“This official wishes to plant phoenix trees in the front courtyard and welcome the phoenix carriage home.”
Li Rong chuckled when she heard this. She opened the small golden fan in her hand to cover the lower half of her face, her eyes curved up with her laughter, “Bengong will wait for good news from Pei daren then.”
Pei Wenxuan bowed his head and saluted Li Rong.
Li Rong folded up the small fan and walked out.
Once Li Rong was out beyond the doors, she saw many palace servants standing by, waiting to serve. Li Rong’s expression turned cold, and she gave an order to a servant nearby, “Prepare a palanquin and head to the Eastern Palace.”
Not long after Li Rong left, the Empress slowly returned to her senses. She momentarily touched up her appearance and raised her voice to call out: “Shan De.”
Upon hearing the summon in the outer hall, Shan De hurried in and knelt before the Empress and said, “Niangniang.”
The Empress sat on the golden chair and tiredly said: “Call Pei Wenxuan in.”
Shan De was initially stunned to hear this, but then he quickly realized that the Empress should not have known that Pei Wenxuan was just outside the doors. Shan De didn’t want to say too much and simply heeded the order with a quiet “yes”and turned towards the door and called out: “Summoning Pei Wenxuan in for an audience——”
Pei Wenxuan bowed to Shan De, then he proceeded to enter through the doors. The Empress was seated high above on a golden chair, holding her forehead. Seeing him walking in, the Empress brought her eyes up to quietly observe the young man in front of her.
Pei Wenxuan calmly entered the hall, knelt and bowed in ceremony. The Empress looked at him. After a while, she slowly began to say, “You were standing outside the hall just now?”
He would not have appeared before her eyes so quickly if he had yet to enter the palace gates.
Pei Wenxuan knelt on the ground and calmly responded: “Earlier, the Princess told this humble official to stand outside the hall and wait to be summoned by Her Majesty.”
The Empress nodded. Shan De sensibly retreated to wait outside. The Empress straightened up and said in a low voice: “Then you must have also heard the conversation between me and the Princess.”
Pei Wenxuan did not speak. The Empress knew that he had acknowledged the fact. She was silent for a moment before slowly continuing: “Your father passed away early, and none of the elders in the family are concerned with your future. You have nothing to gain in arbitrarily involving yourself in court affairs. Do not speak of what happened last night to anyone, and after you go back, I will give you another official position and arrange a suitable marriage for you. You will not have to worry about a thing.”
Pei Wenxuan was silent. The Empress seemed to have a headache. She held her forehead and asked, “What are you still dissatisfied with?”
“This humble official thanks Your Majesty for sympathizing with this official’s troubles and planning for this official’s future, but there is something that this humble official does not understand.”
“What would that be?”
“If this humble official retreats,” Pei Wenxuan raised his head and met the Empress’s gaze, “What will happen to Her Highness the Princess?”
“This is not something you need to worry about.”
The Empress spoke in a cold voice. Pei Wenxuan looked at the Empress and calmly asked: “What if it is something this humble official wants to worry about?”
“What do you mean?”
The Empress frowned. Pei Wenxuan calmly continued: “Your Majesty, Consort Ning came to Wei Yang Palace last night, making both threats and promises in order to bind the Yang clan together with the Crown Prince, but then afterwards, she went to Consort Rou’s palace. Has Your Majesty thought of why she paid a visit to Consort Rou’s palace?”
The Empress stiffened: “You tell me.”
“At the present, the Yang clan is intent on attaching themselves to the Princess at all costs, and Consort Rou is immensely favored. Surely Consort Ning would ask Consort Rou to help propose marriage to the Princess on the Yang clan’s behalf when she goes to see Consort Rou. But Consort Rou is the Empress and Crown Prince’s mortal enemy. If it is beneficial to form a marriage alliance between the Yang clan and Princess, then why would she help? It can be seen that there must be hidden dangers in the Princess and Yang clan becoming in-laws. Therefore, this humble official hopes Your Majesty will reconsider.”
The Empress remained silent and solemn. Pei Wenxuan continued: “The Yang clan promised to give Niangniang military power, but this military power is only useful to the Crown Prince while the Yang clan is still able to put up a fight. If the Yang clan is like fish that cannot survive in clear water,1struggling with all their might in the face of death, then an alliance will cause the Crown Prince to be dragged into the muddy waters. There is no real military power in the Crown Prince’s hands. The only source of military power comes from Niangniang’s maiden Shangguan family. What His Majesty is most concerned about right now is the Crown Prince’s status as the eldest legitimate son. He fears that if he were to depose the Crown Prince, there will be an uproar among the court officials, and the country’s foundation will be weakened. But if the Crown Prince made a mistake now, does Niangniang think that if the Yang clan and Shangguan clan joined hands, they would be able to suppress the court officials and suppress His Majesty?”
[1] If the water is clear, fish cannot survive — an idiom to emphasize the complexity of human nature, cautioning against using simple black-and-white principles to judge people and society. In recent times, the idiom has gained a negative connotation after some corrupt officials and criminals used this to justify their actions.
“Then, in your opinion,” The Empress hesitantly said, “What should be done now?”
“Niangniang does not need to do anything,” Pei Wenxuan calmly replied, “These individuals will each have their own plans. There are only two things Niangniang and the Crown Prince need to do right now. First, once I leave Wei Yang Palace, Niangniang should immediately block the news about this humble official and the Princess staying together last night.”
“Bengong has already done that.” The Empress felt that it was a bit strange, “What is the purpose of wanting Bengong to do this?”
“With His Majesty’s eyes and ears in the palace, what Niangniang has done cannot be concealed.” Pei Wenxuan said blankly, “As long as Niangniang targets this humble official, this humble official will be able to gain His Majesty’s trust. Therefore, the next thing the Crown Prince needs to do is prepare a memorial to the throne to denounce the Yang clan. Once the Yang clan is in trouble,” Pei Wenxuan raised his eyes and solemnly said, “The Crown Prince will immediately accuse them of misconduct, and then promptly suggest a replacement candidate for the post of Northwestern Garrison General.”
“Again, for what purpose?”
“Niangniang will come to understand in the coming days.”
Pei Wenxuan looked at the Empress: “It’s just that this one wonders, does Niangniang trust this humble official now?”
The Empress looked at Pei Wenxuan. This person seemed to barely be in his early twenties, but he spoke clearly and with careful consideration. Even though he was facing someone with an esteemed, noble identity and high authority, he was as calm and collected as if it was nothing and did not resemble a young man at all.
He quietly observed the Empress. After a while, the Empress said: “What do you want?”
She stood up as she spoke, “You are only a minor eighth-rank official. Why are you getting involved in the disputes of the palace?”
“If not for lofty ambitions, why not hang up2 the hat and return to one’s hometown?” Pei Wenxuan expressionlessly said, “Don’t all people in the imperial court seek the same thing?”
[2] Hang up the [official’s] hat and return to one’s hometown — to hang up the official’s uniform and resign, Most court officials come to the Capital for power, fame and glory; returning to one’s hometown is no different than giving up their ambitions and leaving officialdom for good.
“Then why choose the Crown Prince?”
The Empress’s gaze was fixed on Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan pondered for a moment then answered honestly.
“This humble official cannot bear to see Her Highness the Princess being humiliated.”
“You like my daughter?” The Empress appeared to have come to a sudden realization. Pei Wenxuan was silent.
After some time, he respectfully bowed his head and said: “This official wishes to plant phoenix trees3 in the courtyard and welcome the phoenix carriage home.”
[3] phoenix tree — also known as the Chinese parasol tree. According to legend, a phoenix would only stop flying and rest on a parasol tree.
Pei Wenxuan is saying that he will go out of his way to make their residence a home for Li Rong, a resting place for the soaring phoenix. It is a very deep and poetic promise.
The Empress assessed Pei Wenxuan in a pensive silence. After looking at him for a while, she finally said: “You may go.”
“This humble official shall retire.”
Pei Wenxuan saluted, then calmly stood up.
He slowly walked out to the gates. An eunuch approached him and led him to the palanquin.
After he got on the soft palanquin, it didn’t take long for him to realize that the palanquin was going in the wrong direction.
He had been in and out of the palace for many years in his previous life, so he was all too familiar with the routes in the palace. He lifted the curtain and looked out for a moment and knew that the palanquin was heading in the direction of the Imperial Study.
It only took a bit of effort for him to think it through. He knew that Li Ming must have received news from Wei Yang Palace, and he had been presumably summoned for an audience.
Once Pei Wenxuan determined this was the case, he pretended to fall asleep. When the palanquin came to a stop, he heard someone call out: “Pei daren?”
He pretended to wake up from a deep slumber and opened his eyes as if in a trance. Seeing the broadly smiling eunuch in front of him, he slightly panicked: “Daren4 is…”
“This servant is Fu Lai and serves directly by His Majesty’s side. His Majesty summons Pei daren, so please come this way, Pei daren.”
[4] High-ranking eunuchs that serve the Emperor and oversee state affairs to an extent are also known as court eunuchs and considered court officials.
Pei Wenxuan pretended to be shocked to hear this. He hastily came down from the palanquin and followed Fu Lai into the courtyard of the Imperial Study.
He was trembling with fear, following Fu Lai at his heels, and asked about the situation, “Does gonggong know why His Majesty summoned me?”
Fu Lai only chuckled, “Certainly daren already knows in his heart.”
Pei Wenxuan’s face changed, but he still did not say a word. When he reached the doors, he saw that Yang Quan was already standing there. Pei Wenxuan walked over and bowed to Yang Quan. Fu Lai ordered both of them to wait there, then he walked inside.
After Fu Lai left, Pei Wenxuan glanced at Yang Quan and smiled, “What is Yang daren doing here today?”
Yang Quan gave Pei Wenxuan a cold look and said indifferently: “Asking for a marriage.”
“Daren might be disappointed then.” Pei Wenxuan folded his arms across his chest, straightened up and whispered, “This matter seems to have already been decided.”
“What do you mean?”
Yang Quan brought his eyes over to look at Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan was all smiles as he said, “Does daren know why I turned back last night?”
Yang Quan’s face suddenly changed upon hearing this.
Others wouldn’t understand anything they heard, but Yang Quan understood very well that the ambush he had set up last night should not be known to anyone. Pei Wenxuan not only knew about it, he even turned back to save the Princess and spent the night alone with the Princess.
“His Majesty is an enlightened monarch,” Pei Wenxuan said in a low voice, “Yang daren, there is nothing unacceptable about this. It is better to return to the Northwest, the Sang Ge flowers5 there are very beautiful.”
In the Northwest, Sang Ge flowers were the flowers that were spread on coffins during funerals. Most people in Huajing would not understand, but Yang Quan understood Pei Wenxuan’s intentions.
[5] Sang Ge flowers — likely fictional(?) Tibetan Ge Sang flowers do exist northwest of China though, which use the same characters, but Ge Sang flowers represent happiness and auspiciousness.
Pei Wenxuan had long been the pre-determined Prince Consort. Yesterday, after the incident, the Emperor called him here and even intended to use him, Yang Quan, as a wedding gift to pave the way for Pei Wenxuan and the Princess.
The Yang family was also destined to be trapped in a dead end. Not only did the Emperor know everything, the Emperor even told Pei Wenxuan, this ignorant fool, so he could brazenly show off in front of him.
Seeing that Yang Quan was furious, Pei Wenxuan smiled and didn’t say anything else. At this moment, a voice rang out from inside the hall, summoning them in for an audience with the Emperor.
The two of them entered the hall together. Li Ming was looking through memorials. Both saluted, but Li Ming remained seated above, not moving.
Li Ming slowly took a sip of tea, then he looked up and said, “Here already?”
As he spoke, Li Ming turned to look at Pei Wenxuan and said, “Stand up, dear official Pei.”
Pei Wenxuan immediately rejoiced and responded enthusiastically. He got up and stood off to the side. Yang Quan was still kneeling on the ground, his fists tightly clenched.
Li Ming glanced at him and indifferently said: “What are you doing?”
“This humble official came here to ask for a marriage from Your Majesty today.”
Yang Quan spoke respectfully. Li Ming raised his eyebrows: “Ask for a marriage? Who do you want to marry?”
“This humble official admires Princess Ping Le,” Yang Quan said in a stiff, forced voice, “Begging Your Majesty to grant the marriage decree.”
“Is that so?” Li Ming nodded, but then he said, “Zhen will think about this matter again. Dear official Pei,” Li Ming turned his head to look at Pei Wenxuan and stood up, “Accompany Zhen on a walk around the garden.”
Pei Wenxuan heeded the order and quickly came forward to support Li Ming. They simply walked past Yang Quan. When he reached the doors, Pei Wenxuan seemed to suddenly remember something: “Your Majesty, Yang daren is still kneeling.”
“Oh.” Li Ming seemed to suddenly remember this too. He turned his head back towards Yang Quan and flatly said, “Get up. If there is nothing else, then go back.”
Having said that, Li Ming led Pei Wenxuan away, walking leisurely towards the imperial garden.
Once they reached a place with hardly anyone, the entourage of attendants had also stopped following them at some point. Pei Wenxuan continued to support Li Ming as he walked and heard Li Ming slowly say: “Zhen heard that you saved Ping Le last night.”
Pei Wenxuan was silent. Li Ming brought his eyes up: “Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Pei Wenxuan stopped in place. After a while, he took in a deep breath as if he had made a very important decision. He walked over and stopped in front of Li Ming and knelt down.
“This humble official begs Your Majesty,” He kowtowed and kept his head low as he cried out in a mournful voice, “Save this humble official!”
Why did Pei Wenxuan refer to them as the Yang clan in this chapter?
In the raws, Li Rong and Li Chuan use 杨家 (Yang family), but Pei Wenxuan refers to them as 杨氏 (Yang clan) specifically in this chapter. These terms can be interchangeable, but given the connotations of “clan,” I presume Pei Wenxuan is referring to the extended Yang family, not just the main branch (usually the ones with real power and authority).
Thoughts and Ramblings
Two-faced scholar White Lotus/Green Tea Pei Wenxuan causes Yang Quan to misunderstand (+1), graciously speaks up to pardon Yang Quan from kneeling (+1), then walked away while supporting the Empress Dowager Emperor (+1) and finally fell to his knees before the Emperor, crying for help (+1). What a counterattack.
Autumn Pond Reflection 
Thank you for updating!!!!
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The Yang clan is very pitiful, they are going to be obliterate due to a moody and distrusting emperor. You can’t blame Yang Quan for doing whatever it takes to save his family
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LMAOOO at the thoughts and ramblings 😂😂😂. I love PWX, it’s official.
And yeah…I do feel bad for YQ and his family /: altho I can’t agree with his methods…I mean, I feel kind of scared what could’ve happened with LR if she resisted…would YQ have r*ped her? Idk, it’s just something that I feel was alluded to. If LR wasn’t reborn… She really would be in a horrible situation ;-;
Thanks for the chapter 💖💖💖
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Best Actor goes to Prime Minister Pei 🤣
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I like how translator explanation of some confusing situation in the novel.
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Yang clan should have rebelled instead of going after what they considered a weakling. I would have no problem with them fighting for their lives but they choose the cowardly move of going after a woman instead of the man who wronged them.
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PWX when he needs to put on an act: 🤣😤😳🤔🤗😖
PWX when dealing with LR: 🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿
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