Jiafu’s first instinct was to refuse.
She wanted to go with him, wherever he went.
But although Pei You’an’s tone was as gentle as always, and seemed to invite her input, she could tell clearly: in his words, there was a subtle note of finality, as if he had already made his decision, and she was only expected to follow it.
Jiafu had gotten used to acting playfully around him, knowing it often worked. he would give in when she acted coy.
But she also knew, it didn’t always work.
And this time, her intuition told her that he would not change his mind.
Jiafu stared at him blankly, speechless.
“His Majesty’s summons is likely for official business. If I take you with me to the capital and then have to leave again soon after, leaving you alone there, wouldn’t it be better for you to stay with your family?”
He drew her into his arms. “Fu’er, be good. I’ll come back for you in a little while.”
The imperial edict was urgent; Pei You’an was to depart the next day.
That evening, he brought Jiafu along to explain things to Madam Meng. Zhen Yaoting was there as well, and was surprised and taken aback when he heard that Pei You’an was leaving so soon, leaving Jiafu behind.
Madam Meng had thought her son-in-law would be staying at least half a year, she hadn’t imagined he’d leave again before even a full month had passed. But an imperial command couldn’t be defied, and all she could do was quickly go out and oversee the servants packing his things for the journey herself.
Pei You’an asked Jiafu to return to her room first. Then he called Zhen Yaoting aside, dismissed everyone else, and asked what his plans were going forward.
Zhen Yaoting had always been a little intimidated around him. When asked, he hesitated before replying, “Now that the court has closed the sea ports, all our ships are in the dockyards. Plus we lost quite a bit in the recent fire. At the moment, I’ve no other plans. I’m no scholar, and not good at much else, I can only wait until the ban is lifted…”
Over the past half year, their grandmother Hu-shi’s health had declined, and he had begun to feel the weight of responsibility. He had been working seriously with Manager Zhang and was just starting to get the hang of things — only to be hit by this new blow. As he spoke, he felt ashamed and his face flushed red.
Pei You’an said, “If I’m not mistaken, this sea ban may not be lifted anytime soon. After I return to the capital, I’ll send some funds your way. Zhang does reliable work, have him accompany you to buy some suitable farmland and estates. If business can’t be done anymore, you can live as a landowner and be free of worry. Once I leave, I’ll entrust Ah-Fu to your care. I thank you in advance.”
Zhen Yaoting was stunned and moved: “Rest assured, Lord Pei! Ah-Fu is my sister. If you’re away and she wants to stay here a year or even a lifetime, I’ll take good care of her! As for the land, how could I accept your money? Our family’s suffered losses, yes, but we still have our foundation. One more mouth to feed is no trouble, even if the ban lasts ten years, there’s no need for you to buy us land!”
Pei You’an smiled. “No matter, what’s mine is Ah-Fu’s. There’s no need to draw lines between us. Just take good care of her for me while I’m gone. That’s all I ask.”
Zhen Yaoting readily agreed.
The officials in the prefecture were well-informed, and by that evening many had already heard of Pei You’an’s urgent imperial summons and his impending departure the next day. They came to the Zhen residence one after another to bid him farewell, many bringing gifts. Fearing Pei You’an would refuse, they tried passing the gifts quietly to the Zhen household instead.
But Madam Meng, remembering Jiafu’s instructions, firmly refused to accept anything without his consent. She had her son and Manager Zhang see to the guests, courteously, but all gifts were returned in full.
By the time Pei You’an returned to his room, the second nightwatch drum had already sounded. The lamps were still brightly lit. Jiafu, having bathed, was sitting alone at her dressing table, her hair cascading down her shoulders, slowly combing it. When she heard his footsteps, she set the comb down and rose to greet him, but he had already walked up behind her. He picked up the comb and began gently combing her still-damp hair for her, his movements soft, careful, never tugging.
Jiafu pushed down the sadness of parting and looked at the tall man in the mirror behind her with a smile. “Turns out Lord Pei also combs hair so well. I wonder, is there anything in the world Lord Pei can’t do?”
The weather was getting warmer. After finishing, Pei You’an gathered her hair and twisted it into a knot on top of her head, securing it with a hairpin. Then he leaned slightly over her shoulder and gazed into the mirror at the delicate, water-lily-like beauty of her face. “Naturally there are things I can’t do. For example, childbirth. Even if I wanted to learn, I couldn’t.”
He said it with a completely straight face, even sounding regretful.
Jiafu froze ,then couldn’t help it. She burst into laughter, at first giggling, then clutching her belly, until she couldn’t even sit straight. She collapsed onto the dressing table, crying out through her laughter.
Pei You’an simply stood beside her, smiling as he watched her laugh.
Eventually, Jiafu’s laughter turned to tears. She stopped laughing, but the tears wouldn’t stop. A teardrop slid from the corner of her eye and splashed onto his hand. She hit him, annoyed, and turned away, wiping her tears. “You’re awful. You did that on purpose, made me laugh until I cried…”
Pei You’an bent down and lifted her into his arms, carried her to the bed and laid her down. Jiafu grabbed his sleeve and pulled him down beside her. He lay next to her. She rolled into his arms, wrapped her arms around him tightly.
She clung to him, burying her face in his chest, trying hard not to cry again. But the tears didn’t listen, one by one, they slid silently from her eyes.
“Don’t cry. I’ll be back to get you before long.”
He whispered by her ear.
Jiafu still wanted to cry. At first her tears only trickled, but soon they poured out, soaking a patch of his robe.
Pei You'an tried to comfort her at first, but when words failed, he lowered his head and kissed her lips, mingling with the tears on her face.
Jiafu closed her eyes. Though her tears continued to spill, she tried hard to suppress them. Her sobs caused her body to tremble uncontrollably in his arms.
Pei You'an kissed her gently, her delicate chin, her long and elegant neck, her freshly bathed body pale and smooth like jade. His kisses continued downward, unceasing.
Jiafu felt her legs being gently parted by him, his movements tender yet firm, offering her no retreat or escape.
A faint fragrance slowly filled the canopy bed. The beaded curtains fluttered slightly in the southern night breeze, stirring ripples like waves on water.
Beneath the hibiscus-embroidered canopy, the tear-streaked girl seemed to have all strength drained from her body. Only her toes remained tightly curled, as if suspended in mist and floating among clouds. She lay on the pillow in a daze, not knowing where she was, her consciousness drifting. In the end, her body was left trembling ever so slightly, like a lotus swaying on a pond under the wind, scattered in fragrance and dew, petals damp beneath the moonlight.
The girl in his arms finally stopped crying from sorrow. Exhausted, she curled up beside him and fell asleep, her lotus-like face still tinged with a rosy flush.
Pei You'an held her, not moving, and stayed awake with her in his arms until dawn.
…
Thus, the next morning, Pei You'an departed Quanzhou and set off on his journey back to the capital.
Unlike the months before when he and Jiafu traveled south by boat, this time he took the faster courier route. Traveling day and night, he hurried along, and in less than half a month, arrived at the capital. It was already nightfall when he entered the city. He sent a report directly to the palace and waited outside the gates. He didn’t wait long before being summoned in.
Pei You'an was received by Emperor Xiao Lie in the Imperial Study.
It was past the second watch of the night. When Pei You'an entered, the hall was brightly lit. Xiao Lie was dressed in casual robes, seated behind a low table piled high with memorials. Li Yuangui and several eunuchs stood nearby. Hearing Pei You'an’s footsteps, Xiao Lie set down his vermilion brush and looked up.
The candlelight revealed a hint of red in his eyes and a trace of weariness on his face. Once Pei You'an had finished his kowtow, the emperor smiled and told him to rise.
Pei You'an stood, and the emperor asked about his journey, praising him for his efforts, then inquired about the Japanese pirate raids in Quanzhou. Pei You'an reported the matter in full. Xiao Lie’s face darkened in anger and he pointed at several memorials on the table.
“Gao Huaiyuan, as the provincial governor, is a disgrace, sitting idly while our coastal people suffer under these pirate invasions! What face does the court have left?”
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The pirate problem, though longstanding, is not insurmountable. If the court reinforces coastal defenses and appoints capable generals, the pirates are but petty bandits and nothing to fear.”
“That is exactly my thought. The man you recommended, Li Zhong, I’ve read his memorial. It’s orderly and insightful. He seems to be a man with great strategic foresight. Tomorrow, I will send his proposal to the Ministry of War for discussion.”
“Your Majesty is wise. If this helps eliminate the pirate threat and lifts the sea ban, it would be a great blessing for the people of the southeast coast.”
Xiao Lie looked at Pei You'an and his expression softened. “I know the Zhen family’s fleet has long sailed the seas. The sea ban must have affected their livelihood. Did you hear any complaints from the people while you were there?”
Pei You'an replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, the court’s actions stem from concern for future threats. The people have long resented the pirates. As long as the court is committed to eliminating them, and once peace is restored and the sea ban lifted, the people will have no reason to be discontent.”
Xiao Lie nodded and praised his efforts in suppressing the pirates in Guangdong. He then turned to Li Yuangui, who led the eunuchs in withdrawing and closed the palace doors.
Only the emperor and Pei You'an remained in the study. Candlelight cast flickering shadows of the two on the wall, tall and looming.
Xiao Lie clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace slowly. He seemed deep in thought but said nothing. The grand study fell into silence, broken only by the soft sound of his footsteps on the floor—solemn and steady.
Finally, he turned and stood before Pei You'an, speaking suddenly, “You’an, I ask you, on this journey to Quanzhou, aside from the matters in your memorials, is there anything else you wish to report to me?”
He fixed his gaze on Pei You'an, the candlelight dancing in his eyes, making them flicker faintly.
Pei You'an met his gaze for a moment and said, “Indeed, there is a matter that I did not include in my memorial, as it was not suitable for written report. I intended to speak to Your Majesty in person upon my return.”
“Speak.”
“Your Majesty, concerning the fight against the pirates, I suspect the local officials have left something out of their reports. What Your Majesty may not know is that during this raid, the timely repelling of the pirates and the protection of the people of Quanzhou and Pinghai was not only due to the official forces. The Golden-Faced Dragon King played no small part.”
Xiao Lie said nothing.
Pei You'an continued, “This Golden-Faced Dragon King has been mentioned in various coastal officials’ memorials over the years. Your Majesty may be familiar with the name. In those reports, he is labeled a pirate, but the reality is otherwise. The coastal people hold him in great esteem, for those traveling the seas often owe their safety to his protection. But this is not what I wish to report today. The truth I bring concerns his identity, he is none other than General Dong Chengmao of the Tianxi dynasty.”
Xiao Lie’s expression remained calm, showing no surprise. He spoke as if to himself, “A general of the Tianxi court, betrayed by the rebel King Shun’an, driven to flee to the seas and become an outlaw… what a pity.”
Pei You'an knelt and bowed deeply. “Your servant has sinned.”
Xiao Lie turned slowly and looked at him. “What sin have you committed?”
“Your Majesty, General Dong once served under my father. I’ve known his identity for some years, but since it did not bear directly on national interests, I concealed it and did not report it. To be honest, on this trip to Quanzhou, an unforeseen incident led me to meet General Dong face-to-face.”
Xiao Lie regarded him for a moment and nodded with a faint smile. “It’s no matter. You may rise. I’ve heard some of Dong Chengmao’s old stories. No doubt he lost all faith in the court after what happened and chose to go into hiding. For all his deeds, he is still a man of honor. I do not blame you.”
He paused, and his tone became more casual, almost idle: “You'an, besides this, was there any other… gain on your southern trip?”
Pei You'an knelt on the ground, his posture upright. He met the emperor’s gaze for a long moment, then bowed deeply once more. “Your Majesty, besides what I have reported, there is indeed another matter I wish to bring to your attention.”
“What is it?”
“I have found news of the former Young Emperor, Yu.”
Pei You'an spoke in a calm, steady voice, but with those words, the air in the study instantly seemed to freeze.
He slowly straightened, meeting the eyes of the man before him, middle-aged now, with a clear gaze, and said, “Your Majesty knows that I once served as a tutor to Prince Yu. I have been searching for his whereabouts all these years. Heaven has not turned a blind eye, at last, my efforts have borne fruit. Your Majesty once proclaimed that if the Young Emperor still lived, he would be welcomed back to the capital with honor. Prince Yu asked me to relay his message to you. He is deeply grateful, but also filled with trepidation. The Young Emperor of the past is now no more; what remains is an ordinary youth of the people, whose heart yearns for freedom, to roam from the North Sea to the southern mountains. As for the Shouchang Imperial Seal, he is willing to return it to the ancestral temple, as a token of his loyalty and respect for Your Majesty's reign.”
When Pei You'an finished speaking, silence once again fell upon the study.
Xiao Lie stared at him, a twitch of muscle barely noticeable beneath his composed exterior. His presence weighed heavy in the room. After a long pause, his expression slowly eased, and he sighed. “You move me deeply, You'an. If he truly lives, and refuses to return to court, then let him live in retirement as a prince of leisure, enjoying the riches he deserves. That is better than roaming the seas, his life constantly at risk. You have a bond with him as teacher and student. If he will not meet me, then speak to him on my behalf.”
Pei You'an replied, “Your Majesty, although Yu is still young, he is firm in his convictions. Once he has decided something, no amount of persuasion will sway him. Besides, Your Majesty’s ascension was Heaven’s will. Prince Yu's willingness to yield the seal and pledge loyalty is simply in keeping with the times. I beg Your Majesty to grant this youth his wish, and in doing so, honor the bond between us as teacher and student.”
His words were deeply heartfelt. When he finished, he bowed low once again, kneeling in place without rising.
Xiao Lie stepped forward swiftly, personally lifting him to his feet. Staring at the face before him, a softness returned to the emperor’s eyes, and he nodded. “I understand, You'an. You’ve moved me greatly. You must be exhausted from your journey. Go now and rest.”
Ah, this is a relatively simple area where Xiao Yintang falls far short of Pei You'an.
ReplyDeleteXiao Lie pulling you aside to ask if you have anything to tell him about X = Xiao Lie already knows about X and this is your last chance to come clean.
He might not have done anything *immediately* back when Xiao Yintang stuck to his story that Concubine Cao died of illness but it was probably the deciding factor in him deciding to take in a lot of concubines.