Chapter 158: Happily Acquiring a Mansion, Everyone Wants New Clothes
Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Happily Acquiring a Mansion, Everyone Wants New Clothes
Three days after the festival.
Another bombshell dropped on the Capital City.
The Emperor issued a decree, bestowing the Shu Royal Mansion—a former imperial gift to King Shu—upon Pei Shaoqing to serve as his Pingyang Manor.
The vassal kings of the Great Zhou were forbidden from entering the capital without a summons after being assigned to their fiefdoms.
To do so was considered treason.
Therefore, they typically did not maintain residences in the Capital City.
The exception was if the residence was an imperial gift, which signified a close relationship with the Emperor and meant they would often be summoned to the capital.
After Emperor Jingtai’s "Pacification of Troubles" campaign, he had granted mansions in the Capital City to his brothers, both to appease them and to project an image of fraternal harmony.
In the early years of his reign, he summoned them to the capital for joyous gatherings every year.
After King Shu’s rebellion, the Shu Royal Mansion in the capital was naturally sealed. But it had been built to the specifications of a Prince’s residence, and now the Emperor had given it to Pei Shaoqing.
He was treating him better than some of his own sons.
This, however, was undoubtedly a breach of protocol.
That very day, several senior ministers entered the palace to petition the Emperor to retract his decree. But Emperor Jingtai had always been an autocrat, and he rejected their request outright.
Nalan Yujin was also utterly astonished. After the Eunuch who delivered the decree had left, she urged Pei Shaoqing to refuse the Shu Royal Mansion, as this was attracting far too much attention.
It was practically putting the Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion on the hot seat.
Pei Shaoqing, just like the Emperor, dismissed her request directly. He declared that as long as it was a residence granted by His Majesty, he would dare to move in—even if it were the Eastern Palace.
His reasoning came down to one word: Loyalty!
This infuriated Nalan Yujin. Her face turned ashen, her chest heaved with rage, and after shooting him a vicious glare, she turned and stormed away.
Pei Shaoqing couldn’t care less what she thought. He immediately summoned his subordinates, Shen Zhen and Wang Peng, to the Marquis’s Mansion to help him move.
He didn’t bother picking an auspicious date. He publicly declared that no date could be more auspicious than the day His Majesty gifted him a home. Even if the day was unsuitable for moving, the Emperor’s draconic aura would have long since dispelled any bad luck!
The palace had already sent people to clean the Shu Royal Mansion and had replaced the plaque with one that read "Pingyang Manor".
So, all Pei Shaoqing had to do was move right in.
Of course, he would also need to hire a team of servants for the daily upkeep of Pingyang Manor. The house was enormous, after all.
"Not bad, not bad at all."
Walking through his new home with his wife, Pei Shaoqing was grinning from ear to ear. This place was far larger than his residence in Tongzhou; it had several gardens alone.
’In the future, if the Crown Prince were to ascend the throne and make him a king, he wouldn’t even need a new mansion—just a new plaque.’
This mansion alone made framing and killing King Shu worth it.
’Everything is part of heaven’s perfect plan.’
"We’ll need quite a few servants, and we’ll have to find a suitable steward," Xie Qingwu said softly.
Pei Shaoqing wasn’t familiar with the Capital City, so he had to entrust these matters to her. "You’re in charge. We don’t need too many manservants and maids, just enough for basic cleaning. We won’t be living in the capital permanently for now. As for the steward, find someone from your family’s household whom you find honest and reliable. They must be trustworthy."
He was comfortable with the servants at his Tongzhou residence and would definitely bring them with him when he was permanently transferred back to the capital. If he hired a full staff now, it would be a hassle to make room for his old retainers later.
"My family does have a suitable person," Xie Qingwu said with a faint smile. "Years ago, one of my father’s personal guards injured his leg following him into battle. He was later assigned to manage the kitchens in our mansion. He practically watched me grow up, so he’s absolutely trustworthy.
"Plus, he knows a thing or two about self-defense. If you, my husband, don’t mind that his limp might not look good for our manor’s image, I believe he’s more than qualified for the job."
"The master of the house props up its image, not the servants. As long as I’m formidable enough, no one would dare look down on us even if I made a dog my steward," Pei Shaoqing said dismissively.
Hearing his analogy, Xie Qingwu was a bit speechless but knew his words, while crude, held true. She nodded and said, "Then I will go back and speak with my parents."
"Let’s go together. We certainly can’t cook here today. We’ll eat at your family’s place," Pei Shaoqing said.
At his father-in-law’s home, Pei Shaoqing met the old veteran Xie Qingwu had mentioned. He looked to be nearly fifty, with a vigorous spirit. There was a small knife scar on the corner of his brow, but it didn’t look menacing when he smiled.
"My worthy son-in-law, this is Niu Er. What do you think?" Xie Wenjin walked over to the old man and clapped him on the shoulder as if showing off his wares. "Don’t be fooled by his bad leg. Back in the day, he was a master at killing enemies on the battlefield. He’s not as nimble now, but he’ll have no problem guarding the house and dealing with a few petty thieves."
Pei Shaoqing nodded. "He seems fine."
Niu Er, unaware of what was happening, was still a bit dazed.
"You daft fool, what are you gaping for? Hurry up and greet your new master! From now on, you’re the head steward of Pingyang Manor. You’ll manage the residence for my worthy son-in-law and my daughter. If you dare to slack off, I’ll discipline you with military law!" Xie Wenjin said, giving Niu Er a light kick.
Niu Er finally realized what was happening. THUMP. He dropped to his knees. "Niu Er thanks the Young Master and Young Mistress for their trust! This old servant will not let you down."
This was a huge promotion for him. Being the steward of Pingyang Manor was far more prestigious than being the head of the kitchens at the Anning Marquis’s Mansion. And, of course, the pay was higher.
"Uncle Niu, please get up. I have always thought of you as an elder," Xie Qingwu said hurriedly.
Pei Shaoqing personally stepped forward to help him up, saying with a pleasant expression, "Qingwu sees you as an elder, and so do I. We’ll be relying on your hard work from now on, Uncle Niu."
"I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare! How could this old servant presume to be an elder to the Young Master and Young Mistress? Please, don’t heap such honors upon me." Niu Er bowed low as he rose, repeatedly professing his unworthiness. After so many years as a servant, he knew his place.
’The Young Master and Young Mistress might call him an elder, but he couldn’t get carried away and actually think he was one.’
With the help of the Anning Marquis’s Mansion, Pingyang Manor was fully staffed in just one day.
For the housewarming celebration, guests arrived in an endless stream to offer their congratulations. Most of them, more or less, subtly inquired if Pei Shaoqing had any more of that "interesting lingerie" that they could purchase at a high price.
News of the lingerie had been spreading like wildfire through the aristocratic circles of the Capital City these past few days. Those fortunate enough to have gotten a few pieces from Xie Qingwu wanted more, while those who hadn’t were itching to see what all the fuss was about.
To these people, Pei Shaoqing gave some good news: the lingerie would soon be sold at the new Qian’s Cloth Shop in the Capital City, though quantities would be limited.
Before coming to the Capital City, he had already anticipated that the lingerie would be a hit with the nobility, so he had told Shopkeeper Qian to bring a shipment of goods to the capital and open a shop as soon as possible.
He figured they would arrive in a few days.
But Shopkeeper Qian arrived even faster than he had imagined.
At that very moment, he and his caravan had already entered the city and settled into an inn, and were just about to pay Pei Shaoqing a visit.
.........
"Father, the Capital City is huge! It’s even more prosperous than the Prefecture City!" Shopkeeper Qian’s eldest son, Qian ManCang, said excitedly as he walked along the bustling street, looking left and right.
"Of course it is, this is the Capital City!" Qian Wanguan had brought his eldest son this time to put him in charge of the capital shop, paving the way for his future. After all, this shop would allow him to interact with many powerful and noble people. "Let me tell you, the people here are either rich or noble. You have to be extra careful from now on, or our family could be ruined beyond recovery."
"Aiyah, I know, Father. How many times have you said that on the road here? I’ve been minding the shop at home for so many years, when have I ever messed up?" Qian ManCang said with a helpless and impatient pout.
"I’m just looking out for you," Qian Wanguan said irritably. Then, plastering on a smile, he stopped a passerby and said in a southwestern Mandarin accent, "Hello, brother..."
"Get your hands off me, you stinking out-of-towner!" the man said with a look of disgust, impatiently shaking him off before walking away.
Qian Wanguan’s face stiffened. But having been a merchant for many years, he had encountered all sorts of people. He quickly composed himself and asked another passerby, "Greetings, my good brother. I am from Shu State, an old acquaintance of Baron Pingyang. Could you please tell me how to get to the Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion?"
"You’re looking for Baron Pingyang?" This local didn’t seem to look down on outsiders. He first sized him up, then said with a smile, "Why are you going to the Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion to find Baron Pingyang? You should go to Pingyang Manor. His Majesty just gifted the Shu Royal Mansion to Baron Pingyang to be his residence today."
"Isn’t... isn’t that a breach of protocol?" Qian ManCang blurted out, his eyes wide with surprise.
"It is. But what can you do? He’s the famous Baron Pingyang," the passerby said, proudly showing off what he knew. He held his head high with pride when he mentioned the Baron. "Let me tell you, Baron Pingyang is currently the number one favorite. But he deserves it.
"At the Mid-Autumn Imperial Banquet two days ago, he composed a poem that silenced the entire hall! And when the son of Tang Fei, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, committed murder, he arrested him all the same..."
Listening to the passerby’s nonstop chatter, the father and son exchanged a look, seeing the shock in each other’s eyes.
’Who would have thought? Baron Pingyang was already incredible in Tongzhou, but he’s become even more formidable since returning to the Capital City!’
"Thank you, brother." Seeing the man showed no signs of stopping, Qian Wanguan thanked him and dragged his son away.
The passerby smacked his lips, looking as if he still had more to say.
When the Qian father and son arrived at Pingyang Manor, guests were arriving one after another to congratulate the housewarming. Seeing the magnificent carriages and the distinguished guests, the two couldn’t help but feel intimidated and stood at a distance, not daring to approach.
They felt inferior, afraid of accidentally offending a noble.
They forced themselves to wait until dusk when most of the guests had left. Only then did they approach, hunched over and wearing ingratiating smiles, and say to the doorman, "Young man, could we trouble you to announce that Qian Wanguan requests an audience?"
Qian ManCang quickly offered the doorman a tip. He was about to habitually give a few coins, but thinking of the guests from before, he gritted his teeth and handed over a piece of broken silver.
"Please wait a moment, you two." Although it was only his first day on the job, the doorman skillfully tucked the silver into his sleeve and hurried into the manor to make the report.
Pei Shaoqing was surprised to learn that Qian Wanguan had arrived so quickly. ’That fellow really is eager,’ he thought.
He immediately ordered a servant to bring them in.
"This humble one, Qian Wanguan, pays his respects to Baron Pingyang."
Upon entering the room, the father and son kowtowed in unison.
Pei Shaoqing briefly inquired about the quantity of the first shipment, accepted the gift they had prepared, and gave them a waist token to make it easier for them to conduct business in the capital.
Then, he sent the father and son on their way.
Qian Wanguan was extremely efficient. The very next day, on the most prosperous street in the Capital City, the former Li’s Cloth Shop had changed hands overnight, and the sign for Qian’s Cloth Shop was hung up.
That same afternoon, a long line of customers formed at Qian’s Cloth Shop. They were all servants and maids, sent by various noble houses to buy the "interesting lingerie."
Food and sex are human nature. At heart, everyone’s a lecher.