Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Pei Xianjing ordinarily never stayed long in Panlin Court.
This time, because his cold treatment of Princess Jin’an had displeased Lady Pei, she kept him behind to say a few more words.
“It is rare for Princess Jin’an to be so devoted to you. The Emperor and Empress also regard you with exceptional importance.
“What do you mean by behaving this way now? Are you not holding your father and the entire Pei family over a fire?”
Lady Pei’s expression was ugly. Sitting stiffly in her chair, she spoke in a cold voice.
Pei Xianjing listened to the lecture without much reaction.
“Did you go to Qianchen Pavilion last night?” Lady Pei truly detested his indifferent manner and decided to confront him directly.
Pei Xianjing froze. A trace of surprise flickered through his placid eyes.
They soon returned to normal.
Recalling Xing Shuwei’s frightened and anxious expression, he ultimately did not answer.
His lips curved into an inscrutable smile. “Mother has never paid such close attention to my affairs before. You are behaving most unusually today.”
Lady Pei was taken aback-
Could he have noticed something?
The entire Pei family guarded the secret closely. Even Dowager Lady Pei and the Fourth Master, who were not of one mind with Pei Congxian, remained tight-lipped about Pei Xianjing’s origins.
Because they all knew that the Pei family’s current glory was inseparably tied to Pei Xianjing, a rising star at the imperial court.
The honor due the eldest legitimate son should never have belonged to a lowly son born to a despised concubine like him.
Her own proper legitimate son had now been reduced to the second legitimate son.
Yet Pei Xianjing had become so capable that she could do nothing about him and had no choice but to coax him carefully.
Lady Pei changed the subject. “I merely asked in passing. When have I ever tried to control you?
“Whoever catches your eye, you may take her as a concubine or bedchamber maid.
“It is only that, according to your father, you must remain discreet before the wedding.
“Do not ruin the official career you fought so hard to earn for the sake of some lowly woman.
“You are currently at a crucial stage for promotion, and the other party is a deeply favored princess. Naturally, you cannot afford the slightest carelessness.”
Pei Xianjing’s throat tightened.
After a moment of silence, he made a startling declaration. “This is simply my disposition. If the Princess is dissatisfied with it, it would be better to make that clear sooner. Otherwise, our incompatible temperaments may lead to needless trouble in the future.”
Lady Pei stared at him in shock.
What did he mean by that?
“Your son takes his leave.” With that, Pei Xianjing turned and walked away.
…
Outside the estate, in the carriage.
A maid wrapped Xing Shuwei’s sachet in a handkerchief with distaste. “Your Highness, that Xing… Is she trying to marry her way into the Marquis of Qingyuan’s estate?”
Princess Jin’an gave the maid a meaningful glance. “As long as her schemes are not directed at a young master of the Pei family, it is none of my concern.
“If she and that scoundrel Zhang Mingan are truly birds of a feather, then helping bring about their marriage would be a fine deed.”
The maid understood the deeper meaning in her words.
The Princess was worried that the temptress lodging in the Duke’s estate had seduced Eldest Young Master Pei.
She truly was a stunning beauty.
If she wanted to seduce a man, she would not even need to make an effort. A crook of her finger would likely bring any man rushing to fall at her feet.
The maid said, “Eldest Young Master Pei is an upright gentleman. He would certainly never take an interest in such a lowly creature.”
Princess Jin’an found the reasoning sound.
Given Pei Xianjing’s standing within the Pei family, if he wished to take a woman into his rooms, naturally, no one would dare say no.
Even if word reached her imperial father, given the Emperor’s regard for Pei Xianjing, he would not blame him. There was truly no reason for the Pei family to risk offending her by helping conceal it.
But if that was so, why had Pei Xuanfei and Dowager Lady Pei put on that entire performance?
For a time, Princess Jin’an could not make sense of it.
After considering for a moment, she ordered, “Go to the Marquis of Qingyuan’s estate.”
“Yes,” the maid answered.
…
Xing Shuwei had taken her medicine and only just lain down on the couch when Chengde came to summon her.
“Miss Xing, the Eldest Young Master asks you to come over now.”
Chengde’s voice carried from the courtyard entrance into the room.
Xing Shuwei rose hastily. Leaving Qiutong behind, she stepped out of the room alone.
It was broad daylight, and the Princess had only just left. Why had he sent for her again?
Standing at the courtyard entrance, Xing Shuwei poked her head out and looked cautiously from side to side.
Only after seeing no one did she step outside and hurry into the path through the bamboo grove.
“Why does he wish to see me?” Xing Shuwei probed.
Could Pei Xianjing have learned that she had stopped Princess Jin’an and now wished to question her?
Chengde led the way. “This humble one does not know. You should ask the Eldest Young Master yourself when you arrive, Miss Xing.”
Xing Shuwei said no more.
Chengde was loyal only to Pei Xianjing. She would never pry anything from him.
The moment Xing Shuwei crossed the courtyard threshold, she froze-
More than a dozen pageboys and maids now filled Qiansheng Pavilion, inside and out.
Xing Shuwei often served Lady Pei in Panlin Court and recognized them all as people from Lady Pei’s court.
Before she could recover from her shock and panic, Pei Xianjing’s voice reached her.
“Weiwei, come here.”
Bang. Chengde closed the gate to Qiansheng Pavilion.
Xing Shuwei felt like a block of ice exposed beneath the blazing sun, with nowhere to hide.
She felt countless gazes scorching and stinging her.
What was Pei Xianjing trying to do?
Did he intend to reveal their relationship to everyone?
Xing Shuwei bit her lip. Every step she took toward him felt like a step into an abyss.
Pei Xianjing reached out to take her hand. Startled, she retreated repeatedly and nearly tumbled from the steps.
Fortunately, Pei Xianjing reacted quickly. He shot out a long arm and wrapped it around her waist, steadying her as she fell backward.
“What is wrong?” Pei Xianjing asked.
Xing Shuwei’s eyes reddened. In front of so many people, she could not say anything. Suppressing her emotions, she replied politely, “Weiwei is fine. I have only just been ill and am still weak. I missed my footing.”
Pei Xianjing frowned and guided her into the study. A maid then entered carrying bird’s nest soup.
Xing Shuwei recognized her. The maid’s name was Gao Li, and she was a hereditary household servant from Lady Pei’s side.
“Miss Xing, the Eldest Young Master specially ordered this maid to prepare this for you.
“From now on, this maid will be responsible for all three of your daily meals.
“This maid will arrange for someone to deliver them to Qianchen Pavilion on time.
“This maid must trouble you to explain matters to Sister Qiutong and ask that she not bar us from the courtyard,” Gao Li said, curtsying to her.
Xing Shuwei forced a faint smile. “Thank you for your kind intentions, Brother Jing.
“Weiwei is merely a merchant’s daughter. After lodging in the Duke’s estate for so long, I already feel deeply uneasy. How could I act with such presumption?
“Weiwei truly cannot accept this.
“Brother Jing must not do this. If word gets out, who knows what others will say about Brother Jing-or about Weiwei!”
Gao Li looked at Pei Xianjing, seeking his instructions.
The Eldest Young Master held their lifetime service contracts and had shown extraordinary mercy by returning their parents’ indenture papers.
Like Chengde, they would pledge their lives in loyalty to the Eldest Young Master.
Pei Xianjing’s gaze settled on Xing Shuwei’s face, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly.
After a moment of silence, he said to Gao Li, “You may leave first.”
Gao Li acknowledged him and placed the bird’s nest soup on the table.
Pei Xianjing picked up the bowl and held it out to Xing Shuwei. “Drink the bird’s nest soup first.”