Chapter 5: Pei Ziye’s Taste Is Rather… [Edited]

After joking around for a while, Ye Wanning left to entertain other guests, leaving Pei Zanxue behind to accompany Jiang Shiyuan at the banquet.

Pei Zanxue, this little sister-in-law, was extremely sweet and lively. The two quickly became acquainted.

Jiang Shiyuan, remembering that she wanted to return Pei Ziye’s gift, asked, “What does Young Master Pei usually enjoy doing at home?”

The moment the words left her mouth, Jiang Shiyuan felt they sounded oddly familiar.

She froze for a second before realizing—it was exactly what Pei Che had asked her yesterday.

Not only had she borrowed his words, but even her tone was somewhat similar—low and stiff.

Jiang Shiyuan quickly shook her head inwardly. No, she didn’t want to turn into some dull and rigid housekeeper.

She explained, “Yesterday, Young Master Pei gave me a few things. I liked them very much, so I thought I’d prepare a return gift.”

Young Master Pei?

What a foreign-sounding title.

Ever since her uncle was appointed Grand Tutor, everyone in the capital addressed him as “Lord Pei.”

Hearing “Young Master Pei,” Pei Zanxue almost thought Jiang Shiyuan was talking about Pei Ziye instead.

Did her future aunt think her uncle was too old to be called “young master”?

Pei Zanxue laughed. “Sister Jiang, why so formal? We’re practically family—no need to be so distant.”

Jiang Shiyuan replied, “A gift should still be returned.”

Even if there were feelings involved, it shouldn’t be one-sided. Besides, she and Pei Ziye had no emotional foundation. Accepting his kindness for nothing would sit wrong with her.

And mutual gift-giving makes any future transactions easier to discuss.

Seeing her insistence, Pei Zanxue thought for a moment and said, “Then Sister Jiang can send him some ancient classics and scholarly books.”

Jiang Shiyuan blinked.

Pei Ziye, that hedonistic playboy, liked such refined things?

Something felt off, but she didn’t want to pry.

After all, Pei Che didn’t mock her for reading silly romance books—how could she mock Pei Ziye for liking ancient literature?

Seeing Jiang Shiyuan frown slightly, Pei Zanxue’s heart skipped. Sure enough, her future aunt was disgusted.

“Actually, Big Brother—”

Just as Pei Zanxue was about to clarify something, a voice suddenly rang out behind them.

“Jiang Shiyuan! What a coincidence. You’re here too?”

Jiang Shiyuan turned around to see Su Liluo gliding over in a flowing white dress, graceful and elegant.

As she walked, she casually adjusted the gold and jade filigree hairpin on her head.

“Miss, that hairpin!” Hong Dou’s eyes widened in alarm.

Su Liluo ’s movement was so obvious—Jiang Shiyuan would have to be blind not to notice.

No wonder Hong Dou reacted so strongly. That hairpin was the one Jiang Shiyuan had picked out the day before her birthday, while out shopping with Shen Luchu.

That day, Shen Luchu had taken her to a jewelry shop and even asked her what she liked, telling her to pick something out.

Hong Dou had naturally assumed it was a birthday gift for her mistress, thinking Shen Luchu had finally come to appreciate her worth.

In that moment, even Jiang Shiyuan had dared to imagine it was a birthday surprise from him.

So, on her birthday, she had gone to him full of excitement—

Only to hear those cruel, gut-wrenching words.

She had always believed Shen Luchu was different—that at least he wouldn’t suck up to the powerful and step on the weak like others did.

But it turned out he was the one who looked down on her the most.

He probably didn’t even remember the words he once said to her.

It had only been three years.

How laughable.

“Zanxue is here too?” Su Liluo turned to look at Pei Zanxue, her expression instantly changing.

She’d only seen Jiang Shiyuan from afar earlier and thought the person next to her was some unimportant nobody.

Who would’ve thought it was Pei Zanxue, the pearl of the Pei family!

Why was Pei Zanxue sitting with Jiang Shiyuan? And laughing with her?

“You know Jiang Shiyuan?” Su Liluo couldn’t help asking.

“We didn’t before, but now we do. And from now on, we’ll be seeing each other every day,” Pei Zanxue said cheerfully.

She linked arms with Jiang Shiyuan and even nuzzled her like a kitten, making Jiang Shiyuan laugh out loud.

Su Liluo stared at the affectionate interaction in disbelief, jealousy bubbling up inside her.

The Pei family was powerful and prestigious. She had tried time and again to get close to Pei Zanxue, but the girl had always been cold and distant. How had Jiang Shiyuan gotten so close after just one meeting?

Unable to connect with Pei Zanxue, Su Liluo turned her attention to Jiang Shiyuan. “It’s rare to see Jiang Shiyuan at a banquet. Would you like me to introduce you to a few of the young ladies here and show you around? I’m close with Miss Ye.”

She spoke with an overly familiar tone.

Hong Dou’s eyes nearly rolled to the heavens.

Fake! She’s so fake!

In all of the capital, no one tried to upstage her lady more than Su Liluo. If Jiang Shiyuan liked something—even if it were trash—Su Liluo would make a point to steal it.

And Shen Luchu, that heartless bastard…

Over the years, her lady had suffered so much because of those two dogs.

But at least the hard times were over. Her lady had found someone better.

Lord Pei was powerful, influential, and truly cared about her.

Hmph. Just wait, you disgusting pair! One day, you’ll cry with regret when my lady becomes the Grand Tutor’s wife!

Hong Dou silently swore.

Hearing Su Liluo ’s overly friendly tone, Pei Zanxue looked curiously at Jiang Shiyuan. “Sister Jiang, are you close with Miss Su?”

Jiang Shiyuan didn’t even glance at Su Liluo. “Not at all.”

Su Liluo ’s face froze, her expression stiff and ridiculous.

But she quickly recovered, forcing a fake smile. “Jiang Shiyuan doesn’t get close to anyone. She’s always had eyes only for Shen Luchu—no time for making friends. Funny though, how come you’re not clinging to him today?”

There it is again! Hong Dou gritted her teeth.

At Shen Luchu’s last banquet, Su Liluo had mocked Jiang Shiyuan for her lowly family background, calling her a bandit’s daughter. That had led Jiang Shiyuan to dunk her straight into the water.

Even though Su Liluo clearly started the fight, Shen Luchu still made her lady apologize and kowtow.

But today, Jiang Shiyuan just smiled faintly, calm as ever. “I was blind before, mistook the wrong person. I’ve just been cured recently. Naturally, there’s no room left for filth. If Miss Su likes it, you can have it. No need to report back to me.”

“You—who are you calling filth?!”

Su Liluo thought she’d misheard.

Jiang Shiyuan had just called Shen Luchu filth—and even looked disgusted. Was she insane?

“If you didn’t hear me, go see a doctor. It’s pitiful to be deaf at such a young age. Maybe get your brain checked too—stop acting like a mad dog, trying to snatch up everything you see.” Jiang Shiyuan was merciless.

Su Liluo was stunned, her blood pressure soaring.

She just called me a mad dog?! Who gave her the guts?!

Jiang Shiyuan ignored her and stood up, turning to Pei Zanxue. “Zanxue, I want to go over there and look at the osmanthus trees.”

“Great! I’ll go with you. Besides the osmanthus, my cousin’s courtyard also has some rare ink chrysanthemums in full bloom. I’ll send you a couple later.”

Pei Zanxue jumped up happily, completely unfazed by Su Liluo ’s words. As they walked away, she even gave Su Liluo a glare.

“When did you get so close with my cousin? Why don’t I know about it?”

Su Liluo ’s already pale face flushed red with anger.

Pei Zanxue looked away, holding Jiang Shiyuan’s arm as they walked off without a backward glance.

Hong Dou cast a look at Su Liluo ’s humiliated expression. It was incredibly satisfying.

She couldn’t help laughing out loud. “Miss Su, if you’re sick, get treated quickly—don’t delay it.”

Su Liluo bit her lip and stormed out of the Ningde Marquis’ residence, stomping into her carriage.

She was about to go home, but suddenly changed her mind. Yanking out the gold hairpin from her head, she barked an order:

“Take me to the Marquis of Wenyuan’s estate.”