Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 655

Chapter 655: The Setting Sun

Renzheng Hall

A sliver of the setting sun shone in, scattered across the room. Yun Xingbang had been there for quite some time.

The Emperor offered him a seat, which he accepted.

“Uncle, just now, Minister Xu and Duke Cheng both came. They each recommended their own people to Yongning. Whom do you think I should listen to?” Having experienced the decline of the Pei family, the Emperor had matured considerably and was less childish, but he still wore his emotions on his sleeve, especially in front of the Yun family.

When Yun Xingbang learned that Chi Jiayun had been escorted to the capital by Zhu Hao, he knew that Xu Wenyong’s men had lost to Pei Que. “Your Majesty, I have pondered this matter for several days and have also consulted with my father.”

Hearing this, the Emperor leaned forward slightly.

“The old master said that Chi Jiayun’s collapse is most likely due to Pei Que’s attempt to regroup. Yongning’s probably already under Pei Que’s control. If we send Minister Xu’s men to Yongning now, they will definitely do everything in their power to wipe out Pei Que. But if they succeed, Yongning will fall into Minister Xu’s hands again in the future.” The Yun family was unwilling to send anyone to Yongning; they only wanted to reap the benefits.

The Emperor had noticed a gradual shift in Minister Xu’s attitude these past few days and harbored some dissatisfaction with him. Therefore, he nodded approvingly, saying, “Grandfather’s right. We can’t let Minister Xu’s people get away with this. But Duke Cheng has a decent relationship with Pei Que. If I send Duke Cheng’s person, won’t he collude with Pei Que?”

Yun Xingbang shook his head firmly. “Your Majesty can rest assured on that point. Of all the officials, besides this humble servant, the person you can trust most is Duke Cheng. Duke Cheng’s an old-fashioned man, rigid and pedantic, but precisely because of this, he won’t let Pei Que off the hook. With Duke Cheng around, Yongning won’t fall into anyone’s hands.”

Speaking of Duke Cheng, the Emperor also disliked him. He was always spouting ancestral rules and regulations, constantly demanding that he follow this and that—an endless nagging.

But his uncle was right; Duke Cheng was rigid and therefore wouldn’t make exceptions for Pei Que because of past transgressions.

Yun Xingbang continued, “After Duke Cheng’s men depart for Yongning, I will also send someone to Yongning. If the new governor of Yongning has any connection with Pei Que, you needn’t worry.”

The Emperor breathed a sigh of relief. “Hearing my uncle say that, I’m relieved.”

Having settled things in Yongning, the Emperor still had a major worry. “I only hope the new governor’s capable; otherwise, he will be drawing my salary for nothing.” Thinking of Pei Que’s persistent ambitions, he wished he could fly to Yongning himself and finish him off. “By the way, I heard something. Recently, the young master of the Qian family was making a fuss about marrying a woman from the Pei family. Is that true?”

Yun Xingbang had been extremely busy lately, but even so, he had heard about Qian Jinyu and nodded in acknowledgment.

“The Qian family guards the west and is related to the Bai family in the northwest by marriage, and the Bai family, in turn, has close ties with the An family. Now the Qian family wants to marry a daughter of the Pei family. Uncle, do you think the Pei family’s trying to win over the Qian family again for military power?” After becoming Emperor, the young Emperor gradually developed a suspicious nature.

The higher one’s position was, the harder it was to trust others.

“What I overheard seems to be Qian Jinyu’s own idea. He’s taken a liking to a woman from the Pei family, but his mother’s strongly opposed,” Yun Xingbang said, having some knowledge of the Qian family. “The Qian family aren’t fools; they wouldn’t be so blind to the situation at this point.”

“That’s for the best,” the Emperor said. He knew Pei Que had the Prince of Dingnan and the Bai family at his disposal. If the Qian family were added to the mix, he wouldn’t be able to sleep all night. “Uncle, to avoid any unforeseen complications, it’s best not to let Pei Que live. I know I can’t directly issue an edict for Pei Que’s death, but if he doesn’t die, I always feel like someone’s watching me. You understand what I mean, right?”

Last year, he was like a child, but now, when talking about killing, his expression didn’t change at all. Yun Xingbang understood the Emperor’s meaning perfectly well, though he was somewhat surprised.

“I understand,” Yun Xingbang replied. He wasn’t at ease as long as Pei Que remained alive.

They all wanted Pei Que dead, but the Pei Que of today was no longer the Pei Que who had just been exiled to Huludao.

Everyone regretted it, but time couldn’t be turned back; they could only act again. The Emperor and Yun Xingbang had just mentioned Qian Jinyu. He hadn’t originally wanted to come to the capital, but youthful infatuation had taken its toll, and even he himself hadn’t expected to be so fixated on the Pei family’s daughter.

In the Pei family’s third branch, Madam Meng peeked outside. When her personal maid returned, she hurriedly asked, “Has he left?”

“Just now.” The maid frowned. “Madam, the Qian family’s young master comes every day. Madam of Qian is driving us crazy! No matter what we say, he insists on coming every day. If this continues, it will affect Miss’s reputation.”

Madam Meng looked worried. “It’s already affecting it.”

The Pei family was no longer what it used to be; its former glory was gone.

Now, banquets in the capital generally wouldn’t invite Madam Meng, and even her maternal family had told her not to return unless absolutely necessary.

They had thought that after the three-year mourning period, everyone would forget about the Pei family’s affairs, and they could then find their daughter a good man. But now, Qian Jinyu came every day. Although Qian Jinyu’s presence made others more polite to the Pei family, it also earned Madam Meng and the others a grudge from Madam of Qian.

“What a little devil! Why can’t anyone control him?” Madam Meng angrily walked into the house.

She hadn’t taken two steps when she saw her daughter come out from the inner room.

Over the past three months, Pei Xuan had lost a lot of weight, and Madam Meng felt heartbroken seeing her like this.

“Mother, I want to see Qian Jinyu.” Pei Xuan clutched a handkerchief in her hand, her knuckles white from the pressure.

“You silly girl, at a time like this, you should be avoiding him. Why are you still thinking about seeing him?” Madam Meng, fearing her daughter might did something rash, quickly tried to comfort her. “Don’t think too much. If he comes again tomorrow, I will have him thrown out.”

Pei Xuan gave a bitter smile. “If you hit him, Madam of Qian will be even more heartbroken. Mother, please let me see him. Since Fourth Uncle was exiled, even my maternal uncle, who used to dote on me, refuses to let us visit anymore. I’ve seen the coldness of human relationships. Didn’t Qian Jinyu say he wanted to marry me? If he can overcome all obstacles, or even give up his status as a young master of the Qian family, then I’m willing to live a life of hardship with him.”

As she spoke, tears streamed down Pei Xuan’s face.

Madam Meng held her daughter was hand tenderly. “My dear Xuan’er, what foolish things are you saying? A woman’s marriage is a lifelong commitment. If the Qian family really kicks Qian Jinyu out, you will have no one to rely on.”

“So what if I do not?” Pei Xuan said firmly. “As long as Qian Jinyu has breath in his body, he will fight for it. Success is earned through one’s own efforts; a future solely based on family connections is useless. Mother, look at Fourth Aunt, and then think of Third Aunt. Third Aunt married someone of equal social standing, but Third Uncle’s a womanizer, with a house full of women he can’t manage. Fourth Aunt was someone Fourth Uncle fought for himself, so he treats her exceptionally well. You’re right, a woman’s marriage is like a second chance at life, but this time it isn’t just about whether she will eat porridge or meat; it’s also about choosing the right person.”

After hearing this long explanation, Madam Meng was heartbroken. Holding her daughter, she choked back tears. “Since you’ve thought it through, when Qian Jinyu comes again tomorrow, I will make the arrangements for you.”