Chapter 84 Part 2

 

Ten days later, under the supervision of Yuan Zhi, Pei Xiaoyuan returned the military token used to temporarily dispatch the Tianning Army and hurried back to Cangshan. It was already the end of Eight Month.

The process of this errand was considered smooth.

Chen Sida had a cousin named Chen Sirong, who was the military commissioner of Qizhou, and originally Chen Sida was going to Qizhou to join him. In addition, Liu Chang, the military commissioner of Weizhou, had a close personal relationship with the Chen brothers over the years, and Liu Chang was also a deputy general of the Shenhu Army in the past.

Over the years, Chen Sida tried every means to win over Liu Chang, and made Chen Sirong marry his children to Liu Chang, thus tightly binding the two families together. After Chen Sida’s coup failed, the court ordered Chen Sirong to go to the capital. Chen Sirong knew that if he went, he would die. While looking for excuses to delay, he secretly contacted Liu Chang and planned to raise troops and start a rebellion under the banner of supporting Li Yan, the imperial grandson who supported Jingsheng Dynasty.

There were many brave and skilled generals under the Shenhu Army back then, and Liu Chang was one of them.

Unlike Chen Sida, he had always been loyal to Pei Gu. Back then, he acted out of sheer necessity, following the tide due to the overwhelming circumstances. Adding to it, Chen Sida had risen to prominence in the court over the years, closely associating with the Crown Prince, Liu Ceye and others of influence. For the sake of his family and future, he naturally had to rely on him. Yet every time he thought of Pei Gu and the eight hundred comrades who died in the battle, he felt a little ashamed. When he received Chen Sirong’s invitation to join the rebellion, he was shocked and hesitant. Following it wasn’t his true wish, but refusing it, given the intertwined fates of their families, left him worried that the court might no longer tolerate him. When he was hesitating, he unexpectedly saw He Jin sneaking into his residence. Only then did he learn that the imperial envoy sent by the court to arrest Chen Sirong was actually the son of his former master. He Jin conveyed Pei Xiaoyuan’s words, urging him to stop and not make a big mistake. He Jin also assured him that if he assisted in eliminating Chen Sirong and the remaining rebels, the court would not hold his past associations with the Chen brothers against him.

Although Liu Chang served in the local government, he had already heard of Pei Xiaoyuan’s name, not to mention his identity. Since Pei Xiaoyuan came to persuade him to surrender, he did not hesitate and obeyed immediately. He met with Pei Xiaoyuan in secret and bowed down to him. Then, he pretended to agree to Chen Sirong’s rebellion. After stabilizing the other party, he led his troops to meet with the Tianning Army temporarily taken over by Pei Xiaoyuan, and captured and killed Chen Sirong and his followers in one fell swoop.

After resolving this matter, Pei Xiaoyuan immediately set out on his return journey.

He was in such a hurry to return because he had learned that his uncle Pei Ji had also gone to Cangshan. Fearing he might arrive too late to meet him before Pei Ji had to head back to the Eastern Capital, he pressed on relentlessly. At last, one evening in late Eight Month, he arrived at the posthouse at the foot of Cangshan.

When he arrived, Pei Ji was playing chess with Prince Ning by a wooded spring behind the posthouse, with Cui Daosi observing the match from the side. His head wrapped in a deerskin cap, dressed like a recluse, exuding an air of otherworldly grace. Li Hui led two attendants to fetch spring water to make tea, while Qingtou was busy fanning the fire in front of the stove. Meanwhile, the boy Guo Guo’er, with a blade strapped to his waist, stood silently under an ancient tree at the path’s edge, keeping watch. When he saw him appear, he hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.

The setting sun passed through the forest, leaving only a sparse slanting light. Amid the gurgling sound of the spring, there was the occasional sound of a chess piece hitting the stone plate. The scene was so quiet that Pei Xiaoyuan did not dare to approach for a moment, fearing that he would disturb the people in it. He signaled Guo Guo’er to be silent, but the slight sound still startled people. Li Hui looked up, with a look of surprise on his face, and exclaimed softly: “Master is back!”

His voice startled Prince Ning and the others, who all turned their heads to look. Pei Xiaoyuan then walked over and greeted them one by one. Prince Ning and Cui Daosi knew that if Pei Ji had not been waiting for him, he would have left for the Eastern Capital long ago. Today the person finally came back, and after a few brief greetings, they left together.

Li Hui naturally understood the meaning of the other people’s glance. After personally serving the tea, he immediately took leave with the other.

Pei Xiaoyuan hasn’t seen his uncle for half a year.

Half a year—it was not a long time, yet to him, reflecting on all that had transpired, it often felt as though an entire lifetime had passed. Perhaps it was his own state of mind, but looking at his uncle before him, he couldn’t help but feel that Pei Ji seemed even thinner than when they had parted in Ganliang earlier in the year.

“Nephew has only returned today and has kept Uncle waiting.”

Pei Xiaoyuan stepped forward and was about to kneel down to pay homage to his elder, but was stopped by Pei Ji, who helped him up. Seeing the signs of his travel-worn appearance, Pei Ji asked a few questions about his journey. Upon learning that he had taken only six to seven days to traverse what was typically a ten-day route from Qizhou, Pei Ji’s expression softened with concern. He chastised him gently, saying there was no need for such haste. His own trip to Cangshan had been at the emperor’s behest, and there was no set date for his return. There was no harm in traveling at a slower pace, and waiting a few extra days for his nephew would have been fine.

“Nephew was anxious to see Uncle, so took the journey a little faster. Nephew is not tired.” Pei Xiaoyuan explained with a smile.

Pei Ji looked at him with a kind look in his eyes, smiling while shaking his head. Then he led him to sit in front of the stone table where he had just played chess with Prince Ning. He asked about the affairs in Qizhou. After listening to Pei Xiaoyuan’s story, he nodded and said, “It’s good that everything went well. I also remember Liu Chang. At least he found his way back. You did a good job this time.”

“Nephew’s achievements are all due to the influence of my father.”

Pei Ji paused for a moment when he saw his nephew say this in a calm tone, then smiled and said, “Your father’s legacy is indeed a strong foundation, but your own abilities are equally outstanding. This is not your uncle being overly complimentary. Among the younger generation—and even when looking across the entire court—I see no one who surpasses you. There’s no need to belittle yourself.”

Pei Xiaoyuan smiled slightly: “Thank you for the compliment, Uncle.”

Pei Ji personally poured tea for his nephew. Pei Xiaoyuan saw this and hurriedly stood up to grab it. Pei Ji said, “It’s fine. There are no outsiders here. What’s wrong with letting your uncle pour you a cup of tea made by your disciple?”

Pei Xiaoyuan stopped, retracting his hand. He then turned to the nearby stream, leaned over to wash his hands, and scooped up the spring water to clean his lower body. After removing the dust from the road, he sat back, held the tea with both hands, and took a sip.

Pei Ji looked at him and said, “Uncle came to Cangshan not only to see His Majesty’s condition, but also for another matter.

“Uncle has already formally proposed to the princess on your behalf in front of His Majesty.”

Pei Ji said with a calm smile, as though it were the most ordinary matter.

A flicker of an indecipherable expression crossed Pei Xiaoyuan’s face. It was hard to tell whether it was joy, surprise, or perhaps a trace of bewilderment. His calloused hands, hardened from years of wielding weapons, froze in mid-air as they held the teacup. After a moment, he moved and slowly put the teacup down.

“Uncle…” He spoke with some difficulty, his voice a little dry.

“Nephew, do you confuse why Uncle act this way?

“Do you still feel as you did earlier this year, unwilling to marry Miss Ye?” Pei Ji asked back.

Pei Xiaoyuan’s face immediately showed a strange expression. For a moment, it was as if countless words were clamouring to escape, yet in the end, he said nothing. His eyes fell on the chess pieces on the stone table, and after a moment of silence, he simply said: “Why ask a question you already know the answer to, Uncle? She is no longer Miss Ye.”

“Yes,” Pei Ji nodded, “She is indeed no longer the Miss Ye she once was, but for those who know her, is the difference that big? Erlang, will you turn your love for her into anger and never see her again just because she has become a princess?”

Fine sweat oozed from Pei Xiaoyuan’s freshly washed forehead. He looked a little troubled, as if a thorn was pricking his back.

“Of course I won’t,” he replied.

“But now that she has become a princess, how can I marry her? I know you are doing this for my sake, but this time is different from last time…”

He paused, raised his hand, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and then said in a slightly more serious tone: “If only I arrived earlier, I would not have agreed to Uncle’s request to bring up this matter before His Majesty on my behalf.”

“You don’t have to worry so much.” Pei Ji replied, “I think His Majesty is also very resentful of you, and may not be willing to agree to Uncle’s request and give you the princess.”

Pei Xiaoyuan raised his eyes and looked across.

“This time is different from the last time I arranged a marriage for you. The reason why Uncle proposed marriage for you is entirely for the princess’ sake.

“Erlang, ask yourself, if a woman like the princess were to be taken away and become someone else’s wife, would you really not regret it for the rest of your life?

“I raised you, and I know how heavy your thoughts are and what you’re worrying about. I’m just afraid that one day you’ll regret this deeply. So, before His Majesty makes the final decision, I fought for a possible chance for you—that’s all. Whether it succeeds or not doesn’t depend on me proposing on your behalf, but on you.”

The setting sun slowly fell from behind the forest, and the sky seemed to be shrouded in a dim, dusky glow in an instant. Birds returning to their nests began circling overhead, their cries echoing noisily around them.

Pei Xiaoyuan sat upright in the deep twilight, his eyes fixed on the remaining chess piece in front of him, his figure frozen.

“Uncle.” After a long time, he slowly raised his eyes again and looked at Pei Ji.

“Did the emperor really cause the battle at Beiyuan? How much do you know, Uncle?

“I have wanted to ask this question for a long time. Can you please tell me the truth?”

Pei Ji didn’t seem surprised at all that he suddenly asked such a treasonous question, and just glanced at him.

“You asked if the emperor was the culprit. I can’t answer that because I don’t know the whole story. At that time, I was also trapped in the south and couldn’t get out and return to Chang’an in time. But the emperor can’t be completely innocent. Since you asked me this, I might as well tell you directly.”

Pei Xiaoyuan’s eyes flickered in the twilight. Suddenly, he heard Pei Ji ask himself, “Erlang, what are you thinking?”

He lowered his eyes and said nothing.

Pei Ji stared at him for a moment: “If just now I told you that everything was the emperor’s fault, and that he had killed your father and elder brother for his own selfish reasons, what will you do? Will you have turned against the emperor and overthrown the court in order to seek revenge?”

He still didn’t respond.

“Even if you have such an idea, I will never allow it.” Pei Ji’s voice unconsciously became serious.

“Even though the emperor is not innocent and even has some moral flaws, he has fulfilled his duties as an emperor with diligence and cannot be faulted in that regard. Moreover, from what I understand of His Majesty, though he may not be a benevolent man, he is far from the kind of insidious villain who would resort to any means to achieve his ends. To cause chaos in the world because of personal grudges is definitely not what your father wants to see!”

Amid the increasingly noisy sound of birds returning to their nests, Pei Xiaoyuan raised his head from the shade of the tree: “Uncle, you just said that His Majesty must not be innocent. I can choose not to seek revenge because of his status, but if I know that he is responsible for what happened back then, and I still give in to my own feelings and ask to marry his daughter, then what kind of person would that make me? How would that be any different from a man who forsakes principle for desire?”

Pei Ji looked at him with sympathy, and finally, let out a long sigh.

“Xiaoyuan, you are still too young. When you reach your uncle’s age, you will understand that some things are not as simple as black and white, or right and wrong. Once you reach a certain position, what one does or does not is no longer entirely up to them. The dead cannot return, and the absolute truth may not be the most important thing. What matters is that those who are alive, live well and move forward.

“When the letter appointment arrived back in Ganliang, Uncle didn’t want you to accept it. Because Uncle knew that once you stepped into the treacherous waters of Chang’an, it would be nearly impossible to withdraw unscathed. But you insisted on coming, and you have such a fate with the princess. Maybe it’s also fortune at work. If you can follow this course and marry the Princess, advancing together with her, and bring about the day when your father and the eight hundred soldiers are finally vindicated—would that not be a good outcome?

“Besides, just as Uncle said before, I was just fought for a chance for you, and I didn’t mean to force you.”

Having said that, Pei Ji raised his hand and pointed at the chess board in front of him.

“The human heart is unpredictable, and even a master can face defeat. Chess is like this, and how much more so is the course of worldly affairs? Even sages are not without flaws, and there has never been an emperor who makes no mistakes.”

“That’s all Uncle want to say. Just think it over carefully and don’t regret it in the future.”

Pei Ji stood up and walked away slowly.

Dusk completely enveloped the spring forest under the Cangshan Mountain.

It was unknown how long it had passed before Li Hui and Qingtou approached tiptoeing.

“Master?” He called out cautiously to the back of the figure in front of him that looked like a sitting statue in the dreary twilight.

“Master! Why are you staring at the stone chessboard? You have finally come back. If you don’t prepare for the Grand Archery Ceremony, the princess will be taken away by other people!” Qingtou could no longer hold back. He rushed to Pei Xiaoyuan and muttered.

Pei Xiaoyuan came to his sense, moved a little, and looked over.

Li Hui hurried forward to explain.

Next month, the emperor would end his summer retreat in Cangshan and return to Chang’an, but before leaving, a grand archery ceremony will be held.

The so-called grand archery ceremony was an ancient archery ritual passed down from the Zhou Dynasty. It is the highest level of archery ceremony. Originally, it was a competition held by the Son of Heaven or feudal lords to select participants for major sacrificial ceremonies. Over time, it evolved, and by the current dynasty, the grand archery ceremony has been incorporated as a military rite, with its format no longer limited solely to archery.

Regardless of how it had changed, the central purpose of the Grand Archery Ceremony remains the same: to select worthy individuals and bestow them with honor.

“Disciple heard that the purpose of this grand archery ceremony is to show off the military prowess of our holy dynasty and select an officiant for His Majesty’s grand birthday celebration. But in truth, there are too many people who want to marry my aunt, and His Majesty is having trouble deciding. So he wants to use the grand archery ceremony to select a hero who is most qualified to marry my aunt!”

Li Hui glanced at Pei Xiaoyuan and explained in a soft voice.

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