Wish You All the Best - Chapter 69
Chapter 69
"Open it."
After a moment of silence, someone behind the door spoke in a low, deep voice.
Although Jiafu had already guessed who might be inside, hearing that familiar voice resonate from behind the door in this specific place still caught her completely off guard.
It was the end of the year, a time when court affairs were chaotic and external matters were incredibly complex. Starting half a month ago, while the Pei household was immersed in mourning for the Old Madam, various tributary states—such as Goryeo, Annam, Champa, and Ryukyu—had been arriving in the capital one after another to offer congratulations, either through their princes or envoys. Additionally, envoys from Mengmu and Ãœ-Tsang had also been dispatched. With the Court of State Ceremonial handling the receptions and the Ministry of Rites scheduling daily audiences and banquets, the extent of the Emperor's daily workload could be imagined.
Yet, the voice coming from behind the door was unmistakable; it was exactly as she had suspected: the Emperor, Xiao Lie.
Pei Youan’s shock was even greater than hers.
The moment he heard that voice, his hand, still gripping his sword, froze abruptly.
Following his words, accompanied by the faint "creak" of the door hinges turning, the double doors slowly opened. The eunuch Li Yuangui stood behind the threshold and whispered: "Master Pei, His Majesty’s sacred carriage is here. Do not be discourteous."
Pei Youan’s gaze bypassed Li Yuangui’s head and landed on the figure standing in the center of the snowy courtyard behind him.
The man was draped in a cloak, completely shrouded in darkness from head to toe. At first, he stood motionless, like a statue. Slowly, he raised his arms and removed his hood, revealing the face of a middle-aged man.
It was a lean, hollowed face. Under the reflected light of the snow, it cast a pale, bluish-grey hue, while his eyebrows appeared even darker, and his gaze flickered faintly in the night.
Pei Youan immediately sheathed his sword and knelt deeply on the ground: "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty. I did not know Your Majesty was here, and I have committed a grave offense. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
Jiafu followed Pei Youan and knelt in the snow.
Li Yuangui had already stepped aside.
Xiao Lie said: "The ignorant are not guilty. You two may rise."
Pei Youan thanked him for his grace and rose with Jiafu. For a moment, the two people inside and the two outside stood separated by the threshold, both sides silent. The atmosphere suddenly turned eerie. After a while, Pei Youan suddenly said: "Your subject was here during the day to deal with a dead tree in the Root Hall, so as to prevent it from collapsing and harming the ancestral lotus pedestals worshipped within. Because it was late and inconvenient to descend the mountain, my wife and I stayed at the temple overnight. Being unable to sleep, I brought my wife to offer respects to my aunt. I did not expect to disturb Your Majesty. That Your Majesty does not blame me is truly my great fortune."
His tone was filled with reverence as he explained to the Emperor why he had brought his wife here at this hour. After speaking, his eyes remained fixed on the Emperor.
This courtyard was the place where Pei Wenjing had spent her final days before passing away. Since the reign of the Prince of Shun'an, it had gradually fallen into disrepair and had become almost exclusively Pei family property. Outside of memorial days when the Pei family came to pay their respects, outsiders were rarely seen here throughout the year.
Tonight, it was only natural for Pei Youan to bring his wife to mourn his aunt, but the fact that the current Emperor had also appeared here in the dead of night, and so secretively, was highly unusual.
The underlying implication in Pei Youan’s words was practically screaming to be heard.
The Emperor remained silent.
The atmosphere became eerie once more. For Jiafu, who secretly knew the inside story, she even felt a faint sense of embarrassment emanating from the Emperor.
Jiafu quietly glanced at the figure blocked inside the door. After a slight hesitation, she bowed toward the inside of the door, breaking the silence, and said softly: "It is inconvenient for your subject’s wife to remain, so I shall take my leave first..."
The Emperor let out a soft cough, and Li Yuangui spoke up from the side: "The Old Madam Pei once cared for His Majesty quite deeply. Now that she has ascended, His Majesty is overcome with grief. Some days ago, he intended to come for a private memorial, but the daily affairs of state were myriad, and he could not find a spare moment. It was only tonight that he could finally leave the palace. Upon arriving at the temple just now, he remembered his innocent friendship with Master Pei’s aunt from their childhood, and moved by the sentiment, he stopped by to pay his respects."
Jiafu quietly glanced at Pei Youan.
His expression was as usual, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking. He only lowered his eyes slightly and said respectfully: "I have disturbed Your Majesty. If there is nothing else, your subject will take his leave."
He bowed to the Emperor, took Jiafu’s hand, and retreated seven or eight paces before turning to lead Jiafu away.
Jiafu followed Pei Youan, not daring to look back, yet she clearly felt Xiao Lie’s gaze resting on their backs the entire time.
"Youan, stay behind. I have more to say to you!"
After they had gone a few dozen paces and were about to turn the corner of the corridor, the Emperor’s voice suddenly came from behind again.
Pei Youan stopped and slowly turned around.
Li Yuangui had already hurried out and approached the two. He said to Jiafu: "His Majesty has words for Master Pei; please wait here, Madam. This servant will accompany you."
His tone was extremely respectful.
Jiafu quickly said: "You are too kind, Eunuch. I shall wait here."
Although Li Yuangui was a eunuch, Pei Youan knew that in his youth, he had been skilled in archery and horsemanship. He glanced at the dark shadow standing inside the courtyard gate, pondered for a moment, said "Sorry for the trouble" to Li Yuangui, then turned and stepped inside.
In the deserted garden, amid the cold snow and frozen earth, the Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, his expression stagnant.
Pei Youan knelt before the man again and kowtowed: "What are Your Majesty’s instructions?"
Xiao Lie seemed to snap out of his reverie.
"Follow me," he said, turning to walk into the snow and entering the room.
Pei Youan watched that back ahead of him, rose from the ground, followed him inside, and closed the door.
The room was dark with the doors and windows shut tight. The air was exceptionally cold, and the smell of dust and decay filled their nostrils.
Pei Youan stood by the door, watching the Emperor slowly walk to a long table. He raised his hand and brushed his fingers across the surface, seemingly lost in thought.
He did not speak, only watched quietly.
"Youan, you have been handling affairs for me outside for a long time, and upon returning to the capital, you were met with this bereavement. There is one thing you likely do not yet know."
The Emperor finally spoke, his tone bland: "I have decided to take the princesses of Goryeo and Annam into the palace, and following the suggestions of the Ministry of Rites, I will hold a selection for palace maids in the spring to fill the inner court."
This time, in addition to the tribute, the states of Goryeo and Annam had sent princesses and noblewomen with their envoy delegations, expressing a desire for marriage alliances with the Emperor of the Great Wei. Other delegations had also contributed beauties in varying numbers. The Ministry of Rites had submitted a proposal stating that, as His Majesty’s inner court had hitherto only one Empress, times had changed; according to protocol, it should be filled to support the Emperor.
"The Classic of Rites states that the Son of Heaven should establish six palaces; this concerns the dignity of the nation. Your Majesty is wise," Pei Youan said respectfully.
The Emperor was silent for a moment, then added: "Li Yuangui actually concealed something from you just now. I thought that since I encountered you here, it must be the will of Heaven, so telling you is no harm. My intention in coming here tonight was only to mourn your aunt. I did not expect to meet you and your wife here."
He paced slowly, walked to the window, stood with his back to Pei Youan, and gazed out for a moment.
"Your aunt and I were childhood sweethearts, but alas, Heaven did not grant our wishes, and we were forced to marry others. She possessed a noble character, yet Heaven was jealous of such beauty, and she unfortunately passed away here in the prime of her life..."
"Youan, if I were to tell you that the tragedy of your aunt back then was entirely caused by me—that it was my fault—would you hate me?"
The Emperor’s emotions seemed suddenly uncontrollable. His voice trembled slightly, and he turned around abruptly.
Pei Youan’s figure stiffened, but he quickly reacted. He hesitated and said cautiously: "Your Majesty speaks too seriously. Even if it were as Your Majesty says, I am sure it was an unintentional error on Your Majesty's part. If my aunt’s spirit is in heaven, and she has forgiven the past, who am I to recklessly judge right from wrong?"
The Emperor looked at Pei Youan for a long time. His emotions finally seemed to settle, and he nodded. When he spoke again, his voice was much calmer.
The Emperor said: "Tonight, at this moment, I am regarding you as a nephew, not as a subject, which is why I mentioned these old stories. I will not hide from you: because of your aunt’s passing, all these years, it has felt like a needle pricking my heart, and even in death, it will be hard to forgive myself. Having heard your words, I find a measure of comfort. In the Jingxiang affair, you stopped the fighting, promoted kindness, and displayed unique insight; you handled it exceptionally well and stabilized the overall situation for me. Now that the Old Madam has unfortunately passed away, I know you must be in unbearable grief. For so many years, you have run back and forth for me, never having a moment of peace. I will send the person you recommended in your memorial to serve as the Prefect to manage the people and pacify the land for you. You should rest and recuperate well. After some time, I will see how things are and call you back to service—how about that?"
Pei Youan said respectfully: "Your subject obeys the decree."
The Emperor added: "Youan, remember this: in the future, no matter what happens, I hope you will not hide anything from me. Speak up; if I can grant it, I will certainly grant it."
Pei Youan thanked him for the grace again.
The Emperor gazed at him in the dim snowy light, his eyes exceptionally gentle. After a moment of silence, he said: "Very well, I have nothing more to say here. It is freezing; take your wife back and get some rest early..."
At that exact moment, a low shout suddenly drifted from outside: "Who goes there?" The voice sounded like Li Yuangui's.
"Your Majesty, please remain. Your subject will go and see!"
Pei Youan opened the door and ran outside. In the moonlight, he saw a black figure moving like a night owl, fleeing rapidly through the snow.
Li Yuangui had already drawn his side sword and was protecting Jiafu. He let out a sharp, piercing whistle to call the guards, who had been left outside the temple gate, to come and protect the Emperor. Turning his head, he saw Pei Youan had already rushed out. Pointing at a large tree a few dozen paces away, he shouted: "Master Pei! The assassin was hiding in that tree just now!"
The guards arrived quickly. Pei Youan ordered the guards to escort Jiafu inside to protect the Emperor, while he drew his sword and, following the two sets of footprints left in the snow, gave chase.