Pei Zi Yun had only read half of Count Zhong Qin's report when his face turned ashen. He forced himself to continue reading. When he was done, he threw the report on the table and stood up.
Madam Wen's expression turned cold as she mumbled something. She wanted to say something but stopped herself. Pei Zi Yun ignored her as he walked up the steps and looked out.
It was summer and the leaves were lush. The morning sun shone brightly. After looking for a long time, Pei Zi Yun regained his composure. The anger in his heart had turned into killing intent.
He had seen many people like this.
"This person must die." Pei Zi Yun thought to himself as he suppressed his anger. He then thought, 'Why would the Grand Princess contact me at such a sensitive time?'
Pei Zi Yun's thoughts were running wild, but it wasn't a good time to think about it. He then turned around and asked, "The report is confidential. The Grand Princess can read it but doesn't care. Why would she send it to me?"
Madam Wen stared at Pei Zi Yun and saw that he was furious. She then said, "Dao Master, the Grand Princess knew about this report and ordered someone to make a copy of it. She then sent it to me through a Daoist official. She wanted me to warn you and prevent you from being plotted against. This is the Grand Princess's painstaking effort."
"I'll have to trouble Madam to help me pass the message to the Grand Princess. Thank you for your reminder. She will definitely repay you in the future." Pei Zi Yun expressed his gratitude.
Madam Wen nodded her head in agreement. Pei Zi Yun then looked at her and said, "Does Madam have anything else to do? If not, I shall arrange for someone to send you back."
Madam Wen laughed, "Enlightened Master, the Grand Princess has something else to tell me. She ordered me to report this to you. Enlightened Master is already in his twenties and the young Canton Princess is already of marriageable age. The young Canton Princess has been taught the art of the zither by you and has resonated with the zither several times. It's truly a match made in heaven and a wonderful love. Moreover, the young Canton Princess is truly envious of you."
Madam Wen paused for some time as she observed Pei Zi Yun's expression. She then smiled, "Dao Master is afraid of Count Zhong Qin because you're not in the imperial court. This is the best of both worlds. After marrying the Canton Princess, Dao Master is also a member of the imperial family. Naturally …"
Madam Wen spoke with a hint of envy in her voice.
In fact, there was an unspoken rule in marrying a princess. The son-in-law of the Imperial Guard was a third-ranked official and enjoyed the salary of the princess. The previous dynasty's rule that husband and wife could not live together or eat at the same table was abolished, but they could not take up any real positions.
On the other hand, the Canton Princess did not have much to do with this. She could still take up the post. This was a very tempting suggestion. As long as Pei Zi Yun agreed to it, his predicament would be resolved.
"No, Junior Brother, you can't agree to it. If you agree to it, it will damage your Dao foundation." As soon as the Madam's voice trailed off, Chu Xia stormed in angrily.
"Don't cause trouble. Your Sect Leader and his Junior Brother are in the middle of a discussion. How dare you barge in like this?" Yu Yun Jun followed closely behind. The moment she entered, she pulled Chu Xia aside and reprimanded her.
"Aunt, this woman wants Junior Brother to marry the Princess of the Imperial Family. How can this be? How can this be?" Chu Xia said, her body trembling. She pointed at the Madam, and a tear rolled down her cheek.
"Be obedient."
Looking at Chu Xia's angry and sad face, Yu Yunjun reached out her hand to rub Chu Xia's head and ordered.
Chu Xia had an aggrieved look on her face. Not long after she left the house, she saw the Madam enter the house. She felt something was amiss and eavesdropped on them. Now that she heard about the Canton Princess, she couldn't hold it in any longer.
Yu Yunjun's face darkened as she spoke to Chu Xia, "This is my Junior Brother's business. Don't talk too much. Sit over there."
As Yu Yunjun spoke, she pulled Chu Xia to sit down.
When Chu Xia and Yu Yun Jun barged in, she felt that something was amiss. From the conversation between Chu Xia and Yu Yun Jun, she could tell that one of them was Pei Zi Yun's master, and the other was his senior sister. Seeing that Pei Zi Yun did not chase them out, she couldn't help but close her mouth. She looked at Pei Zi Yun and thought to herself, 'He is indeed a Daoist, and doesn't understand etiquette. But a Daoist has passed the High Scholar exams, and has such a high status, why isn't he interfering?'
Isn't he going to do something about it? 'Although she was feeling disdainful, she smiled and said, "The Grand Princess has said that as long as you marry the Canton Princess, it will not prevent the Daoist from welcoming other women into the family."
The term 'Concubine' was used in ancient times when nobles married their daughters. Concubine's status would be lower than the wife's, but higher than the concubine's. This was also known as a 'Concubine'.
However, only those who were conferred the title of nobility would have such a term.
Pei Zi Yun listened without saying a word. Chu Xia listened by his side, feeling embarrassed and annoyed.
"As long as you agree to this, the Grand Princess can speak in front of the Emperor. You can even guarantee that you will be conferred the title of True Sovereign." As Madam Wen finished speaking, she looked at Chu Xia and Yu Yunjun.
This young Daoist Nun was so excited just now. She had rushed in as soon as she heard about the marriage. Could it be that she was fated to be married? Or could it be this woman?
Madam Wen pondered for a moment before looking at Pei Zi Yun and said, "Daoist, perhaps you have someone you like and wish to marry. But the Canton Princess is still a Canton Princess. To put it bluntly, when the seven states were established, other than the Emperor, even if the Crown Prince wanted to marry a Canton Princess, he would have to marry her as a wife."
"A Canton Princess, how could she not be a concubine? If you reject her, you and the Grand Princess would no longer be fated to be together. The relationship between you and the Grand Princess would also be lost. "
Her tone was a little harsh. Madam Wen then changed the topic, "Besides, I've heard that the Canton Princess has become skinny and bruised just to be able to perform with you. Do you have the heart to let her down?"
Every single word of Madam Wen's pierced Pei Zi Yun's heart. The image of the Canton Princess's pitiful face appeared before his eyes. He sighed and thought for some time before sighing, "It's not that I don't know how much the Canton Princess has done for me. It's just that I cannot agree to this condition. Please reply to the Grand Princess's words.
"I have an engagement, and cannot break it."
There's no such thing as this in this world. Madam Wen repeated it several times in her heart. She couldn't help but sigh in admiration. She then said, "Daoist, please reconsider."
"There's no need for that. Pass this message to the Grand Princess." Pei Zi Yun then turned to Yu Yun Jun, "Master, please send Madam Wen off. We'll have a chat later."
Since he was bidding farewell, Madam Wen had no choice but to take her leave. Yu Yun Jun sighed and followed Chu Xia out to send Madam Wen off. Chu Xia watched as Madam Wen left and was extremely displeased. She then said to Yu Yun Jun, "Aunt, that woman was dreaming. Junior brother is an Earth Immortal. How could he marry a Canton Princess?"
Yu Yun Jun listened to this and didn't say anything. She then walked along the cobblestone path. All of a sudden, she stopped under a tree, "Can you give up now?"
As soon as Yu Yun Jun said this, Chu Xia froze and stopped walking. She then bit her lips and didn't speak.
"How could I not understand what you're thinking? It's just that even the Canton Princess wouldn't agree. How could you?" Yu Yun Jun pulled Chu Xia closer to her. She then saw that Chu Xia's tears were already rolling down her cheeks.
"Aunt!" Chu Xia threw herself into Yu Yun Jun's embrace, sobbing so hard that her clothes were wet.
Yu Yun Jun let out a long sigh and didn't speak. After some time, she then patted her shoulders, "Aunt still needs to speak to your Sect Leader. If you're like this, don't go."
Seeing Chu Xia leave, she couldn't help but feel melancholy. She then returned to the main hall and saw Pei Zi Yun's expression. He looked both happy and sad at the same time. She then said, "What's wrong? Can't bear to part with the beauty?"
"This matter isn't that simple."
"Master, please accompany me for a while." Pei Zi Yun then spoke as the both of them walked along a corridor towards the west. After turning a corner, the view before them opened up.
There was a small stream in the middle of the house. The stream was paved with stone slabs and flowers. Not far away, there was a small pavilion with the words' Stream Pavilion 'written on it. There were about ten peach trees planted around the pavilion. If it was spring, the flowers would have bloomed. But now, it was refreshing.
However, Yu Yun Jun wasn't in the mood to admire the scenery. She knew that this disciple of hers had great foresight. She then sat down and said, "Speak, what's the matter? Could it be that there's a trap? "
Pei Zi Yun laughed as his expression softened. He then smiled, "Master, have you studied the art of politics before? If you're not talented, how are you going to defeat an enemy who's more talented than you? "
Yu Yun Jun waved her hands and said, "Only men like you would study such things. Speak, I'm listening."
Pei Zi Yun smiled as he walked out of the pavilion. He didn't follow the path he came from, but instead walked along the corridor. He stopped in front of a wall of flowers that was covered in ivy. He then smiled and said, "It's actually very simple. It's just one sentence – Put your heart and soul first. Put your heart and soul first."
"Put your heart and soul first?" Yu Yun Jun frowned, "That's a good thing to say. But when you say it, why does it sound so wrong?"
"That's right. A talented person is like a sword. Both sides are sharp. If it's sharp against the enemy, wouldn't it be the same for yourself?"
"If you meet someone who's talented, not only should you not go against him directly, you should also think of ways to flatter him. After that, when his colleagues and superiors hear about it, the superiors and colleagues will feel uncomfortable."
Pei Zi Yun spoke plainly, "After that, you should report this in private. This person may not have the heart to rebel, but he has the ability to do so. I have no grudges with this person. Today, I'm acting as a villain, but it's all for the sake of the King and the country. I'm doing this for the sake of the country, why would I want to spare a hero?"
"By saying this, you can show that you're loyal and devoted. You can also erase the hard work and achievements of your opponent. No matter how many merits and relationships you have, they would all disappear under these words."
"How many heroes have died because of these words?"
"The ancient books might say that humans should overcome their suspicions and jealousy. Actually, this is common human nature. It's not something that can be overcome just by being magnanimous. It's a natural reaction when you see someone threatening you."
"With a sword so close to your body, who wouldn't be afraid?"
Pei Zi Yun laughed, "Besides, even if this secret was leaked, the King and the majority of the people would think that this person is loyal and devoted. Even if he made a mistake, it wouldn't hurt his reputation. After all, he's thinking for the sake of the country!"
"Look at how powerful this technique is. It kills people without a trace, and it's done openly. You can't even refute it, because what he said is the truth. Who asked you to draw your sword and see blood?"
"That's why the Crown Prince has to be moderate, and the officials have to be like him. Since ancient times, only a few of them have a good ending. Those who can become the Prime Minister, if you look closely, are not the most outstanding people, but the most suitable ones."
"This is how Count Zhong Qin's methods are so vicious."
Yu Yun Jun listened to Pei Zi Yun speak as if he was talking about something normal. She felt a chill down her spine as she shivered. She then asked, "How do we deal with this?"
He then frowned and said, "We were talking about the engagement of the Canton Princess. Why are we talking about this now?"
She paused for a moment before regaining her senses, "Are you saying that the engagement of the Canton Princess is related to this as well?"
"Everything can be broken. Naturally, this can be broken too." Pei Zi Yun still had a mysterious smile on his face as he changed the topic, "Teacher, we've gone too far. I wish for you to be my matchmaker, and help me and Ye 'er settle the marriage as soon as possible."
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