Chapter Sixty-One

The emperors question was a hidden dagger.

Pei Jin didnt know how long the cold wind in his heart stirred.

Imperial father, I promise my heart will not change, Pei Jin said.

Thats good, the emperor said and left the calligraphy room.

The emperor walked past the kitchen and the past haunted him.

Big brother, I learned how to grill meat in Southern Jiang Prince Chen Nan said.

That one memory ruined his happiness to hear his ninth daughter-in-law was pregnant.

The emperors imperial guards and imperial physicians escorted the emperor back to the palace.

Pei Jins manor returned to its lively atmosphere.

Your grandfather! Xiao Zai cursed. Xiao Hui you purposely threw me over the wall! If I had landed on the emperor then I would have been cut into pieces! If you see me as an eyesore, you can tell me but dont harm me like this. Say something. Dont think Ill spare you if you dont say anything.

Xiao Zai chased Xiao Hui around the courtyard.

Those two people are going to make me laugh to death, Yan Shi Ning said. She rubbed her stomach and pulled Pei Jins sleeve. Pei Jin, whats wrong? What did the emperor say to you in the calligraphy room?

Pei Jin held Yan Shi Nings hand. Nothing. Your father-in-law asked me to behave.

Did the emperor find out about something? Yan Shi Ning asked.

Pei Jin shook his head. Perhaps someone said something to imperial father.

Suddenly Pei Jins guard, Xiao Ting entered the courtyard.

What happened in the palace? Pei Jin asked.

Xiao Ting reported to Pei Jin about the court officials conflict over who should be the crown prince and left the courtyard.

Yan Shi Ning shivered, she thought Huang Guo would only spread the secret about her pregnancy.

Why would Huang Guo want to cause trouble in the palace? Yan Shi Ning asked

It appears Ill need to visit Huang Guo, Pei Jin said coldly.

Yan Shi Ning knew Pei Jin wasnt upset about Huang Guo, he was upset about the emperors reaction. Pei Jin was also the emperors son but the emperors warning showed that the emperor never wanted to give Pei Jin the opportunity to inherit the kingdom. She held Pei Jins cold hand and thought the old AH was lower than her neglectful and opportunistic father.

Pei Jin patted Yan Shi Nings hand. Shi Ning, its alright. Im used to it. You cant expose your deadly temper.

Pei Jin Yan Shi Ning said.

Um? Pei Jin asked.

Pei Jin, why dont we force that old AH who doesnt want you to be his heir have to open his mouth and beg you to be the crown prince? Yan Shi Ning asked.

Then what? Pei Jin asked.

Then youll tell the old AH you dont want to be his heir and let him be angry to death, Yan Shi Ning said.

Pei Jin hugged Yan Shi Ning. Wife, thats a good plan. Do you believe in your husband that much?

Dont think that I dont know what youre thinking, Yan Shi Ning said.

Pei Jin thought his little lion was more intelligent by the day. He kissed her and travelled to Huang Guos manor.

Later at Huang Guos manor, Pei Jin and Huang Guo sat opposite each other in Huang Guos calligraphy room.

Ninth prince, you must have heard what happened in the palace today, Huang Guo said.

Elder Guo, what are you alluding to? Pei Jin asked.

Huang Guo looked at Pei Jins cup of tea on the table. The tea is prepared and ready for you to drink.

Pei Jin understood Huang Guos motive. In this period if I drink tea then I wont be able to sleep.

Huang Guo drank his tea and thought Pei Jin was more cunning by the day.

Elder Guo, youre not young anymore, Pei Jin said. Its not good for Elder Guo to drink too much tea.

Huang Guos back stiffened, he knew Pei Jin was warning him. Ninth prince, what did the emperor say to you at your manor?

Pei Jin laughed coldly. Imperial father said a few words Elder Guo wouldnt be pleased if you heard what imperial father said.

Huang Guo grimaced.

Pei Jin changed into a more comfortable sitting position. Elder Guo, its useless for your heart to waste energy.

Huang Guo couldnt see through Pei Jins thoughts. Ninth prince, do you have any grievances? But until the end, no one knows who the winner is and who the loser is. All the emperors in the past snatched the throne from their brothers.

Huang Guo was a fool to have underestimated Pei Jin as someone who could easily be manipulated. After the harvest festival incident, Pei Jins manor was unaffected and Huang Guo realised Pei Jin was more cunning and stronger than he thought. Also, Huang Guo didnt believe the news about the empress killing herself. He knew Pei Jin was involved to avenge his daughters death.

Huang Guos spies in the palace confirmed his suspicions about the empress death. Then he heard news about Yan Shi Ning being ill, he wasnt fooled because he knew Yan Shi Ning was a healthy woman so he sent his daughter-in-laws to Pei Jins manor to see if Yan Shi Ning was pregnant. He was happy to hear his daughter-in-laws confirmed Yan Shi Nings pregnancy.

After Huang Guo heard rumors about Pei Zhangs supporters want to recommend Pei Zhang to be the crown prince, he knew it was the right opportunity for him to see the emperor in the palace. Everything had happened according to Huang Guos plan until Pei Jin visited him and warned him not to interfere anymore because the emperor had no intentions to let Pei Jin become the crown prince.

Huang Guo didnt lose hope because no emperors were given the throne, the throne was always conquered. But Pei Jins indifference to the throne made him feel frustrated and powerless.

Ninth prince, are you weary of me? Huang Guo asked.

Pei Jin smiled coldly.

Ninth prince, you dont have to be weary of me, Huang Guo said. I promise I only want to help raise you to the highest position. All I want in return is that you promise to protect everyone in the Guo Household. Ninth prince, you know if seventh prince becomes crown prince then no one in the Guo Household will survive.

No one can predict imperial fathers heart, Pei Jin said.

It doesnt matter if the emperors heart only sees one option, Huang Guo said. Ninth prince, earlier I told you its precedent that emperors have always snatched the throne.

Elder Guo, how do you plan to snatch the throne? Pei Jin asked.

Huang Guo knew Pei Jin was forcing him to reveal his plan. Of course snatching the throne involved a strong army force. It was true Huang Guo had a secret army force but he wouldnt dare use his army force unless someone related to him like his adoptive grandson secured the crown prince position.

Huang Guo dipped a finger in the cup of tea and wrote his plan on the table.

Ninth prince, what do you think? Huang Guo asked.

Pei Jin nodded his head. Its good.

Ninth prince, what do you plan to do? Huang Guo asked.

Me? Pei Jin asked. Elder Guo, I think I still prefer to be a carefree prince.

Huang Guo was too angry to speak.

Pei Jin looked innocently at Huang Guo. Elder Guo, your decision to use a chess piece at this time isnt wrong. Its a pity you used the wrong chess piece.

You! Huang Guo said.

Elder Guo dont be angry, Pei Jin said. Besides, Elder Guo is used to my way of speaking. It isnt easy to drink tea here. Elder Guo, Ill leave first.

After Pei Jin left, Huang Guos third son Fan appeared from behind a screen.

Father, Pei Jin is despicable! Fan said. Father, you lowered yourself in front of him but he didnt take the bait. I dont believe he has no desire to be emperor.

Huang Guo grinded his teeth. He only doesnt like being controlled. Third son, wait and see. Im certain hell make a move.

Father, what should we do now? Fan asked.

Wait, Huang Guo said.

Wait? Fan asked.

Wait for him to eliminate Pei Zhang, Huang Guo said. After the throne is his then well make our move.

Inside the horse carriage, Pei Jin looked up at the moon and smiled. He didnt expect Huang Guo had a secret army. But he knew apart from him, Huang Guo didnt have anyone else to cooperate with Huang Guo. So there was no reason for him to allow Huang Guo to use him.

***

End of Chapter Sixty-One