Chapter 21: People Aren’t Destroyed Just for Saying Something

Published Mar 30, 2026, 07:01 AM

Chapter 21: Chapter 21: People Aren't Destroyed Just for Saying Something "Could there be a treasure in the Pei Mansion?" As far as he knew, after the incident with the Pei Family in the previous dynasty, the Pei Mansion became a forbidden zone. Not to mention approaching the Pei Mansion, even the mention of the words "Pei Mansion" was avoided. There had always been a legend in the capital that the Pei Mansion was haunted. Years ago, the Pei Family was wrongfully convicted, their entire clan executed, rivers of blood flowing. After their deaths, the Pei Mansion was filled with a heavy resentment, and it was said that at midnight, the sounds of ghostly wails and wolf howls could be heard from the mansion, which was terrifying and frightening. During the previous dynasty, some people attempted to live in the Pei Mansion, but the malevolent aura was so overpowering that anyone who moved in met with successive accidents, even high monks' rituals were of no use. Since then, no one dared to approach the Pei Mansion again. At the beginning of Great Zhou, the former emperor saw the desolation of the Pei Mansion and felt it was a shame, intending to have it restored and then give it as a reward to his subordinates. But during the restoration, someone fell from the roof and died on the spot, which reignited the eerie legends about the Pei Mansion in the capital, causing the former emperor to abandon the idea of repairing the mansion and let it remain in ruins. "Laiwang, have you heard about any treasures in the Pei Mansion?" Laiwang and the others were stray dogs before and lived in the Pei Mansion. The Pei Mansion might be a sinister place for humans, but for stray cats and dogs, it was a good place. [I haven't heard of any.] Laiwang said, [We didn't find any treasure in the Pei Mansion.] "No treasure, then why would anyone approach the Pei Mansion?" Zhao Yao mused, rubbing his chin with a thoughtful expression, "The Pei Mansion is a haunted and sinister place; no one dares to approach it by day, let alone at night." [Yao Yao, don't worry, we'll look after the Pei Mansion for you, and we won't let anyone sneak in.] "You all must be careful not to get hurt by those people." Zhao Yao was not worried about those people entering the Pei Mansion, nor about them discovering the passage that led to the Cold Palace. This passageway was very secretive and not easily found by the average person. He discovered it back then thanks to Lai Fu and the others. Having finished speaking, Zhao Yao took Laiwang and the others for training. Laiwang and the others were much more adept at training today and could quickly climb over slopes. Zhao Yao trained at the secret base for a while, not waiting for Lai Qian, but instead, Lai Xi and the others arrived. Lai Xi and the others were magpies and often came to the palace to find Zhao Yao. "Lai Xi, have any of you magpies been to Yangzhou?" Zhao Yao asked, "Or do any of you know magpies from Yangzhou?" Lai Xi replied: [I have a sister who flew up from the south, but I'm not sure if it's Yangzhou.] Zhao Yao said with excitement, "That could very well be Yangzhou; is your sister still in the capital?" Lai Xi said: [She should still be in the capital. Yao Yao, do you have some business with her?] Zhao Yao quickly replied, "Yes, I want to inquire about Yangzhou. Lai Xi, can you bring her to meet me?" [But Yao Yao, you'll have to wait a few days.] Lai Xi said, [I need to find her first.] "Alright, I'll wait for you." Zhao Yao felt his luck was quite good, finally getting to meet a bird from Yangzhou. After chatting warmly with Lai Xi for a while, Zhao Yao left the Cold Palace and returned to Kunde Hall. Liang Zhaoyi was sitting by the window reading, and upon seeing Zhao Yao come back, she gave him a tender smile and then asked with care, "How's the training going for Laiwang and the others?" "Pretty well." Zhao Yao replied, then noticed the book in Liang Zhaoyi's hand, titled "The Four Seasons of the Year." Liang Zhaoyi noticed her son's gaze fixed on her book with a thoughtful expression and asked, "What's wrong? Is there something amiss with the book your mother has?" Zhao Yao, drawing back his thoughts from the book in Liang Zhaoyi's hand, asked his mother, "Mother, are there any secrets in the Pei Family?" Liang Zhaoyi was taken aback by her son's question, putting down the book, and inquired with curiosity, "Why do you ask this?" "Laiwang and the others said there were several people wandering near the Pei Mansion last night. The Pei Mansion is the most haunted place in the capital, and no one dares come near it usually. Now that someone is approaching it, isn't it odd?" Zhao Yao continued, "I asked Laiwang and the others, and there's no treasure in the Pei Mansion—so it must be a secret. Mother, you've read so many books from Noble Consort Pei, have you found any secrets?" The book Liang Zhaoyi was reading earlier, "The Four Seasons of the Year," was left behind by Noble Consort Pei. When Noble Consort Pei was consigned to the Cold Palace, she took many books with her. After her death, her books were left in the Cold Palace. Zhao Yao was on a quest in the Cold Palace when he first found this stack of books. Liang Zhaoyi had a passion for reading, and Zhao Yao brought all the books from the Cold Palace to her. Noble Consort Pei was a renowned talented woman in the previous dynasty. Her books were all excellent, many being rare editions. After pondering seriously, Liang Zhaoyi shook her head and said, "I haven't found any secrets." "That's peculiar." Liang Zhaoyi thought for a moment and said, "I'll take a careful look through the books Noble Consort Pei left behind to see if there are any clues." "Mother, never mind." Zhao Yao said, "Whether there's a secret in the Pei Mansion is none of our business. If there is a secret and we find out, it might not be good and could even be dangerous. The Pei Family wasn't executed simply because of jealousy over Noble Consort Pei's favor—there should be other reasons. Maybe it involves secrets from the previous dynasty, which isn't a good thing. It's best not to delve deeply." Liang Zhaoyi felt that Zhao Yao's words made a lot of sense and nodded, "Let's just leave it be." "Mother, it's getting late. I should head to the stables." This afternoon, practicing horse riding was his favorite class. "Change your clothes first." Liang Zhaoyi reminded, "Be careful while riding; don't get thrown." "Mother, how could I get thrown?" Zhao Yao said boastfully, "I'm a horse-riding expert." "Yes, yes, you're a horse-riding expert." Liang Zhaoyi said with a chuckle, "Experts should also be mindful, don't get carried away while riding." "I will be careful." Zhao Yao waved to Liang Zhaoyi, "Mother, I'm going to change clothes." "Go on." Zhao Yao returned to his room and changed into riding attire. Then, he set off to the stables with Tong Xi. In the northern courtyard of the Imperial Palace, there is an area for horse riding. Usually, the Imperial Army practices equestrian skills there. Occasionally, the emperor would also come here to ride. On the way to the stables, they ran into the eighth prince. The eighth prince had been waiting for Zhao Yao along the way. Upon seeing him, he handed over the food parcel with pickled goose web and duck letter to him. "Today, there was a dish of pickled goose web and duck letter for lunch at the Eastern Palace. I specially asked it from the Crown Prince for you, and it's still warm, so eat it while it's hot." "Eighth brother, you specifically asked for this for me." "Isn't it your favorite dish?" Zhao Yao nodded repeatedly, "Yes, it's my favorite. Thank you, eighth brother." He gratefully said, "Eighth brother, you're the best." Seeing Zhao Yao's joyful expression, a slight smile appeared in the eighth prince's eyes, "Make sure the fourth brother doesn't see you eating it, or he'll nag at you." "Eighth brother, I understand." Zhao Yao said, eagerly taking out a piece to eat. "How is it? Do you like it?" Zhao Yao nodded vigorously while saying, "It's delicious, so delicious." "Eat slowly, don't choke." "Eighth brother, do you have a delicious meal at the Eastern Palace every day for lunch?" "The Crown Prince is frugal, and not every meal is sumptuous. Still, every dish at the Eastern Palace is incredibly tasty." As the eighth prince finished speaking, he noticed Zhao Yao looking at him with envious eyes. "Eighth brother, you get to eat delicious food every day; you're so lucky." He also wanted to go to the Eastern Palace to grab a meal. "I don't go to the Eastern Palace just for the food." "Eighth brother, you're silly. Since there's delicious food at the Eastern Palace, you must eat a lot." Zhao Yao pouted, "It'd be a waste not to eat." The eighth prince reached out and tapped Zhao Yao's forehead, saying helplessly yet with affection, "You're only thinking about food." "Not catering to one's appetite is heaven and earth's folly." Zhao Yao righteously stated. The eighth prince was amused by Zhao Yao's words, "What kind of logic is that?" "It's the truth; after all, food is the primary need of people," Zhao Yao said with a nod, "Isn't life just about eating?" "Alright, keep eating then." "Eighth brother, do you want some?" Zhao Yao took out another piece, extending it to the eighth prince. "I've already eaten. You enjoy." At hearing this, Zhao Yao wasn't shy and continued to eat heartily. Watching Zhao Yao eat with such gusto, the eighth prince found himself a little tempted. Every time he watched his tenth brother eat, it seemed particularly appetizing. At the same time, he felt incredibly satisfied—as if nothing was as important as eating, and nothing felt as fulfilling as eating. Soon they were nearing the stables; Zhao Yao put away the pickled goose web and duck letter, handing them to Tong Xi to keep, planning to eat them after class. When Zhao Yao and the others reached the stables, the third and fourth princes had already arrived. At that moment, the third prince and the others were gathered around a splendid horse. The horse was fiery red all over, without a single blemish, and ran like a blaze of fire, earning it the name Lie Huo. It was the emperor's beloved horse. Previously, it had accompanied the emperor on many battlefields, saving him from danger countless times. Its temperament was very fiery. Apart from the emperor, Lie Huo did not allow anyone to ride it or even let anyone get close to or touch it. The third prince and others stood far away, not daring to approach Lie Huo, or it would rudely snort at them and might even kick them.

React

Discussion