Chapter 58

 

Along with the barking of several wild dogs in the distance, a little light from a fire starter suddenly appeared on a pile of rocks an arrow’s distance from him. After flickering several times, the fire starter was like a phosphorescent light in the dark night, and then extinguished by the wind.

Pei Xiaoyuan walked towards the fire, and soon, a man walked out from the opposite side in the night. He was muscular, but his steps were very agile. He came to Pei Xiaoyuan and was about to salute, but Pei Xiaoyuan stopped him: “Uncle He, there is no need to be polite.”

This person was none other than He Jin who had returned to Ganliang earlier. He led Pei Xiaoyuan to the pile of rocks, looked at him in the moonlight, and said happily: “I haven’t seen you for a few months, and you look more energetic!”

“Uncle He, thank you for you work hard. How is Uncle doing lately?”

He Jin followed Pei Ji to the Eastern Capital. This time he came to Chang’an secretly without telling Pei Ji. He said, “Lord Pei is in good health, Master can rest assured. Is Master fine over here?”

Pei Xiaoyuan said he’s fine, and after a brief greeting, he didn’t beat around the bush and asked directly, “Did you get something?”

He Jin’s expression immediately turned serious. He looked around and then lowered his voice and said, “Since the last time I separated from you, after returning, I continued what Master had done before and mobilized people to search for possible places. However, there was no trace of that person until a month ago, when I finally got a piece of news that he might not have returned to Xifan at all, but disguised himself and continued to hide in Chang’an to preserve his life.”

Pei Xiaoyuan pondered.

Back then, Chen Sida was entrusted by his father Pei Gu to lead the army back to the capital to protect Crown Prince Jingsheng. However, he stopped halfway on the grounds of encountering a flood. It was obvious that he betrayed his commander and defected to Prince Ding.

Not only that, for so many years, Pei Xiaoyuan had always suspected that Chen Sida was not the only one who betrayed his father.

On that day, Pei Gu received the order from Prince Jingsheng to leave Beiyuan, and acted very secretly. Even the withdrawal was arranged at night, and the troops were withdrawn quietly in batches, in order not to alert the Xifan people. If he was discovered by the enemy’s spies later, it would be inevitable. However, how could it be so coincidental that just two days after he left, the enemy army attacked in large numbers, forcing him to hand over the matter to Chen Sida and return to defend the city, which led to a series of changes later.

Pei Xiaoyuan couldn’t help but suspect that someone had leaked the information in order to prevent his father from returning to the capital.

Three years ago, after the battle of the Western Frontiers, he learned that a Xifan noble who had once led the attack on Beiyuan, had surrendered after his defeat and entered the imperial service. This person should know some of the inside details from that time. However, before Pei Xiaoyuan could find an opportunity to approach him, the man moved to Chang’an. Shortly after, due to a dispute over a woman, he was stabbed to death in the street while trying to take a beautiful courtesan from the music bureau as a concubine. He had a confidant, whose Han name was Chada, who probably fled overnight out of fear and disappeared afterwards.

Pei Xiaoyuan had been secretly looking for Chada for the past three years. Last autumn, he left Ganliang, nominally to visit Chengping to hunt and relax, but in fact he was looking for people. After returning without success, Pei Ji happened to arranged a marriage for him, and then he was summoned to the capital. His plan was interrupted, but He Jin did not stop and continued to keep in touch with the spies sent to Xifan on his behalf.

Just a few days ago, Pei Xiaoyuan received news from He Jin and learned that he had also arrived in Chang’an, so he made an appointment to meet here tonight.

“That man should not have fled back to Xifan. If he had, he would probably not be accepted by his tribe. His appearance is different from ours. If he sneaks out of Chang’an and goes to another place, he will easily attract attention and it will be difficult for him to settle down. If he continues to stay in Chang’an, there are all kinds of people in the capital. It would be easier for him to hide if he disguises himself.”

Pei Xiaoyuan nodded: “If he didn’t flee back to Xifan, this speculation makes sense. I understand, leave the rest to me, I will go find him. You can’t stay here for long without receiving orders. Please go back quickly.

“Also, don’t let Uncle know that you met me.” He warned again.

“Don’t worry, Master. How dare I let Lord Pei know that I came to Chang’an! If there is anything later, you can just send me a message according to the old method.”

After he finished speaking, he looked around again, put his finger to his mouth, and made a short cry like a wild fox. In the field not far away, six to seven shadows appeared, all of them were the people who came with He Jin.

“They are all old people whom I could trust in the past, and they are still serving in the various guards in the capital. Back then when Great General met his downfall, you were still young and didn’t know them, but they remember you well. They were grateful for the noble deeds that Lady Cui and you have done, and wanted to pay their respect when you came to the capital at the beginning of the year. But they were afraid that their positions were too low and you might not be able to use them, and that it might cause inconvenience to you. This time, knowing that I was coming, they all followed me here, and are willing to obey your orders and serve you till death.”

The “old people” he referred to were naturally the people from the Shenhu Army.

After the Shenhu Army was disbanded, the original generals, except for Chen Sida who were promoted and became rich and powerful, most of them were demoted. After so many years, even if they were still alive, they were just generals without military power on the border.

But there was another group of people who either did not participate in the secret affairs of the army or were born in a prominent family and were protected by their family, thus escaping the purge and later being able to stay in Chang’an to serve in various guards. However, because they carry the mark of the “Shenhu Army”, they naturally could not hold high positions, and now most of them were middle and lower-level officers. These six or seven people were like this.

While He Jin was speaking, those people had come closer, surrounded Pei Xiaoyuan, knelt down, called him “Young Master”, and performed military etiquette.

Pei Xiaoyuan had met most of these six to seven people before. Some were under the command of the military guards, and some were gate guards. One of them was an officer of the Jinwu Guard, Chen Zhao, the captain of the martial patrol team at Yanping Gate.

It was this person who provided him with the information, which enabled him to find Aunt Gao’s inn and track down Ye Xuyu’s whereabouts.

Pei Xiaoyuan hurriedly asked everyone to stand up and look at Chen Zhao.

Chen Zhao kowtowed to him again.

Pei Xiaoyuan went up to him and helped him up. Chen Zhao could not hide his excitement and said, “This subordinate used to be the Zhaowu Commander of Shenhu Army, and this life was also saved by Great General. When I saw Master that day, I wanted to introduce myself, but I was afraid that my position was too low, not only would I not be able to help master, but if I caused trouble for you, it would be my sin, so I endured it. After receiving news that General He was coming, in any case, I have to come and pay my respects no matter what. I hope you don’t think I’m useless. Just tell me if you have any command!”

The others also said in unison that although they had few men under their command, they were all reliable and could be used.

Pei Xiaoyuan bowed to everyone one by one, calling them uncles and returning the greetings solemnly.

After the brief meeting, everyone knew they couldn’t stay here for long and dispersed, leaving only He Jin.

He was about to leave, but stopped as if he remembered something: “By the way, Master, I heard from Lord Pei that Miss Ye has been found, and she has come to Chang’an?”

Pei Xiaoyuan said yes.

He Jin suddenly showed a mischievous look on his face, he couldn’t help but leaned forward and whispered, “Lord Pei is very concerned about Miss Ye. Since she’s also in Chang’an, you must take good care of her on behalf of Lord Pei!”

Pei Xiaoyuan felt that his words were a bit ambiguous, as if he meant something else. But before he could react, He Jin had already bowed to him, grinned, then turned around and left quickly.

Pei Xiaoyuan watched He Jin’s back disappear into the darkness until he was completely out of sight. He stood in the wilderness for a moment and then turned back to the city.

He came out tonight on the pretext of patrolling the city, which was also one of his duties. After entering the city, he did not return to Yongning Mansion.

When passing by, he stopped for a while, then continued riding towards the north of the city and returned to the government office where he had lived before.

The matter had come so suddenly that he hadn’t yet instructed anyone to make preparations, and at this moment, not even the door was unlocked. Taking advantage of the silence and the absence of anyone in the night, he used the methods of a thief, climbed up a large poplar tree across the street. Using the spring of the branches, he leaped across the street and landed on the top of the wall, then slipped over into the courtyard. Then, he drew water from the well in the backyard, washed himself hastily at the well mouth, and made his way into the bare and empty bedroom.

The bedding on the bed had long been emptied by Qingtou. To prevent moisture and dust, he laid a layer of straw, which was originally used to pad the stables, on the remaining hard bed board.

Pei Xiaoyuan lay down, using his arm as a pillow and closed his eyes.

It was already the middle of the night, and everything was quiet around him, yet he felt no drowsiness. His mind was preoccupied with the news he had learned tonight, thinking of how to track down the whereabouts of the Xifan man. After deliberating, when he finally tried to rest, he couldn’t help but remember the joke He Jin made before he left, and sleep instantly eluded him once again.

She was a princess, a goddess of heaven, the daughter of the current emperor.

But the emperor did not allow him to get close to her and was extremely repulsed by this.

At this moment, he couldn’t help but recall the first time he saw her in Ganliang.

That was the first and only time he had ever seen her dressed as a girl.

Although he was ashamed to admit it, if he were truly pressed to interrogate himself, Pei Xiaoyuan knew that from the very first moment he saw her, he found her quite pleasing to the eye. Even the marriage arranged by his uncle, which he had initially resisted, suddenly didn’t seem entirely unacceptable. Not to mention, as he got to know her better, he could no longer ignore her existence.

He admitted that he had some feelings for her.

She was the only girl with whom he had ever had this special feeling in the past twenty years.

But, that’s all.

If he had known her identity from the beginning, no matter how much she appealed to him, he would never have gotten close to her.

Now it’s better this way.

In the future she would have the life that a princess she deserves, and for him, there were many more important things waiting for him to do than just having a crush on a girl, which was an insignificant thing that would fade away with the passage of time.

Pei Xiaoyuan finally came to this conclusion after a long time of tossing and turning.

He slowly let out the breath that was pent up in his chest, urging himself to stop thinking about it and go to sleep as soon as possible because he had to get up early the next day.

Early the next morning, he opened his eyes to the sound of the morning drum.

He was young, his energy abundant, as vigorous as a wild horse. Even after running for one or two days without rest, he could keep going without any trouble. His years in the army had taught him to seize every opportunity to fall asleep in the shortest time possible in order to restore his energy. Even if there was ice, snow or mud under him, as soon as he closed his eyes, he could fall into a dreamless sleep.

However, last night, perhaps because he had never slept on a straw bed that rustled whenever he moved, he did not get a good rest. For the first time, he felt the sound of drums ringing in his ears was very annoying, and it made the wound on his forehead ache slightly, as if a sharp saw wire was rubbing back and forth in the wound.

After tidying up, he went to the Jinwu Guard office to attend the regular meeting this morning. Moreover, because of the delay in the past few days, there were some things that needed to be reported to Han Kerang. However, when they met, Han Kerang’s smile seemed very unusual. He waved his hand and told him in a friendly tone to go back and not to attend the regular meeting. Pei Xiaoyuan came back inexplicably, and at the end of Chen hour (7-9 am), he saw the chief steward of Prince Ning Mansion came over and said that Prince Ning invited him to the mansion to chat.

He could only put aside his work and ride over. When he arrived at the gate, five to six servants from the mansion had already come out to greet him, some tying up the horse, some leading the way, and inviting him in with great courtesy.

Pei Xiaoyuan stepped into the mansion, but before he reached the front hall, he saw Prince Ning coming out to greet him personally.

No matter in terms of seniority, age or status, how could Pei Xiaoyuan dare to be treated like this by Prince Ning? He stopped and began to salute from a distance.

Prince Ning walked towards him quickly, telling him not to be polite. When he got close, he smiled and said, “I know you’re busy and it’s not your day off, so I shouldn’t have called you. Come with me now, don’t just stand here and too polite with me.”

Pei Xiaoyuan bowed again and thanked him, saying politely that he had nothing important to do today. At this moment, he heard a chaotic rustling sound of boots stomping on the ground in front of him. He looked up and saw County Princess Yucheng, who seemed to be called Li Wanwan, walking out of the hall with a dozen maids and servants. She was wearing a futou, a purple-colored men’s robe with a black collar, and a horse whip in her hand, looking like she was going out. The group approached in a mighty manner. Her maids and servants saw Prince Ning and Pei Xiaoyuan, looked panicked, and hurriedly slowed down their pace, but she did not look at them and walked straight past them.

Prince Ning quickly glanced at Pei Xiaoyuan, then turned to his granddaughter and frowned: “Wanwan! Master Pei is a guest today. How can you be so rude?”

Li Wanwan’s steps faltered, as if just noticing Pei Xiaoyuan. She lifted the hem of the men’s robe she was wearing and backed up, her feet tapping lightly as she stopped in front of him. She extended her hand toward a maid holding a fan nearby. The maid, startled back to attention, hurriedly handed over the fan. Taking it, Li Wanwan turned her back to her grandfather, seemingly performing the proper etiquette for women greeting male guests, covering most of her face with the fan, leaving only a pair of large, jewel-like eyes visible. She gave a slight curtsy, saying, “Greetings, master Pei.” But as soon as the words left her lips, her wide eyes glared fiercely at him before she put the fan down and continued walking out.

The maids and servants also lowered their heads and followed her out.

Although Prince Ning did not see the expression his granddaughter had on Pei Xiaoyuan’s face, he was already deeply embarrassed. If it weren’t for the fact that the young man he had in mind as a future grandson-in-law was standing right there, he would have been furious. At this moment, he could do nothing about his granddaughter. He could only watch her walk away. Once she was gone, fearing that Pei Xiaoyuan might have formed a poor impression, he forced a dry laugh and explained, “My granddaughter is not usually like this. She was a bit rude just now—please don’t take it to heart.”

Pei Xiaoyuan was even more confused than when he saw Han Kerang earlier.

How could he not see that the county princess was extremely dissatisfied with him, but when he asked himself, it seemed that he had never offended her, and he didn’t know why she hated him to such an extent.

However, the other party was just a young girl, and also her niece. Even for her sake, he would not take this matter to heart. He just smiled and said, “It’s nothing. County Princess might have been in a hurry to go out, so she didn’t see me.”

Upon hearing this, Prince Ning heaved a sigh of relief and became more satisfied with him. He led him inside, sat down, and ordered people to call Prince Xin’an Li Hui. He turned to Pei Xiaoyuan and said, “I wonder if Chief Pei still remembers what you promised last time? I invited Chief Pei here today because I want my grandson to perform the ceremony of paying respect to his teacher. From now on, Hui’er will be entrusted to Chief Pei.”

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