Chapter Sixty-Three

I dont know why your imperial father favors your ninth brothers wife more than your second wife, Consort Mu said.

Thats right! Pei Zhang said. Imperial father even visited ninth brothers wife and gave her two of his trusted imperial guards. I dont know who imperial father is weary of.

Who else can it be but us? Consort Mu asked. I wanted to send our spies to your ninth brothers manor but because of your imperial father, I cant anymore. It doesnt matter who wants to harm Yan Shi Ning. If anything happens to Yan Shi Ning while shes pregnant, your imperial father wont spare us.

What do we do? Pei Zhang asked. Do we stand by and watch her give birth?

What else is there? Consort Mu asked.

Mother Pei Zhang said.

Pei Zhang, dont worry, Consort Mu said. I have a way to deal with Yan Shi Ning.

While Consort Mu and Pei Zhang were scheming, the bullied palace maid Xiao Nu was sobbing in a corner of the palace gardens. Her face was burning from the hot tea. She wanted to find a soothing cream but she knew no one would give her the cream because they feared Pei Zhang would punish them. Besides, she was too beautiful and the other palace maids were jealous of her and happy her face was scorched.

Xiao Nu cried for half a day and finally someone pitied her and gave her the soothing cream. It took away the stinging pain but she knew her face would scar.

Wang Fu Mu was walking through the gardens but stopped after he heard someone sobbing pitifully.

Who do you serve? Wang Fu Mu asked.

Xiao Nu stopped crying, stood and bowed to Wang Fu Mu.

Official Wang, Im Xiao Nu and I serve Consort Mu, Xiao Nu said.

Wang Fu Mus eyes brightened. What happened? Who did this to your face?

Official Wang, its my fault I was careless, Xiao Nu said.

Wang Fu Mu didnt believe Xiao Nu. Do you know what happens if you disturb the peace in the palace by crying to amuse yourself?

I I wouldnt dare I Xiao Nu stuttered.

Hurry and speak clearly! Wang Fu Mu said.

Xiao Nu sobbed, Wang Fu Mu coaxed her and finally she confessed Pei Zhang threw hot tea on her face.

I understand, Wang Fu Mu said. Go find Gentleman Ting Zi. Ill send someone to him and hell give you a remedy that wont leave scars.

Xiao Nu was deeply grateful, she continuously bowed to Wang Fu Mu.

In the future be more careful, Wang Fu Mu said and left.

Wang Fu Mu smiled while walking toward the emperors chamber. Wang Fu Mu survived in the palace for years and he knew small and big connections were both valuable. The emperor made it hard for Pei Zhang and Pei Jin to spy on each other. So any hole in Pei Zhangs defence would benefit Pei Jin. Wang Fu Mu anticipated Xiao Nu would be useful in the future.

North of the imperial city, Pei Jin and Yan Shi Ning travelled in a horse carriage and they happily viewed the sights of warmer landscapes.

Pei Jin knew Yan Shi Ning hated the cold winter so he asked his father to let him take Yan Shi Ning to a villa north of the imperial city for her to bathe in hot springs and avoid the cold winter. His father consented and also gave Yan Shi Ning two of his fathers most trusted imperial guards.

Pei Jin covered Yan Shi Nings body with a thick fur cape and he fed her mandarin segments.

Shi Ning, you only know how to eat and sleep, Pei Jin teased. Shi Ning, you need to move a little.

Pei Jin, arent you the one who wants me to act weak? Yan Shi Ning asked. So of course I need to eat and sleep.

If you didnt act weak then you wouldnt be allowed to go to the Feng Zhao villa, Pei Jin said. Your father-in-law rarely allows anyone to visit the Feng Zhao villa. Ive heard it was a beautiful place but Ive never been there before. Your father-in-law is worried about your weak condition so of course we need to use this opportunity to visit the Feng Zhao villa.

Pei Jin, youre more of a schemer by the day, Yan Shi Ning said.

Pei Jin laughed like a fox. What else can I do? I know youre scared of being cold. When you were a little girl if it was a cold winter, youll stay in bed and didnt want to go outside. So Im scared you cant endure the cold winter in the imperial city.

Yan Shi Ning didnt show Pei Jin that her heart was filled with sweetness. Pei Jin, are you hiding something from me?

Wife, everything your husband said was true, Pei Jin said.

Yan Shi Ning stared at Pei Jins eyes for a while and he confessed.

The truth is your father-in-law sent two of his imperial guards to follow us, Pei Jin said. His purpose is to protect us and also spy on us. Hes scared Ill secretly meet Huang Guo. Thats why he let us go to the Feng Zhao villa because he wants to separate me and Huang Guo. If we get to amuse ourselves sightseeing and also make him happy then of course Ill grant his wish and keep my distance from Huang Guo.

Pei Jin thought Yan Shi Ning wasnt convinced he confessed everything. Wife, I also want to go to the Feng Zhao villa to bathe together with you in the hot springs.

Yan Shi Ning knew Pei Jin wanted to do it with her in the hot springs.

Pei Jin, wouldnt us leaving the imperial city benefit seventh prince? Yan Shi Ning asked. Itll make it easier for him entice more court officials to his side.

Pei Jin peeled another mandarin for Yan Shi Ning. Wife, you dont need to worry about seventh brother. Imperial father wants me to behave so I need to behave to let them slowly put their guards down. To me whats most important is my wife and child are safe. Consort Mu and seventh brother are too cruel. So for now we need to hide somewhere safe.

Are we truly not going to do anything? Yan Shi Ning asked.

Yan Shi Ning was worried Pei Zhangs second wife would give birth to a son and the emperor would make Pei Zhang the crown prince and kill everyone at Pei Jins manor.

Shi Ning, do you think were wearier of them or theyre wearier of our child? Pei Jin asked.

Of course theyre wearier, Yan Shi Ning said.

If they havent made a move then we dont need to be impatient and make a move, Pei Jin said. Consort Mu is a venomous snake hibernating in winter. Well be prepared to strike when they make a move. Also, seventh brothers manor has always been stormy.

Pei Jin, what are you implying? Yan Shi Ning asked.

Seventh brother doesnt care about beauty, Pei Jin said. He only marries women from powerful families that are useful to him. Both his official wife and second wife are from powerful families. Theres a saying that a mountain cave cant have two tigers unless one is a male and the other is a female. Seventh brothers manor has two tigresses. His official wife is petty and jealous. His second wifes heart isnt good either. His official wife and second wife have opposed each other since the start. Of course his official wife isnt going to let his pregnant second wife sit on her head. His official wife will do anything to protect her own child and position. His second wife isnt going to stand idle, of course shell retaliate. Shi Ning, dont let their harmonious act fool you. Inside seventh brothers manor arent beautiful sceneries, no one can predict what will happen inside his manor thats why its best to have only one wife otherwise therell be no peace in the family.

***

End of Chapter Sixty-Three