Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 31 Letter
East Palace.

The palace guard who had traveled a long way to deliver the message knelt before His Highness the Crown Prince and recounted the events in a low voice.

Pang Zhan was utterly astonished.

This sixth young lady of the Pei family possesses such abilities and skills. No wonder she's Pei Zhongde's daughter! She's simply a born military talent!
Prince Zhangwu, standing to the side, looked on with amazement and couldn't help but ask, "You're not exaggerating, are you? It really was Miss Pei who personally commanded the battle and won it?"

The weary-looking guard nodded vigorously: "Absolutely true! I fought alongside the Sixth Miss at the time, and I witnessed and experienced everything firsthand. There is not a single falsehood in my words!"

Prince Zhangwu's emotions surged inexplicably, and his blood boiled.

Pei Liu's bravery and skill had nothing to do with him, but he still felt proud and subconsciously straightened his back.

In the blink of an eye, the Crown Prince's face remained expressionless. The words that were on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back.

His Highness the Crown Prince asked, "Where is the letter?"

The guard took out two letters from a hidden pocket and presented them respectfully.

One of the letters was from Guard Gao.

The other letter was written in Pei Qinghe's own handwriting.

The guards specifically instructed the messenger to first report the details of the fierce battle that had taken place overnight. As expected, His Highness the Crown Prince's curiosity was piqued, and he naturally took a look at Miss Pei's handwritten letter as well.

His Highness the Crown Prince first read Guard Gao's letter. Guard Gao didn't say much in the letter, simply recounting the bandits' attack on the post station. Only in the last sentence did he subtly reveal his attitude.

The women of the Pei family are brave and valiant; the sixth young lady of the Pei family will surely amount to something extraordinary in the future.

The Crown Prince smirked and said to Grand Tutor Pang, "In just two months, Guard Gao was won over by the Pei family and pleaded for them in a letter. This Sixth Miss Pei is indeed no ordinary person."

The worldly and shrewd Pang Zhanshi, unable to fathom the Crown Prince's true thoughts, smiled and echoed, "Your Highness is right. I have never seen such a remarkable young lady."

Prince Zhangwu, unable to contain himself, pleaded in a low voice, "Father, this band of bandits was clearly targeting the Eastern Palace. Fortunately, Miss Pei had her men hold them off. Otherwise, if the guards and the Pei family were all wiped out, what face would the Eastern Palace have left!"

"Next, we must be wary of the master behind the bandits striking again."

His Highness the Crown Prince glanced at his eldest son: "According to what you've said, shouldn't I immediately send several hundred palace guards to protect the Pei family?"

Prince Zhangwu, feeling stung, lowered his head sheepishly and said, "Your son was too talkative, Father, please calm down."

His Highness the Crown Prince snorted coldly, tore open Pei Qinghe's letter, glanced at it casually, then his expression suddenly turned serious. He gripped the letter tightly with his right hand and sat up straight, his relaxed demeanor vanishing instantly.

Prince Zhangwu's heart skipped a beat. Unfortunately, his eyesight couldn't penetrate the paper, and he couldn't see the contents of the letter.

Pang Zhanshi was secretly surprised.

His Highness the Crown Prince is a man of deep thoughts, and he rarely shows his emotions. Even he, a long-time minister, sometimes finds it difficult to fathom His Highness's mind.

What exactly did Miss Pei write in her letter that caused His Highness the Crown Prince to change his expression?

A series of thoughts flashed through Pang Zhanshi's mind, but he remained composed on the surface.

After reading the letter, the crown prince remained silent for a long time.

Prince Zhangwu secretly glanced at the Crown Prince out of the corner of his eye, his heart feeling like it was being scratched by a cat's claws.

"Master Pang," the Crown Prince said after a long silence, "you write a letter on my behalf to General Meng. Ask General Meng to wipe out the bandits of unknown origin."

Located in the north, Youzhou was frequently raided by nomadic tribes from beyond the Great Wall. Youzhou also had the largest garrison, consisting of four armies: the Fanyang Army, the Beiping Army, the Guangning Army, and the Liaoxi Army.

General Meng's Beiping army, with three thousand cavalry and two thousand infantry, was a strong and well-equipped force. General Meng, forty-five years old this year, was highly regarded and trusted by the Crown Prince, and was one of the most renowned military commanders under the Eastern Palace. The exile of the Pei family women to Changping in Youzhou was, in fact, the best possible outcome after the Crown Prince's intervention.

However, the Crown Prince had not previously intended to continue favoring the women of the Pei family. It was only after reading Miss Pei's letter that he made this decision.

The Beiping army was stationed in Beiping County, which was three or four hundred li away from the Pei family's place of exile. A fast horse could reach them in two days. With General Meng's intervention, the Pei family women could settle safely in Youzhou. Unless someone was incredibly audacious enough to send an army of several thousand to wipe out the Pei family… the Prince of Wei was merely arrogant, not insane.

Pang Zhanshi bowed and accepted the order.

A look of delight flashed in Prince Zhangwu's eyes, and he boldly asked, "Father, what did Miss Pei write in her letter?"

The Crown Prince's face remained expressionless: "When it's time for you to know, I will naturally tell you."

Now, stop asking questions and making unnecessary remarks.

Prince Zhangwu obediently shut his mouth, but his eyes were full of joy.

The Crown Prince waved his hand, signaling for Grand Tutor Pang and Prince Zhangwu to step down, and then summoned Commander He to come forward.

Commander He, who commands a thousand guards of the Eastern Palace, is about forty years old. He is tall and strong, with piercing eyes and exceptional skills. He is usually quiet and reserved, but in reality, he is the Crown Prince's true confidant and enjoys the Crown Prince's deep trust.

The crown prince whispered a few instructions.

A hint of surprise flashed in Commander He's eyes, but he did not hesitate, nodded in agreement, and quickly withdrew.

The prince reread the letter in his hand, his thin lips pressed tightly together. Making sure every word was imprinted in his mind, he brought the letter closer to the candlelight.

The red flames greedily devoured the letter, turning it to ashes in an instant.

The crown prince's face was gloomy, and his eyes were cold.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Princess."

Footsteps and greetings sounded outside the hall. A moment later, a woman in her thirties, dressed in elegant and beautiful attire, entered.

This is the Crown Princess, who is also the Crown Prince's cousin.

Before her death, Empress Zhang arranged a marriage for the Crown Prince. After observing three years of mourning, the Crown Prince married a woman from the Zhang family of Bohai. The woman was very fertile, giving birth to their eldest son within two years of marriage. The two were cousins ​​and had been husband and wife since childhood, enjoying a harmonious and loving relationship.

The Crown Princess approached with a smile: "Your Highness must be tired after a long day. I've had dinner prepared; please have some first!"

The crown prince's expression returned to normal, and he nodded with pleasure.

The Crown Princess, thinking of her son, casually said, "I'll send someone to call Ali over."

The Crown Prince had four sons and two daughters, but only one son, Prince Zhangwu Xie Li, was born to the Crown Princess. The Crown Prince also valued and loved Xie Li the most, being his eldest son.

The Crown Prince said calmly, "No need."

Seeing Prince Zhangwu reminds one of Miss Pei, and then of that deadly letter... If the contents of the letter are confirmed to be true, the Eastern Palace will soon be drawn into a shocking conspiracy.

The Crown Princess was gentle and compliant, and although she had doubts, she did not press the matter.

Before the steaming hot food could even be tasted, a guard rushed in to report: "Your Highness, news has come from Fulin Palace that the Emperor has suddenly fainted and is unconscious."

……

(End of this chapter)