Chapter 050: The Disciple’s Greetings

Chapter 050: The Disciple's Greetings

When Lin Yingxue got into the carriage, she saw this peculiar scene: Pei Jin was sitting as far away from his mother as possible, with an odd expression on his face. His mother’s cheeks were flushed, and she seemed somewhat frustrated.

This wasn’t the right time to ask about it. Lin Yingxue ignored their strange behavior and said to Wen Hui, "Mother, this is Steward Pei."

Wen Hui, of course, remembered Pei Jin; she was just startled to find a man in the carriage.

Because of Lin Yi, she had a sense of panic around men, instinctively wanting to keep her distance.

Wen Hui’s right hand gripped her left wrist, still feeling the warmth of the man’s touch on her skin. It was a very strange sensation. She steadied her breathing and dismissed the feeling. "I’m sorry, I overreacted just now."

"It was Pei who frightened Madam," Pei Jin said, lowering his eyes and noticing Wen Hui’s movement with her right hand. He looked away from Wen Hui and focused on the floor of the carriage.

Wen Hui quickly understood why they needed to have this conversation in the cramped carriage. Pei Jin needed her to go to the residence and persuade Pei Qinghe to live.

Pei Jin stood up, but due to the limited height of the carriage, he couldn’t stand straight. He bowed to Wen Hui while hunched over.

"Madam, my daughter’s condition is truly dire. Old Nurse Qiu has had too much influence on her, so I’ve come to you, Lady Wen. Please go to our residence and speak to Qinghe."

If she were alone with Pei Jin, Wen Hui would be more nervous, but with her daughter beside her, her tone softened. "I don’t know Miss Pei. Will she listen to me? Is there no one closer to her?"

"She only trusts one person, and that’s Old Nurse Qiu. Only you, Lady Wen, are different in Qinghe’s heart. You saved her. Regardless of whether Old Nurse Qiu hated you at the time, she at least showed gratitude."

Wen Hui understood immediately. They couldn’t let Old Nurse Qiu persuade Pei Qinghe; her sole purpose was to make Pei Qinghe die. Instead, she might be able to reach her.

Wen Hui nodded. "I understand. I’ll go."

As soon as she spoke, the carriage started moving.

A breeze lifted the corner of the curtain, making it flutter up and down, casting alternating light and shadow on Pei Jin.

Wen Hui could see the faint dark circles under his eyes and even some stubble on his chin.

She felt reassured about Pei Qinghe. Although she had been misled by Old Nurse Qiu before, she was now free from her influence and had family members who cared for her.

Pei Jin noticed Wen Hui’s scrutiny but didn’t look up. He knew about Wen Hui’s past and guessed her aversion to men. He rubbed his hands together, remembering how he had held her wrist.

/

To avoid anyone knowing Wen Hui had come to the Pei residence, the threshold of the side gate was removed, allowing the carriage to enter the Pei household.

Old Lady Song was already waiting there. Pei Jin excused himself, saying he would wait in the study. Once he left, Wen Hui felt more relaxed.

Old Lady Song said as they walked, "Lady Wen, your presence here is truly wonderful. Thank you so much."

While Wen Hui conversed with Old Lady Song, Lin Yingxue observed the Pei residence.

The Pei residence wasn’t large, but the flowers and trees were well-maintained, exuding vitality. However, the buildings showed signs of decay. The corridors had been carefully repaired but not completely renovated, revealing traces of age and simplicity.

Upon entering Pei Qinghe’s room, everything went dark.

The curtains were drawn, making the room dim, without even a candle lit.

After standing at the door for a moment, Wen Hui adjusted to the dimness.

Pei Qinghe was curled up, hiding in the farthest corner of the bed. Seeing someone enter, she pressed herself against the wall and shrank further.

Wen Hui asked Old Lady Song and Lin Yingxue to wait outside and approached Pei Qinghe alone.

As she moved closer, the person on the bed emitted a small, desperate whimper, even weaker than the one in the back of Baifeng Temple.

Wen Hui felt a sense of connection, knowing that Pei Qinghe trusted her because she had saved her. She took a deep breath, stepped back, and gestured for Old Lady Song and Lin Yingxue to leave the room. After closing the door, she said:

"Old Lady, can I go in alone?"

Going in alone might make it easier for Pei Qinghe to lower her guard.

Wen Hui had prepared some words to convince Old Lady Song, but surprisingly, she nodded without hesitation. She turned to Lin Yingxue and said, "Lady Lin, if you’re free, would you keep me company?"

Lin Yingxue nodded.

Before leaving with Old Lady Song, she turned back and smiled at her mother.

Wen Hui entered Pei Qinghe’s room alone and said:

/

"Miss Pei, do you remember when I cut the white silk you used to hang yourself in the back of Baifeng Temple?"

The trembling stopped, and Pei Qinghe cautiously peeked out from under the covers, revealing her head. She sensed someone moving in the room, but the darkness made it hard to see clearly.

The curtains were quickly opened, letting in the light. Instinctively, Pei Qinghe shrank back, but this time, she didn’t bury her head in the covers.

Wen Hui wore a light green lotus-patterned jacket, her hair styled in a round bun, tied with a crimson ribbon, and adorned with round pearls.

With the windows open, the wind blew into the room, rustling her clothes.

Pei Qinghe recognized her and whispered, "Madam."

Wen Hui walked over, picked up a cup on the table, and poured Pei Qinghe some water.

Pei Qinghe looked at the water, hesitating. Wen Hui said, "That day, when I saved you, you said you wanted to live well. Is this living well?"

Pei Qinghe picked up the cup and drank, almost choking due to her haste.

"Don’t rush," Wen Hui said, "drink slowly."

But the honey water she had been given while asleep was insufficient. She quickly finished the cup and Wen Hui poured her more water and offered her some pastries. "Eat a little."

Pei Qinghe hesitated but started eating.

Wen Hui's task was simple: to keep Pei Qinghe company. However, the duration was destined to be long. While Lin Yingxue was being taught chess by Old Madam Song, Wen Hui did not come out.

/

The bell signaling the end of the day at the Imperial Academy rang, and Fu Jiaze closed his book.

Mo Xingyi noticed Fu Jiaze's action and said, "Not continuing today?"

"No," Fu Jiaze replied, "I have something to do."

Mo Xingyi watched as Fu Jiaze returned the book to the shelf and counted the number of volumes. Mo Xingyi locked the cabinet and asked, "Is it related to Director Pei?"

Two days ago, it was supposed to be Fu Jiaze's day off, but he came to the Imperial Academy and took Director Pei away. Since then, Director Pei had been on leave until today, when he appeared looking haggard. After taking Fu Jiaze away again, Director Pei did not return to the Imperial Academy, while Fu Jiaze did.

Fu Jiaze patted Mo Xingyi on the shoulder, "It's about my uncle; I can't say much."

Mo Xingyi made a gesture to zip his lips, but soon saw Director Pei approaching.

Director Pei wore a dark blue cloak and held an umbrella.

Several scholars were leaving, and upon seeing Director Pei, they bowed one by one. Pei Jin nodded slightly and walked up to Fu Jiaze.

"Jinyuan," his voice was clear, "let's go. Dinner at my place tonight."

Mo Xingyi's eyes widened at this address...

Fu Jiaze had become a disciple, but he hadn't expected Pei Jin to make their relationship public so quickly.

With the name "Jinyuan," Fu Jiaze bowed respectfully, "Yes, Master."

He took Pei Jin's umbrella and tilted it slightly, shielding them from the gentle autumn rain.

"Master, please."

Pei Jin acknowledged with a nod, got into the carriage first, and waited for Fu Jiaze to follow.

This scene was seen by Director Tan, who was just coming out. Everyone bowed to Director Tan.

Tan Yunkun recalled Pei Jin's earlier words and didn't expect him to make a decision so quickly.

Scholar Wang couldn't help but ask, "Director Tan, has Director Pei taken a disciple? Is it Fu Jiaze?"

Tan Yunkun looked at Scholar Wang, whose eyes burned with resentment, seemingly upset that Director Pei chose Fu Jiaze as his disciple.

Tan Yunkun coughed, placed his hand in a fist near his mouth, and said, "Yes, Director Pei sees his talent and believes he can be a good student."

Mo Xingyi envied Fu Jiaze for a moment but remembered his diligence and felt no envy anymore.

Scholar Wang persisted, "Clearly, it's because of his family background."

Tan Yunkun smiled, "Because of his background, many are hesitant to take him as a disciple. Scholar Wang, you might not want to admit it, but Fu Jiaze's knowledge surpasses yours."

Tan Yunkun didn't linger, allowing a servant to hold an umbrella over him, creating a small space amidst the drizzle.

Tan Yunkun's home was close to the Imperial Academy, and he preferred walking, so he left slowly.

The other scholars whispered among themselves before departing.

At that moment, Fu Jiaze spoke to Pei Jin, "Master, you said I should still call you Director at the Imperial Academy."

"The situation has changed," Pei Jin said, "your mother-in-law and wife will visit often, so calling me Master is better. It's fine to make our relationship public."

Fu Jiaze had brought Pei Jin home earlier and learned that Pei Qinghe was now willing to eat and drink but clung to Wen Hui like a fledgling bird. For some time, Wen Hui would accompany Lin Yingxue to the Pei residence.

When Fu Jiaze arrived at the Pei residence, Pei Qinghe reluctantly bid farewell to Wen Hui, eagerly awaiting her return the next day.

Fu Jiaze and Lin Yingxue first escorted Wen Hui to her quarters, then shared a carriage alone.

The fine rain moistened the carriage's roof, accumulating into large drops that fell.

Lin Yingxue recounted her afternoon activities, learning chess from Old Madam Song. Fu Jiaze also knew how to play and suggested playing together later.

"Tonight, I plan to make some golden quince pear soup," Lin Yingxue said, "Mother's voice is hoarse."

"You should wear more clothes," Fu Jiaze noticed, as the carriage curtain fluttered, Lin Yingxue shivered, "you're wearing too little."

It wasn't entirely due to the thin clothing but also because of her menstrual cycle, making her more sensitive to cold.

Fu Jiaze seemed to remember this and gently rubbed her abdomen.

Lin Yingxue initially pushed him away, but Fu Jiaze persisted, and she let him continue, closing her eyes and leaning against his chest.

From Fu Jiaze's perspective, he could see her long, curled lashes brushing against her lower eyelids.

His lips curved slightly, and he kissed her.

Lin Yingxue opened her eyes, puzzled, and asked, "Is there something wrong?"

The carriage entered the courtyard, crossing the threshold, and Fu Jiaze said, "Everything is fine."

Fu Jiaze jumped down from the carriage, opened the umbrella, and shielded her from the rain during the short walk to the house.