After Exile, I Married the Amnesiac General [Rebirth] Chapter 88

The only restaurant in Yongfeng Town, private room on the second floor.

More than a dozen guards wearing ring-hilt sabers and dressed in black fitted outfits stood at the entrance, imposing in presence.

Pei Zhen was still dressed in ordinary armor, but his face was stern, his entire bearing cold, as he followed the two guards up the stairs.

When those standing on either side of the door saw him arrive, they quickly lowered their heads respectfully. After saluting, they raised their hands to push the door open for him.

Pei Zhen remained expressionless, paused for a moment, then stepped inside.

Inside the private room, the tables, chairs, and window frames were all spotless. Many of the furnishings were clearly newly replaced. On the central table sat a set of jade-green tea ware; after being filled with tea, the cups resembled the clear sky after rain.

Such tea ware was obviously extremely valuable. Not to mention Yongfeng Town, even in all of Yongzhou, it would be difficult to find another set like it. It certainly did not belong to this simple restaurant.

On a rosewood chair by the table sat a young man with his back to Pei Zhen. He wore a brocade robe embroidered with bamboo patterns in silver thread, with a layer of black gauze draped over it, and a jade crown on his head. Even from the back, he exuded nobility.

Sensing someone entering behind him, the man quickly turned with a smile.

Pei Zhen cupped his hands and said in a low voice, “Greetings, Your Highness, Shizi.”

The man immediately stood up and, before Pei Zhen could bow, pressed down on his arm to stop him, smiling as he said, “Jianzhi, with the friendship between us, why be so formal?”

As he spoke, he pointed to a seat beside him and said with a smile, “Sit.”

Then he personally poured tea for him.

Pei Zhen said “I wouldn’t dare” on the surface. After lifting his robe and sitting down, he asked, “When did Shizi arrive in Yongzhou? How did you know I was here as well?”

Li Zhen, Liang Wang Shizi, finished pouring the tea. At this, his hand paused slightly, and he smiled, saying, “I only just arrived. Speaking of which… you are quite good at hiding, Jianzhi. I originally went to Bingzhou, and upon arriving there learned you had been seriously injured and were recuperating in Wucheng. I planned to go there to find you, but by chance discovered that General Yang was secretly transferring troops to Yongzhou, so I guessed you were here, and indeed…”

At this point, he suddenly sighed, his gaze toward Pei Zhen growing somewhat complicated as he said, “Jianzhi, I know you must be dissatisfied about the matter of the Wuding Pass garrison being transferred. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been pretending to be ill and refusing to receive the imperial edict. Sigh, this matter was indeed my grandfather’s mistake. My father and I both tried to persuade him, but at the time Chang’an was in crisis, and there truly was no other way. But rest assured, now that the crisis in Chang’an has been resolved, the garrison will soon return.”

Pei Zhen remained outwardly calm and said only, “I wouldn’t dare.”

Li Zhen studied him for a moment, then quickly smiled again and continued, “I didn’t come for anything else this time, just to run an errand for His Majesty and deliver the imperial edict to you. Luoyang is still under siege, and Li… imperial uncle has raised troops in Liangzhou in the southwest, angering His Majesty greatly. His Majesty hopes you will promptly lead troops to relieve the siege of Luoyang, and then go to the southwest to suppress the rebellion. Speaking of which, you have already defied the edict several times, how could His Majesty not know? He is already somewhat displeased and quite dissatisfied with you. Fortunately, my father and I persuaded him in time. This time, you must not delay again under the pretense of illness.”

After speaking, and not hearing Pei Zhen respond for a long time, he pondered for a moment and added, “Also, I know you are investigating the Wang family and Yan Tonghai. Sigh, I only learned after arriving in Yongzhou that you were looking into them. These two are truly bold beyond measure, actually using the name of Liang Wang’s residence to commit such treasonous acts that harm the country and the people. It truly infuriates me.”

“You can rest assured, on this matter, I will definitely report truthfully to my father and ask him to severely punish these two!”

Only then did Pei Zhen finally look at him, his gaze carrying an unclear meaning. Just as Li Zhen was weighing whether to speak again, he finally said, “Only these two?”

His tone was calm, with no emotion discernible.

The smile on Li Zhen’s face faded a little as he asked, “Then what do you mean, Jianzhi…?”

Pei Zhen’s expression revealed neither joy nor anger. After a long while, he finally said, “I will go to Luoyang, but everyone involved in Yongzhou must be severely punished. Yan Tonghai, Lu Gonggong, and those people from the Wang family must all be executed.”

Li Zhen’s expression paused. After a moment, he nodded, his tone slightly heavy. “Alright.”

After speaking, he added, “That’s only right. Rest assured, even if you hadn’t said it, I wouldn’t let those beasts off.”

Pei Zhen toyed with the jade-green teacup, his expression unreadable. After a while, he continued, “Also, I’m not at ease having others guard Yongzhou. Transfer Lord Zhang back.”

This time Li Zhen fell silent. After a moment, he suddenly smiled and said, “Jianzhi, you’re making things difficult for me. Lord Zhang was personally transferred away by His Majesty…”

“I believe Liang Wang will certainly have a way,” Pei Zhen said, lifting his head and meeting his gaze.

Li Zhen met his eyes as well. After a long while, as if conceding, he finally nodded and said helplessly, “Fine. Since we have known each other, and it is your request, I will do my utmost.”

Pei Zhen nodded. “Then many thanks, Your Highness.”

Li Zhen shook his head and sighed. “You… after a year apart, you’ve grown distant with me. I remember when we were in Luoyang, you often came to Liang Wang’s residence. We would travel together, back then my father admired you greatly and even had me and my younger brothers learn from you…”

Pei Zhen smiled faintly and interrupted, “Back then I was young and ignorant. I must have been a joke to Your Highness.”

Li Zhen waved his hand. After pondering for a while, he hesitated and said, “By the way, there’s another matter I didn’t dare tell you just now, for fear that after knowing it, you would worry and make an uncalm decision. But since you’ve agreed to go to Luoyang, I won’t hide it any longer…”

At this point, he paused before continuing, “Yan Wang and his wife are now in Chang’an.”

As soon as the words fell, Pei Zhen’s gaze suddenly shot toward him, a flash of sharpness in his eyes that could not be concealed.

Li Zhen said helplessly, “Sigh, previously His Majesty issued several edicts to Bingzhou, ordering you to suppress the refugee rebellion, but you used your serious injury as an excuse to decline each time, greatly displeasing His Majesty. It just so happened that at the time Yan Wang and his wife were going to Bingzhou to visit you, so His Majesty had them brought to Chang’an instead. I also tried to persuade His Majesty on this matter, but he said bringing them to Chang’an was for their safety, in case they were robbed by refugees on the way to Bingzhou. They are very safe in Chang’an now. Once you relieve the siege of Luoyang, you can go to Chang’an to reunite with your parents, and then proceed to Liangzhou to suppress the rebellion.”

Pei Zhen’s expression did not change, but the hand beneath the table slowly clenched.

Put so nicely, yet in reality, it was nothing more than keeping his parents in Chang’an as hostages.

Just like before, when his grandfather and uncle guarded the northern passes, his parents and younger brother had to remain in Luoyang.

It seemed the Emperor feared that after he relieved the siege of Luoyang, he would make excuses not to go to the southwest, so he had taken this precaution.

And indeed, the Emperor had guessed correctly, he truly did not want to go suppress any crown prince rebellion in the southwest. There were troops available in Jingxiang and Nanjun, yet the Emperor insisted on sending him, a northern commander, to quell a southwestern rebellion. The purpose was nothing more than to have him and the rebels wear each other down, perhaps even…

A trace of cold laughter rose in Pei Zhen’s heart.

Li Zhen showed concern and tried to persuade him kindly, “Don’t worry. With my father and me here, Yan Wang and his wife will certainly be safe. You can go suppress the rebellion with peace of mind.”

Pei Zhen came back to himself and said evenly, “Many thanks, Your Highness, but you worry too much. His Majesty’s actions are also for the safety of my father and mother, I am deeply grateful.”

The slight tension on his face from before had already faded, his tone unhurried, as if he did not take the matter to heart at all, nor was he concerned for his parents’ safety.

Li Zhen studied him carefully. Seeing that he truly did not seem worried, he finally felt at ease.

Inside the room, the water clock dripped, drop by drop.

No one knew how long the two spoke. Near noon, Pei Zhen finally rose to take his leave, and Li Zhen personally escorted him downstairs.

“By the way, I’ve also heard that you married an exiled woman here? What kind of beauty could make our cold-faced General Pei develop mortal feelings?” Li Zhen said, patting Pei Zhen’s shoulder with a smile. “Do you need my help to give her a proper status?”

Pei Zhen smiled faintly. “No need. She’s just an ordinary woman from the frontier, I happened to marry her by chance.”

Li Zhen nodded. “That’s true. Given her status as a convict’s family member, even if she’s pardoned, she still can’t be your proper wife. When you later marry a princess consort, it won’t be too late to bring her into the household then.”

The smile on Pei Zhen’s face faded slightly, and he did not respond.

Li Zhen had originally wanted to meet that “woman,” but seeing that Pei Zhen clearly had no such intention, and feeling that she was merely an exiled convict’s relative, not worth his personal attention, and that Pei Zhen didn’t seem to care much about her, he gave up the idea.

“The imperial edict has been delivered, so I won’t stay longer. I’ll return to the prefectural city to deal with Wang Xian’s family. You should also quickly assemble your troops and set out as soon as possible. I think… there’s no time to delay, tomorrow, then.” He said with a smile, sounding like a suggestion, yet leaving no room for refusal.

Pei Zhen nodded faintly. As Li Zhen was about to leave, he suddenly added, “By the way, does Your Highness have an advisor named Gu Heng?”

Li Zhen was startled upon hearing this. After thinking for a moment, he said, “It seems there is such a person.”

Pei Zhen said expressionlessly, “This person has poor character. It would be best if Your Highness does not place heavy trust in him.”

Li Zhen quickly understood his meaning. But compared to the Wang family and Prefect Yan, Gu Heng was insignificant. Since he had already agreed to deal with those people, there was no need to fuss over one more.

So he quickly smiled and said, “Alright, rest assured.”

After saying this, he turned and mounted his horse. But the smile on his face quickly disappeared.

His Majesty had said that Pei Zhen was a blade left for their father and son.

But His Majesty had also said that this blade was too sharp, if mishandled, it would cut the hand. If it could be used, then use it; if not, then… Now, this blade was indeed becoming harder and harder to wield.

***

Pei Zhen watched Li Zhen and his group until they had completely gone far away, then turned around expressionlessly and continued to the town to buy chickens.

Only now, his mood was completely different from when he had first arrived.

The Emperor wanted him to go to the southwest to suppress the rebellion, and it was something he had no choice but to do, the intention was very clear. Presumably, because he had long controlled Yongzhou and Bingzhou, and had repeatedly resisted imperial edicts, the other party had developed killing intent. This time, whether he succeeded in suppressing the rebellion or not, he probably… would not necessarily be able to return alive.

In that case, should he still tell his wife about his identity? If she were implicated by him, if she knew and would be heartbroken after his death…

Pei Zhen gripped the blade at his waist, his heart heavy.

In the afternoon, when he returned to the small courtyard carrying two young hens, Li Chanxiu had just gotten up and was in the kitchen cooking.

Seeing this, Pei Zhen quickly stepped forward to stop him, frowning as he said, “You’re not fully recovered yet, don’t come out and get chilled. I’ll cook.”

Li Chanxiu smiled faintly. “It’s nothing, I’m much better already.”

After speaking, he noticed the hens in his hand and added, “You went to the town?”

Pei Zhen nodded, looking at his pale, sickly face, and said softly, “Chicken soup for lunch. Physician Hu said it’s nourishing.”

Li Chanxiu said nothing and followed behind him, watching him busy himself, his heart weighed down.

Thinking that he would be leaving the day after tomorrow, he still didn’t know what excuse to use to tell the other.

With his back to him, Pei Zhen was also preoccupied, chopping the chicken piece by piece, likewise not knowing how to begin.

The atmosphere fell silent for a while. In the kitchen, there were only the sounds of chopping chicken and vegetables and the crackling of the fire.

When the meal was ready, the two sat together at the table to eat, still each silent. Occasionally one would say something to ease the atmosphere, but it felt awkward, better not to have spoken at all.

After eating, Pei Zhen began washing the dishes.

Li Chanxiu didn’t leave either. He wanted to help, but was stopped by Pei Zhen, so he simply stood by and watched silently.

For a time, neither spoke.

Finally, when they returned to the bedroom, both knew they could not delay any longer.

Pei Zhen looked at Li Chanxiu. After weighing his words several times, he finally spoke, “By the way, there’s something I want to tell you…”

“By the way, there’s something I want to tell you…” Li Chanxiu spoke almost at the same time, and both froze.

Li Chanxiu smiled and quickly said, “You go first.”

Pei Zhen nodded and did not refuse.

The time Li Zhen had given was tight, they would depart tomorrow, and there were still many things to handle today.

After deliberating for a long time, he ultimately did not speak about his identity. Instead, he hesitated and lied, “About taking Xuanping’s money before, I told Yang Yuan about it. He said that as long as we repay the money, it’ll be fine. But this way, there isn’t much money left at home. On top of that, there are soldiers in the army who are poor, and I lent them some money, so things are even tighter. Just now I checked, the rice jar is almost empty as well. Previously, Commandant Qian said trading furs could make money, so I’m thinking of taking advantage of these few days of rest to leave for a while and trade some furs to support the household.”

Li Chanxiu was slightly stunned upon hearing this. No matter how he listened, it sounded a bit… but he steadied himself and suddenly followed the other’s reasoning, lowering his eyes as he said, “I see. In that case, it is also my fault.”

Before Pei Zhen could deny it, he took a deep breath and forced a smile. “By the way, you knew before that I had a cousin come? Today I heard that there are still people from my maternal family alive. They were fortunately pardoned some time ago, and through my cousin learned that I’m here, so they want to come see me. They are now staying in a nearby county. Since that’s the case, I can just go see them, and if they’re well-off, I can borrow some money and grain from them for the time being.”