Неаring this, Li Rоng gave а sоft lаugh. Shе оpened thе smаll golden fаn in her hand, соvеring hаlf hеr fаce аs her eyes curved intо а smile. "Тhen this рrinсеss shаll awаit Lоrd Реi's gоod nеws."
Pei Wenхuаn bowеd his head in a rеspeсtful salute, sееing Li Rоng оff.
Li Rоng сlоsed her fаn аnd walkеd оut. Uрon rеaсhing thе outer gаtе, she sаw the palаce attеndаnts wаiting outsidе. Her eхрrеssion turnеd соld аs shе instruсted thоsе besidе her, "Рrepаre thе саrriagе. Wе аrе going to the Еastern Palaсe."
Not long аfter Li Rong lеft, the Еmрress slоwly regained her composure. After tidying her appearance for a moment, she raised her voice toward the outside, "Shande."
Hearing the call from the outer hall, Shande hurried in and knelt before the Empress. "Your Majesty."
Sitting on the golden throne, the Empress spoke wearily, "Summon Pei Wenxuan."
Upon hearing this, Shande was momentarily stunned before realizing that the Empress likely did not know Pei Wenxuan was waiting outside the door. However, he did not speak out of turn, merely responding in a low voice, "Yes." Turning to the doorway, he announced loudly, "Summon Pei Wenxuan for an audience—"
Pei Wenxuan bowed to Shande, then stepped through the doorway. The Empress sat on the golden throne, supporting her forehead with her hand. As he entered, she lifted her gaze, quietly observing the young man.
Pei Wenxuan entered the hall calmly, knelt, and paid his respects. The Empress watched him for a moment before speaking slowly, "Were you outside the hall just now?"
If he had entered from the outer gate, he should not have appeared before her so quickly.
Pei Wenxuan remained kneeling, his tone composed. "Earlier, Her Highness the Princess instructed this humble official to wait outside the hall for Your Majesty's summons."
The Empress nodded. Shande tactfully withdrew and waited outside. The Empress straightened up, her voice low and hoarse. "Then you must have heard the conversation between the princess and me just now."
Pei Wenxuan remained silent, and the Empress understood his tacit acknowledgment. After a moment of silence, she spoke slowly, "Your father passed away early, and there are no elders in your family to plan your future. Rashly involving yourself in palace affairs will do you no good. Do not speak of last night's events to anyone. After you return, I will assign you another official position and arrange a suitable marriage for you. You need not worry."
Pei Wenxuan remained silent. The Empress, seemingly troubled by a headache, pressed her forehead. "Is there something else you are dissatisfied with?"
"This humble official thanks Your Majesty for considering my difficulties and planning for my future. However, there is one matter I do not understand."
"What is it?"
"If this humble official withdraws," Pei Wenxuan raised his head to meet the Empress's gaze, "what will become of Her Highness the Princess?"
"That is not for you to consider."
The Empress spoke coldly. Pei Wenxuan looked at her calmly and said, "What if this humble official wishes to consider it?"
"What do you mean?"
The Empress frowned. Pei Wenxuan replied calmly, "Your Majesty, last night, Ning Fei entered Weiyang Palace, using threats and inducements to bind the Yang family to the Crown Prince. Yet afterward, she went to Consort Rou's palace. Has Your Majesty considered why she went to Consort Rou?"
The Empress stiffened. "Speak."
"Now, the Yang family is wholeheartedly seeking to attach themselves to the princess. Consort Rou is currently in favor with His Majesty. If Ning Fei went to Consort Rou, it must have been to seek her help in arranging a marriage between the Yang family and the princess. However, Consort Rou and the Empress and Crown Prince are mortal enemies. If an alliance between the Yang family and the princess were beneficial, why would she assist? It is clear that a marriage alliance between the Yang family and the princess must conceal hidden harm. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider."The Empress remained silent, her stillness profound. Pei Wenxuan continued, "The Yang clan has promised Your Majesty military authority. Yet, if the Yang clan still possesses the strength to resist, an alliance with the Crown Prince would be mutually beneficial. However, if the Yang clan is already like a fish out of water, merely struggling desperately, then allying with the Crown Prince would only drag him into the mire. The Crown Prince holds no actual military power; his only military support relies on Your Majesty's maternal clan, the Shangguan Clan. What His Majesty fears most now is that the Crown Prince, as the legitimate eldest son, if deposed, might incite the fury of the ministers and shake the foundation of the state. But if the Crown Prince now provides his own faults, does Your Majesty believe that the combined forces of the Yang clan and the Shangguan Clan could suppress the ministers and restrain His Majesty?"
"Then, in your opinion," the Empress hesitated, "what should be done now?"
"Your Majesty need not do anything," Pei Wenxuan said calmly. "These people each have their own schemes. For now, Your Majesty and the Crown Prince need only accomplish two things. First, after I leave Weiyang Palace, Your Majesty must immediately seal off the news of my entry into the palace and the fact that the princess was with me last night."
"This matter has already been taken care of," the Empress replied, somewhat puzzled. "Why do you ask me to do this?"
"Given His Majesty's network of informants in the palace, Your Majesty's actions cannot be concealed," Pei Wenxuan said lightly. "Only by targeting this humble official can I gain His Majesty's trust. Therefore, what the Crown Prince must do next is prepare a memorial impeaching the Yang clan. Once the Yang clan falls into distress," Pei Wenxuan looked up earnestly, "the Crown Prince must immediately submit the impeachment and promptly propose a replacement for the position of General of the Northern Garrison."
"And why is that?"
"In time, Your Majesty will understand."
Pei Wenxuan looked at the Empress. "I only wonder whether Your Majesty now trusts this humble official."
The Empress gazed at Pei Wenxuan. This man appeared to be only in his early twenties, yet he spoke with clear logic and meticulous thought. Even when facing someone of her high status, he remained composed, unlike any ordinary young man.
He quietly watched the Empress. After a long while, she finally asked, "What do you seek?"
As she spoke, she stood up. "You are merely a minor official of the eighth rank. Why involve yourself in the palace's conflicts?"
"If one lacks lofty ambitions, why not retire and return home?" Pei Wenxuan replied calmly. "Are not all those in the court seeking the same thing?"
"Then why choose the Crown Prince?"
The Empress stared intently at Pei Wenxuan. After a moment of contemplation, he answered truthfully.
"This humble official cannot bear to see Her Highness the Princess humiliated."
"Do you care for my daughter?" The Empress showed a flicker of understanding. Pei Wenxuan remained silent.
After a moment, he respectfully bowed his head and said only, "I wish to plant a phoenix tree in the courtyard, to attract the phoenix's return."
The Empress scrutinized Pei Wenxuan. She remained silent, observing him for a long time before finally saying, "You may go."
"This humble official takes his leave."
Pei Wenxuan bowed and then rose gracefully.
He slowly walked out of the main hall, where a eunuch emerged to guide him to a sedan chair.
After he boarded the sedan chair, it wasn't long before he sensed the direction was wrong.
Having frequented the palace in his previous life, he was thoroughly familiar with its layout. Lifting the curtain slightly for a glance, he realized the sedan chair was heading toward the Imperial Study.
After a moment's thought, he understood that Li Ming must have received news from Weiyang Palace and was likely summoning him.
Pei Wenxuan felt somewhat reassured. Pretending to doze lightly, he waited until the sedan chair stopped. Then, he heard a voice call out, "Lord Pei?"He pretended to wake from slumber, opening his eyes in a daze to see the smiling eunuch before him. Somewhat bewildered, he asked, "And you are...?"
"This humble servant is Fulai, attendant to His Majesty. His Majesty summons Lord Pei. Please follow me."
Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan feigned astonishment before hurriedly stepping down from the sedan chair and following Fulai into the courtyard of the imperial study.
Trembling with apprehension, he trailed behind Fulai and inquired cautiously, "Does the eunuch know why His Majesty has summoned me?"
Fulai smiled. "My lord should have an idea."
Pei Wenxuan's expression shifted slightly, but he said nothing more. Upon reaching the entrance, he saw Yang Quan already standing there. Pei Wenxuan approached and exchanged greetings with Yang Quan. Fulai instructed the two to wait there before entering.
After Fulai went inside, Pei Wenxuan glanced at Yang Quan and said with a smile, "What brings Lord Yang here today?"
Yang Quan gave him a cold look and replied indifferently, "To propose marriage."
"Then my lord may be disappointed," Pei Wenxuan said softly, straightening his posture and clasping his hands before him. "This matter is likely already settled."
"What do you mean?"
Yang Quan looked up at Pei Wenxuan, who smiled and said, "Does my lord know why I turned back last night?"
At these words, Yang Quan's face instantly paled.
To others, it might have sounded innocuous, but Yang Quan knew all too well that the ambush he had set last night should have been a secret. Yet not only did Pei Wenxuan know about it, but he had also turned back, rescued the princess, and spent the night alone with her.
"His Majesty is a wise and discerning ruler," Pei Wenxuan whispered. "Lord Yang should harbor no regrets. It would be best to return to the northwest. The sangge flowers there are quite beautiful."
Sangge flowers were blossoms scattered on coffins during funerals in the northwest. Most people in Huajing would not understand the reference, but Yang Quan grasped Pei Wenxuan's meaning clearly.
Pei Wenxuan was the preordained Imperial Son-in-Law. When something went awry yesterday, the emperor had still summoned him, using Yang Quan as a stepping stone to pave the way for Pei Wenxuan and the princess.
And the Yang family was doomed to destruction. Not only did the emperor know this, but he had even informed Pei Wenxuan, this ignorant fool, allowing him to flaunt it shamelessly before Yang Quan.
Seeing Yang Quan's fury, Pei Wenxuan smiled without another word. Just then, the emperor's summons echoed from within the hall.
The two entered together. Li Ming was reviewing memorials, and after they paid their respects, he remained unmoving above them.
Li Ming leisurely took a sip of tea before looking up and saying, "You've arrived?"
With that, he turned to Pei Wenxuan and said first, "Rise, Minister Pei."
Pei Wenxuan immediately responded with delight and stood up, moving to the side. Yang Quan remained kneeling on the ground, clenching his fists.
Li Ming glanced at him and said indifferently, "Why have you come?"
"This humble official has come today to propose marriage to Your Majesty," Yang Quan replied respectfully.
Li Ming raised an eyebrow. "Propose marriage? To whom?"
"This humble official admores Princess Ping Le," Yang Quan said stiffly. "I beseech Your Majesty to grant a marriage decree."
"Is that so?" Li Ming nodded but added, "This matter requires further consideration. Minister Pei," he turned to Pei Wenxuan and stood up, "accompany me for a stroll in the garden."
Pei Wenxuan assented and hurried forward to support Li Ming, walking past Yang Quan. Upon reaching the doorway, Pei Wenxuan suddenly remembered and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Yang is still kneeling."
"Oh." Li Ming seemed to recall this only then. He glanced back at Yang Quan and said indifferently, "Rise. If there is nothing else, you may return."After speaking, Li Ming led Pei Wenxuan, slowly walking toward the imperial garden.
When they reached a less crowded area, the attendants around them had, at some point, stopped following. Pei Wenxuan supported Li Ming as he listened to him say slowly, "I heard that last night, you saved Ping Le."
Pei Wenxuan remained silent. Li Ming raised his eyes: "Why aren’t you speaking?"
Pei Wenxuan stopped walking. After a long while, he took a deep breath, as if having made a momentous decision, then moved to stand in front of Li Ming and knelt down before him.
"Your humble servant begs Your Majesty," he bowed deeply, his tone sorrowful, "to save my life!"
OpenNovel