Chapter 243: Gathering
Emperor Jian’an was impetuous and fickle, looking toward Commander Gao: “Commander Gao, you’ve dealt with General Pei quite a bit. Do you think she’s changed a lot now?”
Is it possible that Your Majesty is immersed in your own fantasies and has never truly known the real Pei Qinghe?
No matter how reckless Commander Gao was, he couldn’t say such words outright and tried his best to speak tactfully: “General Pei commands several thousand elite soldiers, acts decisively and alone in the Pei Family Army with unquestioned authority, her personality indeed different from ordinary women.”
“General Zhang and Young General Meng both have bad tempers. Military generals leading troops in battle must be sharp and ruthless. If one’s nature is soft, everyone would come to pinch, no need to lead troops.”
In other words, Pei Qinghe should be treated with the attitude one uses toward a general.
Don’t look at a general with illustrious military merit and renowned intimidation through beauty with the gaze reserved for imperial harem concubines!
Emperor Jian’an fell silent.
The implication in Commander Gao’s words was very clear, understandable at once.
Today, it was he, the Son of Heaven, who had been reckless.
“I shouldn’t have summoned her into the palace so hastily, and my words were also inconsiderate.” Emperor Jian’an had a gentle temperament and could listen to advice from those around him, sighing: “It was my fault.”
Commander Gao and Eunuch Shen exchanged a glance, inevitably having to say more good words to comfort and console the dejected young Son of Heaven.
Emperor Jian’an sighed: “You withdraw first, I want to be alone quietly.”
Commander Gao and Eunuch Shen had no choice but to withdraw.
Emperor Jian’an sat for a moment, taking out two scroll paintings from the hidden compartment in the bookshelf. The first scroll painting was already somewhat old, personally painted by him over five years ago. The girl in the painting was youthful and immature, with bright black eyes and a smile on her lips.
The second scroll painting was the one brought back by Commander Gao. The girl radiated brilliance, strikingly heroic.
Now, the girl hidden at the tip of his heart had finally come before him. He suddenly realized with a start that she was completely different from what he had imagined.
She was a peerless Precious Saber, incomparably sharp. She could kill enemies and also repel those unwilling to approach with her edge.
He wanted her to be the Imperial Consort; would she be willing?
Emperor Jian’an reached out, his fingertip gently falling between the girl’s brows.
“Your Majesty,” Eunuch Shen’s familiar shrill voice sounded outside the door: “The Empress has sent someone to invite Your Majesty to dine together.”
Emperor Jian’an came back to his senses from his melancholy, rolled up the scroll paintings again, and hid them back in the hidden compartment.
The Prince was born at the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, and in a few more days it would be his full moon banquet; his tiny face still showed no sign of beauty or ugliness, but his temper was not small. He often cried loudly.
The Empress, new to motherhood, was often at a loss and could not bear the child’s cries. Two wet nurses took turns holding the Prince.
After Emperor Jian’an arrived, he first looked at the child. Clumsily patting the child’s back with his hand, he misjudged his strength, making the child cry even louder.
The melancholy and disappointment in Emperor Jian’an’s heart were mostly swept away by his son’s loud cries; somewhat embarrassed, he handed the child to the wet nurse. The wet nurse was very perceptive and quickly carried His Highness the Prince out.
The crying finally stopped.
Emperor Jian’an secretly breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Zhang Jingwan: “You rest assured during your confinement. Let the two wet nurses take care of the child.”
Zhang Jingwan lightly pouted: “The child is the flesh of his mother’s heart. I see him only a few times a day; otherwise, I can’t eat peacefully.”
Emperor Jian’an chuckled: “As long as you don’t mind the child’s crying and fussing, do as you like.”
The two had been married just a year, never quarreled, and their affection was quite good. Zhang Jingwan smiled with pursed lips and pulled Emperor Jian’an’s hand to sit down.
The evening meal was quite sumptuous, with eight cold and eight hot dishes on the pearwood round table, plus full bowls of porridge, soup, and pastries.
Even so, it could not compare to life in the palace in the past.
Do not speak while eating, do not speak while sleeping.
After the evening meal, Zhang Jingwan smiled softly: “I heard Your Majesty summoned General Pei into the palace today. General Pei is the Imperial Court’s first female general; a few days ago she greatly defeated the Xiongnu barbarians. My father and brother both praised General Pei as a heroine among women. I also want to meet General Pei.”
Emperor Jian’an inexplicably felt a bit guilty, smiling as usual on his face: “At the full moon banquet in a few days, General Pei will enter the palace, and you can see her then.”
Zhang Jingwan’s heart tightened slightly, smiling as she agreed, then said: “Your Majesty is busy with affairs of state every day; don’t neglect those around you. Consort Liu and Consort Mei are both hoping for Your Majesty to visit!”
Emperor Jian’an did not crave beauty; in the imperial harem, besides Empress Zhang Jingwan, there were only two palace concubines, namely Liu Yue and Mei Xiang, who had served him for several years.
Emperor Jian’an’s mind was in turmoil today, no mood to favor the imperial harem, casually saying: “I still need to go to the study room to review memorials.”
Zhang Jingwan advised no more; after Emperor Jian’an left, the smile on her face faded.
……
Pei Qinghe’s group rode back on horseback.
Outside the door of the residence, a group of white-haired old women craned their necks in anticipation. The sound of galloping horse hooves reached their ears, and the heroic figure of the young woman entered their sight. The old women’s eyes immediately grew wet.
Madam Fang was the first to cry out, Madam Li also with tears streaming, trembling as she called “Qinghe Yatou.”
Pei Qinghe’s heart ached, she dismounted and hurried over, grasping Madam Li and Madam Fang’s hands.
Madam Lu, who had also waited until her neck grew long, grabbed Pei Feng’s hand, calling him her precious grandson one after another. She also disdainfully remarked to Pei Yan: “Why have you become darker and sturdier?”
Pei Yan rolled her eyes in anger: “What’s wrong with being dark and sturdy? Without strength, I’d have died on the battlefield long ago.”
Madam Lu pursed her lips, about to scold, when Pei Qinghe glanced over.
The words Madam Lu had on the tip of her tongue were immediately swallowed back.
That year, when Pei Qinghe was stuck at the Shi Family Fortified Village and couldn’t get away, she had sneaked to Bohai Commandery. Pei Qinghe hadn’t held it against her, continuously sending grain and silver these past two or three years.
Madam Lu was tough-talking on the surface usually, but actually felt guilty and lacking confidence, without the courage or bottom to rivalry with Pei Qinghe.
With Madam Lu behaving, Pei Qinghe didn’t press further, smiling to Madam Li and the others: “Elders, let’s go inside to talk.”
Everyone smiled and agreed, clustering around Pei Qinghe like stars around the moon as before, entering the large residence.
Gu Lian, Feng Changsun Cheng, and the others were outsiders and tactfully left first.
Pei Jia had long considered himself one of the Pei Family Members, so naturally he wouldn’t leave.
“You’ve been here taking care of Grandmother and the others the whole time; I’ve noted your merit.” Looking at Pei Jia, Pei Qinghe couldn’t help but think of Pei Yi who died at the hands of the Liaoxi Army, sighing: “You know about Pei Yi, right!”
Pei Jia’s eyes reddened, his voice full of anger: “I believe the general will surely avenge him.”
Pei Qinghe said solemnly: “The Xiongnu barbarians are watching covetously; the Liaoxi Army still has its uses. The day the Pei Family Army swallows Liaoxi is the day Li Gouzei bows his head.”
Madam Lu listened in shock and blurted out: “You’re fighting the Xiongnu barbarians and also the Liaoxi Army?”
Pei Qinghe swept her gaze over, meeting Madam Lu’s eyes: “Correct. Once the Pei Family Army grows strong and has sufficient troop strength, I will send troops against Liaoxi.”
Ambition leaped in Pei Qinghe’s eyes, revealed without concealment before the Pei Family Members.
Madam Lu’s heart pounded wildly.
