Although both were staying at the Zhou residence, Feng Wenyu and Feng Wenzhou lived in separate areas—one in the rear courtyard and the other in the front courtyard. Particularly for Feng Wenzhou, with the Provincial Examination approaching, his quarters were arranged next to Zhou Chibai’s so the two could motivate each other and avoid neglecting their studies.
Zhou Residence, Main Courtyard.
After a busy morning, Madam Lu finally found a moment to relax. She removed the elaborate hairpins from her bun and wearily rubbed her sore shoulders.
Her maid, Suling, entered with a troubled expression. Noticing this, Madam Lu frowned and asked, “What’s the matter?”
She recalled that Suling had been tasked with arranging Feng Wenzhou’s accommodations.
Suling forced a bitter smile. “On my way back, I encountered the Second Young Master. When he heard that Cousin Feng had moved into Wenmo Hall, he seemed displeased. I saw him heading toward the Old Madam’s courtyard.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Lu sneered coldly. “Let him go. I’d like to see what trouble he can stir up!”
As she had her own biological son, Madam Lu had never been particularly devoted to Zhou Chiyu, merely ensuring he wasn’t mistreated. The Old Madam, however, pitied him for losing his mother at a young age and often showed him extra care.
Madam Lu observed this coldly but never interfered.
She firmly believed in the principle: “Jade cannot be polished without friction.” The same applied to people.
Excessive doting was not necessarily a good thing. Since the Old Madam doted on her grandson, Madam Lu saw no need to play the villain and simply let her be.
However, she would not allow Zhou Chiyu to overstep his bounds. Everything in this household that rightfully belonged to Zhou Chibai must remain his—not a single thing less!
At this thought, a trace of mockery escaped Madam Lu’s lips. “The Old Madam may be advanced in years, but she’s not senile. She won’t let him act recklessly.”
In recent years, the Feng family had steadily risen in the court, widening the gap with the Zhou family. Relationships between people changed with circumstances, and marital ties were no exception. While Madam Lu flattered the Feng family in various ways, deep down, she hoped they would lend a hand to Zhou Chibai.
She felt no shame for such intentions.
If she understood this logic, so did the Old Madam. Therefore, the Old Madam would never allow Zhou Chiyu to disturb Feng Wenzhou.
Suling felt slightly reassured but then hesitated, recalling something. “I heard something else. A couple of days ago, the Second Young Master ran into that young master from the Li family at a tavern. It seems they made plans to visit Yunyan Tower together.”
Yunyan Tower was the largest brothel in Yangzhou City, housing everything from “slender horses” and actors to even male courtesans. Despite its elegant name, the establishment engaged in debauchery and disorderly business. The young master from the Li family was particularly unrestrained, often behaving recklessly and relying on his family’s status to act without regard for consequences.
Madam Lu’s face turned icy. “With Chibai’s Imperial Examination approaching, if Zhou Chiyu dares to tarnish the Zhou family’s reputation and affect Chibai, he shouldn’t blame me for disregarding years of mother-son affection!”
As she spoke, a flash of ruthlessness crossed her eyes. “Keep an eye on him. If he dares to set foot in Yunyan Tower, have his legs broken and drag him back immediately.”
Suling trembled with fear. “But what about the Old Madam?”
Madam Lu replied scornfully, “Zhou Chiyu is her grandson, but so is Chibai. Once it’s done, what can she do—demand I repay her with a leg?”
She would not allow anyone to hold Chibai back—whether it was Zhou Chiyu or even the Old Madam herself!
After a long while, Madam Lu closed her eyes briefly. Only after calming her emotions did she instruct: “Take good care of both Wenmo Hall and Wen Shi Courtyard. Don’t let anyone show neglect, especially Zhou Chiyu—make sure he doesn’t get close to Wen Shi Courtyard.”
Although she didn’t discipline Zhou Chiyu, he had grown up under her watchful eye, so she naturally understood his character well.
He was most adept at using his birth mother’s early death to play the victim. After discovering that the old lady would soften toward him because of it, he became increasingly cunning and lazy. Combined with all the typical flaws common among men, Madam Lu couldn’t even be bothered to list all of Zhou Chiyu’s shortcomings.
Madam Lu also worried that Zhou Chiyu might develop improper intentions toward Feng Wenyu based on her appearance.
But Feng Wenyu was not someone Zhou Chiyu could ever aspire to.
Suling quickly nodded, indicating she had taken note.
Madam Lu rubbed her aching temples: “Also, go and find out if there are any recent events in Yangzhou City, and which young ladies are hosting banquets or gatherings.”
She knew why Feng Wenyu had traveled all the way to Yangzhou City—the main purpose was to help her relax and unwind.
Suling bowed: “This servant has noted everything. Coincidentally, Prefect Pei’s wife sent an invitation to the residence, saying there will be a flower appreciation banquet the day after tomorrow, and she requests your attendance. Perhaps you could bring the young mistress along as well.”
Madam Lu looked up, somewhat surprised:
“Prefect Pei’s wife?”
She recalled something: “I remember that the Prefect’s son and Bo’er are both candidates for next year’s Imperial Examination.”
Madam Lu calculated in her heart. She hadn’t detected any intention from the Feng family to form a marriage alliance with the Zhou family, so she hadn’t entertained such fantasies.
While she dearly loved her niece Feng Wenyu, she cherished Zhou Chibai even more.
For Zhou Chibai, she was undoubtedly a qualified mother. Regarding marriage, as long as he eventually married a woman from a suitable social standing, she wouldn’t force him to marry anyone specific.
But what if she could help arrange a marriage for Feng Wenyu?
As the matchmaker involved, the Feng family would surely remember her favor.
She had also heard about the Prefect’s son. It was said he ranked first in the Provincial Examination. The Prefect’s family maintained a clean and upright reputation—children raised in such a household couldn’t turn out too poorly. During all these years in Yangzhou City, she had never heard any scandals about that young Master Pei.
Moreover, Young Master Pei would take the Imperial Examination next year and was highly likely to remain in Jingcheng for an official post. If there were any possibility between them, it wouldn’t require Feng Wenyu to marry far away.
And Prefect Pei held a fourth-rank official position. Although not as prestigious as the Feng family’s status, Prefect Pei’s term was nearly complete, and he was very likely to be promoted later. The two families could roughly be considered well-matched.
The more Madam Lu thought about it, the more she felt this would be an excellent match.
Having formed this idea, Madam Lu summoned Suling: “Go ask the young mistress if she would like to accompany me to Prefect Pei’s banquet the day after tomorrow.”
Suling, having served Madam Lu for so long, understood her mistress well. Hearing her mention Young Master Pei and suggesting the young mistress attend the banquet, she vaguely guessed Madam Lu’s intentions. Hesitantly, she asked:
“Should we have the young mistress dress up specially?”
Madam Lu rolled her eyes directly at her: “When a family has a desirable daughter, a hundred suitors will come seeking. We’re just having A-Yu take a look. We women are precious—how could we lower our dignity?”
Suling’s face flushed with embarrassment as she awkwardly laughed:
“This servant was being foolish.”
When Suling arrived at Wen Shi Courtyard, Feng Wenyu looked somewhat confused: “Prefect Pei is hosting a banquet?”
Suling wore a smile on her face: “Indeed, it’s all ladies. Madam thought the young mistress might feel stifled staying in the mansion all day, so she wanted to invite you along to relax.”
Feng Wenyu hesitated for a moment but did not decline her aunt’s kindness:
“Aunt is very thoughtful. Please let her know that I will go.”
After Suling left, Feng Wenyu directly instructed Jinshu to prepare what would be needed the day after tomorrow. She remained lying on the soft couch, a storybook covering her face, concealing her emotions.
Shuyao was somewhat worried about her: “Young mistress, what’s wrong?”
Feng Wenyu closed her eyes and spoke softly:
“I’m fine.”
She didn’t want to repeatedly answer this question, so she said, “I’m just a bit tired.”
She hated others worrying about her—it made her feel like a burden.
After arriving in Yangzhou, with no familiar people around, she could finally let her emotions surface a little.
The surroundings grew quiet.
In such an environment, Feng Wenyu suddenly felt genuinely drowsy.
Outside, it seemed to have started raining. In her daze, she saw someone approaching with an umbrella. The moment he drew near, the oil-paper umbrella instinctively tilted, shielding her completely, while he ended up drenched on one side. He didn’t seem to care at all, merely glancing down at her shoes before turning around and crouching. He murmured:
“Get on my back. Don’t let your shoes and socks get wet.”
The oil-paper umbrella passed from his hand to hers. Raindrops fell heavily yet lightly upon the umbrella’s surface.
She heard herself ask, “How did you find me?”
“You mentioned the peach blossoms here yesterday, and you weren’t at the mansion. I guessed you must have come here.”
Feng Wenyu leaned on his back, unable to hold back her laughter. Despite the gloomy weather, her mood was inexplicably bright.
As she laughed, the oil-paper umbrella in her hand wavered unsteadily, splashing raindrops onto his face.
He sighed helplessly but could only secure his hold on her. Raindrops trickled down his jaw, soaking his clothes once more. His voice, carrying a hint of tenderness, came from ahead: “Hold the umbrella steady. Don’t let yourself get wet.”
The path felt long, yet not long enough—making her wish the time they spent together could last longer.
Thus, when Feng Wenyu was awakened, she remained dazed and disoriented.
Jinshu hurriedly closed the doors and windows, then turned back with a resigned look at her mistress: “How could you fall asleep here?”
She muttered under her breath:
“It’s raining outside. Be careful not to catch a chill from the draft.”
Hearing this, clarity finally returned to Feng Wenyu’s eyes. She turned to look outside, somewhat stunned—so it was raining in reality, just like in her dream.
She recognized the person in her dream.
Since the broken engagement, she often had such dreams, and the protagonist never changed.
It was always her and Gu Yushi.
So absurd, yet so coherent that Feng Wenyu couldn’t help but wonder—was it really just a dream?
But if not a dream, what else could it be?
She and Gu Yushi had already called off their engagement, hadn’t they?
Feng Wenyu felt troubled and confused. Did she like Gu Yushi that much?
Enough to linger on him even after the engagement was broken?
Unwilling to believe this was a projection of her subconscious thoughts, she grumbled indignantly:
“The engagement is over! Why are you still haunting me?”
Jinshu turned back, puzzled: “Young mistress, who are you talking about?”
Feng Wenyu’s expression stiffened. She cleared her throat lightly and said, “It’s nothing. You must have misheard.”
Forcing herself not to dwell on it, she immersed her thoughts entirely in the upcoming flower appreciation banquet.
On the day of the banquet.
As Feng Wenyu stepped down from the carriage, she lifted her head to gaze at the magistrate’s nameplate inscribed with the characters “Pei Residence.” Unavoidably, her thoughts turned to Pei Yan, and she couldn’t help hesitating—
Could it really be such a coincidence?