SEHE Chapter 54

Stirred Heart

Two days later, Pei Yanci saw Gu Jiuqing return from outside the mansion with a darkly overcast expression.

At this time, he should have just finished attending the morning court session.

The Great Yu Emperor was obsessed with the art of immortality. The former three-day minor court sessions had been changed to every five days, with major court sessions once every ten days. He rarely appeared at minor court sessions, only attending major court sessions where he would listen to ministers report on government affairs from behind a screen. But whether the shadow behind that screen was actually the emperor, only Tang Xizhui, who enjoyed the emperor’s deep trust, truly knew.

There had once been rumors among the people that the emperor never showed his true form, and that the shadow hidden behind the screen during the major court sessions was actually Tang Xizhui, with the real emperor having been placed under house arrest long ago. Later, the rumors became increasingly outrageous, claiming that the emperor had been murdered by the Elu Bureau, and that Tang Xizhui was keeping the death secret in order to firmly grasp the dynasty’s power and become the true behind-the-scenes emperor of the Great Yu dynasty.

Whether it was ultimately the emperor who appeared to quell the rumors, or the Elu Bureau that suppressed them with iron-fisted tactics, was no longer known. But it was true that the emperor neglected court affairs, and it was also true that Tang Xizhui wielded enormous power.

Gu Jiuqing hurriedly entered the mansion and called over his shoulder without turning back, “Follow.”

Pei Yanci tucked his hands into his sleeves, clasping them together, and followed behind him into the small courtyard he usually used for receiving guests.

“Close the door.” Gu Jiuqing’s chest rose and fell as he let out a long breath that he had been holding back all the way. Seeing Pei Yanci’s face, beautiful as one who could pluck stars and embrace the moon, the pent-up frustration in his heart immediately dissipated considerably, as if he had once again become the Crown Prince who remained unperturbed by all things.

Pei Yanci poured a cup of hot tea and placed it by his side, saying nothing, only quietly waiting for him to speak.

“The day before yesterday, you told this prince that the Wang family’s attitude was wavering. This prince had intended to make another attempt to win them over at today’s court session.” Gu Jiuqing took a sip of hot tea, which completely calmed his emotions. His sharp, rigid brows relaxed, though his eyes still brimmed with penetrating frost.

“That scoundrel from the Elu Bureau actually impeached the Wang family today, saying that Wang Yunzhi had spoken arrogantly in front of everyone the other day, declaring that unless this prince personally visited his door, he would not see this prince—showing no respect for imperial dignity.”

Wang Yunzhi was indeed the Wang family’s little uncle.

“Did Wang Yunzhi truly say such words that day?” A flash of contemplation crossed his eyes.

Logically speaking, they were all veterans of the official court. Although the Junior Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices mainly oversaw ancestral temple sacrifices and court music, his political power wasn’t too great compared to the Six Ministries’ positions, and his methods might be lacking, but he wasn’t someone who would say such brainless words.

It was just that the Elu Bureau had directly presented these words before the throne, turning a trivial matter into a grave crime of contempt for imperial authority.

“He did say it. At the time, this humble one only felt humiliated, and afterward never mentioned it to Your Highness, so as not to pollute Your Highness’s ears.” Pei Yanci sighed. “At the time, there were also several servants from the Wang mansion present who all heard it. I imagine Wang Daren also spoke carelessly—in his own mansion, where would he need to be so cautious?”

That day, Pei Yanci had deliberately provoked him, and with words leading to words, plus being in his own mansion, he had spoken much more freely. Perhaps after saying it, he himself had forgotten, and even if he remembered, although Pei Yanci was an outsider, he was still a servant at most. At worst, he would complain to Gu Jiuqing, but Gu Jiuqing still hoped for the Wang family’s support—a careless slip of words could be resolved once explained.

Gu Jiuqing shook his head. “Tell me, even if this prince wanted to be the good person and speak a word or two in defense of the Wang family, this prince wouldn’t have the chance. Where do they even place this prince in their eyes to be able to say such things?”

“None of us expected that the Elu Bureau’s network of ears had reached such a terrifying extent.”

“The Elu Bureau has many ears, but surely the Zheng family has no fewer?”

Seeing the frosty expression on his face grow heavier, Pei Yanci feigned ignorance while understanding perfectly. “What about the Zheng family?”

Thinking of the Zheng family’s cold mockery after the court session, Gu Jiuqing preferred not to mention it, only saying, “For some reason, the Zheng family learned of this prince’s secret contact with the Wang family.”

The Elu Bureau had only mentioned that the Wang family had spoken disrespectfully of him, this Crown Prince, in their own mansion, and had never mentioned Pei Yanci’s visit. How did the Zheng family come to know of it?

“Do you think it’s possible that the Elu Bureau privately revealed this matter to the Zheng family?” Gu Jiuqing pondered. “They’ve always wanted to drive a wedge between this prince and the Zheng family.”

“It’s possible.” In any case, the Elu Bureau had a terrible reputation, so any blame placed on them would surely be correct. “Prime Minister Zheng is deeply cunning and calculating—he certainly wouldn’t fall for such a simple trick. Your Highness needn’t worry.”

“He wouldn’t fall for it, but…” Gu Jiuqing seemed to have something difficult to say. After hesitating, he continued, “The Zheng family has always wanted to control this prince and cannot tolerate my scheming behind their backs, especially when this time this prince had you secretly meet with their political enemies.”

The meeting with the Wang family could have been handled by Eastern Palace officials for persuasion, but he didn’t trust those people. Originally, he was afraid that if the Zheng family found out before the Wang family had agreed to cooperate, wouldn’t that mean alienating both sides? He had thought to use a gentle approach to bring both families onto his side, but instead ended up in such an awkward situation.

It was all the fault of that utterly wicked Elu Bureau.

“More importantly, Prime Minister Zheng proposed in today’s court session, and Father Emperor also ordered, that this prince must submit the new tax policy before the next major court session.” This was what troubled Gu Jiuqing most today. “Originally, the new tax policy was drafted by Prime Minister Zheng’s students and retainers, and it’s still in Prime Minister Zheng’s hands. This prince only glanced through it briefly at the time.”

“Since the Zheng family has already chosen Your Highness, they certainly cannot stand by and watch you perish.” Pei Yanci said.

“Yes, they won’t stand by and watch this prince perish, but they can force me to bow my head and clearly recognize my position.” Gu Jiuqing said mockingly.

Previously, he had wanted to escape the Zheng family’s control by bringing in another wolf, so that while the wolves and tigers fought, he could naturally reap the benefits. But in the current situation, he could only bow his head to the Zheng family and show submission to find a way out of this predicament.

He had thought that with the tax law measures, he could completely reverse his image in the minds of officials and the emperor, while also taking the opportunity to win over the Wang family—the tax law policy involved significant interests, and not everyone had the opportunity to gain the right to draft new policies.

“If Your Highness doesn’t want to be controlled by the Zheng family, why not gather talented scholars yourself to discuss and draft a new policy?” Pei Yanci smiled slightly.

“Relying on those rats in the Eastern Palace?”

“If Your Highness trusts this humble one, you could entrust this matter to me. How about it?” he said. “Your Highness might as well try—if a new policy is successfully drafted, Your Highness won’t have to suffer the Zheng family’s attitude. If this humble one cannot deliver, then Your Highness can still approach the Zheng family later. For Your Highness, there’s no loss.”

Gu Jiuqing gazed at Pei Yanci’s face, somewhat entranced.

The clear water in the small pool by the window rippled in the sunlight, and the crystalline light and shadows danced colorfully across Pei Yanci’s handsome face, bright and luminous, like a divine child descended from the ninth heaven.

In a trance, Gu Jiuqing recalled that when he first met Pei Yanci, it was when the peach blossoms were in full bloom.

Now today, the peach trees throughout the courtyard were lush and green.

The peach tree is young and elegant, brilliant are its flowers. The maiden is going to her future home, suitable for her household.

The peach tree is young and elegant, luxuriant are its leaves. The maiden is going to her future home, suitable for her family members.

Suitable for her household, suitable for her household…

This phrase kept circling in his mind, inexplicably giving rise to several points of strange and bizarre delusion.

“Your Highness?” Pei Yanci looked at him puzzledly. How was it that while they were talking perfectly well, this person suddenly became distracted?

Did his words seem so uninteresting? Pei Yanci’s eyes dimmed slightly, taking on an intimidating sharpness.

Gu Jiuqing shivered and came back to his senses. His cold gaze, carrying a hint of wandering, drifted past him without focus, looking toward the babbling water and moss-covered strange stones outside the house.

“Let’s do as you say, but…” He paused. “Thank you for your trouble.”

He had never imagined that someone with such appearance and beauty, with such talent and methods, could give their whole heart without reservation, running around on his behalf in every way.

“In that case, this humble one will return to prepare. These next few days, I may not always be in the mansion.” Pei Yanci gave him advance notice.

Having said this, he didn’t wait for permission and bowed in farewell.

Seeing him turn to leave, Gu Jiuqing instinctively raised his hand.

But lifting it only halfway, reason returned.

By what right should he embrace him?

If he were to marry this person and bring him home, then between them, whatever happened would become proper and justified.

And what could be done would be far more than just an embrace.

Even though he was a man.

But he could use this to firmly bind a resourceful strategist to his side.

For this lifetime, Pei Yanci would have absolutely no possibility of betraying him, and could only stay by his side, wholeheartedly strategizing for him.

Why would he need to struggle to find other advisors for assistance?

The swelling, aching emotion in his heart and the tangled thoughts were suppressed. Gu Jiuqing’s eyes once again condensed into solid ice as he watched Pei Yanci’s retreating figure, a trace of deep contemplation flashing through his gaze.

****

Pei Yanci returned to his room and opened his trunk, beginning to pack several sets of change of clothes.

Wuli and Wushu came in laughing and chattering, carrying several plates of pastries. Seeing this scene, they couldn’t help but freeze.

“Big brother, did the Crown Prince throw you out?” Wuli asked, staring with his mung bean-sized eyes.

“…Can’t you hope for something better?” Only after becoming chief steward did Pei Yanci have a few sets of regular clothes to wear. All those servant and steward clothes had been given to Wushu.

“Brother, will I grow this tall in the future too?” Wushu excitedly held the clothes up to his chest, comparing.

“Not necessarily. Have your mother alter the clothes to be smaller.”

“Big brother, your words hurt the child’s self-esteem. He’s just started his growth spurt—how can you say he can’t grow taller than you?” Wuli plopped down on his bed, the fried fish slices in his mouth crunching crisply. One look and you could tell Wuli had pilfered them from the kitchen.

“Exactly, exactly.” Wushu chimed in agreement.

“To be as mighty and robust as me—that’s impossible for him in this lifetime.”

“For once, your dog mouth spoke human words.” Wushu said. “But really, Brother Yanci, what are you going to do? I want to go too.”

Now in the mansion, aside from Gu Jiuqing, it was Pei Yanci’s world. The two of them, being close to him, could come and go as they pleased after finishing their assigned duties—a kind of privileged convenience.

“You can’t go where I’m going.”

“Anywhere you can go, why can’t I go? Just say whether you’re going to a brothel or not.”

Upon hearing “brothel,” Wuli lost interest in the fried fish slices and clapped his hands. “Just tell us how many sets of clothes to bring. Through fire and water, I won’t even furrow my brow—sworn to follow big brother to the death.”

“Right, right.”

****

Half an hour later, the three got off the carriage. Wuli glanced to the right and saw clearly written in regular script above the vermillion lacquered main gate of the mansion. “Chief Overseer’s Mansion.”

Wuli’s smile froze on his face.

“Big brother, was going through fire and water too easy for you, so you had to come here to seek death?”

TL/N:

Chief Overseer

督主 (dū zhǔ) literally means overseer-lord/master.

督 = oversee, supervise.

主 = lord/master.

But in actual imperial court usage, it wasn’t a generic “overseer.” It was a special respectful title for the chief eunuch who supervised palace affairs and sometimes even state matters.