Chapter 57: No One Dares to Marry

Chapter 57: No One Dares to Marry

Pei Yuanxi and Gongye Chu maintained a distance of about four or five steps between them. This gap seemed to be growing subtly; when Gongye Chu retracted his gaze, he could tell that the woman beside him was now at least seven steps away.

His face was cold, and it was hard to discern any emotion in him.

For a moment, both of them remained silent, neither daring to break the quiet.

Shangxing stole a few glances, his eyes involuntarily welling up with tears.

To him, his mother existed only in the memory of their cold encounter in the ice chamber and in a painting hanging in his father's study. In the painting, his mother wore a similar silver-red dress, her smile directed affectionately towards him.

He had heard the most stories from Uncle Liu Ze about how his parents met and fell deeply in love. Uncle Liu Ze said that if his father hadn't met his mother, he might never have married.

"I just can't figure it out. How did my father win my mother's heart back then? Looking at them now, they seem determined to remain strangers until the end of time."

He sighed, sounding much older than his years, as he stared at the pastries. The pastry obediently lay by his hand, rubbing against his palm. He stroked its fur, then glanced again at his parents, who appeared even farther apart from each other.

Upon closer inspection, he thought they were an odd match, despite their outstanding looks. He had gone through great lengths to create a private space for them to talk. Instead, one of them looked as if someone owed them a fortune, while the other seemed content with admiring the scenery alone. He found it perplexing – how exactly did they fall in love?

Pei Yuanxi was also pondering this question. Thus far, she could not envision any possibility of being with Gongye Chu. He was too dangerous, wielding immense power and known for his ruthless nature. All she wished for was a peaceful and uneventful life, and she had no desire to be entangled with such a figure.

The aura around him was overwhelming, making the air seem thinner and colder than elsewhere. In just a short while, she found it difficult to breathe.

As she walked over to Shangxing's side, her breaths immediately became smoother.

Hearing her sigh of relief, Shangxing whispered, "Mom, do you not like my dad?"

"Mm-hmm," she replied, pretending to play with the dog.

"He just seems cold on the outside, but he's not really like that inside," Shangxing said thoughtfully, his voice lowering further. "He would even pick flowers for you, the ones with dewdrops still on them, before the sun comes up."

She blinked in surprise, finding it hard to picture such a scene.

Shangxing grew sad, remembering how those flowers would quickly turn into frost in the ice chamber, much like his mother. But soon, he cheered up, as if he had figured out how his father had won his mother's heart.

It must have been through giving flowers or gifts.

Gongye Chu, with his exceptional hearing, had overheard their entire conversation.

A bouquet for him?

Him?

His brows knitted tightly, and his gaze suddenly shot fiercely towards a nearby spot.

Dianxin, who had been dozing with closed eyes, abruptly sprang to its feet and let out a bark as it dashed towards the artificial hill not far away. A shrill scream echoed, followed by the sight of a pink-clad maiden being held back by Dianxin's grip on her skirt. More screams overlapped, and in the distance, a figure dressed in apricot hurriedly fled. Upon closer inspection, it could only be Pei Yuanjun.

When enemies meet, their eyes burn with intense hatred. Dianxin hadn't forgotten the face of Pei Yuanhua. Its teeth clung stubbornly to her skirt, refusing to let go. She screamed in terror, desperately trying to shake off the dog, looking utterly disheveled.

"Loose your grip, you mongrel, at once!"

Marquis Xuanping rushed over in a fluster. With the noble lady still within his residence, he couldn't truly depart; instead, he had been discreetly following from a distance. The consecutive screams made his heart skip a beat.

He had explicitly instructed everyone to remain indoors to avoid disturbing the noble lady. What on earth was going on with Yuanjun? And what about Yuan Hua?

Upon seeing him, Pei Yuanhua cried out for help, wailing loudly. Marquis Xuanping managed to pry the snack away from her, but he didn't have the time to scold his daughter at this moment. He merely shot her a fierce glare, and Pei Yuanhua promptly fled, holding up her dress that had been torn by the snack.

Shangxing crossed his arms, observing the scene with an icy demeanor.

Marquis Xuanping was drenched in cold sweat as he frantically apologized, vowing to discipline his daughter more strictly in the future. As his daughter, Pei Yuanxi naturally stepped forward to speak a few words in her father's defense.

Gongye Chu's expression remained inscrutable, still standing rooted to the spot.

Shangxing was quite straightforward. "Lord Pei's household is indeed rather disordered."

If not for the chaos within the family, how could his mother have been replaced by a concubine? And how could he have lived for fifteen years as a mere concubine's son, even spending a decade in foolishness?

The thought of all the suffering his mother had endured, and her untimely demise at a young age, filled him with profound sorrow.

Feeling deeply ashamed, Marquis Xuanping acknowledged his shortcomings. His household management was indeed lax, leading to confusion between the status of his legitimate and illegitimate children. His neglect of the inner chambers allowed Li's wicked deeds to occur, followed by Qiu's foolish actions.

Bowing his head to accept the scolding, he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt.

Pei Yuanxi couldn't bear to see him suffer. Despite his flaws, he had always been a wonderful father to her. She moved closer to him, offering silent comfort and support.

With reddened eyes, Shangxing quickly composed himself, adopting a different demeanor. "This isn't entirely your fault; you're still a good person."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"It's getting late, Your Majesty," Pei Yuanxi whispered gently.

Shangxing felt reluctant to part but knew he had lingered long enough at the marquis residence. Even if he couldn't visit openly, he could still come secretly to see his mother. He stroked the fur of Dianxin. "I'll come see you again next time."

Dianxin whimpered, wagging its tail as it circled around his feet.

He stood up, lifting his chin slightly. "Marquis Pei, please lead the way."

Marquis Xuanping broke into a cold sweat. The wind blowing against his forehead and back felt icy after the ordeal. He secretly prayed that these two ancestors wouldn't ever have another sudden whim, or he would surely lose a few years of his life.

He respectfully saw them off at the gate of the residence, watching as they climbed into a carriage. He seemed to glimpse the emperor extending a hand to help the general up first. Although the pair didn't speak, their demeanor suggested an unspoken intimacy. When the carriage disappeared from sight, he rubbed his cold forehead, convinced he must have been mistaken.

Turning to enter the residence, the door slammed shut behind him, causing his face to darken. Pei Qing whispered something softly behind him, prompting him to hurry toward Changhui Courtyard.

In Changhui Courtyard, Pei Yuanjun and Pei Yuanhua knelt in the center. Above them sat a stern Lady Kang, with Lady Shen and Pei Yuanxi beside her. Aunt Zhao and her daughter were absent.

Pei Yuanhua protested, feeling wronged. "Grandmother, your granddaughter was merely curious for a moment. His Majesty has already taken Second Sister as his foster mother, so by that logic, I'm also an elder to the emperor..."

Before she could finish, Madam Kang threw a teacup, shattering it and splashing tea leaves across the floor. Her finger, pointing at Pei Yuanhua, trembled with anger. "You foolish creature without any sense of propriety! Who gave you the audacity to claim that you're His Majesty's senior?"

"Grandmother, if His Majesty addresses Second Sister as his foster mother, how am I not his senior...?"

"Shut up!" Madam Kang was seething, gasping for breath. "His Majesty acknowledging your Second Sister as his foster mother is her own affair. Not only does it have nothing to do with you, but it has nothing to do with our entire Marquis household! His Majesty is the sovereign, and imperial relations don't follow commoner customs. Listen carefully, all of you. If anyone dares to use this matter to show off outside, don't blame the Marquis household for not tolerating you!"

When Marquis Xuanping entered, he overheard these words.

His face darkened as he looked down at his two kneeling daughters. He gave Pei Yuanjun a deep glance before turning to Madam Shen. If Yuanhua had been misguided by Madam Qiu, what about Yuanjun?

Pei Yuanjun seethed with frustration within. She resented Pei Yuanhua for sabotaging her plans; otherwise, she might have had a chance to engineer a coincidental encounter with the Grand Commander. Furthermore, she begrudged Pei Yuanxi's good fortune, which not only enabled her to win the favor of His Majesty but also catch the eye of the Grand Commander.

Amidst a myriad of frustrations and resentments, none weighed heavier than her status as a concubine's daughter, and the fact that her mother's love for her had waned.

Madam Shen was not feeling well. She could sense the dissatisfaction in Marquis Xuanping's eyes, aware that he was blaming her for failing to educate Yuanjun properly. Ever since Yuanjun moved out of the Xuanting Courtyard, Madam Shen had become increasingly disappointed in this child she had raised for fifteen years.

Perhaps, as Yuanxi had suggested, Yuanjun's nature was inherently flawed, and no amount of guidance could set her straight.

Madam Kang, having caught her breath, was filled with heartfelt sorrow as she continued, "For His Majesty to acknowledge your Second Sister as his godmother is an unparalleled honor. Nevertheless, the emperor's heart is fathomless, and the more one is favored, the more one must remain composed in both honor and disgrace. Do you realize how many pairs of eyes in Eastern Capital City are fixated on our Marquis Manor? Their very spittle could drown us in disdain if they so chose!"

Pei Yuanhua's eyes still held resentment, but her face reflected a sincere willingness to learn. She had originally been the youngest lady of the Marquis's household, and Marquis Xuanping had previously adored her innocence and liveliness. After the incident with Aunt Qiu and the fetal transformation pills, the servants in the household had become fickle, and she had suffered quite a bit of humiliation.

She was not foolish, understanding that her aunt had angered their father. With Father present, she naturally needed to display obedience, "Grandmother, granddaughter will not dare to do so again."

Madame Kang's expression softened slightly. They were all her granddaughters, and she wished for them all to thrive.

Pei Yuanjun had been holding back her anger. She resented her mother for not speaking up for her, resented how another person had taken her former position, and especially resented how that person stood while she knelt.

"Grandmother, granddaughter has something I do not understand."

"Speak," Madame Kang said with a relatively gentle tone.

"Just now, Grandmother mentioned that His Majesty has taken Second Sister as his foster mother – an issue that only concerns Second Sister and is unrelated to the Marquis's household. If that is the case, why should our actions or words have anything to do with Second Sister?"

They had been told that they would rise and fall together, yet it seemed that the glory belonged solely to Pei Yuanxi, while any misfortune would be attributed to the entire household. How was this fair? She refused to accept it!

Pei Yuanxi offered, "I can clarify this matter for Third Sister."

Madame Kang nodded slightly.

Pei Yuanjun inwardly seethed, "In that case, I'd be grateful if Second Sister could enlighten me."

His Majesty has acknowledged me as his godmother, and it is only me he acknowledges. In other words, apart from me, everyone in the marquis's mansion has no connection with him. I can present myself to the world as His Majesty's godmother, but you cannot claim to be related to the emperor. If the third sister cannot speak and act cautiously and offends someone, His Majesty will not spare you out of respect for me. Thus, has the third sister understood?

The words are spoken so explicitly that one cannot help but understand their meaning.

Pei Yuanjun assumed she was harboring base suspicions, unwilling to let others share in her prosperity.

Lady Kang now deeply regretted her decision. Back then, when Lady Shen's health was poor, she had allowed the young ladies to reside with their birth mothers. After all, a concubine's upbringing would always lack the grandeur and breadth of a main wife's. It was now too late for regrets. The tutor they had hired for the household was still there; Yuanjun and Yuan Hua's natures needed to be molded, and any improvement would be welcome.

It's understandable that Yuan Hua has grown up ignorant of the world's boundaries; after all, Yuanjun...

Sigh.

Madam Chen had her own troubles and grieved in silence.

Madam Kang kept Pei Yuanxi behind, engaging in a long conversation between granddaughter and grandmother. As the direct maternal grandmother, Madam Kang had much to advise Pei Yuanxi about.

To outsiders, the immense wealth and prestige appeared enviable, but those with insight knew it was like walking on thin ice.

Despite her numerous reminders and earnest instructions, Kang Shi still couldn't shake off her sense of unease. After Pei Yuanxi had left, she slumped wearily against the chair, her heart filled with a mix of joy and worry.

"Should there be any precedent, I would feel more at ease. But this being an unprecedented event, I can't help but feel uneasy. Do you think, Lian'er, that she is watching over Er Niang from above, and that her prosperity extends beyond what we see?"

Nanny Yun massaged her shoulders, saying, "This servant has always said that Second Miss is a blessed one. Madam, please rest assured."

Lady Kang sighed, accepting the situation with resignation. There was no other choice but to put her heart at ease.

——

The emperor's personal visit to the marquis's mansion, accompanied by the grand commandant, swept through every nook and cranny of the Eastern Capital City like a whirlwind. The people were deeply pondering the emperor's intentions, trying to fathom Gongye Chu's stance.

From being a calamity to becoming a menace, Pei Yuanxi's tale had taken on an almost mystical quality through the whispers and gossip of the common folk. Her miraculous awakening after a decade of foolishness, followed by her exposure of Aunt Li's scheme to reclaim her rightful status as a legitimate daughter, had been transformed into a popular storybook, one that was said to be widely enjoyed in teahouses.

Hong Baozhu had attended a few sessions and would come back to teach her what she had learned.

After her laughter, she paid no further attention.

"Do spare some time to listen in; it's quite intriguing," Hong Baozhu said, draining her cup of tea before sitting across from her. "Can you guess what they're discussing the most?"

She shook her head, saying she had no knowledge of it.

Hong Baozhu's expression turned enigmatic as she propped her cheek up and scrutinized her face earnestly. "They're all discussing your marriage prospects. I'd say the line of men who want to marry you stretches beyond the city gates by two hundred miles."

There might be many who desire her, but few would dare.

Who would dare to wed her? She was the Empress Dowager's goddaughter.

Recalling her mother's words, Hong Baozhu remembered that her mother had said Yuanxi's sister was blessed with too much fortune, and an ordinary man wouldn't be able to handle her. Her previous failed relationships suggested that her future ones might not fare any better.

However, her mother had mentioned one person who could indeed match her.

"Those men can only dream. None of them have the courage to propose at the Marquis's residence."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanxi's mind involuntarily conjured up a sharp and aloof face. Beautiful brows knitted slightly, and her teeth instinctively bit down on her lip.

"My mother says that if there's someone in the Eastern Capital City brave enough to marry you, it must be the Grand Commander."

Hong Baozhu's sudden remark sent her heart racing. The moment she thought of that person, his name echoed in her ears. Though she didn't feel bashful, something stirred within her, causing her ears to flush crimson without her realizing it.

A sudden flush of embarrassment came over her, utterly inexplicable. Fortunately, Hong Baozhu didn't notice her, still lost in her own monologue. At one moment, she commented that it was fortunate no one dared to marry her, thus sparing her the worries of betrothal. At another, she expressed envy, saying that not marrying was a good thing as well.

"Oh, if only I were a man, then I would fearlessly propose at the Marquis's residence and wed you, bringing you home without a care for the consequences."

Pei Yuanxi couldn't help but laugh through her tears at this unexpected remark. "Your words jump from heaven to earth; I truly admire your wit."

Hong Baozhu chuckled. "The moment I heard His Majesty acknowledge you as his foster mother, I thought to myself that I would then become His Majesty's aunt."

Upon finishing the sentence, she promptly slapped her own mouth. "Oh, Sister Yuanxi, look at my loose tongue. It was just a casual remark in your presence; please don't take it to heart. I'm not like you; I couldn't bear such immense good fortune."

Pei Yuanxi spoke earnestly, "It's not necessarily impossible."

Her child should indeed address Hong Baozhu as an aunt. However, given the special circumstances, what was theoretically feasible was much harder to put into practice.

"Hold on, please don't. Just pretend I let out a fart and said nothing," Hong Baozhu secretly slapped herself, realizing that she had been getting too carried away recently.

As she observed a young lady in green enter the music shop gracefully, the smile on her face froze, replaced by a disdainful snort and a cold, unwelcoming expression.

The girl in green didn't go to inspect the instruments but instead walked straight towards Pei Yuanxi and Yuanxi.

"Second Miss Pei surely doesn't recognize me. My surname is Zhang, and my given name is Yinyin. We've met before, at the previous Flower Appreciation Banquet. Can you recall that encounter, Miss Pei?"

Zhang Yinyin was the green-clad maiden who had approached Pei Yuanxi at the flower banquet, demanding compensation for a damaged qin. Today, she still wore green, but her demeanor was entirely different from that day.

Pei Yuanxi had an exceptional memory; how could she forget Zhang Yinyin? In fact, her impression of her was rather profound. Zhang had an average appearance and seemed to be under the wing of Zeng Miaofu at the banquet. Today, however, she didn't appear as naive.

"So it's Miss Zhang. Are you here to select a qin?"

"Yes and no," Zhang Yinyin replied, looking at her. "I have come to seek assistance from Second Miss Pei. May we speak in private?"

Hong Baozhu scoffed. "We agreed to compensate for the qin, so just pick one. What's with all this talk? Everyone knows your aunt is the Imperial Noble Consort, and your uncle is Lord Zeng. Why would you need to seek help from anyone else?"

Zhang Yinyin's face showed distress. "Miss Hong speaks the truth. Everyone knows my aunt is the Imperial Noble Consort, and my uncle's family holds some prestige. If I hadn't been desperate, I wouldn't have come to ask for help from Second Miss Pei."

Hong Baozhu was about to retort, but she fell silent at a glance from Pei Yuanxi.

Pei Yuanxi studied Zhang Yinyin attentively, her eyes flickering slightly as she gestured for the other to follow her to the second floor.

Getting straight to the point, she asked, "With such esteemed relatives, what matter could possibly require you to seek my aid?"

"Noble kin?" Zhang Yinyin's eyes flashed with resentment. "Indeed, they are noble. My aunt is the Empress Dowager, and in recent years, countless people have sought to curry favor with the Zeng family. My uncle's family has benefited greatly, to the point that they ignore even their own flesh and blood for wealth and status."

Her anger and sorrow alternated as she spoke, her words laced with bitterness when recounting events from two years ago.

Back then, Empress Dowager Zeng's position was secure, and her first target for revenge was Zhang Yinyin's mother. Her mother was the legitimate daughter of the Zeng family, known in her youth for mistreating her younger stepsister.

That stepsister, of course, was Empress Dowager Zeng.

Supported by her aunt, her father grew more indulgent of his concubines, neglecting his wife and allowing them to bully her mother. A year and a half ago, her elder brother, who was of legitimate birth, mysteriously fell into a dry well and died. Soon after, her mother began to lose her mind.

She had pleaded with her uncle to intervene, but he dismissed it as an accident. As time passed, Zhang Yinyin realized that her uncle refused to stand up for her mother, for he feared Empress Dowager Zeng's reprisal and chose to turn a blind eye for the sake of his own career. Her father, too, had gained benefits, securing a lucrative position and treating his wife even more disdainfully, allowing the concubines in the household to mistreat her.

Alone and helpless, Zhang Yinyin found herself unable to seek assistance from heaven or earth. She was even forced to ingratiate herself with her cousin from the Zeng family.

At the previous flower viewing banquet, she had observed Pei Yuanxi's actions and, somehow, sensed a hint of what was to come. She could sense Pei Yuanxi's disregard for the Zeng family and her disrespect towards Empress Dowager Zeng. Thus, she deliberately tested Pei Yuanxi, and the latter did not disappoint.

Pei Yuanxi showed no consideration for the Zeng family or her aunt, the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager's inability to stop the emperor from taking her as a foster mother likely left her too ashamed to face anyone.

Zhang Yinyin didn't know why Pei Yuanxi held animosity towards her aunt, but she inexplicably believed that the other woman was someone worth befriending deeply.

"I know a secret, one that can completely bring down Empress Dowager Zeng. I'd like to make a deal with Second Miss Pei."

Upon hearing this, a faint smile tugged at the corners of Pei Yuanxi's lips. "What if I'm not interested?"

Zhang Yinyin bit her lip. "If Second Miss Pei is unwilling, then let's pretend I never said anything. I've reached a dead end, and I have nothing left to lose."

"To what extent are you willing to go? Just to bring down Empress Dowager Zeng, or to deal with the Zeng family, or even to leave your father with nothing?"

"Second Miss Pei..." Zhang Yinyin's breath quickened. She had considered all these possibilities. She was not afraid of being labeled a traitor by the world. She believed that some people might not see it that way, such as the Second Miss Pei before her. "I'm prepared for all of it. I'm willing to risk everything for a place where my mother and I can live in peace."

Truly a strong-willed person.

"Very well, in that case, I can agree to your proposal. However, I'm not someone with immense power or influence. The refuge I can offer won't be an ideal place." Pei Yuanxi hinted with a glance around her shop. "What do you think of this store? I plan to open more shops and find ways to earn more income."

Zhang Yinyin immediately understood her meaning. "I've been educated, and I've learned from my mother how to manage a shop and keep accounts. If Second Miss Pei doesn't mind, I would be honored to serve you in the future."

"Have you thought this through thoroughly?"

The life of a noble daughter was vastly different from that of a merchant woman. Once she entered the world of business, she would inevitably drift away from her former aristocratic lifestyle. This decision was not to be taken lightly, nor was its consequence something everyone could bear.

Zhang Yinyin showed no hesitation. "I've thought it all through. Before I met you, I was planning to take my mother away from the Eastern Capital City someday."

"Since you've made up your mind, tell me what that secret is."

She took a deep breath. "My Imperial Concubine Aunt wasn't actually a concubine's daughter. She was an illegitimate child!"

Pei Yuanxi was not surprised; she nodded.

"As expected of Second Miss Pei. There's more to the story of how your mother exposed my mother mistreating your aunt. That day, your aunt intentionally provoked my mother's anger. My mother had always been pampered and couldn't bear to hear such harsh words. She lost control in a fit of rage and has since been labeled as cruel to her half-sister." Zhang Yinyin smiled bitterly. Her aunt's fate was sealed by befriending the Marquis Xuanping's legitimate daughter, who was also Second Miss Pei's birth mother.

Now, seeking help from Second Miss Pei seemed to be fate's design.

"My mother is easily influenced by others, she has soft ears," Pei Yuanxi said casually. Apparently, everyone in the Eastern Capital City knew how gullible Lady Marquis Xuanping was, which led to her own daughter being switched.

Zhang Yinyin empathized. "Second Miss Pei and I have something in common. They say children don't blame their parents, so I can't blame mine for being incompetent. My mother may seem ruthless on the outside but she's soft-hearted and easily swayed. She couldn't defeat either Concubine Feng or my father's other concubines."

Pei Yuanxi remained silent, understanding her feelings deeply.

Tears shimmered in Zhang Yinyin's eyes, but her gaze was unwavering. "Despite her flaws, she's always been good to my brother and me. My brother is no longer here, so she only has me to rely on. All I wish is for her to live the rest of her life in peace. I don't care about anything else."

Empress Dowager Zeng, in her time, entered the palace as a commoner's daughter, concealing her status as the illegitimate daughter of an outsider. Such an act would be considered a deception of the sovereign. Although the late emperor is no longer with us, the current emperor still bears the surname Shang.

The crime of deceiving the sovereign is grave enough to warrant the extermination of nine familial lines, or at the very least, result in dismissal and the seizure of property. Should that happen, not only would Concubine Zeng's esteemed status be diminished, but the entire Zeng family would undoubtedly suffer severe consequences. A single move can set off a chain reaction, and the Zhang family would not be able to remain unscathed.

Indeed, Zhang Yinyin's move could be described as a desperate attempt where both the fish and the net would be destroyed.

She selected a zither as she left, departing with a graceful elegance.

Hong Baozhu gazed at her departing figure and asked Pei Yuanxi, "Sister Yuanxi, what did you promise her? Are you really going to help her? She is Zeng Miaofu's cousin, you know."

Pei Yuanxi smiled gently. "An opportunity to gain favor without effort should never be missed."