Zhao Yuling arrived at the Marquis’s residence for her visit as scheduled.
When she came, Pei Zhiyu was naturally on duty at the Imperial City Agency and was not at the residence. But she had played a small trick—if she lingered a little longer, she would be able to wait until Pei Zhiyu returned.
Jiang Sui looked at the gorgeously dressed Zhao Yuling, her clear, moist eyes blinking gently before curving into an arc:
“Greetings to Your Highness.”
Such a gentle attitude, even faintly revealing a hint of delight, as if the little friction from that day had never existed at all.
This utterly unguarded demeanor was truly abnormal. Zhao Yuling responded verbally, but inwardly grew even more vigilant.
Jiang Sui seemed completely unaware of Zhao Yuling’s hidden wariness, still smiling softly as she stepped aside to make way:
“Please, come in, Your Highness.”
She was indeed quite happy.
To her now, Zhao Yuling was the most useful tool for getting close to her husband.
Therefore, even though Zhao Yuling’s suddenly changed attitude was strange, she chose to ignore it.
She only gazed at Zhao Yuling with a few degrees more intensity, making the latter feel even more uncomfortable.
Zhao Yuling furrowed her brows slightly and instinctively lowered her gaze to avoid Jiang Sui’s stare, but a moment later she caught herself—
No, what am I afraid of?
She raised her eyes again to look back, only to see Jiang Sui still staring straight at her. Though her expression was smiling and harmless, under the sunlight, those round cat-like eyes were swallowed by pitch-black darkness, making even her soft smile carry a hint of eeriness.
Zhao Yuling unconsciously swallowed, a chill running down her spine for no reason, and she hurriedly walked inside.
…Is this Jiang Sui sick? Who stares at people like that? Is she trying to get back at me?
Watching Zhao Yuling’s slightly flustered retreating figure, Jiang Sui’s eyes curved again, and she followed with light steps.
Only after taking her seat in the main position did Zhao Yuling feel somewhat settled, her confidence returning. She let out a breath and said slowly:
“Madam, previously it was my oversight that caused misunderstandings between you and the Young Marquis. Today I have come specially to offer my apologies.”
As she spoke, she clapped her hands twice, and the palace attendants who had been waiting outside filed in carrying chests filled with all manner of rare treasures.
“This is a token of apology for the Marquis’s residence. Please accept it, Madam.”
Jiang Sui raised her lashes, her black-glass-like eyes reflecting the dazzling array of treasures filling the room, yet her expression remained unchanged, carrying an innocent bewilderment.
Zhao Yuling glanced at the attendant beside her, who understood immediately and began introducing each item in a clear voice.
Jiang Sui listened earnestly, thinking to herself: Does the Seventh Princess… spend this lavishly?
Earlier, both her father and her husband had mentioned that the national treasury was not exactly full, and while her husband’s Imperial City Agency was slightly better off, they still had to be somewhat restrained.
These things seemed to be worth quite a lot of gold and silver. If only they could be put to use…
Seeing Jiang Sui’s eyes gradually brighten, Zhao Yuling finally felt she had regained some face.
When it came to rare and extraordinary things, how could anything compare to what came from the palace? Even the daughter of the Grand Tutor might not have seen this many.
These were all items that had value but no market price. She had even inquired about Pei Zhiyu’s preferences and sought out quite a few rare manuscripts and authentic works.
They needed to know that she was not someone to be trifled with.
She raised her chin slightly, unable to hide her smugness:
“Madam, do you think my sincerity this time is sufficient?”
Jiang Sui stood and curtsied to her, eyes lowered as if somewhat flustered: “Your Highness’s gift is far too precious. This humble woman is unworthy to accept it.”
Zhao Yuling looked at her bowed head and respectful demeanor, feeling even more pleased, and immediately said:
“There’s nothing unworthy about it. Since I wish to make amends to the Marquis’s residence, I am naturally sincere. Madam, please accept it.”
Jiang Sui’s lips curved slightly before quickly flattening again, and she said softly: “Yes.”
Mm… if the Princess insists on giving it, then she supposed she had no choice but to accept.
“Chenbi, take Her Highness’s gifts and put them away carefully.”
After the attendant received her orders and withdrew, Jiang Sui raised her eyes, and her gaze toward Zhao Yuling held a few more degrees of genuine fervor:
“Your Highness, shall this humble woman show you around the residence’s garden?”
There it was again… that strange feeling.
Zhao Yuling’s brows knitted slightly. She always felt that Jiang Sui wasn’t looking at her like a person, but rather like… she had spotted some novel, useful object.
But soon, she brushed aside this trivial sense of oddity.
Zhao Yuling had originally been thinking of what excuse she could use to stay a little longer, so Jiang Sui’s proactive suggestion was exactly what she wanted.
“Very well, I’ll trouble you, Madam.”
“No trouble at all.”
Jiang Sui smiled brightly in return. In her eyes at this moment, Zhao Yuling had already become a veritable mountain of gold.
She wondered if there would be another chance to squeeze more silver out of the Princess in the future.
Zhao Yuling, however, was completely unaware of her thoughts. Seeing her eager smile, she only assumed Jiang Sui had been properly awed, and felt considerably more pleased.
The two women each harbored their own thoughts, both feeling that things were going their way. As they walked side by side through the garden, they found each other somewhat more agreeable.
Naturally, their conversation flowed pleasantly.
When Pei Zhiyu returned from duty and heard Chenbi’s report, he came looking for them. He saw Jiang Sui and Zhao Yuling seated in the pavilion, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, both wearing spring-like smiles and radiating harmony—not the slightest hint that there had been any friction between them before.
Pei Zhiyu did not rush forward. He raised his hand, signaling Chenbi to withdraw.
He stood in the shadow cast by the trees, his gaze calm and steady, watching his young wife in the pavilion, her eyes curved in a bright smile.
The thin light of dusk made her face appear even softer. Her slightly upturned cat-like eyes narrowed in a pleased arc, dimples rippling at the corners of her lips, adding a touch more luster to her rosy mouth.
Pei Zhiyu’s palm tightened slightly, and his throat bobbed.
Why… was she smiling like that?
Didn’t Suisui hate her? Why was she smiling at her like that?
Was she deceiving him?
He squeezed his palm hard, knuckles cracking audibly, his jaw clenched into a sharp, severe line.
No, Suisui was so innocent—how could she possibly deceive him?
Was she being deceived by her, Suisui…
Surely… Suisui must have been deceived…
Pei Zhiyu’s long brows pressed down, his deep eyes veiled by shadow sinking into pitch-black gloom, seething faintly as if a storm brewed within.
His breathing turned ragged for two breaths, then steadied. The cold pallor of his face gradually warmed, and the habitual gentle smile returned to his lips.
As if he had put his mask back on.
He lowered his gaze to brush a fallen leaf from his robes, then stepped out from the shadows and walked toward the pavilion:
“Your subject pays respects to Your Highness.”
Zhao Yuling had long since noticed that tall, upright figure in her peripheral vision, but only when he spoke did she pretend to just now discover him, turning her head in feigned surprise:
“The Young Marquis need not stand on ceremony.”
Jiang Sui blinked, her gaze shifting sideways as she studied the expression that suddenly brightened on Zhao Yuling’s face, lost in thought.
Mm… So the princess really did have feelings for her husband!
She’d seen it with her own eyes and confirmed it—there was no mistaking it.
In that case… using this princess who coveted what belonged to others just a little wouldn’t go against her father’s teachings, would it?
Jiang Sui’s gaze flickered, then turned to Pei Zhiyu, her smile growing even more radiant: “Husband!”
When he looked at her, the polite, distant smile in his eyes gained a touch of genuine warmth.
He stepped forward, cupping his hands in salute:
“If my wife has offended Your Highness in any way, I beg Your Highness’s indulgence.”
“The Young Marquis worries too much. This palace and your wife get along quite well—don’t you agree, madam?”
Jiang Sui answered crisply: “Yes, husband need not worry. It was merely a misunderstanding earlier.”
Pei Zhiyu’s clasped hands tightened slightly, though his tone remained as steady as ever:
“That’s good to hear.”
How could it be a misunderstanding… Suisui, it’s not a misunderstanding.
Don’t stop caring about him.
Hearing Jiang Sui’s explanation with her own ears, Zhao Yuling felt her heart ease. Her goal for the day had been achieved. Knowing well that she must not rush things, she said:
“Then this palace will take her leave. Madam, until we meet again.”
Jiang Sui nodded: “Then I shall see Your Highness out.”
Zhao Yuling did not refuse, and the two figures walked out surrounded by their attendants.
Pei Zhiyu maintained his bowing posture, stepping half a pace aside. In his heart, he was screaming to pull Jiang Sui back, to hide her in his arms, to not let her go…
But in the end, he only watched their departing figures with darkened eyes, not moving a single step.