Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 198

Chapter 198: Firmly Determined

“You unfilial son!” Pei Huaijin trembled uncontrollably, pointing at Pei Que. He could tell that his son was mocking him for taking a concubine.

In his early years, Pei Huaijin had been very affectionate with his first wife, even promising to never take another woman. “Don’t you consider your elder brother and sister-in-law? Have you thought about how they would react if An Zhi entered the family?”

Actually, it wasn’t impossible to deal with. As long as everyone didn’t bring up the past and pretended to be unaware, things would be much easier. Besides, with such matters, as long as one didn’t care, the embarrassment would fall on others.

That was what Pei Que thought. And after he got married, the Pei family would definitely split into branches. At that time, with four separate households, who would care about what happened in another family?

“Father, you have been the head of the family for many years. Besides being skilled in court politics, you also understand family feuds very well.” Pei Que had grown up with his father since childhood, so he knew his father’s methods very well.

People in the capital said that Pei Que was ruthless and vengeful, but they didn’t know that he inherited this trait from his father.

As Pei Que’s father, Pei Huaijin’s methods were even more subtle and insidious. He could manipulate people without them even realizing it, and some people would even think Pei Huaijin was a good person. When Pei Que mentioned “methods” this time, he wanted his father to consider the power and influence of the Pei family. “Father, you know what has allowed our Pei family to thrive all these years. Every new Emperor, regardless of the dynasty, has to respect and fear us. If I have the ability to lead the Pei family, then I certainly have the ability to choose and protect a woman. If I were to simply give up the woman I love, would you then trust me to lead such a large family?”

Pei Huaijin never doubted his son’s abilities, but he replied, “You are talented, ambitious, and strategic, but you must also consider your family.”

“Family?” Pei Que suddenly gave a cold laugh, looking up at his father. “When my mother passed away, I lived with my eldest brother and his wife. Everyone thought they treated me like their own child, but why did you take me away and raise me yourself after I almost drowned when I was five?”

At five, he was old enough to remember. Pei Que remembered that the drowning incident wasn’t an accident; it was his eldest brother’s servant who pushed him into the water.

Originally, Pei Huaijin had three sons: one legitimate and two illegitimate. While all three were talented, none were particularly outstanding, especially the eldest son, who was the legitimate heir. As the eldest son, he was supposed to inherit the Pei family and manage its centuries-old legacy. Pei Huaijin had high hopes for him and raised him strictly from a young age. However, the eldest son had limited potential; though smarter than most, he couldn’t lead the entire Pei family.

Before Pei Que was born, Pei Huaijin even considered raising his grandsons, but fate was kind to him, giving him a brilliant son in his later years. He focused all his attention on this younger son.

By then, the eldest son was older. He had always been told he would be the heir to the Pei family, even by his father, but then a younger, more talented brother appeared, causing him great resentment.

Pei Que understood his brother’s feelings, but after his father told him to forget about it, he never mentioned it again and distanced himself from his brother. More than a decade had passed, and when Pei Huaijin suddenly heard his youngest son mention the matter, he was still furious. “You still remember that?”

Pei Que nodded. “I often had nightmares about it. The more Father told me to forget it, the more I couldn’t stop thinking about it, wondering why you wanted me to forget. Thinking about it like that, it became deeply ingrained in my memory.”

Having said that, Pei Que patted his sleeve and stood up. “All these years, my eldest brother and sister-in-law have indeed kept their promise to you and stopped interfering in my affairs. But you know how they really feel about me, without me having to say it. So, after I get married, let’s separate and go our own ways. I won’t dwell on the past, and they can give my future wife some respect. We can maintain a proper relationship. Do you think that’s unreasonable, Father?”

With Pei Que’s current power and influence, even if Pei Huaijin tried to stop him, he could still bring down the eldest branch of the family. Whether he would do it, and how, was entirely up to him.

Pei Huaijin knew there was no way to change his mind. He sighed. “Alright, since you’re so firmly determined to marry An Zhi, I won’t say much more. But one thing—not yet.”

“I understand.” If it weren’t for the circumstances, Pei Que would have proposed to An Zhi long ago; he wouldn’t have waited until now.

The throne was still unsettled, and the Emperor could die at any time. If Pei Que were to become engaged to An Zhi now, it would essentially tell the Emperor that the Pei family had military power.

The Pei family was already powerful at court; if they gained military power, especially from the capable and influential Bai family who controlled the northwestern border, the Emperor would never rest easy. No matter the reputation as a tyrant, the Emperor would first target the Bai family.

So Pei Que had to wait until the Emperor was close to death before proposing to An Zhi.

He could disregard others’ opinions for An Zhi, but he couldn’t drag her into danger. This was also why he had previously made things easier for Li Da. His marriage to An Zhi would inevitably draw the attention of the imperial court; the current Emperor was notoriously suspicious, and which emperor hasn’t been? However, since Li Da and he had grown up together and shared a close relationship, Li Da should understand his perspective.

After the father and son had discussed the matter, Pei Huaijin stopped trying to dissuade his son from marrying. He finally cautioned, “Since you are so devoted to her and have gone to such lengths to pursue her, I hope you will persevere.”

In these words, Pei Huaijin conveyed his hopes for his son—hopes that his son would accomplish what he himself had promised but failed to do.

Pei Que nodded, understanding. The matter of An Zhi was now settled with his father, and he shifted the topic to the current political situation. “The new Prime Minister has already replaced a large number of officials, including some from the Eighth Prince’s faction and the Yun family. What do you think of this new Prime Minister, Father?”

“He’s a slippery character,” Pei Huaijin chuckled, walking to his seat and slowly sitting down. “He doesn’t want to offend anyone, but he tries to please everyone. You just need to be wary of him, but don’t take any action against him. However, there’s recent news from the palace: the Emperor has drafted a marriage decree for the Eighth Prince, and it’s expected to be issued within the next few days.”

The affair between the Eighth Prince and the Lin family was an open secret in the capital, so Pei Que wasn’t surprised. However, once the wedding took place, the palace would be bustling with activity, and with more things happening, there was a greater chance of trouble.

Pei Que now oversaw the Ministry of Works, being the youngest Vice Minister. Many under his command were disobedient, and other powerful families were secretly plotting against him, keeping him extremely busy.

No matter how busy he was, Pei Que didn’t mind, as long as he had some free time on the night of the Lantern Festival, because he had something very important to do.