The addition of a jade piece on Pei Yunshu’s person went entirely unnoticed by anyone. After all, compared to the priceless jewelry adorning this young lady, this piece of jade was truly inconspicuous.
As the legitimate daughter of Guogong Mansion, Pei Yunshu had never lacked fine things. In contrast to Jiang Liuyan’s usual simplicity and elegance, Pei Yunshu had always favored wearing gold and silver.
When Yueying appeared before Pei Yunshu, she was reading a book. In truth, these were all books she had read before, but she now relied on copying texts to calm her mind.
“Why has the young lady taken to copying Buddhist scriptures?”
“I recall that the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet is in October, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but it’s not a milestone birthday, so it likely won’t be grandly celebrated. The Empress Dowager worships Buddha—how about I copy a Buddhist scripture to send to her?”
Upon hearing this, Yuehua rarely showed a hint of a smile. “Didn’t the young lady always send precious and exquisite objects before? Why copy Buddhist scriptures this time?”
“Everything that could be sent has been sent. Who knows what the Empress Dowager truly likes? Didn’t Cousin say that sincerity matters most?”
As Yuehua was speaking with Pei Yunshu, Yueying entered and reported to Pei Yunshu, “Young lady, the cousin is about to go out.”
“Do you know what she plans to do?”
“To a teahouse.”
“A teahouse? Cousin never liked such places before, did she?” Pei Yunshu set down her brush.
Jiang Liuyan was dressed beautifully today. Though still in simple and elegant colors, she wore the finest flowing-cloud brocade, lightly powdered, with carefully selected hair ornaments. Despite the scorching summer, looking at Jiang Liuyan gave one a refreshing and pleasant feeling.
Pei Yunshu watched her. In the past, she had always felt comfortable being with this cousin of hers—everything she did was pleasing and satisfactory. Now, it occurred to her that Jiang Liuyan was merely trying to please others, whether it was the people of Guogong Mansion or the Crown Prince.
“Cousin.” Pei Yunshu appeared with a smiling face, blocking Jiang Liuyan’s path.
“Niannian.” No matter how well Jiang Liuyan concealed it, she couldn’t help but reveal a trace of panic.
“Cousin, are you also out looking for a place to cool off? I heard the bamboo grove is quite cool. Would you like to go together? We could even have lunch there.”
Jiang Liuyan smiled gently. “No, I won’t join you. I wouldn’t want to disturb you.”
“How could that be a disturbance? I’m bored alone anyway, and Cousin can keep me company.”
Jiang Liuyan’s smile nearly faltered. The Crown Prince was busy with state affairs, and she couldn’t easily meet him. How could she give up such a good opportunity so easily?
“Niannian, I truly cannot accompany you today. I have to go out.”
“Cousin is going out? Is there something you need to do?” Pei Yunshu appeared curious and enthusiastic.
Jiang Liuyan had no doubt that if what she said pleased this young lady, she would surely insist on following her.
Why today? Why of all days today?
“I heard there are new poems out recently, so I wanted to go see them and copy them down for my collection. It’s a dull affair, and Niannian has never liked such things, has she?” Jiang Liuyan spoke hastily, only realizing after she spoke that her words were too rushed—her refusal was too obvious.
Sure enough, Pei Yunshu’s eyes held surprise and confusion.
“It’s good to go out for a walk though. Would you like to come, Niannian?” Jiang Liuyan naturally couldn’t take Pei Yunshu to see Xie Changyan. It seemed this opportunity would have to be wasted.
“Is that so?” Pei Yunshu looked at her cousin. How interesting—this was the first time she had seen her cousin like this, unable to hide the panic in her expression.
In her past life, she had been a caged mouse her entire life. This time, she would play the role of the cat.
Only after she had seen enough did Pei Yunshu put on an unwilling expression. “Forget it. I’ve never been as calm-minded as you, cousin. On such a hot day, it would be even stuffier in the carriage. I won’t go suffer that.”
Watching Jiang Liuyan’s almost fleeing figure, Pei Yunshu now understood a little of what Jiang Liuyan had thought in her previous life.
Pei Yunshu walked in the opposite direction. Knowing everything in advance and watching the completely unaware person panic, worry, and have their emotions swayed by you—it truly was a delightful thing.
No wonder, before her death in her previous life, Jiang Liuyan had come to reveal everything to her. Everything she had done was to take revenge on her. If she hadn’t told her before she died, wouldn’t she have completely missed the chance to flaunt her victory?
“Miss, you rushed over in such a hurry just to say a few words to your cousin?” Yue Yun didn’t understand and even felt a bit wronged on behalf of her mistress.
“Look, your cousin’s attitude clearly shows she didn’t really want to talk to you.”
Pei Yunshu did intend to take a walk in the bamboo grove. Hearing Yue Yun’s words, she sized up this little maid who had followed her since childhood—greedy for treats and easily fooled.
Yue Yun hesitated. “Miss, why are you looking at me like that?”
“How could you tell?” Pei Yunshu found it strange. If she hadn’t been deliberately observing, she wouldn’t have noticed anything, yet this girl had picked up on it.
“I could just sense it.”
“I never noticed before, but you’re quite clever. Cousin probably has her own matters to attend to. Let’s not bother her. Who doesn’t have their own little secrets?”
When Pei Yunshu arrived at the bamboo grove, Pei Qingwan was playing the zither. Pei Yunshu stood there listening for a while.
“Who taught you this piece?”
Pei Yunshu stepped forward, interrupting the music. Pei Qingwan stood up to bow and, upon seeing Pei Yunshu’s displeased expression, asked, “This was taught by the female Teacher hired by my mother. Does elder sister find something improper about it?”
Pei Yunshu walked over and sat down, watching Pei Qingwan stand cautiously beside her. “Sit down. I’m not here to scold you.”
“Pei Qingwan, have you ever thought about what kind of person you want to marry in the future?”
Pei Qingwan was taken aback. Of course she had thought about it, but in the past, she hadn’t thought much—just that she wanted to marry as a proper wife. However, she didn’t understand why Pei Yunshu suddenly brought this up.
“When you marry, you naturally go as the lady of the house, entering a noble and wealthy family. Is this all your mother usually teaches you?”
Pei Yunshu had never paid much attention to this younger sister before, but she knew that Jiang Liuyan had studied the same books and learned the same things as her since childhood.
Pei Qingwan’s face paled slightly, unsure how to respond.
“Stop learning this. Such decadent music can serve as entertainment in the inner chambers, but if you play it in front of others, do you know how people will mock you?”
Pei Yunshu raised her hand and played a piece. Pei Qingwan listened, entranced. This melody was not gentle or lingering but carried an ethereal and transcendent quality.
She had once thought her elder sister was truly uneducated and incompetent, but it never occurred to her—how could the beloved legitimate daughter of the Guogong Mansion truly be an unaccomplished, frivolous young lady?
“How was it?”
“In the past, I never heard Elder Sister play the qin.”
“This? Who do you think has the right to demand that I play the qin for them like a courtesan from a music hall?”
Pei Yunshu casually plucked the strings of the qin before removing the protective guards from her fingers.
“I am seventy percent confident I can arrange a high-status marriage for you, but that is all I can do. How to win over your husband and how to become the lady of a noble household—that is your responsibility.”
Pei Qingwan nodded. “I understand. I ask Elder Sister not to be sparing in her guidance.”
“Of course. I have always been generous to those who belong to me.” However, she had to ensure this person remained firmly in her grasp. She could not afford to be foolish a second time.