Night fell, the bed curtains drawn low, candlelight dim. Jiang Sui, drowsy, buried her face in the brocade bedding and struggled to lift her eyelids just enough to vaguely see him lean over, apparently intending to carry her to the washroom.
Unable to resist the heavy weight of sleep, she closed her eyes again, muttering inwardly.
How strange—why was she so sleepy again today?
Tonight her husband was even gentler than before… Could it be because he was too gentle?
Her thoughts wandered aimlessly, gradually growing hazy, and before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep.
Pei Zhiyu lifted his feather-light little wife, gazing at her sleeping face with tender eyes as he carried her to the washroom.
He did nothing more than carefully wipe her clean before bringing her back out and gently settling her into the bedding.
He stretched out his long arm and drew the sleeping woman into his embrace. Her long, steady breaths happened to brush against the spot over his heart, sending a tingling sensation through him.
Pei Zhiyu let out a low breath, his palm cradling her face and tilting it up. His senses, sharpened by martial training, allowed him to see her features clearly even in the darkness.
The young woman’s eyes were closed, her sleeping face serene, two curved lashes resting on her luminous cheeks—delicate and exquisite as a doll.
He gazed at her quietly for a long moment before carefully tracing her features with his fingertip, outlining her contours.
His low, husky voice slowly sounded within the bed curtains:
“Suisui, when you cry… you’re truly beautiful.”
“But from now on, don’t cry for anyone else.”
“Cry only for me… Suisui, only I can make you cry.”
“Only me.”
“Suisui is mine… and Suisui’s tears can only be mine as well.”
As Pei Zhiyu spoke, the arm wrapped around her tightened continuously. The restraint he had shown earlier was now completely abandoned; her petite form was pressed so firmly into his embrace that she seemed almost embedded within it.
He lowered his lashes, his eyes seemingly filled with ink-black darkness:
“If only I could hold you like this forever, Suisui…”
“Suisui.”
The days that followed were peaceful, with no ripples beyond Zhao Yuling, who had decided to take a roundabout approach, occasionally sending gifts to curry favor.
Seeing that the conflict between his youngest daughter and his trusted minister seemed to have dissolved—and that her overtures contained no overstepping behavior—the Old Emperor was pleased to let things be, turning a blind eye to it.
But in secret, the Old Emperor did pass a word to the Empress and Consort Shu, asking them to keep an eye out for prospective consorts.
Getting his youngest daughter to settle her heart as soon as possible was the real priority.
Life at the Marquis’s residence was much the same as before. Jiang Sui had grown familiar with the household affairs and was no longer as busy as she had been right after marriage. This left her with some free time to go out and socialize with Xiao Lanxi and the other ladies.
Beyond that, since Zhao Yuling kept sending things over, she made an effort to find fault with them so she could act coquettish with Pei Zhiyu.
To her delight, Pei Zhiyu never once showed any sign of displeasure.
He never seemed the least bit impatient, always finding time to soothe her with patience, which left Jiang Sui thoroughly satisfied.
Her husband really was wonderful!
A husband so devoted to propriety was now willing to yield for her sake—surely no one else had ever seen him like this?
Thinking this, Jiang Sui felt even happier.
In her eyes now, the title of Seventh Princess was more effective than calming medicine.
In such high spirits, the day to return to the Grand Tutor’s residence soon arrived.
The day before their departure, Pei Zhiyu had already requested leave from his duties and carefully supervised the maids as they packed, lest anything be left behind.
“This dragon-pattern inkstone—Teacher might like it; and this authentic work by Master Li of the previous dynasty, which I acquired some days ago—I’ll bring that for Teacher as well…”
Pei Zhiyu murmured by Jiang Sui’s ear, a hint of nervousness showing through his gentle, steady voice.
Jiang Sui couldn’t help but smile, and said softly, “It’s fine, husband. We’re only going back to stay for two days. No need to be so solemn about it.”
“Besides… hasn’t Father always liked you, husband?”
Pei Zhiyu paused, his voice lowering: “But my lady, I want to do better.”
“It’s already wonderful that you’re coming back with me, husband.”
“Leave the rest to Shiyue and Chenbi to handle. Don’t keep watching over things—shall we go rest?”
Pei Zhiyu blinked slowly, a clear, gentle smile rising to his brows and eyes:
“Alright.”
The next day, the couple traveled together to the Grand Tutor’s residence, followed by several carriages laden with gifts, rolling grandly through the main street before coming to a stop before the mansion.
Grand Tutor Jiang had long since come out with his wife and the household servants to receive them. Seeing Jiang Sui and Pei Zhiyu alight from the carriage together, his smile grew even wider.
“Father! Mother!”
“Teacher, Mistress, I trust you are well.”
Grand Tutor Jiang glanced at Jiang Sui, who was making a beeline for Madam Jiang, and lightly scolded her with a “No proper manners,” though the smile on his face did not fade in the slightest. He said to Pei Zhiyu:
“Huaishu, come inside.”
Pei Zhiyu nodded, and as he began to walk, his gaze involuntarily drifted back to Jiang Sui, who was chatting with Madam Jiang.
Grand Tutor Jiang took note of this and stroked his beard.
His youngest daughter was still so lively—clearly she hadn’t been wronged, and his son-in-law’s attentiveness didn’t seem feigned… This marriage had turned out fitting by happy accident.
Knowing that Jiang Sui would want to speak with her mother upon returning, Pei Zhiyu watched her for a moment before reluctantly withdrawing his gaze and dutifully following Grand Tutor Jiang.
“Teacher, your student has prepared a modest gift. Would you do me the honor of taking a look?”
Grand Tutor Jiang did not respond to his words, only saying, “Huaishu, since you have married my daughter, there is no need to address me as ‘teacher’ any longer.”
Pei Zhiyu lowered his eyes and said warmly, “Your student knows this, but the kindness of your years of instruction is hard to forget. I also feel that I have not yet done enough for my wife. If I may still call you ‘teacher’… it would put your student’s mind at ease.”
Grand Tutor Jiang glanced at him deeply from the side and smiled. “Very well then. When you have thought it through, Huaishu, it won’t be too late to change how you address me.”
Pei Zhiyu smiled and acknowledged this, his gentle features betraying not the slightest flaw.
The reason he would not change his address was simple.
If he had never been Grand Tutor Jiang’s student, how would he have come to know Suisui? That matter… was more important than anything else.
Mother and daughter had not seen each other for several months, so naturally there was much to say.
Madam Jiang lowered her voice and asked, “Your illness… Huaishu doesn’t know, does he?”
Jiang Sui shook her head obediently. “Mother, rest assured. Your daughter has not revealed a single word, and Shiyue has been helping me keep it under control. My husband has not discovered anything.”
Madam Jiang let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good then… San Niang, you must remember, no matter how well he treats you, the fewer people who know about this, the better.”
Jiang Sui pressed her lips into a smile and said softly, “Your daughter understands.”
Having confirmed this matter, Madam Jiang pulled Jiang Sui into a long, rambling conversation. Toward the end, she grew somewhat melancholy:
“You married in the capital, so you can still return home. But your second sister, that stubborn mule, insisted on running off to the northwest, waving swords and spears all day long. If anything should happen to her, what am I to do…”
Jiang Sui quickly took her mother’s arm and comforted her:
“Mother, set your mind at ease. The situation in the northwest is stable now. Second Sister is so capable, and with Second Brother-in-law by her side, nothing will happen to her.”
Madam Jiang sighed. “It’s been three years since she left. The northwest is so harsh—how much hardship must she have endured…”
Seeing her mother on the verge of tears, Jiang Sui could not help her own eyes growing hot. The sisters had grown up together, yet now they had not seen each other for three years. Did she not miss her sister just as much?
But her mother was already upset—if she cried too, it would only make her mother sadder.
Jiang Sui gently sniffled and changed the subject:
“Mother, where is Eldest Brother?”
Madam Jiang quickly wiped away her tears and smiled. “Look at me, I nearly forgot. Your eldest brother has the day off today. He and your sister-in-law are both waiting for you.”
Jiang Sui’s eyes curved into a smile, still radiant and warm, as if it could dissolve all sorrow:
“Good.”