When Xie Changyan returned to the Eastern Palace, he was filled with doubts. Whether Pei Yunshu was merely being temperamental or genuinely displeased, he believed he could still discern.
Pei Yunshu seemed to harbor some resistance toward him, though Xie Changyan did not feel it keenly. After all, for years, despite his status as Crown Prince, he had lingered around Pei Yunshu.
Pei Yunshu knew nothing of love, and with just a little guidance from Xie Changyan—especially with Jiang Liuyan secretly assisting—she naturally regarded him as her beloved. Before this, they had already grown quite intimate.
He felt he had devoted the greater part of his lifelong patience to Pei Yunshu. In Xie Changyan’s eyes, he had given enough. Pei Yunshu should have been utterly devoted to him, or at least considered his feelings.
Yet there was none of that. Now, with Pei Yunshu acting this way, even a clay figure would have some temper, let alone Xie Changyan.
If necessary, he could simply choose someone else. This was Dachen, not a place where the Duke of Pei had the final say. Those who held military power were not limited to Pei Yuanzheng alone.
Whenever Xie Changyan thought of this, he felt a tinge of regret. If Jiang Liuyan were the legitimate daughter of the Guogong Mansion, there would be no such troubles.
At this moment, the Eastern Palace steward came to report that the eldest daughter of the Guogong Mansion had sent a gift. Xie Changyan had it brought over—it was a potted plant and an exquisitely embroidered sachet.
“Only these things were sent?” Xie Changyan looked at them. Truly, a young lady’s gifts were nothing but useless trinkets.
“Yes, I heard the young lady of the Guogong Mansion personally went to the temple to obtain them. They are said to soothe the mind and bring peace.”
Xie Changyan did not believe in such things, but since Pei Yunshu had taken the initiative to send them, he took it as a gesture of goodwill. Moreover, the sachet could be quite useful.
Xie Changyan’s expression softened. “Take the plant and have the gardener tend to it carefully.”
The young eunuch acknowledged the order and was about to take the plant away. “Wait,” Xie Changyan said, glancing at the magnolia. It was indeed blooming beautifully and had been obtained from the Pudu Temple.
“Place it in my study.”
His study was where he received outsiders more often. Since it had been sent, it was best to let others know.
“As for this sachet, remember to have me carry it when I go out.”
Xie Changyan let out a sigh of relief. It seemed he had indeed overthought things.
Now that Pei Yunshu had something she wanted to do and a purpose, she would not sink into the confusion and daze that followed her rebirth. She knew all too well the path she must take this time.
She understood her parents’ intentions—to find her an honest husband. Yet human hearts were always unfathomable. Why had she trusted Jiang Liuyan and Xie Changyan so deeply in her previous life?
It was simply because she believed that since she treated them well, they should reciprocate with gratitude. In the end, she had nurtured two ungrateful wolves.
Thus, Pei Yunshu no longer believed in such things. She only wanted to elevate herself to a higher position, to possess a more noble status, so that those who had betrayed her—even if they hated her to the core—could only grovel before her.
Today, Pei Yunshu wore a light green blouse and held a new round fan in her hand. “How many days has it been since I last visited my cousin?”
“It has been five days since you last saw the young lady,” Yuehua said, bringing over a cup of warm tea. “Would you like to visit your cousin now?”
“It’s time to pay a visit. If I don’t go, my cousin, being so sensitive, might think she has offended me and start quietly weeping again.”
Yue Yun listened, eyeing the round fan in Pei Yunshu’s hand. “Miss, you’re already sensitive to the heat. In this weather, you still have to go and coax your cousin. How can this be?”
Pei Yunshu gently tapped Yue Yun’s head with her fan. “Don’t talk nonsense. Cousin is staying at the Guogong Mansion, and she probably still has worries in her heart. We should naturally treat her well.”
As Pei Yunshu spoke, many young maidservants were nearby. These maids were quite lively in private—who knew when such words might spread?
These past few days had indeed been scorching. Jiang Liuyan had sent someone to fetch ice, but the maid returned empty-handed, saying that due to the recent heat, the ice in the storage was being used up quickly, so the allotments for each courtyard had been reduced.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Liuyan merely nodded to indicate she understood. If the entire mansion’s allotments had been reduced, she had nothing to say.
Moreover, Jiang Liuyan had always been obedient and gentle in the Guogong Mansion. When she occasionally felt wronged, she would only quietly cry in her room.
Naturally, she wouldn’t dwell on this matter. Most of the time, Jiang Liuyan simply sat by the window with a book in hand, teaching the young maidservants around her to read and write.
“Aren’t you hot, Miss?”
“A calm heart naturally feels cool. If the heat feels unbearable, it’s likely because one’s heart is not at peace.” Jiang Liuyan turned a page of her book. The young maid beside her watched her and nodded in confusion.
“Cousin is right.” Pei Yunshu popped up by the window. Jiang Liuyan looked at her. “Niannian, why have you come? The sun is so fierce—you might get sunburned.”
Jiang Liuyan quickly pulled her into the room. Seeing Pei Yunshu’s cheeks flushed, she picked up a fan to cool her.
“I just thought it had been a few days since I last saw you, Cousin. Although it’s hot today, I only walked around the mansion. You needn’t worry.”
Pei Yunshu sat on a chair, her smile bright. But in Jiang Liuyan’s eyes, Pei Yunshu had always been carefree like this—something both enviable and jealousy-inducing.
“Niannian, do you need something from me?”
“I was feeling bored staying in my room, so I came to chat with you.”
“That’s fine, but my room is stuffy and hot too. I’m afraid you won’t be able to bear it.”
“It’s alright. I’ll have to get used to it eventually. This year is hotter than previous years, but there’s been plenty of rain. Mother says it’s a year of good harvest.”
“Aunt said that? That’s wonderful.”
Pei Yunshu often came to chat with her, and Jiang Liuyan was already accustomed to it. She was like Pei Yunshu’s study companion and playmate. Whenever Pei Yunshu sought her out, she had to coax and accompany her.
“Cousin, from what I heard from Mother, she’s recently been looking for a husband for you in the capital.” Pei Yunshu whispered, leaning close to Jiang Liuyan.
“A husband?” Jiang Liuyan’s fan paused slightly. “Me?”
“Cousin, Mother is very serious about this. She’s waiting for Father to return to settle the matter. Given your age, Mother is quite anxious, afraid of delaying your marriage.”
Before Jiang Liuyan could say anything, Pei Yunshu blurted it all out. Jiang Liuyan was stunned for a moment.
She had always taken her time because the Guogong Mansion cared deeply about its young ladies and wouldn’t marry them off hastily. Moreover, Pei Yunshu’s own marriage was already a headache for the mansion. When she came of age, she had told her aunt she was in no hurry—she wanted to find a good match.
Since Jiang Liuyan had already attached herself to Xie Changyan, she would no longer stoop to marrying some ordinary, mediocre man.
But now, the Guogong Mansion was seeking a husband for her. Seeing Pei Yunshu’s teasing gaze, Jiang Liuyan put on a shy smile and said, “How can we speak of such matters? I leave it entirely to Auntie’s arrangements.”
“Cousin, marriage is such an important matter. How can you be so indifferent? I’ve secretly looked into the candidates Mother has in mind. How about we go and meet them discreetly?”
“Auntie would scold us if she found out. Auntie knows best.”
“I’ve taken a look. The people Mother favors include Father’s deputy general, a civil official who passed the imperial examination last year, and even the second son of a prince. Cousin, don’t worry—since you’re from our Guogong Mansion, you’ll surely be the principal wife.” Pei Yunshu spoke earnestly. These were indeed the candidates her mother had in mind, but with the Crown Prince’s favor, would her cousin ever be content to marry anyone else?
A second son? He wouldn’t even inherit the title of prince. Jiang Liuyan tightened her grip on the fan in her hand. Who would care about being the principal wife to someone of such status?
Pei Yunshu merely mentioned it in passing before moving on to other topics, leaving Jiang Liuyan alone to suppress her resentment and force a smile, pretending to share a deep sisterly bond with Pei Yunshu.
By lunchtime, Pei Yunshu’s hesitation was unmistakable. Before Jiang Liuyan could understand why, Yuehua stepped forward, explaining that due to the heat, the small kitchen had prepared cooling refreshments for the young lady, so she would not be dining with her cousin.
Jiang Liuyan did not press her to stay. Only now, upon closer inspection, did Pei Yunshu realize how strained the other’s smile was—like the saying from storybooks, “a smile that doesn’t reach the eyes.”
Pei Yunshu pretended to be as oblivious as before and took her leave. However, among those Jiang Liuyan sent to escort her, there was a very familiar face.
“Isn’t this Yue Mei?”