Wish You All the Best - Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Two days later, Pei You’an brought Jiafu into Wuding Prefecture. After settling her into his residence, he changed his clothes and headed for the Prince’s manor.

The Prince of Yunzhong, Xiao Lie, was alone in his study, standing before a massive map hanging on the wall. He had been standing there for some time, his back motionless.

This map was usually kept secretly rolled behind a wall and only unfolded when he wished to study it. When Xiao Lie heard a report from outside the door that Pei You’an requested an audience, he did not hide the map, merely pulling a screen over it before ordering the visitor to enter.

Pei You’an stepped inside briskly and offered his respects to Xiao Lie.

Xiao Lie was already over forty, yet his appearance remained imposing, still hinting at the handsomeness of his youth. He looked Pei You’an over with a gaze full of joy and smiled, "It is good to be back. You have been gone for several months, and I have worried much. Tell me, how is your grandmother’s health? Did everything go smoothly?"

The origin of the bond between Pei You’an and the Prince of Yunzhong, Xiao Lie, dated back many years. After the young Pei You’an left the capital, he returned to the lands beyond the passes where his father, the Duke of Weiguo, had once served. The once radiant young nobleman seemed like a different person, becoming silent and taciturn. In every battle, he served as a member of the suicide cavalry, charging at the very front. Once, after being wounded and going missing, he was on the verge of death in the frozen wastes when he was found by the Prince of Yunzhong, who secretly took him to Yunnan. Perhaps it was not Pei You’an’s time to die; after meticulous care, he finally turned the corner and survived. From then on, the Prince of Yunzhong held the grace of a savior toward Pei You’an. Later, when the Young Emperor went missing and the Prince of Shun’an took power, the southwestern border was plagued by constant conflict. Pei You’an slowly remained, assisting Xiao Lie in stabilizing the southwest. He was fair in his dealings, strict in enforcing the law, and adept at adapting to local customs and individual circumstances. Through many clever maneuvers, he resolved conflicts among the ethnic tribes, earning their deep respect; when troubles arose, he was the only one they turned to. Xiao Lie valued him all the more, often seeking his counsel on difficult military and political matters. At the end of last year, Pei You’an requested leave from Xiao Lie to visit his grandmother, returning to the capital he had not stepped foot in for years. He had been gone for months and had only just returned. Xiao Lie also held great respect for the Old Madam Pei, so he asked after her with genuine delight.

Pei You’an replied, "Although it has been many years, fortunately, my grandmother is well."

Xiao Lie sighed, "I lost my mother when I was young, and it has always been a regret. When I was still in the capital as a child, I was fortunate enough to receive the Old Madam’s kindness, and I remember it to this day. It is a pity that I am now constrained by so many burdens and lack personal freedom, otherwise, I should have gone personally to offer birthday wishes and pay my respects."

"You’an thanks you on my grandmother’s behalf, Your Highness."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before Xiao Lie’s expression grew grave. He paced the study with his hands behind his back for a moment, then suddenly turned to look at Pei You’an, saying, "Now that the Prince of Shun’an has usurped the throne and is sharpening his blades for me, You’an, you know that I have been searching for the whereabouts of the Young Emperor for years. If the Young Emperor is alive, I will surely restore him to his rightful place. Alas, I have found nothing, and his fate remains unknown. I know you cannot let him go either; do you have any new information?"

His tone was exceedingly sincere. Pei You’an’s expression remained unchanged as he simply said, "To be honest with you, Your Highness, while I was out of Yunnan, after visiting my grandmother, I specifically went to the Quanzhou area—where the Young Emperor might be—to investigate in secret. I encountered a conflict between the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Golden-Faced Dragon King, but unfortunately, I did not obtain any news of the Young Emperor. Since I had been out for some time, I could only return empty-handed."

Xiao Lie frowned slightly, "What is the background of this Golden-Faced Dragon King? Why would he clash with the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

"I am not entirely sure, but judging by his actions, he seems to be at odds with the Prince of Shun’an. It is only natural that the Prince of Shun’an would want to eliminate him."

Xiao Lie mused for a moment, then nodded, "Very well. It is said that man proposes but heaven disposes; we shall see if we are granted that sliver of luck. You have just returned and must be tired. Take a good rest these few days and do not go anywhere. Your health is the most important thing; take care of yourself."

Pei You’an smiled slightly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I will keep that in mind."

Xiao Lie watched him for a moment and nodded, "Go. Remember, if you have any trouble, come to me. You know that I had a childhood friendship with your father; I have always looked upon you as a nephew. There will be much need for you in the future here."

"Your Highness saved my life years ago. Having been spared your abandonment over these years, it is my honor to be able to share your burdens," Pei You’an bowed respectfully to Xiao Lie, "I shall take my leave now."

As he turned to leave the study, Xiao Lie suddenly called him back, adding, "You’an, you are twenty-three, are you not? Yintang is younger than you, and although he is not yet married, he has long been betrothed. He only waits for the Zhang family’s daughter to finish her mourning period to wed. You should also start a family so you have someone by your side to care for you. Do you have anyone you admire? If so, I will manage it for you; if not, I shall keep an eye out for you."

"I thank you, Your Highness. If I have not yet established myself, how can I start a family? You’an has no heart for such things at the moment and dares not trouble you."

Xiao Lie watched him leave, the smile on his lips gradually fading. He paced to the window, hands behind his back, gazing toward the north, lost in thought for a long time. Suddenly, he murmured a sigh, "Ah-Jing, do you see? In the blink of an eye, I have grey hairs, and he has grown so big..."

...

Pei You’an stepped out of the Prince’s study and walked toward the manor gate.

Xiao Yintang was standing on the steps of a pavilion by the roadside, the sunlight illuminating the gold-thread embroidery on his princely robes, making them appear brilliant.

Pei You’an continued to walk forward. Upon reaching him, he nodded slightly to Xiao Yintang and addressed him as "Your Highness the Heir Apparent." Xiao Yintang’s face lit up with a smile as he approached and said, "I heard you had returned. It has been some time since we met. I was just thinking of looking for you; I never expected you to come yourself. Tell me, was the journey smooth?"

Pei You’an smiled, "I appreciate your concern, Your Highness, it was reasonably smooth."

Xiao Yintang also smiled, "Smooth is good. To be honest, I went on a trip myself a while ago. Although I returned empty-handed, I gained a little something... Do not laugh at me. It was when I was in danger that I received the help of a young woman. I could say it was love at first sight."

Pei You’an smiled, "A graceful lady is a good match for a gentleman. This is a happy event; why would I laugh? Congratulations, Your Highness."

Xiao Yintang looked at him with a half-smile, staring at Pei You’an, "That woman was taken away by someone midway. Taking what I love, and coincidentally, it was a friend of mine. I am truly in a difficult position. You’an, you are known for your wisdom; if it were you, how would you handle it?"

Pei You’an watched Xiao Yintang and said, "Since Your Highness has asked, I will speak plainly. To be honest, Your Highness, when I passed through Chengjiang Prefecture two days ago and stayed at the post station, I did indeed take something that someone else loved. That girl is my cousin, a person from Quanzhou, a daughter of a respectable family. By a twist of fate, a nobleman took a fancy to her. Originally, this might have been her good fortune—as a wife, a great blessing; as a concubine, not too much of a grievance. However, that nobleman, foregoing the rituals of betrothal, actually sent people to abduct her directly from Quanzhou to Yunnan. The Book of Rites says, ‘If betrothed, she is a wife; if she runs away, she is a concubine, and her parents and countrymen will despise her.’ Forgive my plain speech, but if that nobleman succeeds, my cousin might not even be as good as a concubine. This is intolerable. What position does that nobleman intend to put my cousin in? Has he ever thought, while he enjoys his momentary whim, of her family, who do not know the fate of their beloved daughter and must be in such anxiety? Therefore, I ruined the beautiful scenery and spoiled the good deed. I would also like to ask Your Highness: was I wrong to intercept her like this?"

Xiao Yintang’s complexion gradually grew dark.

Pei You’an smiled slightly, "That night, I told that rude servant that my cousin is like my own sister. This was from the bottom of my heart. If Your Highness were in my shoes, and someone treated your sister this way, would Your Highness remain indifferent? I, Pei You’an, am willing to help others achieve their beauty, but I will never allow anyone to profane my cousin this way, no matter how noble that person’s status or how high their position. What does Your Highness think?"

Xiao Yintang did not speak.

Pei You’an bowed to him, "I shall take my leave now."

"Stay, You’an!" Xiao Yintang said suddenly, chasing after him with quick steps.

Pei You’an stopped.

Xiao Yintang paced back and forth by the roadside for a moment and said, "Having heard your words, You’an, I feel as if enlightened, and I am deeply regretful. I think you already know that the one who brought your Zhen family cousin here from Quanzhou was none other than myself. It is true that my consideration was insufficient, and I have wronged her. You also know that my status is restricted; I cannot take a single step out of Yunnan. She resides in Quanzhou—one in the west, one in the east. Moreover, when I met her, it just so happened that turmoil broke out in Quanzhou. In such times, how could I send someone to reveal my identity and propose marriage? It is not that I did not think of delaying for a time, but you also know that my father’s suspicion by the imperial court has long been deep. If I wait, I do not know how many years it would take, and how would the Zhen family keep their daughter at home for so long? After much thought, I was truly so enamored with her that I used extraordinary means. It is my fault for being too impatient. Your rebuke just now is justified in every word! It was my mistake from the start, and I hope for forgiveness."

Pei You’an watched him, his expression finally softening, "It is good that Your Highness knows your previous actions were improper. Since this is the case, I will choose a day to send her back to Quanzhou. I hope Your Highness will not disturb her peace again."

"You cannot!" Xiao Yintang said immediately.

"At least not now." He paused and added a sentence.

Pei You’an looked at him.

"Do not misunderstand. You know that the Ma official sent by the imperial court is looking for my father’s faults. The Prince of Yunzhong’s manor is in a precarious position and could be attacked at any time. She knows I went to Quanzhou, and now she even knows my identity. If she goes back and someone finds out she has ties to me, it will not only be a disaster for my father, but even more disadvantageous for her. It is not that I do not trust her, but there are times when people are not masters of their own destiny. This is for the sake of the manor, but also for her safety; the implications are significant, so I must be cautious."

Pei You’an mused for a moment and said slowly, "Your Highness’s concerns are not without merit. I will consider sending her back at an appropriate time."

Xiao Yintang nodded, his expression sincere, "You’an, you are her older brother, and I have always looked upon you as a brother. Since this matter has ultimately come to you, I will speak plainly. I fell in love with her at first sight. If I can have her company in this life, I will have no regrets in death. My previous actions were indeed too offensive and caused her fright. May I be allowed to see her once to apologize for my wrongs? Whether she hits me or scolds me, I am willing to accept it!"

Pei You’an looked at Xiao Yintang, but in his mind, he saw the scene of that girl rushing over with her clothes in disarray, clutching him tightly and refusing to let go, and then thought of her wrapped in his own clothes, sitting obediently with wide eyes looking at him. A strange feeling slowly welled up in his heart.

"Very well. When I return, I will pass it on to her."

He paused and said.

...

Pei You’an’s residence was formerly the villa of a local chieftain. It was not large, with a three-courtyard layout, but the architecture had distinct local characteristics, covered in intricate carvings everywhere. Entering, one felt as if discovering a hidden realm. In the main courtyard, there was a three-story circular building with a pointed roof. From the bedroom on the third floor, one could see the entire city. The bedroom was decorated with exotic flair, rich and beautiful, with the floor covered in thick carpets woven with complex patterns. However, Pei You’an presumably did not like it, as it had been left empty. When Jiafu arrived, Pei You’an had it cleaned out for her to stay in. Jiafu liked this place quite a bit. Early in the morning before Pei You’an went out, he told her that he had sent people to Quanzhou to send word of her safety to her family, so now Jiafu was just waiting for him to send her back. During the day, she wandered around his residence in high spirits, as if she had returned to the carefree days of her childhood when her father was still alive.

As the day gradually darkened, Pei You’an finally returned.

After dark, Jiafu pricked up her ears to listen for the movement in the front. As soon as she heard his footsteps, she dashed out to meet him like a happy little bird.

"Big Cousin! Have you eaten? I was waiting for you to eat!" She smiled at him sweetly.

A maid reached out to take the cloak Pei You’an had taken off, but Jiafu grabbed it first and hung it up.

Pei You’an watched her busy back, smiled slightly, and said, "From now on, eat by yourself; there is no need to wait for me."

Jiafu agreed. During the meal, he sat in the usual seat of honor, and she sat by his side, handing him rice and soup with great diligence, only stopping short of rubbing his shoulders or beating his back. It was unclear if Pei You’an was unaccustomed to it or had something else on his mind, but he quickly set down his chopsticks, straightened his posture, and said to Jiafu, "Eat slowly, and come to my study when you are finished."

Once Pei You’an left, Jiafu lost her appetite. Remembering his grave expression earlier, she felt a bit uneasy. She finished eating hastily, brought a pot of tea, arrived at the study door, knocked gently, and pushed the door open to enter.

He was sitting behind the desk, writing with a brush. Jiafu carried the tea to his side and said softly, "Big Cousin, tea."

Pei You’an gestured for her to place it to the side. Jiafu set it down and stood to one side.

Pei You’an did not stop writing, nor did he look at her, only saying, "I have spoken to the Heir Apparent about your affairs. Such things will not happen again."

Jiafu’s face blossomed into a smile, her eyes shining, "Thank you, Big Cousin!"

Pei You’an paused and looked at her, "It is only that the Heir Apparent said he wishes to see you one more time to apologize for his previous actions. Do you wish to see him?"

Jiafu was startled, her eyes immediately growing round, "No! I don’t want to see him! I don’t need his apologies! Besides, I have no connection to him; what would be the point of meeting? You didn't agree, did you, Big Cousin?"

Pei You’an gave a faint ‘mm’ sound, "I understand. I will decline for you."

Only then did Jiafu breathe a sigh of relief. She thought for a moment and asked, "Big Cousin, when can I return to Quanzhou?"

To be honest, she was a little reluctant to leave. She was reluctant to leave Pei You’an.

She did not know why, but as long as she saw him by her side, she felt an inexplicable sense of peace.

Pei You’an said, "In a while. When the time is right, I will send you home."

Seeing Jiafu’s confusion, Pei You’an repeated Xiao Yintang’s concerns, saying, "His thoughts are not without reason. It is better that your family is completely unaware of his identity. You know too much, so the danger is greater. I have thought about it, and it is better for you to stay here with me for a few more days; it is better for you."

Jiafu knew that Pei You’an was truly doing this for her own good. She did not resist his decision. But once a connection with Xiao Yintang was made, a sense of unease immediately arose in Jiafu’s heart.

Would Xiao Yintang really just let her go like this?

Jiafu could not help but think of the past. That first time, it was just like this; she was taken fancy to by Xiao Yintang and fell into his hands. After Pei You’an brought her back, she had ultimately failed to escape Xiao Yintang.

For the things he set his heart on, would this man Xiao Yintang really give up so easily?

Jiafu’s worries about Xiao Yintang were soon confirmed.

Half a month later, on this day, Jiafu welcomed a visitor—a visitor Jiafu had not anticipated at all.

Zhang Fengtong, Xiao Yintang’s fiancée.

Zhang Fengtong was the daughter of the influential Zhang family of Chuxiong. She had been known far and wide for her female virtue since childhood. When the Prince of Yunzhong learned of her virtuous name, he had arranged this marriage for his son when she was fourteen. It was also her bad luck; at nineteen years old, because she had been in mourning consecutively for her mother, grandmother, and grandfather, there were still several months left in the mourning period, so she had not yet married Xiao Yintang. However, the entire manor had long regarded her as the future Crown Princess, and she often visited Wuding Prefecture. Even before she had entered the family, she had already won the praise of everyone in the manor.

She had arrived in Wuding Prefecture a few days ago. She was originally supposed to leave today, but upon learning that Pei You’an’s cousin had arrived from afar, she stayed an extra day. She did not look down on Jiafu’s Zhen family background, stooping to visit her in person.

Pei You’an was not home. To avoid disaster, Jiafu had not dared to take a single step outside for the past half month. She was bored at the time, and to pass the time, she was idly counting the passersby in the distance from behind her bedroom window when she suddenly saw a magnificent carriage coming along the street and stopping at the door. Next, the Pei family steward came to report that Zhang Fengtong had come to see her.

Zhang Fengtong’s appearance was ordinary, but she had a round, baby-faced look.Before she even spoke, she carried a three-part smile. Hearing her speak made people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze. No one could dislike such a woman.

In her previous life, it was only at the very last moment that Jiafu learned she was not a saint either.

She was just an ordinary woman who would feel pain and resentment because her husband pampered another woman.

Jiafu sat opposite the nineteen-year-old Zhang Fengtong, watching her smile at her and call her "Cousin" in a gentle voice. The desperate and painful despair she had suffered before her death flashed through her entire body at the moment she saw this face before her.

Her whole body crawled with goosebumps. She suppressed the ghostly chill rising in her heart, lowered her eyes, and did not say a word.

Zhang Fengtong did not mind whether the other party was talkative because usually, as long as she was in a situation, she was the one who led everything.

After she had praised Jiafu’s beauty and demeanor with the most sincere words of admiration, she dismissed all the servants, moved to sit beside Jiafu, gently took Jiafu’s hand, scrutinized Jiafu, and sighed softly, "What a beautiful sister. Even I am moved by looking at you. No wonder the Heir Apparent... how could he bear to forget you?”