Chapter 10: Like the quivering tip of an early spring peach blossom…

Chapter 10: Like the quivering tip of an early spring peach blossom...

Back then, she found it difficult to navigate life in the Lu residence and paid little attention to her fifth sister, Jiang Wanying. She only heard that her husband was exceptionally talented, the youngest top scholar of the dynasty. At the time, she envied her sister's good fortune, not because of the title of top scholar, but because she had left the capital with her husband for an official post.

Outside, the mountains were towering and the waters expansive. There were fewer complicated rules than in the capital, and the journey was long, so they usually didn't bring along elderly parents. As newlyweds without the pressure of elders and with the emperor far away, she couldn't imagine how carefree they must have felt.

It was a far cry from the chaos of the Lu residence.

Today, upon meeting her fifth sister's husband, she finally grasped the meaning of "a gentleman of refinement, as if carved and polished." His mere presence seemed to add splendor to the humble alley. He was neither humble nor arrogant, his demeanor was perfectly balanced. Aside from that ambiguous remark, she held a very favorable impression of Pei Zhang.

Moreover, having never been able to focus on her studies since childhood, she naturally admired and respected scholars. She had no hope for herself in this lifetime and could only urge Huai Yi to study hard, but his handwriting... well, it was best left unmentioned.

Jiang Wanrou's thoughts began to wander. No matter how outstanding Pei Zhang was, he remained a stranger she had met only once. She had many matters to attend to—Lu Feng and Jiang Wanxue, Huai Yi's health, the New Year arrangements, the matriarch's birthday after the New Year... One thing after another quickly pushed thoughts of Pei Zhang to the back of her mind.

***

In the southern part of the city, at the entrance of an old three-courtyard house in Crescent Lane, a graceful woman in opulent attire stood by the door, gazing into the distance.

Pei Zhang alighted from the carriage and had a servant bring a cloak to drape over her, saying gently, "The wind is strong outside; there's no need to wait for me here."

The woman possessed fair skin and delicate features. A naturally beautiful woman, she donned a gold-woven crabapple-colored dress and a gilded peony hairpin, her attire overly flamboyant, masking her inherent elegance.

This was Pei Zhang's wife, Jiang Wanying.

Jiang Wanying took Pei Zhang's arm as they walked back, saying, "You were gone for so long; I was worried."

They entered the main hall, and Pei Zhang subtly withdrew his arm, saying, "There was a delay on the road. How is mother? Is she feeling any better?"

Jiang Wanying's body stiffened, and the corners of her mouth turned down slightly as she said, "Cousin Zheng gave mother her medicine; she's resting now."

Pei Zhang gave a faint "hmm," as if he didn't notice her displeasure, and said, "The end of the year is busy. Thank you for taking care of mother."

With that, he made his way to the study.

"Pei Lang—"

"Pei Lang."

Jiang Wanying hurried over and suddenly embraced Pei Zhang's slender waist from behind, her voice muffled, "Pei Lang, don't go; I... I'm scared."

She had woken up feeling a tightness in her chest and a sense of unease, vaguely sensing that something bad was about to happen. She had been distracted all day. While sewing a cloak for Pei Zhang, she pricked her fingers until they bled. Only by going out to greet him upon his return did she feel at ease.

Pei Zhang gently released her hands and sighed almost imperceptibly.

"Don't worry, I won't take my cousin as a concubine."

Although he had said it many times before, Pei Zhang patiently explained again, "When I was young, I lived with my aunt. She treated me like her own son, enduring my uncle's beatings to provide for my education. Now that my aunt has passed away, leaving my cousin alone and helpless, as her elder brother, it's only right that I take care of her."

"My feelings for Cousin Zheng are purely fraternal, with no hint of romantic affection."

"But mother doesn't see it that way!"

Jiang Wanying sharply interrupted him, her eyes widening, "She's wanted Ruan Zheng to be her daughter-in-law for a long time. Mother... mother despises me!"

Pei Zhang fell silent for a moment. Even the ever-composed Pei Zhang couldn't help but feel a headache over the conflict between his mother and wife. One was the mother who had raised him, the other was the wife who had married him when he was in humble circumstances. To him, both were debts.

He said calmly, "We've been married for three years, and mother hasn't spent much time with you. Time will reveal true intentions; she'll come around."

Jiang Wanying's eyes flashed with a hint of mockery. His dear cousin had served the old lady in their hometown for three years, and now they had come to the capital together. The old lady's intentions were clear, and besides...

She lowered her eyes, her voice filled with grievance, "Mother will never like me, Pei Lang. You have to stand up for me."

What mother-in-law would ever accept a daughter-in-law who can't bear children? She's been married to Pei Zhang for four years, taken medicine, prayed to Buddha, and tried every folk remedy under the sun, but still no luck conceiving!

She grabbed Pei Zhang's sleeve in desperation, her voice trembling as she pleaded, "Pei Lang, the capital has the best imperial doctors and rare herbs. We're bound to have a child! You promised me you'd never take a concubine—you can't break your promise!"

After years as an official's wife, Jiang Wanying had shed the meekness she had back at the marquisate, rarely losing her composure as she did today. She didn't know why, but today her heart was unusually uneasy, as if something important was slipping through her fingers.

She could only blame it on the sudden appearance of Ruan Zheng.

Hearing this, Pei Zhang's eyes darkened slightly, a shadow passing through his deep black eyes.

He gently pulled his hand away and said coolly, "No rush, we're still young. Maybe it's just not our time yet."

"What about tonight—"

"Year-end is coming up, and there's still a lot of work to do. I'll sleep in the study tonight."

He gently stroked Jiang Wanying's hair, his voice soft but firm, "Madam, the night is cold, add more charcoal. No need to wait for me."

Jiang Wanying stood frozen, watching him disappear in a daze, then suddenly flung her sleeve, sweeping a set of blue-and-white porcelain from the pearwood table to the ground, shattering it into a chaotic mess.

A maid rushed in at the noise, exclaiming, "Oh no, what happened? Are you hurt, Madam?"

She took Jiang Wanying's hand to check for injuries, only to find her in tears, murmuring, "This isn't how it's supposed to be, this isn't right."

The maid didn't understand her words but felt Jiang Wanying's sorrow. She immediately knew why she was upset—their lady had become obsessed with having a child.

Suddenly, the maid clapped her head, exclaiming joyfully, "Madam, don't cry! I've remembered something—that remedy you asked about, it really exists!"

"There's a secret medicine in the palace that helps women conceive. The current emperor has eleven kids, thanks to that medicine—it really works!"

Jiang Wanying's bright eyes dimmed again, "A secret palace medicine? That must be impossible to get."

With her current status, she doesn't even have the right to enter the palace.

The maid smiled, "Madam, listen to me. Even though the medicine is rare, the emperor once gave some to Commander Lu, that... infamous Commander Lu, known for his cruelty. The lady of the Lu household is actually your sister."

Seeing her mistress still confused, the maid clarified, "It's your sister—the sixth daughter of the Ning'an Marquisate!"

At the mention of that name, Jiang Wanying's eyes widened, her nails digging into her palms until they turned white.

***

On the other side, the "secret medicine for conception" that Jiang Wanying longed for was placed on a tray by Cuizhu, while Jiang Wanrou looked at it with disdain and a headache.

"Cuizhu."

She rubbed her temples, helplessly saying, "Commander Lu hasn't returned to the manor these past two days. Even if I drink it, what use is it?"

Cuizhu's round face lit up with an eager smile, "Better to be prepared—maybe the master will come back today."

As the personal maid of the lady, Cuizhu earned fifteen taels of silver a month, enough for half a year's expenses for an ordinary family. The lady was gentle and kind, never yelling at or hitting the servants without cause, and often gave rewards. She was eager to repay and serve the lady well, sometimes even more anxious than Jiang Wanrou herself.

Commander Lu had once not returned to the manor for half a month, during which Jiang Wanrou remained calm, living her own life behind closed doors, only instructing the kitchen to send meals to Commander Lu daily to show her concern as a wife. This time, Commander Lu had only been absent for a few days, but Jiang Wanrou often frowned in deep thought. In Cuizhu's eyes, the lady was panicking.

Commander Lu's authority was profound, and Cuizhu wouldn't dare to gossip about him even with a hundred guts, so she could only muster the courage to comfort, "Madam, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, more beautiful than the ladies in the palace. The master is just too busy, but once he has time, he surely won't neglect you."

If only there were a child or two, it would be even better.

The eldest son is smart and quick, sure, but he's also really sickly, and he's extremely picky with food. Despite being fed delicacies every day, he eats as little as a kitten, which is worrisome.

Jiang Wanrou looked at Cuizhu with amusement. She could probably guess what was going on in that little head of hers, but there was no way to explain it to her. Today, when the horse startled, Cuizhu didn't hesitate to throw herself towards her, and Jiang Wanrou appreciated that sentiment.

She smiled and said, "All right, all right, just set it down. With a loyal maid like you, the Lu household has nothing to worry about when it comes to prosperity."

"When the New Year comes, I'll give you a generous reward."

Cuizhu chuckled in agreement but then grew somber, saying in a low voice, "It's a pity, though, that I won't be able to spend this year with Sister Jintao."

She had been sold by her parents and bound by a life contract, one that allowed her owner to kill her without repercussions. She had long forgotten what her parents looked like. She had joined the household later, and Jintao had treated her like an older sister. In previous years, the two of them would spend the New Year together, keeping each other company.

Jiang Wanrou paused, recalling Jintao, whom she had left behind at the Ning'an Marquisate.

She said to Cuizhu, "The Yao family from Jiangnan sent two aged ginseng roots for the New Year. Head to the Marquisate to deliver them to Lady Li, and while you're there, visit your Sister Jintao."

"Also, take out twenty taels of silver from the accounts. Even though she's not here with me, she shouldn't miss her New Year's gift."

Cuizhu was overjoyed. She missed Sister Jintao too, but she playfully said, "Madam, you can't play favorites. If my New Year's gift is less than Sister Jintao's, I'll throw a fit."

"You won't be forgotten, so hurry along."

Jiang Wanrou smiled as she gave her instructions, "By the way, it's been chaotic outside lately, so bring extra guards with you. Use the Marquisate's back gate, and don't draw attention."

...

Cuizhu was efficient, returning to the household as dusk began to fall, bringing back a pair of boots and an envelope.

Unlike Cuizhu, who couldn't read, Jintao had once served in the Lu family's young lady's chambers, where she had learned to write a few words.

Jintao kept it brief, with the letter spanning just three paragraphs. The first paragraph offered greetings to the madam, the second noted the imperial physician's expertise and Lady Li's improving cough, and the third paragraph finally addressed the matter—Jiang Wanrou's request for her to discreetly look into the events of that year.

It had been too long, and it wasn't a glorious matter. Many had been flogged to death over that incident, including the maid who had soiled Jiang Wanrou's dress. Their bones had long since rotted in the mass graves.

Ying'er, however, was still alive, having married the estate's steward. Three years ago, the steward had been freed from servitude, and the family had left the capital without a trace.

Only Ying'er remained as a living witness. Finding one person in the vast sea of humanity was like looking for a needle in a haystack. The task was both difficult and simple.

The northern frontier's general, after a night of drinking, had once made a disrespectful comment in his concubine's quarters, and it had ended up on the emperor's desk. The Forbidden Dragon Bureau was elusive and omnipotent.

Jiang Wanrou gave a slight tug at the corner of her mouth, then held the letter to the candle flame to burn it, and lowered her head to stroke the pair of boots. They were clearly men's boots, made of fine silk with neat and even stitching. The colorful threads embroidered a pattern of a qilin, a symbol of good fortune and prosperity, making them both radiant and luxurious.

Jiang Wanrou once again marveled at Jintao's thoughtfulness.

Her own embroidery skills were not good, but as a virtuous wife, how could she not know how to sew? She had once spent an entire afternoon sitting on an embroidery stool, diligently working on a piece, only to end up pricking her fingers until they looked like honeycombs. She had decided not to torture herself anymore. Lu Feng still didn't know that the sachets, tassels, and sword ornaments he wore were all made by Jintao.

Jintao was very considerate, never completing the embroidery entirely, leaving the final stitches or the edging for Jiang Wanrou to finish. Well... couldn't that be considered as the madam's own handiwork?

Jiang Wanrou put the boots away, thought for a moment, and then took them out again, placing them on the most conspicuous table by the entrance. She guessed that Lu Feng wouldn't be returning today, so she let down her hair and went into the inner room to undress and bathe.

Just as she finished bathing and stepped out, her thick, dark hair wet and cascading over her shoulders, a few strands clinging to her delicate, porcelain-like cheeks, water droplets trickling down her face, chin, collarbone, and onto the fullness of her chest.

Like morning dew quivering on the edge of an early spring peach blossom.