CH 46

Bonus chapter for Heemi

Wen Jingnian and Pei Yin had been married for more than three years, but because Pei Yin had not been pregnant, he gradually lost the favor of Old Madam Wen. A few days ago, under the instigation of Wen Jingnian’s stepmother Wen Qin, Old Madam Wen wanted to take a concubine for Wen Jingnian.

At that time, Wen Jingnian was troubled by the flood in Jizhou, and had no time to care. He had just left for Jizhou to relieve the disaster, and Wen Qin’s nephew Qin Yi was carried through the door in a small sedan chair.

Pei Yin argued in vain, and in a fit of anger, he packed his bags and left the Wen mansion.

When Wen Jingnian returned from disaster relief, he found out that his husband had run away!

Old Madam Wen was furious, and looked like she wanted Wen Jingnian to divorce Pei Yin, but in fact she was scared to death. Next month was the New Year, and she was afraid that the little tyrant of the Pei family would return to Beijing to report on his duties and kill people with a knife. She hinted at Wen Jingnian both openly and secretly to bring Pei Yin back as soon as possible.

Wen Jingnian wanted to teach her a lesson, and also wanted to rectify the household while Pei Yin was away, but he also had other affairs to deal with, so this task was repeatedly postponed until today.

The couple looked at each other in silence for a while.

Wen Jingnian felt a little awkward, and after a while he only said, “You’ve lost weight.”

Pei Yin held back his tears, turned his face away and looked at the distance outside the window, and asked coldly, “What are you here for?”

Wen Jingnian softened his voice, and moved closer to Pei Yin, “The new year is approaching, and there are many affairs in the mansion that need your management.”

“You!” Pei Yin was furious, and finally couldn’t hold back his tears. He quickly wiped them and fiercely said, “I won’t go back with you!”

Wen Jingnian frowned, then relaxed and said, “I know you’re angry that I came to pick you up so late, but there are still unsettled matters in the mansion, and I’m worried about taking you back. It’s better to rest and relax here.”

How would he know he was not trying to cook the raw rice with that distant cousin!1生米煮成熟饭 – (Baidu) Idiom explanation: The metaphor is that things have been done and cannot be changed. In this context, Pei Yin should be thinking that Wen Jingnian took too long because he was consummating his marriage to the concubine.

Pei Yin didn’t want to hear him say another word and drove him out with a cold face.

Wen Jingnian tried to hug Pei Yin, but as soon as his hand touched Pei Yin’s shoulder, he was shoved away.

He believed that he had already used soft and kind words to coax Pei Yin, but Pei Yin still had a cold face. He was a little annoyed and his words became somewhat aggressive, “What are you doing, Pei Yin?”

“If you really don’t want to go back with me, why did you bother sending the drawing of the stove to Duan Yan?”

Duan Yan was the most capable servant beside Wen Jingnian. Sending it to him was no different than sending to Wen Jingnian directly.

Oh heavens!

When he sent the letter, all he could think about was that Wen Jingnian would be able to promote this new type of stove throughout the country and benefit everyone.

Who was trying to make peace, and begged him to take him back by sending the letter?

Pei Yin was furious, and for the first time lost his composure. He pointed at Wen Jingnian and said, “I want to divorce you, Wen Jingnian!”

Wen Jingnian’s expression darkened, nearly gritting his teeth. “Get a hold of yourself, Pei Yin.”

His voice was cold, and it woke Pei Yin up from his anger, “We are married by the imperial decree, we can’t divorce.”

The eldest son of the marquis was also the top scholar in the imperial examination and was married to the eldest ger son of the general who was well-known to be a virtuous gentleman in Shengjing. He and his husband were known to the public as the most affectionate couple. Why would they want to divorce?

Wen Jingnian took a step forward, and whispered, “Pei Yin, don’t make a fuss, come back home with me, okay?”

Pei Yin’s tears flowed down, and he nodded, but his heart was dead.

Forget it. From now on, he would cease hoping for a loving marriage, just maintaining courtesy until old age would do.

They lightly glossed over their matter, and Pei Yin took Wen Jingnian to visit Qiao Yuan and his husband.

A visit was the pretext. Wen Jingnian wanted to experience the new stove for himself and see if it was as good as Pei Yin said in his letter.

Pei Yin originally wanted to remind Wen Jingnian not to show off his arrogant attitude in front of Qiao Yuan, but then he thought that Wen Jingnian always pretended to be humble in front of outsiders, so he probably didn’t need his reminder at all!

Sure enough, when Wen Jingnian saw Yu Dameng and Qiao Yuan, he was very polite. When he asked for advice from Yu Dameng and his father, he looked like a serious and studious student asking his teacher for guidance.

The situation made Old Man Yu uncomfortable, but only Yu Dameng, who had a bold heart, could have an in-depth discussion with him on how to reduce costs while achieving the highest value.

Qiao Yuan took Pei Yin to the side to drink tea, “Have you made up?”

On that day, Pei Yin left in a hurry, and Chu Li spent the whole afternoon complaining to Qiao Yuan about the misdeeds of Pei Yin’s husband!

Combining what Pei Yin had told him before, Qiao Yuan also guessed what was going on between Pei Yin and his husband. But he didn’t want to interfere too much.

Pei Yin shook his head, “No.”

“It’s just that life has to go on.” He added.

Qiao Yuan smiled and added tea for Pei Yin, “Life has to go on, of course, but how it goes depends on yourself. If others don’t let you live well, don’t let them live well either.”

“That makes sense.” Pei Yin and Qiao Yuan clinked their cups, and the fire he had vented at Wen Jingnian before made him understand how they would go in the future. The depression in his heart was relieved, and his face was no longer gloomy, and he had some cheerfulness.

He glanced at the scene where Wen Jingnian was squatting on the ground and drawing with Yu Dameng, disregarding his manners, and turned to Qiao Yuan, saying, “But don’t worry, he is a good official.”

He could stay up day and night for the suffering people and could boldly and courageously advise the emperor to impeach the powerful prince for a wrongful case. This showed great sharpness and bravery.

Qiao Yuan had a smile in his eyes, and he always felt that Pei Yin couldn’t really be cruel to Wen Jingnian, and they would still have entanglements in the future. But Qiao Yuan didn’t say it directly, and changed the topic, “How did you think about the hotpot matter last time?”

“I wanted to agree then.”

But it was interrupted by Wen Jingnian’s sudden arrival.

Pei Yin was a little embarrassed. “We’ve known each other a while, yet I never revealed my identity. It’s my fault.”

“It doesn’t matter.” The three of them also got to know each other slowly, but since they were going to cooperate for a long time, it was better to know some details.

“I was originally the son of a general’s mansion, and later married him.” Pei Yin glanced at Wen Jingnian and said lightly, “He was the top scholar in the twentieth year of Jian’an and is now serving as the deputy minister of the Ministry of Works.”

“General’s mansion?” Qiao Yuan was puzzled, “Is it General Pei Yan who guards the northwest?”

Pei Yin did not expect that Qiao Yuan would still know his father’s name, and immediately nodded happily, with a clear and bright look in his eyes, “My father is a hero of our time.”

Qiao Yuan smiled, “That’s really a coincidence.”

“What do you mean?” Pei Yin was puzzled.

“My husband once served in the Northwest Army under a major general,” Qiao Yuan paused, “Hmm… he should be your younger or older brother?”

It was like a flood hitting the Dragon King’s temple, a family of people no longer recognize each other.2This is a Chinese idiom that means a great upheaval or chaos where everything is turned upside down. The literal translation of the idiom is “When the big flood comes, the Dragon King’s temple is the first to be destroyed, and even family members don’t recognize each other.” In this context, it conveys the surprise and irony of discovering this hidden familial bond between the two, when they were previously unaware they were practically relatives.

Pei Yin grew excited. He now felt even closer to Qiao Yuan. “That’s my younger brother!”

Qiao Yuan couldn’t help but laugh. Fate was really a wonderful thing, “Then Ah Li said before that you donated all the money you earned to the soldiers at the border?”

Pei Yin nodded and spoke slowly: “Even if the court allocates military funds, after being skimmed off at every level, there is not much left in the hands of the soldiers at the border. Although my father holds a high position, he is a military official and is far away in the northwest, so he cannot do much about corrupt officials. As a loyal subject and a filial son, I want to do my best to help the soldiers at the border with whatever little power I have.”

Qiao Yuan was shocked. He came to this unknown dynasty alone, and he didn’t have much sense of belonging to this dynasty. But throughout history, there was never a lack of righteous people who sacrificed themselves for the country and the people.

Qiao Yuan thought for a while and said, “In that case, I will only take a tenth of the profit, and the rest will be considered as a gesture of goodwill from me and my husband to the soldiers at the border.”

“No.” Pei Yin shook his head and refused, “We are in high positions, and receive the emperor’s salary, so we need to bear the responsibility. You don’t have to do that. We will do business as usual, I will provide the manpower and the shop, you will provide the recipe, and we will split the profit forty-six, how about that?”

Qiao Yuan did not agree and explained, “When my husband was serving in the northwest, he was still young and received a lot of care from his elders in the military. This is also my way of repaying their kindness. Secondly, we are for the people of Da Chu, and the soldiers fighting on the border are also protecting us. Since I have the ability, I should also contribute.”

Pei Yin felt it was inappropriate and wanted to say something, but Qiao Yuan used the same trick he used to deal with Yu Dameng, and pretended to be angry, “Don’t you treat me as a friend?”

Pei Yin couldn’t help but laugh, “You and Ah Li have similar temperaments.” He thought for a while and added playfully, “As for Ah Li’s identity, let him tell you himself!”

Qiao Yuan was embarrassed, how many people with the surname Chu were very noble in the world?

There was really no need to say more!

When the two of them finished discussing the business, Yu Dameng and Wen Jingnian also seemed to have finished their discussion, and they came over together.

Qiao Yuan looked at Yu Dameng with a smile, and when he came closer, he reached out and brushed off the dirt on his clothes, and asked, “How did it go?”

Yu Dameng nodded, and there was also a smile in his eyes. He answered honestly, “I have explained everything clearly to Lord Wen.”

There was nothing particularly special in the actions between these two people, but there was a warmth between them.

Wen Jingnian looked at Pei Yin with confusion, but Pei Yin turned his face away and ignored him.

Wen Jingnian: “……”

When the two of them left, Qiao Yuan told Yu Dameng about Pei Yin’s background.

Yu Dameng was surprised, “He is actually the major general’s brother?”

Then, Yu Dameng slapped his head and said, “I remember now!”

Qiao Yuan was startled by him, “What?”

“That young master last time who looked familiar – I saw his portrait on the major general’s desk!”

Qiao Yuan: “……”

He vaguely seemed to learn some shocking gossip!

Wen Jingnian came this time not only to pick up Pei Yin, but also to escort Chu Li back to the palace.

Qiao Yuan originally wanted to host a banquet for them, but Chu Li refused to sit at the same table with Wen Jingnian, so the banquet was cancelled.

On the day of departure, Qiao Yuan and Yu Dameng went to see them off.

Chu Li felt a bit melancholic and held onto Qiao Yuan, saying in a low voice, “I can’t bear to part with you.”

The palace rules were strict, and the distance was far. After today, they didn’t know when they would see each other again.

The two of them were among the few friends that Qiao Yuan had become close with since coming here. Qiao Yuan felt a bit sad and patted his friend’s back, saying, “I will write to you guys often.”

“Of course!” Chu Li’s tone became cheerful again, “We still have business to do!”

Qiao Yuan took out a letter and handed it to Pei Yin. “Regarding the matter of planting vegetables in winter that we discussed earlier, I have come up with another idea, but I’m not sure if it will work. I have written it down on paper, and you can try it out according to the method.”

Pei Yin did not keep his distance this time, he accepted the invitation and chatted with several people before saying goodbye.

Wen Jingnian was itching to know the method of winter vegetable planting mentioned in the letter.

But after Pei Yin and Chu Li looked at it, it seemed like they had no intention of saying anything to him.

Wen Jingnian opened his mouth awkwardly, “Ah Yin, what is the method mentioned in the letter?”

“Why should I tell you? This is the method that Ah Yuan told me and Ah Yin!” Chu Li snapped.

“Your Highness,” Wen Jingnian explained with a furrowed brow, “if we can find a way to make it work and promote it, it would be a great benefit to the people.”

Chu Li said indignantly, “Then you don’t have to worry! When I go back, I’ll ask my father to chop off your head!”

Wen Jing sneered coldly and mocked, “Your Highness should be more careful about your own head when you go back!”

Chu Li was furious, Dog Wen deserved to die!

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. If you want to show your support, you can buy me a coffee. It would make my day! For every five coffees I get, I will release a bonus chapter.