Chapter Thirty-Four

Widow Li sent me to receive one thousand silver taels, the young beggar said.

Princess Kang Huas eyes were on the verge of falling out. For the last few days a different young beggar delivered copies of the same two letters and demanded one thousand taels each morning. Each morning she was furious, anxious and helpless. She sent a servant to follow the young beggars but the servant would always report the same bad news, the young beggars would disappear amongst the crowded imperial city.

Princess Kang Huas fears ate her silver taels and her health, she fell ill.

Yan Shi Ting didnt understand why her mother who was always healthy was suddenly ill.

That day the owner of Lady Sus dressmakers shop, Gentleman Su visited the Yan Manor and showed Yan Shi Ting new fabrics and dress samples.

Lady Yan, I personally came here to show you the new fabrics that ninth princes wife doesnt own, Gentleman Su said.

Yan Shi Ting knew Gentleman Su wanted to gain her favor. She was frustrated to death that Gentleman Su used to show the worthless Yan Shi Ning new fabrics and dresses before her. She was going to be the crown princes wife, how could she lose to Yan Shi Ning who was married to an unfavored prince?

Ill buy all the new fabrics you brought here this morning, Yan Shi Ting said. Wait here, Ill go get a paper note to pay you.

Yan Shi Ting walked to her mothers room and asked her mother for one thousand silver taels.

Shi Ting, you have enough dresses for you to wear after your wedding, Princess Kang Hua said. Why do you need to buy more new fabrics?

Mother, I love the new fabrics, Yan Shi Ting sulked.

Princess Kang Hua lost most of her silver taels but she couldnt tell her daughter the truth. Shi Ting, be reasonable!

Yan Shi Ting was used to getting everything she wanted so her mothers refusal hurt her ears. Mother, its only fabrics. Why did you say Im being unreasonable? These past few days you have been acting strange. Last time the owner of the jade shop visited, you said I could buy as many jade bracelets that I wanted. Mother, if youre not going to let me spend the silver taels then who are you saving the silver taels for?

Princess Kang Hua slapped her daughters cheek. Shi Ting, close your mouth!

Yan Shi Ting touched her sore cheek and cried, no one had ever hit her before.

Mother, you hit me! Yan Shi Ting shrieked and ran out of her mothers chamber.

Princess, what happened? old nursemaid asked. Why did you hit second mistress?

What do I do now? Princess Kang Hua asked.

Princess, wake up, old nursemaid said. You cant fall like this.

Thats right, Princess Kang Hua muttered. I cant fall like this I didnt do anything wrong! Its all their fault! Why should I be scared of them?

Princess, thats right, old nursemaid said. You shouldnt be scared of them.

Princess Kang Hua felt her usual cold arrogance returned.

Gentleman Su acted disappointed Yan Shi Ting changed her mind and didnt want to buy the new fabrics. But on the way to Pei Jins manor, his grin was wider than the new fabrics next to him.

At Pei Jins manor, Gentleman Su discussed Princess Kang Huas situation with Pei Jin and Bei Dou.

It appears Princess Kang Hua is a pauper, Gentleman Su said. Shes paranoid and in a depressed state. Earlier I saw Lady Yan ran out of Princess Kang Huas chamber crying. Xiao Jin, indeed you know how to use another persons dagger to slowly cut flesh off.

I didnt do anything, Pei Jin said innocently.

Gentleman Su laughed. Youre right. You didnt do anything. You only found some young beggars to do it for you. Today one of the young beggars asked me why I didnt ask them to do it three times a day. Morning, afternoon and evening instead of once a day.

Once a day is enough, Pei Jin said. Anymore I fear Princess Kang Hua cant cope. I need her alive for the crown prince and Yan Shi Tings wedding day. Its more amusing to see her slowly rot.

Luckily I havent done anything to offend you, Gentleman Su said. Otherwise I wouldnt know I was dying slowly.

Of course you have offended me, Pei Jin said. Each time you send a new dress here, you raise the price.

What offence? Gentleman Su asked. My money is your money. Think of it as me helping invest your money. Look at the profits Ive given you all these years. But you havent even thanked me once. Of course after you succeed, remember to let me become the treasurer. At that time it doesnt matter how much money is in the palace, Im certain Ill help you double it.

Pei Jin laughed. Do you think its easy to be a treasurer?

How hard can it be? Gentleman Su asked. I think youre father-in-law does have brain. What do you want me to do next? Do you want me to send gifts to the Yan Manor?

For now let my father-in-law find out on his own, Pei Jin said.

I understand, Gentleman Su said. Ill choose a good day to show the accounting books of dresses, shoes and jewellery Lady Yan bought. Its a large sum, Yan Jing wouldnt have that many silver taels. Hell ask me to look for Princess Kang Hua shell ask me to look for Yan Jing and hell wonder why shes a pauper. What about Lady Yans fake pregnancy?

I want Yan Shi Tings pregnancy to be exposed in front of imperial father, Pei Jin said. So I need to wait until the crown prince and Yan Shi Tings wedding day. But I havent thought of a way to expose her without leaving a trace.

You can borrow someone elses dagger, Bei Dou said.

Whose dagger? Pei Jin asked.

Xiao Dou is right, Gentleman Su said. How can this news spread to seventh prince?

One of Pei Jins guards, Xiao Ping entered Bei Dous chamber.

Ninth prince, I found out who owns Fu Qing, Xiao Ping said.

Who? Bei Dou asked.

Seventh prince, Xiao Ping said.

Pei Jin smiled and looked at Bei Dou. Bei Dou, it appears tonight youll need to climb walls.

Bei Dous goose bumps warned him that he would also be taking three warm baths that night.

Yan Shi Ning didnt ask what Pei Jin did during the day. All she knew was the MF Pei Jin ate her in bed from night to dawn. Each morning she would wake up with a sore waist, back, neck and thighs. After a few nights rolling on the bed with him, she began to adjust to the different positions. But she hadnt adjusted to waking up late in the mornings, neither did her temper. Because she overheard a new rumor spread throughout the imperial city, gentle ninth princes wife loves to sleep and doesnt wake up until midday.

Yan Shi Ning thought her gentle lady image was ruined. How could a gentle lady wake up at midday? So that night she carried a blanket and pillow to sleep in a different chamber. But the following morning she woke up and saw the MF Pei Jin laid next to her. Afterward he ate her until midday.

Finally Yan Shi Ning couldnt hold back her temper and gave Pei Jin three conditions if he wanted to sleep with her.

Only once a day? Pei Jin asked.

Yes, Yan Shi Ning said.

Each time no longer than half a shichen hour? Pei Jin asked.

Yes, Yan Shi Ning said.

Pei Jin held Yan Shi Nings shoulders and shook her body. Wife, wake up. Dont dream anymore.

Yan Shi Ning felt pitiful, day or night there were red kiss marks all over her body.

Pei Jin pulled the blanket over his and Yan Shi Nings naked bodies. He watched her fall asleep. He knew she wanted a carefree life so he wanted to give her a carefree life. He was willing to silently help her chase away her shadows.

***

End of Chapter Thirty-Four