Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Danzi urged, "Come on, eat up."

Pei Yanli was playfully cornered by the two children.

Xiao Yu, unable to suppress his amusement, said, "Let's eat the noodles first, then we can talk."

At this, Pei Yanli began eating his noodles.

Soon after, a palace servant brought in dishes from the imperial kitchen.

After finishing the noodles, Xiao Yu and the others enjoyed the additional dishes, filling themselves up. Danzi and Minghe then went to play in Courtyard Nine.

Xiao Yu had the servants clean up the small kitchen while he and Pei Yanli stood aside, watching.

Pei Yanli finally spoke, "About what I said today in the Qianxin Hall..."

Xiao Yu turned to him, asking, "Was it all just a temporary expedient?"

"It was all true!" Pei Yanli said urgently.

Xiao Yu's heart felt joy.

Pei Yanli asked, "What do you think?"

In the dim candlelight, Xiao Yu saw the nervousness and anticipation in Pei Yanli's dark eyes. He playfully feigned distress, "What can I think? You are the Grand General, and you said all that in front of so many people. Only now you come to ask me, what am I supposed to think?"

Pei Yanli, showing rare anxiety, earnestly explained, "The situation was urgent. You said yourself, no matter what, you can't leave Danzi and Minghe. The Noble Consort and Consort Zheng's testimonies might clear your name, but won't stop the palace servants from gossiping. More rumors could arise, so I diverted their attention to another topic – our relationship."

Inwardly, Xiao Yu agreed with Pei Yanli's strategy.

Pei Yanli added, "Of course, I had my personal reasons too."

Xiao Yu looked up at Pei Yanli.

In the glow of the lamp, Pei Yanli clearly saw Xiao Yu's handsome face, looking like a celestial being descended to earth, exceptionally beautiful. His throat tightened as he said, "I don't want those frivolous admirers flocking towards you."

"Frivolous admirers?" Xiao Yu was puzzled. "Where did they come from?"

"Those restless ones from the Military Intelligence Department and the Hanlin Academy. Just a few encounters with you during the Northern Envoy's visit, and they're already smitten," Pei Yanli spoke with a hint of jealousy.

"How come I didn’t notice?" Xiao Yu was genuinely unaware.

"It's better that you didn't."

Xiao Yu had no response to that.

Pei Yanli continued, "In a moment of urgency, I didn't consult you beforehand before saying what I did. Don't be angry."

"I'm not angry," Xiao Yu understood that in such a situation, Pei Yanli was helping him.

"Then you—" Pei Yanli looked at Xiao Yu inquisitively.

"I was just teasing you," Xiao Yu suddenly burst into laughter.

Pei Yanli's face fell, "I'm serious."

"I know," Xiao Yu smiled.

Seeing Xiao Yu not treating the matter with gravity, Pei Yanli felt a bit annoyed, but then he thought of Xiao Yu's nature—if he didn’t like something, he would firmly reject it.

Now, Xiao Yu's relaxed demeanor indicated acceptance of his actions. Pei Yanli, delighted, asked, "So, you accept everything I said?"

"Yes." Xiao Yu’s index finger hooked around Pei Yanli's little finger, followed by the ring finger, middle finger, and then grasped his hand.

Pei Yanli looked down. In the darkness, he couldn’t see Xiao Yu's movements, but he could distinctly feel Xiao Yu’s hand inching into his own. He gently held it, his eyes brimming with joy, "I've caught you, and I won't let go."

Xiao Yu said earnestly, "Then I guess I can never wash my hands again."

"You're still joking."

Xiao Yu, smiling, asked, "Today, in the Qianxin Hall, you made our relationship public. By tomorrow, the whole of Dajing will know."

"Let them know," Pei Yanli replied, not only unbothered but actually relishing the situation.

Xiao Yu, however, had concerns, "What about your parents?"

Pei Yanli said, "They have another son."

Xiao Yu, surprised, asked, "Your own brother?"

Pei Yanli nodded, "Yes, from the same mother."

"How come you never mentioned him before?"

"He's eight this year, at that age where he prefers cats and dogs to people."

"So, you don't favor him either?"

"Who are you calling a dog?"

Xiao Yu laughed.

Watching Xiao Yu, Pei Yanli’s mouth also curved into a smile.

"Uncle!" Suddenly, a little chubby figure rushed over and hugged Xiao Yu's legs.

Xiao Yu looked down, "Tired?"

"Yeah, I want to sleep," Danzi said, his eyes nearly closing.

"Uncle," Minghe also came over, rubbing his eyes.

Xiao Yu looked at Pei Yanli, "Can you help?"

Pei Yanli picked up Minghe, "Where to?"

"It's too cold. Let's wash their faces and feet," Xiao Yu said.

"Me?" Pei Yanli asked.

Xiao Yu, tilting his head, replied, "Who else?"

"Aren't there palace servants for this?" Pei Yanli wasn't accustomed to caring for children.

"Don't you want to get closer to them?" Xiao Yu inquired.

Pei Yanli responded, "Let's go, then."

The two headed to the bathhouse together.

The palace servants had already prepared hot water.

Xiao Yu skillfully washed Danzi's face and feet.

Pei Yanli, attempting the same, ended up waking Minghe.

Minghe slid off Pei Yanli's lap, saying, "I can wash myself, I can do it."

Pei Yanli, feeling slightly embarrassed, scratched his eyebrow.

"It's okay, you'll get the hang of it after a few times," Xiao Yu reassured him.

Pei Yanli then assisted in the background.

Danzi, extremely tired, quickly fell asleep in bed.

The palace servants kept watch outside.

Xiao Yu, taking Minghe back to the eastern chamber, turned and asked, "I need to put Minghe to bed. What about you—"

"I'll wait here," Pei Yanli responded.

"Okay then," Xiao Yu settled beside the bed.

Minghe, lying inside the bed, with his chubby face pressed against his uncle's arm, looked up with wide eyes and asked, "Uncle, is Uncle Pei going to sleep with us?"

"…No, he won’t."

"Then why isn't he going home yet?"

"He'll go home in a bit." To prevent Minghe from saying anything too startling, Xiao Yu quickly added, "Shall I continue the story about the little cabin in the forest today?"

"Yes, please," Minghe agreed.

"Where did you fall asleep yesterday?" Xiao Yu asked. Since it was a bedtime story, Minghe and Danzi often fell asleep before it ended, so Xiao Yu would pick up from where the children hadn't heard.

Minghe thought for a moment, "I heard up to where the old grandmother was outside the cabin, almost starving."

"Alright, let's continue from there."

"Hmm."

Xiao Yu had told the children countless bedtime stories, becoming more and more proficient, his voice gentle yet emotive.

Minghe listened intently.

In the flickering candlelight that cast a soft glow, Pei Yanli sat beside the bed, watching lovingly. Listening to Xiao Yu's voice, he felt a deep sense of tranquility. Gradually, Minghe fell asleep, and Xiao Yu also slowly closed his eyes.

Pei Yanli smiled slightly, realizing Xiao Yu must be exhausted from a whole day of work, cooking, and bathing the children.

When Xiao Yu woke up, it was already the next day during the Mao hour. He thought of Pei Yanli and suddenly sat up, noticing the blanket neatly covering him and shoes tidily placed beside the bed... Ah, he had been so tired yesterday that he had fallen asleep with Pei Yanli watching over him.

He quickly got up and asked the palace servant Xiao Zhongzi, "When did General Pei leave?"

"It was almost at the Zi hour," Xiao Zhongzi replied.

Xiao Yu, puzzled, asked, "What did he do?"

"He didn't do much, just quietly stayed here."

Xiao Yu, holding the blanket, said, "Then this blanket on me—"

"It must have been the General who arranged it. When he left, he closed the door carefully to not disturb us," Xiao Zhongzi explained.

"Okay, I understand," Xiao Yu felt a bit embarrassed but also happy.

At this time, Danzi and Minghe woke up.

Xiao Yu quickly prepared breakfast.

The two children walked hand in hand to their classes.

Xiao Yu agreed to prepare some food for Pei Yanli and Lu Ming for their journey. With only three days left before their departure, he hadn’t yet decided what to make, so he headed to the imperial kitchen, where he again heard rumors.

"So it turns out Qiuyu's feelings were unrequited!"

"I always said Xiao Ziqing wasn’t the type to cause trouble in the harem."

"He’s such a decent person, doesn't look down on us at all."

"But I can't believe he's actually in a relationship with the Grand General!"

"The Grand General is so intimidating!"

"Yes, yes, I get all tongue-tied around the Grand General."

"Me too, I feel like he could take my life with just a wave of his hand."

"I wonder how Xiao Ziqing dares to be with the Grand General. How do they even get along in private?"

"Xiao Ziqing is really brave."

“……”

Pei Yanli's voice then appeared, "Do I really seem that frightening?"

Xiao Yu immediately turned around, bumping right into his embrace.

With a clear, laughing voice, he said, "Seems like I’m not that scary after all."

Xiao Yu playfully pushed him away, "We're in public."

Pei Yanli then took a step back, "Did you sleep well last night?"

Xiao Yu asked, "Why didn’t you wake me up?"

"You looked too tired."

"And you? Did you sleep well last night?"

"Not really," Pei Yanli replied.

"What happened?" Xiao Yu inquired.

"It felt like a dream," Pei Yanli said, gazing quietly into Xiao Yu's eyes. As Xiao Yu was about to speak, Pei Yanli interjected, "I know, we're in public." But he was telling the truth. He had always been somewhat fearful of emotions. Meeting Xiao Yu changed everything. Just talking with Xiao Yu made his whole night pleasant, as if he was floating on a cloud.

"Good to know," Xiao Yu moved forward.

Pei Yanli followed, asking, "Where are you going?"

"To check the ingredients in the imperial kitchen. What about you? Aren’t you busy?"

"I took some time to see you, but I need to get going now," Pei Yanli halted.

"So soon?" Xiao Yu asked.

"Yes, I'll come to see you when I'm free."

Xiao Yu nodded.

Pei Yanli quickly walked away.

Xiao Yu’s gaze returned, noticing many palace servants peering around. He asked Xiao Zhongzi, "What are they looking at?"

Xiao Zhongzi smiled, "They're saying the Grand General is really gentle with Lord Ziqing."

"Nonsense."

Xiao Zhongzi said, "The discussions about you two are going to get even more intense."

Xiao Zhongzi was right. By the afternoon, the rumors were all about how loving Xiao Ziqing and General Pei were towards each other, completely ignoring Qiuyu and any connection to the ladies of the harem... This was exactly what Pei Yanli had intended, and Xiao Yu did not stop these rumors. Over the next two days, Pei Yanli found time to visit him.

Although they didn’t say or do much together, they were very happy.

Meanwhile, news came from the Noble Consort that despite questioning, Qiuyu insisted she spread the rumors because she fancied Lord Ziqing. As a result, Qiuyu was punished with a beating and then expelled from the palace.

Xiao Yu and Pei Yanli both knew there must have been someone behind Qiuyu.

That person was likely Zheng Weilu.

However, Qiuyu, bound by her unspeakable difficulties, was unwilling to reveal this. Even if she did, it wouldn’t have much effect. Such rumors without substantial harm wouldn’t hurt Zheng Weilu; Emperor Yongxi might at most reprimand him without affecting his salary.

Xiao Yu and Pei Yanli didn't want to disturb Zheng Weilu over this and decided to note it down for future reckoning, focusing instead on their own affairs.

Soon, the food Xiao Yu prepared for Pei Yanli, Lu Ming, and others was ready.

"Is everything packed?" Danzi asked.

"Yes, it will be delivered to your Uncle Pei and Uncle Lu tomorrow," Xiao Yu replied.

Minghe said, "Tomorrow we'll see them off to war."

"Right." Although the book 'Emperor's Dream' depicted Pei Yanli retiring after his accomplishments, its contents were now only of reference value, so Xiao Yu couldn't help but worry about Pei Yanli's safety.

"Do we need to get up early tomorrow?" Danzi inquired.

Minghe replied, "Yes, we have to leave at dawn."

"We should all go to bed early tonight," Xiao Yu suggested.

Both children nodded in agreement.

Today, the Emperor was hosting a banquet to send off Pei Yanli and others, so Pei Yanli wouldn't come over. After putting the children to bed, Xiao Yu waited for a while, but hearing no movement outside, he fell asleep.

The next day at dawn, he and the children woke up and quickly got dressed.

"Uncle, are we having breakfast?"

"Xiao Zhongzi will bring it from the imperial kitchen soon." Time was tight, so Xiao Yu decided not to cook.

"Then I'll go wait for it," Minghe ran out.

"Brother, I'll come too," Danzi followed.

Both children ran out, leaving Xiao Yu to tidy the beds. Hearing a noise behind him, he asked without turning, "You’re back so soon?"

"Yes," a voice responded.

Realizing the voice was unfamiliar, Xiao Yu turned to see Pei Yanli in armor. Usually dressed in long, elegant robes, his cold demeanor now had a martial air, awe-inspiring and heart-stirring: "Why are you here?"

Pei Yanli said, "I wanted to see you alone." There wouldn’t be time for a private moment during the farewell with everyone else.

Xiao Yu put down the blanket, asking, "Have you had breakfast?"

"Not yet," Pei Yanli replied.

"Then—"

"Uncle! The food's here!" Minghe and Danzi called out together.

Pei Yanli quickly blew out the lamp and pulled Xiao Yu behind the door.

"What are you doing?" Xiao Yu whispered, pressed close to Pei Yanli in the dark.

"I’m leaving soon and don’t want to be disturbed by the kids," Pei Yanli said.

Xiao Yu whispered, "I can talk to them, let them eat first."

Knowing Xiao Yu's patience with the children, Pei Yanli replied directly, "That would be a waste of time."

"But—" Xiao Yu's words were abruptly cut off as his lips were sealed in a kiss by Pei Yanli, his eyes widening in shock. He instinctively tried to step back.

Pei Yanli wrapped one arm around Xiao Yu's waist and pressed his hand against the back of Xiao Yu's head, kissing him forcefully, not allowing any retreat. Initially clumsy, he quickly became more assertive, prying open Xiao Yu's lips.

Xiao Yu, who had never been in such a situation, was completely stunned.

"Uncle!" Danzi's voice called out.

Minghe followed, "Why did the light go out?"

The two children entered the room.

Xiao Yu immediately struggled.

But Pei Yanli held him even tighter, almost merging Xiao Yu into his body.

"Uncle isn't in this room, let's look in the other one," Minghe suggested.

"Why is there a sound of water?" Danzi suddenly stopped.

Minghe, curious, asked, "Where?"

"Behind the door! I heard it!" Danzi pointed towards the door.