The Noble Woman's Guide On How to Tease One's Husband

Chapter 19- Questioning

The weather turned warmer once the New Year was over.  

The east wind arrived and the wild geese returned while the spring mountains were clear. Light rains had been drizzling nonstop. After a few days of such conditions, the weeping willows on the moat embankment had sprouted and leaves were daubed with water vapors that would inadvertently dampened the visitor's clothes.  

This year's imperial civil examinations were in full swing. After the first round of the provincial examinations, Bambam stood out from the many students and successfully entered the palace examinations. The fellow students who usually studied with him in the Imperial College were jaw-droppingly shocked that even the old teacher was utterly surprised as he was unable to connect this outstandingly achieved person with the usual desolate guileless boy.  

He was not the only outstanding candidate this year and had already become the topic of after-dinner conversation. However, another major event occurred in the royal court which caused an uproar –  soldiers of the Lingnan Garrison Commander, Chang Xin had surrounded the Bai family manor and Bai Xingzhi's life was now at stake!  

Late at night. 

Inside the twelve rooms of the two-houses* of Privy Council, the lights had not been extinguished since dusk. Shadows had been shuttling along the wind, leaving behind fragmented frictions of the blade-armors sound. Looking back one would see the sharp lights gone along with the troops as these should be the last batch of soldiers leaving the city for Lingnan after careful calculations.  

[T/N: Two-houses (两院 – Liǎng yuàn) – Two relatively independent parliaments in Congress / Two academies which are the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering]  

As the confidential approval official documents had not been properly handled, officials of the Ministry of War and the Dianqian* Division had directly arrived in succession. With the arrival of every group, the atmosphere in the hall became more oppressive. The ministers of the Privy Council were perspiring profusely that they almost couldn't withstand it. In the end, the Privy supervisor, Liu Jiyao had to find an excuse heading out and took a breather with his back against the corridor pillar.  

[T/N: Diànqián Division (殿前诸班 – Diàn qián zhū bān) – the names of the banned troops of elite squads which task are to follow the Emperor and closest to the Forbidden Army]  

The long awaited figure standing at the corner finally moved, with slight stiff steps, he walked towards Liu Jiyao.  

"Brother Jiyao."  

"......Yuanshu?" After seeing the person clearly, Liu Jiyao hastily pulled him towards a brighter place to talk, "What are you doing in Privy Council so late at night? Is there something you are looking for me?"  

Pei Yuanshu was against the light thus his expression was unclear, but there was some hesitation when he spoke, "I've heard something happened in Lingnan..."  

Liu Jiyao was taken aback before he sighed heavily and spilled the beans with complaint, "Exactly. You said, is this Chang Xin senseless to surround the official manor? Even if Bai Xingzhi is to be relieved from his position, without the official document, he will still be the government official that the royal court appointed. With her act of besiegement, no matter how large their private grudge was, in the eyes of the Emperor there will only be one word – rebellion! Just tell me, isn't this giving us a headache?"  

Pei Yuanshu asked in a very low voice, "Then, what if she truly wants to rebel?"  

"How is that possible! Why would she surround the official manor if she wants to rebel? There are no soldiers or money, and she would also provoke the Bai family, or did she think she has lived for too long?" Liu Jiyao waved his hand in amusement. He then saw there was no reaction from Pei Yuanshu, just like a pool of stagnant water when doubts emerged from his heart, "Oh right, why did you ask about this?"