Just before the end of the Tiger hour, the Minister of War Chen Tingjie, Right Director Cavalry Officer Lu Xiang, Liu Jiushao who was in charge of military affairs for several southwestern provinces, Zhou Jin’s father Zhou Xing, and the Crown Prince, among others, all arrived.
Chen Tingjie and the others awakened from their sleep and rushed to the imperial palace, had hurried from the palace gate to here without rest, all of them out of breath. Especially Lu Xiang and Zhou Xing, who were older in years, were both drenched in sweat and panting incessantly. Upon entering, they saw Emperor Xiao Lie’s gloomy expression and were somewhat bewildered. After prostrating themselves, they didn’t hear the command to rise, so they continued kneeling there. After a while, they were finally allowed to rise, and heard the Emperor ask, “Has there been any progress on Zhou Jin’s mission to pacify the migrants in the southwest?”
Chen Tingjie felt relieved and quickly replied, “Your Majesty, just yesterday, the Ministry of War received Zhou Jin’s memorial, stating that out of gratitude for imperial favor, the number of migrants who voluntarily came out of the mountains to resume their livelihoods after being pacified totaled more than 507,000. He captured thirty bandit leaders, beheaded and displayed 620 people, sentenced over 32,000 others to military service instead of death, and confiscated 3,250 weapons and over 5,000 horses, cattle, and mules from the bandits. It was a complete victory. The people of the southwest all praise the imperial grace. Last night I already prepared a memorial and was planning to report this victory to Your Majesty at today’s morning court…”
As Chen Tingjie made his report, Zhou Xing’s face showed a look of satisfaction. Xiao Yintang looked at the Emperor, whose expression was growing increasingly dark, and suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.
The Emperor nodded, his voice becoming even deeper: “How were those migrants who voluntarily came out of the mountains to resume their livelihoods settled?”
“Your Majesty, according to Zhou Jin’s victory report, some willingly returned to their original homes, while the rest gladly went to places like Yunnan and Guizhou to guard the borders and cultivate fields. They have now been registered in the household records, transforming from migrants to law-abiding citizens. The migrant problem that has troubled our Great Wei for decades has been resolved in one stroke…”
“Nonsense!”
Emperor Xiao Lie was perhaps too angry and burst into cursing. Everyone was shocked, and Chen Tingjie was stunned.
With a “whoosh,” Emperor Xiao Lie grabbed the memorial in front of him and hurled it at the eloquently speaking Chen Tingjie, angrily shouting, “This is an urgent eight-hundred-li dispatch sent to me last night by the Governor of Sichuan. Open your eyes wide and see what is happening in the southwest!”
The memorial knocked Chen Tingjie’s official hat askew. Without bothering to straighten it, he hurriedly picked up the document and quickly read through it. His face changed dramatically. Lu Xiang and Liu Jiushao immediately took it, read it as well, exchanged a glance, and passed it to Zhou Xing. Zhou Xing hastily took it, and glanced at it, his hand trembled, and with a “plop,” the memorial fell to the ground.
“What fine talk of resuming livelihoods! What fine praise of imperial grace!” Emperor Xiao Lie stood up.
“I fear it is the air of resentment and hatred, rising to the heavens!”
These words were extremely severe. Not only did Chen Tingjie tremble with fear, but the others, including Zhou Xing who was usually exempted from kneeling, also “plop” fell to their knees, admitting guilt.
Emperor Xiao Lie sneered, “What are you afraid of? If anyone is to be cursed, it is probably me who will be bitterly cursed behind my back. If not cursed in this life, then surely in the next!”
Zhou Xing repeatedly kowtowed, his voice trembling, “Your Majesty, Zhou Jin was too eager to eliminate this festering problem for the court, which led to improper actions. I hope Your Majesty will show leniency considering his long-standing loyalty and devotion to the country!”
Chen Tingjie also said, “Your Majesty, Zhou Jin’s report may seem to exaggerate his achievements, but the Sichuan Governor’s report may also be one-sided. I request Your Majesty to investigate clearly and not listen to only one side.”
Emperor Xiao Lie said, “If I listen to you, it’s being impartial, but if I listen to others, it becomes biased. Is that so?”
Chen Tingjie’s forehead broke out in sweat, and he hurriedly kowtowed to beg forgiveness.
Emperor Xiao Lie’s gaze swept toward Crown Prince Xiao Yintang, who had remained silent throughout, and coldly said, “Crown Prince, if I remember correctly, it was you who recommended Zhou Jin initially, and you even made a military pledge. Now, not only has the mission failed, but it has also caused a rebellion. Why don’t you speak?”
Xiao Yintang kowtowed and said deliberately, word by word, “Father Emperor, Zhou Jin was greedy for achievements and reckless, causing a popular uprising. I have nothing to say. Since I recommended him and made a military pledge, I am willing to share in the guilt! But before Father Emperor punishes me, I beg permission to atone for my crimes through meritorious service. I am willing to go to the southwest immediately to quell the disaster!”
Emperor Xiao Lie coldly replied, “Do you want to cause another situation where corpses fill the river and the world looks on in shock?”
Xiao Yintang’s face flushed red, and the Imperial Study fell into dead silence.
Emperor Xiao Lie turned to Lu Xiang: “What are the Right Director’s views?”
Lu Xiang, who had served four emperors and was considered one of the court elders, coughed and tremblingly reported, “Your Majesty, migrant unrest has occurred throughout history. The previous dynasty also tried to suppress it, but it was only a temporary achievement. Even if they were dispersed at the time, once natural or man-made disasters struck, they would gather and multiply again, deeply rooted and difficult to eradicate. Moreover, this current uprising is unprecedented in scale, and the southwest is Your Majesty’s former place of residence before ascending the throne, so it cannot be taken lightly. In my humble opinion, the most urgent task is to quickly appoint another person to go and quell the unrest. The Crown Prince has volunteered, but as the heir to the throne, his loyalty to the court is appreciated, but he must not be placed in danger. In my view, there is one person who could be up to this task.”
Before he could name the person, everyone already knew who it was.
Emperor Xiao Lie asked, “Who?”
Lu Xiang reported, “The person in charge should have firm methods but also the ability to pacify and comfort those in distant places. In my opinion, none other than the Right Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Minister Pei, is suitable.”
Liu Jiushao said, “I concur.”
…
By daybreak, Pei You’an had not returned. After Jia Fu got up and washed, she had no choice but to go to Ci’en Temple first.
In the afternoon, news arrived.
The Crown Prince’s maternal uncle, Zhou Jin, had used improper methods, triggering a revolt of migrants in the southwest. Pei You’an had been appointed by the Emperor as the Commander-in-Chief for Pacifying the Southwest. Due to the urgency of the situation, he would depart from the capital for Jingxiang in a few days to quell the unrest.
The news came too suddenly. Lady Pei immediately had Jia Fu return home. That night, she entrusted the temple affairs to the monks and returned with her attendants to see her eldest grandson off.
It was now late summer, and no one knew when he would return from this journey.
He would leave tomorrow, and he had spent the entire day at the palace.
Jia Fu, along with her maids and servants, packed his luggage, feeling like she wanted to cry with a sense of reluctance to part. However, she dared not show the slightest trace of it in front of the Pei family and the servants.
In the evening, Pei You’an finally returned from the palace.
The old lady had prepared a farewell family banquet for him. Both branches of the family sat together at one table.
This meal had a strange atmosphere.
On Second Madam Meng’s side, from beginning to end, there was constant laughter and chatter, mainly praising how Pei You’an had won the Emperor’s favor. On Madam Xin’s side, although there were smiles on their faces, they were not from the heart.
The Emperor had already issued an edict, not only removing Zhou Jin from his position as Governor-General of military affairs for three provinces but also stripping him of his position as Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, ordering him to return to the capital immediately to be questioned and punished by the Ministry of War and the Court of Judicial Review.
It was said that the Empress had pleaded for him, but was rebuffed by the Emperor.
Last time it was the Zhang family, and the aftermath of that incident had not yet subsided. This time, due to Zhou Jin’s affair, the Zhou family once again became the focus of attention.
Having arranged for her son to marry Zhou Jiao’e, and discovering after the marriage that this daughter-in-law was not suitable, she had endured it, considering it a silent loss. Originally, she had been counting on the Zhou family’s power, but now, shortly after the marriage, the Zhou family had been humiliated in this way.
Naturally, Madam Xin couldn’t smile.
After the meal, Pei You’an personally escorted Lady Pei back to her room. After a series of instructions, seeing that Pei You’an seemed to have something to say but was hesitating, she said, “Don’t worry, I will look after your wife for you. I just hope you will fulfill the Emperor’s order and return soon.”
Pei You’an knelt and kowtowed, then rose to leave. After walking a few steps, he turned his head to see his grandmother sitting there, with a faint smile, gazing at his retreating figure, her form slightly hunched, looking exceedingly old. After hesitating, he came back and said, “Grandmother, I’ve noticed that you haven’t been in good spirits lately. While I’m away, please take care of yourself. I will instruct A-Fu to take good care of you. If you feel unwell, remember to invite Dr. Hu to the manor for timely treatment. I specifically instructed the imperial physician today.”
The old lady smiled and said, “Grandmother understands.”
Pei You’an looked at the old lady once more before leaving. As he reached the door, he suddenly heard the old lady call him back, so he stopped and turned around.
The old lady had called him back but didn’t speak immediately, only gazing at her grandson. After a long while, she finally said softly, “You’an, do you still remember when you were sixteen before you left the capital, I gave you a beating?”
Pei You’an remained silent.
The old lady sighed, “At that time, you questioned me about who your birth mother was, and why, since you were not the eldest legitimate son, you were allowed to usurp another’s position, one mistake after another. Even now, if you were to question me again, I still wouldn’t be able to answer. You don’t blame Grandmother, do you?”
Pei You’an smiled slightly, “Grandmother, I was ignorant then and hurt you. Please don’t worry, I have long forgotten what happened back then, and I will never ask again.”
The old lady’s eyes contained a faint gleam of tears as she nodded, “Your thinking this way greatly comforts me. Now, Grandmother has something else to say, which I want you to remember. One cannot choose one’s birth. But living in this world, walking with dignity, is enough to face heaven, earth, and one’s own heart without shame. I know you will surely set Grandmother’s mind at ease.”
Pei You’an was slightly startled, stood still for a moment, and then knelt before the old lady again, solemnly kowtowing, “Grandmother, rest assured. Your teaching today, I will keep you in my heart.”
The old lady smiled, “Before, when you were alone, Grandmother always felt that you came and went without attachment, which worried me. Now that you’re married, Grandmother is at ease. Alright, there’s nothing more here. You can go back. You’ll depart tomorrow, and I’m sure you two have things to say to each other.”
Pei You’an rose, looking at the old lady once more, seeing her sitting there, smiling, waving her hand at him.
…
Pei You’an gradually quickened his pace, and entered the room, and Tan Xiang, Mama Liu, and the others left the room without being told, taking care to close the door behind them.
Jia Fu threw herself into his arms and was carried to the bed by him.
That night was gentle and tender.
Jia Fu initially managed to hold back her tears. But as dawn broke and she rose to help him dress, piece by piece, finally fastening his belt, she could no longer hold back and a tear fell, which she immediately wiped away, smiling, “Elder Cousin, don’t worry. I will remember what you said, take good care of myself, and also take care of Grandmother. Grandmother and I will wait for your return together.”
Pei You’an pulled her into his arms and embraced her tightly.
Dawn had broken. Jia Fu, Lady Pei, and the others accompanied him to the door.
She stood inside the main gate, watching Pei You’an’s silhouette gradually disappear into the morning light.