Chapter 13
Chapter 13
“Master, we cannot do that! If word of this reaches the palace… I fear it will be detrimental to the Pei family!” Lady Pei hurriedly said.
The husband and wife fell silent for a time.
As Xing Shuwei watched the anxious pair, an inexplicable sense of absurdity rose within her-
Their concern was entirely unnecessary!
Their wonderful eldest son not only had no hidden ailment, but exhausted her every single time.
Truly, there had been several occasions when she could not tell whether she had fallen asleep from exhaustion or lost consciousness…
After a while, Pei Congxian rose with a sigh. He had to hurry to morning court. “If we cannot summon an imperial physician, then put more thought into choosing a suitable maid! You can even go to a servant broker.”
“Yes.” Afraid he would blame her, Lady Pei hastily agreed.
After he left, Lady Pei lost her appetite and ordered the maids to clear away the bowls and chopsticks.
Xing Shuwei was about to take her leave when Lady Pei suddenly asked, “What sort of woman do you think he would like?”
Xing Shuwei froze. How could Lady Pei ask her about such a thing?
Yet she answered honestly, “The Eldest Young Master would probably prefer someone composed and quiet.”
As she spoke, she slowly raised her eyes and discreetly studied Lady Pei’s expression.
Perhaps it was only her imagination, but Lady Pei seemed quite perfunctory about the matter.
“Then, based on how well you know him, choose a hereditary household servant from my court and send her to him,” Lady Pei said.
“Lady Pei, would that not be improper? Weiwei would not dare decide such an important matter.” Xing Shuwei wanted nothing to do with it.
Pei Xianjing was far too calculating. She dared not act rashly, lest she inadvertently touch a raw nerve.
Lady Pei scrutinized her and gave a cold snort. “You are certainly adept at fawning over people when you need them and turning your back when you do not.”
Without hesitation, Xing Shuwei dropped to her knees with a thud. “Lady Pei, Weiwei is terrified.”
She had always trodden carefully around Lady Pei.
It must have been because Xing Shuwei had invoked Pei Xianjing the previous day at the Shen residence to distance herself from Zhang Mingan, causing Lady Pei to become suspicious of her.
Lady Pei summoned every maid of a suitable age.
She forced Xing Shuwei to choose one and send her to Qiansheng Pavilion.
After that delay, Xing Shuwei had to prepare lunch for her as well.
…
Qiansheng Pavilion.
A maid dressed as a pageboy knelt before the desk. Raising a slender, delicate hand, she reached out to massage Pei Xianjing’s leg.
Pei Xianjing shot to his feet and swept a piercing gaze over her.
Startled, the maid prostrated herself on the floor.
“Which court are you from?” Pei Xianjing asked in a low voice, suppressing his fury.
Ever since he had begun making a name for himself at court, every branch of the family had tried every possible means to place people at his side.
These hereditary household servants, bound by lifetime contracts, did not dare disobey.
Thus, every time, he merely sent them back where they came from and never punished them severely.
But the one today was truly too bold and presumptuous. She had actually dared lay her hands directly upon him.
The maid shuffled forward on her knees. “Eldest Young Master, Lady Pei asked Miss Xing to help choose this maid especially to serve you.
“Please show this maid favor, Eldest Young Master.
“If you refuse to accept this maid, this maid will have no way to account for herself.”
The maid’s hand rested directly before Pei Xianjing’s feet.
Though she did not dare touch him, her thoughts were already drifting into fantasy.
The chance to serve the Eldest Young Master personally was a blessing she must have cultivated over several lifetimes.
The Eldest Young Master was elegant and handsome as a jade tree in the wind. Who would not wish to share his pillow?
Even if he favored her only once, her life would not have been lived in vain.
With such thoughts in mind, the maid raised her head to gaze at Pei Xianjing, her bright eyes filled with ardor.
Pei Xianjing’s expression chilled. “Insolence!”
To him, the maid’s gaze felt like a basin of filthy water poised to drench him from head to toe.
“Do you no longer want those eyes?” Pei Xianjing retreated two steps.
The maid kowtowed repeatedly. The Eldest Young Master was truly furious.
While investigating the military provisions case in Qizhou, he had executed the corrupt prefect’s entire household of several dozen people.
It would be effortless for him to take her life.
“Chengde,” Pei Xianjing called sharply.
Chengde darted inside. “Eldest Young Master.”
Pei Xianjing’s gaze was dark. “I ordered you not to let outsiders into Qiansheng Pavilion.
“Did my words go in one ear and out the other?”
Chengde hurriedly cupped his hands. “This subordinate would not dare.”
“Qiutong brought her here. This subordinate thought…”
Had the Eldest Young Master not said so himself? Anything involving Miss Xing was an exception.
He had thought Miss Xing had considerately arranged someone especially for the Eldest Young Master.
“Get out!” Pei Xianjing roared, his voice carrying a bone-deep chill. “Tell Mother that if another person like this is sent here,
“there may be bloodshed in her court.”
“Yes,” the maid answered in a trembling voice.
Her legs were weak. She had barely forced herself out of Qiansheng Pavilion when she collapsed to the ground.
Hearing her sobs and fearing that they would displease Pei Xianjing further, Chengde grabbed her by the shoulder and hauled her farther away.
…
Panlin Court.
Lady Pei was resting after her meal when the maid tearfully reported everything.
“Useless trash!” Lady Pei cursed.
“Lady Pei…”
The maid tried to explain, but Lady Pei waved a hand, and she was dragged away.
Once the maid was gone, Lady Pei narrowed her eyes slightly at Xing Shuwei.
Seeing this, Xing Shuwei knelt of her own accord and bowed her head deeply.
“I asked you to handle one small matter, and even that ended in failure.
“Did you stand idly by because it did not concern you?”
Only after a long moment did Lady Pei deliver the reprimand.
At her words, Xing Shuwei sneered inwardly-
She had known that anything could be blamed on her!
Even Pei Xianjing’s refusal to accept the bedchamber maid she had selected could be blamed on her!
Had she wanted to choose the maid in the first place?
This was her position in the Duke’s estate!
No matter how careful she was, she could never avoid punishment and deliberate torment!
Such thoughts filled her mind, but outwardly, she merely admitted fault without a single word of explanation. “Weiwei would not dare.”
“Go kneel outside and stop offending my eyes.” Lady Pei looked down at the slender figure prostrate on the floor and spoke coldly.
After curtsying, Xing Shuwei went into the courtyard and knelt.
Spring rain came without warning, soaking her through in an instant.
She remained kneeling there until Lady Pei finally allowed her to leave.
After kneeling for four hours, Xing Shuwei fell ill.
Her plan to leave the estate was delayed as well.
When she returned to Qianchen Pavilion, her entire body burned with fever, and her stomach churned.
She lay on the couch, tossing and turning in misery.
“Miss, what should we do? Why don’t I beg the Eldest Young Master to summon a physician for you?”
Qiutong was so anxious that she began to cry.
Xing Shuwei shook her head. “Don’t go looking for trouble. He is in a foul mood today.”
“But…” Qiutong soaked a cloth in cold water and laid it over her forehead. “If this fever continues, it could kill you.
“The Eldest Young Master may be temperamental, but at least he would not stand by and watch you die.”
Xing Shuwei’s entire body was burning.
She had eaten nothing all day, and now even a sip of water made her vomit.
“Miss Xing.” Chengde’s voice suddenly came from the courtyard entrance.
“The Eldest Young Master asks you to come over.”