Song of the Bright Moon Chapter 107

The bright moon hung high. All was silent in the world, yet in the Shen residence of Xuanping Lane, no one slept.

“Are both the front and back doors bolted? Let Uncle Zhong take Ah Cheng and Ah Li to guard the front door. Block anything that can be blocked.”

Madam Li’s expression was solemn as she finished instructing the housekeeper. She glanced outside the window, whispering: “Having Dalang guard the back yard is enough. With the master in his condition, even if he goes back there, he can’t really stop anything. Better to stay inside, so no one worries.”

Shen Yujiao stood by the bed, tucking the blankets around Di Ge’er, Ah Yu, and Ah Jin, who slept side by side. She lowered the layered curtains, creating a quiet, private space for the children, and then stepped to Madam Li’s side.

“Mother, you’ve been standing all night. Sit and rest.”

“Ah, my heart keeps racing, I can’t sit still.”

Madam Li sighed faintly. “Such a beautiful Mid-Autumn festival, and yet chaos outside, truly frightening.”

Today, for the palace banquet, Shen Yujiao had originally planned to attend with Pei Xia.

But Pei Xia had asked her to bring Di Ge’er to the Shen residence in Xuanping Lane, to celebrate the festival with her parents, brother, and sister-in-law.

That morning, when he made such arrangements, Shen Yujiao only thought he was being considerate of her wish to spend the festival with her family. Her heart felt soothed, and she readily agreed.

She never expected that just after the hour of the Dog, when wine had loosened spirits and flushed faces, the sound of galloping hooves suddenly came from outside the lane, thundering like summer lightning.

The Shen residence, tucked inward, could still hear the commotion, let alone the houses along the street.

Shen Hui immediately sent the steward to investigate, and soon the steward returned in a panic: “Many soldiers are outside, heading straight for the palace. The lane officer says the situation is dire and has ordered us to return home quickly, secure the gates, and prepare defenses!”

A military rebellion.

Moments ago, the banquet had been lively and cheerful; the next, a heavy silence fell, tense and foreboding.

Having served in court for many years, Shen Hui quickly regained his composure, instructing Madam Li to take the women and children to the back courtyard. He and his eldest son armed themselves, standing vigil at the gates to prevent lawless soldiers from breaking in.

By now, near the hour of the Rat, there was no movement outside the lane besides the initial sounds of marching.

The quieter it became, the more unnerving it felt.

“All those soldiers went to the palace. Shouzhen is there too. I don’t know what’s happening…”

Madam Li fretted. Swords have no mercy, if her son-in-law were harmed, how could her daughter and young grandsons survive?

Compared to Madam Li’s anxiety, Shen Yujiao lowered her eyelids, unusually calm.

She vaguely sensed that Pei Xia must have known something would happen tonight, which was why he sent her back to her parental home with the children.

If he had planned ahead, then the central figure of this rebellion could only be the Third Prince.

Although she was a woman of the inner residence and Pei Xia rarely spoke to her about court affairs, the past four months of the Second Prince’s regency had not gone unnoticed. He had managed state affairs meticulously, implemented benevolent policies, and reduced taxes; praise for him was widespread.

In contrast, the Third Prince had been constantly blocked by the Second Prince, showing nothing but weakness.

The outcome of this struggle between princes was clear.

If Shen Yujiao were the Third Prince, she would have long given up, living comfortably as a minor royal, enjoying leisure and luxury.

But the Third Prince was not Shen Yujiao. Almost every member of the royal bloodline thirsted for the throne.

So close to power, who would be willing to surrender?

That he was now staging a sudden military rebellion was not entirely surprising.

Perhaps, in a sense, the Second Prince and Pei Xia had gradually pushed him down this path.

As for how much chance Pei Xia had…

Shen Yujiao sat at the edge of the bed, quietly clutching her robe sleeves.

No matter whether it was Pei Xia or Xie Wuling who got hurt, it was not a result she wished to see.

She was not afraid of them confronting each other, Pei Xia had promised to spare Xie Wuling’s life, and Xie Wuling, by nature, would certainly hold back for her sake.

Her fear lay in the fact that swords are blind; if the two armies clashed, a stray blow could happen…

At the thought, Shen Yujiao’s heart tightened, and she closed her eyes.

Let the day break soon.

She hoped Pei Xia would return soon as well.

Waiting was always torturous. Only when the white candle had melted and stacked into thick layers, the black wick nearly burned down, did sounds finally come from outside.

“He’s back! The master is back!”

The coarse voice of a guard girl at the door betrayed her joy.

The maids inside, exhausted and listless, immediately perked up.

“So good, finally back.” 

“Master’s back… does that mean it’s safe outside?”

Madam Cheng, who had been watching over the children, and Madam Li, drowsily resting her forehead by the bed, both hurried to their feet.

Shen Yujiao had already seized her green skirt and rushed toward the door.

Madam Cheng walked slowly to her mother-in-law: “All night, Yujiao has been comforting us. I thought she wasn’t afraid at all. Now I see even she was worried.”

Madam Li leaned on the table to rise. Having stayed up so late, her eyes were darkened, and she took a deep breath before saying, “How could she not be afraid? But with age, her temperament has grown steadier. She’s no longer the young girl we had to protect.”

Even the strongest girl would feel fear. Now, with Shouzhen back, she didn’t have to bear it alone.

Madam Li deliberately slowed her pace, giving the young couple space to speak.

Madam Cheng understood and supported her mother-in-law, also walking slowly.

Outside, the sky was still dim; one side the bright moon, the other tinged with pale dawn light.

Shen Yujiao quickened her pace to the door. Seeing the tall figure approaching, bathed in cool moonlight, she let out a sigh of relief.

But another string of worry immediately tightened.

She hurried forward: “You’ve finally come back…”

They met in the courtyard, standing opposite each other. Shen Yujiao clearly saw the deep bloodstain on Pei Xia’s neck, and her words caught in her throat.

Pei Xia saw the shock and worry in his wife’s eyes.

All the fatigue and tension of the night vanished in that moment.

“Your neck…”

Before she could finish, Pei Xia stepped forward and drew her into his arms.

He held her tightly. Shen Yujiao’s entire body pressed against his chest, her ear against his firm, warm chest, her nose filled with the faint, deep sandalwood scent unique to him.

The scent enveloped her completely. Her mind blanked for a moment. When she came to, she caught a faint trace of blood mingled in the scent.

“Shouzhen… brother…” she murmured, lightly struggling.

The hand around her shoulders tightened. The man lowered his head; his high nose brushed against her ear, his deep voice hoarse with fatigue: “Yuniang, it’s over.”

Shen Yujiao froze.

Over?

Did he mean the rebellion, or… something else entirely?

“You… you let me go first.”

His strong heartbeat thudded violently, throwing hers into disorder. She lowered her voice: “So many people are watching.”

Though reluctant to let go of this comforting closeness, Pei Xia finally released his wife.

Under the clear moonlight, his jade-like face regained its usual composure.

Only Shen Yujiao knew how fast his heart had been racing beneath that calm exterior.

“Shouzhen, you’ve finally returned.”

From behind the door, Madam Li and Madam Cheng approached once the young couple loosened their embrace: “What’s the situation outside? Is everything alright in the palace?”

“Mother, sister-in-law,”

Pei Xia adjusted his robes and bowed slightly to them. “The Third Prince colluded with the Longxi military governor to stage a rebellion. The Third Prince and the eldest son, He Chongwen, have been executed. The rest of the rebel generals involved have been captured. Everyone in the palace is safe. Patrols of Jinwu Guards have been dispatched to all the districts of Chang’an to apprehend remaining soldiers.”

“When I returned, the streets were calm, order restored. There’s no need to be overly anxious.”

Hearing of the Third Prince’s treason, both Madam Li and Madam Cheng were shocked.

After the initial shock, learning that the rebellion was quelled, they relaxed somewhat, though still clutching their chests with a sigh: “How could he be so reckless… to even attempt to pressure the palace…”

Meanwhile, Shen Hui and his son hurried over.

Pei Xia roughly explained the situation in the palace, easing their worries temporarily.

Shen Hui wanted to ask more, but seeing the fatigue in Pei Xia’s expression and the dried blood on his neck, he said: “After a night like this, everyone is exhausted. Go rest in your rooms; we’ll deal with the rest tomorrow.”

His gaze fell on his uneasy daughter. He cleared his throat softly: “Yuniang, remember to dress Shouzhen’s neck wound. Di Ge’er can stay here with your mother and me watching over him. You both go to the guest room and rest.”

Shen Yujiao had a thousand questions for Pei Xia, but she lightly nodded at her father’s instructions: “Alright.”

Pei Xia noticed the worry lingering in her gentle eyes. Pressing his thin lips together, he bid farewell to the Shen family and led her back to the guest room.

Once the door closed, Shen Yujiao called out: “Langjun…”

Before she could finish, Pei Xia turned to her, his tone calm: “He’s alive.”

Shen Yujiao choked on the words.

At the same time, another taut cord in her heart loosened.

Alive… that was enough.

Pei Xia walked to the table and sat. Seeing her still standing, lost at the door, his eyes darkened slightly but his face remained composed: “Yuniang, the medicine for the wound.”

Shen Yujiao came to her senses, gripping the bottle the maid had brought, stepping forward: “We’ll apply it after your bath.”

She stood before him, eyes drawn to the shallow but vivid wound on his long neck.

His skin was fair; the scar, bright red, was impossible to ignore.

“How did this happen?”

Her delicate fingers hesitated a moment, then lightly touched the wound: “Someone held you hostage?”

Pei Xia looked at her: “Xie Wuling.”

Her fingers trembled slightly against his neck.

Shen Yujiao frowned, disbelief in her voice: “The Third Prince… wasn’t he defeated?”

Pei Xia: “Yes. Defeated.”

Shen Yujiao: “Then how…”

“Just a minor wound. Nothing serious.”

Pei Xia took her hand, gesturing for her to sit beside him. His dark eyes were calm and composed: “You only need to know that I have kept my promise to you. Now, it’s your turn to honor yours.”

“Yuniang, from now on, let’s live our lives together properly. We won’t speak of him again. Alright?”

Shen Yujiao’s throat tightened.

The warm candlelight filtered through the thin lampshade, reflecting in his deep eyes like moonlight on a still sea, appearing calm, but hiding a hidden current.

He looked at her quietly, waiting for her answer.

Shen Yujiao knew she had no other choice.

Besides, this was her promise to him.

“Alright.”

She turned her hand to grasp his, giving a small, gentle smile: “After a long night, go bathe first. I’ll apply the medicine when you come back.”

Pei Xia watched her, silent for two beats, then smiled: “Yes, I’ll go now.”

At the doorway, he glanced back.

His wife remained seated at the table, frozen in her previous posture.

The dim candlelight highlighted her black hair, fair neck, and simple gown, serene and beautiful, like a finely carved jade sculpture.

He knew she was still troubled by another man.

It wasn’t that she didn’t care, but there was no need to dwell on it, after tonight, Xie Wuling could never remain in Chang’an.

And he would spare no effort to erase that man from her heart.

Day after day, year after year, the traces would be gone.

Pei Xia was certain of this.

—

The rebellion of the twenty-first year of Yuanshou, from the hour of the Dog to the hour of the Tiger, was fully quelled, taking only half a night.

It began in haste and ended in haste, but when the aftermath was counted, the Third Prince’s faction and the Longxi military governor’s nine clans, the seized estates, beheadings, exiles, imprisonments, amounted to over ten thousand lives affected.

As the Third Prince’s confidant, Xie Wuling should have faced the death penalty.

Emperor Zhaoning certainly thought so.

Yet the Second Prince, remembering Pei Xia’s instructions, steeled himself and pleaded with the emperor: “It’s true that Xie Wuling committed treason, but he was manipulated by Sima Jin into making this grave mistake. He once defeated water bandits in Ningzhou and discovered a gold mine for the court. I beg Your Majesty’s mercy, spare his life. Branding, mutilation, or exile would suffice…”

“He’s only a minor Changshi. Why waste so much breath on him?”

Emperor Zhaoning’s brow was full of impatience as he repeated the word: “Kill.”

Light as a feather, as if crushing an ant.

The Second Prince wiped cold sweat from his nose and wanted to speak again, but a glance from Consort Xian stopped him.

When mother and son left the Zichen Palace, the Second Prince frowned: “But I promised Shouzhen I would spare him…”

He puzzled aloud: “Why does it seem Royal Father dislikes Xie Wuling so much?”

Consort Xian’s eyes flickered.

After a pause, she said, “If Your Majesty said to kill him, then let him be killed.”

The Second Prince exclaimed: “But what about Shouzhen? How can I go back on my word?”

Consort Xian looked at her obedient son and sighed: “Then go ask Pei Shouzhen. He has many ways, listen to him and pick whichever seems feasible.”

The Second Prince bowed to her and went in search of Pei Shouzhen.

Watching the Second Prince’s departing figure, Consort Xian stayed still for a long moment, then gestured for a palace maid to come closer and whispered two instructions in her ear.

The maid’s eyes flickered with surprise: “Your Highness…”

Consort Xian nodded: “I cannot rest tonight unless this is clarified.”

The maid nodded in acknowledgment.

Just as they were about to leave the Zichen Palace, on the long palace road bathed in crimson sunset, a tall, beautiful woman with her hair in a high bun and wearing a deep cyan gown approached slowly.

Consort Xian froze, momentarily stunned.

“Sister Fang…”

She whispered, uttering a name she hadn’t spoken for many years.

When the slender figure reached her, Consort Xian regained her composure, her brows knitting in displeasure and confusion: “Why are you dressed like this?”

Before her stood not Fang Shujing, but Consort Shu styled to resemble her.

The resemblance was uncanny: the same facial features, the jade snail bun she often wore, the same gown, the same distant-mountain brows, and the same sacred sandalwood mark. At first glance, it seemed as if Fang Shujing had come back to life.

When young, Consort Xian had once looked down on Consort Shu’s face, seeing only a counterfeit, full of pride and arrogance.

Now, both women were palace matrons. She could only feel pity for a woman born with such a face.

And this pitiable woman had just lost a child.

Thinking of this, Consort Xian softened her tone: “His Majesty said it. The Third Prince sinned, but the crime is not yours. He will not punish you. You are to stay quietly in Shuhua Palace to recuperate; without an edict, you are not to leave.”

“You may return,” she said.

Consort Shu, however, looked at her and smiled faintly: “You just treated me as if I were her, didn’t you?”

The sudden remark stunned Consort Xian. After a moment, she furrowed her brow: “What do you mean?”

Consort Shu did not answer, only said: “I wish to see His Majesty once. Please, convey this for me.”

Consort Xian replied: “His Majesty surely does not wish to see you right now.”

Consort Shu countered: “How do you know he does not wish to see me if you haven’t asked him?”

Consort Xian was momentarily speechless, then stepped closer, lowering her voice: “At this point, I do not wish to argue. The Third Prince committed such a grave crime; His Majesty’s anger is not yet spent. If you request an audience now, you will gain nothing. You should return…”

She lowered her eyes, adding: “The Third Prince… spoke of you before he passed. He told me to take care of you.”

Consort Shu’s long eyelashes trembled; a faint mist seemed to cloud her beautiful eyes.

Consort Xian sighed: “As mothers, I know the pain in your heart and the difficulties of motherhood…”

The Third Prince did not heed Consort Shu’s advice, and Shouan had never listened to hers.

Children, sons or daughters, were always a debt.

“Yang Yilan, thank you for telling me this.”

“….”

Consort Xian froze.

No one had called her that in a long time, at least twenty years.

Consort Shu smiled lightly: “Consider it a favor. Convey my message. In this life, this will likely be the last time we meet.”

For some reason, seeing Consort Shu smile like this made Consort Xian’s heart ache.

Was it her imagination, or had Consort Shu imitated Fang Shujing so perfectly that it had become second nature?

That smile, too much like Fang Shujing’s.

It felt as though she were back at Rui Wang’s mansion, with Fang Shujing holding her hand, pleading: “Yilan, you’re the only one in this house who can help me. I beg you, just this once.”

Exactly the same.

Back then, she could not refuse Fang Shujing.

This time, she could not refuse Consort Shu.

She went in to convey the message. Emperor Zhaoning’s reaction was exactly as she expected, frowning, he refused to see her.

Consort Xian rarely opposed Emperor Zhaoning, but this time, she pleaded on behalf of this long-time “rival”: “Your Majesty, she says it will be the last time. After all, she has stayed with you all these years…”

Emperor Zhaoning remained silent for a long while.

Finally, he let out a faint sigh: “Very well, let her in.”

After all, she was the woman he had favored for so many years.

Even if she was a counterfeit, there remained some affection.

Consort Xian bent her knees and stepped away, exiting the main door of the bedchamber. She looked toward the plain-colored figure standing quietly in the corridor: “His Majesty is letting you in.”

Consort Shu did not seem surprised by the outcome.

“Thank you.”

She bowed to Consort Xian. As she brushed past, she whispered: “I have never liked owing others. You helped me this once; I return the favor with a bow.”

Consort Xian narrowed her eyes.

Before she could ponder the meaning of that remark, Consort Shu had already stepped forward and, accompanied by a eunuch, entered the hall.