Chapter 150: What is the Dharma Mirror? The Magnanimity of the First Wife, Bearing Humiliation and a Heavy Burden
Chapter 150: Chapter 150: What is the Dharma Mirror? The Magnanimity of the First Wife, Bearing Humiliation and a Heavy Burden
Upon returning to his estate, Pei Shaoqing asked Xie Qingwu what the Northern Garrison Command’s Dharma Mirror was.
"It’s an ultimate treasure that can replay past events that occurred in a specific location or to a particular object. It was likely a treasure refined by some ancient Cultivator."
Xie Qingwu replied in a soft voice.
"Ordinary people can use it? It doesn’t need Spiritual Qi to power it?" Pei Shaoqing asked in amazement.
His understanding of Ancient Magical Treasures was based on his Mo Tan Sword. While it was a Divine Weapon in its own right, without Spiritual Qi, it could only be wielded like an ordinary blade, its true power remaining untapped.
Xie Qingwu explained, "Most of the Magical Treasures unearthed to date require Spiritual Qi to activate, but a very small portion can be used directly by ordinary people."
"Take the Northern Garrison Command’s Dharma Mirror, for example. After numerous experiments, the Astronomical Bureau confirmed that it only consumes the user’s Spiritual Power. That’s why each viewing can’t last too long, or the user will become a simpleton."
The Great Zhou Astronomical Bureau was not only responsible for observing celestial phenomena and divining fortunes, but also for science and invention. For instance, the Jing’an Guard’s Breaking Gang Crossbow was one of their proudest creations.
"I see." A wave of understanding washed over Pei Shaoqing, and he breathed a sigh of relief. ’It’s a good thing Gao Xi didn’t manage to borrow the Dharma Mirror, or Liu Yuheng would have surely been exposed.’
Of course, he was even more relieved that an ordinary person’s Spiritual Power was insufficient to use the Dharma Mirror for an extended period. Otherwise, if they ever used it on him, they would immediately know he was an imposter.
’Having such a powerful tool in someone else’s hands is too dangerous,’ Pei Shaoqing thought. He secretly resolved to become the Governor of the Northern Garrison Command and take control of it himself. Only then could he ensure his own safety.
"Qiu Ye, go and ask Lan’Er to come here."
Pei Shaoqing said suddenly.
"Yes, my lord."
Zhao Zilan arrived quickly. She first curtsied to Xie Qingwu before turning to Pei Shaoqing and asking demurely, "What can I do for you, Young Master?"
"Go find Shen Zhen," Pei Shaoqing said gently. "Have him find a way to spread the rumor that Prince Qi’s Mansion was the one that wrote and circulated those storybooks by Tang Zhi and Zhou Rui."
Zhao Zilan nodded obediently. "Yes."
"I’ll be spending the night in your chambers," Pei Shaoqing said to Zhao Zilan, glancing at Xie Qingwu.
A flash of joy crossed Zhao Zilan’s face, but she didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she looked toward Xie Qingwu with a shy and hesitant expression.
"Why look at me? It is, of course, my lord’s decision who he wishes to favor." Xie Qingwu always maintained Pei Shaoqing’s status as head of the household in front of others. She spoke with magnanimity, "You need only prepare a hot bath and wait for him."
"Yes, Madam." Zhao Zilan pressed her moist, crimson lips together as she replied. She then took her leave of Pei Shaoqing. "Young Master, shall I go attend to my task, then?"
"Go on," Pei Shaoqing said with a smile and a nod.
As he watched Zhao Zilan depart, he turned and pulled Xie Qingwu into his embrace. "My dear, you truly have the magnanimity of a matriarch."
"I’ve never been the jealous type," Xie Qingwu said, rolling her eyes at him as she subconsciously stroked her belly.
’Even if this child doesn’t turn out to be a boy.’
’It’s already proven that I’m fertile.’
’Sooner or later, I will produce a legitimate heir.’
’So, under these circumstances, she was actually glad to have Pei Shaoqing father a few more sons with other women. As long as they were raised well, they would become natural supporters for her own son in the future.’
’It would also spare her the repeated pain of pregnancy and childbirth, all for the sake of continuing the Pei Family line.’
’Besides, she was well aware that the more tolerant and poised she appeared—all while maintaining her figure and beauty in between her Alchemy sessions—the more Pei Shaoqing would adore her.’
Xie Qingwu had a very clear head. She knew what her core strengths were and, more importantly, how to ensure she remained irreplaceable. She would never get needlessly jealous.
Even the occasional bout of pique, a fleeting display of jealousy, was a calculated move to show Pei Shaoqing how much she loved him, which actually helped to strengthen their bond.
"Tomorrow night is the Mid-Autumn Imperial Banquet. My dear, could you go over the various rules of etiquette with me again? I’m worried I’ll make a fool of myself in front of His Majesty. After all, your husband’s current persona is that of a reformed prodigal," Pei Shaoqing said, sitting down with her in his arms.
Xie Qingwu covered her mouth with a light laugh. Sitting in his lap, her dangling feet swung back and forth playfully. "My dear husband, you needn’t be so nervous," she said softly. "Given Pei Shaoqing’s past behavior, even if you’re a bit impolite tomorrow night—as long as you don’t pee in public—everyone will just be impressed by how much you’ve changed for the better."
Suddenly, a thought struck her, and her expression turned serious. She reminded him sternly, "At these imperial banquets, some of the concubines and princesses, as well as the wives and daughters of the ministers, will be present. My dear husband, you absolutely must not go around seducing them."
’Perhaps because he grew up poor and never had a taste of the finer things, Xu Yuanqing was even more lecherous than the original Pei Shaoqing. The old Pei Shaoqing had dared to harass the Eldest Princess while drunk; she was afraid Xu Yuanqing would do something even more outrageous.’
If Xie Qingwu knew that Pei Shaoqing had already made a pass at Noble Consort Wan, she would probably be struck dumb.
"Don’t worry, my dear. Your husband will certainly be on his best behavior tomorrow night," Pei Shaoqing replied with a straight face.
Xie Qingwu huffed. "See that you are."
"I can’t believe the Mid-Autumn Festival is already here," Pei Shaoqing remarked, a faint wave of homesickness washing over him.
Sensing his low spirits and assuming he was thinking of his deceased relatives, Xie Qingwu quickly changed the subject. "The Mid-Autumn Imperial Banquet always includes a poetry segment. Have you prepared anything, my dear husband?"
"Your husband is skilled in the art of love, not the art of verse. I’ll sit this one out," Pei Shaoqing said, shaking his head.
He’d long since forgotten most of the poems he had learned in school. He couldn’t think of a single one about the Mid-Autumn Festival off the top of his head, though there was one about the Double Ninth Festival that felt like it was etched into his very DNA.
’Was it called "On the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month, My Shandong Brothers"?’
Hearing his crude remark, Xie Qingwu felt a familiar sense of exasperation, despite being used to it. She reminded him gently, "My dear husband, you are currently in the spotlight. It’s highly likely that His Majesty will call on you to compose a poem, and if not, others will surely pressure you into it. It would be inappropriate to refuse and spoil the mood."
"You can’t very well say you’re not good at poetry and offer to give everyone a demonstration of your other ’art,’ can you?"
"It wouldn’t be the worst idea. We could make all the other women there envious of how thoroughly I fill you up every night," Pei Shaoqing said with a perfectly straight face.
"Oh, be quiet!" Xie Qingwu’s chest trembled with indignation. She poked his forehead with a slender finger and said, exasperated, "Poems for the Mid-Autumn Festival are, by convention, always about the moon or feelings of longing. You can commission one beforehand and memorize it. Many people do it, and no one will be so boorish as to investigate its origins."
"Alright, I’ll listen to my dear wife." Pei Shaoqing decided he would try to recall a suitable poem he could recite when his turn came, just to get through it.
If anyone asked, he would just openly admit it was written by someone else. It wasn’t as if anyone would dare look down on him for not being a poet. They would still have to respectfully address him as the Baron of Pingyang.
.........
Although Shen Zhen wasn’t skilled in the same way as Zhao Zilan and the others, he was still more than capable when it came to getting things done.
He hired a group of beggars and paid them to spread a rumor throughout the Celestial Capital: that the storybooks by Tang Zhi and Zhou Rui were actually written and mass-circulated by Prince Qi’s Mansion.
He hired beggars because they were dirt-poor and could starve at any moment. Having nothing to lose, they were bolder and willing to spread malicious rumors about Prince Qi’s Mansion for money—a risk ordinary people wouldn’t dare take.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!" A steward named Cai hurried before the King of Qi, his expression grave. He bowed and said, keeping his breathing even, "A servant just returned from making purchases and heard a rumor... that you are the one who wrote and spread the storybooks by Zhou Rui and Tang Zhi."
"What?" The King of Qi’s expression changed drastically. He had been counting on Zhou Rui to be the scapegoat for this whole affair.
With this rumor circulating, the moment the Tang Family analyzed who stood to gain—or did any real investigating—they would identify him as the mastermind. They would surely hold a grudge.
Prince Qi’s Mansion had no reason to fear the Tang Family.
Still, it was never a good thing to have another enemy plotting against you.
He rose and paced a few laps with his hands clasped behind his back, then turned and said, "Quickly, summon Mr. Yang for a consultation."
Since the King of Qi had already heard the news, it wasn’t long before Tang Zhi found out as well.
"Father, do you think the mastermind is the King of Qi or Zhou Rui?" he asked, having sought out his father.
Tang Fei pondered for a moment before answering, "It’s undoubtedly the King of Qi. I sent men to investigate long ago. The writers that scoundrel Zhou Rui hired are still at his estate."
"Son of a bitch! I have no quarrel with that bastard Yan Cheng! Why would he plot against me like this?" Tang Zhi was seething, his eyes filled with rage and resentment.
Tang Fei, however, understood perfectly. "Our family has no feud with him, but if you successfully marry Jiang Yuechan, we will become his enemies."
"But by doing this, does that bastard think I won’t hold a grudge? I’ll still become his enemy, won’t I?" Tang Zhi said, grinding his teeth.
Tang Fei shook his head and sighed. "The King of Qi doesn’t care if the Tang Family becomes his enemy. What he cares about is preventing the Tang Family from siding with the Jiang Family against him. Even though we know the truth, what can we do? Until the right opportunity for revenge presents itself, we can only pretend we know nothing."
BANG! Tang Zhi understood. Frustrated, he slammed his fist on the table and swore, "Fortunes rise and fall! They just better hope I don’t climb the ladder. When I do, the Jiang Family, the Qi Family, and that mongrel Pei Shaoqing—I’ll settle my accounts with all of them!"
’For now, I can only endure this humiliation.’
"You’re a scholar, for heaven’s sake. Can you stop swearing so much? The moment you open your mouth, you announce to the world that you didn’t fully earn your rank," Tang Fei said, frowning with disdain.
Tang Zhi did have some scholarly ability; he had become a Scholar on his own merits. His current title of scholar, however, was only achieved because his father pulled some strings for him; otherwise, he most likely would have failed the exam.
Tang Zhi knew he couldn’t behave like this if he wanted to become an official in the future. "I’ll do my best to change," he answered reluctantly.
"Show no negativity toward the Jiang Family or Prince Qi’s Mansion. For now, you will remain at home, keeping a low profile and preparing for your exams. You can resume your activities after I’ve successfully entered the Grand Secretariat," Tang Fei instructed earnestly.
’He couldn’t understand the delay. His Majesty had discussed the matter with him long ago, yet the official announcement was still pending. Perhaps the plan was to wait until after the Mid-Autumn Festival to formally appoint him to the cabinet.’
Tang Zhi nodded. "I understand, Father. I won’t even attend the Mid-Autumn Imperial Banquet tomorrow night."
’Better to avoid seeing people I don’t want to see. It would only bring bad luck.’
’King of Qi, Zhou Rui, Jiang Yuechan, Pei Shaoqing.’
’All of you, just you wait.’
’A true gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years!’