Chapter 16
Chapter 16
At the courtyard entrance, Lady Pei watched Pei Xianjing approach slowly from afar.
A maid of about thirty stood beside her and reported in a whisper, “The lamps in Qianchen Pavilion were lit all night yesterday.
“Yet there was not a glimmer of light in the Eldest Young Master’s room, and Chengde lingered outside Qianchen Pavilion for a long time.”
At those words, Lady Pei turned to glance inside. “You mean he stayed in Qianchen Pavilion the entire night?”
The maid named Qingling lowered her head, not daring to reply.
Although that was indeed her guess.
“Does anyone else know of this?” Lady Pei looked away from the room and stared coldly at Qingling.
Qingling bowed her head even lower. “As Lady Pei instructed, this maid alone has been watching the Eldest Young Master’s movements.
“This maid mentioned it to no one and reported it only to Lady Pei.”
“Take this matter to your grave.” Lady Pei’s expression darkened.
“Yes,” Qingling answered respectfully.
As her words fell, Pei Xianjing arrived before them.
Lady Pei stepped over the courtyard threshold.
Pei Xianjing understood that she had something to tell him. He stopped and greeted her politely. “Mother.”
Lady Pei acknowledged him and said meaningfully, “You have had a mind of your own since childhood.
“Now that you are grown and have won the Emperor’s favor, your ideas have naturally become grander.
“But some matters take precedence over others. Your glory and the Pei family’s splendor both depend upon the imperial family.
“Your father has no sisters, and the Pei family has no one in the imperial harem. You cannot behave like that scoundrel from the Zhang clan. Do you understand?”
Pei Xianjing disliked being compared to Zhang Mingan.
“Mother worries too much,” he replied coolly.
Displeased by his coldness toward her, Lady Pei said, “I know you do not like hearing what I have to say.
“But this is also your father’s will.
“The Princess took the initiative to visit today. This is not only your honor but an honor for the entire Pei family.
“Do not make matters difficult for everyone.”
“Mm,” Pei Xianjing answered indifferently.
Lady Pei had intended to say more, but seeing that he did not wish to speak even one extra word to her inevitably sparked her temper.
She turned and strode into the room, with Pei Xianjing following behind.
“Mother, I would like to choose a few hereditary household servants from your court for Qiansheng Pavilion,” Pei Xianjing said of his own accord.
Surprised, Lady Pei slowed her steps. “I sent plenty of people to your court before, but you refused them all. What brought this about today?”
“Your son was immature before,” Pei Xianjing said blandly.
Lady Pei’s expression softened.
Though he was not her biological son, she had raised him at her side from the moment he was born.
Was he admitting fault and yielding of his own accord because he saw that she was angry?
What Pei Xianjing truly thought did not matter. It was enough that his actions spared her worry.
All she hoped was for Pei Xianjing to marry Princess Jin’an as soon as possible, so Master Pei could let her own biological younger son inherit the noble title.
Princess Jin’an was domineering and accustomed to tormenting others.
Once he married her, Pei Xianjing likely would not have many good days ahead.
But that was no longer her concern.
With those thoughts in mind, she agreed. “Choose any maid you wish from Panlin Court. There is no need to stand on ceremony with your mother.”
“Thank you, Mother. Then your son will have Chengde choose them.”
The moment Pei Xianjing finished speaking, Chengde was already standing beside Qingling. He asked, “Sister Qingling, there is no need to trouble Matron Gao with selecting the maids, is there?”
Qingling looked at Lady Pei, silently asking for instruction.
Lady Pei nodded slightly. Only then did Qingling smile and say, “There is no need to trouble Matron Gao. I can make the decision.”
With that, Qingling took Chengde to choose the servants.
Lady Pei led Pei Xianjing inside.
Hearing footsteps, Princess Jin’an looked back.
She had just learned the general circumstances surrounding Xing Shuwei and instinctively felt that the relationship between Miss Xing and Pei Xianjing was not simple.
She had always considered Pei Xianjing a flawless, cultivated gentleman and had never heard an unsavory rumor about him. Thus, her heart now brimmed with surprise and disappointment, mingled with a faint bitterness.
Seeing that the Princess was displeased, Lady Pei told Pei Xianjing to step forward and pay his respects.
“This subject greets Your Highness.” Pei Xianjing stepped forward, bent slightly at the waist, and saluted with cupped hands.
Princess Jin’an remained seated, idly waving the fan in her hand. “I hear that Eldest Young Master Pei’s calligraphy is renowned throughout the capital.
“Even the old scholars of the Hanlin Academy cannot write as well as you.
“I wonder whether I might have the good fortune to see Eldest Young Master Pei’s calligraphy with my own eyes?”
Pei Xuanfei hurriedly ordered the Four Treasures of the Study brought over and placed on a nearby writing table. “Eldest Brother, it is rare for the Princess to take an interest in your calligraphy. Write something for her.”
Dowager Lady Pei also smiled with grandmotherly affection. “Indeed, Jing’er. You cannot refuse an order from the Princess.
“When the Princess spoke of you just now, she praised you without cease.”
Lady Pei did not know what had happened while she was outside. When Pei Xianjing remained still for so long, she feared Princess Jin’an would be displeased and urged him as well. “The Princess has asked you to write, so write.”
Pei Xianjing disliked the feeling.
Whether he trained in martial arts or sat the imperial examinations, he had not done so to provide amusement for others.
“This subject has submitted many memorials to the Emperor. The Emperor dotes upon Your Highness. If Your Highness wishes to look, you may see them at the Grand Secretariat at any time.”
Princess Jin’an had not told him to rise, so Pei Xianjing remained slightly bowed without showing the least impatience.
The silence stretched on for roughly seven or eight minutes. In the end, Princess Jin’an could no longer endure it-
If the stalemate continued, she would only lose more face.
She rose and forced a faint smile to ease the embarrassment of being refused.
Throughout the Great Yue dynasty, Pei Xianjing was the first person who had ever dared refuse her.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Lady Pei said, “Jing’er simply has a straightforward disposition. Please do not take it to heart, Your Highness.
“In the future, Your Highness will have plenty of time…”
Princess Jin’an gave a cold laugh. “We can discuss the future when it comes.”
“I am tired.”
With that, she rose and left.
Her wide sleeve swept across the table.
Whether deliberately or by accident, she knocked the Four Treasures of the Study Pei Xuanfei had placed on the table to the floor with a clatter.
“Respectfully seeing Your Highness off.” Pei Xianjing maintained his slightly bowed posture.
Seeing that he had no intention of escorting the Princess out, Dowager Lady Pei hurriedly rose and said nervously, “This old woman will see Your Highness out.”
Pei Xuanfei followed suit. “I will accompany Grandmother in seeing Your Highness out.”
Lady Pei glanced at Pei Xianjing in displeasure and moved to follow them.
Unexpectedly, Princess Jin’an cast her a sidelong glance. “Lady Pei need not see me out.”
Lady Pei’s heart sank, but she did not dare defy Princess Jin’an. She could only bow in farewell.
Pei Xuanfei and Dowager Lady Pei exchanged smiles.
The two hurried after Princess Jin’an and left Panlin Court.
Once outside Panlin Court, Dowager Lady Pei saw that no one else was around and said, “Your Highness, please do not be angry with Jing’er.
“If Your Highness dislikes that lowly grandniece of mine, whether she lives, dies, stays, or leaves is merely a matter of Your Highness’s word, is it not?”