In the imperial palace of the Great Yong Dynasty.
Inside the solemn and majestic hall, emperor and minister sat across from each other in a game of strategy. Emperor Yongkang and Pei Zheng each held a piece.
With a soft clack, a white piece landed on the board. In an instant, the situation shifted. What had once been an evenly matched black-and-white struggle turned decisively in favor of the white pieces. The outcome was already determined.
“Your Majesty’s chess skills are exceptional. This minister has lost,” Pei Zheng said, dressed in a purple official robe. He cupped his hands in polite surrender, his expression showing just the right amount of helplessness.
Emperor Yongkang stroked his beard and laughed heartily. “It is merely luck. Rather, Minister Pei, I see you were distracted today. Do you have something on your mind?”
He looked at Pei Zheng with a smiling yet probing gaze, his tone gentle but carrying an undercurrent of scrutiny.
Sunlight filtered through the lattice windows, casting light onto the golden dragon embroidery on his imperial robe, emphasizing his supreme authority and pressure.
Pei Zheng paused in the act of picking up the chess pieces. Then he lowered his head in apology.
“Please forgive me, Your Majesty. It is only a minor matter. I would not dare trouble Your Majesty with it.”
Hearing that it was a “minor matter,” Emperor Yongkang grew even more curious.
“I would very much like to know what minor matter could make my esteemed minister lose focus. Speak. Let me hear it as well.”
His tone allowed no refusal.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Faced with imperial command, Pei Zheng no longer concealed it and spoke truthfully.
“This minister merely recalled that before leaving home today, I did not personally bid farewell to my wife. I left her alone in the residence and do not know whether she has adjusted well, so I was thinking of returning home earlier.”
As he finished speaking, a hint of shame flashed across his expression.
“Oh, so that is it!” Emperor Yongkang laughed loudly. The suspicion in his eyes faded.
“I was almost unaware of this. I did not expect you to be so affectionate with your newlywed wife, unable to be apart even for a moment. It seems my summoning you into the palace has delayed your return home.”
“Your Majesty speaks too highly. This minister is unworthy,” Pei Zheng replied respectfully.
Emperor Yongkang waved his hand, then suddenly said, “Your new wife…”
He paused, momentarily unable to recall her identity.
“She is a lady of the Jinling Jiang family,” Pei Zheng promptly supplied.
Emperor Yongkang nodded in understanding and asked with a smile, “It seems you are very satisfied with her?”
Pei Zheng inclined his head. “My wife is learned and courteous, elegant in appearance, virtuous and capable. How could I be dissatisfied?”
As he thought of Jiang Yao, a faint warmth appeared in his eyes, and his tone softened slightly.
Seeing this, Emperor Yongkang was pleased.
“It is rare to see you praise a woman so highly. It seems this Jiang family daughter suits you very well. Princess Hua must now give up any lingering thoughts.”
Hearing the implied meaning, Pei Zheng responded appropriately, “Another day, I will bring my wife to express thanks to Your Majesty.”
Emperor Yongkang became even more satisfied.
At least then, Princess Hua would see for herself the man she admired happily married, and would hopefully abandon her infatuation.
At that moment, movement came from outside the hall.
“What is it?” Emperor Yongkang asked.
Soon, a palace attendant entered quietly to report, “Your Majesty, the princess has arrived. She says she has missed Your Majesty and wishes to pay a visit.”
Emperor Yongkang sighed. “This child. She says she is here to see her father, but she is likely here for Minister Pei.”
He turned to Pei Zheng with a faint smile that did not reach his eyes. “Young ladies are full of such thoughts. Why not let Minister Pei meet her once? It might ease her feelings.”
Pei Zheng remained composed. “This minister does not dare. The princess is of noble status and should be matched with a worthy gentleman. I am already married and do not dare harbor improper thoughts toward Her Highness.”
His words were neither servile nor arrogant, elevating the princess while clearly expressing his loyalty and refusal.
As expected, Emperor Yongkang was delighted.
“Very well,” he said, waving his hand. “Escort Minister Pei out through the side door. Do not let the princess see him.”
As emperor, he naturally did not wish for his valued minister to be entangled with his most cherished daughter. Otherwise, how could he continue to trust and employ him?
If his daughter suffered, then naturally someone else must be at fault.
Fortunately, Pei Zheng was wise enough to understand this. Without needing imperial instruction, he had already married a woman of modest background and even requested imperial blessing, completely extinguishing the princess’s hopes.
After several tests, it was confirmed that he had no intention toward the princess. Only then did Emperor Yongkang feel reassured.
Pei Zheng rose and followed the attendant out through the side door. As he left, a series of violent coughing sounds came from behind the hall. He lowered his eyes slightly, concealing a trace of thoughtful expression.
At the palace gate, the attendant stopped and respectfully said, “Minister Pei, this servant will escort you only this far. Follow this path and you will reach the palace exit.”
“Thank you,” Pei Zheng replied.
He handed over a small item. The attendant smoothly accepted it and slipped it into his sleeve, adding quietly, “His Majesty has not been sleeping well lately. The Imperial Medical Bureau has been summoned daily.”
……
Outside the palace gate, Pei Zheng was greeted by colleagues offering congratulations. After a brief exchange, they parted ways.
Watching his departing figure, the crowd sighed in admiration and envy.
So young, yet already in purple robes—truly a talent of ministerial caliber. His future was boundless.
“Wait a moment!”
Just as Pei Zheng stepped onto his carriage, a familiar voice called out from behind.
He lifted the curtain and saw his friend Yan Xiuwen, breathless from running.
“What is it?” Pei Zheng asked.
Yan Xiuwen caught his breath and cupped his hands. “Good thing I caught you. My carriage broke down. May I trouble you to give me a ride? I would be most grateful!”
Without waiting for permission, he climbed into the carriage, slightly clumsy in movement.
Pei Zheng glanced at his increasingly rounded figure. “You should lose some weight. Otherwise you will truly become a fat monkey.”
Yan Xiuwen froze, then calmly brushed his sleeves. “You don’t understand. After marriage, one naturally becomes a little prosperous. All of this is my wife’s credit.”
His wife was fond of fine food and an expert in cooking, and so Yan Xiuwen had gained quite a bit of weight after marriage.
Recalling how Jiang Yao had looked at his abdomen the night before, Pei Zheng said calmly, “I do not understand.”
Yan Xiuwen looked at him. “But you, on the other hand, look very refreshed. As expected, marriage suits you. Having someone caring beside you really makes a difference.”
Pei Zheng paused slightly. “How is it different?”
“For one, you look more radiant. And…” Yan Xiuwen squinted. “What happened to your chin?”
Pei Zheng’s gaze flickered. “An accidental bump.”
Yan Xiuwen gave him a knowing, teasing look. “I understand.”
“Bring your wife to my residence sometime. My wife is very curious about her since we missed your wedding banquet.”
“Another time,” Pei Zheng replied calmly.
Knowing his temperament, Yan Xiuwen understood that this was as good as agreement.
Then he suddenly remembered something. “Turn toward Plum Blossom Street first!”
Seeing Pei Zheng’s questioning look, he explained sheepishly, “My wife and child love the candied fruits there. I promised to bring some home.”
He then asked, “Did your wife not ask you to bring anything when you left home today?”
After a moment, Pei Zheng replied calmly, “…She told me to return early. She wanted to have dinner with me.”
Yan Xiuwen sighed enviously.
So this was what newlywed life was like.