Unlike Jin Ling’er’s overly lively and somewhat rigid personality, Jiang Qingyue spoke with a tone that carried a hint of arrogance. It was understandable—her father, the Prefect of the Capital, held great authority over the city’s administration. As his eldest daughter, gifted and well-raised, she had naturally grown up proud.
But Yixi, too, was a cherished noble daughter, pampered since childhood. She was already preparing to refuse.
Pei Nai quickly nudged her from the side and gestured toward the seats ahead. “Let’s sit.”
She knew that Yixi would soon come of age. That meant her marriage would soon be arranged. At such a time, a young lady’s reputation was of utmost importance. Yuanxiao Pavilion belonged to the imperial domain—Yixi had no authority to dictate others’ actions.
If these two became resentful after being refused and spread rumors—claiming that Yixi treated the pavilion as her own territory—it would damage her reputation.
At times like this, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Jiang Qingyue and Jin Ling’er sat across from them. Neither picked up a book. Jiang Qingyue looked at Pei Nai and casually asked, “And this is?”
“My name is Tang Mingzhi,” Pei Nai replied, suppressing her irritation.
Jiang Qingyue looked puzzled. “Tang Mingzhi? I’ve never heard the name. Are you from the Tang family of Yaocheng?”
Pei Nai shook her head. She felt that the Prefect’s daughter was clearly not someone to be taken lightly—her hostility was obvious. Ignoring her would only invite more trouble.
“My father and I came from Huizhou. We’re temporarily staying at the Ju residence.”
“And what is your relation to the Ju family?” Jiang Qingyue pressed.
“Madam Ju is my aunt.”
Jiang Qingyue and Jin Ling’er exchanged a glance, a faintly mocking smile appearing on their faces. “So, just a relative seeking refuge. A rustic girl from the countryside—yet brought into the palace. It seems even our Princess Chenzhao is not afraid of lowering her status.”
Yixi’s anger flared. She could no longer hold back. Slamming the table, she demanded sharply, “Who are you calling a rustic girl?”
Her fury stunned Jiang Qingyue into silence, and an awkward tension filled the air.
Sensing the situation, Jin Ling’er hurried to smooth things over. “Yixi, calm down. Qingyue didn’t mean it that way.”
“Why don’t you tell her to calm down?” Pei Nai raised a brow with a cold smile.
There were many who fawned over the powerful yet looked down on others. Pei Nai was not angry—she simply found Jin Ling’er’s words improper.
Jin Ling’er froze for a moment, then forced an apologetic smile. “Miss Mingzhi, please don’t be upset either. Qingyue just spoke carelessly.”
Pei Nai shook her head at Yixi, signaling not to pursue the matter further.
Yixi gradually calmed down and returned to reading with her, treating the two across from them as if they were air.
But Jiang Qingyue seemed intent on showing off. She looked for topics to bring up. “Ling’er, the essay on ‘family’ assigned by our teacher is due next week. Have you finished yours?”
“Ah! It’s due next week already? I haven’t even started!” Jin Ling’er exclaimed.
Pei Nai frowned slightly. The daughter of the Minister of Rites—yet lacking propriety and constantly startled. Her temperament was far too restless.
“Have you finished yours?” Jin Ling’er asked.
Jiang Qingyue, unlike her, remained composed. She glanced lightly at Pei Nai and Yixi, her tone carrying pride. “I’ve already completed mine. It wasn’t difficult.”
Jin Ling’er feigned surprise. “Really? But the teacher said we need supporting arguments—at least three scholars of virtue and learning. Have you consulted them all?”
The term “scholars of virtue and learning” was broad—it could refer to anyone of talent and reputation.
However, there was an unspoken rule: the higher the status of those consulted, the more persuasive the essay would be.
Since Jiang Qingyue spoke so confidently, the people she consulted must have been of high rank.
Sure enough, she replied, “At my younger brother’s hundred-day celebration, many distinguished guests attended. I asked Prince Mingzhang, General Guide, and Marquis Fuyang. They likely answered me out of respect for my father.”
Though her words sounded modest, they carried an unmistakable pride.
General Guide… Uncle Zhou Weiguo? Pei Nai thought.
“Qingyue, you’re amazing,” Jin Ling’er praised, and Jiang Qingyue accepted it with a smile.
Unexpectedly, Jin Ling’er then turned to Yixi, who had been quietly reading, and asked, “What about you, Yixi? Which distinguished people did you ask? Tell us.”
Jin Ling’er meant no harm—she was simply a bit thoughtless.
Yixi answered casually, “Only two. The Left Chancellor and Scholar Ji Tianming of the Hanlin Academy. I haven’t written the essay yet.”
Jiang Qingyue, still displeased from earlier, deliberately provoked, “This is a good opportunity. Let’s stay here. When someone important arrives downstairs, we’ll go ask them—regardless of status. Let’s see who has worse luck, or who loses their nerve first.”
Yixi glanced at her. “As you wish. I’ll accompany you.”
Pei Nai looked at Yixi and smiled inwardly—she was still upset.
The wager was set.
Pei Nai and Yixi continued reading, while Jiang Qingyue said, “Ling’er, keep watch. We’ll go first.”
They stared out the window. After a while, Jin Ling’er grew excited and tugged at Jiang Qingyue’s sleeve.
Pei Nai and Yixi also looked down. A gracefully dressed noblewoman had entered the courtyard, followed by two maids, heading toward the main building.
From upstairs, the distance made it hard for Pei Nai to see clearly. But Yixi recognized her. “Grand Princess Jiyao.”
Pei Nai immediately understood—the emperor’s aunt.
Since Jiang Qingyue and Jin Ling’er had gone first, after they left, Yixi whispered to Pei Nai, “Don’t worry, we can handle it. As long as it’s not the Duke of Duanding, we’ll be fine.”
Pei Nai laughed. “Why not him?”
“Haven’t you heard what happens to those who anger him? They die horribly. His inner strength is unfathomable—killing someone is like crushing an ant. And his temperament is strange. He has held regency for years and wields immense power. People don’t even dare breathe loudly around him. No one dares look him in the eye, let alone speak to him first,” Yixi said, shivering slightly.
Pei Nai still didn’t understand why others feared him so much.
Thinking about it, she instead felt a strange pity. How lonely—to have no one even dare speak to him.
She sighed softly.
Jiang Qingyue and Jin Ling’er were fortunate—they encountered someone easy to approach and quickly returned with their answers.
Now it was Yixi’s turn.
No one spoke. Jiang Qingyue and Jin Ling’er watched intently out the window.
After about a quarter of an hour, someone finally stepped through the entrance.
The moment he appeared, everyone froze.
At that instant, a cold winter wind swept in through the window, cutting sharply across Pei Nai’s face.
The sensation was strangely familiar—
as if she had waited for him like this… for many years.