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Chapter 3: Pei Mansion
“Brother, this time you must stop yourself under the temptation of beauty…”

A while later, Li Qing stuck his head outside the door, his face full of teasing expressions. Pei Shang guessed it must be time.

Li Qing’s response was just as expected. Now, the real problem was how to skip class from this strictly disciplined academy without getting punished.

He turned his gaze to Xie Zhuoguang.

“Xie brother, accompany me just this time. Think of it as doing a good deed! If it doesn’t work, I’ll give you that ink bamboo painting you’ve always wanted!”

In the corridor, Pei Shang deliberately pulled Xie Zhuoguang to a spot away from the lecture hall, under an apricot tree, and grabbed his sleeve, his face full of pleading.

The young man he held onto looked to be quite young. His green robe gave him an air of elegance, and he carried himself with extraordinary grace. His demeanor was outstanding.

Facing his friend’s request, Xie Zhuoguang’s expression was cold, his eyes like thick autumn fog, with no warmth in them. If an unfamiliar person saw him, they would surely be startled by his imposing demeanor, unable to approach.

But Pei Shang had known him for years and understood his nature. He was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Although he appeared aloof, once someone earned his affection, he was more sincere than most.

“That girl…”

Xie Zhuoguang spoke three words, and Pei Shang immediately understood what he meant.

“I promise I won’t prank anyone, just want to take a quick look. Please, Xie Liulang!”

Pei Shang, sixteen years old, called Xie Zhuoguang “Xie Liulang,” who was only slightly older. Usually, they either addressed each other by name or by their family titles.

Hearing Pei Shang’s promise, Xie Zhuoguang didn’t say anything. He just tugged his hand away, and then slowly brushed the wrinkles from his sleeve.

A cold, clear voice, as sharp as jade striking, echoed.

“Just this once.”

“Alright, alright.” Pei Shang grinned widely.

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After the carriage stopped, a house with blue bricks and white walls appeared before Yu Mingyao. The red-painted plaque above the door read “Pei Mansion.”

Several servants stepped forward to bow, and the leading matron, Gui Mama, wore a kind expression. She first greeted Mrs. Shi Luo and then led them to Rongjing Hall, where the elderly Mrs. Pei resided.

Gui Mama was a maid of honor to Mrs. Pei and had come to welcome them, showing Mrs. Pei’s importance.

The mansion was magnificent. In the garden, pavilions and towers were scattered, and the servants moved silently.

Yu Mingyao gazed at the familiar scenery but found herself remembering the scene from her previous life when the Pei Mansion was raided. Although later Pei Shang gained favor with the new emperor and restored his family’s fortune, the mansion never regained its former grandeur.

Her heart remained calm until they passed the water pond on their way to Rongjing Hall. Her nerves suddenly tightened.

In her past life, her troubles had started when she fell into this pond.

Women from the Jiangnan region were generally good swimmers, but she couldn’t swim. That day, when she fell into the pond, there was no one around, and she vaguely remembered a man saving her. But when Yan Yue arrived, there was no one nearby, only an unfamiliar robe wrapped around her.

Later, she inquired and learned that Pei Shang had owned such a robe.

From then on, she had a certain fondness for him, a feeling that eventually contributed to her discord with Xie Zhuoguang.

In the end, it was a lack of trust, no one else to blame.

Past events drifted by, and Rongjing Hall was getting closer.

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