"Husband, what are you doing?" Li Wan was momentarily stunned, completely failing to understand why the man had suddenly erupted.
He seemed angry, but what was he angry about?
Pei Qing made his wife lie across his knee, gently removing her outer garment, then her undergarment. Li Wan felt a cool sensation on her buttocks and furrowed her brows slightly. Then, Pei Qing brought his palm down on her bottom—"Smack!"
The man's large hand landed heavily on his wife's buttocks. Li Wan's face flushed crimson as she began to struggle violently, but since her hands were already pinned by Pei Qing, her struggles looked more like a child throwing a tantrum.
"Don't move," Pei Qing reminded her in a gentle voice.
Li Wan's voice was thin, and because of her agitation, somewhat shrill: "Pei Qing, let me go."
Pei Qing's voice was low as he reminded her, "Wrong."
Li Wan had already learned from experience in this matter. She sniffled and said, "Husband, let me go."
Hearing this address of "husband," Pei Qing's expression immediately softened. He guided her patiently, asking his wife, "Then next time someone bullies you, will you know to fight back?"
That Zuo Wanting was nothing but a cowardly fool with a fierce exterior—merely a pretty face. That his wife would let herself be bullied by someone like that made Pei Qing feel a sense of frustration at her failure to live up to expectations.
Li Wan finally understood what he was angry about. She felt wronged too and retorted, "That's because the Empress was the one who suffered. I'm not stupid—if she tried to hit me, wouldn't I know to dodge?"
Zuo Wanting was clearly someone who was all bark and no bite. The only reason she was so arrogant was because of the Emperor's favor. If she lost that favor, she wouldn't dare be so bold. Li Wan wasn't afraid of her.
"So, Wanwan thinks she's in the right?" Pei Qing brought his palm down again, but because he had moderated his strength, it didn't hurt—instead, it felt tingling and numbing. But Li Wan felt humiliated. Her cheeks were bright red, and she said angrily, "I am in the right."
Pei Qing was amused by her. How could her temperament be so stubborn? He looked down at his wife's reddened buttocks and gently rubbed them. "Wanwan is kind-hearted, and it's only proper that she wants to stand up for those close to her. But all of this should be based on the premise that you don't put yourself in harm's way. Moreover, if someone raises a hand against you, you can absolutely fight back. Even if you poked a hole in the sky, your husband could smooth it over for you. So Wanwan shouldn't be too soft out there, especially when someone is about to lay hands on you."
Li Wan looked helpless. She wanted to say she could protect herself, but she knew the man wouldn't believe her. She just gave a soft "Mm."
Seeing her agree, Pei Qing's expression softened considerably. He helped her dress, then placed his large hand on her flat stomach and asked if she was hungry. Li Wan said she had just eaten at Jiaofang Hall, so Pei Qing said, "Then Wanwan can keep me company while I eat a little."
Li Wan nodded in agreement, and the atmosphere in the main room immediately became warm and harmonious.
However, during the meal, Li Wan asked one more question: "Consort Zuo has been confined to her palace. Once she's released, will the Emperor continue to dote on her?"
"The favor a harem consort receives is closely tied to the power of her maternal family. As long as the Duke Chengen's household doesn't fall, the Emperor will continue to favor Consort Zuo. If her maternal clan renders meritorious service, Consort Zuo might have her confinement lifted early."
"Then what about the Emperor and the Empress…" Li Wan felt somewhat heavy-hearted. If the Emperor continued to dote on Zuo Wanting, there would forever be a rift between him and Xu Ning'er. As long as that rift existed, they could never return to how they once were.
"The Emperor has his difficulties, and the Empress has her position. It comes down to who is willing to take a step back." Pei Qing pulled her into his arms and said in a calm voice.
Li Wan buried her head in his chest and gave a muffled "Mm."
Before they knew it, it was the fifteenth day of the third month. According to custom, all the branches of the household were to go to the Old Madam's quarters to pay their respects. Li Wan naturally had to go as well.
When she arrived, everyone from the other branches was already there. Li Wan was the last to arrive. Before she even entered the door, the second sister-in-law of the Pei family covered her mouth with a silk handkerchief and laughed, "It seems the eldest sister-in-law is the latest again today. I suppose eldest brother didn't show mercy to his fair lady last night?"
"That's hard to say. Perhaps eldest sister-in-law simply forgot that today is the day to pay respects to Mother?" Xie Qing refused to be outdone, adding with a beaming smile.
With every word they spoke, the Old Madam's face fell another inch. Li Wan still wore a faint smile on her lips as she approached the Old Madam. "Daughter-in-law pays respects to Mother."
"Wanwan really is quite the busy person. Late again today." The Old Madam began speaking with sarcasm.
"Grandmother, Mother's courtyard is the farthest from Grandmother's. It's only natural that she arrives a bit slower." Pei Zhao couldn't bear the whole family ganging up on her mother, so she spoke up with some displeasure.
Although the Old Madam didn't like Li Wan, that didn't mean she didn't adore Pei Yan and Pei Zhao. They were her legitimate grandchildren, and she cherished them dearly.
The Old Madam gently tapped Pei Zhao's forehead. "Our Zhaozhao is the filial one, speaking up for her own mother. Since Zhaozhao has spoken, this grandmother has nothing more to say."
The Old Madam glanced at Li Wan. "Mama Gui, bring a stool for the young madam."
"Yes, Old Madam."
The fifteenth day of the first month's breakfast was naturally to be held in the Old Madam's quarters. The Old Madam sat at the head of the table, with the wives of each branch seated to her left and right, while younger members like Pei Yan sat at the farthest end of the table.
"Yan'er and Zhaozhao, eat more. You've both grown thin lately." The Old Madam made no effort to hide her affection for her eldest branch's legitimate grandchildren. They were the jewels of their Yongkang Marquis Manor—the future of the family's prestige rested on their shoulders.
"Thank you, Grandmother." Pei Yan and Pei Zhao spoke with proper decorum. Toward those who disliked their mother, they had never been inclined to grow close.
The other wives felt a pang of sourness in their hearts. They had been nothing but respectful to the Old Madam, yet all she cared about was the eldest branch. Here sat a whole table of her grandchildren, but her eyes were only on the two children of the eldest branch—truly biased.
After breakfast, the group moved to the flower hall. The steward entered and announced, "Old Madam, the young miss from your natal family has arrived."
The Old Madam's expression turned kind, and she smiled. "Let her come in."
Everyone raised their heads in unison. A young girl entered from outside, dressed in a water-green ru skirt with a fitted waist, shy and demure. She appeared to be around Pei Zhao's age. Gazing timidly at the room full of people, she greeted the Old Madam in a soft, gentle voice, "Zisu pays respects to Aunt."
"Good child, come quickly to your aunt's side." The Old Madam beckoned her forward and began to scrutinize her carefully.
The others had already formed their own speculations, occasionally glancing toward Li Wan.
Whether it was their imagination or not, this Zisu's mannerisms bore some resemblance to Li Wan. The Old Madam had gone to such lengths to bring Zisu into the manor—surely not merely to marry her off to a good family. There had to be a scheme behind it.
Li Wan lowered her head and took a sip of tea, her demeanor gentle and composed, neither anxious nor hurried.
"Zisu, this is your eldest cousin's wife. Since you're new here, if there's anything you don't understand, you may seek her guidance." Seeing this, the Old Madam felt a stir of irritation within her—she had a nagging feeling her plan would fall through.
Zisu's eyes were moist, like a lost fawn. With a bashful expression, she approached Li Wan. "Zisu pays respects to eldest cousin's wife."
"Cousin need not stand on ceremony." Li Wan's voice was soft. "I wonder which courtyard Mother intends for cousin to stay in. This daughter-in-law will have it arranged at once."
"Wanwan is so thoughtful. Your cousin is new here and might find other courtyards unfamiliar. Why not have her stay in your courtyard? That way, she can keep you company during the day." The Old Madam's eyes flickered as she spoke with a smile.
The Old Madam's intentions were hardly concealed. Even if Li Wan were made of mud, she would be provoked by now. Her voice remained gentle as she replied, "Mother's arrangement is considerate, but cousin has yet to be betrothed. If she were to stay in the main quarters, others might assume Mother intends for my husband to take cousin as a concubine—that would only harm cousin's reputation."
These words appeared to be consideration for Zisu, but in truth, they were a veiled jab at the Old Madam's ulterior motives.
The Old Madam's smile stiffened. "Wanwan, what are you saying? I was merely worried that you might feel lonely in your rooms, so I wanted someone to keep you company in conversation. I had no other meaning—don't overthink it, Wanwan."
Li Wan seized the opening to step down gracefully. "The Bauhinia Garden has lovely scenery, especially beautiful in spring—like a painting, more poetic than a picture. Why not have cousin stay at the Bauhinia Garden instead?"
The Old Madam smiled without warmth. "Wanwan has arranged things very well. Then let Zisu stay at the Bauhinia Garden. This old woman hasn't seen Zisu in some time and has some private words to share with her alone. You may all take your leave now."
"Yes."
After everyone had departed, Zisu threw herself into the Old Madam's arms, her dark brows creased with worry. "Aunt, eldest cousin's wife is so formidable. Even if eldest cousin had the desire, he wouldn't dare."
"Her Li Wan may throw her weight around for now, but can she do so for the rest of her life?" The Old Madam was immediately displeased by these words.
"But just now in the flower hall, eldest cousin's wife didn't even put Aunt in her sights. Zisu is truly worried." A dark glint flashed through Zisu's eyes as she spoke hesitantly.
These words instantly ignited the anger in the Old Madam's heart. She slammed her hand heavily on the table. "Has she turned the world upside down? Zisu, you settle in the manor without worry. Within a month, your aunt will make you a mistress of the Yongkang Marquis Manor."
Zisu was overjoyed and dropped to her knees at once. "Aunt's great kindness, Zisu will never forget."
The Old Madam's mind was already working on her scheme.
Meanwhile, on this side, seeing that the mistress had been gloomy and unhappy ever since returning from paying her respects to the Old Madam, the wet nurse worried that the Old Madam had once again caused her mistress some grievance. She deliberately called Tao'er over to ask what had happened. Upon learning that the Old Madam had invited a delicate, willow-waisted young lady from the family to stay, and even intended to have that young lady reside in the main quarters, the wet nurse's heart sank heavily—the Old Madam was planning to take a concubine for the Marquis. She dismissed Tao'er, then carried a bowl of calming soup into the main room herself and asked, "Is the Madam troubled by matters concerning Miss Zisu?""
Li Wan shook her head. She was merely thinking that the Old Madam would certainly not let things rest here. If she remained passive, she would fall right into the Old Madam's palm, and by then the situation might spiral out of control. Should she take the initiative for once?
"Wet nurse, what do you think if I were to arrange for two…" Li Wan's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she quietly clenched her palms.
The wet nurse looked at her with a puzzled expression and was about to help her analyze the matter when the door was suddenly pushed open. The wet nurse curtsied. "The Marquis has returned."
Did he walk without making a sound? Li Wan's bright, sparkling eyes fixed on him.
Pei Qing smiled gently. "I could hear Wanwan's voice from outside just now. What two things is Wanwan planning to arrange?"