Chapter 139: Pei Shaoqing: I Can Never Repay Your Majesty’s Grace
Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Pei Shaoqing: I Can Never Repay Your Majesty’s Grace
The next day, during the chen hour, after the morning court session had concluded, Liu Hai whispered to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, the Baron of Pingyang requests an audience."
"Summon him to the Imperial Study," said Emperor Jingtai.
A short while later, Pei Shaoqing walked into the Imperial Study with his head bowed. The moment he crossed the threshold, his knees bent. Cupping his hands in salute, he shouted, "Your subject, Pei Shaoqing, pays his respects to my Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor!"
By the time the last word left his lips, he had already slid a good distance forward, landing in a stable kneel in the middle of the Imperial Study.
Since his head remained bowed, he couldn’t see Emperor Jingtai’s face at all. His entire line of sight was filled with a few steps.
Emperor Jingtai, however, couldn’t help but smile as he looked down upon the scene. The main reason was the stark contrast with the arrogant and unruly Pei Shaoqing of the past.
"Pei Aiqing, you may rise. Attendants, bring him a seat."
"Thank you, Emperor." Pei Shaoqing rose but kept his head lowered. He perched on the edge of the small stool a eunuch brought over, his back ramrod straight in a display of utmost reverence.
However, in the brief moment he was rising, he had snuck a quick glance at Emperor Jingtai. Beneath the voluminous Dragon Robe, the Emperor’s frame was somewhat gaunt and his face aged, but his eyes were bright and piercing, radiating a commanding, noble air with every glance.
Seeing his timid appearance, Emperor Jingtai couldn’t help but chuckle. "The young Pei Aiqing of today is like a completely different person from the past. It’s truly a bit disconcerting."
"In the past, your subject was naughty and often rude. I was fortunate to receive Your Majesty’s tolerance and forgiveness. Now, having come to a great realization, I finally understand how absurd my past actions were," Pei Shaoqing said, his face a mask of shame.
"There is no greater virtue than to acknowledge one’s mistakes and correct them. That young Pei Aiqing has now become a pillar of the state means my repeated tolerance was not in vain." Emperor Jingtai nodded slowly, then asked in a steady voice, "Pei Qing, for what matter have you come to the palace?"
"To express my gratitude." With a THUD, Pei Shaoqing dropped to his knees again, pressing his hands to the floor and kowtowing. "Your subject has only made the most minor of contributions, yet Your Majesty has ennobled me, gifted me a horse, and repeatedly bestowed upon me great rewards. Your subject is moved to tears of gratitude."
"Furthermore, summarily killing a colleague from the Southern Garrison Jing’an Guard is a grave crime, yet I was only fined three years’ salary. While I am endlessly grateful, I am also deeply apprehensive. From this day forward, I can only dedicate myself to my duties and repay this immense imperial grace with my life."
Emperor Jingtai said slowly, "I have already investigated the matter of you killing the member of the Southern Garrison Jing’an Guard. I trust that young Pei Aiqing is also aware of the reasons. However, I have not punished Noble Consort Wan. Let me ask you, do you hold any resentment?"
"Your subject has no resentment!" Pei Shaoqing answered decisively and without hesitation. He continued emotionally, "It was your subject who beat the Consort’s beloved nephew to death first. It is only natural that she would seek revenge for her nephew. Besides, Your Majesty and Noble Consort Wan are family. Compared to the grace you have shown me, what does the Consort’s little bit of enmity toward me even matter?"
’It’s not that I don’t feel resentment.’
’It’s Your Majesty’s grace that makes me feel no resentment.’
"It’s good that you hold no resentment." Emperor Jingtai nodded slowly and sighed. "One of you is my beloved subject, the other my beloved consort. It’s impossible for me to choose a side. How could I bear to watch you destroy each other? Liu Hai, summon Noble Consort Wan to the Imperial Study. I wish to mediate between my subject and my consort."
"Yes, this servant obeys." Liu Hai acknowledged the order and started walking out. He paused as he passed Pei Shaoqing and said with a smile, "His Majesty’s favor toward the Baron of Pingyang is enough to make even me a little jealous."
"I can never repay Your Majesty’s grace!" Pei Shaoqing’s voice was hoarse. As if too overwhelmed with emotion to remember his etiquette, he abruptly lifted his head to look up at the Emperor, his face already streaked with tears. His voice choked as he said, "Your Majesty, I’m not lying to you. Not even my own father has ever been this good to me. Truly."
Emperor Jingtai believed him. After all, everyone in the capital knew that Pei Shiqing either beat or cursed Pei Shaoqing.
Of course, that was also because Pei Shaoqing was always causing trouble.
"You shouldn’t say that. There is no one in this world who loves their son more than their parents. Marquis Weiyuan’s occasional strictness is for your own good." With a benevolent expression, Emperor Jingtai personally descended the steps and reached out to help Pei Shaoqing up. "Hurry and rise. Don’t keep kneeling."
For him, the supreme sovereign, to go this far for a young man—what young man wouldn’t pledge his undying loyalty in return?
Because he had raised his head, Pei Shaoqing could now see Emperor Jingtai’s face clearly. He keenly noticed that while the Emperor’s words defended Pei Shiqing, his eyes held a hint of amusement.
In that instant, it was a moment of sudden clarity.
Pei Shaoqing suddenly seemed to understand why the Emperor had given him great rewards for minor achievements and repeatedly showered him with favor.
But it was a tangled mess of thoughts he couldn’t immediately sort out.
Still, he was certain of at least one thing: the Emperor was happy to see him at odds with Pei Shiqing.
’In that case, I’d better double down!’
"Your Majesty! I’ve been so wronged! Ever since I was a child, my father has only loved my older brother. He was always quick to beat or curse me. My mother died young, so I’ve never had an elder who loved me." Pei Shaoqing clung to the Emperor’s leg, a blubbering mess of tears and snot. "I never dreamed that the first time I would feel the care of an elder would be from you. Oh, Emperor, Your Majesty! If only you were my father!"
His behavior was highly improper.
The words he spoke were even somewhat laughable.
But the Emperor was inwardly delighted. He waved away the eunuchs who were preparing to drag Pei Shaoqing off and squatted down, consoling him like a true elder. "I know you are not an ungrateful child. I can see that from the repeated merits you’ve achieved since going to Tongzhou."
"Your past misbehavior was just an attempt to get more of Marquis Weiyuan’s attention, you just went about it the wrong way. Rest assured, you have now brought glory to your house and honor to your father. Marquis Weiyuan will surely change his opinion of you. If only you had acted this way sooner, things would never have gotten to this point."
"I don’t need it!" Pei Shaoqing seethed through gritted teeth, his voice thick with resentment. "Since he sees me as the shame of the Pei Family and cast me aside like a worn-out shoe, why would I need his affection now that I can stand on my own? Your subject came today with another request: I implore Your Majesty to grant me a residence. I want to move out of Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion and sever all ties with Marquis Weiyuan from this day forward."
"Insolence!" Emperor Jingtai’s face darkened, and he rebuked him sharply, "Marquis Weiyuan is your birth father! You owe him for giving you life and raising you. No matter his faults, you cannot be so outrageously unfilial! I do not want to hear such words again."
"Yes, yes, your subject knows his crime, your subject knows his crime." Pei Shaoqing trembled with fright and hastily prostrated himself, kowtowing.
Emperor Jingtai’s expression softened. He reached out to help him up again. "I can grant you the residence, but you must never say such unfilial words again. What grudge can truly last between a father and son? It will surely be resolved once you see each other."
"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. Your subject will surely take it to heart." Although Pei Shaoqing respectfully admitted his fault, his eyes were still full of defiance.
Just then, Noble Consort Wan arrived with a graceful gait.
Liu Hai followed closely behind her.
Pei Shaoqing immediately bowed. "Greetings, Consort."
He snuck a quick glance. Noble Consort Wan was dressed in a high-waisted ruqun, predominantly deep purple. Her shoulders and collarbones were as fair as jade, and her ample bosom strained against the fabric.
She bore a strong resemblance to Jiang Yuechan—about seventy percent—and their height and figure were nearly identical. However, she was far more imperious, her arrogance radiating from her very bones.
"Hmph!" Noble Consort Wan made no effort to hide her hostility. She ignored him and curtsied to the Emperor. "Greetings, Your Majesty. May you enjoy eternal peace."
"My dear consort, please rise." The Emperor did not conceal his affection for her, stepping forward to take her hand and lead her to a seat beside him. "My dear, Liu Hai should have told you about the matter. What do you think?"
"I will listen to whatever Your Majesty decides," Noble Consort Wan said with a forced smile. Her family had instructed her to set aside her hatred for Pei Shaoqing for the time being; the struggle for succession was the top priority.
She knew how to prioritize.
’Once her son becomes the Emperor and she the Empress Dowager ruling from behind the screen, will she still have to worry about dealing with Pei Shaoqing?’
"Good, excellent! My dear consort is a broad-minded woman who understands the bigger picture. Having you is the greatest fortune of my life." Emperor Jingtai clapped his hands in delight, then looked at Pei Shaoqing and said with a smile, "Aren’t you going to thank Noble Consort Wan?"
"Your subject thanks the Consort for her magnanimity. I will be sure to remember this kindness," Pei Shaoqing said, kowtowing.
Noble Consort Wan waved her hand dismissively. "There’s no need."
"By the way, young Pei Aiqing, what is in that bundle you brought?" Emperor Jingtai asked curiously, pointing at the package slung over Pei Shaoqing’s shoulder.
Pei Shaoqing immediately took it off his back and presented it with both hands. "Your Majesty, this is a gift I specially brought for you. I believe both you and the Consort will like it."
"Oh?" Emperor Jingtai raised an eyebrow and shook out his sleeves with interest. "Quickly, bring it here for me to see."
Noble Consort Wan was also a little curious, but she didn’t let it show, maintaining her cold gaze.
Liu Hai personally took the bundle and presented it to Emperor Jingtai.
"Let me do it." Emperor Jingtai waved Liu Hai away and personally unwrapped the bundle—a gesture that demonstrated his trust in Pei Shaoqing. After opening it, he looked at the various colors of Ice Silk inside with a hint of confusion.
It was all lingerie made from Ice Silk.
The items were light, thin, and took up little space. The bundle didn’t look large, yet it contained a few dozen pieces all piled together haphazardly, making it hard to tell what they were.
"What is all this?" Noble Consort Wan frowned in disgust. She picked up one of the items—a crotchless, white fishnet bodysuit. She looked at it with confusion at first, then, suddenly understanding, she blushed furiously and threw it back, cursing at Pei Shaoqing, "What a lewd degenerate!"
"HAHAHAHA! My dear consort, don’t be angry. I, for one, am quite satisfied with young Pei Aiqing’s gift!" Emperor Jingtai, having also realized they were clothes, was now flushed with excitement.
Hearing this, Noble Consort Wan became extremely bashful. Feigning the coyness of a young maiden, she squirmed in his arms. "Your Majesty~"
Liu Hai frowned slightly.
He was somewhat displeased with Pei Shaoqing.
The Emperor’s health was already poor. In the past, though the imperial harem was full of concubines, even the most skillful housewife can’t cook a meal without rice. No matter how skilled they were, it was useless if the Emperor couldn’t get an erection.
But now, these clothes had clearly piqued the Emperor’s interest. This meant he would inevitably be spending nights with his concubines, which would certainly be detrimental to his health.
"As long as Your Majesty is pleased, I’ll be sure to send you every new style as soon as it comes out," Pei Shaoqing said with a grin, oblivious to Liu Hai’s displeasure.
’As long as the lingerie becomes popular in the palace...’
’...it will soon become all the rage among the noblewomen of the Capital City. Besides, Xie Qingwu will be visiting her old, close friends these next few days, giving them lingerie as gifts to help open up the market.’
’Once the stuff is widely accepted, I can use my palace connections to have it designated as an official tribute item. Then, shining silver will flow endlessly into my pockets.’
Emperor Jingtai was beaming. "Good! Excellent! Today, I specially grant young Pei Aiqing the honor of joining me for lunch."
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Your subject is deeply honored!"
......
The news of Pei Shaoqing shamelessly clinging to the Emperor, crying and accusing Marquis Weiyuan, and of presenting a gift that made the Emperor roar with laughter and invite him to a meal, spread quickly.
So quickly, in fact, that it was as if the Emperor had ordered the news to be spread himself.
Upon hearing it, the nobles in the capital found it absurd, but they also marveled at the immense favor he was shown. At the same time, they were intensely curious about what kind of gift Pei Shaoqing had given the Emperor.
But Pei Shaoqing was completely oblivious to all this.
Right now, he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.
Because halfway through the meal, the Emperor received an urgent report that an earthquake—an "earth dragon turning over"—had struck Dian State. He immediately summoned his ministers to discuss state affairs, leaving Noble Consort Wan to entertain Pei Shaoqing in his place.