Pei Shuyi was washed clean and casually dried off.
Xie Linheng placed her on the clean canopy bed.
“I have already sent someone to invite the elders of both families to Shouningtang. I’ll give you the time it takes for one incense stick to tidy up, then come with me to resolve this matter.”
Pei Shuyi caught a glimpse of him turning to leave from the corner of her eye.
She called out to him, her voice pitifully small: “Young Master, could I trouble you to call my personal maid in to attend to me?”
He paused for a moment, then left without mercy.
After a while, Qiuning came in to help Pei Shuyi change clothes and do her makeup.
“Miss, weren’t you supposed to marry the second young master of the Xie Family? How did it become the eldest young master, the heir of Yingguo Duke’s Mansion?”
“It’s a long story,” Pei Shuyi sighed.
Qiuning spoke earnestly: “Master and Madam had it all planned out.”
“The second young master of the Xie Family has wealth and looks, and he doesn’t need to inherit the family head position. No matter how much you play around, you wouldn’t be restrained.”
How could Pei Shuyi not know her parents’ well-intentioned efforts?
Her reputation in the capital was not good—willful, frivolous, and rebellious.
Qiuning helped her draw her eyebrows.
“You and the eldest young master of the Xie Family have already consummated the marriage. There’s absolutely no possibility of marrying the second young master now.”
“If he is willing to take you as his wife, everything will be resolved smoothly. But if he refuses…”
Pei Shuyi’s mind was in turmoil.
Xie Linheng was restrained and steady. If he looked down on her, where would she go from here?
After finishing her makeup, Pei Shuyi straightened her slender waist and walked out with a limping gait.
Xie Linheng had a strong sense of time. He waited outside for the duration of two cups of tea, his brow imperceptibly furrowed.
Hearing the sound of the door opening behind him.
He didn’t look back, taking long strides and walking quickly.
Pei Shuyi watched his tall, aloof figure, gathered her skirt, and hurried after him. Her nearly broken legs almost gave way.
She thought to herself: Why is he so fast?
Xie Linheng walked to the moon gate and suddenly remembered something, stopping in his tracks.
After a long while, he didn’t hear any footsteps.
He turned to look.
He saw Pei Shuyi leaning against the wall, walking a bit then resting, taking two steps and panting three times, moving as slowly as a turtle.
Xie Linheng seemed unable to bear it any longer. He strode forward, picked her up horizontally, and quickly walked away.
Pei Shuyi slightly raised her gaze and saw the subtle glances of the people around them falling upon them.
She panicked: “You—put me down! The maids and servants are all watching!”
Xie Linheng lowered his eyes.
“It’s fine.”
Pei Shuyi instinctively covered her face, blocking most of the curious stares.
Everyone was stunned.
Their aloof, noble, and reserved eldest young master, who usually avoided women at all costs, was now…
Had he been possessed by an evil spirit?
Shouningtang.
The elders of the Xie and Pei families gathered together.
Pei Laoye drank a cup of tea: “Linheng specifically called us here. I wonder what the matter is.”
The eldest master and madam of the Xie Family were originally waiting in Weirui Courtyard for the two new brides to serve tea but were summoned to Shouningtang by the eldest son’s guard.
They also didn’t know what this was about.
Pei Furen felt uneasy: “Has something happened to my daughter, making Linheng unhappy?”
The gentle and serene eldest madam smiled: “Muyin and Shuyi each have their own merits.”
“It is our blessing to have them as daughters-in-law in the Duke’s Mansion.”
The eldest master spoke.
“My two sons also have many flaws. The eldest is cold and his words are unpleasant, while the second is indulging in debauchery.”
“Fortunately, your family has two pearls.”
These words were skillfully spoken.
They put Pei Furen’s mind at ease.
The Old Madam, seated upright on the rosewood chair, smiled faintly.
“Muyin is the epitome of a noble lady from a prestigious family, perfectly suited to our Linheng and fit to be the matriarch of the Xie Family.”
“As for Shuyi, though her temperament is willful, her character is not flawed. She is exceptionally well-matched with our Chiyu.”
“I hold both marriages in high regard.”
Meanwhile, in another part of the estate.
A man in a moon-white robe carried a young woman in his arms, walking along the corridor toward the main hall.
Pei Shuyi struggled briefly, but against his overwhelming strength, her efforts seemed futile.
“We’re going to meet the elders. What will they think if you carry me like this? Put me down at once.”
Xie Linheng replied calmly, “Which do you think is better: limping in to see the elders, or letting me carry you under the pretext of a sprained ankle?”
Pei Shuyi flushed with embarrassment. “Your Highness, last night, you…”
Knowing she held a grudge, Xie Linheng explained, “Last night, shortly after you fainted, I also lost consciousness. It was not intentional.”
Pei Shuyi’s eyes flickered thoughtfully, and a faint smile curled at the corner of her lips.
“For a man to faint after intimacy is a sign of kidney yang deficiency and weakness. When you have time, Your Highness, you should consult a physician specializing in such matters.”
Xie Linheng smiled.
He deliberately loosened his grip, letting her body slip downward uncontrollably, then raised his knee to support her hips.
Pei Shuyi instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
His deep voice whispered in her ear.
“Whether I’m weak or not—aren’t you well aware?”
“You…!” she inwardly cursed him for his shamelessness.
Yet, where his knee had pressed against her, a tingling softness spread, coursing through her limbs.
Xie Linheng carried her into the main hall and, without glancing aside, instructed a servant.
“The young mistress has sprained her ankle. Prepare a cushion.”
The servant swiftly placed the cushion and withdrew with bowed head.
The elders from both families were stunned.
The Old Madam stared blankly, as if she did not recognize this grandson before her; the First Madam and First Master exchanged a knowing smile, pleased with their daughter-in-law;
Pei Laoye and Pei Furen breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that their Muyin had not been rejected.
But.
When they saw the girl Xie Linheng set down, they all gaped in astonishment.