Chapter 81: Terrifying You All

Chapter 81: Terrifying You All

The household of the Marquis manor gaped in awe at the multitude of dowry items. It took nearly an hour just to inventory each item on the list and store them away. The inventory was conducted jointly by Madam Kang and Madam Shen.

Madam Kang must have recited "Amitabha" countless times. She promptly instructed Nurse Yun to retrieve the ledger of her private treasury. It was evident that the dowry from the marquis household and Madam Shen's contribution would not suffice for her granddaughter's prestigious marriage. She ordered her attendants to unlock her personal storehouse and invited Pei Yuanxi to the Changhui Courtyard.

By the time Pei Yuanxi arrived, Gongye Chu and Shangxing, father and son, had already departed.

Recalling the events that transpired, she felt an indescribable mix of emotions. Firstly, she had uncovered Gongye Chu's secret - he was not the same Gongye Chu from years later. Secondly, such a man, to her surprise, could also be bashful. It was as if a flower had suddenly blossomed on an icy mountain, or a new shoot emerged from an old tree stump.

The betrothal came upon her swiftly and unexpectedly, leaving her with little choice but to accept.

It was evident that the joy within the estate outweighed the fear.

Kang was overjoyed and couldn't help but feel proud, for she had always known that her granddaughter was destined to be extraordinary. Their marquisate had not been blessed with a large family, and in the past, they were merely a lowly noble family. Had it not been for her son's rise to prominence later on, they might still be inconspicuous in the Eastern Capital City.

She meticulously went through the pages of her inventory, listing the treasures she had cherished for years. Some of these items were originally intended for Lian'er. Now that they were given to Er Niang, it seemed as if fate had orchestrated it all along.

A luxurious huanghuali wood bed with a canopied dais, round tables and stools, a treasure cabinet filled with precious objects, bookcases, wardrobes, chests for books and clothing, as well as a myriad of treasure boxes were all in place.

All these items were prepared by Concubine Kang ever since Pei Lian was born. She had never imagined that there would be a day when they would come in handy. She had intended to keep them as mementos to reminisce about Lian'er before her own departure.

Nanny Yun placed before them a series of boxes, which she then opened to reveal a dazzling array of jewels and precious objects. There were complete sets of hair ornaments alongside individual treasures, from exquisite jadeite pendants to tiny, delicate earrings. The variety was overwhelming, ranging from superior grade jadeite ruyi scepters to small, intricate earrings that could mesmerize anyone. But that wasn't all; there were also various jade figurines, antique vases, and exceptionally well-preserved calligraphy and paintings by renowned artists.

The commotion in the Changhui Courtyard was such that news of it had spread throughout the entire estate.

At the Xuanting Courtyard, Madam Shen and Marquis Xuanping naturally had no objections, and they were even grateful for Madam Kang's generous gesture. The remaining issue lay with the two concubines. Although Aunt Qiu was under house arrest, she was still aware of the happenings in the household. The fact that Pei Yuanxi had secured an excellent marriage while draining Lady Elder's dowry left a bitter taste in her heart.

Why is there such a vast difference between two young ladies from the same noble household, one seemingly in the heavens while the other is beneath the earth?

Having lost favor for quite some time, she no longer possessed the confidence of old. She dared neither seek Marquis Xuanping to pour out her sorrows nor allow any hint of complaint to escape her lips. Instead, she vented her frustration by breaking things in her own courtyard.

In Aunt Zhao's courtyard, tranquility prevailed. The melodious sounds of a zither wafted through the air, signaling to the servants in the mansion that the First Miss was practicing her instrument once more.

Pei Yuanruo sat before the zither table, her fingers flowing like a stream, weaving together notes into a beautiful composition. Aunt Zhao watched her daughter with a gentle smile, affection radiating from her eyes.

Upon finishing the piece, Pei Yuanruo knitted her brows.

"Aunt Zhao, as you just listened to me play this melody, did you sense any parts that didn't sound quite right?"

"Aunt Zhao believes it is sufficient." She wished for her to take a break. "It sounds even more delightful than yesterday. Just now, Aunt Zhao was almost entranced by it."

"Is it satisfactory?" Pei Yuanruo's brows remained furrowed. "I still feel that it's not good enough. Compared to the melodies Second Sister gave, it seems to fall short considerably."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao's expression faintly dimmed.

She was aware of Lady Elder's private treasury and the treasures it held. Lady Elder had managed the household for many years, and back then, the finest possessions of the Marquis household were all kept in the Changhui Courtyard, along with her own dowry.

Previously, the matriarch favored Yuan Ruo the most; those items would naturally have a share reserved for her.

Only today did I realize that the finest of those treasures might all be destined for Second Miss as part of her dowry. It's fitting that she, who is marrying well, should receive the most generous dowry.

Still, human nature cannot help but feel a twinge of envy at such a turn of events.

"Second Sister's marriage has been arranged."

"I've heard from the servants that the Grand Duke himself made the proposal in person." Pei Yuanruo's mind was still immersed in the composition, for her second sister had brought her fame. She couldn't let such a commendable reputation go to waste.

Regardless of the circumstances, she was determined to create a masterpiece that would be uniquely hers.

Aunt Zhao, upon observing her nonchalant demeanor, let out a gentle sigh. "Your grandmother has unlocked her private treasury, allowing your second sister to choose freely from within."

"As it should be, a generous dowry is expected with a substantial betrothal gift. Sister number two is marrying a Grand Commander, I've heard that the gifts have filled the Xuanting Courtyard to the brim." At this point, Pei Yuanruo gave her aunt a thoughtful glance. A gentle smile gradually formed on her face. "I am not upset, Aunt, and neither should you be."

"I... Your stepmother isn't sad, but rather feels a little... In the end, both you and your second sister are ladies of the Marquis household. Her success will naturally reflect well on you. It's just that, while I may think this way, my heart still feels somewhat uneasy. I know you have a close relationship with your second sister and don't like to hear such remarks. I'm only voicing my thoughts, dear. Just like you, I also wish the best for your second sister."

"I understand that you've always acted for my sake and Brother's," Pei Yuanruo spoke in a soft voice. "You've refrained from competing or striving these years, all out of fear of harming us."

Aunt Zhao's eyes instantly brimmed with tears. "It's good that you understand. I don't wish for anything else but for you and your brother to thrive. If one day you marry into a respectable family, Aunt Zhao will be content."

Speaking up to this point, she dabbed away her tears with a handkerchief.

The mother and daughter exchanged a silent look. Pei Yuanruo murmured softly, "I'll be alright."

"Aunt Zhao," she continued, "you've been practicing the guqin every day lately. It's been quite some time since you had a proper conversation with Second Miss. Now that she's betrothed, your days together are dwindling. When you have free time, go sit in her courtyard. Sisters should often visit each other to deepen their bond."

Pei Yuanruo acknowledged her words, acknowledging that she understood. She hadn't yet composed a piece worthy of showing, and she felt somewhat ashamed to face her second sister. Once she created a composition, she would naturally seek her sister's advice.

Aunt Zhao sensed that her daughter didn't fully grasp her intention, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Upon hearing her confidante secretly reporting about Aunt Qiu's affairs, mentioning that two more maids had been punished there without anyone knowing the reason, Aunt Zhao chuckled coldly. "She's clueless too. Previously, she relied on the Marquis's favor and didn't take the Lady seriously. Later, when she was pregnant, she even harbored unrealistic hopes of giving birth to a son. Now that she's lost his favor and doesn't have a child, she still hasn't learned to hold back. Didn't she notice that the Marquis would rather sleep in the front courtyard than visit her?"

A man's affection was the most unreliable thing. Fortunately, she had never indulged in such fantasies.

The servant woman then spoke about the happenings in Changhui Courtyard, saying that the elderly Lady had emptied almost her entire personal savings to provide a respectable dowry for Second Miss, which made her feel indignant on behalf of her own daughter.

Recalling the day when Pei Yuanxi tested her limits, Aunt Zhao commented, "Second Miss is a clever one. It's always better to associate with the intelligent than to deal with fools. All I've ever wished for is to protect my two children. Both Eldest Young Master and Eldest Miss have befriended her, and I hope for nothing more than her well-being."

Madam is indeed blessed. Having a daughter like Second Miss is more than enough, even if she hasn't given birth to a son. She sighed in relief, hearing the melody of the zither coming from her daughter's quarters.

The sonorous notes floated gracefully to the nearby Changhui Courtyard.

Pei Yuanxi listened attentively, a hint of admiration gradually appearing on her face. "Eldest Sister's skills on the zither have vastly improved. This piece sounds excellent."

Madam Kang chuckled. "Your Eldest Sister is stubborn. Ever since her reputation spread, she has been practicing the zither diligently. I haven't seen her in quite some time. It's admirable that she has such a patient temperament, not even showing up on a day as grand as this."

"Eldest Sister is indeed exceptional, and it wouldn't be appropriate for me to disturb her," Pei Yuanxi said, though she knew in her heart that it wasn't just Eldest Sister's patience at play; Aunt Zhao's strict guidance must also be a factor.

Her relationship with the emperor and Gongye Chu was shrouded in controversy, and no one knew who would ultimately come out on top. Aunt Zhao was fiercely devoted to her children and, with the outcome uncertain, she might not be eager for Big Sister to become too close to Yuanxi.

In terms of maternal dedication, no one in the household could match Aunt Zhao.

Which of Mother, Aunt Li, or Aunt Qiu had fared well? Sometimes, striving was worse than not striving; not striving didn't necessarily mean one wasn't striving at all. Aunt Zhao navigated this delicate balance between contention and passivity with skill, knowing what to let go and where to draw the line. This made her a formidable opponent compared to any concubine vying for favor.

Fortunately, Aunt Zhao adhered to principles in her actions, or else Mother's life would have been much more difficult.

As the two spoke, news of the engagement between the Governor's House and Marquis Xuanping's residence spread through every corner of the Eastern Capital City like a gentle breeze. Street vendors and women washing clothes in the alleys discussed it at length, from Pei Yuanxi's previous foolishness to her current boundless prosperity.

The echoes of admiration and envy lingered on for a long while.

From the noble families to the common folk, the majority were delighted by this marriage arrangement. In the heart of the capital, beneath the emperor's shadow, who would not yearn for a peaceful life? If the Grand Admiral truly married the emperor's foster mother out of willingness to support the ruler, it would indeed be a blessing for the whole kingdom.

As a result, in alleys and streets, many people offered prayers for Pei Yuanxi's well-being. They wished for her marriage with Gongye Chu to proceed smoothly, without any unforeseen obstacles.

The day after their betrothal, she was invited out.

The one who summoned her was Hong Baozhu; they agreed to meet at a teahouse. The other woman showed no trace of the disappointment from that day, still dressed in a fiery red attire as usual. A red skirt paired with a red cloak, the edges of which were trimmed with white fox fur, made her appearance dazzlingly captivating.

Her silence actually gave her an air of refinement befitting a lady from a noble family.

Upon meeting, she jestingly remarked, "Sister Yuanxi, you're quite the charmer. Even the great General was captivated by your advances. They say that it's only a thin veil between a woman and a man she pursues, and that seems true. I've decided to learn from you; I won't back down at the first sign of trouble. If my mother doesn't like me, I'll win her over. I believe that sincerity can move even the hardest of hearts, and Lady Hou will eventually accept me."

Pei Yuanxi had expected Hong Baozhu to be disheartened for a while, but she was surprised by her resilience. However, when it came to winning over her mother, this strategy might not work.

"Big Sister Hong, my mother...," Pei Yuanxi began.

"Sister Yuanxi, don't worry. I know what to do. Mother is right; let alone Lady Hou, even those of lesser status might hesitate to make me their lady. My reputation isn't the best, after all. Your mother is justified, but I'll change her mind about me," Hong Baozhu assured her.

With such determination, Pei Yuanxi found herself with nothing more to say.

Young ladies often met secretly for tea or shopping. Hong Baozhu wasn't fond of feminine cosmetics, but she enjoyed purchasing trinkets.

Robu Well was known for its foreign goods shops, so they headed there after their tea.

As they browsed through each shop, Hong Baozhu made quite a few purchases, while Pei Yuanxi also bought a few items as gifts for her son. Along the way, they passed a candy sculptor's stall calling out to customers, and both women shared a nostalgic smile.

They had first met at a similar candy sculpture stall. Back then, Pei Yuanxi had lost her purse, and it was Hong Baozhu who chased down the thief and retrieved it for her.

As she was lost in thought, a sudden cry of "Thief!" echoed in the air.

Without hesitation, Hong Baozhu leaped up and dashed towards the commotion. Pei Yuanxi watched her disappear into the crowd like a flame, feeling slightly helpless.

Zhaorou, Hong Baozhu's maid, ran behind them, followed by Pei Yuanxi and her servant. Pushing through the throngs, they reached the edge of Robu Well but found no trace of Hong Baozhu. Zhaorou grew anxious and continued to run forward.

The shops on either side gradually thinned out, revealing an area where common folks resided.

Pei Yuanxi was exceptionally beautiful, attracting frequent covert glances from passersby. Among them, two particularly bold gazes caught her attention.

At the entrance of an alley, two men stood, one on each side. In their late twenties, they had a shifty look in their eyes. Alternating between winking at Pei Yuanxi and peering down the alley, their behavior was suspicious.

Zhaorou stomped her feet in distress. "Our young lady must have chased the thief too far. What should we do?"

Her worry stemmed from losing track of the lady, not from any concern for Hong Baozhu's safety. Hong Baozhu was skilled in martial arts and had never been at a disadvantage in a fight.

The two men continued to ogle Pei Yuanxi, their stares becoming increasingly unsettling. Chunyue gently tugged on her own lady, upset that her lady was being harassed by these disrespectful ruffians.

"Miss, let's go," she suggested.

The taller man whistled, "Sis, looking for someone?"

It was this very sentence that made Pei Yuanxi's heart sink. She asked timidly yet full of hope, "Have either of you seen a lady in a red dress pass by here?"

"A lady in red...," the tall man said with a flirtatious tone, "I didn't pay attention to whether she was wearing red or not. I usually don't care what girls wear; they look best when they're naked."

He laughed audaciously, followed by the short man.

"Did you really not see her?" Pei Yuanxi seemed oblivious to their insinuations, still holding onto a desperate hope amidst her disappointment. Her beautiful eyes trembled, exuding vulnerability.

The tall man's gaze intensified. He exchanged a glance with the shorter one before pretending to recall something, "Now that you mention it, we did seem to spot her running down this alley."

He pointed at the very alley they were blocking.

Chunyue felt a little scared and held tightly onto her mistress, "Miss, these two men don't seem trustworthy. Let's quickly leave this place. Miss Hong must have run far away by now. It's better if we go back and wait for her."

Zhao'er agreed. Her mistress was no ordinary woman; ordinary men stood no chance against her. Even if three or four of them tried, they wouldn't be a match for her mistress.

Pei Yuanxi approached the two men, her face filled with fear, as if she was on the verge of tears, "Gentlemen, did you really see my sister enter this alley?"

"Milord?" The man laughed, winking at the other one. "She actually calls us Milords, haha... That's right, your sister did indeed run in there. Do you want to take a look?"

Not only Chunyue, but Zhaorou also pulled on Pei Yuanxi's arm.

Pei Yuanxi's gaze darkened slightly. She couldn't see into the alley from outside and heard no cries for help. She wasn't entirely sure, but her instincts told her that something was amiss with these two men.

"I should still go in and have a look," she said, preparing to enter. But the maidservants held her back firmly.

"Yes, yes, it's better to check just to be safe." The tall man seemed anxious, his lecherous gaze greedily fixed on her.

Moving closer, she said, "Many thanks, Milords, for showing me the way. I wonder what are your names and where do you live? When I find my sister, I'll make sure my family shows our gratitude with proper gifts."

The two men exchanged glances, their lustful intentions now blatant. "No need for repayment. Just call us big brothers and let's hear how it sounds."

Chunyue's eyes widened in anger as she gathered her courage to scold them. "Who do you think you are, daring to claim to be my lady's brother? Do you know who my lady's real brother is?"

Pei Yuanxi took over the conversation. "Since both of you decline any reward, then so be it. As for calling you 'big brother,' I fear you might not be worthy of such a title."

"Ha ha... How could we not be worthy? It's just 'big brother' after all. Even an affectionate brother is still a brother. I say, you young ladies all seem so tough, but when you're in a man's hands, don't you still end up obedient?" The tall man laughed wildly and provocatively.

Pei Yuanxi's expression turned icy cold. "I can only call one person 'dear brother'; naturally, that person is my betrothed. My betrothed has a fearsome reputation, and I'm afraid mentioning his name would frighten you."

"Oh, so you're already engaged. Don't scare us, we haven't done anything wrong. We were just trying to help, but you don't seem to appreciate it. In that case, miss, you'd better look elsewhere." The shorter man shot a glance at the taller one, seemingly not wanting to provoke trouble.

The taller man, however, was already captivated by her beauty and didn't consider the consequences. They had left Robu Well, and the streets were deserted. He glanced around, hesitated for a moment, then approached Pei Yuanxi, as if he couldn't wait to drag her into an alley.

"Sis, your sister really did go down that alley. I'll take you there right away."

"Really?" Pei Yuanxi pretended to believe him. "That would be wonderful. If we find my sister, I'll make sure my betrothed properly thanks you both. You probably don't know who he is, do you? His family name is Gongye, and he's the Grand Marshal of our dynasty."

The taller man froze, as if he had seen a ghost.

"The Grand Marshal?" His face paled. "You... Who are you?"

"I'm from the Pei family. Please, sir, lead the way."

The shorter man leaned against the wall, talking incoherently. "We... We didn't see your sister go by, we must have remembered wrongly. Miss Pei, you should hurry over there and look yourself."

"You first said you saw her, then you didn't. I'd rather go in myself to be sure." Pei Yuanxi started to walk in, then looked around as if something had occurred to her. There weren't many people on the street, all of them hurrying about their business. "If there's anyone here to protect me, step forward, please."

As the voice fell silent, two men dressed as peddlers in grey clothes quietly approached, standing behind Chunyue and Zhao'er, whose eyes widened in surprise. Seeing the unfavorable situation, the two men stealthily retreated to the side.

Upon entering the alleyway, Pei Yuanxi and her entourage didn't manage to run far before they were apprehended.

The alley was exceedingly deep, lined mostly with backs of houses, suggesting that few ventured along this path. Pei Yuanxi ran, with the two men guarding her, one in front and the other behind.

At the end of the alley, there was a dead end. In a corner, two men were gathered around something, and from between their bodies protruded a woman's shoe. Zhaor'er let out a startled scream, drawing the attention of the two men.

Now, Pei Yuanxi finally saw whom they were surrounding—it was none other than Hong Baozhu.