At daybreak the next morning, Pei Zheng woke early.
He quietly withdrew from the bed and had hot water prepared. After that, he carefully wiped Jiang Yao’s body clean and applied medicine to her injuries with great care.
Once everything was done, he left the room and returned to the front courtyard. By then, the horizon had already begun to pale, the first light of dawn appearing.
After practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard until he was drenched in sweat, Pei Zheng bathed, changed into fresh clothes, and went to the study to handle official duties.
Although he was on marriage leave, it did not mean he could ignore his work.
When he finally finished the accumulated documents, the sun was already high in the sky. Jiang Yao should have woken by now.
Rubbing his aching temples, Pei Zheng suddenly paused. After a moment of thought, he turned and asked:
“Do you know… what ‘men sao’ means?”
“Men sao?” Shi Quan, his attendant, froze for a moment, then shook his head honestly. “This servant does not know.”
Something in his instincts told him it was not a good term, so he nudged his dazed twin brother beside him.
“Do you know?”
Shi Qing blinked his clear eyes, stroked his chin, and seriously thought it over.
“By literal meaning… it would be someone who is both ‘quiet’ and ‘sao’? Someone who looks reserved on the outside but is actually…”
Pei Zheng: “……”
So in Jiang Yao’s eyes, he was this kind of hypocritical person?
His expression darkened immediately.
By the time he returned to Pei Zheng’s residence courtyard, his face was still somewhat grim.
The moment Jiang Yao woke up, she was greeted by his dark expression.
Confused, she asked, “Who upset the Marquis early in the morning?”
She sat cross-legged on the bed, obediently letting the maid apply makeup on her face, her bright almond eyes glancing toward him—soft, lively, and indescribably charming.
For a moment, his chest tightened inexplicably.
Then he self-mocked inwardly.
She was still young—why should he argue with her? He was truly becoming petty.
He was about to speak when Jiang Yao suddenly leaned closer.
“So early in the morning you’re already showing me a face… could it be that the Marquis is dissatisfied with last night’s punishment?”
The wide collar of her clothing revealed everything without restraint. Pei Zheng lowered his gaze slightly, and the faint marks on her exposed skin came into full view.
His pupils contracted sharply, his jaw tightening instantly.
After a pause, he said, “I’m sorry…”
His voice was deep and hoarse.
Jiang Yao rolled her eyes beautifully. “Save your apologies. And keep your ‘I’ll be careful next time’ nonsense for yourself.”
She wouldn’t believe it again.
Even the most proper man could turn into a beast.
She had already suffered the consequences last night.
Zi Shan and Lü Fei lowered their heads, trying not to laugh.
Pei Zheng quickly regained his composure and calmly instructed, “Go to my storeroom and bring those jars of jade skin ointment for Madam.”
Jiang Yao’s eyes lit up immediately. “Is it the jade skin ointment used exclusively by palace consorts above the third rank?”
He nodded. “You know it?”
“Of course!”
She had long heard of it. It was a secret palace formula made of precious herbs, only supplied to nobility. Ordinary versions outside had been diluted, though the Jiang family shops in Jinling also carried similar products popular among noblewomen.
But then she tilted her chin slightly.
“If you give it all to me, what about Pei Mingrong? Her face still has rashes.”
Pei Mingrong was his younger sister.
Pei Zheng said flatly, “That girl is greedy and temperamental. The ointment only treats symptoms, not the root cause. It would be wasted on her.”
Jiang Yao immediately relaxed. “Then I’ll reluctantly accept it. If she makes a fuss later, I won’t care.”
His brows faintly furrowed. “If I give it to you, it is yours. You do not need to feel reluctant.”
Jiang Yao chuckled. “Got it.”
Her smile was bright, her eyelashes fluttering like feathers.
While she was changing clothes, Pei Zheng asked casually, “What do you want to do this afternoon? I can accompany you.”
She turned to him. “Don’t you have official duties?”
He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest. “I have a few days off. I can make time.”
Accompanying his wife was part of a husband’s duty.
Since he had promised her respect and dignity as his wife, he would keep his word.
Just then, a servant entered to report.
“Your Lordship, Madam, the matriarch has sent word. She says there is something important and asks Madam to prepare quickly so as not to delay.”
“Then what are you waiting for? Hurry up and help me get ready!”
At the mention of potential excitement, Jiang Yao immediately became energetic.
Before leaving, she smiled apologetically at Pei Zheng. “What bad timing. I can’t accompany the Marquis this afternoon.”
He replied expressionlessly, “It’s fine. I was planning to handle some documents anyway.”
If she did not need him, he would have peace and quiet.
He had always preferred silence.
The “old madam” referred to the widow of the Old Marquis Pei, a former concubine who had been promoted to wife after bearing two sons and a daughter.
After the Old Marquis passed away, the main branch inherited the title, while the two branches separated. The old madam naturally followed her biological sons and lived with the second branch.
Before going there, Jiang Yao first visited Madam Luo’s residence hall.
Compared to yesterday, the atmosphere today was noticeably quieter.
Only Luo Fuqu was present. Xue Jiao and Pei Mingrong were absent.
Madam Luo sat at the head seat and explained flatly, “The second daughter-in-law is heavily pregnant and will not be going today to avoid any mishap.”
“As for Mingrong…” she paused, then continued, “she returned yesterday and swore she would not show her face until the rash cleared.”
Then she shot Jiang Yao a glare.
Jiang Yao looked at her in confusion. “Why are you glaring at me? It’s not like I caused her rash.”
Madam Luo snapped, “If you didn’t look like a ‘flatbread’, Mingrong wouldn’t be too ashamed to appear in public!”
“You—!” Madam Luo slammed the table. “Sharp-tongued!”
Jiang Yao calmly turned her gaze to Luo Fuqu, who was enjoying the situation.
“Second sister-in-law, don’t laugh. Your powder isn’t blended properly. Your lipstick also doesn’t suit you—it looks like a blood-red mouth.”
“You—!” Luo Fuqu’s face darkened. “My name is Fuqu, not lotus!”
Madam Luo cut in coldly, “Enough. Stop making a scene. We’re going to the second branch. Don’t embarrass yourselves.”
She stood and walked ahead.
Jiang Yao and Luo Fuqu followed behind.