Chapter 4

The bright sunlight reflected in her shiny black almond-shaped eyes as Xu Yunqi calmly welcomed Pei Muheng into the main hall. Pei Muheng’s stern gaze passed over her rosy, glossy cheeks as he stepped over the threshold to greet Madam Zhang.

Inside the main hall, everyone took their seats as hosts and guests, tacitly avoiding mention of the recent awkward incident.

Accompanying Pei Muxheng and Lord Xu were Xu’s family’s eldest son and second son, Xu He and Xu Jing.

Xu He, the eldest son from Lord Xu’s first concubine, was two years older than Xu Yunqi. He had a pair of peach blossom eyes and a lazy demeanor, appearing rather difficult to discipline. Since Xu Yunqi appeared, his gaze frequently and intentionally drifted toward her.

The second son, Xu Jing, was Xu Yunqi’s full brother, inheriting the same mild temperament as Lord Xu.

Madam Zhang entertained Pei Muheng according to proper etiquette, polite but lacking warmth. She couldn’t bring herself to see Pei Muxheng as her son-in-law.

“If Yunqi’s service has been lacking in any way, please forgive her, Third Young Master…” Madam Zhang said.

Pei Muxheng’s brows slightly lowered, his emotions unreadable. “You are too kind, Mother-in-law.”

After sitting for a short while, they left.

The male guests dined in the front courtyard, while Madam Zhang and her two daughters ate in the rear courtyard. Xu Ruo, feeling guilty for causing her sister embarrassment, behaved much more obediently. Xu Yunqi didn’t hold it against her and instead pinched her soft cheek.

“Young men like to look at beautiful girls. There’s nothing wrong with girls admiring handsome boys. It’s not considered seduction.”

Xu Ruo blushed and left in embarrassment.

After everyone left, Madam Zhang took Xu Yunqi to her room and quietly handed her a pouch of silver.

“I checked the return gift list. It matches the dowry given by the Xu family. You’ll need to spend money in the palace, so don’t let those maids and servants look down on you.”

Xu Yunqi refused to take it, pressing the sachet back into her mother’s hand. “Mother, don’t worry about me. I have everything under control.”

Madam Zhang glanced at her reproachfully.

Xu Yunqi was resolute, leaving Madam Zhang with no choice but to relent. “If you ever need money, you must tell me.”

Xu Yunqi nodded.

Madam Zhang, still worried, leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Have you consummated the marriage?”

Xu Yunqi had anticipated this question and replied calmly, “How could a wedding night not be consummated? Mother, you worry too much.”

Madam Zhang sighed in relief and patted her hand, “That’s good. Don’t blame me for saying this, but you should hurry and have a child. Once you have a son or daughter, you’ll be firmly established in the prince’s mansion, and your mother-in-law will have nothing to say.”

Xu Yunqi smiled and gently covered her mother’s mouth, “That’s exactly what I plan to do.”

Madam Zhang was completely reassured, and as time was running late, she reluctantly escorted her to the door.

As the mother and daughter reached the flower gate, Xu Yunqi asked Madam Zhang to stop and made her way around the flower gate and the drum-shaped stones, heading east through a narrow path to the front hall. Pei Muheng was likely eager to leave, so Xu Yunqi quickened her pace. As she reached the entrance of the narrow path, a shadow suddenly blocked her and Yin Xing’s way.

Eldest Young Master Xu He, with a mischievous smile, pinched his chin and approached her step by step, “Good sister, it’s all my fault for being frivolous back then, angering you with my words, and making you determined to climb up to Pei Muheng. But you know, the match is not suitable. This marriage may look good on the surface, but it’s bad on the inside. Pei Muheng doesn’t know how to care for people. If you’re feeling wronged, tell your brother.”

His words were utterly frivolous.

Yin Xing was disgusted and quickly stepped in front of Xu Yunqi, angrily scolding, “You scoundrel! My lady is already married, and you still dare to harass her.”

Yin Xing’s words only piqued Xu He’s curiosity further, his peach blossom eyes fixed on Xu Yunqi. Since he first saw Xu Yunqi, he had developed impure thoughts about her. The absence of a blood relation made it even more enticing and exhilarating.

Xu Yunqi’s expression remained calm, her tone gentle, “Brother, you worry too much. The Third Young Master treats me very well. It’s getting late, and I need to go. Please let me pass.”

Looking at his soft, delicate sister, Xu He grew even more inclined to tease her. He spread his arms to block the narrow path and said arrogantly, “I won’t let you pass. What will you do about it?”

“Then I’ll just stay here with you,” Xu Yunqi said with a smile on her face.

Xu He’s throat tightened.

If he keeps stalling, Pei Muheng will definitely send someone to look for her, and things will get out of hand. Pei Muheng is not someone he can afford to offend.

Xu He knew that this younger sister had great patience, which dampened his spirits. After a while, he gave up and moved aside.

Xu Yunxi walked past him without looking, and after exiting the narrow path, she pulled Yin Xing aside.

“Is the medicinal powder I asked you to prepare last time ready?”

Yin Xing, still angry, pulled out a sachet from her sleeve and whispered, “Knowing that today we would return, I prepared it in advance just in case.”

Xu He’s flirtatious behavior wasn’t a one-time thing; Xu Yunxi had long planned to teach him a lesson.

“Find a way to put it in Xu He’s wine. I’ll be waiting for you at the open pavilion on the east side of the main hall.”

“Got it!” Yin Xing slipped away.

After watching Xu Yunxi leave, Xu He leisurely walked to the Flower Hall to drink tea. He didn’t want to see Pei Muheng’s grim face, so he found an excuse to leave early. A maid came to massage his legs and shoulders, and another beautiful maid fed him a cup of Bi Luo Chun tea. He closed his eyes and indulged in the pleasures of the moment.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a sharp pain suddenly gripped his abdomen, followed by large beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Soon, a foul odor emanated from his crotch, and the maids quickly covered their mouths and moved away.

Xu He, humiliated and furious, clutched his stomach and staggered to the restroom. He had to go three times in quick succession, leaving him so weak that his chest touched his back. Finally, he collapsed weakly outside the low wall of the restroom. His close servant hurried over and, seeing his master’s condition, trembled with fear and quickly went to support him.

“Young master, what happened to you?”

At that moment, Yin Xing’s clear laughter came from the branches outside the low wall.

“Young master, does it feel good?”

Xu He, lying in the servant’s arms, could only muster enough strength to glare at her with half-closed eyes.

“What did you… do to me?”

The servant, seeing his master half-dead, began to cry.

“Young master, I warned you long ago. This master-servant pair from the countryside must have learned some shady tricks. We can’t afford to provoke them, but you wouldn’t listen. Now look at what happened.”

Xu He had always thought Xu Yunxi was weak and easy to manipulate, but it turned out she was formidable.

The abdominal pain continued, different from the usual effects of croton powder. Xu He had no idea what kind of drug Xu Yunxi had given him, and it made him nervous.

“What’s your master… up to?”

Yin Xing jumped down from the tree, still holding a blade of grass in her mouth, and smugly replied, “My master’s skills are beyond your imagination. Young master, you better watch yourself.”

With that, she walked away to find Xu Yunxi.

Xu Yunxi made Xu He suffer once, so he wouldn’t dare have any more improper thoughts.

After some delay, Xu Yunxi finally stepped out of the Xu residence. Pei Muheng was already waiting in the carriage, evidently eager to leave. Xu Yunxi didn’t get a chance to speak with him.

With the homecoming ceremony concluded, it was likely that Pei Muheng would soon immerse himself in his official duties, further reducing the time the couple would spend together.

Xu Yunxi recalled her own plans and hurriedly followed Pei Muheng as they dismounted the carriage, lifting her skirt to keep up.

“Third Master, can I do anything I want in the courtyard?” she asked.

After her family’s situation changed, Xu Yunxi’s mother sent her to be raised by her maternal grandfather, who was a renowned local doctor. From a young age, she had accompanied her grandfather on trips to gather medicinal herbs in the mountains, studying under him for over a decade. It was only last year, after her grandfather tragically fell off a cliff while searching for herbs, his body never recovered, that her mother brought her back to the capital.

Xu Yunxi wanted to plant some medicinal herbs in the backyard.

Pei Muheng paused at the threshold and looked back at the delicate young woman. Xu Yunxi’s features were exceptionally soft, and even without a smile, she always seemed to carry a hint of one.

On their wedding night, they agreed to three rules, which Xu Yunxi readily accepted. In return, Pei Muheng had no reason to refuse.

“You are the head mistress of the third branch, so naturally, you can do whatever you want.” With these words, Pei Muheng left.

Xu Yunxi, delighted, returned to Qinghui Garden, did a bit of tidying up, and then headed to the backyard with Yin Xing to get busy. She had noticed the night before that there was a greenhouse in Pei Muheng’s backyard, warm like spring all year round.

Xu Yunxi hadn’t brought much to the capital, just some medicinal seeds, a few of which were rare treasures her grandfather had painstakingly collected from mountains and rivers, requiring particular growing conditions. She had tried several times to grow them at the Xu residence without success. Now, with the greenhouse in the prince’s mansion being the perfect temperature, it was a good opportunity to give it another go.

Having been used to working since childhood, the two rolled up their sleeves and efficiently dug a patch of soil in the greenhouse, sprinkling some seeds.

Nanny Chen, Steward Chen’s wife and one of Qinghui Garden’s managers, was also a close confidante of Pei Muheng. Today, she had come to deliver this month’s allowances. To her shock, she saw Xu Yunxi digging up Pei Muheng’s greenhouse. She quickly informed Steward Chen, who was equally alarmed and immediately went to the study to report.

“Young master, you’d better check the backyard quickly. I don’t know what the young madam is up to.”

Pei Muheng assumed Xu Yunxi had caused trouble and hurriedly threw on his outer garment, heading to the backyard.

The early winter evening wind was cold, whistling mournfully through the treetops. Inside the greenhouse, two thin figures were bustling about. The once orderly flower racks were now piled haphazardly in the corner, and numerous pits had been dug near the eastern glass wall.

Pei Muheng had never seen such a scene and was momentarily stunned.

“What are you doing?” he asked sternly. His tone was deep and severe.

The girl was clearly startled, looking at him with wide eyes. Her wet hair clung to her forehead, and her small face, as white as jade, was tinged with a thin layer of red from perspiration, making her look like a resilient wildflower from the mountains.

Noticing his displeased expression, Xu Yunxi quickly explained, “I am planting seeds.”

Pei Muheng’s head throbbed with anger.

The rear garden of Qinghui Garden was meticulously crafted by a skilled artisan from Jiangnan, and the greenhouse itself was built at great expense to ensure a vibrant display of flowers all year round. In winter, he could invite friends over to enjoy roast venison and plum wine, while in summer, they could sit under the pergola listening to the rain and relaxing in the breeze.

Pei Muheng had always cherished this place. But now, Xu Yunxi has transformed it beyond recognition.

Seeing his face grow darker, Xu Yunxi gently placed her hand on the hoe and softly reminded him, “You promised me.”

Pei Muheng’s throat tightened as he recalled his words from the afternoon, and the sternness in his eyes gradually faded. He was a man of his word and would not break his promise.

Accommodating someone with a different background and habits meant inevitable clashes in the future.

Fine, he was not one to mistreat his wife, so he would let her be.

He suppressed his frustration and said in a steady voice, “Continue,” before turning to leave.

Xu Yunxi watched his retreating figure and smiled.

Yin Xing stood on tiptoe and glanced in the direction Pei Muheng had gone. “Miss, the young master seems unhappy…”

Xu Yunxi could clearly see that Pei Muheng was accommodating her. “I know.”

Yin Xing snorted softly, “It’s different after getting married. There are so many rules: this can’t be done, that can’t be done. Back in Jingzhou, you could plant whatever you wanted without worrying about others.”

Xu Yunxi smiled, her eyes sparkling. “You know it’s different now that I’m married.”

Yin Xing thought Xu Yunxi would compromise and widened her eyes, “So what do we do? Not plant?”

Xu Yunxi’s eyes curved into a smile, and she laughed casually, “Of course we continue planting. By spring, we’ll fill this garden.”

Even if she humbled herself, the mansion wouldn’t necessarily treat her well, so why bind herself with their rules?

Pleasing Pei Muheng or planting herbs, the latter was more important.

They worked until dark, and then the master and servant entered through the back door. Yin Xing called for a maid to heat water and prepare Xu Yunxi’s bath. After changing clothes, Yin Xing helped her dry her hair by the brazier. Remembering the events of the afternoon, Yin Xing remarked,

“Miss, I thought about it, and I realized the young master isn’t so bad.”

Xu Yunxi slowly combed her hair with a horn comb, “Oh? How so?”

“Look, even though the young master was unhappy, he still let us do our thing.” Yin Xing glanced at the girl in the copper mirror, with her dark hair and fair skin, her slim and graceful figure enveloped in a gentle glow.

“Miss, with your beauty, how could the young master not like you?”

Xu Yunxi knew Yin Xing had misunderstood. “He promised me beforehand; he can’t break his word.”

Yin Xing felt a bit deflated, remembering that they hadn’t consummated their marriage yet. She glanced at the dark window outside, where there was no sign of movement, and felt a pang of frustration.

“Miss, with your looks, any other man would have cherished you like a precious gem. But he is as unfeeling as a block of wood, indifferent to beauty.”

Xu Yunxi wiped the dust from her nails and smiled serenely, “That’s a good thing. It shows he won’t be easily swayed by beauty.”

Yin Xing pouted playfully, “Do you really trust him that much, Miss?”

Xu Yunxi didn’t trust him; she didn’t care.

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At the third quarter of the Hai hour (around 9 PM), the study was brightly lit, with the servant Huang Wei attending to the ink and brushes.

Although Pei Muheng had participated in the imperial examinations, his status as an imperial grandson prevented him from being formally appointed to an official position. Despite this, the emperor made an exception, allowing him to attend court sessions at the Fengtian Hall and occasionally assigning him tasks. For instance, the emperor recently instructed him to take an inventory of the military farmlands in preparation for the following year’s military provisions.

Pei Muheng spent a month gathering all the necessary information and worked through the night to draft a memorial, intending to present it to the emperor the next day.

Huang Wei noticed his master’s focused expression and remained motionless, with a hint of urgency in his eyes. Others might not understand the newcomer’s background, but he knew it well.

Pei Muheng hasn’t touched his new wife at all. How is that acceptable?

The emperor granted Pei Muheng three days off, and tomorrow is the last day. Given Pei Muheng’s nature, he spends most of the month in the study at the palace. The couple doesn’t share a room, so how can a child magically appear?

Finally, when Pei Muheng finished his writing, Huang Wei brought him tea and, mustering his courage, cleared his throat. “Third Master, are you going to the backyard tonight?”

Apart from the wedding night when he slept in the western side room, Pei Muheng had not been to the backyard.

Pei Muheng set his brush in the brush washer and ignored him.

Knowing Pei Muheng’s habits, Huang Wei continued, “The emperor granted you this marriage in hopes of extending your lineage. You can’t avoid women all your life, can you?”

Hearing this, Pei Muheng’s expression changed slightly.

Huang Wei saw this and pressed on, “Did you hear what the young lady said at the Xu residence today?”

Pei Muheng slowly picked up the memorial and set it aside to dry, then looked at him coldly, “What do you want to say?”

Huang Wei earnestly said, “Master, the young lady is eagerly waiting for you. Why are you ignoring her?”

Pei Muheng suddenly raised an eyebrow, looked at him, and smiled slowly, “Do you think she is waiting for me?”

“Isn’t she? She admitted it publicly today.”

Pei Muheng was a sensitive and perceptive person; he could distinguish whether a woman’s words were true or false. He would not mistakenly believe that Xu Yunxi was deeply in love with him. As for why Xu Yunxi said those words, he had no interest in knowing.

Before their marriage, Pei Muheng had indeed been suspicious of Xu Yunxi’s presence at the Jade Bridge. After briefly interacting with her after their marriage, he observed that Xu Yunxi never tried to get close to him, leading him to believe that Xu Yunxi was innocent. Since she was innocent, she might have been dissatisfied with this marriage, just like him.

“I need time.”

He needed time to get used to physical intimacy with a woman, and he didn’t want to force Xu Yunxi either.