TL: Hua
Chapter 47: A Lesson – “Teacher”
Qu Zhao also found this matter quite unusual. He smiled and said, “When did that girl ever meet Pei Xiting?”
“You’re never home; how would you know your sister’s thoughts?” Empress Qu gave him a sidelong glance. “Zhenzhen saw that child from the Pei family on the day of the Qixia Banquet and later admired his painting. Now she likes his looks and appreciates his talent. A young girl’s affections are always hard to hide.”
Qu Zhen had never been interested in calligraphy and painting. What appreciation was there to speak of? It was most likely infatuation at first sight. Qu Zhao’s heart lit up, but he didn’t reveal his sister’s plot, instead saying, “So that’s how it is. It’s my fault as an elder brother for not paying enough attention. Pei Xiting is indeed good. If she truly likes him, I have no objections.”
That being said, Qu Zhao felt that this marriage wouldn’t be so easy to arrange. The eye is the window to the heart. Judging from Pei Xiting’s eyes, there must be something sharp in his bones. He wasn’t someone who would settle down easily.
Empress Qu nodded, just about to say that they might as well let the two children meet, when the Crown Prince suddenly said, “Unsuitable.”
This wooden stump suddenly made a cold sound, startling Empress Qu. She immediately turned her head to retort, “The two children are perfectly matched in age and appearance. What’s unsuitable? You want to die alone, but you won’t even let your cousin marry a suitable husband?”
The Crown Prince was noncommittal to Empress Qu’s accusation, saying, “I’m not forbidding it; it’s just that they are not suitable.”
“Why do you say that?” Empress Qu thought about it and could only come up with one reason why Pei Xiting and Qu Zhen might be unsuitable. “Are you perhaps thinking that the Pei family’s status is not high enough?”
The Crown Prince remained silent, and Empress Qu took it as his assent, saying, “Family background is important for a marriage between two families, but since Zhenzhen likes him, relaxing the requirements a bit wouldn’t hurt. Isn’t the Pei family’s third son in the Longhe Division? His future prospects are limitless. In my opinion, he’s more reliable than those dandies who only rely on their ancestors’ accumulated wealth to slack off and do nothing. Besides, you yourself never care about family background when choosing people to work with, don’t you also believe that family background doesn’t determine a person’s ability?”
“It’s not because of that.” The Crown Prince looked at the Empress and said indifferently, “You’ve always been unwilling to force or criticize anyone. Now you haven’t even asked Pei Xiting’s opinion, and you’re already trying to play matchmaker?”
“When did I say I was going to play matchmaker now?” Empress Qu was momentarily stunned by the sudden accusation, then felt wronged. “Aren’t I discussing it with you all? If you think it’s good, then I’ll immediately send someone to ask the Pei family’s child for his opinion. If he agrees, I’ll grant the marriage. If he doesn’t agree, I naturally won’t force him—where did I say I was going to decide now? When did I say it? Which word did I say?”
It seemed she hadn’t said anything. The Crown Prince: “…”
Empress Qu was utterly furious. “Are you even listening to me seriously!”
The Crown Prince said, “I did.”
Empress Qu said, “You did fart!”
Qu Zhao glanced at the Crown Prince, detecting something strange. The Crown Prince, ever so sharp, gave him a faint return glance.
Qu Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. He smiled apologetically, then expertly reached out to pat Empress Qu’s back to help her calm down. He leaned in and said, “Aunt, His Highness is busy with state affairs and rarely gets a chance to rest, so he was a little absent-minded. Please don’t be angry.”
“If I were to argue with him, I would have died of anger long ago. I can’t be bothered with him.” Empress Qu once again cut ties with the Crown Prince and turned to call a palace attendant from outside the door. “Go and invite Pei Xiting here.”
Qu Zhao said, “He’s not at the government office today. You’ll have to invite him from his small courtyard.”
Empress Qu asked, “Why is that?”
“Oh, before I entered the palace, I stopped by to discuss official business with Lord You. I heard from Chief Lu that Pei-wenshu is feeling unwell today and took a day off,” Qu Zhao explained.
Yesterday he was still lively, strolling with Pei Jintang and Zhao Yi. Today he’s sick? The Crown Prince’s brows furrowed slightly, and he put down his teacup.
“So he’s sick,” Empress Qu said. “Then let’s not bother him for now. We can invite him in a few days; there’s no rush.”
The matter was temporarily set aside. The Crown Prince didn’t linger, striding away decisively, oblivious to Empress Qu’s undisguised grumbling behind him.
Yu Shaoyun waited outside the hall and left Fengyi Palace with the Crown Prince.
The eunuchs from the East Palace led the palace attendants, waiting by the palanquin. The Crown Prince waved for them to withdraw and walked out along the palace path, asking along the way, “Has Yuan Fang been acting unusual lately?”
“No, he’s been diligently serving as Pei-wenshu’s attendant.” The conversation in the hall just now echoed in his ears, and Yu Shaoyun had a flash of insight. His tone suddenly shifted, “For caution’s sake, I’ll go and ask the surveillance team again.”
The Crown Prince “hmm”-ed.
Later, Yu Shaoyun had asked all the necessary questions and reported back in the inner hall of Mingzheng Hall: “Yuan Fang did go out this morning to a pharmacy to get some fever-reducing and cooling medicine. Other than that, everything was normal.”
The Crown Prince closed his document and said, “He takes leave just for a fever?”
The statement didn’t sound like dissatisfaction with Pei-wenshu, so Yu Shaoyun truthfully said, “Yuan Fang indeed only got that one prescription.”
The Crown Prince said nothing more. He reached out and stroked Little King beside him. Seeing that it was a bit listless, he said, “It’s been cooped up these past few days. Let’s take it out to play sometime.”
Little King looked up and rubbed against the Crown Prince’s hand, then gently placed a paw on the Crown Prince’s waist, hugging him.
The Crown Prince smiled almost imperceptibly, then the image of someone lying on a chaise longue, stretching and kicking their legs, flashed before his eyes. The faint smile dissipated.
*
Three days later, Pei Xiting arrived at Fengyi Palace with the palace attendants. Besides the beautiful woman in palace attire seated on the phoenix couch, the Crown Prince was also sitting beside her.
Having not seen him for many days, Pei Xiting was momentarily stunned to see him unexpectedly today, and he felt a little happy. Although this might seem a bit unpromising, he didn’t torment himself with self-loathing. It was indeed difficult for him to completely calm down after his first spring romance was rejected, but there was no need for him to seal off his heart either; it was better to let nature take its course. Perhaps it would resolve itself someday.
Pei Xiting withdrew his gaze and bowed respectfully. “This humble subject greets Your Majesty and Your Highness.”
Empress Qu observed the young man’s stature; he was tall and slender like a green bamboo, truly pleasing to the eye. She secretly nodded, then raised her hand and said, “There’s no need for excessive formality. Someone, grant a seat.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Highness.” Pei Xiting nodded and, holding the front of his robes, sat on the rosewood chair placed by the palace attendant.
The chair was right in front of the phoenix couch. Empress Qu scrutinized Pei Xiting, becoming increasingly captivated as she did so. She marveled inwardly: What a handsome child! He was exquisitely beautiful, as if carved from jade and dyed by flowers. What was even rarer was that he had not a trace of effeminacy; he was clear and sharp, leaving one speechless as to how to describe it—just two words: italic good-looking!
Empress Qu’s gaze was lost in admiration. If the Crown Prince hadn’t inadvertently coughed softly, she might have been glowing with green eyes.
The Crown Prince glanced at Empress Qu and said, “Serve tea.”
“Cough, cough!” Empress Qu recovered her senses, using the cough as an excuse, and smiled apologetically at Pei Xiting. “Look at me, I was so engrossed in talking to you that I almost forgot to call for tea.”
Given the empress’s politeness, Pei Xiting smiled meekly, but his heart was pounding. He couldn’t guess her intentions.
A palace maid brought a teacup to Pei Xiting’s side, and the Crown Prince said, “New jade claws, try it.”
The tea leaves, when steeped, unfurled like bird claws, hence the name “Jade Claws.” Previously, in Ningzhou, one night, Pei Xiting used a pair of beautiful hands to ruthlessly play “Xiting Wenshui,” and the Crown Prince beside him also suffered from the noise. Holding a cup of Jade Claw tea, he calmly remarked, “The tea leaves are more graceful and shapely than your finger work.”
That evaluation was too harsh. Pei Xiting still remembered how he suddenly turned his head, intending to launch a sound wave attack on the Crown Prince, but instead saw his profile reflected on the dim yellow lampshade.
The painting on the lampshade read, “Petals fall and stick to wine cups; willow branches hang low and brush against people’s heads.” The Crown Prince’s eyelashes were thick and unusually long, and their shadow perfectly caught the falling petals, covering the rounded rim of the cup.
It’s strange to say that even though it was a summer night and he hadn’t drunk a drop of alcohol, Pei Xiting was inexplicably drunk with the feeling of spring until the Crown Prince tapped his forehead with a fan.
“Calm your mind.”
The words still echoed in his ears, as did his heartbeat.
Pei Xiting took a sip of tea, looked up, and said, “Excellent tea. Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Highness, for the tea.”
The Empress smiled and said, “I asked you to come today for a private matter. We can just chat informally.” Pei Xiting nodded in agreement.
Empress Qu said, “You are eighteen this year, aren’t you? Has your family arranged a marriage for you yet?”
Marriage? Pei Xiting was startled, then immediately became suspicious. Could it be that the Crown Prince feared he harbored improper thoughts and simply wanted to arrange a marriage for him to put an end to them?
Pei Xiting instinctively looked at the Crown Prince, who was merely flipping through a book in his hand and wasn’t paying attention to their conversation. He withdrew his gaze, his fingertips tracing the bottom of the cup.
“You don’t need to be concerned about the Crown Prince,” Empress Qu thought that the formidable Crown Prince was too intimidating, making the young man’s complexion appear somewhat unwell, so she quickly comforted him, “Relax, just say whatever you want.”
Pei Xiting composed himself and said, “Replying to Your Majesty, no, there hasn’t been.”
Empress Qu no longer beat around the bush, saying, “I have a niece named Qu Zhen. She’s Zhao’er’s younger sister. She has taken a liking to you. A few days ago, her mother specifically came to the palace to ask me to be a matchmaker. That’s why I called you here, to ask for your opinion.”
Upon hearing this, Pei Xiting abandoned his previous speculation. If it truly were the Crown Prince’s idea, he wouldn’t push his own cousin forward. He didn’t need to hesitate at all with this question. He put down his teacup, stood up, and said, “I am honored by Your Majesty’s regard, but this humble subject is of low status and dare not aspire so high. The Pei family and the Qu family have a huge disparity in status. How could Miss Qu be wronged by marrying down?”
Empress Qu motioned for Pei Xiting to sit down and said, “Family background is important, but not the most important, at least not in the Qu family. Zhenzhen has been pampered since childhood. Her parents just wish for her to be happy every day and would never unilaterally arrange a marriage just for the sake of matching families, as if selling off their daughter. It must be her own willingness.”
She looked at Pei Xiting and smiled, “Zhenzhen took a liking to you because of your talent and good looks, and I also think you’re a good child. Don’t mind the family background. Just tell me, are you willing?”
“Your Majesty exaggerates; this humble subject is unworthy of such praise,” Pei Xiting said. “Miss Qu is a treasure in her family. She must be matched with someone who truly loves and respects her. Please forgive this humble subject for not being that person.”
Empress Qu didn’t give up. “Is it possible for you two to meet or spend some time together before making a decision?”
“Since the matter is already decided, why delay Miss Qu?” Pei Xiting lowered his eyes. “Please forgive this humble subject.”
Seeing his resolute refusal, leaving no room for negotiation, Empress Qu couldn’t help but turn to look at the Crown Prince. However, the Crown Prince was engrossed in his book and didn’t notice her pleading gaze.
This rebellious son, what’s the use of him sitting here!
Empress Qu secretly glared at the Crown Prince, then turned back to Pei Xiting, sighing with a smile, “This is ultimately a matter of mutual consent; why do I need to forgive you? Since you are unwilling, I will not force you.”
Pei Xiting said, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Empress Qu looked at the young man, feeling a bit regretful, and said, “You are so decisive and certain. Do you already have someone in mind?”
The Crown Prince turned a page of his book, the sound almost imperceptible, but Pei Xiting heard it clearly. He paused for a moment before saying, “Replying to Your Majesty, no.”
“Then how do you know you won’t like Zhenzhen?” Empress Qu tried again. “That little girl is lively and bright, very likable.”
Pei Xiting thought for a moment and said, “Because this humble subject likes men.”
There was a moment of silence in the hall. Empress Qu was indeed stunned by this declaration, her beautiful eyes widening slightly. “Is that… is that so?”
Pei Xiting didn’t feel like he had let out a flat thunderbolt at all; his tone was calm: “Yes, therefore, Miss Qu and I will never be fated for each other in this life.”
Empress Qu, being someone, whose mindset had once again broadened a step, accepted this answer in an instant and grew even fonder of Pei Xiting, deeming him straightforward and unwilling to cling to connections.
“You are indeed exceptionally honest, child.” Empress Qu looked at Pei Xiting and suddenly thought of something. She turned to the Crown Prince and said, “Fuchuan, you may leave now.”
The Crown Prince, seemingly lost in thought, didn’t respond. Empress Qu reached out to push him, and he finally snapped out of his trance, saying, “What is it?”
“You are busy with state affairs; go back first. I’ll stay and talk with this child,” Empress Qu said with a smile, urging him to leave.
The Crown Prince certainly wouldn’t linger. “Then I’m taking my leave.”
“Go, go quickly.” Empress Qu drove away the Crown Prince and gestured for Pei Xiting, who had stood up to respectfully see the Crown Prince off, to sit beside her. “Good child, don’t just stand there. Come here. I have a question for you, and you must answer me honestly.”
The Crown Prince had already walked around the screen. Pei Xiting withdrew his gaze and said, “This humble subject will speak without reservation.”
“Do men who like other men have any particular characteristics?” Empress Qu asked. “Can you tell at a glance?”
Pei Xiting’s ‘gaydar’ shouldn’t be accurate, given that he wasn’t even clear about his own sexual orientation. He shook his head and said, “This humble subject cannot.”
Empress Qu had intended to use Pei Xiting’s experience to discern whether the Crown Prince was also leaning in that direction. Hearing his reply, she sighed in disappointment. “Alas, the Crown Prince still hasn’t taken a consort and doesn’t approach women. When I suddenly heard you say that, I couldn’t help but think amiss.”
She was suspecting her son was gay. Pei Xiting said, “Your Majesty, don’t worry. His Highness does like women.”
“How can you be so sure?” Empress Qu asked, puzzled.
Because I confessed to your son, and he implicitly said he likes women! Of course, Pei Xiting couldn’t say that. He only said, “While His Highness doesn’t favor women, he doesn’t favor men either. He’s probably just focused on state affairs and unwilling to be distracted by matters of the heart, so it has nothing to do with liking men.”
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Noo stupid crown prince TT