SEHE Chapter 60

Making a Bet 

The sandalwood bead bracelet on Wang Lingche’s wrist swayed as he pondered for a moment, then said earnestly, “I can copy scriptures by hand for you before Buddha and light ever-burning lamps for you to bless your safety.”

Pei Yanci smiled warmly. “I appreciate the thought, but I don’t need such things.”

Who was he? The Son of Heaven.

From ancient times to now, borrowing a corpse to return the soul had only happened in supernatural tales and strange stories. He had died and been reborn – neither the Great Dao nor ethical norms could do anything to him. Even death itself, the most terrifying thing that made people tremble with fear between heaven and earth, had yielded to him. In heaven and earth, from ancient times to now, he alone existed.

The scattered blessings and peaceful words that Buddha bestowed upon all living beings were not meant for him. Why should he take others’ fortune and cause them to lose their blessings?

“I am still a member of the Wang family,” Wang Lingche frowned. “Isn’t that enough?”

“You are a member of the Wang family, but you and the Wang family are two different matters.”

He had just been thinking this person was simple, and immediately the man played a cunning trick on him.

Wang Lingche was now practicing Buddhism with his hair grown out, and his voice in the family was gradually weakening. If he insisted on not marrying a daughter of a prominent family, he would also lose his marriage value. Without assistance from his wife’s clan, he would sooner or later become a marginal figure in the family. Pei Yanci had no interest in the favor he owed him.

Wang Lingche wasn’t failing to understand – he just didn’t want to. How great was a favor from the Wang family? A servant couldn’t bear it.

If someone else had come today, they should have found Pei Yanci to use silver and say a few nice words to get dozens of taels – both parties would be satisfied. He had never done such a thing before, always priding himself on being upright and honest. His heart was conflicted, and he looked somewhat hesitant.

Seeing him like this, Pei Yanci narrowed his eyes slightly. “It’s just a joke. Even if Attendant Wang really proposed it, how could I let the Wang family owe me a favor? I don’t have such audacity. When I gave you that kind reminder before leaving, it was also for His Highness’s sake, to avoid hurting the harmony between both sides.”

He slowly lifted his foot and stepped closer. “He values Attendant Wang’s talents very highly.”

Wang Lingche keenly sensed that the other’s aura had become sharp and menacing. His heart felt somewhat uncomfortably tense, his earlobes gradually taking on a hint of red, and he stepped back half a step in embarrassment.

This person was quite amusing to tease.

“Attendant Wang has a widowed cousin who married Cui Ya as his second wife, while you, Attendant Wang, are serving His Highness. That’s quite interesting.” Pei Yanci chuckled, looking at him with amusement. “Shall we make a bet?”

“What bet?” Wang Lingche was stunned, frowning as he seriously refused. “Gambling is a very bad habit. Once contaminated by it, at best one loses their ambition in frivolous pursuits, at worst one loses their family fortune.”

“How obedient you are.” Pei Yanci poked his cheek with his index finger – it was quite soft.

“You, you, you…” Wang Lingche’s face turned red to the base of his neck. Like a virtuous man who had been molested, he covered his cheek and staggered back a step. “As a scholar, how can you be so frivolous and reckless!”

“You know what my status is. What’s wrong with being a little frivolous? If I could hook up with your Wang family, wouldn’t I escape slavery and soar to great heights in one leap?”

“You couldn’t even enter the Wang family’s gate.” Wang Lingche stood there dumbfounded, looking like he was about to cry from anger. He said defiantly, “I’ll go tell the steward at our mansion not to let you enter the Wang residence again.”

“I was originally planning to help you, but since you’ve said that, I won’t help you anymore.” Pei Yanci waved his hand and was about to leave.

“How could you help me?” Wang Lingche asked in confusion.

Pei Yanci slowly turned around, his eyes bright and sharp, like a fox toying with its prey. “Your Wang family will form a marriage alliance with the Zheng family.”

“Impossible.” Wang Lingche’s expression instantly changed. His previous obedience, clumsiness, and honesty were all replaced by a trace of fierceness in his eyes.

“Is it because the Wang and Zheng families are hereditary enemies, or because among the currently eligible family members, only your legitimate sister remains, which is why you’re so nervous?” Pei Yanci stepped closer again. “You agreed to become the Crown Prince’s Attendant to prevent your sister from marrying into the Zheng family, didn’t you? The Wang family wants to please both sides, but unfortunately, it’s hard on you siblings.”

“Among the Zheng family’s younger generation, the only unmarried male is the Prime Minister Zheng’s youngest son, who is only nine years old – an ignorant child. But my sister is already fourteen and will soon turn fifteen. You should investigate clearly before making such wild claims here.” Wang Lingche said angrily.

It had always been men who were older than women – where had anyone seen women so much older than men? This only happened with child brides in poor families.

If this were really the case, the Wang family would probably become the laughingstock of all Anjing.

“No matter who she ends up marrying, do you believe that your sister’s marriage might still be orchestrated by the very Highness you’re currently assisting?” Pei Yanci looked at him with pity. That he could tell him this naturally meant he had already asked Yue Ting for details. When it came to the sordid affairs between aristocratic families, no one was more familiar than other aristocrats.

He smoothed out the wrinkles at Wang Lingche’s elbow. “Never underestimate them. To grasp more power, people blinded by profit can do anything.”

Even enemies could become in-laws.

Just as he was about to withdraw his hand, his wrist was grabbed.

“Has His Highness already discussed this matter with the Zheng family?” Wang Lingche asked breathlessly.

“No, this is all just my speculation. His Highness probably doesn’t even have this idea in his mind right now. But once you go to confront him face-to-face, I wonder if this would count as giving him a reminder.”

Pei Yanci still had to guard against him going to Gu Jiuqing to speak nonsense. “I’m telling you this to put Attendant Wang’s mind at ease. His Highness still wants your Wang family’s support and won’t hold grudges just because Attendant Wang or your little uncle said a few inappropriate words. On the contrary, he’ll use this matter to show goodwill toward your Wang family. If Attendant Wang wants me to help put in a good word, it’s really unnecessary. However…”

He slowly revealed a smile. “This matter concerns the lifelong happiness of your legitimate sister. I wonder if it might be worth an Attendant’s favor?”

Wang Lingche was confused. “Didn’t you just say that my favor and the Wang family’s favor are two different matters?”

“I don’t mind taking a small loss.”

After all, sooner or later they would become the same thing.

****

After bidding farewell to Wang Lingche, Pei Yanci was preparing to return to the back courtyard when he encountered Crown Prince’s Court Companion Hu Erlai, who was just leaving the Crown Prince’s mansion. At first, he didn’t notice the man until he heard several consecutive calls of “Chief Steward Pei,” and only then did he react.

“Court Companion Daren.” He performed a bow.

It was good to be in the Crown Prince’s mansion – he could encounter so many officials everywhere.

Tang Xizhui should really learn from others.

“Chief Steward Pei, there’s no need to be so polite.” Hu Erlai’s naturally dark complexion revealed a smile, his gleaming white teeth particularly dazzling. “It’s been a long time. The Chief Steward’s complexion looks even better recently. Just now in the main hall, I didn’t see the Chief Steward – it felt like something was missing, which made people quite uncomfortable.”

As a servant having good energy and spirit was all due to Gu Jiuqing’s merit – not being harsh with subordinates. He openly praised Pei Yanci while secretly flattering the Crown Prince, then mentioned that he had noticed his absence, making Pei Yanci feel valued, unconsciously increasing his goodwill toward him and bringing their relationship closer.

Actually, their previous few encounters had been mere nodding acquaintances – they hadn’t even spoken face-to-face before.

“I was delayed handling matters for His Highness, so I didn’t go. With capable ministers like you all around His Highness, I would just be there for the excitement and entertainment.” Pei Yanci understood the implication. “What happened today? I saw His Highness’s expression was unusual.”

The meaning of “unusual” was hard to define, especially when applied to Gu Jiuqing’s iceberg face, making it even harder to glimpse his inner fluctuations. This “unusual” depended on how they each interpreted it. Even if they couldn’t interpret it, would Hu Erlai dare question the eyes of Gu Jiuqing’s trusted aide?

“Really?” Upon hearing this, a strange glint flashed in Hu Erlai’s eyes. “The weather has been getting hotter lately, making people’s hearts burn with anger. We ministers, instead of thinking of sharing His Highness’s worries, keep bringing up things that displease His Highness. Isn’t that just provoking His Highness’s anger?”

“Did Hu Daren come today?”

“If he hadn’t come, everyone’s hearts wouldn’t be burning so hot. If this were winter, it could save Anjing a lot of charcoal.” Hu Erlai made a joke that wasn’t funny at all. Seeing Pei Yanci laugh along with him, he felt secretly encouraged and took the opportunity to speak further.

“Of course, it’s all about discussing matters objectively. For the sake of handling His Highness’s affairs well, occasional arguments and disputes are normal – we can’t distinguish between close and distant relationships. His Highness has just taken power and wants to achieve some real accomplishments, so naturally everyone wants to be of one heart from top to bottom. But sometimes you’re right and he’s also right, and we can’t tell who’s who. This inevitably makes us waver back and forth. Many colleagues share the same thoughts as I do.”

He intimately took Pei Yanci’s hand. “People have two ears but only one brain, and can only process one voice. Perhaps it’s because they hold high positions, standing too high and seeing too far – with their broad vision and foresight, they naturally think much more than we do. Chief Steward Pei, don’t laugh at my honesty and stupidity. I only know to look ahead with my eyes and prick up my ears in one direction. Whatever His Highness says, we just listen and follow orders.”

“Court Companion Daren speaks reasonably. His Highness also often sighs privately that now is the time to employ people, and it would be best if all ears were pricked up in one direction.” Pei Yanci agreed. “Unfortunately, his position makes it inappropriate to say certain things. If there were someone who could help support him, that would be ideal.”

Hu Erlai’s dark complexion could always produce exaggerated expressions. Sometimes it was hard to tell whether he was putting on an act or genuinely expressing his feelings. Now he was again baring his big white teeth. “When I was young, I traveled across the seas by ship to reach Great Yu, and I’ve seen how ships operate. When the wind is calm and the waves are still, it’s the helmsman who controls the direction. The captain, in his high position, only takes the helm at crucial moments – this way he can show his wise judgment and lead everyone through storms.”

“It seems Court Companion Daren would make a good helmsman.” Pei Yanci smiled.

“That also requires a good first mate to introduce me to the captain.” Hu Erlai smiled back. “The beginning of summer is approaching, and the weather is quite hot. The Chief Steward helps His Highness handle government affairs, but there’s no one nearby to fan and add ice. If the Chief Steward were to suffer from the heat, wouldn’t His Highness lose his right-hand man? A few days ago, I happened to find some Silla slave girls with decent looks. How about I send them to the Chief Steward tomorrow?”

Pei Yanci lowered his hand and felt the silver in his sleeve – this had been secretly slipped to him when the man grabbed his hand earlier, worth at least dozens of taels. Having already used silver to buy his way into speaking well of him before Gu Jiuqing, and now mentioning Silla slave girls, naturally this wasn’t for his benefit.

As Hu Erlai wished, he declined, “His Highness doesn’t even have Silla slave girls serving him. How could I, a mere chief steward, deserve to use them?”

Silla slave girls were women from foreign lands sold to Great Yu. Each had high nose bridges and deep-set eyes, with tall and graceful figures. After layers of selection by brokers, none with ordinary appearances entered Anjing’s circle of power and nobility.

Hu Erlai hadn’t originally intended to give them to him, but directly saying he was sending them to Gu Jiuqing while wanting Pei Yanci’s help seemed inappropriate without giving him some benefit. But even one Silla slave girl cost a fortune, and he was reluctant to part with one.

Seeing how tactful Pei Yanci had been before, he had a sudden idea. He said he was giving them to him, knowing Pei Yanci wouldn’t dare accept, hoping he would go along with this and send the girls to the Crown Prince instead. Having his people go through Pei Yanci’s hands would package and disguise them, making his own intentions less obvious.

But Pei Yanci had some sense of propriety. Sending people to the current Crown Prince would involve great risk. If they were assassins, there would be no need for investigation – his life would be forfeit right then and there.

“How about this – I have a private residence. You can send them there another day.” Pei Yanci smiled. “I thank Court Companion Daren in advance.”

Finally, Hu Erlai couldn’t maintain his smile.