Chapter 165: Loyalty
Emperor Jian’an vaguely recalled the scene of seeing off the Pei Clan female dependents that year.
In the blink of an eye, four years had already passed.
In these four years, the Crown Prince was poisoned to death, Emperor Jianwen passed away from illness, the Capital City was breached, and Prince Wei was burned to death. He came to Bohai Commandery and was supported by the Zhang Family to become the new Son of Heaven.
Transformation, earth-shaking changes.
Madam Li and the others also looked much older.
“No need for formalities, rise.” Emperor Jian’an instructed Eunuch Shen to help everyone stand, then granted them seats. Madam Li and the others repeatedly gave thanks for the grace, and shakily took their seats.
Madam Lu wanted to speak, but Madam Li shot her a look, so Madam Lu had to shut her mouth.
Madam Li repeated what she had said to General Zhang, sincerely expressing the Pei Clan’s loyalty.
The young Son of Heaven was much easier to deal with than General Zhang, and he smiled mildly: “Sixth Sister Pei established the Pei Family Army both for self-protection and to fight the Xiongnu Barbarians to protect the people of Yan Prefecture. The Pei Clan’s loyalty is all understood by Us.”
“Bohai Commandery already has sixty thousand elite soldiers, enough to guard the safety of the Capital City. We have already issued a decree ordering all armies loyal to Us and to the Imperial Court to remain stationed in place. It is perfectly suitable for Sixth Sister Pei to lead the Pei Family Army to garrison Yan Prefecture.”
“The old madams traveled hundreds of li to come to Bohai Commandery for an audience, which further shows the Pei Clan’s loyalty. We are greatly comforted.”
“Chancellor Pang!”
The named Chancellor Pang immediately cupped his hands and accepted the order: “This minister is here.”
Emperor Jian’an said solemnly: “You go draft an imperial decree. We want to bestow on Madam Li the Elder the title of second-rank imperial consort, and on Madam Lu the title of third-rank imperial consort. Also, grant the Pei Clan a courtyard house, so that the Pei Clan female dependents have a place to stay.”
A puppet Son of Heaven sitting on the Dragon Throne still had to do some things. Things like bestowing rewards to soothe hearts—Emperor Jian’an had done countless such things in this past year or more, and it was very handy.
Madam Li was overwhelmed by the favor and quickly pulled Madam Lu to kowtow and give thanks together.
Emperor Jian’an sighed lightly: “The Pei Clan brothers were all loyal officials and good generals of the Eastern Palace back then, but unfortunately they were framed by treacherous people and saddled with the evil name of treason. Once We recover the lost territories and revitalize the empire, We will certainly clear the Pei Family’s name. We want all in the world to know that the Pei Family is a household of loyal martyrs.”
Madam Li’s eyes reddened, and she choked out in response: “Your Majesty’s great grace will be engraved on the hearts of all in our Pei Clan.”
Madam Lu burst into bitter tears on the spot.
Madam Fang and the others also shed tears.
Emperor Jian’an comforted them with a few words, then ordered Eunuch Shen to escort the group of female dependents out of the palace. Afterward, he asked Commander Gao in a low voice: “By doing this, can I really win over Sixth Sister Pei?”
Commander Gao looked at the young Son of Heaven with fatigue on his face, and felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.
General Zhang, under the name of guarding the Son of Heaven, had been constantly recruiting soldiers and buying horses, and had several tens of thousands of elite soldiers in hand. Everyone knew of the Zhang Family’s burning ambition, so how could this puppet Son of Heaven Emperor Jian’an not know? But with the situation as it was, to sit steadily on the Dragon Throne, Emperor Jian’an could only rely on the Zhang Family and make heavy use of them.
In this past year, quite a few military generals had come to surrender and pledge loyalty to Emperor Jian’an. Like General Yang of the Guangning Army, who sent nephews and younger generation to Bohai Commandery, in effect sending hostages.
Madam Li and the group of Pei Clan old women coming for an audience with the Son of Heaven also had a similar implication.
“Of course.” Commander Gao rallied his spirits to comfort Emperor Jian’an: “Madam Li the Elder is the eldest and most senior elder of the Pei Clan, and Madam Lu is Sixth Sister Pei’s consanguineous grandmother. For Sixth Sister Pei to send them to see Your Majesty is enough to show loyalty.”
Emperor Jian’an didn’t know if he was convincing others or himself: “You’re right. Sixth Sister Pei sent all the clan elders, which shows her pure loyalty and that she will not betray Our trust.”
Commander Gao lowered his voice: “The Guangning Army’s combat power is mediocre, but the Pei Family Army once defeated the Xiongnu Barbarians and held Changping County—it is true elite soldiers. With Sixth Sister Pei’s capability, the Pei Family Army will surely grow stronger and stronger in the future.”
“For Your Majesty to win over the Pei Clan will also allow the Pei Family Army to slightly check the arrogance of the Bohai Navy.”
Emperor Jian’an nodded slightly: “That is also Our plan.”
This puppet Son of Heaven of his was truly pitiable and helpless. Knowing full well that everyone had their own intentions, he could only pretend not to know, strive to balance them, and maintain the dignity and decorum of the Son of Heaven.
Emperor Jian’an’s mind flashed with the scene from four years ago of seeing off the Pei Clan, and he suddenly said softly: “Four years since parting, We still remember what Sixth Sister Pei looked like.”
If Eunuch Shen were here, he would certainly flatter and fawn. Commander Gao was upright and spoke plainly: “Your Majesty is betrothed to Miss Zhang. Once the mourning period is over, you will take Miss Zhang as Empress. Better not to miss Sixth Sister Pei.”
Miss Zhang was not of broad mind. The two palace servants who attended to Emperor Jian’an’s daily needs trembled in fear before Miss Zhang. What kind of hero was Sixth Sister Pei—how could she be willing to be beneath others and suffer such treatment?
Emperor Jian’an seemed not to hear the implication in Commander Gao’s words: “We will marry Our cousin as Empress. After the empire is pacified in the future, if Sixth Sister Pei is willing to enter the palace, We will make her an Imperial Consort.”
Commander Gao looked at Emperor Jian’an’s black eyes that suddenly flashed with brilliance, and silently shut his mouth.
……
“Your Majesty has a benevolent heart and treats the families of officials generously—you are a true wise ruler.”
After leaving the palace, Madam Lu was surging with emotion and excitedly said to Madam Li: “Our coming to Bohai Commandery to surrender and pledge loyalty was the right step. Your Majesty will clear our Pei Clan’s name and wash away the evil name of treason.”
Madam Li sighed deeply: “General Zhang is overbearing, and Your Majesty is young and weak, like a wooden puppet. Who knows how many years this Imperial Court can remain stable.”
Madam Fang felt the same: “Isn’t that so? Your Majesty is young and weak, easy to bully. General Zhang holds military power and controls court affairs. Who knows when he might rebel and sit on the Dragon Throne himself.”
Madam Lu found these words very grating and immediately retorted: “Your Majesty is biding his time, enduring humiliation for the greater cause. The armies loyal to Your Majesty include the Beiping Army, Guangning Army, and many armies in the Northern Lands. If General Zhang harbors rebellious intentions in the future, Your Majesty need only raise his arm, and the military generals will lead troops to reinforce the Emperor.”
Madam Fang muttered: “The Guangning Army will come, but whether the Pei Family Army will or not is hard to say.”
Madam Lu glared in anger.
Madam Li coughed once and signaled Madam Fang with her eyes to stop talking. Madam Lu’s mental state was unstable and could not withstand verbal stimulation. If she started making trouble and shouting on the road, it would be hard to end.
The empty courtyard house granted by the Emperor had a good location and was very spacious. Pei Jia led people to move the luggage, and it took two days to settle in.
Madam Li quietly called Madam Fang over and instructed: “You don’t need to do anything else—just follow Madam Lu every day. Don’t let her go out of the house at will. If she goes out, watch her and keep her from talking nonsense.”
Madam Fang nodded, then sighed: “Eldest sister-in-law was perfectly fine before—who knows why she gradually became like this.”
Madam Li also sighed deeply: “She came to Bohai Commandery with true intention to seek refuge and pledge loyalty to Your Majesty. We were willing to come along voluntarily as hostages, to win fame for the Pei Family Army and buy time.”
“It’s best if she can’t see through it. Let her immerse herself in the joy of her wish being fulfilled. Perhaps her illness can slowly get better.”
