Chapter 17: Lord Pei Is Here Too

The spring night breeze was gentle, carrying just the right amount of comfort.

Pei Shijin and Cao Yuanchun walked one after the other along the palace path. After passing through the second palace gate, the attendants on either side gradually thinned out. Pei Shijin stopped and turned around, nodding lightly. “Foster father, I shall take it from here.”

That term, foster father, was only spoken between the two of them in private, a secret known only to them. It was Cao Yuanchun who had saved Pei Shijin from the great fire when he was seven years old.

Cao Yuanchun responded with a sound, brushing the deerskin whisk resting on his arm before looking up and advising him, “You must be careful in your dealings. Our family is paving the way for you to gain the emperor’s trust, so you must cherish your life all the more.”

The night was dark as ink, and his voice was soft yet heavy with an unspoken authority.

Pei Shijin remained composed. “Since this life was painstakingly saved by you, foster father, how could I not cherish it?”

Cao Yuanchun nodded, then paused before speaking with the earnest tone of an elder. “I know your heart burns for revenge on behalf of your mother, but do you understand what kind of family the Fu household is? My earlier words came from concern. Now, go back quickly.”

Pei Shijin folded his sleeves, a flicker of fiery red glowing in his dark eyes. He then responded with a few words before turning and walking out of the palace.

...

The next day, Xie Yun arrived at the Chengluan Palace by afternoon.

At noon, palace staff had surprisingly come directly to Huaiqing Lane, startling not only Wang Chengdai but Xie Yun herself, who wore a face of unexpected surprise.

After learning that the Empress Ning Ruoxuan wished to see her, Xie Yun roughly understood the reason. Once Wang Chengdai knew there was no danger, she urged Xie Yun to enter the palace early so she could return early in the evening.

Huaiqing Lane was quite a distance from the palace.

Led by palace attendants, Xie Yun was brought into the outer hall, where from afar she saw a woman dressed in an embroidered golden palace robe tending to flowers. When their eyes met, the woman smiled and approached.

“Yun Yun has arrived! You made this palace wait so long.”

The familiarity in her tone revealed their relationship. Xie Yun dared not be careless and bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty, the humble servant greets you.”

Her self-address caused Ning Ruoxuan’s brows to knit. She waved the attendants away and quickly grasped Xie Yun’s hand, asking what had happened.

Xie Yun understood precisely what she referred to and recounted the events of the previous day in detail. Ning Ruoxuan slammed her palm on the table in anger. “How outrageous! Why must you leave just because she returned? I shall summon her to the palace tomorrow and see what kind of person she is!”

Many said that the Empress of Great Qi lacked virtue befitting her position, but Xie Yun admired her candidness.

Their acquaintance was a coincidence born from last year’s foreign tribute. An envoy from Daliang, upon learning that the Empress of Great Qi was of merchant origin, could not help but sneer. Even the face of Emperor Yongxi darkened. At that time, Xie Yun, a noble daughter of a prominent family, retorted sharply.

She bluntly declared that the fortunes of Daliang had declined, that their once-great emperor a century ago now ruled only a corner, and that even their former capital city had nearly been ceded — every word striking at the envoy’s sore points. The envoy’s expression changed several times during the banquet, threatening to have Emperor Yongxi punish her.

Though what she said was true, even if it had been mere bluster, the emperor would not punish her for defending Great Qi and the Empress’s reputation.

From then on, Ning Ruoxuan remembered her. Occasionally, at court banquets, they would exchange a few words and gradually became familiar.

This time, having heard about the Prime Minister’s household’s troubles, the Empress intended to protect her. Xie Yun was grateful and naturally did not hide her feelings.

...

Upon hearing that she had left of her own accord, Ning Ruoxuan’s anger subsided somewhat. “But if that’s the case, won’t it be difficult for me to see you again in the future?”

Year after year, the palace banquets gathered the powerful and noble, and Xie Yun’s current status no longer entitled her to attend.

“Your Majesty, as the mother of Great Qi, if you wish to see me, it is but a word away. How could that be difficult?”

Xie Yun’s gaze swept over her delicate and radiant face. She smiled, soothing her with gentle words, all while maintaining the proper decorum so as not to give cause for reproach.

Ning Ruoxuan covered her lips and let out a soft laugh.

Others might have thought such words flattering and insincere, but when she said them, they sounded so genuine.

Xie Yun remained at Chengluan Palace until the late afternoon. The two strolled in the garden and enjoyed tea and snacks. As the sky darkened, she prepared to take her leave, and Ning Ruoxuan had someone escort her out of the palace.

The bustling traffic along Zhuque Avenue was as lively as ever. Thinking of Wang Chengdai’s simple copper hairpin, Xie Yun alighted from the carriage to examine the jewelry.

She headed to the Jade Ornament Pavilion, the most fashionable jewelry shop in Yanjing. Unexpectedly, just as she was about to enter, she spotted a tall figure standing among a dazzling array of hairpins and rings, his gaze somber.

If it wasn’t Pei Shijin whom she had seen just yesterday, then who else could it be?