Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 407

Chapter 407: The Secret Revealed

After An Zhi entered, before she could even ask how he was, the old master summoned Pei Que to the inner room.

There was something he couldn’t tell her.

It didn’t matter; Pei Que would eventually tell her what she needed to know, so there was no need to bother him now.

She took a cup of tea, sipped it carefully, and continued to think about how to arrange for Qiuyue and Qiushuang.

Pei Huaijin, in the inner room, stared at Pei Que for a long moment before asking in a deep voice, “You wanted to go south this time, didn’t you?”

If it wasn’t Pei Que’s own will, even if Duke Cheng pressured him, there was no way Pei Que would have chosen not to go.

Pei Que didn’t intend to hide it from his father. “The new Emperor’s ascension to the throne should have been a time for some festivities, but our new Emperor is only ten years old after the New Year. What he can’t start, I must go south to start.”

The new Emperor was weak in character. Born under the dominance of the previous Crown Prince, the Empress Dowager raised him like a spoiled child. He was a tearful child, but he couldn’t handle large situations. However, since the previous Crown Prince’s passing, the new Emperor’s temperament had become much more subdued. Nevertheless, his playful nature, cultivated since childhood, was difficult to change. Furthermore, with Old Master Yun around, the new Emperor saw and heard even less.

So, ever since the new Emperor ascended the throne, anyone with a shred of ambition in the court had been eager to seize power or profit.

Once the court was in chaos, the empire would be in chaos as well.

For the Pei family, it would be best if someone with the surname Li ruled the country. A life of poverty for the people would be of no benefit to the Pei family. Unless Pei Que aspired to become Emperor, then his march south would have another purpose.

Pei Huaijin understood Pei Que’s intention. Sitting at the head of the table, watching Pei Que’s stubble grow, he could only support him. “For this trip south, not to mention others, the Yun family will definitely interfere. The Xu and Wang families will also send people to watch along the way. Before you leave, it’s best to stop by Duke Cheng’s residence. That old master’s stubbornness has its advantages. Let him help you keep an eye on others at court.”

Pei Que thought the same thing. “I’ll take note.”

“There’s one more important point,” Pei Huaijin said, withdrawing his gaze from his son. “The future of the Pei family depends on you. I only ask one thing of you: preserve your life. If you die, the people you wish to protect will die with you.”

Pei Que understood his father’s meaning. He was not only the head of the Pei family but also An Zhi’s guardian angel.

His wife, of course, would be his to protect.

~

An Zhi finished two cups of tea before Pei Que emerged from the inner room.

After they left the old master’s room, Pei Que spoke: “After I leave, if there’s anything at home, you can discuss it with Third Sister-in-law. If you really can’t make a decision, you can talk to Father. I’ve already made arrangements with him.”

An Zhi nodded, and seeing that Pei Que didn’t want to talk further, she didn’t ask any more questions.

With two days left before Pei Que’s departure, An Zhi was busy packing his luggage. Pei Que had dealt Pei Zheng a fatal blow, causing him to lose his job and spend three months in seclusion at home reflecting on his mistakes.

In those three months, if Pei Que’s journey south went smoothly, he would be able to return to the capital.

On the day Pei Que left, the rest of the Pei family came to see him off. The night before, An Zhi had been reluctant for him to leave, but despite her reluctance, she calmly entertained the guests.

After escorting him all the way to the city gate, only after she saw Pei Que and his entourage’s carriage out of sight did An Zhi, looking back every few steps, get into the carriage.

Her heart suddenly felt empty.

“Madam, you’re really reluctant to see the son-in-law leave, aren’t you?” Binglu asked.

An Zhi glanced at Binglu, listening to the commotion outside the carriage, and said angrily, “You little girl, you’re getting bolder and bolder. Yes, I am. I’m helping Qiuyue and Qiushuang choose husbands, so I should also help you choose a good one. Let’s see how you can tease me later.”

“Don’t; I don’t want to get married yet.” Binglu blushed.

An Zhi thought Binglu was shy; she was preoccupied with her own thoughts, so she didn’t bother to examine her.

After returning to the Pei Mansion, An Zhi felt a sense of emptiness. The moment she sat down, she thought of Pei Que, feeling like her heart had been taken away. She searched for something to do, so she went to the courtyard where Qiuyue and Qiushuang lived.

“Qiuyue, Qiushuang, Madam is here to see you,” Binglu shouted as soon as she entered the courtyard.

Soon, Qiushuang trotted out of the house.

“Where’s Qiuyue?” An Zhi asked.

Qiushuang glanced to the side and lowered her eyes. “Qiuyue has a slight fever. She just took some medicine and is sleeping now. If you want to see Qiuyue, I’ll go call her.”

“No need. I’ll just sit in your room.” An Zhi turned her head to look at Binglu. “Binglu, go see Qiuyue. If she’s seriously ill, call a doctor.”

“No…no need!” Qiushuang waved her hand. “It’s not a serious illness. Don’t bother Binglu. You’d better go inside. It’s windy outside. If you get cold again, it won’t be good.”

Hearing this, An Zhi sensed something was wrong with Qiushuang. “You should go see her. My sister is sick, and as her sister-in-law, I naturally have to be concerned.”

With that, without waiting for Qiushuang’s reply, An Zhi went to Qiuyue’s room.

Binglu also blocked Qiushuang’s path with a look.

After An Zhi entered the room, she walked straight to the edge of the bed, only to find a pile of clothes hidden under the quilt. Qiuyue wasn’t there.

Qiushuang had lied!

An Zhi took a deep breath, turned around, and saw Qiushuang rushing in. She lowered her voice and asked, “Sister Qiushuang, where did Qiuyue go?”

Qiushuang’s legs trembled slightly. She knew that the truth would eventually come to light, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

Seeing Qiushuang speechless, An Zhi turned to Binglu and said, “Send someone to search the courtyard first. Have Nanny Wang guard the courtyard. Don’t let anyone out for now.”

Binglu nodded and immediately went out to look for someone.

After An Zhi sat down, she said, “Qiushuang, do you know where Qiuyue went?”

“No… I don’t know.” Qiushuang shook her head again.

“Then guess where she went?” An Zhi asked, also pondering Qiuyue’s whereabouts. Even if she ran away, she would have to find a way to bring her back. She belonged to the Empress Dowager, and if she couldn’t get her back in the future, it would be a grave disrespect.

“Sister-in-law, I really don’t know.” Qiushuang insisted she had no idea. “After I gave Qiuyue the medicine, I went back to my room. She might just be out for a walk. Maybe she’ll be back later?”

“Later?” An Zhi snorted. “If she was coming back soon, why would she leave clothes on the bed to pretend she was there?” Seeing Qiushuang still denying it, she patted the chair beside her. “Since you say you don’t know, I believe you. Sit next to me, and let’s find her together.”

Qiushuang hesitated, not daring to move. She lacked Qiuyue’s courage and her cunning. So, while Qiuyue dared to sneak off to pursue Fourth Master Pei and secure a future as a concubine, she could only stay at home, playing dumb.