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Chapter 38 – Tease
He said nothing more, yet it felt like everything had been said…

Wherever there are people, there will be winners and losers — and the realm of emotions is no exception.

Pei Shang flaunted and showed off, secretly pleased with himself. His hated rival, Xie Zhuoguang — like a thorn in his side — had no choice but to be left devastated.

Xie Zhuoguang never expected that such an ordinary sachet could make his heart ache like this.

At first, it was like a faint, hair-thin stab of pain, slowly burrowing into his flesh. Soon after, it was as if vengeful spirits devoured his mind, leaving him utterly blank.

The pain crept upward from his chest, spreading to his head until it felt like his skull might explode.

Pain! Such unbearable pain!

How could this be?

He struggled to maintain his usual calm and indifferent appearance, but unspoken emotions piled heavily in his chest, suffocating him.

At that moment, Pei Shang cast a casual glance at Xie Zhuoguang and noticed his pale face drenched in cold sweat — gone was any trace of his former elegance.

Pei Shang, unexpectedly clear-headed and refreshed, felt so joyful he could howl into the mountain valleys.

No day had ever felt as satisfying as today!

A smile bloomed on his brows as he prominently hung the sachet at his waist and strode forward in search of Yu Mingyao.

“Your Excellency, the gift—”

Li Qing hurried forward, winking in reminder.

“You rascal, I almost forgot if you hadn’t mentioned it!”
Pei Shang grinned, stretched out his long, thick forefinger, and pointed approvingly at Li Qing.

His entire demeanor radiated happiness, standing in stark contrast to the ashen, listless Xie Zhuoguang.

Li Qing, sharp as ever, instantly understood that Pei Shang’s mind was set on aggravating Xie Zhuoguang today.

He quickly scurried inside, returning with a pair of matching jade bottles and the corner of a delicate brocade box peeking from his outer robe.

“Be careful with these jade bottles — don’t let some blind fool bump into them and break them. Mandarin ducks, mandarin ducks — I picked these specifically for their auspicious symbolism,” Pei Shang said meaningfully, casting another glance at Xie Zhuoguang before continuing to instruct Li Qing.

He told him to send the gift to Pear Blossom Courtyard and convey his regards on his behalf.

Li Qing agreed eagerly, nodding repeatedly.

Xie Zhuoguang watched the whole scene unfold, fully aware it was staged for his benefit.

He thought this would be the end of Pei Shang’s little tricks today — but he underestimated Pei Shang, and the extent to which Pei Shang considered him a threat.

Right in front of him, Pei Shang drew out the brocade box from Li Qing’s chest. Then, ever so slowly, he took out the item within.

Under the sunlight, a golden hairpin gleamed brilliantly. The peony petals on it folded delicately inward, exquisitely realistic. At the flower’s core, a ruby sparkled dazzlingly.

“What a beautiful hairpin, don’t you agree?”

Pei Shang’s face brimmed with the confident pride of a victor. Seeing Xie Zhuoguang’s eyes fixed entirely on the hairpin, he added,
“Luckily, you weren’t interested in this back then. Otherwise, if you had wanted it, I surely would have let you have it.”

His words carried a double meaning.

Upon hearing this, Xie Zhuoguang’s face turned even paler, and his headache worsened.

Though he had only glimpsed the hairpin fleetingly more than half a year ago, it now felt eerily familiar — familiar down to his very bones.

Just like the green sachet Pei Shang had shown earlier.

“You… you bought it?”
Xie Zhuoguang forced a smile, swaying unsteadily.

Something was definitely wrong!

He tried to take another look at the hairpin, but Pei Shang swiftly tucked it away and closed the brocade box, denying him another glance.

With no outsiders around, Pei Shang saw no need to feign politeness.

Without sparing Xie Zhuoguang another look, he stowed the box up his sleeve, fixed his hair before the mirror, and strode out the door — leaving Xie Zhuoguang speechless, trailing behind.

Today was Yu Mingyao’s coming-of-age ceremony. Although it was held at Pear Blossom Courtyard, each branch of the family had sent representatives.

Pei Shang and Xie Zhuoguang were on their way there when they ran into Pei Yuzhu and Lü Xing, Pei Lianzhu’s trusted maid.

Lü Xing had mocked Yanyue a few days ago and had also spread Pei Lianzhu’s intentions subtly in the kitchen.

As a trusted servant born into the household and having grown up alongside Pei Lianzhu, both masters and servants of Pei Manor gave her some respect — she was practically half a mistress.

Seeing Xie Zhuoguang, she coquettishly smiled and flattered him,
“Your Excellency Xie, you’ve come today? It seems Miss Yu is truly fortunate to have the honor of your presence at her coming-of-age ceremony.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Zhuoguang’s cold gaze swept across her like he was staring at a corpse.

Pei Shang sneered beside him,
“And here I was wondering who was talking so boldly — turns out it’s Lü Xing, from Lianzhu’s side.”

“You’re just a maid of Pei Manor. Instead of serving quietly, you’re meddling in the affairs of esteemed guests? Looks like my second aunt’s management is slipping. Tomorrow, I’ll speak with Grandmother and suggest letting Fang’s daughter-in-law take over the household affairs.”

“Since I’m not yet married, it doesn’t matter which branch runs the estate.”

“This…”
Lü Xing’s face showed hesitation as she looked to Pei Yuzhu for help.

Today, Pei Yuzhu wore a goose-yellow jacket and skirt, moon-shaped earrings, and a golden locket around her neck. She resembled warm yellow jade — gentle and refined.

She lifted her eyelids and spoke softly,
“Lü Xing was only trying to express her welcome to His Excellency Xie. Her intentions were good. Why be so harsh, Brother Shang?”

Though her words were addressed to both men, her gaze lingered entirely on Xie Zhuoguang.

“You’re shameless even when shown courtesy!”
Pei Shang snorted coldly, his face dark as an impending storm.

Crossing his arms impatiently, he spoke bluntly, showing no regard for their feelings.

“Elder Sister, if you’re so idle, I’ll be sure to remind the young masters of the Yuan family not to let you stay idle for long. I heard you’re still living on an outlying estate — how can that be proper? What if something bad happens, or some lecher shows up? Our Pei and Yuan families would lose all face.”

“Surely, someone as well-mannered as you wouldn’t harbor such thoughts, would you?”

Having finished with Pei Yuzhu, Pei Shang gave Lü Xing an even harsher glare.

“You’d best hope Lianzhu can protect you for life. Otherwise, if you fall into my hands, I’ll make sure you’ll wish for death but be unable to die.”

Even after Pei Shang walked far away, his last words still echoed in the air.

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