The old woman's shouting was indeed loud. Though she was still in the courtyard, her voice filled the entire house.
Behind Jiafu, there was only silence, not a single sound to be heard.
Old Madam Pei remained seated as before, her figure as if frozen. Suddenly, she picked up the cane resting beside her and stood up stiffly. Just as Jiafu thought she was about to step out, she paused again, stood for a moment, then slowly sat back down, no different from before. Only her hand tightly gripped the dragon head of the cane, the veins on the back of her hand clearly visible.
Footsteps were already approaching from the courtyard. Jiafu instinctively turned her head, her gaze passing through the carved lattice window in front of her, looking outside.
It was midnight. In the dark blue sky hung a faint crescent moon, like a half-polished mirror. The frost of early winter was heavy, and the old osmanthus tree outside the window bore a thin layer of white frost on its branches and leaves. A figure emerged from the deep night, walking under the stars and moonlight, passing through the courtyard gate and striding toward them, casting a long shadow on the path behind.
As the figure drew nearer, the footsteps quickened. In a few strides, he ascended the steps and crossed the threshold. The lamplight flickered slightly as the man stepped in from behind the lattice door.
He was a young man, as bright as jade and as noble as a pine. As he came closer, the light revealed his complexion—a pale hue that suggested a lack of vitality, yet it did nothing to diminish the refined air about his brows. Instead, it accentuated his ink-painted eyebrows and clear, bright eyes. He stood more than a head taller than Jiafu, slightly slender, with a straight back. As he walked in, his gaze fixed on the door beside Jiafu, passing so close to her that they were barely half an arm's length apart.
Jiafu saw clearly—the frost had dampened his temples, and the dark cloak on his shoulders carried a chill, dampened by the night.
At first glance, she had recognized him—he was Pei You'an.
For some inexplicable reason, she felt nervous, a flutter of excitement she couldn't quite explain. Her heart pounded like a startled deer, and her eyes followed his every move without blinking. As he approached, she instinctively blurted out, "Eldest Cousin!"
Pei You'an seemed not to have noticed her presence at first, already passing her by. At her call, he turned his head, his gaze brushing over her face.
He did not respond, only pausing briefly to look at her.
His pupils were as dark as the night, yet under the lamplight, they were as clear and transparent as water. Though intangible, a faint, cool detachment emanated from him.
Jiafu's face grew warm with embarrassment.
He didn’t recognize her at all.
She parted her lips slightly, hesitating whether to remind him who she was, when the man before her seemed to finally recognize her. He raised his finely shaped brows slightly, nodded at her in acknowledgment, then turned to Yuzhu, who had followed him in. "Is Grandmother inside?"
His voice was calm and deep, with a mellow undertone.
Yuzhu nodded, lowering her voice. "She's inside. It's so late, but she still refused to sleep earlier... I never thought you'd actually rush back, Young Master. The old madam must be overjoyed..."
Her eyes reddened.
Pei You'an turned back, stopping before the door curtain. After a brief pause, he called out, "Grandmother, your unfilial grandson You'an has returned."
The room remained silent.Pei You'an lifted the hem of his robe, and Yuzhu hurriedly moved to hand him a kneeling cushion, but he had already knelt down on both knees. Through the door curtain, he kowtowed three times and said, "You'an has arrived late and failed to offer timely birthday wishes to Grandmother. May Grandmother's blessings be as vast as the sea and her longevity as enduring as the mountains. May your hall flourish, and may every year be as joyous as today."
There was still no sound from behind the curtain. Pei You'an pressed his forehead to the ground and remained kneeling without rising.
After a long while, Yuzhu spoke up, "Old Madam... the floor is cold. The young master must have traveled far and is still wet from the journey..."
Moments later, Old Madam Pei's voice rang out, "Get up! Do you want to catch another illness and make me worry about you again?"
Pei You'an immediately rose from the ground and lifted the curtain to step inside.
Jiafu held her breath and slowly retreated from the doorway, standing just inside the threshold of the outer room. Hesitating for a moment, she was about to call Tanxiang to go find her mother when she heard the sound of hurried footsteps. Looking up, she saw a flurry of people entering the courtyard—Madam Xin, Pei Quan, Meng Shi, as well as Pei Xiuzhi and Pei Xiuluo—all rushing to the door of Old Madam Pei's room and stopping there.
"Mother, did the servants just say You'an has returned?" Madam Xin's back was to Jiafu, so Jiafu couldn't see her expression, but her voice was strained, like a rubber band pulled taut at both ends.
Pei Quan and Meng Shi remained silent, simply waiting to the side.
Pei Xiuzhi spotted Jiafu, his eyes lighting up as he approached and stood close to her, seemingly wanting to speak but hesitating. Jiafu nodded at him before turning to greet Pei Xiuluo, who had acknowledged her. Pei Xiuzhi's expression flickered with slight disappointment before his gaze also shifted to the door, his eyes distant and his demeanor unusually tense, his lips pressed tightly together.
"Fumei." Pei Xiuluo, who would turn twenty by year's end and was known for his scholarly demeanor, smiled and nodded at Jiafu.
The failed marriage arrangement had left Aunt Meng Shi somewhat displeased, and during this visit, she hadn't been as warm toward Jiafu as before. But this cousin seemed unchanged, as if he hadn't taken it to heart.
"Mother—" Madam Xin raised her voice and called out again. Soon, footsteps echoed from inside, and Pei You'an emerged, supporting Old Madam Pei.
Old Madam Pei's eyes were slightly red, but the wrinkles on her face had smoothed out as she nodded. "You'an has returned."
Madam Xin seemed stunned, her gaze fixed on Pei You'an, now a fully grown man standing before her. After a moment, she snapped out of it, forcing a smile—though even Jiafu could tell it was strained.
"Good, good," she nodded, her lips trembling. "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back..." Her eyes shifted to Old Madam Pei. "Every year on this day, I've had your courtyard cleaned, hoping you'd return. Today, you've finally come back. Good, good..."
"Thank you for your care, Mother." Pei You'an bowed to her before turning to Pei Quan and Meng Shi, greeting them as well. "Nephew pays respects to Second Uncle and Aunt."
Pei Quan quickly urged him to dispense with formalities, while Meng Shi beamed. "You'an is finally back! You've been gone for so many years—your uncle and I think of you every day! Just now, seeing you, I almost didn't recognize you! You're so much better than before, and my heart is truly relieved! Now that you're back, don't leave again. How can our family be complete without you?"Pei You'an said, "I am deeply grateful for Uncle and Aunt's concern for me."
Meng Shi sighed, "We're all family here, no need for such formalities. Luo'er, come greet your elder brother! He's only a few years older than you, but when it comes to scholarship, the difference between you is like heaven and earth. He's a renowned Jinshi from the Tianxi era—even your academy teachers might not have matched his literary skills when he was young. Now that he's back, you must learn from him and ask him to review your essays. You're fortunate to be brothers—others would beg for such an opportunity!"
Pei Xiuluo bowed respectfully to Pei You'an. "Greetings, Elder Brother. I hope you can spare some time to instruct me."
"It's been years since I last engaged in scholarly pursuits, and my brushwork has grown rusty. I'm afraid I'm far behind you now, Third Brother. My stay at home won't be long this time, but if you have questions about your essays, I'd be happy to discuss them with you."
Pei Xiuzhi, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward with a smile. "Elder Brother! You returned without notice—I should have gone outside the city to welcome you! Please forgive my lack of courtesy."
Pei You'an turned to him with a faint smile. "You're too kind, Second Brother. While I was away, you took care of Grandmother and Mother in my stead. It is I who should thank you."
"Goodness, you're all brothers—no need for such formality!" Meng Shi laughed, stepping closer to examine Pei You'an. "Look at him, sister-in-law—he must have endured so much hardship rushing back tonight. Now that he's paid his respects to Mother, let's take him to change clothes and have a warm meal. There will be time to talk tomorrow."
Madam Xin turned to Old Madam Pei. "Mother, I'll take him to rest first—"
Suddenly, a child's piercing wail erupted from the side chamber.
Madam Xin's face paled. "Quan Ge!"
"Madam! Old Madam! Quan Ge is unwell again!" The nursemaid hurried over, startled to see so many people gathered.
"What's wrong with Quan Ge?" Madam Xin demanded sharply.
The nursemaid quickly explained, "He woke up earlier asking for you, so I brought him here. After playing for a while, he grew tired and fell asleep again. I didn't want to risk him catching a chill from being carried back and forth, so Yuzhu and I let him sleep here. But just now, for no reason, he suddenly had another episode like before—crying and screaming that his whole body itches and hurts terribly!"
Madam Xin's expression darkened as she rushed toward the side chamber. Pei Xiuzhi stamped his foot and ordered someone to fetch a physician immediately. Old Madam Pei also looked anxious. "How could he fall ill again so suddenly?"
Jiafu suppressed a pang of guilt and exhaled slowly. Then she heard a calm voice say, "Grandmother, don't distress yourself. As you know, I studied medicine in my youth and have some knowledge of it. Since my nephew's condition is urgent, let me examine him first—perhaps I can ease his discomfort before the physician arrives."
Old Madam Pei relaxed slightly and nodded. "Yes, how could I have forgotten! Go quickly."
Pei You'an strode toward the side chamber where Jiafu had been earlier, followed by Old Madam Pei, Pei Quan, and his wife.
Jiafu was surprised—she hadn't known Pei You'an had studied medicine. Though he claimed only modest skill, his willingness to treat Quan Ge suggested his knowledge was far from superficial.For some reason, Jiafu suddenly felt uneasy in her heart. Seeing that everyone had gone over, she hesitated for a moment before slowly following, stopping only at the doorway to peer inside.
Quan Ge lay on his back on the couch, surrounded by maids and elderly servants. His face and skin were swollen and red, and he was crying hoarsely. When he saw his grandmother and great-grandmother arrive, his wails grew even more piercing as he flailed his limbs wildly with astonishing strength. Several women servants tried to hold his arms and legs steady to undress him, but he broke free each time. One servant was accidentally kicked, letting out a pained cry as she stumbled back, nearly falling to the ground.
Madam Xin's heart ached terribly, her eyes brimming with tears.
Pei You'an ordered everyone to step back and approached himself. He pressed down on the child's thrashing legs, then, with some unknown technique, bent his thumb and pressed his knuckle against the soles of the child's feet a few times. The boy's body immediately went limp, leaving him lying there whimpering. They managed to undress him, revealing red rashes all over his skin, his face swollen, eyelids and lips puffed up.
"A few days ago, he suddenly broke out like this for no reason. We called the imperial physician, but he couldn't determine the cause. Today he had just recovered, but then out of nowhere, it flared up again..."
Madam Xin murmured beside them.
Pei You'an lifted Quan Ge's eyelids to examine them, then bent down to sniff his clothes, his brow furrowing slightly as if deep in thought. Suddenly, as if realizing something, he raised his eyes and turned to look directly at Jiafu standing in the doorway.
Caught off guard, Jiafu met his gaze.
His eyes were as clear as water yet sharp as lightning.
Why was he suddenly looking at her?
Had he discovered something?
Jiafu's heart raced wildly, and in that instant, her palms broke out in a cold sweat.
"Well? Have you figured anything out?" Madam Xin pressed.
Pei You'an turned his attention back, pulling a blanket over Quan Ge. "There's no need for concern. Keep the windows and doors open for ventilation, give him a bath, and change all his clothes. I'll prescribe some medicine to relieve the pain and itching—he'll recover gradually on his own."
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