Chapter 18: Remember To Kowtow Three Times Before Her Portrait To Thank Her For Saving Your Life

Hearing this, Li Ming’s expression remained unchanged. He looked at the kneeling Pei Wenxuan, seemingly already aware, but still asked, “Minister Pei, what do you mean? As an official appointed by the court, who could harm you?”

“Your Majesty,” Pei Wenxuan knelt on the ground, a mixture of sorrow and indignation in his tone, “since Your Majesty already knows about my rescue of princess Rong yesterday, Your Majesty might have some understanding of my predicament.”

“Predicament?” Li Ming found a nearby stone, brushed off the dust, and slowly sat down. “You don’t have to be afraid, just speak plainly.”

“Yesterday, on my way back to the city, I saw a group of cavalry rushing by. Some people on the horses were vaguely mentioning words like kidnapping the princess. I felt uneasy and sent my servant back to the city to seek help from the crown prince’s mansion. I rushed to see what these people were up to, just in case.”

“Alright,” Li Ming nodded. “And then?”

“I followed them, and I saw that these people were clearly servants from certain households, dressed as bandits. I realized something was wrong, so I set up roadblocks on the way, hoping to intervene at a crucial moment to alleviate the situation for the princess.”

“You are quite clever,” Li Ming chuckled. “Those stones and planks were your doing?”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan realized that Li Ming had already ordered a detailed investigation into the events of that night, and everything that could leave a clue had been checked.

Pei Wenxuan had served by Li Ming’s side for a year in the past, and he was extremely familiar with Li Ming’s character. Li Ming was suspicious and sensitive, always verifying things from multiple angles. So, Pei Wenxuan carefully considered his words and continued, “Exactly. At that time, I waited on the road. Before long, I saw bandits chasing after the princess. The princess’s guards were protecting her. In the critical moment, I used the roadblock to help the princess. Unexpectedly, in the chaos, the princess was injured and fainted. I had to hurriedly take her away. I used a horse to lure those people away and ambushed in the reed field. Then, I heard someone chasing after, scolding his subordinates for being useless, even unable to stop the princess. This time, the princess didn’t even see him. How could he win the princess’s heart?”

Li Ming listened to Pei Wenxuan’s words and chuckled softly, “These young people are quite clever.” He raised his eyes to look at Pei Wenxuan and asked, “Was it Yang Quan?”

Pei Wenxuan tightened his lips and whispered, “Yes.”

“In a panic, with the princess on my back and no clear path, after waking up, I discussed with the princess. I found out that the princess was unaware of the incident, so I didn’t say much. This morning, both the princess and I were saved together. The empress summoned me into the palace, and then the empress told me…”

“What did she say?” Li Ming asked in a low voice. Pei Wenxuan paused for a moment, seeming hesitant, and after a long while, he said, “The empress instructed me to conceal the interaction with the princess! Even if Your Majesty inquires, I cannot speak the truth. I should only say that last night, I encountered master Yang, and together we saved the princess. We were chased by someone, and later, I got separated on the way, and it was master Yang who saved the princess.”

Listening to Pei Wenxuan’s words, Li Ming couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Is this the reason you’re seeking my help?”

“Your Majesty,” Pei Wenxuan took a deep breath, stood upright, as if making a life-changing decision. He looked at Li Ming, throwing away concerns of life and death, and spoke directly, “Since the conversation has reached this point, I’ll be straightforward. What I saw last night and what the empress mentioned today, everything is already clear. The empress has long decided to marry into the Yang family. Yesterday’s events were just a show for the princess, hoping that she would admire Yang Quan for his heroic act. However, I stumbled upon this truth. With Yang Quan’s narrow-mindedness and the audacious style of the Yang family, now that I’ve left the palace, how can I survive?”

Li Ming remained silent for a while. Eventually, he spoke in a slow manner, “Rest assured, the empress will not conspire against you for such trivial matters.”

“Do you really think so, Your Majesty?” Pei Wenxuan stared at Li Ming, deliberately slowing down his voice. “Is the union between lorn Yang and the princess a trivial matter?”

With this question, Li Ming finally adjusted his expression. He looked at Pei Wenxuan and, after a long pause, spoke slowly, “You seem to know quite a bit.”

“Your Majesty,” Pei Wenxuan calmly reminded him, “Three years ago, when my father was still alive, I, as the eldest legitimate son of the Pei family, achieved the top score in the imperial examinations and became the emperor’s student. Although my father has passed away, there are still some things,” Pei Wenxuan looked at Li Ming, implying, “that persist.”

Li Ming, upon hearing Pei Wenxuan’s words, showed a hint of amusement, “So, tell me, why is the union between lord Yang and the princess not a trivial matter?”

“Lord Yang has been exerting influence on the border for many years, amassing power and military strength. During each border conflict, lord Yang demands funds, provisions, and troops, successfully defending against the enemy each time without launching a counteroffensive to eliminate them. Despite multiple requests from Your Majesty to conquer the enemy, the Yang family consistently declined, citing inopportune timing. There are rumors in the northwest that say, ‘In the summer, there are two emperors, Yang in the north and Li in the south,’ indicating the significant influence of the Yang family in the northwest.”

“Go on,” Li Ming maintained a calm demeanor. “Continue.”

“Within the court, lord Yang is both feared and respected. Feared for her military power, respected for safeguarding the border for many years. Therefore, while Your Majesty is angered by lord Yang, there has never been any drastic action taken. However, at the end of this winter, with a new ruler in the enemy state, lord Yang surrendered without a fight, losing two cities in succession. Only after Your Majesty ordered him to defend the third city did he use fifty thousand troops to defeat a twenty thousand-strong enemy force, retreating to Changping Pass. Why would lord Yang, who has guarded the border for years, suddenly collapse to this extent? Have you considered it, Your Majesty?”

“Do you know the reason?” Li Ming asked.

“I believe Your Majesty is aware,” Pei Wenxuan calmly responded. “For many years, lord Yang has been bribing the enemy state with military funds every year. The so-called wars were just staged performances between lord Yang and the enemy state. The enemy state is weak and feeble, incapable of withstanding a true attack. It’s just that lord Yang has nurtured them for years, allowing the enemy state to catch its breath and grow stronger. Now, with a new ruler in place who prioritizes the interests of our nation, lord Yang’s usual tactics failed, leading to his sudden defeat.”

“You dare to say this,” Li Ming sternly uttered. Pei Wenxuan immediately knelt and said, “This information has long been widely known at the border. Your Majesty should have been aware. Otherwise, with Your Majesty’s wise and benevolent heart, why would there be an intention to harm the pillar of the country?”

Li Ming, hearing Pei Wenxuan’s flattery, felt a bit relieved. He stood up straight and said coldly, “Continue. What does this have to do with the princess’s marriage?” 

“Your Majesty is well aware of lord Yang’s defeat, yet you suppressed the news. You even allowed the princess to interact with Yang Quan. I speculate that Your Majesty hopes the princess’s marriage will not become a bargaining chip for the crown prince.”

“In recent years, as the crown prince has grown older, the influence of the empress’s maternal family, the Ouyang clan, has expanded rapidly in the court. The crown prince, showing disrespect to Your Majesty and defying your orders, is undoubtedly influenced by the Ouyang clan. Your Majesty is concerned that the Ouyang clan might manipulate the princess’s marriage for their gain. Hence, the candidates chosen for the princess are individuals with suitable status but no involvement in politics. Although Yang Quan holds military power, he is about to face a disastrous situation. Your Majesty is likely gathering evidence to deal a decisive blow to the Yang family. However?”

Li Ming remained silent, tacitly acknowledging. Pei Wenxuan continued earnestly, “If Your Majesty has such intentions, then it’s a big mistake.”

“Oh?” Li Ming seemed somewhat indifferent. “And what insight does minister Pei have?”

“Do you know the actual strength of the enemy state?”

“Extremely strong.”

“That’s where Your Majesty misunderstands,” Pei Wenxuan explained, “The enemy state is a barbaric land, and our nation’s weaponry can easily pierce through their armor. Our soldiers, if equipped properly, can easily handle a ten-to-one ratio. The recent defeat of lord Yang by the enemy state was due to the military supplies he provided over the years. The enemy state attacked this time, relying on our weapons against us. However, those weapons were not created by us and will eventually run out. Isn’t that so?”

In the previous timeline, lord Yang organized a counterattack about half a month later, winning a decisive victory. Pei Wenxuan pondered and slowly unraveled the information he knew from his past life.

Though not explicitly stated, Li Ming immediately grasped the implication, “Are you suggesting that we wait for the enemy state’s weapons to run out and then launch a counterattack to easily defeat them?”

“Yes,” Pei Wenxuan calmly replied. “And even though lord Yang’s main force of fifty thousand has been defeated, they have deep roots in the northwest. No one knows how many troops they might still have in secret. Now, Your Majesty, by having your trusted confidants coordinate with lord Yang to confront the enemy at Changping Pass and with Yang Quan returning to seek the princess’s hand in marriage, if lord Yang successfully marries the princess, how does Your Majesty think the situation will unfold next?”

“How so?”

“Next, the crown prince and lord Yang will join forces. The Ouyang clan, using the princess’s marriage as a pretext, will send a significant amount of wealth to the Yang family. After Your Majesty’s trusted confidants welcome the strongest enemy forces, the Yang family will use the Ouyang clan’s money to recruit more troops and horses, launching another counterattack and achieving an immediate victory. At that time, with lord Yang using the princess as a bridge, they will firmly establish themselves in the capital. People, seeing Yang Quan marrying the princess, will misunderstand Your Majesty’s intentions and hesitate to act against the Yang family. This way, turning defeat into victory, lord Yang’s reputation will rise again, and past matters will be difficult for Your Majesty to pursue.”

“In addition, lord Yang has military strength, and with the crown prince’s support, another formidable general might emerge.”

After explaining all this, Pei Wenxuan fell silent. After a while, Li Ming finally spoke, “So, according to minister Pei’s suggestion…”

“Do not give lord Yang any breathing room,” Pei Wenxuan calmly stated. “Now is the best time to act against lord Yang.”

“What about the border?” Li Ming furrowed his brow. “The Yang family has deep roots at the border. If we move against them now, there might be a rebellion at the border.”

“Leave this matter to the crown prince.”

These words left Li Ming momentarily stunned. Pei Wenxuan looked at him and said seriously, “The border is currently a mess. Within the capital, apart from the major clans like the Ouyang, Su, and Pei, there is no strength to handle it. Your Majesty might as well entrust this matter to the crown prince. If the crown prince encounters any difficulties, it can serve as a reason to appoint another heir. To protect the crown prince, the Ouyang clan will undoubtedly go all out to stabilize the situation with the Yang family.”

“What if the crown prince succeeds?”

“If the crown prince succeeds,” Pei Wenxuan smiled, “if the crown prince can truly pacify the Yang family and deplete their main forces, then Your Majesty can replace the crown prince just before the final battle. Appoint a trusted confidant as the commander, confront the battle, seize the first merit. Isn’t that perfect?”

Listening to this, Li Ming remained silent. After thinking for a while, Pei Wenxuan knelt on the ground, waiting for Li Ming.

After a long time, Li Ming turned around and looked at Pei Wenxuan. “You are a clever person.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“So,” Li Ming said lightly, “why not pledge allegiance to the crown prince?”

“Because,” Pei Wenxuan looked at Li Ming and said firmly, “Your Majesty is Your Majesty, but the crown prince may not necessarily be the crown prince.”

Li Ming stared into Pei Wenxuan’s eyes.

He rarely saw a young person of twenty with such composure and courage in his eyes. Even in their eye contact, there was a sharpness.

This kind of sharpness, though seemingly fierce, was prone to breaking in the court.

It was a knife, but only a knife.

If Pei Wenxuan were old, smooth, and cunning, Li Ming might have some apprehension. But looking at the ambitious eyes of Pei Wenxuan, Li Ming couldn’t help but find it somewhat amusing.

After all, he was just a young man.

“I understand,” Li Ming nodded, “what you said makes sense. However, in the current court, there are probably not many who dare to act against the Yang family at this time,” Li Ming sighed as if regretting, “the ones daring to do so might be few.”

“I am willing to recommend someone to Your Majesty.” Pei Wenxuan respectfully spoke, and Li Ming raised an eyebrow. “Who do you have in mind?”

“Your humble servant, Pei Wenxuan,” Pei Wenxuan bowed deeply, “willing to share Your Majesty’s worries.”

“Heh…” Li Ming chuckled lightly, “you are quite audacious. I wonder, lord Pei, how do you plan to share the worries?”

“When I return home later, please grant a group of covert guards to secretly follow me back. If the Yang family decides to take action today, I will use this as a reason to request a thorough investigation. Starting from the assassination attempt on me, investigate the kidnapping of the princess, and then examine the matter of border collaboration with the enemy.”

“And if they don’t take action?”

“If they don’t take action, tomorrow I will implicate them in the kidnapping of the princess. At that time, if no one dares to investigate this case, I will take responsibility for it.”

“Good.” Li Ming nodded. He looked up at the sky and said lightly, “It’s getting late. You should go back. Don’t keep young master Yang waiting.”

Pei Wenxuan respectfully agreed. He stood up and assisted Li Ming in slowly walking out. They didn’t discuss Li Rong’s marriage, but Pei Wenxuan knew that as long as Li Ming considered him an ally, Li Rong’s marriage would likely be settled.

As they chatted on their way back from the garden, Pei Wenxuan took his leave.

Guided by a eunuch, he walked out of the study and arrived at the square in front of the palace gate. From a distance, he saw Li Rong’s sedan chair.

Li Rong seemed to have just come out from the Eastern Palace, holding a sword in her hand, gently rubbing the gemstones on it.

When Li Rong saw Pei Wenxuan, she signaled her entourage to stop. Sitting in a higher position, she smiled and said, “Lord Pei, why are you still in the palace?”

“Just now, His Majesty summoned me,” Pei Wenxuan respectfully replied, “I chatted with His Majesty for a while before leaving.”

“Oh, I see.” Li Rong glanced at the people around her and said with a smile, “Lord Pei, you saved me last night. Did my father reward you?”

“It was the right thing to do; I shouldn’t accept a reward.”

“So, he didn’t give you anything.” Li Rong sighed, “Father is really stingy.”

With that, she looked at the sword in her hand, gripped it, and handed it over, saying reluctantly, “Forget it, take this. Consider it my token of gratitude.”

Pei Wenxuan was momentarily stunned, and Li Rong raised an eyebrow, saying, “What’s wrong? Dare you not accept the reward from the princess?”

“Princess’s reward, how could I dare not accept?” Pei Wenxuan quickly realized and hurriedly accepted the sword. Seeing Pei Wenxuan bowing his head and bowing, Li Rong couldn’t help but purse her lips, approached him, and whispered, “Lord Pei, you look quite handsome like this.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Wenxuan realized that Li Rong saw through his courteous gesture as sarcasm, and he felt a sense of satisfaction. He accepted the sword with a light smile, “Princess, you truly have a naive and romantic charm, very adorable.”

Li Rong caught the sarcasm in his words, and what she feared most was being called naive and romantic.

She forced a smile, looking at Pei Wenxuan, “I still have to go see father. Master Pei, take your time. Walk slowly on the way, don’t accidentally encounter any mishaps.”

— I won’t see you for the rest of my life.

The unspoken words were conveyed through her eyes, and Pei Wenxuan responded with a disdainful look but replied, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Safe travels.”

“Goodbye.” Li Rong smiled and approached Pei Wenxuan. Leaning close to his ear, she whispered, “I’ve sent a few people to you. No need to thank me.”

After saying that, Li Rong straightened up, showing grace and composure. The sedan chair restarted its journey toward the direction of the study.

Pei Wenxuan watched her leave, escorted out of the palace by a eunuch. As soon as he stepped out of the palace gate, he saw Tong Yezhan waiting for him with a carriage. Glancing around, he sensed that someone was following him, but he ignored it. Pretending not to know anything, he sat in the carriage with the sword in hand as it set off.

He didn’t know if Yang Quan would come, but he was prepared either way.

As the carriage turned into a narrow alley, suddenly, the sounds of a fierce fight erupted from the crowd. A person rushed into Pei Wenxuan’s carriage, saying, “By the order of the princess, I’ve come to protect you.”

Having anticipated this, Pei Wenxuan nodded to the person and closed his eyes, unaffected by the chaotic scene outside. After a while, the carriage was violently bumped, and the curtain was abruptly lifted. Yang Quan, bloodied and holding a knife, entered the carriage.

At the moment when Pei Wenxuan held his sword and opened his eyes, the sharp blade suddenly pierced through Yang Quan’s body from behind. The long knife in Yang Quan’s hand was just a hand’s breadth away from Pei Wenxuan.

Blood splattered, and Pei Wenxuan calmly watched as Yang Quan fell in shock.

“You dare…” Yang Quan trembled and spoke, “You dare… to kill me?”

Pei Wenxuan remained expressionless and calmly spoke word by word, “Colluding with enemy countries, amassing troops for personal gain, embezzlement, perverting justice, kidnapping the princess, assassinating imperial officials, ignoring laws and regulations.”

“You, of the Yang family, dare to do all these things. So I kill you,” Pei Wenxuan emphasized, “Why wouldn’t I dare?”

With each word, Yang Quan lost his breath.

The person who acted gestured respectfully towards Pei Wenxuan and quickly said, “The princess said, remember to bow three times in front of her portrait when you return, thanking her for saving your life.”

After saying this, the person jumped out of the carriage and disappeared.

Before Pei Wenxuan could even retort, the person was gone. He remained silent for a moment, then heard Tong Yezhan urgently return to the carriage. Seeing Yang Quan on the ground, Tong Ye was startled and said, “Young master, are you okay?”

Pei Wenxuan did not answer. He looked at Yang Quan on the ground, contemplated for a moment, and then calmly said, “Return to the palace.”

“Return to the palace?” Tong Ye exclaimed in surprise, “Still going back to the palace?”

After killing the young master of the Yang family, shouldn’t they flee immediately?

“Yes, back to the palace.” Pei Wenxuan’s voice was calm, and he said seriously, “He tried to kill me; I have to file a complaint.”

Tong Yezhan: “…”

Young master, you really don’t seem scared at all, huh?

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