Chapter 14

Vaguely remembering that Pei Muheng did not like to have the lights on when he slept, Xu Yunxi went to the outer room to extinguish the lamp before slowly returning to the inner room. She gently lifted the quilt and lay down.

The room fell completely silent, and even the sounds of patrolling outside gradually diminished. It was still early in the evening, with occasional murmurs breaking the quiet. It wasn’t even midnight, and Xu Yunxi wasn’t used to sleeping this early, but she did so to accommodate Pei Muheng’s need for rest.

The tents densely occupied the grassy area between the lake and the woods. Due to the many officials and their families, and because it was a good time for spring outings, many additional tents were set up, leaving little space between them. After a while, Xu Yunxi could clearly hear the voice of her second sister-in-law, Madam Li, from the neighboring tent.

“Today, Sheng’er took Xun’er’s rattle, and you didn’t even say a word?”

Second Master Pei Mujing gently persuaded his wife, “It’s not a big deal. Eldest Sister-in-law didn’t come, and the child misses his mother. It’s alright for our child to give in a little.”

Madam Li, sitting on the bed, coldly snorted, “Eldest Sister-in-law isn’t here, but he still has Mother’s affection. Apart from us, who cares about our child? You always let your elder and younger brothers have their way, and now even our child has to bow down.”

As she spoke, tears welled up in Madam Li’s eyes.

Seeing this, Pei Mujing’s voice wavered slightly, “Don’t cry, we’re outside, it’s not good for others to hear… Oh, I know I was wrong. Next time, I’ll make sure to stand up for Xun’er.”

Madam Li, knowing he was just placating her, became even more annoyed. She reached out, not to tug his ear, but to scratch his firm chest, causing a warmth to spread through Pei Mujing’s abdomen. He took the opportunity to pull his wife into his arms. Moments later, faint breaths could be heard. However, both were aware of the propriety of their actions outside and quickly restrained themselves.

“You useless man, you can’t do anything outside and only bully me…” Though her words were reproachful, there was a hint of affection in them.

Xu Yunxi felt slightly embarrassed. So this is what Madam Chang meant by ‘quarrel at the head of the bed and reconcile at the foot.’

Pei Muheng was woken up by the noise. He didn’t move or open his eyes but was fully awake.

Xu Yunxi lay there for a while, feeling uncomfortable. She was used to tucking the quilt tightly to avoid getting cold. Now, with a wide gap between them and the quilt pulled away by him, cold air was seeping in.

Xu Yunxi, who was good at taking care of her health, couldn’t sleep soundly. Should she ask Pei Muheng to move closer?

Obviously, that was not possible.

Moving herself over? Unless she moved into his arms, the gap would always be there. Xu Yunxi wasn’t that bold, so after considering it, she turned slightly and lay on her side facing Pei Muheng, tucking the quilt tightly against her back and clasping her hands to her chest, avoiding the cold.

Xu Yunxi fell asleep this way.

Hearing the steady breathing beside her, Pei Muheng slowly opened his eyes. Glancing in her direction, he saw Xu Yunxi’s fair and delicate face framed by her silky hair, looking as obedient as a kitten with her fists clenched at her chest, clearly a defensive posture. Pei Muheng rubbed his brow.

In the middle of the night, a bird’s cry from the distant mountains instinctively woke Xu Yunxi. The room was pitch dark, with only a dark silhouette resembling a mountain ridge in front of her. Pei Muheng slept fully dressed, with no quilt covering him. Though the weather was warming, the early morning breeze was still chilly. Suspecting that she had taken his quilt, Xu Yunxi quietly tried to cover him with it.

Suddenly, a long, strong arm reached over, grabbing Xu Yunxi’s wrist with such force that she nearly cried out. “It’s me…” she whispered softly.

Half of Xu Yunxi’s body was suspended over him, her soft breath almost touching his face. Her clear eyes, misted with a layer of moisture, looked at him earnestly.

Their breaths intermingled, closer than they had ever been before.

Xu Yunxi lowered her gaze, and Pei Muheng exhaled slowly to the side. He had recently endured many assassination attempts, making him highly alert. He was not used to having someone so close.

Seeing her posture, he understood what she intended to do.

Pei Muheng got up, steadied her, and released her wrist. “Did I hurt you?” he asked.

Xu Yunxi rubbed her reddened wrist and slowly shook her head. She lay down again, this time not caring whether the quilt covered Pei Muheng or not.

Pei Muheng saw that his wife remained silent, feeling a bit guilty. He shifted closer to her and tucked the quilt more securely in the middle before lying back down to sleep.

The next morning, when Xu Yunxi opened her eyes, daylight was already streaming in, and the person next to her was nowhere to be seen.

Pei Muheng had gone early to pay his respects in the imperial tent. Along with him were more than a dozen imperial grandsons. The eldest imperial grandson waited alone at the front, with Pei Muheng standing in the second row. The morning fog was dense, and birds circled above. Some stood solemnly, while others yawned discreetly at the back. After a short while, Liu Xiwen, the head eunuch of the Ministry of Rites, emerged with a smile, carrying a duster on his elbow and speaking in a low voice, “His Majesty has just woken up and is discussing matters with several ministers. He has summoned the eldest and seventh imperial grandsons. The rest may disperse.”

Pei Muheng was the seventh imperial grandson.

Envious glances were cast in Pei Muheng’s direction as the others left in small groups.

Pei Muheng followed the eldest imperial grandson into the imperial tent. The emperor, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, was examining a map of the mountains and rivers at his desk. Yan Ping and the Minister of Justice, Xiao Yu, stood on either side, while Prince Qin, Prince Chen, and the Twelfth Prince Pei Xun were also present.

Prince Qin and Prince Chen wore crimson royal robes, looking respectful, while the twelfth prince leisurely wore a cyan robe. Seeing Pei Muheng, he smiled and waved him over.

Pei Muheng silently saluted the emperor before approaching Pei Xun.

“Twelfth Uncle.” Pei Muheng and Pei Xun were only ten years apart in age. When Pei Xun was young, he often took Pei Muheng hunting in the mountains, and Pei Xun personally taught Pei Muheng’s archery skills.

“I heard you were injured in Yangzhou?”

“A minor injury, not worth mentioning. But how is your leg, Twelfth Uncle?”

At these words, Pei Xun’s expression turned to annoyance, and he replied despondently, “Still the same. The tendons and bones were hurt, and it aches in windy or rainy weather.”

Pei Muheng looked serious, “You should have a physician examine it thoroughly.”

Pei Xun shook his head, “I’ve had it looked at, but it’s only treating the symptoms, not the cause. My men found a clinic in the south of the city with a skilled acupuncturist. I’ll try that next.”

At this moment, the emperor looked up, and the two fell silent.

The emperor glanced at everyone, closed the map, and asked Yan Ping, “The envoy from Great Wu has reached the border. Who has the cabinet decided to send to greet him?”

Yan Ping bowed and replied, “Deputy Minister Wen Zhao of the Ministry of Rites and two officials from the Ministry of Ceremonies will greet them. However, as their delegation includes a prince, we might need to send an imperial grandson to receive them.”

Hearing this, Pei Xun immediately glanced at Pei Muheng and said with a smile, “Father, let Heng’er go. He repelled the Great Wu envoy when he was seven, making him the perfect choice.”

Yang Kang immediately took over the conversation, “Your Majesty, it is heard that the visiting envoy is the legitimate prince of Tuotuo Kal. We must send the Eldest Imperial Grandson to meet him to maintain proper etiquette.”

Standing to the side, Prince Qin slowly countered, “The Eldest Imperial Grandson holds a noble status, but we shouldn’t elevate the other party too much. I think Heng’er should go.”

The emperor exchanged a glance with Yan Ping.

The person selected to greet the envoy must be both eloquent and commanding. The Eldest Imperial Grandson’s status could overshadow the envoy, but his handling of matters was not as sharp, potentially being led by the nose.

Pei Muheng was undoubtedly the best choice. However, it was not appropriate to bypass the Eldest Imperial Grandson.

The emperor turned his gaze to the Eldest Imperial Grandson, “Qian’er, what do you think?”

The Eldest Imperial Grandson met the emperor’s gaze. Although not as capable as Pei Muheng, his mind was sharp. The emperor’s question was a subtle hint for him to willingly relinquish the opportunity to save face.

The Eldest Imperial Grandson immediately replied, “As the Eldest Imperial Grandson, it is my duty to share the emperor’s burdens. However, I caught a cold last night and am feeling unwell. I fear this task may trouble Seventh Brother.”

Seeing his grandson’s tactfulness, the emperor was pleased and pointed to a small table beside him, “Alright, draft the decree on my behalf.”

The phrase “on my behalf” gave the Eldest Imperial Grandson ample respect.

The emperor balanced everything fairly.

Pei Muheng was ordered to go to the border to greet the envoy, so he did not sleep with Xu Yunxi that night.

The following afternoon, around Shen Shi (3–5 PM), the imperial procession arrived at the Xuanfu. The Internal Affairs Office and the Imperial Guard escorted the officials’ families to their designated palaces. The Prince Xi Mansion was assigned to the Yongning Palace in the eastern part of the Xuanfu, quite a distance from the emperor’s Qiankun Palace. Princess Consort Xi was unconcerned, settling her son and daughter-in-law before retiring early.

That night, after the long journey, no one visited each other’s quarters, ensuring peace.

The next day, Pei Mushan, feeling restless, took the idle Xu Yunxi to explore the palace’s surroundings.

To the north of the palace was a low hill called Qifeng Slope. While the plum blossoms elsewhere had already withered, here, the spring plums bloomed in abundance, with varieties like cinnabar, green calyx, river plum, snow plum, and butterfly plum in a myriad of colors. From a high vantage point, it seemed as if an immortal had spilled a dye vat, creating a dreamlike and fantastical scene. The girls, dressed in colorful skirts, flitted among the flowers like butterflies, making the entire Qifeng Hill lively and vibrant.

“Oh dear, we’re late! Look, that girl Xiao Qin has already climbed up to Qifeng Pavilion!”

Pei Mushan pulled Xu Yunxi, ready to run up the hill. Seeing her recklessness, Xu Yunxi quickly stopped her, “If you run up in such a hurry, you’ll be drenched in sweat. When the mountain wind blows, you’ll catch a cold. Let’s walk slowly.”

Pei Mushan, valuing her composure, followed her sister-in-law up the hill at a leisurely pace. After about a quarter of an hour, the two women, each holding some plum branches, reached the top of the hill.

Xu Yunxi didn’t like picking branches, so the ones she held were all picked by Pei Mushan.

As she said, “If there are flowers, we must pick them.” Xu Yunxi just went along with her.

When they reached the hill, it was indeed crowded, and the originally spacious Qifeng Pavilion was now filled with people. These were all ladies of officials of the fourth rank and above, each one either wealthy or noble.

Xu Yunxi looked around and saw them all dressed in bright colors, their faces blooming with springtime beauty, more splendid than the mountain flowers.

Pei Mushan, being of noble status and having a generous nature, was well-liked in the capital. Seeing her arrive, one of the girls immediately stood up to offer her seat, “Your Highness, please come sit here.”

The daughter of the Court Judicial Review Chief stood up, giving the seat next to Xiao Qin to Pei Mushan.

Xiao Qin’s father was the current elder of the cabinet and the Minister of Justice, Xiao Yu. She was holding a round fan and noticed Xu Yunxi behind Pei Mushan, feeling disdainful. But when she looked at Pei Mushan, she smiled warmly, “I sent someone to find you this morning. Why didn’t I hear back from you?”

Pei Mushan, leading Xu Yunxi over, replied, “Did you? I didn’t know you were looking for me.” She glanced around the stone table, noticing that only one seat had been offered, her face showing displeasure, “Sister-in-law, you sit here.”

Xiao Qin’s expression turned sour. She quickly stood up, pulling Pei Mushan aside and asking, “I visited Ling’er at Qingshan Temple at the end of February. She’s still not well. She asked me if you liked the pair of phoenix and bird handkerchiefs she embroidered for you last year.”

Pei Mushan smacked her head, “Oh no, I was too busy last year and forgot to thank her.”

In the past, Xun Yunling treated her very well, always caring for her as if she were a sister. Pei Mushan also liked Xun Yunling very much. Xiao Qin, in front of her now, was Xun Yunling’s close friend. Their relationship was so close that they could share clothes. Seeing Xu Yunxi, Xiao Qin decided to stand up for Xun Yunling.

Xu Yunxi, being perceptive, quickly noticed the hostility these noblewomen directed at her. She had no intention of sitting down and instead slowly enjoyed the scenery. As for the “Ling’er” they mentioned, she couldn’t recall who she was and didn’t care.

Xiao Qin glared at Pei Mushan, “You still have such a forgetful nature. By the way, Ling’er loves plum blossoms, and I plan to pick some from here to make rouge. I’ll give them to her when I return to the capital and visit Qingshan Temple. Your Highness, why don’t you come with me to pick some plum blossoms?”

This was an attempt to take Pei Mushan away.

“Oh no, that’s not necessary. I’ve already picked enough. Look at this heap in my arms. Let me rest for a while.”

Xiao Qin puffed her cheeks, clearly displeased.

The daughter of the Court Judicial Review Chief, standing nearby, glanced at Xu Yunxi with disdain and said, “Your Highness, you laugh with the new while ignoring the old.”

The meaning of “new” and “old” was self-evident.

Pei Mushan’s face fell, and she frowned as she looked at these girls, “Can we just enjoy the flowers without bringing up old matters? Why are you still mentioning things from so long ago?”

With the facade torn down, there was no need for anyone to hide their true feelings.

Xiao Qin’s expression showed discontent, “Your Highness, back then, Ling’er treated you like her own sister. You were the first person she thought of for anything fun or delicious. And now, you have cast her aside completely?”

Pei Mushan was speechless, “What nonsense are you talking about? How have I cast her aside? She’s recovering from an illness, and my mother has sent people to visit her several times, sending medicine and supplements. What more do you want?”

Xiao Qin pointed resentfully at Xu Yunxi, “Then why do you care about her?”

Pei Mushan looked puzzled, “She is my legitimate sister-in-law. Why shouldn’t I care about her? I like her.”

A young girl nearby pouted and interjected, “I think the princess prefers the new sister-in-law because she is more beautiful.”

Pei Mushan did not deny it, “Yes.”

Xiao Qin felt it was unfair for Xun Yunling, “She has been at Qingshan Temple for almost half a year, and the princess hasn’t visited her even once. Ling’er is heartbroken.”

Pei Mushan sighed, “I have a reason for not visiting her.”

“What reason?”

“I have a new sister-in-law now,” Pei Mushan said confidently.

In her view, Xun Yunling needed to let go. Being wrapped up in her cocoon, no one could help her.

Xiao Qin was so angry she was at a loss for words.

Seeing them cling to old matters and fearing that Xu Yunxi would be upset, Pei Mushan turned to pull her away. At that moment, Xiao Qin signaled a servant woman in the crowd. Holding a bowl of tea, the servant woman pretended to slip and clumsily headed straight for Xu Yunxi.

Seeing the steaming tea about to be spilled, Xu Yunxi’s eyes flashed. She quickly pulled Pei Mushan back with one hand and stepped aside, letting the tea splash onto the daughter of the Court Judicial Review Chief.

Xu Yunxi, accustomed to life on the road, was far more agile than these pampered young ladies. She moved swiftly and gracefully, catching everyone off guard.

The tea splashed all over the daughter of the Court Judicial Review Chief, causing her to scream in pain as if a thousand ants were biting her. She fell into the arms of her maid, crying out in agony.

Seeing this, Pei Mushan’s face turned ashen. If that tea had splashed on her sister-in-law’s face, the consequences would have been unthinkable. She immediately assumed it was Xiao Qin’s doing, and without a word, turned and slapped Xiao Qin hard across the face.

Xiao Qin, already frightened by the turn of events, couldn’t keep her balance when Pei Mushan slapped her. She fell back from the pavilion, her arm crashing onto a sharp rock. A sharp cry abruptly stopped, and Xu Yunxi, with her experience, knew it was likely a fracture.

Half an hour later, the main hall of Qiankun Palace was packed.

The emperor held documents from the negotiations between the two countries, his expression inscrutable as he looked at the young ladies before him. Several high-ranking officials sat to the side, including the wife of the Court Judicial Review Chief, who held her daughter and cried uncontrollably. On the other side, Madam Xiao glared at Xu Yunxi and the others with a pale face.

Pei Mushan knelt in the center of the hall, expressionless, and defiantly said to the emperor, “I am the one who hit her. It has nothing to do with my sister-in-law. I take full responsibility for my actions.”