Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Xu Yunqi vaguely recalled that Pei Mujing disliked lighting lamps when he rested. Thus, she extinguished the lanterns in the outer room before leisurely entering the inner chamber and gently sliding under the covers.

The room fell completely silent, and the sounds of patrolling outside gradually faded. However, it was still early, and occasional whispers could be heard. It wasn't yet the ninth hour of the night; usually, Xu Yunqi didn't sleep this early. She did so only to accommodate Pei Mujing's need for rest.

Tents were densely scattered across a grassy area between the lake and the woods. With many officials' families present and it being the perfect season for spring outings, additional tents had been added to the original allocation. As a result, the tents were packed closely together. After lying down for a while, the voice of Li, the second sister-in-law, clearly drifted over from the neighboring tent.

"Why didn't you say anything when Sheng'er took Xun'er's rattle?"

Second Son Pei Mujing gently persuaded his wife,

"It's not a big deal. Elder Sister-in-Law isn't here, and the child is crying for his mother. It's alright for our child to give way a little."

Li huffed on the bed, "Elder Sister-in-Law isn't here, but there's still Mother to dote on him. Who else will dote on our child besides us? You always yield to your elder brother and younger brother, and now even our child has to be inferior..."

As Li spoke, she began to sob softly.

Pei Mujing's voice trembled with anxiety upon hearing her, "Don't cry, this is outside. It's not good if someone hears... Oh, I know I was wrong. Next time, I'll definitely seek justice for Xun'er..."

Li knew his words were mere placation, which only fueled her anger. She reached out to grab Pei Mujing. Li had always been somewhat flirtatious; instead of pulling his ear, she playfully scratched his solid chest. This ignited a warm sensation in Pei's abdomen, and he instinctively pulled his wife into his embrace. Soon, soft, uneven breathing could be heard, but both were well aware of propriety. They quickly dismissed their desires, knowing it was inappropriate to act on them outside their private quarters.

"You cursed scoundrel, you have no courage outside, yet you only dare bully me..." Though the words were reprimanding, they held a hint of affectionate teasing.

Xu Yunqi felt slightly awkward.

So this was what Aunt Chang meant by 'quarrels at the bedside are reconciled by morning.'

Pei Mujing was awakened by the commotion.

He didn't move or open his eyes, but his consciousness became fully alert.

After lying still for a while, Xu Yunqi began to feel uncomfortable.

She usually tucked her blankets tightly around herself to prevent coldness. Now, with a wide gap between them, the blanket had been pulled by him, allowing a chilly draft to seep in. Xu Yunqi, who took great care of her health, found it impossible to sleep soundly.

Should she ask Pei Mujing to come closer?

That was clearly out of the question.

Moving closer... unless she nestled into his embrace, the gap between them would persist. Xu Yunqi's pride wasn't thick enough for that. After a moment of deliberation, she shifted slightly, turning to lie on her side facing Pei Muheng. Her back was pressed against the bedding, and her hands were placed over her chest, ensuring she wouldn't catch a chill.

Thus, Xu Yunqi fell asleep.

Pei Muheng slowly opened his eyes, hearing the steady breaths beside him.

With a glance in her direction from the corner of his eye, he saw Xu Yunqi's fair and exquisite face buried in her silk-like hair, resembling a compliant kitten. Her fists rested on her chest, clearly in a defensive posture. Pei Muheng rubbed his eyebrow ridge.

In the middle of the night, a bird's cry echoed from the distant mountains. Xu Yunqi instinctively opened her eyes. It was pitch black around her, except for a mountain-like silhouette before her. He was sleeping fully clothed with no covers on him. Though the weather had warmed up, the night breeze at dawn could still be chilly. Suspecting that she had inadvertently taken his blanket, Xu Yunqi quietly draped it over Pei Muheng.

Suddenly, a long and strong arm reached out, unexpectedly pinning her wrist without warning. The force was so great that she almost cried out in pain. "It's me..." she whispered softly.

Half of Xu Yunqi's body hovered above him, and the girl's gentle breath nearly brushed against his face. Her crystal-clear eyes seemed veiled in mist as they gazed at him intently.

Their breaths intertwined, never having been this close before.

Lowering her gaze, Xu Yunqi felt Pei Muheng exhale softly to one side. Lately, he had faced numerous assassination attempts, making him highly cautious.

After all, he was still unaccustomed to having someone by his side.

One glance at Xu Yunqi's posture revealed her intention.

Pei Muheng got up to steady her, then released his hold and asked, "Did I hurt you?"

Xu Yunqi rubbed her reddened wrist and slowly shook her head. She lay back down, no longer bothering whether Pei Muheng was covered by the blanket or not.

Seeing that his wife remained silent, Pei Muheng felt guilty. He shifted closer to her and tucked the hanging part of the blanket securely around them before resuming his sleep.

The next morning, Xu Yunqi opened her eyes to bright daylight, but the person beside her was already gone.

Prince Pei Muheng arrived early in the morning at the imperial tent to pay his respects, accompanied by over a dozen royal grandsons. The Crown Prince Grandson stood alone at the very front, while Prince Pei Muheng, according to seniority, took his place in the second row. Dense morning mist shrouded the area, with birds circling above. Some maintained an air of solemn dignity, while others discreetly yawned behind them. After a brief moment, Palace Eunuch-in-Chief Liu Xiwen emerged from the tent, smiling genially, a whisk resting on his elbow, his voice low and mellifluous.

"The Emperor has just awoken and is currently in conference with several ministers. The Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince have been summoned to enter. The rest of you may disperse."

The Seventh Imperial Grandson is Pei Muheng.

Envious glances swept across Pei Muheng's figure as the crowd dispersed in twos and threes.

Pei Muhen followed in the wake of the Crown Prince, entering the military tent where the Emperor, clad in a bright yellow dragon-embroidered robe, was perusing a topographical map of mountains and rivers from behind his desk. The Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, Yan Ping, and the Minister of Justice, Xiao Yu, stood flanking him, while Prince Qin, Prince Chen, and the twelfth prince, Pei Xun, were also present.

Prince Qin and Prince Chen were both clad in deep crimson robes, their expressions solemn. In contrast, the Twelfth Prince leisurely wore a blue robe and, upon spotting Pei Muheng, he smiled and waved at him.

Pei Muheng first bowed silently to the emperor before joining Pei Xun's side.

"Twelfth Uncle," said Pei Muheng. There was only a ten-year age difference between him and Pei Xun. When Pei Muheng was young, Pei Xun, impressed by his looks, often took him along for hunting trips, teaching him archery skills personally.

"I heard you were injured in Yangzhou?"

"A minor injury, nothing to worry about. How about your leg, Twelfth Uncle? Is it fully recovered?"

Pei Xun's expression soured at the mention of his injury. He replied dispiritedly, "Which part? It still aches during storms and when the wind blows."

Pei Muheng's face darkened with concern. "You should consult an imperial physician."

Pei Xun shook his head. "I have, but the treatment only alleviates the symptoms without addressing the root cause. However, my people heard of a clinic in the Southern City with a doctor skilled in acupuncture. I plan to give it a try."

Just then, the emperor lifted his gaze, and the two fell silent immediately.

Scanning the assembly, the emperor closed the map and addressed Yan Ping,

"The envoy from Da Wu has already reached our borders. Has the cabinet decided who will greet them?"

Yan Ping nodded, his sleeves folded respectfully. "Clerk Wen Zhao from the Department of Rites and two ministers from the Ministry of Rites have been assigned to welcome the envoy. However, since they are sending a prince, we...," he glanced at the Crown Prince and Pei Mu Hang, "might need to send an imperial grandson to receive them."

Pei Xun's eyes immediately fell on Pei Mu Hang, and he suggested with a leisurely smile, "Father, let Brother Hang go. He intimidated the Da Wu envoy at the age of seven, and his reputation precedes him. It would be most suitable for him to go."

However, Right Commander Yang Kang promptly interjected, "Your Majesty, I've heard that the one coming is the legitimate crown prince of Tutekeer. We should send the Crown Prince to maintain etiquette."

Prince Qin, standing nearby with his arms folded, countered calmly, "The Crown Prince's status is too exalted to be overly accommodating. In my opinion, Brother Hang should be the one to go."

The Emperor exchanged a glance with Yan Ping.

The individual chosen to receive the envoy must be both eloquent and imposing.

As the crown prince, his status could intimidate the envoy, but he might not be astute enough to handle the situation and could be led by the nose.

Pei Muhang was undoubtedly the ideal candidate.

However, it wouldn't be proper to bypass the crown prince in this matter.

The emperor turned his gaze to the Crown Prince, "Qian'er, what do you think?"

The Crown Prince lifted his eyes to meet the emperor's, though not as capable as Pei Muheng, he was astute and understood that the emperor was hoping he would voluntarily yield the opportunity to save face.

He promptly replied, "As Your Imperial Grandfather's eldest grandson, it is my duty to alleviate your worries. Unfortunately, I caught a chill last night and am currently experiencing discomfort in my abdomen. It seems that Seventh Brother will have to undertake this task."

Seeing that his grandson was perceptive, the emperor was pleased. He raised his hand to point at the small table on the side, "Very well, you shall draft the imperial edict on my behalf."

The words "on my behalf" bestowed ample dignity upon the Crown Prince.

The emperor maintained perfect impartiality.

Prince Pei Mushan, upon royal decree, embarked on a journey to the border to receive the envoys. As a result, he could not share the bed with Xu Yunqi that night.

The following afternoon, at around three o'clock in the afternoon, the imperial carriage arrived at Xuanfu Palace. The Imperial Household Department and the Imperial Guards escorted the concubines and family members to their designated palaces. The Xihua Palace was assigned to the eastern side of the Yongning Hall in Xuanfu, not particularly close to the Qiankun Palace where the emperor resided. Nevertheless, the Xihua Princess paid no heed and, after settling her son and daughter-in-law, retired early for the night.

After a long journey, everyone was exhausted, and there were no visits between households that night, resulting in a tranquil atmosphere.

By the second day, Pei Mushan, unable to withstand the boredom, dragged the idle Xu Yunqi around the palace grounds for a stroll.

To the north of the palace compound lay a gentle slope known as Phoenix Nest Hill. While plum blossoms elsewhere had long withered away, this place was blanketed with a profusion of spring plums in varieties such as Cinnabar, Green Pedicel, River Plum, Snow Plum, and Butterfly Plum. The colors were so diverse that it seemed like a celestial being had accidentally shattered a vat of dyes onto earth, creating a dreamlike, layered spectacle. Amidst these blossoms, the ladies in their vibrant dresses fluttered about like butterflies, lending a lively charm to the entire Phoenix Nest Mountain.

"Oh my, we're late! Look, Xiao Qin has already climbed up to Phoenix Nest Pavilion!"

Pei Mushan tugged Xu Yunqi along, eager to rush up the hill. Seeing her impetuousness, Xu Yunqi quickly held her back. "If you dash up there in such a hurry, you'll be drenched in sweat. A cold breeze later could give you a chill. Let's take our time."

Pei Mushan valued elegance, so she followed her sister-in-law at a leisurely pace.

After about fifteen minutes, the two ladies reached the hill, each carrying a few plum branches.

Xu Yunqi didn't have a habit of picking flowers, but those in her arms were the fruits of Pei Mushan's enthusiasm. As she put it, "If a flower can be picked, then pick it." Xu Yunqi had no choice but to indulge her.

Upon reaching the slope, they found the area teeming with people. The originally spacious Phoenix Nest Pavilion was now packed with guests. Since they were all ladies from noble families of fourth rank or above, the crowd was filled with wealth and prestige.

As Xu Yunqi looked around, she saw faces flushed with beauty, each one radiating a spring-like glow that even surpassed the brilliance of the mountain blooms.

Pei Mushan, of noble birth and outgoing nature, was well-liked in the capital. Upon seeing her arrival, a young lady immediately stood up to offer her seat.

"Princess, please come and sit here."

The daughter of the Chief Justice rose, vacating her spot beside Xiao Qin for Pei Mushan.

Xiao Qin's father was none other than Xiao Yu, the current cabinet minister and Minister of Punishments. Holding a folding fan, she caught sight of Xu Yunqi standing behind Pei Mushan and felt a subtle disdain. Yet, when she met Pei Mushan's gaze, she donned a familiar smile.

"I sent someone to look for you this morning. Why didn't I hear from you?"

As Pei Mushan led Xu Yunqi over, she responded, "Did you? I wasn't aware that you were searching for me." Glancing around the stone table, she noticed only one seat had been spared, causing her expression to darken.

"Sister-in-law, please sit here."

Xiao Qin's face fell. She rose first, turning Pei Mushan around to address her.

"In late February, I visited Ling'er at Green Mountain Temple. She still wasn't well. She asked if I had seen the pair of phoenix handkerchiefs she embroidered for you before the New Year. Did you like them?"

Pei Mushan slapped her forehead. "Oh dear, I was so busy around the New Year that I forgot to send her a return gift."

In the past, Xun Yunling treated her with utmost kindness, showing genuine concern for her well-being as if she were her own sister. Pei Mushan also had a deep affection for Xun Yunling. The woman standing before them, Xiao Qin, was Xun Yunling's closest confidante, so close that they could be said to share the same skirt. Thus, when Xiao Qin saw Xu Yunqi, she couldn't help but defend Xun Yunling's honor.

Xu Yunqi, being who she was, naturally sensed the hostility in the noble ladies' gazes. Instead of taking a seat, she leisurely admired the scenery around her. As for the "Ling'er" they mentioned, she couldn't recall who it was and didn't bother to dwell on it.

Xiao Qin shot a reproachful glance at Pei Mushan, saying, "Oh you, still so careless. By the way, Ling'er adores plum blossoms. I plan to pluck some here and make them into rouge. When we return to the capital, I'll present them to her at Qingshan Temple. Princess, why don't you join me in picking the plums?"

Her intention was clearly to draw Pei Mushan away.

"Ah, ah, ah, no way. I've picked enough already. Look at this pile in my arms. Let me catch my breath."

Xiao Qin puffed up her cheeks, clearly displeased.

The daughter of the Supreme Court Judge beside them glanced at Xu Yunqi with a light yet taunting tone, "Princess, you only see the joy of the new and ignore the sorrow of the old."

The meaning behind 'new' and 'old' was clear without further explanation.

Pei Mushan's expression darkened as she frowned, scanning the group of girls, "Can't we just enjoy the flowers in peace? What happened in the past should stay in the past."

The pretense is dropped now; there's no need to hide our true intentions.

Xiao Qin's face darkened. "Princess, when Yunling treated you like a real sister, she always thought of you first when it came to food and play. Why have you pushed her aside now as if she's beyond the ninth heaven?"

Pei Mushan was speechless. "What nonsense are you spouting? How have I abandoned her beyond the ninth heaven? She's recuperating, and my mother has sent people to visit her repeatedly. We've also delivered medicinal herbs and tonics. What more do you want?"

Xiao Qin pointed at Xu Yunqi with a pout. "Then why do you care about her?"

Pei Mushan looked puzzled. "She's my elder sister by blood. Why wouldn't I care about her? I like her."

A young girl nearby interjected with a pouted mouth, "I think Princess has fallen for your new sister-in-law's beauty and thus changed her heart."

Pei Mushan didn't deny it. "Yes, that's right."

Xiao Qin felt sorry for Xun Yunling. "She's been at Green Mountain Temple for almost half a year, but Princess hasn't visited her even once. Yunling is heartbroken."

Pei Mushan sighed. "There are reasons why I haven't visited her."

"What reasons?"

"I have a new sister-in-law now," Pei Mushan declared confidently.

In her view, Xun Yunling should let go and free herself from the binds she had created. No one could save her now.

Xiao Qin was furious to the point of losing her temper.

Seeing that they were dwelling on past events, Pei Mushan, fearing Xu Yunqi's displeasure, turned to pull her away. Just then, Xiao Qin signaled to a servant girl in the crowd. The maid, holding a bowl of hot tea, pretended to trip, charging straight at Xu Yunqi with her bulky frame.

Spotting the scalding water about to spill over, Xu Yunqi's eyes flickered. Swiftly, she held onto Pei Mushan with one hand and retreated, then sidestepped, directing the tea towards the daughter of the Supreme Court official.

Having traveled extensively, Xu Yunqi's physique far surpassed those of the pampered young misses. Light as a feather and nimble as the wind, her actions caught everyone off guard.

The tea splashed all over the Supreme Court official's daughter, causing her to scream in agony as if thousands of ants were biting her body. She collapsed into her maid's arms, writhing in pain.

Pei Mushan's face drained of color at the sight. If that tea had hit her sister-in-law, the consequences would have been disastrous. Convinced it was Xiao Qin's doing, she turned around without hesitation and slapped her hard across the face.

Already shaken by the sudden turn of events, Xiao Qin lost her balance when the slap came. Her slender body slipped down the pavilion, landing with a thud on a sharp rock. A piercing scream was cut short. Xu Yunqi glanced over with a detached gaze. Judging from her experience, Xiao Qin must have fractured something.

Half an hour later, the main hall of the Qiankun Pavilion was packed with people.

The Emperor held the diplomatic documents for negotiations between two nations, his expression inscrutable as he gazed at the young women before him. A cluster of high-ranking ministers and courtiers accompanied him on one side, while Lady Liu from the Supreme Court wept uncontrollably, cradling her daughter in her arms. On the other side, Madam Xiao's face had turned ashen as she fixated on Xu Yunqi and the others.

Pei Mushan knelt motionlessly in the center of the grand hall, boldly responding to the Emperor, "I was the one who struck her. It has nothing to do with my sister-in-law. Granddaughter will take full responsibility for her actions."