The Emperor’s command was as immovable as a mountain.

The next day, the Ministry of Personnel issued an official document: the Emperor recalled Pei You’an to service, appointing him as Special Commissioner of the Southwest to oversee the resettlement of refugees in the Jing-Xiang region, with orders to assume his post without delay.

When the news spread, colleagues who had regular dealings with Pei You’an came to bid him farewell, resulting in a flurry of social obligations. After two busy days, on the eve of his departure, Pei You’an rode out of the city alone, arriving at the foot of Ci’en Temple mountain. Accompanied only by the twilight mist before the mountain, he climbed the stone steps alone and knocked on the temple gate.

It was the time for evening prayers, and the bell’s resonant tones carried on the wind.

Pei You’an went to the Ancestral Hall attached to the eastern side of the temple and entered the courtyard where the memorial tablets of the Pei family ancestors were enshrined. The elderly couple who served as caretakers hurried out to welcome him when they saw him appear unexpectedly. After exchanging a few words, Pei You’an asked about Yu Zhu’s recent situation.

Less than a year had passed since the Dowager’s death, and her memorial tablet had not yet been moved to its permanent place. Instead, a separate spirit tower had been set up to dispel misfortune and evil; after a full year, it would be placed in the Ancestral Hall.

Before her passing, the Dowager had not only arranged for the division of the two branches of the family but had also made arrangements for Yu Zhu, who had served her for nearly ten years. She had returned Yu Zhu’s bond of indenture, left her enough money for the rest of her life, and given her a courtyard house, saying that if she found someone suitable in the future and wished to marry, she could leave the Pei family. After the initial mourning period, numerous matchmakers approached her openly and secretly, but Yu Zhu rejected them all. She had followed the Dowager’s memorial tablet here, and now more than half a year had passed.

When Pei You’an inquired, the old woman quickly said: “For more than half a year, Yu Zhu has been reciting sutras daily to eliminate karmic obstacles for the Dowager. Earlier, the First Madam instructed me to take good care of Miss Yu Zhu, and this old woman has remembered.”

Pei You’an nodded and went to the room where the Dowager’s memorial tablet was enshrined separately, pushing open the door.

Yu Zhu was kneeling on a green leaf cushion beside the tablet, silently reciting sutras. Hearing the door open behind her, she turned, quickly stood up, greeted Pei You’an, and said with surprise: “Young Master, how are you here? Weren’t you accompanying the First Madam back to Quanzhou?”

After half a year without seeing her, just as the old woman had said, she had become noticeably thinner.

Pei You’an bowed to the Dowager’s spirit tablet. After finishing, he rose and said: “I returned to the capital a few days ago. His Majesty has recalled me to service, leaving the First Madam in Quanzhou.”

He looked around the dimly lit room, pondered briefly, then asked: “Yu Zhu, what are your plans for the future?”

Yu Zhu slowly lowered her head and remained silent for a moment.

“After I complete a full year of service to the Dowager here, repaying her kindness to me, I plan to find a nunnery to settle down.”

Pei You’an said: “Yu Zhu, I would like to ask for your help with something.”

Yu Zhu was startled.

“Please tell me, Young Master. I was previously the Dowager’s maid, and though she has passed, I am still a servant of the Pei family. As long as it is within Yu Zhu’s ability, I would not refuse even if it meant walking through fire and water!”

Pei You’an said: “You are no longer a servant of the Pei family now. I would like to ask you to go to Quanzhou to help me look after the First Madam.”

Yu Zhu was stunned again. After hesitating, she said: “Young Master, what do you mean? I don’t quite understand…”

Pei You’an smiled: “His Majesty has employed me this time, and I fear I won’t be able to return for at least a year or more. Those places have treacherous mountains and dangerous waters, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to bring the First Madam along. Now her grandmother’s health is weakening, and although there are trustworthy servants at home, her mother is frail, and her brother is still immature. She has always gotten along well with you, and you are attentive and capable. Would you be willing to go and keep her company?”

Yu Zhu stared at the man standing with his back to the twilight, his figure enveloped by the thick dusk, then slowly knelt before him and kowtowed: “To be able to accompany and serve the First Madam is Yu Zhu’s blessing. Yu Zhu is willing.”

Pei You’an nodded: “Someone will come to escort you in a few days. Pack your things and go.”

Yu Zhu agreed and saw him to the threshold, watching as his figure gradually disappeared into the twilight.

Pei You’an spent the night at the temple. Early the next morning, before the eastern sky had begun to lighten, he left the temple, descended the mountain, and returned to the city.

At the fifth watch, the dawn barely white, with mist drifting over the fields, accompanied by a heavy and ancient creaking sound, the imperial city gates that had been closed all night slowly opened. A heavily armed procession emerged from within—armored guards in front and back, with a small cart covered in blue felt in the middle, swaying as it penetrated the morning mist, heading out of the city.

This was the procession tasked with escorting the deposed Crown Prince back to the ancestral lands at Long Qian to guard the tombs on behalf of his father and reflect on his errors. The commander of the Imperial Guards, a General of the Great Han riding a horse, saw a figure leading a horse approaching from the opposite direction along the roadside. At first, he paid little attention, but as they got closer and he recognized the man as Pei You’an, he quickly ordered the procession to halt, called out “Lord Pei,” and dismounted to greet him.

Pei You’an smiled and nodded to the general, then continued leading his horse along the side of the road toward the city gate. As he passed by the felt-covered cart, the vehicle suddenly shook violently, and from inside came the sound of shackles forcefully striking iron bars, as if someone was struggling fiercely. Then, a voice penetrated the blue felt: “Pei You’an, don’t think you’ve defeated me yet! The omen of destiny, victory or defeat is not yet determined, this is not my end! Even if fate has deceived me, even if I cannot return for the rest of my life, your end will certainly not be good either! In his eyes, there is only the world and this throne. Do you think he will give you a good ending?”

Every word and sentence was filled with bitter enmity. The nearby guards all changed expressions and exchanged glances, but Pei You’an acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing. His eyes fixed ahead, his steps not faltering in the slightest, he continued leading his horse forward, passing by the blue cart.

Seeing that Pei You’an had already passed, the General of the Great Han immediately ordered the entire procession to move forward without any further delay.

The sound of horse hooves hitting the ground and wheels rolling could be heard as the procession, after a brief stop, continued onward.

From inside the cart came a cold laugh that started as a low, hoarse chuckle, then turned into wild laughter. The laughter grew louder and louder until the procession gradually disappeared into the morning mist, and only then did it finally fade away completely.

……

That night, Xiao Lie asked about Pei You’an.

Li Yuan Gui said: “Your Majesty, Lord Pei has left the capital today. This servant personally saw him out of the city. Cui Yin Shui also went with him and will diligently attend to Lord Pei’s needs. Please rest assured, Your Majesty.”

Li Yuan Gui glanced at him and added in a low voice: “Further to report to Your Majesty, for the past two days, Lord Pei was busy with social obligations. Last night, he went to Ci’en Temple alone, first to the Ancestral Hall, presumably to pay respects to his ancestors. Afterward, he went to the Sutra Repository and spent the night there, leaving the temple at dawn before returning to the city.”

Xiao Lie was lost in thought for a moment, then asked: “Li Yuan Gui, let me ask you, if I and my nephew cannot coexist, would You’an stand with me or with his student?”

Li Yuan Gui bowed and said: “How could Your Majesty have such doubts? Does Lord Pei’s loyalty to Your Majesty need to be spoken from this servant’s mouth?”

Xiao Lie was silent for a moment, then asked: “Let me ask you again, after I have acted thus, if he learns of it later, will he become estranged from me?”

Li Yuan Gui hesitated, then said: “Your Majesty worries too much. Your Majesty possesses the virtue of the dragon, soaring to occupy the heavenly position, governing diligently, and loving the people. All under heaven praise you. The rulerx and subject are in harmony, like a fish in water. Lord Pei is a person of clear discernment and reasoning—how could he become estranged from Your Majesty?”

Xiao Lie slowly exhaled and said: “Let us hope it is as you say. But for now, he still cannot know about this matter. The information must be kept confidential.”

Li Yuan Gui agreed, and seeing the rare look of relaxation that finally appeared on the Emperor’s face after many consecutive days, he too breathed a sigh of relief.