Chapter 68

The flower hall was illuminated brightly, with lights shining from top to bottom. The young and old of Prince Xi’s mansion gathered together, waiting for Pei Muheng before starting the banquet.

Xu Yunqi and Pei Mulan were sitting in a corner making lanterns. Xu Yunqi held a few bamboo strips to make the lantern frame while Pei Mulan spread out a piece of snow-white silk on the table, planning to paint.

Pei Muheng followed behind Pei Mujing and his wife into the flower hall. Upon seeing Xu Yunqi, he walked over slowly and sat on the armchair beside her. “What are you busy with?”

Xu Yunqi smiled and gestured to the flower lantern that was already made on the table. “I saw the servants making lanterns just now. My sister and I were bored, so we decided to do it for fun,” she said, then asked him, “Is the painting beautiful?”

She was referring to Pei Mulan’s painting. In Xu Yunqi’s view, not only was Pei Mulan’s embroidery outstanding, but her painting skills were also very excellent. The bright court-style painting was pleasing to the eye.

Pei Muheng’s gaze fell on Xu Yunqi’s nimble hands. The bamboo strips turned back and forth in her fingers like willow twigs. Her craftsmanship was very skillful.

“Hmm, it’s very well made,” he praised Xu Yunqi. His eyes were only on his wife.

The moment their gazes met, Pei Muheng’s eyes seemed to carry a tangible warmth. Xu Yunqi glanced at him lightly and continued her work.

Seeing her brother had arrived, Pei Mulan suddenly had an idea. “Third brother, you should paint. Your paintings are beautiful, and you can make a lantern for Sister-in-law,” Pei Mulan immediately put down the brush and gave up her seat.

The couple’s eyes met again in mid-air, and this time, Xu Yunqi’s eyes sparkled. Pei Muheng had no room to refuse and immediately sat opposite Xu Yunqi, taking the brush.

Pei Muhrng was praised as the number-one gentleman in the capital. Besides his outstanding appearance, he had extraordinary talents that made people admire him. This man seemed to be favored by heaven, excelling in both civil and military skills, poetry, calligraphy, and painting. When many imperial grandsons offered gifts to the emperor, Pei Muheng always won the top prize in poetry and painting.

With a few strokes, a lifelike beauty was outlined on the snow-white silk. Her expression was serene and gentle, with one hand propping her chin, exuding a tranquil and radiant charm.

Pei Mulan stood beside him, amazed. She looked at her brother’s painting and then at the lantern on the table. Her little bit of confidence disappeared without a trace. She wondered if she could coax her brother into painting one for her to copy, but she was too timid to ask.

Yin Xing, who was sitting on a nearby brocade stool trimming bamboo strips, glanced at the table and saw the dignified beauty standing under the peach tree. “Oh, Third Master, is this painting of our young madam?”

This successfully drew the attention of the two couples at the main table. Pei Muxiang and Pei Mujing both came over one after the other. Pei Muheng’s brushstrokes were indeed smooth. In the blink of an eye, the outline of a landscape painting appeared, with the beauty half-hidden under the peach tree.

Xu Yunqi gave the maid a look, but her curiosity got the better of her as she glanced over. Although she did not understand much about poetry and painting, she had to admit that Pei Muheng’s painting was worlds apart from Pei Mulan’s. Her eyes followed his brush tip, watching as a scene of drifting clouds atop mountain peaks and birds soaring in the sky came to life, with the birds’ wingtips slightly raised, exuding a lifelike and graceful charm.

He quickly changed brushes, dipped one in azurite, and swiftly added color to the mountain peaks. The dense mossy green covered the mountain ridges. As he finished coloring the entire mountain range, a narrow blank space in the center between two peaks appeared, resembling a waterfall cascading down, with the lake surface below looking vast and boundless.

His use of color was bold, and his brushwork delicate, a style quite different from his own persona. Xu Yunqi’s gaze couldn’t help but follow the brush to the person behind it. He sat at the desk, his features clear and elegant, his demeanor leisurely and composed, presenting an air of effortless grace.

He was truly an extraordinary man.

She did not know why she needed to use that word, but at this moment, it was the only word that came to mind.

Despite Pei Muheng’s skilled painting, he rarely indulged in such artistic pursuits privately, usually only doing so to win his imperial grandfather’s favor and pave the way for his claim to the throne. This display of leisure was a first.

Few in the mansion had ever seen him paint in person, so they gathered to admire his work.

Pei Muheng painted smoothly in one go, captivating everyone present. Even when Prince Xi and Princess Consort Xi arrived, no one noticed. Seeing everyone gathered, Prince Xi curiously stepped over to take a look. Upon seeing his son painting, he rubbed his forehead. Having grown up at the frontier, Prince Xi had a rough demeanor and did not appreciate the refined ways of the noble sons of the capital. He quickly stepped away while Princess Consort Xi smiled at him and took her seat at the main table.

Before they knew it, two-quarters of an hour had passed, and even the tea had cooled. Pei Muheng finally finished his painting in one continuous effort. It was a typical green landscape painting with competing mountain peaks, a fishing village, and a vast expanse. Pei Muheng set the silk aside to dry, then took Xu Yunqi’s lantern to paste the painting onto it.

As the food was about to get cold, Princess Consort Xi called out, “Alright, alright, hurry up and eat; you can finish making the lantern later.”

But Xun Ge’er and Sheng Ge’er didn’t want to, so they excitedly gathered around Pei Muheng.

“Third Uncle, Third Uncle, give me, give me this lantern,” Xun Ge’er was the first to speak.

Sheng Ge’er, being taller, pushed him aside, “Step aside. If anyone gets it, it’s me.”

Seeing that Xun Ge’er was about to be knocked down by Sheng Ge’er, Li Xuanyan cried out in alarm. Pei Mujing quickly supported him, and then Xun Ge’er began to cry loudly, “Brother is bad. Brother pushed me.”

Sheng Ge’er didn’t care, turning around with a grin and looking at Pei Muheng, “Third Uncle, this lantern is so beautiful. Just give it to me.”

Pei Muheng glanced at his nephew, then pushed the finished lantern towards Xu Yunqi with a meaningful smile, “This lantern was promised to someone else long ago; even if you want it, you can’t have it from me.”

He emphasized the words “promised to someone.”

Xu Yunqi’s cheeks warmed slightly, but she wasn’t one to easily show her emotions. She silently took the lantern into her hands and examined it closely.

Sheng Ge’er, being clever, quickly redirected his approach to Xu Yunqi, his eyes sparkling as he looked at her, “Third Aunt, Sheng’er likes this lantern. Can you give it to me?”

Xun Ge’er, not to be outdone, hurriedly tugged at Xu Yunqi’s sleeve, crying breathlessly, “Aunt… Aunt… Xun’er… just gave candies… to Aunt, Aunt also give the lantern… to Xun’er…”

It took him a long time to get the words out, and Li Xuanyan, sitting nearby, was getting anxious listening to him.

Xun Ge’er, with his cute, earnest appearance and baby voice, was truly endearing. Anyone who saw him would find it hard not to feel soft-hearted.

Xu Yunqi, who was always generous and never cared much about material things, would not hesitate to give a lantern to her nephew. It wouldn’t be a problem to buy ten or eight more. However, this time, she silently handed the lantern to Yin Xing gently comforting the two nephews, “I’ll buy you one next time we go to the market.”

This was a refusal.

Pei Muheng’s artwork was priceless, and both Xie Yunyi and Li Xuanyan were somewhat disappointed. The two children immediately cried even louder, throwing themselves into their grandfather’s arms. Their heart-wrenching cries almost made Prince Xi’s head explode.

Prince Xi comforted his grandchildren while glancing at his third daughter-in-law. Xu Yunqi calmly observed, pretending not to see anything.

Prince Xi’s head began to ache, and he had no choice but to wave his hand to appease them, “Alright, alright, later Grandfather will personally make lanterns for you, okay?”

With tears in his eyes, Sheng Ge’er pointed to Pei Muheng, “Is it Third Uncle’s painting?”

It was clear that even children had a natural sense of beauty.

Prince Xi’s face fell as he glared at him, “Your grandfather’s painting is much better!”

Princess Consort Xi sneered, “You’re just flattering yourself. Your painting probably looks like Zhong Kui!”

Everyone in the mansion laughed.

Pei Muheng slowly washed his hands, his gaze never leaving Xu Yunqi. Her brows still held a few degrees of gentle and quiet serenity. Even though she was such a calm girl, she had refused her nephew’s reasonable request.

He smiled slightly.

Princess Consort Xi ordered everyone to sit down and start the meal.

Li Xuanyan and her husband happened to sit opposite Pei Muheng and Xu Yunqi. She was now in her first trimester and didn’t have much of an appetite. After eating a bowl of porridge and a few pieces of lotus root, she put down her chopsticks. Bored, she occasionally served food to Pei Mujing, “This yam is good for the spleen and stomach. Eat more, Second Master.”

“Alright!”

“And this okra dish is also quite good.”

Pei Mujing stopped and said, “Yesterday’s okra was a bit tough and old, hard to chew.”

Li Xuanyan laughed, “Today’s is fresher and tenderer than yesterday’s. I tried it, and it’s good. Try it, husband…” She placed a piece into Pei Mujing’s bowl.

Sometimes, she called him “Second Master,” and sometimes “Husband,” her voice deliberately low, but it didn’t escape Pei Muheng’s ears.

After Xu Yunqi had eaten more than half a bowl, she noticed Pei Muheng beside her had hardly touched his chopsticks. She softly asked, “Third Master, what’s wrong?”

Pei Muheng came back to his senses, his tongue lightly pressing against his teeth, his eyes staring straight at her with an inexplicable longing.

Xu Yunqi was utterly puzzled by his gaze. At that moment, she heard the whispers from the couple opposite, Pei Mujing and his wife, who were lovingly serving each other food, displaying their affection openly.

Xu Yunqi suddenly understood. She quickly glanced at the dishes in front of her, picking a little of each and placing them in Pei Muheng’s bowl, as balanced nutrition was always her principle. Soon, Pei Muheng’s porcelain bowl was piled high. But after she finished, her husband’s expression did not seem to ease. Instead, there was an inexplicable bitterness.

What was the reason? Wasn’t he asking her to serve him?

The meal left Xu Yunqi somewhat bewildered.

After the meal, the servants brought out some refreshing fruits and tea. Prince Xi was both entertaining his grandchildren and asking Princess Consort Xi about their daughter’s visit to the Yan family, “Didn’t you visit Shanshan today? How is she?”

Princess Consort Xi didn’t hide anything and directly replied, “That child is quite lucky. She’s probably pregnant.”

As soon as she said this, Prince Xi was greatly surprised, “So soon?”

Princess Consort Xi glanced quickly at Pei Muheng, nudging Prince Xi’s arm and giving him a look. Prince Xi immediately understood, laughed heartily, and changed the subject.

Pei Muheng was indeed very surprised. His sister had been married for less than twenty days, and she was already pregnant?

Pei Muheng couldn’t tell what the tea in his mouth tasted like. He rubbed his temples, his elbow propped on the table, unusually silent. A whirlwind of thoughts crossed his mind, but in the end, he had only one thought: he had to quickly find his maternal grandfather so that Xu Yunqi could stay with him with peace of mind.

Princess Consort Xi naturally noticed her son’s low mood and hastily ordered the banquet to be dispersed. Prince Xi was the first to stand up, waving to Pei Muheng, “Heng’er, come to the study with me.”

With the political situation at its most dangerous, father and son were busy almost every night.

As Pei Muheng left, his expression returned to normal. He instructed Xu Yunqi, “You go back first. I’ll come over later.”

Xu Yunqi watched him leave and then headed towards Qinghui Garden with Yin Xing.

Stepping out of the flower hall, Xu Yunqi took the lantern from her hands, holding it in her arms as she walked slowly. Along the way, Yin Xing chattered non-stop, “Miss, Third Master didn’t enjoy this meal.”

“His elder brother has a legitimate eldest son, his second brother’s wife is already pregnant with their second child, and even his brother-in-law, who married later, is ahead of him. How can Third Master feel good about this?” Yin Xing said sympathetically.

“I suspect that if it weren’t for the food you served him, he probably wouldn’t have touched his chopsticks…”

Xu Yunqi naturally understood, but priorities had to be set. She and Pei Muheng were healthy and would eventually have children, but her grandfather’s life was hanging by a thread.

At this moment, the sky was as dark as ink, and a cold wind brushed past her brows. Xu Yunqi squinted slightly.

The answer would soon become clear.

The master and servant strolled in the garden for a while before returning to Qinghui Garden after their food had settled.

Xu Yunqi entered the east wing carrying the lantern. Yin Xing found a candle and placed it inside, lighting it immediately. A burst of light blossomed from the hexagonal lantern, its elegant colors illuminated by the lantern’s glow, along with the blush on the beauty’s cheeks.

“It’s so beautiful, Miss. Where should we hang it?” Yin Xing asked.

Xu Yun Qi looked at the lantern back and forth several times, unsure, “Should we hang it?”

The lantern had a Ruyi knot hanging from the bottom and a hook on the top. Hanging it indoors would be cumbersome, so it would have to be hung outside.

“Wouldn’t it get dirty?” she wondered.

Yin Xing gave her a look, “Reluctant to hang it up? You’re with Third Master day and night, if it gets damaged, just have him paint another one for you. Isn’t that what being a couple is about?”

Xu Yunqi laughed, “Alright, let’s hang it in the courtyard!”

Yin Xing immediately instructed the servant girls to bring a long ladder.

Xu Yunqi wandered around the courtyard for a while before deciding to hang it under the eaves outside the east wing.

Yin Xing fully agreed, “This spot is perfect, Miss. When you’re tired, you can look up and see the painting Third Master made for you.”

Xu Yunqi smiled.

Yin Xing adjusted the ladder and climbed up to remove the old lantern, handing it to a young maid, then held the ladder steady, “Miss, shall I hang it, or will you?”

Xu Yunqi eagerly said, “I’ll hang it.”

The ladder in the palace was sturdy and well-crafted, with handrails covered in brocade and a wooden board cushioned with a mat on the top step, which could be sat upon. Xu Yunqi first handed the lantern to Yin Xing, lifted her skirt, and ascended the ladder step by step. Once she was seated securely, she took back the lantern and began to hang it up.

A gust of wind blew, causing the hook to sway. Xu Yunqi struggled for a while to get it to stay in place. “Yin Xing, bring me a bamboo pole.”

In no time, a bamboo pole was extended to her, easily steadying the hook. Xu Yunqi immediately hung the lantern, saying, “Done!”

As she turned and began to step down, a broad hand suddenly supported her waist, warmth spreading through her. Xu Yunqi paused slightly and turned around. A tall figure stood by the pillar, looking at her with gentle eyes.

“Third Master, you’re back so soon?” Xu Yun Qi asked lightly, smiling.

Just one step away from the ground, Pei Muheng held her tightly. Xu Yunqi felt a ticklish sensation at her waist, turned back again, cheeks slightly flushed, and asked, “I want to come down.”

The man stood there elegantly dressed, exuding an air of casual nobility. His lazy eyes looked at her, showing no intention of letting go.

Xu Yunqi knew he was up to something again. She glanced around, noting that the servants had left the courtyard quietly; even the usually noisy Yin Xing was nowhere to be seen.

Everyone seemed to have good sense.

Turning to face him, Xu Yunqi leaned against the ladder, looking at him with bright eyes, “What do you intend to do?”

This man had clearly been suppressing his displeasure during the banquet, and she was prepared to indulge him at night. Yet, he had already started causing a fuss outside.

Pei Muheng’s chest approached, his slender arms lightly encircling her, bringing her into his embrace. The height of the ladder step made up for their difference in stature, and they looked at each other clearly.

The lantern above swayed, casting layers of light and shadow on his handsome face. His dark eyes were exceptionally bright, with a predatory glint.

“Yunqi, what did you just call me?” He blocked her on the ladder.

Xu Yunqi gazed at him without immediately speaking. She wasn’t foolish; from his coaxing tone, she understood that “Third Master” was not what he wanted to hear. Last time, when he was ill and confused, he even liked her calling him by his full name. Do all men have such strange tastes?

Xu Yunqi thought to herself, yet on the surface, she remained gentle and amiable. “What do you want me to call you?”

“Guess,” he said, his thin lips parting slightly, two words squeezed out between his teeth.

The ball was back in her court.

Xu Yunqi began to sweat on her forehead. Facing his pressing gaze, she raised her hand to rub her temples, feeling extremely helpless. Was this still the fair and impartial Pei Third Master?

It was just a title, yet he insisted on hearing those awkward words. He had her cornered in this small space, leaving her no room to move.

Pei Muheng admired his wife’s troubled expression, feeling very pleased. Her brows, tinted by the lantern light, and the hint of coldness in her eyes gradually warmed, becoming quietly enchanting.

He moved closer to her, his breaths mingling with hers.

Xu Yunqi’s slender white fingers lightly touched his forehead, “Stop it.”

The slight tickle on her fingers, like falling snow, melted as soon as it touched his skin.

Pei Muheng’s handsome face retreated slightly, but his arms still encircled her confidently.

It was just a title, after all.

Xu Yunqi was quite open-minded. She quickly called out, “Husband…”

Pei Muheng didn’t expect her to be so straightforward. The first time she said it, it was like a fish slipping past his ears, vanishing instantly.

“I didn’t hear you clearly,” he said honestly, his expression guarded.

Xu Yunqi was now a bit annoyed, glaring at him, “Are you trying to fool me again?”

“It’s you who’s fooling me!” Pei Muheng retorted confidently.

Xu Yunqi didn’t expect that his ability to pester and bother would increase with each passing day.

Never mind, never mind, I won’t argue with him. So, she cleared her throat and said, “Husband…” This time, she whispered clearly in his ear.

Her pronunciation was very clear, and he heard it clearly, but it lacked a bit of tender affection.

Xu Yunqi looked at him with an innocent expression as if saying, ‘Are you satisfied now?’

Pei Muheng was not satisfied; his deep, well-like gaze harbored an undercurrent.

The kiss quickly came, and at the moment of the soft touch, he broke through her teeth like a bamboo, easily capturing the tip of her tongue. Xu Yunqi’s heart felt as if it was being pulled out suddenly by him, causing her spine to shiver involuntarily. He tightly gripped her slender waist, his large hand holding her up, lifting her into the air in the next moment.

And this was still in the courtyard.

Xu Yunqi, out of character, quickly looked around. Her gaze followed his figure and swept around the courtyard. The yard was quiet, the light and shadows intertwined. The late winter wind flowed silently through the deep abyss, passing over snowy hills, flowing through magnificent landscapes, and stepping into the boundless spring sunshine.