After breakfast, Jiang Yao still felt unwell. After drinking the medicine brewed by Zhenzhu, she went back to sleep.
Having lived an extra lifetime and being a medical cultivator with exceptional skills, she knew the prescription from the Langzhong was correct—it was meant to reduce fever.
After two full days of complete rest, Jiang Yao finally began to recover.
On the third day, a maid from the Old Madam’s courtyard came to summon Jiang Yao.
“Young Madam, the Old Madam requests your presence.”
Jiang Yao looked listless. “I haven’t fully recovered yet. I won’t be going.”
She also knew exactly why they were summoning her.
First, they probably thought since her illness had improved, she should resume daily attendance to serve the elders.
Second, Pei Muzheng’s married elder sister had returned to the manor to seek favors again.
When Pei Xingyue, Pei Muzheng’s elder sister, was betrothed, the Pei family was living in poverty with little money to their name.
At that time, Pei Muzheng had not yet attained the title of Zhuangyuan, so Pei Xingyue’s marriage arrangement was naturally humble, though at least it was to a Cultivated Talent.
The Cultivated Talent’s family was equally impoverished.
After Jiang Yao married into the family, Pei Xingyue began frequently visiting to seek handouts.
Her demands grew increasingly larger. When Jiang Yao had just married in, Pei Xingyue would ask for dozens of taels per visit, then it escalated to hundreds, and now she demanded several hundred taels each time.
This time, Pei Xingyue had come for silver and also intended to take the deed to the property.
The residence where Pei Xingyue’s family currently lived was also part of Jiang Yao’s dowry.
Before her marriage, her mother had advised her, “My treasure, I hope you and your husband will live in harmony. The Pei family is currently facing difficulties. If you need to use silver for the Pei family, it’s alright to spend some. You can even let them live in the property. But if anyone covets your houses, shops, or farmlands, you must never hand over the deeds. Also, keep the servants’ contracts firmly in your own hands.”
She was a mother’s girl who obeyed her mother in everything.
In the year since she had married into the family, Pei Xingyue had rarely asked her directly for the property deed.
In her previous life, misunderstood by everyone and returning to the manor in disarray, she had feared being disliked by the Pei family and had easily been coaxed into giving the deed to Pei Xingyue.
The maid seemed to want to say more but ultimately held her tongue and left Muyun Yuan.
The maid returned to the Main Courtyard where Old Madam Pei, née Tang, resided to report.
“Old Madam, the Young Madam says she hasn’t fully recovered yet and cannot come for now.”
Madam Pei, née Liu, said resentfully, “A man’s dignity is paramount. How dare she strike my son Muzheng? She hit her own husband, and now she claims to be frightened? After resting for several days, she still doesn’t hurry over to serve her parents-in-law and feigns illness? What does she think she’s doing? Is she rebelling against heaven?”
Pei Xingyu, Pei Muzheng’s younger sister, frowned and bit her lip.
“This is so annoying. I haven’t even been betrothed yet, and my sister-in-law caused such a scandal at the Dingguo Duke Manor. She has completely disgraced our Pei family.”
“Xingyu!” Pei Xingyue scolded. “What nonsense are you spouting? What does this have to do with your sister-in-law? She wasn’t the one caught in adultery!”
Pei Muzheng’s eyes flickered slightly. He had not informed anyone in the Pei family about the scheme he and Shen Yuanwu had carried out.
Old Madam Pei, née Tang, also said calmly,
“Xingyue is right. Xingyu, you shouldn’t speak of your sister-in-law that way. She usually dotes on you the most. If she heard such words, her heart would grow cold.”
Pei Xingyu pouted and fell silent.
Though Pei Xingyue outwardly defended Jiang Yao, inwardly she was growing impatient.
When would Jiang Yao finally come?
She wanted to get the property deed quickly and return home. She had already stayed at her family home for several days; her in-laws would start complaining.
She wasn’t too worried about failing to obtain the deed.
After all, Jiang Yao still favored the Pei family greatly.
Pei Xingyue said, “Grandmother, why not send someone again to urge our sister-in-law to come? Everyone is quite worried about her.”
Old Madam Pei instructed, “Cui Momo, go personally to Muyun Yuan and invite the young mistress over.”
This was the matron from her own retinue.
Before Cui Momo could speak, Pei Muzheng stood up, “Grandmother, let me go instead. It was my fault for misunderstanding Yao Yao. I ought to have apologized to her, but these past two days I’ve been occupied with official duties and returned very late. I feared disturbing her rest, so I haven’t visited Muyun Yuan.”
“It would be best if you go to invite Yao Yao yourself. We can all sit together for breakfast and clear the air—we are family, after all.”
Pei Muzheng went personally to Muyun Yuan, only to find Jiang Yao already eating. The small kitchen in Muyun Yuan had been reopened at some point.
Without giving it much thought, he approached Jiang Yao and said,
“Madam, I was at fault that day. You are my wife, and when I suddenly heard you had disappeared at Dingguo Duke Manor, then heard those sounds in the side courtyard… I was both anxious and furious, and didn’t think carefully before jumping to conclusions… These past few days while you’ve been ill, Grandmother, Mother, and Xingyu have all been worried. Today, we’d like to invite you to join us for breakfast.”
Jiang Yao wasn’t the least bit surprised to see Pei Muzheng.
Pei Xingyue was surely eager to coax her property deed away now.
Her vulgar and ill-mannered mother-in-law, having gone two or three days without flaunting her authority, was probably about to reach her limit.
She finished her last mouthful of porridge.
Then she touched the Tsuan Jin Lei Si Xiang Fen Zhen Zhu Bu Yao in her hair.
Only then did she smile at Pei Muzheng and say, “Alright.”
She couldn’t even bear to spare him an extra word.
This hairpin was something she had deliberately worn today.
It was part of the dowry her mother had given her.
A full set of pink pearl hair accessories.
Just this single hairpin alone cost several hundred taels of silver.
The entire set was worth at least three thousand taels.
Besides the main pearl being plump, glossy, and radiant, the smaller pearls dangling from the step-shaker, though smaller, were equally full and displayed a delicate, lovely pink hue.
Her mother had said, “My treasure, the several sets of heirloom hair accessories I’ve given you are all extremely valuable. If anyone covets them, you must not lend them out—no matter who asks.”
Such pink pearl hair accessories were rare. Her mother had acquired them while traveling with her father on business and had them specially made into this set for her.
She knew her sister-in-law always liked to “borrow” her jewelry and never return it.
So she had followed her mother’s advice—none of the valuable hair sets had ever been worn, remaining stored away as heirlooms.
Pei Muzheng watched as Jiang Yao’s bright, exquisite face smiled at him—a smile both sweet and charming—and his breath caught.
Indeed, Jiang Yao admired him most; after all, she had pursued this marriage for years.
That slap he gave her a few days ago was likely because she felt he didn’t trust her.
It was a pity things hadn’t worked out.
But given her genuine feelings for him, even if he were to demote her from wife to Qie in the future, he would still treat her well.
Jiang Yao followed Pei Muzheng to the old madam’s courtyard.
When she entered the main hall, the reactions of everyone in the room varied greatly upon seeing her.
Her mother-in-law, Liu Shi, slammed the table angrily.
“Jiang Yao, how dare you! How could you strike your own husband at the Guogong Fu’s banquet? How will he face his colleagues hereafter? Don’t you know a man’s dignity is paramount! Kneel down this instant!”
The old madam and the elder sister-in-law remained silent.
But the younger sister-in-law, Pei Xingyu, caught sight of the Tsuan Jin Lei Si Xiang Fen Zhen Zhu Bu Yao in Jiang Yao’s hair, and her eyes widened, her breathing growing slightly rapid.
What a beautiful pearl step-shaker!
It’ll be hers in a moment.
Jiang Yao entered the room, ignoring Liu Shi who was breathing heavily, and spoke with grievance from her seat.
“Mother, how can you blame me? It’s clearly my husband’s fault. Without even seeing the situation in the room, he believed Shen Yuanwu’s assumption that I was inside. I’m beginning to suspect that she’s the one sharing your pillow, husband!”
Pei Muzheng immediately turned cold. “Yao Yao, don’t talk nonsense.”
Old Madam Pei was startled in her heart.
She knew her grandson liked Shen Yuanwu – she had discovered it accidentally.
Could the incident at Guogong Fu a few days ago be related to her grandson?
Was it possible he tried to frame Jiang Yao, but something went wrong?
Liu Shi flew into a rage. “How dare you talk back? Are you trying to frame my son? What kind of daughter-in-law are you? You come in without greeting your mother-in-law properly. Go kneel down! I’ll teach you some manners today, teach you how to be a proper daughter-in-law.”
Her daughter-in-law actually dared to talk back today!
Jiang Yao maintained her pitiful expression.
“It’s true though. My husband doesn’t trust me, and Mother, you don’t greet Grandmother every day either. Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you.”
Liu Shi was about to explode with anger again.
“Enough, Mother!” Pei Xingyue quickly intervened.
“This matter is indeed Mu Zheng’s fault. He loves Yao Yao too much, so when he heard the noise from the side courtyard, he must have panicked and misunderstood Yao Yao.”
Then she asked Jiang Yao gently, “Yao Yao, are you feeling better? Have you had breakfast yet? Let the maid serve you a bowl of porridge to warm your stomach.”
Liu Shi snorted. “What does she need to eat? She should serve me my meal first.”
Pei Xingyue gave her mother a meaningful look.
If her mother continued like this and angered Jiang Yao, it would be difficult to ask for the property deed later.
Liu Shi also knew what her eldest daughter had returned home for these past two days.
She could only swallow her anger and remain silent.
Jiang Yao glanced at the leftover food on the table.
“I’ve already eaten.”
Liu Shi wanted to speak again, but this time even Old Madam Pei was annoyed with her and coughed lightly.
She really didn’t know how to prioritize matters.
A few words of reprimand were enough. If she really angered Jiang Yao, wouldn’t that ruin Xingyue’s plans?
Only then did Liu Shi completely shut up.
But before Pei Xingyue could continue conversing with Jiang Yao,
Pei Xingyu had already eagerly approached Jiang Yao’s side.
She stared intently at the Tsuan Jin Lei Si Xiang Fen Zhen Zhu Bu Yao on Jiang Yao’s head.
“Sister-in-law, the hairpin on your head is so beautiful.”
After saying this, she waited for her sister-in-law to give her the hairpin.
Jiang Yao touched the pearl hairpin on her head and smiled brightly. “I think it’s beautiful too. After all, just this single hairpin from this set costs several hundred taels of silver.”
Hearing that there wasn’t just the pink pearl hairpin, but an entire set of pink pearl jewelry,
Pei Xingyu’s eyes lit up.
She must get this jewelry set!
Seeing Pei Xingyu’s expression, the Pei family immediately knew what she was thinking.
They all felt it was only right for Jiang Yao to spoil her sister-in-law.
Liu Shi especially believed this jewelry set should go to her younger daughter.
This little bitch had such fine jewelry and didn’t bring it out earlier.
Pei Xingyue also grew anxious.
If her sister asked for Jiang Yao’s hairpin or jewelry set first, how could she possibly ask Jiang Yao for the property deed afterward?
Pei Xingyue quickly tugged at her sister’s sleeve.
Pei Xingyu completely ignored her eldest sister, her entire mind focused on this pink pearl jewelry set.
Jiang Yao continued speaking as if to herself, “The main pearls on this hair ornament set are the largest pink pearls, and the smaller pink pearls are also plump and perfectly round, each one selected by my mother…”
Pei Xingyu had no desire to hear the rest of these words. She only wanted it now! Immediately!
To possess this pink hair ornament set.
“Sister-in-law, sister-in-law,” Pei Xingyu affectionately interrupted Jiang Yao, “Could you lend me this hairpin? In a few days I’ll be attending a banquet, and I’d like to borrow the entire set too. Would you come with me to your room to fetch the hair ornaments?”
Before finishing her sentence, Pei Xingyu swiftly reached for the hairpin on Jiang Yao’s head.
Intending to first remove the hairpin from her hair.
But just as her hand was about to touch the hairpin.
Jiang Yao abruptly seized Pei Xingyu’s hand that was reaching toward her head.