Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Pei Xianjing paused, then smiled. “You’re the only one willing to indulge in such amusement with me.”
Displeasure inexplicably welled in Xing Shuwei’s heart.
Princess Jin’an was heaven’s favored daughter. Even in the pleasures of the bedchamber, she would surely be the one being coaxed and indulged.
Unlike Xing Shuwei. With her lowly status, in and out of bed, she was always the one obliged to please others.
Fortunately, these days were finally coming to an end.
At the thought of leaving, the trace of displeasure in Xing Shuwei’s heart vanished completely.
She answered with a faint smile. “As long as Brother Jing likes it.”
Pei Xianjing looked askance at her and teased, “Then shall we try every position I like tonight?”
Xing Shuwei’s arms stiffened around his neck. “All right.”
It was the answer Pei Xianjing had always wanted to hear.
In the past, whenever passion overwhelmed them, he would coax and entice her, wanting her to agree.
She was shy. No matter how he coaxed her, she would only half resist and half yield, never agreeing readily.
Now she had agreed without hesitation. He ought to have been delighted.
Strangely, rather than feeling the joy he expected, another inexplicable unease rose inside him.
He comforted himself.
Before, she had made every excuse when he summoned her to Qiansheng Pavilion. Now she came without even being called.
Times had changed.
This was a good thing.
Having convinced himself, he pestered Xing Shuwei. “You promised.
“Tonight, you may not complain of pain or say you are tired. Understood?”
Xing Shuwei felt her face burn as though scalded by boiling water. Her lips parted, but in the end, she only cried, “Oh!”
Only then did Pei Xianjing’s mood improve.
He held her and kissed her repeatedly.
“Eat more. Then you’ll have strength.”
After a long while, he set her down and began placing meat and vegetables in her bowl.
They had barely eaten when Gao Li’s voice sounded outside. “Eldest Young Master, Lady Pei has sent someone with a message.
“The imperial physicians from the palace have arrived to examine Miss Xing. She is asked to go over now.”
“Her health has already recovered. What is there to examine?” Pei Xianjing said irritably.
Gao Li replied, “They say that since Miss Xing will be attending someone in the future, another careful examination would put everyone at ease.”
Xing Shuwei set down her chopsticks. “It won’t take long. I’ll return soon.
“Otherwise, the Duke and Lady Pei may think that being with you will make me disrupt the peace of the household.
“I have not even entered your household yet. I cannot let the elders think I am arrogant because of your favor.”
“You always think too much.” Pei Xianjing had no intention of letting her leave. “Mother and I are distant. Even the sight of me displeases her.
“No matter how well someone from my courtyard behaves, she will still find fault where none exists.
“There is no reason for you to hurry over and endure her anger.”
Even the maids of Qiansheng Pavilion did not have to endure such anger, much less the woman who would soon become its mistress.
Xing Shuwei had already risen and leaned lightly against him. “In the future, I will accompany you day and night.
“I want you to be happy every day as well. Consider this my way of fulfilling your filial duties for you.”
Pei Xianjing patted her hand. “When did you become so obedient?”
Xing Shuwei smiled brightly and asked in return, “When have I ever been disobedient?”
Pleased by her coaxing, Pei Xianjing finally let her leave.
Xing Shuwei followed Qingling all the way to Panlin Court.
The courtyard was brilliantly lit, and both doors to the main hall stood open. Xing Shuwei could vaguely make out four imperial physicians inside.
Princess Jin’an was certainly precious. Xing Shuwei wondered whether her marriage to Pei Xianjing would rouse the entire Imperial Medical Bureau to examine him.
Only after Xing Shuwei stepped through the doorway did she discover two fierce-looking elderly palace matrons standing inside as well.
Princess Jin’an sat in the seat of honor. She was dressed less splendidly than usual, and her eyes watched Xing Shuwei with sinister malice.
“You haven’t even entered the household, yet you’re already so ignorant of the rules? You see the princess and don’t know enough to bow and offer greetings?” Lady Pei rebuked.
Xing Shuwei had a faint sense that she would suffer again today.
She curtsied to Princess Jin’an. “This commoner greets Your Highness. May Your Highness live for a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years.”
Princess Jin’an snorted coldly. “Stop standing there. Lie down over there.”
Xing Shuwei followed the slight lift of her chin and saw two long benches placed there, cold and hard.
The two elderly palace matrons came forward and pressed down on her shoulders from either side.
“Lady Pei, what is the meaning of this?” Xing Shuwei cried.
She knew Lady Pei was the only person present who could stop them.
Lady Pei said coldly, “The princess says you previously seduced a eunuch in her service.
“To protect your reputation and that of the Duke’s estate, she secretly had the man put to death.
“Now Jing’er intends to take you as a concubine, and even I, his mother, cannot stop him.
“But your body must be pure.
“These two women are veterans of the palace. Their methods are practiced, and they will not make you suffer.”
Lady Pei gave Matron Gao a look. Understanding at once, she shut the doors.
To prevent Xing Shuwei from calling for help, an elderly palace matron quickly covered her mouth with a cloth.
The four imperial physicians each took out silver needles of differing lengths and appeared to be waiting only for the order.
Xing Shuwei’s eyes widened in terror. The moment she resisted, two sharp slaps landed across her face.
Her struggle was as futile as an egg striking a rock.
Soon, her back struck the long bench, and her legs were hoisted up.
Even using all her strength, Xing Shuwei could only lift her neck slightly. She could not move even her knees.
She looked toward Lady Pei and pleaded through muffled cries.
“With such fierce resistance, perhaps this body of yours lost its virginity long ago,” an elderly palace matron said.
As she spoke, she reached to tear away Xing Shuwei’s skirt and trousers.
Tears streamed from Xing Shuwei’s eyes in panic.
So noble and illustrious families conducted such filthy acts in private!
The four imperial physicians were unrelated men. What were these women planning?
Would they strip her naked and then summon Pei Xianjing?
Or did they intend for her to die here outright?
At that critical moment, the Second Madam, Lady Yu, called from outside. “Eldest Sister-in-law.”
At the sound, the palace matrons and imperial physicians halted.
Xing Shuwei continued making muffled cries.
Impatient, one palace matron clamped a hand tightly around her throat, preventing her from making any sound.
“What is it?” Lady Pei asked warily.
“I heard imperial physicians had come to the estate, so I came especially to seek treatment,” Lady Yu said from outside.
“The imperial physicians have already left. If you feel unwell, have the estate physician examine you,” Lady Pei said dismissively.
“But I just returned from outside. Why didn’t I see the steward escort anyone out?
“Surely Eldest Sister-in-law isn’t hiding the imperial physicians because you don’t want me to recover?
“If so, I will have to seek justice from the Eldest Young Master.”
As Lady Yu spoke, she signaled the two servants behind her to break down the door.
She had hurried over deliberately after receiving word.
Pei Xianjing cared deeply for Xing Shuwei. If the entire household watched Lady Pei indulge Princess Jin’an and torment Xing Shuwei to death inside the estate, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Had Pei Xianjing been Lady Pei’s own son, Lady Yu would not have bothered meddling.
But Pei Xianjing was not her biological son, and between them lay the murder of his mother.
When the truth came to light one day, Lady Yu hoped Pei Xianjing would remember that she had saved Xing Shuwei today and show special mercy to her two sons.