in the crossfire between powerful figures, and he didn’t dare to investigate or offend anyone.

Pei Xun laughed heartily, stepped forward, and patted his shoulder, sighing meaningfully, “I remember when you were just four years old, following me around as I practiced martial arts and archery. In the blink of an eye, you’re now in your twenties. Now that my leg is injured, I fear it might take some time to heal, but you’ve truly surpassed me.”

Pei Muheng replied, “Twelfth Uncle, you are just over thirty. A few days of rest, and your leg will get better. When you recover, I’ll join you for archery and horseback riding.”

“That’s a promise!” Pei Xun’s eyes gleamed, “In a few days, when the weather is clear and crisp, I’ll send you an invitation. You better not decline.”

With that, Pei Xun laughed and left.

Pei Muheng bowed to his retreating figure, then turned to go when Pei Xun suddenly turned back and called out, “By the way, remember to bring your wife along next time.” He pointed to his leg.

Pei Muheng smiled silently and nodded.

Having been away from the capital for so long, Pei Muheng found that many matters in the Censorate had been delayed. Now, he had additional responsibilities in the Ministry of Revenue, keeping him busy from dawn till dusk, with officials constantly needing his attention. He didn’t even make it home that night, and the following day was just as hectic.

Xun Yunhe, on the other hand, left his office promptly at sunset and returned home on time. In the past, he was often away from home for most of the month. Now, he made every effort to spend time with his daughter. As he left the city gate and saw the servant waiting, he asked, “What is Nannan doing?”

The driver, Liu Fu, came over and replied, “The young lady went to the clinic today and has been seeing patients all day. She hasn’t returned home yet.”

Xun Yunhe glanced at the sky and frowned, “It’s already getting dark. A young girl out at this hour worries me. Let’s go pick her up.”

Xun Yunhe quietly drove to the clinic opposite the Chengyang Medical Hall and waited from dusk until dark. Only in the third quarter of the evening watch did he see Xu Yunqi leave the clinic. He followed her from a distance to ensure she returned home safely. He didn’t want to upset his daughter, so he didn’t show himself, and Xu Yunqi didn’t notice. But Pei Muheng’s secret guard did.

That night, when Pei Muheng dismounted, the secret guard approached him and reported that Xun Yunhe was cooking for Xu Yunqi and picking her up.

The young man, exhausted and confused, stood under the gate, staring in the direction of the Xun residence, lost in thought.

Was this a lesson from his father-in-law?

No matter how busy he was, could he be busier than the prime minister?