Chapter 048 Yan Ji

Chapter 048 Yan Ji

Qin Yuanting presented the interrogation results to Pei Jin, Old Madam Song, and Fu Jiaze without any emotional attachment.

Pei Jin said, "Since you've already done so much, I'll trouble you further, Thousand Commander Qin."

From the time Qin Yuanting arrived until the interrogation ended, it was only about an hour. Now, he simply brought the person back to prison as a matter of course.

"Is there anything else you want to ask? That Lady Qiu said she has something she wants to tell Lord Pei."

Qin Yuanting stood straight like a pine tree, his face devoid of any expression. Based on his past experiences, nine out of ten people would choose to hear Lady Qiu's final words.

Pei Jin, however, was clearly the exception. He turned to Old Madam Song and asked, "Mother, do you have anything you want to say to Lady Qiu?"

The Old Madam Song that Fu Jiaze had always seen was smiling, but now her expression was unusually weary. She sighed and said, "I have nothing to say to her. The more she wants to speak, the less we should let her."

Pei Jin nodded in agreement and bowed to Qin Yuanting, "Thank you for your efforts, Thousand Commander Qin. If possible, don't let her speak."

Qin Yuanting nodded and returned to the shed, dislocating Lady Qiu's jaw to prevent her from speaking. Lady Qiu desperately wanted to speak, but why wouldn't they let her? She wanted to tell Pei Jin, curse him with vicious words, and reveal how important she was to Pei Qinghe. But Pei Jin didn't give her the chance.

When Qin Yuanting took her away, it was still early. Fu Jiaze also took this opportunity to leave.

Lady Qiu was gone, and the Pei family would undoubtedly be in turmoil for some time due to her. Fu Jiaze did not plan to stay.

Pei Jin said, "I originally planned to teach you at the Imperial Academy, but now I fear I must take a leave of absence. From now on, come to the Pei residence every three days. I will assign you homework, and after you complete it, I will guide you."

Qin Yuanting was one of Fu Bin's men, and his interrogation of Lady Qiu meant that Emperor Chengde would learn about it.

Pei Jin needed to apologize for his poor management and intended to rest for a while and spend time with his daughter at home.

Fu Jiaze agreed and left the Pei residence fifteen minutes after Qin Yuanting.

After Fu Jiaze left, Old Madam Song and Pei Jin went to Pei Qinghe's room.

Pei Qinghe, who had always been in poor health, was now curled up in bed, silently crying. Seeing her father and grandmother enter, she turned her head away and refused to speak.

Old Madam Song tugged at her son's sleeve. When Pei Jin stepped out, she wept, "What a sin! It's all my fault."

After her husband's death, Old Madam Song had been immersed in grief for a while, neglecting her granddaughter. Later, when her mood improved, she mostly stayed at the old residence, which is why the incident with Lady Qiu happened.

Pei Jin knelt down on one knee, "It's my fault. If I had listened earlier and had a proper stepmother managing the household, this wouldn't have happened."

Old Madam Song was taken aback and pulled her son up, "Don't think like that. If you had married and had children, Lady Qiu might have harmed them too. What's done is done; don't dwell on it."

Pei Jin looked at his daughter's room, "Qinghe is eleven now. With Lady Qiu's influence, she might be hostile towards us."

"Take it slowly," Old Madam Song understood. "Rome wasn't built in a day. We'll work together. You go write your report; I'll handle things here. Lady Qiu already hates you, so our daughter might be more resistant to you."

Pei Jin returned to his study, sat for a long time, and finally wrote a simple report. He then called for a carriage and headed to the palace.

Emperor Chengde received Pei Jin in the Yangxin Hall. He had just left the neighboring residence next to Yongning Marquis's mansion, feeling quite pleased.

In that small residence, Emperor Chengde felt like an ordinary couple with He Lanting. She was sewing clothes for Yan Ji, while he chatted about the morning court session and Lin Baozhen's reaction.

He Lanting put down her sewing and said to Emperor Chengde, "My cousin being rejected must look pitiful."

"It's no big deal, just no imperial title for her," Emperor Chengde smiled. "Are you feeling better now?"

"I'm not angry," He Lanting turned away. "In Your Majesty's eyes, am I that petty? I dislike her because of what she said to Baoer."

"Ting'er isn't petty; it's my fault." Emperor Chengde hugged He Lanting to comfort her.

Emperor Chengde enjoyed He Lanting's petulant behavior, which made him feel alive and not just a ruler but a husband living a simple life with her.

He Lanting kissed Emperor Chengde, and he led her to the bed. Afterward, she drank the dark contraceptive potion.

Emperor Chengde had long been dissatisfied with the potion, but He Lanting's widow status required its use.

After dressing, Emperor Chengde held He Lanting and cautiously said, "Since I'm here, you mentioned our child is more understanding now. Can I see him?"

He Lanting had refused Emperor Chengde several times before. If he hadn't visited today, she would have let him see Yan Ji next time. She pretended to think and, seeing Emperor Chengde's nervousness, finally said, "Alright."

Emperor Chengde, prepared for rejection, was overjoyed by her affirmative answer.

"Good, good, good," he happily lifted He Lanting. "I'll wait here. Ting'er, bring our Jier to me."

He Lanting put down her sewing and nodded, entering the Yongning Marquis's mansion through a hidden door.

She had gradually explained things to Yan Ji, who obediently followed her to the neighboring residence.

Yan Ji was a well-behaved child, treated Emperor Chengde as if he were a familiar uncle he had met on the street.

"Jier greets Uncle Zhao," Yan Ji bowed politely.

Emperor Chengde left the residence in high spirits, unaware that a little beggar in the alley had glanced at him.

In the Yangxin Hall, Emperor Chengde was surprised by Pei Jin's visit, wondering what the Imperial Academy's chief scholar needed.

Fu Bin quickly explained Qin Yuanting's actions, and Emperor Chengde sympathized with Pei Jin, promptly granting him leave. After Pei Jin left, Emperor Chengde sighed to Fu Bin, "Minister Pei has had a hard time, deceived by an old woman, harming his daughter."

Fu Bin said, "This is rare. Perhaps Your Majesty can share it with the Empress."

Emperor Chengde nodded, unaware that he would never have such an opportunity again. That night, a little beggar entered the Yongning Marquis's mansion.

The beggar spoke to the old lady, who then began painting.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the old lady as she drew a man's face with charcoal.

Madam Li drew in a sharp breath, while the old lady's expression remained unchanged.

How could Madam Li not be nervous? The portrait drawn by the old lady was none other than the exalted emperor.

Madam Li's hands were almost twisted into knots. At that moment, the wick of the candle, which had not been trimmed for a long time, made a popping sound, causing Madam Li to nearly jump out of her skin.

The old lady glanced at the elderly woman beside her, and only then did Madam Li recompose herself.

The old lady gave the little beggar a sum of silver. "Good child, thank you. Forget everything you saw and heard today, and use this money well."

The little beggar bowed to the old lady. "Thank you, old lady. You saved my life before, and now you've given me a future. I am forever grateful, and as you said, I will forget everything that happened today once I leave this place."

"From now on, treat everything about Yongning Marquis Manor as if you know nothing."

The little beggar nodded. Before he had no money, but with this money, he planned to return to his hometown and put the capital city behind him.

This old lady of Yongning Marquis Manor had been doing good deeds since her son's death. She had once saved this little beggar, who told her that someone in the neighboring courtyard was keeping a beauty hidden away, and that the "beauty" was her own widowed daughter-in-law.

Originally, the old lady of Yongning Marquis Manor intended to have her people keep watch, but found the neighboring courtyard secured like an iron bucket. With no other choice, she asked the little beggar to keep an eye on it when he had free time.

After three months of surveillance, they finally identified the owner of the neighboring house.

After the little beggar left, the old lady stared at the painting for a long time. "Madam Li, I should have known. After all, who else could have such means?"

Madam Li remained silent.

"Call Jier here."

Madam Li was startled, her heart pounding so hard she felt it might leap out of her chest. She panicked: "Old lady, now is not the right time."

The old lady paused, the ferocity in her eyes slowly fading.

Of course it wasn't the right time. Knowing that Yan Ji was not her son's bloodline, the affection she once had for this grandson would turn to hatred. The old lady even doubted whether she could resist killing the child if he stood before her.

The old lady murmured, "You're right. Even if that child must die, it cannot be here or now. I can't help it."

Madam Li wanted to persuade the old lady to give up, but the old lady said, "Don't try to dissuade me. Even if he is the emperor, what gives him the right to do this to our family? My son is gone, and even my beloved grandson is not of our blood. I can't bear this. I don't have much time left, but it's good to know this before I die. I wondered why the Lord Marquis died, never expecting it was him."

Madam Li, familiar with the person in the portrait, knew that before Emperor Chengde ascended the throne, he and the Lord Marquis were close friends.

Madam Li wiped her tears and said, "What a tragedy, truly a tragedy."

The old lady whispered, "Now that we've confirmed Jier is not my son's blood, there's no reason for him to live."

The chill in these words made Madam Li shudder. Although she had anticipated the old lady's actions, Yan Ji was the emperor's blood!

"Old lady..."

"Afraid?" the old lady smiled. "There's nothing to fear. I'm already very old. Besides, no one would think a grandmother would kill her own grandson. I just need to be careful, show grief when he dies. If you're afraid, Madam Li, I can send you to the estate."

Madam Li had been with the old lady for years and watched the Lord Marquis grow up. When she learned of He Lanting's affair, she was furious. Upon discovering the lover was the emperor, she hesitated for a moment, but as the old lady said, being cautious was enough.

Thinking of watching the Lord Marquis grow up, Madam Li said, "I'll stay, old lady. You need help."

The old lady patted Madam Li's hand. "I must thank the Lady of Wei Wuhou."

Madam Li was taken aback. "What does the Lady of Wei Wuhou have to do with this?"

"Do you remember when she mocked Jier's name? Then she got her comeuppance. Today, the emperor rejected Wei Wuhou's petition and likely wanted to tell He Lanting himself. If not for the Lady of Wei Wuhou, we might not have discovered He Lanting's lover for a long time."

At that moment, Lin Baozhen sneezed in bed. Afterward, a warm sensation made her realize her menstrual cycle had arrived.

Lin Baozhen changed her clothes and soon felt Xie Yuan approaching in large strides.

"Why did you change your clothes?" Xie Yuan whispered in Lin Baozhen's ear.

"My period came," Lin Baozhen replied.

Xie Yuan, as if doused with cold water, realized this meant she was not pregnant. He said, "Then I'll sleep in the study."

"Can't you stay?"

Xie Yuan pinched Lin Baozhen's cheek. "No going to other courtyards, little jealous one."

Meanwhile, Lin Yingxue also had her period. Unlike Xie Yuan, Fu Jiaze placed a hot water bottle on her abdomen and still slept with her at night.