Chapter 182: Chapter 182: The Excited County Magistrate Zhao, If He Won’t Call, Then You Call

Before returning to Tongzhou, Pei Shaoqing made another trip to Yazhou.

His main purpose was to see Zhao Ze.

From his few meetings with Zhao Ze over the past few days in Yazhou, he had gotten a general grasp of the man’s current psychological state and felt it was time for a more direct approach.

"This humble official greets you, Lord Pingyang."

When Zhao Ze heard that Pei Shaoqing had come to visit, he hurried out of the County Government Office to greet him personally, his demeanor utterly respectful.

In terms of official rank, it was perfectly correct for him to refer to himself as a subordinate official.

"County Magistrate Zhao, let’s find a quiet place to talk," Pei Shaoqing said, his expression calm and steady.

Although Zhao Ze was puzzled, he obediently led the way. "Lord Pingyang, please follow me."

The two arrived at the study in the rear residence of the County Government Office.

"Someone..." Zhao Ze started to call for tea.

"There’s no need," Pei Shaoqing interrupted him, saying calmly, "County Magistrate Zhao, do you still remember the Crown Prince?"

Zhao Ze froze, utterly astonished. In that instant, a thousand thoughts flashed through his mind. After a long moment, he asked uncertainly, "What do you mean, Lord Pingyang?"

’Any question involving the Crown Prince is a dangerous one to answer.’

’Especially for someone of my status.’

"County Magistrate Zhao, you still haven’t answered my question." Pei Shaoqing’s face was as placid as an old well, betraying no hint of pleasure or anger.

Zhao Ze grit his teeth and replied, "This humble official has never regretted following His Highness. Naturally, I would not dare to forget."

The words had barely left his mouth, but his palms were already slick with sweat.

’I don’t know if I gave the right answer.’

But he knew the answer to this question would determine the course of his future, so he was extremely anxious.

"Then take a look at this." Pei Shaoqing immediately took out the Crown Prince’s Jade Pendant and showed it to Zhao Ze.

Zhao Ze looked baffled. He carefully examined the design on the Jade Pendant and answered tentatively, "This item is from the imperial family. It must be priceless."

"..."

Pei Shaoqing realized that not everyone in the Old Faction of the Crown Prince would recognize the Crown Prince’s Jade Pendant. Only someone like Li Yi, who was extremely close to the Crown Prince and saw him often, would know it.

"This is His Highness’s Jade Pendant," he said.

Zhao Ze was stunned, then immediately dropped to his knees with a THUD. "Your servant, Zhao Ze, greets His Highness!"

The Crown Prince’s Jade Pendant was in Pei Shaoqing’s hand, and he had just asked such a pointed question. The implication was self-evident. Zhao Ze was overcome with excitement.

’The Crown Prince still has a chance.’

’I still have a chance!’

"I am most gratified that County Magistrate Zhao has not forgotten the Crown Prince. Please, rise quickly," Pei Shaoqing said.

Zhao Ze stood up and, with the air of a loyal subject, asked, "If I may be so bold, Lord Pingyang, is His Highness well?"

"His Highness is in good health, his ambitions undiminished," Pei Shaoqing replied with a smile, putting the Jade Pendant away. "His Highness ordered me to bring a message to loyal subjects like you, County Magistrate Zhao, who have not forgotten their old master: bide your time and build your strength. Until he leaves the palace, I will be acting on his behalf with full authority."

"Yes! This subordinate understands." Zhao Ze was so excited his voice trembled. In an instant, his life had a purpose again. "From this day forward, this subordinate will follow only Lord Pingyang’s lead."

For members of the Old Faction of the Crown Prince like him, their only hope for any further advancement in their careers was the Crown Prince’s restoration. Otherwise, if they were lucky, they would simply grow old and die in their current positions. If they were unlucky, they would all be forced to make way for others once the new emperor ascended the throne.

It wasn’t that he was particularly loyal to the Crown Prince.

He simply had no other choice.

Besides, it never occurred to him to suspect that Pei Shaoqing was acting falsely in the Crown Prince’s name. Given Pei Shaoqing’s status, if he wasn’t one of the Crown Prince’s men, he would be avoiding the matter entirely, not actively involving himself.

"County Magistrate Zhao, your next task is to apply yourself diligently, build a strong reputation in Yazhou, so that in the future you may help the Crown Prince achieve his great ambition," Pei Shaoqing instructed solemnly.

"Yes!" Zhao Ze replied, full of fighting spirit. "I will certainly not disappoint His Highness, nor you, Lord Pingyang."

Before, there was no hope, so he had been slacking off, just getting by. But from now on, he would give it his all to win the hearts of the people of Yazhou, awaiting the Crown Prince’s summons.

This was the power of a "name."

If Pei Shaoqing had said he was starting a rebellion and wanted Zhao Ze to join him, Zhao Ze would have turned around and reported him without a second thought.

But by using the Crown Prince’s name, he didn’t need to spell it out. Zhao Ze himself knew what needed to be done.

After leaving the County Government Office, Pei Shaoqing went to the Hundred Households to meet with Liu Wenfeng, then headed straight for Tongzhou.

On the official road, Pei Shaoqing didn’t urge his horse into a gallop.

Instead, he let General Hei amble along at a leisurely pace.

"Aunt Liu, is something on your mind?" He glanced back at Liu Yuheng, who had her hands on his waist but was deliberately keeping her distance to avoid physical contact.

He could sense that since last night, Liu Yuheng had been gloomy and much more subdued. She was in a very conflicted state, alternating between being distant and affectionate with him.

"Ah!" Liu Yuheng, who had been lost in thought, was startled for a moment before forcing a smile. "No, nothing. I am fine."

’How could I not be conflicted?’ As a married woman, she was having improper thoughts about the man who belonged to her own daughter-like apprentice. It filled her with shame and guilt.

’At the same time, I’ve already decided to leave Pei Shaoqing and return to the Iron Sword Sect when Jiang Yebai and Song Aqiao get married. The pain of the impending separation is agonizing.’

’But I really can’t stay by his side any longer. Otherwise, if I one day do something truly shameless, how could I face Lan’Er? How could I face my senior brother? If word got out, how could I live with the shame?’

"If you don’t want to talk about it, Aunt Liu, that’s fine. Just don’t forget that I’m here if you need any help." Seeing her reluctance, Pei Shaoqing didn’t press the issue.

’Every adult has their secrets, after all.’

Liu Yuheng gave a bitter smile. ’You’re the one causing me all this torment, you devil. I wish I could forget you.’ She pressed her red lips together and replied, "Mm."

’The only reason I stayed in the first place was to protect Lan’Er from being taken advantage of by Pei Shaoqing. I never expected that not only would Lan’Er fall for him, but I would fall into the trap myself.’

"Aunt Liu, hold on tight. I’m about to pick up the pace."

"Alright."

......

「Around nine at night」

Pei Shaoqing arrived in Tongzhou.

He felt that these days, the most important thing for navigating the Jianghu wasn’t supreme Martial Arts, but a durable backside. After all, travel was entirely dependent on horseback.

"The Master is back at the mansion!"

The lights in the dark Pei Mansion flickered back to life.

The servants bustled about.

Some took the horses, others went to boil water.

"You’ve had a long journey, Aunt Liu. Rest early," Pei Shaoqing said to Liu Yuheng as he handed the reins to a servant.

Liu Yuheng smiled. "You too, Young Master."

Pei Shaoqing nodded and walked toward the inner residence.

"Welcome home, Husband."

Xie Qingwu was waiting for him at the entrance of the small courtyard, her dark, beautiful hair unbound and wearing a white inner robe.

"You’re pregnant, you shouldn’t be out in the cold. Get inside quickly," Pei Shaoqing said, his tone gently chiding.

The nights had grown a little chilly since the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Xie Qingwu touched her slightly swelling belly and said, "I’m not that fragile."

"Your belly has gotten bigger." Pei Shaoqing helped Xie Qingwu sit down, then added, "So have your boobs."

Xie Qingwu already had a great figure, and pregnancy had made her even fuller, bringing her to an absolutely top-tier level of perfection.

But even the best ceiling needs a suspended ceiling.

A second ago, Xie Qingwu had a blissful smile on her face. After hearing the second half of his sentence, she shot him a glare.

"Let me hear you call me ’Daddy’," Pei Shaoqing said, squatting in front of her. He lifted her robe and pressed his face against her warm, fair, and slightly rounded belly.

Xie Qingwu slapped him lightly. "If he could talk now, wouldn’t that scare you to death?" she said, exasperated.

"If he won’t call me that, then you can." A wicked smile played on Pei Shaoqing’s lips.

Xie Qingwu took a deep breath. "Get lost!"

’This damn man. It would be better if he hadn’t come back.’

’He used to tease me, and he still teases me now.’

"Just kidding. Look what your husband brought back for you." Pei Shaoqing took out the Nine Orifice Exquisite Fruit.

"An Exotic Fruit!" General Li shot out from nowhere, eyes shining as it leaped and pounced.

With a swift movement, Pei Shaoqing grabbed it by the scruff of its neck.

General Li, seeing the Spirit Fruit so close yet so unattainable, thrashed its claws in desperation, kicking its legs in mid-air. "My lord, let me have a lick! I beg you, just one lick! Just one will be enough!"

"Get lost!" Pei Shaoqing flung it away.

Xie Qingwu carefully took the Nine Orifice Exquisite Fruit from Pei Shaoqing’s hand and examined it. "So this is the legendary Spirit Fruit? Just smelling it is so refreshing."

"Aiyo, my lady! Eating it is the real deal!" Having been to the Capital City, General Li had picked up the local accent. It stood up on its hind legs, staring longingly at the Nine Orifice Exquisite Fruit with drool streaming from its mouth. "This servant has eaten one before. It was absolutely divine."

"Don’t even think about it. Maybe I’ll give you a Pill after I’m done refining them," Xie Qingwu said, tapping it on the forehead.

General Li covered its head with its two front paws, its round eyes still fixed on the Nine Orifice Exquisite Fruit.

Pei Shaoqing then took out the Pill Formula for the Spirit Awakening Pill and handed it to Xie Qingwu. "This is the Pill Formula for the Spirit Awakening Pill. Ouyang Rong also gave me some of the ingredients that Medicine King Valley had, but many are still missing. According to him, a lot of the ingredients in this ancient formula no longer exist in this world."

"I will study it when I have time," Xie Qingwu said softly, accepting the Pill Formula with one hand.

Pei Shaoqing looked at General Li and asked, "Weren’t you looking for a human pet? How did that go? Did you find one?"

Even the cat of Pingyang Manor has servants to wait on it.

If word of this got out, the court censors would probably submit another memorial impeaching him.

"Don’t even mention it. Tongzhou is too small, full of nothing but ugly rejects. Not a single one caught this old servant’s eye." General Li shook its head, stroking its trembling whiskers. "I’ll leave it to fate. I’d rather have nothing than settle for something inferior."

Not just anyone could meet its standards.

"There’s no need to be so picky. As long as the person is clever and reliable, that should be enough," Xie Qingwu advised with a smile.

"No, no, no." General Li shook its head like a pellet drum. "My lady, when you humans pick cats and dogs, you know to pick good-looking ones. So when I pick a human, of course I have to pick a good-looking one, too. It’s more pleasant to have around."

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. A knock came at the door, followed by the voice of the maid, Qiu Ye. "Master, the hot water is here."

"It’s getting late, Husband. Hurry up, wash, and get some sleep," Xie Qingwu said, getting up to open the door for Qiu Ye.

Pei Shaoqing replied, "Alright."

After washing up, Pei Shaoqing and Xie Qingwu lay side-by-side on the bed and fell into a deep sleep. General Li was sprawled out on the dressing table, fast asleep, its tail twitching unconsciously and its ears twitching from time to time.

Outside the window, the moonlight was bright, and the sound of chirping insects filled the air.

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