Once again, it was because of Xiao Qingxue.
Pei Ziyan’s mood instantly darkened. In the prince’s residence, Xiao Qingxue threatened him with divorce, and in court, the other princes mocked him. His mood was already at rock bottom, and yet even after leaving court, he still could not find peace.
He sat down across from the Empress. “Mother, please calm your anger—it is your son’s fault.”
“I used to think she was virtuous, but clearly that was never the case.” The Empress’s expression was grim, her eyes filled with suppressed fury. “She may have saved your life, but over the past two years I have rewarded and cherished her more than enough to match that merit. Besides, as a physician, healing the sick is her duty. Does she expect every patient she saves to grant her whatever she demands?!”
Perhaps it was because she had spoiled Xiao Qingxue too much that the girl had grown so arrogant, with no sense of her proper place.
There are so many imperial physicians in the Imperial Medical Bureau, all serving the royal family. Treating illness and saving lives is their duty. If every cure required endless gratitude, then the emperor would have no time to govern the realm—he’d spend his days thanking the physicians for their “life-saving grace.”
Pei Ziyan remained silent.
The Empress glanced at Taoxi, who was kneeling on the floor, and said coldly, “Ziyan, look at Taoxi’s nose.”
Pei Ziyan turned his head and saw Taoxi’s nose swollen and red, with traces of blood around his nose and upper lip. He frowned in surprise. “What happened?”
Taoxi bowed his head in guilt. “It was this servant’s incompetence. I failed to carry out Your Majesty’s command, and instead was struck in the nose by the side consort’s maid when she slammed the door. This servant deserves death!”
It was Mingyue again.
Pei Ziyan’s face instantly darkened. “Mingyue is becoming more and more insolent.”
“Princess Royal intends to marry her daughter to the heir of Duke Ding’s household.” The Empress rubbed her brow. “Ziyan, you know the military achievements of Duke Ding, and the influence the Zhou family holds in the army. If the Princess’s household and Duke Ding’s household join in marriage, your position as Crown Prince will be dangerously unstable, liable to be replaced at any moment.”
Pei Ziyan pressed his lips together. “Your son understands.”
“Xiao Qingxue is your wife of first marriage. At such a critical time, instead of easing your burdens, she only creates trouble at every turn. What a fine ‘virtuous helpmate’ she is.” The Empress grew more incensed, years of cultivated composure nearly undone. “They say a new official must prove himself with three fires. You are newly appointed Crown Prince—every prince and minister is waiting to see you stumble. If you cannot even control a side consort, how will you command the court, let alone the empire?”
Her gaze hardened, a glint of cruelty flashing in her eyes. “Ziyan, a true man must be ruthless when the time calls for it. Mercy only emboldens others to go further.”
Pei Ziyan said nothing, merely poured himself a cup of tea. He thought again of Prince Rui and Prince Duan’s mocking words. A smoldering fire of resentment broke free from its cage, rising to his head, nearly consuming his reason. He closed his eyes lightly. “Mother, what do you think your son should do?”
The Empress’s eyes were dark. “In my view, since you already have a Crown Princess, you may as well take another side consort. If she wants to make a scene, let her make it thoroughly—let her learn who truly rules the heavens.”
She paused. “And besides, for years you kept only her in your household, bound by your promise. She now believes you cannot do without her. I shall bestow upon you two concubines. Bring them back to your residence tonight and let them serve your bed.” With that, she turned and commanded, “Caiyu, Caiyun!”
Two palace maids crawled forward on their knees, bowing low. “Your Majesty, Crown Prince.”
The Empress commanded, “Raise your heads; let the Crown Prince see your faces.”
“Yes.” Caiyu and Caiyun slowly lifted their heads, eyes lowered to the floor, not daring to meet the prince’s gaze.
Pei Ziyan cast them a faint glance.
Their looks were decent—no more than fourteen or fifteen years old, pure and delicate, fair-skinned, with the air of modest young maidens.
“Take these two back with you,” the Empress said coolly. “I will also assign the strictest governess in the palace to you. These two will serve your bed, and the governess will teach your side consort proper rules. I refuse to believe that a mere side consort could truly overturn the heavens!”
Pei Ziyan’s brows furrowed; he could not help but want to refuse. He did not wish to quarrel with Xiao Qingxue to such extremes.
The reason he had fallen so helplessly in love with her in the first place—beyond her saving his life—was her constant composure, her calm poise as though nothing in the world could shake her, nothing could make her lose control. Her emotions were always steady. Even when provoked maliciously, she would only smile faintly, striking back without a ripple.
Pei Ziyan knew she was different from Yun Xueyao.
If Yun Xueyao were angered, a little coaxing would suffice. But Xiao Qingxue was not so easily appeased. He could already imagine: if a governess were brought into the prince’s residence to “teach her rules,” she might well choose to burn everything down with her.
“Ziyan, what are you still hesitating for?” the Empress snapped. “Do not forget—you are the Crown Prince now. If your inner court is in chaos, how can you focus on affairs of state? If you cannot even control your household, why should the ministers believe you can govern the empire? Once your father doubts your ability, once the ministers deem you unfit for the position, do you think your brothers will not seize the chance to drag you down from it?”
She drew in a deep breath. “Sitting on the throne as Crown Prince does not mean you can rest easy. Do not forget how many crown princes in history were dragged down! Your position is not yet secure—you cannot afford to let the inner court stir up trouble every day and drag you back.”
Pei Ziyan pressed his lips together, silent for a long while before finally speaking: “Your son understands. I will follow Mother’s advice.”
The Empress’s expression softened slightly. “If she can recognize her place and learn to be obedient, I will recall the governess from the palace as soon as possible. I will not make things difficult for her forever.”
“Yes.” Pei Ziyan rose, bowed deeply, and said, “Your son takes his leave.”
The Empress added coolly, “That maid at her side is far too arrogant. Deal with her quickly. Give her a clever, obedient one instead—someone who can restrain her temper.”
“Your son understands.”
Pei Ziyan withdrew.
Caiyu and Caiyun, the two palace maids, stood up and followed behind him with lowered eyes.
Once outside the palace, they mounted the carriage. Standing with the other attendants at its sides, they heard a command from within: “You two, come inside the carriage.”
“Yes.”