The candlelight stretched the bamboo shadows long, casting them across Pei Yue's face and veiling the turmoil in her eyes.
Nanny Liao, who served Madam Pei, came over with a look of concern and helped her up. "Miss, please don't be so distressed. Madam and the Master have only your best interests at heart. Whatever choice you make, they will support you fully."
Pei Yue slowly straightened herself. Her father had received word that over a hundred people had already died in the Jizhou mines. The Crown Prince, wielding power for the first time, had clearly put considerable thought into his arrangements, yet he had still been outmaneuvered by the Jiang family—and this was merely the tip of the iceberg in the struggle.
From yesterday until now, the Pei family had been busy dealing with this betrothal. Grand Secretary Pei had been unable to secure a private audience with the Emperor, turned away every single time. The Emperor's stance was plain to see. There was no hope of dissolving this marriage.
Madam Pei's face was pale, a hint of gloom coloring her delicate features as she sighed. "The daughters of the Pei family have never lacked for suitors, but as things stand now, being too sought-after is hardly a blessing. Your father has made inquiries everywhere, yet not a single word of information has come to light. Yue'er, what we discussed with you just now are merely the two options we can think of at present—we are not asking you to rush into a decision. Living one's life is not difficult; it all depends on how one chooses to live it. You must not burden yourself with too many worries."
Pei Yue was the eldest child of the family and its only daughter. She had been doted on since childhood, and her parents were not rigid in their ways—they had always granted her every request.
Just now, her parents had presented her with two options. The Crown Prince, as things appeared, seemed incompetent, but his virtue lay in his benevolence. If Pei Yue was willing to marry the Crown Prince, the Pei family would do everything in their power to help him ascend the throne—there was no saying they couldn't contend with the Jiang family and the Empress Dowager. The other option was to fake her own death, cast aside the identity of the eldest Miss Pei, and flee far away to live a life of freedom—but she would never again be able to return to the capital, nor would she ever have the chance to care for her parents in their old age.
Pei Yue did not wish to marry the Crown Prince, and she was even more reluctant to part with her parents. Tormented by her dilemma, she could not help but shed two lines of bitter tears in her indignation.
Such was the way of the world—even one as privileged as Pei Yue had moments of utter helplessness.
However, Grand Secretary Pei had also said that the wedding was set for a year from now, and other developments might yet arise. These were merely two options of last resort.
Madam Pei saw that her daughter still pressed her lips together in silence, and knowing the resentment in her heart, offered a few more words of comfort before sending her back to her quarters.
No sooner had Pei Yue left than a servant came in from outside to report that the Crown Prince had been ordered by the Emperor to kneel in punishment once again. Having been granted a betrothal only yesterday and punished with kneeling today—this was a slap to the Crown Prince's face, and it gave everyone a show at the Pei family's expense.
The servant had not dared to deliver this message earlier while the eldest miss was present. Now, seeing the displeasure on both masters' faces, he quickly averted his gaze and fixed his eyes on the blue bricks beneath his feet.
Madam Pei let out a long sigh. After a moment's hesitation, she looked at Grand Secretary Pei. "I think it would be better not to marry her off."
Grand Secretary Pei sat upright without answering, a flicker of anger showing in his dark, deep-set eyes. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Let us see whether the Crown Prince lives to see next year."
Outside the window, the moon hung round as a silver platter—it should have been a fine occasion for family reunion. Yet as the moonlight poured down, it carried a chill beneath its gentle glow. Grand Secretary Pei, worried about his wife's health, urged her to rest. Pei Yue, meanwhile, stood in the long pavilion of the garden, staring blankly at the curved moon.
Bizhu brought over a shawl. "Miss, it's getting late. You should go back."
"Bizhu, I don't understand." Pei Yue could not fathom whether the Emperor truly wished to protect the Crown Prince or to depose him. The truth and falsehood were so interwoven that the court officials could only see through a veil of mist—and Pei Yue could not see her own future clearly either.
Having grown to this age, Pei Yue found herself troubled for the first time in her life. She had always been a carefree soul, not one to wallow in worry, but the imperial betrothal had come so suddenly that it thrust her out of her comfortable days without warning.
The two options her parents had mentioned were both last resorts born of helplessness. The light in Pei Yue's eyes gradually dimmed, turning as dull and lifeless as a ripple-less pond.
She picked up a pebble and hurled it forcefully into the pond. With a "plunk," water splashed in all directions before quickly settling back into stillness—yet her melancholy refused to disperse.
But soon, from another direction, several more pebbles flew out, landing in the water with "plunk, plunk" sounds, startling the fish into leaping above the surface and drawing Pei Yue's gaze.
Just as she turned around, she saw her younger brother Pei Lin trotting over. At eleven years old, he was still a bit young to be called a youth, but he had already grown to Pei Yue's shoulder. Only when his fair, clean face puffed out roundly did he retain a hint of childish innocence.
The pebbles just now had been thrown by Pei Lin. He pulled a stack of banknotes from his chest and shoved them all into his elder sister's hands. His small face was flushed with indignation, his neck stiff as he stared out at the lake, speaking in a rather awkward tone, "I heard everything. This is my private savings—in a few days I'll sell off everything valuable in my room. You're my elder sister; only I get to bully you. I won't let you suffer any grievances out there."
"Heard what?" Pei Yue asked.
"Your conversation with Father and Mother—I heard all of it." Pei Lin turned his head stiffly, meeting his sister's eyes before quickly looking away, speaking in the manner of a little adult. "I was hiding under the windowsill. I stood there for a whole shichen—my legs went numb. That useless Crown Prince—you'd better not marry him. You've always loved tales of wandering heroes; this is the perfect chance to go out and see the world. And don't worry about not seeing your family—I'm a good student, so I'll ask my tutor. There are holidays every year, and I'll come visit you."
Before he even finished speaking, Pei Yue noticed her brother's eyes growing moist, his small, straight nose turning red as he sniffled through his words, yet he held back his tears and refused to let a single one fall.
Grand Secretary Pei had no concubines, and there were only two children in the household. Though Pei Yue was several years older than her brother, being the only siblings in the family, their bond was especially close. But in the past two years, her brother had taken to acting mature beyond his years—far less adorable than when he was little—which made Pei Yue all the more fond of teasing him.
Glancing at the banknotes in her hand, a wave of warmth surged through Pei Yue's heart. She reached up and tousled the little topknot on her brother's head, making him dodge away in disgust.
"Why do you keep messing with my hair? You've ruined it." Pei Lin put on his adult airs, clicked his tongue, then relented. "Fine, I won't quibble with you today. But remember what I said—the sky is vast and the sea is wide; fly wherever you wish. Don't let yourself be confined within those four walls. It's getting late, so I need to go rest. You should head back soon too."
With that, Pei Lin hurried off beyond the pavilion. When he reached the cobblestone path, he turned back and said, "Elder Sister, don't cry. Once I've made something of myself, I'll bring you back to the capital in grand style."
Such a small person, making a promise in such a resolute tone—as if it were certain to come true.
Pei Yue curled her lips and let out a soft "eh" as she watched her younger brother's retreating figure, her heart suddenly feeling at ease. Even her young brother was making plans for her, so she had no reason to continue wallowing in resentment. Eyes are set at the front of the head for a reason—to look forward. No matter the outcome, at least so many people were protecting her. It was better to pull herself together and carve out a comfortable life for herself.
With her spirits lifted, Pei Yue was able to fall asleep that night.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Pei Yue woke up as usual. Bizhu brought over hot water and was about to help her wash her face when Pei Lei, the steward of the outer courtyard, came in to deliver a message, saying that someone from the Zhang family had arrived.
Pei Yue was in the middle of applying a facial treatment, so Bizhu asked on her behalf, "Which Zhang family?"
"The Zhang family that came to propose marriage a few days ago." Pei Lei knew that his young mistress always had her own opinions, so he only paused briefly before continuing, "They said their son was drunk and spouting nonsense yesterday, saying some things he shouldn't have. They're begging the Pei family to show them mercy."