It was no wonder she did not look elegant. The Pei household treated her very coldly. The small building was empty and quiet. No tea was served, no snacks were brought, and there was not even a warming pot. Although it was already spring, the wind by the sea was still strong and cold, making people shiver.
They said all the servants were busy serving guests at the banquet, but it was clearly done on purpose. Xu Miaoxue seemed not to notice at all and continued dreaming her beautiful dream.
She imagined what would happen once the Pei family learned who she really was. It would be like a thunderclap from a clear sky. They would panic, rush around, and welcome her in a grand way. After all, her husband was Pei Shuye. As far as she knew, the Pei family could still be so glorious today only because of her “husband.”
She had only rested comfortably for a short while when Ali, who had been keeping watch outside, rushed in.
“Madam, Madam! Someone is coming!”
Xu Miaoxue tried to sit up, but the tassels on her hairpin caught on the carved pattern of the chair back. She could not get up at all. Ali hurried over to help her, but in the next moment, the Pei family’s women entered the small building in a large group.
The first thing Old Madam Pei saw when she stepped into the small hall was a woman stuck awkwardly on a chair, her neck tilted sideways. Their eyes met.
In her whole life, Old Madam Pei had never seen such improper behavior. She froze in place, not knowing whether to be shocked or angry. What was worse, the woman showed no shame at all. Instead, she grinned at her and waved her hand, giving a very ugly and careless salute.
“You must be Old Madam Pei, right? Sorry, sorry. Your daughter-in-law apologizes.”
After apologizing, Xu Miaoxue still did not stand up and let Ali continue helping her remove the hairpin. Old Madam Pei’s face darkened badly. Hearing the word “daughter-in-law” together with this woman’s appearance almost made her faint.
Second, Madam Pei hurried forward. “Xu, stand up first!”
Xu Miaoxue acted as if she did not understand and said with a grin, “Your chair is more magical than a temple fortune tube. It only keeps valuable guests. Please don’t blame me for poor manners. This gilded carving alone is worth twenty taels of silver—”
Before she finished speaking, Ali pulled harder and finally removed the hairpin, but the tassels were torn off. Beads the size of soybeans scattered across the floor with clinking sounds. At last, Xu Miaoxue was freed from the chair.
The first thing she did was rush forward to pick up the beads.
“Oh no, oh no! These little pearls cost one tael of silver each!” She bent over and moved between the women’s skirts, picking them up one by one. “Please lift your feet, my ladies.”
The women stepped aside, making space for her. In front of everyone, she lay on the floor and swept a rolling pearl into her sleeve. Her ridiculous posture made many people cover their mouths and laugh quietly.
Xu Miaoxue felt a sense of mischief. They were laughing at her, but how did they know she was laughing at them in her heart? The admired gentleman Pei Shuye had deliberately hidden his marriage, wanting to find a better match. She insisted on exposing this and letting everyone see his “poor old wife.”
Only Old Madam Pei could not laugh. Anger rushed to her face, while her hands and feet turned cold.
At this moment, she felt a little regret.
Twenty years ago, she should never have agreed to let Master Pei take Pei Shuye as an adopted son.
If not for him, the Pei family might not have risen so high, but they also would not have fallen so hard, nor would such a ridiculous woman appear to shame the family.
An adopted son was still an adopted son. Deep down, he was not truly one of them and had no sense of family honor. That was why he dared to marry such a woman.
She could only comfort herself that, at least, she had not allowed this woman to step into Ruyi Harbor. That decision alone was something even the ancestors would praise.
The Second Madam Pei, who was very good at reading people, did not wait for Old Madam Pei to speak. She stepped forward and helped Xu Miaoxue up.
“Xu, stop looking. I will tell the servants to watch for any pearls. If they find them, they will collect them and return them to you.” She glanced toward Old Madam Pei. “Mother has something to say to you.”
Xu Miaoxue slapped her forehead. “Oh! Look at me, I forgot the important matter.” She then looked at Old Madam Pei openly and calmly. “Mother-in-law, say whatever you wish.”
The words “mother-in-law” made Old Madam Pei’s ears hurt.
She forced down her anger and sat in the main seat. Only then did she carefully examine Xu Miaoxue. She had a small oval face, and her features were not bad. Her eyes were soft and watery. But her face was covered in heavy makeup—too white, too red—and with all the gold and jewelry on her body, she looked like an opera performer. Old Madam Pei even felt embarrassed for her.
Many thoughts surged like waves, but when she thought of the Pei family’s current situation, she understood clearly. The Pei family depended entirely on Pei Shuye. It was not that he needed the family, but that the family needed him.
No matter how unwilling she was, this woman was still Pei Shuye’s wife and had to be dealt with. Old Madam Pei felt a sense of tired resignation.
“My Sixth son is noble in character and refined in taste. How could he marry a woman like you? What exactly is going on between you and him?”
Xu Miaoxue showed a sweet expression that did not match her earlier rough behavior. She lowered her eyes and smiled gently.
“Several years ago, my husband met with a shipwreck while sailing at sea. My father and I were also at sea and happened to save him. He stayed in my home to recover. At that time, I did not know his identity. As time passed, we developed feelings. He cared for me, later told me who he was, and promised to bring me to Leizhou and marry me.”
The hall fell silent. Everyone digested her words and quickly formed their own conclusions. They exchanged glances without speaking.
Many of them felt relieved. This woman seemed to come from an ordinary background, with no hidden secrets. It was probably just a common story of a poor girl marrying up.
Someone soon said it out loud. It was Fifth Madam, sharp-tongued as always, speaking in a mocking tone.
“Sixth Brother is so picky. Even princesses failed to move his heart. Why did he fall for you? Maybe you took advantage of his weakness, forced the matter, and since our Sixth Brother is honorable, he had no choice but to marry you.”
Fifth Madam had once hoped to marry Pei Shuye herself. But he never looked at her. In the end, she had to settle for marrying Fifth Master Pei, who had little ability.
Xu Miaoxue replied calmly, “My husband said noble ladies are all the same. Even fine food gets boring after too much. But I am different. He likes someone like me.”
Pei Hening, who was not yet married, blushed when she heard this. She stared wide-eyed, confused. This woman felt so confident, without shame or inferiority. She really was something.
Old Madam Pei finally lost the composure she had trained for decades and squeezed out a sentence through clenched teeth.
“My Sixth son must truly be starving.”
Second Madam Pei sensed a weakness and asked again, “If Sixth Brother cares for you so much, why didn’t he return to Ningbo with you? And why didn’t he tell the family about your marriage when he came home today?”
Xu Miaoxue answered smoothly, “My husband had many official duties to hand over along the way and was very busy. He also felt sorry for me traveling with him, so we came separately. As for why he didn’t tell the family about our marriage—”
Xu Miaoxue herself was surprised. That scumbag really went home without mentioning his wife?
What was he planning?
Did he want to pretend to be single and look for a better match at the banquet?
Disgusting man!
But on her face, she still looked shy.
“He said he wanted to give everyone a surprise.”
She did not believe it herself, and neither did anyone else.
So everyone reached the same conclusion: Pei Shuye had married her out of gratitude, did not truly like her, and did not want to see her often. That was why they returned separately. It saved trouble and also signaled to the family that he did not value her, so they did not need to treat her well.
Otherwise, how could someone hide such an important matter as marriage from his family? He must have felt ashamed and deliberately concealed it, hoping to find a better match at the Ruyi Harbor banquet.
Old Madam Pei understood this as well during the short exchange. She gave Second Madam Pei an approving look, and her anger eased a little.
Second Madam Pei leaned over and whispered a few words to Old Madam Pei. Old Madam Pei nodded repeatedly.
During this pause, Pei Hening finally came back to her senses and suddenly asked Xu Miaoxue a question.
“Where did all your jewelry come from?”
“Where did it come from?” Xu Miaoxue found the question strange. “Of course I bought it.”
“I mean, where did you get so much money? That hairpin on your head isn’t something you can buy with just a little spare cash.”
The young girl’s eyes were full of shiny things.
“My family are sea merchants. We are rich to begin with. Many of these are my dowry. And if I want anything, my husband buys it for me.”
Pei Hening was shocked and a little jealous. “Sixth Uncle treats you that well?”
Xu Miaoxue grinned. “Miss Pei, you’re also at the age for marriage. Let your family find you someone who loves you and is willing to spend money on you.”
“What nonsense are you saying! One should choose a husband with talent and learning. Who cares about filthy money!” Pei Hening shouted angrily.
Fifth Madam pulled her back and whispered, “Ning girl, don’t argue with such a vulgar merchant woman. It’s like talking to a cow.”
At the main seat, Old Madam Pei and Second Madam Pei seemed to have reached a decision. Second Madam Pei cleared her throat and forced a smile that looked painfully fake. She walked over and helped Xu Miaoxue up.
“Sixth Brother has been away from home for many years. His courtyard is in poor condition. Mother and I discussed this and decided to first send you to stay at a nearby estate for a while. Once the house is repaired, we will bring you back. Is that acceptable?”
The meaning was clear: the Pei family did not acknowledge her as a proper daughter-in-law and would not let her live in the main house. But they would not be too harsh either. The estate was still Pei property, so appearances could be maintained.
Xu Miaoxue lowered her face and thought quietly.
The Second Madam Pei waited nervously for her answer. Today was the banquet day. If Xu caused trouble, the Pei family’s shame would be exposed. She even wondered if Xu had chosen this day on purpose to exploit their weakness.
She had already thought of many ways to deal with it.
At last, Xu Miaoxue spoke.
“So… how many courtyards does that estate have?”
The Second Madam Pei wondered if she had heard wrong.
Xu Miaoxue explained seriously, “At least two courtyards. Otherwise, I won’t be used to living there.”
“Just that?” Second Madam Pei asked blankly.
“Well… I’ll also need five maids and five servants. Pei Lang said he wanted me to live a life of luxury.”
“That’s no problem.”
“Then I have no problem either.” Xu Miaoxue smiled brightly.
The Second Madam Pei looked at her with gratitude and disbelief. Such a troublesome-looking woman was dismissed so easily?
Soon after, Xu Miaoxue’s carriage quietly left Ruyi Harbor, just like the many people who came hoping to enter but never could.
She looked vulgar but was actually simple-minded and easy to deal with. The Pei family finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Everyone thought that top scholar Pei was powerful outside and impressive at home too. Turns out he’s not much at all,” Xu Miaoxue said lazily, lying on the soft couch in the carriage, eating snacks.
“Otherwise, he wouldn’t hide such a big matter as marriage from his family,” Ali agreed. “Men who rise in rank and wealth are always heartless.”
Xu Miaoxue brushed the crumbs off herself and sighed regretfully. “I didn’t expect that scholar to be so useless. Looks like we have to use our backup plan. You saw Sixth Miss Pei, right? I guessed correctly. The Pei family definitely has a girl they’re trying to marry off.”
Even though she never entered Ruyi Harbor, Xu Miaoxue had already succeeded halfway. This was a retreat to advance, catching them off guard.
The sound of wheels rolled over the stone road. A line of carriages headed toward Ruyi Harbor. Everything looked ordinary, as if nothing special had happened.