The emperor's command was as unyielding as a mountain.
The very next day, the Ministry of Personnel issued an official decree: the emperor had recalled Pei You'an from mourning and reinstated him, appointing him as the Southwest Pacification Commissioner to oversee the resettlement of displaced refugees in Jing and Xiang. He was to depart for his post soon.
News spread quickly, and colleagues who had dealings with Pei You'an came to bid him farewell. The usual flurry of social engagements kept him busy for two days. On the eve of his departure, Pei You'an rode alone out of the city and arrived at the foot of Cien Temple. Accompanied by the evening mist, he ascended the mountain steps and knocked on the temple gate.
It was the hour of evening prayers, and the distant tolling of bells drifted on the wind.
Pei You'an made his way to the Ancestral Hall attached to the eastern side of the temple, entering the courtyard where the Lotus Tablets of the Pei family ancestors were enshrined. The elderly caretaker couple, startled by his sudden appearance, hurried out to greet him. After exchanging a few words, Pei You'an inquired about Yuzhu’s recent circumstances.
As it had not yet been a full year since the passing of the late Madam Pei, her Lotus Tablet had not yet been placed in the Ancestral Hall. Instead, it was temporarily housed in a separate memorial pagoda to dispel misfortune and atone for sins, to be moved to the Ancestral Hall after the year of mourning.
Before her passing, the late Madam Pei had not only arranged for the division of the family estate but had also made provisions for Yuzhu, who had served her faithfully for nearly a decade. She had returned Yuzhu’s deed of servitude, left her a sum of money sufficient for the rest of her life, and a house, stating that if Yuzhu ever found a suitable match, she could marry from the Pei household. After the initial mourning period, countless matchmakers had come forward, openly and discreetly, but Yuzhu had refused them all. Instead, she had followed the late Madam Pei’s Lotus Tablet here, and now, half a year had passed in the blink of an eye.
Hearing Pei You'an’s inquiry, the old woman quickly replied, "For the past half year, Yuzhu has been reciting sutras daily to dispel the late Madam’s karmic burdens. The elder Madam had instructed me to take good care of Yuzhu, and I’ve kept her words close to heart."
Pei You'an nodded and approached the room where the late Madam’s Lotus Tablet was enshrined alone. He pushed open the door.
Yuzhu was kneeling on a green-leaf prayer mat beside the tablet, silently reciting scriptures. Hearing the door open behind her, she turned and quickly rose to greet Pei You'an, her face lighting up with surprise. "Master, why are you here? Weren’t you accompanying the elder Madam back to Quanzhou?"
Half a year had passed, and as the old woman had said, Yuzhu had grown noticeably thinner.
Pei You'an bowed before the late Madam’s tablet. After paying his respects, he straightened and said, "I returned to the capital a few days ago. His Majesty has recalled me from mourning and assigned me a new post. The elder Madam remained in Quanzhou."
He glanced around the dimly lit room, then hesitated for a moment before asking, "Yuzhu, what are your plans for the future?"
Yuzhu lowered her head slowly and remained silent for a while.
"After I’ve completed the year of mourning for the late Madam and repaid her kindness, I intend to find a nunnery to settle in."
Pei You'an said, "Yuzhu, I’d like to ask for your help with something."
Yuzhu was taken aback.
"Please speak, Master. I was once the late Madam’s maid, and though she has passed, I still consider myself a servant of the Pei family. If it’s within my power, I’ll brave any danger to fulfill your request!"
Pei You'an replied, "You are no longer a servant of the Pei family. What I ask is for you to go to Quanzhou and take care of the elder Madam in my stead."
Yuzhu froze again, then hesitated. "Master, what do you mean? I don’t quite understand..."
Pei You'an smiled faintly. "His Majesty’s assignment this time will likely keep me away for at least a year or more. The regions I’ll be traveling to are rugged and perilous, and the elder Madam is too delicate to accompany me. Her grandmother’s health is declining, and though there are trustworthy servants at home, her mother is gentle and her brother still immature. She always got along well with you, and you are both meticulous and capable. Would you be willing to go and keep her company?"Yuzhu gazed fixedly at the man standing against the twilight, his silhouette shrouded in the deepening dusk. Slowly, she knelt before him and kowtowed, saying, "It is my fortune to serve and accompany the mistress. I am willing."
Pei You'an nodded. "Someone will come to fetch you in a couple of days. Prepare your belongings and be ready to leave."
Yuzhu assented and escorted him to the threshold, watching as his figure gradually disappeared into the evening gloom.
Pei You'an spent the night at the temple. Early the next morning, before the eastern sky had lightened, he left the temple and descended the mountain back to the city.
At the fifth watch, as the first light of dawn tinged the sky and mist drifted over the fields, the heavy, ancient gates of the imperial city creaked open after a night's closure. A column of heavily armed soldiers emerged, flanking a small carriage covered in dark felt, swaying as it cut through the morning haze, heading out of the city.
This was the contingent tasked with escorting the deposed Crown Prince back to his ancestral lands to guard the imperial tombs and reflect on his mistakes. The Brocade-Clad Guards' Great Han General leading the procession rode ahead. Spotting a figure leading a horse along the roadside, he paid little heed at first. But as they drew closer and he recognized Pei You'an, he hastily ordered the procession to halt, dismounted, and saluted with a respectful, "Lord Pei."
Pei You'an acknowledged him with a faint smile and continued leading his horse along the side of the road toward the city gates. As he passed the felt-covered carriage, it suddenly shook violently, and the sound of chains clanging against metal bars erupted from within, as if someone were struggling fiercely. Then, a voice pierced through the felt: "Pei You'an, don’t think you’ve won yet! The signs of heaven’s will are unclear—this is not my end! Even if heaven’s will betrays me and I never return, your fate will be no better! In his eyes, there is only the empire and this throne. Do you truly believe he will grant you a peaceful end?"
Each word dripped with bitter resentment. The nearby guards paled, exchanging uneasy glances. But Pei You'an seemed not to hear, his gaze fixed ahead, his steps never faltering as he led his horse forward, passing the carriage without pause.
Seeing Pei You'an move on, the Great Han General barked orders for the procession to resume without delay.
Hooves clattered, wheels rumbled, and the column pressed forward after the brief pause. From within the carriage, low, mocking laughter began—first a quiet chuckle, then escalating into wild, unrestrained howls, growing louder and louder until the procession faded into the morning mist, the laughter finally vanishing with it.
...
That night, Xiao Lie inquired about Pei You'an.
Li Yuangui reported, "Your Majesty, Lord Pei has already left the capital today. This servant personally saw him off at the city gates. Cui Yinshui has accompanied him and will attend to his needs diligently. Your Majesty need not worry."
Stealing a glance at the emperor, Li Yuangui added softly, "Further report, Your Majesty. Over the past two days, Lord Pei was occupied with social engagements. Last night, he went alone to Cien Temple—first to the Ancestral Hall, likely to pay respects to his ancestors. Afterward, he entered the Rotating Sutra Repository and remained there overnight. He left at dawn and returned to the city."
Xiao Lie was lost in thought for a moment before asking, "Li Yuangui, tell me—if it came to a choice between me and my nephew, would You'an stand with me or with his student?"
Li Yuangui bowed deeply. "How could Your Majesty entertain such doubts? Lord Pei’s loyalty to you needs no words from this humble servant’s mouth."Xiao Lie remained silent for a moment before asking again, "Let me ask you this—if he learns of how I've acted this time in the future, will he become estranged from me?"
Li Yuangui hesitated briefly before replying, "Your Majesty worries too much. With Your Majesty's imperial virtue, soaring high to occupy the heavenly throne, diligent in governance and compassionate toward the people, all under heaven sing praises without exception. The harmony between ruler and subject is like fish in water, and Lord Pei is the most discerning of reason. How could he ever become estranged from Your Majesty?"
Xiao Lie slowly exhaled and said, "I hope it will be as you say. But for now, this matter must still be kept from him. The news must remain confidential."
Li Yuangui assented. Seeing the rare trace of relief that had finally appeared on the emperor's face after many consecutive days of tension, he too let out a quiet sigh of relief.
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