The playboy county magistrate

"It's inevitable that a tall tree catches the wind, but those in the imperial court can never live peacefully by simply avoiding the storm. Only by standing firm and holding onto power can one face the storms without fear. Rest assured, I will definitely protect you and our home."

After boarding and taking their seats, the carriage smoothly departed from the imperial city.

The carriage was quiet and peaceful. Pei Qingyuan leaned against the window, watching the street scene slowly passing by outside, and suddenly spoke softly.

"During the banquet just now, Her Majesty the Empress specifically inquired about the situation in the inner quarters of the mansion and asked in detail about Sister Fu's daily life. It seems that the palace is also worried that if there is chaos in the husband's inner quarters, it will affect his reputation in the court."

Li Xuanzhi's heart skipped a beat. She thought to herself that someone who could hold the position of Empress in the palace was indeed no ordinary woman with long hair and short wits.

Despite having one wife and three concubines in the household, the Empress only inquired about Fu Xiaoxiao.

Is this meant to tell him that both the Emperor and Empress know Fu Xiaoxiao's true identity? Or is it a reminder that what he did in Jinling cannot be kept secret?

Li Xuanzhi pondered silently, becoming increasingly cautious and raising his guard against the emperor to a new level.

Being a favored minister is not an easy job, especially when one's power and status are growing.

No matter what you do, you must have a backup plan. It is a fool's act to gamble your entire fortune on the emperor not doing anything bad to you.

Throughout history, emperors have been known for their ruthlessness. They could discard even the women who had been by their side for many years and their own children without batting an eye. A mere court official could be replaced with just a word from the emperor.

Li Xuanzhi smiled and shook Pei Qingyuan's hand. It was best not to let Pei Qingyuan know that Fu Xiaoxiao was originally an assassin sent by powerful figures in the capital to plot against him and kill him.

Firstly, Pei Qingyuan wasn't very brave, and secondly, she was worried that if Pei Qingyuan knew that Fu Xiaoxiao had initially intended to kill her, she would dislike Fu Xiaoxiao.

If Pei Qingyuan were to consider her own safety and try to kill or maim Fu Xiaoxiao again, she would likely be killed instead if she failed.

How could a weak, powerless woman from the inner quarters possibly be a match for someone who spends his days licking blood from swords?

Li Xuanzhi calmed himself down and smiled to comfort Pei Qingyuan.

"It must be that Her Majesty the Empress was worried that I would cause you any distress, and that I was afraid that I would get too close to Fu Xiaoxiao while I was in Jinling, which would affect our relationship as husband and wife."

Pei Qingyuan didn't show it on her face, nodding with a smile. In reality, she couldn't help but feel uneasy, sensing that things weren't so simple.

She was able to become the Crown Princess as soon as she came of age, and within three months of becoming Empress, she was able to usurp the power of the Empress Dowager. How could she be someone who just chats around casually?

Perhaps there's something she doesn't know, or perhaps the Empress wants to use her to say something the Emperor can't say but she can easily convey to Li Xuanzhi.

Well, my husband is very intelligent. Some things are better left unsaid to him. After all, if the sky falls, there's always someone tall enough to hold it up.

Seeing Pei Qingyuan's demeanor, Li Xuanzhi knew that his wife was not so easily fooled.

So, Li Xuanzhi reached out and ruffled Pei Qingyuan's hair, sighed, and said:

"Her Majesty the Empress is showing me compassion, but also giving me guidance. The officials in the court are most wary of being blinded by lust, which can lead to unrest in the inner palace. Bringing Xiaoxiao back to my residence may seem like adding another concubine, but in reality, it sends a signal to the court and the palace—"

"I am not a cold-blooded and ruthless minister, nor will I ever indulge in personal feelings or break the rules."

"I understand." Pei Qingyuan nodded gently as if she had just realized something. "I will keep everyone in the manor in line to behave themselves and never let any trouble arise in the backyard. I will also never do anything that would give others cause for criticism and tarnish my husband's reputation in the court."

Looking at her insightful and magnanimous demeanor, Li Xuanzhi felt a warmth welling up in his heart.

"With you here, I've always felt at ease."

The journey was peaceful and quiet, and before long, the carriage returned steadily to the Li residence.

News had already spread from the Pei residence, and everyone knew that Li Xuanzhi had brought Pei Qingyuan into the palace.

The steward was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing the carriage return, he quickly bowed and paid his respects.

Madam Zhang had just woken up from her afternoon nap. Upon hearing from the gatekeeper that her son and daughter-in-law had returned, she quickly had them invited to her courtyard.

Sitting upright in the main seat, Zhang's brows were full of concern. Before the two could speak, she quickly asked:

"I heard that the Emperor and Empress have summoned you to a private banquet? Or is there some urgent matter at court that they need you to attend to? And where are you to go?"

Having lived in the capital for a long time, she knew all too well that a summons to a palace banquet, though seemingly an honor, was actually the ultimate test of one's abilities. A slight misstep could lead to disaster. She also worried that Li Xuanzhi hadn't spent more than a few days in the capital in a long time, fearing that the emperor might once again send her son away on a whim, and thus she was filled with anxiety.

Pei Qingyuan took half a step forward and spoke softly.

"Mother, rest assured, it's a good thing. His Majesty and the Empress, understanding my husband's arduous journey to Jinling, specially hosted a family banquet to welcome him back. They chatted casually, praised his achievements, and did not criticize him in the slightest."

As she spoke, she placed the list of rewards from the palace in front of her mother-in-law and slowly recounted the matter of the imperial decree conferring titles and honors.

"The items are all in the carriages behind. Our servants are probably moving them into the courtyard right now, preparing to register and store them."

Zhang's eyes grew brighter as she listened, and her tense nerves finally relaxed. A look of relief and joy spread across her face, and she nodded repeatedly.

"Excellent! Excellent! Your grace is boundless!"

She turned to look at Li Xuanzhi, her tone still carrying the admonition of an elder, but without the worry and nagging of yesterday, and with more confidence.

"It is your good fortune and opportunity to be trusted and relied upon by His Majesty. Remember, the greater the favor, the more firmly you must remain true to your original intentions. Do not be arrogant or complacent, and even more so, do not look down on others."

"Your son will remember your teachings, Mother," Li Xuanzhi replied respectfully.

Zhang looked at Pei Qingyuan again, her eyes filled with affection.

"Qingyuan, you have received the title of a third-rank noblewoman, which is a reward for your own virtue and an honor for the Li family. From now on, you will have a respectable status among the noblewomen in the capital. You don't need to be humble and yielding at all times; you deserve all the honors you are entitled to."

Pei Qingyuan replied gently, "Your daughter-in-law understands, thank you for your guidance, Mother."

The family chatted for a while longer, talking about some everyday trivial matters.

After Zhang's interest waned and she returned to her inner room to rest, the couple left together.

Gu Pan'er, Liu Yunrou, and Fu Xiaoxiao came to Pei Qingyuan's main courtyard to pay their respects. None of them asked about palace affairs, and none of them coveted any honors or rewards.

Pei Qingyuan was very satisfied, and Li Xuanzhi felt equally pleased.

Pei Qingyuan generously bestowed many fine gifts upon the three of them, as the concubine was so obedient and sensible.

Li Xuanzhi saw it all and understood.

Pei Qingyuan was in charge of the inner courtyard, strict in her rules yet kind to everyone. Her combination of kindness and strictness, along with her fair dealings, ensured harmony and peace throughout the vast courtyard.

"You may all step down and rest. There's no need for you to wait here," Li Xuanzhi said calmly.

The three of them curtsied in unison and quietly took their leave.

Their steps were light and orderly, and they dispersed in a short while, leaving the main courtyard quiet again.