Chapter Twenty-One
The following morning Yan Shi Ning woke up refreshed.

In contrast Pei Jin woke up frustrated. Yan Shi Ning was smiling mockingly at him and his frustrations calmed.

‘Wife, you can hide at the start of a month but you’ll be caught before the middle of a month,’ Pei Jin said.

Yan Shi Ning didn’t refute Pei Jin’s words. Instead she glanced in all four directions. She was satisfied they were alone and spoke softly. ‘Big brother, who do you think sent the assassins?’

‘Wife, you’re home,’ Pei Jin said. ‘You don’t need to be weary at home.’

Yan Shi Ning remembered everyone inside Pei Jin’s manor were within control of his palm, she realised she worried pointlessly. ‘Big brother, what do you think?’

‘Wife, what do you think?’ Pei Jin asked.

‘Anyone is possible,’ Yan Shi Ning said.

‘Why?’ Pei Jin asked.

‘The assassins attacked the emperor and the princes,’ Yan Shi Ning said. ‘It looks like they wanted to kill the Dian Kingdom’s emperor and heirs and cause chaos throughout the Dian Kingdom. If that’s true then who are the Dian Kingdom’s strongest enemies?’

Pei Jin nodded in agreement. ‘That’s a possibility.’

‘But there’s a flaw in that logic,’ Yan Shi Ning said. ‘Diplomats from Dian Kingdom’s strongest enemy kingdoms attended the banquet. If they sent the assassins then there’s no reason for them to risk sending their most talented ministers and warriors.’

‘Um, you’re right,’ Pei Jin said. ‘Besides imperial father wouldn’t allow diplomats from enemy kingdoms to enter the palace without having them followed to find out if they were planning an ambush.’

Yan Shi Ning glanced in all directions and she smiled. ‘You and your father share that same trait.’

‘Of course, we’re father and son after all,’ Pei Jin said. ‘If they won’t sent by an enemy kingdom then who do you think is the culprit?’

Yan Shi Ning shook her head. ‘I’m not certain. But I think that anyone else is a possibility.’

‘Who else?’ Pei Jin said.

Yan Shi Ning thought Pei Jin looked like he was in deep thought. ‘Big brother, I think you know who the suspects are.’

Pei Jin nodded his head. ‘But I want to hear your thoughts since my little lion loves to solve mysteries the most.’

‘I think the first suspect is seventh prince,’ Yan Shi Ning said. ‘Even if he saved the emperor, who can be certain it’s not a ruse to escape suspicion? He and the crown prince are the strongest candidate to become emperor. If he saves the emperor then his bond with the emperor would be stronger than the emperor’s bond with the crown prince. Also, the assassins attacked the emperor, the crown prince and big brother. But the assassins didn’t attack him. It’s possible he wants to earn the emperor’s gratitude and if the crown prince and big brother died during the attack then he’ll have less threats.’

Pei Jin poured tea into two cups. ‘Indeed seventh brother is a suspect. But if they were sent by seventh brother, he wouldn’t leave a trail to trace back to him.’

‘I thought about that too,’ Yan Shi Ning said. ‘It’s also a possibility someone wants to frame seventh prince.’

‘Alternately, he purposely ordered them not to attack him to make him less suspicious,’ Pei Jin said. ‘Mixing truths and lies together is a tactic seventh brother likes to use to fool others.’

Yan Shi Ning remembered when she attended her first banquet in the palace, she wasn’t familiar with the surroundings and accidently bumped into Pei Zhang. He looked at her condescendingly and his cold arrogance made him hateful.

Pei Jin noticed Yan Shi Ning was frowning while he drank tea. ‘What are you thinking?’

‘I don’t like Pei Zhang,’ Yan Shi Ning said. ‘I think he’s a dangerous person.’

‘More dangerous than me?’ Pei Jin teased.

‘No, big brother is a lot more dangerous than him,’ Yan Shi Ning said.

Yan Shi Ning spoke truthfully. Although Pei Zhang was cold hearted and wasn’t someone a person could easily befriend, Pei Zhang wasn’t as dangerous as Pei Jin. Because Pei Jin’s gentle and kind act allowed other people to dare to come closer to Pei Jin with their guards down.

Pei Jin saw Yan Shi Ning gritted her teeth and he smiled. ‘If you could choose to marry seventh brother or me, who would you choose?’

Heavens! Yan Shi Ning thought Pei Jin was asking her to choose between a dangerous man and a more dangerous man to marry.

Yan Shi Ning picked up a sweet bun and tucked it in Pei Jin’s mouth. ‘Eat!’

Pei Jin happily ate the sweet bun. ‘Who else do you suspect?’

Yan Shi Ning felt like talking to Pei Jin was like walking in different directions, from jests to sincere conversations.

‘The second and third suspects are the empress and the crown prince,’ Yan Shi Ning said. ‘They could have sent assassins to frame seventh prince. Big brother, think about why it’s strange the assassins attacked the crown prince and big brother but didn’t attack seventh prince. It’s a possibility the empress and the crown prince wants other people to suspect seventh prince. It’s a pity if they sent the assassins, they wouldn’t have anticipated seventh prince would risk his life to save the emperor.’

‘But to frame seventh brother by directly attacking imperial father wouldn’t benefit the empress,’ Pei Jin said. ‘If seventh brother didn’t protect imperial father… what would be the consequences? Supporters for seventh brother and the crown prince are strong on both sides. If the empress knows when victory is uncertain, she wouldn’t use that tactic.’

Yan Shi Ning realised Pei Jin understood everyone in the palace as much as he was familiar with his fingers.

‘Who else?’ Pei Jin asked.

‘Someone from Huang Guo’s manor,’ Yan Shi Ning said.

Pei Jin’s forehead creased, he didn’t expect Yan Shi Ning would also think people from Huang Guo’s side were suspects.

‘After the assassins were captured they killed themselves,’ Yan Shi Ning said. ‘To train assassins to be loyal and protect their master’s identity, their master needs to be someone who is powerful enough that the assassins would be scared to betray them. I did think about Consort La being a suspect. But Consort La’s relatives doesn’t have powerful connections.’

Pei Jin shook her head. ‘Wife, that’s a naive notion. Even if Consort La’s relatives doesn’t have powerful connections, thirteenth brother could become emperor and her relatives will gain more power. There are some people who are willing to gamble once for the biggest gain.’

‘Big brother, do you suspect Consort La?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

Yan Shi Ning felt that Consort La was a gentle and sincere person and the loveable fool Pei Khan would struggle to become emperor.

‘I wanted to say that you shouldn’t dismiss someone if they don’t have powerful connections,’ Pei Jin said. ‘Because sometimes a person purposely make themselves appear like they have no powerful connections to hide their powerful connections.’

Yan Shi Ning thought Pei Jin was alluding to himself and she was curious if he secretly built powerful connections. ‘What about big brother?’

Pei Jin held Yan Shi Ning’s hand and his finger wrote yes on her palm.

Yan Shi Ning raised her head and looked closely at Pei Jin’s expression. In that moment the wind rattled the window.

‘Wife, it appears you’re fooled again,’ Pei Jin said.

Yan Shi Ning heard Pei Jin’s laugh until he was breathless and her heart pounded angrily. She couldn’t believe earlier she was willing to give herself to an expert liar.

Pei Jin felt that Yan Shi Ning was truly angry. He pulled her onto his lap and hastily consoled her. ‘I was teasing you. You were right about Huang Guo. He could have sent the assassins. Think about it, I wasn’t armed but the assassins were armed and they didn’t injure me. But if he sent the assassins, it’s strange why the assassins didn’t attack seventh brother.’

Pei Jin hugged Yan Shi Ning tightly. She ignored his shameless hands on her body and listened to his persuasive reasoning.

‘Big brother, if everyone is capable then who is the culprit?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

Pei Jin nibbled Yan Shi Ning’s earlobe and blew in her ear. ‘Wife, you forgot someone.’

‘Who?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

‘Your husband,’ Pei Jin said.

***

End of Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two (Part 1)
‘You?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

Pei Jin nodded his head. ‘While you’re suspecting other people, other people are suspecting your husband.’

Yan Shi Ning thought it was reasonable other people would suspect Pei Jin who was a prince. But she glanced at his arm wrapped around her waist then at his free hand that was comfortably holding a cup of tea… she didn’t believe he sent those assassins.

Yan Shi Ning knew if Pei Jin sent assassins, his enemies would be killed cleanly and none of his assassins would die.

‘I almost forgot one more person,’ Pei Jin said.

‘Who else?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

Pei Jin looked at the dark blue sky outside. ‘Imperial father.’

In the Chi Ruan chamber of the palace the emperor was reading reports from Southern Jiang. Although the news reported were good, he wasn’t happy.

Wang Fu Mu, the emperor’s advisor stood beside the emperor. He didn’t fault the emperor for being unhappy. He knew the emperor was someone who liked all situations to be controlled within his hand.

‘Wang Fu Mu,’ the emperor said.

‘Your servant is here,’ Wang Fu Mu hunched his back and stepped toward the emperor.

‘Who do you think did it?’ the emperor asked.

‘I think anyone is a possibility,’ Wang Fu Mu said.

The emperor laughed coldly. ‘I only wanted to see their true hearts and sacrificed some assassins. I didn’t expect two assassins from outside the palace dared to enter the palace.’

‘Your majesty, don’t be angry,’ Wang Fu Mu said.

‘Go bring tenth crown prince and ninth prince here!’ the emperor ordered.

‘Yes your majesty,’ Wang Fu Mu said.

Back in Pei Jin and Yan Shi Ning’s chamber, she was shocked by who he suspected.

‘How can that be?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

‘Why not?’ Pei Jin asked. ‘Imperial father is capable of anything.’

‘Why would he order assassins to attack himself and his sons?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

Yan Shi Ning didn’t believe the emperor would do something foolish.

Pei Jin felt cold thinking about his ruthless father. He hugged Yan Shi Ning and spoke in a sad tone. ‘Wife, you don’t understand him. I think he did it to see who he should support to become his heir.’

Yan Shi Ning reflected on Pei Jin’s words for a while. ‘It’s possible he wants to see in a life and death situation who would save him.’

Pei Jin nodded his head. ‘He is someone who doesn’t easily trust another person.’

Yan Shi Ning took a deep breath, it was an insane situation. But if the emperor was the culprit then his purpose was to see who he could trust without risking anyone’s life.

‘Big brother, do you think seventh prince’s wish will be granted?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

‘Perhaps,’ Pei Jin said.

‘Then last night the emperor acted outraged?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

‘Your father-in-law is also someone who knows how to perform well,’ Pei Jin praised.

Yan Shi Ning felt Pei Jin’s body relaxed a little.

‘Wife, do you think seventh brother or crown prince will make a better emperor?’ Pei Jin asked.

Pei Jin asked Yan Shi Ning a question that the world speculated secretly. But his teasing tone felt like he was asking her, ‘which taste better, a white radish or a carrot?’

‘Big brother, can’t you ask me more discreetly?’ Yan Shi Ning asked.

‘Alright, what taste better, a white radish or a carrot?’ Pei Jin asked and wrapped his arms around Yan Shi Ning’s waist tighter.

‘The white radish is a little too cruel,’ Yan Shi Ning said. ‘If it becomes emperor, it’ll be a tyrant ruler. The carrot…’ An image of a delicate and beautiful crown prince in her head made her hesitate. ‘Carrot looks a little indecisive.’

‘What about the little red radish?’ Pei Jin asked.

Yan Shi Ning knew Pei Jin asked about Pei Khan and she smiled. ‘The little red radish is scared of death. When scared, it will bury its head into a person’s chest.’

‘Then those radishes and that carrot isn’t easy to eat,’ Pei Jin said.

‘Um,’ Yan Shi Ning said.

Pei Jin had anticipated Yan Shi Ning’s answer. He lowered his head and kissed her. ‘Wife, it appears you can only eat my radish. My radish is fragrant and delicious. Come here and eat it.’

When there was no gap between Pei Jin and Yan Shi Ning’s lips, a maid’s voice was heard from outside their chamber.

‘Ninth prince, mistress, a palace messenger is here,’ the maid said.

***

End of Chapter Twenty-Two (Part 1)

Chapter Twenty-Two (Part 2 of 2)
Pei Jin waited outside the Chi Ruan chamber.

Pei Jin could smell the strong herbal scent of the incense sticks while waiting outside.

A while later the crown prince opened the door. The crown prince looked like he was suppressing his frustrations and a little sadness.

‘Ninth brother,’ Pei Lam said.

‘Tenth brother, you’re here too,’ Pei Jin said.

Wang Fu Mu walked to the door before Pei Lam could answer.

‘Ninth prince, come inside,’ Wang Fu Mu said.

Pei Jin looked at the crown prince, nodded his head and entered the Chi Ruan chamber. He immediately saw shattered stone pieces on the floor and his heart became weary.

The emperor tossed a report at Pei Jin.

‘Do you have something to say?’ the emperor asked.

Pei Jin picked up the report from the floor. He feigned shock and knelt on the shattered stone pieces. ‘Imperial father, I was framed.’

‘Two of the assassins were from Southern Jiang!’ the emperor said coldly. ‘You were in Southern Jiang for two years. Indeed you gathered good people!’

Pei Jin’s face whitened. ‘I was framed.’

‘I’m only giving you one chance to explain,’ the emperor said.

Pei Jin knelt on the cold shattered stone pieces long enough for its coldness to flow to his heart. ‘I have no interest in the emperor’s position.’

The emperor understood the unspoken meaning behind Pei Jin’s words, ‘I don’t want the throne. I’ve given up military power and wasted my earnings. I wish to be a carefree prince. Why would I need to kill my father and brothers?’

The emperor saw Pei Jin’s straight back while Pei Jin knelt and noticed Pei Jin was no longer shocked and fearful like earlier. The emperor slitted his eyes at the eyesore in front of him, he realised he had never been able to see through Pei Jin.

The emperor’s heart knew clearly which two princes were battling for the throne. But those two princes had strengths that satisfied his expectations and weaknesses that he couldn’t tolerate. It was hard for him to choose between the two without seeing their true hearts.

So the emperor ordered Wang Fu Mu to sacrifice some assassins at the harvest festival banquet and chose the seating arrangements for the three princes. He truly wanted to know when he was in danger, who would save him. But two assassins from Southern Jiang turned his plan into chaos. Although seventh prince saved him, it wasn’t the result he wanted.

The emperor wanted to know who dared to send those two assassins into the palace! The imperial guards investigated the two assassins’ backgrounds, but nothing certain was discovered.

The emperor knew the assassins attacking him, the crown prince and ninth prince would make seventh prince the first suspect. But he knew seventh prince wouldn’t use such an obvious tactic. Besides, seventh prince wouldn’t risk dying to save him if seventh prince sent those assassins.

The emperor thought about the crown prince being attacked to frame seventh prince. Especially the crown prince’s mother, the empress saw seventh prince as her biggest eyesore and could have sent the assassins to the palace. So he summoned the crown prince to interrogate the crown prince. But he didn’t expect the crown prince knelt and dared to say, ‘Imperial father if you suspect me then take away my crown prince status.’

The emperor broke his favorite ink stone the moment he heard the crown prince easily threatened to forfeit a privilege position and he felt like the blood in his body flowed backward. In that moment he could have used a sword to stab the crown prince to death! He felt like he wasted many years to train the crown prince.

Of course the third suspect was ninth prince. The emperor received a report from the imperial guards’ investigation, ‘the assassins are soldiers from Southern Jiang and are acquainted with ninth prince.’

A long time past but Pei Jin remained kneeling with his back straight while the emperor’s dagger eyes watched Pei Jin closely.

‘You can stand!’ the emperor said.

Pei Jin bowed his head and stood unsteadily. Wang Fu Mu rushed to him and helped him stand.

‘Thank you official Wang,’ Pei Jin said.

The emperor’s heart was moved when he saw the blood stains on Pei Jin’s knees and on the shattered stone pieces on the floor.

‘At that time, your first reaction was to protect your wife,’ the emperor said in a gentler tone.

Pei Jin’s father’s sudden words startled Pei Jin but he nodded his head and he saw his father’s eyes became clouded.

‘At that time, beside you was the crown prince and your thirteenth brother,’ the emperor said.

‘Everything happened suddenly,’ Pei Jin said. ‘I didn’t have time to think. I hope imperial father can forgive me.’

The emperor understood Pei Jin’s unspoken explanation, ‘I followed my instincts and protected what was most important in my heart.’

‘You can go home,’ the emperor said. ‘You’re a newly wedded man, be happy with your wife.’ He paused for a while. ‘The little girl Shi Ning isn’t bad. In a life and death situation she still wanted to protect Xiao Khan.’

Last night while the emperor was attacked, he carefully assessed the princes’ reactions first. Afterward he noticed Shi Ning hugged Pei Khan tightly then Pei Jin stood in front of them and protected them.

After Pei Jin left the Chi Ruan chamber the emperor sighed and looked at Wang Fu Mu. ‘Find something valuable to send to ninth prince’s manor.’

‘Yes your majesty,’ Wang Fu Mu said. ‘Your majesty never suspected ninth prince then why did you interrogated him in that way?’

Wang Fu Mu saw the emperor only smiled after the emperor read the imperial guards’ report. He knew Pei Jin wouldn’t leave such an obvious trail. Besides, Pei Jin wouldn’t benefit anything from the assassination attempt. He was certain someone purposely wanted to frame Pei Jin. But he didn’t expect the emperor to interrogate Pei Jin in such a ruthless manner.

The emperor stared at the door in deep thought. ‘Out of my sons, he is the hardest one to see through. I wanted to know what ninth prince is thinking inside his heart.’

Wan Fu Mu understood the emperor’s heart had never been at ease toward ninth prince.

‘Perhaps ninth prince’s heart never had that desire,’ Wang Fu Mu said cautiously.

The emperor’s eyes darkened and Wang Fu Mu’s body shook. ‘Your majesty, forgive me for saying too much.’

Outside the palace gates Pei Jin smiled coldly and limped slightly into the horse carriage.

***

End of Chapter Twenty-Two (Part 2 of 2)