At the end of March, when the willows of Jiangnan were shrouded in mist and mulberry trees lined the paths—the most beautiful season of the year—Pei You'an and Jiafu had no heart to admire the scenery. After leaving Quanzhou, they immediately headed north toward the capital.
Pei You'an was naturally eager to return to the capital, yet he worried that Jiafu might not endure the hardships of the journey. Initially, he arranged their travel at a normal pace.
Jiafu had not seen her son for several months. Beyond her longing, there was also a hidden anxiety in her heart. She wished she could grow wings and fly back, unafraid of the toils of the road. She urged them onward incessantly, and Pei You'an had no choice but to quicken their pace.
Finally, on this day, the two arrived in the capital and went straight to the palace to request an audience. They were smoothly admitted and led to Cheng Guang Hall, where the Imperial Study was located. After waiting briefly beneath the empty pavilion, they heard hurried footsteps running from within the hall. Looking up, they saw Ci'er dashing out.
"Father! Mother!"
Ci'er stepped over the high threshold, his face alight with joy, and rushed toward them.
Jiafu could no longer care for palace decorum. Leaving Pei You'an behind, she ran forward and swept her son into her arms, holding him tightly as kisses rained down on his forehead and cheeks.
Ci'er, showered with his mother's affection, was delighted but stole a glance at his father. Seeing Pei You'an gazing at him, he couldn't help feeling a little bashful. As his mother leaned in for another kiss, he dodged slightly and whispered in her ear, "Mother, Father is watching..."
Suppressing the tumult of emotions in her heart, Jiafu turned and saw her husband slowly approaching. Only then did she set Ci'er down.
Ci'er walked up to Pei You'an and, as usual, prepared to bow formally. Before he could kneel, Pei You'an stretched out his arms and pulled him into a tight embrace.
Not only Ci'er but even Jiafu was taken aback.
Jiafu knew Pei You'an loved their son deeply, but in front of Ci'er, he had always been reserved and restrained. This was the first time she had seen him express his affection so openly.
At first, Ci'er seemed surprised by his father's tight embrace, but gradually, a joyful smile spread across his face. Tentatively, he wrapped his small arms around his father's neck and whispered by his ear, "Father, you've been away fighting bad men for so long. Ci'er and Mother missed you very much..."
Pei You'an's eyes reddened slightly, and he held his son even tighter, unwilling to let go for a long while.
"Lord Pei, His Majesty says Zhen is to take the young master to the West Garden. Lord Pei is to enter—His Majesty has words for you..."
Cui Yinshui, who had followed from inside, had been standing to the side, cautiously gauging Pei You'an's expression as he spoke.
Jiafu's heart skipped a beat, and she glanced at her husband.
Pei You'an handed Ci'er back to Jiafu and met her gaze, murmuring softly, "Take Ci'er there first."
He exhaled slowly and stepped forward, heading inside.
...
Xiao Lie was not his usual vigorous self in front of Pei You'an. Instead, he sat reclined on the couch, loosely draped in an outer robe, reading a memorial in his hand.
Pei You'an knelt and performed the rites between ruler and subject.Xiao Lie bade him rise, then slowly descended from the couch and seated himself upon his usual throne. His gaze fixed upon Pei You'an, he said, "You'an, among the memorials I've received from ministers recently, two matters have been most frequently mentioned. First is the great victory in the northern campaign. You crushed the Hu cavalry and captured several royal family members. Now the Xiongnu court seeks peace. For this achievement, the credit is chiefly yours. Well done."
Pei You'an replied calmly, "By Your Majesty's boundless fortune. This humble servant merely fulfilled his duty and dares not claim merit."
Xiao Lie smiled faintly, his eyes locked on Pei You'an. "The second matter concerns the succession of Great Wei."
With a sharp slap, he tossed the memorial in his hand along with a stack from the corner of the desk before Pei You'an.
"Recent events have changed my former intentions. I had planned to welcome Xiao Yu back, fulfilling my promise to the people. Yet as you witnessed, the boy has no desire for this and refuses to return. I've taken notice of Ci'er. With proper nurturing, he will surely become a sage ruler for Great Wei."
"Tomorrow I shall command the Imperial Astronomers to select an auspicious day. I will take Ci'er to worship at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, acknowledge his ancestry, and establish him as Crown Prince of Great Wei."
"You'an—"
Xiao Lie called his name, his gaze piercing. "The rift between us stemmed entirely from Xiao Yu. Now that I've done my utmost regarding him, I ask you to yield one step. Is this unreasonable?"
He spoke each word deliberately.
Pei You'an met Xiao Lie's unwavering stare. Their eyes locked in silent confrontation.
"Your Majesty foresaw Yu'er would never return. You understood this when he willingly came to the capital years ago to offer his neck for execution. That you spared him, imprisoning him on Golden Dragon Island—if I may speak boldly—was not out of mercy, but to hold leverage over me in future."
Pei You'an's expression showed none of his former anger, only quiet desolation in his calm tone.
A flicker of discomfiture crossed Xiao Lie's eyes, swiftly vanishing. He maintained his gaze. "I did anticipate Xiao Yu wouldn't return. Truthfully, years ago I considered establishing my own grandson as heir. Unless you and your wife bore no children in my lifetime, your offspring—even without the makings of a sage ruler—would more than suffice as a steady monarch. Initially, sparing Xiao Yu was indeed for your sake. But today my decision regarding Ci'er holds no such motive! My resolve is firm and unalterable! The boy's talents surpass any I've witnessed. With proper guidance, he may well become a sage ruler!"
Xiao Lie's eyes shone with restrained fervor. He closed them briefly to compose himself before continuing.
"You'an!"
He called again, his gaze profound.
"That we cannot be father and son in this life is my misfortune, which I'll no longer force. But such a son is Great Wei's blessing, the people's fortune. Can you not set aside personal feelings, unite with me to nurture a sage ruler—for Great Wei, for this vast realm—that we might together achieve immortal glory in history?"
Pei You'an stood motionless as stone.
...Jiafu returned to Banana Garden with Ci'er, chatting with her son while trying to suppress the unease in her heart, anxiously awaiting Pei You'an's return, her mind somewhat distracted.
"Mother, the other day I asked Grandfather what the world is, and he took me out of the palace. Grandfather said he wants me to help him continue being emperor in the future. Mother, will you and Father agree?" Ci'er finally brought up that day's events, then widened his eyes as he looked at Jiafu.
Though she had mentally prepared herself, hearing these words from her son's lips still made Jiafu feel as if her blood had suddenly frozen in her veins. Her chest tightened, and for a moment, she couldn't breathe.
She knew all too well what it would mean if Ci'er became the heir apparent of Great Wei.
She stared fixedly at Ci'er's face, silent.
"Mother? Are you unhappy?"
Ci'er quickly noticed his mother's unusual demeanor and looked at her with concern.
"Father and Mother, don't be angry. Ci'er will listen to you!" Ci'er quickly added, tightly wrapping his arms around Jiafu's neck.
Gazing into her son's still innocent and pure eyes, Jiafu suppressed the reluctance and sorrow in her heart and shook her head. "Ci'er, don't worry. Mother isn't unhappy..."
But halfway through her words, the rest stuck in her throat.
"Father!"
Ci'er suddenly called out.
Jiafu turned abruptly to see Pei You'an standing silently at the door, his eyes fixed on her and Ci'er, motionless.
At Ci'er's call, he seemed to snap out of his daze, stepped over the threshold, and walked slowly toward them, stopping before Jiafu and Ci'er.
After gazing at Ci'er for a long time, a faint smile slowly appeared on his lips. He reached out and gently patted the boy's head, then instructed Cui Yinshui to take Ci'er out to play.
Ci'er, led by Cui Yinshui, kept looking back as he left.
Finally, only Jiafu and Pei You'an remained in the room.
His expression was somber as he stared at Jiafu, silent.
Wordless, Jiafu slowly walked toward him after a long pause, her voice trembling. "Eldest Cousin, can His Majesty's decision no longer be changed?"
Pei You'an replied softly, "Fu'er, I've failed you..."
Jiafu buried her face in his shoulder, closed her eyes, and tears slowly streamed down her cheeks.
...
Three months later, in the sixth month of the seventh year of Manifest Peace, the long-speculated matter of the imperial heir was finally settled after prolonged silence.
The emperor took the child who had once accompanied him to the Noon Gate Tower to pay homage at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
The next day, the court issued an imperial decree: the emperor had designated the child as the imperial heir apparent, who would inherit the throne upon the emperor's passing.
At the same time, the emperor issued another edict.
Pei You'an, having rendered outstanding service and unwavering loyalty to the court in the campaign against the Hu, was reinstated to his former position immediately. In addition to restoring all his previous titles and ranks, he was also appointed as the Grand Tutor to the imperial heir apparent. From this day forward, he would bear the heavy responsibility of guiding and educating the heir apparent, expected to be diligent and conscientious, living up to the emperor's expectations and the trust of the realm.
On this day, Jiafu, who had returned to the Duke's residence several days prior, received a continuous stream of visiting court ladies and wives offering their congratulations as the news spread rapidly.Madam Pei was at the prime of a woman’s youth, her beauty at its peak. There was no trace left on her countenance from the years of harsh life beyond the Great Wall. Compared to the past, she had instead gained an added grace and nobility. Those who saw her could not help but marvel in admiration, either flattering her endlessly or deliberately seeking her friendship. She greeted them with a smile, neither haughty nor humble, and her conduct was impeccable in every way.
Late at night, Pei You’an returned to the mansion.
A few days earlier, after Jiafu had returned to Duke Wei's Mansion under the pretext of coming back from the frontier, Ci’er had also moved out of Banana Garden, where he had lived for a year and a half. Afraid that the boy might struggle to adjust, Xiao Lie personally took him to stay in Cheng Guang Hall, overseeing all aspects of his daily life himself.
Tonight, Pei You’an had remained in the palace until this very moment before finally leaving and returning home.
The room was still lit by candlelight. Pushing open the slightly ajar door, Pei You’an stepped inside to see Jiafu greeting him with a smile, helping him remove his outer robe and urging him to bathe. Not a single word was mentioned about Ci’er—as if nothing had happened.
After his bath, Pei You’an emerged to find Jiafu still awake. She fetched a robe and dressed him herself, carefully fastening the sash at his waist as she said softly, “Eldest Cousin, I’ve noticed you’ve grown thinner lately. I prepared some supper for you—wait here, I’ll have it brought over. Eat before you sleep.”
With these words, she gave him a faint smile before bustling toward the door once more.
Pei You’an watched her retreating figure and could hold back no longer. In a single stride, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist from behind, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head as he murmured hoarsely, “Fu’er, I know your heart has been heavy these past days. If you wish to cry, then cry. There’s no need to hold back in front of me.”
He turned her around to face him.
The smile faded from Jiafu’s face. Her pearly teeth clenched her lower lip, and her eyes slowly reddened.
“How has Ci’er been these days?”
Pei You’an gazed at her, his mind flashing back to earlier that night—when he had parted from their son, the boy had clung to him desperately, gripping his sleeve with tears in his eyes as he asked whether, from now on, even if he couldn’t call them father and mother in public, he might still do so in private.
This man, who had endured a lifetime of hardships, witnessed the treacherous tides of court politics, and once held the power to shape the world with a mere gesture—this man of iron will—now found his own eyes stinging with unshed tears.
He forced them back. “The emperor said he hopes Ci’er will grow into a sage ruler. I do not hold such expectations. But when he comes of age, he should be capable of becoming a worthy sovereign for the realm. If so, then the loss we suffer today may not be without recompense.”
Jiafu wept silently, her slender shoulders trembling uncontrollably.
Pei You’an lifted her into his arms, carried her to the bed, and lay down beside her. Gently, he stroked his beloved wife’s soft, cloud-like tresses. “Don’t worry. Though Ci’er is young, he is remarkably sensible. From now on, I will have free access to the palace. If you miss him, you may visit him at any time.”
“Eldest Cousin… when Ci’er grows up, will he resent us for abandoning him like this?”
Through tear-blurred eyes, Jiafu choked out the question.
Pei You’an was silent for a moment before smiling faintly. “The vast heavens stretch beyond measure, yet gains and losses are weighed within inches. When Ci’er comes of age, he will form his own judgments.”
Jiafu gazed at him intently.
Pei You’an leaned closer, his lips tenderly kissing away each tear on her face, his love boundless. Finally, he gathered her into his embrace and held her tightly.
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