Chapter 14

“Your Madam?” Pei Zhang, known for his extensive knowledge and sharp memory, immediately recognized the round-faced maid before him. In a warm tone, he said, “No need for formalities. Madam Lu’s thoughtful gesture is appreciated. It’s cold today—come inside for a cup of hot tea, Cui Zhu.”

Cui Zhu hastily waved her hands, saying, “No, no, I wouldn’t dare. Here is the New Year’s gift list. Please, Master Pei, take a look.”

Cui Zhu hadn’t expected Pei Zhang to even remember the name of a mere maid like herself. Her smile became more genuine. Pei Zhang and Lu Feng were complete opposites—not in terms of status, position, or appearance, but in their fundamentally different temperaments. If Lu Feng was a bloodthirsty blade, then Pei Zhang was a piece of warm jade, exuding a comforting aura that put people at ease.

At the Lu residence, Cui Zhu never dared to look directly at Lu Feng. Although she had served Jiang Wanrou as a personal maid for four years, she had spoken fewer than ten words to him. Jiang Wanrou, unlike Yao Jinyu, didn’t push maids toward Lu Feng. If the third master showed interest in a maid, Yao Jinyu would act first, arranging to send the girl to him, displaying her “proper wife” authority. Jiang Wanrou, on the other hand, never took the initiative to offer women to Lu Feng, even during times when she herself was unavailable.

Rumors told of maids who thought themselves naturally beautiful and attempted to climb the social ladder, only to end up violating Lu Feng’s strict boundaries and facing brutal punishment—beaten to death. When Cui Zhu first arrived, Jin Tao warned her that the Jinguang Courtyard was a small temple incapable of accommodating “ambitious Buddhas.” She was timid and never entertained inappropriate thoughts toward her master, nor did she try to attract his attention.

Lu Feng, in turn, was not accustomed to relying on maids. He didn’t allow attendants during his baths and left his clothing, tea, and personal care mostly to Jiang Wanrou. Young maids were tasked with menial jobs, like removing boots or washing feet.

As a nobleman by birth, Lu Feng carried an innate arrogance. He never bothered to learn the names of the maids serving his wife, seeing them as mere servants. In contrast, the fact that Pei Zhang, after a single encounter, could address Cui Zhu by name delighted her, making her unconsciously more talkative.

“Master Pei, the other day Madam punished the coachman and guards harshly and kept saying she regretted inconveniencing you, wanting to apologize personally.”

“It’s unfortunate that Madam has been occupied these past days, both inside and outside the household, and hasn’t been able to find time.”

“Although Madam couldn’t come herself, her sincerity toward you is genuine. Among the New Year’s gifts is a rare Huizhou inkstone, one that’s priceless and unavailable on the market. Madam specifically sought this out for you, saying only such an item could match your refined elegance and grace.”

Cui Zhu indeed had a clever tongue. Jiang Wanrou had instructed her to “speak kindly,” intending for her to say a few pleasant words and forge a good rapport. However, Cui Zhu went above and beyond, praising Jiang Wanrou extravagantly to the point where the embarrassed gatekeeper felt ashamed for not letting them in—such warmth and courtesy shouldn’t have been met with such resistance.

Pei Zhang, unaffected by her chatter, listened patiently with a calm demeanor. He instructed the servants to unload the two cartloads of gifts and asked the gatekeeper to pour Cui Zhu a cup of hot tea. Only then did Cui Zhu realize that Pei Zhang was dressed in a raven-colored, round-collared official robe. His tall, upright figure carried the dark and heavy hue with elegance and dignity, like a stately pine standing proudly.

Official robes were not typically worn at home; they were reserved for court appearances or imperial audiences.

Cui Zhu quickly curtsied and apologized, “I’ve disturbed you for quite some time, Master. If you have no other instructions, I’ll take my leave now.”

A hint of regret flashed in her eyes. She had been sent to build goodwill, not create tension. If she disrupted important matters, it would be counterproductive.

Pei Zhang nodded slightly and did not insist she stay. Civil officials assigned to posts outside the capital typically served a minimum of three years, and the less fortunate might never return. Pei Zhang, however, had been transferred back to the capital after only three years as the governor of Jiaozhou. A fourth-rank official might be a notable figure in the provinces, but in the capital—a city where even low-ranking officials were abundant—his position as a mere governor was hardly exceptional. Nevertheless, the Emperor summoned him daily during this busy year-end period, a testament to his remarkable talent and capability. Handling a maid from the inner court was well within his ability.

As Cui Zhu left, she felt dazed, marveling at how such an exceptional man as Master Pei could exist. Tall and slender, she had to tilt her head to look up at him, yet she never sensed any disdain or scorn from him. She was just a lowly maid bound by a lifelong contract—how could she deserve such warm and courteous treatment from him?

Unable to keep her thoughts to herself, Cui Zhu returned to Jiang Wanrou to report back, and just as she had praised Jiang Wanrou before Pei Zhang, she exaggerated her descriptions again, speaking at length and embellishing every detail. Her words painted Pei Zhang as an unparalleled figure, so much so that they further enhanced Jiang Wanrou’s favorable impression of her brother-in-law, whom she had only met briefly.

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Pei Zhang, however, was not as composed and unaffected as he appeared.

During the day at the Wenhua Hall, when the Emperor questioned him on his policy essays, he found himself distracted several times, almost failing to answer properly. His vast knowledge allowed him to maintain a calm exterior, and the Emperor didn’t notice his lapses. On his way back, Pei Zhang closed his eyes in deep thought.

Typically, this was the time he would contemplate state affairs, but today, his mind was consumed by thoughts of a woman.

A woman who stood in a narrow and damp alley, her hair cascading like clouds and her skin as radiant and smooth as cream. On that day, she wore an orange-red dress adorned with intricately layered peony petals, resembling the dazzling colors of a sunset.

Pei Zhang prided himself on not being a man driven by lust. With his refined and elegant appearance, he was often admired by many young women and ladies even in chilly seasons. When he was stationed in Jiaozhou, subordinates would flatter him by presenting a variety of beauties—ranging from curvaceous to slender—but he remained unfazed.

His ambitions lay in the court and state affairs. Beauty, in his eyes, was nothing more than a fleeting façade. Yet, the day he saw her, he finally understood what it meant for “the appetite for food and beauty” to be natural instincts and what it meant for “a soul to be stolen by beauty.”

Unfortunately, she was already married—to a man of immense power and influence in the court. To make matters more complicated, their relationship dictated that she address him as her brother-in-law. After the initial moment of awe, Pei Zhang quickly regained his composure, snuffing out the faint, improper spark that had no place in the light.

However, she later sent her maid to visit him. That maid emphasized how “deliberately” her mistress had been thinking of him, repeating phrases like “Madam speaks of you daily.” Although their initial meeting had been brief, it was evident she was a highly courteous woman. Why, then, had her maid delivered such remarks? Was it the maid acting on her own, a simple mistake, or… was it her intention?

What exactly was she trying to achieve?

Pei Zhang’s thoughts were in disarray.

Despite navigating years of political intrigue and power struggles, he maintained a composed exterior. Even his loyal servant could not imagine that his master was preoccupied with thoughts of another man’s wife. The Pei residence consisted of three courtyards—not particularly large—but fortunately, its household was small. Pei Zhang lived there with his wife Jiang Wanying, Old Madam Pei, and his cousin Ruan Zhen, leaving them ample space.

Upon returning home late, Pei Zhang first visited the back chambers to check on the elderly Madam Pei, who had already gone to sleep after taking her medicine. Ruan Zhen had not yet retired, and after a brief exchange, Pei Zhang prepared to leave when she suddenly called out to him.

“Cousin—” She hesitated before biting her lip and said, “You came home today but didn’t visit Sister-in-law, did you? Sister-in-law seemed upset today.”

Aware of his wife’s hostility toward his cousin, Pei Zhang sighed softly and replied, “Wanying must have misunderstood something temporarily. I’ll explain things to her again. Please be patient with her.”

Ruan Zhen quickly shook her head. “No, that’s not what I mean. Suddenly, there’s a distant cousin in the household—at her age, still… still unmarried. It’s natural for Sister-in-law to overthink. I’m a woman too; I don’t blame her.”

“I know I’ve done nothing to be ashamed of, but Cousin, think about it: I’ve been here less than a month, and you’re either out or in the study. Sister-in-law lives in the main courtyard, yet when you return home, you bypass her and come straight to the back courtyard. How could she not feel hurt?”

“With things like this, I don’t even dare to stay at the Pei residence anymore.”

Ruan Zhen was a beauty with a delicate frame, fair complexion, and an unadorned face that radiated natural elegance. Her fragrant, embroidered gown complemented her graceful charm. Now, with her lowered brows and her slender neck exposed to the chilly wind, she exuded an air of vulnerability.

Pei Zhang chuckled and said, “Nonsense. The Pei residence won’t deprive you of a meal. Stop overthinking everything.”

Ruan Zhen blushed slightly and replied, “I—I will marry someday. I won’t freeload in the Pei residence forever.”

“Freeload?” Pei Zhang raised his eyebrows, his jade-like face looking even more handsome in the night.

He said, “Even if you don’t marry, what’s the harm? The Pei family may not be wealthy, but we can easily provide for a delicate young woman.”

“You, young lady, shouldn’t burden yourself with such heavy thoughts. Someone sent holiday gifts today—you can pick out a few brightly colored silks and make some dresses.”

Ruan Zhen asked, “Holiday gifts? Were they from Madam Lu?”

Her face lit up with delight as she said, “Madam Lu is truly considerate. Auntie hasn’t been feeling well recently, and with the New Year approaching, many medicine shops are closed. The medicinal ingredients sent by Madam Lu were just in time—she’s such a thoughtful person.”

The smile on Pei Zhang’s lips faded slightly as Ruan Zhen continued, “But… Cousin, may I speak frankly? Sister-in-law seems to have some grievances with Madam Lu. She locked all the items from today in the storeroom and forbade anyone from touching them.”

“I was worried about Auntie’s health and secretly took a lingzhi mushroom to make her medicine. Cousin, you need to persuade Sister-in-law. Regardless of anything else, the medicinal ingredients must be used. Auntie’s health…”

Pei Zhang interrupted her calmly, “Alright, I’ll handle it.”

Pei Zhang interrupted her, his voice cold and sharp in the night. After a few brief exchanges, mostly centered on Madam Pei, Pei Zhang quickly made his way to the main courtyard.

Upon arrival, the ground was littered with broken fragments—scattered tea leaves, porcelain shards, and a longevity lock. Its small bell had been flung off and lay alone on the floor.

After half a month without seeing him, Jiang Wanying hadn’t expected Pei Zhang to return at this moment. Tear stains still marked her face, as she forced a smile that was more painful than crying.

“Pei Lang, you’re back.”

“I just… accidentally knocked over the tea cup… I…”

Pei Zhang stared at her silently, his eyes deep and unreadable. Jiang Wanying couldn’t withstand his gaze; the more she spoke, the more guilty she felt. She lowered her head as tears welled up once again.

Pei Zhang closed his eyes and let out an almost inaudible sigh before turning away.

“Don’t go—” she pleaded.

“I won’t leave.”

Pei Zhang seemed to understand what she was about to say and calmly replied, “I’ll have someone clean up.”

The maids quickly tidied up the mess, fetching a basin of hot water. Rolling up his sleeves, Pei Zhang took a cloth and gently wiped Jiang Wanying’s cheeks.

Feeling uneasy, Jiang Wanying glanced at him and nervously asked, “You don’t blame me?”

Pei Zhang smoothed out her loose strands of hair and said, “It’s my fault. I’ve been busy these days and neglected you.”

Because of his words, Jiang Wanying nearly broke down in tears again.

Leaning against his chest, she inhaled his faintly pine-like fragrance and murmured, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have acted this way. She… she came today and sent over so many things.”

“I couldn’t help myself.”

Pei Zhang pieced together from her scattered words that the two sisters didn’t get along well in their younger days. Jiang Wanying continued, “Pei Lang, now that you’re a fourth-rank official and have returned to the capital, the Emperor will certainly entrust you with important responsibilities. As for those things, even though they’re valuable, we don’t need them, right?”

Pei Zhang replied, “Yes.”

“I’ll lock those things in the storeroom, is that alright?”

Pei Zhang responded, “Alright.”

“She even gave you a Huizhou inkstone?” Jiang Wanying carefully looked at Pei Zhang, testing the waters, “That inkstone is quite valuable. I have a brother back in my maiden family who studies at the academy. If I bring it as a gift for him, would that be okay?”

After a brief silence, Pei Zhang said, “Okay.”

Before Jiang Wanying could continue, Pei Zhang suddenly reached toward her abdomen and, for the first time, suggested, “Let’s have a child.”

Perhaps with a child, Jiang Wanying would no longer be so anxious and insecure, and Cousin Zhen would cease any inappropriate aspirations. With stability in the inner household, he could fully apply himself to the court.

A child would sever those fleeting distractions completely.

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Jiang Wanrou remained unaware of the storm her gifts had stirred at the Pei residence. On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, the Emperor stopped reviewing official documents, granting all civil and military officials a holiday to rest at home. During the day, Jiang Wanrou accompanied her son, and at night, she was with Lu Feng, often sleeping in until late morning.

The family matriarch had specifically sent word forbidding the main lady of the household from paying morning respects. Since all the New Year preparations had been arranged, Jiang Wanrou took the opportunity to relax. Besides, with Lu Feng’s boundless energy, she found herself struggling to keep up.

Thus, when she heard that her fifth sister, Jiang Wanying, had come to visit, she had just climbed out of bed. Cui Zhu hadn’t woken her earlier, leaving the guest to wait for a full two hours.