Marrying him, you finally got your wish.
Inside the imperial palace.
The flower-viewing banquet was held in the Empress’s Fengwu Palace. The massive Phoenix Wutong Hall featured golden tiles and emerald bricks, its pillars painted a striking, vivid red that, upon closer inspection, revealed the motifs of wings-spread phoenixes carved into them.
Under the eaves and across the courtyards, flowers of every conceivable variety were placed on display. Each blossom was plump with morning dew and vibrantly radiant, their intoxicating fragrance filling the air.
Naturally, only the daughters of noble and elite families were permitted to enter the palace for the flower-viewing banquet. Showing special grace, the Empress had granted permission for their carriages to travel all the way along the grand avenue, though they still could not proceed any further into the inner palace.
Amidst this, a small procession of carriages that steadily continued forward appeared particularly conspicuous.
“Whose carriage is that? Why did all of us have to disembark from our carriages, yet they are receiving special treatment?”
“Did you not see that those are the carriages of the Pei residence and the Grand Tutor’s residence? Naturally, they are entitled to such a distinction.”
“The Pei family is truly lowering themselves to indulge the He household. They actually allowed him to ride in a carriage all by himself. How could a mere mute ever be worthy of such a thing!”
The clatter of carriage wheels, mingled with the murmur of discussion, flooded He Zhile’s ears. Only then did he realize that, according to his status, he should normally have had to share a carriage with his mother-in-law when she was present. Allowing him to ride in a carriage alone was a distinct assertion of his status as the master of the household.
He Zhile’s breathing grew slightly hurried. His cheeks and the corners of his eyes turned rosy, and his palms gripped tightly at his knees, causing his entire body to tremble faintly.
He had never expected the second carriage to carry such heavy implications.
He understood the principle that two tigers could not share a single mountain. Although he was no tiger, the master of a household was typically singular; he had never expected Qin Yurong to grant him such immense face in public.
“Young Master, the Mistress likes you!” Chun Jian whispered excitedly. He hoped more than anyone else that his young master would get his wish.
He Zhile smiled with a touch of shyness.
Yet he knew all too well that over the past month, the Pei family had endured numerous rumors and criticisms because of his existence, and some onlookers were undoubtedly waiting to see how he would be despised by the Pei clan and strictly disciplined by his mother-in-law.
For the mother-in-law to act this way was largely a performance for outsiders, a deliberate message to show that the Pei family was not the sort of household that acted unreasonably or placed excessive weight on family status.
Regardless of what her underlying motives might be, He Zhile was undeniably the one benefiting from it.
The carriage finally stopped at the side gate of Fengwu Palace. He Zhile closely followed Qin Yurong’s footsteps, terrified that lagging behind by even a step would provoke a disaster.
“This servant, Shanhua, respectfully welcomes the noble mistresses.”
A middle-aged palace attendant dressed in simple yet refined attire stepped forward to greet them. When her gaze swept over the young lady from the Grand Tutor’s residence, her eyes were filled with warmth and affection, before shifting past He Zhile to land upon Qin Yurong.
Shanhua smiled, saying, “It has been a long time since we last saw the General’s Lady, and our Empress has missed you dearly. Please, come right inside!”
When people spoke within the palace walls, one only needed to pay attention to the very last sentence; all the elaborate flummery laid out beforehand was merely meant to coax people.
Qin Yurong had never cared for the Empress in the first place, and palace attendants in her service held even less qualification to catch her eye. With a proud and aloof nod, she signaled for He Zhile to follow, and the group entered Fengwu Palace.
Daimao walked out from the main hall, curtsying as she spoke, “Her Majesty the Empress is currently dressing and doing her hair. May I request the noble mistresses to pass the time by viewing the flowers and partaking in tea first.”
“It is no trouble at all. The flowers of Fengwu Palace match the elegance of their mistress, and we shall enjoy admiring them at our leisure. Please tell Your Ladyship to take her time,” soft-voiced Xu Xingran from the Grand Tutor’s household replied. Even her flattery sounded pleasant and comforting to the ear.
Qin Yurong, however, saw straight through the Empress’s petty games and refused to waste a single superfluous word. She led He Zhile directly to a pavilion to be seated, where a jade table was laden with exquisitely delicate flower-shaped pastries and tea.
“Eat your fill now, for you likely won’t have the chance later,” Qin Yurong lowered his voice to remind him. “The noble ladies and young misses who will arrive shortly are not easy to deal with. As for those who are pleasant, Yunzhou should have told you. Even if you cannot stay close to me, you must stick close to them. Do you remember?”
A wave of timid apprehension rose in He Zhile’s chest, but he still nodded heavily and hurriedly executed a flurry of hand gestures.
Chun Jian immediately translated, “Mistress, our Primary Spouse means that he remembers everything, and asks you to rest easy.”
Qin Yurong took a sip of tea. “That is good. The one who deliberately put on airs with her status just now is the Empress’s own niece, Xu Xingran. What do you think of her?”
What did he think?
He Zhile felt somewhat embarrassed to judge others, but from Qin Yurong’s composed expression, he vaguely guessed that she was trying to teach him something, so he carefully pondered the question.
She is very beautiful and gentle, and very considerate as well.
“Hmph. Exactly the foolish impression I expected you to form,” Qin Yurong stated bluntly and coldly.
He Zhile’s earlobes burned crimson instantly. He had answered incorrectly!
“Although she carries the reputation of the Grand Tutor’s family and rides in the Grand Tutor’s carriage, her mother is already married out of the family. By rights, she ought to have ridden in the Xu household’s carriage, yet she did not do so. Furthermore, the moment she arrived, she deliberately flaunted her status right in front of you and me, ostensibly to show off, but in reality to suppress us.”
Qin Yurong shook her head lightly after speaking. If this little mute’s mother had still been alive, she certainly would not have allowed him to remain so pure and naive.
Hearing this, He Zhile lowered his head in shame. Although he was sensitive by nature, his sensitivity was limited to maliciousness directed straight at him; moments ago, he had failed to anticipate these underlying currents or sense the threat.
He truly was as foolish as a pig.
“Do not take it to heart. You have rarely interacted with people in the past, so it is natural that you do not understand these things. Just remember never to judge people solely by their surface appearance, and always think three times before you act,” Qin Yurong said softly, picking up a pastry to nibble on. “Eat.”
He Zhile nodded, his face practically plastered with an expression of humble instruction.
Palace pastries were indeed extraordinary. The lotus crisp pastry featured clear, distinct layers, its shape blossoming open precisely like a blooming lotus flower. It was exceptionally crispy and sweet upon the first bite, leaving a lingering fragrance of lotus dancing on the palate.
The pastries of the Pei household were equally delicate and delicious, and he enjoyed eating them as well, but upon careful tasting, the ones from the palace possessed an even finer texture.
He nibbled in small, dainty bites, his eyes brightening considerably whenever he encountered a flavor to his liking, even causing the corners of his lips to curve upward in secret.
Qin Yurong, seated directly across from him, caught every single nuance of his expression. The pastries, which she had grown weary of, suddenly seemed unusually appetizing.
“Peace and blessings to the General’s Lady.”
A gentle voice drifted over. He Zhile hurriedly chewed the pastry in his mouth, rinsed his throat with a sip of tea, and quickly wiped his mouth with the handkerchief handed to him by Chun Jian.
Qin Yurong recognized the voice instantly without even needing to look. Taking a sip of tea, she raised her eyelids to glance over. “So it is the Seventh Imperial Prince.”
The Seventh Imperial Prince wore a two-finger-wide silk headband that neatly concealed the bright red mole on his forehead. His delicate face wore a soft, gentle smile, and his demeanor toward Qin Yurong was exceptionally humble, entirely devoid of royal arrogance.
Noticing that he was an imperial prince, He Zhile immediately stood up to pay his respects. Since he lacked the ability to speak, he had to rely on Chun Jian standing beside him to voice the greeting.
“The Fourth Primary Spouse of the Pei residence pays respects to the Seventh Imperial Prince.”
The Seventh Imperial Prince raised an eyebrow slightly, casting his gaze down upon He Zhile as if bestowing a favor, and spoke in a tone heavy with meaning. “So this is Yunzhou’s primary spouse. I’ve heard that you harbor deep and devoted feelings for Yunzhou. Marrying him, you must have finally gotten your wish.”
He Zhile could not speak, and even if he could, he would have had no idea how to respond to such thinly veiled malice.
Chun Jian watched the prince with heightened vigilance, terrified that this Seventh Imperial Prince might stir up further trouble.
Yunzhou.
He had never heard anyone else address him with such intimacy. Yet the Seventh Imperial Prince could use this form of address quite naturally, and furthermore, his mother-in-law had shown not the slightest trace of shock, indicating that she was already thoroughly accustomed to it, and suggesting that the Seventh Imperial Prince might indeed share an intricate, deep-rooted connection with Pei Ji.
In the past, he had only known that Pei Ji disliked him, and he had never dared to harbor extravagant expectations of affection from the other man. But what if the reason Pei Ji detested him was because he had ruined the future between Pei Ji and the person he truly cherished? Then he would be the one deserving of a thousand deaths.
Unsure of what expression to adopt, he could only lower his gaze slightly, making even the pastries on the table lose all their appeal.
Qin Yurong’s expression remained unchanged, though she heavily slammed her teacup down onto the jade table. Snapping out of whatever reverie he had been in, the Seventh Imperial Prince quickly put on a smile. “Ah, look at me. I came here specifically to offer congratulations, and I even brought a gift along.”
He raised a hand, and the palace attendants behind him immediately stepped forward, presenting a tray while announcing, “This is a gift bestowed by our Seventh Imperial Prince to the Fourth Primary Spouse of the Pei residence.”
Bestowed?
“Outrageous wretches! This is a gift I am presenting personally to the Fourth Primary Spouse of the Pei residence, yet you brainless things dare to spout such nonsense! Get back and slap your own faces!” The Seventh Imperial Prince’s face darkened, and he scolded his attendants in a lowered, fierce voice.
He Zhile was no fool; he could see clearly that this entire encounter was aimed squarely at him.
If he could speak, he might have been able to argue a point or two. But because he was mute, aside from enduring it with his own ears, he had no other recourse.
“Seventh Imperial Prince,” Qin Yurong said softly. “When servants make a mistake, simply take them away and punish them. To cause such a commotion in Fengwu Palace not only ruins your reputation, but is also bound to incur the Empress’s displeasure. Since the gift is delivered inappropriately, you had best present it another time.”
Having said this, Qin Yurong turned to He Zhile. “Seeing that the time is nearly right, A-Zhi, accompany Mother to go greet the other matrons and ladies.”
“Ah, yes.” He Zhile hastily acknowledged the command, stepped slightly aside, and followed respectfully behind Qin Yurong as she turned to leave.
“Pay him no mind,” Qin Yurong reminded him in a low voice. “Yunzhou holds no romantic regard for him.”
He Zhile gave a soft assent.
Yet in his heart, matters of the heart were complex and obscure; his mother-in-law might not know the full truth, but that did not mean no such feelings existed.
The Seventh Imperial Prince held noble and lofty status. If he truly intended to contend for Pei Ji, coupled with whatever lingering affection Pei Ji might harbor, would he ultimately have to request a formal decree to step down as the primary spouse?
Qin Yurong remained entirely oblivious to the whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind. Seeing that the gathering crowd of matrons and young ladies was growing larger, she brought He Zhile forward to introduce him to them.
Since he had already married into the Pei household, he naturally needed to carry the imposing presence and aura of a Pei family primary spouse. After all, nobody could predict which household they might need to interact with in the future, and getting acquainted now would naturally make future communications much smoother.
Faced with such a formal social setting, he still felt a degree of timidity, but unwilling to disappoint his mother-in-law, he forced himself to swallow his fears and engage with them. Though he could not speak, greeting everyone with a warm, polite smile was never a mistake.
“Sister Yurong, this fine son-in-law of yours has truly striking looks, and he appears exceptionally well-behaved and obedient.”
“Indeed! My own sons give me a headache just with their studies; I haven’t the faintest idea what sort of wife I should seek to keep them in line!”
Qin Yurong smiled lightly. “A-Zhi’s temperament is indeed a bit gentle, but Yunzhou listens to him in everything. It saves me a great deal of worry. As the saying goes, everything has its natural conqueror!”
He Zhile blinked innocently with a sweet smile. When does Pei Ji ever listen to me? He deliberately twists my words every single time, he is an absolute villain.
“I have arrived late and kept you all waiting a long time.”
The Empress made her grand entrance, adorned in vibrant, brilliant crimson and wearing a magnificent golden phoenix crown. Her bearing was noble and elegant; though she merely walked step by step toward the gathered guests, she looked down upon everything like a sovereign surveying her domain.
“Pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress.”