His wife does not want him anymore.
All the way back to the Pei residence, He Zhile was brimming with joy.
By the time they arrived home, everyone in the Pei family had already returned, including Qin Yurong, who had attended the flower-viewing banquet in the palace.
Consequently, the moment they returned home, they were summoned over.
“Although today’s matter was reckless, you showed some spirit, so I will not reproach you.” Qin Yurong gave him a cool glance, carrying an air of effortless authority, before shifting her gaze onto He Zhile. “Do you blame me for not stepping forward to protect you?”
Hearing this, He Zhile, who had originally lowered his head waiting for a reprimand, immediately lifted his head and shook his head and hands in flustered panic.
How could he possibly blame his mother-in-law!
Besides, if he were a normal person, with the Pei family as his marital clan, almost no one would dare provoke him so casually. When all was said and done, it was because he was not good enough and looked down upon by others that things turned out this way.
Not to mention the other party was the Seventh Prince, a child of the Emperor, whom not even the Empress could punish lightly. Even if his mother-in-law had the heart to protect him, she might be powerless, and she might even be dragged down on his account.
Seeing him like this, Qin Yurong knew he must have misunderstood her question.
“It is best if you can think that way, but it does not matter if you blame me either. I intentionally acted like that, just as that palace maid deliberately knocked into you.” Qin Yurong dropped this bombshell calmly.
Pei Ji frowned and said nothing.
He Zhile’s heart skipped a beat, and a sense of dread and unease began to swell inside him. He understood better than anyone that a bystander who watched with folded arms could be even more abhorrent than the perpetrator.
He Hong’an was like this.
Zhuang Hongxiu was like this as well.
He firmly believed his mother-in-law was not such a person, yet hearing these words directly from her mouth still made a trace of sorrow well up within him.
Qin Yurong acted as if she had not seen his despondent expression at all and continued, “Therefore, you must come to my courtyard every day from now on to receive instruction. If even my words make you sad, how will you endure the vicious words of others in the future?”
Naturally, she could speak gently and treat He Zhile with soft warmth, but He Zhile did not need that.
He was someone who had struggled his way out of that dye vat of the He family. Having swallowed foul water and suffered in the muck, crawling out dirty and stained, what he needed most was to toughen up as soon as possible, rather than receiving gentle treatment that would only soften his resolve.
Furthermore, she knew this little mute had real capability.
Once these words were spoken, He Zhile naturally understood her intention.
He knew full well that there would always be moments when he was left on his own, times when the Pei family could not watch over him, and he could not simply wait around for the Pei family to shield him.
He Zhile immediately rose, bowed in gratitude, and indicated that he would study attentively and earnestly.
Qin Yurong arranged for him to come again tomorrow, and Pei Ji led He Zhile away. Before they could reach the Qing Courtyard, however, Pei Ji was stopped by his father’s subordinates.
He Zhile returned to the Qing Courtyard by himself. Having just returned from outside, it was only proper to clean up.
Remembering the return gifts to the bride’s home that Pei Ji had mentioned, he happily took Chun Jian and the others to his small storeroom.
The Pei residence had vast wealth and grand holdings, so naturally they would not mistreat this young Zhengjun married into their family. Though it was called a small storeroom, his dowry along with the daily gifts and rewards he had received were all stacked inside, including the items Pei Ji had mentioned.
He took out the inventory list kept inside to cross-check, discovering that the items Pei Ji had bought were truly numerous, with some not even on his list, which likely meant Pei Ji had brought them over from the main storeroom as gifts for him.
Yuanhua and Xixin exchanged glances, feeling that their master was a bit too stingy toward the Zhengjun. Why had he given so few things that the storeroom was not even packed full?
Could it be that all the silver had been reserved for them to tinker with?
Then master must be so poor right now!
He Zhile had never seen such fine things back at the He family. Every time he saw these items, he stroked them fondly, unable to put them down. He must also work hard to save up a dowry for his future children.
Even though there was no sign of a child just yet.
Yet one should be prepared for everything. He also needed to live well so that his future children would not be like him, rarely ever experiencing love.
On the other side.
Pei Ji followed his father’s attendant to the study.
He originally thought he would be alone, but unexpectedly his two elder brothers were there as well. It was within reason, but under such circumstances, it inevitably involved matters concerning He Zhile.
Sure enough.
“He Hong’an wants you to cram He Yao into the Ministry of Personnel?” Pei Ji finally could not help letting out a cold, incredulous laugh.
The Ministry of Personnel oversaw the selection, appointment, ennoblement, and evaluation of all civil officials throughout the realm, issuing various decrees and recommending talented individuals. It stood at the head of the Six Ministries, commanding supreme power and influence.
In contrast, what about He Yao?
He was merely relying on his father being a cheap, illegitimate marquis to casually land a petty sesame-sized official post. Now he actually wanted to poke his nose into the Ministry of Personnel?
The Ministry of Personnel was the Emperor’s inner circle. The Pei family had planted many people in it over the years, but that was entirely for their own family’s sake. Naturally, they were unwilling to waste time and energy doing such favors for the He family.
Naturally, if it were in the past, the Pei family would have refused ruthlessly, likely finding it too troublesome even to meet He Hong’an once.
But now He Hong’an was related to the Pei family by marriage, and his legitimate eldest son was the young master’s Zhengjun in the Pei residence. If speaking strictly, they were tied together in shared interest.
Yet He Hong’an was a man of poor character, completely untrustworthy.
Pei Su assessed him with a glance and said mildly, “Placing someone in the Ministry of Personnel is not difficult, but for years, He Yao has failed to pass even the imperial examinations.”
If such a person were planted in the Ministry of Personnel, an investigation would bring disaster upon themselves.
“Such a waste is indeed He Hong’an’s breed.” Pei Ding’s voice was flat, dripping with endless mockery.
“He Hong’an’s move is clearly because he knows the people the Pei family placed in the Ministry of Personnel hold high positions. It is both a plea and a threat.” Pei Ji’s gaze deepened, a bone-chilling coldness in his eyes. “If we let him manipulate us, will he dare to demand the throne in the future?”
Pei Su could not help curving his lips, though there was little warmth in his eyes.
Pei Xiao naturally would not agree. “However, the He family is your little Zhile’s maiden family after all, having the grace of giving birth to and raising him. While I may not know him well, I know you. If he comes pleading to you, you will likely agree.”
Pei Ji fell into an eerie silence.
The memory of the little mute weeping with a noseful of tears was still vivid in his mind. He did not even need to cry and beg. All he had to do was act spoiled and tug on his sleeve, or furrow his brows in distress.
And Pei Ji would get it done for him.
Pei Xiao snapped in exasperation, “You truly would do that! You worthless boy!”
Looking like a dead pig unbothered by boiling water, Pei Ji chuckled roguishly, “But he will not beg me. The He family treated him poorly; he knows what to do, and so do I.”
Pei Su frowned, worried he might hatch some reckless scheme, and cautioned gently, “Do not take things too far.”
“He Hong’an came begging at our door for the sake of his children, so he cannot favor one over the other, caring only for his son while ignoring his daughter.” Pei Ji smiled, realizing this was the perfect opportunity to settle old scores all at once.
“Handle it as you see fit,” Pei Xiao said.
Pei Ji raised an eyebrow and took on the task.
He could not enter the imperial court anytime soon, but he could certainly manage other matters.
Back at the Qing Courtyard, the little mute had long since tidied up the room. The dirty clothes were piled together, waiting for Pei Ji to return before having the servants take them away to be washed.
He always found ways to make things convenient for others.
Because he and Chun Jian had walked a difficult, solitary path for ten years.
The moment Pei Ji stepped inside, the little mute came forward to greet him. Pei Ji beamed, “Missing me already?”
Having just bathed and changed clothes, He Zhile still carried a faint flush on his cheeks. He gave no direct answer, merely signing a few simple gestures at him.
[The kitchen has prepared hot water. Go take a bath.]
Pei Ji played dumb directly, “You want to bathe together with me?”
He Zhile shook his head repeatedly. I am telling you to go bathe quickly! I already bathed!
“Fine, then we will bathe together.” Speaking, Pei Ji wrapped an arm around him and walked toward the bathhouse. “A few days ago, I had craftsmen make a new bathtub. Come see if it is comfortable to use.”
A new bathtub?
He Zhile’s curiosity was piqued. No matter how new a bathtub was, it was still made of wood, differing at most by the quality of timber. What novelty could there be?
But Pei Ji spoke so decisively that he could not resist wanting to go take a look together to see what kind of extraordinary bathtub it was.
Well, this was a bathtub, was it?
Looking at the white jade bathtub crafted from jade slabs before his eyes, He Zhile could not even utter a sound, freezing entirely in place.
Could such a massive piece of jade have been stolen from the national treasury?
Pei Ji ordered the servants to fill the tub with water. The crystal-clear water reflected the pure white jade, making one tempted to plunge straight in and chisel a hole in the stone.
He Zhile had seen little of the world, and this display from Pei Ji truly opened his eyes.
“What is so special about this?” Pei Ji chuckled softly. “If you like it, how about I decorate the entire Qing Courtyard with jade for you in the future?”
He Zhile shook his head hurriedly. Not only were gold and jade costly, but the Qing Courtyard was already in fine shape with delicate furnishings. How could it possibly warrant redecorating?
Pei Ji did not deliberately twist his meaning to tease him further. He did as he pleased in such matters; renovating their own courtyard was what he, as a husband, ought to do, so there was no need for his Zhengjun to fret over it.
He raised his hands and shed his outer robe, and immediately, a pair of hands that were not particularly smooth helped untie his inner garment. Brushing against his skin, those shifting hands made Pei Ji’s throat run parched. Unable to hold back any longer, he seized them firmly in his palm.
“Get out,” he said with a frown.
He Zhile felt a sharp ache in his fingers. His eyelashes trembled, his nose stung, and tears clamored to spill over. If he gave in, they would streak all across his face.
Dirty and humiliating.
He quickly blinked, trying to pull his hands back.
Yet the man who told him to get out remained silent for a long moment before releasing his grip. The fingers that had been squeezed white quickly regained their color. He Zhile flexed his fingers slightly and stepped outside without a sound.
Leaving the bathhouse, he became even more convinced that Pei Ji did not like him.
It was not mere wild imagination. They had been married for over a month, yet they had never shared genuine intimacy. Even if kisses counted, a rough tally showed they had barely kissed a few times.
Although he did not understand much about such matters, he understood the nature of men in this world, or else he would not have a younger brother of the same age.
Just how much did Pei Ji despise him to endure with such restraint?
Or should he take concubines for him?
He truly did not comprehend these things, thinking he would mention it to his mother-in-law later, as she would surely know how to handle it. If he could not bear offspring, he could not hold back Pei Ji and the Pei family.
Or perhaps, he did not know whether the Seventh Prince would be willing to be a Pingjun. If not, he could request to step down as well.
As long as Pei Ji liked it.
It did not matter.
Pei Ji vented his frustration in the bathtub and gulped down several cups of cold tea before feeling somewhat better.
Returning to the bedchamber, he originally intended to talk properly with the little mute about the He family to give him a heads-up. Unexpectedly, the other signed gestures and mouthed words together, making his meaning crystal clear.
Oh no, his wife does not want him anymore!