Chapter 92

Everything was arranged like this.

After he agreed to her, she ended the meeting tonight and did not keep him any longer. She quickly called in Yang Zai’en and ordered him to send Pei Xiaoyuan out to rest.

“Master Pei Er, please follow this servant.” Yang Zai’en bent down and led the way for him.

Pei Xiaoyuan still felt a bit dazed, as if in a dream, barely aware of how he walked out of this bedroom or descended from this magnificent building. After escorting him out, Yang Zaien respectfully presented him with a small medicine bottle, explaining that it was a remedy from the princess to alleviate bruises and pain, with instructions to use it once he returned. Pei Xiaoyuan raised his hand to accept it under Yang Zaien’s smiling gaze, then turned and walked away.

His pace was neither fast nor slow at first, and looked no different from usual. Until reaching a deserted corridor, he slowed down, and finally stopped.

Under the dark shadow of the tree, he turned around and looked at the tall building behind him. The lights in the building were reflected in the towering night sky through the beautiful windows on all sides, looking like the ethereal light from the moon palace. Occasionally, there were figures walking behind the window. Another figure that should be a palace maid came to the window, lowered the curtains behind the window one by one, making the light gradually disappeared behind the curtains, until it became completely dark.

A night owl glided in from the night sky behind the tall building, circled in the air for a moment, then rushed over and landed on a cluster of branches nearby. Amid the rustling sound of its wings, it stared over with its two round eyes shining strangely in the dark, tilting its head slightly.

Pei Xiaoyuan came to his senses suddenly, holding the porcelain bottle that had been warmed in his palm, and turned away.

The next day, the palace office reported that the emperor would be returning to Chang’an. Not only that, the emperor also gave generous rewards to Ashina, Yuwen Zhi, Lantai and Hedu. This was of course a consolation for the fact that the four people failed to win the princess.

The four people’s reactions were also different.

Ashina was known for his reputation as a playboy, and despite failing to win the princess’s hand, he seemed the least concerned of all, looking very nonchalance. Somehow, he even managed to secure a chance that night to enjoy the company of a group of beauties in the princess’s exclusive hot spring palace—an enviable fortune indeed. The next day, when he appeared in front of the people of Zuowu Guard, someone noticed a bruise on his cheek, which looked as if he had struck a wall. The guard erupted in laughter and speculation, with many guessing that Lu Wenjun had stormed into the hot spring palace the previous night and given him the beating. Ashina denied it, claiming that he slipped barefoot on the wet ground of the hot spring palace. However, it was already known that County Princess Lu was fond of him and often ruined his escapades. She was rumored to have once stormed into the home of a favored courtesan to catch him in the act. The more he denied this time, the more people believed it was so, teasing him even more mercilessly. Until the matter was heard by the grand princess, who was infuriated. She summoned the general of Zuowu Guard to suppress the jokes, silencing the talk once and for all.

Shizi Yuwen Zhi was probably the one with the worst luck that day. Prior to the grand archery competition, he injured his arm, which not only prevented him from competing against the other suitors but also cost him any chance to step onto the field. To make matter worse, the final winner was Pei Xiaoyuan, who was at odds with him. He must have been too depressed, as he was disappeared from view entirely after the competition. Even during the emperor’s return procession, he was nowhere to be seen, having reportedly left early under the pretext of recovering from his injury.

As for Hedu, his experience was even more dramatic. During the competition, just as he was poised to claim victory with great confidence, Pei Xiaoyuan unexpectedly intervened. After a fierce fight, he seemed to dislocated his arm. Fortunately, Pei Xiaoyuan’s attack was measured, and Hedu’s arm was quickly reset, leaving him with only a strained muscle and no lasting harm.

Although Hedu looked down on everyone, he was still somewhat heroic. In the past, he could still argue that Heavens did not help him on the battlefield and that the opponent won unfairly, but this time it was a real close combat. After losing again and again, setting aside the anger and shame, he could not help but secretly admire Pei Xiaoyuan. That same night, Hedu received urgent news from his homeland, which left him furious and alarmed. Fearing unrest if anything happened to Xifan King, he immediately sought an audience with the emperor. He expressed his gratitude for the Imperial Court’s assistance and also formally requested leave to return home. The emperor arranged people to escort him back to his country to succeed the throne. Before leaving, Hedu came to find Pei Xiaoyuan specifically. He admitted that he still felt unconvinced and proposed a future rematch, vowing to concede defeat only if he lost a third time. Pei Xiaoyuan laughed heartily and readily agreed, promising to be available anytime. To show goodwill, he personally escorted Hedu part of the way as a gesture of apology for dislocating his arm.

However, it was Lantai’s reaction after the archery ceremony that was quite different from that of the other three, and it was quite subtle.

As the one who was favored by everyone before the competition, he must have been the most disappointed. It was already known to everyone that he fell in love with the princess at first sight. Unable to accept the outcome, he fell into melancholy. That night, he drank alone under the moon, and the next morning, he was found passed out beneath a wall where he had painted a portrait of a beauty the previous evening. The inscription accompanying the painting included phrases like “The beauty’s fragrance adorns the heavens, the Jade Pool remains unseen by mortal eyes.” Though composed in drunkenness, the words revealed his deep longing. By the next day, the painting had been erased without a trace, but the story of his lovesick gesture spread swiftly.

The emperor summoned Lady Buyeo and promised to choose another noble lady with a noble family background and outstanding talent in Chang’an as his match and grant them marriage. Given his talent, status and reputation as the Tanhua, many noble girls in Chang’an would eagerly accept his proposal, especially with the added honor of a marriage decree from the emperor. Lady Buyeo was deeply grateful, but to her surprise, Lantai politely declined the emperor’s goodwill, stating that he currently had no intention of pursuing marriage. Fearing that his continued stay in Chang’an would only deepen his sorrow, Lady Buyeo urged him to return to Bohai with her. Lantai declined again, saying there was little to occupy him back home and that he had already made plans with his many friends in Chang’an to attend the annual autumn gathering at Leyou Plateau in Tenth Month, a grand event for the literati of the city. Unable to persuade him otherwise, Lady Buyeo finally gave up. Everyone secretly said that this Bohai Tanhua was remarkably steadfast, as even the honor of a marriage decree from the emperor could not sway him. They suspected that he still harbored lingering regret over the events of the Grand Archery Ceremony.

However, no matter what everyone thought, the matter had been decided and could not be changed.

A few days later, the emperor ended his two-month summer retreat to Cangshan and led his people back to Chang’an. He also ordered the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Imperial Clan to prepare for the princess’ wedding from that day on.

Just like when he came here, on this day, the emperor rode in a carriage, under the escort of guards and ceremonial guards, and led a team of officials behind him, leaving Cangshan and headed west back to the city.

On the opposite side of the foothills, on the top of a mountain dozens of zhang away, Li Yan stood on a high rock, staring down at the procession on the opposite side that was moving along the mountain path.

Looking down from the top of the mountain where he stood, the imperial carriage, which was more than 20 feet long and more than 12 feet high, on the opposite foot of the mountain seemed no longer oppressive. As for the people and horses in the endless procession following behind, they looked even smaller, like the scales of armor that formed this long dragon, slowly moving forward with the large group.

The wind from the top of the mountain whistled in from all directions, bending the autum wild grass growing around the rocks to the ground. Li Yan’s sleeves flapped and his robes billowed wildly, yet his feet remained rooted to the rocky summit as if nailed in place. His eyes were fixed on the scene below, did not even blink for a long time.

An attendant behind him followed his gaze and looked for a moment before he suddenly realized that what he was looking at so intently was not the imperial carriage that was passing along the mountain road opposite, but rather the lone rider trailing behind it.

The person riding on the horse was a young man in his early twenties, with a handsome figure and wearing a military robe.

This attendant was the leader of the death squad who had followed Li Yan to Ganliang at the beginning of the year. His name was Li Meng. Several of his men were later killed by this young man in Chang’an.

Of course he recognized this man, it was Master Pei. Just a few days ago, he was chosen by the emperor as his son-in-law.

The emperor was willing to use his only beloved daughter to win loyalty, not to mention the princess was such unparalleled beauty, so who in the world could resist it? From now on, this young man from the Pei family might really have to ignore the past, curry favor with the powerful, wag his tail to the current emperor, and become his loyal lackey.

At this time, the imperial carriage had already passed a bend at the end of the mountain and disappeared. Master Pei and his cavalry guards were also moving towards the bend at a leisurely pace.

Just when he was about to pass the bend, he suddenly slowed down his horse, stopped by the side of the road, his back motionless.

The cavalry guards passed by him row after row, but he never moved. Suddenly, he turned his head and looked in this direction.

Even at a distance of dozens of zhang, Li Meng could still feel the sharp light projected from those eyes when he turned his head.

He seemed to sense something was amiss.

Li Meng’s heart pounded wildly as he reacted with lightning speed. Before that Pei guy’s gaze swept to the rock on the opposite mountain top, he threw his master to the ground and hid him in the autumn grass below the rock.

Though the autumn grass had been bent low by the fierce wind, it was dense and tangled, forming a natural cover that completely hid them from view.

It would be impossible to notice them when looking up from the opposite foot of the mountain.

Li Meng held his breath and peeked at that Pei guy through the bushes.

His eyes seemed to sweep across the nearby hills, but found nothing unusual. Finally, he turned around and continued to drive his horse forward.

After he and the others disappeared at the end of the bend at the foot of the mountain, Li Meng let out a sigh of relief. At the same time, a sense of disappointment and self-blame inevitably welled up in his heart.

He was good at assassination and had never failed.

However, the strictness of Cangshan’s security was far beyond his expectations. For two whole months, he could only wander outside and didn’t find any opportunity to take advantage of.

Even on the night when Chen Sida rebelled, there were sentries stationed around the emperor.

Although Li Yan never blamed him, he felt that he was a failure for not seizing this opportunity.

It was like this here, and once the emperor returns to Chang’an, it would be even more impossible for him to get close.

He rose to his feet and was about to help his master up, only to see him roll onto his back, lying still amidst the autumn grass with his eyes closed, facing the sky, unmoving.

Li Meng, knowing his master was deep in thought, dared not disturb him and stood patiently by his side, waiting.

Li Yan lay on the mountaintop for what felt like an eternity, as if he was asleep. Suddenly, he raised one hand, his long, evenly jointed finger tracing the faint sword scar that still lingered across the center of his face. He gently rubbed the scar with his fingertip for a moment, then slowly opened his eyes, their light flickering briefly before he stood up from the ground.

He no longer looked at the procession that was still moving forward and seemed to have no end in sight on the opposite foothills, and walked down the mountain.

Eastern Capital.

In the evening, the Resident Regent Mansionreceived a letter from Chang’an.

The letter was written by Prince Ning himself, and it brought a piece of good news: Pei Xiaoyuan won the glory at the Grand Archery Ceremony and was chosen by the emperor to be the Commandant Prince Consort.

The wedding date had also been chosen, which was the eighth day of the following month.

Pei Ji immediately called He shi and told her the news.

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