Chapter 116:
Look at that.
Where does this look like a couple who became estranged right after marriage? Clearly, they are sweetly affectionate, with deep feelings for each other.
Xie Wanning’s days were indeed comfortable.
Even more free and happy than when she was waiting to be married in her boudoir.
Without her elder brother by her side to discipline her, instead she had a Pei Yuqing who complied with her every request, letting her do as she pleased in Xuan Hua Courtyard.
The two of them closed the door and lived their own lives.
When idle with nothing to do, she would go fuss with food.
The temperature grew colder day by day, and Pei Yuqing visibly became busier, often receiving letters at night that he had to read through overnight and issue orders on.
He even entered the palace overnight several times to discuss important matters with Your Majesty.
His body was already weaker than others to begin with, and under such mental and physical strain, he visibly lost weight. Xie Wanning happened to have nothing to do, so she began researching soups, occasionally stewing a pot of warming and tonic soup to send to the study.
Besides soups, she also liked researching pastries.
The weather was too cold; apart from attending two unavoidable banquets outside, Xie Wanning basically hunkered down in Xuan Hua Courtyard for winter.
She didn’t need to go to the princess mother-in-law for morning and evening greetings, so she grew even more indolent, often not getting up until the sun was high in the sky.
At first, Pei Yuqing coaxed her softly, but with the young lady acting coquettish and charming, how could he bear to be stern with her.
Later on, when she refused to sleep at night and couldn’t get up during the day, disrupting her normal routine, he finally started to take it seriously.
Regardless of whether Xie Wanning agreed or not, Pei Yuqing directly handed over several of his private shops, the farmhouse, and the winery for her to manage.
On Princess Duanyang’s side, two months after their marriage, she also gradually began handing over household authority to her daughter-in-law.
In this way, Xie Wanning became busy again.
She began diligently learning how to be a good Young Lord’s Consort of Duke Pei’s Mansion.
Time passed quickly; every day she checked on cooking, did some embroidery, reviewed account books, and managed interpersonal relationships in the mansion.
She had already learned housekeeping from Madam Zheng’s side for several years while waiting in her boudoir; though the Duke’s Mansion had more complex personnel, it just took a bit more effort.
As this Young Lord’s Consort, with the mother-in-law personally teaching her above and her husband caring for and accommodating her below, no shortsighted servants would dare offend her; everything she ordered was carried out perfectly.
The Pei Family itself had a hundred years of heritage, with established procedures for everything big and small; just follow the rules.
…………
That night, Wuyuan Marquis’s Estate.
Lu Ziyan stood by the window, his palm supporting the window ledge, his gaze falling on the heavily shadowed courtyard, lost in thought somewhere, somewhat distracted.
Ming Feng walked up behind him, presenting a letter with both hands, and said in a low voice: “Young Lord, secret report from Qingzhou.”
Lu Ziyan turned around, took the letter, and opened it directly.
Whatever was written in the letter, his expression showed no change as he handed the letter paper to Ming Feng and said: “Now go assemble a troop of men and horses. Tomorrow morning, I’ll enter the palace, receive this assignment from Your Majesty, and we’ll set off for Qingzhou in the afternoon.”
“Your heart condition…” Ming Feng skimmed the letter quickly and said urgently: “It’s just a corruption case; no need for you to go personally. Just leave it to your subordinate.”
Lu Ziyan said: “Do you know Prefect Chen Wen’s background?”
The prefect was the military and political chief of a province, in charge of military affairs, holding military power.
If this case implicated the prefect, it wasn’t something you could just arrest at will.
Moreover…
“Chen Wen was a jinshi from the thirteenth year of Jianning, a fellow townsman of Chen Shizhong, and once took Chen Shizhong as his teacher,” Lu Ziyan said. “If he’s truly involved, his teacher must be behind it. If you go, you’ll likely be stopped there.”
Chen Shizhong was Grand Secretary Chen, one of the three grand secretaries of the current court, who had served in office for decades with disciples and old friends spread across the Great Khan’s realm; half the court was his people, and his legitimate granddaughter was to marry the First Prince next year as his principal consort.
This was the Yue Family carefully selected by Imperial Consort Shu for her son after much deliberation, and it would be the greatest backer for the future First Prince’s faction.
In his past life, after Lu Ziyan ascended to the throne and began settling scores with these vermin, he learned that the Qingzhou City earthquake relief funds embezzled that year by local officials actually had Grand Secretary Chen’s hand in it.
That corruption case back then was dragged out messily, implicating dozens of officials, but Chen Shizhong safely remained hidden behind the scenes.
Since he happened upon this time period, it would be a disservice to his second chance if he didn’t uproot this backer while at it.
If Chen Shizhong fell, the First Prince’s faction would be like a snake cut at the vital point, unable to stir up much trouble again.
Ming Feng wanted to say more but was stopped by Lu Ziyan’s raised hand.
His eyes lifted slightly as he said: “Any recent movements from that side?”
‘Pei Family’ had become a taboo word, generally replaced with ‘that side.’
Ming Feng inwardly felt indignant for his master but didn’t dare say a word against Xie Wanning, only replying: “According to the intelligence, Miss Xie still occupies the main bedroom alone; that person moved to the study two months ago and hasn’t moved back.”
Lu Ziyan’s eyes lowered, concealing all emotion, and he said flatly: “Keep watching. During the time I’m away from the capital, if she encounters any danger, you may act on your own judgment and spare no cost to protect her well for me, understood?”
Ming Feng bowed and acknowledged.
Normally, even the gravest task would be fully instructed by now.
But this time, Lu Ziyan tightened his voice and continued: “Repeat it back.”
“…” Ming Feng dropped to one knee and said solemnly: “If Miss Xie encounters peril, your subordinate will spare no cost to protect her safety.”
Lu Ziyan said: “If anything happens to her, bring me your head.”
Ming Feng’s whole body suddenly stiffened.
“Remember it,” Lu Ziyan patted his subordinate’s rigid shoulder and said: “Without her… your master probably won’t live much longer either.”
Ming Feng was stunned in place, his heart nearly stopping.
We confidants all had strong opinions about Xie Wanning, this ‘former almost matriarch,’ abandoning our master and hastily remarrying another, though we never said it aloud.
Especially since Lu Ziyan had developed a heart condition because of her, spitting up three liters of blood from anger; we were filled with resentment toward her.
Even tasked with secretly protecting her, if she truly faced danger, whether we’d really save her or let her die was something only we ourselves knew.
“Get up,” Lu Ziyan glanced at him and said: “Isn’t Madam Liu due to give birth soon?”
Ming Feng stood as instructed and said: “The midwife reported the day before yesterday that it should be these next few days.”
Lu Ziyan nodded and said flatly: “Once the child is born, no need to wait for my return; directly send Madam Liu to the military camp.”
A woman sent to the military camp…
Ming Feng was shocked again.
Though his master had no small bloodlust, he never exterminated the elderly, weak, women, or children, let alone send a woman who had just given birth to an heir for the Lu Family to the military camp.
This was simply hatred to the bone.
Thanks to book friend ‘Zhongqin’ for the 66 Xiaoxiang tickets; this treasure is definitely this month’s ticket king. Also thanks to other book friends for the tickets you’ve generously given~~~
Also, keep seeking Xiaoxiang tickets; the ranking is very close, last two days, try to hold steady~~~
One or two more chapters later~~~
