A dog relies on its master's power.

It was quite the coincidence: just a few days after Li Zhi returned from the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories, a steward from Li Tai’s residence arrived there, demanding the craftsmen urgently produce some specially-made furniture for the Prince of Yue.

To be honest, Li Tai had indeed suffered a lot on account of his size. His excessive corpulence made it impossible for him to kneel or sit cross-legged for any length of time. While ordinary folding stools and similar seats allowed him to sit, they were inconvenient for writing. In short, he had to avoid almost any activity that required crouching or bending over. Naturally, this meant the furniture he used was different from everyone else’s.

As previously mentioned, no one in the entire palace cared about the fate of the craftsmen. Emboldened by Li Tai’s status, the steward arrived at the Directorate and insisted that Li Tai’s order take priority. Pei Feishu, seeing how overbearing he was, showed no courtesy and told him directly, “I have just accepted an order from the Prince of Jin. If His Highness the Prince of Yue is not in urgent need, perhaps he could wait a few days.”

Ordinarily, when a high official of the third rank personally comes out and explains the reason, anyone with a sense of propriety would say a few kind words and ask for the matter to be arranged as soon as possible—especially since another prince was involved. Unfortunately, Li Tai had just been severely punished by Emperor Taizong because of Li Zhi. As a servant in Li Tai’s household, how could the steward give ground at such a time? So, upon hearing Pei Feishu’s words, not only did he refuse to yield, but he glared fiercely at Pei Feishu, pointing at his nose and declaring, “So, Pei Feishu, you’re obviously trying to curry favor with the Prince of Jin, even daring to delay the Prince of Yue’s commission?”

Pei Feishu was incensed that this steward dared to point at his nose and call him by name, and was on the verge of losing his temper. But remembering that this man served the Prince of Yue—who was much favored by the emperor—he decided to hold back, keeping in mind the saying about not punishing a dog before looking at its master. He took a deep breath and patiently explained, “It is not that I am deliberately causing delay; the Prince of Jin’s request came first. Besides, only half a month ago, the Directorate just finished a batch of items for the Prince of Yue; I imagine his highness is not in such urgent need.”

The steward was immediately infuriated by Pei Feishu’s reply. Face flushed with anger, he shouted, “What do you mean by that, Pei Feishu? Are you saying my master is causing you trouble?”

Pei Feishu hastily replied, “I meant no such thing. I simply believe that the items for His Highness the Prince of Yue could hardly have worn out so quickly.”

The steward retorted, “And how the Prince of Yue’s things are replaced is hardly your concern! In any case, you must arrange this matter immediately, or if my master’s needs are delayed, I will not forgive you.”

Pei Feishu was about to explode with rage, but again restrained himself in deference to the prince behind the steward. Taking another deep breath, he tried to explain, “But the items for the Prince of Jin are meant to be presented to—”

He had intended to explain that Li Zhi’s order was for the emperor, but before he could finish, the steward cut him off, “Don’t you dare use the Prince of Jin to pressure me! No matter what, today the Directorate must prioritize the Prince of Yue’s furniture.”

Pei Feishu tried to speak again, but the steward angrily flung his sleeves and stormed out, threatening as he went, “I’ll be back for the goods in five days. If they’re not ready by then, Lord Pei, you’d best watch yourself.”

Pei Feishu immediately wanted to refuse. This was outrageous—there was quite a large order for furniture from the Prince of Yue’s residence, and five days would hardly suffice even for completion, let alone painting and drying. But no matter how loudly he called after the man to “wait,” the steward marched out the main gate as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

Pei Feishu was left in a dreadful quandary. If he followed the steward’s demands, he’d be unable to finish the Prince of Yue’s commission in time and would delay the Prince of Jin’s work as well. Yet if he completed the Prince of Jin’s order first and ignored the steward, he would surely be subjected to petty revenge and end up offending the Prince of Yue.

Standing in the Directorate’s courtyard, Pei Feishu grew more and more aggrieved, finally bursting out, “That dog, relying on power—he’s infuriating!”

This outburst drew the attention of many. Two deputy supervisors hurried over, and one of them asked, “Director, what has caused you such anger?”

Pei Feishu, still fuming, recounted what had just happened. After listening, both men cursed roundly as well. Still, the problem was right in front of them—something had to be done.

The three of them thought hard but could not come up with a solution that would satisfy everyone, which so exasperated Pei Feishu that he cursed several more times. Just as their wits were at an end, the foreman who had previously interacted with Li Zhi came to ask for instructions, “Sirs, the set of tables and chairs designed by the Prince of Jin for His Majesty has been assembled. What motif shall we use for the carving?”

Pei Feishu, troubled by the question, replied gloomily, “I’m afraid the carving will have to wait. Some lackey from the Prince of Yue’s household just dumped a load of work on us.”

The foreman was shocked, “Are you saying the items for His Majesty must be set aside for the Prince of Yue?”

Sighing, Pei Feishu recounted the situation again, concluding, “It’s my fault for not making things clear to that lackey.”

The foreman frowned as he listened, but after a moment, he had an idea. Bowing, he said, “Director, I do not think the Prince of Jin is an unreasonable man. Perhaps you could explain the situation to him in person and ask him to wait a few days. If he refuses, you will simply have to decide which side to offend.”

Pei Feishu saw there was no other way and could only nod helplessly. Clearly, there was no longer any hope of pleasing both sides. Having made up his mind, Pei Feishu went straight from the Directorate to the palace, and after some effort, managed to secure an audience with Li Zhi.

At first, Li Zhi thought Pei Feishu had come to report the furniture was finished. Only upon meeting did he learn the real reason. After Pei Feishu explained everything, Li Zhi looked at the troubled Director and said, “Since you are in difficulty and my royal brother has urgent need, prioritize his furniture. My father dotes on him and I’m sure he will gladly wait a couple of extra days.”

Pei Feishu was so moved he was near tears, thanking Li Zhi profusely before hurrying back to the Directorate to make the arrangements.

Watching Pei Feishu depart, Li Zhi’s face broke into an amused smile, and he murmured, “Li Tai, Li Tai, this disaster was brought on by your own servant. If you get punished for it later, you’ve no one to blame but yourself!”