Shen Sangning knew exactly where to find him.
The night was as dark as ink, yet the entire mansion was filled with festive cheer, with corridors draped in red silk and adorned with red lanterns.
The banquet in the front courtyard had just concluded. Shen Sangning, running too hastily, collided with someone who suddenly appeared around the corner before she could stop herself.
The person’s chest was firm. Shen Sangning stepped back, clutching her forehead, and was about to look up to see who it was when she heard a rich, slightly surprised voice—
“Sister-in-law?”
This voice, one she had listened to for half a lifetime, now evoked a completely different feeling.
Being addressed as “sister-in-law” by her former husband felt not only unfamiliar but also stirred a sense of guilt.
Shen Sangning looked up and, as expected, saw Pei Che’s familiar face.
He bore little resemblance to Pei Ruyan—lacking the latter’s aloof and solitary pride, yet exuding a more heroic aura.
“Where are you heading, Sister-in-law? Where is my elder brother?”
Pei Che gazed at this sister-in-law, who was even younger than himself, curious as to why she was wandering about on her wedding night.
Since both the Pei and Shen families moved in the same aristocratic circles of the capital, it was no surprise that Pei Che recognized her.
Shen Sangning caught a whiff of alcohol in the air and frowned slightly in distaste, pausing for a few moments before replying, “The study.”
“The study?” Surprised that the newlyweds would spend their wedding night in the study, Pei Che couldn’t help but chuckle. “Shall I send someone to escort you there?”
Shen Sangning shook her head, politely declining the offer. She then watched as Pei Che gave a slight nod, his face showing a hint of anticipation before he strode eagerly toward the inner courtyard.
His hurried steps, brimming with the joy of a newlywed, reminded Shen Sangning of her own wedding night in her past life.
That night, when Pei Che lifted her bridal veil and saw her, he nearly tore the room apart in anger, later resorting to cold, harsh words.
Only now did Shen Sangning realize how eagerly he had hurried to the bridal chamber back then.
The guilt she had felt moments ago suddenly dissipated.
She owed nothing to anyone. Her marriage to him had been the result of Shen Miaoyi’s schemes. She was the victim, yet she had to bear Pei Che’s wrath.
Even though Pei Che later fell in love with her and mended his ways, she had accumulated too much disappointment and merely played along for appearances.
To be fair, Pei Che was far from an ideal partner in marriage—managing him was like raising a son.
In comparison, Pei Ruyan was infinitely better.
From a young age, Pei Ruyan had been steady and composed, exceptionally talented, achieving the rare feat of becoming a Three Examination Laureate. By twenty-two, he had already risen to the fifth-rank position of Director of the Ministry of Personnel.
As the Heir to the Duke’s household, he always prioritized the revival of his family’s fortunes, free from the frivolous and romantic flaws that plagued Pei Che.
Even if he left in a huff on his wedding night, he would only retreat to the study to work or study—never to seek pleasure elsewhere.
See? How worry-free!
With this thought, Shen Sangning grew even more resolute. She quickened her pace toward the study.
The courtyards near the study were all dark, with only the study itself brightly lit.
Shen Sangning hesitated outside the door for a moment before knocking.
There seemed to be no response from within. Just as she was about to push the door open, Pei Ruyan’s voice came from inside.
His voice was slightly hoarse—
“No supper needed. No need to attend to me.”
Shen Sangning was taken aback—he had mistaken her for an errand boy. Anxiously, she spoke up, “It’s me.”
After she spoke, there was no immediate response from inside, as if silence had fallen.
Growing impatient, Shen Sangning poked a small hole in the window beside her and peered through it.
She had expected to see Pei Ruyan diligently studying at his desk.
But he wasn’t there.
Behind the faintly visible screen stood a modestly sized hard couch.
Shen Sangning glimpsed a moving silhouette.
What was he doing?
Just as Shen Sangning wondered, she heard a clatter—something had rolled off the couch.
It was an exquisitely crafted, festive red ceramic wine cup.
Was Pei Ruyan drinking? But didn’t he never indulge in alcohol?
Shen Sangning vaguely recalled that on the day Pei Ruyan died suddenly, imperial physicians were summoned to the palace and concluded that his death was due to a troubled heart and excessive exhaustion.
But what could trouble him? As the heir to the duke’s residence, wasn’t there nothing he lacked?
His only aspiration was probably to restore the Ningguo Duke Residence to its former glory. His distress likely stemmed from the residence’s gradual decline, and his impatience to reverse it led to his exhaustion and death.
Still, drinking would only harm his health further, wouldn’t it?
This wouldn’t do.
Without waiting for a response, Shen Sangning pushed the door open and entered.
On the hard couch, Pei Ruyan sat upright and proper, hardly looking like someone drinking.
If not for the small wine flask in his hand, his serious demeanor would have resembled that of a man reading.
Pei Ruyan hadn’t expected Shen Sangning to barge in. His brows furrowed as his dark eyes fixed on her. “Leave.”
Shen Sangning acted as if she hadn’t heard and stepped closer.
Noticing the fresh air around him, she deduced he hadn’t drunk much and felt slightly relieved. Still, she couldn’t resist saying, “Drinking harms your health.”
Though it sounded like concern, to Pei Ruyan, the words grated on his ears. He replied sternly—
“You didn’t seem worried about harming me when you bit me.”
Hearing this, Shen Sangning thought, It’s over. This matter really won’t be forgotten.
But then again, who wouldn’t be angry after being inexplicably bitten by their new wife on their wedding night?
Shen Sangning couldn’t think of a good excuse. If she claimed she bit him because of a nightmare, wouldn’t that make him even angrier?
Falling asleep during the consummation would be a fatal insult to any man!
After pondering for a while under Pei Ruyan’s gaze, she finally thought of an excuse. Feigning shyness, she lowered her head like an inexperienced young girl—
“I didn’t mean to bite you. It was because you hurt me.”
After she spoke, the study fell into an eerie silence.
Even Shen Sangning, a woman who had lived past forty, felt awkward. She and Pei Ruyan weren’t close enough to exchange suggestive remarks without blushing.
She glanced at Pei Ruyan again and saw his cold expression, clearly displaying disbelief.
After all, she had bitten him as if trying to murder her husband, hardly appearing willing to marry.
Shen Sangning tentatively suggested, “Shall I apply some medicine for you?”
Pei Ruyan set down the wine flask and sneered, “If I wait for you to apply medicine, I might bleed to death.”
Stunned by his retort, Shen Sangning fell silent. Why not just say you’ve already applied medicine? Why mock me?
Pursing her lips, she forced a smile despite her irritation. “If you’re still angry, you can bite me back.”
Pei Ruyan cast her a cool glance, his voice detached and icy—
“From indifference to enthusiasm, you’ve shown two faces in less than half an hour.”
“All the world’s a hustle for profit.”
His eyes were frosted over, devoid of warmth. “What is it you want from me, Madam?”
What did she want?
Shen Sangning wanted a child.
But she didn’t say it directly, choosing instead to approach the subject indirectly.
So, with a voice tinged with grievance, she made a request no normal man could refuse—
“Tonight is our wedding night. I just wanted to be with you.”
Pei Ruyan still did not believe her words. “I don’t want to be with you.”
His blunt statement froze the smile on Shen Sangning’s lips.
Suddenly, she understood why Shen Miaoyi had spent her nights alone in her previous life.
Unable to hold back, she retorted, “On your wedding night, if you won’t stay with your wife, who do you want to be with?”