Chapter 62: The Messenger from the Capital has left again, the Saintess is on a hunger strike (Begging for votes at the start of the

"I dare not deceive the Emperor, I dare not deceive the Emperor! Even if I were given a hundred guts, I would not dare to deceive the Emperor!" Pei Shaoqing waved his hands repeatedly in agitation, grabbed Eunuch Liu by the arm, and said, "You must examine the details with a discerning eye, Eunuch!"

"As long as you have not deceived the Emperor, Young Master, no one can touch you given your status," Eunuch Liu said in a low voice.

The Emperor wanted to deal with Pei Shaoqing, and he certainly did not mind helping to relieve the Emperor's worries, but there was a prerequisite for this "dealing with."

That was that the charges against Pei Shaoqing had to be true.

They could not be fabricated out of thin air.

After all, Pei Shaoqing was no ordinary person.

Moreover, although he did not understand why the Emperor suddenly wanted to find fault with Pei Shaoqing, he was certain that even if it were verified that Pei Shaoqing had deceived the Emperor, the Emperor would ultimately raise the matter high and lower it gently; it was impossible for him to make a huge fuss over this.

Because the Weiyuan Marquis was still leading a great army abroad.

Therefore, he could not, and dared not, act on his own initiative to frame Pei Shaoqing just to curry favor with the Emperor or to settle old scores; at most, he could offer a few unfavorable words based on the facts.

And since Pei Shaoqing had offered heavy gifts as an apology and had sincerely repented with the status of a marquis's son, past grievances had already vanished like smoke, so he could not do such a thing.

At the same time, during this meeting, Pei Shaoqing was like a different person compared to the past, making him feel that the other party might truly not have deceived the Emperor; that was why he dared to accept the money and speak frankly.

Of course, if his judgment was wrong and it was eventually verified that Pei Shaoqing had indeed deceived the Emperor, then at worst, he would just report it truthfully and give all the money he received to his foster father as a filial offering.

Pei Shaoqing looked calm and said in a firm, decisive tone, "I dare to swear that I have absolutely not deceived the Emperor."

"With those words from you, Young Master, everything is worry-free." Eunuch Liu patted his hand, pulled his own arm away, and said, "Young Master, please tell me the whole process."

Pei Shaoqing recounted it slowly, emphasizing that the Kaiyang Saint Son was first wounded by Liu Yuheng and the others, losing his ability to move, and only then was he shot and killed by his arrow.

"So that is how it was." Eunuch Liu revealed a look of sudden realization and said softly, "Although you were not the main force in defeating the Kaiyang Saint Son, Young Master, you planned the encirclement, and it was you who personally shot and killed him. The primary merit belongs to you, without dispute. After I investigate clearly, I will write a detailed document to corroborate your achievements."

"Then I will trouble you, Eunuch Liu. I will have a subordinate accompany you to provide convenience for your investigation in Tongzhou," Pei Shaoqing said with a sincere expression.

Eunuch Liu laughed in spite of himself, knowing that he wanted to arrange someone to keep an eye on him, but he did not resist and accepted it generously, "I will trouble you to cooperate, Young Master."

"Drink, let's drink." Pei Shaoqing smiled, raised his cup again, drank it in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and asked casually, "I wonder if the Chang Gongzhu still holds a grudge against me?"

Eunuch Liu gave him this look ←_←.

Young Master, do you not have any self-awareness yourself?

"Second Young Master, at that time you were holding the Chang Gongzhu's phoenix body and speaking obscenities; you were just a step away from stripping her clothes," Eunuch Liu reminded him helplessly.

Pei Shaoqing gave a sheepish smile and quickly changed the subject, "Eunuch, why do you think the Emperor does not believe me?"

Eunuch Liu naturally knew what he really wanted to ask. He pinched his orchid-shaped fingers and said in a low voice, "The Emperor's heart is like an abyss; how could I possibly fathom it? However, in my humble opinion, in the Emperor's eyes, you are just a mischievous junior, and he will not be too serious with you about anything."

Hearing this, Pei Shaoqing understood immediately.

The Emperor was not coming for him.

It was very likely aimed at his father.

Could it be that he was wary of the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion's excessive military power?

That shouldn't be it either; his eldest sister-in-law and his father's only grandson were both in the Capital as hostages, and the Great Zhou's national strength was flourishing; they should not fear a rebellion from the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion.

After sending off Eunuch Liu and arranging for Song Youcai to accompany him to assist with the investigation, Pei Shaoqing returned to his room and brought up the matter he had just failed to figure out to Xie Qingwu.

Xie Qingwu possessed more information and was as bright as snow, so she saw through it instantly, "The Emperor is already over sixty. Due to many years of toiling over state affairs, his health is not what it used to be. He is afraid that by the day he ascends to heaven as a dragon, he will not live to see the day the Northern Barbarians are defeated by Great Zhou.

Moreover, only by annihilating the Northern Barbarians as soon as possible and resolving the border troubles in the north can he prune the military power of the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion to pave the way for his successor. Therefore, he is anxious and wants to use your crime of deceiving the Emperor to pressure the Marquis to lead the troops north as soon as possible."

Pei Shaoqing suddenly realized; so that was it.

He thought of his trump card for handling the Weiyuan Marquis.

"Then my father had better be polite to me, otherwise I will rebel in a minute and have his nine generations executed."

Xie Qingwu: "............"

Good husband, you really are a filial son!

…………………………

It was a fact that Pei Shaoqing had killed the Kaiyang Saint Son.

Therefore, it only took Eunuch Liu three days to finish the investigation, and two of those days were spent enjoying the rotating hospitality of the County Government, the Hundred-Household Office, and the wealthy merchants in the city.

On the day he returned to the Capital to report his mission.

Pei Shaoqing and Wang Xianling personally left the city to see him off.

Pei Shaoqing cupped his hands, "I wish you a smooth journey, Eunuch."

"When the Second Young Master returns to the Capital, I will drink to my heart's content with you again. Wait patiently; the Imperial Decree for your reward will arrive by the end of the month at the latest," Eunuch Liu said.

Pei Shaoqing nodded, "I will trouble you to put in a good word for me before the Emperor. I am deeply grateful."

"Certainly, certainly. Even a journey of a thousand miles must come to an end; Young Master and Wang Xianling, please stop here." As Eunuch Liu finished speaking, he flipped onto his horse, pulled the reins to turn the horse's head, and shouted, "Set off for the Capital! Giddyap!"

Accompanied by the clattering of hooves, a dozen fast horses kicked up clouds of dust and disappeared from everyone's sight.

Wang Xianling walked up and said, "This eunuch came empty-handed, but he left fully loaded."

Not only had Pei Shaoqing given Eunuch Liu money.

He had also given some.

"You could also go become a eunuch; if you have a scholarly rank, it's even more lucrative," Pei Shaoqing suggested.

Wang Xianling's face darkened, and he flicked his sleeves and left. There were some things he might not need to use, but he absolutely could not be without them.

Pei Shaoqing quickly caught up to him, "The Messenger from the Capital has already come and gone. Is that female sword immortal from your Saint Sect actually coming or not? Lately, it's made me like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow; I have to keep one eye open even when I sleep."

"I have no news either. Perhaps Her Highness is busy with other matters and has no time to come and take your dog life for now. You might as well just be happy for the moment," Wang Xianling teased.

The corners of Pei Shaoqing's mouth rose slightly; your Saintess Highness is being kept by me at home as a pet.

Although this pet is currently still disobedient.

But it is normal for a newly adopted pet not to be affectionate and to bare its teeth, especially one that is already an adult when brought home to be raised; it will be fine after being tamed slowly.

He was looking forward to the day when Saintess Highness would lie at his feet like a dog, wagging her tail and bowing in submission.

Just as Pei Shaoqing returned to the mansion, Liu Yuheng hurried to find him, "Young Master, the Yaoguang Saintess has not eaten for three days, nor has she drunk any water. If this continues, I fear she will starve and thirst to death."

"Oh? I'll go take a look," Pei Shaoqing said.

He could not let the Saintess of Yaoguang starve to death.

Liu Yuheng followed behind him as they went together.

(End of chapter)