Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 8 East Palace
It's getting dark.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the East Palace, adding to its solemn and majestic atmosphere.

Prince Zhangwu stood with his head bowed, his heart filled with unease.

The man seated at the head of the table was thirty-six years old, with a fair complexion, a beard, thick eyebrows, and long eyes, exuding a noble air. When he smiled, he was gentle and approachable; when he was silent and not smiling, he possessed an innate majesty.

This man was none other than the father of the Prince of Zhangwu, and the Crown Prince of the Great Jing Dynasty.

Pang Zhanshi's voice echoed in the hall: "...His Highness the Prince is kind-hearted and could not bear to see the Pei family women in distress and helpless, so he offered them some assistance."

Then, he casually reported on each of the "helping hands" he had extended.

His Highness the Crown Prince frowned almost imperceptibly and glanced at his eldest son.

A fourteen-year-old boy is at the age of youthful passion and impulsiveness. He was thrown into disarray and lost his composure by a young girl.

Pleading for Pei's release was a way to gain a good reputation for the Crown Prince.

All the men of the Pei family were dead, leaving only the elderly, women, and children. It was unknown how many would survive to reach Youzhou. Bearing the heavy charge of treason, they had no chance of redemption.

Such a useless child is not worth wasting money, food, and manpower on, and it is even more inappropriate to give away the crown prince's banner.

Prince Zhangwu lowered his head even further: "Your subject was momentarily soft-hearted and did something wrong. Please punish me, Father."

The crown prince said calmly and casually, "This is a one-time exception; there will be no next time."

Prince Zhangwu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully agreed.

In the eyes of the world, His Highness the Crown Prince is gentle and broad-minded.

When the Crown Prince was angry, he didn't even flinch. With a few casual words, some were demoted and their futures ruined, while others lost their families and their heads.

No need for a major conflict, no need for thunderous wrath. The formidable imperial power, like a sword hanging in the air, could fall at any moment. How could it not inspire awe?
His Highness the Crown Prince turned to Pang Zhanshi and sighed, "Ali is young and inexperienced, and has the kindness of a woman. He will hardly amount to anything in the future."

His Highness the Crown Prince may be dissatisfied with his son.

As a subject of the Crown Prince, one cannot arbitrarily defy one's superiors.

Pang Zhanshi, being shrewd and experienced, replied with a smile, "His Highness the Prince is kind-hearted and has shown kindness to the Pei family. This matter will be a good story if it gets out."

He paused for a moment and then said, "Your Highness is young and impetuous, and has never been close to women. When you meet a clever woman, it is inevitable that you will hesitate and be soft-hearted."

His Highness the Crown Prince nodded slightly: "That makes sense. I will instruct the Crown Princess to select two beautiful palace maids to serve Ali."

In the palace, princes and grandsons who are about to come of age are given beautiful palace maids to guide them in their affairs.

Prince Zhangwu, with his delicate and sensitive face, blushed slightly upon hearing these words.

A delicate and spirited young girl's face suddenly flashed through his mind. A sense of melancholy welled up in his heart.

"Your Highness," a palace attendant hurried in and bowed, "His Highness Prince Wei has arrived."

Before he could finish speaking, a figure entered.

The fact that the King of Wei could enter the Eastern Palace so arbitrarily without prior notification shows his arrogance and domineering nature.

Prince Wei is twenty years old this year, just reaching the age of twenty. Prince Wei inherited Empress Liu's good looks, with white lips and red teeth, and a face as beautiful as a woman's. He is sweet-talking and knows how to act coquettishly in front of Emperor Xiaowen.

Emperor Xiaowen's favoritism towards his youngest son, Prince Wei, was common knowledge both inside and outside the palace.

His Highness the Prince of Wei swaggered in, casually cupping his hands in greeting to the Crown Prince, which was considered his formality.

The Crown Prince remained calm and asked with a smile, "Why are you here instead of serving Father?" The Prince of Wei deliberately sighed heavily, "Father has been furious these past two days because of the Pei brothers' plot to rebel. I spoke up for the Pei family and was scolded and kicked out by Father. So I came to find my elder brother."

He then feigned concern for the Crown Prince, saying, "I know you've been suffering these past few days, elder brother. But things have come to this, so don't be too sad. The Pei brothers were ambitious and treacherous; their execution is a good thing, much better than them plotting a rebellion later and implicating the Crown Prince!"

The Pei brothers were henchmen of the Crown Prince and were extremely loyal to him. Pei Zhongde was denounced by his subordinates, and dozens of suits of armor and over a hundred crossbows were found in the Pei family's storeroom. He was then interrogated, convicted, and beheaded.

Anyone with eyes to see could tell that this was a dirty trick by the King of Wei, aimed at eliminating the Crown Prince's supporters and intimidating his faction.

Now the Pei family has been beheaded and their property confiscated, and their relatives have been exiled to Youzhou. The King of Wei is filled with pride and has come to the Eastern Palace to show off his power!
Deceiving too much!

Upon hearing this, Prince Zhangwu's anger flared up, and he couldn't help but look up.

The King of Wei turned his head and met the indignant Prince Zhangwu's gaze. He curled his lips into a malicious smile and said, "I heard that you sent the Pei family out of the city today, provided them with money and provisions, and even sent guards to escort them all the way."

"Could it be that they're worried the women of the Pei family might encounter some foolish refugees or bandits on the road?"

The King of Wei was capricious, ruthless, and cruel. The threatening tone in his words sent a chill down the spine of the Prince of Zhangwu.

Prince Zhangwu tried his best to maintain composure: "Nothing I say or do can be hidden from my fifth uncle."

This uncle and nephew were only six years apart in age. One was a prince born to the Empress Dowager and favored by the Emperor, while the other was the eldest son of the Crown Prince. In terms of status, they were equally noble.

With Emperor Xiaowen backing him up and his father-in-law holding military power, the King of Wei had a large number of civil and military officials serving under him, making him a powerful figure whom even the Crown Prince had to avoid.

Prince Zhangwu was subservient and obedient to the Crown Prince, acting as a filial son, and relied on people from the Eastern Palace, not having any truly trusted confidants.

The difference is more than a thousand miles.

The King of Wei glanced at him disdainfully, and the Prince of Zhangwu silently lowered his head.

The Crown Prince's voice rang out: "All the men of the Pei family are dead, leaving only the elderly, women, and children. I'm sending Ali to see them off, as a way to fulfill the last bond between ruler and subject after so many years."

"These are trivial matters, not worth mentioning."

"It's getting late. I'll have the imperial kitchen prepare a feast so we brothers can have a few drinks."

King Wei readily agreed: "Your subject has long been eyeing the fine wine in the Eastern Palace. Let's drink to our hearts' content tonight."

The two brothers chatted and laughed, creating a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.

When the Tian family brothers fought, it was the Pei family members who died.

At this moment, who remembers Pei Zhongde, who died unjustly?
Two hours later, King Wei walked out of the East Palace with unsteady steps.

Behind him followed a graceful and beautiful woman with delicate steps.

This beauty was a concubine of the Crown Prince. She served at the banquet and caught the eye of the Prince of Wei, who asked for her. The Crown Prince was very generous and immediately gave her to him.

The King of Wei led the beauty back to the palace and used every means at his disposal to torment the delicate beauty until she was covered in wounds and on the verge of death.

After enjoying himself, the King of Wei summoned his trusted guards and ordered, "Send men to follow the Pei family. Once they have traveled several hundred miles to Jizhou, find some refugees to go with them."

"Don't kill them all, leave a few to make an appearance."

"By the way, secretly bring that Miss Pei back. I want to see for myself what kind of girl could have bewitched my nephew."

This trusted guard, named Wu Zhong, was only good at doing such lowly and sordid tasks for his master. He accepted the orders without batting an eye.

……

When I finished writing *Du Shaohua*, I announced that I would release a new book on April 28th. I couldn't resist and released it a week early. I wonder if any readers are here today to check out this new story? ^_^
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(End of this chapter)