Xuanyang Pei Clan Jade is a unique jade mined in the Pei Clan’s ancestral home of Xuanyang. Its color and texture are exceptionally distinctive, and each piece boasts a one-of-a-kind pattern.
Legend has it that members of the Pei Clan’s direct lineage receive a pair of Jade Wild Geese carved from Xuanyang Pei Clan Jade at birth. These are used as wedding gifts or dowry, and on the wedding night, the couple’s names are inscribed upon them.
Now, the backs of those very Jade Wild Geese, carved with the names Xiao Dexuan and Pei Lanqing, were being carried by a palace attendant, drawing the attention of the assembled officials.
The hall erupted in murmurs and gazes turned toward Pei Lanqing with complex expressions.
“Grand Tutor Pei and the Deposed Emperor…”
“Considering the timing, is the child Grand Tutor Pei is carrying truly Your Majesty’s?”
“Best not to speak carelessly about this matter.”
Pei Lanqing’s face turned deathly pale. The pair of Jade Wild Geese had always been kept at the Pei Family estate. When Xiao Linye returned to the capital, Pei Lanqing was confined within the palace and had never had the chance to retrieve them for engraving.
Recently, after returning to the Pei Family estate, he had specifically sought out the Jade Wild Geese, only to find them missing. At the time, he had assumed it was the work of a dishonest servant and reported the matter to Pei Bingwen, instructing him to investigate outside the palace.
Xiao Linye never expected this to be exploited by someone with ulterior motives, who chose this moment to strike!
As the palace attendant carrying the golden tray approached the imperial steps, the murmurs of the court reached Xiao Linye’s ears.
He remained seated on the dragon throne, his black robes making him seem even more inscrutable.
“Ye’er, those Jade Wild Geese are…” Pei Lanqing began to explain anxiously, but Xiao Linye shook his head, signaling him to stop. He cast a cold gaze over the assembled officials.
Some were whispering among themselves, while others looked as if they were facing a formidable enemy—especially the three princes. Prince Ning Xiao Jingheng continued drinking his wine, a smug satisfaction hidden in his eyes. Prince Ping Xiao Chengfeng was less obvious, but he was clearly enjoying the spectacle. Only Prince Li Xiao Huanyan sat stiffly upright, head bowed in silent submission, daring not to speak.
Xiao Linye smiled coldly inwardly. The golden tray bearing the pair of Pei Clan Jade Wild Geese had now reached him. All eyes were fixed on him, eager to see how the young emperor would respond to such a blatant insult.
But in the next moment, a flash of cold light filled the hall. With a sharp crack of metal against jade, the black-robed emperor rose abruptly to his feet on the imperial steps. Clutching the dragon-headed sword, he cleaved the Jade Wild Geese clean through.
The voice, brooking no dissent, echoed through the entire hall: “The Prefect of Fengzhou has deceived the emperor and committed an act of grave disrespect by presenting a counterfeit as a propitious offering.”
The Prefect of Fengzhou was no fool. He had already concocted a story with Prince Ning to ensure his escape. He was about to step forward and defend himself before Xiao Linye when, with a mere glance from the emperor, Song Pingming led the Imperial Guards into the hall. Before the Prefect could utter more than, “This object is definitely not a fake—,” the guards had already covered his mouth and nose, broken his legs, and dragged him forcibly from the hall.
In an instant, the hall fell silent. The officials exchanged uncertain glances, their eyes fixed on the emperor.
“Of course it’s a fake,” Xiao Linye sneered, slamming the dragon-headed sword onto the table with a resounding thud that sent a chill through everyone present, leaving them too terrified to even breathe. “Because the real pair of Pei Clan Jade Wild Geese was presented to me by the Grand Tutor himself when I returned to the capital. They are now safely displayed in Chengqian Palace!”
“My esteemed officials, would any of you care to admire them?”
*Ridiculous! Who would dare pry into the emperor’s private chambers?*
The officials immediately prostrated themselves, kowtowing and murmuring, “Your Majesty, we dare not.”
Xiao Linye’s expression remained unchanged as if the storm had passed. He calmly returned to Pei Lanqing’s side, saying half-truthfully, “You all said you didn’t want to go. It’s not that I’m being stingy and wouldn’t let you see it.”
“Enough. Don’t let this traitor spoil everyone’s good mood. Let’s continue as before.”
As Xiao Linye’s voice fell, the music and dancing in the hall resumed. Whether the guests were shocked or terrified, the surface gaiety and revelry concealed their true feelings.
Xiao Linye remained as steady as a mountain throughout the banquet, showing no sign of distress. He even continued to serve Pei Lanqing food, asking him gently if he was tired.
Pei Lanqing was anxious, fearing Xiao Linye would misunderstand. But with so many eyes upon them, he couldn’t say much. He could only wait impatiently for the banquet to end.
Finally, after midnight, the imperial banquet concluded. The officials dispersed, and Xiao Linye and Pei Lanqing returned to Chengqian Palace in their imperial carriage.
Xiao Linye’s arm remained protectively around Pei Lanqing’s waist. As soon as the palace attendants withdrew, Pei Lanqing immediately began to explain, “Ye’er, I originally left the Jade Wild Geese at the Pei Family residence. I didn’t bring them into the palace. I meant to bring them for you when I returned home last time, but—”
“Alright,” Xiao Linye said, helping Pei Lanqing sit on the bed. Seeing his anxious expression, he gently embraced him. “Grand Tutor, there’s no need to worry. Of course I don’t believe you carved that.”
“Ye’er…” Pei Lanqing looked at him, and seeing the complete trust in Xiao Linye’s eyes, the heavyweight in his heart finally settled. He leaned wearily against Xiao Linye’s shoulder. “It’s enough that you believe me.”
The child in his womb, disturbed by the recent emotional turmoil, began to stir restlessly. Xiao Linye placed a hand on Pei Lanqing’s belly, then lowered his head to kiss his forehead. “Of course I trust the Grand Tutor. It’s clear someone deliberately set this up tonight. If I couldn’t see through that, wouldn’t I be a foolish and muddle-headed ruler?”
“Even though you trust me so completely, to completely quash these rumors, I still need to tell you something,” Pei Lanqing said, sitting up slightly from Xiao Linye’s shoulder, his expression serious. “Do you know why the Deposed Emperor Xiao Dexuan, betrothed by Emperor Fengming at eighteen, has remained without an heir for over a decade?”
Xiao Linye had never shown the slightest interest in the private affairs of his Crown Prince brother’s harem. It was only after Pei Lanqing brought it up that he realized something was amiss. “What are you suggesting, Grand Tutor?”
“I overheard this by accident while imprisoned in the Phoenix Prosperity Palace,” Pei Lanqing said, lowering his gaze. He had studied the classics and lived by the principles of a gentleman since childhood, and he would never have stooped to gossiping behind someone’s back. But now, he had no choice but to speak the truth. “Xiao Dexuan was born an eunuch.”
“What?!” This revelation stunned Xiao Linye. He had never imagined the deposed emperor would harbor such a shameful secret.
“That’s why he was determined to imprison me,” Pei Lanqing explained, his voice barely above a whisper. “First, to hold the Pei Family hostage. Second, to prove to the world that he had an heir to succeed him.”
“Ye’er,” Pei Lanqing continued, each word carefully chosen, “there was never anything between us. You are the only one… who has ever possessed me.”
The words were deeply shameful, but Pei Lanqing forced them out. He wanted to lay his heart bare to Xiao Linye, to make him understand how important he was to him.
Xiao Linye’s eyes widened slightly. Though he completely trusted Pei Lanqing and had long dismissed the past, hearing Pei Lanqing say those words aloud ignited an indescribable joy and possessiveness within him.
He could no longer resist. He fiercely kissed Pei Lanqing’s lips, his breath invading and claiming him entirely.
“The Grand Tutor is mine.”
“The Grand Tutor belongs only to me…”
Already frail and burdened by worry throughout the night, Pei Lanqing’s body now craved Xiao Linye’s nourishment. He reached up, wrapping his arms around Xiao Linye’s neck, and whispered in his ear, “Yes… I belong only to Ye’er.”
These words were like pouring fuel on a fire. Xiao Linye embraced Pei Lanqing, carrying him into the soft curtains of the bed. He kissed the slender, pale column of Pei Lanqing’s neck repeatedly, feeling the trembling surrender of his complete dependence…
Only as dawn began to break the next day did Xiao Linye finally release Pei Lanqing, holding his body close. He watched Pei Lanqing’s flushed face, his eyes tightly closed in sleep within the curve of Xiao Linye’s arm.
But Xiao Linye remained awake. He carefully lifted Pei Lanqing from his embrace, tucking the silk quilt around him. Then, draped in his dragon-embroidered robe, he went to the outer hall.
“Your Majesty, the matter has been thoroughly investigated,” Song Pingming said, immediately bowing and presenting the case file as Xiao Linye emerged.
Xiao Linye received the file with a grim expression. His hawk-like eyes scanned the pages, his gaze gradually hardening into a razor-sharp glare. After a long moment, he spoke.
“Tell Pei Bingwen that someone in the Pei Family has unclean hands, feet, and mouths. I’ll clean up the mess for my father-in-law. Chop off their hands and feet, and tear out their tongues. No need to thank me this time—but let this be a one-time exception.”
Those four words, “one-time exception,” spoken by Xiao Linye, were more terrifying than any torture. Song Pingming responded with a heavy “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“That Prefect of Fengzhou, who dared to deceive and defy me in front of everyone, is no longer needed.”
“Today is the first day of the lunar month. Let’s use his blood to add some festive cheer. Drag him out to the Eastern Primal Gate and execute him publicly. Send invitations to all the senior officials, inviting them to witness the spectacle.”
Xiao Linye spoke casually, as if it were nothing. He had only returned to the Imperial City for less than three months, and already people had forgotten his old moniker: the Asura God of Slaughter.
This wouldn’t do. He needed to remind them more often.
“As for Prince Ning…” A cold smile curled Xiao Linye’s lips. “I hadn’t even gotten around to causing him trouble when he came crawling to me himself.”
Prince Ning had wanted to humiliate Xiao Linye and smear Pei Lanqing’s reputation. Xiao Linye would return the favor in full measure.
“Choose a torturous poison. Don’t let him die too quickly. Wait until he’s on the verge of death, then dump him in the Red-Light District.”
“Those stuffy historians claim they must record everything truthfully, don’t they? Then let them write it all down: Prince Ning Xiao Jingheng, consumed by debauchery, died in that filthy place.”
“I am deeply ashamed. Prince Ning has disgraced our ancestors. His title and fiefdom are revoked. His property will be confiscated, and his military authority stripped. May the Great Qi royal clan take this as a warning.”
In just a few sentences, Xiao Linye had neatly settled Prince Ning’s affairs, both before and after death, while simultaneously terrifying all the vassal princes and high-ranking officials of Great Qi.
Song Pingming secretly observed his master, finding his aura of authority a thousand times more terrifying than it had been on the battlefield.
“As for the Deposed Emperor’s matter, there’s no need to hide it any longer. Publicize it thoroughly to spare the Grand Tutor any further distress,” Xiao Linye said, tilting his chin slightly at Song Pingming before turning to enter the inner palace. He added, “The Grand Tutor needs to rest quietly these days. I don’t want him to hear any more rumors. You know what to do…”
Xiao Linye returned to the inner palace to find Pei Lanqing still sound asleep on the bed, exhausted from the previous night, one hand resting on his abdomen. He gently climbed onto the bed, and Pei Lanqing, sensing his presence even in his sleep, instinctively leaned closer to him.
A genuine smile finally appeared on Xiao Linye’s face. He wrapped his arms around Pei Lanqing’s waist, soothing the child within, and then kissed his lips.
The Grand Tutor only needed to live peacefully in his embrace. He would handle everything else outside.
