Thousand Verdant Mountains – Chapter 103 Part 1
Chapter 103 Part 1
Pei Xiaoyuan, knowing he had delayed for quite some time, hurried to the west hall of the front courtyard. As expected, she was already there, accompanied by Wang shi and others. She sat in the middle, listening to everyone’s flattery. The content of their praises was nothing new, it was to say how blessed the princess was, or how she and prince consort were a perfect match, etc. She must have heard similar things in the past few days that her ears were callused, but she was not impatient and seemed to be in a good mood.
Pei Xiaoyuan stopped at the steps outside the door, saw her expression through a roller curtain, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The maids and servants waiting inside and outside the door saw him, some ran over to greet him, some passed on the message inside. Then, accompanied by a flurry of footsteps and the tinkling of jewelry, she walked out, surrounded by a group of women.
Wang shi walked beside her, acting very cordially. She glanced at Pei Xiaoyuan and greeted him with a smile, “I said that Erlang must have been forced to stay by his uncle! When the old uncle saw his own nephew, he must have brought up many things from the past year. He himself is happy, but totally oblivious to resentment the newlyweds have in their hearts!” Everyone around her laughed.
Pei Xiaoyuan ignored her, his eyes fixed only on Xuyu who was standing in the middle of the steps. With him not responding, Wang shi was feeling awkward, so she stopped. At this time, another woman said, “There are so many of us, but the Princess is the only one in Prince Consort’s eyes…” Wang shi hurriedly smiled in response to hide her doubt and uneasiness.
Amid the laughter, Xuyu said, “We have imposed on you long enough today. Prince Consort and I shall take our leave. Aunt, there’s no need to see us off.”
She descended the steps and passed by Pei Xiaoyuan. He followed behind, while the group of women trailed them closely. Cui Daosi and others were also waiting for the princess outside. When she finally appeared, they hurriedly led people to line up to see her off. She smiled all the way out of the Cui Mansion and got on the carriage to leave.
Pei Xiaoyuan rode alongside her on horseback. Along the way, he couldn’t help but fall into deep thought. He felt a sense of relief that Wang shi’s sly and shameful scheme for that insidious meeting had passed without causing Xuyu any suspicion or displeasure. But he also suspicious about why Yuan Zhi would intervene in this matter.
One of this person’s duty must have been to thoroughly investigated his relationship with the old people in the capital before he came here. It would not be difficult for Yuan Zhi to know his relationship with Wang Zhenfeng. Could it be that he really did him a favor?
When the group returned to Yongning Mansion, it was already dark. Imperial Physician Hu, as he had in previous days, had arrived early to wait for them. After everything was ready, he changed Pei Xiaoyuan’s dressings and examined him. He said that the wound had healed somewhat, which was a good sign. He prescribed a new prescription to promote the growth of fresh tissue, and told prince consort to rest well, maintain his dietary restrictions, and especially avoid drinking alcohol. In this way, the wound should be completely healed in a few days.
Pei Xiaoyuan knew the extent of his injuries. Apart from occasional pressure-induced pain, he felt he had largely recovered. Feeling it unnecessary to inconvenience the physician further, he told him that starting tomorrow, there was no need to visit morning and evening.
The imperial physician was grateful for the prince consort’s understanding, but he did not dare to agree immediately. He hesitated and looked at the princess. At this time, the princess also said: “Since Imperial Physician said there is no serious problem, it’s convenient for us to change the medicine ourselves. You can come every few days.”
The imperial physician then agreed, thanked the princess and prince consort for their understanding, gave them some additional instructions, packed up his things, and was sent out.
After the imperial physician left, He shi and the maids lowered the roller blinds behind the bedroom window, as well as the large, glittering pearl curtain, and left one after another. Finally, only two people were left in the bedroom.
Xuyu wore a loose nightgown, still seated before her dressing mirror, slowly combing her hair. The flickering candlelight casted a soft, hazy glow over the reflection in the mirror. In it, he could be seen leaning against the edge of the bed, his figure completely still.
“What are you thinking about? Ever since we left the Cui house, you’ve been absent-minded.
“Did something happen while we were there?”
She asked lightly, her tone unhurried.
Pei Xiaoyuan was indeed still troubled by the incident during the day. He decided to find Yuan Zhi as soon as possible to ask for clarification. If it was indeed him, he really owed him a big favor.
Her voice brought him out of his thoughts. He turned around and looked at the figure sitting in front of the mirror getting ready for the night, and hesitated.
He remembered that Chengping had warned him in a joking manner: The easiest to handle in this world are women. Whisper sweet words to them, and they’ll believe you wholeheartedly, willingly entrusting everything to you. The hardest to deal in this world are also women. No matter how magnanimous they appear, not a single one isn’t petty at heart. Take this as gospel, or you’ll be a fool inviting trouble upon yourself.
“…Nothing.”
His mind turned several times in an instant, and finally he decided not to mention what happened during the day, fearing that if he couldn’t explain it clearly, it would cause trouble.
“It’s really nothing.” Facing her eyes in the mirror that were looking at him, he added in a serious tone.
“I’m just a little tired after being outside all day,” he explained nonchalantly.
She smiled, “If you are tired, take a rest early. I’m also the same, let alone you’re still injured, so you must get tired easily.”
She agreed with him considerately. Once she finished speaking, she lowered her gaze and focused on combing the last strands of her long hair. After delicately setting the comb aside, she turned and walked toward him. Under his watchful eyes, she removed her shoes, climbed onto the bed, lay down, and pulled her quilt up to her neck, wrapped herself snugly.
As she lay down, the bedroom suddenly became completely quiet, leaving Pei Xiaoyuan alone sitting on the edge of the bed. He sat there for a while, then turned his head slightly and saw that she had closed her eyes and was sleeping peacefully.
A faint sense of emptiness welled up in his heart. After lingering for a few moments more, he got up and extinguish all the candles. The room was plunged into complete darkness. Standing still for a moment, he allowed his eyes to adjust to the dim light before returning to the bedside. Moving carefully in the dark, he shed his outer robe, lowered the bed canopy, and lay down beside her, making every effort not to disturb her rest.
Only dim shadows remained in the canopy.
“If you’re tired, you don’t have to accompany me tomorrow. You should have a good rest and recover from your injury soon. It’s fine for me to go alone.”
Suddenly, Pei Xiaoyuan heard her voice again.
Tomorrow was the day for the painting evaluation in Shenshu Palace, where the final chief painter would be selected.
“My injury is not serious. His Majesty has granted me many days of leave, and I have nothing to do. I will accompany you tomorrow,” he replied.
“It’s up to you.” She said, then turned over, turned her back to him, and curled up.
She didn’t say anything more that night. When they set out the next day, she looked radiant and must have slept well last night. Pei Xiaoyuan, on the other hand, felt that his spirit was not very good mood, which was in stark contrast to her. Naturally, he did not want her or anyone else to see this, so he cheered up and sent her to Shenshu Palace as usual. The painters and artisan under the painting department, as well as renowned painters who were summoned before had all arrived.
Today’s painting review venue was set up in the southern hall of Yuyun Tower. Hanging on the walls were works by Yao Xu, Fang Shanjin, Song Bokang, Yang Jiming, and Zhou He, among others, displayed for all to admire and critique. Chang’an’s distinguished scholars and artists, who often carried an air of aloofness while mingling among the imperial court and nobility, were, in truth, deeply honored by the princess’s invitation to partake in this event. Some people paired up in quiet conversation, others strolled alone, either glancing briefly at the works or pausing for closer examination. Discussions arose as they offered praise, sighs of admiration, or subtle nods of approval. Here and there, however, a few shook their heads, faintly displaying disdain or condescension.
Pei Xiaoyuan had initially planned to leave quietly after escorting her, intending to look for Yuan Zhi while she was busy. However, things did not go as planned. Half the morning had passed, and he still hadn’t been able to slip away. It wasn’t because he was busy—there was little here that required his involvement. What caught his attention was Lantai’s unexpected appearance today. Lantai had accompanied his teacher, who, unwilling to miss this opportunity, had insisted on attending despite his frail health. Lantai dutifully assisted him, carrying his handkerchief and cane. The princess also seemed to respect Lantai’s teacher very much, and made an exception to order people to take him in a sedan chair and carry him to Yuyun Tower. Not only that, the princess was with him most of the time during the analysis of the painting. Renowned for his dual mastery of poetry and painting, the scholar had been a celebrated figure in the golden days before the chaos of the Jingsheng upheaval. He had once exchanged verses and shared wine with luminaries like Ye Zhongli and Pei Ji, who were the epitome of refined elegance in their era. His insight was undeniably extraordinary. His critiques were eloquent and incisive, often poetic in their phrasing. While his painting skills might not rival those of current court masters such as Yao Xu or Fang Shanjin, his expertise in art appraisal was undoubtedly first-class.
The result was that his student Lantai became one of the guests closest to the princess that day.
Pei Xiaoyuan naturally had no objection to this, but he could not ignore the silent and passionate gaze that the Tanhua casted at her every time. The Tanhua probably thought that no one could notice it, but Pei Xiaoyuan was an exception.
Half a day passed by, and Pei Xiaoyuan did not go anywhere, waiting in a corridor outside the southern hall of Yuyun Tower. Later, the princess arranged a banquet with musicians liven things up, inviting everyone to enjoy the music, drink and take a rest. It was only at this time that he hurriedly left.
He was called away by an unexpected message sent by the Chang’an County Magistrate.
Qingtou, the servant he brought from Ganliang, took a few falconers from the mansion to the bird market in the West Market to look for falcon this morning. There, they encountered the Grand Chancellor’s grandson Liu Yue and his group. For reasons unclear, a conflict broke out between the two parties. At first, it was only a brawl between Qingtou’s group and the attendants accompanying Liu Yue. However, by chance, Ashina Chengping, a Liuetenant General of Zouwu Guard, happened to be nearby. Hearing the commotion, he rushed over, and with barely an exchange of words, he kicked Liu Yue off his horse and pinned him down before laying into him. When the patrol soldiers of the Jinwu Guard and the Chang’an County Magistrate and others arrived, they were met with the sight of the Grand Chancellor’s grandson lying on the ground, wailing and begging for mercy, his voice hoarse from crying. Yet Ashina showed no signs of relenting. He continued to aim vicious kicks at Liu Yue’s face and chest, displaying a ferocity that suggested he wouldn’t stop until people dead. It took more than ten men swarming him to forcibly restrain Ashina and drag him to the ground. Only then was Liu Yue rescued, and the violent brawl brought to an end. Since both parties were not ordinary people, in order to prevent the situation from getting out of hand, the Chang’an County Magistrate temporarily detained all the people in the county jail, and then notified everyone to decide how to deal with it after they arrived.