Chapter 69
Chapter 69
Pei Guofei and Qiutong came to Qiansheng Pavilion together.
Gao Li led them to the octagonal pavilion in the bamboo garden, then withdrew.
The wind rustled through the bamboo grove, drowning out their conversation.
Qiutong said, “Early this morning, the Fourth Master departed to take up his post.
“Dowager Lady Pei made no announcement. She quietly had the dowry she promised delivered to Qianchen Pavilion.
“This servant carefully checked everything against the dowry inventory, but half is still missing.”
“Forget it. What we have is enough,” Xing Shuwei said softly.
Qiutong was displeased. “Are we simply letting it go? Are we going to let her seize your property for herself?”
Xing Shuwei touched the jade bangle on her wrist. Most of what could not be produced had probably already been dispersed.
She was unhappy too, but dwelling on it now would only delay the important matter.
“Qiutong, when I say it is enough, it is enough. From now on, do whatever I tell you and stop wasting words.” It was the first time Xing Shuwei had spoken to her in a commanding tone.
Qiutong pouted and nodded. “This servant understands.”
Xing Shuwei then looked at Pei Guofei. His gaze darted away, guilt keeping him from meeting her eyes.
“Fourth Brother only hurt Weiwei because you wanted wholeheartedly to protect Miss Zheng, didn’t you?” Xing Shuwei’s soft voice drifted into his ears.
Pei Guofei stared at her in shock.
Did she know everything?
“Weiwei.”
After a long while, Pei Guofei spoke hoarsely. A thousand words clogged his throat, preventing him from forming a complete sentence.
“You needn’t feel that you wronged me. You once helped me. Consider this my repayment for the care you showed me over the past four years.
“I know Fourth Brother is not bad by nature. If no one had forced you, you could never have borne to harm this younger sister of yours,” Xing Shuwei said gently.
Her words pierced Pei Guofei’s heart. It was exactly what he wanted to tell her.
He had never expected her to understand everything.
A nod took the place of every answer. His gaze was filled with guilt as he looked at Xing Shuwei.
Even now, Pei Xuanfei continued using Zheng Yan to threaten him.
She wanted him to lure Xing Shuwei out of Qiansheng Pavilion again so she could turn her into a corpse inside the estate.
“I will not marry the Eldest Young Master. I will disappear.
“So you needn’t feel torn or worried. What happened between you and Miss Zheng will not be exposed because of me,” Xing Shuwei said openly.
Pei Guofei was shocked again. He glanced around in panic.
“I asked Fourth Brother here because I want you to convert everything in Qianchen Pavilion into silver.
“Before tomorrow, give the banknotes to Qiutong.
“This is the only thing I ask of you. Will you help me?”
Instead of answering, Pei Guofei asked, “What are you planning to do?”
“Just tell me whether you will help, Fourth Brother. The less you know about anything else, the safer you will be,” Xing Shuwei said calmly.
She was certain he would help her.
Pei Guofei nodded. “Whatever the reason, I nearly caused your death.
“I wronged you.
“Never mind this single request-even if you asked something much harder of me, I would agree.”
“But Weiwei, the realm is unsettled now. Once you leave the Duke’s estate, you will have no protection.
“You may endure some contempt here, but once you belong to Eldest Brother, no one will dare make things too difficult for you out of consideration for him.
“Eldest Brother truly cares for you. I saw it myself that day.
“You may have been too frightened to realize it, but he openly ordered Chengde to kill those men to avenge you.”
“Eldest Brother has always concealed his emotions.
“He is a man who accomplishes great things and is accustomed to weighing benefits and harms.
“Yet for you, it was as though he lost all control.”
Pei Guofei’s thoughts were complicated, and all that complexity became this final attempt at persuasion.
Xing Shuwei smiled. “The matter was too serious and involved too many powerful nobles. He simply could not allow it to grow.
“Besides, I cannot live a peaceful life in the Duke’s estate either. You understand that better than anyone.”
Her words carried a pointed meaning.
Pei Guofei naturally understood and stopped trying to persuade her.
“All right. Hurry and handle these matters for me.
“Qiutong, return the fan from before to Lord Zhang,” Xing Shuwei said, turning to her.
Their eyes met. Qiutong immediately understood that she was to find Lord Zhang at Spring Breeze Restaurant.
As Xing Shuwei saw them off, she slipped a handkerchief into Qiutong’s sleeve.
After returning to Qianchen Pavilion, Qiutong unfolded it and found a message her mistress wanted sent to Lord Zhang.
It said he must ensure Xing Shuwei entered the palace the day after tomorrow.
Qiutong did not dare delay. After leaving the estate with Pei Guofei, she headed straight for Spring Breeze Restaurant.
Just as her mistress had predicted, the moment Qiutong entered, a waiter approached and led her to a private room upstairs.
As soon as she saw Zhang Mingan, Qiutong handed him the brocade box and handkerchief together.
After reading the handkerchief, Zhang Mingan opened the brocade box.
Two fans lay quietly inside.
He took out the other fan Xing Shuwei had prepared and found a poem written in familiar handwriting.
“Tonight, the moon over Fuzhou… When shall we lean together at the gauze-curtained window, while moonlight dries the tears from both our faces?”
Zhang Mingan closed the fan. “Tell her that tomorrow, an edict of the Empress Dowager summoning her into the palace will reach the Duke’s estate.
“Shuyan will arrive before the edict. Tell her and Shuyan to prepare.
“As for money, she needn’t worry.
“Once you reach Qizhou, none of you will have to worry about food or clothing.”
Qiutong nodded emphatically. “Then this servant will take her leave. Thank you for your trouble, noble heir.”
After returning to the Duke’s estate, Qiutong told Xing Shuwei everything.
Xing Shuwei was faintly worried. If the palace summons came early and Shuyan had not yet returned, they would be in trouble.
“The noble heir said the young master would return before the edict reaches the Duke’s estate,” Qiutong added, as though seeing her concern.
Xing Shuwei froze.
How many abilities did Lord Zhang possess that she knew nothing about? He had arranged everything so thoroughly.
“Then hurry back to Qianchen Pavilion and pack,” Xing Shuwei said, collecting her thoughts.
Qiutong obeyed and returned to Qianchen Pavilion. Through the night, she sewed the banknotes and Noble Consort Zhang’s token into her clothes.
Early the next morning, Xing Shuyan indeed returned.
Qiutong brought him to Qiansheng Pavilion to find Xing Shuwei.
When they arrived, Gao Li was showing Xing Shuwei the wedding clothes.
“Elder Sister,” Xing Shuyan called through the door.
Xing Shuwei dropped the bridal veil, turned, and went to welcome him inside. Although she knew the answer, she asked, “Why has Yan’er returned today? Didn’t the Eldest Young Master say you would return tomorrow?”
Xing Shuyan supported her arm. “It was supposed to be tomorrow, but the official handling my appointment documents will be off duty then, so it was moved to today. Elder Sister, I am now a guard to the Eleventh Prince.”
Xing Shuwei looked at Qiutong and saw her blinking repeatedly, signaling that she need not worry.
A smile appeared on Xing Shuwei’s face. “Wonderful. Once Yan’er rises steadily through the ranks, Elder Sister will have someone to rely on.”
As they exchanged pleasantries, Lady Pei arrived with a group and had the gates of Qiansheng Pavilion opened.
Gao Li was about to ask questions when Lady Pei stepped aside. An older eunuch held aloft an edict embroidered with a phoenix and called, “Xing Shuwei, receive the edict.”
Xing Shuwei pulled Xing Shuyan down to kneel. Gao Li led the other servants to kneel respectfully behind her.
The eunuch did not read the edict aloud. He simply handed it to Xing Shuwei and said, “Enough. Follow this eunuch into the palace to meet the Empress Dowager.”
“This commoner receives the edict.” Xing Shuwei held it in both hands and kowtowed.
She rose, took Xing Shuyan and Qiutong with her, and followed the eunuch out of Qiansheng Pavilion without looking back.
Gao Li was utterly confused and hurried after them to the doorway, only for Lady Pei to stop her. “This is the Empress Dowager’s will. When Jing’er returns, tell him the truth.
“He is reasonable. He will not blame you.”