The memorial service for the deceased's birthday was to last seven days. After the seventh day's completion, the newly erected memorial tablet would be enshrined in the temple to receive perpetual offerings.
Old Madam Pei, her two daughters-in-law, and Pei Quan would stay behind tonight to continue the vigil for the late Duke, observing the full three days. The grandchildren could return home in the evening after the day's ceremonies and come back the following morning.
Pei You'an and Jiafu were to return together, but he still had some matters to attend to and hadn't emerged yet. Jiafu waited by the stele pavilion near the mountain gate, accompanied by maids, elderly servants, and a temple attendant. After a short while, she saw Pei Xiuzhi and Zhou Jiao'e emerge first.
Their demeanor was completely different from their midday quarrel. There was no trace of anger left in Pei Xiuzhi, who now trailed behind Zhou Jiao'e.
The men of the Pei family were all exceptionally handsome. Pei Xiuzhi had once been dashing and spirited, riding fine horses in light furs. But now, that vigor had vanished entirely—he resembled a defeated rooster, utterly dispirited and dejected. In stark contrast, Zhou Jiao'e seemed radiant, her powdered face glowing with triumph as she strode ahead arrogantly. Behind her trailed a wet nurse, Quan Ge, and seven or eight maids, forming a bustling entourage. When they spotted Jiafu standing by the stele pavilion, the maids and servants greeted her as "Madam." Zhou Jiao'e paused, tilted her head, and offered a half-smile, calling out, "Sister-in-law." Then she glanced at her husband beside her, rubbed her lower back, and said in a coquettish tone, "Xiuzhi, I'm exhausted. There's still a long way down, and I can't take another step."
Cien Temple was situated on a hill, though not very high. From the mountain gate to the foot of the hill, there was a staircase of several hundred steps.
The maids and servants nearby seemed to stifle laughter.
Pei Xiuzhi flushed with embarrassment, almost too ashamed to look at Jiafu. Swallowing his humiliation, he called for servants to bring a sedan chair to carry the Second Madam down the hill.
The sedan chair arrived quickly. Zhou Jiao'e lifted her chin and approached it. A servant lifted the curtain, inviting her to enter, but she didn't move, nor did she acknowledge the maid's outstretched hand to assist her. Instead, she fixed her gaze on Pei Xiuzhi.
Pei Xiuzhi stepped forward reluctantly and offered his hand to help her in.
Zhou Jiao'e wore a smug expression and shot another glance at Jiafu before taking her husband's hand and bending to enter the sedan chair. Quan Ge, seeing this, clamored to ride too. There was no response from inside the sedan. Just as Pei Xiuzhi was about to order another chair, Zhou Jiao'e lifted the curtain and said sweetly, "Children should walk more—it's good for their legs as they grow. Unlike delicate women like me. If he really can't walk, I'll get out and let Quan Ge ride instead!" She made a show of preparing to step out.
Pei Xiuzhi hastily stopped her and had the sedan bearers carry her down. He then instructed the wet nurse to carry Quan Ge. The boy protested but was forcibly picked up and muffled by the nurse as they followed the sedan down the steps. Pei Xiuzhi hurried after, escorting the chair.
Jiafu watched the group disappear before turning back to see Pei You'an approaching in the distance. She quickly went to meet him.
Pei You'an spotted her and quickened his pace. When he reached her, he said, "Have you been waiting long? I was delayed discussing tomorrow's arrangements with Uncle."
Jiafu shook her head. "Only a short while. I wasn't in a hurry."Pei You'an thanked the monk who had guided them and led Jiafu down the mountain steps toward the foot of the hill. Liu Momo and Tanxiang followed behind with a few other maidservants. After descending a short distance, they came across a slightly raised step. Pei You'an paused, extending his hand toward her. Jiafu's slender fingers lightly grasped his sleeve, and he turned his hand to clasp hers, guiding her safely over the step before steadying her.
"Mind your step," he murmured softly, then gently released her hand.
Yet one of Jiafu's delicate fingers remained curled around his, as if reluctant to let go. Their sleeves draped down, concealing the entwined fingers from view, so that from behind, it only appeared as though they stood close together.
Pei You'an tilted his head slightly, glancing at the maids and older women following not far behind. Turning back, he seemed to hesitate briefly but ultimately did not withdraw his hand, allowing her to keep holding on.
Jiafu then subtly tightened her grip on his finger, refusing to let go.
Pei You'an gazed ahead, his expression unchanged, but a faint trace of amusement gradually surfaced in his eyes. His hand remained entwined with hers as they continued down the mountain path.
Upon seeing the master and mistress approaching, the coachman quickly guided the carriage closer. Once it stopped, he placed a footstool down. Jiafu stepped onto it, and Pei You'an helped her inside before following her in. The servants boarded another carriage that had pulled up behind, and they set off toward the city.
The golden glow of the setting sun bathed the fields in warm light, and in the distance, farmers could be seen returning home with their plows and hoes. The curtain on one side of the carriage was rolled up, allowing a sliver of evening light to filter through, illuminating Pei You'an.
He motioned for Jiafu to rest her head against his shoulder while he picked up a book, lowering his gaze slightly to read.
Jiafu obeyed, leaning against his arm and closing her eyes, but her mind was filled with the revelations about his origins she had heard earlier that day.
Bearing such a background must have been a disgrace—even a deep pain—for someone as noble as he once was. No doubt he himself avoided speaking of it. Naturally, Jiafu wouldn’t rashly tell him what she had overheard.
She wanted to comfort him, to let him know how she felt, but she didn’t know how to begin.
She quietly opened her eyes, stealing a glance at him.
He was absorbed in his book, the evening light catching on his slightly lowered lashes, their tips dusted with a fine golden shimmer that made her long to reach out and touch them.
"What’s the matter? Something on your mind?"
Those lashes suddenly flickered as Pei You'an turned to look at her.
Jiafu shook her head.
Pei You'an lightly tapped his own forehead with the corner of the book, speaking in a slightly apologetic tone. "Are you upset that I started reading right away and ignored you? That was thoughtless of me. My fault."
He set the book aside and reached for her. Jiafu immediately climbed onto his lap, and as he held her, he raised the side curtain higher to gaze out at the fields beyond.
"You’ve been married to me for some time now," he said. "I’ve been busy with one thing or another, leaving you alone at home. I’ve never taken you out for leisure. You must be quite bored. In a little while, when the weather cools, I’ll take you to Yuquan Mountain in the southeast of the city. I remember climbing it as a child—the scenery is lovely. It’s been years since I last visited."
"Yes, yes!" Jiafu nodded eagerly.Pei You'an glanced at her, smiled, and gently patted her head as he said softly, "If you're tired, lean on me and rest for a while. I won't read anymore—I'll just hold you."
Jiafu gave a small hum in response, wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her face against his chest, and slowly closed her eyes.
The carriage swayed gently as Jiafu curled up in his embrace. Unconsciously, she drifted off to sleep. She didn’t know how long she had slept when she was lightly roused by his touch. Opening her eyes, she realized they had arrived.
Pei You'an helped her out of the carriage, and the two entered the residence. The gatekeeper quickly came forward and said, "Young Master, the Han Zhen female Taoist from White Crane Temple sent someone to inform us that her younger brother, after taking the medicine you prescribed last time, has improved significantly. However, his appetite has inexplicably worsened again these past few days. The day before yesterday, they even called Physician Hu for a consultation, but it was ineffective. She asked when you might have time and hopes you could spare a moment to work your magic once more."
As he spoke, he also presented a scroll wrapped in a floral-patterned brocade sutra cover.
"The female Taoist also sent this sutra scroll, saying it was a handwritten copy of the Supreme Merit Sutra for the late Duke’s memorial anniversary."
Pei You'an took it, opened the sutra cover, flipped through a few pages, then closed it again. He led Jiafu back to their room and changed into casual attire for going out.
Jiafu had been somewhat drowsy earlier but was now fully awake. Knowing he was preparing to leave, she suppressed the strange feeling rising in her heart and said proactively, "The patient’s condition is important—you should go quickly. Just don’t overexert yourself, and remember to come back early to rest."
Pei You'an asked her, "Are you still tired?"
Jiafu shook her head slightly, a little dazed.
Pei You'an said slowly, "If you’re not tired, why not accompany me? It’s always nice to have company on the road."
Jiafu was taken aback for a moment before understanding. Instantly, her face blossomed into a smile as she nodded. "Alright, then I’ll accompany you, Cousin—"
But Pei You'an was already heading out, saying, "Come out once you’ve changed. I’ll go gather a few things."
...
By nightfall, the carriage stopped before the mountain gate of White Crane Temple. Pei You'an had someone announce their arrival. Soon, a young Taoist nun who attended Chi Hanzhen hurried out to greet them and led the two inside. When they reached the entrance of Taisu Hall, the young nun dashed in. Moments later, she reappeared holding a bright horn lantern, followed by Chi Hanzhen, who stepped out to welcome them. Just as she seemed about to call out to Pei You'an, her gaze suddenly caught sight of Jiafu beside him. She paused briefly, her steps halting in surprise.
Pei You'an took Jiafu’s hand and approached with a smile. "Today, my wife and I visited Cien Temple together and happened to receive your message on our way back, so we came along. I’ve also received the sutra scroll you sent. I’ll present it to Grandmother another day—your thoughtfulness is much appreciated."
Chi Hanzhen’s eyes finally shifted away from Jiafu’s smiling face. Collecting herself, she said, "Lord Pei, there’s no need for such courtesy. You saved my younger brother’s life, and as a monastic, I have little to offer in return. It was only by chance that I learned of the late Duke’s memorial anniversary, so I copied a sutra as a gesture. Please, you and your wife, come inside." With that, she quickly turned to usher them in and called for the young nun to serve tea. Pei You'an, however, insisted on seeing the patient first.
Chi Hanzhen then led him inside.The child's complexion had improved considerably since Jiafu last saw him. Pei You'an examined the child carefully, asked for the prescription from the imperial physician, glanced at it, and said the issue wasn't serious—it was likely caused by spleen and stomach imbalance from the previous prescription. This time, the ingredients could be adjusted appropriately for gradual recovery, and the child should improve in a few days. The imperial physician's prescription aligned with his own thoughts, so he told Chi Hanzhen to simply follow it.
Chi Hanzhen's eyes held a trace of shame as she softly expressed her gratitude and apologized for her abrupt disturbance that day.
Pei You'an replied, "Why dwell on it? Though you've taken monastic vows, I still regard you as a younger sister. If you encounter difficulties in the future, no matter what they may be, don't hesitate to seek me out. If I'm unavailable, you may also turn to my wife. She will surely do her utmost to help."
Jiafu was momentarily taken aback, but when she noticed Pei You'an looking at her, she quickly stepped to his side and nodded with a smile. "My husband's words are my own. You are like a white crane among the clouds—noble and pure. I've always held you in high esteem, so please don't stand on ceremony."
Chi Hanzhen stared at Jiafu, momentarily speechless. Pei You'an then gathered his things, took Jiafu's hand, and bid farewell.
Chi Hanzhen saw them out, watching their retreating figures until they disappeared into the distance. Her gaze empty, she turned and slowly returned to her meditation chamber. Once the door closed behind her, she could no longer hold back—covering her face with her hands, tears streamed ceaselessly between her fingers.
The apricot-yellow sleeves of her Taoist robe slipped down her wrists, revealing several horrifying scars carved by a knife's edge. Old wounds had yet to heal before new ones were added.
Once an extraordinary flower of this world, now fallen into the mire.
He was as radiant as the moon, his will as fierce as autumn frost—there was no other like him, a gentleman as flawless as jade. She had once scorned the woman he married, but tonight, standing before that woman who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him, she felt for the first time the profound weight of her own hidden inferiority, to the point where she could no longer bear to face herself.
He and she were truly a match made in heaven, a peerless pair. She had long known in her heart that he held not a shred of improper affection for her, so why couldn't even the pain of blade against flesh dispel the demons in her heart?
...
By the time Jiafu and Pei You'an returned home, it was already late at night. After bathing and changing, they retired to bed.
Pei You'an tucked her in and kissed her gently. "You're such a sleepy kitten—if you don't get enough rest, dark circles appear, and people will think I've been mistreating you. We must rise early tomorrow, so sleep now." With that, he closed his eyes.
Jiafu gazed at his face, feeling not the slightest bit sleepy. Her mind wandered between the events of the day and the scene they had just witnessed. Countless words swirled in her heart until she could no longer restrain herself. She wrapped her soft arms around his neck, pressed her lips to his ear, and whispered tenderly, "Eldest Cousin, from now on, if you ever feel sorrow or pain, don't keep it locked inside. Tell Fu'er—Fu'er will cherish you and care for you."
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