Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 517

Chapter 517: Cold Face

Outside the tent, a scene of bustling activity unfolded.

Just getting the return carriages ready took quite some time.

Pei Que and Minister Xu emerged from the tent together, walking side by side down the stone steps.

“You certainly have a silver tongue,” Minister Xu joked. “A few words were enough to provoke the Emperor’s wrath and get him dismissed.”

Pei Que retorted, not to be outdone. “This isn’t my doing. Minister Xu was here for quite a while, and I’ve only been here a short time. Minister Xu is truly remarkable, able to endure for so long.”

Colleagues weren’t afraid of upright and unyielding people like Duke Cheng, because as long as you knew their bottom line, you knew how to avoid them. What they feared most were smooth-talking people like Minister Xu. You couldn’t pinpoint what they did wrong, and there was nothing to criticize, but you just felt that this person was dishonest.

Back when Pei Que was still in the Prefectural Office, he held absolute power, and all his subordinates were terrified of him. His father had told him then to cherish his good days in the Prefectural Office, but now he understood. Once you stepped into the world of powerful officials, you didn’t have a single friend.

They were just colleagues.

Minister Xu, seemingly oblivious to Pei Que’s sarcasm, chuckled and changed the subject, saying, “I heard that the Princess of Hexu went to your tent last night.” His tone was certain.

“Stop!” Pei Que quickly raised his hand. “You can’t say such things. She did come to my tent’s door, but I didn’t see her.”

“Oh? Why?” Minister Xu drew out his words, his smile slightly mischievous. “A handsome man and a beautiful woman, a perfect day, and Hexu women are known for their openness, unlike the chastity standards of our Jin Dynasty. Nephew, are you perhaps afraid of your wife, as the rumors say?”

“My wife is gentle and virtuous; she has always trusted me,” Pei Que smiled. “I’m merely being chaste. If Minister Xu thinks it’s alright, you can go find Princess Serlan yourself; who knows, you might even find another spring.”

Even if Minister Xu wanted to, he lacked the energy. As he aged, he felt his physical strength declining. He had sought professional help to maintain his health years ago, making it impossible for him to be near women again.

The two exchanged a glance, wisely choosing not to continue the topic. After all, they harbored no deep hatred, couldn’t confide in each other, and there was no need to make things awkward. Some things were better left unsaid.

While they talked, the imperial carriage was prepared.

The Emperor, bed and all, was carried onto the carriage. He was still in considerable pain, but his maternal grandfather wasn’t there; otherwise, he wouldn’t have suffered so much.

Pei Que didn’t ride in the carriage but followed on horseback behind the imperial carriage.

What should have been a two- or three-day journey back to the capital was now much slower due to the Emperor’s injury. By that night, they hadn’t even covered ten kilometers and had to camp by a stream.

Pei Que didn’t mind. He wasn’t a pampered nobleman raised in luxury; this little hardship was nothing to him.

But the noble ladies were unhappy. The journey to the capital, which should have been so short, was now taking twice as long, and there was no enjoyment along the way. Many complained privately.

Because they were on a journey, the tents weren’t as convenient as before, but Pei Que still had his own.

He had just returned from patrol, and as soon as he stepped into his tent, he sensed something different about the atmosphere—a sweet, cloying fragrance.

Fusheng was the first to react. “Master, there seems to be someone behind the screen.”

Pei Que drew Fusheng’s sword and threw it straight at the screen.

“Oh dear, Minister Pei, don’t act out; it’s me!” Serlan trotted out from behind the screen. She was dressed unusually lightly today, and Fusheng, after just one glance, blushed and turned his head away.

“Do you know what happens when you trespass into my tent?” Pei Que said coldly, seemingly oblivious to the large expanse of white skin on Princess Serlan’s chest.

Serlan gently bit her lip, her eyes alluring. “Minister Pei, please don’t misunderstand. I didn’t trespass. I just saw your tent was empty, so I waited for you here. Please don’t be angry, alright? I really just wanted to talk to you.”

As she spoke, tears streamed down Serlan’s face.

Fusheng felt a chill run down his spine. This woman from beyond the Great Wall was far too bold; he didn’t dare look at her any longer.

Pei Que pretended not to see Serlan’s tears, his face remaining stern. “Now that the princess has come to our Jin Dynasty, she should know our rules. I said yesterday that it was inconvenient to receive female guests after nightfall. The third time’s the charm; please return, princess, and don’t let it happen again.”

Serlan hadn’t expected Pei Que to refuse so directly. She had come dressed like this, yet Pei Que still wouldn’t even look at her. Or was it true, as the rumors said, that Pei Que was afraid of his wife?

Never mind—she was already here; there was no chance of another such opportunity.

Serlan wiped away her tears, looking pitifully at Pei Que. “Minister Pei, please give me a chance. Life is so hard for a woman from a foreign land like me.” She took two small steps forward, and just as she reached Pei Que, she mustered her courage and raised her hand. Before she could touch him, Pei Que dodged. “My lord, you…”

Pei Que’s expression completely hardened. “Princess, you represent Hexu in this marriage alliance with the Jin Dynasty. You should know very well what that means. I advise you not to anger me, or your Hexu will face hardship.”

He had held back before for the sake of the friendship between the two countries, so Pei Que hadn’t spoken so harshly.

But he wasn’t a good-tempered person. Seeing Serlan in his tent, he wanted to kick her out, let alone her taking advantage of the situation.

Serlan’s face turned pale, then stiffened.

After a while, seeing Pei Que still with an icy expression, she felt a chill in her heart, her eyes welled up, and this time she truly felt wronged and wanted to cry. She ran out in a disheveled state.

After Serlan left, Pei Que immediately dealt with the soldiers outside the tent.

Fusheng, who had witnessed the whole thing, nervously brought his master water to wash up. “Master, please wash up.”

Pei Que looked troubled. Yesterday’s events were already difficult to explain, and today’s commotion meant he probably couldn’t hide it from An Zhi anymore. “Fusheng, do you think Madam will be angry with me if she finds out?”

Fusheng shook his head. “You didn’t touch Princess Serlan at all. Madam is a reasonable person; she won’t be angry.”

“She is indeed reasonable,” Pei Que sighed, rubbing his temples as he walked over. “But perhaps a little too perceptive.”

Since their marriage, Pei Que had felt An Zhi’s growing trust and dependence on him. From initially keeping an eye out for herself, she now confided in him naturally. This was something Pei Que was very happy to see.

He had never made a mistake in judging people, not even his own wife, whom he carefully observed, afraid that the slightest misstep might cause her to lose heart.

The wife he had gone through so much to marry—naturally, he wanted to cherish and pamper her.