Without money, what is the point of being a traitor?

Chapter 656 Wedding Wine
Pei Yuan strode into the courtyard, ignoring the people who came to offer their congratulations along the way, and went straight into the main hall.

Several maids came out from the back hall and quickly curtsied to Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan couldn't wait to bypass them and enter the back hall. There, on the bed where Pei Yuan used to rest, sat a woman dressed in a bright red wedding dress with a veil covering her head.

The moment Pei Yuan saw that woman, his passionate heart turned cold.

The woman had a beautiful figure, and her hands, folded on her knees, were fair.

however……

Although Pei Yuan didn't have much expectation to begin with, his hands trembled slightly involuntarily at this moment.

After a few heavy breaths, Pei Yuan said calmly, "Let's go."

As he spoke, he stepped forward and took the red silk from the woman's hand.

The woman got up with Pei Yuan, and the two left the main hall together.

The Imperial Guards waiting outside to watch the spectacle immediately cheered and set off firecrackers.

Red carpet had been laid out on the ground outside, symbolizing the orderly progress and the continuation of the family line, which the bride then stepped onto to board the sedan chair.

Pei Yuan glanced around unconsciously.

He then calmly got into his sedan chair.

Yun Buxian kept a close eye on Pei Yuan's expression, watching with trepidation.

Upon seeing Pei Yuan board the sedan chair, they dared not delay and quickly ordered their men to lift the sedan chair.

Then came the sound of drums and cymbals, which traveled towards Chengqingfang.

When they arrived at Chengqingfang, Pei Yuan got out of the sedan chair, took the hand of the woman dressed in auspicious attire, and the two walked once again on the red carpet symbolizing the continuation of incense offerings.

Some of the guests waiting here had already arrived, and they were greeting each other with laughter and chatter.

Pei Yuan wore a faint smile and, as was customary, escorted the bride to the bridal chamber before coming out to greet everyone.

Li Shishi arrived very early, hoping to take advantage of the smaller crowd and have a few words with Pei Yuan beforehand.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he greeted Pei Yuan, Pei Yuan reached out and stopped him.

Li Shishi was full of suspicion. He exchanged a few glances with Pei Yuan, but seeing that Pei Yuan had no interest in it, he could only suppress his thoughts.

After a while, other guests also arrived one after another.

Lu Yin came to watch the spectacle on behalf of the emperor; Xiao Ying came to offer advice after seeing that Zhang Feng's case had blown up; Wang Chang and Bi Zhen both came to inquire about the situation after noticing that things were going wrong.

As for the younger brothers who should have been here, Pei Yuan specifically asked someone to remind them to come another day.

If Pei Yuan's guess is correct, Grand Secretary Yang should already be investigating the Shandong graduates who passed the imperial examination this year.

Pei Yuan was very confident that his subordinates could withstand scrutiny.

When Pei Yuan asked Wang Chang to help search for potential candidates for the imperial examinations, those established families looked down on Wang Chang, who was just a nobody.

Only those from small families with little influence and no knowledge of the court's movements could be misled by Wang Chang's prestigious title of "Governor of Shandong".

In terms of background, the twelve younger brothers were basically politically clueless.

As for the twelve younger brothers' career path after entering officialdom, it is also very clear. Whether during their time observing politics or in their daily interactions with others, they were always open and honest, never concealing that their backers were...

Mao Ji!

As the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Mao Ji naturally belonged to the same faction of the Qingliu faction.

Moreover, the imperial examination had just ended when Mao Ji left the court to return to his hometown to observe mourning for his parents.

In Yang Tinghe's eyes, these were naturally twelve fledglings that had just hatched and lost their protection.

If these twelve people are included in the investigation team, not only can we bestow favors upon them, but we can also share in the credit of Bo Bianxian.

It can be said to have the effect of killing two birds with one stone.

With such a tempting bait laid out so clearly, there was no reason for Yang Tinghe not to take it all in one gulp.

With Yang Tinghe's status as the Grand Secretary and his imposing presence, let alone those guys who were just Pei Yuan's men, even if they were Mao Ji's men, he could turn them into members of Yang's faction.

However, Pei Yuan was no pushover either.

Besides Li Shishi, Wang Chang and others were also eager to talk to Pei Yuan about the case in Shandong.

But Pei Yuan was in no mood to pay attention.

Everyone noticed Pei Yuan's dejected state and was puzzled by his behavior at the wedding.

Finally, Li Shishi forced a smile and said, "Today is a good day, and it's not suitable to talk about those troublesome things. Tomorrow is a day off, so if the commander is free, please send someone to deliver a message to me."

Seeing that Li Shishi was such a good person, the others also expressed that they were not in a hurry.

After all, the leader is in a state of panic right now, so there's no use in them being anxious.

Soon the auspicious time arrived, and everyone began the wedding in a lively atmosphere.

Pei Yuan went into the bridal chamber again and led the bride out. Liu Pang, the chief of the Ministry of Rites' Department of Guests, came to join in the fun and temporarily acted as the master of ceremonies.

Pei Yuan and his bride arrived in the hall and, amidst the cheers and laughter of the crowd, performed the proper rites.

After escorting the bride to the bridal chamber, Pei Yuan returned again to feast with the many guests.

This time, Pei Yuan didn't hold back at all, drinking almost every cup he received with gusto. The atmosphere at the wedding banquet quickly became lively.

The brothers in the Thousand Households all knew Pei Yuan's drinking capacity.

Seeing that Pei Yuan was about to get drunk, everyone tried to dissuade him and stepped forward to help him avoid drinking. Sikong Sui also chimed in, taking advantage of his seniority, "That's enough, that's enough. Today is a joyous occasion, how can we leave Commander Han alone in his room?"

After these words were spoken, no one dared to urge anyone to drink any more.

It was late at night, and the guests, in order to avoid the curfew, were about to leave.

Pei Yuan drank another full cup, then shook the empty cup before heading towards the bridal chamber with the help of several people.

Upon arriving at the new house, the guards, wary of Commander Han, dared not go in and cause trouble. Instead, they opened the door and pushed Pei Yuan inside.

Pei Yuan staggered into the room and saw the bright red candles and the beautiful woman sitting on the bed. He couldn't help but laugh at himself.

Pei Yuan waved his hand, and the maids who were waiting inside to serve the two of them a toast had no choice but to leave obediently, closing the door behind them.

Pei Yuan reached the bedside and unceremoniously slipped his large hand under the veil, gently stroking the smooth, rounded chin with his fingers.

A familiar laugh came from under the veil, "Why don't you take this veil off me, my husband?"

Bai Yujing.

Pei Yuan tightened his grip on Bai Yujing's chin slightly.

Despite the pain, Bai Yujing chuckled and asked, "What's wrong?"

Pei Yuan didn't touch her veil. Instead, he hooked his fingers down to her neckline and pulled hard, causing the buttons to pop open and revealing her pink undergarment.

Bai Yujing chuckled as Pei Yuan peeled her skin.

She was naturally fair-skinned and slender, and her long legs were something Pei Yuan had never seen before.

Pei Yuan hastily undressed himself, leaned forward, and almost vented his anger, causing Bai Yujing to let out a warbling cry.

Bai Yujing's porcelain-soft waist instinctively tried to dodge, but Pei Yuan swept her up and held her in his arms.

Her legs were already long, and as if there was nowhere to put them, they were folded messily in Pei Yuan's arms.

Pei Yuan roughly tore off Bai Yujing's stockings, and almost violently squeezed her soft, white feet and the jade beads and nail polish on them.

Bai Yujing seemed to sense something, chuckled softly, and asked again, "Does it look like it?"

Pei Yuan's broad waist suddenly stiffened, and the slight resentment that had subsided surged back into his heart.

He had finally figured it out. The absurd incident at Chongwu Water Station was a reward that Commander Han had long ago planned for him.

Perhaps after receiving the emperor's inquiry, she had already realized the crisis posed by her subordinates' covetousness.

However, Han Qianhu's villainous self-destruction and reward did nothing to deter Pei Yuan's determination to possess her.

Pei Yuan kept replaying the image of Bai Yujing grinning mischievously on the bed and saying, "It would be good if it looked like him."

The joy and absurdity of that time have turned into endless irony now.

Pei Yuan gritted his teeth and kneaded Bai Yujing's snow-white feet even harder.

Then, he said forcefully, word by word, "Tonight, I'm going to fuck her!"

"No, it's not you!"

Bai Yujing gritted her teeth, her supple waist seemed to spasm, and her two long legs also twitched wildly.

After a while, Bai Yujing, still slightly out of breath, pinched Pei Yuan lightly and whispered a warning, "Don't be reckless!"

Just as Pei Yuan was about to continue expressing his anger.

Just then, a soft sigh came from beside him, "Pei Yuan, let's talk."

The voice seemed to be carried by the wind, like that of a light and graceful young girl.

Pei Yuan was slightly stunned for a moment.

Is that Commander Han?!
Pei Yuan's muscular waist twitched unconsciously a couple of times before he suddenly realized something and glanced outside.

Bai Yujing had already removed her veil herself, and with a slightly flushed face, she looked at Pei Yuan with schadenfreude.

Pei Yuan glanced at Bai Yujing in front of him again, pursed his lips, and moved his hands heavily twice, as if deliberately expressing his emotions to Commander Han.

Bai Yujing's lips parted slightly, and the sound in her throat almost leaped out.

She glared at Pei Yuan and mouthed, "Are you crazy?"

Pei Yuan remained silent, then suddenly became somewhat disheartened.

He staggered away from Baiyujing, slowly picked up a piece of clothing and wiped himself down, a flood of emotions welling up inside him.

After discarding the clothes he had wiped, he could only let out a long sigh.

Pei Yuan got up and dressed.

Pushing open the door, the maids in the courtyard were no longer there. Instead, a woman dressed in clean robes sat at the stone table under the tree.

Upon seeing Pei Yuan emerge, Commander Han stood up, carrying a wine jug in her hand, her expression indifferent.

Her appearance was extremely beautiful, and her figure was also excellent. Under the bright moonlight, she was so radiant that Pei Yuan couldn't even entertain too many wicked thoughts.

Pei Yuan's emotions had calmed down a bit, and thinking about what had just happened and what he had said, he felt a little embarrassed for a moment.

Han Qianhu gestured to Pei Yuan, then walked ahead, slowly leaving the courtyard and heading towards the back garden.

Pei Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and silently followed beside her.

As Pei Yuan was lost in thought, he suddenly saw Commander Han turn his head slightly to look at him and calmly ask, "Can you still drink?"

"Uh," Pei Yuan responded, then mumbled, "Yes."

Han Qianhu tossed the small wine pot in his hand over, and Pei Yuan caught it casually.

Pei Yuan looked at the small wine pot and shook it.

It seems there aren't many left.

Han Qianhu looked at Pei Yuan for a while before turning his head away, still staring ahead, and said softly, "Drink up, our wedding wine."

Pei Yuan almost stopped breathing. His hand unconsciously tightened around the wine pot, and he stared blankly at Commander Han.

He asked, "What?"

Han Qianhu didn't say anything more and continued to walk slowly forward.

Pei Yuan stared intently at Han Qianhu's fair ears and neck, hoping to see a shy blush.

However, Commander Han simply walked ahead calmly, seemingly saying ordinary things.

Pei Yuan gripped the wine pot tightly, even wanting to ask Commander Han, "Do you even know what you just said?"
Pei Yuan followed Han Qianhu for a few steps, holding back for a while, but finally couldn't help but ask directly, "Do you know what you just said?"

Han Qianhu hummed in response and replied calmly, "It's my wedding day, and I don't know how I should feel. So I was thinking, should I ask you out for a drink?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuan was so overjoyed that he didn't know what to say, as if all the flowers in the garden were blooming in the night.

Just as Pei Yuan was thinking of rushing over, embracing the beautiful woman he had been longing for, and taking her for himself, he was about to...

Han Qianhu stopped in her tracks, turned around gracefully, and looked at Pei Yuan with bright eyes. She spoke to Pei Yuan in a calm tone, "You know I don't like you, right?"

Pei Yuan felt a sudden emptiness in his heart, a feeling akin to hunger, a hunger waiting to be filled.

However, it was just so empty.

Pei Yuan almost couldn't help but step forward and hug Han Qianhu tightly.

Han Qianhu was somewhat surprised, not expecting Pei Yuan to act this way.

Feeling that strong embrace, she pursed her lips and did not choose to resist.

However, Pei Yuan was clearly not a gentleman who knew how to keep his distance. After embracing Han Qianhu tightly, he tried to take advantage of the situation by forcefully kissing him.

Han Qianhu tried his best to endure it, gritting his teeth to resist.

When Pei Yuan greedily sucked on that snow-white neck like a hungry wolf, Han Qianhu couldn't help but get small goosebumps on his smooth skin.

She forcefully pushed against Pei Yuan's chest with her hands, breaking free from his bear hug.

Pei Yuan had a bad feeling and stretched his head to kiss him a few more times, but Han Qianhu quickly pressed his forehead against him to stop him.

He shouted, "Enough!"

Perhaps it was because he had eaten something, but Pei Yuan felt that the emptiness in his heart had been filled.

Commander Han spoke again, calmly asking, "You know I don't like you, Pei Yuan, right?"

Han Qianhu had bright eyes and a beautiful face, like a goddess under the moonlight, and her expression was exceptionally serious.

Pei Yuan was extremely upset.

Even when Xiong hugged and kissed Han Qianhu just now, Pei Yuan felt somewhat uncomfortable and powerless.

These simple and direct words were more powerful than anything else, easily defeating Pei Yuan.

Feeling the pull of Pei Yuan's embrace, Han Qianhu gave up and easily broke free from his embrace.

Commander Han led the way, continuing into the back garden, while Pei Yuan followed silently as before.

After walking for a while, both sides calmed down.

Pei Yuan thought about the three possibilities he had imagined before, but he never expected that the two of them would actually have the opportunity to have such a conversation.

Pei Yuan glanced at Han Qianhu's profile and said seriously, "I might not like you that much."

"Oh?" Commander Han chuckled, glancing sideways at Pei Yuan.

Clearly, Pei Yuan's performance just now made her somewhat disbelieving.

Feeling the relaxed atmosphere, Pei Yuan candidly spoke about his struggles these past few days, "I used to really like you, but then I realized that being liked seems to bring more satisfaction."

Commander Han said sarcastically, "I don't quite believe it."

Pei Yuan remained silent for a longer time this time. "Just now, I thought you were starting to like me."

(End of this chapter)