Chapter 50

Chapter 50

The next morning, for the first time, Ming Tang woke at dawn to find Pei Yue still beside her.

Waking to a beautiful person lying next to you is, naturally, a delightful experience. Though, this posture…

Drinking truly does lead to trouble.

Ming Tang feigned composure, withdrawing her somewhat wayward limbs, and asked Pei Yue, "Is the Crown Prince not doing his morning exercises today?"

Why was he sleeping in with her? This habit wasn’t good; it might make her feel embarrassed.

Pei Yue moved his slightly numb arm, sat up, and looked down at Ming Tang. Noticing her rare moment of averted gaze, he suddenly smiled. "You Niang was quite strong after drinking; it was hard to break free. So I decided to rest for a day."

A trained warrior claiming he couldn’t break free from her… Ming Tang didn’t believe it for a second. She studied Pei Yue for several moments, confirming he was teasing her, and felt a strange sensation.

After a pause, she decided to be straightforward. "It seems I have some talent for martial arts, then."

Pei Yue nodded. "Indeed. After returning to the estate, You Niang can visit the practice yard often. Even if you don’t become a master, strengthening your body is still beneficial."

When Pei Yue got up to wash, Wen He and the other maids waiting outside entered. Ming Tang sat up, slowly realizing: Had Pei Yue just called her "You Niang" twice earlier?

Returning the courtesy, after breakfast, Ming Tang prepared herself and emerged from the inner chambers, calling to Pei Yue, who was waiting to accompany her to the main house: "Let’s go, A-Yue."

At first, Pei Yue didn’t react. Only when Ming Tang stood before him, smiling and repeating the address, did he come to himself. Composed, he nodded and strode ahead, his steps betraying a hint of lightness.

***

Messengers traveled day and night between the hunting grounds and the capital. News that the Emperor had rejected the proposal to hold a ceremony for the white deer spread quickly. The disgraced official surnamed Zhang, now exiled to guard the imperial tombs, was as mournful as if bereaved. He deeply regretted spending days toiling over that petition, worrying his prose wasn’t ornate enough or his phrasing precise enough to stand out among the flood of petitions.

Now, it had indeed stood out—just not in the way he’d hoped. His meticulously crafted memorial had landed him in a remote posting.

The Zhang family regretted their mistake too late. Madam Zhang sought help from the clan head, whose daughter was a royal consort, but it was futile. She could only pack her husband’s belongings and send him off to the imperial tombs before officials came to hasten his departure, fearing further repercussions for delay.

For every loser, there was a winner. In the Chen household, there was celebration.

Wu Shi, who had been anxious since learning of Chen Wenyao’s memorial advising the Emperor, finally relaxed. Pouring tea for Chen Wenyao, she rested her chin on her hand and smiled. "My lord is truly clever."

Initially, Wu Shi hadn’t cared about the so-called auspicious animal from the hunt—it had nothing to do with her. But hearing that Crown Prince Pei had played a part in it displeased her.

In her eyes, such an achievement would only elevate Pei Yue further. Already illustrious, any more success would make it impossible for her to compare with Ming Tang even decades later.

After brooding in private for two days, she learned Chen Wenyao had submitted a memorial advising the Emperor not to overvalue "auspicious signs." Her vague resentment turned to suspicion: While others rushed to congratulate the Emperor, why had her husband chosen to dissent? Was it because Pei Yue was Ming Tang’s new husband?

Otherwise, why risk dampening the Emperor’s mood?

Her doubts grew when, the next day, Chen Wenyao wore an old robe from before their marriage. Wu Shi seethed: Why choose old clothes when she had prepared new ones? What was the meaning of this?

Wu Shi was never one to endure silently. Her displeasure seeped into her actions. Chen Wenyao, accustomed to her dutiful manner since their marriage, was baffled by her sudden coldness. When she refused to explain after repeated questioning, he grew displeased as well.

Thus, they spent days in chilly distance.

Only when the Emperor’s stance became clear through his treatment of the two officials—and gossip spread through the idle capital—did Wu Shi realize she’d misjudged Chen Wenyao.

Her husband had simply anticipated the Emperor’s thoughts—it had nothing to do with Ming Tang!

After days of tension, Wu Shi felt the strain. Now that the misunderstanding was resolved, she reverted to her usual kind words.

Chen Wenyao, puzzled by her sudden change, accepted the teacup. Before he could question further, Wu Shi asked curiously, "How did you guess the Emperor wouldn’t care for this auspicious animal?"

In her view, if a hunter on her family’s estate presented a rare catch, they’d reward him handsomely and likely host a banquet to show off. After all, possessing what others didn’t was a matter of prestige! Even her mother would relish attending others’ gatherings to boast about it.

Chen Wenyao frowned slightly, finally understanding her recent odd behavior. He replied curtly, "His Majesty is a wise ruler. He doesn’t believe in such things."

Moreover, he’d heard the auspicious animal was staged.

Seeing Wu Shi still didn’t grasp it, Chen Wenyao felt a flicker of impatience: Did she need explaining such simple reasoning? If it were Ming Tang... He startled, shaking his head to suppress the thought. After patiently elaborating until Wu Shi nodded in understanding, he breathed easier.

"I have business to see to outside."

Chen Wenyao rose, ignoring Wu Shi’s pleading look, and left. For a moment, he didn’t know where to go. Remembering that Ya Yun had summoned a physician after the recent rain, he turned toward the rear quarters.

The Emperor’s stance rippled through the capital’s court circles. Officials who had been gauging his reaction to the auspicious animal abandoned their plans: Clearly, the Emperor wasn’t yet foolish enough to be swayed by such tactics. Recalling his firm rule, some undercurrents of intrigue quieted temporarily.

After staying at the hunt for half a month, the Emperor seemed to tire of Fenghuang Ridge’s scenery and announced plans to return to the capital.

Before departing, he ordered attendants to gather the most vibrant maple leaves from the ridge, intending to bring them back for the Empress, who hadn’t joined the trip.

Somehow, what should have been palace gossip spread widely. Tales of the Emperor and Empress’s youthful love and enduring harmony became the talk of the town.

Even Fenghuang Ridge’s maple leaves became sought after. Families discreetly collected some, hoping to share in the good fortune.

On the return journey, since security wasn’t Pei Yue’s responsibility, he no longer needed constant vigilance as during the outbound trip. Instead, he often rode alongside the Pei family’s carriages.

Noticing Ming Tang frequently lifting the curtain to gaze outside, he guessed she was bored and invited her to ride with him.

Carriages of the time were notoriously bumpy, even on official roads. Ming Tang had cushioned hers with thick padding for the journey. Given the chance to ride and get some air, she gladly accepted.

After two days, Pei Ze became discontent: With Ming Tang often on horseback, she had no time to play with him.

Moreover, watching his uncle and aunt chatting and laughing atop their majestic horses made him eager to try.

Pei Ze voiced his demand. His speech, now practiced daily, had grown far more fluent than before. Though his sentences were often incomplete, his meaning was unmistakable—leaving no room for pretended misunderstanding.

Considering the pleasant weather and leisurely pace, Mrs. Pei reluctantly yielded to her grandson’s imploring look. "Very well. Your uncle can take you out for some fresh air each day."

Pei Yue listened to his mother’s request, then met his nephew’s eager gaze. After a silent pause, he recalled a recent picture in his mind: Pei Ze, having learned to ride, trailing noisily behind him and Ming Tang on outings.

Now, before the boy could even ride, the scenario was unfolding.

With his mother’s approval given, Pei Yue nodded. The next day, he fetched Pei Ze, gripping the back of his clothes and lifting him onto the saddle in front of him.

Thrilled by the sudden ascent, Pei Ze settled excitedly, marveling at the horse beneath him. Running his fingers through its mane, he compared the texture to his own hair and said proudly. "A Ze’s hair is nice too~"

He even invited Pei Yue to feel it.

When Pei Yue declined, Pei Ze glanced right, gauging the distance to Ming Tang, and sighed theatrically. "Uncle has no taste. Mother’s too far. Poor A Ze."

Pei Yue, hearing this: ...

He suddenly wondered how the once halting-speaking A Ze had transformed into this.

After a bout of self-admiration, Pei Ze brightened again—this was his first time seeing the world from this height!

The trio rode abreast, Pei Yue shielding Pei Ze while exchanging occasional words with Ming Tang.

Under the vast sky, hoofbeats rhythmic, Mrs. Pei occasionally lifted the carriage curtain to watch them ahead, smiling warmly.

The Pei family guards maintained a watchful perimeter, diligent as ever.

During breaks, they gathered and, with unspoken agreement, began to discuss—

"The heir's attire today is quite similar to his wife's from yesterday."

"It's the same as the little young master's!"

Fu Feng, who would know best, added, "The trim on the young madam's robe is made from the same fabric as the heir's."

By the time the guards had quietly counted up how many outfits these three had made together and privately were amazed at how their masters showed affection in such subtle yet obvious ways, the group had already returned to the capital.

The royal party naturally returned to the palace, while the rest of the retinue went their separate ways.

The Pei family had sent word ahead of time, and by the time the carriage arrived at the mansion’s gates, the steward, Pei Fu, had already assembled the staff to welcome them.

Zhe Liu, who had been left behind in the capital to manage the family business, finally saw her mistress again after many days. Even someone as composed as her couldn't contain her excitement, though she couldn’t deny a pang of quiet jealousy whenever Hong Ying came to mind.

—After all, before Hong Ying, her mistress had always taken her everywhere, never once using business as an excuse to leave her behind.

All these emotions stopped dead the moment she actually laid eyes on Ming Tang, and she couldn’t hide her shock.

Keeping her reaction in check, Zhe Liu followed Ming Tang and the others back to Chengyi Hall, helped her change into something more comfortable, and then hesitated before speaking. "Miss, how did you get so tan after just one trip?"

Ming Tang was stunned.

But no matter how clear the bronze mirror was, Ming Tang couldn’t discern any change in her complexion on her own. She had to rely on Zhe Liu’s judgment. "Is it that obvious?"

Zhe Liu nodded. "It’s not that you’re dark, but you were so fair before that the difference is quite noticeable now."

Thinking back, Ming Tang realized she had indeed spent most of her days outdoors, and the autumn weather had been relentlessly sunny. A slight tan was inevitable. Resigned, she had to accept it.

That evening, when Pei Yue returned, Ming Tang couldn’t help but study his face carefully—yet found no change at all.

Pei Yue, who had been stared at for a long while: ?

Unable to figure out what was wrong, he finally asked, but Ming Tang refused to answer.

Only when they were in bed did Ming Tang stop him from reaching for the curtain hook, sitting up with a serious tone. "I have a question, and I need your cooperation, Yue."

Pei Yue froze, holding his breath as he waited.

Ming Tang leaned in, reached out, and with a light tug, loosened his collar—revealing skin that was no different in tone from his face.

After confirming multiple times that there truly was no change, Ming Tang was speechless. She should have known: after years of martial training, he just didn't tan. Why had she insisted on verifying it herself?

Pei Yue, who had been holding his breath the moment Ming Tang touched his sash, waiting expectantly: .....?

Noticing Ming Tang’s distracted expression, Pei Yue frowned slightly, took hold of her wrist, and gently pulled her closer.

The sudden feel of firm muscle beneath her palm made Ming Tang instinctively stroke it twice before coming back to her senses—just as Pei Yue leaned in, pressing a light kiss to her ear. "Do you like it, You Niang?"

His lips brushed against her neck, his warm breath creeping up her skin. When she lowered her gaze, she could see the shadow of his long lashes cast over his face, and her thoughts grew muddled, instinctively surrendering to his touch.

Only when it was over did she collect her thoughts: When had Pei Yue become so skilled?

Had she just been seduced? She definitely had, right?