Pei Mansion
It had been snowing for the past few days, causing the entire courtyard to be covered in white. However, after a few days, the entire courtyard had been cleaned up. The walls were decorated with mulberry paper, making it look very elegant.
The door opened, and Pei Zi Yun came out to welcome him. Seeing Ren Wei driving a cart back, he said, "Young master, I've bought a few fish and twenty kilograms of meat. I'm preparing to fry them. I've also bought some dried meat, lean meat, ribs, beef …. As for vegetables, I only have cabbage."
Pei Zi Yun laughed, "Brother Ren, why do you have to do this? You could've just asked someone to buy them."
"I've just finished selling the goods on the boat. Thanks to young master, I managed to sell them quickly. I've earned 2,980 taels of silver."
"Now that I'm free, I've prepared some new year's goods!" When Ren Wei said the words' new year's goods', he thought of his wife and children at home. His heart ached as he smiled, "I've bought too much. The weather is cold now, but it's not bad."
Bai San Chu took out a jar of wine and placed it over the fire. She then said, "The hot pot has been prepared, please take a seat."
When they entered, they could hear the crackling of the charcoal inside. The hot pot was boiling. It was made of chicken skin and bamboo shoots. There were slices of tripe, beef and meatballs. The aroma of the soup permeated the air.
Just as the few of them sat down, an ox-cart stopped outside. This ox-cart looked extremely luxurious, and the curtains were embroidered with patterns. An old granny knocked on the door.
"Who's here at this time?" Pei Zi Yun paused. Ren Wei then said, "I'll go take a look."
He opened the door and was startled by the imposing manner. The old granny then bowed, "My master wishes to invite Top Scorer Pei over for a gathering."
"Who's your master?" Ren Wei asked.
Hearing this, the old granny replied, "It's the Grand Princess."
Ren Wei was taken aback as he hurriedly went inside to report. Pei Zi Yun threw his chopsticks down and sighed, "Looks like I can't eat anymore. Alright, you guys eat together. I'll go out for a while."
As he said this, he changed his clothes and hung a flute around his waist. The old granny's eyes lit up as she hurriedly welcomed him, "Top Scorer Pei, the Grand Princess wishes to see you. It's urgent."
Pei Zi Yun knew what was going on as he boarded the ox-cart. There was an incense burner in the cart.
The cushions were soft, and the old granny was by his side, waiting for his orders. The ox-cart driver held a whip in his hand as he whipped it.
Princess Royal Residence
The oxcart stopped as Pei Zi Yun alighted from it. The granny led the way, "Master Top Scorer, please follow me."
As he walked forward, the guards and serving girls all bowed to him. He arrived at a side chamber. The moment he stepped in, he could smell a light fragrance. He looked around and saw that there were several fireplaces in the chamber. The Grand Princess was sitting there, deep in thought.
"Grand Princess." Pei Zi Yun bowed.
The eldest princess waved her hand and said, "Sit."
Pei Zi Yun stepped forward and sat down beside her. The Grand Princess then said, "Do you know why I've summoned you here?"
Pei Zi Yun paused, "It must be because of the concubine."
"Yes, about the matter of the concubine. When the Crown Prince entered the palace, someone reported that there were pills in the sachet. His Majesty ordered people to search the sachet, but they didn't find anything."
"The Crown Prince was stripped of his crown as an apology. He shed tears on the spot and said that there were records of him entering the palace and that there were also records of him going out as a concubine. He asked the Emperor to investigate and prove his innocence."
"The Emperor was enraged and beat the informant to death."
"When the Crown Prince returned to his palace, he sent people to investigate everyone who served him. Who was the one who placed the pills in the sachet? The Crown Prince's palace was in a state of panic." The Grand Princess spoke as she sighed.
The fact that the Crown Prince had a spy by his side was terrifying. What if it was poison, or an assassination attempt?
It was only right for the Crown Prince to be investigated.
When Pei Zi Yun heard this, he understood.
The Grand Princess looked at him and asked, "What do you think?"
Pei Zi Yun stood up and paced around before asking, "The Grand Princess never interfered in the fight between King Lu and the Crown Prince. Why are you acting differently today?"
"Hm, I don't believe you don't know. Since there's a spy, I've been exposed as well. How can I continue to benefit from both sides?" The Grand Princess spoke frankly as she rolled her eyes, "What do you think? Just say it!"
Pei Zi Yun's face was expressionless, "Looking at the situation, I'm afraid the Emperor is between the two of us. It seems like King Lu's relationship with him isn't small."
"I revealed that the Crown Prince had an affair with a concubine. If the Emperor truly loved the Crown Prince, how could a mere concubine hurt the Crown Prince? He should've found a reason to execute me, or even the concubine. Then everything would be fine. "
"Now that the Crown Prince is here to defend himself, he has the intention of wiping the slate clean."
The Grand Princess's face fell when she heard this. Pei Zi Yun then continued, "If the Emperor couldn't find the pill, he would beat me to death. I can only say that he's following the rules."
"Phew, now that you've said it, I feel much better!" The Grand Princess placed the scroll aside and brushed her hair behind her ears.
"We have to get rid of the Emperor's hesitation. If not, things might change." Pei Zi Yun retracted his smile.
"Oh? What should we do? "The Grand Princess frowned as she asked.
"Grand Princess, the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince. The most important thing for a Crown Prince is to be kind like water, to be kind and not to fight."
"Not fighting doesn't mean that he doesn't fight. It's just that the Crown Prince already has a status that is second only to the Emperor. If he fights, wouldn't he be fighting against the Emperor?"
"There are many things that King Lu can do, but the Crown Prince can't."
"A thousand words are better than silence!"
"However, there are some things that we have to fight for. Hence, the Crown Prince has to fight for what he can fight for. That is to fight for the virtues of one's family."
"Virtues of one's family?"
Pei Zi Yun nodded his head, "Yes, the Crown Prince can submit a petition to the Emperor. Although this matter was slandered by a vile person, it was due to his lack of education and lack of virtue. Plead the Emperor to bestow him with a famous teacher to teach him."
"After receiving guidance, the Crown Prince's study notes are the virtues of the Crown Prince. He can choose some of them for the Emperor to read."
Seeing that the Grand Princess didn't understand, Pei Zi Yun laughed, "The Crown Prince is the Crown Prince. Crown Prince's study means to cultivate one's character and character. That's why he's studying."
"Reading and writing poetry is taboo. This is a taboo for the Emperor. The Crown Prince is ambitious and has a good plan. How can the Emperor not be afraid?"
"Hence, he should take his time and write down some of his notes. He should be serious. I'm afraid that when the Emperor reads it, he will be delighted."
"When the other officials see this, how can they not be in awe?"
"This is what it means to not fight."
The Grand Princess paused. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that these words were unfathomable. If the Crown Prince wanted to study, learn, and cultivate virtue, nobody, including the Emperor, would be able to say that he was wrong.
Asking a famous teacher to teach him would mean that he was the Crown Prince's teacher. How many people would want to be the Emperor's Tutor?
Being the Emperor's Tutor would mean that he and the Crown Prince would be in the same camp. They would share the same fortune and misfortune. Those who could become the Emperor's Tutor were all important officials in the court. Some were even the leaders of their own factions. All of these would be tied to the Crown Prince.
She then glanced at Pei Zi Yun in surprise. This person was really unfathomable. She then thought for some time, "Personal virtues, I understand. Family virtues … Coincidentally, the Imperial Concubine is pregnant again."
Pei Zi Yun paused and looked at the Grand Princess, "The Imperial Concubine is pregnant again?"
The Grand Princess replied, "Yes, she's three months pregnant."
Pei Zi Yun then asked, "How many people know about this?"
When the Grand Princess heard him ask about this, she was initially displeased. She then realized something was wrong and replied, "I'm afraid some people know about it."
"That's no wonder. The news of the Imperial Concubine's pregnancy has already spread. This is a great boon for the Crown Prince. If he gives birth to another son, his position as Crown Prince would be even more secure. If he wants to have another son, it would be impossible." Pei Zi Yun spoke plainly.
"You're saying that King Lu knows about this, and thus acted out of desperation?" The Grand Princess squinted her eyes as she asked coldly.
"That should be the case!" Pei Zi Yun spoke before thinking, "Does the Emperor know about this? If he doesn't, we can ask the imperial physician to inform the Emperor. "
Just as the Grand Princess was about to speak, someone knocked on the door. An old granny spoke, "Grand Princess, Official Qin has something to report."
The Grand Princess paused before replying, "Summon Official Qin in."
After some time, an official rushed into the room. He glanced at Pei Zi Yun before reporting, "Grand Princess, this humble subject has made some discreet inquiries. There's a rumor going around amongst the commoners that the Crown Prince has tainted the harem. Many people are spreading this rumor, and it's unbearable."
Hearing the official's report, the Grand Princess was enraged. She picked up a teacup and smashed it onto the floor, causing tea to splash everywhere. She then scolded, "Shameless. He's even resorting to such underhanded methods. How shameless!"
The Grand Princess was so angry that her chest felt heavy. Pei Zi Yun looked over and could feel her emotions. Her two nephews were fighting and killing each other, using such an evil method. It made one feel pity for her.
"You can leave first." The Grand Princess calmed herself down as the imperial guard retreated. The Grand Princess stood up and kept a book before saying, "Accompany me for a walk."
As they walked along the corridor, the Grand Princess watched as the snow continued to fall. The Grand Princess then said, "I understand now. The Concubine is pregnant, and he couldn't stand it anymore. That's why he decided to do this. However, it's a very evil move. Such rumors are very attractive to the commoners, and can't be stopped."
Pei Zi Yun laughed, "It's obvious that King Lu is trying to slander me. What do you think the Emperor and the officials will think?"
"And the Crown Prince is studying and cultivating. What do you think the Crown Prince and the officials will think?"
"It's obvious who's better."
"Of course, this alone isn't enough to retaliate. In a few days, the lantern festival will begin. I've heard that last year, the Crown Prince represented the Emperor to thank the commoners. Should the Crown Prince do the same this year?"
"I have a plan. It's called luring the snake out of its hole." Pei Zi Yun leaned closer to the Grand Princess and whispered. He could smell the fragrance emanating from the Grand Princess.
The Grand Princess' eyes lit up, "Good, good plan!"
At this point, the sound of a zither could be heard from afar. It was the Canton Princess.
The Grand Princess had something to say, but changed her mind. She then looked at Pei Zi Yun, "You've brought the flute with you. My daughter's zither, do you have any way to make her happier?"
The Grand Princess spoke, her face was filled with fatigue. Everyone knew that the royal family lived a beautiful life. But who knew that every step they took was filled with trepidation?
"As you wish." Pei Zi Yun spoke as he picked up the flute and started playing it.
The sound of the zither had a mournful tone to it, as though it was a lonely bird. It was as though it was the only person in the entire world. At this point, another sound was heard.
The low and deep sound of the flute broke the loneliness. Hearing the sound of the flute, the sound of the zither became joyful, as though it had found someone to accompany it. It was as though it was yearning for something.
The sound of the zither took a long time before it stopped. When it was finished, Pei Zi Yun bowed, "This humble subject shall take his leave."
As he spoke, he walked away.
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