Chapter 118:
The more Xie Wanning thought about it, the more irritated she became. Her good mood from the past few days vanished completely upon hearing Lu Ziyan’s name.
Returning to Xuan Hua Courtyard, she was too lazy to even check the accounts and simply picked up a leisure book to distract her thoughts.
Unknowingly, the sky outside had darkened. As Pei Yuqing entered the room, he saw the young lady reclining on the beauty couch, casually flipping through a book.
Hearing his footsteps, Xie Wanning lazily lifted her eyes, then lowered them again.
This sight made Pei Yuqing raise his brows slightly. He walked over in a few steps, studied her for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, “What’s wrong? Who made our Wanwan unhappy?”
Not long after their marriage, he had taken up an official position in the open. He had just returned from the Imperial Palace, still wearing his vermilion official robe, which made him look even more handsome and elegant.
He took the book from her hand and smiled. “Whatever is troubling you, you can tell your husband. I’ll solve it all for you.”
Xie Wanning thought for a moment, sat up straight, reached out to pull him to sit beside her, and said, “Have you been getting close to the First Prince lately?”
Surprise flashed in Pei Yuqing’s eyes. He clearly hadn’t expected this young lady, who didn’t pay attention to court politics, to ask about this.
He coughed lightly and said, “The First Prince’s reputation for benevolence and wisdom is widely known. Recently, I’ve had more interactions with him and found him to be versatile and substantial in his words. When speaking of the troubles with foreign tribes, the drought disaster in the north, and the unrest in the south, he is clear and logical, not just empty talk. He has his own views on plans for the people, reclaiming wasteland, and stationing troops. Plus, he is the son of your legitimate aunt. Since I’ve married you, it makes sense both emotionally and rationally to support him.”
After speaking, seeing her unusual expression, he said seriously, “Wanwan, do you think there’s something wrong?”
“…” Xie Wanning thought seriously for a long while.
She also felt that, given the current positions of the Pei Family and Xie Family, there seemed to be no better choice besides the First Prince.
The Emperor was elderly, the princes were all grown, yet the Crown Prince position remained vacant. The struggle for succession was imminent.
The First Prince was the Xie Family’s legitimate grandson, who had called Xie Shu uncle since childhood. If he ascended, the Xie Family would be the Emperor’s maternal family. Even if the Xie Family had no such intention, others would still classify them in the First Prince’s camp.
As for the Pei Family, with Princess Duanyang there, there was no need to get involved in the struggle for succession. No matter which prince ascended, she was their legitimate aunt. But Pei Yuqing knew Lu Ziyan was the legitimate son of the Former Empress and had thoroughly offended him for her sake.
In short, no matter what, the First Prince was the best choice.
“Wanwan, I’m not taking sides lightly for personal gain.”
Pei Yuqing said, “I’ve considered it. The First Prince is a man with ambition and strategy. The Great Khan is facing internal and external troubles and is already greatly weakened. I don’t know if he has the ability to prevent the collapse if he ascends, but I will do my utmost to help him eliminate old malpractices and govern the land.”
Xie Wanning was stunned for a long time. “So Elder Brother Changqing, you have such a dream for home and country?”
“Wanwan,” Pei Yuqing gazed at her with deep eyes and smiled. “Chaos is coming. This world never lacks ambitious people seeking revenge. Every scholar who appears in the Capital City dreams of stabilizing the state and governing the country. I’m no exception.”
Writing splendid articles by hand, wielding a sword to conquer vast lands and rivers.
Subduing foreign tribes, deterring enemy invaders, extending the Great Khan’s two-hundred-year dynasty—these are the dreams in every ambitious person’s heart.
Xie Wanning fell silent. Compared to the stability of family and country, her miserable death in her previous life seemed insignificant.
She couldn’t say, “I don’t like the First Prince, support someone else instead.”
Not only him, but her father and her elder brother would also stand with the First Prince. What she needed to do was forget those things that hadn’t happened in this life and at least not interfere with them.
As for Lu Ziyan…
In her previous life, Lu Ziyan also had such ambitions. He was always very busy, so busy that he rarely even came to the back courtyard. He spent more than half the year away from the Capital City, and even when in the city, he almost always lived in the study.
Every time he came to Shao Guang Courtyard, it was for that matter…
Xie Wanning composed herself and said, “It’s time for the meal.”
As she said this, she stood up to go to the front hall. Before she could take a step, her wrist was grasped.
“Wanwan, don’t worry about other things.” Pei Yuqing looked at her seriously and said, “I’m a man, a qualified politician. Every decision I make is based on my own considerations, not just for you. Don’t take everything on yourself.”
He thought she was worried that if the Xie and Pei families couldn’t help the First Prince ascend and Lu Ziyan seized the world, they would face crazy revenge. He smiled faintly. “Don’t be afraid, okay?”
Xie Wanning paused her steps. Before she could reply, he leaned down to kiss her lips, then took her hand to the side hall for the meal.
…………
Soon it was the day of the family banquet. Pei Shurui’s three concubine-born younger brothers, who had already separated to form their own households, also returned with their families.
The banquet was separated by gender. Xie Wanning took her seat among the women, directly at the lower position next to Princess Duanyang. On her other side was Princess Pingning, whom she hadn’t seen in many days.
After marrying into the Pei Family, Princess Pingning used to come find her to play often at first. Later, it was unclear if it was due to the princess’s instructions not to disturb her elder brother and sister-in-law constantly, or seeing her own elder brother’s poor expression. In any case, she came less often.
Now seeing her, Xie Wanning gave her a glance.
She wore a smoky pink ruqun, with a distinctive pearl hairpin in her hair. The extremely clear and beautiful color surprisingly gave an impression of elegant composure at first glance.
Compared to before, she seemed much more steady.
Xie Wanning couldn’t help but feel surprised, but with so many people here, it wasn’t convenient to ask more.
The table was very lively, with everyone chatting and laughing amiably.
Only Mama Luo, who stood behind Madam Zhao of the Eldest Branch serving dishes for her master, had her gaze unconsciously falling on Xie Wanning’s face.
As if finally confirming something, while serving dishes, she leaned close to Madam Zhao’s ear and whispered a few words. Madam Zhao’s face showed shock upon hearing, but she forcibly suppressed it.
She endured again and again, but her gaze still couldn’t help sweeping over there repeatedly.
Xie Wanning’s senses were fairly sharp, and she vaguely noticed the scrutiny from this mistress-servant pair. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she looked over.
Her gaze happened to meet Madam Zhao’s directly.
Madam Zhao smiled and said, “Calculating the days, Elder Brother Changqing’s wife has been in the household for nearly three months… Hasn’t your belly had any good news yet?”
As soon as the words fell, the flower hall instantly fell silent.
Madam Zhao was oblivious and continued, “At Elder Brother Changqing’s age, his elder brother already has five children under him. You two should hurry up. While still in the honeymoon phase, have double celebrations.”
Compared to Pei Yuqing, who was twenty-seven yet hadn’t produced even one Sun Miaomiao for the Second Branch, the Eldest Branch’s posthumous child Pei Shiqi, at the age of thirty, already had four sons and three daughters under him. His eldest daughter was only two years older than Princess Anning, and even his eldest son had reached the age for marriage proposals.
The last day of the fifth month, the Red Sleeve rankings go up and down, the gap isn’t actually that big but I’m already a bit numb~~
Alright, this list doesn’t have to be on anyway~~
Not making the top ten, eleventh or twelfth is also pretty good~~
