Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Pei Xianjing had not returned to the estate in recent days. Only Gao Li continued delivering three meals a day as usual.
After dinner that evening, a fine rain began to fall.
Taking advantage of the gathering darkness, Xing Shuwei left through the side gate alone beneath an umbrella.
She had taken only a few steps into the deep, deserted alley when a black-clad figure suddenly appeared ahead, holding an ink-black umbrella.
“You’ve finally deigned to come out.” Zhang Mingan spoke softly, his voice nearly drowned by the rain.
Xing Shuwei halted, dozens of paces still separating them.
Zhang Mingan raised his umbrella, revealing his entire face beneath its edge. “I guessed it would be inconvenient for you to leave the estate during the day.
“Ever since that day, I’ve waited in this alley every evening after dark. At last, my waiting has paid off.”
None of Zhang Mingan’s usual dissolute air remained.
Xing Shuwei listened intently to the sounds around them. Only after confirming that no one was nearby did she take the initiative and walk toward him.
“I have much to tell you. This isn’t a convenient place to talk. Shall we go to an inn not far from here?
“Don’t worry. Pei Xianjing will remain in the palace tonight to tutor the Eleventh Prince.”
As if afraid Xing Shuwei would not believe him, he deliberately added an explanation. “The Eleventh Prince is intelligent, but he has never attended the Imperial Academy or had a tutor instruct him, so he has fallen far behind in his studies.”
Xing Shuwei held the umbrella in both hands as raindrops drummed loudly against the oiled paper.
She said nothing and simply walked in the direction Zhang Mingan indicated.
Zhang Mingan reached the front in a few quick strides and led the way. A little over fifteen minutes later, the two entered a small inn one after the other.
Few people traveled on a rainy night, and the small inn had almost no guests.
A waiter led them upstairs and lit a candle.
Zhang Mingan took a ten-tael silver ingot from his robes. “I’ll take the entire second floor.”
The waiter accepted the silver in both hands, bobbed his head and bowed, then hurriedly withdrew.
Only Xing Shuwei and Zhang Mingan remained.
Suddenly, Zhang Mingan felt the atmosphere grow oppressive.
He raised a hand and opened the window a crack. Cool wind immediately poured inside and lifted her dark hair.
“Your willingness to come with me proves that, in your heart, I’m more trustworthy than Pei Xianjing. Isn’t that so?” he asked softly.
Xing Shuwei did not raise her eyes. Candlelight stretched her shadow across the window.
“Those words are liable to be misunderstood, noble heir.” Her voice was as cold as the wind on this rainy night.
“You haven’t misunderstood. I truly have feelings for you.
“From the moment I first saw you, my talk of marrying you was never a joke.
“I was weak before and had no choice but to use such despicable means to clear away the obstacles.”
Zhang Mingan swallowed several times, his moving throat seemingly scorched by fire.
“I may linger in brothels and pleasure houses, but that is only a show for others.
“I have always kept myself chaste. The truly filthy scoundrel was my dead full brother…”
Even a thousand words could not express all his regret these past few days.
He had guessed that Xing Shuwei’s days in the Duke of Qi’s estate were difficult and sensed that Pei Xianjing treated her differently.
But he had never expected Pei Xianjing, such an upright gentleman of rigid self-restraint and propriety, to have secretly taken Xing Shuwei for his own.
“I regret it, Xing Shuwei. If I could begin again, I would have prepared betrothal gifts and asked for your hand on the very day we first met.
“I regret using you. I regret drawing you into this conflict.
“Xing Shuwei, are you still willing to give me a chance to atone?”
After speaking, Zhang Mingan held his breath and waited quietly for her answer.
“A person like me,” Xing Shuwei said in an icy voice, “is truly not worth your concern, noble heir.
“If you genuinely regret what you did, will you help me escape by faking my death?”
“Yes,” Zhang Mingan answered without hesitation.
He did not even ask why.
“Then can we let bygones be bygones?” he pleaded.
“Don’t despise me for being despicable and base, and I won’t care about your past. All right?
“Six months. In no more than six months, I’ll go to Qizhou. If the capital is a place of sorrow for you, we never need to return.”
“One day, I will be able to stand against Pei Xianjing as an equal. I will also exact repayment for every hurt he has caused you.”
“He saved my life.” Xing Shuwei never raised her head. “Although I was unwilling to give myself to him… I have never thought of harming him.”
Zhang Mingan looked at her, momentarily saying nothing.
Xing Shuwei continued, “I cannot wait six months. Does your promise to help me obtain an edict of the Empress Dowager allowing the Fifth Young Master to inherit the noble title still stand?”
Zhang Mingan nodded, difficulty showing on his face. “But before the edict can be issued, you must enter the palace with me.”
“Very well.” Xing Shuwei agreed without hesitation. “Then please arrange it as soon as possible.”
Zhang Mingan frowned.
She was intelligent and would surely realize he had another purpose in taking her into the palace, yet she asked no questions.
That alone revealed how severely the Pei family had threatened her.
“I’ll arrange it as soon as possible,” he said.
Xing Shuwei secretly sighed in relief. Only after gathering herself for several breaths did she raise her head and meet his eyes.
Her limpid gaze held earnest supplication. “I’ll speak plainly.
“If possible, I want to use this trip into the palace to escape by faking my death.
“Pei Xianjing is an official outside the inner palace. Even if he receives the news, he cannot easily enter the imperial harem.
“Could Noble Consort Zhang issue an order sentencing us to death?”
Zhang Mingan agreed without hesitation.
She also told him that she wanted to recover her family’s property.
Zhang Mingan agreed to each request.
He answered so readily that Xing Shuwei almost suspected he was merely humoring her.
She touched Noble Consort Zhang’s token inside her sleeve.
So be it. She had no better choice anyway. She would risk everything and burn her boats this once.
* * *
Early the next morning, Princess Jin’an’s procession arrived at the Duke of Qi’s estate.
Lady Pei attended her carefully. When she saw the Princess had little desire to speak with her, she took it upon herself to release Pei Xuanfei from confinement.
“Your Highness.” Pei Xuanfei stood beside Princess Jin’an like a maid, pouring tea and serving water.
Sensing that she had something to say, Princess Jin’an told Lady Pei, “You may attend to your affairs, my lady. There is no need to remain here with me.”
Lady Pei could not have been more eager to leave.
She curtsied. “Then this subject’s wife shall withdraw.”
Pei Xuanfei watched Lady Pei walk into the distance, then withdrew her vicious glare.
“Has Your Highness heard? Eldest Brother grew jealous over that wretch Xing Shuwei and Lord Zhang.
“He actually called Lord Zhang to Zhenxi Hall and taught him a harsh lesson.
“You asked Eldest Brother for a piece of his calligraphy and he refused. He hadn’t touched a sword or practiced martial arts in years, yet for that wretch Xing Shuwei…”
“What are you trying to say?” Princess Jin’an’s expression darkened.
Pei Xuanfei hurriedly bowed and scraped. “Naturally, I feel that Your Highness has been wronged.
“You are so precious and exalted that she cannot compare to even one of your toes!
“If that woman hadn’t used her seductive tricks on Eldest Brother, why would he be so distant toward you, with eyes and heart only for that wretch?”
Princess Jin’an’s hand tightened around her fan. Her cold gaze swept over Pei Xuanfei. “And in your opinion, what should I do?”
Pei Xuanfei leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I have a plan that will certainly help Your Highness eliminate this grave threat.”