Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Disposition of the Standard-Bearer Position, Lord Pei’s Warning

Not until he was completely spent.

Did Pei Shaoqing finally let Xie Qingwu go.

"Qiu Ye," he called out, catching his breath.

CREAK~ The door opened, but it wasn’t Qiu Ye who entered with a basin of water and a cloth, but Zhao Zilan.

"Lan’Er?" Pei Shaoqing was taken aback for a moment.

Zhao Zilan blushed at the sight of the messy bed and the two naked people on it, but she did her best to remain composed and greet them. "Young Master, Madam."

"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Sister Lan’Er." Xie Qingwu, her face still flushed, showed no shyness at all. She rose and said softly, "You can clean up my husband first. Standard-Bearer Chen is still waiting for him."

She held herself in a strange position, trying to prevent any leakage. She had read in a book that this posture made conception easier.

"Yes, Madam," Zhao Zilan replied obediently.

While Zhao Zilan was cleaning Pei Shaoqing, Xie Qingwu said with a beaming smile, "Lan’Er, you’re getting more and more skillful at serving others. I don’t think my husband could ever leave you. Husband, you should give her a proper status. Once I’m pregnant, you should take her as a concubine."

Previously, she had been urging Pei Shaoqing that if he was going to sleep with Zhao Zilan, he should take her in and give her an official title sooner rather than later.

But now that she had proven her ability in Alchemy, the situation had changed. It was best for her to give birth to the legitimate firstborn son first, so the matter had to be postponed.

She could be quite petty at times; before she got pregnant, she insisted Pei Shaoqing could only sow his seed in her.

However, Zhao Zilan could occasionally share in her hardship and take some of the heat, as long as the seed ended up with her.

The sowing process was too long; she sometimes couldn’t handle it.

"I’ll do as you say, my lady," Pei Shaoqing replied.

Xie Qingwu wasn’t a jealous person. He had to respect her opinion on matters of the rear courtyard, and if she could handle them well, he wouldn’t have to be distracted by domestic affairs.

Zhao Zilan said joyfully, "Thank you, Madam."

Before, it was only Pei Shaoqing who had said he would take her as a concubine.

But as long as it hadn’t happened, her position was never secure.

She had already given him her body and had completely lost the initiative. All she could do was feel anxious.

Now, with a personal promise from the official wife, Xie Qingwu, the matter was set in stone.

After washing up and changing his clothes, Pei Shaoqing went to the main hall to meet Chen Zhongyi, who had been waiting for a long time.

Chen Zhongyi had already finished several cups of tea before he finally saw a sign of Pei Shaoqing, but he didn’t dare show the slightest hint of dissatisfaction. He stood up and bowed. "This subordinate greets you, my lord!"

"Standard-Bearer Chen, you’ve been waiting long. At ease," Pei Shaoqing said casually, his gaze suddenly falling on a package on the table. "What is this?"

"It just arrived. They said it’s the armor you custom-ordered, my lord," Chen Zhongyi quickly replied.

Realization dawned on Pei Shaoqing. He immediately walked over to unwrap the package and said with a laugh, "Standard-Bearer Chen, you must be surprised the armor is so small, right? I had it made for my cat."

Everyone knew by now that he had a cat.

When General Li walked the streets of Tongzhou, even without saying a word, anyone who recognized him had to show him respect.

A single meow from Lord Pei’s cat...

...carried more weight than the words of a Captain.

"Your cat is truly fortunate, my lord," Chen Zhongyi said with sincere admiration. Just a moment ago, he had been wondering if it was a suit of Inner Armor made from some expensive material.

Then he cupped his fist and added, "Of course, while I may not have the good fortune to be your cat in this life, I am fortunate enough to be your dog. That is a blessing in itself."

"Hahahahaha, Standard-Bearer Chen, you’re getting better and better with words." Pei Shaoqing laughed heartily. He looked at the armor before him. It was gold all over, engraved with intricate patterns, and came with a red cape.

’I can’t even imagine how flashy General Li will look in this.’

Chen Zhongyi then began to report on Ouyang Rong. "My lord, according to our brother who went to Medicine King Valley to investigate, Ouyang Rong was once a disciple of the valley."

"Once?" Pei Shaoqing caught the key word.

"Yes, once." Chen Zhongyi nodded and continued, "Ouyang Rong was the personal disciple of the previous generation’s Great Elder of Medicine King Valley. He was adopted by the elder at a young age and possessed exceptional talent for cultivating medicinal herbs. To this day, Medicine King Valley still uses many of the cultivation methods he improved."

"Go on." Pei Shaoqing walked to the main chair at the head of the hall and sat down, waving for a servant to bring tea.

Chen Zhongyi turned to face him. "Contrary to his talent for cultivation, he had no interest in Alchemy or practicing medicine. He only enjoyed growing medicinal ingredients and raising animals that could be used in medicine. Because of this, he repeatedly clashed with the Great Elder, who saw him as his successor, and the conflicts grew increasingly intense."

"According to the disciples of Medicine King Valley, four years ago, Ouyang Rong, dissatisfied with the Great Elder, lost his mind and concocted a poison, killing the unsuspecting elder. For this, the Sect Leader crippled his Martial Arts and expelled him from Medicine King Valley."

"Ouyang Rong doesn’t seem like such a depraved person to me." Pei Shaoqing found the story full of suspicious points.

Chen Zhongyi glanced at him but said nothing.

’My lord, you don’t look like a corrupt official, either!’

Pei Shaoqing posed another question, "If he committed such a grave crime, why was he only expelled from Medicine King Valley with his Martial Arts crippled? Why not make him pay with his life?"

Betraying one’s master and clan was a capital offense, not just in a righteous sect like Medicine King Valley, but even in a demonic sect.

"The brother who went to investigate asked about that too. The disciples said that his Senior Brother pleaded for him, and they showed leniency on account of the many improvements he had made to Medicine King Valley’s herb cultivation methods," Chen Zhongyi answered.

Pei Shaoqing fell silent in thought after hearing this. After a moment, he asked, "Standard-Bearer Chen, do you believe this story?"

"My lord, the biggest taboo in our line of work is judging a book by its cover. Since Medicine King Valley is saying this, it should have some credibility." After saying this, Chen Zhongyi added a piece of advice, "It would be best for you to stay away from this person, my lord. Although his strength is weak, he is skilled with poisons, which are impossible to guard against."

Pei Shaoqing smiled noncommittally.

’It’s Ouyang Rong’s talent for cultivating medicinal herbs that I’m interested in. Who cares if the story about him betraying his master is true or not? Even if it is true, so what? Could Ouyang Rong possibly be more wicked than I am?’

Pei Shaoqing skipped the topic entirely. "The Hundred Households has a vacant Standard-Bearer position. What are your thoughts?"

He had been promoted, leaving his old position open.

"My lord, I believe both Standard-Bearer Song and Standard-Bearer Sun are capable of taking on the role," Chen Zhongyi blurted out.

Although Pei Shaoqing had asked for his opinion, he didn’t think for a moment that his suggestion would actually be considered.

Therefore, he didn’t dare recommend his own crony.

Pei Shaoqing nodded slowly, then asked deliberately, "Then who between the two of them do you think is more suitable?"

"Well..." Chen Zhongyi, who had answered the previous question so decisively, now stammered.

Both Sun and Song were Pei Shaoqing’s trusted confidants. In the future, their fortunes would surely rise with his.

So, he had been trying to maintain a good relationship with both of them.

No matter who he suggested, word would get out and he would offend the other. It was a difficult question to answer.

Pei Shaoqing narrowed his eyes slightly. He tapped his fingers on the tabletop, making a KNOCK-KNOCK sound, and asked in a neutral tone, "What, is it a difficult question?"

"I believe Standard-Bearer Song is more suitable," Chen Zhongyi said hastily. If he didn’t answer, he would offend his lord.

He subconsciously recommended Song Youcai, with whom he was closer. After all, Sun Youliang was always running off to either the Prefecture City or the Capital City, practically becoming a messenger, so he didn’t spend as much time with him as Song Youcai did.

’If Song Youcai becomes a Standard-Bearer because of my recommendation, our relationship will be even deeper in the future.’

Pei Shaoqing didn’t ask for his reasoning. He just nodded and said, "Mm, alright. Standard-Bearer Chen, you are dismissed."

"Yes, this subordinate takes his leave."

After dismissing Chen Zhongyi, Pei Shaoqing took the armor and found General Li, casually tossing it to him. "Yours."

"What’s this?" General Li eagerly tore open the package, his eyes instantly lighting up. "Armor!"

"Ah! Thank you, Master!" Every hair on his face radiated joy as he pounced at Pei Shaoqing.

Pei Shaoqing swatted him away with a look of disgust.

This time, General Li didn’t curse. Instead, he grinned cheekily and said, "Master’s hand is so powerful."

"Put it on, let me see," said Pei Shaoqing.

General Li hurried to put it on, but after fumbling with it for a long time to no avail, he could only look at Pei Shaoqing with pleading eyes.

"I beseech my Master to gird his subject in armor."

"What has the world come to? I, the master, have to dress my own subject in his armor," Pei Shaoqing sighed helplessly.

Once dressed, the suit of Golden Armor gleamed under the sun, the red cape fluttering in the wind. General Li actually looked quite the part of a general.

"Master! Does your general not look mighty?"

General Li nimbly climbed onto the rockery.

Although the armor wasn’t large, it was heavy. It was a good thing General Li was a demon with strength far greater than an ordinary cat’s. Otherwise, he would have been out of breath after just a few steps.

’General Li’s beloved concubines are in for a treat,’ Pei Shaoqing suddenly thought. ’They can play with some uniform seduction.’

’A real man needs uniform seduction!’

.........

「The next day.」

At the Hundred Households, the rooster’s crow signaled the break of dawn.

Pei Shaoqing, having returned after skipping work for several days, gathered his subordinates to give a speech. The content was as follows: he pointed out... he emphasized... he stated... he...

After finishing his speech, he made one final announcement.

"By His Majesty’s grace, I have been appointed to the position of Hundred Households Commander of the Tongzhou Hundred Households. My former position of Standard-Bearer is now vacant. After discussing the matter with Standard-Bearer Chen yesterday, I have decided to recommend to the Thousand Households that Standard-Bearer Sun Youliang, who is currently away on assignment and has not yet returned, be appointed to the position of Standard-Bearer."

As Pei Shaoqing’s words fell.

A look of utter astonishment appeared on Chen Zhongyi’s face.

The expression on Song Youcai’s face froze.

Last night, Chen Zhongyi had found him and told him he had recommended him to Pei Shaoqing. He had been quite grateful.

He was thrilled at the prospect of being promoted twice in one year.

He had thought he would receive the good news of his promotion today, but he never expected it would all be for nothing.

Amid his disappointment, he quickly realized why he had lost to Sun Youliang: it was precisely because Chen Zhongyi had recommended him that he was not chosen.

’His Lordship doesn’t want me and Chen Zhongyi to get too close.’

After figuring this out, he finally understood why Sun Youliang had always kept a certain distance from Chen Zhongyi. He had once laughed at him for being a bookworm who didn’t understand the ways of the world, but now it seemed he was the ignorant one.

’Damn it, I really need to read more books.’

Chen Zhongyi also realized the root of the problem. Yesterday, when faced with Pei Shaoqing’s choice between the two, he shouldn’t have hesitated, and he certainly shouldn’t have actually made a choice!

He only needed to be loyal to Pei Shaoqing alone.

He didn’t need to foster good relationships with others.

And he certainly shouldn’t have been weighing pros and cons.

’And yesterday, I actually fucking picked one!’

After this incident, Song Youcai, having received Pei Shaoqing’s silent warning, would surely distance himself from him. And when Sun Youliang returned and learned that he had not been recommended by Chen, he would avoid him all the more.

Chen Zhongyi’s face turned deathly pale, and sweat streamed down his back.

"Alright, everyone is dismissed."

Pei Shaoqing glanced at the two men before turning to leave.

’Song Youcai and Sun Youliang are the confidants I personally groomed, while Chen Zhongyi is just a tool for my dirty work, someone I can discard at any time. The three of them cannot be too close or have too good a relationship. I trust that after this, they’ll know where they stand.’

Neither Chen Zhongyi nor Song Youcai went to Pei Shaoqing to admit their mistake or pledge their loyalty, because they knew that he certainly knew that they already knew they were wrong.

Pei Shaoqing hadn’t brought the matter out into the open. If his two subordinates were to broach the subject, it would look bad on the surface.

So, they acted as if nothing had happened at all.

From now on, they would just have to prove themselves through their actions.

Meanwhile, the travel-worn Sun Youliang had no idea he had been promoted. He had just arrived in the Capital City and, without even stopping to eat, rushed straight for the Northern Garrison Command.

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