The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 1012 - 231: Pei Hansan Returns Again

Chapter 1012: Chapter 231: Pei Hansan Returns Again

The sky was nearly dark, and it would be late if she did not return soon.

"Let’s go! Back home! It’s too cold," Pei Qin huddled with the brazier inside the quilt. Xiao Guangbi had asked her to come to present her advice, and she had come, but the Emperor did not see her, she couldn’t even get through the palace gates, she was not to blame!

"Is that Madam Yuanyang’s carriage up ahead?"

Although the coachman Liu Feng was mute, he was not deaf; he stopped the carriage and looked back at the person catching up.

Those who could be seen at the palace gate were not of ordinary status. Lu Hai got off his carriage, gave it a glance, and called out, "Jinhua County Head."

Pei Qin raised her eyebrows.

Liang Jinhua had already approached, "I did not expect to encounter Madam Yuanyang here."

Pei Qin had no choice but to set down the brazier, disembark from the carriage, and greet her, "County Head, you honor me."

Liang Jinhua returned the courtesy, "I have long heard of Madam Yuanyang’s great reputation, and seeing you today, you indeed stand out from the ordinary."

"It is the County Head who is truly talented, I am shamed," Pei Qin laughed. No wonder this Liang San was granted the title of County Head, with her fair skin, beautiful looks, a cold and noble air, and those long legs... Damn, they were even longer than hers in her previous life.

"Do you intend to enter the palace, Madam?" asked Liang Jinhua.

"I was about to return home, I have obstructed the County Head’s way, please go ahead," Pei Qin stepped aside, signaling Liu Feng to move the carriage to the roadside to allow her to pass first.

Liang Jinhua’s beautiful eyes swept over Pei Qin’s pale face, "Delivering a petition requires going through the proper channels; I estimate it will take a couple of days. Madam Yuanyang waiting here at the palace gate, I’m afraid you might have to wait until the day after tomorrow." With that, she said to the Imperial Gate Guard, "The matter of Madam Yuanyang’s audience with the Emperor, please report it once more."

The Imperial Gate Guard glanced at Pei Qin and complied. Reporting it again would make no difference, even though she was General Mo’s wife. Besides, she was seeking an audience with the Emperor, not the harem.

Pei Qin had waited almost a full day and paid no mind to the Imperial Gate Guard’s scornful gaze. Since Liang San had publicly tried to show her respect, she would of course be gracious enough to thank her.

"Madam Yuanyang must also be troubled by military affairs, it’s the least I could do," Liang Jinhua said before nodding slightly, gracefully turning to board her carriage, and departing.

Pei Qin’s eyelid twitched, and just as she was about to return home, a little eunuch burst out from within the palace.

"Madam! Madam!" The little eunuch hustled over swiftly, arriving in front of Pei Qin, immediately bowing, "The Emperor summons you!"

Pei Qin’s mouth twitched involuntarily, after nearly a full day of waiting, and just when it was getting dark and she had been about to leave. Seeing the little eunuch panting, she said, "Let’s go!"

The little eunuch acknowledged and led the way, "This way, Madam. You may ride in the sedan chair."

Such an improved treatment all of a sudden...

It made the Imperial Gate Guard take another look, wondering if Mo Heng had won a victory?

Others might not know, but the little eunuch guiding the way surely did. He was Shi Rui’s disciple. Seeing Pei Qin’s face so cold it was almost turning blue, he cursed those servants in his head dozens of times. Out of everyone to stop, they dared to stop her; they were truly courting death!

When Liang Jinhua heard Pei Qin was summoned by the Emperor, her lips curled into a cold smile.

Pei Qin rode in the sedan all the way to the Imperial Study Room before dismounting.

With a beaming smile, Shi Rui came up to bow and led Pei Qin in, whispering, "Those blind servants have been negligent; they have neglected the General. The moment I heard, I immediately reported it. The Emperor has been waiting for the General!" He curried favor with Pei Qin.

Pei Qin responded with a chuckle and entered the Imperial Study Room.

Emperor Chu Wen, who was not quite used to seeing her in women’s attire, exclaimed as he saw her, "Beloved Officer Pei has arrived!"

Pei Qin began to perform a deep bow.

Emperor Chu Wen gestured, "There are no outsiders here; no need for formalities." He looked somewhat tired.

"Being overly courteous does not offend anyone..." Pei Qin’s mouth smoothly slipped out what she was thinking – wishing she could smack herself for it. Seeing Emperor Chu Wen’s momentary surprise, she said no more and completed the formalities.

Emperor Chu Wen bid her to rise and offered her a seat, "What made you think of coming to the palace today, do you have a matter to discuss?"

"I... It was to pay my respects to the Emperor," Pei Qin thoughtfully replied, her brows slightly furrowed.

Having known her for so long, Emperor Chu Wen did not believe her glib tongue for a second and laughed, "You have not visited the palace for so long, and it has always been I who visited you. Now you suddenly think to pay your respects to me?"

Pei Qin coughed lightly, "Wasn’t I recuperating from an injury?"

"Ah, how is your recovery going?" the Emperor asked.

"Almost healed! If it weren’t so cold, I would be fully recovered!" Pei Qin replied.

Seeing her so heavily dressed while it was already the warm spring, Emperor Chu Wen thought of her inability to bear children, and his heart was filled with emotion for a moment, "Speak! What is the real reason you’ve come to the palace? If it were just to pay respects, you would fool others, not me!"