TL: Hua
Chapter 85: Clerk – Bu Suying
As soon as the Pei father and son arrived at the brothel, they saw Shangguan Jie ride up and stop in front of them.
Shangguan Jie dismounted, tossed the horsewhip to the stable boy, and greeted Pei Yan. His attitude was not particularly warm, but when he looked at Pei Jintang, a hint of a smile appeared on his face.
After their last unpleasant encounter, Pei Jintang had refused Shangguan Jie’s invitations several times. Seeing him today, Pei Jintang wasn’t embarrassed; he just found Shangguan Jie’s smile both complicated and strange.
Pei Jintang couldn’t quite put his finger on it, so he decided not to dwell on it for now. He cupped his hands in a bow and said, “My father and I heard about what happened here and came immediately to see you, young marquis, hoping we can sit down and discuss a solution.”
“You pay for what you owe, and you pay for a life you’ve taken. It’s a natural law. What is there to discuss?” Shangguan Jie said as he walked into the brothel. “It’s not a big deal for young people to have a small dispute sometimes, but your cousin was just a bit too overbearing. Just now when I came out, someone was taunting me, saying, It seems like there’s no one left in the Shangguan family if people are getting hit in the face.”
These words were clearly hostile. The expressions of Pei Yan and Pei Jintang changed slightly, and they knew this was going to be difficult.
The brothel had already been cleared out by the Shangguan family’s people. Wang Qi was tied up and thrown in a corner. The ground floor was eerily quiet. The madam and the courtesan stood by, and when they saw Shangguan Jie, they quickly bowed.
Shangguan Jie sat down on a chair and used the tip of his shoe to lift the courtesan’s chin. He sneered, “I thought it was some kind of peerless beauty to make my brother fight for you.”
The courtesan bowed low and said, “Please be clear, young marquis. I was simply discussing music with Young Master Qing, and we were composing a piece together. We never did anything inappropriate, and that was the case today as well. Young Master Qing, with his compassionate heart, treated a lowly person like me as an equal and was willing to treat me with respect. That’s why he stood up for me and angered Young Master Wang. I am to blame for this whole mess, but Young Master Qing truly suffered for no reason. I beg you to do him justice, young marquis.”
The courtesan’s face was pale, and her slender body was tense, but she was calm and collected. Her every word was for Shangguan Qing. Shangguan Jie was pleased. “Since my own brother was wronged for no reason, of course, I must do him justice. I must avenge his grievance.”
Wang Qi was mostly sober by now and huddled in the corner, not daring to make a sound.
“Young marquis,” Pei Jintang stepped forward. “My cousin acted impulsively and injured someone. He should pay the price. We have no objection to paying for the damages and offering an apology. We just ask that you spare him his dignity.”
“It’s strange. Although Wang Qi is a relative of the Pei family, why hasn’t a person with the surname Wang come to mediate?” Shangguan Jie asked the Pei father and son.
“My father-in-law is old and couldn’t handle the shock. He fainted when he heard the news, and someone had to stay at home to take care of him. My eldest brother-in-law rushed here as soon as he heard, but perhaps he was flustered and went to the wrong place.” Pei Yan paused and said with a fawning smile, “We are sincerely here to apologize. Please don’t misunderstand, young marquis.”
“Sincere apologies are, of course, a good thing. But this matter cannot be settled so easily. My brother was wronged, and our Marquis Changning family must maintain its standing in Yejing. In my opinion,” Shangguan Jie said, “First, Wang Qi must prostrate himself in front of my family’s gates and apologize. Second, the Wang family must bear all the costs of my brother’s medical treatment and recovery. Third, Wang Qi must break one of his own arms, suffering the same penalty he inflicted.”
When he heard this, Pei Yan said, “The first two are understandable, but as for the third…”
“Lord Pei, out of respect for Jintang, I have been very lenient.” Shangguan Jie said with a smile, “Deliberately causing injury, even if reported to the authorities, Wang Qi would still be punished with a beating. However, if the authorities were to get involved, our Shangguan family and the Wang family would become sworn enemies.”
Pei Yan fell silent upon hearing this. Young Master Shangguan was right; this was already a lenient way of handling things. The most important thing now was to not make an enemy of the Shangguan family, or else Wang Qi’s future would be difficult, even if the matter was resolved today.
“Young Marquis,” a guard quickly approached Shangguan Jie and whispered, “The third young master of the Pei family has invited you to a teahouse across the street.”
The father and son of the Pei family exchanged glances, not expecting Pei Xiting to get involved. Pei Jintang’s brow furrowed slightly, worrying that his mother had used Bu-yiniang to threaten Xiting.
“Oh?” Shangguan Jie’s eyes flickered. He got up and left the pleasure house.
Across the street, in the teahouse, Pei Xiting stood by a window on the second floor, looking at a carriage not far away. The wind rustled the carriage’s plaque, revealing the character “Wang.”
Pei Xiting let out a soft sneer, his face showing disdain.
“The Wang family arrived long ago but didn’t dare to enter the pleasure house. They just wanted the Pei family father and son to take the lead and see if they could get lucky and resolve their son’s matter without having to show their faces and endure Young Marquis Shangguan’s cold shoulder in public, right?” Shangguan Jie entered the private room and looked at the person who had turned away from the window. “Xiting, your Pei family is too honest.”
His gaze was strange—a mix of realization, shock, and contemplation, along with something else—deep and complex, and it lingered on Pei Xiting’s face. Pei Xiting felt a quiet sense of bewilderment but had no interest in figuring out what was wrong with the young marquis today. “That’s why I invited you to have a cup of tea. Please, have a seat.”
Shangguan Jie averted his gaze, walked to the tea table, and sat down. “You’re treating me so well today; I’m a little unaccustomed to it.”
Pei Xiting sat down as well, gesturing with his hand. “This is some new Yangxian tea. Please, Young Marquis, give it a taste.”
Yangxian was a tribute tea. Shangguan Jie raised an eyebrow, took a sip from his teacup, and noted its rich aroma, which surely came from a high-quality tea of an extraordinary origin. He looked up at Pei Xiting. “I haven’t congratulated you yet on your appointment as the East Palace clerk.”
“I am but a humble person. It is only because His Highness is so gracious and values my careful work,” Pei Xiting said with a faint smile. “It’s nothing compared to the Changning Marquis’s estate, which is full of talented people, and you, Young Marquis, are especially valued.”
Pei Xiting’s features were delicate, yet had a cool and handsome air that was neither gaudy nor effeminate. When he smiled, the corners of his eyes lifted slightly, giving him a stunning brilliance.
Shangguan Jie had seen this face with a sad, bleak smile, a sarcastic smile, and a distant, indifferent smile. He had also seen Pei Xiting smile at others, either obediently and sweetly or warmly and intimately, but this was the first time he had seen him direct such a peaceful smile at him.
“Young Marquis?” Pei Xiting said.
Shangguan Jie suddenly snapped back to attention. “Oh, go on.”
Pei Xiting: “…”
The young marquis wasn’t quite right today. Pei Xiting took a sip of his tea. “I’m sure you know why I’ve come to you for a discussion.”
“That’s what I find strange,” Shangguan Jie said. “Were you threatened by your stepmother?”
Pei Xiting said, “The Wang family is now in decline, but I’ve had a stroke of luck. If Madam had any sense, she wouldn’t come to me to try and act superior.”
With that, Shangguan Jie understood. He shook his head. “Wang-shi has been in charge of the household for many years, and she has a strong personality. Even if she is wary of you, she will still hold onto her dignity and authority as your stepmother. She won’t give in to you.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Pei Xiting said. “When things happen, she will have to give in.”
Shangguan Jie raised an eyebrow. “Then how do you plan to persuade me?”
“I thought you were already willing to help my second brother,” Pei Xiting said.
Hearing this, Shangguan Jie’s expression turned strange again. Pei Xiting felt a sense of bewilderment and listened as the other person said, “I have already shown respect for Jintang’s sake. Otherwise, would Wang Qi be in one piece right now?”
“Showing respect is one thing, but the misunderstandings from the past still exist,” Pei Xiting said. “If the young marquis still cares about your friendship with my second brother, I’m willing to host a dinner for the two of you to clear up the misunderstandings.”
“Misunderstandings?” Shangguan Jie chuckled. “Are you doing this willingly?”
“Since it’s a transaction, of course I’m doing it willingly,” Pei Xiting said calmly. “If you’re willing to do me this small favour, I will naturally be willing to treat you with courtesy in the future.”
Shangguan Jie rubbed his teacup. “Just like you treat Prince Zhao, always smiling when you see him?”
“I can’t guarantee that. If I’m not in a good mood, I can’t smile, or my smile will look very fake,” Pei Xiting said with a playful tone. “If Young Marquis likes my fake smile, I’m not opposed to giving you one.”
Shangguan Jie chuckled softly. “That sounds like a reward.”
“I wouldn’t dare,” Pei Xiting said as he poured tea for Shangguan Jie. “Because of the Fifth Young Master’s incident, the Marquis and the Young Marquis must be upset, right?”
Shangguan Jie watched Pei Xiting’s hand as he poured the tea. “It seems Xiting has some valuable information.”
“It’s not worth much, but I’ve heard that the Commander of the Left Military Guard, Young Marquis’s superior, has recently been reprimanded for excessive drinking,” Pei Xiting said with a smile. “Isn’t the martial arts exam at the end of the year? Young Marquis is young and strong. If you work hard, next year I’ll be calling you ‘Commander.'”
As they were both in the Left Military Guard, Shangguan Jie wasn’t completely unaware of this news, but because of Shangguan Ming’s situation, he didn’t dare to step forward easily. Hearing Pei Xiting say this, Shangguan Jie said, “That is valuable information. You’re telling me this now; aren’t you afraid of losing out?”
“We’ve been open with each other, and Young Marquis is a straightforward person, so why would I worry about that?” Pei Xiting saw the look on Shangguan Jie’s face, raised his teacup, and toasted him. “With Wang Qi making a formal apology, the Marquis Changning’s dignity remains intact. Word will only spread that the young marquis values his friendship with my second brother and was merciful enough to let him off lightly.”
Shangguan Jie raised his teacup and clinked it against Pei Xiting’s. He took a sip and then stood up.
Pei Xiting also stood up, and they left the room together. Shangguan Jie looked at the plain-clothed guards waiting outside the door and said, “Where is the other one?”
“He went home for a while,” Pei Xiting said without hesitation. “This one is a fellow villager and brother he introduced to me.”
The guard: “…”
Shangguan Jie said, “He’s really taking advantage of you.”
Pei Xiting let out a sigh. “It’s hard to find a capable and sensible attendant, you know.”
This was true, as the Pei family didn’t have a deep foundation, and how many household servants were there? Shangguan Jie didn’t say anything else. He looked at Pei Xiting, who also glanced back. “If the young marquis has something to say, please say it directly.”
“You…” Shangguan Jie stopped himself. “It’s nothing.”
Pei Xiting gave him a strange look and took his leave first.
Shangguan Jie turned to watch Pei Xiting’s retreating figure. A person lying in a pool of blood, and the people holding that person and crying bitterly—Zong An, Zhao Fan, and himself—appeared in his mind.
The faces of the four people in the scene were familiar, but the situation was strange. The dream was peculiar, but the feelings were real, making it impossible for Shangguan Jie to distinguish between truth and falsehood, as if he had been living in a different lifetime.
Why had he suddenly dreamt of such a strange scene?
Shangguan Jie’s brows furrowed as he stared blankly in the direction Pei Xiting had left.
—
“Be careful.” The guard stopped Pei Xiting in time, preventing him from being knocked over by a running child.
“Thank you,” Pei Xiting apologised, straightening his clothes.
“Are you not feeling well?” The guard examined Pei Xiting’s face, quickly recalling the conversation between Pei-wenshu and Young Marquis Shangguan. He grasped the point that “Pei-wenshu discovered something strange about the young Marquis” and would report it to His Highness word for word when he returned.
Pei Xiting had no idea that Zong Suiyang’s informant was so dedicated, and even if he had, he wouldn’t have cared. “I’m fine,” he said.
It was just that Shangguan Jie kept spacing out today, and the way he looked at him was so strange. Such a complex and deep gaze shouldn’t have been between them. Could it be that… Shangguan Jie had opened his “third eye” and knew about the emotional connection between him and the original Pei Xiting?
This guess was a bit far-fetched, but since he could transmigrate into a book, nothing else seemed too strange. Besides this reason, he couldn’t think of why Shangguan Jie would suddenly act so strangely.
Pei Xiting pondered it for a moment, thinking that even if his guess was correct, it wouldn’t make a difference to him, so he didn’t care. The guard escorted him back to the Pei mansion, where he happened to run into Pei Yan in the garden.
Pei Yan had just learnt that Wang-shi had agreed to Pei Xiting’s terms. He couldn’t even wait to go back to the study and started arguing with her right there in the garden, looking furious.
Pei Yan’s personality was gentle, and Wang-shi was a well-mannered lady. There had never been such a heated argument since they were married, let alone in public. Wang-shi’s face was extremely pale. She stood there, clutching her hands, feeling as if she had lost all dignity.
“Suying is a concubine in the Pei family. How can you, without my knowledge, cut off her deed?” Pei Yan said. “In the end, I, the head of the family, have become an outsider. Isn’t that ridiculous?”
Wang-shi refused to back down. “The authorities stamped the document, which shows that the main wife has the right to handle the residency of a concubine in the family.”
“It’s legal, but it’s not proper!” Pei Yan said.
Wang-shi also understood that it was improper. When she saw Pei Xiting, she immediately pointed at him with her arm outstretched. “If your good son hadn’t gotten so arrogant, would this have happened?!”
“The sequence of events in that statement is unprecedented,” Pei Xiting said calmly. “Madam, you’re not blaming your precious nephew for his recklessness, but you’re blaming me instead? This shows that my wings aren’t hard enough. Otherwise, if anyone made me unhappy, I’d just chop off their head, and after a dozen or so, I’m sure no one would dare to randomly put the blame on me like Madam does.”
Wang-shi looked at Pei Yan. “Listen to what he’s saying!”
“Don’t talk about him anymore!” Pei Yan said. “If it weren’t for Xiting’s intervention today, do you think your good nephew would have walked back to the Wang family with all his limbs intact? It was his own youthful recklessness that caused trouble outside. In the end, he needed someone else to help him resolve it. Instead of advising your father and brothers to teach their junior family members better to avoid this from happening again, you’re blaming Xiting for helping. What kind of logic is that?”
Wang-shi’s chest heaved. “He has long wanted to sever ties between Bu-shi and the Pei family—”
“Mother,” Pei Jintang could no longer stand it and said in a low voice, “It’s not wrong for Xiting to want to sever his yiniang’s relationship with the Pei family. Today’s matter was a transaction between you and Xiting, something you both agreed to. Since the transaction was made, the matter is settled. There’s no reason to question it and blame someone afterward.”
Wang-shi stared at Pei Jintang. “Are you going to stand with them and criticize your mother too?”
“I have no intention of criticizing you, Mother. I just want to remind you that in this matter, you were dragged into it by the Wang family. You can’t blame anyone but them, not Xiting,” Pei Jintang said, looking at Wang-shi. “If you don’t want to be burdened by them anymore, you can just refuse and say that as the matriarch of the Pei family, you must consider the family first. In that case, the Wang family wouldn’t have anything to say either.”
“I am a Wang!” Wang-shi said. “If this matter gets out, won’t I be seen as unfilial? What will people think of me?”
“Have my grandfather and uncles ever thought about you for even a moment when they come to you for everything?” Pei Jintang couldn’t hold back anymore. “If you’re worried about your reputation, from now on, just have the Wang family come to me. I will handle everything, and all the good and bad reputation will be my responsibility!”
Wang-shi was furious. “You’re not afraid of a bad reputation!”
“I’m not!” Pei Jintang said sharply. “When my cousin got into trouble, we waited in the pleasure house for so long. Where was his father, who had already left? If he, as the father, can be a coward, what can’t we do? Reputation? I’m not a saint or a sage. What do I need a reputation for? All those officials who consider themselves extraordinary people, which one of them truly has a flawless reputation?!”
Wang-shi looked at Pei Jintang, speechless for a moment.
Pei Xiting couldn’t be bothered to listen to them argue. He walked away on his own, ignoring Wang-shi’s sharp rebuke.
He went to Suyingzhai. Bu Suying had already received the news and was waiting for him on the veranda. She immediately came forward to greet him. “Xiting.”
“Yiniang,” Pei Xiting took the contract out of his sleeve and handed it to Bu Suying.
Bu Suying opened the document and read the words, her gaze falling on the large red official seal below. Her eyes gradually welled up with tears.
Pei Xiting reached out and patted her slender back. “From now on, you are no longer Concubine Bu of the Pei family, but Bu Suying.”
Bu Suying slowly said, “Yes,” and looked up at Pei Xiting, her voice choked with sobs. “Thank you, Xiting. Thank you so much.”
“There’s no need for thanks between us,” Pei Xiting said. “When do you plan to move? We can start now. I’ll help you pack.”
“There are so many things. It’s not something we can pack in a short time. If we wait until we’re done, it’ll be the middle of the night,” Bu Suying said. “You don’t need to help. Shiliu and I will start packing later. We’ll probably be able to move out in a day or two, but…”
“You don’t have to worry about where you’ll stay. I’ll take care of everything,” Pei Xiting said, reassuring Bu Suying. He then gave Shi Liu a few instructions before turning to leave.
As he was leaving, he ran into Pei Jintang, who was standing on the porch with his hands on his hips, breathing heavily. Pei Xiting went over to him. “Did you win the argument?”
“No,” Pei Jintang said, spreading his hands. “We’re on different wavelengths; we could argue for a lifetime and never have a winner. Xiting, my mother is just like that. She never gives in and values her dignity more than anything. I hope you can be understanding.”
“I don’t care about it,” Pei Xiting said. “But I have to remind you, the Wang family is in decline, and their descendants are not very promising, which is an awkward position to be in in Yejing, especially after what happened today. Although the matter has been settled, you know how much influence the Shangguan family has. Wang Qi will probably have a hard time in the future. It’s clear that this family is sucking your mother dry, and now they’ll probably hold onto her even more tightly.”
“You’re right.” Pei Jintang said, shaking his head. He didn’t think much of the Wang family either. “Before my mother got married, she was used to my grandfather’s strict and overbearing nature. After she married and managed the household, she became very much like my father. She’s afraid of my grandfather at heart, so every time he asks her to do something, she doesn’t dare to disobey.”
“I get it. That’s why I couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. Otherwise, with my sharp tongue, I could easily make her so angry she’d spit up three litres of blood,” Pei Xiting said, patting Pei Jintang’s shoulder. “Let’s not talk about her; let’s talk about you. From today on, you’ll probably have to be polite to Shangguan Jie for a while; after all, the Wang family was in the wrong first.”
“I understand,” Pei Jintang said as he walked Pei Xiting out of the mansion. “I’d already decided this morning that I’d have to back down. But one thing’s one thing. If the young marquis dares to bully you again, I won’t be so easygoing. But I’m no use anyway; you’re the one with the real influence.”
“What influence do I have? We’re all just in business. As long as the price is right, that’s all that matters,” Pei Xiting said. “Shangguan Jie is ambitious. How could he possibly be content with always being subordinate to others? He and Commander Yu of the Left Military Guard have long had a mutual dislike, barely maintaining a facade of peace. Now that Commander Yu is in a bit of trouble, how could Shangguan Jie not want to seize the opportunity to make a move? He’s just constrained by other factors and isn’t daring to show off for the time being.”
Pei Jintang said, “You’re well-informed.”
Pei Xiting replied, “No piece of information is worthless once it’s spoken and heard; it just has to be sold to the right person.”
The two of them laughed and walked out the side gate. After seeing Pei Xiting into his carriage, Pei Jintang turned and went back. Pei Xiting leaned against the pillow, yawned, and said, “Back to the East Palace.”
The guard acknowledged him and tugged the reins, taking Pei Xiting back to the East Palace. Zong Suiyang was still in the Mingzheng Hall, so Pei Xiting didn’t want to disturb him. He returned to his sleeping quarters first to wash up and change into a comfortable house robe.
A zither sat in the room, the one named “Xiting Wenshui.” Pei Xiting sat down at the table and tentatively plucked a couple of strings before beginning to play.
Zong Suiyang entered the room with a hot towel. He walked over to the zither and watched him. Only after Pei Xiting stopped playing did he say, “I thought you’d forgotten everything.”
“Once I’ve learnt something, there’s no way I’ll forget it,” Pei Xiting said.
Zong Suiyang handed the hot towel to a palace attendant, then sat down beside Pei Xiting. “Still only playing this one song.”
Pei Xiting glanced at him and sighed. “My teacher only taught me this one song, and I’m not some kind of genius. I couldn’t learn anything else.”
The little fox was holding a grudge. Zong Suiyang reached out and touched the zither’s strings, then wrapped his arms around Pei Xiting, turning his head slightly to look at him. “Do you still like me as your teacher?”
“I do, but…” Pei Xiting hesitated.
“But what?” Zong Suiyang asked.
“What if my teacher one day refuses to teach me a second time? I’m afraid I’d be heartbroken,” Pei Xiting said with a troubled expression. “It’s better not to learn at all.”
Zong Suiyang smiled at this, rubbing against Pei Xiting’s soft cheek. His voice was low and gentle. “I won’t. As long as you want to learn, I’ll keep teaching you.”
Pei Xiting was a little satisfied, and he raised an eyebrow slightly. “Really?”
Zong Suiyang spoke with sincerity. “A promise worth a thousand pieces of gold. I won’t go back on my word.”
“I believe you,” Pei Xiting said, turning to look at Zong Suiyang. “Don’t push me away again—pinky promise.”
Zong Suiyang didn’t know what a pinky promise was. Pei Xiting took his right hand, extended his little finger, and hooked it with his own.
“Pinky promise, hang yourself if you lie, and the liar is a big bastard,” Pei Xiting said.
“Who’s a big bastard?” Zong Suiyang tightened his grip on Pei Xiting’s pinky, his voice calm. “If I lie to you, being sliced into a thousand pieces wouldn’t be enough.”
Pei Xiting was stunned for a moment, then he quickly pulled his hand away. “Are you a dumbass?! Oaths like that aren’t free!”
Zong Suiyang smiled, amused.
