Chapter 7 – Don’t Want Pei Che, Want Pei Ziye

After Moyu had been sent off, Hong Dou couldn’t help stepping forward in surprise.
“Miss, are you really giving up on the Shen family’s heir?”

“Why? Did you think I was joking?” Jiang Shiyuan retorted. “A family like the Peis—do you think I could use them as the butt of a joke?”

Hong Dou scratched her head. “It’s just that your decision came so suddenly. Before, you said you wouldn’t marry anyone but Young Master Shen, and now you’re suddenly saying you don’t want him. I thought maybe you were pulling one of those schemes from those romance storybooks… you know, playing hard to get or some kind of mind game…”

Hong Dou hadn’t followed her that day and hadn’t heard those soul-crushing words.
If she had, she probably wouldn’t be doubting her now.

Jiang Shiyuan teased, “Just think of it as me getting tired of the game. The prodigal daughter is turning over a new leaf. Your Miss has always been someone who knows how to pick things up and put them down—very cool and carefree.”

That part, Hong Dou had no doubts about.
That was exactly what her mistress was like. When she liked someone, she was wholehearted and never ambiguous—but once she didn’t, she let go faster than anyone.

Jiang Shiyuan was about to board the carriage when a voice called from behind.

“Big Sister Jiang.”

She turned and saw Pei Zanxue and Ye Wanning chasing after her from the gates, each holding a pot of blooming ink chrysanthemums.

Ye Wanning said apologetically, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t host you properly. A servant told me you were leaving, so I rushed out. Zanxue said we don’t have anything too fancy at home, but these chrysanthemums are blooming nicely and perfect for a beautiful lady.”

“There’s no need. I saw how busy you were and didn’t want to disturb you. Didn’t expect to cause trouble anyway,” Jiang Shiyuan said with a smile.

Throughout the whole banquet, Pei Zanxue had stayed by her side, and Ye Wanning had been actively introducing her to others. Jiang Shiyuan hadn’t had that much fun in a long time.

Pei Zanxue came forward and hooked her arm through Jiang Shiyuan’s, nuzzling her affectionately.

“Why did time pass so fast? I don’t want you to leave yet, Big Sister Jiang!”

Jiang Shiyuan also felt a bit reluctant. “Then I’ll send you both an invitation to the General’s Manor another day.”

“Yes, yes!” Pei Zanxue said excitedly. “I heard your manor has a real tiger pelt, with even the tiger’s head intact. It’s said to be so lifelike and majestic—is that true?”

Hong Dou immediately replied, “It’s true. That used to be the treasure of our Fierce Tiger Stronghold. Just yesterday, the nanny was checking the storeroom and said we should include it in my lady’s dowry.”

Pei Zanxue laughed. “Then I don’t need to make a trip to your manor. I’ll just wait at home.”

Jiang Shiyuan’s face turned slightly red, but she didn’t feel embarrassed—her heart even felt a little warm.

Throughout today’s banquet, whether it was Su Liluo ’s petty provocations or the veiled sarcasm of others, Pei Zanxue hadn’t once looked down on her because of the Jiang family.

“The sun’s setting. Thank you for your hospitality today, Sister Ye,” she said, bidding farewell again.

Just as she spoke, a carriage suddenly approached from the front.

Before it had even come to a full stop, someone lifted the curtain and jumped out.

“I’m late? Has the banquet already ended?”

The voice rang out loud and clear. Pei Ziye, dressed in a striking crabapple-red outfit, ran up in a few quick steps. His high ponytail and flowing robes whipped about wildly—carefree and flamboyant.

Jiang Shiyuan’s gaze instantly locked onto Pei Ziye—the main character had finally arrived.

Pei Ziye came up smiling. Seeing how sycophantic Pei Zanxue looked, he instantly understood—this must be his soon-to-be little aunt.

He quickly reined in his usual unruliness and gave Jiang Shiyuan a pleasing grin.
Hopefully, once she entered the family, she could rein in his strict little uncle and get him off his back.

Jiang Shiyuan saw how, upon seeing her, Pei Ziye’s expression immediately turned respectful and even gave her a shy smile.

So pure and approachable.
Way better than she had imagined.

It was her first time seeing Pei Ziye up close—sharp brows, bright eyes, tall and slender.

No one in the Pei family was plain-looking.

Pei Ziye was dashing and lively, Pei Zanxue sweet and charming—but when it came to sheer god-given elegance, it was still the Pei family’s young uncle, Pei Che.

Thinking of Pei Che, Jiang Shiyuan suddenly recalled something—this man, powerful and influential, deeply dedicated to the court and country, was still unmarried.

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

She wondered what kind of person it would take to drag that cold-hearted, ascetic Grand Tutor down from his pedestal.

And then, out of nowhere, Pei Che’s face popped into her mind—

That cold and noble face, eyes rimmed red, kneeling by the bed, hoarse with desperation: “A’Yuan, look at me.”

A shiver ran through Jiang Shiyuan.
Oh no!

It was bad enough that she had imagined herself as the heroine from that romance novel she read yesterday, but she had also imagined the male lead as Grand Tutor Pei…

Was she crazy?!

But really, it wasn’t entirely her fault. The way Zanhua Chronicle described that cold, dignified, breathtakingly handsome powerholder—it was just too similar to the Grand Tutor.

Especially that line: “Phoenix eyes with upturned corners, aloof yet innately alluring.”
Jiang Shiyuan seriously suspected the author knew Pei Che and wrote him into the book.

Ten years ago, Pei Che had been invited to teach at Luming Academy. The young noble ladies, all experiencing their first crushes, would constantly go seek out “Little Master Pei” for questions.

She remembered one noble lady, after receiving a single character from him, swooning and describing him as: “Eyes slightly lifted at the corners, lips curled faintly—aloof, yet tinged with allure.”

Jiang Shiyuan had scoffed at the time.

Allure? Ha.

All she remembered about Pei Che was his ruthlessness.

She’d never forget that year when Grand Tutor Pei had granted her a few words:

“Fool.”“Rotten wood.”“Hopelessly stubborn.”

And even slapped her hand in public for good measure.

To say she wasn’t hurt would be a lie. Growing up, she’d never been scolded so harshly by anyone.

So when she read Zanhua Chronicle and saw that high-and-mighty minister become the biggest tragic villain—unloved, doomed to fall—it did give her a tiny bit of satisfaction.

A man like Pei Che, cold and unfeeling, deserved to die alone!

While Jiang Shiyuan was lost in thought, a cool, distant voice suddenly cut in.

“Heading back?”

She looked up and saw another tall figure alighting from the carriage. With features like a painting and an air of unapproachable elegance, his inky black robes gave off the chill of autumn night—so intense it was hard to meet his gaze.

“Uncle.”

Pei Zanxue instantly let go of Jiang Shiyuan’s hand. Ye Wanning also stiffened nervously, both of them standing up straight and falling silent.

Even Jiang Shiyuan felt awkward—not just awkward, but strangely guilty.

She instinctively edged closer to Pei Ziye.

Pei Che glanced at her bowed head and her proximity to Pei Ziye, then asked again, “Heading back?”

The voice came from just above her. Only then did Jiang Shiyuan realize he was speaking to her.

So polite to his future niece-in-law?

Puzzled, she still nodded.

“I’ll escort you,” Pei Che said at once.

Startled, Jiang Shiyuan waved her hands. “No need, no need!”

“There have been bandits in the capital lately. Just in case.”
Pei Che’s tone was terse and left no room for argument.

Seeing she couldn’t refuse, Jiang Shiyuan turned to Pei Ziye. “Then I’ll trouble you, Young Master Pei, to see me home.”

Letting the Grand Tutor himself escort her?
She wasn’t ready to die!