Attendant Censor Sun Ying was walking along the roadside, listening to the vivid descriptions from the street vendors.
At first, he treated it as gossip, but as he heard the details, he couldn’t help but frown, feeling sorry for the poor child from whichever family it was.
When he later heard his own name mentioned and the name Xuan Ge’er, his face instantly changed. His legs went weak, and he nearly stumbled, wanting to grab someone to ask more. But then he heard that Zhuangyuan Lang’s wife had rescued Xuan Ge’er, and Sun Ying finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, in that short span of time, his inner robe had been soaked with cold sweat. Now, with the wind blowing, he felt a chill all over.
Coincidentally, Pei Muzheng was also up ahead.
Sun Ying, thinking that Zhuangyuan Lang’s wife had saved Xuan Ge’er, felt grateful and went over to pat Pei Muzheng on the shoulder.
But he noticed that this Zhuangyuan Lang’s expression was not very good.
He didn’t think much of it, assuming that official matters were troubling Pei Muzheng.
“Lord Pei, you must have heard about what happened earlier. The child rescued by Pei Shaofuren is my Xuan Ge’er. I am truly grateful to Pei Shaofuren today. If she hadn’t intervened, my Xuan Ge’er would surely have lost his life. It was such a close call.”
The thought alone made him shudder with fear, and he couldn’t help but feel some resentment toward Shen Yuanwu.
For now, he only expressed his thanks briefly to Pei Muzheng.
When his day off came, he would bring his entire family to the Pei family to personally thank the young mistress.
“There’s no need for formalities, Lord Sun.” Pei Muzheng suppressed his anger and forced himself to exchange a few polite words with Sun Ying.
But when he heard Sun Ying thanking him, he felt no joy—only overwhelming resentment and worry.
Resentment toward Jiang Yao and worry for Wu Wu.
He couldn’t bear to imagine how helpless Wu Wu must have felt, surrounded by so many onlookers.
And to think Old Woman Sun had slapped her! Why couldn’t Lord Sun keep his own mother in check?
And Jiang Yao! How could she disregard Wu Wu’s dignity like that?
Sun Ying was still holding onto Pei Muzheng, saying something.
But Pei Muzheng’s mind was filled with the urge to return to the manor and confront Jiang Yao. After perfunctorily responding a few words, he hurried back to Pei Manor.
Jiang Yao hadn’t stayed for dinner at the Jiang family that day.
Whenever she stayed at the Jiang family, her parents always had the kitchen prepare a table full of delicious dishes for her.
Lately, she had gained some weight and didn’t dare to stay for dinner at the Jiang family anymore.
After returning, she instructed the small kitchen to prepare a light meal.
Even for a light meal, the small kitchen put in great effort, preparing a bowl of bird’s nest stewed with goji berries and red dates, a plate of shredded chicken salad, and stir-fried Chinese yam—just enough for her to eat, light yet delicious.
Jiang Yao ate contentedly and continued giving instructions to Zhenzhu.
“Zhenzhu, tomorrow, buy some flowers and plants—Peonies, Orchids, Chrysanthemums, Roses, Camellias, and the like. Also, transplant all the bamboo in the courtyard to the side yard and plant Wintersweet for me instead.”
Although Pei Muzheng didn’t live in the same courtyard as her, she had previously known of his love for bamboo, so she had planted a lot of it in the courtyard.
Now, she didn’t care about Pei Muzheng’s preferences; she would arrange things according to her own tastes.
“Oh, and you don’t need to dig up all the bamboo. Leave some and build a fishpond nearby to raise some fish.”
After all, once they divorced, the deed to this residence would be hers, and the entire Pei family would have to leave.
Zhenzhu replied, “Yes, I will take care of it tomorrow. Will you be going out again tomorrow, young mistress?”
Jiang Yao thought for a moment. “Let’s go out for another stroll tomorrow. You accompany me. Leave the courtyard matters to Xi Fu and Xi Lan, and find a well-known craftsman to design and manage it for me.”
Since it was to be done according to her preferences, everything naturally had to be of the finest quality.
Moreover, she had to go out tomorrow to find Divine Doctor Xue.
Just as Zhenzhu was about to nod in agreement, a panicked voice came from outside.
“The young master has returned.”
Jiang Yao’s face immediately showed a trace of impatience.
She knew exactly why that scoundrel had come—undoubtedly, he had heard about the incident with Shen Yuanwu after leaving his office. He probably thought that by saving Xuan Ge’er, she had humiliated Shen Yuanwu and caused her to lose face. Unable to bear the thought of his beloved suffering, he had rushed over to confront her.
If he dared to question her, she would make him regret it!
Jiang Yao glanced at the empty dishes on the table and said to Zhenzhu, “Zhenzhu, clear these away and bring a pot of hot tea. Make sure it’s piping hot.”
Zhenzhu nodded, cleared the dishes, and went to prepare the tea.
By then, Pei Muzheng had already stormed in angrily.
“Oh, husband, what brings you here? Did you just return from your office? Have you had your evening meal? Ah, what unfortunate timing—I’ve just finished eating. You might have to go to Yongshou Hall for your meal.”
Yongshou Hall was the Main Courtyard where Old Madam Pei resided.
Though Jiang Yao’s words sounded concerned, she didn’t even shift from her seat, remaining comfortably settled.
Seeing her so at ease, Pei Muzheng thought of Yuan Wu, who was likely weeping at home at that very moment, and felt increasingly agitated and resentful toward Jiang Yao.
Yet he dared not lose his temper recklessly, afraid that Jiang Yao might jump to conclusions and drag him and Wu Wu into further trouble.
Suppressing his anger, Pei Muzheng asked, “Yao Yao, what did you do outside today? I’ve heard some things.”
Noting his restraint, Jiang Yao sneered inwardly.
Why hold back? Come on, just confront her outright, vent your anger at her.
Since he wouldn’t lose his temper, he couldn’t blame her for what came next.
Just then, Zhenzhu brought in a pot of hot tea and withdrew.
Jiang Yao beamed with a radiant smile.
“Yes, husband, you have no idea how remarkable I was today! Because of my second brother, I’ve been reading medical books since I was young…”
She vividly recounted the day’s events to Pei Muzheng.
Then she asked him, “Husband, wasn’t I amazing? I could tell at a glance that the child still had a breath left. It’s strange, but I never knew I had such a talent. Do you think Divine Doctor Xue would take me as his disciple? And Shen Yuanwu—she’s utterly ridiculous! If her skills are inadequate, she shouldn’t be diagnosing others. Medicine isn’t like embroidery or other handicrafts; a single mistake can cost a life! She nearly caused a death! Old Madam Sun was so furious she slapped her. Her face swelled up instantly, and she screamed and fell to the ground… I say she deserved it! That’ll teach her to…”
Before Jiang Yao could finish her last few words, Pei Muzheng’s face flushed crimson with rage.
He roared, “Enough!”
Jiang Yao was startled, her face instantly turning pale.
“Husband, what’s wrong? Why are you shouting at me all of a sudden?”
Even though Pei Muzheng had already heard about the incident on his way home, Jiang Yao’s added details revealed how harshly Old Madam Sun had struck.
Wu Wu must have been so wronged and terrified at that moment.
Pei Muzheng tried to hold back, but he simply couldn’t. With Wu Wu suffering so much, how could Jiang Yao gloat and add insult to injury?
He ultimately failed to restrain himself, yet knowing he couldn’t vent his anger on Jiang Yao, he swallowed his rage again and decided to reason with her instead.
“Yao Yao, no matter what, Miss Shen is your sister. How can you take pleasure in her misfortune? She’s already suffered enough.”
Jiang Yao stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
“Husband, she nearly caused someone’s death, and you’re still defending her? Do you also believe a human life is less important than her wounded pride? That Xuan Ge’er should have been left to die? That Shen Yuanwu’s reputation should be protected? Heavens, husband, how could you be such a person? Someone like you still wants to become an official? Would you then casually trample on human lives? Don’t you know that if this gets out, it will damage your official career?”
Pei Muzheng’s face paled slightly.
After attacking him, Jiang Yao’s expression shifted again as she pointed angrily at Pei Muzheng.
“Husband, Shen Yuanwu nearly killed a child, yet you still defend her? And you still claim nothing is between you? This is what you call nothing? You’ve already lost all sense of right and wrong for her sake, thinking her grievances outweigh a human life.”
As she spoke, her eyes reddened.
Pei Muzheng grew somewhat flustered, worried Jiang Yao might make unfounded accusations outside again.
“Yao Yao, I… that’s not what I meant.”
Jiang Yao wept, “But isn’t that exactly what your words meant? You even came to question me. I wondered why you came to my courtyard right after leaving your office today when you normally never visit. So it was for her sake! You think I was wrong to save Xuan Ge’er, that I made her lose face and suffer humiliation, so you came to blame me, right?”
Pei Muzheng began to feel overwhelmed and tried to explain himself.
But Jiang Yao gave him no opportunity. “Husband, how could you do this? You’re going too far.”
Crying with heartbroken grievance, without a second thought she picked up the pot of hot tea Zhenzhu had just brought, removed the lid, and splashed it toward Pei Muzheng.
This pot of tea was much hotter than the bowl of chicken soup previously thrown at Pei Xingyu and Liu Shi.
Pei Muzheng was standing extremely close.
It hit him directly in the face.
The room instantly echoed with Pei Muzheng’s screams.
Jiang Yao placed the teapot back on the table, appearing frightened.
“Ah, husband, husband, are you alright? I didn’t mean to.”
Heh, she absolutely meant it.
Hope it burns him good!