Chapter 1 – Why Did the One Who Showed Up Turn Out to Be the Young Uncle from the Pei Family?

“I don’t want Shen Luchu anymore. I’m willing to accept the arranged marriage and marry into the Pei family.”

Jiang Shiyuan suddenly declared at the dining table.

The already quiet dining room became so silent, one could hear a pin drop.

Nanny Qin, who had been waiting nearby, stared at her in shock. “Miss, was the longevity noodles not to your liking today? I’ll have the kitchen make something new right away.”

The maid, Hong Dou, was even more flustered. “Miss, was it because the longevity buns I made were too ugly? Did I upset you?”

Jiang Shiyuan glanced at the oddly shaped longevity buns and the overly colorful noodle bowl brimming with ingredients on the table, then shook her head.

Like every previous year, on her eighteenth birthday, she was alone again.

“It’s not that. I just don’t like Shen Luchu anymore.”

“Really?”

The two spoke in near unison. Hong Dou even nearly jumped up from the floor.

The two of them looked at Jiang Shiyuan with suspicion—and beyond suspicion, their expressions were more of repressed joy, as though they were ecstatic but trying hard to contain their smiles in fear it would all turn out to be a delusion.

Jiang Shiyuan understood why they looked that way.

For the past ten years, she had been nothing but attentive and devoted to Shen Luchu.

Yet today, on her eighteenth birthday, Shen Luchu gave her four words in return— “Disgusting and revolting.”

“She may come from a fierce lineage, but I only talked to her a few times out of pity. If she got the wrong idea, that’s truly disgusting.”

Those words she overheard earlier at the academy gates echoed in her ears like a curse.

Jiang Shiyuan’s hand holding her chopsticks paused slightly.

She finished the last strand of longevity noodles from the bottom of the bowl, set down her chopsticks, and solemnly nodded. “Yes, really. I don’t want him anymore.”

Then, she picked up one of the longevity buns from the table and took a bite—

As with previous years, the longevity noodles made by Nanny Qin were both too salty and mushy, and the buns made by Hong Dou were hard as iron cakes.

Before the gods above, she made a wish for her eighteenth birthday—next year, may Nanny Qin and Hong Dou sit and share a meal with her instead of cooking. Heaven, forbid they step into the kitchen again.

Chewing on the iron bun, Jiang Shiyuan silently and earnestly made her birthday wish.

Although skeptical, Nanny Qin immediately sent a letter to the palace. The very next day, she arranged for a meeting with the Pei family at Spring Full Courtyard, the quietest teahouse in the capital—afraid that Jiang Shiyuan might change her mind.

The Jiang family wasn’t exactly a prestigious noble house. Jiang Shiyuan’s grandfather had started as a palace guard. He was granted a military title only after saving the life of the former emperor. Her father, Jiang Huaicheng, joined the army and made a name for himself after winning his first battle.

Twenty years ago, Jiang Huaicheng successfully persuaded the head of Tiger Fortress to surrender and then married the fortress leader’s eldest daughter—her mother, Jiang Yiyun—the first female general of the Zhou Dynasty.

After her mother led Tiger Fortress to pledge loyalty to the court, both parents served in the military. As a united couple, they won             88 battle after battle and became the most trusted military commanders of the dynasty—a legendary pair.

But good times didn’t last. Ten years ago, the enemies from the northwest launched a full-scale attack. The Zhou Dynasty couldn’t hold them back, and both her parents died in battle.

Out of sympathy, the court posthumously honored her father as Grand General Who Guards the Nation, and her mother as the Legendary General—but the Jiang family was left with only one orphaned young girl. The glory was all for show.

Her only way into the Pei family alliance was through her aunt—Imperial Consort Jiang.

Her aunt not only looked after the family from within the palace but also doted on her endlessly. Anything she asked for, she received—except for one thing: the marriage with Shen Luchu.

Three years ago, her aunt had already said Shen Luchu wasn’t a good match for her.

Turned out, her aunt was right. Shen Luchu truly wasn’t a good match.

Ten years of acquaintance, three years of care and devotion—and all it earned her was that heart-piercing comment.

What a joke.

After all these years of her aunt shielding her from storms, it was time she grew up and shouldered some burdens for her aunt.

The crown prince hadn’t been established yet. Her cousin, Xie Jinghuai, refused a royal title and instead asked for a small army of five hundred men. With just that small force, he fought across the land and built a name for himself.

Her cousin was both intelligent and capable, but his maternal family lacked influence. If she could marry into the Pei family, that issue would be solved.

The Pei clan was the most powerful noble family in the capital. Their descendants were scattered throughout court and the military, wielding tremendous power.

And as luck would have it, despite the family’s many talents, one black sheep stood out—Pei Ziye. He spent his days indulging in dog fights and leisure, carefree and unruly. In both age and temperament, he oddly suited her.

She had seen Pei Ziye a few times at banquets—strikingly handsome, unruly in conduct, and one of the most notorious libertines in the capital.

She just didn’t know what he’d be like in private.

Spring Full Courtyard was more than a teahouse—it was like a garden. Each private room was nestled among flowering trees and courtyards, serene and elegant, perfect for both tea and scenery.

Jiang Shiyuan sat on a bamboo chair in one of the private rooms, head bowed in thought about what her ‘married life’ with Pei Ziye might be like, when the door was pushed open from outside—

Footsteps accompanied the rustling leaves in the courtyard breeze. A tall, upright figure strode in, backlit by the sun, bringing with him the cold severity of late autumn.

As he stepped out of the shadows, his features came into focus. Sharp, chiseled—his deep-set eyes were like mountain pools under twilight, with a trace of charm at the outer corners. A straight nose and thin lips completed a face not easily forgotten.

He appeared just out of court, still dressed in an impeccable official robe—purple and gold, with a jade belt. Every step radiated composure and authority, the kind that couldn’t be imitated.

When he noticed her gaze, he looked over as well.

Their eyes met. Jiang Shiyuan instinctively stood up, then glanced past him toward the door.

Why is Pei Ziye’s young uncle here?

Where’s Pei Ziye?

Weren’t they supposed to meet today for the matchmaking?

Pei Che was the youngest son of the Pei matriarch, born in her old age. He was only twenty-six, yet had already been appointed Grand Tutor and sat in the cabinet as a high-ranking official.

Though young, Pei Che was known for his decisive actions and overwhelming presence. The moment he entered; Jiang Shiyuan reflexively stood up to greet him.

The atmosphere instantly turned tense.

“Lord Pei came alone?” Nanny Qin asked, puzzled.

Pei Che’s gaze drifted from Jiang Shiyuan’s bowed head to the half-bitten osmanthus cake in front of her, then back.

“I have full authority to make the decision.”

He sat down across from Jiang Shiyuan.

Though she felt slightly nervous, Jiang Shiyuan still stepped forward to pour him tea before quietly returning to her seat.

Pei Che lowered his gaze to the steaming cup of tea in front of him.

“There is no objection from the Pei family to this marriage. If the General’s residence also agrees, let’s set the wedding for the eighth of next month.”

“So soon?” Jiang Shiyuan blurted out in surprise.

Today was just the introductory meeting, and they’d be married by next month? That was barely a month away.

Was it because it was a political marriage, so everything was to be rushed?

Pei Che looked her way. “You’re unwilling?”

That deep gaze bore down like Mount Tai, and the words Jiang Shiyuan had wanted to say got stuck in her throat. Like a student being questioned by their tutor, she obediently shook her head.

Even if Pei Ziye was a bit unruly, the Pei family was still far above her station.

“No, I’m willing.”

Pei Che’s tone revealed no emotion. In a calm, steady voice, he concluded, “Then it’s settled. As compensation for the rushed wedding, the betrothal gifts will be doubled—one from the Pei family, and one from me.”

Jiang Shiyuan was startled again.

She had heard that Young Master Pei Ziye had a good relationship with his young uncle—but she didn’t expect it to be this close.

Pei Ziye was getting married, and Pei Che was personally offering a separate set of betrothal gifts!