Upon learning that Jiang Yao was to enter the palace, Madam Luo’s first reaction was immediate: “No!”
Everyone knew the marriage had something to do with Princess Luanhua. If Jiang Yao went to the palace at this time, she might very well run into the princess. That woman, backed by imperial favor, was notoriously arrogant in the capital city. She had even openly said she was willing to marry into the Pei family as a secondary wife. Who knew what she might do to Jiang Yao?
Being bullied would already be troublesome enough—but if she got violent and started throwing her weight around, what then? Would her Mingzheng end up without a wife again?
Jiang Yao looked confused. “Why not?”
Pei Zheng also turned his gaze toward his mother.
Under the couple’s simultaneous stare, Madam Luo straightened her sleeves and lifted her chin slightly. “If you must enter the palace, I can reluctantly accompany you.”
After all, she was an imperial married-off noblewoman. Her husband had died in battle and earned great merit for the nation. With her present, Princess Luanhua would at least restrain herself.
Jiang Yao rested her chin on her hand, eyes turning slightly. Her lashes fluttered, and her gaze shimmered. “Is Mother worried that I will be bullied by the princess?”
Madam Luo paused, then sneered coldly. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m worried you’ll embarrass the Pei family with your terrible manners and temperament.”
So much for concern.
Hearing this, Jiang Yao sighed dramatically. “So it was all my imagination. I thought Mother was worried about me.”
Her voice was soft and delicate, like drifting feathers brushing the heart, carrying a faint, teasing charm.
She even pretended to wipe nonexistent tears at the corner of her eye, her acting so exaggerated it was almost unbearable to watch.
Yet despite that, her beauty made even such theatrics strangely pleasing to the eye.
Pei Zheng calmly pulled his sleeve back from her hands, then after a moment, patted her palm lightly in consolation.
“Don’t cry. Mother didn’t mean it that way.”
Madam Luo’s expression turned indescribable.
Which part of this looked like crying?
Jiang Yao continued pretending to dab at her eyes. Madam Luo finally gave up and compromised. “Fine. Stop acting. I didn’t say I wasn’t worried about you, alright?”
The moment she heard what she wanted, Jiang Yao immediately brightened and stopped pretending altogether.
“Mother can rest assured,” she said cheerfully. “With the Marquis present, he won’t just stand by and watch his wife be bullied, right? Otherwise, what kind of man would he be?”
She deliberately glanced sideways at Pei Zheng.
Unprovoked by the challenge, Pei Zheng nodded calmly. “Mm. I will protect you.”
Jiang Yao curved her lips. “Besides, this palace visit is to offer thanks at the Emperor’s order. If the princess truly makes trouble, it would be disrespecting His Majesty’s face. Even if Mother goes, it would not help.”
Though that was said, Madam Luo still could not fully relax. She turned to her eldest son, hoping he would take control of the situation.
But when she looked over, she saw him staring at Jiang Yao without blinking, clearly indulging her. She immediately felt a wave of frustration.
“Forget it, forget it. I won’t interfere anymore. Do whatever you want!”
With a cold snort, she waved them off.
After Jiang Yao and Pei Zheng left, she hesitated briefly before instructing, “Bring me brush and ink. I will write a letter.”
A few days later, it was Pei Zheng’s day off from court duties—and the day he would accompany Jiang Yao into the palace.
For once, Jiang Yao woke up half an hour early to dress, which surprised even Pei Zheng.
She glanced at him with dissatisfaction. “I know what’s important and what isn’t.”
She was not some mindless fool. She quite valued her perfectly round and beautiful head and did not wish to lose it.
“What hairstyle would Madam like today?” Zi Shan asked softly.
Looking at her reflection, Jiang Yao replied slowly, “Keep it simple. Appropriate will do.”
Zi Shan nodded and styled her jet-black hair into a neat updo, leaving soft cloud-like wisps at the temples and adorning it with two or three delicate hairpins.
Lü Fei prepared her outfit. A pale purple Song brocade dress made her skin appear like jade, her entire demeanor bright and elegant. The fabric was soft and smooth, embroidered with lotus-vine auspicious patterns, both noble and refined.
Touching her hair, Jiang Yao turned toward the man sitting in the pearwood chair.
“Marquis, please fetch me two flowers.”
It was the first time someone had casually ordered him like that.
Pei Zheng raised his eyes slightly. She had already turned away, showing no intention of negotiating.
After a brief silence, he stood up and went outside. Soon he returned with two flowers still carrying morning dew: one half-blooming peony named Rouge Touching Jade, and one branch of begonia.
“Help me pin it in,” she said, choosing the peony and tilting her head slightly.
She sat on the round stool while he stood before her. From this angle, her face was fully visible within his line of sight.
For a moment, he did not move.
“Hurry up,” she urged, tugging lightly at his belt.
Helpless, Pei Zheng followed her instructions and carefully inserted the flower into her hair, adjusting it slightly.
In an instant, the pink blossom complemented her jade-like face. Beauty and flower reflected each other—yet the flower paled in comparison.
Pei Zheng held his breath slightly.
Before he could speak, a second branch—the begonia—was tucked into his own belt.
He frowned. “Nonsense.”
Jiang Yao tilted her chin. “How is this nonsense? Women wear flowers these days, and men do too. Why are you embarrassed? Or do you think a flower affects your masculinity?”
If not for his official hat, she would have pinned it near his ear.
“Do not remove it,” she warned, tugging his belt and leaning up to whisper a few words at his ear.
His eyes darkened slightly. “Are you threatening me?”
Jiang Yao smiled brightly. “Does the Marquis feel threatened?”
Pei Zheng looked down at her, gaze falling from her slender neck to her challenging eyes.
The maids had already withdrawn. Only the two of them remained inside the room, yet he still felt a faint unease.
He lowered his gaze and said stiffly, “Only this once. No next time.”
There was no time to indulge her further.
Outside, the carriage was already prepared. The two boarded and set off toward the palace.
The weather was clear, sky vast and blue, distant mountains like ink wash painting.
Inside the carriage, Jiang Yao glanced outside briefly before lowering the curtain. Pei Zheng sat across from her, carefully instructing her on palace etiquette.
“Do not look around once inside. Stay close to me.”
“When meeting His Majesty, speak less and listen more. Do not look directly at the Dragon Throne.”
“If you feel nervous, hold my hand…”
Before he could finish, his hand was grabbed.
A soft, boneless hand slipped into his palm.
Jiang Yao smiled. “The nervous one is you, isn’t it, Lord Pei?”
Pei Zheng did not answer, only stared at her.
“Did you remember everything?”
“I did,” she replied. Then she suddenly squeezed his fingers and exclaimed, “Your hand is actually perfect for playing cat’s cradle!”
Next time, she decided, she would make him play with her.
The corner of Pei Zheng’s eye twitched.
He seriously suspected she had not absorbed a single word.