Song of the Bright Moon Chapter 115

News of Pei Xia leading Yan Wang’s envoy and his troops into the city soon reached Shen Yujiao.

She sat with Pei Yi in the courtyard, roasting pears, while the children played among the trees and flowers, laughing constantly.

A new maid, young and impatient, overheard the news and waddled over, pouting in grievance to her mistress: “…I heard they led an entire regiment through Mingde Gate! The city gates were already crowded, and the Yanbei army made such a commotion, it was impossible not to be seen.”

“These northerners are so crude and rude! Our husband is the Chancellor! Head of the officials, a leader of the literary world! How can they treat him with such humiliation?”

The little maid stomped her foot in anger.

Pei Yi, already a mother, frowned: “When I left, the servants already mentioned the commotion outside. I didn’t expect them to be so presumptuous.”

Shen Yujiao’s expression was also unhappy.

She roughly guessed why Pei Xia had agreed to lead the Yanbei envoy’s horse.

But reasoning aside, seeing Pei Xia publicly humiliated on account of the emperor’s fault made her chest tight and stifled.

Even the roasted pears couldn’t lift her mood.

The maid cut the pears for the children, and they ate them.

Pei Yi wanted to comfort Shen Yujiao, but feeling wronged for her cousin, she ended up being consoled instead: Shen Yujiao said, “It’s alright. When he returns from court, I’ll make him a cup of fragrant tea.”

Pei Yi sighed, glancing at Shen Yujiao: “Sister-in-law, though I am in the rear residence, I hear of Sixth Brother’s affairs at court from my husband… He is capable, that we know. But he is still a subject, and times are different now…”

She leaned closer to Shen Yujiao, lowering her voice: “In this world, one can share hardship but not enjoy pleasure together. There are many who betray after the river is crossed. Sixth Brother should not be stubborn; it’s a simple truth, no need for me, a sister, to say more.”

Shen Yujiao appreciated Pei Yi’s good intentions.

Though married into the Wang family, she was still a Pei by birth, and naturally wished for the Pei clan’s prosperity and longevity.

Pei Xia, as the head of the main line, stood in a position that would almost determine the fate of the Pei family.

“When he returns, I’ll persuade him,” Shen Yujiao said aloud, though her heart sighed in helplessness.

Persuasion was useless, Pei Xia knew the truth as clearly as a mirror.

Now it was only because Emperor Chunqing refused to yield, forcing this awkward stalemate, making everyone miserable.

Winter days were short; when Pei Xia returned home, the sky was already gray and dim.

He first went to the study to wash up and change into clean robes before heading to the rear courtyard.

During the day, Shen Yujiao had specially instructed the little son: “Your father has been busy with official duties. When he returns, don’t bother him. If you recite your lessons well, it might lift his spirits a little.”

Though young, the little boy was especially sensible.

As Pei Xia entered the courtyard, the boy ran forward, cheerfully calling “Father! Father!” and tugged at his sleeve: “Yesterday’s new poems, I’ve already memorized them, please test me!”

Seeing the little boy tilt his head up, his innocent face full of “Test me, I’m not scared,” Pei Xia also smiled.

He led Di Ge’er to the window and casually asked him a few questions.

Di Ge’er nodded and shook his head, answering fluently.

At the end, he looked up at Pei Xia with wide eyes: “Father, how did I do?”

Pei Xia chuckled lightly: “Very well.”

Di Ge’er blinked again: “Does that make you happy?”

Pei Xia paused, lowering his gaze to his son.

Di Ge’er met his father’s sharp black eyes and spoke without hiding a word: “Mother said that you’ve been busy with official duties. If I do my lessons well, it will ease your mind.”

Though he guessed it was his wife who had taught him, hearing the boy speak it himself made Pei Xia’s lingering unease of the day ease somewhat.

Leading his son back inside, his wife bent her eyes to him: “You’re home, Langjun.”

Pei Xia’s heart felt like spring sunlight.

After the family of three had finished dinner, Di Ge’er was taken by the maid to the next room, while Shen Yujiao brought a bowl of calming soup to the couch: “You haven’t seemed to sleep well these days. I had the kitchen make this for you, drink it before resting.”

Pei Xia took it, setting it temporarily on the side table, and took her hand: “Did I disturb your sleep at night?”

Shen Yujiao sat beside him: “Not at all.”

Pei Xia asked: “Then how did you know I hadn’t slept well?”

“Sometimes I wake in the middle of the night and hear your breathing, I know you’re still awake.”

As she spoke, her gaze fell on the gentle, handsome features of the man. When it reached a strand of white hair at his temple, she froze.

Pei Xia noticed: “What is it?”

Shen Yujiao’s eyes flickered, and she shook her head: “Nothing.”

But she stood, one hand on his shoulder, the other reaching toward him: “Don’t move.”

Pei Xia didn’t.

She leaned close; the faint fragrance from her slightly open collar brushed at his nose.

There was a slight prick at his temple, then her soft, puzzled sigh: “So young, and yet… white hair.”

Pei Xia looked at the strand she twirled with her delicate fingers, unmoved.

But as she began to retreat, he lifted a hand to her waist.

Shen Yujiao paused.

The next moment, his face rested against her chest and abdomen, his voice low: “Yuniang, let me hold you.”

“Just for a little while.”

Shen Yujiao lowered her gaze and saw the man holding her tightly, eyes closed, no frown, but a deep exhaustion evident.

Remembering the maid’s daytime report, a pang went through her heart.

She wrapped her arms around him, voice soft: “If it really can’t be helped, just say you’re unwell. It’s his court, after all; he can deal with the mess himself.”

Pei Xia’s lips curved slightly: “Weren’t you just telling me to serve the country and the people, to fulfill my ambitions?”

Shen Yujiao choked, then muttered: “That doesn’t mean you have to endure this humiliation.”

Pei Xia: “Yuniang, you think I’m humiliated?”

She murmured “Hmm,” and said: “I know anyone sent out would face some insult. But thinking it’s you…”

Pei Shouzhen, so upright, so noble, how could anyone let a rough, unknown general have him lead a horse?

Hearts are biased; Shen Yujiao’s was no exception.

Hearing her protectiveness, Pei Xia’s remaining irritation completely dissipated.

So what if Xie Wuling had returned?

In Yuniang’s heart, Pei Shouzhen already had a place.

This time, once in her heart, no one could move him again.

After holding her warm, soft body for a while, Pei Xia opened his eyes, gazing at his wife, eyes tender: “No matter the troubles outside, coming home and receiving your care makes it all worth it.”

The sudden confession made Shen Yujiao’s heart skip a beat; her cheeks warmed.

Even as a long-married couple, today felt unexpectedly sweet and clingy.

“It’s late.” She turned her face away, avoiding his intense gaze: “Drink your soup quickly, I’ll check on the child.”

She hurried out of the inner room.

Pei Xia watched her small, fleeing figure and smiled.

He picked up the warm soup and sipped slowly, thinking again of the day’s reunion with Xie Wuling.

The man’s arrogance and provocations made it clear that, even after three years, his despicable thoughts hadn’t vanished.

Now that he was back, he would surely find ways to trouble them again.

Though the couple had lived happily these past three years, Pei Xia couldn’t be certain whether his wife’s heart had truly let go of Xie Wuling.

If Xie Wuling appeared before her again, would her heart waver?

At the thought, Pei Xia’s gaze darkened.

He needed to get Yuniang out of Chang’an before that scoundrel showed up.

Lying in bed at night, Pei Xia stroked Shen Yujiao’s back, suggesting: “With the Yanbei army in the city, Chang’an may be chaotic for a while. In a few days, you could take Di Ge’er back to our old residence in Luoyang. Once the court situation stabilizes, I’ll bring you both back.”

Shen Yujiao looked up from his embrace, surprised: “Is the situation really that tense?”

Pei Xia was silent for two breaths, then said, “His Majesty is rather displeased that Yan Wang privately sent someone back to the capital.”

“Indeed, Yan Wang’s temper is rash. To send troops into the city so recklessly leaves His Majesty no face at all.”

Shen Yujiao worriedly said, “If we leave, what will you do? Why not send Di Ge’er along? In two months it’ll be New Year anyway, he can accompany your mother. I’ll stay in Chang’an and be with you.”

Pei Xia liked her closeness, but still refused: “You should both return together.”

“Once matters here are settled, I’ll request to resign from His Majesty. If he agrees, I’ll be free of office, return to you both, live in seclusion in the countryside, read, teach the child, and grow old with you.”

Hearing him say this, Shen Yujiao realized the situation must be more serious than she imagined.

If she stayed in Chang’an, it might distract him.

So she agreed: “Alright, tomorrow I’ll instruct the servants to pack our trunks.”

Pei Xia nodded, lowered his head, and kissed her hair: “Sleep now.”

The rich, fragrant canopy settled into silence; the couple nestled together and fell asleep.

At the same time, in the deep palace garden under the same bright moon, all was quiet.

Emperor Chunqing held his beautiful consort, emotions unsettled, complaining: “That imperial uncle of mine is utterly audacious. Not only did he release a traitor, he even sent him as an envoy, right under my nose! Does he really think I’m a pushover?”

That evening, when Rong Qing returned to the palace to report, he told the emperor that the so-called Yan Wang’s envoy, Xie Guian, was none other than Xie Wuling, the same man exiled to the north three years ago. The emperor could hardly believe it.

Once he recovered, a wave of anger surged in his chest.

What was Yan Wang thinking?

Sending troops back to the capital without imperial edict was already a defiance!

Now he even sent a traitor, disguised as an envoy, to the court, this was outright insult, provocation, and a public disregard for the law, the court, and him as emperor!

“That Xie Wuling had conspired with Chang Wang. He should have been executed on the spot. But Pei Shouzhen pleaded for him, sparing his life.”

Recalling that matter only frustrated the emperor further; at the time, he had even been scolded by the late emperor for trying to intercede for Xie Wuling.

Now, years later, that past leniency had become a dagger, bluntly thrust into his eyes.

“If I had known this day would come, I shouldn’t have listened to Pei Shouzhen back then, leaving such a disaster behind.”

Consort Chen, the emperor’s most favored concubine, resting in his arms, curiously asked: “Why did Chancellor Pei spare this man surnamed Xie? Were they old acquaintances?”

Consort Chen had entered the palace two years ago via the selection of beauties. Young and delicate, she had spent most of her life at her maternal home in Jiangnan and had little knowledge of the history between Pei and Xie.

The emperor toyed with her soft, delicate hand and sneered coldly: “They were not just old acquaintances, they were enemies.”

Consort Chen became interested and coaxed: “Tell me more, Your Majesty?”

The beauty’s charm and coquetry broke some of the emperor’s frustration; he recounted the feud between Pei Xia and Xie Wuling.

Consort Chen listened, astonished, and finally blinked: “That chancellor’s wife… I’ve seen her a few times. She’s beautiful, but not of that world-shattering kind. How did she make two men unable to forget her?”

She hadn’t met Xie Wuling, so she set him aside.

But she had seen Pei Xia at court banquets, truly upright, graceful, and refined.

Had she not already been a consort, seeing such a man would surely have captured her heart.

Across all of Chang’an, which woman would not envy the deep love of the chancellor and his wife? A husband both talented and devoted, with such status and family, yet not a single concubine in his household, not even a maid to warm his bed.

It was said that as soon as Pei Xia returned home, he went straight to his wife’s quarters. The couple ate and lived together, their closeness reminiscent of newlyweds.

Consort Chen was extremely envious.

After all, which woman would want to share a husband, when one hopes for a lifetime together, just the two of them?

“Pei Xia was foolish, knowing that Xie Wuling desired his wife and still spared him. If it were me, I’d have removed him long ago,” Consort Chen said, confused.

The emperor said: “He’s stubbornly principled, insisting on the way of the gentleman. Now look, he lets that rogue grow powerful, and he comes back to cause trouble.”

Hearing that Pei Xia had led Xie Wuling’s horse that evening, the emperor was angry.

Yet amidst the anger, a trace of schadenfreude appeared.

Pei Shouzhen, now you see the consequences.

No matter how clever or far-sighted, had you thought that sparing a tiger would come back to bite you?

But that brief satisfaction was quickly replaced by worry. The emperor could not be certain of Yan Wang’s intent in sending Xie Wuling, nor of Xie Wuling’s own motives.

If Xie Wuling still held a grudge for his former master Sima Ze and sought revenge, it would not be good.

Seeing the emperor frown, Consort Chen nestled close, acting as a soothing confidante: “They came to the capital this time for money. Give them the money and send them off. Why worry over this, Your Majesty? Seeing you frown pains me so.”

Emperor Chunqing sighed while holding his beloved consort: “If it were only this simple to deal with, that would be best.”

He was weighing whether Xie Wuling might take the opportunity for revenge, or whether he might stir discord before Yan Wang, while Consort Chen thought he was worried about two men vying for one woman.

Her beautiful eyes flickered, and she leaned close to the emperor’s ear, her breath soft as orchid: “If it really can’t be helped… why not give Lady Pei to him?”

Men, after all, always desire what they cannot have.

If he were allowed a taste, his wish fulfilled, he would have no lingering resentment.

The emperor’s eyelid twitched, and he stiffened his face, pushing Consort Chen away: “What a ridiculous idea! If it were a concubine, a maid in the inner quarters, then maybe you could give her. But Lady Shen is Pei Shouzhen’s lawful wife!”

Consort Chen was abruptly pushed aside and nearly fell from the bed.

She felt wronged: “I only saw Your Majesty frowning and wished to help ease your worry.”

Yet the emperor’s words also annoyed her.

If a wife cannot be given, why could a concubine or maid be given instead? She was a favored concubine, but after all, still only a concubine.

Seeing her frown, the emperor felt a pang of guilt and drew her back into his embrace, soothing her carefully.

The next day, at Qinzheng Hall, the morning court assembly convened.

Yan Wang’s envoy Xie Wuling and Hu Hongyu entered the hall to pay respects and report their purpose.

The emperor was willing to provide the military funds.

But an additional twenty percent interest, he scowled.

The treasury was already strained; this extra twenty percent? It enriched Yanbei at the court’s expense, how could that be allowed?

During the assembly, the emperor and ministers did not mention the twenty percent.

After court, the emperor kept Pei Xia behind and asked how to handle the debt collectors from Yanbei.

Pei Xia considered, then replied truthfully: “If the silver is paid in full, both sides are satisfied.”

The emperor was greatly displeased.

Seeing Pei Xia’s calm, modest posture only deepened his resentment.

If he hadn’t insisted on sparing Xie Wuling all those years ago, he wouldn’t be in this current mess.

Perhaps Xie Wuling still held a grudge against Pei Xia, prompting Yan Wang to demand the extra twenty percent.

The annual military funding sent to Yanbei was already a considerable sum. Extra interest, why not use it to repair bridges, build dams, or reclaim fields for the people, instead of feeding Yan Wang?

Yan Wang had no heir, after all; he couldn’t take the money with him when he died, what need for so much silver?

The more he thought, the more the emperor suspected Xie Wuling was deliberately causing trouble and seeking revenge.

The rogue was low-born and utterly corrupt.

The emperor asked Pei Xia, “Is there no other way?”

Pei Xia knew the emperor did not want to grant it. After a moment’s thought, he said: “I can attempt to negotiate with Yan Wang’s envoy.”

The emperor’s expression softened.

But after Pei Xia withdrew, when a eunuch mentioned the evening’s welcome banquet, the emperor paused in his writing and asked: “Will Madam Pei attend?”

The eunuch replied hesitantly: “A place has been set, but whether she comes, your servant does not know.”

Madam Pei, as a first-rank titled lady, had the status to attend.

The emperor furrowed his brow. After a long moment, he set down his brush and said: “Go to the Pei residence and say it is the Empress Dowager’s gracious order, Madam Pei is to attend the banquet tonight.”