Chapter 112: A Gift for You

Chapter 112: A Gift for You

Her legs weakened even more as that phrase echoed repeatedly in her mind. She had exhausted all her plans, believing that she had fulfilled her mission and could return home, only to realize the true significance lay here.

But since she had given birth to a child, shouldn't that have meant her mission was accomplished? Why then did she reincarnate once more?

It was due to this rebirth that she experienced such a different life. The mysterious fate that defied explanation no longer held any interest for her; she no longer cared to dwell on the reasons behind it all.

Now, with a husband and a son, even if her life was not entirely under her control, she had no complaints.

As she was lifted off the ground, she bashfully and angrily pounded on the man's solid chest. So all that talk about childbirth was just to describe the birthing process.

Ha, men.

Under the same moonlit night, some experienced fleeting pleasures while others endured endless solitude.

With the wind rustling through the silk curtains, Pei Yuanxi woke up to an empty bed. Wrapping herself in the blankets, she felt a strange intertwining of past and present. It was as if, like in her previous life, she had grown accustomed to finding him absent when she awoke in the mornings.

He would undoubtedly attend the early court session, whether he was an emperor or a powerful minister.

Spring Moon attended to her dressing, careful not to glance at the bruises on her fair skin. It was good that the Lady was favored, she mused, wishing the Governor would be more gentle. Turning around, she silently fetched the prepared decoction and presented it before her.

She pushed it away. "There's no need for this anymore."

Spring Moon's face lit up with joy. "Lady, have you changed your mind?"

Regardless of their status, a woman needed to bear children after marriage to secure their position. Previously, the Lady had expressed fear for her health and thus delayed plans for a child. But Spring Moon had pondered over it and felt that something was amiss. Matters concerning offspring were never solely in a woman's hands.

Even if the Lady was formidable, she was no match for the Governor. Now that the Lady had seen reason, it was for the best. It would also prevent any future misunderstandings between the Governor and the Lady due to this issue.

"Not quite," Pei Yuanxi spoke softly. "The decoction is too troublesome. There are ready-made pills available for consumption."

The joy on Spring Moon's face vanished instantly, replaced by disappointment as she took the decoction away. Reflecting on the Lady's words, she realized the truth—her health was indeed more important.

Pills were indeed more convenient and less likely to be discovered by the Governor. If such a man ever found out that the Lady had been secretly taking contraceptive pills behind his back, what then?

Spring Moon was not one to keep secrets, worry lines creasing her round cheeks.

In the mirror, Pei Yuanxi noticed her concern and felt a warmth in her heart. "It's alright, the Governor is already aware."

Her round eyes widened in surprise. "Y-Your Excellency knows?"

"Yes, he does," Pei Yuanxi replied with a smile playing on her brows, the flush on her cheeks unable to be concealed even by makeup.

"That's good... That's really good." Chunyue muttered to herself, suddenly recalling something else.

She hurriedly instructed the others to bring in the breakfast, consisting of rice porridge, spring rolls, steamed dumplings, and six small dishes, both vegetarian and meat-based. Among them was a bowl of bean curd topped with a savory sauce, its pure white appearance contrasted by the rich, dark sauce, emitting the distinctive aroma of beans.

"Miss, this bean curd was ground by His Excellency himself. Would you like to try it?"

Bean curd made by Gongye Chu himself?

Pei Yuanxi gazed at the bean curd in a daze, unable to picture such a man engaging in such a task. In her previous life, he had gone to great lengths to have imperial chefs prepare various regional delicacies for her, but he had never done it himself.

She made tofu, her son made tofu, and her husband made tofu. It seemed as though her entire family was obsessed with grinding tofu, all of them fond of the process.

For a moment, she felt a myriad of emotions, finding the situation somewhat amusing yet poignant.

The bean curd was unexpectedly delicate, not inferior to what she had made herself.

Spring Moon discerned a blend of surprise and satisfaction on her lady's face, and she inwardly mused that just like the day when His Majesty ground bean curd, everyone in the household was fortunate enough to taste the bean curd personally prepared by the lord.

Ever since the lady awakened, each and every event that unfolded swept her along in its currents, following in the lady's footsteps. From the Marquis's residence to the Governor's mansion, the lady herself rose to become a madam.

At some point, the Lady had come to occupy a divine status in her heart. She could not conceive of anything in this world that could daunt the Lady. Even the formidable General, feared by all, obeyed the Lady without question.

"Madam, the way His Lordship heeds your words, you truly possess great influence!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanxi nearly choked on her bean curd pudding.

Though douhua is delicious, it's not suitable for daily consumption.

After three consecutive days of consuming it, not only did Pei Yuanxi find it unbearable, even the servants in the residence started to feel nauseous at the mere scent of it, yet they had to put on a facade of joy and delight.

Pei Yuanxi never expected the first guest to visit the Governor's mansion would be Pei Yuanruo. Carrying her zither, Yuanruo claimed that after months of intense contemplation and diligent practice day and night, she had finally composed a melody.

Observing the bashfulness behind Yuanruo's sudden visit, Pei Yuanxi hastily invited her in. "Big Sister coming to see me brings me immense joy."

"Apologies for the intrusion," Pei Yuanruo said, arranging her zither as her expression gradually softened.

The melody was distinctive, sharing similarities with what Pei Yuanxi had taught. Pei Yuanruo was incredibly delighted by Pei Yuanxi's subtle suggestions.

When the final note was played, the two sisters shared a knowing smile.

"I have finally lived up to Second Sister's efforts and the high praise from others," said Pei Yuanruo. The fame that came with her talent was too much for her to bear outside. Since the beginning of the year, she had been practicing tirelessly, determined not to disappoint Second Sister's expectations. Originally, she had thought it might take a long time before she could compose a good piece, but surprisingly, her recent melancholy state seemed to have unlocked her creativity.

Pei Yuanxi asked, "I suspect Elder Sister didn't come just for the music. Are you troubled by something?"

Pei Yuanruo was a gentle soul, never one to be overly competitive or ambitious. Her smile was never flamboyant, yet it carried an elegant composure that was soothing to those around her. From the moment she entered, Pei Yuanxi could sense the worry in her eyes. Though the melody was beautiful, it also held undertones of sorrow and uncertainty.

She let out a bitter laugh. "Truly, nothing can be hidden from Second Sister's eyes. Indeed, there is one more matter... I was reluctant to trouble you with it, but my heart is troubled and there is no one else to whom I can speak, not even Aunt Zhao."

Chen Yingxue had taken the initiative to visit the marquis's residence, subtly expressing her intention to form an alliance through marriage with the family.

Madam Shen didn't make a fuss, instead choosing to first discuss the matter with Aunt Zhao.

Aunt Zhao was somewhat intrigued. Putting aside the past disputes between Chen Yaozhi and Pei Yuanxi, the marriage proposal from the Chen family was indeed attractive. The Chens were a prominent family, respected among the scholarly elite.

If Pei Yuanruo were to marry into the Chen family, she would become the head of the household. The Chens placed great value on literature and education; talented individuals were as numerous as fish crossing the river. With Pei Yuanruo's reputation as a talented woman and her status as a female scholar, her fame would be suitable for marrying into a noble and reputable family, especially one esteemed in the scholarly circle.

Aunt Zhao, her biological mother, like any other mother, yearned for her daughter's happiness and contentment in her married life. The Marquis's residence held both power and influence, while the Chen family, though renowned, lacked authority; it was only natural that they would strive to uphold and favor her in the future.

"Stepmother asked what my plans were, and I was deeply troubled. Stepmother mentioned that Miss Chen is a woman, and eventually, women are meant to be married off; she wouldn't hinder me in any way. But... I am not willing."

Pei Yuanxi was not surprised by the Chen family's intentions; in her previous life, the Pei and Chen families had also been united in marriage. Everyone in the Marquis's residence held a favorable impression of the Chen family's patriarch, and without her personal experiences, they were naturally unaware of the Chen family's true nature. Putting aside the personal grudge between Chen Yaozhi and herself, the marriage alliance with the Chen family could indeed be considered advantageous.

"Why is Elder Sister unwilling?" she asked.

Pei Yuanruo bowed her head gently, exuding an indescribable grace, "I am aware of my nature. The grandeur and intrigue of high society do not suit me, nor do I enjoy the deceptive power struggles that come with it. I prefer a simpler, more carefree life, even if it means living humbly. It is exceedingly difficult to find a match where both parties are of equal standing and genuinely in love, let alone a union like Second Sister's with the Grand Commander."

"Eldest Sister, do you know the common saying among the folk that 'poverty and hardship bring endless sorrows to a couple'? We were born into a noble household like the Marquis residence, considered fortunate in this life. Many women aspire to nothing more than basic sustenance and warmth throughout their existence."

"I understand. I thought with my dowry as support, he could earn some silver to provide for the family, and our days wouldn't be too difficult." Speaking thus, a rosy flush appeared on Pei Yuanruo's cheeks.

Such demeanor suggests that her heart is already engaged.

Pei Yuanxi appeared lost in thought, "I don't have much faith in the Chen family either. However, I believe that instead of seeking a man like Master Xia, it would be wiser to abide by our parents' wishes and marry into a family of equal standing."

Pei Yuanruo felt a momentary flush of embarrassment, but then she sighed in resignation. "I knew I couldn't hide anything from Second Sister. In the past, I saw Master Xia as flawless. He had an elegant disposition and was handsome to boot, appearing indifferent to fame and fortune. Back then, I imagined that if I were to marry him, our lives together, filled with harmonious music and simplicity, would be most delightful. But after he left the Marquis household and we met again…"

She let out a sigh, realizing that perhaps some matters could only be seen clearly from a distance. Master Xia appeared pure and untainted before her, but he fawned over Miss Chen. In that instant, she suddenly discovered that the noble person she had imagined was merely an ordinary, mundane man.

"It wasn't him."

Not him?

Pei Yuanxi narrowed her eyes. "Then who was it?"

Pei Yuanruo's face flushed with embarrassment. "It was... Musician Zheng."

Master Zheng is the renowned musician invited from the First Music Academy.

Jesters, being of lowly status, have long been looked down upon by the world. Although Master Zheng is from the palace, he is still not considered a worthy match for a young lady from a marquis's household. Let alone the marquis's household themselves, even Yuanxi Pei does not hold a favorable view of this union.

"Eldest Sister, in the eyes of the world, Music Master Zheng and Scholar Xia are alike; neither is a suitable match for you. If you insist on pursuing this path alone, obstacles will abound ahead."

"I understand," Pei Yuanruo declared with unwavering resolve, a stark contrast to her usual gentle and meek demeanor. "I will not regret my decision."

In her previous life, when Pei Yuanruo married the illegitimate eldest son of a Marquis's residence, Pei Yuanxi naturally paid it little attention. Having heard neither ill nor good tidings about the union, she assumed it to be an unremarkable but tolerable match.

In this life, she intervened, and without Master Xia, she never expected to encounter Master Zheng, the musician.

She managed to steal a moment away to visit the Marquis's residence, and Lady Shen was overjoyed beyond measure.

The mother and daughter had never been particularly close. When Shen asked about Chen Yingxue's marriage proposal, the joy on her face gradually faded. She had thought her daughter had returned to visit her, but it turned out to be for the matter concerning the concubine's quarters.

"I shall heed your advice and consult your elder brother and sister about their own matrimonial affairs. It's true that Master Chen has indeed set his sights on your elder sister, and I did not give an immediate consent. Aunt Zhao is a woman of considerable acumen; she likely sees and understands matters more clearly than I do. But I wonder, where did you hear this from? And what are your thoughts on the matter?" The tone was less than pleasant, hinting at a subtle displeasure towards Aunt Zhao.

Pei Yuanxi replied, "It was Elder Sister who sought me out."

Madam Shen was taken aback. She had assumed that Aunt Zhao was the one who informed her daughter.

Yuan Ruo was always known for her gentle disposition. How could she have done such a thing?

"Did your elder sister refuse?"

"It's not that Elder Sister refused; she simply lacked confidence, hence she came to seek my advice."

Upon hearing this, Madam Shen's expression softened significantly.

Back when she was raising Yuanjun, people would often compare her to Yuanruo, even her own mother-in-law showed more favoritism towards Yuanruo. She had swallowed many grievances back then, secretly competing with them.

Even if Yuanxi didn't seek her closeness, she was still her biological daughter. Human emotions were complex, and in this fleeting moment, Shen felt a hint of pride when looking at her daughter. No matter how talented and praised Yuanruo was, she still needed to seek advice from Yuanxi; her daughter was the one who truly excelled.

"She can never surpass you. Besides, there's no one else she could turn to but you."

"I have interacted with Miss Chen before. She was trying to gather information about the Chen family. Marriage is not a trivial matter, a woman's remarriage is as significant as being reborn, thus it should be approached with caution."

Shen nodded, Yuanxi's words were reasonable. "So, what did you tell her?"

"Mother, the Chen family may seem reputable and prestigious on the surface, but they are not an extraordinary family."

"Yuanxi, let me say something you might not like to hear. I know you are close to your elder brother and sister, and naturally, you wish for your sister to marry well. But no matter how renowned she is, she is still a concubine-born daughter. Aristocratic ladies wouldn't choose such a woman as their son's primary wife. Don't be deceived by the flattering rumors, the more famous she is, the more likely she'd offend some noble families, making them less willing to accept her as a daughter-in-law."

From Shen's perspective, this marriage proposal wasn't bad. The head of the Chen family was amiable, and Young Master Chen was a handsome man. The Chen family held great prestige among the refined society, and Yuanruo also had a reputation for her talent.

As the legal mother, it was crucial for her stepdaughter to secure a reputable marriage. As for the inner workings, as long as it wasn't excessively scandalous, no one could criticize her.

Looking at her, Pei Yuanxi said, "Mother, the Chen family isn't a suitable match. Even if you and Aunt Zhao agree, and Elder Sister doesn't object, I still disagree with this marriage."

Her expression shifted upon hearing this. "Why?"

"There are some matters that aren't suitable for me to discuss with Mother in detail. In short, this marriage cannot proceed. Not only do I hold this view, but the Grand Admiral does as well."

Pei Yuanxi was unwilling to delve into an extensive explanation and directly invoked Gongye Chu's stance.

Upon learning that Gongye Chu also disapproved, Madam Shen was startled anew. She wasn't an ignorant woman who turned a deaf ear to political affairs. If even the Grand Admiral didn't have a favorable opinion of the Chen family, she wondered what could have offended him.

"In that case, when Lord Chen asks again, I'll find an excuse to decline," she resolved.

"Remember to mention Aunt Zhao in your conversation. If it's difficult to explain, simply say it's the intention of the Grand Commander. I assume Aunt Zhao is a reasonable person who would understand."

Madam Shen naturally agreed, and the mother-daughter duo then proceeded to visit Madam Kang at the Changhui Courtyard.

Madam Kang was overjoyed at the sight of her granddaughter, her smile stretching wide across her face. She engaged in a flurry of conversation, deliberately avoiding any mention of Pei Yuanhua, directing all her concern and attention solely onto Pei Yuanxi.

As Pei Yuanxi took her leave, the Kang and Shen families escorted her all the way to the outer gates of the Marquis's residence.

By the carriage of the Governor's residence, a man stood with his back turned. Upon hearing the commotion, he slowly turned around, exuding an aura that commanded respect and awe.

"General...," Lady Kang murmured, somewhat in disbelief. The Grand Commander had come to the door but not entered – was it for Er Niang? She had known that the Grand Commander held Er Niang in high regard, but she hadn't expected him to come personally to fetch her.

Madam Shen was equally astonished, yet beneath her surprise, she felt immense relief. The fact that the Grand Commander had come to personally receive Yuanxi indicated that he held her in his heart. This was not only a matter of honor for Yuanxi but also a source of pride for their Marquis Manor.

A detached and towering figure, his appearance was as elegant as a richly inked landscape painting. Gazing at the woman approaching him, he drew a peach blossom from behind his back.

Petal soft in pink, branches deep emerald green.

"I shall send it to you," he said.

Pei Yuanxi was dumbfounded.

Lady Kang and Lady Shen were also so astonished that their jaws practically hit the floor.

This… Was this person truly the Grand Tutor?