Summer had passed, and early autumn had arrived. Even the wind carried a hint of chill.
“Sang Zhi, you’ve been married into the Pei Mansion for quite some time now. How is it that you still haven’t managed to win over Pei Sanlang? To think you’ve let such a scandalous affair break out!”
Sitting opposite her, Mother Sang’s face was etched with anger as she barked at Sang Zhi with aggressive momentum.
Sang Zhi lowered her head, her almond-shaped eyes fixed on the ripples in her teacup caused by her mother’s fury. She silently moved the cup a little further away.
How could a stutterer like me win over Pei Xiyue?
He probably found it annoying just to look at her. Besides, she and Pei Xiyue were never a match in social status, nor had they married out of mutual affection. It was all just a series of mistakes…
“Some Flower Queen from the Liujing River? She’s nothing but a low-born creature! To think she wants to enter the gates of the Pei Mansion using those fox-like charms—what utter trash!”
As Sang Zhi listened to her mother, her thoughts differed. Even if the woman was low-born, as long as Pei Xiyue liked her, entering the Pei Mansion would likely be much easier for her than it had been for Sang Zhi.
Mother Sang talked for a long while, first cursing the Flower Queen and then turning her spear back toward Sang Zhi for another scolding. When she finally stopped for breath, she returned to her usual refrain: “It’s all your fault for not knowing how to hold onto him. If you could have used half the effort you put in back then, things wouldn’t have…”
“Mother.”
Sang Zhi’s face turned pale for a moment, and for the first time, she interrupted her mother. A flash of terror crossed her eyes, as if she had recalled something horrific.
Seeing this, Mother Sang swallowed her unspoken words and changed her tune: “Since Pei Sanlang was willing to marry you, as long as you are willing to be submissive and serve him well, making him forget what happened back then, wouldn’t our—no, your—life be better?”
Mother Sang looked up at the daughter before her. She hadn’t paid much attention before, but now she realized Sang Zhi truly did have a fine appearance. With almond eyes and peach-blossom cheeks, her skin was fair and soft, though her eyes always held a trace of timidity.
To put it kindly, she was delicate and lovely; to put it bluntly, she was petty and lacked the poise to be presented in high society. How could such a person catch Pei Xiyue’s fancy!
But without the support of the Pei family, Sang Zhi’s father would likely remain stuck in his ninth-rank position next year. It would have been fine if they had never tasted the sweetness of power, but a few months ago, Father Sang’s superior somehow found out that the third young master of the Pei family was his son-in-law. During that period, Father Sang’s career was smooth sailing, and he was flattered wherever he went.
However, recently, rumors had suddenly begun to spread throughout Jiankang about the scandalous affair between Pei Sanlang and the new Flower Queen of Liujing River. He had supposedly spent a thousand gold pieces just to make the beauty smile. When the superior realized he had never once seen Pei Sanlang at the Sang residence, he naturally grew negligent toward them. This led to Father Sang’s recent misfortunes in official circles.
That was why Mother Sang had come to give her a stern “exhortation.”
Mother Sang’s throat was dry from talking. She picked up the teacup from the table to drink. Looking at Sang Zhi, who sat there like a wooden stake, she couldn’t help but feel frustrated. Why did she give birth to such a useless daughter who couldn’t even manage the small task of helping her family? If it had been Sang Yue, it certainly wouldn’t be like this!
But the matter was settled, and no matter how much Mother Sang fantasized, she couldn’t change reality. She only regretted that she hadn’t realized sooner that the one Sang Yue was in love with was actually the third son of the Pei family. She had assumed he was just some unknown, destitute scholar.
That was the Pei family! A family of genuine nobility that had produced three generations of Imperial Tutors and two Empresses.
Mother Sang looked at the skirt Sang Zhi was wearing today. It was made of top-quality brocade with subtle patterns embroidered even on the corners; this outfit alone cost no less than a hundred taels. Not to mention the pearls and emeralds in her hair.
“Have you and Pei Sanlang shared a bed lately?”
Sang Zhi’s fair face instantly turned crimson, and her watery almond eyes widened. Her lips trembled, but for a long time, no words came out. How could she speak of such private matters?
“Well, have you or haven’t you?”
Under her mother’s aggressive questioning, Sang Zhi had no choice but to nod truthfully. Her watery eyes grew misty, and the tips of her jade-white ears were stained with a deep blush.
Mother Sang breathed a sigh of relief. As long as they were sharing a bed, it was fine.
“The most important thing for you now is to have a child. Only with a child will you have a foothold in the Pei family. Otherwise, if Pei Sanlang grows tired of you in the future and casts you out with a letter of divorce, what will you do?”
Sang Zhi didn’t dare say that every time they shared a bed, Pei Sanlang would watch her and make her drink a contraceptive soup. Therefore, it was impossible for her to get pregnant. She could only nod and go along with her mother’s words. After all, if she spoke the truth, Mother Sang would surely circle the topic back to blaming her for not having the means to control Pei Xiyue, suppressing her until she couldn’t say a word.
Mother Sang took a long-prepared medicinal prescription from her sleeve and handed it to Sang Zhi, saying earnestly, “This is a prescription I went to great lengths to obtain. As long as you drink a bowl after every time you’re with Pei Sanlang, I guarantee it won’t be long before you’re pregnant.”
Sang Zhi silently took the prescription and gave a low response.
Seeing that it was getting late and her instructions were mostly delivered, Mother Sang stood up hurriedly. “Your father will be off duty soon, so I’m heading back. Remember what I said—be submissive in front of Pei Sanlang and win him over properly.”
Until she walked out the door, she never once asked how Sang Zhi was faring in the Pei Mansion or if the Pei family treated her well.
Sang Zhi lowered her head, watching Mother Sang’s silhouette grow more distant at the end of the alley. Her mother never looked back once before disappearing completely.
Sang Zhi sat there for a long while before taking a sip of tea and preparing to leave. But just as she opened the door, a familiar face appeared before her.
It was Liu Qi, a close friend of Pei Xiyue. If he was here, didn’t that mean Pei Xiyue was here as well?
Sang Zhi thought that if Pei Xiyue found out she was also in this restaurant, he would definitely think she had followed him. He would never believe it was a coincidence.
However, before Sang Zhi could close the door, Liu Qi spotted her. He stepped forward abruptly, bracing his hand against the doorframe. With a malicious smile on his handsome face, he looked at Sang Zhi and chuckled, “Oh, isn’t this Brother Pei’s wife? You must be here to find Brother Pei. I’ll take you to him.”
Sang Zhi’s strength was no match for his; the closed door was shoved wide open. Powerless to resist, Sang Zhi’s wrist was seized by Liu Qi, who ignored her wishes and dragged her upstairs.
Liu Qi’s strides were long, and Sang Zhi staggered behind him, nearly falling. She twisted her wrist, trying to break free, but the fingers clamped around her felt like an iron shackle. Even using all her strength, she couldn’t move an inch. She was like prey caught in a trap.
Soon, they arrived. Before Sang Zhi could react, the door in front of her was kicked open.
“Brother Pei, look who I brought?”
Holding Sang Zhi’s wrist, Liu Qi bypassed the dancers in the center of the room and pushed her forward like a prize. He said with a laugh, “Brother Pei, when I was coming up just now, I saw your wife here. She looked lost, likely looking for you, so I brought her up.”
Having said that, Liu Qi left Sang Zhi standing alone and returned to his seat.
The music in the room hadn’t stopped. The dancers performing the Whirling Dance continued to spin. Their soft, snowy waists were exposed to the air as they cast flirtatious glances at the gentlemen at the tables.
Sang Zhi nervously pinched her fingers and explained in a low voice, “I came… to see… my mother.”
Sitting in his seat, Pei Xiyue seemed to have heard a joke. He leaned back lazily, revealing his handsome face. With eyes like stars and brows like swords, he would have been considered a refined gentleman if one ignored the mockery at the corners of his mouth. But the words that escaped him were piercing.
“Your mother could afford to meet you in a restaurant? What, has she struck it rich?”
Hearing Pei Xiyue say this, Sang Zhi’s face turned red and white in turns. Her family only held a ninth-rank official position in Jiankang; in this city, a falling block of tofu would hit an eighth-rank official. Her entire family relied on her father’s meager salary. This Tianxiang Pavilion was famous for its high prices, and she had been quite surprised when her mother asked to meet here.
“No,” Pei Xiyue suddenly sat up straight, speaking as if he’d had an epiphany. “Your Sang family selling you into the Pei Mansion—how could that not be considered a fortune?”
When Pei Xiyue finished speaking, several gentlemen at the neighboring tables couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Some even raised a cup to Pei Xiyue in mock admiration.
Sang Zhi stood there alone, so embarrassed she wished she could find a hole to crawl into. She knew Pei Xiyue wouldn’t believe her; he was convinced she had followed him.
Hearing the intermittent teasing around her, Sang Zhi’s face burned. She clenched her palms and admitted her “fault,” “My Lord, I was wrong. I will go back… may I?”
Pei Xiyue wore a look that said ‘as I thought.’ He tilted his head and drained the wine on the table. Raising an eyebrow at her, he said, “Since you’re already here, why be in such a hurry to leave? Sit.”
Sang Zhi pursed her lips but had no choice but to follow Pei Xiyue’s gaze and sit beside him. Her heart was in her throat.
The Whirling Dancers were still spinning, the ornaments on their specially made dresses jingling. It wasn’t noisy, but rather added a sense of liveliness. From time to time, cheers broke out from the men around them.
“Sister-in-law, why are you just sitting there? Brother Pei’s cup is empty.”
Sang Zhi reflexively reached for the wine pot to pour for Pei Xiyue, but she had just lifted it when a sneer sounded beside her.
“Sister-in-law, you took the wrong one. That isn’t wine; it’s the hot water used to rinse the cups. Didn’t you know?”
Sang Zhi felt awkward, her hand holding the pot frozen in mid-air. Ultimately, she put it down and apologized, “Sorry, I didn’t know.”
Compared to anything else, apologizing was what Sang Zhi was most practiced at.
Liu Qi, who had just spoken, saw that she had taken him seriously and couldn’t stop himself from laughing out loud. “Eh, Brother Pei, where did you find this one? How is she so easy to fool? She believes whatever anyone says.”
Pei Xiyue glanced sideways at Sang Zhi and quickly looked away. He said nonchalantly, “If you like her, I’ll give her to you.”
Hearing this, Liu Qi made a show of standing up and moving closer. “Is Brother Pei truly willing?”
Sang Zhi’s watery almond eyes filled with disbelief. Watching Liu Qi approach, she couldn’t help but shrink back, leaning behind Pei Xiyue. Her magnolia-colored skirt spilled across the floor as she retreated in panic. Her clear, dark pupils were now filled with tears, startled and frightened. Her rosy lips were bitten hard by her teeth, turning white. She looked like a lamb that had wandered into a wolf pack—soft, white, and helpless.
Liu Qi hadn’t noticed it before, but today he suddenly found that Brother Pei’s wife actually had some beauty. No wonder Brother Pei had married her.
Sang Zhi tremblingly tried to lean on Pei Xiyue for support. To her surprise, just as she drew near, Pei Xiyue suddenly stood up, ignoring his nominal wife’s plea for help.
Sang Zhi retreated in a hurry, wanting to get away from Liu Qi, but the space was limited. She had already backed into a corner. Panic-stricken, she tried to stand up, but her path was blocked by Liu Qi. Sang Zhi watched as Liu Qi’s hand reached toward her face like a falling blade, ready to take her life at any moment.
Suddenly, Pei Xiyue, who was standing in front, turned around and said, “Alright, it was just a joke. Did you really think someone would take an interest in you?”
Liu Qi also sat back down appropriately, smiling as he bowed. “I’ve frightened Sister-in-law. I was only joking; Sister-in-law won’t be angry, will she?”
Sang Zhi shook her head. Seeing him retreat, she couldn’t help but sigh in relief. However, her heart had been toyed with so much that now that she finally relaxed, she realized her back was drenched in cold sweat. The dampness clung to her, making her shiver.
“Alright, what’s the fun in staying here? The sky is almost dark; why don’t we go to the Liujing River? I haven’t seen what that Flower Queen looks like yet. Brother Pei, you must help me.”
The gentlemen present immediately began to cheer, completely forgetting that Pei Xiyue’s legal wife was still sitting behind them, covered in sweat.
Flattered by the crowd, Pei Xiyue said with a smile, “That’s easy. Once we get there…”
Before Pei Xiyue could finish, the gentleman who had opened the door suddenly froze. His tongue seemed to have been eaten by a dog as he stammered, “P-P-P… Master Pei…”
The men behind him didn’t understand. They joked, “What, have you been infected by Brother Pei’s wife? Besides, isn’t Brother Pei right here?”
The moment the words fell, a cold voice suddenly came from the doorway.
“Sanlang, where are you going?”
The joking gentlemen were like statues, frozen in place, not daring to move. Even Pei Xiyue’s body stiffened, the smile on his face vanishing instantly. Pushing past those in front of him, he saw his elder brother standing at the door.
His expression was cold, his gaze deep.
Wasn’t Eldest Brother away on official business? How did he return so quickly?
Pei Xiyue didn’t have time to think. He quickly brushed off his friend’s hand and stood respectfully. “Eldest Brother, you’re back.”
Pei He’an did not respond. His black boots stepped straight into the room. The men in front of him scattered, opening a wide path. Sensing something was wrong, they all made excuses and slipped away like oil on the soles of their feet.
In an instant, only three people remained in the room.
Pei He’an’s dark eyes moved past Pei Xiyue and fell upon Sang Zhi on the floor. He stepped forward, his pitch-black gaze scanning the person huddled there.
Dark hair, snowy skin, and almond eyes filled with tears—she looked truly piteous. This must be the person who has been causing such a stir with Sanlang lately, he thought.
Sang Zhi only met his eyes for a moment before averted her gaze in a panic. With just one look, she felt an inexplicable pressure weighing down on her. It was like the eternal snow atop a mountain, chilling her to the bone.
Suddenly, Pei He’an took out a banknote from his robe. Holding a corner with his slender fingers, he held it out lightly toward Sang Zhi.
“I left in a hurry. If this is not enough, send someone to the Pei Mansion to ask for more. I have matters to discuss with Sanlang. I must ask the Flower Queen to excuse herself.”