Pei Zhao arrived while Nanny Su and the other servant had not yet returned.
The neighbor, Madam Xu, had sent over a basket of Chinese toon earlier in the morning, and Xi Ning was sitting in the courtyard picking through the vegetables.
The small courtyard was not large. In the center was a well, and beside it grew a lush phoenix tree, already budding with many flowers.
The area by the entrance had originally been a flower bed, planted with roses and peonies by the previous owner. Now, Xi Ning had uprooted them all and sown seeds from her wristband.
Lost in thought about how to prepare the Chinese toon, she didn’t notice the sound at the gate until Pei Zhao was already standing before her.
“Pei… Third Master?”
This was Xi Ning’s first time meeting Pei Zhao. The man was even more handsome and stern than in the original host’s memories, dressed in a fitted black brocade robe that exuded a cool, imposing aura.
As she observed Pei Zhao, he was also studying her.
Pei Zhao’s impression of Xi Ning had been one of fragility and timidity, yet the woman before him showed no trace of fear. Her eyes held only surprise at his sudden appearance.
Moreover, today Xi Ning hadn’t piled on all her jewelry. She wore only a single gold hairpin in her bun.
Her beauty was striking—jade couldn’t do it justice, but gold complemented her radiant allure perfectly.
Pei Zhao withdrew his gaze, lowering his eyelids to conceal the darkness in his eyes.
“Where are your servants?”
The man’s voice was deep. Though his tone held no inflection, Xi Ning sensed an accusation in it.
Chang Lin was holding a bowl from Xi’s Shop, so Xi Ning understood immediately—Nanny Su and the other servant had been caught doing business.
She stood up, placing the picked Chinese toon by the well, her expression calm and unruffled by the exposure. Chang Lin, standing behind Pei Zhao, looked at this Miss Xi properly for the first time.
It hadn’t even been half a year—how had her courage grown so much?
“Nanny Su and Ren Dong have gone out to sell food and should be back soon. Does Third Master wish to see them?”
She stood beneath the phoenix tree, dark hair and red robes, enchanting as a seductress. A faint smile played on her lips as she spoke, her charm so captivating it was hard to look away.
But Pei Zhao was no ordinary man. With just a glance, he averted his eyes.
“Who made the food?”
“I did.”
“You?”
Seeing Xi Ning nod, a flicker of surprise finally stirred in Pei Zhao’s eyes.
“Did I short you on silver?”
If he remembered correctly, he had left her a thousand taels before departing.
When he wore a cold expression, his presence was like ice. The original host would have fainted from fear by now, but Xi Ning had no concept of hierarchy. Besides, the original host was at fault—spending a thousand taels in less than half a year was reckless, so Pei Zhao’s anger was understandable.
Her smile remained unchanged as she ignored his fury and replied.
“Third Master knows my humble origins. I’d never seen so much silver before. The capital’s glamour dazzled me—everything seemed new and exciting. I spent without restraint and ran out of money, so I had no choice but to sell food to make ends meet.”
Her tone made the extravagance sound almost justified, prompting Chang Lin to glance at her again.
This Miss Xi was truly different now.
Pei Zhao frowned. “If you were short on money, why didn’t you come to the Duke’s residence to find me?”
The woman had indeed spent a bit too much, but a mere thousand taels meant nothing to him. In the eyes of others, Xi Ning was his woman, and Pei Zhao would never let his woman struggle to make a living.
“Third Master said back then that I shouldn’t seek you out unless necessary. The extravagance was my fault to begin with. Besides, I have skills to support the three of us. There was no need to trouble Third Master.”
“Are you blaming me?”
Pei Zhao stepped closer, his dark eyes fixed intently on her.Xi Ning smiled, “How could that be? Every word I speak comes from the heart, and I have no intention of provoking Third Master. Moreover, I know you bought me not out of lust for beauty—otherwise, you wouldn’t have left me neglected in the outer courtyard.”
As she spoke, she discreetly observed the man’s expression. Pei Zhao’s eyes churned with dark intensity, and his tightly pressed lips confirmed her suspicions.
“Whatever reason Third Master had for buying me, I am willing to cooperate. I only have one request: when your matters are settled, please return my deed of servitude to me.”
She was taking a gamble with these words. If Pei Zhao were narrow-minded, he would surely resent her for probing his intentions and might even take her life.
But Xi Ning had already tested him earlier. The original owner had squandered money, yet Pei Zhao hadn’t been angered—he had even been willing to continue providing her with silver. This showed he was magnanimous and tolerant.
Rather than being timid and submissive like the original owner, it was better to lay things out plainly. She could cooperate with Pei Zhao to conceal his “hidden ailment,” earn his favor, and leave with dignity and ease when the time came.
Chang Lin, standing behind them, was so frightened his legs went weak. This Miss Xi had changed so drastically it was as if she were possessed by a ghost—how else could she dare speak to his master like this?
A sharp glint flashed in Pei Zhao’s eyes, faintly concealing a murderous intent. “Who told you this?”
He had brought her back to the capital and then paid her no further attention. Could it be that Prince Xian’s spies had investigated this side?
Pei Zhao’s lips pressed even tighter.
Xi Ning knew he had misunderstood. The chilling aura around the man was nearly freezing her stiff. If she answered poorly, her life might very well be forfeit.
“No one told me. I thought of it all myself. Third Master is a noble gentleman of integrity and grace—how could you possibly take a fancy to someone as plain as me?”
Pei Zhao’s gaze fell on her slender waist, and his brow arched slightly. If she counted as plain, then there were few true beauties in this world.
However, he did not place much importance on matters between men and women. Women were troublesome and delicate—time spent coaxing them was better spent on official duties.
But if Xi Ning wasn’t deceiving him, his neglect of her might arouse Prince Xian’s suspicions.
It seemed merely buying a mistress wasn’t enough—he would have to put on an act.
Staring into Xi Ning’s clear eyes, he had already made a decision.
“Very well, I agree. Once the matter is settled, not only will I return your deed of servitude, but I will also compensate you with ten thousand taels of silver.”
“Thank you, Third Master!”
Xi Ning hadn’t expected things to be settled so easily. But in Pei Zhao’s eyes, she was just a weak woman. If she were clever, she would obediently follow his lead. Then, not only would she get her deed back, but she would also receive silver.
Ten thousand taels! How many bowls of wonton noodles would she have to sell to earn that much?
In an instant, Xi Ning found Pei Zhao quite agreeable. He was her god of wealth—she had to treat him well.
“It’s almost noon. Would Third Master care to stay for lunch? I’ve just gotten some fresh and tender Chinese toon, perfect for stir-frying with eggs.”
When it came to food, Xi Ning transformed entirely. Even though Pei Zhao had just finished a bowl of wonton noodles, he couldn’t help but be drawn in by her enthusiasm and found himself agreeing.
“Very well.”
“Then please wait, Third Master. I’ll go prepare the meal.”
With that, Xi Ning picked up the vegetable basket and headed into the kitchen. Once she was out of earshot, Chang Lin stepped forward, his face filled with shock and suspicion.
“Third Master, Miss Xi’s temperament has changed so much. Should I investigate?”
His master had no other women around him. If an enemy were using Xi Ning to harm him, Chang Lin didn’t dare imagine the consequences.Pei Zhao lifted his eyelids to glance toward the kitchen. The woman was rolling up her sleeves to fetch ingredients, her slender, pale wrists like fine white jade, enough to make one’s mind wander.
Her movements were swift and practiced, clearly a familiar routine.
Pei Zhao withdrew his gaze and spoke with firm clarity.
“No need.”