Xie Rutang endured the burn. Lowering her eyes, she offered no excuse. “Please calm down, Mother-in-law. I was careless for a moment and didn’t check the temperature properly. I’ll go brew another bowl at once.”
“Make another? Do you think these old bones of mine can withstand being put through this again and again?”
The Old Madam gripped the armrest of the couch and gave a cold laugh, her eyes cutting as they bore into Xie Rutang. “I think you resent having to live as a widow. You find this old woman an eyesore, so you’re finding ways to take revenge on me.”
Nanny Rong, who was standing nearby, tried to step forward and soothe her, but the Old Madam drove her back with a single glance.
Xie Rutang knelt, still calm and gentle. “I have not shown you the slightest disrespect, Mother-in-law. When my late husband was alive, I always remembered to attend to my elders. Now, I would not dare neglect you in the least.”
Her heart ached. How could she not know that the Old Madam simply couldn’t accept Shen Yuan’s death, and took her anger out on Xie Rutang day after day?
After venting her feelings on Xie Rutang, the Old Madam said, “Why are you still standing there? Your clothes are dirty. Go change them at once! Do you want people to think this old woman mistreats you?”
Pei Zhiheng had witnessed the whole thing from behind them.
Xie Rutang’s face flushed with embarrassment. She covered her chest, soaked through and pale as milk, her cheeks burning as a bitter ache rose in her heart.
The Old Madam was tired. A moment later, Nanny Rong helped her to her bedroom to rest.
A maid came over, helped Xie Rutang up, and escorted her back to Green Parasol Courtyard.
…
The next day, Pei Zhiheng received a fresh gift from His Majesty, including several bolts of the finest tribute brocade.
His personal maid, Hongyao, brought the silks to him and asked whether he wanted them stored away in the storeroom.
The silks in the box shimmered in a riot of colors. One bolt of purple iridescent brocade stood out in particular, gleaming like rippling water. It brought Xie Rutang to mind.
Pei Zhiheng frowned.
The last time he got drunk, he had pinned Xie Rutang against the wall and kissed her wildly.
Unfortunately, he felt nothing for Rutang and had no intention of taking responsibility.
He might as well use this priceless bolt of brocade to make amends and put a clear end to things between them.
At his command, Hongyao carried the precious silks to Shou'an Hall. She spread them all out on the table for the women of the Shen Residence to choose from.
Everyone was gathered in the room. Second Madam Ye sat to one side, Xie Rutang stood nearby, and Shen Xiaoxiao was keeping the Old Madam company in conversation. All three were there.
Shen Xiaoxiao was sixteen, with a round, moonlike face and curved brows. Her eyes were as bright and black as grapes washed in water. Around her neck hung a gold-and-jade necklace that the Old Madam herself had fastened on her when she turned one.
She had been doted on by everyone in the household since childhood. Old Master Shen and the Old Madam cherished her as the apple of their eye, and Shen Yuan had spoiled his younger sister in every way, never willing to let her suffer the slightest grievance.
After greeting the women of the Shen Residence, Hongyao said with a smile, “Second Master Pei specially sent these silks for the ladies of the household to share.”
Ye Wanyu adjusted the jade bangle on her wrist. “Miss Hongyao, please rise.”
“Someone, bring Miss Hongyao a cup of tea.”
It was rather strange for Ye Wanyu, the lady of the household, to show such courtesy to a mere maid.
But Hongyao was no ordinary maid. She was Pei Zhiheng’s senior personal attendant, personally assigned to serve him by Old Madam Pei, and highly experienced.
As Hongyao bowed, the jade bangles on both her wrists clinked together.
Even Ye Wanyu thought Hongyao’s bangles were made of exquisite jade, finer than the one she wore herself. They must have been casual gifts from Pei Zhiheng to his servants. With a master so generous, it was no wonder Hongyao was devoted to Second Master Pei and served as Old Madam Pei’s capable assistant.
It was clear just how wealthy and distinguished the Pei family was—even Ye Wanyu had to treat Hongyao with courtesy.
The moment Shen Xiaoxiao’s eyes fell on the bolt of iridescent brocade, she couldn’t look away.
Its surface shimmered with the soft sheen of flowing water, shifting between shades of smoky purple as the light changed.
She had never seen such beautiful silk!
She blurted out, “I want this one!”
As soon as she spoke, no one would dare fight her for it.
But when Xie Rutang’s gaze landed on the iridescent brocade, she froze.
Purple…
Her cheeks flushed as an unpleasant memory came back to her: the purple bellyband she had worn next to her skin while sitting on Pei Zhiheng’s lap.
Why did she feel that Pei Zhiheng had meant to give her this brocade, as a reminder of that night?
But she quickly shook her head.
How could that be?
Next, Ye Wanyu chose a bolt of fine, richly patterned brocade.
They had taken all the best ones.
Whenever the household received a gift, Xie Rutang was always the last to choose. She had never had any say in the matter.
In the end, Rutang chose a bolt of Huahua silk, the one they had left behind.
Seeing this, Ye Wanyu couldn’t help smiling. “Now that Sister-in-law is a widow, such a plain, somber fabric couldn’t suit her better.”
Xie Rutang merely smiled faintly and let the remark pass.
She knew all too well that without a father or brothers to support her, and without a husband to protect her, she was alone and helpless in this sprawling household. Even if she endured a few slighting remarks, she could only bear them in silence.
If she answered back, she would only be called petty, and more gossip would cling to her in the days to come.
After choosing the silks, Shen Xiaoxiao actually took Xie Rutang by the hand and insisted on going to Suxue Residence to see Pei Zhiheng.
Because of the close relationship between the Shen and Pei families, Shen Xiaoxiao had been like a younger sister to Pei Zhiheng since childhood. But she had fallen in love with him.
With her own thoughts on her mind, she spoke with a certain imperious, spoiled air. “Sister-in-law, come with me to see Brother Yuanzhi.”
Pei Zhiheng was a man of great talent, and Shen Xiaoxiao had painted a picture this time for him to critique, hoping to win his approval.
Now that Pei Zhiheng was staying at the Shen Residence again, just thinking about it made her ears burn. How could she sit still, with him living under the same roof? She was eager to seek him out in his courtyard.
Xie Rutang frowned. She didn’t want to go.
But Shen Xiaoxiao tugged at her and insisted.
Xie Rutang knitted her brows, looking troubled. “Xiaoxiao, I’m a widow now. Going uninvited to a male guest’s residence would be improper, and would invite a great deal of gossip.”
To Shen Xiaoxiao, it sounded as though Xie Rutang was deliberately spoiling her fun. She put on a spoiled, haughty expression. “I’m only going to ask Brother Yuanzhi to look at my painting. What could possibly be wrong with that? None of the elders in the household have tried to stop me. You’re the only one who keeps making excuses and deliberately spoiling my fun.”
The Eldest Miss had taken offense, and her expression turned ugly. “If you won’t come, I’ll go by myself.”
Xie Rutang couldn’t dissuade her.
Shen Xiaoxiao had been spoiled by the Old Madam and Yuan-lang since childhood. Thinking of Yuan-lang, Xie Rutang’s eyes grew damp again.
Pei Zhiheng lived in Suxue Residence, in the southeastern corner of the estate. It had its own private garden, and he had occasionally stayed there since childhood.
Once they entered Suxue Residence, they saw carved beams and painted rafters, rare flowers and precious plants. Wherever the wind passed, bamboo shadows swept across the steps; everywhere they looked were bamboo, rocks, and clear water, all in a setting of sumptuous elegance.
The maids beneath the covered walkway saw the two women approaching and immediately curtsied in unison, their bearing composed and respectful.
They were all servants brought from the Pei Residence. Their conduct and manners were far more proper than those of the servants of the Shen Residence. The servants’ bearing alone was enough to reveal the deep roots of the Pei family, generations of scholars and officials—a background the Shen household could not match.
The difference between Suxue Residence and the Green Parasol Courtyard where Xie Rutang lived was like night and day.
Though Pei Zhiheng was only a guest in the household, Xie Rutang felt as uneasy as if she were the one visiting.
In the past, she could only catch a distant glimpse of him from behind the women at the reunion banquets held by the Shen and Pei families.
Now he was staying at the Shen Residence for a while, and only occasionally went to sit with the Old Madam.
Hongyao saw them and ushered them inside.
When they reached the study, Pei Zhiheng was dressed in a bamboo-green robe. He was the most promising young official of the dynasty. He had made a name for himself in the capital before he was twenty, and his handsome face was beyond reproach.
Seeing him, Shen Xiaoxiao suddenly grew shy. “Second Master.”
Though Pei Zhiheng was like a brother to her, she wanted to be more than just his younger sister. When she heard that he was to be engaged to the Su family’s young lady, she had smashed every porcelain item in her room that night. She couldn’t believe Brother Yuanzhi was going to marry another woman.
But she didn’t dare question him.
She was afraid of Pei Zhiheng.
He was stern and old-fashioned, and strict with her, too.
Shen Xiaoxiao bit her lip in grievance. Brother Yuanzhi was perfect; no one in the world was worthy of him.
As usual, Xie Rutang greeted him, then quietly lowered her head and eyes. She seemed gentle and demure, but there was an alluring hint of spring about her.
Pei Zhiheng looked at her and addressed her according to their family rank.
“Sister-in-law.”
In the household, he was still the Pei Lang others saw: a man as clear and unsullied as moonlight on a breeze.
Then Shen Xiaoxiao presented him with her newly painted picture of a swallow and a fish, asking him to critique it.
Pei Zhiheng glanced at it. His brow shifted almost imperceptibly, and he smiled faintly. “It’s acceptable. Your brushwork has improved considerably.”
Shen Xiaoxiao’s face turned red at once.
Clinging to him, she said with shameless confidence, “Since I’ve improved, Brother Yuanzhi ought to give me a reward.”
Pei Zhiheng casually took a green-jade seal from the bookshelf and gave it to her. Shen Xiaoxiao was overjoyed.
It was only because of his friendship with Yuan-lang that Pei Zhiheng had indulged and cherished her in every way since she was little.
After Xie Rutang and Shen Xiaoxiao left,
a maid picked up something Xie Rutang had dropped. “Second Master, this is the handkerchief Madam Shen left behind at Suxue Residence…”
On the orchid-blue handkerchief was the embroidered character “Xiu,” the name of his widowed sister-in-law, Xie Rutang.
The handkerchief was patterned with hibiscus, and it still carried a faint trace of a woman’s alluring fragrance.
Pei Zhiheng frowned. A slender, jade-pale finger held a book as he replied calmly, “Throw it away.”
That same day, he had the servants pull up a whole patch of hibiscus in the flower beds at Suxue Residence.
The man had spent years solving cases; his eyes were sharper than a hawk’s.
She had been sent by the Old Madam to seduce him.