The old madam changed into proper attire and, leaning on her cane, led her maids and servants toward the front hall. From a distance, she saw her daughter-in-law waiting under the covered walkway.
Meng Shi hurried forward to support her mother-in-law as soon as she spotted her.
“We’ve had no prior dealings—what brings the Heir Apparent to our home so suddenly and without reason?” the old madam asked in a low voice as they walked inside.
Meng Shi also wore a puzzled expression. “I don’t know either. Just now, Zhang Da mentioned that the Heir Apparent arrived with gifts, and I thought there must be some mistake. Last year, when I took Yao Ting and A’fu there, he happened to return to the capital to celebrate the old madam’s birthday. We crossed paths once or twice, and though he was courteous, it was limited to a few polite words. I never expected him to visit like this today.”
The old madam inquired about the guest’s reception, and Meng Shi replied, “He was already welcomed into the guest hall. Zhang Da and Yao Ting are keeping him company.”
As the two women spoke, they stepped over the threshold and turned inside. The old madam raised her eyes and saw a man dressed in a primal-colored robe, his waist cinched with a jade-inlaid belt. His bearing was refined, his demeanor gentle and elegant. Though young—likely in his twenties—his gaze was remarkably steady. Seated properly, he listened as Zhen Yaoting recounted the customs and notable figures of Quanzhou, occasionally interjecting with a question or two. The old madam approached with a beaming smile and said, “What wind has blown such an esteemed guest to our humble home today? The Heir Apparent’s presence brings honor to our dwelling. I apologize for my tardiness and hope you will forgive this old woman’s neglect.”
Pei You’an saw Meng Shi enter, supporting an elderly woman clad in a brocade jacket of wealth and glory. The woman had thick brows, a broad forehead, and shrewd eyes—the unmistakable air of a matriarch accustomed to giving orders. Realizing she must be Jiafu’s grandmother, he rose to greet her, performing the respectful salutation of a junior.
Though Old Mrs. Hu was a merchant’s wife, decades of managing the household had honed her ability to judge character. Having heard that the Pei family’s Heir Apparent had been frail since childhood, she had imagined him sickly and weak. Yet here he stood, exuding an innate nobility that needed no ostentation. Even if he no longer held the title of Heir Apparent and was estranged from his family, he was clearly no ordinary man. She dared not slight him. After exchanging pleasantries, she noted how this former close confidant of the emperor treated her with deference, his manners impeccable and devoid of any arrogance. Pleased, she invited him to sit again and glanced at her grandson standing nearby. “My grandson is ignorant and slow-witted. If he has misspoken, I hope the Heir Apparent will not laugh at him.”
Pei You’an turned to Zhen Yaoting and smiled. “Your grandson possesses an unpolished genuineness, a rare quality that many of us lack. How could you speak so modestly of him, Old Madam?”
Old Mrs. Hu was even more delighted by his praise. After a few more humble remarks, though curious about his purpose, she knew it was improper for a host to inquire before the guest broached the subject. She thus continued with small talk until Pei You’an said, “My visit today is presumptuous, yet you have welcomed me so warmly. I am deeply grateful. To be frank, I have a personal matter I hope you two kind elders might grant me permission to discuss. May I speak of it?”
Old Mrs. Hu and Meng Shi exchanged glances before the former chuckled. “Why stand on ceremony, Heir Apparent? Speak freely. If it is within our power, we will certainly not refuse.”Pei You'an glanced around, and Meng Shi immediately understood, promptly dismissing the servants and sending Zhen Yaoting out as well. When only she and the old madam remained in the hall, he spoke: "Old Madam, Madam, to be frank, the commander Yang Yun, who escorted my cousin home last time, was acting under my orders. It was I who rescued my cousin earlier. Though she was frightened at the time, fortunately, the danger was averted, and she must have returned home safely by now."
Old Mrs. Hu and Meng Shi were utterly astonished upon hearing this.
When Jiafu had been brought back earlier, Meng Shi knew Yang Yun was acting on his master's orders and inquired about the benefactor's identity. However, Yang Yun had remained tight-lipped, so Meng Shi had no choice but to drop the matter. Never would she have imagined that the person who saved her daughter would coincidentally be Pei You'an!
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Meng Shi recalled the torment she had endured during her daughter's disappearance and couldn't help but denounce the unscrupulous traffickers who had abducted her daughter, repeatedly thanking Pei You'an.
Old Mrs. Hu, however, was far more astute and sensed something unusual. She understood that the young master's words were likely just the beginning. After expressing her thanks with a smile, she asked, "Young Master, what is the purpose of your visit today?"
Pei You'an stood up and bowed solemnly to both the old madam and Meng Shi.
Both women were puzzled and quickly returned the courtesy.
Pei You'an said, "I have come today for no other reason than my cousin."
He paused, then continued, "I have long admired my cousin." Each word was enunciated clearly and distinctly.
These eight short words left not only Meng Shi but even Old Mrs. Hu stunned. They stared at Pei You'an in silence.
Pei You'an's expression remained unchanged, his tone even more sincere: "Since childhood, I have known my cousin. Last year, at my grandmother's birthday celebration, I had the fortune to meet her again. And more recently, through these circumstances, we were reunited once more. My cousin's virtue, speech, appearance, and skills are truly precious, and I have fallen deeply for her. Thus, I am resolved to marry none but her. Though I know this is presumptuous, I have come today to boldly declare my feelings to Old Madam and Madam. If you would grant me this favor, it would be my greatest fortune, and I would be endlessly grateful!"
Meng Shi was utterly taken aback, staring at Pei You'an, momentarily at a loss for words.
That Pei You'an had fallen in love with her daughter at first sight and wished to marry her was not the least bit surprising to Meng Shi. Though her daughter's beauty came from her, it far surpassed her own—so much so that one could say it outshone the moon and shamed the flowers, or caused fish to sink and birds to alight. Over the years, their family had fended off countless admirers and suitors. Now, even the young master of the Duke's household had fallen for her at first sight and come specifically to visit. His sincerity was evident.
But therein lay the problem.
Setting aside everything else, when had anyone ever come to propose marriage for themselves?
Meng Shi glanced at the old madam, and seeing her remain silent, she spoke: "Young Master, with your noble bearing, you do not disdain my daughter's humble origins and are willing to marry her. This would naturally be her great fortune, but... how should I put this?"
She hesitated.
Pei You'an smiled faintly, then his expression grew even more solemn: "I know marriage requires the proper rites of three letters and six etiquettes to be in accordance with propriety and to demonstrate sincerity. My desire to marry my cousin is borne of the utmost sincerity, and the three letters and six etiquettes are indispensable. However, the reason I have come alone today to boldly seek your audience is twofold: first, to lay bare my heart and express my sincerity, and second..."
He paused, looking at the old madam and Meng Shi."You two kind elders must have heard some news about the Emperor and the King of the Clouds. I'm afraid I won't have time to attend to marriage matters in the near future. Therefore, my visit today is to humbly request your permission to grant me some time. When the timing is right, I will surely ask my grandmother to arrange the betrothal formally. Please rest assured, if you agree to betroth my cousin to me, I will spare no effort to protect her for the rest of her life."
Meng Shi finally fully understood the purpose of Pei You'an's visit today.
He wanted the Zhen family to keep Jiafu available for marriage and not betroth her to anyone else before he could formally propose.
Quanzhou was a hub of transportation with countless merchants coming and going daily, so news spread quickly. In recent days, rumors had been circulating everywhere about the impending conflict between the Emperor and the King of the Clouds. However, as it was distant from their daily lives, the common people treated it as royal drama—some said the Emperor with his vast armies would surely win, while others speculated the King of the Clouds, protected by the Young Emperor, might pull off an unexpected reversal. Opinions varied widely.
Meng Shi had a very good impression of Pei You'an, especially since he had saved her daughter. After hearing his words, she was already seventy to eighty percent convinced of him as a future son-in-law. The remaining doubts stemmed from concerns about Pei You'an's past and whether her daughter would consent. Hesitant, she glanced again at Old Madam, who remained unusually silent.
"Mother? What do you think..."
"Go check on A'fu and tell her that her savior and elder cousin has come to our home."
Old Madam suddenly spoke.
Meng Shi realized Old Madam must have private matters to discuss with Pei You'an and was sending her away. Eager to see her daughter, she smiled and nodded at Pei You'an before hurrying to Jiafu's room.
Since being sent back to Quanzhou in that manner, Jiafu had felt utterly heartbroken and hopeless. She never expected Pei You'an to appear so unexpectedly at her home at such a time.
What was he here for?
Filled with anxiety and shame, Jiafu was restless and distraught. When her mother entered, she forced herself to stay composed, afraid of revealing anything unusual. But when Meng Shi mentioned that Pei You'an had come to discuss marriage, she was stunned, her heart pounding uncontrollably, unable to calm down for a long time.
"...The elder young master said he's deeply fond of you and wishes to marry you..."
Meng Shi whispered to her daughter in detail.
"Mother thinks the elder young master seems very reliable. If you marry him, he probably won't treat you poorly in the future. But when I remember those past incidents, I feel a bit uneasy..."
Jiafu's face flushed crimson, and she grabbed Meng Shi's hand, shaking her head vehemently. "Mother! How could he possibly be that kind of person? Those past matters must have been misunderstandings! You mustn't believe those rumors!"
Seeing her daughter so agitated, Meng Shi was taken aback, then smiled. She lightly tapped Jiafu's forehead with a finger. "Look how anxious you are! I haven't even said much. Could it be that you're willing to marry him too?"
Jiafu slowly lowered her head and remained silent.Meng Shi looked at her daughter and recalled the incident of her abduction. Although she had been rescued in the end, her chastity was likely lost. This must have been the reason for her daughter's despondency after returning home. Her heart swelled with both relief and sorrow as she pulled her daughter into an embrace and sighed, "I was worried you wouldn’t be willing to marry him. This is for the best. He is also your savior, so this marriage must be destined by heaven. Once he formally proposes, Mother will arrange a grand wedding for you."
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