Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 42
In the end, the contract isn’t signed. Jiang Miao feels that no matter how poor the heir to Duke of Zhongguo is, he won’t default on such a trivial amount. If they sign the contract, it might be found out one day, and then their secret will be exposed.
Pei Che is touched by Jiang Miao’s trust and secretly adds another twenty percent to the reward he plans to give Jiang Miao. After he asks Jiang Miao about what happened today, he rides away on horseback.
After watching him leave, Jiang Miao returns to his room and grimaces while applying ointment to his injuries. Besides his face, he has other injuries on his body. Those people didn’t hold back, punching him as if he were a sandbag.
However, he and Daniu aren’t easy targets either. They fight back fiercely. If those people didn’t outnumber them, it’s uncertain who would win! Unfortunately, both pushcarts are damaged. The frying pan, though, is still intact. It’s quite handy for hitting people, just like in the games he plays.
Jiang Miao thinks over the incident afterward and concludes that those troublemakers are definitely sent by someone. He has been selling fried buns near the academy for many days, and no one has ever complained about them being unclean or causing stomachaches. But today, these people come, and after buying a bun and eating only half of it, the thin monkey at the front clutches his stomach, falls to the ground, and starts moaning, claiming the bun is unclean and demanding two taels of silver for medical expenses.
Money is a small matter; reputation is a big one! Jiang Miao certainly can’t accept the accusation, so he clasps his hands and addresses the others, “Please, everyone, be my witnesses. I will have my worker fetch a doctor to examine him. If the doctor confirms that his discomfort was caused by eating my buns, I am willing to compensate him for the medical expenses he mentioned. In addition, I will offer an extra tael of silver for him to rest and recover at home. What do you think?” The last sentence is directed at the skinny man.
His words are very reasonable, and the customers buying buns cheer. Seeing that things aren’t going as he expected, the thin monkey shouts, “This black shop not only sells bad buns but also plans to collude with the doctor to extort money and harm lives! Everyone, look, this black shop is harming people!”
Jiang Miao immediately sneers and says, “Your words are quite funny. You say you’re unwell, so naturally, I have to get a doctor to treat you. How does that become colluding with the doctor to extort money and harm lives? Moreover, looking at your skinny frame, even a thief would leave your house in tears. What do you have that’s worth extorting and harming lives for?”
The onlookers are amused by his teasing words and laugh heartily. The thin monkey, enraged and humiliated, gets up and grabs the basin from the pushcart, smashing it to the ground. He says, “You have a sharp tongue, but I’ll say this: if you don’t pay today, we’ll smash your stall. You choose!”
As a mature and rational adult, Jiang Miao certainly doesn’t choose either option. His face darkens as he says to Daniu, “Brother Daniu, go find the patrolling guards to come over and judge. This is the capital, yet there are people extorting and blackmailing us law-abiding citizens. Let’s take this opportunity to have the officials catch this gang of troublemakers and ruffians.”
The man and his subordinates exchange anxious glances. They only intend to extort some money and haven’t planned for things to escalate this much. When Daniu tries to leave, he is stopped and then hit. Seeing this, Jiang Miao grabs a rolling pin and swings it, hitting the man squarely in the back and knocking him off balance.
What follows is a chaotic brawl. Some of the bystanders, realizing a fight has broken out, immediately go to find the guards. Unfortunately, the troublemakers smash the stall and run off before the guards arrive. By the time the guards get there, the troublemakers are long gone.
Jiang Miao borrows a wheelbarrow, cleans up the mess, and then takes the equally injured Daniu to the medical clinic. The doctor says they only have superficial injuries and gives them some bruise ointment.
Jiang Miao tells Daniu to rest for a few days and to return to work after the push carts are repaired, promising to pay him for these days off.
Daniu quickly refuses, feeling guilty for failing to protect the stall. He also blames himself, thinking that if he had cooked the buns better, those troublemakers might not have targeted them.
Jiang Miao is dumbfounded by what he hears. Finally, he pats Daniu on the shoulder and says, “Brother Daniu, you mustn’t go out looking for work anymore. Just stay and work with me.” Being so honest, he is bound to get bullied by those with bad intentions.
In the evening, Jiang Miao picks up Xiao Shitou and takes him home. Although he tries to keep his injured face out of Xiao Shitou’s sight, the child notices.
Xiao Shitou immediately starts crying, feeling extremely upset to see his brother beaten like this. “Brother, does it hurt?” he asks, his eyes red and voice trembling.
“It doesn’t hurt. Brother fought back too,” Jiang Miao says, wiping his tears and comforting him.
“How could it not hurt… it’s all bruised! Those bad guys… Will the officials arrest them all?” Xiao Shitou chokes up as he gently touches Jiang Miao’s injuries. His tears, which had almost stopped, flows again.
“They will. Didn’t I tell you stories about Lord Feng punishing evil and promoting good? They will definitely be arrested!” Although he says so, Jiang Miao understands that those people are unlikely to be caught. To the patrolling guards, this incident is too insignificant to be worth their attention.
That night, Xiao Shitou intermittently whimpers even in his sleep, clearly having been truly frightened. Jiang Miao gently pats his back to comfort him. Despite the pain in his body, he feels a deep sense of happiness. It’s wonderful to have someone worry about him!
…
Early the next morning, Pei Che enters the palace. Just after the morning court session, Emperor Liangping is sitting in the imperial study reviewing memorials. Upon hearing the eunuch’s report, he has Pei Che brought in, not leaving him to wait outside as he did the previous day.
“Pei Che pays respects to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor!” Pei Che steps forward and bows.
Emperor Liangping subtly glances at his face, noting his calm demeanor, seemingly unaffected by yesterday’s events.
“Rise. Have you decided which one you will choose?”
Pei Che looks directly at Emperor Liangping and speaks clearly, “I have decided. I choose the second decree.”
Emperor Liangping’s pupils contract suddenly, greatly shocked. “You mean, you want to marry that man as your wife?”
Pei Che smiles faintly and nods, “A true confidant is hard to find. Since Your Majesty wishes to help us fulfill our bond, Pei Che is naturally grateful.”
Emperor Liangping is shocked. He is angry at first, thinking Pei Che is incredibly ungrateful, preferring to marry a man who is just a common peddler. Yesterday, he had someone investigate and found out that the person is indeed just a bun vendor named Jiang Miao, from Jiangjiawan outside the East City of Liangjing.
However, a sudden surge of satisfaction washes over him. Pei Shijie, who always prided himself on his integrity, will now have his son become the laughingstock of the world!
Looking around, all the noble families are meticulous about matching in social status when forming marriage alliances. If this boy actually marries a man, there will be a good show to watch! Thinking about Pei Shijie’s son living a life of disdain and constant turmoil, Emperor Liangping can’t help but feel an indescribable sense of pleasure.
“Indeed, a priceless treasure is easy to find, but a true lover is hard to come by. Since your love is so steadfast, I won’t force the issue. The matter with the princess is over; do not mention it again. As for this marriage, I will play the matchmaker and bring you two together.” Emperor Liangping’s smile widens, clearly in a good mood.
Pei Che understands the hidden meaning, and although he doesn’t know why the Emperor isn’t angry, he knows it isn’t due to being moved by their bond. However, he realizes this could be used to his advantage.
“Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I have never met the princess, let alone had any dealings with her. However, I have one more request and hope Your Majesty will grant it.”
Emperor Liangping is in a good mood at the moment and says nonchalantly, “What is it? Speak.”
“Pei Che is from the Duke of Zhongguo Mansion. When my second uncle inherited the title, he swore before our ancestors that once I came of age, he would petition to have me named as heir. The petition is now ready, and I hope Your Majesty can approve it quickly.” Pei Che pauses, then continues with a touch of shyness, “I want to marry my beloved in a grand manner, not as a commoner.”
Emperor Liangping frowns at first but then laughs. Indeed, a noble’s heir marrying a male wife would cause a much bigger stir than a commoner doing the same. Moreover, Pei Shijie had also been an heir, but now their spouses would be worlds apart, making it all the more entertaining.
“I didn’t expect you to be so passionate. Very well, I will issue the decree right away and send it to your household along with the marriage decree. You can submit the petition afterward.” Emperor Liangping agrees immediately, as the matter of who inherits the title is of no consequence to him now that his position is secure.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Pei Che smiles.
When the two imperial decrees arrive at the Duke of Zhongguo’s residence, everyone is stunned upon hearing the first one, looking at Pei Che in disbelief, thinking he must be mad. After hearing the second decree, they look at Pei Shiyuan in the same way, thinking he must also be crazy.
Pei Shiyuan and Li Yijia are in a state of shock. Pei Che’s words from yesterday still echo in their ears. At the time, they hadn’t taken him seriously, but now it seems truly ironic!
“No, this is impossible!” Li Yijia exclaims, prompting the eunuch delivering the decree to frown and ask, “Does the Duke’s wife have any objections to the imperial will?”
Pei Shiyuan quickly pulls her back and forces a smile as he explains, “Eunuch Lin, my wife is just too shocked. She has no objections.”
“Then accept the decree.”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace!” Pei Shiyuan accepts the decree with a bitter smile.
After the palace servants leave, Li Yijia glares at Pei Che and asks, “What did you do to make the Emperor suddenly appoint you as the heir?”
Pei Che ignores her and instead turns to Pei Shiyuan, smiling as he says, “Uncle, don’t forget to submit the petition for the Emperor’s approval. Our household has always valued rules, so let’s not give others a reason to laugh at us.”
After saying this, he helps Grandmother Pei up and is about to leave, but suddenly remembers something else. He turns back and says, “Also, in the future, be careful with your words. If His Majesty blames you, we can’t use the Crimson Letter of Pardon, as they are meant for the descendants of the Duke of Zhongguo.”
Each word hits Pei Shiyuan like a heavy slap, his face turning a deep shade of purple as he stands there, trembling, much like Grandmother Pei did that day. Anyone watching can’t help but think: indeed, what goes around comes around!
Storyteller Valeraverucaviolet's Words
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