Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The crimson sun cast a golden rim around the lush hills, and ripples on the lake reflected the inverted sunset, resembling shattered stars in a pool. Pei Mushan handed her grooming box to her maid and leaned against Xu Yunqi, gazing at the man approaching leisurely in the distance.

He was attired in a well-tailored, deep azure robe with narrow sleeves, conversing with several officials by the lake. The setting sun cast its glow on the corners of his eyebrows, intertwining with his innate aloofness to form a subtle veil of chill, naturally distinguishing him from those around him.

Pei Mushan indulged in the beauty of her brother, couldn't help but muse aloud,

"Sister, if I were to seek a husband as diligent and dedicated as my brother, might I risk spending my life alone, unaccompanied?"

Xu Yunqi's gaze fell upon her husband, who stood out amidst the crowd like a crane among chickens, not far away. A mountain breeze carried falling blossoms towards him, some settling upon his shoulders, others adorning the hem of his garment, and a single strand nestling within his thick lashes. With a casual sweep of his hand, he seemed to brush away a trace of mundane mundanity.

Prince Pei Muhen conversed with the officials in an unhurried, measured manner, inadvertently glancing this way amidst their socializing. His gaze locked onto Xu Yunqi's bewildered expression, upon which an indolent figure leaned against her embrace, casting him a mischievous grin. With a furrowed brow, Prince Pei averted his eyes.

With a blend of jest and resignation, Pei Mushan scratched at Xu Yunqi's arm. "I wish I could marry as splendid a husband as Sister-in-law has. Tell me truthfully, were you happy to marry Brother?"

Xu Yunqi gently caressed the soft tresses of the girl nestled in his embrace. His throat seemed to seize up for a moment, and after a while, he gave a faint, hesitant hum in response.

Pei Mushan gazed into her translucent eyes and smiled, straightening up without asking any further questions.

Pei Mushan dismissed the officials with a wave of his hand and strode over, his tall figure settling before the tent's steps. He nodded at Xu Yunqi first, then his gaze fell on his sister.

"Why are you here?" he asked, his tone clearly impatient.

Princess Pei Mushan's temper flared, and she straightened her back, supporting her waist. "I'm supposed to be here!"

Taking advantage of the height of the steps, she felt that her presence was just as imposing as anyone else's.

Pei Mushan received only a casual glance from him before he ignored her, turning to speak with Xu Yunqi instead.

"Has Madam had her evening meal?" he asked.

Xu Yunqi curtsied slightly and replied with a smile, "Not yet, Third Master. How about you?"

Pei Mushan shook his head. Then, he gave Pei Mushan a look that clearly signaled he wanted her gone.

Annoyed, Pei Mushan pulled Xu Yunqi's arm into her embrace. "Hey, let me tell you, Mother instructed me to share a tent with my sister-in-law. Your sudden return has disrupted our plans, but I don't care. I'll stay here today, and you can find somewhere else to be!"

Pei Mushan gazed at her calmly, his refined eyes devoid of any emotion.

Huang Wei found the situation amusing yet awkward, and he tried to smooth things over with a bowed posture, "Miss Five, aren't you afraid of being laughed at for competing with your brother for a wife?"

Seizing the opportunity to back down, Pei Mushan immediately changed her tone and looked down at Pei Musheng condescendingly, "Did you bring me any makeup? If you did, I might just let you have my sister-in-law."

Upon finishing her words, she received no response from below the makeshift staircase. Her bright eyes met Pei Musheng's gaze, now filled with waning patience. Pei Mushan subconsciously swallowed, feeling her cheeks grow warm. Eventually, unable to withstand the tension, she turned around flexibly and spoke to Xu Yunqi, "Ahem, I just remembered that Father isn't here. Mother might not be used to being alone. I'll go sleep with her." With a fierce glare at Pei Musheng, she left with an air of arrogance.

Huang Wei suppressed a laugh and promptly took Pei Musheng's clothes from the guard, quietly heading towards the tent.

Xu Yunqi allowed the siblings to finish their playful exchange before pointing inside, "Third Master, please come in."

Pei Musheng climbed the steps and entered the tent, followed by Xu Yunqi.

The tent was not spacious, measuring only about ten yards across. The outer area was set up to entertain guests with tea, while a screen partitioned off two small compartments inside. One of these enclosed a modest wooden bed for sleeping, and the other served as a bathing and toilet area.

All the people in the room retreated, leaving Xu Yunqi to attend to Pei Mucheng as she washed her face and enjoyed her tea. When she returned with the washcloth, she noticed a long, rectangular box on the previously empty table.

Pei Muheng sat in a round-backed chair, sipping his tea. Raising his gaze to meet hers, he then pointed at the box, "I brought this for you. Take a look, do you like it?"

Xu Yunqi froze, his clasped hands slowly descending as he delicately pinched the edge of his sleeve. "For me?"

What about that young lady?

A flush spread across Xu Yunqi's cheeks, not from bashfulness but guilt, making it unbearable for her to confront Pei Mushan.

Pei Muhang noticed her hesitation and put down his teacup. "What's the matter?"

Xu Yunqi sat opposite him, gently taking the box in hand. With a proposition, he said, "Third Master, there's nothing I lack. How about we give this to Younger Sister?"

Pei Muheng gazed at his wife, attired in simple elegance, then recalled his sister who would eagerly heap an entire box of jewels upon herself. His expression was a complex mix of emotions. "This is for you," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Xu Yunqi refrained from further words and proceeded to unlock the casket. Within lay a pair of creamy-white jade bracelets, exquisitely chosen to suit Prince Pei Muheng's impeccable taste. The bracelets were uniformly lustrous, their substance resembling congealed cream, testifying to their superior quality among the finest of nephrite jade.

In response to her husband's kindness, she beamed a wide smile. "It's beautiful, I really like it."

In truth, Xu Yunqi never adorned herself with jewelry. A simple jade hairpin held her hair in place, accompanied by a pair of not-so-exquisite pearl earrings. That was all. On a daily basis, with her medical consultations and acupuncture sessions, bracelets or similar accessories would only prove cumbersome.

Pei Muheng, seeing his wife's joy, finished his cup of tea.

The last time, the Empress had forced him to bring a food basket for Xu Yunqi. This time, upon his return from a journey, he had taken the initiative to bring a gift for his wife.

"Would you like to try it on?"

Xu Yunqi, with her amenable nature, gracefully slid both bracelets onto her wrists. They felt weighty and unfamiliar against her skin. Her lustrous, dark orbs rolled slightly as she softly inquired, "Might it be possible to give one of these to my younger sister?"

Pei Muqing: "..."

"Which of the two sisters would you prefer?" He asked, his tone indifferent.

Xu Yunqi's eyes drooped, and he remained silent.

Pei Mushan has an elder sister, Pei Mulan, but she is a reserved individual who prefers to keep to herself. Xu Yunqi has had very few opportunities to meet her thus far.

*

Pei Mushan returned to Princess Xi's tent in a fit of anger.

Princess Xi, who had finally found some peace and quiet, saw her daughter storm in and her expression changed. "Why have you come back?"

"I'm here to keep you company, Mother," Pei Mushan said, placing her dressing box on the table and collapsing onto a couch, looking dejected.

Princess Xi was rather unfeeling. "I don't need your company."

Pei Mushan was on the verge of tears as she sprang up. "Third Brother is back..."

Princess Xi froze for a moment before realizing what was happening and smiling. "Heng'er is back?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than footsteps could be heard from outside. In a moment, Pei Mushan Heng entered with Xu Yunqi to pay respects to Princess Xi.

Princess Xi's face lit up as she bombarded her son with questions.

Xu Yunqi stood by Pei Mushan's side, trying his best to pull down his sleeves.

However, Pei Mushan had sharp eyes. She soon noticed a shimmering glow on Xu Yunqi's wrist. Curious, she tilted her head to take a closer look.

A pair!

Not for her!

Her gaze was as sharp as daggers, piercing through Pei Muheng's being.

"Brother, you have gone too far!"

She gritted her teeth in anger.

Pei Mushan ignored her sister's accusations and simply recounted the events in Yangzhou to their mother.

The Empress of Xi glared at her unreasonable daughter.

Pei Mushan turned to Xu Yunqi with a pitiful look, and Xu Yunqi comforted her by holding her hand, "Don't be sad, next time, Sister will buy you..." she whispered softly.

After the meal, the Empress of Xi observed her son with concern, "You've lost weight. You must have had a tough time during your two months away, haven't you?"

Pei Muheng dismissed her concerns with a casual smile. "Mother, this was a rare opportunity for me. I've gained a great deal, and it was worth the effort."

He didn't mention to Princess Xi that during his two months in Yangzhou, he had survived more than a dozen assassination attempts, each one more perilous than the last, narrowly escaping death.

Princess Xi's gaze shifted to Xu Yunqi at his side. The young wife had a fair, unblemished complexion, bright and lustrous eyes, and skin so supple it seemed to exude moisture. ...With her husband away, she had taken good care of herself. Back when Prince Xi had marched off to war, she had been unable to sleep, wasting away to the point of being unrecognizable. Seeing Xu Yunqi's seemingly carefree demeanor, Princess Xi's tone turned stern as she instructed her,

"Take good care of your husband."

Xu Yunqi didn't know why she had offended her mother-in-law again, but she nodded obediently. "As you wish, Mother."

As night fell, Princess Xi noticed the weariness etched on her son's face and asked, "Are you still going to visit your grandfather's tent later?"

Pei Muheng shook his head. "No need. After rushing day and night, Grandfather ordered me to rest."

Princess Xi fell silent, waving them off to return to their quarters.

Pei Muheng and Xu Yunqi entered their tent, one after the other.

The night sky was clear, studded with countless stars. The evening mountain breeze carried a slight chill, brushing against their faces with a faint dampness, reminiscent of their days in the countryside of Jingzhou. Xu Yunqi stood at the entrance for a moment before turning to enter the tent.

In the distance, the clamor of the patrolling guards and the chirping of insects and birds created a serene atmosphere within the tent.

Pei Muheng preferred quietness, so servants like Yinxing were all outside in a small tent designated for their rest.

When Xu Yunqi entered, Pei Muheng was reclining in an armchair, pretending to nap.

He looked genuinely exhausted.

She first checked the bathroom, where a servant had already prepared a large bucket of steaming hot water. Returning to the main room, Xu Yunqi noticed Pei Muheng still seated, so she took the initiative to find the package delivered by Huang Wei. She rummaged through it and pulled out his clothes.

Staring at the garments for a moment, Xu Yunqi was lost in thought. She had never properly helped him dress before.

After a while, she carried the clothes to hang them in the bathroom and then turned back to the outer room.

"Third Master, it's time for your bath," she said softly, her voice gentle and soothing in the night.

Pei Muheng opened his eyes and gazed at her.

She stood by the screen in a simple robe, her delicate figure softened by the warm glow of the lamplight, blurring her outline and his vision alike.

Indeed, Pei Mushan was exhausted. For the past two months in Yangzhou, he had been on high alert, never daring to let his guard down. Now that he was back in the capital, his defenses momentarily relaxed, he made his way to the bathroom.

His tall figure brushed past Yunqi, who remained by the screen, unsure if her assistance was needed.

The curtains inside were drawn, casting a long, dark shadow on the white canopy. No invitation came from within.

Yunqi returned to the inner chamber, removing her bracelets and placing them carefully in a silk box. She undid her hair and removed her hairpins before cleansing her face and returning to the bed. It was then she remembered that Pei Mushan had taken her bedding, while the one prepared for Pei Mushan was still in the carriage. There was only one set of bedding left.

With some effort, Yunqi managed to make the bed.

Footsteps sounded from behind her just then.

The man emerged, dressed impeccably, with his temples neatly combed and a hint of moisture in his aura. His dark gaze settled on her, as if a flicker of light danced in the depths of his pupils.

Yunqi was kneeling on the bed, her slender spine forming an elegant curve. Her sleeve slid down, revealing a delicate, well-proportioned arm. Glancing back unintentionally, the rounded contour of her body caught his eye fleetingly. Yunqi felt awkward and quickly rose to step off the bed.

Pei Mushan averted his gaze, and Yunqi entered the bathroom.

She summoned the servant to bring in another bucket of water, cleaned herself thoroughly, and then instructed the attendants to clean the bathroom and put everything in order. It took her a good quarter of an hour to finish.

When she emerged from the bathing chamber, she noticed that the candles in the inner room had been extinguished. By the lingering light outside, she saw Pei Muhang lying quietly on his side, his eyes closed as if asleep. He had draped one corner of the quilt over his chest, leaving the majority of it for her.