Pei Huaizhou recalled the scene he had witnessed yesterday, when Jiang Yingwan had gone to Green Bamboo Court. His eyes darkened slightly as he asked,
“Grandmother’s first choice should be the eldest legitimate son, Pei Yanchen. Does he have those feelings for Jiang Yingwan?”
At the mention of “Pei Yanchen,” Concubine Zhao silently knitted her brows.
“He probably doesn’t. If Pei Yanchen had feelings for her as well, Old Madam Pei would have announced that engagement long ago.”
The engagement had yet to be announced. Instead, Jiang Yingwan had merely been allowed to live in Pei Residence as the daughter of their benefactor. Old Madam Pei was undoubtedly worried that forcing the matter would backfire—not only would the marriage fail to happen, but it might also make them resist the idea.
As long as they moved one step faster—
If they married this daughter of their benefactor before anyone else could, they would have a chance to rise higher in the Pei household.
Over the next several days, apart from waiting for news from Pei Yanchen, Jiang Yingwan occasionally went to Wisteria Court to keep Old Madam Pei company and chat with her.
It was simply unclear what had happened.
Ever since she had happened to run into Pei Huaizhou at Lotus Pond, she seemed to encounter him in various places every time she went out—though never by coincidence.
Once or twice would have been one thing.
She was living in Pei Residence, and he was a member of the Pei family. It was only natural that they would run into each other.
But over the course of just a few days, she had encountered him every single time she left her residence. That was unusual.
Especially since the very first time they had met, Jiang Yingwan had been unwilling to have much contact with Pei Huaizhou.
She could not say why, but she simply felt that the gentleness he displayed was like a mask.
What lay beneath that gentleness, concealed by the mask, was difficult to say.
She did not want to get too close to someone like that.
To avoid running into Pei Huaizhou, Jiang Yingwan claimed that she was unwell. She stopped going to Wisteria Court and stayed in Jadewater Pavilion every day, no longer leaving the residence.
Court affairs had been particularly busy recently, and Pei Yanchen spent most of his time away from the residence. After finishing his official duties, he would occasionally hear a few words from Ji Hong about the matters in the household. He listened indifferently, with no emotion visible on his face.
Only after Ji Hong finished speaking did he tell him to speed up the investigation into what had happened back then.
That day, after court, the new emperor, Xiao Shao, kept Pei Yanchen behind in the Imperial Study to discuss state affairs.
In the middle of their discussion, Xiao Shao remembered the news he had heard two days earlier. He lazily asked Pei Yanchen, who was reading documents beside him,
“I heard that you’re investigating the matter concerning the Jiang family, my esteemed subject?”
Pei Yanchen did not conceal it. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Xiao Shao narrowed his eyes.
The news that Old Madam Pei had personally brought the Jiang family’s orphaned daughter to the residence had already spread throughout the capital.
Even Xiao Shao, who was in the palace, had heard some rumors.
Playing with the jade pendant he wore close to his body, he asked his trusted and highly valued minister with great interest,
“For the sake of that girl from the Jiang family?”
Pei Yanchen set down the document. “The Jiang family once did the Pei Residence a kindness. This is mainly to repay that debt of gratitude.”
Xiao Shao nodded.
The frivolous smile faded from his face.
Remembering what had happened three years ago, his expression darkened slightly.
The imperial majesty surrounding him also grew heavier.
“It’s good to investigate. Three years ago, the court was in turmoil, and the princes were also fighting over the succession. Under those circumstances, it was inevitable that some shameful dealings would take place.”
“Lord Jiang was an Imperial Merchant, and his father served the court for his entire life under the Sacred Ancestor. Don’t let the Jiang family suffer an unjust accusation.”
As he spoke, he casually picked up an unreviewed memorial and added,
“If you don’t have enough people, tell me at any time. I’ll dispatch the Imperial Guards to help you investigate.”
Pei Yanchen nodded. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Around noon, Xiao Shao picked up the last memorial. Upon opening it, he found yet another tedious exhortation urging him to establish an empress and select consorts. He immediately pressed his fingers to his brow and flung the memorial far off to the side.
His tone displeased, he said, “Those old fools submit nothing but this nonsense every single day.”
When he looked up, he saw Pei Yanchen sitting nearby with his eyes lowered as he read the document in his hands. Xiao Shao let out a long sigh, leaned back against the imperial seat, and suppressed the faint anger rising in his chest before asking Pei Yanchen,
“You’ve reached the age when you should marry as well, my esteemed subject. Are you also being urged to meet prospective brides every day, like I am?”
Pei Yanchen closed the document.
He placed it on the small table beside him.
Although he had been handling official affairs for most of the day, there was not the slightest trace of fatigue between his brows and eyes. Seeing the emperor look over at him in irritation, asking the question, he rotated his wrist and replied casually,
“It is mentioned from time to time, but court affairs are busy these days, and I have no mind for matters of love.”
Xiao Shao looked at this minister he trusted and valued most. His eyes shifted, and he suddenly thought of something. The gloom around his brows and eyes vanished. Playing with the jade pendant at his side, he laughed lightly and suggested carelessly,
“Since Your Majesty and my esteemed subject both have this trouble, I happen to have an idea.”
Pei Yanchen’s brow twitched inexplicably.
He raised his eyes to look over.
Their Majesty, evidently in high spirits, said,
“My esteemed subject comes from an eminent family and is also one of my chief ministers. Why don’t I take charge of the matter and betroth my sister to you? And besides—”
The amusement in his eyes deepened. Without giving Pei Yanchen a chance to refuse, he continued in an utterly improper tone,
“If I remember correctly, your younger sister hasn’t been promised to anyone either, has she? Why not make things simpler? I’ll summon your younger sister into the palace and make her empress directly.”
“That way, neither you nor I will have to be pestered over such a minor matter anymore.”
After hearing this absurd speech, Pei Yanchen was left speechless.
The Imperial Study fell into deathly silence for a moment.
Xiao Shao leaned lazily against the armrest, looking at Pei Yanchen with great interest as he waited for his answer.
Pei Yanchen suppressed the vein throbbing at his temple.
He rose and bowed as he refused, “Your Majesty, please do not jest. The Eldest Princess is of noble birth; this minister would not dare presume to aspire to her.”
Xiao Shao was very easygoing. Seeing that Pei Yanchen did not wish to marry his sister, he was not offended and nodded readily.
“Since you and the princess have no fate together, I won’t force a match between you.”
“But I do think your younger sister entering the imperial harem is feasible.”
Pei Yanchen was speechless again.
“Your Majesty, forgive me. My younger sister is still young, and Grandmother and Mother both wish to keep her at home for another two years.”
Xiao Shao waved his hand grandly. “I’m in no hurry either. I can wait.”
“Your Majesty.” Pei Yanchen refused once more. “My younger sister is lively and uninhibited, and she has always been spoiled. She cannot bear the status of an imperial consort, nor can she embody the solemn dignity required of the mother of the empire. I hope Your Majesty will withdraw your command.”
Xiao Shao studied Pei Yanchen for a few moments.
Seeing that he stubbornly refused to allow his sister to enter the palace, Xiao Shao could only let the matter drop for now. He waved his hand and said with a smile,
“I was only joking. My esteemed subject need not take it seriously.”
Pei Yanchen said, “Thank you, Your Majesty. It is getting late today, so this minister will take his leave first.”
Xiao Shao nodded lazily.
Outside the Imperial Study, the chief eunuch respectfully saw Pei Yanchen off.
He wore a broad smile and did not dare show the slightest negligence. “Take care, Lord Pei.”
During the second quarter of the noon hour.
Pei Yanchen returned to Pei Residence.
Ji Hong hurried over and handed him a secret letter. “My lord, we’ve made some progress regarding the Jiang family’s matter.”
Pei Yanchen took the secret letter and scanned it from beginning to end.
He asked Ji Hong, “Is Miss Jiang in the residence?”
Ji Hong nodded. “She is. Miss Jiang hasn’t left Jadewater Pavilion these past few days.”
Pei Yanchen nodded and walked forward with the secret letter in hand. “Let’s go to Jadewater Pavilion.”
Ji Hong followed behind him.
However, they had arrived at an unfortunate time.
Before they had even drawn near, they saw Pei Huaizhou take a hairpin from his sleeve and hand it to Jiang Yingwan.
Ji Hong abruptly stopped walking.
His eyes shifted subtly.
Almost instinctively, he looked toward Pei Yanchen, who was silently lowering his eyes as he watched the scene unfold.
At the entrance to the courtyard.
Pei Huaizhou held out the exquisite gilt hairpin.
Looking at Jiang Yingwan gently, he said warmly,
“When I went out today, I saw this hairpin. I thought it would suit Miss Jiang very well, so I bought it.”
“I hope you won’t find it unsuitable.”
Jiang Yingwan lowered her eyes to the hairpin in his hand.
She did not accept it. Only her brows drew together slightly, so subtly that it was almost imperceptible.
“I’m sorry, but this hairpin is a token of affection. It would be inappropriate for me to accept it. Please give it to someone who truly likes it, Second Young Master.”
Pei Huaizhou continued holding out the hairpin.
Looking at Jiang Yingwan, he blurted out that the person he liked was her.
But before the words could leave his mouth, a servant’s voice suddenly came from behind them:
“This servant greets the Eldest Young Master.”
Pei Huaizhou’s body instantly stiffened.
Almost by instinct, he hurriedly hid the hairpin in his sleeve.
When he turned around, Pei Yanchen had already walked up beside him.
His gaze passed over Jiang Yingwan before settling on Pei Huaizhou.
His expression was as calm and indifferent as ever.
Except for the next sentence:
“What brings you here?”