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  Chapter 43

  "That scoundrel shouted hoarsely, 'Second Master, I'm Pei Qing, I'm Pei Qing! The military officer of the Five Cities Garrison has caught the wrong person. You quickly tell them that I'm Pei Qing, who serves in the Town National Duke's Mansion, not a thief. Let them release me quickly!'"

  This sudden turn of events left Commander Shi stunned for a moment, and he looked at the bandit who was tied up with some doubt, secretly guessing whether what he said was true or false. He thought that if it was really a misunderstanding, should he let him go or not? If he let him go, the Five Cities' military would lose face; but if he didn't let him go, he might offend the powerful Minister Pei.

  He was lost in thought when he suddenly caught sight of General Pang's eyes, which were emitting a cold and sinister aura. He had an epiphany and suddenly remembered that whether this thief was Yang Youzhong or not, the fact remained that he had sneaked into General Pang's house. Catching the thief and recovering the stolen goods, now that both the culprit and the loot had been apprehended in broad daylight, Pei Qing's crime was as good as settled.

  If you want to handle the matter neatly, both to save the face of the five-city garrison and not to make Director Pei suspicious, the best plan for now is to quickly take the person away, so as not to let him get entangled with Young Master Pei in front of all these onlookers. Once you've taken the person back, investigate his true identity. If he really is from the Duke of Town's manor, then secretly send him back.

  Thinking of this, Commander Shi sternly shouted, "What nonsense are you spouting? Can the Second Master be summoned at will? Guards, take that scoundrel away immediately."

  This is a matter of calming down and pacifying people, it's actually a way of making big things smaller and small things even smaller.

  Unfortunately, Bae Jingxiao didn't buy it. He drank and retreated the five city soldiers who were holding down Bae Qing in front of him. After looking at him with some disdain for a few moments, he finally recognized that the disheveled person was indeed a servant from his household. He exclaimed in surprise, "Bae Qing? Is that really Bae Qing? Didn't Third Uncle tell you to prepare new toys as a gift for Grandfather's birthday? How did you end up here?"

  He turned his head and instructed Commander Shi, "This man is not a thief, it's really my housekeeper Pei Qing. He doesn't lack money to spend, he can't do such petty thefts. You must have made a mistake. Commander Shi, please release him quickly."

  As soon as this was said, the whole city was in an uproar. Many people here had personally seen the soldiers of the five cities bring out the stolen goods and evidence from the post house, and the evidence was conclusive. How could they deny it? Even if the emperor himself broke the law, he would be punished just like a commoner, let alone Pei Qing, who was only a slave in the mansion of the Duke of Zhenguo. Yet, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Pei Er Ye, an idle young master with no official position or power, dared to order the history books to release the person.

  The Pei family is arrogant and domineering. They have indeed reached a point where they are above the law.

  Commander Shi's face turned iron-green, he took a deep breath of cold air and said, "Is Lord Pei joking? This thief was caught by me in person from General Pang's house, at that time he was holding General Pang's things in his hand, the stolen goods were found on him, it is absolutely true. How could a small brother who works for your esteemed mansion do such a thing? So, Lord Pei must have made a mistake."

  Anything in General Pang's house could be a military secret. Whoever sneaks into General Pang's house may be suspected of stealing military secrets, which is punishable by death. A servant's life is not worth much, but if someone suspects that this behavior was ordered by Commander Pei, the consequences would be unthinkable. The five-city garrison has always been loyal to Commander Pei, and if Commander Pei is involved in something, they will not get a good outcome either.

  He sternly shouted at his subordinates, "What are you all staring at? Hurry up and take the person away!"

  Pang Jian suddenly stopped him coldly, "Hold on!"

  He took two steps forward, bowed his head slightly to Pei Jingxiao, and then stood in front of the thief, asking in a deep voice, "If you're not a thief, why did you enter my house? If you didn't steal, what's in that package? If you can explain these things clearly, I'll let you go. What's difficult about that?"

  Pei Qing had been serving under Pei San for many years, so he knew a thing or two. In his heart, he was aware that if he didn't speak the truth this time, others would take advantage of the situation and make things worse. Not only would he lose his life, but even Pei Xiang wouldn't be able to escape unscathed. If Pei Xiang were to come to harm, how could anyone in his household hope to survive? After weighing the pros and cons, he finally seemed to have made up his mind and said, "General Pang's words are just a misunderstanding!"

  He hesitated for a moment, then said, "My family's Third Master heard that the Salt Tax Intendant had returned to Shengjing to report for duty and brought back many handsome young servants. He sent me to negotiate the purchase of a few to bring back as gifts...as gifts for the Prime Minister to enjoy. I had just selected the people and agreed on the price when suddenly I heard that the relay station was flooded, and in the chaos, I accidentally stumbled into the General's quarters. As for that package...that package was..."

  The words had barely fallen when someone opened the package, and to their surprise, it was a pile of colorful silk undershirts. Judging from the style and size, they should be the personal clothes of that group of children.

  Pei Qinghong's face turned red as she said, "I thought it was novel, so I scooped up a few handfuls."

  The onlookers burst into laughter, but Pei Jingxiao's face turned bright red. He glared at Pang Qing and said, "You rascal, what nonsense are you spouting!"

  Although the fashion of keeping boy toys was not particularly popular in Zhou Dynasty, there were still many wealthy and noble men who loved to keep them as pets. That's why the salt tax supervisor brought back a number of handsome boy toys from Jiangnan when he returned to the capital for his job rotation, and people knew what was going on without needing to be told. Some even considered it an elegant pastime, but if they were to say so openly, that would be quite improper.

  This will be a disaster, Pei Qing has made this secret private matter known to the whole city, not only will the salt tax collector be implicated, but more importantly, in just a few days, the entire Zhou Dynasty will know that Pei Xiang, although over 60 years old, still indulges in debauchery with young boys. The third elder of the Pei family flatters and fawns, actually sending his own father a young servant to satisfy his lust. As Pei Xiang holds high power and authority, naturally no one dares to mock him openly, but private gossip will certainly be unavoidable.

  Bai Xiangding did not expect that on his birthday he would encounter such a humiliating affair.

  Although Pei Jingxiao was a bit spoiled, he wasn't completely unaware of human affairs. At this moment, he finally realized the severity of the situation and felt both regretful and fearful in his heart. He regretted not following Commander Shi's lead earlier and instead taking the blame for Third Uncle's mistake upon himself. He was also afraid that when he returned to the manor, he would be punished by his grandfather. He knew that his grandfather was decisive and held absolute power in the Town National Duke Manor, where if he were to be abandoned, it would mean that Big Brother, the invalid, would be finished, and this family property might not necessarily fall into his hands either.

  In a fit of shame and anger, he kicked Pei Qing several times and turned to return to the carriage with a huff.

  Pang Jian's face showed a strange expression, and he smiled at Commander Shi, saying, "Since it was a misunderstanding, Commander Shi, let's just forget about this matter."

  At this point, Commander Shi was in a dilemma. If he arrested the man and took him away, wouldn't that be deceiving himself and others? But if he let him go like this, he feared that the rumors would only spread further, and later, Director Pei would blame all these on him again. He thought back and forth, and still said, "In any case, this thief's theft is true. Our Five Cities Military Command must take this man back for a thorough trial. If he is really innocent, we can let him go afterwards."

  Unable to avoid another unexpected event, he rushed towards Pang Jian and threw a punch, "General, stay behind, I'll take my leave first."

  These people all loved to use loud and clear voices, even though Ming Xuan's carriage was not close by, she could hear every word clearly. She watched the commotion with a cold eye, but in her heart, she had a strange feeling, always thinking that Pei Qing was being deliberately set up, as if someone had spread out a big net and was waiting for today to lay down a trap to give Pei this gift.

  She couldn't help but lift the curtain again to take a look, but suddenly realized that the curtain on the left side of the carriage had also been rolled up at some point. On the yellow rosewood carriage, sat a man wearing a purple brocade robe, his eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, handsome and beautiful as if he was a celestial being from a painting, intently gazing at the commotion in front.

  Ming Xuan involuntarily let out a soft "oh", and then hastily put down the curtain, but her heart could no longer be calm.

  That face, once seen, is hard to forget. On the day of Mother's birthday ceremony, behind Qingliang Temple, she ran into the deputy general of the Town North Army disguised as a monk again, and then bumped into him coming out of the medicine hut with a young servant boy. At that time, he should have been injured in the leg, still carrying a thick wooden crutch, walking with difficulty, but his eyes were still piercing. Now, connecting all these past events together and thinking carefully, I feel more and more that the man's character is indeed similar to his eyes, both unfathomable.

  But she can't even protect herself now, where does she have the leisure to think about other people's affairs? Moreover, today's victim is Pei Xiang, and she is delighted to see it. No matter whether Pei Xiang had a hand in her father's death three years ago or not, it cannot change the fact that the relationship between the two families is now tense. The Crown Prince of Empress Gu will be born in another two months, and she doesn't believe that Pei Xiang can still remain this calm by then.

  At this time, the coachman reported back, "Seventh young lady, the road ahead has been cleared."

  Ming Xuan nodded, "Let's go back to the manor."

  She waited until the carriage had gone some distance, then leaned out from behind the curtain and asked the driver, "Do you know whose carriage was stopped on our left just now?"

  The coachman hastily replied, "In response to Seventh Miss's question, that is the Marquis of Ping's carriage from the Pei family. Inside are the eldest and second masters of the Pei family. Today, the Pei family held a small banquet at home because it was not a grand occasion. The young master's wife sent the second master to Qingliang Temple to pick up the eldest master. I heard that some days ago, when the eldest master of the Pei family went to Qingliang Temple, he startled the horse on the mountain path and injured his leg. He has been recuperating in the temple for many days. After recovering a bit, he suddenly caught a cough and was panting heavily all the way back."

  He hesitated for a moment and then explained hastily, "These were all told to me by the carriage driver of the Pei family when I was watching the commotion just now."

  A sharp glint flashed in Ming Xuan's eyes, and she narrowed them slightly, muttering under her breath, "The great master of the Pei family...?"

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