Chapter Seventy-Five

News of the emperors collapse spread across the imperial city.

At Pei Jins manor Pei Xiao Niao was crying for his mother but his mother was napping.

Pei Jin picked up Pei Xiao Niao from the cot and played with him on a chair.

It was a sunny day and the chubby Pei Xiao Niao wore thin pink clothes.

Pei Jin happily held the chubby Pei Xiao Niao in one arm and teased Pei Xiao Niao with a small soft colourful cuju ball with his free hand.

Pei Xiao Niaos round eyes brightened and followed the cuju balls movements. His raised his short arms in the air but his father didnt give him the cuju ball.

Pei Jin moved the cuju ball close to his son. Each time his son was about to grab the cuju ball, he moved the cuju ball away. He smiled while he teased his son but his sons lips pouted and his son cried loudly.

Pei Jin coaxed his son who loved to cry because he didnt want to disturb Yan Shi Nings nap.

Ninth prince, Huang Guo is here to see you, a servant said.

I understand, Pei Jin said.

Pei Jin looked at his son who stopped crying. His son had grabbed the cuju ball while he was distracted. He smiled at his son who was happily playing with the cuju ball.

Pei Jin saw his son was about to eat the cuju ball and gently pulled the cuju ball away from his sons mouth.

Son, why are you a glutton like your mother? Pei Jin asked.

Pei Xiao Niao was about to cry because his father stole his food but his father stood and hugged him tightly. He looked over his fathers shoulder and saw a stranger.

Ninth prince, your son is handsome, Huang Guo praised.

Elder is too kind, Pei Jin said. My son isnt handsome.

Pei Jin thought his son was ugly when his son was a wrinkled one month boy. But after raising his son for two months, his son was growing more handsome by the day.

Indeed he has a majestic aura, Huang Guo praised.

Pei Jin smiled and gestured for Huang Guo to sit.

Pei Jin sat down on a chair. He hugged his son and bounced his son on his knees.

Pei Xiao Niao happily sucked the soft round bun his father gave him and he looked at the stranger in front of him.

I came to discuss something with ninth prince, Huang Guo said.

Elders face looks serious, Pei Jin said. It must be important.

Something serious happened, Huang Guo said.

What? Pei Jin asked.

The emperor wrote an edict, Huang Guo said. Congratulations ninth prince, the emperor chose you to be the crown prince.

Pei Jin didnt expect his father would choose him to be the crown prince.

Pei Jin and Yan Shi Nings happy reunion was interrupted by the news of his fathers collapse. He heard the rumor about his father only had a few days to left so he sent his guards to the palace to investigate but didnt find anything unusual. He and Yan Shi Ning could only patiently wait at home.

Huang Guos news made Pei Jins heart jump chaotically but he maintained his calm appearance.

We should seize this opportunity, Huang Guo said.

Pei Jin narrowed his eyes.

The emperor wrote the edict but he hasnt announced it, Huang Guo said. It means hes still indecisive. We should act and the throne is yours.

Pei Jin hugged his son tighter and realised he did care about who his father wanted to give the throne to.

Huang Guo thought finally his years of scheming didnt become smoke.

Everything is prepared, Huang Guo said.

Huang Guos army only needed his command and his army would march into the palace.

Pei Jins sons cry broke his deep thoughts. His son had urinated on his knees.

Luckily Pei Jins son cried otherwise he would have lost sight at what was most important. He had always been cautious and understood his status. His fathers decision and Huang Guos persuasion had disrupted his plan he was truly grateful for his son.

Pei Jin stood, carried his son in his arms and smiled. If he didnt have his son then in that moment he would have made an irreversible mistake. He had his wife and son, he couldnt be selfish and risk their lives to make a dangerous chess move. Besides, Wang Fu Mus silence was the biggest warning. Wang Fu Mus silence meant if he made a reckless move then he and his family would die.

Pei Jins chaotic heart calmed. I truly only want to be a carefree prince.

Huang Guo wanted to vomit blood.

A servant escorted Huang Guo to the horse carriage.

Pei Jin kissed his sons cheeks and happily ran to the chamber to change his sons clothes.

Son, be good, Pei Jin coaxed. Youre my good son. Dont cry.

Pei Xiao Niao didnt know his father was grateful he urinated on his fathers knees and restored his fathers common sense, he continued to cry because his pants were wet.

Pei Xiao Niaos loud cry woke up Yan Shi Ning.

Pei Xiao Niao saw his mother, stretched his arms toward his mother and cried louder.

Youre not allowed to cry! Yan Shi Ning said.

Pei Xiao Niao was startled his mother raised her voice. He pouted his lips, buried his head in his fathers chest and didnt dare to cry.

Yan Shi Ning noticed her sons pants were wet. She picked up her son from Pei Jins arms and changed her sons clothes.

Earlier did Huang Guo visit you? Yan Shi Ning asked.

Um Pei Jin said.

Whats happening in the palace? Yan Shi Ning asked.

I heard imperial father wrote an edict to make seventh brother the crown prince, Pei Jin lied.

What should we do? Yan Shi Ning asked.

Wait and see what happens, Pei Jin said. I think theres something suspicious about the news. Huang Guo wants to lend his army to me for me to steal the throne. But I dont dare. Wan Fu Mu hasnt send news to me so I dont want to do anything reckless.

What if the news is true? Yan Shi Ning asked. Do we watch Pei Zhang sit on the throne?

If its true then well escape to Southern Jiang, Pei Jin said. He cant kill us if were not in the imperial city. Besides, I dont have enough people in our home to defeat Huang Guos army.

But its not fair, Yan Shi Ning said.

Yan Shi Ning wouldnt accept Pei Zhang as the emperor and she didnt think the emperor was fair toward Pei Jin.

Pei Jin held Yan Shi Nings hand. It wasnt the right time for him to make a move.

Pei Jin waited days for his fathers edict, each day was like waiting a year. But the edict didnt come so he didnt make a move.

In the palace Wang Fu Mu was as anxious as Pei Jin and Yan Shi Ning. Wang Fu Mu hated relying on an outsider, but he had no choice if he wanted to protect Pei Jin and Pei Jins family.

Wang Fu Mu walked to the secret spot in the palace gardens where Xiao Nu raised a cat. Luckily Xiao Nu was feeding the cat.

Tomorrow give this handkerchief to ninth princes wife in the Tang Ming courtyard, Wang Fu Mu said. Keep it a secret otherwise both of us will die with no proper burial.

That night Xiao Nu didnt sleep. The handkerchief Wang Fu Mu gave her felt too heavy.

Xiao Nu didnt know why Wang Fu Mu asked her to give the handkerchief to ninth princes wife and she wasnt familiar with ninth prince and ninth princes wife. But it was enough that she knew Wang Fu Mu treated her kindly and never bullied her.

Early the following morning she secretly hid in the Tang Ming courtyard and she waited for ninth princes wife.

That morning Wang Fu Mu stayed in the emperors chamber and gambled everything on Pei Jins habit of passing through the Tang Ming courtyard to walk to the emperors courtyard.

Later that morning Pei Jin and Yan Shi Ning was passing through the Tang Ming courtyard and they were startled an unfamiliar palace maid stopped them. But they relaxed after the palace maid gave Yan Shi Ning a handkerchief and told them it was from Wang Fu Mu.

Xiao Nu bowed to ninth prince and ninth princes wife then she quickly left.

What does this handkerchief mean? Yan Shi Ning asked.

There was only a riddle on the handkerchief, two people raising their heads smiling, only saying savor.

Pei Jin knew Wang Fu Mu was more cautious than he was so he was still startled Wang Fu Mu would rely on an outsider to warn him. But he thought deeply about what the handkerchief meant.

Pei Jin stared at the handkerchief for a long time and realised he thought too deeply. Wang Fu Mu wasnt an educated scholar so for Wang Fu Mu to write a riddle and use an outsider then the situation was serious.

Pei Jin thought about how Wang Fu Mu spoke. Each time Wang Fu Mu spoke, Wang Fu Mu would emphasized the first word. Pei Jin looked at two and only. Liang Zhi sounded similar to Zhao Shu which meant edict. Pei Jin shivered, his father was too ruthless.

Imperial father isnt dying, Pei Jin said. Hes pretending to be ill and wanted to see who would commit treason after receiving news of the unannounced edict.

Imperial father is too insane, Yan Shi Ning said. But if your speculation is true then its strange that someone impatient like Pei Zhang hasnt acted recklessly.

Pei Jin and Yan Shi Ning thought about why Pei Zhang didnt kill the emperor then they looked at each other at the same time.

Who do you think is their spy in the palace? Yan Shi Ning asked.

The five people who are allowed to enter imperial fathers chamber are Wang Fu Mu and his four most trusted imperial physicians, Pei Jin said. We know it isnt Wang Fu Mu so its one of the four imperial physicians.

Pei Jin, how do you think imperial father will react if he knew we found out what chess piece hes using? Yan Shi Ning asked.

Perhaps imperial father will become more insane, Pei Jin said.

Pei Jin and Yan Shi Ning smiled at each other.

Shi Ning, I wasnt certain us waiting to see what happens would benefit us but now I know it was the right decision, Pei Jin said. What do you think seventh bother wants the most?

He wants us to lose to imperial fathers chess piece, Yan Shi Ning said. Why?

Pei Jin smiled. Well grant his wish.

Pei Jin and Yan Shi Ning walked to the emperors courtyard where a large crowd gathered.

Pei Khan was overjoyed to see Pei Jin and Yan Shi Ning.

Pei Khan pulled Yan Shi Nings sleeve. Wheres my nephew?

Yan Shi Ning saw the anticipation in Pei Khans eyes and she didnt want to tell him the bad news. Your nephew is sleeping at home.

Pei Khan scrunched his face and frowned. He missed his nephew Xiao Niao a lot.

Later that day Pei Zhang returned to his manor and he was grateful his mother met Gentleman Tao and found out about his fathers plan. Otherwise he would have acted recklessly and lost his life.

Pei Zhang looked at the bright sky and anticipated his new status. He only needed to wait for Pei Jin to make the wrong move. If he was Pei Jin, he wouldnt do nothing if he found out news about their fathers hidden edict for Pei Jin to be the crown prince. But if Pei Jin didnt do anything, it meant Pei Jin truly wanted to be a carefree prince. Then he wouldnt win or lose and their fathers plan was meaningless.

Seventh prince, ninth prince made a move, a guard said.

Hurry and say it, Pei Zhang said.

Ninth prince is hiding people inside his manor, the guard said.

Pei Zhang was happy he ordered his guards to follow Pei Jin closely. He thought Pei Jin must have received news of their fathers edict and secretly hid Huang Guos men in Pei Jins manor.

Seventh prince, I and the other guards secretly searched their horse carriages, the guards said. The horse carriages are full of cannon balls and arrows.

Pei Zhang laughed triumphantly. Keep following him and his guards. Report to me immediately if any of them make any sudden movements.

Pei Zhang was happy while waiting a few days for Pei Jin to strike. But after a few days he gritted his teeth, Pei Jin didnt strike and he was worried that Pei Jin decided to retreat.

Are you certain he hasnt made any sudden moves? Pei Zhang asked the guard.

Im certain, the guards said. But ninth princes guards have been collecting water from neighbouring wells.

Water? Pei Zhang asked.

Yes but I and the guards secretly checked it was only water, the guard said.

What about his people? Pei Zhang asked.

None of them made any sudden movements either, the guard said.

Half a shichen hour later the guard returned to Pei Zhangs manor.

Ninth prince instructed his guards to prepare to strike! the guard said.

Pei Zhang was happy to receive good news again. He waited for another two shichen hours but Pei Jin and his guards were stationary.

Are you certain he told his guards to prepare to strike? Pei Zhang asked the guard.

Im certain, the guard said.

Take more guards with you and ensure no one leaves his manor! Pei Zhang said. Im going to the palace.

At Pei Jins manor Pei Jin and Yan Shi Ning were happily playing chess together.

Ninth prince, seventh princes sent more guards here and seventh prince is travelling to the palace, a guard reported and left the chamber.

Wife, the fish took the bait, Pei Jin said.

Checkmate, Yan Shi Ning said.

***

End of Chapter Seventy-Five