Chapter 32

Chapter 32

"You want to play the hero, but you're dragging me into it?" Pei Yuanzhao glanced sidelong at Pei Jun and refused without a second thought. "I'm not doing something that's all work and no reward."

If there's drama, enjoy it; if there's none, why create it?

Pei Jun knew her brother's temperament well and wasn't discouraged. She simply said, "Brother, just help out, won't you?"

"Aside from you, who on this field would be willing to help those two girls from the Ji family? Can you really stand by and watch those cousins bully them?"

After Pei Jun had finished speaking with the two Ji sisters, she sent Qin Yu to keep Qin Yue company at the pitch-pot game. Then she came to find Pei Yuanzhao, hoping her brother would lend a hand.

Pei Yuanzhao was surprised. "I don't really know them. Why would I care?"

"..."

Good point.

Pei Yuanzhao glanced over and happened to see Madam Li coming down from the stands to speak with her two daughters, as if giving them instructions. He looked away, reached out, and tapped his sister's forehead in exasperation. "You've been like this since you were a kid—thinking you're some heroine who has to save everyone she sees?"

"You haven't even dealt with the Duke Su family's mess yet, and you're already rushing to help others."

Pei Jun covered her forehead and pouted. "One thing at a time. Since I've run into this, I can't just look the other way."

"And who knows if Prince Zhao butted in just because he saw me sticking up for the Ji sisters?"

She'd never heard of Prince Zhao having anything to do with the Ji family—he was probably just trying to annoy her.

So those two Ji sisters really got dragged into this mess because of her.

Pei Yuanzhao nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. Probably exactly that."

Pei Jun's eyes lit up, looking at her brother expectantly, only to see him smile like a spring breeze.

"So, you should own up to what you did. Go get changed."

"..."

What was she even expecting?!

Pei Jun glared at her brother and said helplessly, "Fine, I knew you wouldn't be any help. Bixiao—"

She was just about to get ready to play herself when she noticed her goofy brother suddenly straighten up. Sensing something was up, Pei Jun turned and saw Madam Li approaching with her two daughters.

"Princess, Young Prince."

The three women curtsied, and Pei Jun quickly helped them up.

"Madam, no need for formalities. Is something wrong?" Pei Yuanzhao asked with a smile.

Madam Li smiled and said, "I heard Ming'er say how the Princess spoke up for us and even offered to help. I'm truly grateful. When I saw the Princess and Young Prince talking here, I took the liberty of coming over."

She then turned to Pei Jun and curtsied again. "We'll always remember your kindness, Princess, but we don't want to drag you into what comes next. Please don't bother yourself anymore."

Pei Jun felt a bit guilty hearing this. She'd only meant to say a few words for the Ji sisters because they'd hit it off, never expecting it to bring them even more trouble.

"Madam Li, you're too kind. I didn't really do anything." Pei Jun bit her lip and asked, "Have the two young ladies found someone to play with?"

Ji Jingming smiled and shook her head, with a hint of resignation in her smile.

"Asking would just put people on the spot. Better to drop it."

Pei Jun hesitated, about to say she'd play with the sisters, when Madam Li spoke up first. Though she wasn't young anymore, her eyes were still bright as she said boldly, "Don't worry about that, Princess. I may not be young, but I taught Ming'er and her sister everything they know about polo. Playing another match with them now isn't a problem."

"The three of us playing together—that'd make a great story."

Pei Jun was a bit shocked. She hadn't expected Madam Li to play herself. That would make the match super tense. And no matter what, Madam Li was an elder. Even if rank didn't matter on the field, with so many people watching, it'd be hard to save face whether they won or lost.

It seemed this really was a last resort because they couldn't find anyone else.

Madam Li genuinely doted on her two daughters and would never watch them be humiliated by their nephews. So she would rather take the field herself, and no matter the outcome, the three of them would bear it together.

Watching this mother and her daughters, Pei Jun couldn't help but think of the days when her own family had clung together in Qiulan Palace, and she felt a stir of emotion.

"Madam Li, how about—"

"How about I play alongside the two young ladies?"

Before Pei Jun could finish her sentence, Pei Yuanzhao, who had been quiet all this while, suddenly spoke up in a clear voice, cutting her off.

Pei Jun turned to look and saw her brother raise an eyebrow at her with an expression that clearly said, "See? I'm still loyal, aren't I?"

The two Ji sisters exchanged a glance, and when they looked at Pei Yuanzhao again, gratitude shone in their eyes.

"This..." Madam Li hesitated. "Wouldn't that be too much trouble for the Young Prince?"

Pei Yuanzhao smiled. "It's no trouble at all. I was going to take the field today anyway. This match should be quite interesting."

Having someone willing to help was naturally the best outcome, especially when that someone was the Heir Apparent of Prince Ying—a fellow member of the imperial family, which added considerable prestige to the mother and daughters. Madam Li thanked him repeatedly along with her two daughters before taking her leave to prepare.

Once the three women had gone, Pei Jun poked her brother's shoulder.

"Didn't you say you wouldn't help?"

Pei Yuanzhao glanced at her coolly. "I'm not helping them."

"Since when have I ever actually let you handle things alone?"

When it came down to it, wasn't he always the one to step up as her older brother?

Pei Jun clasped her hands over her heart in a dramatic show of emotion. "You're truly the best brother in the world."

"Cut it out." Pei Yuanzhao turned merciless, crooking his finger. "I'm a bit short on cash lately. I don't accept verbal thanks—how about you give me one of your money-making shops?"

Pei Jun equally turned on her brother without a trace of sentiment.

"In your dreams."

The siblings fell silent for a moment, then both burst out laughing their heads off. As they were laughing, Qin Yu and Qin Yue came over.

"Mother! Uncle!"

Pei Yuanzhao was very fond of his nephew and niece. He bent down and scooped Qin Yue into his arms, tweaking her nose. "Why were you running? You're all sweaty. Go wash up with your mother—you'll catch a cold."

But Qin Yue just clung to Pei Yuanzhao's neck and giggled. "I'll wash up later. Uncle's about to play, isn't he? I wanna cheer you on!"

Pei Yuanzhao raised an eyebrow. The two little ones hadn't been around when he'd agreed to Madam Li's request—where had they heard this from?

So Pei Yuanzhao asked with a smile, "Where'd you hear that your uncle's playing?"

Naive little Qin Yue didn't hesitate to throw her own brother under the bus.

"Brother told me."

Pei Yuanzhao looked at Qin Yu with a half-smile. What a little rascal—at his age, he already knew how to act first and ask for forgiveness later, strong-arming people into doing what he wants.

Qin Yu didn't look the least bit guilty when Pei Yuanzhao shot him a look. He flashed a grin, looking all innocent: "I knew Uncle would come through."

Pei Yuanzhao: "...Yeah, I learned that from you."

The "you" in question was, of course, Pei Yun, who was standing right there.

Just as Pei Yuanzhao finished speaking, the wife of the Qinzhou Military Commissioner came over from nearby. She smiled, exchanged pleasantries with Pei Yun and Pei Yuanzhao, and then got to the point—she said her household was hosting a flower-viewing banquet on the first of next month, and she really hoped Pei Yun would do her the honor of coming.

Pei Yun smiled and accepted, chatted a bit more, and then watched the lady walk off.

"Well, isn't this strange." Pei Yun held Qin Yue's little hand and raised an eyebrow at Pei Yuanzhao. "This is already the third invitation I've gotten—either a banquet at someone's house or an invite to come drink at their place."

"I mean, sure, spring's here, but it's not like every house in town should be throwing a party."

And especially not going out of their way to hand-deliver invitations to her.

Ever since she'd arrived today, Pei Yun felt like everyone was being way too nice to her. It was weird, but she couldn't figure out why.

Pei Yuanzhao's lips curled into a slight smile as he chuckled. "So you really don't know yet."

"Know what?" Pei Yun asked.

Pei Yuanzhao said kindly: "The Governor of Liangzhou is stepping down. His Majesty wants to pick a replacement, and the job of choosing falls to your husband."

"This is a position everyone wants, so of course they're all trying to butter you up."

Pei Yun was taken aback. She really had no idea—Qin Chu had never said a word about it.

Seeing her expression, Pei Yuanzhao teased, "Looks like you two really need to talk. You share a bed every night but might as well be strangers."

"..."

"Stay out of it."

Pei Yun shot him a glare, then patted Qin Yu on the shoulder. "I'll take these two back to our seats. You go get ready?"

Okay, so it was normal for Qin Chu not to fill her in on state affairs... normal, my ass!

How could this man keep so much from her?!

Pei Yun gritted her teeth. Fine. She'd deal with him when she got home.

Pei Yuanzhao raised an eyebrow, waved his hand, and turned to leave.

Sashaying off without a care in the world.

Pei Yun led the two Qin kids back to their seats just as a fresh batch of pastries arrived. One plate of green-bean and red-bean cakes was still piping hot when it came out. Pei Yun tried one, thought it was pretty good, and fed a piece to Qin Yue. Beside her, the Princess Consort of Ying reached over and pinched Qin Yue's chubby cheek. "Back already? What are you and your brother plotting now?"

Pei Yun leaned in and filled her mother in on the Ji sisters' situation.

The Princess Consort of Ying listened, but didn't show the displeasure Pei Yun had expected. She just shook her head, looking helpless but fond. "I knew you two would go sticking your noses into other people's business again."

The Princess Consort of Ying had seen Pei Yun talking to the two Ji sisters earlier. Word had also gotten around by now that Prince Zhao had gone over and demanded the Ji boys play a horse-ball match against the sisters. When she saw Lady Li go over to Pei Yun and Pei Yuanzhao, and then saw the two siblings whispering to each other, she already had a pretty good idea what was going on.

Prince Zhao had arrived, and his corner with Noble Consort Sun was naturally the liveliest spot around. Everyone was flocking around the mother and son like moths to a flame, chatting away, with Lady Sun and Qin Shun all smiles and laughter ringing out nonstop. The Princess Consort of Ying, however, didn't join in. She just stayed with Qin Pan and a few ladies she knew, chatting now and then—neither cold nor overly warm.

"Mother, I thought you'd yell at me," Pei Yun said quietly.

The Princess Consort of Ying shot her a sidelong glance and tapped the back of her hand with her round fan. "Why would I scold you? It's not like it's anything serious."

Sure—in the Ji family's eyes, this was a huge deal; losing meant being humiliated in front of the whole capital. But in Prince Zhao's eyes, it was just a little game to get under Pei Yun's skin—nothing more than entertainment.

"I suspect Prince Zhao already figured you'd go to your brother for help, and he doesn't care," the Princess Consort of Ying said casually. "Let your brother handle the rest. He's the man—it's his job to protect his sister."

Pei Yun laughed, hooked her arm through her mother's, and acted cute for a moment. Seeing Qin Pan watching and smiling from the side, she asked how she was liking things.

"With the Princess Consort here, everything's wonderful," Qin Pan said with a gentle smile. "She's been very good to me. Sister-in-law, don't worry."

The Princess Consort of Ying genuinely liked Qin Pan quite a bit. Maybe because Pei Yun had been such a handful as a kid, she found Qin Pan's quiet, well-behaved nature especially refreshing.

Prince Zhao made small talk with the crowd for a while, and when he saw Pei Yun come back, he turned and smiled at her. "Zhao Yang, here to watch the match?"

"Where's A'zhao? Why didn't he come with you?"

Pei Yun smiled. "Brother has some things to take care of, so he couldn't make it."

Prince Zhao nodded as if he'd expected that, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Then enjoy the match. It's about to start."

Pei Yun looked down at the horse-ball field below. Sure enough, the previous match was almost over—the young men who'd just played were dismounting to check their prizes. Ji Jingming and her sister were already getting their horses ready off to the side, while the eldest Ji son waited with his two brothers nearby, occasionally glancing over at the sisters.

"Those two Miss Jis seem to be one person short." Qin Shun, sitting beside Prince Zhao, leaned forward to look down—surprisingly, she was actually speaking up for the Ji sisters for once. "Two against three, and men against women—that seems a bit unfair."

"Cousin, isn't this just bullying?"

She looked up at Prince Zhao, who was swirling the wine in his cup. He glanced down at her and said with a smile, "Maybe the Miss Jis are confident they can handle it with just the two of them. It's just a family match—no need to take it so seriously."

Qin Shun seemed to understand something then. She nodded meekly and said no more.

With Prince Zhao so blatantly tilting the scales, everyone understood his intentions. Noble Consort Sun also said with a smile: "Indeed, it's just siblings and family having some fun. Don't you agree, Lady Li?"

Lady Li sat perfectly composed. Upon hearing Noble Consort Sun's words, she gave a slight bow and said, "The Noble Consort speaks truly."

Pei Yun watched this mother-son pair grind people down and pursed her lips privately. She asked her mother—had Lady Li somehow offended Noble Consort Sun?

"Lady Li is hardly lacking in social grace—how could she have clashed with the Noble Consort and Prince Zhao?" The Princess Consort of Ying glanced over and said softly. "But then again, Noble Consort Sun has never been one to listen to reason. You know that well enough."

"...True enough."

Noble Consort Sun's tail was practically wagging in the air these days. She dared to talk back to the Empress even in the palace, let alone a widow about to lose her title. With her temperament, it was perfectly normal for her to show no kindness.

As the players from the previous match left the field, the spectators on the stands clearly began to lean forward in anticipation. Pei Yun overheard a few young noblemen behind her discussing the matter.

"Ah, those two Miss Jis really are pitiable. Not only are they outnumbered two against three, but their opponents are all men. How can they possibly win?"

"What, Brother Zhuang, feeling chivalrous toward the fairer sex? Then hurry up and play the hero to save the damsels!"

A burst of laughter followed, and the young man being teased quickly said: "I was just speaking casually. Don't take it seriously, don't take it seriously."

"Right—what if you go up there and catch the eye of the Duchess Consort Feng, and she drags you off to be her son-in-law?"

Another round of laughter followed, as expected.

Pei Yun shook her head inwardly. Among these noble scions, you'd be hard-pressed to find even one out of ten who was reliable. Not only did they spend their days in dissipation and debauchery, but they were also gossips who loved to chatter about others.

As the field was cleared and the servants rearranged the grounds, someone came to lead the Ji sisters in, confirming, "Only the two young ladies are competing?"

Just as the words were spoken, the Ji family's eldest son and his two brothers rode in on horseback, and he said with a smirk, "Fourth sister, if you're afraid, you might as well wait a little longer—who knows, perhaps someone might be willing to play the hero and rescue the damsel?"

Ji Jingming remained composed, taking the reins and mounting her horse.

"No need to worry, eldest brother. We've already got our partners."

"Is that so? Where are they? I don't see anyone."

Just as he finished speaking, a lazy voice came from behind him.

"If you're not competing, don't block the way. Move aside."

Startled, he turned to look and saw the Heir Apparent of Prince Ying riding up on horseback, glancing at him with half-lidded eyes.

Author's note:

None.