Chapter 100

Chapter 100

Having resolved to bring along some clansmen, Pei Yue had already prescreened candidates when sending Changfeng and others to deliver messages to several families within the clan. He chose only those with whom he had interacted before and had some understanding of their character and abilities.

As expected, out of the five who received the news, three made up their minds after discussing it with their families and decided to follow Pei Yue to Shaanxi to try their luck. They were already waiting in the front courtyard. The remaining two personally came to explain to Pei Yue, pleading family obligations that prevented them from leaving immediately. They promised to set off for Shaanxi as soon as their affairs were settled, if Pei Yue deemed them capable.

As clansmen and heading to the border, Pei Yue was not so arrogant as to expect everyone to abandon their responsibilities in the capital and follow him immediately upon hearing his proposal. Seeing their unease, he first soothed them with gentle reassurances before turning to discuss matters in detail with the remaining three.

Among these three, two were actually of a higher generation than Pei Yue and slightly older, with the eldest nearing thirty. All three were in the prime of their lives and had held various positions, though none particularly prominent or prestigious. Yet they were quick-witted, grasping the situation in Shaanxi after Pei Yue’s brief explanation and already envisioning what needed to be done upon arrival.

With over half a month of travel ahead to get acquainted, Pei Yue had no intention of spelling out every detail that night. Confirming their resolve and feeling more assured, he instructed Changfeng to see them off: "Assemble here at dawn the day after tomorrow, and we’ll depart together."

It was already nearing Xu hour, and with departure set for Chen hour the day after tomorrow, they effectively had only one full day to prepare for the journey. Between packing and bidding farewell to their families, time was scarce.

Yet none of the three showed any sign of hesitation. They accepted the arrangement and turned to leave.

At the gate, however, they were momentarily stunned: horses were already waiting for them, all uniformly black-coated, strong, and exceptional steeds.

Seeing Changfeng bow slightly, they needed no further explanation. The eldest among them, Pei Cheng, laughed heartily and said to Changfeng, "Please thank the heir for us. Such fine horses are hard to come by!"

One by one, they stepped forward to choose their mounts, though none mounted immediately, instead walking the horses.

Only after leaving the street in front of the Duke of Dingguo’s residence did the three exchange glances and share a smile, quickening their pace. Noticing the others doing the same, a spontaneous camaraderie blossomed, drawing them closer.

Earlier, in Pei Yue’s presence, they had unconsciously been subdued by his imposing demeanor, each mindful of their conduct and further constrained by the presence of the others. When Changfeng escorted them out, their strides grew increasingly solemn, each feigning an unshakable composure as if the tight schedule meant nothing.

Now, seeing the others had merely been putting on a front as well, the tension melted away. Pei Cheng laughed loudly again, "Brothers, I’ll take my leave first. With departure the day after tomorrow, I’ve got to spend more time with my old mother and wife. This is the first time I’ll be away from home for so long!"

Among the three, his circumstances were the poorest. Living in the capital was no easy feat, and though he bore the Pei name, he had only managed to secure a modest job to make ends meet, relying on his innate physical strength. Over the years, his family had often depended on Mrs. Pei’s seasonal distributions to the clan during festivals to make ends meet.

Thus, he lived the farthest away and had made his decision the quickest, setting off almost immediately after receiving the news. Though he had kept up appearances upon leaving, inwardly he was anxious about the long journey home. Had the horses not been prepared, he had already planned how to ask Changfeng to borrow one.

The other two, aware of his situation, naturally did not detain him. They watched as Pei Cheng mounted the horse, his movements awkward as he struggled with the reins. After a shaky start, he quickly found his rhythm and urged the horse into a trot, disappearing around the next corner in the blink of an eye.

Left standing, Pei Qian and Pei Man were visibly moved. Pei Qian, currently the most well-off among the three, had always held some standing in the clan (excluding the main lineage) and had little interaction with Pei Cheng.

Today, witnessing Pei Yue treat all three equally and observing Pei Cheng’s straightforward manner, he couldn’t help but shed some of his prior contempt for this kinsman. Even his attitude toward Pei Man, who by seniority should address him as "uncle," softened—since all three had been personally invited by Pei Yue, they would be working together to assist him in Shaanxi. It would be better to let their abilities determine hierarchy there. Flaunting seniority now was meaningless; succeeding would hardly count as an achievement, and failing would only bring shame.

Having made up his mind, Pei Qian adjusted his demeanor and clasped his hands toward Pei Man, speaking amiably, "I’ll take my leave as well. With a doting wife and little one at home, I’ve no idea how long our farewells will take."

Both being sensible, Pei Man naturally didn’t press the "grandson" dynamic, instead bidding Pei Qian farewell with the same collegial courtesy.

Thus, the three silently set the tone for their future before parting ways to attend to their own affairs. Pei Yue, however, had far fewer preparations to make. This wasn’t his first long journey, and the household had many experienced staff familiar with the protocols of sending family members to the frontier. With Ming Tang having orchestrated tasks seamlessly, everything proceeded in an orderly, controlled manner.

Even selecting guards took only moments.

With nothing requiring Pei Yue’s attention, Ming Tang endured his clinginess, unable to refuse him. Pei Yue, keenly sensing her emotions, seized the opportunity, giving Ming Tang a firsthand experience of how insufferable he could be when spoiled.

Fortunately, this indulgence lasted only a day and night. Soon, it was time to depart.

Though still in the first month of the year and after days of overcast skies, the first light of dawn heralded an unexpectedly clear day, with even the wind gentler. If not for the frosty breaths puffing out in the cold air and the occasional need to warm hands with a puff, one might think winter had given way to spring overnight.

The Duke of Dingguo’s household bustled without chaos. In the main hall, Ming Tang let out a relieved sigh upon learning of the weather.

Traveling at this time of year was already troublesome, and with Pei Yue leading a fast-paced horseback journey, sunshine was a blessing compared to braving snow and wind.

Even Mrs. Pei seemed somewhat comforted. Her expression, tense since receiving the news two days prior, finally eased with the weather. Seated in the carriage, she unexpectedly lifted the curtain to glance at the eastern sky, succumbing to rare superstition: "Though the date was hastily chosen, such fine weather surely bodes well for the journey."

Ming Tang nodded in agreement, adding, "At least the journey will be less harsh."

Her gaze, however, wasn’t on the sky but on Pei Yue in the distance, amazed by his shamelessness.

Clad in solemn black, his hair neatly tied back, Pei Yue’s jade-like features were fully visible in the soft morning light, glowing as if lit by the morning sun. Despite the impending journey, he seemed brimming with vitality, seated tall on his horse like a peerless nobleman.

Ming Tang almost doubted whether the morning’s scene—of Pei Yue pulling her close, rousing her relentlessly to "eat his fill"—had been a dream.

The lingering physical sensations quickly dispelled such absurd thoughts. She averted her gaze before Mrs. Pei lowered the curtain, unwilling to impose on her mother-in-law’s patience for her to gaze at her husband.

Ordinary citizens passing through the city gates had no such restraints, sneaking peeks at the dashing nobleman before hurriedly looking away.

Handsome as he was, his imposing aura was intimidating, flanked by burly guards who seemed anything but friendly. Provoking them during the New Year would surely spell misfortune.

The procession—guards at the front and rear, a carriage in the middle, and the dashing nobleman—looked like a noble household’s procession for temple prayers. Yet there were no notable temples in this direction, and the mood seemed too solemn for a holiday excursion. The extra riderless horses only added to the intrigue.

Could they be taking the horses out to graze in winter?

Puzzled bystanders soon gave up, reasoning that the affairs of the elite were inscrutable. At least the sight of such splendid steeds was a rare treat.

As the sun rose higher, easing the winter bite somewhat, Pei Yue’s party reached the Ten-Mile Pavilion. Knowing they could go no further, the group came to a stop.

Ming Tang alighted, her eyes sweeping over Pei Yue. With nothing left to say over the past two days, she remained silent, instead gesturing for Pei Ze to approach.

With the master of the house departing, the young heir ought to make an appearance.

Having felt the weight of the moment from the household’s atmosphere, Pei Ze looked up at Pei Yue with a solemn expression, hesitating before asking, "Uncle, will you be home for the Mid-Autumn Festival this year?"

In his limited experience, the Lantern Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Spring Festival were occasions for family reunions. The Lantern Festival was already impossible, and next Spring Festival seemed an eternity away—so far off it seemed unreachable.

Mid-Autumn, though still far off, was at least closer than the next Spring Festival.

Pei Yue hadn’t anticipated this question. Seeing the boy’s hopeful gaze, he wouldn’t make empty promises: "That’s hard to say."

As Pei Ze’s face fell, Pei Yue was about to explain when the boy spoke gravely, "Uncle, take care of yourself out there. Don’t worry about us—A Ze, Grandmother, and Mother will look after each other. Your safety is what matters."

Stunned, Pei Yue couldn’t help but muse: *Just like his mother.* The phrasing was nearly identical, though the two had barely interacted these past days.

Still, he was deeply touched by the boy’s maturity. Instead of mussing his hair, Pei Yue patted his shoulder gently. "A Ze, study hard and train well with your martial instructor. When you can ride properly, I’ll take you hunting on the grasslands."

Pei Ze’s eyes lit up, barely stopping short of bragging that he could already ride. Instead, he resolved to work harder to hasten that day.

Mrs. Pei watched fondly, remaining in the carriage as she nodded and smiled at Pei Yue.

After this silent exchange, it was time to depart. Ming Tang stepped onto the carriage footboard, pausing for a moment to look down at Pei Yue before retrieving a scarf from inside. She wrapped it around his neck twice, covering half his face, then lightly touched his chilled ear, whispering, "Take care."

Pei Yue nodded, adjusting the scarf to cover his ears fully. Seeing Ming Tang’s satisfied expression, he smiled beneath the fabric before mounting his horse without another word. With his clansmen and guards, he set off swiftly.

The straight, broad highway outside the capital was nearly empty during the festival. The party soon vanished into the distance, shrinking to mere specks on the horizon.

The remaining guards stood motionless, awaiting orders. Mrs. Pei, Ming Tang, and Pei Ze remained in the carriage, gazing out the open window until the figures disappeared entirely before signaling the return.

With unrest at the border, the festive atmosphere was dampened. Though the streets grew busier as the day progressed, they lacked the usual bustle.

Mrs. Pei, lost in thought since Pei Yue’s departure, finally stirred at the sounds outside. Turning to Ming Tang, she said kindly, "You’ve been busy these past days. You ought to visit your family, though I imagine you’ve had little time. If you’re up to it, we can divert there now—stay as long as you like. With both your parents away, your mother must be lonely this New Year."

Her words acknowledged Ming Tang’s packed schedule without reproach. Flushing slightly but not declining, Ming Tang replied, "Then I’ll trouble Mother to change our route."

Seeing that Mrs. Pei's emotions were still steady, Ming Tang continued, "A Yue traveled light today to reach his post quickly, but he'll be stationed there for a long time. I'm young and don’t know much about the local produce or what he might need in daily life. Mother, could you help me consider—what should we send when we dispatch people to Xi'an Prefecture later?"

Mrs. Pei's attention was successfully diverted and she immediately began pondering what to send Pei Yue, when to dispatch the shipment, and which steward in the household would be suitable for the journey.

Pei Ze glanced between them, then considered the conversation between the two elders before suddenly grasping both their hands to comfort them: "Since Uncle won’t be home this year for New Year’s either, Grandmother and Mother shouldn’t be sad. A Ze will keep you company."

Mrs. Pei's heart warmed and she finally smiled. "Good, A Ze will keep us company."

As they spoke, the coachman had already maneuvered the carriage to turn around.

With few pedestrians and a wide road, changing direction was not difficult, though it inevitably drew attention.

From a carriage parked on the other side of the road, someone cast a glance and recognized it as the Pei family’s carriage.

Wu Shi knew Pei Yue had been ordered out of the capital, losing his position in the Imperial Guards. Seeing the carriage heading toward the Ming residence—clearly a return to the bride’s family—without the usual figure riding alongside and with fewer guards, she couldn’t help but gloat: "If Heir Apparent Pei were to die, I wonder if this consort would remarry again."

This woman, who had divorced Chen Wenyao only to remarry into higher nobility, making Wu Shi look like a joke, had grown increasingly detestable to her. The very thought rankled her.

Beside her, Mrs. Wu followed her gaze and immediately understood her daughter’s words but did not reprimand her, merely saying, "No matter what becomes of her, you’re living a stable, good life now."

When her daughter remained silent, Mrs. Wu added in detail, "Your father says your lord husband is gaining more favor with His Highness. You should work harder to conceive soon and tighten your hold on him. Judging by his past behavior, he clearly values heirs greatly—put more effort into it. As for that child now in your household, don’t be too careless; maintain appearances. If he proves useless, you can discard him once you have your own. If useful, he might serve as an extra hand in the future."

Mentioning the child and his troublesome birth mother, Wu Shi instinctively frowned and curled her lip in disdain. "I know, you’ve said it so many times." Then her expression shifted, tinged with shyness. "My husband also wants a child of our own—I know that."

The conversation inevitably turned to intimate matters, and the mother and daughter’s voices grew softer, fading into the rumble of the carriage wheels.

Ming Tang remained oblivious to being the subject of others’ gossip. By now, she had arrived home, welcomed warmly by the elderly and children left behind.

Mrs. Ming expressed some regret: "Yuan Niang brought little Sixi yesterday, but you were too busy to meet her. She’s still too young—it’ll likely be next May or June before she can be brought out again."

"Is that all? No wonder Mother was frowning. If my sister can’t bring her out, can’t I visit instead? You’re overthinking it," Ming Tang replied, surprised.

"Ah, true." Mrs. Ming realized she’d spoken foolishly and shook her head with a self-deprecating laugh. "I must be getting old."

Ming Tang naturally protested, while Ming Xia and Ming Wan chimed in playfully, filling the small warming room with lively chatter that dispelled much of Mrs. Ming’s melancholy from having half the family away.

Later, when Minister Ming arrived, he naturally brought up Pei Yue’s situation.

Though overseeing the Ministry of Rites, he was well-informed on military affairs. Seeing Ming Tang, he promptly shared what he could to reassure his daughter, who had never experienced a husband’s departure for war, lest she grow anxious.

Given his position, Minister Ming had limited knowledge of frontline generals and thus focused on the Six Ministries, stroking his beard as he assessed officials from the Ministries of War and Works handling the campaign: "Though a few are less capable, all are diligent. The two His Majesty appointed are renowned for competence—unless someone deliberately interferes, provisions and arms won’t be an issue. As for the two princes—the Prince of Jin is in the Ministry of War but has his hands full, while the Prince of Yan, in the Ministry of Works, focuses on his work. Isn’t Princess Consort of Yan’s younger brother good friends with little A Ze?"

"These two likely won’t have the energy to stir trouble. As for others... given His Majesty’s fury, anyone who dares interfere..."

Minister Ming smiled without finishing. He’d truly like to see who’d be so generous as to offer their head to appease the emperor’s wrath and shield their peers.

In short, logistics were secure.

Understanding her father’s meaning, Ming Tang relaxed further. Provisions precede troops. With Pei Yue already familiar with Shaanxi’s situation and logistics assured, he’d face fewer constraints.

Seeing his daughter’s eased expression, Minister Ming smiled and called in the grandchildren who’d stepped out earlier. The family chatted of mundane matters, finally capturing some holiday cheer.

After a brief stay, Ming Tang returned to the Duke of Dingguo’s household at dawn on the fifth day to assist Mrs. Pei with the day’s rituals.

Thereafter, with fewer customs to observe, days passed as usual, save for a new routine: tracking Pei Yue’s progress on maps. This inadvertently taught Pei Ze the cities along the route from the capital to Shaanxi, and listening to elders and tutors describe the regions made him feel as if he’d traveled alongside Pei Yue.

Soon, it was the Lantern Festival. The winter moon hung high, as full as the year before, yet the capital was far less lively. Many merchants who’d prepared to profit from the festival’s lantern market lamented its cancellation, forced to sell their wares at a loss.

Where some lost, others gained. While merchants cursed their luck, none dared blame the emperor—only directing their ire at the Heir Apparent to the Duke of Rong, who’d failed to hold the city.

By early February, when this heir was escorted back to the capital and the emperor demoted the Duke of Rong to a non-hereditary Baronet, ordering a new heir chosen within three days, chaos engulfed the Rong estate. Some wailed, others vied for the heirship, while merchants who’d suffered losses cheered, saying a worthless heir ruins three generations.

Accompanying the former heir’s return was a letter from Pei Yue, stating only that he’d settled in, urging the family not to worry. He mentioned no hardships, only missing homemade pickled accompaniments for congee.

Reading it, the two women exchanged smiles. Mrs. Pei, both delighted and pained, immediately ordered all unopened jars from the kitchen packed. Had the pickles not required lengthy preparation, Ming Tang suspected the convoy would’ve included a cart laden with pottery.

The transportation limitations prohibited excess, so Ming Tang intervened: "Yue never particularly favored these. I think he’s just signaling he’s well enough to dwell on food, to reassure us. Even specifying pickles was for practicality—packing jars would burden the escort. Let’s send small batches monthly."

Mrs. Pei regained her composure, praising Ming Tang’s thoughtfulness before asking, "You previously hosted families whose men accompanied Yue to Shaanxi. Have you kept in touch? Since we’re sending items, we should inquire if they have anything to add. Nearly two months apart—their families must miss them dearly."

Finally, she folded the letter back into its envelope, handing it to Ming Tang with a tease: "Take it—he’s clearly designated it for you."

Ming Tang accepted it unabashedly. Under Mrs. Pei’s gaze, she first addressed the earlier question: "I’d already mentioned it to them—likely all have parcels ready. I’ll send word for delivery before departure." Then she rose to instruct Wen He.

Watching Wen He hurry off, Ming Tang stood beneath the eaves, gazing northwest where the sky stretched vast. Her fingertips brushed the envelope’s rough texture as she smiled faintly.

—The letter hadn’t specified a recipient, but the seal bore the character representing her courtesy name.

Stepping out of Jinghua Hall, Ming Tang looked down the now-familiar paths and murmured inwardly, "Pei Yue, what are you doing now?"