Qiongyu Pavilion was a renowned pastry shop in the capital. It was said that the pastry chefs at Qiongyu Pavilion were all retired from the palace.
The pastries at Qiongyu Pavilion were exquisitely crafted, and their prices were steep. Even among the wealthy, one had to think twice before buying a small portion just to savor the taste.
“It’s summer now, and I can’t even have a chilled sweet drink. The mansion keeps a strict watch. Shall we have something at Qiongyu Pavilion today?”
“Madam said that the young lady must not indulge in cold treats,” Yuehua replied earnestly.
“On such a hot day, I can’t even have a sip of sweet water?”
“Young lady, we’ve arrived at Qiongyu Pavilion,” Yuehua said without answering, lifting half of the carriage curtain.
“The Crown Prince has also arrived,” Yuehua remarked, looking at the unmarked carriage parked in front of Qiongyu Pavilion—it was from the Eastern Palace.
“The Crown Prince is here too? What a coincidence,” Pei Yunshu glanced at the nearby Qiongyu Pavilion and lifted the hem of her skirt as she stepped down from the carriage.
Pei Yunshu knew she was beautiful, but she had never paid it much mind. As the eldest daughter of the Guogong Mansion, her status alone was enough; she didn’t need her looks to enhance it.
But now, as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, she realized that in times of true hardship, she, like anyone else, could perish. She no longer hesitated to make use of her appearance.
The woman who stepped down from the carriage wore a light purple silk dress, its hem embroidered with delicate crabapple patterns. A tasseled silk ribbon was tied around her waist, fluttering gently in the breeze.
As soon as Pei Yunshu alighted from the carriage, her eyes fell upon Xie Changyan standing there. Xie Changyan thought he hadn’t seen Pei Yunshu for days, but in truth, she had secretly seen him several times. Otherwise, she feared she wouldn’t be able to suppress her hatred and would end up accused of harming the Crown Prince.
Xie Changyan watched Pei Yunshu walking toward him, his eyes trembling slightly. Pei Yunshu approached with graceful steps, her skirt swaying gently, a bright smile curling at the corners of her lips.
Perhaps it had been some time since they last met, for Xie Changyan nearly lost his composure. He had always known that Pei Yunshu was exceptionally beautiful, but her temperament was unappealing. If only she could be as gentle and obedient as Liuyan.
If Yunshu were more compliant, life would be easier for him.
A golden hairpin adorned Pei Yunshu’s hair, swaying gently with her steps and emitting a crisp, tinkling sound.
Gold and jade were splendid, but when worn by ordinary people, they often seemed out of place. One needed equally splendid attire to complement such a golden hairpin.
But Pei Yunshu was different. Her striking beauty required the golden hairpin to accentuate her.
“Your Highness, what brings you here?”
“I was planning to visit you at the mansion. Since you like the pastries here, I thought I’d prepare some for you. What a coincidence to run into you here, Yunshu. What would you like to eat? It’s my treat.”
Pei Yunshu smiled at Xie Changyan. “Thank you, Your Highness, but I’ve made plans with someone today. Please enjoy the pastries yourself. I’m sure Qiongyu Pavilion has something to your taste.”
Even though Xie Changyan had received word that Pei Yunshu was angry with him, he didn’t take it seriously. Pei Yunshu often threw childish tantrums, and sending her gifts to appease her usually resolved the matter.
But seeing her today, Xie Changyan couldn’t help but feel a pang of unease. Pei Yunshu seemed more polite and reserved toward him, clearly displeased.
“Yunshu, are you angry with me?”
“Your Highness, why would you say such a thing?” Pei Yunshu looked at Xie Changyan, her expression genuinely puzzled. Xie Changyan had already grown accustomed to showing appropriate vulnerability in front of Pei Yunshu.
“Yunshu, these past few days, you seem to have been quite distant toward me. I thought perhaps I had offended you.”
“You are the Crown Prince. How could I dare to be distant toward Your Highness? Your Highness, I am not yet betrothed. My father and brother will soon return to the court. If they hear the rumors outside, who knows how they will reprimand me.”
Rumors? Precisely because The Duke was about to return to the court, he needed to secure his lifelong commitment with Pei Yunshu early, so that when he proposed to the Guogong Mansion, his bargaining chips would be substantial enough.
But at this critical moment, Pei Yunshu had suddenly grown distant from him. Even Xie Changyan could not help but feel anxious.
“Where did you hear this? Who dares to spread such rumors?”
“I do not know, but I have heard it many times. There must be quite a few people spreading these rumors. Your Highness, please do not trouble me further.”
Xie Changyan stood there, blocking her way as they spoke. Although not many people came and went from the Qiongyu Pavilion, quite a few recognized the two of them.
Did he truly not know how these rumors had spread? It was a pity that Pei Yunshu had only just realized it now.
He absolutely could not act too hastily. Xie Changyan wore an expression of helplessness and indulgence. “Very well, I will not pressure you. When you are in a better mood, I will visit you again.”
Xie Changyan walked away leisurely. As he left, he seemed to casually raise his hand and gently touch Pei Yunshu’s hairpin.
Pei Yunshu made a motion to dodge but failed to avoid it. Xie Changyan sighed softly. “I only wish to make you happy.”
Happy? Whether she was happy or not had little to do with Xie Changyan. What Xie Changyan brought her was torment and suffering.
Xie Changyan watched as Pei Yunshu entered the Qiongyu Pavilion and disappeared upstairs before turning to leave. To others, it seemed like the devoted gentleman from a storybook.
The upper floor of the Qiongyu Pavilion was empty today. The door to the central private room was wide open, with only a table, a chair, and one person sitting inside.
“If you do not like it, why did you not avoid it?”
“Niannian thought, Teacher, did you want to see it or not? Yet I did not see you lend me a hand.”
Pei Yunshu looked at Xie Yanchuan, who sat there calmly and steadily. Only Xie Yanchuan knew that his knuckles were white from gripping the cup.