Chapter 41: Pei Shaoqing is Open and Aboveboard, a Human Encyclopedia (Seeking Monthly Votes)

On the way back to the city, Chen Zhongyi rode his horse one length behind Pei Shaoqing and flattered him: "To personally slay the Kaiyang Holy Son—such a merit will surely reach the Emperor's ears. His Majesty will certainly bestow a great reward, so this lowly one offers his congratulations to you, my lord, in advance."

Although the Kaiyang Holy Son's strength was nothing to write home about, he was, after all, the personal disciple of the Xuanhuang Sect leader and a Holy Son of the Xuanhuang Sect; the significance he represented was extraordinary.

"What great reward or not? My Weiyuan Marquis Mansion has been blessed by the imperial grace for generations; it is enough for this official to have the honor of sharing the Emperor's burdens," Pei Shaoqing replied indifferently.

"My lord is indifferent to fame and wealth; this subordinate admires you." Chen Zhongyi cupped his hands with a face full of admiration, then sighed with a look of shame: "I can no longer keep up with your level of detachment."

"Rest assured, when the rewards from above come down, there will be no shortage for you all," Pei Shaoqing said nonchalantly.

Sun Youliang spurred his horse forward: "My lord, please allow this subordinate to return to the city first to proclaim your merits."

"Mm," Pei Shaoqing nodded reservedly.

Sun Youliang immediately led his subordinates and rode away.

After entering the city, he shouted: "Lord Pei has personally slain the Xuanhuang Sect's Kaiyang Holy Son! Everyone out of the city to welcome him immediately!"

The subordinates behind him brandished their horse whips to drive people along.

"Out of the city to welcome him immediately! Hurry! Move!"

"You won't go? I think you look like a traitor of the Xuanhuang Sect!"

"My lord, please look clearly! This lowly one hates the Xuan Sect to the bone! I will take my whole family, old and young, out of the city to welcome him right now."

The organizational power of the Jing'an Guard was as efficient and formidable as ever; countless commoners were spontaneously going out of the city to welcome Pei Shaoqing's triumphant return—though, of course, some were truly spontaneous.

When Pei Shaoqing arrived at the city gate, what he saw was the entire city's commoners beating drums and gongs, with cheers ringing out incessantly.

"Lord Pei has slain the traitor, heroic and invincible!"

"Lord Pei is invincible under heaven!"

Pei Shaoqing held a smile at the corners of his mouth, sitting on horseback while continuously cupping his hands or waving to the commoners on both sides.

"Xu Yuanqing, Zheng Xuancheng, and now a Xuanhuang Sect Holy Son—how long has Lord Pei been in Tongzhou and he has already established so many merits? It is truly admirable!"

"Lord Pei is so good, neither arrogant nor lacking in ability, but his subordinates are truly not good people."

The simple-minded commoners believed that Pei Shaoqing was unaware of the dirty deeds Sun Youliang and his men were doing, and that he had been kept in the dark.

After returning to the Hundred-Household Office, Pei Shaoqing wrote a letter and had Sun Youliang make another trip to deliver it to the Thousand-Household Office.

Brought along with it were the identity token the Kaiyang Holy Son carried on his person, as well as his fine head.

That evening, a victory celebration was held at Qunfang Yuan; all the brothers had their fill of abalone, and everyone cheered for "Commander Pei."

And he, having finished his task, brushed off his clothes and left, hiding his body and name deep away.

After arriving home, he first went to look for Liu Yuheng; seeing that her room was still lit, he knew she hadn't slept yet, so he raised his hand to knock on the door.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Who is it?"

"Madam, it is I. Is it convenient for me to come in?"

After a moment, with a creak, Liu Yuheng opened the door and said softly: "Young Master, please come in."

At this moment, she had already changed into a cool outfit.

She wore a light gauze robe over a long dress, and her upper body was wrapped in a pale yellow embroidered bodice; her full, fair breasts were tightly bound, their contours distinct and seemingly ready to burst forth.

Her whole person looked very succulent, like a perfectly ripe peach; one light bite would surely cause the juices to overflow.

"Pardon the intrusion," Pei Shaoqing stepped inside.

After he walked to the table and sat down, his gaze suddenly fell upon the screen opposite; hanging on it were the clothes Liu Yuheng had worn during the day, with a white embroidered bellyband and a pair of white silk underpants in a short-shorts style being extremely conspicuous.

Liu Yuheng followed his line of sight, and her pretty face instantly turned burning hot. She hurriedly walked over, took them down, crumpled them into a ball, and tossed them aside, saying with some embarrassment and shyness: "I just finished washing up and hadn't had time to put them away."

"It is I who came too suddenly," Pei Shaoqing gave an apologetic smile that revealed his openness, "Madam, please sit as well."

"Yes. I do not yet know why the Young Master has come in the middle of the night?" Liu Yuheng first poured him a cup of tea before taking her seat; the not-so-large wooden stool could not contain her round, plump buttocks, and the alluring flesh spilled over the edges.

"Many thanks, Madam." Pei Shaoqing picked up the teacup, took a sip, and after setting it down, said: "It is mainly to express my gratitude to you in person. If not for your help today, the Kaiyang Holy Son might have escaped."

"Young Master, you are too polite. You are a fortunate person protected by heaven; even without this concubine, the Kaiyang Holy Son would have found it hard to escape death," Liu Yuheng said with a pursed-lip smile.

"Madam is being too modest," Pei Shaoqing said as he stood up and bowed solemnly, "In any case, thank you, Madam."

"Young Master, you must not," seeing this, Liu Yuheng hurriedly stood up to support him, her red lips parting slightly: "If the Young Master truly wishes to thank this concubine, perhaps you could grant me one request."

"Madam, please speak," Pei Shaoqing nodded slightly.

Liu Yuheng organized her thoughts and said, her breath as fragrant as orchids: "Young Master, you come from a Marquis family and are never lacking for any kind of woman by your side. Could you please let Lan'er go?"

"Madam, what are you saying? You make it sound as if I am a man who bullies men and oppresses women," Pei Shaoqing gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Liu Yuheng hurriedly said: "I did not mean that..."

"Enough, I understand Madam's meaning," Pei Shaoqing raised a hand to interrupt her, saying with a look of complete openness: "Miss Zhao is young and beautiful, and I truly like her, but since you have said this, I hereby promise that I will never again take the initiative to set my sights on her."

"This..." Upon hearing this, Liu Yuheng was first overjoyed, but then her face clouded with worry, because it was Zhao Zhilan who was currently taking the initiative to offer herself.

Pei Shaoqing feigned confusion: "Why? Does Madam not believe me? Or are you still not satisfied with this?"

"No," Liu Yuheng gave a forced smile; since Pei Shaoqing had already made such a promise, how could she have the face to ask for more? She said softly: "Thank you, Young Master."

"As long as Madam is satisfied. It is getting late, so I will not disturb your rest any longer," Pei Shaoqing took his leave.

Liu Yuheng stood up to see him off: "Young Master, walk slowly."

Watching Pei Shaoqing depart, Liu Yuheng sighed faintly; she would have to find a way to dispel Lan'er's notions.

…………………………

"My husband has returned," Xie Qingwu stood up and stepped forward to help Pei Shaoqing change his clothes, her gaze burning as she said: "I heard that my husband has personally slain the Xuan Sect's Kaiyang Holy Son; this is truly a joyous and congratulatory event. Might I, your wife, catch a glimpse of that spirit pill?"

"You have never seen one?" Pei Shaoqing was somewhat surprised.

Hearing this, Xie Qingwu rolled her eyes with infinite charm: "Do you think spirit pills are cabbages? There are only a limited number of them now; every one eaten is one less. Living deep in the boudoir, where would I have the opportunity to see one?"

"Then it is understandable that the Kaiyang Holy Son would poison his fellow disciples for a spirit pill," Pei Shaoqing muttered to himself.

"I, however, find it incomprehensible," Xie Qingwu shook her head, walked over to the daybed, and sat down, her small feet in embroidered shoes swinging back and forth as she said: "The Xuanhuang Sect has existed for a thousand years; one could say its foundation is even thicker than that of the current Great Zhou imperial family. With the Kaiyang Holy Son's status, he had absolutely no need to go to such lengths for a spirit pill."

"Then who knows what he was thinking," Pei Shaoqing shook his head, walked over to sit beside Xie Qingwu, and casually took out the jade bottle and handed it over: "Take a look."

"Being so casual, aren't you afraid I'll just eat it the moment I take it?" Xie Qingwu blinked her eyes.

Pei Shaoqing smiled very gently, touched her face, and said softly, "It's fine. If you really eat it, I'll just eat you, and I'll still be able to absorb the medicinal power. What flavor do you like? Braised? Or steamed?"

"That joke isn't funny at all." Xie Qingwu shivered, took the jade bottle, and examined it, saying with some surprise, "It's actually a Barrier-Breaking Pill."

"How did you recognize it? And through the bottle, too!" Pei Shaoqing looked at her with a face full of astonishment.

Xie Qingwu looked at him with the gaze one would use for an idiot.

"It's written on the bottom of the bottle."

Pei Shaoqing: "............"

"Ahem." Feeling a bit awkward, he hurriedly forced a change of topic, "Are there many types of spirit pills?"

"Of course. There are those that can bring the dead back to life, those that can regrow bones, those that can strengthen the body, those that can prolong life, and also those that will make your physical body explode if you eat them." Xie Qingwu held up the jade bottle in her hand, "This Barrier-Breaking Pill is just as its name suggests; it is used by cultivators to break through realms."

As she spoke, she poured the pill out and frowned, saying, "This is a low-grade pill, and looking at the luster, much of the spiritual power has dissipated. However, for us mortals of flesh and blood, the medicinal power is still overbearing. If you take it, it's best to go into seclusion and slowly absorb and refine the medicinal power."

"Wife, you really do know everything from astronomy to geography!" Pei Shaoqing expressed his sincere admiration.

This was a walking encyclopedia.

Xie Qingwu gave a soft hum, "Of course. There aren't many books left in this world that this young lady hasn't read."

Pei Shaoqing suddenly felt that Xie Qingwu was exceptionally charming tonight, having the air of a modern, highly educated woman.

He really wanted to swim in the ocean of knowledge.

"It would be perfect if you wore a pair of gold-rimmed crystal glasses, Wife," Pei Shaoqing said earnestly.

Glasses, Black Silk, embroidered shoes—who could understand!

Xie Qingwu felt it was inexplicable, pursed her lips, and said, "I'm not blind; my eyes work just fine."

"Is that so? I hope that tonight, Wife, your eyes can hold me." Pei Shaoqing hugged her and said softly.

Xie Qingwu, "Don't my eyes hold you already?"

Pei Shaoqing smiled without a word.

Xie Qingwu had indeed read many books; realizing the meaning behind his words, she turned red in the face and exploded.

"Pah! Don't even think about it! You can only use your feet!"

"Very well, Wife, please trample me to death!"

Xie Qingwu: ╭(╯^╰)╮

(End of chapter)