The Crown Prince was a matter of national importance. Although the incident was somewhat unsightly, even if it were true, at most it would only prove that the Crown Prince had a violent temperament and lacked personal virtue—both of which were intangible flaws. With proper guidance, there was still a chance for redemption. The saying that "the prince who breaks the law is punished the same as a commoner" was merely an ideal upheld by sages since ancient times, akin to the vision of a utopian world where all is just. Even if the Crown Prince had killed a concubine, it would not have crossed the emperor's bottom line of tolerance. Moreover, the emperor had only recently ascended the throne, and stability was paramount in all court affairs. To hope that the emperor would actually depose the Crown Prince over this was highly unlikely.
He needed a ladder to step over this matter, and now that the ladder had been handed to him, he took it. As for whether it was true or not, or whether he believed it, those were secondary concerns.
All of this was explained to Jiafu by Pei You'an one evening afterward, when she accompanied him to his study.
Jiafu felt as if a veil had been lifted from her eyes.
She had initially regretted her impulsive actions that night, but judging by his tone, what she had done wasn’t a bad thing after all.
In the end, he lifted her onto his lap and told her that he had been too negligent before, nearly allowing her to come to harm. He assured Jiafu that from then on, he would be doubly careful and never let her face such danger again.
With him by her side, Jiafu felt truly at ease, needing to do little more than nod in agreement.
The man she had worked so hard to coax and deceive into marrying her was like a towering tree, shielding her from wind and rain.
...
Two days later, Jiafu’s brother Zhen Yaoting arrived in the capital.
Though it had only been a few months since they last met, his demeanor had grown far more composed compared to before, though traces of his former youthful impulsiveness still occasionally surfaced. He had also become darker and thinner. The siblings were overjoyed to see each other. Jiafu stayed at her family home until evening, when Pei You'an arrived after leaving the palace. They had dinner together before he took Jiafu back to their residence.
The next day, Meng Shi brought her son to pay respects to the elders. After kowtowing, the old madam said they were all family and there was no need for excessive formality, inviting Yaoting to stay and chat. When the old madam asked about Yaoting’s marriage prospects and learned that no suitable match had yet been found due to previous delays, she remarked, "The child is still young. Marriage is a lifelong matter—there’s no need to rush. Take your time to find the right match."
Meng Shi nodded repeatedly. "That’s exactly what I think. Yaoting was mischievous as a child and never listened to me. I’ve always thought that his future wife must be sensible and steady, someone who can help keep him in line."
As she spoke, Jiafu noticed her brother glancing toward the door curtain, as if searching for Yuzhu. When he saw only two young maids standing there and no sign of her, his expression dimmed with disappointment.
After chatting a while longer, the old madam learned that Meng Shi planned to return to Quanzhou soon and said, "If you’re not in a hurry, why not stay a little longer? In a few days, my second grandson will be married. Since we’re all family, you should join us for the celebration and leave after the wedding feast."
Hearing that Pei Xiuzhi was finally getting married, Meng Shi inwardly sighed in relief. After asking about the bride, she readily agreed and turned to her son with a smile. "This is perfect. Let’s stay a while longer, shall we?"Zhen Yaoting was reluctant to leave just like that, so this arrangement suited him perfectly. He happily agreed.
Old Madam Pei's health had declined rapidly over the past few years, and it was only in the last six months that she had shown some improvement. However, her foundation had been thoroughly depleted. After sitting for half the day, she gradually began to show signs of fatigue. Meng Shi, concerned about disturbing her rest, stood up to take her leave.
The old madam called out for Yuzhu, who lifted the curtain and entered. Upon hearing that Meng Shi and her son were leaving and that she was to see them off, Yuzhu smiled in agreement and led Meng Shi and Zhen Yaoting out. Jiafu followed along.
For this visit, Meng Shi had been uneasy and had repeatedly reminded her son in private not to repeat last year's incident of cornering someone in secret, lest he embarrass his sister again. Zhen Yaoting had agreed. True to his word, his behavior today had been impeccable from start to finish—except for a few glances back when the old madam and Meng Shi mentioned his marriage prospects. But as he helped his mother into the carriage and prepared to leave, his reluctance got the better of him, and he couldn't help but look back a few more times.
Yuzhu turned her face away.
Jiafu noticed this and couldn't help feeling a pang of regret.
Her brother had truly taken a liking to Yuzhu. Even after all this time, during their reunion yesterday, he had quietly asked Jiafu about Yuzhu's recent situation. When he heard she hadn't been matched with anyone, he had sighed in relief.
The Pei family released their maids once a year, and the time was approaching again. Many maids of marriageable age in the household had already been settled—either matched or sent away. Only Yuzhu, now the oldest unmarried woman among them, showed no signs of any plans. Just a few days ago, when Jiafu visited the old madam, she had overheard the old madam asking Yuzhu if she had any thoughts on the matter, urging her to speak up if she did. Yuzhu had blushed slightly, glanced quickly at Jiafu, and shaken her head, saying she had no such thoughts and wished only to serve the old madam for the rest of her life. The old madam had sighed with a smile, saying she didn’t know how much longer she had left and didn’t want to hold Yuzhu back after so many years of service.
Jiafu recalled how Yuzhu had been unusually quiet on their way back from White Crane Temple that day, her expression tinged with melancholy. Perhaps the Taoist nun’s story had stirred memories of her own childhood hardships.
Jiafu had initially thought that if Yuzhu also had feelings for her brother, she might swallow her pride and broach the subject with the old madam. Her mother had always liked Yuzhu and would surely approve. With the old madam’s support, even her grandmother would find it hard to refuse.
If her brother could marry Yuzhu, their household would finally be at peace, inside and out.
But watching Yuzhu on their way out, she had only spoken to her mother and Jiafu, not even glancing at her brother—completely indifferent.
If Yuzhu had no such feelings, her brother’s one-sided affection would be futile, and Jiafu couldn’t very well bring it up rashly, lest it seem like coercion.
It was all her brother’s fault for being so reckless in the past, leaving Yuzhu with such a poor impression.
Jiafu had no choice but to abandon the idea.
Soon, the entire Pei household was bustling with preparations for Pei Xiuzhi’s wedding. Since he was marrying a second wife, and Zhou Jiao'e had previously been engaged—only for the match to be called off due to incompatible birth charts—she had remained at home for two years. Now, both families were eager to proceed with the wedding. All the formalities went smoothly, and before long, Pei Xiuzhi was married.Old Madam Pei took an extraordinary interest in Pei Xiuzhi's marriage. Despite her waning energy, she frequently involved herself personally and even contributed a large sum of money to subsidize her grandson's wedding arrangements.
After Pei Xiuzhi's misconduct, he not only lost his noble title but was also stripped of his previous position as Commandant of the Valiant. Now, he was merely a commoner. As he was about to marry, Pei You'an secured an imperial favor for him, allowing him to enter the Camp of Young Officials as an Attendant with Sword.
The Camp of Young Officials was under the jurisdiction of the Five Armies in the capital. Although this position couldn't compare to the title of Duke, those who entered the camp were all descendants of dukes, marquises, or earls. With one or two years of diligent service, those with ability could quickly rise to prominence. The positions were highly coveted, and many scions of noble families couldn't even secure a spot.
Though this was Pei Xiuzhi's second marriage, apart from lacking the honor of an imperial decree, the wedding's grandeur was no less than Pei You'an's previous grand ceremony. Many guests attended the Pei residence, some drawn by Pei You'an and others from Empress Zhou's family. The festivities lasted from morning till night, bustling with activity the entire day. Madam Xin, usually stern-faced, was radiant with joy, her laughter echoing everywhere.
The next morning, Jiafu met her sister-in-law, Zhou Jiao'e, who was a few years older, around eighteen or nineteen. True to her name, she was quite beautiful, exquisitely dressed, with thin lips that spoke eloquently. Pei Xiuzhi stood beside her, smiling, but for some reason, his smile seemed forced, his gaze restless. When his eyes briefly met Jiafu's, he quickly looked away, as if harboring hidden shame and frustration.
Jiafu didn't pay much attention at the time. However, just a few days later, she heard from Liu Momo that on the wedding night, things had started well, but soon, the night attendants outside faintly heard what sounded like an argument inside. After that, it fell silent, and the following nights passed without incident. But last night, Pei Xiuzhi and Zhou Jiao'e suddenly quarreled again. At first, their voices were hushed, but the argument grew louder, and a few phrases were overheard—Pei Xiuzhi accusing her of shamelessness and impropriety. Zhou Jiao'e smashed things in anger, and Pei Xiuzhi stormed out of the bedroom to his study. Zhou Jiao'e wept uncontrollably, prompting the servants to wake Madam Xin, who hurried over to console the new bride and then personally fetched her son from the study, forcing him back to the bedroom.
Though Madam Xin later summoned the maids and matrons in the courtyard, sternly forbidding them from spreading the story, the commotion had been too loud, audible even outside the courtyard. Liu Momo, who loved meddling in others' affairs, had already adopted several goddaughters since arriving at the Pei residence with Jiafu a few months prior. She immediately relayed the news from one of them to Jiafu.
Recalling Pei Xiuzhi's expression the morning after the wedding, Jiafu began to understand.Liu Momo must have been thinking along the same lines, lowering her voice to say, "From the looks of it, this Second Madam being rejected in her engagement years ago when she was still a maiden wasn't just about incompatible birth characters. Perhaps the groom's family heard something, which is why she stayed home for two extra years. It just so happened that the Empress took notice, and that's how she ended up married to Second Master. Barely a few days after entering the household, she walks around with her chin up—flattering the Old Madam but looking down even on Second Branch's madam. I heard Second Madam was so angry she's been saying quite a bit behind her back. And here I thought she was so high-minded. Only the First Madam treats her like a treasure."
A look of disdain crossed Liu Momo's face.
Jiafu told her not to spread such talk further. Liu Momo nodded. "Young Madam, you're kind-hearted and gentle. I only looked into this because I was afraid you might be bullied by her. As long as you're aware, that's enough. Don't worry—my lips are sealed. I know my limits."
Early the next morning, both branches of the Pei family, along with their clan and families with close ties to the Peis, gathered in a disorderly crowd of several hundred at the main gate before dawn, preparing to set off for Cien Temple to observe the late Duke's seventieth death anniversary.
Death anniversaries were only observed every decade, so this occasion was exceptionally grand. The Pei family had arranged for seven consecutive days of ceremonies at Cien Temple to ensure the main day was properly honored. Even the Emperor had sent eunuchs bearing imperial gifts.
Since the purpose of commemorating ancestors was to honor the past and bless the future, the family need not wear mournful expressions. The women dressed formally for the occasion. Pei You'an had requested leave from the Emperor for this day. Before the fourth watch, when the sky was still pitch black, he rose and urged Jiafu to sleep longer before heading out with Pei Quan to oversee arrangements. By the time Jiafu finished dressing and went to the Old Madam's quarters to join the procession, dawn was just breaking. Lanterns in hand, they turned past the screen wall to see the main gate brightly lit with torches, shadows of people moving about as men and stewards hurried in and out. Amid the crowd, Jiafu immediately spotted Pei You'an.
While waiting in a side hall near the gatehouse to be assigned a carriage, she saw him approaching with a steward. Seizing a moment when he was alone, she waited behind the screen wall.
Pei You'an had already glimpsed her from the corner of his eye while speaking to the steward. Seeing her beckoning with one hand while the other was hidden behind her back, he paused, dismissed the steward, and walked over, shielding her between himself and the wall before looking down with a smile. "What is it?"
Jiafu glanced around, then quickly extended the hidden hand to offer him a handkerchief-wrapped bundle. "You've been up since midnight with so much to do. Once we set off and reach the temple, you probably won't have time to eat. I was afraid you'd get hungry, so I packed some snacks—mung bean cake, lactose cake, and almond crisp. The almond crisp was freshly made by the cook last night—best eaten this morning, crispy and fragrant, just one bite each. If you get hungry, it'll tide you over—"
"Young Master, the Marquis of Jing'an has arrived!" a steward called from the gate.
Jiafu hastily pressed the bundle into his hand and slipped away past his arm.Pei You'an glanced down at the pastry she had forcefully pressed into his hand, then looked up to see her already darting into the flower hall like a little rabbit, vanishing from sight. The corners of his lips unconsciously lifted slightly.
His young wife was truly raising him according to her own tastes. Because he had never refused, ever since that first bowl of Snow Fungus Taro Milk Soup, things had spiraled out of control—all the evening snacks she made for him were sweet, and now, the pastry she had shoved at him was so sugary it could rot teeth.
But it seemed he was gradually beginning to appreciate the taste of sweets, as if they weren’t so unpleasant after all.
Having been busy since the fourth watch of the night, the little he had eaten upon waking had long since worn off. Now that she had mentioned it, he did feel a bit hungry.
Pei You'an unfolded the handkerchief, picked up an Almond Crisp, and tossed it into his mouth. After swallowing it in a few bites, he wrapped up the remaining pastries and tucked them into his sleeve before stepping out from behind the screen wall and heading toward the main gate.
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