Jiang Sui was arranging flowers with her maidservants, the women chattering away, filling the room with lively noise.
Pei Zhiyu, having hurried back, heard the laughter and conversation from the courtyard. He precisely caught Jiang Sui’s voice, his gaze softening unconsciously as he slowed his steps and entered.
The women didn’t notice him at first, until Jiang Sui, as if sensing something, turned her head and smiled. “Husband, you’re here.”
The maidservants smiled knowingly and took their leave.
Pei Zhiyu responded in a gentle tone, walking up behind her. Using the pretense of helping her pick out flowers, he loosely encircled her.
A slow, powerful heartbeat sounded behind her head. Jiang Sui unconsciously focused on listening—perhaps it was her imagination, but she felt the heartbeat gradually quickening.
“Madam, how does this look?”
The jade-like voice from above interrupted her thoughts. Jiang Sui’s lashes fluttered as she finally looked at the porcelain vase before her.
Fragrant wildflowers and grasses were arranged in elegant layers, complementing each other beautifully. Among the delicate green pastel tones, specks of white dotted the arrangement.
Jiang Sui let out a soft exclamation, turning her head and tilting it up, a smile rippling in her eyes:
“So beautiful. As expected of my husband.”
As she looked over, Pei Zhiyu’s long lashes drooped slightly, casting a faint shadow beneath his eyes:
“I merely added the finishing touch.”
“Husband is being modest again,” Jiang Sui hummed coquettishly, then asked casually, “Why did you suddenly come back, my lord? Did something happen?”
Pei Zhiyu’s expression didn’t change: “Nothing’s wrong. Just came to chat a bit.”
Jiang Sui didn’t think much of it, and asked curiously:
“Oh, speaking of which… I’ve never actually met Prince Jin before. Next time he visits, could I go with you to meet him, husband?”
This era had open customs and didn’t place much emphasis on strict separation between men and women—at most, unmarried young ladies needed to be more careful. For a madam of Jiang Sui’s status to receive guests together with her husband was a common occurrence.
Previously, it was because they had just married. Jiang Sui felt that although they were husband and wife in name, they weren’t familiar with each other yet, and she shouldn’t interfere too much in his affairs.
But three months had passed, and she now felt she and Pei Zhiyu had developed some affection. The title of husband and wife had finally gained substance, and she ought to meet her husband’s friends.
However, after Jiang Sui finished speaking, Pei Zhiyu fell silent for a moment.
He actually… didn’t want Jiang Sui to meet Zhao Yi.
It wasn’t possessiveness at work, but rather he didn’t want… Jiang Sui to have even the slightest chance of discovering something unusual.
Pei Zhiyu weighed his thoughts inwardly, but his expression remained gentle as he agreed:
“Of course. Speaking of it, the prince and I both studied under the same teacher, so there’s a connection with you as well, madam.”
He would simply make sure Zhao Yi never came calling again.
Jiang Sui didn’t suspect a thing, cheerfully agreeing, then turned her attention back to the flowers before her.
Behind her, Pei Zhiyu let out a soft breath. His gaze at her back gradually grew tender and lingering, as if trying to trap her within his eyes.
This was good.
Suisui trusting him without any guard… was good.
Considering that the visitor was a prince of the realm, Pei Zhiyu didn’t make things harder for Zhao Yuling and let her go.
But letting her go was one thing—whether she left intact was another matter entirely.
At least when Zhao Yuling saw her man, he had already been reduced to half a cripple.
Zhao Yuling was burning with anger inside but didn’t dare make a fuss before the Old Emperor over this matter again. She could only vent her temper in her own palace.
“How dare he be so presumptuous! I didn’t even do anything to his wife!”
Her personal maidservant stood a few steps away, wanting to approach but not daring to, and whispered in persuasion:
“Your Highness, please calm your anger. This servant thinks… it’s best to let this matter go for now. After all, that man did indeed do many foolish things under Your Highness’s name. Being disciplined now saves him from making grave mistakes later.”
“Besides… the young marquis is the commander of the Imperial City Agency. Your Highness has only recently returned to the capital—it would be best not to have a falling out with him.”
Zhao Yuling’s expression was unreadable as she set down her teacup with a heavy clink, but she made no further move.
She had been doted on since childhood, and the Old Emperor had even specially permitted her to go to Jiangning to recover her health.
Until now, no one had ever dared to give her a cold look.
Who would have thought that returning to the capital after so many years, things would be so different from before.
Father was getting old after all… rarely attending to court affairs in person anymore. Her imperial brothers all had power to varying degrees now. Though Father kept them in check, he truly couldn’t do so as thoroughly as before.
Through her probing these past days, Zhao Yuling had basically confirmed that forcing Pei Zhiyu was no longer possible.
Father was satisfied with this marriage, Jiang Sui wasn’t a fool to be manipulated, and Pei Zhiyu… seemed to have quite good feelings for Jiang Sui.
If she tried anything forceful again, he would truly turn against her, and that would be a loss outweighing any gain.
Fortunately, things hadn’t yet reached an irredeemable point.
Since force wouldn’t work, she would try softness instead.
Zhao Yuling had always considered herself clear-headed—if one path was blocked, she would take another.
After all, she hadn’t really wanted Pei Zhiyu to become her actual consort anyway.
She just wanted to have him.
If it was merely a brief affair, surely Father wouldn’t have any objections. That wouldn’t be ruining the marriage he was so satisfied with.
Zhao Yuling lowered her eyes, her fingertips tapping lightly against her teacup as she pondered, gradually calming down.
Men like Pei Zhiyu were far too rare in this world. It would be a pity not to have him completely, but if she could have just a taste, it would be without regret.
Perhaps he might even acquire a taste for her?
No matter how she calculated it, she wouldn’t come out at a loss.
Now that he bore hostility toward her because of Jiang Sui, she should first eliminate that hostility—starting with… Jiang Sui.
Zhao Yuling narrowed her eyes, and suddenly a faint smile curved at the corners of her lips.
Her attendant watched nervously from the side, then heard her say:
“You’re right. It truly won’t do to make an enemy of Young Lord Pei.”
“Prepare some gifts. In a few days, I shall pay a visit to offer my apologies.”
The next invitation from the palace arrived two days later.
This time, Jiang Sui didn’t touch the invitation. Instead, she sat at a distance and had Chenbi read the contents aloud to her.
As she listened, her brows knitted together.
This Seventh Princess—why was she so persistent, like a lingering ghost?
Had her husband cast some kind of spell on her?
At that thought, Jiang Sui felt a fresh surge of irritation toward Pei Zhiyu and lightly ground her teeth.
But then, on second thought, the Seventh Princess’s persistence was actually a good thing.
Hmm… Should she shed a few tears this time and coax him into holding her?
“Madam? Madam?”
Chenbi finished reading and, seeing that she hadn’t responded for a long while, called out softly.
Jiang Sui lifted her lashes, her eyes clear and bright, with no sign of having been distracted at all.
Her smile was soft and gentle, showing nothing unusual:
“How could I refuse a visit from Her Highness the Seventh Princess? Go make the preparations.”
Chenbi acknowledged and withdrew. Jiang Sui lowered her gaze once more, quietly mulling things over.
Since the princess was coming to call in person, she probably wouldn’t do anything like last time.
This time, what method should she use to have a good cry with her husband?