When the evening banquet began, everyone looked at Pei Bao’er with strange eyes. Originally they had all greatly envied Pei Bao’er’s exquisite beauty, their hearts also full of jealousy toward her. However, now looking at her, they all wore expressions of watching a good show. Although Pei Bao’er no longer had to marry Xiahou Yan, everyone knew Pei Bao’er had been caught in adultery at the Crown Prince Manor, and moreover her elder brother had forcefully twisted the facts around—all to cover for her. This joke would likely circulate among Yuexi’s aristocracy for who knows how many years.
Pei Bao’er gripped the silver chopsticks in her hand tightly. Looking at the table full of delicious delicacies, she could not eat a single bite. She almost wanted to immediately stand and leave, yet Pei Hui was watching her with a cold gaze. She understood very clearly the meaning in that gaze—Pei Hui was warning her not to again commit disgraceful acts. She greatly feared this second elder brother. Pei Hui’s schemes ran deep. He was not someone easily seen through. Even their father often obeyed his words without question. Therefore, Second Brother Pei Hui held very high status in the manor. Pei Bao’er had feared his imposing power since childhood, often acting according to his wishes. Moreover, today if not for Pei Hui, she would not merely have lost her reputation so simply—she would have been forced to marry Xiahou Yan. Therefore, now she could only use hateful eyes to look at Li Weiyang in the distance.
Li Weiyang was conversing and laughing with those at her side. Pei Bao’er wished she could walk before Li Weiyang and use her sharp nails to scratch that peaceful face! She would never forget today’s humiliation for her entire life. Having endured and endured, she finally could not bear it. She threw the teacup to the ground. This crisp sound attracted others’ attention. Those formerly envious gazes all transformed into disdain and contempt. Pei Bao’er could no longer endure it—tears rolled down. Just at this moment, she heard a cold voice sound beside her, “What face do you still have to cry!” Pei Bao’er turned her head to see Pei Hui’s indifferent expression—that expression lacking even a trace of emotion. Pei Hui looked at his own younger sister apathetically, his tone extremely calm. Outsiders would only think he was comforting her, never imagining he was speaking such cold words, “Wipe away your tears. Do not further lose face for the Pei family.”
“Second Brother, you just watch as I am bullied thus! Why are you unwilling to seek justice for me!” Pei Bao’er looked at him, tears streaming down as she begged bitterly.
“Wipe away your tears. Do not make me say it a third time!” Pei Hui held his wine cup, only repeating very indifferently once more. “Losing to others—this was originally your own lack of ability. Clamoring for me to seek revenge for you only makes me doubt all these years of instructing you have been wasted. Remember, this is the humiliation Guo Jia brought you. One day you must reclaim it from her!”
Pei Bao’er had not expected he would say this. Her trembling hands accepted the handkerchief a maidservant beside her offered and wiped away her tears. She turned again to look toward Li Weiyang in the distance, forcefully suppressing the hatred in her eyes. Very clearly she was placing all the fault on Li Weiyang. In Pei Bao’er’s view, Prince Xu Yuan Lie refusing to marry her, even setting a trap to harm her—all was for this woman who was inferior to herself in both appearance and talents. This sense of humiliation at being defeated was the source of her fury. For a woman like her, groundless resentment was her habit. Each time she failed at something, she would blame everything on others. Li Weiyang had clearly become the object of her resentment.
The Crown Princess and Crown Prince were entertaining guests, the smiles on their faces extremely normal. Especially on the Crown Prince’s face, one could not see the slightest vexation at his scheme’s failure. Madam Guo sneered coldly at the side. The Crown Prince was not that kind of truly magnanimous person. At this moment in his heart he must hate Prince Xu Yuan Lie to the bone. This knot would not easily untangle. However, so what? The Guo family and Crown Prince would confront each other sooner or later anyway—it was merely a matter of time. What was there to fear?
When the entire evening banquet ended, Li Weiyang accompanied Madam Guo walking outward. Who knew just at this time, a beauty very abruptly rushed before her, appearing flustered with rage. Li Weiyang’s bright eyes looked toward the other party, her gaze carrying three parts indifference, “I was just wondering who blocked my path. So it is Miss Pei. Is there something?”
Not one person at the Crown Prince Manor did not know of Pei Bao’er. Moreover, after that incident just occurred, Pei Bao’er had already become a celebrity in Yuexi. The servants waiting at the side, seeing Pei Bao’er charge in furiously, dared not obstruct her and all knelt to the side. Pei Bao’er suppressed her anger, saying sternly, “Guo Jia, I will certainly remember today’s matter! The humiliation I suffered, I will return to you a thousand-fold, a hundred-fold!”
Li Weiyang looked at the other party indifferently, the corners of her lips inevitably raising a faint smile, “Oh, what does Miss Pei need to remember? Remember being caught in adultery? Or remember Prince Xu Your Highness would rather push you to a eunuch than marry you?”
Hearing this sentence, the string in Pei Bao’er’s mind seemed to snap. Originally Pei Hui’s warning words were all cast to the back of her mind in this instant. She raised her hand about to strike, yet before Madam Guo could cry out in alarm, Pei Bao’er’s entire person had already toppled onto the cobblestone path. On her snow-white face appeared an additional fierce red mark! Pei Bao’er’s entire body trembled, enraged to the point of heart attack. She said with trembling lips, “Guo Jia, you actually allow your vile servant to injure people!”
Zhao Yue sneered coldly. Just now seeing Pei Bao’er about to strike, she had directly stepped forward and returned a slap. Li Weiyang’s face showed not the slightest guilt. Pei Bao’er wanted to strike and injure someone—should she just stand in place waiting for the other party? Li Weiyang was not the type to be so easily bullied! She laughed carelessly, her gaze sweeping over Pei Bao’er, “Is that so? How is it I saw Miss Pei herself carelessly fall?”
“You go too far!” Pei Bao’er raged. The maidservant at her side quickly went to support her. She managed with difficulty to stand, her pair of eyes already completely filled with blood-red hatred.
Madam Guo, who had remained silent at the side, laughed lightly, “Does Miss Pei still think herself Yuexi’s foremost beauty? I fear once today’s matter spreads, you will become Yuexi’s greatest laughingstock. If I were you, I would immediately return now, from this day forward shutting myself in my room without coming out, also sparing the Pei family’s face!”
Pei Bao’er, enraged to the point of heart attack, was so angry her entire body trembled without a single place at rest, as if even her internal organs would jump out from being provoked by Madam Guo’s mocking words.
Li Weiyang only smiled faintly, as if not caring in the slightest. Just at this moment, a hand reached out from the side to block Pei Bao’er. Li Weiyang glanced indifferently—this handsome gentleman beneath the moon was precisely Pei Bao’er’s second brother Pei Hui.
A trace of cold laughter appeared on Pei Hui’s face, “Miss Guo, spare others when you can. Your sharp tongue will sooner or later bring great disaster upon you!”
Madam Guo smiled slightly, her tone extremely indifferent, “Speaking of great disaster, no one can compare to Miss Pei. My daughter has family and elder brothers to care for her. There is no need to trouble you. You should return and properly discipline your younger sister instead—do not let her come out again to make people laugh!”
Li Weiyang, however, made no sound, only looking at Pei Hui with an expression seeming smiling yet not. Pei Hui lightly drew a breath, yet did not acknowledge Madam Guo. Instead his gaze turned toward Li Weiyang—that look flashing with complete ice-coldness. The surrounding air suddenly froze. Even Pei Bao’er at this moment dared not make a sound. She did not know why, but she felt between Li Weiyang and Pei Hui flowed a kind of strange atmosphere. Even though they spoke not a single word to each other, it was as if countless moves had already passed. Pei Hui stared at Li Weiyang, only feeling those pupils were like an icy spring, reflecting his shadow yet bottomless, unable to see through the other party’s thoughts. That death-like stillness was something he had never seen in another person. In the past, skilled at observing human hearts, he could always see from a person’s eyes emotions of pride, joy, anger, and sorrow. However, in Li Weiyang’s eyes, nothing whatsoever could be discerned. This made him feel uneasy, even giving rise to a kind of fear from the bottom of his heart.
Not only was Pei Hui weighing Li Weiyang—Li Weiyang was also watching her opponent. Beneath Pei Hui’s flying eyebrow, a pair of eyes held no trace of smile. His gaze was like a sharp blade cutting against her skin, actually producing a faintly aching sensation. Ultimately, it was Pei Hui who first averted his gaze. He glanced at Pei Bao’er, “Enough, stop making a scene. Let us return to the manor.”
Li Weiyang raised her head to look again—Pei Hui had already departed leading Pei Bao’er away. His steps were very large. The blue robe on his body rustled and swayed with the wind, inexplicably adding a trace of cold. Li Weiyang watched the other party’s departing figure, yet laughed coldly. Although Pei Hui had not spoken just now, she had heard him clenching his bones tightly, even emitting “crack, crack” sounds. It appeared even Pei Hui hated her to the extreme. This feud had been formed greatly. However, she was the most innocent person in this matter. From beginning to end, Pei Bao’er being schemed against had nothing whatsoever to do with her. Yet the other party insisted on placing this account on her head—truly laughable to the extreme.
Madam Guo similarly could not understand. She sighed, “This family is truly unreasonably domineering. We knew absolutely nothing of this matter, yet out of nothing gained this trouble.”
Li Weiyang smiled slightly, “In this world there is originally no reason to speak of—only the law of the jungle. Mother, night has deepened. We should return.”
Madam Guo nodded, “Your elder brother is still exchanging pleasantries with others. Let us board the carriage first.”
Moonlight like water—Pei Fan submitted his token requesting an audience with the Empress. He had just stepped into the great hall when he could not wait to lift the curtain and say loudly, “If Empress Your Ladyship does not seek justice for us, what should Bao’er do? Such a matter having occurred—the Pei family has utterly lost face! Your Ladyship, how will you have me face the Pei family’s ancestors?”
In the afternoon, Pei Fan had brought his own sons returning from outside the capital. Pei Hui had returned first to prepare, yet heard Pei Zhen transmit word of the incident. Pei Hui immediately rushed over without stopping. Shortly after, he transmitted a letter from the Crown Prince Manor. At that time Pei Fan still dared not believe it. However, when Pei Hui brought the tear-stained Pei Bao’er back, only then did Pei Fan know what disaster Pei Bao’er had caused. In his heart he naturally should blame the Crown Prince, yet more should he blame Prince Xu Yuan Lie and the Guo family’s young lady, because Pei Bao’er repeatedly said it was Guo Jia who caused this situation. Pei Fan most dearly loved this daughter, because she was not only the Pei family’s pearl but moreover possessed peerless beauty. He had requested the best teachers to instruct her in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, sparing no expense paving her path. Many years of effort had unexpectedly all been squandered here. At this time Pei Fan was full of fury, his voice already nearly a roar.
Empress Pei sat on the high imperial seat, not looking toward him either. The expression on her face was extremely indifferent, yet the bottom of her eyes swept with a trace of mockery, “At this time, why has Second Brother suddenly returned to the capital?” What she asked was a completely unrelated matter, as if not caring in the slightest about what occurred at the Crown Prince Manor.
Pei Fan said vexedly, “Let us not speak of this first. We must first avenge Bao’er.”
Empress Pei laughed coldly, “Revenge? How to take revenge? I already said long ago—tell Bao’er not to provoke the Guo family. Yet has she ever listened to what I said?”
“Why does Empress Your Ladyship fear the Guo family so? All these years, we have already possessed the strength to catch them all in one net. Why do we delay taking action, still allowing ourselves to be bullied by the Guo family? That Guo Su—what kind of thing is he? Why must we endure thus!” Pei Fan could not help but say angrily.
Empress Pei laughed coldly. On her exquisitely beautiful countenance she seemed to suppress a trace of anger. Innate dignity and power instantly pressed forward, carrying the sharpness of an unsheathed sword, “Second Brother, you are still so rash, not at all steady in your conduct! When in my life have I feared anyone? Now what is truly worth worrying about is not the Guo family, but the person sitting on the Emperor’s throne!”
Pei Fan was stunned, momentarily unable to speak. He could not help but raise his eyes to look at Empress Pei. Her expression was cold, as if that sentence just now was not spoken by her, “Your Ladyship, I do not understand your meaning.” Pei Fan could not help but say this.
The two of them in the quiet great hall all around—only the sound of light breathing could be heard.
The resolute look on Empress Pei’s face slowly faded, replaced by a trace of fatigue. Clearly, she felt a sense of weariness toward this elder brother who did not understand her intentions. “I do not move against the Guo family—not because I fear them, but because the Emperor wishes to protect them. Our enemies are not limited to the Guo family alone. There is also the Chen family. And there are those forces outside, watching like tigers, observing us as we struggle against one another—forces that are utterly irreconcilable with the Pei family. Second Brother, do you understand all of this?”
Pei Fan actually did not understand. He only felt the Pei family had the strength to catch the Guo family all in one net—why delay taking action? In this chess game, he could only see three moves, yet could not see the world beyond three moves. Striking the Guo family was not difficult. However, the Emperor had always been intentionally or unintentionally supporting them. He was maintaining a kind of balance!
After a moment of silence, Empress Pei slowly spoke, “Second Brother, many things are easy to speak of yet difficult to accomplish. Not only the Pei family, the Guo family, the Chen family—there are also Yuexi’s various great families, forces in the military, secretly colluding groups. Yuexi has too many powers that can threaten his authority. Yet all these years, why does he still sit so securely? Precisely because we families all mutually constrain each other. The Guo family and Chen family joining hands constrain the Pei family. This is a triangle—extremely balanced. In the Emperor’s eyes it also puts him at ease. However, if you move first against the Guo family or Chen family, once this balance tilts in one corner, I fear the first one the Emperor will eliminate will be the Pei family. The so-called pulling one hair moves the entire body—all in the Emperor’s momentary thought. You should still settle down. Think of the Pei family’s entire clan having over a thousand people—then you will have nothing you cannot endure.”
Pei Fan looked at Empress Pei in disbelief. These words his younger sister had never spoken—no, he had never thought of them. This younger sister of his entered the palace at a young age, her temperament extremely cold and ruthless. She was not very close to them two elder brothers. Perhaps apart from Father, no one could understand what Little Sister was truly thinking. Father had always valued Empress Pei, treating her like a pearl or treasure. He had even said to him that henceforth the Pei family would depend on this daughter for support. As long as they followed her closely, obeying her commands in their conduct. Previously his cousin had been displeased with Empress Pei’s high-handed manner at home, could not help but speak a few mocking words to her. Who knew Father heard and actually disregarded Uncle’s face, forcefully breaking that cousin’s leg and expelling him from the Pei clan. This matter left an extremely profound impression on everyone in the Pei family. So much so that from childhood to adulthood, whatever Empress Pei liked, Pei Fan dared not touch even once. Even his speech had to observe her expressions, speculating whether her mood today was good or bad, deeply fearing provoking her anger. However, just now he was too agitated and actually forgot this matter… At this time, seeing her exquisitely beautiful countenance reveal a mocking expression, Pei Fan’s heart was startled.
Thinking of Pei Bao’er’s humiliation, he mustered courage to ask loudly, “Must our Pei family endure this grievance just to avoid arousing the Emperor’s suspicions?”
Empress Pei smiled faintly. This elder brother was truly excessively stupid. Speaking with him was simply wasting words. Her tone was apathetic, “On this point the Pei family is no cleverer than the Guo family. Seeing the Qi State Duke always forbearing, one knows the Guo family chose concealment in the court. Yet in the rear palace, Imperial Consort Guo Hui opposes me at every turn. This is advancement in the inner court! This is the Guo family’s choice—openly retreating while secretly advancing! How has Imperial Consort Guo Hui sailed smoothly in the palace all these years? Not because her fate is good, nor because I am cowardly, but because the Guo family people are truly, truly intelligent people who know when to play dumb, when to yield, when to make no achievements! That Chen family head is also an old fox. Why does he everywhere follow the Guo family’s lead? On the surface it appears forming factions—one glory all glory, one loss all loss. No, it should be said there will absolutely be no loss. The Guo family and Chen family are both premier great families. The Emperor will not easily move against them. On the contrary, he will give the Pei family a warning. Do you understand? If you rashly move against the Guo family’s people, the Emperor will not stand by and watch. This is the reason I have tolerated them all these years. If you cannot even see this clearly, you should take the family back to the countryside to farm early! Lest you bring calamity of extermination upon the Pei clan.”
Pei Fan raised his head to look at Empress Pei. His back was completely soaked with cold sweat. He did not know why, but he always felt beneath Empress Pei’s calm face she suppressed tremendous anger. Today his behavior had inadvertently thoroughly enraged this Empress Your Ladyship. He wiped the cold sweat on his forehead, “Then what should be done about Bao’er?”
Empress Pei looked at him coldly, “What should be done, do it. Must I tell you?”
Pei Fan was startled and quickly interrupted, “I will send her away to avoid the storm.”
Empress Pei sneered coldly. Her true intention was to execute Pei Bao’er. Her elder brother clearly was unwilling to do this. However, to the Pei family, Pei Bao’er was already a useless waste. Keeping such a person in the clan was only a tremendous joke. Empress Pei indifferently waved her hand, “You may leave. I do not wish to hear the three words ‘Pei Bao’er’ again.”
Pei Fan’s heart jumped. He dared say nothing more. The fury and questioning expression from when he arrived had vanished without trace. The invisible pressure Empress Pei brought him made him unable to breathe. He tiptoed out, not even daring to breathe heavily.
Empress Pei glanced at her second brother’s vanishing figure, saying apathetically, “Have you all heard? Come out.”
Behind the curtain, the Crown Prince’s figure appeared. He slowly lowered his head, kneeling to the ground, kowtowing heavily, “Mother Empress, this time I was too rash.”
Empress Pei smiled faintly, suddenly standing and walking toward the corridor not far away. The Crown Prince was puzzled, yet heard her say softly, “Come here.” The Crown Prince then walked over. Empress Pei stood on the high steps, unmoving, not speaking either. She suddenly pointed toward the distance, her eyes carrying a trace of unusual brilliance, “What do you see?”
The Crown Prince turned his gaze to where Empress Pei indicated—a patch of sky. Apart from a round moon, he saw nothing. Empress Pei lightly curved the corners of her lips, sneering coldly, “You fixate only on the imperial throne, yet do not cast your eyes to see this realm. Even if you ascend the throne with nothing in your head, this position you also cannot sit securely!” Having finished, she turned toward him, “You are the Crown Prince, the next Emperor. However, countless people are watching you. They observe your every move, prying into your flaws and mistakes. Yet you cannot clearly see this point, only entangling yourself in personal grudges. What difference is there between you and those women in the rear palace? The same short-sightedness, extreme stupidity!”
Cold sweat rolled down the Crown Prince. He could not help but kneel to the ground, “I was wrong, Mother Empress. I know I was wrong.”
Empress Pei looked at the top of his head, shaking her head, “Your eyes should not be placed on the Guo family, nor should you only stare at that imperial chair, nor should you seek what personal revenge. What you should learn is how to govern the realm, not do those stupid things like Lin’an. I told you to wait for the opportunity to divide and transform—not for you to act yourself. The alliance between Prince Jing and Prince Xu originally contained contradictions. Without you sowing discord, there will also be a day it crumbles into earth and tiles. What you should do is wait until that fissure splits to a certain degree—then it will be the opportunity to defeat the Guo family in one stroke. Today your actions alerted the enemy. Not only did you fail to divide them, you instead made them unite even more tightly together.”
The Crown Prince dared not make a sound. He already knew his error. Needlessly sacrificing Pei Bao’er and Xiahou Yan aside, the Empress not severely scolding him was already the best outcome. That she would also speak such words to him—he had not expected. Empress Pei said with an indifferent tone, “How do you plan to handle Tian Tongxiu’s matter?”
The Crown Prince was stunned. He had not expected Empress Pei to raise this matter. Tian Tongxiu’s matter implicated many matters in the Ministry of Revenue. The Emperor had begun investigations. The first to be arrested were all Ministry of Revenue officials—these people were all ones the Crown Prince had painstakingly planted. Therefore, he could command wind and rain at will in the Ministry of Revenue. This investigation of the Ministry of Revenue alone involved fully seventeen people. To the Crown Prince this was a tremendous blow. Only now did he know the formidability of the Guo family people—without making a sound they grasped his pain. He said through gritted teeth, “I will find ways to preserve those people. Mother Empress need not worry.”
Empress Pei sneered coldly, “This time the one responsible for investigating this matter is not the Minister of Justice, but the Vice Minister of Justice Ding Ding. This person was formerly merely a minor figure. No one paid him attention. However, his personality is extremely upright. Each time he investigates a household he brings his own coffin, ready at any time to lose his head—completely assuming an all-out appearance. Meeting someone with such a hard spine, you cannot do anything to him. Therefore, all you can do is nothing.”
Do nothing? No! This absolutely could not be! The Crown Prince raised his eyebrows, saying loudly, “No, those people are chess pieces I painstakingly placed. Precisely because of them I could freely transfer those funds from the Ministry of Revenue. Whether bribing ministers or placing spies, I need that money. If Mother Empress worries mistakes will appear, then I will act quietly, requesting a neutral person to somehow petition Father Emperor on their behalf.”
Empress Pei’s gaze toward him grew increasingly cold, “Now with storm clouds gathering, which official has clean hands and feet? Who dares step forward to clash head-on? They will certainly end up bloody and broken! Even if someone comes to help you then, it will have no effect whatsoever. Can you still not see—your Father Emperor is killing chickens to frighten monkeys precisely to show you?”
The Crown Prince could not help but grow anxious, looking at Empress Pei, “Must we just watch my people being purged?”
Empress Pei’s gaze looked distantly toward the moon not far away, “Your Father Emperor dealing with the Ministry of Revenue is merely the first step. The next step will be purging the entire court. The forces you have arranged these years will likely not remain much. His personality you do not understand—once he decides to do something, no one can stop him. If you act contrary to him, even toward you he will show no mercy. Therefore, right now not only can you not protect them, you cannot receive anyone. Only thus can you preserve those you wish to preserve! True, right now they may face imprisonment. However, as long as you make no move, this matter still will not endanger you.”
The Crown Prince could not help but say, “However, in those people’s hands, there are some…” His words did not continue. Empress Pei, however, understood clearly, “Rest assured. What should be said and what should not—they understand in their hearts. They will not expose you. You must know embezzlement is merely a capital crime with property confiscation, not yet reaching clan extermination. However, if it relates to colluding with the Crown Prince, forming factions for personal gain, that becomes plotting rebellion. They are not so stupid.”
Hearing this, relief appeared on the Crown Prince’s face. Empress Pei smiled, “Your Father Emperor is merely rectifying official discipline while warning you. If he wanted to kill people, how many in this court are clean? The law does not punish the masses—he cannot kill all these hundreds and thousands of corrupt officials. If these people all died, this court could not function either! At such a time, if you this Crown Prince charge out, you will only become the target of public criticism, become the first person the Emperor will move to eliminate. Those forces you wish to protect—you will be unable to preserve even one. However, if you remain unmoved, the Emperor conversely will not act so absolutely. The way of emperors—Crown Prince, you still have much to learn.” Empress Pei said no more, stating indifferently, “You may return.”
The Crown Prince looked at his own Mother Empress, not daring to say more. He lightly withdrew. He thought perhaps his entire life he could never understand the other party. What exactly was Empress Pei thinking?
Just at this moment, Empress Pei suddenly called to him, “The hunt is about to begin, is it not?”
The Crown Prince was stunned, then stopped his steps, “Yes, Father Emperor has already ordered everyone to prepare for departure.” Empress Pei turned her face. Her exquisitely beautiful countenance emitted a faint glow beneath the moonlight—pure white and dazzling, moving one’s heart. Yet the words she spoke were extremely cold, “Convey a message to the Grand Prince for me.”
The Crown Prince looked at Empress Pei, yet heard her say with an indifferent tone, “I do not wish to see Guo Jia return to the capital again.”
The Crown Prince was shocked with alarm, immediately saying, “Yes.”
At this time, Li Weiyang had already returned to the Guo household. Madam Guo walked ahead. Guo Cheng called out to Li Weiyang, “Jia’er, I have something to say to you.”
Li Weiyang stopped her steps, turning to glance at him. That pair of eyes beneath the moon faintly flickered with light. She smiled, “Third Brother, if you have something to say, please speak.”
Guo Cheng looked at Li Weiyang, some hesitation in his heart. Actually, some words he had long wanted to say. However, he always felt this matter might not be as serious as he thought. Therefore, he had always pretended not to know. However, now he felt it necessary to remind her, “Jia’er, have you noticed Yuan Ying seems to like you very much?”
Li Weiyang was stunned. She had not expected Guo Cheng would actively raise this matter with her. She shook her head somewhat amusedly, “Prince Jing Your Highness perhaps feels I am a suitable candidate for Princess Jing. As for liking… that cannot yet be said. If Third Brother worries about this matter, it is perhaps too much needless anxiety.” Yuan Ying was an intelligent person. He would not destroy his alliance with Prince Xu Yuan Lie at this time.
Guo Cheng shook his head, “You think I am overthinking. However, I always feel very uneasy. Yuan Ying’s personality is not as warm and amiable as you see.” Prince Jing was a smiling tiger—everyone knew this. However, some matters she did not understand very well. Li Weiyang looked at Guo Cheng, could not help but raise her eyebrows in surprise, “Is there something I do not know?”
Guo Cheng sighed, laughing lowly, “Yuan Ying is a forbearing person. He is different from us. He has always known what he wants and has always been very patient. That day he wanted to give you an ancient qin. As a result, seeing you and Yuan Lie together, he lost composure on the spot and broke the qin strings. I thought seeing you two so close, he should give up. However, when I escorted him out, I saw in his eyes ambition, desire, and a kind of determined expression. Such an expression I had never seen in his eyes before. No, perhaps once.” Guo Cheng lowered his head as if recalling. Then he told Li Weiyang, “In my memory, Father once gave me a treasured sword. That sword was extremely rare—forged by a famous swordsmith who spent eight years of effort, even melting his own fresh blood and hundred-year-old cold iron to create it. It could cut hair blown against it, slice through iron like mud. Meeting a powerful enemy it could even emit a resonating sound. Prince Jing saw it and liked it very much. However, seeing I treasured it, he did not ask me for it. I also did not pay attention to what expression he showed when seeing this sword. Later one day…” Speaking to here, Guo Cheng paused. He seemed to be seriously recalling the situation at that time.
Li Weiyang looked at him, her expression calm, only waiting for him to continue. Guo Cheng’s eyebrows moved slightly. The fluctuation in his gaze was not very great, yet seemed to conceal something, “Two years passed. Yuan Ying and I were practicing swordplay. Originally he could have won against me. However, somehow my sword cut across his body. That time he was injured very severely. His left arm bled profusely, almost revealing white bone. Father scolded me severely, even forbidding me from using that excessively sharp treasured sword! Thus I had no choice but to place it on a high shelf, unable to touch it even once. Originally I did not take this matter to heart, yet every time I recalled it, I felt strange.”
Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows, “Oh? Where is the strangeness?”
Guo Cheng smiled, a trace of contemplation appearing in his eyes, “Although Yuan Ying also exerted effort explaining for me afterward, even kneeling in punishment with me, the more he explained the angrier Father became. Later he even displaced his anger onto that treasured sword. I was the one wielding the sword—if blame must be assigned, it should be to me. How could the sword be blamed? Only later did I realize Father had perhaps seen through something. He simply did not want me using that sword again.”
Li Weiyang’s heart paused, her gaze gaining a measure of contemplation, “Later where did that sword go?”
Guo Cheng smiled, “This was a sword that injured brotherly affection. Naturally I would not touch it again. Five years later, during a game of chess with Prince Jing, the wager he proposed was that sword. At that time I had almost completely cast that dust-sealed treasured sword to the back of my mind. From that time I knew he had coveted this sword for five full years. During these five years he had countless opportunities to raise it with me. However, he did not. He just wanted to seize it from my hands openly and justly. If I gave it to him, he would not be so interested.”
Li Weiyang could not help but add several degrees of surprise. This Prince Jing Your Highness was truly interesting. If you want to give it to him, he refuses. He insists on seizing it from your hands. In reality, she had seen in Prince Jing Yuan Ying the imperial aura emanating from this man’s very bones. This was something not everyone possessed. Years ago she had seen it in Tuoba Zhen. However, she thought Tuoba Zhen and Yuan Ying were different. Tuoba Zhen from childhood lacked maternal clan support, also lacked familial love and protection. He struggled out from a pack of wild beasts by himself alone. Although she did not like this person, she also had to admire this person’s tenacity and methods.
Then what of Yuan Ying? Beneath his cheerful exterior and gentle manner of handling matters, did his very bones also conceal madness and obstinacy? She did not know. Judging solely from this sword matter, this was merely a battle of wills between two youths. Yet Yuan Ying spent five years’ time, always unable to forget that sword—this was somewhat strange. She looked at the other party, smiling faintly, “Third Brother perhaps overthinks. Matters are not as serious as you say. I will not become that sword. Yuan Lie is also not Third Brother.”
Guo Cheng only smiled faintly, yet the smile held more worry, “Yes, Yuan Lie after all differs from me. I would willingly present the sword, and Yuan Ying and I also have many years of friendship. However, toward me he still calculated and schemed thus. Will Yuan Lie willingly yield you? Does he also have many years of friendship with him? Then toward Yuan Lie, what will he do? Some words I cannot conveniently say to Yuan Lie. However, I must remind you—please tell Yuan Lie to be careful of Prince Jing.”
When the words “be careful of Prince Jing” emerged from Guo Cheng’s mouth, Li Weiyang could not help but be greatly surprised. Her eyes darkened, the laughter in her eyes replaced by cold air, “You are saying Yuan Ying will move against Yuan Lie?”
Guo Cheng shook his head, “I do not know. Originally these words I should not say. Yuan Ying is the person I should help, is he not? If you married him it would also be a matter of universal rejoicing. However…” Having said these two words, he gazed into Li Weiyang’s eyes, “However, I already consider you my younger sister. If I watched you sad and sorrowful with open eyes, I would choose to stand on your side.”
Li Weiyang’s gaze paused, looking at the other party’s face. For a moment she said nothing. She had not expected between Yuan Ying and herself, Guo Cheng would choose to stand on her side. Guo Cheng seemed to see what she was thinking, only smiling slightly, “You are a member of this Guo family. This point will never change at any time. No matter how good my feelings with Yuan Ying, I cannot watch him harm my younger sister. Of course—it would make Mother sad.” Speaking to here, even he felt somewhat awkward.
Li Weiyang already understood his intention, “Regardless, thank you Third Brother for the reminder.”
After Guo Cheng left, Li Weiyang only then looked toward the grove at the side, “Stop hiding. Come out!”
The grove flashed—one could see Yuan Lie’s shining eyes. He brushed away the fallen leaves on his shoulders one by one. His cool, thin lips lightly curved up in a pleased arc, “What? You already knew I was here?”
Li Weiyang only smiled, “Third Brother knew long ago you were there. That speech just now he spoke precisely for you to hear—telling you to be careful of Prince Jing Yuan Ying.”
Yuan Lie’s voice was low, husky, and enchanting, yet directly carried a trace of cold intent, “What your third brother said is somewhat alarmist. Would I fear him?”
Li Weiyang sighed, “It is not saying you fear Yuan Ying. It is telling you to guard more carefully. In my view, Yuan Ying possesses the talent of an emperor. Having concealed himself so many years, also having many trusted aides in the court, he is absolutely no ignorant type. You destroyed his marriage alliance with the Guo family. Naturally you must pay some price.”
Yuan Lie laughed heartily, “Is that so? Then I will wait for him to come.”
Li Weiyang glared at him, “If bullied by him, do not come crying to me afterward. I will not stand up for you.” Yet she inadvertently glimpsed cold light intensify in Yuan Lie’s eyes. When she looked over, he already laughed as if nothing had occurred, snorting once, shamelessly grasping Li Weiyang’s sleeve, “You will not stand up for me—will you protect Prince Jing instead? In talent, appearance, and martial prowess, he cannot match me in a single aspect. If you do not choose me, will you choose him?”
Li Weiyang could not help but laugh. The realm’s foremost shameless person was likely Prince Xu Yuan Lie. He could use the most innocent face to speak the most shameless words. Li Weiyang smiled, then restrained her smile, “Have you noticed Pei Hui’s expression today?”
Yuan Lie sneered coldly, “Pei Hui is the most composed person among the Pei family’s sons. That you could force him into losing his composure is also your capability.” Yuan Lie’s eyes and ears had long since informed him of everything that occurred in the garden.
Li Weiyang nodded, “Today your actions have thoroughly enraged the Pei family. I see even if Empress Pei can endure this grievance, they cannot. How will you resolve this trouble?”
Yuan Lie narrowed his eyes, smiling somewhat strangely, “Their ghostly tricks I do not take seriously. Oh yes, in three more days will be the annual hunt. Will you go together?”
Li Weiyang looked at the moon color at the sky’s edge, yet smiled faintly, “Father can bring family members along. Moreover, I always feel at this hunting assembly many interesting things will certainly occur.”
Yuan Lie’s eyes held sparkling points of brilliance, “I guess they must be thinking—this time the Guo family’s young lady will be buried on the grasslands… However, I truly want to see exactly what tricks the Crown Prince and Pei family people can produce.” Yuan Lie had always delighted in hearing and seeing matters of digging one’s own grave.
“You think Empress Pei and they are all the same idiots?” Li Weiyang shook her head, looking toward the stars at the sky’s edge. A trace of cold light flashed through her gaze. “I fear this time there truly will be a journey of no return…”
“Do not worry needlessly. We should strike first to gain advantage, taking the opportunity to eliminate the Pei family!” Yuan Lie already said this. Li Weiyang was startled, turning her head. Who knew his entire person suddenly leaned over, clearly harboring ill intentions. Li Weiyang glared at him coldly, flinging away her sleeve. Unexpectedly his movements were even faster than hers. With one motion he pulled her into his embrace. “Mwah”—he kissed her on the lips. Before she could rage, Yuan Lie had already rapidly retreated a step, disappearing so completely not even his shadow remained.
Every time using this method to take advantage, yet tireless in his enjoyment… Li Weiyang instinctively touched her slightly reddened lips, sighing helplessly. The night color at the sky’s edge grew even deeper. Li Weiyang glanced once, yet sank deeply into her own thoughts. Yuexi’s annual hunt was about to begin. She truly looked forward to it greatly.