Chapter 2

Chapter 2

—"Who says it isn't absurd!"

In the main courtyard of the Xihua Palace under the veil of night, a beautiful woman in a dark red silk robe leaned on a bolster, tears streaming down her face.

"Poor Yunling, she fell ill all of a sudden and left for Qingshan Temple just before Muqing's wedding. I've heard she's now nothing but skin and bones..."

Xun Yunling and Pei Muheng had grown up together like siblings, visiting the Xihua Palace daily to pay their respects. The Xihua Princess treated her as if she were her own daughter, having long considered her as her future daughter-in-law. After a bout of crying, she thought of Pei Muheng's loss and couldn't help feeling indignant. Through gritted teeth, she said,

"The Emperor has seventeen grandsons, and each of them has married either a noble lady or the daughter of a high-ranking official. Yet, our Muqing... settled for the daughter of a mere fifth-rank official..." As she spoke, her anger grew, her brows knitting into a dense cloud of sorrow. "If only you could have seen those sisters-in-law today, all gloating with hidden malice. I've never felt so helpless in my life!"

Whenever the Xu family's background crossed her mind, the Xihua Princess felt a pang of pain in her heart, struggling to catch her breath.

The Xu family was once a merchant household that later gained prosperity and donated their way into the ranks of the officials, still facing rejection from the local elite. It wasn't until Xu's father passed the imperial examination and the Xu family gradually established themselves in Jingzhou. Then, Xu's father, the official, stumbled upon an opportunity during the power struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince Qin, leading to his transfer to the capital as an official.

Such a humble origin was hardly fitting for the esteemed Xihua Palace.

Sitting beside her, the Xihua Prince, understanding his wife's and son's predicament, sighed softly. After a moment of silence, he reached out to wipe away his wife's tears, attempting to comfort and advise her at the same time.

"Others may jest at our palace in their confusion, but how can you also be so unclear? Do you truly believe His Majesty slipped up while drunk?"

Princess Xi was slightly startled, her long lashes still glistening with tears as she asked in a hoarse voice, "What do you mean?"

Prince Xi stroked his beard and sighed, "His Majesty is advanced in years and has become even more cautious recently. He must have seen your choice of a girl from the Cabinet Minister's family for Hang'er and felt threatened. Thus, he took advantage of his intoxication to arrange Hang'er's marriage, using the excuse of being tipsy to matchmake, but in reality, it's a warning to the Xi Palace."

"You've complained enough. Now that the new bride is here, you can't let your temper show anymore. You mustn't displease His Majesty further."

Princess Xi's lips trembled, leaving her speechless.

Pei Muhang was indeed the emperor's most favored grandson. However, while the emperor allowed him to shine, he didn't permit him to escape his control. Lately, the court had been rife with turmoil, with the Crown Prince and Prince Qin locked in a fierce rivalry. Seeing the emperor's health deteriorate, Pei Muhang had hoped to gauge the emperor's stance towards the Xi Palace through this marriage. Now, the outcome was clear, but not the one he desired.

In the western chamber, the light flickered from the lamps, accompanied by the occasional sound of pages turning. Presumably, Pei Muhang was attending to official duties, while Xu Yunqi slept soundly.

Half her life spent in turmoil had cultivated a habit of falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Even after such a chaotic day, she had enjoyed a peaceful night's rest.

Waking the next morning to a rain-soaked sky now cleared, the air was filled with the freshness of a new day. Xu Yunqi glanced around the unfamiliar room, dispelling her momentary disorientation. As Yinxing helped her get dressed, she heard movement from behind the pearl curtains. Pausing for a moment, she quickly finished getting ready and stepped out from behind the screen, only to find Pei Muhang already seated in the main hall, awaiting her.

A tall and elegant man had changed into a deep purple everyday robe and sat upright behind a table. Before him lay more than a dozen breakfast dishes, arranged on jade plates, each one a delectable delicacy that Xu Yunqi couldn't name.

She sat opposite Pei Muheng, lifting her gaze to look at him and softly called out, "Third Master."

Pei Muheng's eyes were lowered as he casually toyed with the silver chopsticks in front of him. Upon hearing her gentle tone, he slowly lifted his gaze to meet Xu Yunqi's.

He had always been particular about his sleeping arrangements and usually slept in the eastern chamber. Last night, he had made do in the western chamber and hadn't slept well. If he was affected this much, it was likely that the new girl, unfamiliar with the palace, wouldn't have had a restful sleep either. Thus, he asked warmly, "How do you find the palace? Are you adjusting well?"

Xu Yunqi's eyes held a casual smile as she replied, "Everything is fine."

Taking her response as mere politeness, Pei Muheng nodded lightly.

They were not yet acquainted, so the conversation ended there.

They would soon need to go to the main courtyard to pay respects with a cup of tea. The couple ate their meal in silence.

Remembering Pei Muheng's tone from last night, Xu Yunqi made sure to follow the rules and focused on her own meal, paying no attention to Pei Muheng's eating habits. Likewise, Pei Muheng had no interest in what Xu Yunqi preferred to eat.

Both having finished their meal, they put down their chopsticks one after another.

Considering herself now a married woman and thus obligated to uphold propriety, Xu Yunqi took the initiative to lift her sleeve and pour tea for Pei Muheng. Previously, Pei Muheng had always been attended by a personal servant. Now, with a new lady of the palace, servants found it inconvenient to enter, and he was not fond of summoning maidservants. Thus, he had no choice but to do it himself.

Unintentionally, an ivory-white arm reached out, simultaneously grasping the handle of the inlaid silver teapot.

Their soft, delicate skin brushed against his slightly cold hand, leaving a moist sensation.

Xu Yunqi, caught off guard, immediately withdrew her hand. Pei Muheng paused for a moment, his expression imperceptibly shifting. The area she had touched seemed to have developed goosebumps. He had never enjoyed physical contact, especially from women.

Despite the discomfort in his heart, Pei Muheng maintained his composure as he poured a cup of tea. However, his well-defined fingers held the teacup without taking a sip for quite some time.

Unaware of Pei Muheng's thoughts, Xu Yunqi waited until he finished pouring before hurriedly pouring a cup for herself. As she lifted her sleeve to cover her mouth while drinking, she noticed out of the corner of her eye that Pei Muheng subtly wiped the spot she had touched with a damp cloth.

Xu Yunqi: "…"

The autumn sunlight illuminated the corridor, casting a golden glow on the hem of Xu Yunqi's skirt. The Xihuang Palace was grand and magnificent, exuding an air of opulence. With pavilions and halls connected along the way, and jade-green mansions, there was no doubt about its splendor. Following closely behind Pei Muheng, Xu Yunqi made her way to the main courtyard. After the previous encounter, she deliberately kept her distance from him, trying to avoid offending this precious prince.

Recently, a major case had occurred in Tongzhou, with developments unfolding rapidly. Pei Muheng was preoccupied with unraveling the mysteries behind the case and completely failed to notice his wife's growing distance.

Perhaps due to Pei Muheng's secluded residence, this path was deserted until they passed by a lush pavilion with towering trees. There, they caught sight of a magnificent hall in the distance, its upturned eaves reaching towards the sky. The courtyard was adorned with vibrant autumn chrysanthemums, and not a speck of dust could be seen. A line of elegantly dressed servants stood at attention, holding their breaths and bowing their heads in silence.

This grandeur could only belong to the Jinhe Hall, where Prince Xi and Princess Xi resided.

It was at this moment that Pei Muheng snapped out of his solemn thoughts, noticing Xu Yunqi standing five paces away from him, hands clasped behind his back, awaiting her approach under the corridor.

Xu Yunqi emerged slowly from the long corridor, the crisp autumn light gradually illuminating her skirt and then her forehead, casting her features in an ethereally bright glow. At that instant, Pei Muheng realized that her face seemed familiar, as if he had encountered it somewhere before.

Xu Yunqi followed Pei Muheng into the Jinhe Hall.

Prince Xi and Princess Xi took their seats of honor in the main chamber. Prince Xi was impressively tall and radiant, while Princess Xi wore an aloof expression, never once casting a glance at Xu Yunqi. A crowd of attendants stood at their sides, and before Xu Yunqi's arrival, her mother had informed her that the Prince Xi's palace consisted of three households.

Xu Yunqi, Pei Muxiang, Yunqi, Pei Mujing

Princess Xi caught sight of the concubine-born son's wife's subtle maneuvering, and her expression immediately soured.

"Enough, it's time for the tea ceremony."

Pei Muhang and Xu Yunqi knelt in respectful salute to Prince Xi and Princess Xi.

Prince Xi observed that his daughter-in-law was graceful and beautiful, her appearance rivaling his own son's, which brought him great satisfaction.

"Truly, His Majesty has an exceptional eye for talent and beauty," he remarked.

His comment hung in the air, unanswered.

Xu Yunqi knelt beside Pei Musheng, showing no reaction.

The eldest son, Pei Muxiang, wished to alleviate his father's awkwardness but, upon catching a glance at his mother's frosty expression, decided to feign deafness.

Prince Xi coughed uncomfortably.

Aside from the brothers and their wives, there were also two young sisters-in-law, and thus the tea ceremony proceeded swiftly.

Before Xu Yunqi's wedding day, the palace had already sent word to forgo the preparation of the tea ceremony, perhaps fearing that Xu family's humble status might result in inadequate gifts that could embarrass Pei Musheng. As such, today's ceremony was conducted by Princess Xi herself.

Everyone in the palace was aware of this arrangement, and thus they received the tea ceremony with little enthusiasm.

Ironically, Xu Yunqi did not spend a penny yet received several trunks of gifts as a meeting present.

In the eyes of the eldest daughter-in-law, Xie, it seemed that her mother-in-law was secretly favoring her youngest son.

Second Madam Li glanced at Xu Yunqi, pondering quietly. Perhaps this third sister-in-law was as stubborn as a piece of wood. If her mother-in-law didn't instruct her to prepare a tea ceremony gift, she would truly come empty-handed. If she were just a bit more clever, she would have embroidered something herself to show her sincerity.

Unfortunately, she was simple-minded.

With such a sister-in-law around, there would be plenty of drama to watch in the future, she thought.

Prince Xi was unaware of these intricacies among women. He looked at his youngest son and daughter-in-law with a pleasant expression and said, "It's getting late. Hurry and go to the palace to pay respects to your imperial grandfather and grandmother."

Pei Muheng bowed slightly, giving Xu Yunqi a glance, signaling for her to follow him.

In Qinghui Garden where Pei Muheng lived, only two elderly maidservants served. The rest were his trusted attendants, all of whom kept their mouths tightly sealed. No one knew that the couple had not consummated their marriage.

As Princess Xi watched them leave, tears welled up in her eyes. After they disappeared from sight, she managed to hold back her sobs, whispering, "My poor child..."

Seeing her cry in front of their sons and daughter-in-law, Prince Xi frowned. "Alright, that's enough. I think Third Sister-in-law is gentle and obedient, a wonderful addition to the family. Now that she's here, she's one of us. No one is allowed to treat her poorly." He was addressing his younger generation, and Xie and the others bowed in agreement.

A palace carriage was already waiting at the entrance of the palace, with eunuchs present. Even though Pei Muheng was reluctant to share the ride with a woman, he had no choice but to comply. Xu Yunqi, understanding his predicament, tucked herself into a corner of the carriage once they boarded, trying her best not to disturb Pei Muheng.

The couple sat on opposite sides, leaving enough space for two or three more people between them. Pei Muheng seemed indifferent, deep in thought, while Xu Yunqi leaned against the carriage wall, pretending to sleep, neither looking at the other.

Within a quarter of an hour, the couple entered the imperial palace walls. They were scheduled to meet the emperor and empress around noon. Compared to the Xihua Palace, the royal couple in the imperial palace seemed quite pleased with Xu Yunqi. The empress even praised her for possessing an ethereal beauty distinct from that of the capital's aristocrats, hinting at her intention to support Xu Yunqi. As a result, she granted her one-tenth more in rewards than previous grandsons' consorts.

Xu Yunqi noticed that it was only after entering the palace that a smile graced Pei Muheng's handsome face.

In late autumn, the days grew dark quickly. By the time they finished their social obligations and returned home, twilight had already settled in.

The emperor granted Pei Muheng a three-day holiday, instructing him to spend time with his new wife. Pei Muheng dared not defy this order, so he accompanied Xu Yunqi back to the palace in silence. Upon stepping into the sloping corridor leading to Qinghui Garden, they were greeted by Manager Chen rushing forward to bow.

"Third Master, the annual tribute from the Tongzhou imperial manor has been delivered to the palace earlier than usual. The list is placed in the study, please take a look."

Years ago, Pei Muheng had shown exceptional courage, humbling a Da Wu envoy, and when the crisis was resolved, the emperor rewarded him exceptionally with a manor. This manor had bountiful harvests. Back then, Pei Muheng was young, so the earnings were managed by Princess Xihua. After he turned fifteen, the manor was returned to him. However, out of filial piety, whenever he received the annual tribute, Pei Muheng would keep the silver but entrust the rest to the princess, never deviating from this practice.

Without hesitation, Pei Muheng replied,

"Handle it according to the established procedure."

House Manager Chen was about to turn away when Pei Mucheng caught a glimpse of his newlywed wife standing elegantly in the distance, his expression slightly startled.

Times had changed; he was now married. Regardless of his feelings, Xu Yunqi was now his wife, and the management of the household affairs should fall upon her shoulders.

Thus, he gestured for House Manager Chen to stay, looking at Xu Yunqi with his hands behind his back. Under the swaying shadows of the grapevine on the corridor, she leaned against it, her delicate figure appearing soft and gentle in the evening breeze. Just as Pei Mucheng was about to speak, he realized that he didn't even know her given name. Addressing her as 'Madam Xu' seemed too formal, while calling her by her name felt too intimate for their current relationship. After some deliberation, he acknowledged Xu Yunqi's status as his wife and spoke in a composed tone,

"The annual tribute from the estate has arrived. Madam, what is your opinion on how it should be allocated?"