Chapter 249: Virtuous And Capable
Pei Qinghe remained composed, as Zhang Kou countered, “Has Chancellor Pang ever asked General Zhang what the Meng Brothers intend?”
Chancellor Pang was choked up for a moment, then gave a dry laugh: “It was this chancellor who was presumptuous. General Pei, do not blame me.”
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “As a military general, it is only right to station troops to guard and defend the border. Or lead troops to protect the capital city and the common people. In short, it is absolutely impossible to abandon the Pei Family Army, built up over years of hard work, to marry and have children. Is Chancellor Pang satisfied with this answer?”
Chancellor Pang had thick skin and chuckled, “If the general thinks this way, this chancellor is relieved. Those sons of military generals, how could they be worthy of the general.”
Pei Qinghe sneered inwardly.
Chancellor Pang was an old minister of the Eastern Palace, wholeheartedly planning for Emperor Jian’an. She, this female general who controlled three commanderies with over ten thousand elite soldiers, was best off fighting all out for Emperor Jian’an, and after the warfare was settled, handing over military power to enter the imperial harem.
Both ruler and subject thought so beautifully, why not go to heaven?
It was not appropriate to tear faces now, so temporize for the moment.
After Pei Qinghe took her leave and departed, Chancellor Pang stroked his beard for a while, pondered for a moment, then entered the palace to pay a visit to the Son of Heaven.
Emperor Jian’an eagerly asked, “Has the chancellor probed her intentions for me? Does General Pei know of my intention?”
Chancellor Pang thought to himself, my face is almost swollen from bumping into it, General Pei is steadfast as a rock, Your Majesty, stop dreaming of having both troops and the person.
Chancellor Pang internally complained, but showed nothing on his face, smiling as he whispered, “General Pei is extremely intelligent, how could she not understand Your Majesty’s heartfelt intention. However, right now she still needs to lead troops in battle. Only on the day when the world is pacified will it be time for General Pei to lay down her armor.”
Judging by the current chaos, who knows how many years it will take; pacifying the world is far off. For now, coax the Son of Heaven like this!
Emperor Jian’an indeed relaxed his brows, his eyes shining brightly.
Chancellor Pang hurriedly whispered a reminder, “Your Majesty must still make heavy use of the Zhang Clan. In front of the Empress, absolutely do not mention General Pei.”
Emperor Jian’an smiled, “This point of propriety, I understand in my heart.”
He admired Pei Qinghe, and also cherished his own empress.
As the Son of Heaven, he could have three palaces and six courtyards. He was not greedy for beauty; with the empress and two consorts, and later Pei Imperial Consort, it would be enough.
……
On the third day of the first lunar month, the full moon celebration for the eldest legitimate prince.
Civil officials and military generals all entered the palace for the feast, presenting generous gifts to celebrate that the Jing Dynasty had an heir.
Among the crowd of officials mostly over forty years old, the merely nineteen-year-old handsome and heroic General Pei stood out particularly. Some used toasting to get close, others said some sarcastic sour words: “The Empress is the model for all women in the world. Content to manage the inner residence, support her husband and teach her children, that is a truly virtuous woman.”
This one spouting sour words was a running dog under General Zhang, a military general in the Bohai Navy.
Pei Qinghe slowly and deliberately responded, “On the battlefield, fighting to the death uses blades and spears, not mere lips. If dissatisfied with this general, then go to the training ground and practice.”
General Xie was still lying on the bed recovering from injuries! Who would dare to fight Pei Qinghe?
That military general immediately shut his mouth.
Powerful strength would naturally silence all those indignant and unconvinced people.
Pei Qinghe, as usual, only drank three cups of wine, then set down her cup. No one dared to pester her to drink more.
“The Empress personally carrying His Highness the Prince has come out.”
The civil officials and military generals all stood up, together cupping hands in salute to the Empress.
The young empress who had just finished her confinement had beautiful features, a radiant face, gentle expression, and quite the demeanor of a mother to the world: “All lords, rise.”
The officials cupped hands to thank for the grace.
Zhang Jingwan smiled brightly as she looked toward the most striking female general among the officials: “So this is the General Pei who dominates the battlefield with meritorious deeds? This palace has long heard of General Pei’s famous reputation. Seeing you today, you are indeed outstanding in bearing, even surpassing the rumors.”
Pei Qinghe smiled in response: “With the Empress’s lavish praise, this subordinate humbly accepts it.”
Emperor Jian’an felt inexplicably guilty and nervous.
Fortunately, Empress Zhang and General Pei only exchanged these two sentences, then had no further interaction, everything peaceful until the full moon banquet ended.
Emperor Jian’an was in excellent mood today, drank several extra cups, and was somewhat drunk.
Zhang Jingwan handed the son in her arms to the wet nurse, supported the Son of Heaven to lie on the dragon couch. While Emperor Jian’an was in a dazed state, she suddenly asked softly, “Does Your Majesty like Pei Qinghe?”
Emperor Jian’an instantly sobered up, broke out in cold sweat on his back, but his face remained calm: “General Pei is a general of the Jing Dynasty, leading troops to repel the Xiongnu barbarians with great merit. Naturally, I value General Pei.”
Zhang Jingwan gave Emperor Jian’an a wistful glance, then suddenly chuckled lightly: “At today’s feast, cousin was always looking at General Pei. I am cousin’s original principal wife, the Empress of the Jing Dynasty. How could I lack even this capacity to tolerate others.”
“Cousin has intentions toward her. Wait a few years until the battles are over, then bring her into the palace and enfeoff her as Imperial Consort.”
Emperor Jian’an’s thoughts were laid bare, he felt somewhat embarrassed, yet reluctant to deny it, coughed and said, “The world is not yet settled; it is too early to speak of these things.”
Zhang Jingwan sat at Emperor Jian’an’s side, snuggling into her husband’s embrace, saying softly, “Cousin sits on the dragon throne, laboring daily over affairs of state, troubled by the great matters of the dynasty. I manage the imperial harem, sharing cousin’s worries; it is my duty.”
“What I said today is also to put cousin at ease. No need to hide it from me. We are husband and wife; what words cannot be spoken?”
Emperor Jian’an felt both ashamed and moved, reaching out to embrace Zhang Jingwan: “Marrying my cousin as wife is the fortune of my life.”
When Zhang Jingwan asked about the past connection, Emperor Jian’an no longer concealed it, softly recounting how he had bid farewell to the Pei Clan girl back then. He even mentioned how he had written a letter expressing his admiration.
Zhang Jingwan felt sour inside, but smiled teasingly on her lips: “So, cousin knew General Pei first. I am the later one.”
With a giant stone lifted from his heart, Emperor Jian’an was extremely pleased, intimately kissing Zhang Jingwan’s cheek: “You are my empress; no one can shake your position as principal consort.”
This was the highest pledge from the Son of Heaven to his principal wife.
Zhang Jingwan endured the bitterness in her heart, returning the kiss tenderly and lovingly.
The next day there was no morning court; only when daylight was bright did Emperor Jian’an rise.
Seeing Emperor Jian’an radiant and in high spirits, Eunuch Shen smiled and joked, “Ever since General Pei arrived, Your Majesty smiles every day.”
Emperor Jian’an smiled and glared at him: “Do not spout nonsense.”
Eunuch Shen put on an act, lightly slapping his own mouth: “This servant spoke out of turn.”
Soon, Eunuch Shen learned the reason for Emperor Jian’an’s good mood. The Empress had sent generous rewards to General Pei.
As expected of one carefully raised by the Zhang Clan; the Empress was truly virtuous and magnanimous.
Pei Qinghe, who was paying visits to military generals, learned that the Empress had sent generous rewards, twitched the corner of her mouth, and said nothing.
That evening back at the courtyard house, Pei Xuan and Pei Feng rushed over: “Cousin Sister Qinghe, the Empress rewarded twenty bolts of brocade, as well as several sets of red gold and gemstone headwear jewelry.”
