When the Bright Moon Shines on Zhaohe - Chapter 8

More than half a month passed after that night without Pei Ye visiting again. With the spring examinations approaching, people inside and outside the palace were busy.

I vaguely recalled that this year’s top scholar, Meng Wenyuan, was an important character. He would become a gifted minister devoted to the people—and the Eighth Prince’s right hand man. I decided to get to him first and introduce him to Pei Ye. I was wondering where to find him when I discovered he was already staying at Drunken Delight Hall.

I recognized him when the scholars held another poetry contest in the main hall. While everyone else was still searching for a line, he recited, “Two orioles sing among green willows; a row of white egrets rises into the blue sky.”

Ah. Another visitor from far away. No wonder he was the one who could serve the world so well.

I had Chunxi send him a sheet bearing the next couplet: “The window frames the West Ridge’s thousand years of snow; by the gate, boats from Eastern Wu lie moored.” Then I invited him to a private room upstairs.

We exchanged one clue after another and confirmed that we’d both crossed into this world. Conversation flowed easily.

“I came with a male protagonist system,” Meng Wenyuan said. “It says that if I reach the rank of chief minister and meet its targets for my work, that’s enough. Luckily, I studied literature and history back home. Otherwise I couldn’t even invent an answer for the policy essay at the examinations in a few days.”

“Perfect,” I coaxed. “Then help our emperor! He has a good reputation as a ruler. Choose him and you won’t regret it.”

Holding his teacup, Meng nodded. “I’ve heard he’s a good emperor too. But some people say he’s rather lustful. That he has a great many wives?”

I choked.

“You’re his only sister, aren’t you? You’re defending him so eagerly. Are you two close?”

I choked again. I nearly blurted out, Have you ever seen a brother and sister sleep in the same bed? But then I realized he was right. Brother and sister was precisely what we were. There was nothing else I could be.

I gave a little laugh. “I’m lazy, and I’m not clever enough for palace politics. I couldn’t pass the examinations either. If I want an easy life here, I have to depend on Pei Ye. I’ll take the allowance he gives me, live in the house he grants me, and wait for him to find me a suitable prince consort. A smooth, peaceful life. I’m a parasite clinging to my dear imperial brother, so of course I hope he keeps that throne forever. Student Meng, I’ll be counting on you from now on!”

Meng was an easygoing man, and I hadn’t been able to speak so openly with anyone in a long time. We traded tea for wine and talked until well past midnight.

When we left, Meng escorted me to my room upstairs. I was about to say good night when the door behind me opened. A strong arm shot out and pulled me into the darkness.

Pei Ye. I had no idea when he’d arrived. He smelled strongly of wine. The door closed, and kisses fell on me one after another. I froze, but still asked instinctively, “What happened? Were you drugged again?”

He didn’t answer. He lifted me into his arms, and we tumbled onto the bed. It was so dark I couldn’t read his eyes. He seemed frantic, taking whatever he wanted. He was seldom like this. But I’d been drinking too, and I couldn’t resist him. Half yielding, half protesting, I ended up in bed with him again.

In the latter half of the night, rain sounded outside. I lay limp beneath the brocade quilt, without even the strength to move a finger. He came close behind me and laid his broad palm over my heart.

In a hoarse voice, he asked, “Pei Zhaohe, have I ever had a place in here?”

It sounded like an accusation. I mumbled, “Shouldn’t you have asked that before you tore off my skirt?”

He scoffed. “Would it matter? You only like having me in your bed. The moment we get out of it, you act as though you don’t know me.”

What? I opened my eyes and raised my voice without meaning to. “Pei Ye, who started this tonight? What are you getting at? Did you come here to fight?”

His voice rose above mine, as though he could bear no more. “Am I wrong? Isn’t this what you’ve planned all along? All you ever see is money, your carefree life in the princess’s residence, your male favorites, your future husband! You’ve never imagined a future with me. All you want is to leave the palace—and leave me. Pei Zhaohe, what have you ever asked for that I didn’t give you? Yet have you asked me once what I want, or thought about what I planned for us?”

He laughed bitterly. “I suppose I’m the fool. I knew you were the most poisonous of them all, yet I fell for you again and again. Move into your princess’s residence tomorrow and live the life you want. Pei Zhaohe, never appear before me again. Not for all eternity!”

With that out of his system, he slammed the door and left without looking back. I sat alone in the moonlight, listening to the endless spring rain. Little by little, I felt the cold seep through me.