Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Even while ill, Xing Shuwei woke early the next morning.
When she opened her eyes and saw Pei Xianjing’s handsome face, she was so startled that she nearly sat bolt upright-
“Brother Jing!”
Pei Xianjing woke with a start and pushed the brocade quilt down. The drowsiness in his eyes gradually gave way to desire.
“Do you feel better?” he asked.
His voice was husky and lingering.
Xing Shuwei first nodded, then frowned and shook her head.
Seeing her like this, Pei Xianjing could not help laughing. He tightened his arms around her and rested his chin atop her head, rubbing it gently.
With her warm, fragrant softness in his arms, even such a simple touch produced a reaction his body could not conceal.
He had endured all night…
And still had to keep enduring!
“Brother Jing, you cannot.”
Xing Shuwei tried to break free of his embrace.
Though she knew no one else would come to Qianchen Pavilion, she still glanced warily toward the window.
If anyone discovered that Pei Xianjing had spent the night in her room, she would die without even a burial place.
“What can I not do? Hmm?” Pei Xianjing’s scorching breath spilled across her ear.
Xing Shuwei’s entire body tensed, and she felt her cheeks beginning to burn again.
Dawn streamed through the window, filling the room with light.
They wore only their inner robes and trousers.
“You just… cannot,” Xing Shuwei stammered.
Pei Xianjing laughed. “You are already this ill, yet your mind is still on such things?”
“Nonsense! I wasn’t thinking of that!” Xing Shuwei had not expected him to turn the accusation against her, and her cheeks instantly flushed crimson.
Pei Xianjing leaned close and caught her earlobe between his teeth. “There is no hurry. Once you recover, I will be sure to cherish you properly.”
“Brother Jing should hurry back to Qiansheng Pavilion.” Xing Shuwei raised a hand and laid it against his chest.
After serving Pei Xianjing for four years, she understood his temperament.
He yielded to gentleness, never force.
“You only just woke up, and already you are so eager to drive me away again?” Something unreadable stirred in Pei Xianjing’s eyes.
Xing Shuwei sighed inwardly and raised her head to meet his gaze. “Anything concerning you is Weiwei’s foremost concern. Weiwei is doing this for your sake.”
Before he could react, she had already leaned toward him.
Ignoring her urging, Pei Xianjing insisted on staying to eat breakfast with her.
Though helpless, Xing Shuwei could only let him have his way.
Fortunately, Qiutong had already prepared breakfast, and it did not take long to eat.
Plain congee, two salted duck eggs, and three refreshing side dishes.
Pei Xianjing frowned. “Is this what you usually eat?”
Xing Shuwei murmured, “Mm.”
She was not a member of the Duke’s household, after all, and received no monthly allowance. Her family assets were also under Dowager Lady Pei’s control.
Although Pei Guofei often looked after her, Yan’er was still growing, so most of the money she saved went toward supporting him.
She embroidered sachets and handkerchiefs and asked Pei Guofei to sell them in exchange for money, but it was only a drop in the bucket.
Xing Shuwei lowered her head and took small sips of congee.
She had to find a way to reclaim her family’s money and businesses. Perhaps Zheng Yan could be of use.
Pei Xianjing suddenly said, “I did not consider matters thoroughly.”
Pulled from her thoughts, Xing Shuwei asked, “Why would Brother Jing say that?”
“I did not realize you had been living so frugally all this time. Why did you never tell me?”
Before Xing Shuwei could respond, Chengde’s voice came from outside. “Eldest Young Master, Matron Gao from Lady Pei’s court is on her way to Qiansheng Pavilion.”
Pei Xianjing put down his spoon and answered with a frown, “Understood.”
He then rose and said to Xing Shuwei, “Rest well and take your medicine on time. I will come back later.”
Xing Shuwei agreed, rose after him, and saw him out of the room.
No sooner had Pei Xianjing reached Qiansheng Pavilion than Matron Gao arrived at the courtyard entrance behind him.
“Eldest Young Master, Lady Pei and the Princess are both waiting for you to join them for breakfast.
“Lady Pei asks that you hurry. You cannot keep the Princess waiting too long every time.
“If the Princess becomes angry, not merely Panlin Court but our entire Duke’s estate may be unable to answer for it.”
Pei Xianjing changed his robes and headed toward Panlin Court.
He did need to choose several clever and reliable hereditary household servants for Qiansheng Pavilion, who could also look after Qianchen Pavilion from time to time.
Pei Xianjing preferred peace and quiet. Apart from Chengde, Qiansheng Pavilion did not even have a single permanent maid or matron.
Normally, he did not allow others to enter and leave Qiansheng Pavilion at will.
When neither he nor Chengde was there, Qiansheng Pavilion remained locked.
…
Panlin Court.
The table was laden with delicacies, and the breakfast was more sumptuous than the Pei family’s midday meal.
Upon hearing that Princess Jin’an had arrived, Dowager Lady Pei brought Pei Xuanfei with her to Panlin Court.
Dowager Lady Pei wore a broad smile. “Your Highness’s presence truly brings honor to our humble Pei residence.
“This old woman should have led the ladies of the household to Princess Jin’an’s residence to pay our respects to Your Highness.”
Princess Jin’an gently waved her round fan. “If Dowager Lady Pei is willing to visit my residence, I will naturally be delighted.
“I would be pleased to have closer dealings with the Duke’s estate.”
Dowager Lady Pei’s smile deepened. “To receive Your Highness’s favor is a blessing to the Pei family and to Jing’er.”
At the mention of Pei Xianjing, Princess Jin’an turned and glanced toward the doorway.
She asked, “Is the Eldest Young Master very busy with official duties? If he cannot spare the time, I will return another day.”
Dowager Lady Pei signaled for Pei Xuanfei to refill the tea.
Pei Xuanfei rose and respectfully, carefully poured tea for Princess Jin’an.
Taking up the thread of the conversation, she said, “Eldest Brother holds Your Highness in the highest regard.
“Whenever he hears that he is to meet Your Highness, he first becomes quite nervous.”
“Oh, Eldest Aunt, perhaps you should urge Eldest Brother to hurry?”
Princess Jin’an did not respond and merely looked toward Lady Pei.
Lady Pei understood at once-it seemed this was what the Princess wanted as well.
“Please wait a moment, Your Highness.” With that, Lady Pei rose.
Princess Jin’an said, “It is no matter,” but did not stop her.
She had come precisely to see Pei Xianjing.
She needed to see for herself whether Pei Xianjing was willing to become her Prince Consort.
Pei Xuanfei waited until Lady Pei had gone some distance before giving Dowager Lady Pei a meaningful look.
Dowager Lady Pei then said, “Speaking of which, our estate has another young woman close to Your Highness in age. She is this old woman’s grandniece.
“She is skilled at pleasing others. The next time this old woman visits Princess Jin’an’s residence, I shall bring her along. Perhaps she will be able to amuse Your Highness as well.”
Princess Jin’an had little interest in anyone else. She merely lifted her eyelids, showing no intention of replying.
Pei Xuanfei exchanged a glance with Dowager Lady Pei and said, “Exactly.
“Your Highness may not know this, but everyone in the estate adores Miss Xing.
“Even Eldest Brother treats Miss Xing exceptionally well.
“Eldest Brother seldom asks after the studies of us younger siblings, yet he personally taught Miss Xing to read and write.”
Her words successfully caught Princess Jin’an’s attention.
Princess Jin’an looked at her and asked coldly, “Oh? Eldest Young Master Pei personally taught her to read and write?”
Pei Xuanfei nodded, revealing an innocent, harmless smile. “Your Highness must have seen Eldest Brother’s calligraphy, haven’t you?
“Miss Xing’s handwriting looks exactly like Eldest Brother’s.
“If Eldest Brother had not taught her with such care, how could their handwriting possibly be so similar?
“Your Highness need only ask Miss Xing to write a few words, and you will see just how alike their handwriting is.”