As Feng Wenyu stepped into the Pei residence, she failed to notice a carriage that had abruptly halted at the street corner.
Mu Fan turned back repeatedly, unable to believe his eyes.
Gu Yushi lifted the curtain. Unlike his appearance in Jingcheng, his complexion now seemed pale, though his eyes remained as cold as icy jade. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
He had been injured some days prior, but the nature of his wound was not something to be disclosed. To avoid any leaks, Gu Yushi hadn’t even consulted a physician.
Mu Fan still seemed doubtful, hesitating as he spoke:
“I… I think I just saw Feng Guniang.”
Gu Yushi’s expression shifted abruptly. He immediately followed Mu Fan’s gaze but didn’t catch sight of Feng Wenyu.
Mu Fan kept wrestling with doubt. “Maybe I was mistaken.”
But Gu Yushi didn’t believe it was a mistake.
While Mu Fan was unaware, Gu Yushi knew very well that Feng Wenyu’s maternal grandmother’s family was in Yangzhou City.
Given the prior broken engagement, it was highly likely Feng Wenyu had come to Yangzhou.
At this realization, Gu Yushi felt a surge of agitation. He suddenly coughed softly, never expecting Feng Wenyu to appear in Yangzhou City at this very moment.
Beneath its surface calm, Yangzhou City was currently seething with undercurrents, barely maintaining a facade of tranquility.
Gu Yushi’s gaze fell upon the plaque of the Pei residence, and his furrowed brow relaxed slightly. Among the various officials in Yangzhou, at least Pei Xuzhu was relatively clean. Withdrawing his gaze, he said:
“Assign someone to keep an eye on her.”
After a long pause, he added in a low voice, “But don’t approach her.”
Mu Fan seemed to want to say more but hesitated. “Master, since Feng Guniang has come to Yangzhou City, don’t you want to meet with her?”
It took a long while for Gu Yushi’s voice to emerge from the carriage:
“We’ve already called off the engagement. There should be no further entanglement.”
Yet, after years of marital affection, even though they were now no longer betrothed, he couldn’t simply abandon Feng Wenyu to her fate.
The moment he finished speaking, the arrow wound on his arm seemed to flare up again, a faint, interconnected pain throbbing through flesh and blood. Gu Yushi paid it no mind, simply instructing Mu Fan to continue onward.
Listening to his master’s contradictory orders, Mu Fan inwardly grumbled. Claiming there should be no entanglement, yet still arranging for secret protection—since when had his master developed this habit of saying one thing while meaning another?
Feng Wenyu had no idea she had just passed by Gu Yushi. At that moment, she was entering the prefect’s rear courtyard with her aunt.
The moment she stepped into the crowd, Feng Wenyu keenly sensed someone observing her.
She discreetly glanced up and was surprised to find that the one watching her was none other than the hostess.
Although a prefect was only a fourth-rank official—not as high-ranking as Feng Wenyu’s father—as the local authority, the Pei family held an elevated status in Yangzhou City. Madam Pei sat firmly in the hostess’s seat, and no one dared to overshadow her.
When Madam Lu arrived, Madam Pei wore a faint smile—neither warm nor perfunctory. After the customary greetings, Feng Wenyu clearly noticed Madam Pei’s gaze subtly sweeping over her.
A doubt arose in Feng Wenyu’s heart.
She and Madam Pei had never met before, had they? Even if her guess was correct and Pei Yan indeed came from the Pei family, the Pei residence shouldn’t be treating her with such an attitude.
This subtle scrutiny made Feng Wenyu feel somewhat uncomfortable and offended deep down.
Thus, her own demeanor remained aloof. After all, this was merely a local official—hardly worth her enthusiastic efforts to ingratiate herself.
Madam Lu remained unaware of any underlying implications. When others inquired about Feng Wenyu’s identity, she replied with a bright smile:
“This is my niece. Her second brother has returned from Jingcheng to prepare for the imperial examinations, and she accompanied him. I was concerned she might feel bored staying at the residence, so I brought her along to this banquet.”
In just a few words, Madam Lu succinctly explained Feng Wenyu’s background.
The marital ties between the Zhou and Feng families were no secret, and few among the guests were naive. Hearing Madam Lu deliberately mention Jingcheng, they immediately grasped Feng Wenyu’s origins.
In an instant, some gazes shifted subtly. Though both held the fourth-rank official position, a local official could hardly compare to one serving in the capital.
Someone promptly covered her lips with a light laugh and remarked, “So this is Feng Guniang. Upon closer look, she truly bears a striking resemblance to her mother—both possessing such captivating beauty that one can’t look away.”
Since both the Zhou and Feng families originated from Yangzhou, it was natural for some present to have known Zhou Yueyu. However, the Feng family had settled in Jingcheng for over a decade, so deeper connections were scarce.
Feng Wenyu responded to such compliments with a smile but no words.
Madam Pei observed this scene intently, though no one could guess her thoughts. Suddenly, she broke the room’s chatter, speaking with a gentle smile:
“Speaking of which, I must express my gratitude to Feng Guniang.”
The guests were puzzled, and even Madam Lu looked surprised.
Feng Wenyu, however, understood. It seemed her initial speculation was correct—Pei Yan was indeed related to Prefect Pei.
Yet Feng Wenyu revealed nothing, feigning surprise as she turned to Madam Pei:
“Madam, why do you say that?”
Madam Pei shook her head ruefully. “A couple of days ago, my troublesome son finally returned home. He mentioned encountering bandits on the road and losing all his belongings. If not for Feng Guniang’s assistance, he might not have returned safely.”
Though she called him “troublesome,” the affection and warmth in her tone were unmistakable.
Madam Lu’s eyes lit up, surprised to learn of this connection between Feng Wenyu and Young Master Pei.
Unlike Madam Lu, Feng Wenyu grew calmer. She shook her head dismissively. “I merely offered him a ride. There’s no need for you to concern yourself, Madam Pei.”
Finally sensing Feng Wenyu’s reserved demeanor, Madam Lu’s mind cleared as she pieced things together. She frowned subtly.
Feng Wenyu had been in Yangzhou City for three days, meaning Young Master Pei must have returned around the same time.
If the Pei family had truly intended to express gratitude, they should have visited the Zhou Residence before today, rather than bringing it up so casually now.
Recalling that the invitation from the Pei family had arrived on Feng Wenyu’s second day in Yangzhou, Madam Lu wondered if the invitation had been extended specifically for Feng Wenyu.
At this realization, her heart sank. She couldn’t decipher Madam Pei’s intentions.
Hearing Feng Wenyu’s response, Madam Pei shook her head in disagreement.
“You did help my son, after all. How can we act as if nothing happened? I’ve prepared a modest gift. Please be sure to take it with you when you return.”
The others present were astute enough to read between the lines of this exchange. Exchanging glances, they instinctively fell silent.
Madam Lu did not speak either, but her expression had cooled slightly. Her gaze toward Madam Pei became ambiguous, no longer carrying the previous warmth. She patted Feng Wenyu’s hand with feigned displeasure:
“Look at you, keeping such an important matter from your aunt.”
“Madam Pei has only Young Master Pei as her sole heir. Since you saved him, how could Madam Pei not show her gratitude? Don’t refuse, otherwise Madam Pei might keep dwelling on this matter.”
Her words seemed harmless at first hearing, but upon closer listening, one could detect the sarcastic undertones.
Feng Wenyu finally looked up and met Madam Pei’s gaze seriously. After a moment, she chuckled lightly: “Since you insist so strongly, Madam, as a junior, I shouldn’t decline.”
She slightly emphasized “junior,” her tone ambiguous.
Madam Pei’s expression remained unchanged. As long as this debt of gratitude could be repaid, even at some cost, it would be worthwhile.
After leaving the Pei residence and boarding their family carriage, Madam Lu finally dropped all pretense. Not bothering to hide her feelings from Feng Wenyu, she cursed angrily:
“No sooner has she secured her position than she starts putting on airs with me. When they first arrived in Yangzhou City, we all know who was constantly humbling themselves to build connections with us.”
A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake.
When Prefect Pei first took office in Yangzhou City, he faced numerous challenges – uncooperative officials and cold shoulders from established families. It was Madam Pei’s constant socializing among the gentry women that eventually helped Prefect Pei establish himself in Yangzhou City.
Feng Wenyu caught the implication: “Is Prefect Pei’s term ending?”
Madam Lu’s expression remained sour as she nodded:
“He should be heading to Jingcheng for his debriefing by year’s end.”
After saying this, Madam Lu frowned and sighed with remorse: “It was your aunt’s lack of consideration that nearly made you suffer indignity.”
Madam Pei’s intention was clearly to settle the debt of gratitude and sever any connection between Pei Yan and Feng Wenyu.
Feng Wenyu leaned partially against Madam Lu’s shoulder, comforting her softly:
“This has nothing to do with you, Aunt. She specifically arranged this banquet waiting for me to come. Even if it hadn’t happened today, there would have been another time.”
Feng Wenyu wasn’t foolish – she could see this flower appreciation banquet had been intended for her from the start.
Not only had she failed to gain favor with the Feng family, but she had nearly subjected Feng Wenyu to humiliation. The Pei family had made her lose both face and substance. Madam Lu simply couldn’t swallow this anger:
“She thinks since Prefect Pei is leaving, she no longer needs us, hence this attitude.”
Madam Lu sneered coldly: “If she makes me unhappy, don’t blame me for making his remaining term unpleasant too!”
The network of relationships among prominent families was complex and intricate. Even Prefect Pei had to show some respect to her Lao Ye. Madam Lu was already planning how to complain to her husband after returning home.
Hearing this, Feng Wenyu didn’t try to dissuade her. Families like theirs valued face above all. Since Madam Pei had publicly humiliated the Zhou family, doing nothing would only make others look down on them.
As for Feng Wenyu herself, her mood wasn’t particularly good either.
Thinking of Pei Yan again – she had originally held a favorable impression of him, but now that positive impression had faded.
Back at the Pei residence, after all the guests had departed, Madam Pei wearily rubbed her temples.
Her matron expressed concern: “Lu Shi has always been narrow-minded. Since you humiliated the Zhou family today, Madam, she’s likely to hold a grudge.”
Madam Pei pressed her lips together and sighed.
“If it were merely Feng Guniang saving Yan’er, I wouldn’t mind owing the Feng family a favor. But Yan’er—”
Her words trailed off, yet the matron understood her unspoken meaning.
Who could have imagined that the young master, merely by leaving home once, would develop affection for a maiden?
The matron sighed, “This servant worries the young master might resent Madam for this.”
Madam Pei fell silent for a long while. Though worry lingered between her brows, she concealed it, murmuring softly:
“Yan’er has always been sensible. He will understand me.”