Song of the Bright Moon Chapter 116

Pei Xia had not mentioned the welcome banquet for the Yanbei envoy to Shen Yujiao, so when the Empress Dowager summoned her to the palace, she was somewhat puzzled.

She thought perhaps Pei Xia, busy with affairs, had forgotten, or that the tense situation made him not want her to join the gathering.

But the Empress Dowager’s order could not be refused. Shen Yujiao changed her attire, dressed elegantly, and followed the attendants into the palace.

The carriage did not head to Cining Palace, but straight to Yuehua Hall, where the banquet was held.

After dismounting, Shen Yujiao felt momentarily lost but quickly adjusted, she had been to the palace before. Seeing familiar wives of officials arriving, she began to converse and exchange pleasantries.

One lady asked her, “Why are you alone today? Isn’t your husband usually by your side?”

Shen Yujiao blushed, sensing the playful teasing: “He is likely still busy; he will come later.”

The other ladies had heard of Pei Xia leading the Yanbei envoy’s horse, so they felt some sympathy for Shen Yujiao.

After all, they were women of the inner household, reliant on their husbands’ success and honor.

The couple’s fortune and misfortune were shared.

Pei Xia being insulted outside reflected poorly on Shen Yujiao as well.

After some casual conversation, dusk fell, and Pei Xia arrived at Yuehua Hall.

He paused at the brightly lit hall, seeing his wife surrounded by a group of elegantly dressed ladies, and stopped in his tracks.

“Madam Pei, your husband has arrived.”

“Your dress today is well chosen, matching your husband’s robe,” the ladies whispered, covering their smiles.

Shen Yujiao saw him at the top of the jade steps, tall and poised in a purple robe.

She lightly curved her brows, inclined her head to the ladies, and then stepped toward him: “Langjun.”

Since she was attending a palace banquet, Shen Yujiao wore formal attire, a deep purple dress with subtle cloud patterns, a jade-embroidered sash cinching her slender waist, ivory ornaments dangling, the sound of which chimed as she walked, elegant yet lively.

Pei Xia stood, paused for two breaths, then calmly stepped forward.

When they faced each other, he lowered his black eyes: “Was it His Majesty who summoned you?”

Shen Yujiao was slightly taken aback: “It was the Empress Dowager.”

The words left her lips, and immediately Shen Yujiao realized something was off. The eunuch delivering the message looked unfamiliar, she didn’t recall seeing him at Cining Palace before.

But in this world, no one would dare falsify the Empress Dowager’s orders… except—

The Emperor.

Her eyelids twitched as she looked at Pei Xia. “Langjun…. is something wrong?”

Pei Xia’s thin lips pressed together lightly. “Nothing.”

He bent slightly, taking her hand. “Tonight, no matter what happens, stay by my side. Don’t get separated.”

Though she didn’t fully understand, Shen Yujiao nodded.

The couple took their seats together.

No longer at the end of the hall like when Pei Xia first entered office, their place was now at the head, second only to the emperor.

As night fell, the Golden Hall grew even more lively.

“The envoy of Yan Wang, General Xie Guian, and General Hu Hongyu have arrived—”

The eunuch’s announcement outside silenced the previously cheerful hall.

Everyone instinctively turned toward the entrance.

Shen Yujiao did the same, raising her eyes.

At the forefront came a man in a striking round-collared robe, embroidered belt of mixed gold and silver, dark boots with gold thread patterns, walking steadily from the night. Shen Yujiao’s mind went blank.

Was this a hallucination?

How else could she see that man?

She could hardly believe her eyes. Looking again, it was undeniably him.

There was no mistaking it.

That stunningly handsome face, the bright eyes, and that lazy, careless smile—

There was no one else in the world like Xie Wuling.

But how could he be here? Why as Yan Wang’s envoy? And why was he called Xie Guian?

Shock gave way to a flood of questions.

Until the hand resting on her lap was grasped—firm, not heavy, but impossible to ignore.

Her eyelashes trembled. When she turned her face, her gaze met Pei Xia’s calm, dark eyes.

Compared to her shock, he was serene, like still water.

Shen Yujiao understood immediately.

The man Pei Xia had led the horse for yesterday was Xie Wuling.

And the reason he hadn’t told her about the palace banquet was likely to avoid her encountering Xie Wuling.

As for sending her to Luoyang with Di Ge’er, it was for the same reason.

Pei Xia wanted them to stay out of harm’s way.

Shen Yujiao could understand, but the thought that he had kept this from her stirred a quiet, indescribable ache in her chest.

While they remained silent, a scorching, sharp, impossible-to-ignore gaze fell on her face.

Her eyelids twitched.

Without turning, she knew the source of the gaze.

But she… she could not turn.

She lowered her eyes and whispered, so only Pei Xia could hear: “You don’t need to hide anything from me. Since I promised to be with you, I will not go back on it.”

After everything, after so long, her attachment had only grown.

She and Xie Wuling no longer had any bond.

Pei Xia gazed at her for a long moment before speaking: “I just don’t want him to disturb your heart anymore, even the smallest bit.”

Shen Yujiao remained silent for a while, then gently returned the gesture, holding his hand in hers. “Tonight, I am only by your side.”

Pei Xia’s eyes softened. “Good.”

Whether by design or coincidence, the Yanbei envoy’s seat was directly opposite the couple.

General Hu turned his head left and right, surveying the magnificent hall. “Amazing, really amazing. No wonder everyone wants to be emperor, this hall is truly grand. Even the Celestial Palace isn’t like this.”

His awe went unanswered. Confused, he glanced sideways, seeing the man beside him sitting upright, eyes fixed on the opposite seat.

Opposite them sat…

Chancellor Pei, pale as jade, and beside him, a delicate, peach-blossom-faced beauty.

“That must be Chancellor Pei’s wife. She’s quite pretty.”

General Hu stroked his short beard. “Looking at them, they truly are a perfect match, talented and beautiful.”

“A perfect match, my foot,”

Xie Wuling sneered. “Such a hypocritical pretty boy, how could he ever deserve her?”

“…?”

General Hu frowned. “Nephew, what grudge do you have against Chancellor Pei? Why hate him so?”

A husband-stealing grudge, it would be enough.

Xie Wuling toyed lazily with a white jade cup in his palm, his voice calm: “No grudge. I just despise hypocrites most in my life, especially ones like Pei Shouzhen.”

General Hu froze.

That was a bit unreasonable.

Just as he was about to reason with his nephew that life shouldn’t be so one-sided, a eunuch’s slender voice rang from outside: “His Majesty has arrived, the Empress Dowager has arrived, the Empress has arrived—”

Everyone in the hall rose and bowed.

Xie Wuling’s bow was casual; his eyes never left the slender figure across from him.

Three years apart, yet she remained exactly as he remembered.

Or perhaps, even more beautiful.

Like a flower in full bloom under spring sunlight, fragrant, enchanting, radiant.

Even though she never looked his way, her slight frown, her lowered lashes, every subtle movement, stirred his heart like a feather, making his blood boil, his pulse race.

And the voice hidden deep in his heart screamed: wanting her, wanting her, aching to have her.

He wanted, no, he ached to rush forward recklessly, pull her into his arms, and hold her tight.

He wanted to whisper into her ear, over and over again, telling her of the days and nights of longing he had suffered over the past three years, how every fiber of his body and every beat of his heart ached for her, and how she alone could heal the wasteland of his soul.

Three years of bitter cold and hardship at the frontier had honed him into a capable general, matured both body and mind, and made his desire for her even more fervent.

“Ministers, you may rise from your bows.”

The emperor’s voice rang from above in the Golden Hall. Xie Wuling’s gaze cooled, and, like the other officials, he called out in unison, “Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long long live the Emperor!”

The officials returned to their seats.

Chunqing Emperor, seated at the head, made the usual ceremonial remarks, then announced the start of the banquet.

As the sounds of strings and flutes filled the hall, palace musicians appeared, singing and dancing, cups clinking, the hall full of festive noise.

General Hu ate and drank with delight; after all, the imperial cuisine was a delicacy that couldn’t be bought outside the palace.

Xie Wuling, however, had no appetite.

Across from him, Jiaojiao, did not so much as glance his way.

Not once.

Had she truly forgotten him?

Impossible. If she had, she would not be avoiding him so deliberately; surely Pei Shouzhen had coerced her.

Just as three years ago, when she tried to divorce him, he had refused utterly.

This sanctimonious hypocrite.

Xie Wuling lifted his cup and drank in frustration.

Across from him, Pei Xia sensed the occasional glances cast his way, growing increasingly irritated.

If not for the decorum required in this setting, he would have stormed over and beaten that scoundrel, to keep his eyes in check.

Though he restrained his vexation, Shen Yujiao beside him could feel the long-missed tension radiating from him.

She sighed softly. Perhaps even thirty years hence, when these two faced each other, they would still oppose one another.

Earlier, Pei Xia had explained Xie Wuling’s current situation to her.

He had risen in rank, earned Yan Wang’s favor, she was glad for him but the fact that he returned to Chang’an with his troops left her uneasy.

Years ago, following the Third Prince, he had committed a treasonous crime. If he made another misstep, Pei Xia, like a helpless clay idol in the river, could barely protect himself, let alone protect him again.

“What are you sighing about?”

Pei Xia’s gentle voice sounded. “Is the food not to your liking?”

Shen Yujiao shook her head. “It’s nothing… I just have no appetite.”

He knew she was affected, so he served her a piece of cherry-glazed pork. “You should still eat something, or your stomach will hurt later.”

She nodded and smiled lightly at him. “All right, you eat too.”

That faint smile struck Xie Wuling across the hall like a knife.

His long fingers clenched around the wine cup. The imperial wine was sweet and smooth, yet to him, each sip was like swallowing cup after cup of aged vinegar, sour enough to make his heart bubble.

Jiaojiao smiled at Pei Xia, yet did not so much as glance at him.

Had she truly forgotten Xie Wuling?

The three in the hall were swept by undercurrents. Emperor Chunqing on the throne observed everything below.

Indeed, Xie Wuling had not yet let go of his feelings for Lady Shen.

But it seemed Yan Wang’s dreams were futile, the woman’s heart was elsewhere, and his intentions would likely fail.

—

Throughout the entire welcome banquet, from beginning to end, Xie Wuling did not receive a single glance from Shen Yujiao, let alone a word.

Wherever she went, Pei Xia was by her side.

Others commented on the couple’s growing affection. Even General Hu remarked, “I didn’t expect Chancellor Pei to be such a devoted husband, his eyes see only his wife, no one else.”

Xie Wuling sneered inwardly.

Of course he was watching closely. If Pei Xia had cared so much back then, what would have been left for Xie Wuling?

Now that Pei Xia valued her like his very eyes, he spat inwardly.

By the time it was late night, the banquet dispersed.

Pei Xia helped Shen Yujiao into the carriage, both feeling the relief of “finally done.”

But shortly after leaving the palace, the sound of galloping hooves reached them.

Pei Xia instinctively sensed trouble. Moments later, the carriage stopped, and a coachman nervously reported, “Sir, a magistrate has blocked the way ahead.”

The carriage fell silent.

Shen Yujiao furrowed her brow, part surprised, part unsurprised.

Given Xie Wuling’s nature, it would be strange if he hadn’t caught up.

Pei Xia said, “Yuniang, stay in the carriage. I’ll meet him.”

She watched him, her rosy lips parting once before she said softly, “Speak calmly… don’t fight.”

“I know my limits,” Pei Xia replied.

Still, Shen Yujiao couldn’t help but worry.

When Pei Xia lifted the carriage curtain and stepped outside, she sat inside, ears instinctively alert.

Through the pale blue-green grape-patterned curtain, the two men’s voices came.

Pei Xia said, “What does General Xie wish to discuss?”

Xie Wuling: “Discuss… is not the word. I only came to catch up with an old acquaintance.”

Pei Xia: “I hardly qualify as General Xie’s old acquaintance.”

“That is a bit cold, Chancellor Pei.”

Xie Wuling: “How can it be otherwise? Years ago, you spared my life. That favor, I have never forgotten and will never forget.”

He spoke the last words heavily, clearly.

Shen Yujiao knew, they were meant for her to hear.

Xie Wuling continued, “Is Madam Pei in the carriage too? It has been many years, and I ought to pay my respects to her as well.”

“Xie Wuling!”

Pei Xia hissed sharply, but he couldn’t stop Xie Wuling, who rode his horse around to the side of the carriage.

Shen Yujiao only heard the horse’s hooves, clopping closer and closer, until the carriage door was tapped twice.

“Dong dong.” Heavy, crisp.

It felt as if someone were knocking directly on her heart.

She unconsciously held her breath, fingers gripping the hem of her dark purple dress.

“It’s been three years. How has the Madam been?”

That low, languid voice drifted slowly to her ears. Shen Yujiao bit her lip.

After a moment, he spoke again outside the window: “Has the Madam forgotten me? Not even a single word for me… it truly breaks my heart.”

Shen Yujiao felt a sudden flutter of panic.

She knew Xie Wuling’s persistent nature, yet after a moment of hesitation, she spoke: “I am well in every way. Thank you for your concern, General Xie.”

Through the thin curtain, Xie Wuling sat tall on his horse.

Hearing her gentle voice again, his grip on the reins tightened, and his tone betrayed his excitement: “Knowing you are well puts my mind at ease. During those three years in Yanbei, I have always remembered… the leniency Chancellor Pei showed me back then…”

Before he could finish, her clear, melodious voice came from behind the curtain: “If you remember his leniency, why did you let him hold the horse for you?”

There are many ways to dismount, but Xie Wuling had chosen the most impertinent one.

If he had no selfish motives, Shen Yujiao would not have believed it.

Xie Wuling hadn’t expected her to ask about this, was she defending Pei Shouzhen?

It was like a bucket of cold water poured over him. The smile in his eyes dimmed slightly. Seeing Pei Xia in front of the carriage also a little flustered, he felt even more unsettled.

Jiaojiao had always protected him before; three years later, she was defending Pei Shouzhen instead!

Jealousy surged in his chest. “Yesterday’s matter isn’t entirely my fault. Our five thousand Yanbei troops were left outside the city gates, freezing all night! Madam, you may not know how cold it was, and we had eaten all our rations. We endured the cold and hunger all night. My brothers were frustrated. If we hadn’t vented our anger, who would have entered the city willingly?”

Shen Yujiao had no words. After all, perspectives differ; she couldn’t entirely blame him.

“General Xie, it’s late. You should depart soon.”

Barely two sentences, and she was already dismissing him. Xie Wuling’s eyes darkened.

Knowing he shouldn’t, he still approached the carriage, speaking low and fast: “Jiaojiao, I’ve returned.”

Since leaving Yanzhou a thousand miles away, that sentence had echoed repeatedly in his mind.

He wanted to tell her in person.

He had returned.

Though some things had changed, his heart for her remained unchanged.

The carriage driver and guards remained at the front, facing forward unless instructed otherwise.

Using the lantern light hanging on the carriage door, Pei Xia could read Xie Wuling’s lip movements clearly.

His long fingers, clenched in his sleeve, gripped tightly. He steadied himself on the door, eyes cold as stars, staring at the man on horseback: “Xie Wuling, don’t think I won’t kill you.”

Xie Wuling received no response from inside but laughed, twisting his lips.

“Who kills whom isn’t decided yet.”

Looking at the curtain still lowered, he murmured, “Since the Madam feels it is late, I won’t keep you from resting. I’ll take my leave first.”

Today, seeing her and speaking to her was already enough. The rest could wait.

He spurred his horse and left.

Pei Xia lifted the carriage curtain to find his wife seated by the window, brows lowered, expression unclear.

So many things to say, yet none could pass her lips.

He sat beside her, draping an arm around her shoulders and holding her hand.

Shen Yujiao remained silent.

They returned to the residence in quiet.

After bathing, as the curtains fell, Pei Xia covered her lips with his.

Years of intimacy had left them familiar with each other’s bodies.

He held her jaw with two fingers; she slightly parted her lips, welcoming his deeper, more demanding kiss.

It had been long since such fervent intensity.

Each movement revealed his strong possessiveness. Shen Yujiao felt like a stranded fish, tossed by waves onto the shore, struggling to breathe.

“Yuniang, open your eyes.”

Sweat slid from his temple onto her collarbone. His voice was hoarse: “Look at me.”

Shen Yujiao, nearly exhausted, opened her eyes, meeting his deep, abyssal black gaze.

Half clear, half drowning in desire.

His usually calm, serene face now flushed faintly pink, like a fallen immortal from a shrine, stunning beyond belief.

“Yuniang… Yuniang…”

He murmured, devoutly kissing her eyelids: “You are mine.”

Belonging only to Pei Shouzhen, no one else could covet her.

Too fast, too forceful; Shen Yujiao could barely speak. Finally, she clutched his back, whispering hoarsely: “Brother Shouzhen…”

Pei Xia held her for a long time.

Until his heartbeat slowed and sweat cooled, he still did not release her.

Shen Yujiao, weary, lightly pushed him: “Call for water.”

Pei Xia did not move.

Just as she was about to urge again, he moved.

Meeting her astonished eyes, he sealed her lips once more.

“Yuniang, let’s have a daughter next.”