Chapter - 44
By Tea Time Translations
Upon entering the main hall, Jiafu noticed that Pei You'an, who had been walking in front of her, began to slow down at the steps. She wasn't sure if he was waiting for her or not.
As he slowed down, she took a few quick steps to catch up with him, and together, they entered the hall.
Inside the hall, bright candles illuminated the space. The servants from various households stood quietly on both sides, and there was no sound to be heard. At the center, sat the elderly Mistress Pei, flanked by Pei Quan, Madam Xin, and Second Madam Meng. Beside them was Pei Xiuluo. Young Master Pei Xiuzhi, however, was conspicuously absent.
As they entered, Jiafu felt numerous pairs of eyes directed towards her. She lowered her gaze slightly and followed Pei You'an to the Mistress Pei's side. First, they both paid their respects to the elder. Once they had completed the ceremony, the Mistress Pei granted them permission to rise.
Mistress Pei typically dressed in simple, dark clothing, but this morning, she wore a rare, luxurious outfit of deep fragrant silk with an intricate golden pattern. She appeared exceptionally spirited. When Pei You'an and Jiafu had paid their respects, she allowed them to stand. Pei You'an stood up, while Jiafu remained kneeling, taking two needlework items prepared in advance from Liu Mama, who accompanied her.
With great respect, she presented them to Mistress Pei. One was a black velvet headband, and the other was a pair of women's boots with a pale blue cloth upper, embroidered with intricate patterns. Although the embroidery was exquisite, the materials appeared simple and rustic, clearly not of high-quality. The nearby Pei family servants cast a disdainful gaze upon the items and then directed it towards Jiafu.
Yu Zhu wanted to take the items on behalf of Mistress Pei, but the elder stopped her and personally accepted the offerings.
Jiafu spoke softly, "Grandmother, the velvet headband is for keeping warm in cold weather, and the boots are suitable for this season. I thought that even if we brought the finest celestial clothing from the heavens, you might not be interested because of your abundant wealth and glory. Since these are my daughter-in-law's intentions, the most important thing is for you to be comfortable. I chose to use cloth from my hometown for the boots, as it's lightweight, soft, and comfortable to wear. Especially in hot weather, your feet won't feel stuffy. I made the needlework myself, so if the stitching or embroidery falls short, please forgive me."
Mistress Pei touched the velvet headband and then the embroidered patterns on the boots. She nodded and smiled, "All those fancy precious things are just for show. Everyone has them. I'm getting older, and it's rare that you've been so considerate. What's most important is that I'm comfortable in what I wear. I'll wear them in hot weather. If they're good, you can make a couple more pairs for me later. I'll have someone send them to a few of my old friends."
Jiafu smiled and thanked her for the appreciation. After she stood up, the disdainful looks from the Pei family servants had changed into a different expression.
Pei You'an maintained his composed demeanor and glanced at Jiafu before proceeding to pay respects to Madam Xin.
She was sitting in one of the chairs, and next to her was an empty seat reserved for the late Duke Wei. She had a smile on her face, and she sat very upright. After Jiafu served her tea, gave her a sample of the needlework, and offered her respects, it was Pei Quan's and Second Madam Meng's turn.
Pei Quan had always carried himself with an air of dignity, rarely smiling or speaking casually at home. However, on this occasion, he knew that his elevation in status was thanks to his eldest cousin's accomplishments. As Jiafu offered her respects to him, he was exceptionally cordial. Second Madam Meng was even more affectionate, holding Jiafu's hand and saying to Pei You'an, "After the wedding night, all your aunts and uncles came out, and every one of them praised Ah Fu. Not only is she beautiful, but she's also remarkably gentle and considerate. Just look at this; even our elderly mistress adores her. This niece of mine, I've always treated her like my own daughter from the beginning. Now that she's married to you, You An, we've truly become one family. Your union with Ah Fu was destined, a result of fate from a past life." She waved for her son to come over as she spoke.
Pei Xiuluo respectfully addressed Jiafu as "elder sister-in-law."
Pei Xiuluo was about the same age as Pei Xiuzhi, only half a year younger, but their fates were quite different. He didn't have the advantage of birthright and had to earn his own success. It was challenging to excel in the imperial examinations, and individuals like Pei You'an, who passed the examination at a young age, were exceedingly rare throughout the century. Although Pei Xiuluo studied diligently, he had only achieved the status of a scholar, but fortunately, he could attend the National University as a tribute student and continue his education. He was also engaged, awaiting his marriage once he completed the examinations next year.
Ordinarily, A fu and Pei Xiulou are cousins, so their relationship should be better. It was true that when he was a child, Pei Xiuluo was very kind to Jiafu and always smiled when he saw her. But then one time, Jiafu came to Pei's house and accidentally saw him blocking a girl who was a few years older than him and had just started to develop. They kissed and he touched her breasts next to the rockery in the back garden. She was so frightened that she ran away quietly.
At that time, Jiafu was still inexperienced and didn't understand social intricacies. But she had an inkling that it was something they shouldn't let others know about. She also knew that it was best not to let him touch her hair or pinch her cheeks as he did before. So, she refrained from any intimate gestures, and over time, as she grew older and visited the Pei family less frequently, their relationship naturally became more distant.
Now Pei Xiuluo is quite talented, gentle and refined. Jiafu thought that the incident she accidentally witnessed when they were children was probably just a moment of youthful curiosity for him, but there was always a lingering knot in her heart. When he called her "elder sister-in-law," she responded with a smile.
Pei Quan, who was called "big uncle" by Jiafu, was brought into the room by his wet nurse. He had grown taller in the past year, and he seemed somewhat afraid of Pei You'an. He stood there, motionless, and called Jiafu "big aunt" upon being instructed to do so. Jiafu had prepared a set of clothes for him, which his wet nurse took away. Then, he timidly called Pei You'an "big uncle."
Jiafu noticed that Pei You'an seemed to enjoy the company of children. When Pei Quan addressed her, he not only smiled but also reached out to pat the child's head.
The old lady Pei observed the sky outside and said, "Xiu zhi was supposed to come this morning, but he's still unwell, and his health is a priority. I told him to focus on recovering first. Afu is not an outsider, and we don't need to be bound by formalities. You can take Afu into the palace to express gratitude, and then visit the ancestors."
Pei You'an agreed, and Jiafu followed him as they bid farewell to the family members. After leaving the main hall, Jiafu was handed a soft satin cloak by Danxiang, and she and Pei You'an got into the carriage, heading towards the imperial palace.
At this time, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and the carriage rumbled along the road with few pedestrians on either side. Pei You'an seemed to have a habit of not parting with his books. After getting on the carriage, he took a book from a corner chest and began reading, paying no attention to his surroundings.
Jiafu sat beside him, feeling a bit bored. She couldn't help but lean her neck a bit and said, "Big-"
She paused and corrected herself, "Husband, what book are you reading? Back at home, I loved reading too. Maybe I've read some of the same books..."
Pei You'an didn't raise his head, just closed the book and briefly showed her the title page. He said, "Discourses and Dialogues."
Jiafu may not be considered a literary scholar, but she did enjoy reading books from a young age. Her father was open-minded and didn't restrict her to reading only women's virtues and etiquette books. He often took her to bookstores where she read not only the classics but also miscellaneous books like geographical records and biographies of notable figures. She noticed that the book in his hand had worn corners, indicating that he frequently read it and must have liked it. She wanted to find a topic to strike up a conversation with him. However, when he replied, she looked at the book's title page and remained silent, no longer speaking.
Pei You'an noticed her sudden silence and glanced at her.
Jiafu awkwardly smiled and said, "Husband, you are indeed well-read."
Pei You'an didn't react and turned his face back to the book, continuing to read.
Jiafu felt a bit disheartened and started to reminisce about the previous night.
After the events of last night, she could feel that despite his gentleness, he had been reluctant to be with her in the same room. In all honesty, Jiafu was initially confident in her own physical body. After all, in her past life, she had experienced two different men. Whether it was Pei Xiuzhi or Xiao Yintang, neither of them had shown any reluctance in this matter, and they had both been infatuated with her.
However, last night, she received a blow.
She quietly stole another glance at him and saw that his gaze was fixed on the book. She felt her mood sink, rested her head in the corner, closed her eyes, and remained silent.
Pei's residence was not very far from the palace. After the carriage had traveled for a while, it gradually slowed down and came to a stop. They had reached the palace gates.
Jiafu opened her eyes and saw that Pei You'an had already risen and stepped down from the carriage. Eunuch Cui Yingshui was waiting at the palace gates and brightened up when he saw Pei You'an disembarking. He hurriedly approached.
Jiafu was assisted down from the carriage by the maidservant Lin Ma. She stood in place.
Cui Yingshui had approached and greeted Pei You'an as "Lord Pei." He then turned to Jiafu, addressing her as "Madam" with a beaming smile. Jiafu nodded in response. Together with Pei You'an, they followed him through the palace gates, proceeding to the West Garden and finally arriving at Chengguang Palace.
There was still a quarter of an hour before the scheduled time for their audience with the emperor.
Cui Yingshui entered to announce their arrival, and Jiafu suddenly felt a bit nervous. She instinctively looked at Pei You'an, who stood tall and upright beside her, exuding a dignified presence. His gaze was focused, and he seemed like an unshakable mountain. She gazed at him for a moment, and it was as if she gained strength from his presence. She slowly exhaled a breath, calming her heart.
Emperor Xiao Lie sat behind the imperial desk, his eyes slightly swollen as if he hadn't slept well the previous night. When they knelt down and thanked him, he ordered them to rise. He observed Jiafu with a satisfied expression and encouraged her to serve Pei You'an well. Jiafu knelt again and expressed gratitude for the generous rewards bestowed upon her family.
Emperor Xiao Lie kindly said, "No need for excessive courtesy. Your Zhen family has already made a significant contribution. In the future, serve Right An well, and your Zhen family will have demonstrated its utmost loyalty to Us."
Jiafu exchanged a quick glance with Pei You'an, but he continued to gaze at the emperor.
Jiafu lowered her head and replied. After rising, she followed the protocol, and her next duty was to express gratitude to the Empress.
Lady Li personally led Jiafu to the Empress's palace. Upon arriving at Jiefu Palace, Jiafu entered the hall and saw Empress Zhou seated on her throne. Lady Zhang Fengtong was seated beside her, and further down the hall, there was another woman wearing a yellow robe and holding a ceremonial whisk.
The young woman in the crown looked very young, perhaps in her twenties, and her beauty was outstanding. Her eyebrows were delicately shaped, and her teeth were as white as snow. She sat there exuding an otherworldly charm. Her Daoist attire enhanced her ethereal appearance.
Jiafu didn't recognize this beautiful woman in the crown at first. After paying her respects to Empress Zhou, she greeted Lady Zhang Fengtong. Lady Zhang Fengtong introduced this woman and explained that she had left secular life and resided in the White Crane Temple in the southern part of the city. Her family name in the secular world was Chi, and she was known as Hanzhen. Jiafu began to recall her, realizing that this woman was indeed famous.
In the early days of Prince Shun'an's ascent to the throne, he faced opposition from a group of court officials who remained loyal to Emperor Tianxi. Among them was a high-ranking official named Chi, who was also a renowned calligrapher and painter of the era. He opposed Prince Shun'an and secretly conspired with other ministers to call for a thorough investigation of the "Young Emperor's Horse Fall" incident. Prince Shun'an initially tolerated these actions but later accused Chi of plotting rebellion. He had over a hundred members of Chi's family, including all the male relatives, executed, and the female relatives were demoted to slavery.
The young woman in the crown was Chi's granddaughter. At the age of fourteen, she was already known as the most talented woman in the capital. After being made a slave, she refused to yield to any mockery or harassment. She attempted suicide by jumping off a building, and by sheer luck, she landed on a passerby, surviving the fall. The incident quickly became public knowledge, and folk songs were composed in her honor, praising her unwavering integrity. Prince Shun'an granted her amnesty, allowing her to leave secular life and become a Daoist. After Prince Xiao Lie ascended to the throne, he exonerated those who had been wronged, including Chi. As a result, this young woman frequently visited the palace, developed a close friendship with the Crown Princess Consort Zhang Fengtong, and gained immense popularity, even drawing admiration from high-ranking officials and nobles. However, she remained steadfast in her decision not to return to secular life or marry, continuing her life as a female Daoist.
Lady Zhang Fengtong concluded her introduction with a smile and said to the young woman, "She is Lord Pei's newlywed wife, Miss Zhen from Quanzhou."
Chi Hanzhen's cold, clear eyes turned towards Jiafu. She rose from her seat after a moment, performed a formal Daoist greeting towards Jiafu, her expression devoid of a smile, and her countenance exuding a sense of aloofness. Jiafu, upon realizing that the woman before her was the granddaughter of Chi Hanzhen, admired her resolute character and did not mind her aloofness. She responded with a gracious nod and a smile.
Chi Hanzhen did not pay further attention to Jiafu. Instead, she turned to Empress Zhou and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your care. However, I currently have no intention of returning to secular life. I will request my master to perform a ritual for Your Majesty's well-being. If there are no further matters, I shall take my leave."
Empress Zhou replied with a smile, "His Majesty has already vindicated your grandfather's wrongful accusation. I simply felt pity for you, so young and already devoted to asceticism. I called you to the palace yesterday. Since you have no intention of returning to secular life, I won't press you further. In the future, when you have time, you can come and visit. You've had a reputation as a talented woman, so you could even share your knowledge with me."
Chi Hanzhen accepted the empress's words and expressed her gratitude before departing. She turned and left with an ethereal air about her.
Empress Zhou then turned to Jiafu and engaged in friendly conversation. After some pleasant exchanges, Jiafu took her leave. Lady Zhang Fengtong, who had been present, insisted on accompanying Jiafu to the palace gate, holding her hand. She expressed her regrets about the earlier misunderstanding and promised a warm sisterly relationship between them in the future. Jiafu, grateful for her kindness, thanked her and watched as Lady Zhang Fengtong saw her off.
Jiafu was still being led back to the Chengguang Hall by Li Yuangui when her heart skipped a beat, and she came to a halt in the middle of the path. Ahead of her, there stood her husband, Pei You'an, engaged in conversation with a woman. The woman had a graceful figure, wore a flowing yellow garment, and was none other than the previously mentioned Chi Hanzhen. It seemed that the two of them had known each other from before. It was unclear what they had discussed, but Chi Hanzhen deeply bowed to Pei You'an, expressing her profound gratitude, before continuing on her way.
Once Chi Hanzhen had left, Pei You'an turned around and noticed Jiafu standing by the side of the path. He raised an eyebrow and walked towards her. When he reached her, he spoke to Li Yuangui, "You've done your duty, Grand Chamberlain. His Majesty has no further need of you. I'll escort my wife out of the palace."
Li Yuangui respectfully acknowledged and took his leave. Pei You'an then offered his arm to Jiafu, and they continued walking together, leaving the palace.
Chapter - 44
By Tea Time Translations
Upon entering the main hall, Jiafu noticed that Pei You'an, who had been walking in front of her, began to slow down at the steps. She wasn't sure if he was waiting for her or not.
As he slowed down, she took a few quick steps to catch up with him, and together, they entered the hall.
Inside the hall, bright candles illuminated the space. The servants from various households stood quietly on both sides, and there was no sound to be heard. At the center, sat the elderly Mistress Pei, flanked by Pei Quan, Madam Xin, and Second Madam Meng. Beside them was Pei Xiuluo. Young Master Pei Xiuzhi, however, was conspicuously absent.
As they entered, Jiafu felt numerous pairs of eyes directed towards her. She lowered her gaze slightly and followed Pei You'an to the Mistress Pei's side. First, they both paid their respects to the elder. Once they had completed the ceremony, the Mistress Pei granted them permission to rise.
Mistress Pei typically dressed in simple, dark clothing, but this morning, she wore a rare, luxurious outfit of deep fragrant silk with an intricate golden pattern. She appeared exceptionally spirited. When Pei You'an and Jiafu had paid their respects, she allowed them to stand. Pei You'an stood up, while Jiafu remained kneeling, taking two needlework items prepared in advance from Liu Mama, who accompanied her.
With great respect, she presented them to Mistress Pei. One was a black velvet headband, and the other was a pair of women's boots with a pale blue cloth upper, embroidered with intricate patterns. Although the embroidery was exquisite, the materials appeared simple and rustic, clearly not of high-quality. The nearby Pei family servants cast a disdainful gaze upon the items and then directed it towards Jiafu.
Yu Zhu wanted to take the items on behalf of Mistress Pei, but the elder stopped her and personally accepted the offerings.
Jiafu spoke softly, "Grandmother, the velvet headband is for keeping warm in cold weather, and the boots are suitable for this season. I thought that even if we brought the finest celestial clothing from the heavens, you might not be interested because of your abundant wealth and glory. Since these are my daughter-in-law's intentions, the most important thing is for you to be comfortable. I chose to use cloth from my hometown for the boots, as it's lightweight, soft, and comfortable to wear. Especially in hot weather, your feet won't feel stuffy. I made the needlework myself, so if the stitching or embroidery falls short, please forgive me."
Mistress Pei touched the velvet headband and then the embroidered patterns on the boots. She nodded and smiled, "All those fancy precious things are just for show. Everyone has them. I'm getting older, and it's rare that you've been so considerate. What's most important is that I'm comfortable in what I wear. I'll wear them in hot weather. If they're good, you can make a couple more pairs for me later. I'll have someone send them to a few of my old friends."
Jiafu smiled and thanked her for the appreciation. After she stood up, the disdainful looks from the Pei family servants had changed into a different expression.
Pei You'an maintained his composed demeanor and glanced at Jiafu before proceeding to pay respects to Madam Xin.
She was sitting in one of the chairs, and next to her was an empty seat reserved for the late Duke Wei. She had a smile on her face, and she sat very upright. After Jiafu served her tea, gave her a sample of the needlework, and offered her respects, it was Pei Quan's and Second Madam Meng's turn.
Pei Quan had always carried himself with an air of dignity, rarely smiling or speaking casually at home. However, on this occasion, he knew that his elevation in status was thanks to his eldest cousin's accomplishments. As Jiafu offered her respects to him, he was exceptionally cordial. Second Madam Meng was even more affectionate, holding Jiafu's hand and saying to Pei You'an, "After the wedding night, all your aunts and uncles came out, and every one of them praised Ah Fu. Not only is she beautiful, but she's also remarkably gentle and considerate. Just look at this; even our elderly mistress adores her. This niece of mine, I've always treated her like my own daughter from the beginning. Now that she's married to you, You An, we've truly become one family. Your union with Ah Fu was destined, a result of fate from a past life." She waved for her son to come over as she spoke.
Pei Xiuluo respectfully addressed Jiafu as "elder sister-in-law."
Pei Xiuluo was about the same age as Pei Xiuzhi, only half a year younger, but their fates were quite different. He didn't have the advantage of birthright and had to earn his own success. It was challenging to excel in the imperial examinations, and individuals like Pei You'an, who passed the examination at a young age, were exceedingly rare throughout the century. Although Pei Xiuluo studied diligently, he had only achieved the status of a scholar, but fortunately, he could attend the National University as a tribute student and continue his education. He was also engaged, awaiting his marriage once he completed the examinations next year.
Ordinarily, A fu and Pei Xiulou are cousins, so their relationship should be better. It was true that when he was a child, Pei Xiuluo was very kind to Jiafu and always smiled when he saw her. But then one time, Jiafu came to Pei's house and accidentally saw him blocking a girl who was a few years older than him and had just started to develop. They kissed and he touched her breasts next to the rockery in the back garden. She was so frightened that she ran away quietly.
At that time, Jiafu was still inexperienced and didn't understand social intricacies. But she had an inkling that it was something they shouldn't let others know about. She also knew that it was best not to let him touch her hair or pinch her cheeks as he did before. So, she refrained from any intimate gestures, and over time, as she grew older and visited the Pei family less frequently, their relationship naturally became more distant.
Now Pei Xiuluo is quite talented, gentle and refined. Jiafu thought that the incident she accidentally witnessed when they were children was probably just a moment of youthful curiosity for him, but there was always a lingering knot in her heart. When he called her "elder sister-in-law," she responded with a smile.
Pei Quan, who was called "big uncle" by Jiafu, was brought into the room by his wet nurse. He had grown taller in the past year, and he seemed somewhat afraid of Pei You'an. He stood there, motionless, and called Jiafu "big aunt" upon being instructed to do so. Jiafu had prepared a set of clothes for him, which his wet nurse took away. Then, he timidly called Pei You'an "big uncle."
Jiafu noticed that Pei You'an seemed to enjoy the company of children. When Pei Quan addressed her, he not only smiled but also reached out to pat the child's head.
The old lady Pei observed the sky outside and said, "Xiu zhi was supposed to come this morning, but he's still unwell, and his health is a priority. I told him to focus on recovering first. Afu is not an outsider, and we don't need to be bound by formalities. You can take Afu into the palace to express gratitude, and then visit the ancestors."
Pei You'an agreed, and Jiafu followed him as they bid farewell to the family members. After leaving the main hall, Jiafu was handed a soft satin cloak by Danxiang, and she and Pei You'an got into the carriage, heading towards the imperial palace.
At this time, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and the carriage rumbled along the road with few pedestrians on either side. Pei You'an seemed to have a habit of not parting with his books. After getting on the carriage, he took a book from a corner chest and began reading, paying no attention to his surroundings.
Jiafu sat beside him, feeling a bit bored. She couldn't help but lean her neck a bit and said, "Big-"
She paused and corrected herself, "Husband, what book are you reading? Back at home, I loved reading too. Maybe I've read some of the same books..."
Pei You'an didn't raise his head, just closed the book and briefly showed her the title page. He said, "Discourses and Dialogues."
Jiafu may not be considered a literary scholar, but she did enjoy reading books from a young age. Her father was open-minded and didn't restrict her to reading only women's virtues and etiquette books. He often took her to bookstores where she read not only the classics but also miscellaneous books like geographical records and biographies of notable figures. She noticed that the book in his hand had worn corners, indicating that he frequently read it and must have liked it. She wanted to find a topic to strike up a conversation with him. However, when he replied, she looked at the book's title page and remained silent, no longer speaking.
Pei You'an noticed her sudden silence and glanced at her.
Jiafu awkwardly smiled and said, "Husband, you are indeed well-read."
Pei You'an didn't react and turned his face back to the book, continuing to read.
Jiafu felt a bit disheartened and started to reminisce about the previous night.
After the events of last night, she could feel that despite his gentleness, he had been reluctant to be with her in the same room. In all honesty, Jiafu was initially confident in her own physical body. After all, in her past life, she had experienced two different men. Whether it was Pei Xiuzhi or Xiao Yintang, neither of them had shown any reluctance in this matter, and they had both been infatuated with her.
However, last night, she received a blow.
She quietly stole another glance at him and saw that his gaze was fixed on the book. She felt her mood sink, rested her head in the corner, closed her eyes, and remained silent.
Pei's residence was not very far from the palace. After the carriage had traveled for a while, it gradually slowed down and came to a stop. They had reached the palace gates.
Jiafu opened her eyes and saw that Pei You'an had already risen and stepped down from the carriage. Eunuch Cui Yingshui was waiting at the palace gates and brightened up when he saw Pei You'an disembarking. He hurriedly approached.
Jiafu was assisted down from the carriage by the maidservant Lin Ma. She stood in place.
Cui Yingshui had approached and greeted Pei You'an as "Lord Pei." He then turned to Jiafu, addressing her as "Madam" with a beaming smile. Jiafu nodded in response. Together with Pei You'an, they followed him through the palace gates, proceeding to the West Garden and finally arriving at Chengguang Palace.
There was still a quarter of an hour before the scheduled time for their audience with the emperor.
Cui Yingshui entered to announce their arrival, and Jiafu suddenly felt a bit nervous. She instinctively looked at Pei You'an, who stood tall and upright beside her, exuding a dignified presence. His gaze was focused, and he seemed like an unshakable mountain. She gazed at him for a moment, and it was as if she gained strength from his presence. She slowly exhaled a breath, calming her heart.
Emperor Xiao Lie sat behind the imperial desk, his eyes slightly swollen as if he hadn't slept well the previous night. When they knelt down and thanked him, he ordered them to rise. He observed Jiafu with a satisfied expression and encouraged her to serve Pei You'an well. Jiafu knelt again and expressed gratitude for the generous rewards bestowed upon her family.
Emperor Xiao Lie kindly said, "No need for excessive courtesy. Your Zhen family has already made a significant contribution. In the future, serve Right An well, and your Zhen family will have demonstrated its utmost loyalty to Us."
Jiafu exchanged a quick glance with Pei You'an, but he continued to gaze at the emperor.
Jiafu lowered her head and replied. After rising, she followed the protocol, and her next duty was to express gratitude to the Empress.
Lady Li personally led Jiafu to the Empress's palace. Upon arriving at Jiefu Palace, Jiafu entered the hall and saw Empress Zhou seated on her throne. Lady Zhang Fengtong was seated beside her, and further down the hall, there was another woman wearing a yellow robe and holding a ceremonial whisk.
The young woman in the crown looked very young, perhaps in her twenties, and her beauty was outstanding. Her eyebrows were delicately shaped, and her teeth were as white as snow. She sat there exuding an otherworldly charm. Her Daoist attire enhanced her ethereal appearance.
Jiafu didn't recognize this beautiful woman in the crown at first. After paying her respects to Empress Zhou, she greeted Lady Zhang Fengtong. Lady Zhang Fengtong introduced this woman and explained that she had left secular life and resided in the White Crane Temple in the southern part of the city. Her family name in the secular world was Chi, and she was known as Hanzhen. Jiafu began to recall her, realizing that this woman was indeed famous.
In the early days of Prince Shun'an's ascent to the throne, he faced opposition from a group of court officials who remained loyal to Emperor Tianxi. Among them was a high-ranking official named Chi, who was also a renowned calligrapher and painter of the era. He opposed Prince Shun'an and secretly conspired with other ministers to call for a thorough investigation of the "Young Emperor's Horse Fall" incident. Prince Shun'an initially tolerated these actions but later accused Chi of plotting rebellion. He had over a hundred members of Chi's family, including all the male relatives, executed, and the female relatives were demoted to slavery.
The young woman in the crown was Chi's granddaughter. At the age of fourteen, she was already known as the most talented woman in the capital. After being made a slave, she refused to yield to any mockery or harassment. She attempted suicide by jumping off a building, and by sheer luck, she landed on a passerby, surviving the fall. The incident quickly became public knowledge, and folk songs were composed in her honor, praising her unwavering integrity. Prince Shun'an granted her amnesty, allowing her to leave secular life and become a Daoist. After Prince Xiao Lie ascended to the throne, he exonerated those who had been wronged, including Chi. As a result, this young woman frequently visited the palace, developed a close friendship with the Crown Princess Consort Zhang Fengtong, and gained immense popularity, even drawing admiration from high-ranking officials and nobles. However, she remained steadfast in her decision not to return to secular life or marry, continuing her life as a female Daoist.
Lady Zhang Fengtong concluded her introduction with a smile and said to the young woman, "She is Lord Pei's newlywed wife, Miss Zhen from Quanzhou."
Chi Hanzhen's cold, clear eyes turned towards Jiafu. She rose from her seat after a moment, performed a formal Daoist greeting towards Jiafu, her expression devoid of a smile, and her countenance exuding a sense of aloofness. Jiafu, upon realizing that the woman before her was the granddaughter of Chi Hanzhen, admired her resolute character and did not mind her aloofness. She responded with a gracious nod and a smile.
Chi Hanzhen did not pay further attention to Jiafu. Instead, she turned to Empress Zhou and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your care. However, I currently have no intention of returning to secular life. I will request my master to perform a ritual for Your Majesty's well-being. If there are no further matters, I shall take my leave."
Empress Zhou replied with a smile, "His Majesty has already vindicated your grandfather's wrongful accusation. I simply felt pity for you, so young and already devoted to asceticism. I called you to the palace yesterday. Since you have no intention of returning to secular life, I won't press you further. In the future, when you have time, you can come and visit. You've had a reputation as a talented woman, so you could even share your knowledge with me."
Chi Hanzhen accepted the empress's words and expressed her gratitude before departing. She turned and left with an ethereal air about her.
Empress Zhou then turned to Jiafu and engaged in friendly conversation. After some pleasant exchanges, Jiafu took her leave. Lady Zhang Fengtong, who had been present, insisted on accompanying Jiafu to the palace gate, holding her hand. She expressed her regrets about the earlier misunderstanding and promised a warm sisterly relationship between them in the future. Jiafu, grateful for her kindness, thanked her and watched as Lady Zhang Fengtong saw her off.
Jiafu was still being led back to the Chengguang Hall by Li Yuangui when her heart skipped a beat, and she came to a halt in the middle of the path. Ahead of her, there stood her husband, Pei You'an, engaged in conversation with a woman. The woman had a graceful figure, wore a flowing yellow garment, and was none other than the previously mentioned Chi Hanzhen. It seemed that the two of them had known each other from before. It was unclear what they had discussed, but Chi Hanzhen deeply bowed to Pei You'an, expressing her profound gratitude, before continuing on her way.
Once Chi Hanzhen had left, Pei You'an turned around and noticed Jiafu standing by the side of the path. He raised an eyebrow and walked towards her. When he reached her, he spoke to Li Yuangui, "You've done your duty, Grand Chamberlain. His Majesty has no further need of you. I'll escort my wife out of the palace."
Li Yuangui respectfully acknowledged and took his leave. Pei You'an then offered his arm to Jiafu, and they continued walking together, leaving the palace.
