Chapter 27: Chapter 26 Princely Heir of Lord Zhao Ning_1
Yin Zheng was fantasizing about the Princely Heir of Lord Zhao Ning when the latter was practicing mounted archery on the training field at that mont.
At the foot of Mount Wangchun, with poplar trees enveloping its surroundings, it was springti, the grass was short, the animals were fat, and flags were fluttering on the mountain. The long winds scattered the drifting clouds, and sunlight flooded the length of the platform.
On the vast and open training ground, a silver steed galloped like the wind.
Atop the horse, a young man with his hair bound by a golden crown, dressed in a black python-embroidered garnt, stood out with his exceptional and stunning bearing. He carried a carved bow on his back, and as the horse sped by, he drew several long arrows from behind, leaned over to nock an arrow, and aid at the grass target directly ahead on the training field. Then, as the arrow sped off like lightning, only the sound of the arrow cluster could be heard, followed by the target being hit as expected.
Cheers and clapping broke out from so youngsters: "Good!"
Duan Xiaoyan looked at Pei Yunng with eyes filled with admiration.
The Princely Heir Pei Yunng was born into wealth and honor. Old Master Pei had assisted the founding emperor in establishing the kingdom and, in recognition of his contributions, the emperor personally granted him nobility. By the ti of Lord Zhao Ning, the Pei Family had grown even more prosperous. After the Lady of Zhao Ning had passed away, Lord Zhao Ning requested for his fourteen-year-old son, Pei Yunng, to be designated as the Princely Heir.
Pei Yunng held a revered status as the only legitimate son of the forr Lady. If indeed he were to hold an office, Lord Zhao Ning would undoubtedly pave a smooth path for him. However, this Little Crown Prince was rebelliously inclined and left ho without a word after the death of his mother. When he reappeared, he had surprisingly beco a mber of the Imperial Guards.
People said that the Young Master Pei was only able to beco the Commander of the Imperial Guards at such a young age because he rode on the coattails of his father and that his promotion was too rapid. However, Duan Xiaoyan didn’t see it that way. Pei Yunng’s skills ranked him among the top in all of Shengjing. Moreover, four years ago, on the night of the royal banquet, when the emperor was attacked, it was Pei Yunng—who was then an Imperial Guard—that protected the emperor with his life, nearly losing his own in the process. If even this could be considered as taking advantage of family influence, then one had to admire the breadth of Lord Zhao Ning’s intentions.
The swift horse was like the wind, moving as if treading on clouds. The young man’s expression remained unchanged as he reached for another long arrow to nock. Just as he was about to release it, he suddenly saw an arrow feather fly across violently, striking the center of the target.
Duan Xiaoyan was stunned for a mont and instinctively looked back towards the direction from which the arrow ca.
From afar approached a young man dressed in dark green brocade, tall and handso, with a countenance as cold and stern as ice. He was carrying a long bow, and it was he who had shot the earlier arrow.
Duan Xiaoyan called out, "Brother Zhufeng!"
The man in green was Deputy Commander Xiao Zhufeng of the Imperial Guards. He had taken a few days off to inspect the reorganization of the new army in a neighboring county. He was supposed to return to the capital a few days ago but had stayed a bit longer.
On the other hand, Pei Yunng also turned his horse around, and upon seeing Xiao Zhufeng, he couldn’t help but slightly raise his eyebrows.
He dismounted and walked towards Xiao Zhufeng, asking as he approached, "When did you get back?"
Xiao Zhufeng tightened the straps on his sleeve and answered, "Last night."
Pei Yunng reached the trees and casually handed the quiver to Xiao Zhufeng. There were still so unused arrows inside. He looked at Xiao Zhufeng with a smile and teased, "I heard you stayed a few extra days in the neighboring county to wait for the plums to ripen. You’re really painstaking."
Xiao Zhufeng was unmoved and replied indifferently, "I heard you had a run-in with Marshal Lei Yuan under Baoxiang Tower and offended The Right Chancellor."
Pei Yunng sighed, "News travels fast."
"Lu Dashan is dead as well."
"I know," Pei Yunng said, looking down to unstrap his wrist guard, his tone quite indifferent, "Daring to make a move within the Departnt of Criminal & Justice, that does take so guts."
"The case of the Military Supervision is of great importance. Your reckless involvent might provoke trouble from The Right Chancellor; you best be careful these days," Xiao Zhufeng reminded him with an expressionless face, "Perhaps you should also take a few days off to lay low, or maybe pay a visit to the Grand Preceptor Qi’s mansion."
Pei Yunng looked at him and drawled, "Why do I sense a hint of schadenfreude in your words?" He threw the wrist guard he had taken off to Xiao Zhufeng, "You go ahead and practice. I’m taking off first."
Duan Xiaoyan was bewildered: "Hey, aren’t you going to practice a few more rounds?"
Pei Yunng lifted his chin, "Deputy Envoy Xiao is back, allow
to relax for a couple of days." With that, he turned to leave.
"Wait." Xiao Zhufeng called out to him.
"What now?"
"I left the plums at the gate of the Imperial Guards Headquarters. Rember to take them."
Pei Yunng paused, then laughed and patted his shoulder, "Thanks."
...
Spring breeze, gentle and soothing, had swept across the poplars of Mount Wangchun and also over the Bai family’s residence in Changxing Square.
Inside the Bai estate, a table made of nanmu wood with cloud-shaped legs held a pot of tea.
The tea set was of plum-blossom patterned purple clay, a complete set laid out on the table exuding a touch of seasonal charm. The tea tray was filled with snacks like sesa candies and black dates.
Bai Shouyi used to love sitting in the courtyard of his house in the evenings, brewing a pot of fragrant tea and enjoying the view of the garden. However, he had lately lost the mood for it.
The reason was nothing else but the fact that ever since a commotion broke out in front of Xinglin Hall, it had been closed for seven or eight days.
Concerning the reputation of the dical hall, Bai Shouyi couldn’t take any hasty action. He had only sent so silver to the officials involved in the dical trade, earnestly requesting that the matter not be blown out of proportion.
But although the issue with the dical hall had been suppressed, the disturbances on West Street had not settled down.
Just as he was in the midst of his anxious and disorderly thoughts, the felt curtain at the entrance was lifted, and a woman ca out from inside.
This woman had a slightly plump figure, with a broad face, large eyes and wide nose, wearing a plain apricot-yellow garnt, with her long hair coiled into a bun.
This was Bai Shouyi’s wife, Madam Tong.
Madam Tong walked over to Bai Shouyi’s side and seeing that the frown between his eyebrows remained, she comforted him, "Is Master still worried about the issue with the shop?"
"How can I not be worried?" Bai Shouyi’s face was extrely grim, "Wen You went to Xinglin Hall this morning, and there was a basketful of rotten vegetable leaves thrown at the entrance. If this goes on, when can we reopen? We haven’t taken in a single penny these days!"
Madam Tong hesitated to speak.
Seeing her like this, Bai Shouyi frowned and asked, "Do you have any ideas?"
Before marrying Bai Shouyi, Madam Tong’s family was also in business, and when sothing ca up in the Bai family, Bai Shouyi was willing to listen to her suggestions.
Madam Tong sighed, "Master, the fault first lies with Xinglin Hall in this matter. Now by simply shirking it, we are delaying ti and compounding harm to our family’s reputation. The most urgent task is to reopen promptly and apologize to the commoners—placing the bla on Zhou Ji."
"Zhou Ji?"
Madam Tong spoke unhurriedly, "Just say that Zhou Ji’s skills are insufficient and he made a mistake in preparing the dicine, which was then exploited by malicious individuals to spread false miraculous effects in the market. This way, at most, the Bai family can only be faulted for negligence. However..."
Bai Shouyi asked, "However what?"
"To quell the anger of the commoners, a substantial sum of silver for placation will be inevitable. The silver earned these past days must be spent, and not just that, we need to compensate more to shut those lowlifes up!"
Bai Shouyi was both shocked and angry, reacting instinctively, "That will be no small amount of silver!"
"Of course, I know. But currently, there is no better solution."
Bai Shouyi’s expression was grim.
His Xinglin Hall had suffered unjustly, everything it had swallowed must be spat out, inadvertently making a na for Renxin dical Hall. How could he accept this?
But... Madam Tong was also right.
He couldn’t let the small profits of the mont ruin his future prospects. Xinglin Hall must not fall here, only by apologizing and compensating could he salvage so reputation.
He clenched his teeth and said, "Let’s do as you said."
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