Сhарter 5: Thе Indеnturе Соntract
When Реi Zhao аrrived, Nannу Su аnd thе оthеr sеrvant hаd nоt уеt returned.
Тhe neighbor, Mаdаm Xu, hаd sеnt оvеr а baskеt оf Сhinese tооn leаves in the morning, аnd Xi Ning wаs sitting in the courtуard рicking thrоugh thе vegetаbles.
The smаll соurtуard was nоt lаrgе. In thе centеr was а well, and bеside it grew а lush phoеnix tree, аlrеаdy budding with mаnу flowers.
Thе arеа by the еntrancе had оriginаllу beеn a flowеr bed, plаntеd with rоses and peonies by the рrеvious owner. Now, Хi Ning hаd pulled them аll оut and scattered seeds from her Hand Ring.
Lost in thought about how to prepare the Chinese toon leaves, she didn’t notice the sound at the gate. By the time she realized, Pei Zhao was already standing before her.
“Pei… Third Master?”
This was Xi Ning’s first time seeing Pei Zhao. The man was even more handsome and imposing than in the original host’s memories, dressed in a fitted black brocade robe that exuded a cool, commanding presence.
As she observed Pei Zhao, he was also studying her.
Pei Zhao’s impression of Xi Ning was limited to delicate and timid, but the woman before him showed no trace of timidity. Her eyes held only surprise at his sudden appearance.
Moreover, today Xi Ning was not wearing all her jewelry piled on her head, only a single gold hairpin adorned her bun.
Her beauty was striking—jade could not do it justice, but gold complemented her radiant allure perfectly.
Pei Zhao withdrew his gaze, lowering his eyelids to conceal the darkness in his eyes.
“Where are your servants?”
The man’s voice was deep, and though his tone was flat, Xi Ning detected an accusatory note in it.
Chang Lin was holding a bowl from Xi’s Shop, and Xi Ning understood immediately—Nanny Su and the other servant had been caught doing business.
She stood up, placing the picked Chinese toon leaves by the well, her expression calm and unruffled by the exposure. Chang Lin stood behind Pei Zhao, looking at Miss Xi properly for the first time.
It had only been half a year, yet her courage had grown so much.
“Nanny Su and Rendong went out to sell food and should be back soon. Does Third Master wish to see them?”
She stood beneath the phoenix tree, her dark hair and red dress making her as enchanting as a seductress. A faint smile played on her lips as she spoke, her charm so captivating it was hard to look away.
But Pei Zhao was no ordinary man. With just one glance, he averted his eyes.
“Who made the food?”
“I did.”
“You?”
Only when Xi Ning nodded did a ripple of emotion appear in Pei Zhao’s eyes.
“Did I shortchange you on silver?”
If he remembered correctly, he had left her a thousand taels before departing.
When he wore a cold expression, his aura was like ice. The original host would have fainted from fear by now, but Xi Ning had no sense of hierarchy. Besides, the original host was at fault for squandering a thousand taels in less than half a year, so Pei Zhao’s anger was understandable.
Her smile remained unchanged as she ignored Pei Zhao’s fury and replied.
“Third Master knows I come from humble origins and have never seen so much silver before. The capital is dazzlingly prosperous, and everything seemed new to me. I spent recklessly and ran out of money, which is why I had to sell food to make ends meet.”
Her tone made the squandering sound justified, prompting Chang Lin to glance at her again.
This Miss Xi was truly different now.
Pei Zhao frowned. “If you were short on money, why didn’t you come to the Duke’s residence to find me?”
The woman had indeed spent a bit too much, but a mere thousand taels meant nothing to him. In the eyes of others, Xi Ning was his woman, and Pei Zhao would never let his woman struggle to make a living.
“Third Master said back then that I shouldn’t seek you out unless necessary. Squandering the money was my fault to begin with. Besides, I have the skills to support the three of us, so there was no need to trouble Third Master.”
“Are you blaming me?”
Pei Zhao stepped closer, his dark eyes fixed intently on her.Xi Ning smiled, “How could that be? Every word I speak comes from the heart, and I have no intention of provoking Third Master. Moreover, I know that Third Master bought me not out of lust for beauty—otherwise, you wouldn’t have left me neglected in the outer courtyard.”
As she spoke, she discreetly observed the man’s expression. Pei Zhao’s eyes were turbulent with dark intensity, and his tightly pressed lips confirmed her suspicions.
“Regardless of the reason Third Master bought me, I am willing to cooperate. However, I have one request: when Third Master’s affairs are settled, please return my deed of sale to me.”
She was taking a gamble with these words. If Pei Zhao were narrow-minded, he would surely resent her for probing his intentions and might even take her life.
But Xi Ning had already tested him earlier. The original host had squandered money, yet Pei Zhao hadn’t been angered—he had even been willing to continue providing her with silver. This indicated he was a generous and tolerant man.
Rather than being timid and submissive like the original host, it was better to lay things out openly. She could cooperate with Pei Zhao to conceal his ‘hidden ailment,’ earn his favor, and leave with dignity and ease when the time came.
Chang Lin, standing behind them, was so frightened his legs went weak. This Miss Xi had changed so drastically it was as if she were possessed by a ghost—how else could she dare speak to their master like this?
A sharp glint flashed in Pei Zhao’s eyes, faintly tinged with killing intent. “Who told you this?”
He had brought her back to the capital and then paid her no further attention. Could it be that Eighth Prince’s spies had already investigated this side?
Pei Zhao’s lips pressed even tighter.
Xi Ning knew he had misunderstood. The chilling aura emanating from the man was enough to freeze her stiff. If she answered poorly, her life might very well be forfeit.
“No one told me. I thought of it all myself. Third Master is a noble gentleman of integrity and grace—how could he possibly take a fancy to someone of my humble appearance?”
5 – Deеd оf Sаlе
Сhарter 5: Thе Indеnturе Соntract
When Реi Zhao аrrived, Nannу Su аnd thе оthеr sеrvant hаd nоt уеt returned.
Тhe neighbor, Mаdаm Xu, hаd sеnt оvеr а baskеt оf Сhinese tооn leаves in the morning, аnd Xi Ning wаs sitting in the courtуard рicking thrоugh thе vegetаbles.
The smаll соurtуard was nоt lаrgе. In thе centеr was а well, and bеside it grew а lush phoеnix tree, аlrеаdy budding with mаnу flowers.
Thе arеа by the еntrancе had оriginаllу beеn a flowеr bed, plаntеd with rоses and peonies by the рrеvious owner. Now, Хi Ning hаd pulled them аll оut and scattered seeds from her Hand Ring.
Lost in thought about how to prepare the Chinese toon leaves, she didn’t notice the sound at the gate. By the time she realized, Pei Zhao was already standing before her.
“Pei… Third Master?”
This was Xi Ning’s first time seeing Pei Zhao. The man was even more handsome and imposing than in the original host’s memories, dressed in a fitted black brocade robe that exuded a cool, commanding presence.
As she observed Pei Zhao, he was also studying her.
Pei Zhao’s impression of Xi Ning was limited to delicate and timid, but the woman before him showed no trace of timidity. Her eyes held only surprise at his sudden appearance.
Moreover, today Xi Ning was not wearing all her jewelry piled on her head, only a single gold hairpin adorned her bun.
Her beauty was striking—jade could not do it justice, but gold complemented her radiant allure perfectly.
Pei Zhao withdrew his gaze, lowering his eyelids to conceal the darkness in his eyes.
“Where are your servants?”
The man’s voice was deep, and though his tone was flat, Xi Ning detected an accusatory note in it.
Chang Lin was holding a bowl from Xi’s Shop, and Xi Ning understood immediately—Nanny Su and the other servant had been caught doing business.
She stood up, placing the picked Chinese toon leaves by the well, her expression calm and unruffled by the exposure. Chang Lin stood behind Pei Zhao, looking at Miss Xi properly for the first time.
It had only been half a year, yet her courage had grown so much.
“Nanny Su and Rendong went out to sell food and should be back soon. Does Third Master wish to see them?”
She stood beneath the phoenix tree, her dark hair and red dress making her as enchanting as a seductress. A faint smile played on her lips as she spoke, her charm so captivating it was hard to look away.
But Pei Zhao was no ordinary man. With just one glance, he averted his eyes.
“Who made the food?”
“I did.”
“You?”
Only when Xi Ning nodded did a ripple of emotion appear in Pei Zhao’s eyes.
“Did I shortchange you on silver?”
If he remembered correctly, he had left her a thousand taels before departing.
When he wore a cold expression, his aura was like ice. The original host would have fainted from fear by now, but Xi Ning had no sense of hierarchy. Besides, the original host was at fault for squandering a thousand taels in less than half a year, so Pei Zhao’s anger was understandable.
Her smile remained unchanged as she ignored Pei Zhao’s fury and replied.
“Third Master knows I come from humble origins and have never seen so much silver before. The capital is dazzlingly prosperous, and everything seemed new to me. I spent recklessly and ran out of money, which is why I had to sell food to make ends meet.”
Her tone made the squandering sound justified, prompting Chang Lin to glance at her again.
This Miss Xi was truly different now.
Pei Zhao frowned. “If you were short on money, why didn’t you come to the Duke’s residence to find me?”
The woman had indeed spent a bit too much, but a mere thousand taels meant nothing to him. In the eyes of others, Xi Ning was his woman, and Pei Zhao would never let his woman struggle to make a living.
“Third Master said back then that I shouldn’t seek you out unless necessary. Squandering the money was my fault to begin with. Besides, I have the skills to support the three of us, so there was no need to trouble Third Master.”
“Are you blaming me?”
Pei Zhao stepped closer, his dark eyes fixed intently on her.Xi Ning smiled, “How could that be? Every word I speak comes from the heart, and I have no intention of provoking Third Master. Moreover, I know that Third Master bought me not out of lust for beauty—otherwise, you wouldn’t have left me neglected in the outer courtyard.”
As she spoke, she discreetly observed the man’s expression. Pei Zhao’s eyes were turbulent with dark intensity, and his tightly pressed lips confirmed her suspicions.
“Regardless of the reason Third Master bought me, I am willing to cooperate. However, I have one request: when Third Master’s affairs are settled, please return my deed of sale to me.”
She was taking a gamble with these words. If Pei Zhao were narrow-minded, he would surely resent her for probing his intentions and might even take her life.
But Xi Ning had already tested him earlier. The original host had squandered money, yet Pei Zhao hadn’t been angered—he had even been willing to continue providing her with silver. This indicated he was a generous and tolerant man.
Rather than being timid and submissive like the original host, it was better to lay things out openly. She could cooperate with Pei Zhao to conceal his ‘hidden ailment,’ earn his favor, and leave with dignity and ease when the time came.
Chang Lin, standing behind them, was so frightened his legs went weak. This Miss Xi had changed so drastically it was as if she were possessed by a ghost—how else could she dare speak to their master like this?
A sharp glint flashed in Pei Zhao’s eyes, faintly tinged with killing intent. “Who told you this?”
He had brought her back to the capital and then paid her no further attention. Could it be that Eighth Prince’s spies had already investigated this side?
Pei Zhao’s lips pressed even tighter.
Xi Ning knew he had misunderstood. The chilling aura emanating from the man was enough to freeze her stiff. If she answered poorly, her life might very well be forfeit.
“No one told me. I thought of it all myself. Third Master is a noble gentleman of integrity and grace—how could he possibly take a fancy to someone of my humble appearance?”
Pei Zhao’s gaze fell on her slender waist, and his brow arched slightly. If she counted as “humble,” then there were few true beauties left in the world.
However, he did not place much importance on matters between men and women. Women were troublesome and delicate—time spent coaxing them was better devoted to official duties.
But if Xi Ning wasn’t deceiving him, his neglect of her might arouse Eighth Prince’s suspicions.
It seemed merely buying a mistress wasn’t enough; he would have to put on an act.
Staring into Xi Ning’s clear eyes, he had already made a decision.
“Very well, I agree. Once the matter is settled, not only will I return your deed of sale, but I will also compensate you with ten thousand taels of silver.”
“Thank you, Third Master!”
Xi Ning hadn’t expected things to be settled so easily. But in Pei Zhao’s eyes, she was merely a weak woman. If she were clever, she would obediently follow his lead. When the time came, she would not only retrieve her deed of sale but also receive silver.
Ten thousand taels! How many bowls of wonton noodles would she have to sell to earn that much?
In an instant, Xi Ning found Pei Zhao quite agreeable. He was her god of wealth—she had to treat him well.
“It’s almost noon. Would Third Master care to stay for lunch? I’ve just gotten some fresh and tender Chinese toon, perfect for stir-frying with eggs.”
When it came to food, Xi Ning transformed entirely. Even though Pei Zhao had just finished a bowl of wonton noodles, he couldn’t help but be drawn in by her enthusiasm and found himself agreeing almost against his will.
“Very well.”
“Then please wait, Third Master. I’ll go prepare the meal.”
With that, Xi Ning picked up her vegetable basket and headed into the kitchen. Only after she had gone did Chang Lin step forward, his face filled with shock and suspicion, to ask Pei Zhao:
“Third Master, Miss Xi’s temperament has changed so drastically. Should I investigate?”
His master had no other women around him. If an enemy were using Xi Ning to harm him, Chang Lin didn’t dare imagine the consequences.Pei Zhao lifted his gaze to glance toward the kitchen. The woman had rolled up her sleeves to retrieve ingredients, her slender, pale wrists like fine white jade, captivating enough to make one momentarily lose focus.
Her movements were swift and practiced, clearly a routine task.
Pei Zhao withdrew his gaze and spoke with firm clarity.
“No need.”
Pei Zhao’s gaze fell on her slender waist, and his brow arched slightly. If she counted as “humble,” then there were few true beauties left in the world.
However, he did not place much importance on matters between men and women. Women were troublesome and delicate—time spent coaxing them was better devoted to official duties.
But if Xi Ning wasn’t deceiving him, his neglect of her might arouse Eighth Prince’s suspicions.
It seemed merely buying a mistress wasn’t enough; he would have to put on an act.
Staring into Xi Ning’s clear eyes, he had already made a decision.
“Very well, I agree. Once the matter is settled, not only will I return your deed of sale, but I will also compensate you with ten thousand taels of silver.”
“Thank you, Third Master!”
Xi Ning hadn’t expected things to be settled so easily. But in Pei Zhao’s eyes, she was merely a weak woman. If she were clever, she would obediently follow his lead. When the time came, she would not only retrieve her deed of sale but also receive silver.
Ten thousand taels! How many bowls of wonton noodles would she have to sell to earn that much?
In an instant, Xi Ning found Pei Zhao quite agreeable. He was her god of wealth—she had to treat him well.
“It’s almost noon. Would Third Master care to stay for lunch? I’ve just gotten some fresh and tender Chinese toon, perfect for stir-frying with eggs.”
When it came to food, Xi Ning transformed entirely. Even though Pei Zhao had just finished a bowl of wonton noodles, he couldn’t help but be drawn in by her enthusiasm and found himself agreeing almost against his will.
“Very well.”
“Then please wait, Third Master. I’ll go prepare the meal.”
With that, Xi Ning picked up her vegetable basket and headed into the kitchen. Only after she had gone did Chang Lin step forward, his face filled with shock and suspicion, to ask Pei Zhao:
“Third Master, Miss Xi’s temperament has changed so drastically. Should I investigate?”
His master had no other women around him. If an enemy were using Xi Ning to harm him, Chang Lin didn’t dare imagine the consequences.Pei Zhao lifted his gaze to glance toward the kitchen. The woman had rolled up her sleeves to retrieve ingredients, her slender, pale wrists like fine white jade, captivating enough to make one momentarily lose focus.
Her movements were swift and practiced, clearly a routine task.
Pei Zhao withdrew his gaze and spoke with firm clarity.
“No need.”