Yuzhu heard the elderly servant outside call for the First Mistress. She quickly lifted the door curtain and hurried out to greet her from a distance. When she got close, she smiled and greeted Jia Fu, walking alongside her as they went inside. She leaned in and said in a low voice with a smile, “I was just about to go to your quarters to deliver a message, but here you are already. The master left early this morning. When he came by, the old lady hadn’t risen yet. He asked me to tell her that he had stayed late in his study last night preparing for today’s audience with the Emperor and that you had stayed up with him for most of the night. He would be coming by later this morning. The old lady just sent me to tell you to sleep in longer and not to come over.”
Although Yuzhu was an unmarried girl, at twenty-some years of age, she should understand such matters. Jia Fu felt guilty; seeing Yuzhu’s smiling face, she suspected the maid had guessed something. She couldn’t help but imagine Pei You’an’s serious face as he made up excuses this morning, and she felt embarrassed, wondering what Old Lady Pei would think. But she was already late, and he had already said what he said. Fighting her embarrassment, she entered as Yuzhu held the curtain for her. Inside, the old lady was sitting by a small kang table, with Madam Xin and Second Madam Meng still present. Madam Xin didn’t look well, as if she had been saying something, but stopped when Jia Fu entered.
Jia Fu paid her respects to the old lady, then bowed to Madam Xin, and finally to Second Madam Meng. Second Madam Meng warmly said, “Just now the old lady was sending Yuzhu to your quarters, and here you are.”
Jia Fu’s ears burned as she said, “It’s all my fault for rising so late and wasting time. Please, Grandmother and Mother-in-law, punish me. It won’t happen again.”
Madam Xin stared at her.
The old lady smiled and said, “I’m old now, and sometimes I’m too lazy to rise early to talk with you all. These past few days, since you just got married, I’ve been forcing myself to get up early. The most important thing about younger generations showing filial piety to elders is sincerity. Coming less frequently but with genuine feeling is better than showing up daily with reluctance. You An is busy and usually doesn’t retire until after the third watch. My words have no effect. Now that he’s married, taking good care of him is the greatest filial duty you can show to his grandmother and mother. His mother should think the same. And this isn’t just for my daughter-in-law—it applies to both of you as well. From now on, you needn’t come every day; once every two or three days is enough. Go about your own business.”
Madam Xin smiled in agreement, joining Second Madam Meng in thanking the old lady.
The old lady said, “After hearing about the Daoist priestess Chi yesterday, I’ve been concerned. I remember that child was formerly called Mu Niang, right? The Chi family were people of integrity, and this child is the same, worthy of admiration. Tomorrow I have nothing planned. If you’re free, accompany me to Baihe Temple to offer prayers and visit that child.”
Madam Xin and Second Madam Meng agreed, saying, “We’ll send people ahead to make preparations.”
The old lady nodded and then dismissed Jia Fu and the second daughter-in-law, telling Madam Xin, “You stay behind.”
Second Madam Meng and Jia Fu were escorted out by Yuzhu. The servants and maids in the courtyard all smiled and respectfully sent Jia Fu off with calls of “Safe journey, First Mistress” rising and falling. After leaving the courtyard, the Second Madam affectionately took Jia Fu’s hand as they walked together, smiling teasingly, “Thanks to You An for doting on his new wife all night, I also get to benefit. Now I don’t have to rise early to stand in the old lady’s quarters anymore. My niece truly has good fortune.”
This morning’s late rising was a private matter that Pei You’an didn’t need to mention, but he specifically said something, which backfired and let everyone in the room know implicitly. Her aunt was always good at gauging the winds; when sweet, she was sweeter than honey, but toward people of no use to her, though she wouldn’t turn on them outright, she would speak in a sarcastic manner that made one’s teeth cold. Jia Fu had experienced this before. Half embarrassed and having nothing to say to her, she simply lowered her head in silence.
After teasing her for a few sentences, Second Madam Meng lowered her voice even more and said, “Did you run into the second son just now as he was leaving? Your mother-in-law—I shouldn’t say this—is too biased. Before it was one thing, but now if not for You An, given the trouble the second son caused earlier, our Duke’s household might have lost its title. From her tone, she seems to blame You An for not looking after his brother, for not recommending him to the Emperor to suppress the rebellion earlier, and now watching helplessly as others take the credit.”
After Xiao Lie entered the capital, the Prince of Taiyuan from the imperial clan joined with several groups of the former Prince of Shun’an’s trusted followers in Taiyuan to raise an army in rebellion. The rebel forces numbered tens of thousands, creating a formidable presence and causing panic among the people of Shanxi. Xiao Lie asked Pei You’an who could suppress the rebellion, and Pei You’an recommended Zhang Zhengdao, who had been the Provincial Governor of Western Jin during the Tianxi era, saying this man was good at training troops and familiar with the military and civilian situation in the Jin and Shaanxi regions. This man had been demoted to a local general commander during the Prince of Shun’an’s reign, frustrated and unable to realize his ambitions. This time, leading troops to Shanxi, he successfully suppressed the rebellion. The day before, he had returned to report his success, entering the capital with special permission to remain mounted until reaching the palace gates, an honor of great distinction.
Recalling Madam Xin’s expression when she entered earlier, Jia Fu suddenly understood. She was puzzled in her heart—how could there be such different treatment between sons born of the same mother?
After losing her father, the love from her mother became especially precious. Although Pei You’an was a man, the devotion of children to their parents was the same throughout the ages. Thinking of what he had endured after losing his father at sixteen, she wondered what emotions he had felt when leaving the capital alone, and what thoughts had been in his heart.
Jia Fu suddenly felt an inexplicable pang of sympathy.
“You probably don’t know yet, but the second son is about to get married too!” Second Madam Meng continued.
“It’s not just anyone, but a daughter of some distant relative from your mother-in-law’s natal family surnamed Zhou, named Jiao’e, who has some connection to the Empress’s family. She hadn’t mentioned this before, but now that His Majesty has entered the capital with the Empress in the inner palace, she’s trying every means to establish a relationship with people who were previously completely unrelated.”
Second Madam Meng pursed her lips, showing disdain, but Jia Fu heard the jealousy in her tone.
“I think the old lady doesn’t want this marriage, but your mother-in-law insists. She probably kept her back just now to discuss this matter.”
Second Madam Meng insisted on personally escorting Jia Fu back to her courtyard, speaking softly to the gate. Finally, she leaned in to whisper, “Let your aunt tell you something from the heart: naturally, our side hopes this marriage will happen and wishes the second son well, but if the household gets a Second Mistress related to the Empress, your position as the First Sister-in-law might be overshadowed. Your aunt worries for you.”
Jia Fu said, “If Second Brother makes a good match, not just your side, but our entire family will be happy. What do you mean by ‘overshadowed’? I don’t have any special position to begin with. You’re teasing me, Aunt. I’ve arrived. Let me escort you back.”
The Second Madam was slightly taken aback, looked at Jia Fu, and then smiled, changing her tone, “That’s true. Look at me, I was so caught up in gossip that I forgot to watch where I was going. I can return by myself. You go on in.”
Jia Fu stood at the entrance, watching as the Second Madam gradually departed with her maids and servants, then turned to go back to her room.
By her estimation, the likelihood of Pei Xiuzhi’s marriage going forward was about eighty percent.
In the Pei household, although the old lady held the highest position when it came to a grandson’s marriage, there was no rationale for her to override Madam Xin’s authority. Moreover, given Pei Xiuzhi’s current situation, being able to make such a match was considered excellent, at least in the eyes of outsiders. On what grounds could the old lady obstruct her grandson’s good fortune?
Jia Fu’s prediction was quickly confirmed. In the evening, Yuzhu came over with two dishes for Jia Fu, and when no one else was around, she quietly revealed that in the morning, she had faintly heard Madam Xin complaining tearfully, saying something about how “the palm and the back of the hand are both flesh,” and afterward, Madam Xin had emerged with a joyful expression not seen for days. It seemed the marriage would soon be settled.
Yuzhu paused briefly, then left.
Toward the end of the shen hour, Pei You’an had sent a servant back to inform Jia Fu that the Emperor had unexpectedly convened an afternoon court session, and he would be dining at the palace. He told her not to wait for him.
In the months since Xiao Lie had ascended the throne, he had not only held morning court sessions daily without fail but also frequently convened afternoon sessions. With such a diligent emperor, his ministers naturally had to accompany him, even at the cost of their lives.
Jia Fu ate dinner by herself. After dark, she took a fragrant bath, slowly dried her long hair, picked up “Lun Heng,” and read while waiting for Pei You’an to return.
…
During the day, Xiao Lie received the generals and soldiers who had returned to the capital after successfully suppressing the rebellion. He awarded titles and rewards according to merit. Among them, Zhang Zhengdao was conferred the third-rank military title of Zhaoyong General, appointed as a Commander in the Central Military Commission, and put in charge of the Shence Guards. In one battle, he had turned his fortunes around and was now adorned in the imperial purple. After the conferment ceremony, a banquet was held in the palace to celebrate the victory. Xiao Lie presided from the position of honor, followed by Crown Prince Xiao Yintang, then Pei You’an, the Nine Ministers, the Hundred Officials, and the meritorious officers from this campaign.
Halfway through the banquet, a stalwart general entered, knelt, and reported that the heir of the Prince of Anle had arrived in the capital to confess his father’s guilt and seek clemency. He was now outside the palace, awaiting an audience.
When the Prince of Taiyuan first raised his army, the Prince of Anle had secretly been in contact with him. But when the time came to act, he grew fearful and withdrew. Now that the Prince of Taiyuan had been defeated, although Xiao Lie hadn’t pursued the matter with him, the Prince of Anle in Jiangxi lived in constant fear and sent his heir to the capital to confess on his behalf.
Xiao Lie frowned slightly and ordered the heir to be brought in. Soon, the heir entered the hall, knelt before Xiao Lie, pleaded on his father’s behalf, expressed deep remorse, and finally presented a tribute list: five thousand taels of gold and two carriages of treasures, which he wished to offer to Xiao Lie as a token of his allegiance to righteousness.
Xiao Lie granted wine to the heir and then ordered him to be temporarily accommodated in the official guesthouse. After the heir of the Prince of Anle left, Xiao Lie asked his ministers how to handle this batch of gold and treasures.
To reach the point of dining at the same table as the Emperor, as they were tonight—except for a few dullards—who among the officials wasn’t shrewd? They had all discerned that Xiao Lie had no intention of accepting this tribute.
Once accepted, it would undoubtedly signal to the imperial clan that even if they committed treason, they could buy their way out with gold and silver treasures. Moreover, having just ascended the throne, Xiao Lie was unwilling to be labeled as greedy and profit-seeking because of these five thousand taels of gold and two carriages of treasures.
But if he refused outright, it might cause anxiety and suspicion among a group of imperial clansmen, including the Prince of Anle, who might think Xiao Lie was unforgiving.
The ministers offered suggestions, but none satisfied Xiao Lie.
Xiao Lie looked toward Pei You’an: “What does Minister Pei think I should do?”
All eyes in the hall turned to Pei You’an.
Pei You’an said, “Your Majesty might first accept the tribute, then use it to reward the soldiers under the Prince of Anle’s command.”
The hall fell silent, and then those nearby, including Duke Zhu and Marquis Anyuan, nodded in agreement.
This was indeed a solution that satisfied both sides: it preserved the Prince of Anle’s dignity while using his own money to buy loyalty for the Emperor among the Prince’s troops.
Xiao Lie, already slightly drunk, struck the golden vessel before him with his chopsticks, producing a resonant sound. He laughed heartily, “This method is excellent! Let it be done! Minister Pei truly lives up to his reputation as a young chief minister, never disappointing me!”
Everyone looked at Pei You’an with admiration.
“Father, hundreds of thousands of displaced people in the Jing-Xiang region have turned to banditry. If not suppressed in time, they will surely become a grave concern for our Great Wei dynasty. May I ask if Father has determined a strategy to pacify them?” Crown Prince Xiao Yintang suddenly rose and respectfully inquired.
The displaced population consisted of bandits, disbanded soldiers, and most numerously, farmers who had lost their land. The problem of displaced people has persisted since the founding of the dynasty. Especially in the Jing-Xiang region, with its fertile land, situated at the borders of several provinces, with high mountains and dense forests beyond the reach of government control. Whenever there was a disaster or war, people who couldn’t pay taxes and lost their land would migrate there, forming their communities. This area happened to be at the frontline of battles with the Hu people, making it strategically vital. Thus, emperors throughout history have tried various methods to firmly control these displaced people, but often with twice the effort for half the result. In the last year of the Prince of Shun’an’s rule, a mass uprising of displaced people occurred due to forced relocations, with numbers reaching as high as a million, almost equivalent to the number of troops under the Five Military Commands. The court was at its wits’ end.
The uprising in Wuding was one of the factors that contributed to Xiao Lie’s victory.
The banquet hall fell silent again.
As Xiao Lie pondered, Xiao Yintang said, “Your son recommends someone who can surely help Father pacify Jing-Xiang and bring peace to the realm. I am willing to stake my military reputation on him before Father!”
Xiao Lie asked, “Whom do you recommend?”
“In employing people, one shouldn’t avoid relatives. The person I recommend is Zhou Jin, the Left Deputy Minister of War.”
The ministers looked toward Zhou Jin.
Zhou Jin was the brother of Empress Zhou, a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations. He was quite talented, operated decisively, and had distinguished himself during the Wuding uprising. Now he held a third-rank official position and presented himself as an upright official.
Zhou Jin rose, knelt before Xiao Lie, and solemnly said, “Honored by the Crown Prince’s recommendation, I nominate myself and hereby pledge to Your Majesty that if I cannot eliminate this threat and restore peace to Jing-Xiang for our Great Wei within three months, I will resign and return to farming!”
Xiao Lie hesitated, then smiled, “Your loyalty is commendable, very good! Since the Crown Prince has recommended you, and you have made such a pledge, why should I not trust you? I appoint you as Governor-General of Military Affairs. You may depart in a day or two.”
Zhou Jin kowtowed in gratitude for the imperial favor. Xiao Yintang also thanked the Emperor, then returned to his seat, pouring himself a drink. His gaze turned to Pei You’an across from him. Seeing Pei You’an sitting solemnly, he drained his cup and narrowed his eyes slightly.
By the time the banquet ended, it was the middle of the xu hour. Xiao Lie was half-drunk and was supported back to the inner palace by Li Yuangui and Cui Yinshui. The ministers rose, approaching Zhou Jin to offer congratulations and wish him swift success.
Xiao Yintang and Zhou Jin came before Pei You’an, smiling, “You An, Father has approved my uncle’s mission to eliminate the displaced bandits in Jing-Xiang. My uncle knows you are full of strategic talent. If you have any insights, please don’t hesitate to share them.”
Pei You’an rose from his seat, turned to the smiling Zhou Jin, and said, “The Crown Prince is too kind. I have no special insights, just one thing to say. ‘Suppression’ versus ‘pacification,’ ‘people’ versus ‘bandits’—these are just differences of a single character, but for the common people, they are matters of life and death. When people are disturbed, they struggle; when they struggle, chaos ensues. I hope Minister Zhou will consider this carefully when acting.”
Xiao Yintang’s eyes flickered as he smiled without speaking. Zhou Jin was dismissive, saying only, “Thank you for your advice, Minister Pei. I am wholeheartedly devoted to His Majesty and honored by his trust. I shall do my utmost. In three months, gentlemen, await my report of victory!”
The ministers all agreed.
Pei You’an said nothing, glanced at the water clock in the corner of the hall, bid farewell to his colleagues nearby, turned, and left. Leaving the palace, he rode straight back to the Pei residence. At the gate, he tossed his riding crop to the approaching servants and went inside. The closer he got, the slower his steps became. As he crossed the courtyard threshold and reached the corridor steps, a group of servants and maids came to greet him, calling him “Master.” He hesitated, stopped, and asked, “Where is the First Mistress—”
“Husband, you’re back?”
Jia Fu had been inside the room, ears perked for any sound outside. Faintly hearing his return, she hurriedly put down her book and rushed out to meet him.
She had just bathed, her hair lightly coiled with a jade hairpin inserted at an angle. Dressed in gauze and a cyan-green skirt, she was enchantingly beautiful as she stood on the steps looking at him, a sweet smile on her face, her eyes sparkling in the corridor light.
“Half-revealed lovely face, enchantingly alluring; a jade beauty emerges from the bath, with fresh makeup washed clean.”
Such a verse suddenly appeared in Pei You’an’s mind.