Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Pei Congxian’s expression darkened.
He shot to his feet and glared furiously at Pei Xianjing.
“What is wrong with planning ahead? Throughout history, whenever imperial power changed hands and a succession struggle began, what official did not choose a side and declare his position?
“The Emperor is advanced in years. From the imperial court to every corner of the capital, everyone is concerned about the choice of heir. What have I done wrong?”
In the end, Pei Congxian still cared about his bond with his son.
He had indeed wronged Pei Xianjing’s biological mother and caused Pei Xianjing to suffer.
He felt guilty.
But if the Qizhou matter was investigated any further, it would reach back many years and into the harem.
It absolutely could not be pursued to the end.
Yet he had no way to explain the reasons clearly to Pei Xianjing.
“Do you think investigating to the end would truly benefit the Emperor? You are too naive.
“Since this involves entrenched abuses from years past, why do you think everyone from the Emperor down to local officials has suppressed it and ignored it for more than twenty years?
“Nothing is more dangerous than placing one’s sincere loyalty in the wrong hands. You are devoted to the Emperor, but have you considered whether you are a keen blade meant to strengthen imperial power, or a future minister entrusted with an orphaned heir?”
The father and son rarely had an opportunity for such a heart-to-heart conversation.
Pei Xianjing did not respond. He merely watched his father with eyes as deep as an abyss.
Pei Congxian thought he was about to yield, and relief began to rise in his heart.
But then he heard Pei Xianjing say, “In all I do, I seek only a clear conscience.
“If this blade can cut the rot from Great Yue, then I will hone myself to an even sharper edge.”
“If every subject weighs his personal gains and losses and considers only his own life and death, then who will shoulder the welfare, joys, and sorrows of the people beneath Heaven?
“When I set foot upon this path, I was already prepared to take responsibility for all the people of the realm.
“Even if I die upon this path, I will have neither fear nor regret.
“So, Father, even if I truly marry the Princess, it will be absolutely impossible for the Empress to use my authority for her own convenience.”
The anger and incomprehension on Pei Congxian’s face gave way to shock.
He had never known that from the moment Pei Xianjing sat for the imperial examinations, he had been prepared to brave fire and water and even lose his life upon this path.
Pei Congxian’s lips moved, but for a long while he could not utter a word.
Risking one’s life was work for sons of humble families.
The children of great clans needed only to enjoy the protection of their ancestors and secure their position through marriage alliances.
If they chose correctly at each critical juncture, wealth and glory would continue through the generations.
Pei Xianjing truly had no need to labor so hard.
Pei Congxian had made Lady Gao acknowledge Pei Xianjing as her legitimate son and ordered everyone who knew the truth to conceal Pei Xianjing’s origins all these years. He had been prepared to give Pei Xianjing the full inheritance of protection accumulated by the Pei ancestors.
Pei Congxian sighed soundlessly. The entanglements could not be explained in a few words.
Meanwhile, at Panlin Court,
Lady Pei stood at the courtyard gate, gazing toward Qiansheng Pavilion.
“His Lordship will not remain with the Eldest Young Master for long, Madam,” Matron Gao consoled her.
“Do you remember that day many years ago?” Lady Pei’s voice was filled with grief.
Matron Gao nodded. “This servant remembers.”
“It was just like today. He entered the palace to see the Empress Dowager.
“When he returned, he spent several hours in that wretch’s court. The next day, he had Pei Xianjing adopted under my name as the eldest legitimate son.”
“Later, even after that wretch died, he still went there to remember her.
“Who knows whether he saw the Empress Dowager or the Empress in the palace this time?
“No matter which one it was, the person they value is Pei Xianjing.
“What if… what if he gives the title to Pei Xianjing as well?
“Or… what if he has my son eliminated to clear Pei Xianjing’s path?”
Matron Gao’s expression changed drastically when she heard this.
She hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief and anxiously tried to cover Lady Pei’s mouth.
Then she looked around warily. Fortunately, there were no other maids or matrons nearby.
“Madam, the Third Madam and the Eldest Young Lady are still here learning proper behavior.
“You cannot let them realize that you resent His Lordship.
“You have endured all these years. His Lordship has not taken another concubine, either, which shows he does care for you.
“You must not let a concubine he took before you even entered the household drive husband and wife apart.
“Besides, the Empress Dowager forced that woman upon him at the time. He may not have liked her at all.”
Even Matron Gao knew how false those words were.
But for all these years, she had relied on that lie, repeated countless times, to placate Lady Pei.
“If I cannot control the elder, I can only work through the younger one. Keep a closer watch on Xing Shuwei,” Lady Pei instructed after a while, having suppressed her emotions.
“Yes,” Matron Gao answered.
Lady Pei lowered her eyes and turned back into the courtyard.
…
At Qiansheng Pavilion,
after seeing Pei Congxian off, Pei Xianjing returned to the bedchamber.
Seeing that Xing Shuwei was already fully dressed, he pulled her straight onto the bed.
“Is this how I told you to wait for me?”
As he spoke, he gathered her into his arms.
Remembering what he had just said to his father, a trace of regret crossed his heart.
If misfortune befell him on the path he had chosen, what would happen to Weiwei?
She had neither father nor mother, only a younger brother who was not yet fully grown and could not become her support for the time being…
If Pei Xianjing was gone, would she not be bullied to death?
Xing Shuwei lowered her eyes and avoided his gaze.
His stare frightened her. She could not stop wondering whether he was again calculating how to torment her.
Pei Xianjing had trained in martial arts at Zhenxi Hall since childhood. He was nothing like a frail scholar.
He possessed inexhaustible strength and used all of it upon her.
The more she begged for mercy, the fiercer he became.
Xing Shuwei was afraid.
Even when she cried, he would not stop. He would merely kiss away her tears while coaxing hoarsely, “Be good. Endure it a little longer. I have not even used any strength yet.”
Pei Xianjing pressed her down onto his lap.
His cool lips sampled the corner of her mouth.
Xing Shuwei did not dare evade him.
Pei Xianjing nibbled her earlobe and breathed out a puff of hot air. Without any preamble, he said, “Weiwei, I cannot let you go.”
Pei Xianjing lifted her and placed her on the bed.
“You must remember: no matter the time or the circumstances, you are mine. Understood?”
Xing Shuwei nodded haphazardly.
Since she could not escape, she might as well get it over with quickly.
However he treated her, she would accept it. She only hoped that afterward he would be pleased and forgive everything that had happened.
Failing to endure a small grievance would ruin her greater plan. She did not have much time left.
At a moment like this, she absolutely could not provoke him.
Seeing her obedience, Pei Xianjing brushed the dark strands from her cheek and touched his nose to hers. “Do you even know what I am saying before you agree?”
Xing Shuwei could not be bothered to guess the hidden meaning in his words. “Weiwei knows. Everything Brother Jing does is for my own good.”
Pei Xianjing was plainly quite satisfied with her answer.
He bent down and scattered dense kisses over her swanlike neck.
Xing Shuwei tipped back her head but could not resist stopping him. “Do not leave any marks. It would be terrible if someone discovered them.”
Pei Xianjing abruptly stopped and looked at her with complete seriousness. “What if they did discover them? Weiwei, you have always been mine. I do not want to wait another moment.”
Xing Shuwei was dumbfounded.
Her eyes widened as she held her breath and stared at him-
What did he mean?