Chapter 54
Chapter 54
“Oh?” Princess Jin’an’s interest was piqued.
She gestured to the stool beside her, indicating that Pei Xuanfei could sit.
Pei Xuanfei kept a smile plastered on her face and perched lightly on the edge of the stool.
“Let’s hear it.”
Princess Jin’an arched a brow, signaling for her to continue.
Pei Xuanfei went on, “I heard Father say that a group of refugees outside the city suffered through last winter’s snow disaster.
“The officials’ wives and daughters are all planning to distribute free porridge. I have a way to trick Xing Shuwei into going there.
“Once she has been through that den of refugees, losing her chastity will be the least of it. She might even be devoured.
“Whether she makes it back alive and in one piece or not, she’ll be nothing but used-up trash after countless men have had their way with her. How could the Pei family possibly tolerate her then?
“Naturally, there is no need for the princess to dirty her hands with such a thing. I will take care of everything properly on Your Highness’s behalf.”
Princess Jin’an rested a hand on the arm of her chair and straightened slightly. “Surely you are not doing all this solely for me. Tell me, what do you want me to do for you?”
Pei Xuanfei said ingratiatingly, “Xuanxuan is doing this mainly for Your Highness.
“If I have any selfish motive at all, it is that I cannot stand that vile Xing Shuwei using her seductive wiles on Eldest Brother while also trying to ensnare Seventh Young Master Shen.”
Princess Jin’an stared at her coolly. Only then did she understand that Pei Xuanfei had feelings for Shen Yanqi.
But the Shen family held hereditary posts in the Embroidered Uniform Guard and was forbidden from marrying into the families of princes, marquises, dukes, or high ministers.
Shen Yanqi was the strongest candidate to become the next Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, while Pei Xuanfei was the only daughter of the legitimate line in the Duke of Qi’s estate.
Now that Pei Xianjing had become Imperial Tutor to the Eleventh Prince, it would only be more difficult for Pei Xuanfei to marry Shen Yanqi.
No wonder. She had set her sights on using the princess.
Princess Jin’an said, “If this succeeds, I will ask Father Emperor to make an exception and betroth you to Shen Yanqi.”
Pei Xuanfei had been contemplating how to ask for her help. She had never expected the princess to offer first!
She hurriedly rose and curtsied. “Xuanxuan thanks Your Highness in advance.
“I will remember Your Highness’s great kindness for the rest of my life.”
Princess Jin’an was in an excellent mood. She lifted a hand, and Menglian came over to help the Princess to her feet.
She said, “Go and do it without worry. I will lend you a hand as well.”
Pei Xuanfei followed behind her, offering profuse thanks.
* * *
Qianchen Pavilion.
Knowing that Princess Jin’an had come to the estate today, Xing Shuwei was so anxious that she could neither sit nor stand still.
There had been no further news since she met Zhang Mingan that day.
She feared Lady Pei would think she had been playing tricks and lose patience with waiting, then truly send Yan’er to serve Princess Jin’an as her personal guard.
Knock, knock, knock. A knock sounded at the courtyard gate.
Qingling’s voice followed. “Miss Xing, I have come on Lady Pei’s orders to bring you something.”
Xing Shuwei strode quickly to the entrance and opened the courtyard gate.
She found Qingling smiling as she gave her a respectful curtsy.
In the four years since Xing Shuwei had come to the Duke of Qi’s estate, this was the first time Qingling had ever shown her such respect.
Qingling pulled a stack of banknotes from inside her robe and handed them to her.
“Someone from the palace arrived to proclaim an imperial decree just moments ago. Our Fifth Young Master is now the Young Duke of the estate,” Qingling said cheerfully.
Xing Shuwei accepted the banknotes and glanced around warily. “You mean it was an imperial decree from the Emperor, not an edict of the Empress Dowager?”
Qingling’s eyes curved with the breadth of her smile.
“That’s right! It was an imperial decree!
“Lady Pei is delighted and has invited Miss Xing to join her for dinner. Surely you won’t refuse?”
Xing Shuwei said, “Today is an auspicious day for the Fifth Young Master. I will not intrude.”
“Lady Pei specifically sent me to invite you. Please show her enough consideration that I can report back, Miss Xing.” Sensing her refusal, Qingling’s manner turned cold.
Seeing that she could not decline, Xing Shuwei smiled faintly. “Please wait a moment, Qingling.”
Xing Shuwei returned to her bedchamber and carefully put away the banknotes before following Qingling to Panlin Court.
A table full of delicious dishes had already been laid out.
Xing Shuwei, who in the past had only been allowed to stand beside Lady Pei and wait on her, was invited to sit at the table.
Beside Lady Pei sat the plump, thirteen-year-old Fifth Young Master.
He held a fish tail in his left hand and a large chicken drumstick in his right, his face and hands slick with grease.
His table manners were exceedingly poor, yet Lady Pei looked upon him with great satisfaction.
“You are clever and quick-witted, and you handle matters properly. I have always been fond of you.” Lady Pei did not so much as raise her eyelids. She spoke while attending to the Fifth Young Master’s food and drink.
“Qingling, fetch the pair of bangles from my dowry.”
Qingling turned and immediately brought over a brocade box. She opened it and presented it to Xing Shuwei.
Inside was a pair of fine-quality jade bangles, but compared with the pair Pei Guofei had shown her before, these were still markedly inferior.
“I have always treated you as my own daughter, so of course I keep your affairs close to heart.
“But…”
Lady Pei changed tack. “You understand that a subject must obey her sovereign. Princess Jin’an has specifically asked for Xing Shuyan. Never mind me-even the Duke of Qi can only send him to her.
“You cannot blame anyone else. If only you had been more careful and not let word get out that Jing’er was enamored of you…
“Now the princess is jealous. What can I possibly do?”
A chill flashed through Xing Shuwei’s eyes. “Lady Pei, you made me a promise.”
The mistress of the illustrious Duke of Qi’s estate was breaking her word so shamelessly!
Lady Pei gave Qingling a look, and Qingling roughly shoved the bangles into Xing Shuwei’s arms.
“Lady Pei has bestowed them upon you, so keep them properly.” Qingling spoke as if Xing Shuwei did not know what was good for her.
Did Lady Pei think a pair of bangles could erase her previous promise to save Yan’er from disaster?
“Why don’t you go to the palace and beg the Emperor?” Lady Pei’s lips pulled into a smile.
Xing Shuwei took out the bangles and set them on the table. “Lady Pei, Weiwei cannot accept these bangles.
“Weiwei wishes that everything will go smoothly for you from this day forward, and that you will never need Weiwei again.”
“Weiwei bids you farewell.”
She rose, curtsied to Lady Pei, then turned and left Panlin Court.
Lady Pei sneered at the sight.
Naturally, she did not take Xing Shuwei’s words to heart.
Matron Gao came forward as well, speaking flattering words to please her. “That wretch truly thinks she is somebody. She has no idea that Lord Zhang deserves all the credit.
“Once your niece marries Lord Zhang as his principal wife, that wretch will not have any good days ahead of her even if she enters the marquis’s estate as a concubine.”
Lady Pei cast Matron Gao a glance and asked, “What does the Marquis of Qingyuan’s estate say?”
Matron Gao replied, “The Marquis of Qingyuan is naturally willing. He has already begun preparing the betrothal gifts.”
Lady Pei wiped the Fifth Young Master’s greasy mouth with a handkerchief. “That scoundrel Zhang Mingan even begged Noble Consort Zhang for an imperial decree for Xing Shuwei. Clearly, he cares a great deal about her.
“If I do not make plans early, what will I do if she turns her fortunes around, becomes the marchioness one day, and sets herself against me?”
“One must always prepare for trouble before it arrives. Princess Jin’an will marry into our estate in the future.
“Her personal guard will accompany her here as part of her bridal retinue.
“Xing Shuyan’s life will always be in our hands.
“Xing Shuwei will have to do whatever I tell her to do.”