Chapter 58 (2/2)

Pei Jin rubbed his face on Yan Shi Ning’s neck and spoke in a sad tone. ‘Shi Ning, Pei Lam died.’

Yan Shi Ning sat still on Pei Jin’s lap.

‘Pei Lam broke a teapot and slit his throat,’ Pei Jin said. ‘When someone discovered what happened it was too late. Pei Lam lost too much blood and his last words were… it’s clean red blood, finally I’ve escaped…’ Pei Jin said.

In front of others Pei Jin acted like he was happy Pei Lam died. He could only show how guilty and sad he felt in front of Yan Shi Ning.

Yan Shi Ning understood Pei Jin’s feelings. She knew Pei Jin didn’t kill Pei Lam but in Pei Jin’s heart he blamed himself for Pei Lam’s death.

Yan Shi Ning turned around and wrapped her arms around Pei Jin’s neck. He kissed her forehead and kissed her lips for a while.

‘Wife, do you want to do it in the middle of the day with your husband?’ Pei Jin asked.

‘Do you want to die?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

‘Wife, it appears you’ve learned bad habits from Xiao Hui,’ Pei Jin said. ‘I think I have to change your personal guards. You only know how to follow their bad habits. Soon you’ll learn to eavesdrop well like Xiao Zai.’

‘Pei Jin, don’t change my personal guards,’ Yan Shi Ning said. ‘Xiao Hui and Xiao Zai are amusing guards.’

‘Alright,’ Pei Jin said. ‘Shi Ning, you didn’t tell me why Huang Guo’s daughter-in-laws came to visit you.’

‘I think they came to see if I’m pregnant,’ Yan Shi Ning said. ‘Perhaps I’ve given away the secret about our child.’

Pei Jin listened to Yan Shi Ning recount about the bracelet and how the women behaved strangely.

‘What does Huang Guo want?’ Pei Jin asked. ‘The empress is dead. He should be satisfied Consort Chen’s death is avenged.’

‘Will it be troublesome if he knows I’m pregnant?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

‘I’m worried our peaceful days are over,’ Pei Jin said.

‘What should we do?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

‘We’ll silently follow them and deal with them at the right opportunity,’ Pei Jin said.

In the palace Wang Fu Mu announced the emperor’s arrival in the imperial court.

The court officials who supported Pei Zhang were surprised to see why Huang Guo was at the palace.

The emperor sat on his throne, his head and heart was plagued with the deaths of the empress and his tenth son.

‘Your majesty, I have something important to report,’ Official Zai Ci said.

‘What is it?’ the emperor asked.

Wang Fu Mu gave the emperor the petition Official Zai Ci prepared.

‘Your majesty, I and many other court officials recommend seventh prince to become the crown prince,’ Official Zai Ci said.

The emperor hid his displeasure. He couldn’t bring his tenth son back to life but he was dissatisfied with his seventh son’s black heart.

‘Huang Guo, what do you think?’ the emperor asked.

‘Your majesty, I disagree,’ Huang Guo said.

Everyone was silent and thought Huang Guo was daring to openly oppose Pei Zhang.

‘Your majesty, I believe ninth prince is more suitable to be the crown prince,’ Huang Guo said.

**

End of Chapter Fifty-Eight