It was obvious that no one believed that Pei Zi Yun was representing himself. Buying an official or even asking a question wasn't worth this much.
The Grand Princess stretched out a finger and tapped it on the table. She was hesitant. Small matters that were not important could be settled. However, when it came to the politics of the Imperial Court, even she would not be able to avoid the wrath of the Emperor.
The Emperor's favor was the most important thing to her. If not for the fact that the Emperor's grandson was a Canton Prince, it would be an exaggeration to say that he was barely making ends meet. However, he was not allowed to interfere in politics.
"Mother, when are we going to the lantern festival this year? Last year, you promised to bring me along. However, you went to the palace and did not accompany me. This year, you are not allowed to go back on your word." A young girl's voice rang out. Soon after, a fifteen or sixteen year old girl walked in and pulled the Grand Princess aside.
When the Grand Princess saw her youngest daughter acting like a spoiled child, she laughed, "My good daughter, I'm not thinking for your sake. If you go to the palace more often, you won't be able to enjoy the love of your Imperial Uncle."
"I won't, I won't. This year, you must accompany me. This year, you must accompany me." When the young girl started acting coquettishly, no one could stop her. The Grand Princess could only agree, "Alright, alright, I will accompany you."
The young girl then walked up and planted a kiss on the Grand Princess' cheek, "Thank you mother."
The Grand Princess stretched out a finger and placed it on her forehead, "You are so mischievous."
She then thought for sometime before instructing the butler, "Prepare an invitation and send it to Pei Zi Yun. Ask him to attend the lantern festival and help my daughter."
"Yes!" The butler replied. He knew that this matter had to be clarified in person.
Pei Zi Yun left the Grand Princess' Mansion and did not return home immediately. Instead, he went to a bank and found a bank. It didn't look big, but the courtyard was huge. When he entered the bank, he said, "I have gold to exchange for banknotes."
The shopkeeper stuck his head out and said, "Let me take a look!"
"This is it." Pei Zi Yun tossed a gold bar over. The shopkeeper received it and looked at it carefully. He then said, "According to the rules, you have to cut it open."
"Cut it!"
After cutting it open, the shopkeeper then said, "97% purity, 10 taels."
"Ninety-eight!"
"I know it's ninety-eight, but deducting one is the rule of the bank." The shopkeeper raised his head and said, "You're a High Scholar, right? But that's how it is. I didn't cheat you."
"Alright, I'll change it to silver notes."
"It's ninety-eight official silver and a hundred and ten taels."
After Pei Zi Yun tried his luck in the water, he continued to visit other houses. From noon till afternoon, he finally understood the situation of the bank.
By the time he finished his meal, it was already dusk. At the entrance, he saw a servant holding an invitation. When he saw Pei Zi Yun, he walked up to him, "Young Master, this is the invitation to the lantern festival."
This servant was dressed extravagantly and was very respectful and courteous. He had a trace of a scholarly air about him, and he seemed to have come from a scholarly background. He took the invitation, which was quite extravagant.
Pei Zi Yun took the invitation and fell into deep thought. Inviting him to the lantern festival was to confirm something?
The lantern festival was held every year on the fifteenth day of the first month of the year. This was one of the most important festivals of the year. Everywhere in the capital city, there would be lanterns and decorations. The royal family, the government, the commoners and the commoners would all invest in the construction of lanterns.
Apart from the traditional lantern riddles, the merchants would also organize dragon lanterns, lion dances, ghost parades, walking on stilts, and drum performances to bring the festive atmosphere to a climax.
It was said that even the Emperor himself would bring his concubines to the gates of Sky Bearing to watch the festivities. These were all memories from his previous life.
Since he was going to the lantern festival, he had to be prepared. Pei Zi Yun thought to himself as he left the ox-cart and placed the four boxes inside. He then lit up some candles and fell into deep thought. Since it was impossible for him to fight, there was a high possibility that it would be a written exam.
Just as he was grinding, he heard a noise outside the courtyard. He frowned. Was someone trying to kill him? He picked up his sword and walked towards the door.
Outside, there was a suspicious person climbing over the wall. Pei Zi Yun held his breath as he looked over. This person was climbing over the wall furtively. When he saw that there was a lantern inside, his movements became smaller.
"A thief?" This thief was sneaking towards the house. When he got closer, he used his finger to poke at the window, wanting to see what was happening inside. The moment Pei Zi Yun opened the door, he saw the thief enter the house. Under the light of the lantern, his face was revealed.
So it was Zhang Cheng. Pei Zi Yun laughed coldly, "If you don't agree to it in the day, you dare to enter a High Scholar's residence at night. Do you know that this is a huge crime? You sold your house for 450 taels of silver. If I were to sue you, you would not be left with a single cent. Do you believe me when I say that?"
Hearing Pei Zi Yun's words, Zhang Cheng was unconvinced and shouted, "Why? This is my house!"
This was the first time Pei Zi Yun had come across such a scoundrel. He was secretly afraid, 'I'm really lucky. He only came now. If I had gone out and he came earlier, wouldn't I have been discovered?'
'This kind of scoundrel has to be punished severely.'
As he thought about this, he called for someone to report to the authorities. Before long, a constable arrived.
When the constable arrived, Zhang Cheng was somewhat fearful. Usually, when something happened, it would be the bailiffs who came. Zhang Cheng knew a few bailiffs, and thought that it wasn't a serious matter. He didn't expect the constable to come personally.
Pei Zi Yun stepped forward and explained the situation to the constable. He then said in disgust, "This kind of scoundrel, you have to teach him a lesson. At the very least, you can't let him disturb me."
As he said this, he threw five taels of silver at the constable. When the constable heard that this scoundrel had just sold his house for a few hundred taels of silver, and received this amount of silver as a reward, he laughed out, "Don't worry High Scholar, I will definitely teach him a lesson."
As he said this, he dragged Zhang Cheng away. Zhang Cheng then realized that something was wrong, and screamed out in pain. The constable was getting impatient, and raised his foot to hit Zhang Cheng.
"Ah!" Zhang Cheng screamed out in pain, as his face swelled up.
Seeing this, Pei Zi Yun laughed coldly. If his guess was right, this Zhang Cheng did not have any silver, and had only suffered a little before being released. With these few hundred taels of silver, even if he was kind, he would still lose a layer of skin. If he wasn't kind, he would be beaten to death. The money would then be split amongst the constable and constable.
This was the result of having more money than status in this society.
If he wasn't greedy, he would be fine. But now, he would be in trouble.
When he returned to his room, Pei Zi Yun checked the gold. This man had snuck in during the day, and the two thousand taels of gold would definitely be exposed. It was just that if he were to go to the bank to exchange for silver now, the Grand Princess might find out. It was better to wait and hide the gold.
The next few days passed in the blink of an eye. It was the Lantern Festival, and the sound of firecrackers could be heard outside. Zhang Cheng was sent to the officials, and everything was quiet.
Someone knocked on the door. It was an imperial guard wearing a wolf mask, "Young Master, the invitation for tonight has been changed. You have to use this mask."
Pei Zi Yun was somewhat suspicious. The imperial guard handed him the invitation, and it was exactly the same as before. Pei Zi Yun's suspicions were dispelled, and he saw a pig mask being handed to him.
This was a pig mask, and looked very delicate. It seemed like it had been drawn by a lady. Pei Zi Yun laughed as he received the mask and put it on.
Outside, the sound of firecrackers could be heard. Every household had their lanterns lit up, and many people were wearing masks as they prepared to go out.
The imperial guard walked in front, and Pei Zi Yun followed behind as they squeezed into the crowd.
There were many people walking to and fro, and there were many men and women wearing masks. There were many lanterns on the sides of the road, and many students were trying to guess riddles. Several small vendors were selling lanterns, and the atmosphere was very lively.
The wolf guard continued walking, and soon came across a group of people. It was a lady and a young girl. They were both wearing masks, and were wearing the Chang 'e mask. The two of them were looking at a beautiful lantern, trying to guess riddles.
Pei Zi Yun saw that the people around him were all wearing wolf masks. They looked like they were having fun, but were actually protecting him. His heart turned cold.
The wolf guard beside him then walked up to the man wearing the wolf mask and said a few words to him. Seeing that his wife had said a few words as well, the guard then walked over, "Young Master Pei, the wife has asked you to come forward."
When Pei Zi Yun heard this, he immediately understood. This wife was the Grand Princess. He then stepped forward, "This humble subject is Ying Prefecture's Top Scorer Pei Zi Yun. I pay my respects to the Grand Princess."
The Chang 'e mask was lifelike, as though it had been drawn by an expert. Seeing Pei Zi Yun step forward, she spoke through the mask, "This riddle of mine, I can't guess it. Why don't you guess it for me?"
'She really doesn't regard me as an outsider. We've only just met and she's already ordering me around!' Pei Zi Yun thought to himself as he followed the Grand Princess' finger. On the octagonal lantern, a riddle was written, "Half drunk, half awake!"
Pei Zi Yun looked at the riddle and understood the meaning behind it. Without hesitation, he replied, "Think thrice, measure thrice, and pass three tests."
An old man walked out and smiled, "Congratulations Young Master for guessing correctly. This lantern is yours."
As he spoke, he handed the lantern over. The young girl beside the Grand Princess giggled and received the lantern, happily keeping it.
The lady Chang 'e's expression couldn't be seen clearly, but she smiled, "Top Scorer Pei, you're indeed talented. It's just that you've given me such a valuable gift, what do you want?"
The lady Chang 'e used her finger to light up the remaining lantern as she asked.
Hearing these words, Pei Zi Yun finally understood what the Grand Princess was worried about. It must be that he had given her too much gold, and she was worried that his request was too important.
Pei Zi Yun was inexperienced, and didn't know his limits. When he heard Assistant Minister Ji mention a valuable gift, he gave her a thousand taels of gold. He was afraid that she would think that he wanted to meddle in politics.
After pondering for some time, he smiled, "Madam, I don't want much. I don't want to be an official, and I don't want to be an official. I've already entered the Dao, and I want to nominate my sect's Patriarch to become a True Sovereign. The Governor has already submitted a memorial to Assistant Minister Ji, and I hope that Madam can help me out."
Hearing Pei Zi Yun's words, the Grand Princess laughed. So this was what he wanted. If it were a living person, especially a Noble, she wouldn't be able to ask for it. But for a Divine Being, it was a simple matter, and a troublesome matter at the same time. As long as it was a proper ceremony, and there were officials who had submitted a memorial, she would be able to speak up. This wasn't considered a big deal.
The Grand Princess pondered for some time before smiling, "I can consider it, but I can't simply agree. I've heard that you're talented. You can use this lantern to compose a poem. If I'm satisfied with it, that's a small matter."
Hearing the Grand Princess's words, Pei Zi Yun laughed out. At this point, someone was performing a dragon dance. This dragon was red, and shone brightly under the illumination of the lanterns.
From afar, there were fireworks everywhere. Not too far away, there was a group of immortals wearing masks performing.
Pei Zi Yun pointed and said, "What's so difficult about this? I can do it in three steps."
He then took three steps forward and recited, "The East Wind blooms on a thousand trees. The wind blows, and stars fall like rain. The scent of horses and carriages fills the road. The sound of a phoenix flute moves, and the light from a jade pot revolves. A night of dancing fish and dragons. "
"Golden strands of moths and willows. Laughing and talking, the fragrance fades away. Searching for him hundreds and thousands of times. Looking back, he's there, in the dim light of the lantern. "
Pei Zi Yun then pointed at Chang 'e and the immortals. As soon as this poem was spoken, the Grand Princess choked on her tears. It was as if she could see her Prince Consort looking at her. She fell silent for some time before saying, "Such a poem in three steps. Only now do I know that there's a Heavenly Being!"
"Take off your mask. You have the right to let me remember you." The Grand Princess paused before speaking.
Pei Zi Yun hesitated for some time before taking off his mask. In the distance, the lanterns were lit, and the fireworks were in full bloom. Under the illumination of the lanterns, Pei Zi Yun looked extremely calm. When the girl beneath the mask saw this, her exposed ears turned red.
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