TL: Hua
Chapter 19: Recruitment – Boss Zong receives resumes and issues offers…
When You Zong arrived at the East Palace, the Crown Prince was sitting on a reclining chair, flipping through a notebook. Little King was lying on a cushion beside him, its head against its master’s legs. The pomegranate tree at the base of the wall is fiery red, like a thick parasol.
You Zong stepped forward to pay his respects and told him what happened today.
“Do you want this Third Pei?” The Crown Prince looked up at You Zong, who was hesitant, “You could have refused directly, but you came to ask me what I think, isn’t it because you have intention in your heart? Tell me why.”
“Third Pei is good at painting, and is particularly meticulous and sharp, so he can be of help in the office. Also,” You Zong was a little embarrassed, “When I left, he insisted on seeing me off, said a lot of good things, and forced a basket of rice dumplings into my hand, saying that I was the best person in the world.”
“He needs you today, so he said this. Tomorrow he needs someone else, and this high hat will change hands.” The Crown Prince ruthlessly exposed Pei Xiting’s sweet words.
“I understand.” You Zong smiled a little sheepishly, “Whether to accept him or not is up to Your Highness.”
“Do you know why he wants to join the Longhe Division?” The Crown Prince put down the note and casually grasped the armrest of the chair. “In addition to the reason for wanting to leave home, the Longhe Division itself can also become his refuge. After he enters the Longhe Division, regardless of his rank or where he lives, those who have ulterior motives towards him will be wary, and he can achieve some degree of self-protection. This is a support that other government offices cannot provide.”
“Then he is quite smart, using the Longhe Division, a tiger and wolf den, to guard against those birds and beasts with unclear intentions.” You Zong said.
“Smart and cunning.” The Crown Prince touched Little King’s head, motioned it to move slightly, then stood up from the chair and walked out.
You Zong turned around to follow him but was pushed behind by Little King. He was not angry and instead reached out to touch it.
“He admitted that he had already recognized that they were two women, but he wasn’t being honest with you. He probably knew or guessed Third Miss Wang’s strangeness since that day.” The Crown Prince said in a calm voice, “You asking him for help today is exactly what he wanted. He also pretended to be confused and guided you in every sentence.”
You Zong suddenly realized, “No wonder I always feel something is strange, but I really can’t see what’s wrong with him,” he smiled, “I underestimated his mind.”
“He pretended not to know before because he didn’t want to get involved in right and wrong and didn’t want to stand out. Today, he wants to showcase his strengths to you in order to join the Longhe Division and achieve his goal. He knew that his situation was not safe.” The Crown Prince said.
You Zong hesitated and asked, “Then?”
Little King raised its front paws and supported itself onto the chair, enjoying the fish with its master. The Crown Prince lowered his eyes and saw the longevity thread on the tiger’s paw.
“The little bird wants to get out of the cage, but it has kicked the cage to pieces. Let it fly and see if it can live on the branches of the Longhe Division.” The Crown Prince withdrew his gaze, took up the small bowl on the veranda, and sprinkled fish food into the lake; the fish swarmed in and out, but none of them were greedy.
He retracted his gaze with satisfaction and tilted his head to look at You Zong, “But the Longhe Division is not an ordinary government office. If he is restless, you can no longer be soft-hearted when he is on duty.”
You Zong clasped his hands and lowered his head. “I know the limit. ”
*
The offer was quickly sent out just like that. The next afternoon, Pei Xiting was in a good mood, holding the appointment document in his hand.
Although the position of a clerk is not even a ninth-rank one, it’s still under the umbrella of “Longhe Division”. Therefore, when he went to see Wang-shi just now, the other party was unusually gentle and warned him to do his job well, gain a firm foothold, strive for promotion and salary increase as soon as possible, and not bring shame to the Pei family.
“Pah.”
Closing the document, Pei Xiting put it into the neatly packed painting box and said to the beautiful bodyguard lying on the low couch reading miscellaneous books, “Meet outside the mansion in two quarters of an hour to look for a house.”
Yuan Fang said, “Good!”
Pei Xiting went out to Suyingzhai Courtyard.
Bu Suying was sitting by the couch embroidering a handkerchief. When she heard that Pei Xiting was coming, she immediately put down her needlework and stood up to greet him. When she walked to the door, the curtain was lifted up, revealing Pei Xiting’s figure.
He was wearing a crimson gown and a thin ribbon coiling up his hair. The pair of eyebrows and eyes that looked similar to hers were cold but softened when they saw her.
Pei Xiting called “Yiniang” and entered the room. The curtain fell behind him. Bu Suying stared blankly at the person who was taller than her, “… This is the first time I see you wearing red.”
Pei Xiting knew that “Pei Xiting” was introverted and didn’t like or was afraid of standing out. Even the clothes he wore were always simple, as if he wanted to cover himself up as a transparent person from the inside out so that he wouldn’t attract attention and cause trouble, or if he didn’t do something right, it would bring shame to the Pei family.
“Does it look good?” he asked.
“It looks good, very good!” Bu Suying nodded repeatedly and then asked Pei Xiting to sit at the table, “What do you want to eat?”
“I’m not eating.” Pei Xiting said, “Today I came to tell you that I’m going to work in the government office, and I will often be away from home in the future.”
Bu Suying was very surprised. “Why did you suddenly go to the government office? Which government office?”
Pei Xiting said, “Longhe Division.”
Bu Suying’s smile suddenly disappeared, and then her face turned pale. In panic, she grabbed Pei Xiting’s hand, and Pei Xiting instinctively twitched but didn’t pull his hand back.
“Why is it there?” Bu Suying didn’t notice his reaction and asked nervously, “Who asked you to go?”
“I want to go there myself.” Pei Xiting said under Bu Suying’s puzzled eyes, “Although it’s just a clerical job, it’s also a serious job. It doesn’t require a sword or bows, so it’s not dangerous.”
Bu Suying was extremely worried. “But I heard that the people in Longhe Division are all vicious; how can you stay with them? What if they bully you?”
Pei Xiting felt the trembling of that hand, paused, and comforted: “Longhe Division is East Palace’s support and the Crown Prince’s sharp blade to purge the court, so it’s naturally not a ball of cotton, but I have no rebellious intention; what am I afraid of?”
In a daze, Bu Suying seemed to have seen Master Pei in his youth. They were still very affectionate at that time. Under the dim candlelight, she lay on the master’s lap, staring at the person who talked to her about court affairs, staring at their clasped hands, mistakenly thinking that she, a lonely duckweed, had finally drifted to the finish line.
But it was only a momentary trance. After all, her child and the master were also very different. For example, he talked about these things without any respect and awe, but rather casually and nonchalantly. He was neither like the master, who was cautious in his own bedroom, nor like his former self, who was always afraid of saying the wrong thing.
But was Xiting changed, or did she never really know him?
Bu Suying stammered, and after a long time she whispered, “…Son.”
Pei Xiting was not very comfortable, “…Yes.”
Bu Suying stared at him, full of worry, “You don’t like to compete, but you are gentle and peaceful. With such a temperament, even if you go to an ordinary government office, you will become an easy target. How can I rest assured?”
“Don’t worry. I have met Left Commissioner You twice. Although he has a reputation as a fierce god, he is usually gentle and polite, unlike a superior who is mean to his subordinates. Since he can hold his position firmly, he must have a good way of governing those under him; otherwise, why would His Highness value him?” Pei Xiting said, “What’s more, Longhe Division is a close vassal of the East Palace, and His Highness is the future ruler of Daye. This is a promising destination, isn’t it?”
“The future is not as important as your safety!” Bu Suying held Pei Xiting’s hand tightly and then lowered her eyes weakly, “Although it doesn’t matter what I think. I’m not your mother[mfn]I think I have mentioned this before. Because she’s a concubine, by law she’s technically not Pei Xiting’s mother. That’s why he called her Yiniang (aunt) and Wang-shi mother.[/mfn].”
“‘Pei Xiting’ was born to you, and this is a fact that rules and regulations cannot erase. You are the mother of ‘Pei Xiting’.” Pei Xiting said, “I wanted to go to Longhe Division myself. Isn’t it more comfortable than following the path prescribed by Madam?”
“… I have been wanting to ask you this. Is there anyone bullying you?” Bu Suying’s eyes were red, staring at Pei Xiting closely.
Pei Xiting naturally would not tell her those things and selectively said, “I actually want to find a reason to live outside. I don’t feel comfortable in the mansion. It’s troublesome for me to go out for a walk at night.”
Bu Suying said in surprise, “But didn’t you like to stay in the courtyard the most before?”
“People will change,” Pei Xiting said.
Yes, people will change. Bu Suying was silent for a moment and asked, “Are you afraid?”
“No, I will try my best to fight for the life I want. Yiniang,” ei Xiting awkwardly took Bu Suying’s hand, without feeling too warm, but sincere and serious. “If you want to leave this deep mansion, tell me.”
“Leave?” Bu Suying said in a daze, “Can I leave?”
“As long as you want, I will find a way.” Pei Xiting said, “I will look for a house, and tomorrow, I will report to the government office. If you need anything, let Nanny Chang come to me.”
“I know.” Bu Suying stood up with Pei Xiting and suddenly said, “Wait.”
She took a purse from the dressing table and put it in Pei Xiting’s hand, saying, “The rent and purchase of houses in Yejing are very expensive. You can’t do it without money. Here is my monthly salary saved in the past few years, about sixty taels; you can use it. I don’t have a place to spend money in the mansion, so don’t be reluctant to take it.”
“Really, I don’t need it. I have money.”
“Take it.”
“I really don’t need it.”
“Just take it.”
After three or four rounds of tug-of-war, Pei Xiting sighed secretly and forcefully stuffed the purse into Bu Suying’s hand. He held her restless hands and quickly said, “Keep it for yourself, buy whatever you want, don’t think of saving it for me; I can earn more than you.”
Bu Suying couldn’t help laughing, “That’s because I’m old. During my prime, many people also spent lavishly on me.”
She showed a look of sadness on her face, and Pei Xiting comforted her, “You can still win the applause and appreciation of many people now.”
Bu Suying smiled and said, “At my age, if I show up with provocative poses, others will laugh at me.”
“What’s provocative when you’re just dancing? The aunties from the dance hall in the palace are exactly your age, and they dance every day.” Pei Xiting shook Bu Suying’s hand. “Yiniang, don’t belittle yourself. This courtyard keeps you locked up, but you can’t keep yourself locked up. Worrying every day will lead to depression.”
Bu Suying’s heartstrings were shaken, and she shed tears. After a long time, she said, “… En, I will listen to you.”
“Don’t listen to me; listen to yourself.” Pei Xiting took out a handkerchief and wiped Bu Suying’s tears unskillfully. Perhaps this scene was too warm, so he was a little at a loss. When he withdrew his hand, he crumpled the handkerchief and said, “I’m leaving first.”
Bu Suying nodded, sent Pei Xiting out of the yard, and said softly, “Take good care of yourself and don’t put yourself in danger.”
Pei Xiting nodded, turned around, and left.
Bu Suying watched his figure drift away, clenching the handkerchief while lost in thought. Then she turned back to the house to write a letter, tore it up after writing, calmed down and carefully rewrote it again, and then called Nanny Chang.
“Nanny Chang, please help me run a trip.” Bu Suying stuffed the letter and the bag of silver into Nanny Chang’s hand. “Go to the small palace gate, pay the guards to find Aunt Leng from the dance and music hall, and then give her this letter.”
Nanny Chang held the heavy purse and said hesitantly, “This is your savings.”
“How can people in the palace be so easy to see? Someone must first pass on this message. I am not a prestigious person, so I cannot trouble the palace people with my name to pass on messages. I can only spend some money.” Bu Suying said, “Xiting went to the government office. I was surprised and relieved, but at the same time, I was really worried. If I can trouble Aunt Leng to come forward and have a word with Lord You, asking him to give Xiting a little tolerance, then this money is well spent.”
Nanny Chang nodded and said, “Yiniang has good intentions, I will go now.”
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