Chapter 37
Chapter 37
“Oh, my.” A young madam took Xing Shuwei’s hand. “Do not be afraid. We will explain matters to the Princess for you. The Princess is reasonable. She will not make things difficult for you merely because of a few rumors.”
Xing Shuwei assumed a timid expression, gently withdrew her hand, and curtsied in thanks to show her gratitude.
Watching from a distance, Lady Pei frowned. “Why did I never notice how adept she was at handling people?
“With only a few words, she has made others think I am an unreasonable villain.”
As the banquet continued, the female guests noticed that Lady Pei had yet to appear and that neither the Second nor Third Madam had shown themselves. Instead, a dependent Miss Xing was left to bustle back and forth. Gradually, they became suspicious and displeased at the slight.
Someone said, “Lady Pei may be very busy, but this is her own son’s banquet. No matter how busy they are, mother and son ought to make an appearance, should they not?”
“The Princess will arrive soon, yet no one even knows where Lady Pei is. It seems that even after the Princess marries into the family, she will have to wait upon this presiding mistress.”
“Exactly. If she were not formidable, would she have been able to take charge of the household while Dowager Lady Pei is still alive…?”
“The Princess has arrived. Stop talking.” Someone glanced toward the entrance and lowered her voice to silence the others.
Once the Princess arrived, Lady Pei naturally appeared as well.
While everyone went to welcome the Princess, Xing Shuwei slipped away unnoticed.
Princess Jin’an swept her gaze around but saw neither Pei Xianjing nor Xing Shuwei.
Displeasure immediately rose within her. Pei Xianjing was one thing, but how dared a lowly creature like Xing Shuwei slight her as well?
“I heard that Weiwei put considerable thought into today’s banquet. Where is she?”
Since Princess Jin’an did not tell them to rise, the madams and young ladies before her had no choice but to remain bent in their bows.
“After all, she did it for Eldest Young Master Pei. I ought to thank her.”
At a lift of Princess Jin’an’s hand, a eunuch immediately moved a chair beneath her.
Someone urged in a low voice, “Lady Pei, the Princess wishes to see your Miss Xing. Hurry and have someone find her.”
“How can the Princess be made to wait for her?”
“The Princess may not have married into the family yet, but she is exalted beyond measure and cannot be slighted. The date has already been fixed; in truth, the Princess is entitled to make decisions for the Pei family as well.”
Lady Pei was dumbfounded.
Every one of them had changed faces astonishingly quickly.
“Matron Gao, why have you not gone to find her?” Lady Pei called.
Matron Gao acknowledged the order, turned, and left.
Princess Jin’an plainly intended to make trouble. Lady Pei knew that any explanation now would only make her angrier.
It would be best if the Princess misunderstood. Then neither Pei Congxian nor Pei Xianjing would enjoy a peaceful life.
If Lady Pei could not live well, none of them should expect to.
Only yesterday, Pei Congxian had told her, “Jing’er has not had an easy life. We should give him more.”
What did he mean by more? The noble title of the Duke of Qi’s estate?
The more she thought about it, the more distressed she became.
…
A quarter of an hour later, Xing Shuwei was hurriedly led over.
She reached Princess Jin’an and dropped heavily to her knees.
Anyone with eyes could see that she was showing weakness and begging for mercy.
She said, “This commoner greets Your Highness. May Your Highness live for a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years.”
Princess Jin’an remained silent, watching Xing Shuwei kowtow before her.
After a brief silence, Xing Shuwei explained, “This commoner accidentally soiled her clothes and feared offending Your Highness. I therefore wished to change before coming to pay my respects.”
Her sleeves and skirt were wet, and kneeling had covered them with dust, making her appear even more wretched.
“Why would I blame you?” Princess Jin’an’s voice was cold. “You have already styled yourself the younger sister of Pei Xianjing and me.
“Could I possibly treat you harshly or make things difficult for you?
“I am tired. Good sister, arrange a courtyard and take me there to rest.”
Her words directly accused Xing Shuwei of overstepping her place.
Xing Shuwei did have a shameful relationship with Pei Xianjing. Hearing Princess Jin’an call her “good sister” made her feel that the Princess had already learned about them.
She even wondered whether Pei Xianjing himself had told the Princess…
Xing Shuwei forced herself to calm down and answered, “Yes.”
Supported by a maid, Princess Jin’an rose. “All of you may rise.”
Everyone said in unison, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Xing Shuwei stood and followed Princess Jin’an away.
The Princess had told her to make the arrangements, yet walked directly toward Qiansheng Pavilion.
Xing Shuwei lowered her head, her brows faintly furrowed.
Ordinarily, no one dared approach Qiansheng Pavilion, so she had arranged for Pei Guofei and Zheng Yan to meet next door.
Word had already been sent to Zheng Yan. Had she and Pei Guofei met yet?
Xing Shuwei had left the banquet because she meant to meet Zhang Mingan. She had also asked Qiutong to pass him a message.
Unexpectedly, she had barely made it halfway when she heard Matron Gao calling for her in the distance.
Knowing something was wrong, she hurriedly splashed water over her clothes.
Remembering all this, Xing Shuwei clenched a fist inside her sleeve. She did not know what Princess Jin’an intended to do to her and also worried that Pei Guofei would forget his lesson and act recklessly with Zheng Yan.
Zhang Mingan was only too eager for them to…
“Miss Xing must be lonely in her secluded chamber all day and in need of some comfort, is she not?” The eunuch’s shrill voice interrupted Xing Shuwei’s thoughts.
Several palace maids already separated her from Princess Jin’an. Now that a eunuch had suddenly blocked her way, she could only watch the Princess disappear around the bend in the bamboo path.
Xing Shuwei immediately sensed danger. As she prepared to retreat, another eunuch blocked her from behind.
She was trapped between them.
“This is the Duke of Qi’s estate. What do you intend to do?” Xing Shuwei’s face instantly turned white.
“Naturally, this servant means only to offer Miss Xing some comfort out of kindness.
“This servant may not be a man, but I have plenty of ways to give you pleasure.”
The eunuch looked her up and down as he spoke.
His gaze was filthy.
Xing Shuwei clutched her sleeve tight.
She had never imagined Princess Jin’an would use such a vile method against her.
If the two eunuchs violated her…
Lady Pei would neither dare nor be willing to demand justice from the Princess. She would only have Xing Shuwei killed-first to answer to the Princess and second to protect the Duke’s estate’s reputation.
To outsiders, they need only say she had died suddenly of illness.
Pei Xianjing was not in the estate today, and this place was secluded and empty.
The eunuchs closed in from front and rear, four hands reaching toward her.
“Did you not wish to change clothes? This servant will change them for you.”
One eunuch lunged forward to embrace her.
Xing Shuwei struggled aside, tore through the bamboo, and plunged into the grove.
Someone stepped on her skirt, and it tore with a loud rip.
She froze, and the eunuch seized her arm.
“Come here!” he snarled, dragging her backward.
Xing Shuwei landed flat on her back. The eunuch’s leering face was reflected in her pupils.
The other eunuch pinned both her arms, leaving her entire upper body unable to move.
Suddenly, bamboo crashed down beneath a fierce gust.
Before Xing Shuwei’s eyes, the eunuch in front of her was kicked through the air.
“Ah…”