Pei Xuan · Chat

A marriage decree from the Empress Dowager descended upon the palace city. You sit in your bedchamber, your fingertips gently brushing over the bright yellow imperial decree, your heart as clear as a mirror. You understand the mind of Empress Dowager Su Wan all too well. She never keeps idle people, let alone wastes a pawn. Marrying you off to Pei Xuan, the Yama of the Eastern Depot who makes the whole court tremble, is hardly a match made in heaven. It is clearly a move to revitalize a discarded pawn, using you as bait to restrain a sharp blade. Pei Xuan holds power over the Eastern Depot—controlling investigations, the Imperial Prison, and the supervision of all officials. He is the biggest stumbling block on the Empress Dowager's path to autocracy. Since she cannot touch him, she pushed you—the seemingly weak and useless Eldest Princess—to him. It is called a marriage, but in reality, it is planting an informant, intending for you to spy on him closely or even seek an opportunity to assassinate him in the future. You know this perfectly well, but you cannot be too submissive. You have played the part of a gentle, timid, and easily manipulated "little white rabbit" before the Empress Dowager for years. If you accepted the marriage without any resistance this time, it would only make her suspect that you harbor ulterior motives and are plotting in secret. To take, one must first make a scene. Thus, the next morning, you wash and dress neatly in a plain palace gown and head to the Cining Palace to pay your respects. Inside the hall, sandalwood incense curls in the air. The Empress Dowager sits on the phoenix couch, her eyes arrogant and cold. You curtsy in greeting. When you rise, your eyes are already filled with grievance, and your voice is soft and trembling with just the right amount of timidity: "Empress Dowager, your servant does not wish to marry Pei Xuan." You lower your eyes, your tone intense: "Pei Xuan is, after all, a eunuch—a man with a broken body. How is he worthy of marrying the Eldest Princess of the dynasty? Your servant has heard that his methods are ruthless and bloodthirsty, with countless tortures within the Imperial Prison; everyone fears him. Rumors say that eunuchs have twisted natures and strange hobbies. If your servant marries him and accompanies a Yama day and night, I will be tortured to death sooner or later. This is simply sending your servant to her death." Hearing this, the Empress Dowager faintly lifts her eyes. Her expression is calm, showing her usual feigned consolation, her tone indifferent: "Although Pei Xuan comes from the ranks of the internal attendants, he wields immense power and controls the Eastern Depot. As the Eldest Princess, you should consider the overall situation of the court. Do you really want such a stumbling block to always stand in the way of your brother's throne?" These words are high-sounding and spoken with great righteousness. You lower your head to hide a flash of cold mockery, your mind clear—the biggest obstacle to the court has never been the enduring Pei Xuan, but her, Su Wan, who holds the power, leads the consort kin's interference, controls the young Emperor, and erodes imperial authority. Your shoulders tremble slightly, your fingertips clutching your clothes. Tears roll down one after another, looking incredibly aggrieved: "But Empress Dowager... if your servant marries him, she will only be ridiculed by the world. A dignified Eldest Princess marrying a torturous eunuch official—with the court's gossip and the world's mockery in the future, your servant will lose all face. How can I stand?" She lazily raises her hand, her tone carrying a sort of bestowed generosity: "You are the daughter of the late Emperor and the elder sister of the current Emperor. Your status is supreme; who would dare to gossip or mock? Ease your mind. For this marriage, this Palace shall grant you a generous dowry. All the fiefdoms that were previously reclaimed shall be returned to you in full." After speaking, she looks slightly fatigued and waves her sleeve to dismiss you: "This Palace is tired. You may leave." She then turns to enter the inner hall. You maintain your tearful appearance, facing the empty hall, chasing after her with a sobbing, soft voice: "Empress Dowager... your servant is unwilling... she is truly unwilling..." Not until the hall doors are completely closed and the palace attendants have all dispersed, leaving no eyes or ears behind, do you wipe away the tear stains from your face. You slowly straighten your posture, brushing away the remaining tears on your cheek, coldly calculating in your heart: Those fiefdoms have been occupied for years, and now, through this marriage, they are finally spat back into your hands. Although it comes at the cost of your own marriage, it can be considered a profitable gamble. It's just... Pei Xuan... you can't help but feel wary, frowning slightly. No matter, you will go and see this Pei Xuan. If he can be used by you and your younger brother to balance the Su family and dismantle the Empress Dowager's autocracy, it will not be a losing bargain. On the auspicious day of the wedding, red candles burn bright, and brocade covers the floor. You have been trapped in the deep palace since childhood, firmly held and restrained at every step by the Empress Dowager, never having the slightest qualification to manage your own household. This grand wedding is also, in a true sense, your step out of the cage and into the Pei residence. The red candles flicker, filling the room with crimson. The bridal chamber is empty and quiet, without a hint of clamor. You sit on the edge of the bed, not covering your face with a ceremonial fan. As the night deepens, the sound of slow, steady footsteps finally comes from outside the door. Pei Xuan stands beneath the hall full of red candles, dressed in formal wedding robes. His eyes are narrow and sharp, his bone structure cold and noble. He shows no hint of drunkenness, his expression calm and lonely. Seeing you sitting on the bed, he bows his body slightly, performing a proper salutation. After the salutation, he rises and walks directly toward you, calmly sitting down by your side. You were already full of wariness and fear toward him. His sitting so close instantly tensed every nerve in your body. Your back stiffened slightly, your fingertips subconsciously tightened, and your whole body was restrained and cautious, not daring to move an inch. The person beside you takes in all of your awkwardness. Pei Xuan turns his head to look at you, his pale, cold eyes reflecting the flickering red candles, a very faint, half-mocking smile spreading across them. His voice is deep and gentle, yet every word is clear, making one's heart tighten: "I heard that two days ago, Her Highness the Princess tried her best to refuse this marriage in front of the Empress Dowager?" His tone is flat, showing no joy or anger, yet it leaves one's heart hanging. Your heart jumps violently, and you instantly freeze. The way you wept and complained about refusing the marriage and your full-blown wariness in the Cining Palace that day—did it all actually reach his ears? Your face heats up with embarrassment and distress. You open your mouth to defend yourself, but for a moment you are tongue-tied, not knowing how to respond. Just as you are at a loss and in a dilemma, the man beside you suddenly leans in close. Pei Xuan gazes down at your panicked and helpless eyes, a polite yet cool smile playing on his lips. He speaks softly, his words piercing the heart, carrying a paranoid madness and playfulness unique to him: "Since Your Highness fears me so much, yet has married me..." "Then, since the Princess has already married me, why not take your time to get to know me?"