Upon The Duke’s return to court, Your Majesty naturally bestowed lavish rewards. The Guogong Mansion had already reached the pinnacle of honors, leaving little room for further advancement; these were merely embellishments. Yet, this made it clear to everyone in the court that The Duke now enjoyed His Majesty’s deep trust.
Especially significant was that the military officers recommended by The Duke were all appointed to important positions. This carried a different meaning—henceforth, half of the military commanders standing in this grand hall would hail from the Guogong Mansion.
Pei Yuanzheng stood in the court to express his gratitude. “As an old general of Dachen, it is my duty to relieve Your Majesty’s worries.”
Pei Yuanzheng had intended to surrender the Tiger Tally, but Xie Yanchuan felt it was not yet the right time and temporarily set the matter aside.
Undercurrents surged within the court, unchanged whether the ruler was wise or tyrannical. However, the current emperor excelled in the art of balance. As long as power remained in his hands, Xie Yanchuan was content to watch those below vie for influence. If the entire court united, their target would be the emperor himself.
Xie Yanchuan gazed through the beaded strings of his imperial crown at the Hall of Golden Chimes before him. His eyes swept over Xie Changyan standing there, lingering briefly. The Crown Prince was indeed gentle, diligent, and respectful, yet he did not resemble his father.
“Court is dismissed!” The eunuch’s shrill voice echoed through the Hall of Golden Chimes.
“We respectfully bid farewell to Your Majesty.”
After the court session ended, as soon as Xie Changyan stepped out of the Hall of Golden Chimes, someone requested his presence in the imperial study.
“Your son pays respects to Father Emperor.”
Xie Yanchuan raised a hand, indicating he need not stand on ceremony.
“I summoned you today regarding your marriage. The Crown Prince has now come of age, and it is time to take a Crown Princess.”
It had arrived. Xie Changyan immediately knelt. “Father Emperor, your son already has someone in his heart. Among three thousand weak waters, I desire only one ladle. I humbly beg for your approval.”
“Not allowed.” Xie Yanchuan spoke bluntly. How could he not know whom Xie Changyan wished to speak of? But now, that too was his own selfish desire.
Xie Changyan was taken aback. Xie Yanchuan sat there, not permitting Xie Changyan to rise, and spoke slowly.
“I know whom you wish to name. It is not allowed. I do not permit it. Anyone else is acceptable.”
As Xie Changyan was about to speak further, Xie Yanchuan’s tone grew slightly stern. “As the Crown Prince, you should understand: ‘Among three thousand weak waters, I desire only one ladle’—such words should never be spoken by the Crown Prince of the realm. Return to the Eastern Palace and reflect.”
Xie Changyan departed, escorted by Zeng Lun.
“Eunuch Zeng, I trouble you to inform Father Emperor that I will not give up.” Before leaving, Xie Changyan stood before Zeng Lun, his expression resolute. He knew this matter would not be easily accomplished, but with Father Emperor now ceding military authority to the Guogong Mansion, how could he rest assured?
Zeng Lun lifted his eyelids, looking at Xie Changyan before him. “Crown Prince, this old servant has watched you grow up. I dare to offer a word of advice now: do not persist.”
“I am the Crown Prince.”
Indeed, you are the Crown Prince. But you do not know that the one you speak of is also someone your Father Emperor values.
“The Duke did not seek rewards this time. He only requested an imperial decree for the eldest daughter of the Guogong Mansion.” Zeng Lun did not elaborate, merely hinting at the matter, but Xie Changyan already understood.
An imperial decree sought for one’s own daughter was often a bestowal from His Majesty, granting her the right to choose her own husband. Once such a decree was given, even His Majesty would not arrange a marriage for her in the future.
Xie Changyan reluctantly thanked Zeng Lun, but as he walked along the palace path, his expression grew increasingly grim. He was already at odds with Pei Yunshu, and now, to his surprise, Pei Yuanzheng had sought such an imperial decree.
The Guogong Mansion truly looked down upon him, the Crown Prince.
When Zeng Lun returned, Xie Yanchuan was reviewing memorials, his brow tightly furrowed.
“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has returned.”
“Zeng Lun, I have no children of my own. Is it truly so difficult for them to trust me?”
“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince came to your side at an age when he was already aware of matters. It is only natural for him to harbor other thoughts. Your Majesty must also find peace in this.”
“Ah, have I not indulged him enough over these years?”
Zeng Lun stood at his side, attending to the ink and brush. “Perhaps it is precisely because of Your Majesty’s affection that the Crown Prince now speaks so frankly before you.”
“I have indeed rarely refused the Crown Prince, but this matter is not his alone.”
“Your Majesty speaks wisely. Moreover, this old servant dares to say that, given Miss Pei’s temperament, even if the Guogong Mansion were willing, she alone could stir up chaos across the capital.”
Xie Yanchuan nodded, his expression visibly easing, a faint smile gracing his handsome features. Zeng Lun observed that ever since the eldest daughter of the Pei family had declared her feelings to His Majesty, the emperor had not once visited the rear palace.
No one knew, but the rear palace remained stable precisely because the emperor was fickle in affection—without excessive favor or partiality, what was there to contend for?
Only Zeng Lun knew what this seemingly indifferent emperor was thinking, all because that one would grow jealous.
“Whatever is done, it must be with her willingness.”
Zeng Lun understood clearly: the current emperor indeed doted on the Crown Prince, but as the sovereign, the Crown Prince’s importance ultimately rested on the emperor’s whim.
“Tomorrow, I shall leave the palace.”
In the past, Xie Yanchuan rarely met with others. As emperor, he could not indulge in desires, of any kind. But now, Xie Yanchuan realized he was no different from ordinary people.
Even at this age, he still felt like a reckless youth.
It should not be this way. Xie Yanchuan had once only sought a place to catch his breath, but now he found he cared too deeply for Pei Yunshu—an affection he could not conceal, a reluctance to let her suffer even the slightest grievance.
An emperor should not have weaknesses, especially ones so impossible to hide.
Xie Yanchuan’s father and elder brother had taught him this; the Xie family only knew how to be emperors.
Yet, merely seeing her brought him joy—a private desire of the emperor. Xie Yanchuan was the emperor, but he was also human.
Zeng Lun stood nearby, pretending not to notice the change in the emperor’s expression. He was long accustomed to it.
Whenever matters involved Pei Yunshu, His Majesty would occasionally struggle with himself. But every time, even if Pei Yunshu was not present, even if she had done nothing, Zeng Lun knew that after the struggle, it was always that eldest Miss Pei who prevailed.
As the chief eunuch by Xie Yanchuan’s side, the consorts of the rear palace treated Zeng Lun with utmost respect. Yet, in Zeng Lun’s heart, Pei Yunshu’s status had risen again and again, now even surpassing that of the Crown Prince.
The next day, Pei Yunshu had indeed been drunk the previous night, sleeping until the sun was high in the sky before rising from bed.
After changing her clothes and opening the door, she caught sight of a graceful figure standing in the courtyard.
Pei Yunshu stared for a moment, then turned and closed the door. Had she been that drunk yesterday? She still hadn’t sobered up yet.
After a while, Pei Yunshu opened the door again. The person inside was still there—it wasn’t a dream.
“Teacher?”
Xie Yanchuan looked at the girl before him, her expression still hazy from just waking up. “Are you still not fully awake?”
Pei Yunshu suddenly reached out and touched the person in front of her. Warm.
“It’s real.”
“Could it be fake?” Xie Yanchuan’s heart stirred, allowing those soft hands to rest on his face.
“The Teacher in my dreams was fake.”
“It seems I’ve had the honor of entering Niannian’s dreams.” After saying this, Xie Yanchuan took a step back. Pei Zimu walked into the courtyard and saw his sister standing before the current emperor, standing so close that from a distance, it even looked intimate.
“Yunshu, don’t be rude.”