On the way back to the manor, Pei Yunting suddenly remembered the message Yan Huaijin had sent through his shadow guard. Puzzled, she asked, “Earlier you had someone tell me not to accept anyone’s invitation at the banquet. But aside from you, no one invited me at all.”
Yan Huaijin had been lounging lazily against the carriage wall, but at her words, he nearly slipped off his seat.
After she pressed him repeatedly, he scratched his head and, with his face flushed red, finally confessed the truth.
“I… I originally wanted to take you somewhere else. I was afraid someone would beat me to it, so I came up with that idea. Later, when I saw you wanted to leave the palace, I begged Mother to let me take you out.”
Pei Yunting: “…”
She had been worried for so long—for nothing!
For the next several days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, however, Pei Yunting didn’t see Yan Huaijin at all.
After asking one of his shadow guards, she learned that Emperor Ren’an had dispatched him to Youzhou. As for the purpose of the trip, even the shadow guard shook his head and admitted he did not know.
It was evidently a secret assignment, and very few officials in court were aware of it. Yan Huaijin himself had not mentioned a word. Since the matter was clearly of great importance and beyond someone of her status to know, she gave up asking.
But that did not stop Pei Yunting from pursuing her own plans.
That morning, she rose early, paid her respects to her elders, then once again changed into the appearance of the elegant young gentleman she often disguised herself as before heading out.
As she stepped out of the side courtyard, she happened to run into Pei Changfeng and Pei Zhonghan, who were returning from Pei Zhao’an’s study.
The moment Pei Zhonghan saw her outfit, he froze before bursting into laughter. Walking over, he carefully looked her up and down before teasing,
“Well, well. Isn’t this our Marquis Manor’s beloved Young Master Pei?”
Pei Yunting immediately felt a headache coming on.
Ever since she was little, whenever she secretly snuck out of the palace with Yan Huaijin, she had dressed as a man to conceal her identity. Whenever anyone asked who she was, she simply gave Pei Zhonghan’s name. Those perceptive enough to notice something unusual usually kept silent because of the Third Prince’s presence, while those who failed to notice merely assumed the Marquis Manor’s young master had a close friendship with the prince.
Pei Zhonghan knew all about it.
In fact, everyone in the eldest branch of the family did.
Since she had never caused any serious trouble under this identity and was usually accompanied by Yan Huaijin, no one had the courage to provoke her. Over time, the family simply let her do as she pleased.
Pei Changfeng stepped closer, examining her carefully while she was speaking with Pei Zhonghan.
“Wanwan, your disguise has become even more flawless. Judging by your appearance alone, it’s nearly impossible to spot any flaws. If I weren’t your eldest brother, I’d truly think you were some frail young son from an official’s household.”
No matter how thick-skinned she usually was, hearing that still made her blush.
“Big Brother… please stop teasing me.”
“Look at this handsome little face.” Pei Zhonghan clicked his tongue in amazement. “Wanwan, don’t go out and accidentally bring home some young lady to marry.”
Compared with Pei Changfeng, who had seen this disguise many times, Pei Zhonghan had only seen it once before. Looking at her now, he couldn’t stop marveling at how convincing she looked, while deliberately continuing to tease her.
The siblings chatted and laughed for quite some time.
Before she left, Pei Zhonghan once again stared at her with an oddly amused expression until Pei Yunting blushed furiously. Only after Pei Changfeng interrupted him did he reluctantly allow her to leave.
Having learned from her previous experience, Pei Yunting obediently brought her maids along this time.
Yet even disguised as a man, with deliberately thickened eyebrows, her striking appearance remained impossible to conceal. The slightly altered brows gave her an even more youthful and spirited charm.
The “young gentleman” had skin as fair as powdered jade and lips as red as painted vermilion, drawing countless glances from the young ladies along the street. Several bold girls even tossed fragrant handkerchiefs toward her.
For the first time, Pei Yunting felt that the Great Qi Empire’s open customs were not necessarily a good thing.
When she reached the vicinity of Xiaoxiang Pavilion, she looked up and saw the madam welcoming guests at the entrance. Instantly, vivid memories of that intoxicating scene from her last visit surfaced in her mind.
The truth was, she had gone there to gather intelligence. She had even prepared plenty of silver, intending to make full use of the opportunity.
Unfortunately, everything had been interrupted by Yan Huaijin and the others barging in.
What a waste.
Today, however, she had no intention of entering Xiaoxiang Pavilion.
Leading Yiner and Yi’er, she turned down another street and headed straight for Misty Rain Pavilion.
Over the past few years, Great Qi had made remarkable progress in tea cultivation. From the imperial court to Buddhist temples and Taoist monasteries, tea drinking had become immensely popular.
When she was young, Pei Yunting often spent her free time reading in the Grand Tutor’s library. Under Grand Tutor Lin’s subtle influence, she gradually learned a great deal about the art of tea and had developed considerable knowledge herself.
Misty Rain Pavilion had only opened in Yanjing a little over half a year ago, yet it had already become famous throughout the capital.
It was a luxurious teahouse frequented by nobles and high-ranking officials, a gathering place where scholars met to discuss literature, compose poetry, paint, appreciate tea, and enjoy the scenery. Wealthy merchants also negotiated business deals there.
More importantly, the Pavilion Master personally presided over the top floor.
As long as one could offer him something he desired, he could uncover nearly any piece of information one wished to obtain.
Pei Yunting had only just begun climbing the stairs when she vaguely heard someone calling her name.
Following the voice, she saw Zhou Sinian standing half inside and half outside a private room, turning around to wave at her with a foolish grin.
Seeing her look over, he quickly called out,
“Why are you here all alone? Isn’t Huailin with you? How pitiful. Want to join me?”
After hesitating for a moment, Pei Yunting replied,
“I’m not pitiful at all.”
Even so, she still walked toward his private room.
Come to think of it, it had been Zhou Sinian who first told her that the tea at Misty Rain Pavilion possessed a rich, lingering fragrance unlike anywhere else. He had also recounted various legends about the mysterious Pavilion Master on the top floor, piquing her curiosity enough to visit for herself.
After taking a seat, Pei Yunting noticed the waiter placing three tea settings on the table.
“You have another guest?” she asked. “Is it really appropriate for me to stay?”
Zhou Sinian waved dismissively.
“Don’t be so formal. You know him anyway. There’s nothing to avoid.”
“I know him?”
“Of course.” Zhou Sinian nodded with an innocent expression. “You know Young Marquis Fu from Yongchang Marquis Manor, don’t you?”
Know him?
It was more like they had fought before becoming acquainted.
In fact, merely seeing that relentlessly persistent young man now made her want to flee ten miles away.
The Marquis of Yongchang had only obtained a legitimate son late in life and treasured him like the apple of his eye. Emperor Ren’an had personally bestowed upon Fu Boheng the title of Young Marquis, making his status exceptionally noble.
The Yongchang Marquis family was distantly related to the Empress’s clan and maintained close ties with them.
Whenever Fu Boheng entered the palace or happened to encounter Yan Huaijin on the streets, he would enthusiastically run over to greet him.
Originally, the two were little more than acquaintances.
Fu Boheng was still quite young. By the time the two legendary figures—Yan Huaijin and Pei Yunting—graduated from the Hanlin Academy, he had only just entered.
After repeatedly hearing stories of their remarkable exploits, he developed deep admiration for them. Somehow, he eventually learned that Pei Yunting was an exceptional swordswoman and stubbornly insisted that she become his master.
Naturally, Pei Yunting flatly refused.
Undeterred, he began sending invitation cards to the Zhen’an Marquis Manor every single day, only to be rejected each time.
When that failed, he stationed people outside the manor gates daily, determined to wait until she eventually emerged.
Judging by his persistence, he clearly intended to learn every bit of her swordsmanship before giving up.
No amount of persuasion from the Marquis Manor worked.
Even summoning the Marquis of Yongchang himself accomplished nothing.
After all, Fu Boheng was his only legitimate son. The old marquis treasured him so dearly that he feared dropping him if he held him and feared melting him if he kept him in his mouth.
His words carried no weight whatsoever.
Unfortunately, Pei Yunting suffered the consequences.
For an entire month, she never dared leave through the front or back gates. She remained cooped up inside her room, bored nearly to death.
Even climbing over the walls proved useless.
To make matters worse, Yan Huaijin had been sent away by Emperor Ren’an on official business during that period, leaving her feeling as though she might suffocate inside Liuli Courtyard.
One day, after finally reaching the end of her patience, Pei Yunting ordered a servant to invite the young marquis inside.
She rolled up her sleeves, fully intending to beat him until he accepted defeat and never dared return.
Fortunately, Yan Huaize happened to hear about the incident.
He personally left the palace carrying Emperor Ren’an’s verbal decree, visited Zhen’an Marquis Manor, and ordered Fu Boheng to stop causing trouble.
Only then did the farce finally come to an end.
Things had only recently quieted down.
Could it be…
…that he was planning to start all over again?
Pei Yunting shivered, recalling those terrifying days.
“What?!” she nearly cried out before grinding her teeth in frustration. “Zhou Sinian! Are you even my friend? You don’t know something this important? You’ve been the Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review for nothing!”
“Huh?” Zhou Sinian blinked blankly. “Is… is it really that serious?”
Before he even finished speaking, the private room door swung open.
A young man with his hair tied up by a jade hairpin poked his head inside.
The moment their eyes met—
Pei Yunting’s heart sank.
She had become the turtle trapped inside the jar.
Now all she could do was wait for Fu Boheng to catch his prey.
The youthful boy wore a white round-collared robe embroidered with subtle patterns.
Fair-skinned and slightly round-faced, his eyes lit up the instant they landed on Pei Yunting.
“Just who told you my swordsmanship is so impressive?” Pei Yunting watched as Fu Boheng enthusiastically approached her. With practiced agility, she sidestepped him. “Very few people know about it. It couldn’t possibly have been Yan Huaijin. Zhou Sinian—”
The moment his name was mentioned, Zhou Sinian immediately raised both hands in surrender.
“I swear upon the Court of Judicial Review—it wasn’t me!”
Pei Yunting clicked her tongue and planted her hands on her hips.
“So who exactly told you all this? How could you believe them so foolishly? Weren’t you worried they might be deceiving you?”
Fu Boheng blinked his large eyes and cheerfully wagged a finger.
“Impossible. Emperor Uncle told me himself. How could His Majesty’s words be false? The Son of Heaven never lies.”
Pei Yunting felt as though she had been struck by lightning.
So…
The person she had secretly cursed for days…
…was actually the Emperor himself.
It truly was like a mute man swallowing bitter herbs—forced to suffer in silence.
One seemingly casual remark from the Emperor had utterly ruined her.
Seeing her expression sour as though she had swallowed something foul, Zhou Sinian quickly stepped in to rescue the situation.
“Young Marquis Fu, didn’t you say you wanted to hear about one of my cases? Hurry and sit down before we waste any more time.”
Pei Yunting shot him a grateful glance.
As the Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Zhou Sinian had handled countless criminal cases.
Moreover, he was an excellent storyteller.
Whenever the three of them gathered privately, he often recounted cases as though telling fascinating stories.
Even Yan Huaijin found himself completely engrossed.
The young marquis looked at the utterly unmoved Pei Yunting and realized that pestering her further would accomplish nothing.
So, he obediently sat down beside Zhou Sinian and began listening to the story instead.