"Lord Marquis, the Madam requests your presence." Upon receiving the order, the wet nurse immediately went to the study and conveyed Li Wan's wishes to Yun Bai. The moment Yun Bai heard this, how would he dare delay? He went straight into the study.
The man's voice was calm, but his expression had quietly turned several degrees colder. "The Madam knows?"
What "knows" meant went without saying.
"The young lady went to the main hall." Yun Bai lowered his head and said softly.
"Yun Bai, you're becoming more and more capable at handling matters."
A bitter smile appeared at the corner of Yun Bai's mouth. Naturally, he wouldn't have gone to tattle. It must have been that someone from the young master's side had gone to find the young lady, and since the young lady and young master shared a deep sibling bond, she had gone to see the Madam.
To be honest, at this moment Pei Qing didn't really want to go see his wife, because the purpose of her summoning him was to have him release that unfilial son of his, and he didn't want to release him.
But if he didn't go, his wife would surely grow anxious. Her constitution had always been frail, and she couldn't withstand too great a shock. Pei Qing slightly closed his eyes, set down the booklet in his hand, and said, "Let's go."
Yun Bai followed along eagerly behind him.
"Daughter greets Father." Pei Zhao had originally been in the room accompanying her mother. Seeing Pei Qing enter, she immediately lowered her eyes and, like a startled kitten, paid her respects to Pei Qing.
Pei Qing slightly raised his hand. His bearing was tall and imposing—the moment he entered, he blocked out most of the sunlight from the window. "I have something to discuss with your mother. You may return first."
"Yes." The young girl first glanced at her stern-faced father, then looked at her gentle-faced mother. Only when she saw her nod did she curtsy and withdraw.
"You haven't eaten yet, have you?" Pei Qing came to sit beside his wife and reached for her hand. "Let me have them bring the meal."
Li Wan slapped his hand away, her watery apricot eyes carrying a hint of anger. "You made Yan'er kneel in the ancestral hall?"
Pei Qing lowered his gaze to stare at the back of his own hand. Perhaps because of her anger, his wife's strength was a bit uncontrolled—his hand was already red in one spot. In all the capital, only she dared treat him this way.
If it were anyone else, Pei Qing might have already snapped their neck. But if that person was his wife, Pei Qing would choose to be tolerant.
His gaze was deep, and a scoffing laugh escaped his throat. "His head isn't clear. For the sake of some woman of questionable character, he defies the elders of his family. Does he not deserve punishment?"
Li Wan's expression froze, a trace of bewilderment in her eyes. "You went to talk to him?"
"I did." Seeing his wife's emotions settle, Pei Qing also gained a bit more patience. His large hand gently stroked his wife's soft black hair. "Wanwan, do you know that the Second Miss Xu's birth mother is Lord Xu's cousin? The two of them had an affair in their youth. Later, because Lord Xu wanted to enter officialdom, he married Madam Xu from a prestigious family instead. But once he had firmly secured his position, he wanted to elevate his cousin to the status of co-wife. This drove his lawful wife, Madam Xu, to fall from a pavilion in her grief and despair, causing her to miscarry. Lord Xu dotes on his concubine and destroys his wife—his family's conduct is improper. Can a young lady raised by such a family be called a proper gentlewoman, or can she bear the weight of Pei Yan's future prospects?"
Li Wan had never imagined this would be the reason. Naturally, she felt disdain for Lord Xu's actions, and the girl's background was indeed somewhat problematic. But from what Zhaozhao had said, her son was very fond of that Second Miss Xu, and moreover, the conduct of parents couldn't fully represent the conduct of their children.
But her husband's temperament was so overbearing. Li Wan knew that he wouldn't listen to her explanations.
She took a deep breath. Her fair little face was somewhat pale, looking pitifully delicate. "Then what about Yan'er…"
Pei Qing slightly furrowed his brow and gave a cold snort. "His head isn't clear. Let him kneel, and his head will become clear."
This was already the second time he'd said Pei Yan's head wasn't clear. A brief moment of clarity passed through Li Wan's thoughts, and almost instinctively she tugged at Pei Qing's gold-embroidered sleeve. "Did he do something else to make you angry?"
Indeed, Pei Qing wasn't angry solely because Pei Yan insisted on marrying Xu Ruyan, but because he had spoken recklessly and freely criticized his wife.
Pei Qing didn't want to waste time on matters concerning the children. He directly scooped his wife up in his arms and ordered the servants to serve the food. "Anyway, just let him kneel. He's a man who stands tall between heaven and earth—kneeling for a day won't hurt him."
Li Wan knew his temperament and said no more, because he had clearly made up his mind. Even if she talked until her lips were worn out, he wouldn't change his decision.
Today's midday meal wasn't solely medicinal fare but had several additional dishes added—things like spring flower rolls, cherry preserves, and honeyed lotus root, all quite refreshing. A servant came over to help arrange Li Wan's meal but was stopped by a single look from Pei Qing.
Knowing his wife was in low spirits, Pei Qing spent the entire afternoon in the main hall keeping her company—reading with her, talking with her—but her spirits never lifted much. Pei Qing knew the reason: she was worried about her son. Pei Qing simply couldn't understand why a pair of children meant so much to her. Hadn't the Yongkang Marquis household given them status and wealth enough? When he was young, no one had ever shown him such care and concern.
Pei Qing was secretly envious of his own children.
This dark emotion lingered well into the evening. Above the purple gilt incense burner, wisps of sandalwood smoke curled upward, while the sheer curtains of the goose-pear canopy bed draped down to the carpet, where two silhouettes were intertwined.
Just as Pei Qing was about to go further, his wife turned her head aside. Her expression was fragile, her oval face looking somewhat pale. "Husband, I don't wish to tonight."
Since Pei Qing had been staying in the room that evening, no lamps had been lit. In the darkness, one couldn't make out the other's face, but his wife's features had long been etched deeply into Pei Qing's mind. He could easily imagine her expression at this moment—her cheeks flushed, brows slightly furrowed, needing to be coaxed and cherished. What she didn't know was that every time she wore that look, Pei Qing wanted nothing more than to crush her tightly against his chest.
He reached out to touch the night pearl at the head of the bed. As its radiant glow appeared, the canopy was suddenly bathed in light, and his wife's features became clearly visible. Pei Qing's expression carried tenderness as he asked, "Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Your complexion looks a bit off."
Wasn't he asking knowingly…
Li Wan mulled it over inwardly before speaking in her soft, gentle voice: "Husband, perhaps you could let Yan'er out of the ancestral hall?"
Pei Qing looked at her slender wrist and reached out to squeeze it gently. Instead of answering his wife's question, he lowered his head to kiss her slightly raised neck, while his palm lightly caressed her jade-like shoulder. His gaze traveled downward. "Has this become rounder again?"
He still remembered when their children were first born—she had been too weak to nurse them herself, so the nourishment meant for the children had all ended up going to him instead.
"No." Li Wan blurted out in denial, her small face flushing crimson at his words.
Seeing his wife's expression grow lively, Pei Qing smiled too. His thin lips landed on her chest. "Then let me check."
…
Whether it was because the man's kisses were too scorching, or because the night pearl's light was too bright, Li Wan's face was flushed, her body drenched in sweat, and she could barely keep her eyes open.
The sight of her, with her peach-blossom complexion, struck Pei Qing as more beautiful than any scenery in the world. He thought to himself that his wife still loved him—otherwise, she wouldn't have reacted so strongly to him.
The next morning, Li Wan woke up very early. Seeing her awake so early, Pei Qing asked if she was feeling unwell somewhere. Realizing that the man still had no intention of releasing Pei Yan from the ancestral hall, Li Wan grew anxious and asked when he planned to let Pei Yan out.
Pei Qing placed a feather-light kiss on her forehead. "There's no rush. Wait until I return to discuss it."
After he left, Li Wan sent a maidservant to wait at the mansion's gate, instructing her to report immediately if Pei Qing returned. But when the man came back, he went straight to the study, bringing several officials with him, seemingly for important discussions.
Li Wan was burning with anxiety on her end, while the old nurse attending to Pei Yan remained kneeling on the ground, weeping until Li Wan's head ached. "Madam, perhaps you should go plead with the Marquis again. Kneeling day after day like this, without food or water—even a body of iron couldn't withstand it. You're the only one who can save the young master now."
"Come with me to the ancestral hall first," Li Wan said, glancing at the old nurse.
The nurse stood up at once. The Yongkang Marquis Manor was a centuries-old noble household, and its ancestral hall was extremely vast, requiring passage through layers of corridors and courtyards. At the innermost chamber, where the incense of the Pei ancestors was honored, Pei Yan knelt at the very center. His back was ramrod straight, like a tall, upright pine.
Li Wan walked toward him.
"Your son greets Mother." Hearing her footsteps, Pei Yan raised his head hesitantly and bowed to Li Wan.
Li Wan gave a soft "Mm" in acknowledgment. At this moment, the young man's face was as pale as a ghost, dark circles under his eyes, his expression carrying the exhaustion of days and nights without sleep. His legs must have long gone numb from kneeling—he winced at the slightest movement.
Li Wan had the old nurse help him up, then went to the study to see the Marquis.
Just as she was on her way, the wet nurse arrived with attendants. Before Li Wan could speak, the wet nurse whispered a few things in her ear. There were two pieces of news: first, the person Li Wan had been searching for had finally shown signs of being found; second, the academy left by Li Wan's father would be officially inaugurated next month, and Li Qingchen planned to return to Qingzhou in person. He asked whether Li Wan, as the owner, would like to go back as well—if she did, they could travel together.
Li Wan nodded, saying she understood.
With her slender waist swaying gracefully, she arrived at Pei Qing's study, just as several officials were walking out. Li Wan recognized them all—they were officials promoted after the new emperor's ascension. Among them, the Vice Minister of the Court of Sacrificial Worship was the tanhua of two years prior, deeply favored by the emperor's younger sister, Princess Pingning.
Seeing Li Wan, they smiled and nodded in greeting, and Li Wan returned the courtesy. Just then, Yun Bai approached. "Madam, the Marquis requests your presence inside."
Li Wan lifted her skirt and stepped inside. In the study, Pei Qing appeared to be painting. When he saw Li Wan enter, he raised those narrow, deep phoenix eyes and beckoned her over. Li Wan asked him when he planned to release Pei Yan. Pei Qing sighed inwardly—though he was reluctant to compromise, if he didn't yield now, she would only fret. He gave Yun Bai a look, and Yun Bai immediately understood the order.
"Are you happy now?" The man rose to his feet, his robes flowing elegantly.
"Thank you, husband." Li Wan's tense expression relaxed somewhat, returning to that delicate, gentle demeanor.
Pei Qing gave her a long, searching look. His intuition told him his wife had more to say. He asked, "Wan Wan, is there something else you wish to say?"
Li Wan's body stiffened instantly. Her small hands, hidden within her sleeves, clenched tightly. How could he be so perceptive? She hadn't even figured out how to tell him yet.
But they were husband and wife, and she didn't want to hide anything from him. Taking a deep breath, Li Wan looked at Pei Qing with her bright, apricot-shaped eyes and said, "Husband, my father's academy received official approval last year to expand. The plaque unveiling ceremony is next month. My brother thinks that since I am the owner of this academy, I should return for such an important occasion. So I wanted to discuss this with you."
The man's features were refined and gentle, his voice calm as he asked, "Are you still angry, or do you wish to meet Li Qingchen alone?"