SEHE Chapter 71.1

A new match was about to begin.

After the first match of the morning concluded, Gu Jiuqing’s team would also soon enter the fray, though Peng Chulang had become the leader.

On the polo field below the platform, two teams were locked in fierce combat, while the atmosphere inside Jiangwu Pavilion was equally turbulent and unpredictable.

Gu Jiuqing’s right cheek was somewhat swollen. Pei Yanci had privately fetched some ice to help compress it. Just as it seemed much better, they heard Empress Zheng exclaim in surprise, “Jiuqing, what happened to your face?”

Those qualified to enter Jiangwu Pavilion to watch the match alongside the Emperor and Empress were all members of the imperial clan and noble families. Upon hearing this, they couldn’t help but fix their gazes on the polo field below.

Pei Yanci knew it was time for him, as a loyal servant, to speak up. He immediately said with grievance, “His Highness’s face was struck by Princess Zhangping.”

Zhangping was precisely Gu Yueqian’s princess title.

“What is this about?” The Emperor withdrew his gaze from the polo field, only now noticing something amiss with Gu Jiuqing’s face.

“Zhangping, you’re causing trouble again.”

Gu Yueqian pouted aggrieved, a woman in her early thirties yet looking like an eighteen-year-old maiden not yet married. “Father Emperor, it’s all a misunderstanding. This humble daughter merely intended to discipline a servant. Fourth Brother just had to come rushing over. It’s always been servants protecting their masters, but this is the first time I’ve seen a master protecting a servant. How could this humble daughter have anticipated it? My hand simply moved too quickly.”

Zheng Qinglai looked at Gu Jiuqing with dissatisfaction, then stood up to defend him, saying, “The Crown Prince is benevolent and has always been generous with his servants, unable to bear seeing those under him be bullied. Who could have imagined Princess Zhangping would be so merciless even when disciplining others’ servants?”

A single sentence elevated Gu Jiuqing’s behavior while implying that Gu Yueqian was arrogant and domineering.

“You are siblings. Striking each other in front of everyone—aren’t you afraid of being laughed at by the ministers?” The Emperor’s tone was impossible to read, making no comment on their loss of imperial face. “Jiuqing, you were injured in yesterday’s horse incident. If you’re unwell, return and rest properly.”

“Father Emperor is truly partial. You allow Fourth Brother to go rest, yet don’t care that this humble daughter traveled thousands of li from the Western Sichuan palace, experiencing the hardships of the journey, eager to see Father Emperor.” Gu Yueqian said charmingly.

At this moment, a middle-aged man sitting across from Prime Minister Zheng smiled and spoke, “Yesterday, when the Princess hadn’t yet been seen arriving in the capital, His Majesty was still worrying about her. Western Sichuan is thousands of li from Anjing. The Princess’s health has been poor, and he feared something might go wrong. Seeing the Princess appear today so vigorous and lively, His Majesty is probably too delighted to contain his joy and wants to spend more time with you.”

That person was none other than Left Prime Minister Cui Ya of the eunuch faction.

Cui Ya’s skin was darker than most people’s, his eyebrows and hair somewhat sparse, his cheeks sunken, making his mouth protrude. His tall, thin frame was slightly hunched. In appearance, he fell far short of Zheng Qinglai, who came from a legitimate branch of an established aristocratic family. He hardly looked like a Left Prime Minister capable of grand political maneuvering. Without his purple official robes to support him, he would look more like an ordinary old farmer working the fields outside. Thus, those official robes seemed to hang on him like they were draped on a withered old tree.

His face bore the warmth of an elder regarding a junior, his triangular eyes constantly shifting between Gu Yueqian and Prime Minister Zheng. Pei Yanci thought that if he were to be stared at like this, he would definitely feel uncomfortable.

In truth, ministerial appointments and official positions in the court also depended on first impressions. Someone with Cui Ya’s unremarkable appearance was actually quite rare in the court.

Gu Yueqian looked toward Cui Ya, her delicate oval face lightly powdered, smiling with captivating charm. “Prime Minister Cui’s words are still so pleasing. This princess came to the traveling lodge also with the intention of borrowing the auspicious omens of the Dragon Boat Festival to dispel evil, eliminate disasters, and avoid all ailments.”

Pei Yanci didn’t know what had happened after Gu Yueqian’s encounter with the Great Xi envoys. It was only much later that he heard Gu Jiuqing mention in passing that she had contracted a serious illness, and the Emperor, missing his beloved daughter, had specially summoned her back from the Western Sichuan palace to Anjing, having her princess’s residence—which she hadn’t lived in since her marriage—thoroughly renovated.

This was the information outsiders received.

Tang Xizhui had told him that Gu Yueqian had actually been living in a villa on the outskirts of Anjing during this time, waiting for the carriage procession from the Western Sichuan palace that would “escort her back to the capital” to arrive, so that she and her son could naturally appear in Anjing’s aristocratic circles.

Cui Ya was unaware of these details. His words seemed caring but were actually suspicious—Gu Yueqian should have been seriously ill at this time. Since she could appear here safe and sound, it must be that Prime Minister Zheng had found an excuse to secretly help her return to Anjing.

Gu Yueqian’s return to the capital would become a major asset for Prime Minister Zheng, which was not good for him.

But just now everyone had seen clearly that Gu Yueqian had slapped Gu Jiuqing right in front of them, showing no regard for the current Crown Prince’s dignity. It was obvious the two had torn off all pretenses and were like fire and water.

Therefore, Cui Ya couldn’t help but become puzzled.

But what he received was an ambiguous response from Gu Yueqian.

“Father Emperor, Lan’er is also seventeen this year. In Great Xi, he trained with many imperial martial instructors. He is now a person of Great Yu as well. Why not let Lan’er also go down and show his skills, gain some experience?”

Upon hearing this, everyone’s gazes shifted to the young man standing slightly behind her.

Pei Yanci had previously caught a glimpse of this person at the entrance of the lodging house where the Great Xi envoys were staying. At that time, his attention had been drawn by Gu Yueqian, and he hadn’t paid this person much mind.

Qi Lan was about the same age as his current body, of similar build. His hair fell loosely over his shoulders and back, slightly wavy, with several braids at his temples adorned with green and blue beads of unknown material. His skin was tanned to a wheat color, bearing a wild, rough texture, his entire being emanating an air of rebellious defiance.

It was said that Great Xi’s former emperor had favored Western Region beauties, and Qi Lan’s paternal grandmother was from the Western Regions.

“There’s no vacant position for Lan’er at the moment,” the Emperor said.

“But Fourth Brother is injured,” Gu Yueqian said with a delicate laugh. “We’re all family. It wouldn’t be unreasonable for Lan’er to take Fourth Brother’s place, would it?”

Upon hearing this, the expressions of those present became strange.

Gu Jiuqing calmly spoke, “Ordinarily, since the younger brother is injured, Lan’er could substitute for him. Unfortunately, my position has already been filled. Lan’er must register earlier next year—at least then he’ll have time to find a strong teammate. Otherwise, he won’t even have the qualification to compete.”

“Enough. This match has reached its most critical moment.” The Emperor looked around at everyone impassively, then returned his gaze to the field.

Gu Jiuqing stared at Gu Yueqian for a while, then turned to look at Empress Zheng and Prime Minister Zheng at the head of the room, falling silent without further comment.

After the polo match concluded, the Emperor summoned everyone for a two-quarter-hour rest.

The Emperor and Empress went first to rest in the side hall of Jiangwu Pavilion. Pei Yanci followed, and Gu Jiuqing summoned Pei Yanci to a small tea room, saying, “Who do you think was behind tampering with this prince’s carriage—Gu Yueqian or the Zheng family?”

“Why would Your Highness suspect them?” Pei Yanci said with a puzzled expression. “The Zheng family is wholeheartedly supporting Your Highness. Why would they want Your Highness to meet with misfortune?”

“This prince originally didn’t believe it either, but some things have happened recently.” Gu Jiuqing trailed off without continuing.

“Because of the new tax law matter?” Pei Yanci picked up the thread. “It was this humble one’s fault—I didn’t consider everything thoroughly at first, putting Your Highness in a difficult position.”

“You did very well. Those incomplete aspects regarding the aristocratic families—this prince helped you remove them. The rest remains unchanged. Your new tax law provisions, this prince has already submitted to Father Emperor, and he is very pleased with them.”

Pei Yanci looked at him in surprise.

“What about Prime Minister Zheng’s?” Since the version being used was the one he had reviewed before, how could the Zheng family agree?

“Prime Minister Zheng’s new tax law has been scrapped. He has also decided to support this prince’s provisions.”

What’s going on?

Before yesterday, he had learned from Qin Xiong and Hu Erlai that Prime Minister Zheng and Gu Jiuqing had developed friction over this matter. In the end, they had to find an excuse to punish Hu Menlai to slightly ease the relationship between both sides.

How had everything completely changed today?

Gu Jiuqing couldn’t possibly completely agree to the tax law drafted by the Zheng family. From the moment he decided to have Pei Yanci devise a new tax law, he had determined to use this as a sword to challenge the Zheng family and break free from the puppet strings they had wound around him.

Since the Zheng family had wrapped those strings around a powerless, unfavored prince, they had no intention of letting go.

Ultimately, just as Pei Yanci had thought before, whether the tax law was reformed or not, whether the promulgated new tax law could benefit the nation and people—these weren’t the core concerns at all. Reducing, maintaining, or expanding aristocratic interests, which side would submit to the other—these were the roots of their disagreement.

In all the scenarios he had deduced, in the information he had obtained before yesterday, Gu Jiuqing had decided to yield, to submit to the Zheng family.

Gu Jiuqing was hiding something from him!

Pei Yanci’s eyes gradually turned cold. He truly couldn’t underestimate him.

His “master” was escaping his control.

Everything was beginning to move toward the unknown.

Gu Jiuqing grasped his hand, looking at him with gentle eyes. “This time, it’s all thanks to you. This prince is thinking that when we return to the Crown Prince’s mansion, this prince will have someone find an auspicious day to elevate you to male concubine.”

Pei Yanci gazed at Gu Jiuqing. This Crown Prince of Great Yu had commanding brow bones, eyes like glass of a lighter color than ordinary people’s—still clear and transparent. When his lashes blinked, they carried a pristine, pure, cold sanctity. In every gesture and movement, he bore the oppressive presence and commanding aura of an emperor.

Making one unable to resist the urge to submit.

At some point without his knowing, Gu Jiuqing had become someone he no longer recognized.

No longer easy to see through.

“Very well. This humble one will follow all of Your Highness’s arrangements,” Pei Yanci said with a smile.

Gu Jiuqing had originally prepared his arguments, afraid Pei Yanci wouldn’t agree. Upon hearing these words, his heart softened, the frost in his eyes and brows melting into a spring stream.

He decided to reveal his entire plan.

“This is just a temporary measure. Rest assured, this prince won’t marry again…”

An ill-timed figure appeared in the doorway.

Pei Yanci hurriedly extracted his hand from Gu Jiuqing’s palm and looked back to see Zheng Qinglai.

Zheng Qinglai glanced at the expressions of the two, then withdrew his gaze impassively.

“Your Highness,” he bowed in salute, “Young General Jiang has eaten something bad and has an upset stomach. I’m afraid he won’t be able to participate in the match in half a quarter-hour.”

“How could this happen?” Gu Jiuqing’s brows furrowed.

Pei Yanci said with concern, “Could it be Princess Zhangping’s doing…”

Zheng Qinglai interrupted, “Better not to speculate wildly and harm the harmony between the two Highnesses.”

The truth of the matter was still unclear. Didn’t these words sound like sowing discord?

“This humble one is only worried about this possibility. After all, Princess Zhangping was quite eager for her son to make a grand showing in this polo competition.”

“Your worry has some basis,” Gu Jiuqing said. “Yanci, you said before you know polo?”

Pei Yanci answered before Prime Minister Zheng could speak, bowing crisply, “Yes, Your Highness. This humble one has learned it.”

“You’ll take this position.” Gu Jiuqing immediately made the decision. “Use this prince’s armor and mallet.”

He deliberately wanted to show Gu Yueqian that even a servant could play, while her son could not.

Pausing, he instructed with concern, “Don’t push yourself too hard. Your safety is most important.”

Pei Yanci’s eyes and brows flowed with gentle affection. “Yes. This humble one will go prepare now.”

He bowed to take his leave. When he turned his back to Gu Jiuqing, he shot Zheng Qinglai a look of hatred mixed with helplessness.

Zheng Qinglai pondered: It seems Gu Jiuqing told him about being elevated to male concubine. His arrogant air from last time has dissipated considerably.

Whether this person displayed smug satisfaction or deep resentment before him, Zheng Qinglai simply let it pass without taking it to heart.

He wouldn’t stoop to haggling over such matters with a teenage servant, needlessly losing his dignity.

Moreover, this person would ultimately be confined to the inner quarters. That arrogance and sharp edges would all be worn down by women and competition for favor.

As they passed each other, suddenly, his eyes flickered.

From the overlapping collar at Pei Yanci’s neck, a kiss mark was revealed.

Following his gaze, Pei Yanci also quickly noticed his own collar. Looking somewhat flustered, he tried to cover it up by pulling his collar tighter, only making it more obvious.

Zheng Qinglai’s eyes revealed contemplation.

****

Pei Yanci donned Gu Jiuqing’s armor, took up the mallet, and went to the stables to select a date-red horse.

Peng Chulang, seeing him come to replace Jiang Yi, smiled, “Previously we really underestimated the Crown Prince’s mansion. His Highness is surrounded by capable people.”