Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Forthright Pei Shaoqing, the Walking Encyclopedia

On the road back to the city, Chen Zhongyi reined his horse in to fall one length behind Pei Shaoqing. He offered a compliment, "Slaying the Kaiyang Saint Heir with your own hands... such a meritorious deed will surely reach His Majesty’s ears. A great reward is certain. Allow me to be the first to congratulate you, Lord Pei."

Although the Kaiyang Saint Heir’s strength wasn’t particularly impressive, he was still the personal disciple of the Profound Yellow Sect’s Sect Leader. As a Saint Heir of the Profound Yellow Sect, his significance was extraordinary.

"Reward or no reward, it matters not. My Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion has received the imperial grace for generations. It is enough for me to have the honor of alleviating His Majesty’s burdens," Pei Shaoqing replied indifferently.

"You are truly above the chase for fame and fortune, my lord. I am deeply impressed." Chen Zhongyi cupped his fists, his face a mask of admiration. He then sighed, looking ashamed. "I could never hope to reach such a state."

"Don’t worry. When the rewards come down from on high, you won’t be forgotten," Pei Shaoqing said casually.

Sun Youliang spurred his horse forward. "Lord Pei, please allow me to ride ahead to the city and spread the word of your great deeds."

"Mm." Pei Shaoqing gave a dignified nod.

Sun Youliang immediately took his subordinates and galloped off.

Upon entering the city, he bellowed, "Lord Pei has slain the Profound Yellow Sect’s Kaiyang Saint Heir! Come out of the city at once to welcome him!"

The subordinates behind him waved their whips, herding people along.

"Out of the city to welcome him! Now! Hurry up! Move!"

"You’re not going? You look like one of the Profound Yellow Sect’s rebels to me!"

"You’ve misjudged me, sir! I hate the Profound Sect to my very bones! I’ll take my entire family, young and old, to welcome him right away."

The Jing’an Guard’s organizational skills were as formidably efficient as ever. Countless citizens were "voluntarily" escorted out of the city to welcome Pei Shaoqing’s triumphant return. Of course, some of them were actually volunteers.

When Pei Shaoqing arrived at the city gates, he was greeted by the sight of the townspeople beating gongs and drums, their cheers echoing endlessly.

"Lord Pei slew the rebel! He is brave and invincible!"

"Lord Pei is the mightiest in all the land!"

A smile played on Pei Shaoqing’s lips. Seated on his horse, he continuously cupped his fist or waved to the crowds on either side.

"First Xu Yuanqing and Zheng Xuancheng, and now the Profound Yellow Sect’s Saint Heir. How long has Lord Pei been in Tongzhou to rack up so many achievements? It’s truly admirable!"

"Lord Pei is so wonderful—he’s capable and doesn’t put on airs. But his men are real bastards."

The simple-hearted townsfolk believed Pei Shaoqing was completely unaware of the rotten things Sun Youliang and his men were doing. They thought he was being kept in the dark.

After returning to the Hundred Households, Pei Shaoqing wrote a letter and had Sun Youliang make another run to the Thousand Households to deliver it.

Sent along with the letter were the Kaiyang Saint Heir’s personal token of identity and his severed head.

That evening, a celebratory feast was held at Qunfang Garden. There was abalone for all the brothers, and everyone cheered for Standard-Bearer Pei.

But he himself, having done his part, slipped away, leaving the fame and glory behind.

Upon returning home, he went to find Liu Yuheng first. He saw a light on in her room and knew she was still awake, so he raised his hand and knocked.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

"Who is it?"

"My lady, it is I. May I come in?"

After a moment, the door creaked open. Liu Yuheng’s soft voice followed, "Young Master, please, come in."

She had changed into something lighter.

She wore a light gauze robe over a long skirt. Her upper body was wrapped in a pale yellow, embroidered bodice, which constricted her full, fair bosom, making the contours distinct and threatening to spill out.

She looked succulent, like a ripe peach that would burst with juice at the slightest bite.

"Pardon the intrusion," Pei Shaoqing said as he stepped inside.

He walked over to the table and sat. His gaze suddenly landed on the folding screen across from him, where the clothes Liu Yuheng had worn during the day were draped. A white, embroidered halter top and a pair of white silk shorts-style undergarments were particularly conspicuous.

Liu Yuheng followed his gaze, and her pretty face instantly flushed a burning red. She hurried over, snatched the garments down, crumpled them into a ball, and tossed them aside. "I just finished freshening up," she said, embarrassed and shy. "I haven’t had a chance to put them away."

"The fault is mine for arriving so unexpectedly." Pei Shaoqing smiled apologetically, his expression open and magnanimous. "Please, my lady, have a seat."

"Yes... I was wondering what brings you here so late at night, Young Master?" Liu Yuheng poured him a cup of tea before taking a seat herself. The small wooden stool was no match for her round, ample hips, her lush curves spilling over the sides.

"Thank you, my lady." Pei Shaoqing took a sip of the tea. Setting the cup down, he said, "I mainly came to thank you in person. Without your help today, the Kaiyang Saint Heir might have escaped."

"You are too kind, Young Master. A blessed man like you has fortune on your side. Even without my help, the Kaiyang Saint Heir would not have escaped death," Liu Yuheng said with a small smile.

"It is you who are being too modest, my lady." Pei Shaoqing stood and bowed formally. "Regardless, I thank you."

"Young Master, please don’t." Liu Yuheng quickly rose to help him up, her red lips parting slightly. "If you truly wish to thank me, Young Master, perhaps you could promise me one thing instead."

"Please, speak your mind, my lady," Pei Shaoqing said with a slight nod.

Liu Yuheng gathered her thoughts, her breath sweet as she spoke. "Young Master, you are from the Marquis Mansion. You want for no kind of woman. Could you... please spare Lan’Er?"

"My lady, what are you saying? You make me sound like some kind of tyrant who preys on the weak," Pei Shaoqing said with a self-deprecating laugh.

Liu Yuheng quickly interjected, "That’s not what I..."

"Enough. I understand what you mean, my lady." Pei Shaoqing raised a hand to cut her off, his expression one of utter sincerity. "Miss Zhao is young and beautiful, and my affection for her is genuine. However, hearing your words, I will make you a promise: I will no longer actively pursue her."

"This..." Liu Yuheng’s face lit up with joy at his words, but her expression quickly turned worried. The problem was that now it was Zhao Zilan who was actively trying to throw herself into his bed.

Pei Shaoqing feigned confusion. "What is it? Do you not believe me, my lady? Or are you still unsatisfied?"

"No," Liu Yuheng said with a forced smile. Now that Pei Shaoqing had made such a promise, how could she have the nerve to ask for more? "Thank you, Young Master," she said softly.

"As long as you are satisfied, my lady. It’s getting late, so I won’t disturb your rest any further." With that, Pei Shaoqing took his leave.

Liu Yuheng rose to see him out. "Take care, Young Master."

Watching Pei Shaoqing’s retreating figure, Liu Yuheng sighed softly. ’I have to find a way to make Lan’Er give up this notion.’

...............

"You’re back, husband." Xie Qingwu rose and came forward to help Pei Shaoqing with his robes, her gaze intense. "I heard you personally slew the Profound Sect’s Kaiyang Saint Heir. That’s wonderful news! Might your wife have a look at that Spirit Pill?"

"You’ve never seen one?" Pei Shaoqing asked, a little surprised.

Xie Qingwu shot him a coquettish eye-roll. "Do you think Spirit Pills grow on trees? Every last one is accounted for these days. Each one consumed is one less in the world. I’m secluded in my chambers all day; what chance would I have to see one?"

"In that case, I can almost understand why the Kaiyang Saint Heir would poison a fellow sect member for one," Pei Shaoqing muttered to himself.

"Well, I can’t understand it," Xie Qingwu said, shaking her head. She walked over to a daybed and sat down, her small, slipper-clad feet swinging gently. "The Profound Yellow Sect has existed for a thousand years. Their resources arguably run deeper than those of the current Great Zhou Royal Family. Given the Kaiyang Saint Heir’s status, he had no need to go to such lengths for a single Spirit Pill."

"Who knows what he was thinking," Pei Shaoqing said, shaking his head. He sat down beside Xie Qingwu and casually pulled out the Jade Bottle, handing it to her. "Here, take a look."

"So casual about it. Aren’t you afraid I’ll snatch it and swallow it whole?" Xie Qingwu fluttered her eyelashes.

Pei Shaoqing’s smile was gentle. He caressed her cheek and whispered, "It’s fine. If you eat it, I’ll just have to eat you. I can still absorb the pill’s effects that way. How would you like to be prepared? Braised? Or steamed?"

"That’s not a funny joke," Xie Qingwu said with a shudder. She took the Jade Bottle and examined it, her expression turning to one of surprise. "It’s a Barrier-Breaking Pill."

"How did you know that? You recognized it through the bottle!" Pei Shaoqing stared at her in astonishment.

Xie Qingwu gave him a look one might reserve for an idiot.

"It’s written on the bottom."

Pei Shaoqing: "..."

"Ahem." Feeling awkward, he quickly changed the subject. "Are there many kinds of Spirit Pills?"

"Of course. There are pills that can revive the dead, pills that can grow flesh on bare bones, pills to strengthen the body, pills to extend one’s life, and even pills that will make your body explode upon consumption." Xie Qingwu held up the Jade Bottle. "This Barrier-Breaking Pill is just what it sounds like. It’s used by Cultivators to break through cultivation realms."

She poured the Pill out onto her palm. Her delicate brows furrowed. "This is a low-grade Pill. And judging by its luster, much of its Spiritual Power has dissipated. Still, for mere mortals like us, its effects are incredibly potent. If you were to take it, you’d best enter seclusion to slowly absorb and refine its power."

"My dear wife, you truly know everything under the sun!" Pei Shaoqing said, his admiration genuine.

’She’s a walking encyclopedia.’

Xie Qingwu gave a soft hmph. "But of course. There are very few books in this world that I haven’t read."

Pei Shaoqing suddenly found Xie Qingwu exceptionally captivating tonight. She had the air of a modern, highly-educated woman.

’He really wanted to take a deep dive into that ocean of knowledge.’

"You’d be absolutely perfect if you wore a pair of gold-rimmed crystal glasses, my dear," Pei Shaoqing said earnestly.

’Glasses, black silk stockings, and embroidered slippers... who gets it, gets it!’

Xie Qingwu found his comment baffling. She pouted. "I’m not blind. My eyes work perfectly well."

"Is that so? I just hope that tonight, you only have eyes for me," Pei Shaoqing said softly, pulling her into an embrace.

Xie Qingwu, "And when do I not have eyes for you?"

Pei Shaoqing just smiled, saying nothing.

Xie Qingwu had indeed read a great many books. A moment later, the double meaning of his words dawned on her. Her face turned crimson, and she flew into a flustered rage.

"Pah! Don’t even think about it! You can have my feet, and that’s it!"

"As you wish, my dear wife! Please, trample me to death!"

Xie Qingwu huffed, turning away with a pout.

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