Chapter 101: Chapter 101: General Li Forces the Palace, Benefiting All Men

Pei Shaoqing didn’t start his return journey until the next morning.

News that King Shu had been executed for treason had already spread throughout Jin Guan City, but conspiracy theories were rampant.

"King Shu offends Lord Pingyang one moment, and the next he’s accused of treason and killed by Lord Pingyang’s men. There’s no way I’ll believe there isn’t more to the story."

"Yeah, yeah, I heard that back at Furong Pavilion, Lord Pingyang accused King Shu of plotting treason then and there. And now King Shu really has been executed for treason. Tsk, tsk, tsk. What a coincidence. A real coincidence, indeed!"

Early in the morning, a group of old men at a noodle stall were chattering amongst themselves in low voices, speaking as if they were privy to some secret knowledge.

A young scholar sitting nearby couldn’t help but put down his bowl and say, "Is it not possible that Lord Pingyang dared to say such a thing at Furong Pavilion because he already had proof of King Shu’s treason? Not everything is some grand conspiracy."

"Young people are just too naive. Those who get it, get it. For those who don’t, there’s no point in explaining. When you’ve lived as long as I have, you’ll naturally understand," one of the old men said, wiping his mouth and lecturing condescendingly.

The young scholar scoffed, "You’ve got time for all this grandstanding, but have you paid your autumn taxes? You’ve barely read a handful of books, yet you dare lecture me? In my opinion, you’re all as worthless as a toad’s hide!"

Although most intelligent people didn’t believe Pei Shaoqing had anything to do with King Shu’s execution for treason, this version of events was very popular among the lower classes, growing more outrageous with each retelling.

Meanwhile, Liu Yuheng and Ye Hanshuang were riding along when they suddenly heard the sound of hoofbeats from behind.

They both turned to look at the same time.

"My lady, Sister Shuang."

Pei Shaoqing arrived like a sudden gust of wind, riding General Hei.

"Brother!" Ye Hanshuang reined in her horse, her face full of surprise. "How did you catch up so quickly?"

’We had a full day’s head start!’

"Young Master, is that horse you’re riding one of the legendary Dragon Blood steeds?" Liu Yuheng asked, staring at General Hei.

Pei Shaoqing smiled smugly, patting General Hei’s head. "My lady has a good eye. This was a gift from His Majesty—a Lower Grade Dragon Blood Horse, capable of traveling a thousand li a day."

These days, besides patting his tortoise’s head...

...his favorite thing to do was pat his horse’s head.

"Congratulations on acquiring such a divine steed, Young Master." Liu Yuheng gave a gentle smile, her beautiful eyes widening as she sized up the magnificent General Hei. "I once caught a fleeting glimpse of one during my travels in the Jianghu, but I’ve never seen a Dragon Blood Horse this close. It truly lives up to its reputation as one of the rarest horses in the world."

"My lady, Sister Shuang, General Hei is much larger and stronger than an ordinary horse. Why don’t you both ride with me? That way, we can all make it home before nightfall. Otherwise, you’ll have to brave the elements for another two days," Pei Shaoqing extended the invitation to them.

Ye Hanshuang naturally had no objections. "Alright."

"Then Miss Ye and Young Master should go on ahead. I can ride faster by switching between the two horses, and I can bring her horse back as well," Liu Yuheng said softly.

"It’s just two horses. If we have to abandon them, so be it." Pei Shaoqing, who was fabulously wealthy, frowned and said dismissively, "Two horses aren’t worth two days of your time, my lady. Alright, we’ll just leave the horses here for some lucky soul. Now, hurry up and get on."

"Aunt Liu, just listen to Big Brother," Ye Hanshuang urged her. The time they had spent alone together in the cave these past few days had brought them much closer, even changing how they addressed each other.

It was an offer too kind to refuse, and Liu Yuheng truly did want to get back sooner, so she agreed. "Very well, then."

But she soon came to regret it.

Ye Hanshuang had a larger frame, so she sat in the back.

Liu Yuheng was comparatively petite, so she sat in the front.

As General Hei galloped wildly, her entire body fell back into Pei Shaoqing’s arms. They were pressed tightly together, and she could even feel the astonishing pressure between his legs, making her blush beet-red and her delicate body go stiff.

With a warm, fragrant, soft beauty in his arms, Pei Shaoqing could likewise feel the supple softness and warmth of Liu Yuheng’s peach-like bottom. The jostling of the horse caused them to bump and grind against each other from time to time.

’I should have just brought Ye Hanshuang alone,’ he thought. ’Maybe then I could have actually focused on making a thousand li a day.’

"My apologies, my lady. That was unintentional. I’ll move back a bit," Pei Shaoqing said in a low voice, still trying to play the part of a gentleman in front of her.

Liu Yuheng replied in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, "Mm."

Pei Shaoqing shifted his body, trying to move back.

Liu Yuheng had just breathed a sigh of relief when General Hei suddenly leaped. She slipped and sat back hard, a soft cry escaping her lips as her pretty face grew scorching hot.

"My lady." Pei Shaoqing sucked in a sharp breath and said in a low voice, "Perhaps we should just... stay still for now?"

With a large woman behind him and a beautiful lady in front...

...he was caught in the middle, and it was torture.

"Mhm, mhm, mhm." Liu Yuheng, her face flushed, nodded like a chick pecking at rice. The more they moved, the more flustered she became.

’I’ll just have to bear it.’

’It’ll be over once we get home tonight.’

The moment they arrived at the entrance to the mansion, Liu Yuheng couldn’t wait to dismount. But as her feet hit the ground, she couldn’t find her footing. Her legs gave way, and she nearly collapsed on the spot.

"Are you alright, my lady?" Pei Shaoqing asked with a look of concern, catching her with his swift reflexes.

Liu Yuheng’s cheeks were crimson. She bit her red lip and shot him a glance that was part vexation, part resentment. She simply shook her head without a word, shook off his hand, and stumbled inside.

Watching her flustered retreat, Pei Shaoqing knew she was in a hurry to bathe and change. He couldn’t help but sigh internally. ’For her age, Lady Gongsun is even more sensitive than a young girl. What is this, some kind of dolphin constitution?’

"Brother, I’m going to go wash up and change. I’m covered in sweat," Ye Hanshuang said as she swung herself off the horse.

Pei Shaoqing nodded. "Go on, then."

"Young Master, you’re back!" Zhao Zilan came out to greet him happily, then added in confusion, "I just saw my master’s wife, but she ignored me when I said hello."

"Lady Gongsun was probably in a hurry to use the latrine," Pei Shaoqing said, casually making up an excuse. He then handed the reins to her. "Go take General Hei to Xiaodouzi."

"Mhm, mhm." Zhao Zilan nodded and petted General Hei’s nose. "Let’s go, General Hei."

General Hei snorted twice, then followed Zhao Zilan toward the Pei Mansion’s stables with his head held high.

Pei Shaoqing, on the other hand, made a beeline for the bedroom.

"HALT! Stop right there!" Just as he entered the courtyard, General Li, clad in Golden Armor, leaped down from the rockery to block his path. The cat stood up on its hind legs and demanded, "I have heard that my lord has appointed a ’General Hei’? What has this newcomer done to deserve a rank equal to mine, a founding member of your retinue?"

’I was here first!’

"He has real ability, capable of traveling a thousand li in a day. And he’s got connections—he’s an imperial steed with Dragon Race blood," Pei Shaoqing replied dismissively.

General Li was heartbroken. "So what if he has connections! Are kings and generals born, not made? I refuse to accept this! I request my lord to promote me to Grand Marshal of the Armies!"

"Get out of my way!" The friction with Liu Yuheng had lit a fire in Pei Shaoqing, and he was in a hurry to find Xie Qingwu to help him put it out. He was in no mood to give General Li a promotion.

"I will not!" General Li held his head high, using a paw to straighten his helmet. "If my lord does not grant this promotion, I will not let you pass."

"Insolence! This is a palace coup! Be careful, or We shall execute your entire clan!" Pei Shaoqing warned sternly, playfully using the royal "We".

General Li blinked. "I don’t have a clan."

"Then hurry up and make one." Pei Shaoqing sent the cat flying with a kick. "You are still Our Military Advisor. In Our eyes, your status is still higher than General Hei’s."

"Oh, right!" General Li scrambled up, tilted his head to squeeze it back into his fallen helmet, then stood straight and straightened it with a laugh. "This kitty is still the Military Advisor!"

Pei Shaoqing stormed into the room and, without waiting for Xie Qingwu to finish speaking, pushed her onto the bed and silenced her mouth with his.

"Husband, why are you in such a rush? Can even riding a horse put you in heat?" After a long while, Xie Qingwu finally caught her breath, her face flushed as she spoke, bewildered.

’Did the Emperor give him a mare?’

Pei Shaoqing said nothing, focusing only on his strenuous work.

.........

The next day at breakfast, Liu Yuheng still didn’t dare to meet Pei Shaoqing’s gaze, silently keeping her head down and eating.

Pei Shaoqing could understand her embarrassment.

So he also deliberately avoided speaking to her.

After the meal, he went to work at the Hundred Households.

As soon as he arrived at his office, he was informed that Shopkeeper Qian was visiting.

Pei Shaoqing guessed that he must have secured the Ice Silk raw materials and artisans, and immediately asked for him to be sent in.

"This commoner, Qian Wanguan, greets the Lord Hundred Households."

The kind-faced Shopkeeper Qian bowed as soon as he entered.

"Shopkeeper Qian, you may dispense with the formalities," Pei Shaoqing said.

"Thank you, my lord." Shopkeeper Qian rose and stood obediently with his hands at his sides, a smile on his face. "Thanks to Lord Pei’s good fortune, I have already purchased a batch of Ice Silk raw materials from Yangzhou and hired several skilled artisans at great expense. We can begin work in a few days. Since you, my lord, hold a fifty-percent stake, I was wondering if you had any further instructions?"

"Please have a seat for a moment, Shopkeeper Qian," Pei Shaoqing said to him first, then turned to Ye Hanshuang. "Go back and bring me the wooden box from my desk in the study."

"Yes." Ye Hanshuang nodded and strode out.

Pei Shaoqing called out, "Someone, bring tea."

"Thank you for the tea, my lord." After the tea was served, Shopkeeper Qian expressed his thanks before picking up the cup for a delicate sip.

Pei Shaoqing began to ask him about Yangzhou, a place he had never been. "I’ve always heard that Yangzhou is a prosperous city. Can you tell me more about it, Shopkeeper Qian?"

"No matter how prosperous, it certainly can’t compare to the Capital City where you reside, my lord. It’s merely far superior to Shu State. What it’s most famous for would be the ’Slender Horses of Yangzhou’..." Shopkeeper Qian began to focus his explanation on Yangzhou’s pleasure quarters.

He didn’t stop talking, still seeming to have more to say, until Ye Hanshuang returned. Then he closed his mouth and silently took a sip of tea to wet his throat.

"Give the box to Shopkeeper Qian," Pei Shaoqing instructed Ye Hanshuang, then said to the shopkeeper, "Inside are some clothing sketches I drew in my spare time. If you make clothes based on these designs, you’ll have no trouble selling them. I guarantee that the more powerful and noble the clientele, the more they will love them."

"Oh?" Hearing this, Shopkeeper Qian couldn’t resist opening the wooden box on the spot and taking out a sketch to examine.

But even for an old lecher like him, one look was enough to leave him stunned. He snapped his head up to look at Pei Shaoqing and stammered, "Th-th-this... My lord, isn’t this a bit too scandalous? Will it even sell?"

’This isn’t clothing, it’s just a few scraps of fabric.’

"Shopkeeper Qian, would you or would you not like to see your wife and concubines wear this for you?" Pei Shaoqing asked simply.

Shopkeeper Qian froze. He imagined his wife and concubines wearing such an outfit, and his mouth instantly went dry. "I understand now!" he said excitedly.

Clothing like this would indeed be attacked by some stuffy old scholars, but it would absolutely be adored by the vast majority of men, and women would buy it to compete for favor.

"I have named this type of clothing ’Intimate Lingerie.’ These sketches are just to get the ball rolling. Shopkeeper Qian, you can hire specialists to design more styles based on the ideas I’ve provided," Pei Shaoqing said with a slight smile.

"Undergarments worn to enhance a couple’s intimacy... what a fitting name! I thank you for bestowing it, my lord!" Shopkeeper Qian looked as if he could already see the day he would strike it rich. His face flushed with excitement as he said, "When the first batch of clothing is ready, I will have it delivered to your mansion first, my lord, so you can... test the merchandise."

"Hahahaha, of course, of course." Pei Shaoqing’s eyes crinkled with laughter. He added, "I also have ten bolts of superior-grade Ice Silk gifted by His Majesty. I’ll give you one bolt, and you can help me turn the rest into women’s stockings."

Things like silk stockings...

...were always disposable items for him.

So, like Han Xin counting his troops—the more, the better.

"Thank you for your generosity, my lord!" Shopkeeper Qian dropped to his knees on the spot. The quality of the Ice Silk gifted by the Emperor was in a different league from what he had bought. To think he would have the honor of using a tribute-grade material!

"Young Master!" Just then, Liu Yuheng walked in with a solemn expression, a hint of anxiety in her eyes.

Seeing this, Shopkeeper Qian tactfully took his leave.

Pei Shaoqing asked, "My lady, has something happened? Don’t worry, sit down and tell me slowly."

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