Chapter 126 – Hu Dali

Chapter 126 - Hu Dali

As the Chen family's carriage disappeared into the distance, Pei Yuanxi let out a sigh after a long while.

At that moment, Hong Baozhu and Pei Yuanruo arrived at the shops almost simultaneously, as if they had planned it. Zhang Yinyin, on the other hand, began to clean up the Chen family's shops with some helpers. All those establishments were now under Pei Yuanxi's name.

In a corner of the street, a man stood dejectedly, gazing in the direction of the Chen family's shops. He looked destitute, dressed in tattered clothes, suggesting a life of hardship. Anger and resentment flickered in his eyes from time to time, and he muttered something indistinctly.

Feeling gloomy, Pei Yuanruo softly instructed her maid.

The maid, upon receiving her lady's orders, approached Master Xia. It was unclear what she whispered into his ear or what she offered him, but it was rejected by Master Xia, who threw it away in anger. He glared at the First Music Shop with hatred, cursing the Pei family for their arrogance and ill intentions.

His fury was evident from afar. The maid picked up whatever it was that was thrown and attempted to give it to him multiple times, only to have it rejected each time. His agitated voice was barely audible, but the words likely weren't pleasant.

With no choice, the maid returned to report to Pei Yuanruo. She informed her that not only did Master Xia refuse the money, he also insulted Miss Pei for her insincerity and cursed the Marquis Xuanping residence, saying there wasn't a decent person there.

"Miss, it sounded like he was deeply upset about Miss Chen's situation. He even claimed that the Chen family was forced to leave by Second Aunt. Why bother with such an ungrateful person?"

Pei Yuanruo felt sad. She had heard that Master Xia had been going through a difficult time lately. He had stopped reading and the family who once hired him to teach music no longer wished to retain his services. As his former student and someone who once held feelings for him, she couldn't bear to see him in this state. "After all, he once taught me. We shared a teacher-student relationship, and I can't bear to see him fall so far."

Pei Yuanxi consoled her, "Some people you believe to be refined and noble, but in reality, they're just stones covered by snow. Once the snow melts, their true, ordinary nature is revealed. You've shown your concern as his teacher; that's enough. If he doesn't appreciate it, that's on him."

Xia Sanyu could be described as either disdainful of the vulgar or simply meaningless. He had a touch of talent, but his resolve was weak, making him easily swayed. If someone guided him onto the right path, he might have been a valuable asset. However, once his character veered off course into obsession, he became an obstinate extremist.

He glared angrily, then recalled Pei Yuanxi's words from before. For a fleeting moment, he felt disoriented, wondering if his life shouldn't have unfolded differently.

What exactly was amiss?

Confused and dejected, he left.

Pei Yuanruo wore a wistful expression. "In the past, I thought he was so elegant and detached, his impatience a sign of adherence to propriety, his aloofness a refusal to be tainted by the world. I once believed he was unique, yet now, seeing him again, I feel nothing but indifference. I even doubt why I ever held him in high regard."

"The word 'affection' is the most enigmatic. It can become tasteless yet hard to discard when it runs deep. There may be no dramatic twists or turns, only the passage of time altering hearts," Pei Yuanxi mused.

Listening to the sisters, Hong Baozhu, with less sensitivity and profound understanding, knew only to fight for what she desired, like her relationship with Pei Ji. Initially, her mother didn't approve of the match due to Madam Pei's dislike of her. Yet, she loved Pei Ji, regardless of Madam Pei's feelings. The Pei family rule of allowing concubines after forty childless years gave her the courage to risk everything.

Good fortune couldn't solely favor one person. With a husband who reciprocated her love and no existing concubine, she was prepared to endure her disapproving mother-in-law's disdain.

Furthermore, her sisters-in-law were both agreeable people.

"You two are already married or betrothed, surely you understand these matters of love and affection. I don't quite grasp what you're talking about – if you like someone, it's like, if you don't, it's not. There's no need for such deep contemplation," said Pei Yuanxi with a smile.

"Hong Sister has a point," she replied. "Speaking of you and my brother, people must envy your relationship. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in the Eastern Capital Academy knows that Prince Pei has a protective fiancée. Did you warn everyone in the academy about it?"

Upon this mention, Hong Baozhu blushed.

But soon, she regained her confidence and declared, "Your brother is a gentle scholar who could easily be taken advantage of. It's only natural that I protect him."

Pei Yuanruo smiled, thinking to herself that her elder brother had always been level-headed, and she hadn't expected him to fall for a woman like Hong Miss. At first, their aunt wasn't too fond of Hong Miss, but after a few interactions, her opinion had changed.

Though Hong Miss lacked scholarly knowledge, her affection for her brother was genuine.

In matters of love between men and women, societal opinions mattered little; only the couple themselves knew if they were truly compatible. Like her and Zheng Tao – their feelings aligned, and they would wed once the Zheng family arrived in the capital.

Thinking about this, her face flushed.

Under Pei Yuanxi's teasing gaze, Hong Baozhu's posture lowered slightly. "I'll not only protect him but also you two. If you ever get mistreated by your husbands' families, just come back home and tell me. I'll show up at their doorstep with a stick in hand, ready to confront them. No matter if they're grand admirals or mighty generals, I won't be intimidated!"

"Well, aren't you something?" Pei Yuanxi teased, genuinely touched in her heart. In this life, her brother wouldn't marry Chen Yaozhi, and her eldest sister would finally have her wish fulfilled. Everyone around her had ended up with completely different outcomes from their previous lives, so surely their family would have an even brighter future in this one.

Looking across the way, she saw Zhang Yinyin directing servants to carry items out of the shop. In her past life, Zhang Yinyin and Meng Huai were her trusted allies, and she had once tried to bring them together.

Summoning Zhang Yinyin over, she got straight to the point.

Hong Baozhu egged her on, "What kind of man are you looking for? Our boss would even kidnap someone for you if it meant getting you into the bridal chamber."

Everyone chuckled.

Zhang Yinyin wasn't one to be awkward, and promptly replied, "I want someone strong and physically fit, with dark skin and an honest personality. It's fine if he's a bit slow-witted, but ideally, he shouldn't be literate."

This set of criteria was quite unexpected.

Seemingly aware of their surprise, Zhang Yinyin elaborated, "My father is handsome, fair-skinned, and spends his days reciting poetry and painting. I want someone completely different from him. I don't want to end up like my mother, being deceived all my life."

Pei Yuanxi fell silent. No wonder Zhang Yinyin seemed reluctant to be with Meng Huai in her previous life. Meng Huai appeared honest and simple, but in reality, he was astute and capable.

Each person had their own destiny and made their own choices.

She watched as Zhang Yinyin effortlessly resumed directing her servants to clean up the shop, listening to Hong Baozhu express her amazement at never having imagined this side of the woman. Today's Zhang Yinyin was competent and straightforward, no longer the shadow that followed behind Zeng Miaofu.

Among the laborers moving items, a figure seemed vaguely familiar. With her sharp memory, she instantly recognized him when he turned his head.

Indeed, it was someone she would never have expected.

However, for him to openly appear in the Eastern Capital City and even blend in with the workers, he must have gained A Chu's approval.

Just as she thought of this person, a deep purple silhouette caught her eye.

Accompanied by Gongye Chu was their son, who had also come to meet her. Hong Baozhu playfully winked and, with Pei Yuanruo, helped send her off, as if they were afraid that the sovereign-subject pair might enter the shop, forcing them into another round of bowing and kneeling.

Pei Yuanxi found the situation both amusing and irritating, yet she could only approach the father and son duo helplessly.

"Miss?" A sudden, surprised voice interrupted. A dark-faced, bearded man, in the midst of moving items, set them down and rushed over, hesitating as if he didn't dare get too close. "Miss, don't you remember me? I'm Jia Jinbao."

Assuming that this goddess-like beauty wouldn't recall him, Jia Jinbao hurriedly reminded her, "Didn't I help carry the stone mill for you at Shi Fo Town's estate? You've forgotten, haven't you?"

How could Pei Yuanxi forget? "So it was you."

"Yes, yes. It was me." Jia Jinbao was delighted, completely oblivious to the father and son standing nearby. "Miss, I didn't know you were from the Eastern Capital City."

"Yes, I'm originally from there."

"That... that..." Jia Jinbao stammered. The person who had let him go had warned him not to mention Shi Fo Town or inquire about it to others. When he woke up, everyone in the village had vanished, leaving him utterly perplexed. "Do you know where my brother went? The one who was with me, Hu Dali, do you remember him?"

Pei Yuanxi glanced at the imposing man and replied, "I heard he returned to his hometown. Apparently, his family had already arranged a marriage for him. He must have settled down by now and probably won't be traveling far anymore."

Upon hearing this, Jia Jinbao seemed somewhat disheartened. Brother Hu was skilled and reserved, someone he thought would make a good friend. It was unexpected that such a capable person would return to his roots.

This heavenly beauty's background was a mystery. If it had been before, he might have entertained some romantic notions. But since arriving in the Eastern Capital City, he had learned that the place was filled with nobles whom one couldn't afford to offend easily.

There was a vast gap between her and common folk like him; the fact that she was even speaking to him was a rare privilege.

"Well... thank you very much, Miss. I... I should get back to work."

He returned to his duties, appearing diligent and focused.

Pei Yuanxi observed the smile on Zhang Yinyin's face as she spoke to him, and considering her unconventional criteria for a partner, she found it surprising that Jia Jinbao was unexpectedly suitable.

She chuckled softly and continued walking towards the father and son.

With a grin, Shangxing inquired, "Mother, who's that person?"

"Just someone I know," she replied gently, leaning in to whisper something into her son's ear, which promptly enlightened the young man's expression.

Gongye Chu walked ahead, while Pei Yuanxi and Shangxing followed behind. The boy asked about the Chen family and why his father had let them off so easily.

Pei Yuanxi chuckled and said, "Less killing, more virtue accumulation."

Chen Yingxue was no saint, and the rest of the Chen family were even worse. Evil would always be countered by evil; with Chen Yingxue around, the Chens wouldn't regain their footing for decades to come. Be it the idea of 'like overcoming like' or 'using poison to counter poison', resolving issues without shedding blood was the wisest strategy.

In the bustling marketplace, Gongye Chu, dressed in a deep purple brocade robe, drew many admiring glances. Despite deliberately concealing his aura, he still carried himself with the noble aloofness of a young master from an esteemed family. However, his distant demeanor deterred anyone from approaching him for conversation.

Pei Yuanxi watched him, thoughts of their two intertwined lifetimes bringing a smile to her face.

Upon seeing her, Shangxing had endless chatter, feeling at ease in front of his mother as if he were still a child. He alternated between complaining about how busy he'd been lately due to upcoming rituals and grumbling about how heavy his crown was, causing headaches.

"Otherwise, having reaped the benefits of my predecessor's identity, I would not have been able to reunite with Father and Mother under this guise. As a descendant of the Gongye family, I am loath to pay homage to the ancestors of those who wronged us," the young man puffed out his cheeks, causing his dimples to vanish. "I shall consider this ritual a repayment of debt to my predecessor, but I refuse to partake in such affairs henceforth."

"You don't have to go if you're unwilling," Gongye Chu said.

The youth frowned. "That won't do. If I don't attend this time, those who thrive on chaos would surely find fault with Father again. They'd assume you're monopolizing the state affairs and being too overbearing, not even allowing me to participate in the ceremony. I must go. Not for any other reason, but to repay a debt of gratitude."

"And you still complain to your mother?" Gongye Chu's expression turned cold.

The young one smiled ingratiatingly, "I'm just being a little spoiled, hoping my mother will dote on me more."

Pei Yuanxi echoed soothingly, "Your mother loves you, so don't mind your father. Can he really control the heavens, the earth, and even what others say? Is there such an overbearing person?"

"Mother truly dotes on me." The young man smiled contentedly, his dimples reappearing on his cheeks. "Mother, who exactly is this Hu Dali that Jia Jinbao was looking for just now?"

Pei Yuanxi chuckled softly and gestured towards the man in front of them.

The youth gaped, blinking in disbelief. "Huh? Hu Dali is... my father?"

Amidst his astonished gaze, Pei Yuanxi managed to hold back her laughter and nodded solemnly.

The young man also held back his laughter, desperately muffling his giggles. The mother and son exchanged glances, trying hard not to burst out laughing while stealing glimpses at the elegant nobleman ahead of them.

"Can't take it anymore, how can it be so funny..." Shangxing's handsome face turned red from holding back.

"Control yourself, your father has his pride," Pei Yuanxi covered his mouth.

Gongye Chu up front stopped and slowly turned around, his cool gaze sending a chill down both mother and son. Pei Yuanxi immediately released her hand from her son's mouth and pretended to look at the shops around them. Shangxing's clear eyes darted about, suggesting they all go to the Four Seasons Inn for a meal.

Afraid of being scolded by his father, he rushed ahead.

Pei Yuanxi met her husband's enigmatic gaze alone, smiling ingratiatingly, "I really think you picked a great name, it suits you perfectly."

"Is that so?" Gongye Chu's eyes darkened, "I thought you were laughing just now because the name was too exaggerated. Since you think it fits me, I won't let you down."

She was momentarily confused.

While she was lost in thought, a voice from a nearby inn called out, "Welcome, esteemed guests! Our inn has introduced a new dish. Not only is it visually appealing but also delicious, we guarantee you won't be disappointed."

Suddenly, she understood his meaning, and her knees weakened.

This man, it turns out, intended to demonstrate his intentions through intimate actions in bed. With his serious expression and unwavering composure, one would never guess his devious mind if not for the fact that she had known him across two lifetimes.

Truly, he is subtly and inwardly flirtatious!