Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 210

The next day, Pei Che is no longer concerned about Jiang Miao accompanying him, because neither of them can go.

“… By imperial decree, Minister Pei Che, heir to the duke of Zhongguo, and his wife, Jiang Miao, are summoned to the palace for an audience. This is the Emperor’s command!” A round, fair-skinned, mustache-free eunuch with a gentle demeanor arrives early in the morning with a group of attendants, delivering the imperial edict.

“We accept the decree!” Pei Che and Jiang Miao exchange glances, their minds filled with questions.

“Master Pei, please bring your wife and follow me to the palace promptly. His Majesty is waiting for you both,” the eunuch says with a warm smile that makes it hard to feel any hostility toward him.

Jiang Miao returns his smile and cautiously asks, “Eunuch, may I ask why His Majesty has summoned us? Could you kindly give us a hint so we don’t inadvertently upset His Majesty by entering the palace unprepared?”

The eunuch covers his mouth, laughing. “Lady Jiang, you are too polite. I am merely a messenger running errands for His Majesty. How could I know the Emperor’s thoughts…”

Quietly, Jiang Miao hands him a small pouch. The eunuch takes it, weighs it in his hand, and then subtly changes his tone. “However, judging by His Majesty’s mood, it seems to be something good.”

“Thank you, Eunuch. Please wait for a moment while we change into appropriate attire. We’ll join you shortly.” Jiang Miao smiles and, using the excuse of changing clothes, pulls Pei Che into the courtyard.

“What do you think prompted the Emperor to summon us so suddenly?” Jiang Miao asks nervously. Although the eunuch has said the Emperor seems in good spirits, it doesn’t necessarily mean good news. Ever since learning about the entanglements between the royal family and the Duke’s household, Jiang Miao knows the Emperor wouldn’t easily allow good fortune to fall upon them.

Pei Che shakes his head. “I have no idea. This sudden decree must have been intended to catch us off guard.”

Jiang Miao grows agitated. “Why is this happening now? What are we supposed to do later?”

“We’ll have to play it by ear,” Pei Che replies, unable to come up with a plan since he doesn’t even know why they are summoned.

The two change into formal attire suitable for an audience at the palace. Following the eunuch, they board the carriage. Jiang Miao feels utterly uncomfortable. The ceremonial robes are heavy, and he rarely wears them. Wearing them now feels like a punishment.

Pei Che notices his discomfort and, seeing no way around it, encourages him to endure for a bit longer. He also reaches over and applies gentle pressure to Jiang Miao’s waist to help support him.

The group remains silent during the journey, each lost in their thoughts, and they soon arrive at the imperial palace.

For Jiang Miao, this is his first time entering the palace. However, his unease leaves him in no mood to appreciate the grandest and most opulent residence in the land.

“Subjects Pei Che and Jiang Miao pay respects to His Majesty. Long live the Emperor!”

Before Jiang Miao can catch a glimpse of the Emperor, Pei Che has already led him in bowing. The Emperor seems to be in a good mood today, as he doesn’t trouble them with formalities. Just as they complete their bows, he calls for them to rise.

Curiosity gets the better of Jiang Miao. It feels wrong to visit the palace and not take a proper look, so he steals a glance at the Emperor sitting before them. That single glance leaves him somewhat disappointed. The middle-aged man in the bright yellow robes looks utterly ordinary. If stripped of his imperial garments and placed outside, no one would dare believe he is the Emperor. The legendary kingly aura of dominion? Not a trace of it.

While Jiang Miao is sneaking a look at Emperor Liangping, the Emperor is also sizing him up. Though he has seen portraits of Jiang Miao during earlier investigations, there is a significant difference between the image and the man in person. After his assessment, the Emperor shifts his gaze to Pei Che, who stands calmly without a hint of fear or nervousness. This lack of reaction bores the Emperor somewhat.

“Pei Che, do you know why I summoned you today?” Emperor Liangping lowers his voice and pretends to be majestic, which startles Jiang Miao. For a moment, he really does seem like an emperor.

Pei Che cups his hands in respect and replies, “This humble subject is ignorant and cannot fathom Your Majesty’s intentions. I humbly request Your Majesty to enlighten me.”

“Enlighten you?” Emperor Liangping snorts coldly and suddenly raises his voice. “You still need me to explain? You dare investigate the affairs of the imperial household—what is there that you wouldn’t dare to do?”

Pei Che understands instantly. This matter must have been leaked to the Emperor by Commander Guan. Still, he does not intend to hide this matter.

“Please quell your anger, Your Majesty. Regarding this matter, I act out of necessity and not with any intent to pry into imperial affairs. It is a matter of avenging my parents. Their deaths are an unforgivable injustice. If I have clues but fail to investigate thoroughly, I would be ashamed to face them in the afterlife.” Pei Che’s tone is humble yet resolute as he bows respectfully.

“Outrageous! Are you suggesting that the imperial guards were responsible for your parents’ deaths? By implication, are you accusing someone in the palace of harming loyal officials of the court? If I recall correctly, your parents passed away ten years ago. Isn’t it far too late to revisit the case? Or are you using this as an excuse to plot something?” Emperor Liangping doesn’t expect Pei Che to openly bring up the matter and is instantly furious.

Jiang Miao’s heart leaps in alarm. This is heading toward an accusation of treason! He instinctively wants to argue, but Pei Che signals with his eyes for him to remain calm. Suppressing his anxiety, Jiang Miao stays silent.

“I would never dare!” Pei Che raises his head and meets Emperor Liangping’s gaze without fear. “If I intend to plot anything, I would investigate the deployment and patrol schedules of the Imperial Guards, not look into the disappearance of someone from ten years ago. Nor would I entrust the Emperor’s relatives to assist in such an investigation. As for the case of my parents’ murder, at the time, due to my grandparents’ advanced age and ill health and my own status as a helpless orphan, I am left with no choice but to accept the hasty conclusion of an accidental death. Now that I come across new clues by chance, I can’t help but trace them back to their source, which leads me step by step into the palace. This is not intended to offend Your Majesty’s authority. As for whether someone within the palace is responsible, I cannot yet make such a claim. If Your Majesty had not summoned me today, I would likely already be confronting the mastermind behind the case.”

Emperor Liangping sneers. “And who is this mastermind you speak of?”

He had previously sent someone to follow Su Jin, who was indeed seen visiting Pei Che. This discovery had angered him greatly. Back then, many people were aware of the situation. After the deaths of Pei Shijie and his wife, countless individuals suspected him of being behind it. Some even secretly sent memorials to his father, the late Emperor, accusing him of murdering loyal officials out of personal grudges, alleging he was ruthless and unfit to take on great responsibilities.

This shocked him at the time. Although he disliked Pei Shijie, harboring additional resentment because the woman he loved had married him, he would never have gone so far as to harm them.

In order to clear himself of his father’s doubts, he had voluntarily stepped away from court, allowing others to investigate as they pleased. In the end, no evidence was found, and the matter was dropped. While he eventually ascended to the throne, the experience of being baselessly accused had left a deep scar. Moreover, he knew that although no one spoke of it openly, many still believed he had secretly acted against them to weaken his fourth brother’s support.

This time, as Pei Che brings up the old matter again, Emperor Liangping’s anger surges. He waits for Pei Che to make an outrageous claim so he can punish him and show the doubters the consequences of fabricating accusations.

“I suspect the mastermind is His Royal Highness Prince An!”

“What audacity! How dare you slander—”

His Royal Highness Prince An!

“Wait, who did you say?” Emperor Liangping, striving to maintain his imperial composure, almost wants to check his ears to ensure he hasn’t heard it wrong.

Pei Che repeats himself. Emperor Liangping stares at him for a long while before suddenly laughing. After laughing to his heart’s content, he says, “I’ve heard you were ill recently and took a long leave. If you haven’t fully recovered, I grant you permission to return home and rest for a few more days.”

Is he implying that Pei Che’s mind is addled? Jiang Miao can’t help but wonder, feeling uncertain about the Emperor’s response.

“First, I ask for Your Majesty’s forgiveness,” Pei Che begins earnestly. “In truth, the reason I requested leave is not due to illness but to uncover the truth. Over these days, I piece together various clues, which lead me to this suspicion. Originally, I intend to confront Prince An at his residence today, but the imperial decree arrives, and I can’t proceed.” Pei Che says seriously. He understands what Emperor Liangping means because, in the eyes of the people in the court, his father is from Prince An’s faction. It is possible for anyone to attack him, except Prince An.

Emperor Liangping studies Pei Che, noting his remarkable composure. Even in such a precarious situation, the young man remains calm, making it difficult to discern truth from falsehood in his words. Deciding to shift his inquiry, he turns to Jiang Miao.

“What he says—is it true?”

Caught off guard, Jiang Miao instinctively looks at Pei Che, who gives a slight nod, signaling him to answer honestly. Jiang Miao quickly replies, “Yes, it’s true. We had even gathered the necessary people and were ready to go, but then the decree arrives, so we can’t.”

“Then everything he states earlier is also true?” Emperor Liangping presses.

Jiang Miao nods fervently, his words tumbling out. “Yes, yes! All of it is true. We wouldn’t dare deceive Your Majesty. Actually, ever since we returned from Cangzhou, we’ve been investigating this matter.”

“Oh?” Emperor Liangping squints at them, his interest piqued. “So, you’re saying you’ve suspected Prince An for quite some time now?”

“Huh?” Jiang Miao blinks, flustered. “Not at all! We only start suspecting him… uh, recently.”

“And before that?” Emperor Liangping’s tone grows sharper, his gaze flicking between the two men with a faint smirk. “Surely you must have considered… that I might be behind this?”

“And before that?” Emperor Liangping’s tone grows sharper, his gaze flicking between the two men with a faint smirk. “Surely you must have considered… that I might be behind this?”

This is a loaded question, and Jiang Miao immediately recognizes the danger. If they admit such a suspicion, the Emperor will surely explode in anger. Nervously, he glances at Pei Che, who is on the verge of speaking the truth when Jiang Miao suddenly shouts.

“Of course not!”

The forcefulness of his denial catches the attention of both Pei Che and Emperor Liangping. The Emperor scoffs, clearly skeptical of Jiang Miao’s response.

“In fact—”

“In fact, Your Majesty was the first person we ruled out!” Jiang Miao hurriedly interrupts Pei Che, nodding emphatically to reinforce his claim. Taking advantage of the Emperor’s inability to read minds, Jiang Miao conveniently omits the detail that, up until the previous day, Pei Che had indeed considered the Emperor a prime suspect.

This declaration amuses Emperor Liangping, who finds the situation increasingly interesting. He is curious to hear how Jiang Miao intends to weave his story further.

“Then explain why you ruled me out,” Emperor Liangping prompts.

“Uh…” Jiang Miao’s brain whirrs at a speed unprecedented in his life. “Of course, it’s because… you granted us a marriage!”

“A marriage?” Emperor Liangping freezes, caught off guard by this sudden change in topic.

“Yes!” Jiang Miao continues, grasping at the thread he’s conjured. “Your Majesty, you are kind and benevolent. Knowing that the two of us share deep mutual affection, and unwilling to let us be tarnished by worldly rumors, you graciously bestow a marriage upon us. With such a great favor, how could we possibly suspect Your Majesty?”

Emperor Liangping is thoroughly unprepared to be fed such a large helping of “dog food”, leaving him momentarily speechless. He knows full well that Pei Che is aware of his true intentions behind the arranged marriage; if Pei Che isn’t cursing him in private, that is already a miracle. Gratitude is certainly not something he expects.

Seeing that Emperor Liangping’s eyes are becoming more and more suspicious, Jiang Miao scrambles to elaborate. “Moreover, over all these years, the people of the Duke of Zhongguo’s household remain safe and sound. Ah Che and Mu’er grow up healthy and strong. If this matter had been your doing, wouldn’t you have eradicated every last one of them? On top of that, not only has Ah Che grown up, but he has also entered officialdom. If you were the mastermind, would you really have summoned him back to the capital? Wouldn’t that be giving him a chance to seek revenge?”

“You make a valid point,” Emperor Liangping admits with a cold snort. The simplicity of this reasoning frustrates him, especially considering how many others fail to grasp it. Aside from feeling a twinge of guilt over the marriage arrangement, he has never once made things difficult for the Duke of Zhongguo’s household.

“Now tell me, how do you determine that this matter is connected to Prince An?”

Jiang Miao hesitates. “Your Majesty, that’s… quite a long story.”

Emperor Liangping glances at the small stack of memorials on his desk, deciding he can afford a brief reprieve. Leaning back in his seat, he says, “Then take your time and explain.”

“…Understood.” Jiang Miao sighs inwardly, feeling helpless. Life is indeed full of frustrating moments, but what else can he do?