On the way back, Pei You'an remained silent, and Jiafu didn't utter a word either.
By the time the carriage returned to the Duke's residence, lanterns had been lit. Liu Momo and Tanxiang, who had been sitting on either side of the coachman, immediately jumped down as soon as the carriage stopped.
Pei You'an descended first. When Jiafu was about to step down, Liu Momo and Tanxiang hurried forward to assist her, but Pei You'an had already reached out, gripping her arm and practically dragging her down before releasing her and striding inside without a backward glance.
Jiafu watched his retreating figure for a moment before quickly following.
The two first went to see Old Madam Pei, where Madam Xin and Second Madam were also present, attending to the old lady during her meal.
Pei You'an wore a smile as he said, "We were supposed to return earlier, but I remembered something after noon and asked A'fu to stay a little longer with her mother. It was my fault for delaying our return."
The old lady chuckled, "It's just a slight delay, nothing serious. It's good for mother and daughter to have more time to talk. Have you eaten?"
"We had our meal at her mother's place."
Old Madam Pei nodded, "Good, then you may retire to your quarters."
Pei You'an respectfully assented and led Jiafu out. His pace quickened gradually until Jiafu was nearly trotting to keep up as they returned to their courtyard.
As soon as they entered, he ordered Tanxiang and the other maids who had followed them to leave, shutting the door behind them. "You went to the Taoist temple? What were you thinking?" he demanded.
His back was turned as he removed his outer robe and hung it up.
Though his tone was controlled, Jiafu could clearly sense his anger in the accusatory words.
During the journey back, she had sensed his displeasure and knew her actions were improper, feeling uneasy all the while. But now, hearing his immediate accusation, she bit her lip hard, staring at his back as her initial unease was swiftly replaced by indignation and resentment. Without a word, she walked to the dressing table and sat down, beginning to undo her hair ornaments.
Hearing no response, Pei You'an turned and saw her seated, ignoring him as she removed her jewelry. Frowning, he said, "Why aren't you speaking? I saw your mother reluctant to let you go and thought to let you stay longer with her since I had some matters to attend to. I planned to fetch you later. Yet you went to the Taoist temple instead! Do you think you're in the right here?"
"I'm not in the right! But are you?" Jiafu could no longer hold back. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she rapidly unpinned her hair while retorting, "Yes, I went to the temple. But what about your 'matters'? When grandmother asked, I was too ashamed to mention it. Going once might be excusable, but twice, thrice! Using my mother as an excuse, today you even left me behind—where did you go off to? I'll say it again: yes, I forced you to marry me at first, but later I realized my mistake and stopped clinging to you! If you find me so unbearable that you'd go see another woman just three days after our wedding, why did you bother marrying me in the first place?"
That morning, for the bridal homecoming, Tanxiang had styled her hair into an elaborate updo adorned with numerous hairpins. Jiafu removed them one by one, clattering them onto the table, until only a fine copper comb remained entangled in her hair. Its sharp teeth had caught stubbornly in the strands, refusing to budge no matter how she tugged.
Pei You'an watched her back, momentarily taken aback by her outburst. After a pause, he frowned. "I truly don't understand what goes through your mind all day..."
Jiafu ignored him completely, continuing her futile battle with the comb.Pei You'an's expression gradually softened. After a moment's hesitation, he finally walked over and stopped behind her. Reaching for the copper comb, his tone even carried a hint of teasing: "Haven't you always been prone to tears? Why didn't you cry when I scolded you just now?"
"You want me to cry? Well, I won't!"
Jiafu snorted coldly, tilting her head away to avoid his outstretched hand. With a fierce tug, she yanked the comb free, pulling out a dozen strands of tangled hair in the process. But just as his face was leaning down, her raised arm accidentally scraped his forehead with the comb's teeth, drawing a half-finger-length line of fine blood beads.
A droplet of blood seeped from the wound.
The air froze instantly. Both of them seemed petrified, remaining motionless in their positions.
Only then did Jiafu realize the trouble she'd caused. Startled, she stared dumbly at the man reflected in the mirror behind her, still holding the comb aloft.
Pei You'an's gaze also met hers in the mirror before he slowly straightened up.
With a clatter, the offending weapon fell from her hand. Jiafu sprang to her feet, turning around in a fluster to find a handkerchief to wipe away the blood.
Pei You'an tilted his head slightly to avoid her hand, wiping the bloodstain with his own finger instead. He glanced at the blood on his fingertip, then gave her a sidelong look.
All of Jiafu's earlier temper had vanished. Her fingers clutched the handkerchief so tightly they turned white as she stared up at him with wide eyes.
"...Cousin... I didn't mean to... Does it hurt...?"
Pei You'an snorted coldly: "If you'd meant to, that would be unforgivable."
Jiafu bit her lip.
Pei You'an looked down at her: "You knew where I'd gone, so you ran to the nunnery to ambush me? Hmm?"
"Where else would you be if not the nunnery?"
Jiafu weakly defended herself, staring at his lapel.
Pei You'an paused, as if rendered speechless by her response.
"The day before yesterday I told you I went to the nunnery. Yesterday and today, I was at the Imperial Hospital!"
Jiafu's head snapped up.
"Nun Chi has a younger brother. When the Chi family was executed five years ago, he was only three years old. An old friend of Hanlin Chi risked his life to save the boy, but he suffered injuries and fell ill. Now his life hangs by a thread—he's lying ill in the nunnery. The other day I happened to meet Nun Chi in the palace, and she begged me to treat her brother. Her grandfather was the chief examiner during my imperial examinations and often gave me guidance. I respect him as my teacher. How could I refuse when the boy's life is in danger? That day I examined him, but the case was complicated. These past two days I've been researching medical texts at the Imperial Hospital and consulting with the imperial physicians."
"What exactly have you been imagining in that head of yours?"
Jiafu stood frozen, looking up at him with slightly parted lips."Today I thought of a remedy, but there's one ingredient I'm not sure if the Imperial Hospital has in stock. It's a foreign medicine, hard to preserve, which I obtained from a Persian physician in my youth. Seeing your mother reluctant to part with you, I asked you to stay a while longer while I went to check at the Imperial Hospital. By the end of the hour of the Goat, I went to your house to fetch you. Your mother-in-law said you had returned, so I came back, only to be told by the gatekeeper that you had stood at the entrance for a moment before getting back into the carriage and leaving again, without saying where you were going. At first, I thought you had gone back home. I went there, but fearing you might not be there and not wanting to worry your mother-in-law needlessly, I pretended you had left something behind and sent someone in to fetch it. They came out saying there was nothing, and only then did I realize you hadn't gone home either! Do you know, I called a few brothers from the Five Armies' subordinate guards to search several places discreetly, and only after racking my own brain did I think to look for you at the Taoist temple?"
His voice wasn't loud, but his tone grew increasingly stern.
Jiafu was both ashamed and remorseful, her face burning red as she slowly hung her head, motionless.
A brief silence fell in the room. Pei You'an seemed to be struggling to contain his anger, pacing back and forth behind her with his hands clasped behind his back before finally stopping and exhaling slowly. When he spoke again, his tone had calmed. "Never mind. As long as you're unharmed. Don't ever do such a foolish thing again. I'm going to the study." With that, he turned and left.
Liu Momo and Tanxiang were waiting in the corridor when the door opened and a figure emerged. They hurried forward, calling out, "Young Master."
Pei You'an raised a hand to shield his forehead and turned toward the study, his footsteps gradually fading away.
Jiafu watched his retreating back helplessly, rooted to the spot. Moments later, hearing Liu Momo and Tanxiang approaching, she quickly turned away, forcing back her tears and returning to her dressing table, pretending to tidy her disheveled hair.
Liu Momo and Tanxiang, who had been standing outside, had faintly heard the rise and fall of the young master's voice inside, though they couldn't make out his words. Connecting it with the afternoon's events, though still puzzled, they guessed there had been some discord. After seeing the young master leave for the study, they entered to find Jiafu seated at her dressing table, her back to them as she tried to fix her hair. Tanxiang stepped forward to help, but Jiafu said, "You may leave. I don't need you now."
The two exchanged glances.
"Go. I'll call if I need anything," she repeated more firmly, still not turning around.
Liu Momo and Tanxiang had no choice but to withdraw.
Jiafu propped her head with one hand while picking up the scattered jewelry on the table with the other, placing each piece back into its box. She took a comb and slowly worked through the tangled strands of her hair. After sitting silently for a while, she finally rose, called Tanxiang back in, washed her face, tied her hair into a simple bun, and changed into casual home clothes.
Liu Momo turned to her: "You haven't had dinner yet. Let me check the kitchen and bring some dishes."
Jiafu said, "I'll go myself."
...
Light spilled from the study's ajar door. Jiafu, carrying a food box, knocked gently and pushed it open.
Pei You'an sat behind his desk, brush in hand, and looked up as she entered. The wound on his forehead had stopped bleeding.
Jiafu walked in slowly and stopped before his desk.
"What is it?"Jiafu said softly, "You haven't had dinner yet, have you? You must be too angry with me to eat. Earlier, I went to the small kitchen and picked out some simple dishes and rice—all reheated. Seeing there was pre-soaked snow fungus, I also made a Snow Fungus Taro Milk Soup. I remember you once said an extra spoonful of honey could be added, so I put in two..."
Pei You'an set down his brush.
Jiafu lowered her lashes.
"I was wrong... I misunderstood you, and I misunderstood Nun Chi too. You were right to scold me, but don't let anger ruin your appetite. I'll leave the food box here. If you're hungry, please eat some..."
She placed the food box at the corner of the desk, then turned to leave with her head bowed.
"Have you eaten?"
Just as she reached the door, his voice suddenly came from behind. She paused, slowly turning her head to see him looking at her. Biting her lip, she shook her head.
"Let's eat together. There's too much for me alone," he said.
Jiafu froze for a moment, then her eyes immediately brightened. She nodded, "Alright," and quickly turned back. Lifting the lid of the food box, she arranged the Braised Bamboo Shoot Goose, Jiangnan Wormwood Shoots, Sea Lettuce, a bowl of Chicken Relish Soup, and a large serving of rice on the table. Then she hurried to the door and called for Tanxiang to bring another set of bowls and chopsticks.
The utensils arrived swiftly.
Pei You'an must have been genuinely hungry, for he stopped speaking and began eating with Jiafu. Seeing him finish quickly, she said, "I'm full. If you're still hungry, I can ask for more rice."
Pei You'an replied, "Isn't there still the Snow Fungus Taro Milk Soup? That should be enough."
Jiafu smiled, quickly bringing out the soup tureen and lifting the lid. A faint steam rose—just the right temperature to eat.
She pushed the tureen toward him.
Pei You'an said, "I can't finish this much. You have some first, and I'll eat the rest."
His tone was casual, but Jiafu's cheeks warmed slightly. She murmured, "Maybe I should fetch a small bowl and divide it..."
"No need. You go ahead, it's fine."
A slow sweetness bloomed in Jiafu's heart. With a soft "Mm," she picked up a spoon, scooped some, and brought it to her lips, eating bite by bite.
Like a begonia veiled in mist, her beauty under the lamplight—her fresh, unpowdered face—held a different charm from the daytime.
Pei You'an hadn't meant to, but his gaze lingered on her lips as she ate the creamy soup.
Her cherry lips, moist and glossy, shimmered with an alluring sheen, like a half-bloomed bud brimming with nectar, tempting one to taste its sweetness. As she took a spoonful, a glistening milky film coated her lips. A hint of pink tongue darted out to lick them, then retreated before he could fully see.
Suddenly, Pei You'an's throat felt parched, and a stirring below made him quickly avert his eyes.
Jiafu remained oblivious. After counting a few bites, she pushed the rest toward him. "Elder Cousin, I'm full. You can have the rest."
Pei You'an didn't look at her again, simply lifting the bowl and finishing it in a few mouthfuls. Setting it down, he said, "I'm full too. I still have some work to do and will return later. Go to bed first—don't wait for me."
Seeing him turn back to his desk, Jiafu dared not insist, afraid of annoying him. With a quiet "Oh," she gathered the dishes, packed them into the food box, and carried it out.
"Elder Cousin, don't stay up too late. Come back and rest soon."
At the door, she glanced back and added.
Pei You'an lifted his eyes to her and nodded with a faint smile.
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