When they reached the gate of the residence and boarded the carriage, Pei Jing'an still reached out to help Suiying inside.
She had not wanted to accept his help, but when she saw him tilt his head slightly in indication, her gaze immediately flicked backward. Behind the gate of the old residence, she caught sight of a figure dressed in Hu clothing.
She thought that perhaps Madam Sun, his elder sister-in-law, truly did care about Pei Jing'an.
Suiying withdrew her gaze and lowered her eyes to the box she held in both hands. She handed it to Zhuying beside the carriage, then placed one hand on the man's forearm and climbed inside.
On the way back, she sat in the carriage while Pei Jing'an rode outside. As before, neither of them spoke a word along the way.
It was not until they reached the street and the noisy voices of the city drifted in that Suiying pushed open the window and looked out.
She had barely looked twice when the carriage suddenly stopped.
Immediately afterward, the man's broad figure appeared beside the window. Pei Jing'an raised a hand and beckoned toward the rear.
Songtao promptly came forward and lowered his head respectfully.
Then he heard Pei Jing'an order, “I have to go to the government office. It’s still early, so you and Zhuying can accompany Madam around the city.”
Zhuying and Songtao lowered their heads and acknowledged the order.
Suiying had not expected such an arrangement. She shifted over to sit beside the window and glanced outside. “Is that all right? Will it cause any inconvenience?”
Pei Jing'an lowered his eyes toward the half-open carriage window. Her pale profile entered his view, and there was a hint of expectation in her usually indifferent, distant eyes. She looked quite serious.
Meeting her gaze, he seemed to draw out the faintest smile at the corner of his lips. “Today, you can only look around the city. Once I have some free time in a few days, I can teach you archery and horsemanship.”
Suiying nodded. On the way out of the residence, she had still been thinking of what excuse she could find to go out for a look around. She had not expected the opportunity to present itself so readily.
She stepped out of the carriage and stood upright beside it, her hands folded before her.
Pei Jing'an looked at her twice more. Though he did not know whether he had guessed correctly, she seemed to have come out especially to see him off.
Thinking this, he asked, “Did you come out to see me off?”
Before Suiying could answer, he flicked the reins and rode away.
The guards accompanying him immediately urged their horses after him.
Suiying stood where she was, watching him disappear in the distance. Wasn’t it obvious? Of course she had come out especially to see him off. He had asked even though he already knew.
If she had not been afraid that his elder sister-in-law might send someone to look in on them, she would never have done this. After all, in front of other people, they had to treat each other with courtesy as husband and wife.
Once the party had gone, Zhuying bent slightly and raised a hand in invitation. “Madam, the main street is just through this alley.”
Suiying nodded, returned to the carriage to retrieve a veiled hat, and put it on before setting off with the two of them.
When they reached the main street, she had barely stepped out of the alley before people nearby began looking over.
“Look, how strange. She’s wearing a veiled hat even though she’s going out.”
A voice speaking Hu drifted out from the crowd. It was neither loud nor soft, carrying just clearly enough to reach Suiying’s ears. She could not understand it, however, and paid it no mind as she continued walking.
Zhuying moved alongside her, blocking the passing pedestrians from getting too close. Hearing the voice, she glanced back.
Songtao immediately pressed a hand to his saber. With his thumb, he pushed the hilt, drawing half the blade.
The ringing clang frightened away the commoners following behind them, as well as those who had gathered to watch the commotion.
Hanhai City was prosperous, with shops lining both sides of the streets, but most of the goods came from the northern regions. Objects from the Central Plains were rare.
They walked while looking from side to side. When Zhuying saw that Madam was not buying anything, she said quietly, “Madam, if you take a fancy to anything, please feel free to buy it. There may not be much, but there are still things you can choose from. The Central Plains merchant caravans should arrive in about April. When they do, this servant can accompany Madam here again.”
At the mention of the Central Plains merchant caravans, Suiying’s hands before her tightened slightly.
It was already April. There was not even half a month left.
She needed to find a place to stay, settle on it, and go through all sorts of procedures to register her residence. There was no longer enough time.
Clenching her fingers, Suiying asked in a steady voice, “Is there anyone in the Northern Frontier who oversees houses and deeds?”
Zhuying glanced at her in surprise, then lowered her head and replied from the side, “There isn’t.”
Suiying gave a quiet hum. The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. If the merchant caravans brought those ridiculous rumors about her to the Northern Frontier, she would soon be driven out of the Grand Protector's Residence.
Living alone in an inn for any length of time was even less feasible. She could only speed up her search for a place to settle.
After thinking for a moment, Suiying turned her head and asked, “Which official is in charge of houses and land deeds in the Northern Frontier?”
Zhuying was startled and looked at Madam twice more. “Does Madam wish to purchase a property?”
“Yes.” Through the hanging veil, Suiying continued looking at the shops on either side. They had walked for so long that she had seen only one apothecary, while there was not a single medical clinic in sight. “My family gave me a dowry. Since this place is so far away, they gave it to me in banknotes instead. I was thinking that if I bought a property, I would feel more settled.”
At least if she had somewhere to go, she could leave calmly when the letter of repudiation was thrown at her.
If all else failed, she could open a medical clinic and make a living.
When Zhuying heard the words “feel more settled,” her eyes shifted. Did that mean the bridal-chamber rites might soon take place?
She did not show anything on her face and continued her careful inquiry. “This servant can report it to the Grand Protector and ask him to invite someone to the residence to discuss it with Madam. Would that be all right?”
Suiying answered in a low voice. She thought there was nothing to hide. Once that man learned of her circumstances, he would probably be anxious to have her leave as soon as possible.
They continued walking and looking around until they reached the center of the long street. The area ahead was packed with people, and passage was impossible.
Zhuying glanced at the sky, then bent down to ask, “Madam, it is already time for the midday meal. Shall we go to a restaurant? We can rest our feet as well. We can take our time looking at properties. What does Madam think?”
Suiying looked around and readily agreed.
In the past, she would never have stopped, but now that she had thought things through and realized she would soon have to establish a life here, she agreed to Zhuying’s suggestion.
When they entered the restaurant, the proprietor took one look at their clothing and bearing and personally led them to a private room.
As they entered, the sounds from the street grew even louder.
Suiying went to the window and lifted her veiled hat. Without opening the window, she listened, unable to suppress her curiosity. “What are they doing? What are they saying?”
Zhuying bent down and replied, “Every year around this time, First Madam summons the common people to come and receive seeds for the spring planting. The people are thanking First Madam and the Eldest Master.”
Suiying was not surprised. “It seems Sister-in-law really is busy. She manages everything inside and outside the household.”
No wonder Sister-in-law had said when they first met that she had hurried there as quickly as she could. So that was why.
Zhuying remained bowed respectfully as she replied, “Yes. Once Madam has grown accustomed to things here, if you do not find it too tiring, you could also summon the wives of the various prefectures to carry out such affairs together.”
Suiying adjusted the hanging veil of her hat and answered indifferently, “We’ll see.”
With that, she turned and left the window.
Zhuying studied her discreetly. Seeing that Madam seemed to have little interest, she simply said no more.
….
By dusk, the Grand Protector's Residence was brightly lit. As Pei Jing'an crossed the gate, Songtao came forward and gave him a detailed report of everything that had happened during the day.
Before he could finish, a figure suddenly appeared on the corridor.
Pei Jing'an hurriedly tossed his saber aside so that he would not frighten the person approaching.
As he walked, he loosened his arm guards, though his eyes were already fixed on the slender figure before the hall.
Suiying’s skirts trailed across the floor. She stood there upright, her hands folded before her, as though waiting for him to return to the residence.
Pei Jing'an recalled how she had come out of the carriage that day and found it somewhat amusing. She really did have a great many rules.
He had already removed his arm guards and reached for his belt, but then, without revealing anything, fastened it back into place.
Suiying had indeed come to receive him. Since she had something to ask of him, she naturally had to be a little more courteous.
Pei Jing'an stopped before the entrance and looked at her from outside the hall. “Waiting for me?”
Inside the hall, Suiying’s expression remained calm. She turned her eyes slightly aside without looking at him and thought, Isn’t that obvious? What a pointless question.
The longer he looked at her, the more uncomfortable she became, so she simply made her intentions clear. “I want to purchase a property and a shop. I would ask the Grand Protector to help me.”
A smile curved Pei Jing'an’s lips. “I heard. You and I are husband and wife, Madam. There’s no need to be so polite. Once I have the time, I’ll have the Governor of Hanhai come over.”
After a pause, he stepped into the hall and continued, “Have you found a place you like?”
He had come too close. Suiying took an imperceptible step back and pretended to examine the furnishings in the hall. “Not yet. I only had a general look around. Zhuying said she would accompany me to look at various places the day after tomorrow. It’s better to see several before deciding.”
Pei Jing'an was silent for a moment before saying, “The day after tomorrow won’t do.”
Suiying was puzzled and could not help looking up at him. His chiseled face was bathed in lamplight, making his nose appear even more prominent and his eyes deeper.
He caught her slight movement. Lowering his eyes, he glanced at his loosened arm guard and realized that it was inappropriate. He also took a step away. “Do you remember the little thief?”
Suiying knitted her brows slightly. Why was he bringing that up again?
Pei Jing'an said, “You will accompany me on an outing the day after tomorrow. You can help me with something as well.”
Suiying was even more confused. “How can I help?”
From her tone, Pei Jing'an could tell that she sounded less like a wife showing concern for her husband and more like someone negotiating a transaction. He gestured outside. “I’ll tell you then. Let’s eat first.”
She said, “I’ve already eaten, so I won’t disturb the Grand Protector any longer. Please excuse me.”
After speaking, Suiying straightened her shawl, turned, and left the hall. She followed the covered corridor back to the rear courtyard.
Pei Jing'an watched her retreating figure, the tip of his tongue pressing against his cheek.
She really had come to make a deal.