Chapter 40: It’s Tiring to Deal with the Crown Prince All Day

Chapter 40: Feeling Weary from Playing Nice with the Crown Prince All Day

Pei Yun had a rare good night's sleep. Though she rose early the next morning, she still felt refreshed and invigorated.

Many of her previous worries seemed to have dissipated.

She had once dreaded intimacy, but now that she had experienced it, she realized it held such joys.

Who said only men needed such things? Women did too—why should men have all the fun?

Shu Yan fetched clothes to dress Pei Yun, who glanced at them and asked in confusion, "I’ve never seen these before."

A russet Huzhou silk jacket with a front closure and a mauve skirt embroidered with silver threads and floral motifs—Pei Yun rarely wore such vibrant colors, so she knew at once this set must be new.

Shu Yan couldn’t help but laugh. "Have you forgotten? His Highness promised to make it up to you for last time. And there’s more..."

As she spoke, she lifted the garments slightly to reveal a lavender undergarment embroidered with wisteria patterns.

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Pei Yun’s face, reminding her of that embarrassing mishap.

She hadn’t expected the Crown Prince to actually send her clothes.

Today was her elder brother Pei Xuan’s wedding day, but such bright and eye-catching attire would be too ostentatious. Pei Yun had no intention of wearing it.

"Find me something I usually wear," she told Shu Yan.

Though Shu Yan didn’t understand why her mistress wouldn’t wear such beautiful clothes, she complied and fetched a set in cloud-water blue for Pei Yun to change into.

Pei Yun also specifically requested leave from the *Gengzhuo Study* pavilion for the day. Once ready, she took Li Jin with her and left the palace for the Duke of Zhenguo’s estate.

Today, the Duke’s residence was adorned with fluttering red silk, bursting with festivity. Her mother, Lady Zhou, had also changed into festive attire.

Pei Xuan had already left to fetch his bride.

Since Jiang Lanqing’s family was far away in Jixian County, Lady Zhou had arranged for a residence in the capital where Jiang Lanqing could prepare for the wedding.

Jiang Lanqing’s father, the Magistrate of Jixian County, couldn’t abandon his duties and thus did not attend. Instead, her maternal grandfather and uncle’s family had come.

But the excuse of "unable to attend" was for outsiders—in truth, Jiang Lanqing had privately severed ties with her father.

Pei Yun had once heard Jiang Lanqing mention that her father favored his concubine over his wife, driving her mother to her death. Though the concubine, of lowly status, could never be elevated to the main wife, she often bullied Jiang Lanqing, the legitimate daughter.

It was this concubine who had suggested her father drug Jiang Lanqing and hand her over to Pei Xuan.

The concubine had assumed Jiang Lanqing would at most become a concubine, never expecting it would lead to true love between the two.

Before the bride’s arrival, Lady Zhou was already fidgety, frequently glancing toward the gate, prompting Pei Yun to tease, "Mother, what are you afraid of? Surely you don’t think Sister-in-law would back out of the wedding?"

Lady Zhou gave her a look. "It’s not fear—I’m just overjoyed. All these years, I’ve worried about your brother’s marriage. Now that he’s finally settled, even if I die, I can face your father in the afterlife."

"Enough talk of death," Pei Yun chided, disliking such words from her mother. "Today is a joyous occasion—why bring this up?"

"Right, right, look at me," Lady Zhou hastily patted her mouth and spat symbolically, as if dispelling the ill omen she had carelessly uttered.

"Truly, how time flies—it’s already been eight years since you entered the Eastern Palace. Jin Er is seven now, and Chen'er is nine months old, soon to mark his first year. I used to worry endlessly about your well-being, but lately, you seem much more content. That eases my worries..."

Pei Yun smiled.

Indeed, she was more content now.

Having died once before, her mind had cleared, and she turned a blind eye to many of these troubles—how could life not go well?

Except for daily feigned courtesy toward the Crown Prince, which was somewhat exhausting.

In this life, she didn’t ask for much—just to live well, peacefully and simply.

Thinking of this, Pei Yun's smile faded slightly.

If only this life could truly remain peaceful.

The ear-splitting clamor of gongs and drums grew closer, and from the crowd outside the mansion, someone shouted, "They're here!" Firecrackers were lit, crackling loudly as the wedding procession stopped before the mansion gates.

The bride, holding one end of a red silk ribbon, was escorted down by the wedding attendant, while the boisterous crowd whooped and trailed the couple inside.

Standing in the hall, Pei Yun instantly recognized a familiar face in the crowd.

It was Shao Duo, her younger sister Pei Wei’s husband from her past life.

Since her brother's wedding invitations had been sent to nearly half of the noble families in the capital, Shao Duo’s presence was no surprise.

However, his attention was locked on someone else in the crowd. Pei Yun frowned slightly and followed his line of sight, which indeed landed on Pei Wei.

Her fingers tightened around her silk handkerchief, her brows furrowing deeper with worry. But soon, Pei Yun realized that Shao Duo wasn't actually looking at Pei Wei—but at Pei Qian beside her. Pei Qian caught his stare, quickly glancing at him before shrinking into the background.

Seeing her avoidance, Shao Duo rose on his toes, tracking her with his eyes.

Pei Yun let out a long sigh of relief. After witnessing this scene, she couldn't help but admire Pei Qian—this girl was clearly stringing Shao Duo along.

Too bad Shao Duo was clueless, falling into the trap without realizing it. In the future, he would surely be wrapped around Pei Qian’s finger.

As they say, the bride arrives in the morning, the rites at dusk—though the bride had arrived, the wedding rites would not be held until evening.

Pei Yun told Lady Zhou that she needed to run errands and wanted to go out for a while. Seizing the opportunity, she quietly slipped out through the back gate of the Duke of State Stabilization's mansion and headed toward West Street.

The carriage stopped in front of a medical clinic. Before getting off, Pei Yun deliberately put on a veiled hat.

Compared to the bustling clinic across the street, this one was dead quiet. When Pei Yun stepped inside, she saw the physician sitting behind the counter, while a three- or four-year-old child tugged at his sleeve and said, "Father, Huan wants sweets."

Hearing this, Dr. Zhu picked up the child and sighed deeply. Forget sweets—the shop had barely seen any business in half a month, and they were barely scraping by.

Just as he was brooding, he suddenly noticed a few people entering. The veiled woman at the front, though her face was hidden, wore rich fabrics and exuded noble bearing, clearly not an ordinary lady.

He hurried forward. "What seems to be the trouble, madam?"

"Are you Dr. Zhu of this clinic?"

"That would be me," Dr. Zhu replied, eager not to miss this rare customer. "You’re mistaken—this shop isn’t for sale!"

Pei Yun remained unruffled, sitting down calmly. "The price is negotiable. But if you don't sell now, I fear this shop won't last much longer."

She glanced toward the clinic across the street. "Besides, even if I don't buy it, someone else will take advantage of your situation. By then, you may not get a good price."

Dr. Zhu's face tightened with resentment.

How could he have imagined that his family's century-old practice, long-renowned and widely praised, with countless people seeking out the Zhu family's medical expertise, would fall into such ruin under his stewardship?

The trouble began a month ago when a new clinic opened across the street. At first, it didn’t seem to affect his business, but within days, disaster struck. A family who had just visited his clinic for treatment carried their dead patriarch’s body to his doorstep, accusing him of malpractice and demanding retribution.

Dr. Zhu remembered the patient clearly—he had explicitly warned the man to avoid alcohol, as it could be fatal. Yet the unmistakable reek of alcohol clung to the corpse. The man had drunk himself to death; it had nothing to do with him.

But the widow wouldn’t listen to reason. She refused to back down, even threatening to drag him to court. Afraid of a public scandal, his wife urged him to pay them off to settle the matter. From then on, his clinic’s reputation plummeted. No matter how he explained, just the rumor of a patient’s death kept people away.

Meanwhile, the rival clinic gained fame for saving a patient on death’s door, earning a reputation as miracle workers, and their business flourished day by day.

At first, Dr. Zhu lamented his misfortune—until a friend privately revealed that they had seen the rival clinic’s staff leading the deceased patient to a tavern for drinks. It was all a deliberate scheme.

Though furious, Dr. Zhu learned that the rival clinic had backing from a powerful court official. If he wanted peace for his family, he had no choice but to endure.

The lady was right. Without income, the clinic would have to be sold, and the rival clinic had long coveted his prime location. They’d surely lowball the price when the time came.

Seeing Dr. Zhu waver, Pei Yun continued, "After purchasing the shop, I intend to keep it as a clinic and would like to keep you on as the head physician, with a monthly salary. What do you think?"

Dr. Zhu was stunned. The offer was hard to refuse—without it, selling the shop and his ruined reputation would force him to uproot his family and leave the capital. Still, he hesitated. "Madam, are you unaware of the recent incidents at my clinic?"

"I know," Pei Yun said firmly.

"Then why...?" Dr. Zhu was baffled. "Keeping me on would only lose you money—who would come for treatment?"

"Who says so?" Pei Yun laughed, completely unfazed. "I dare say your clinic will soon be the most famous in the capital—no, in all of Great Zhao."

She turned to Shu Yan, who promptly handed Dr. Zhu a stack of silver notes.

"Is this enough?" Pei Yun asked.

More than enough.

Gripping the thick stack of notes, Dr. Zhu was dumbfounded. He knew such an opportunity might never come again, yet he couldn’t help asking, "Why are you helping me?"

Pei Yun paused before replying softly, "Decades ago, my grandfather was afflicted with a chronic illness that plagued him relentlessly. It was your grandfather who cured him. My grandfather never forgot his kindness and often told me the story as a child. When I heard of your plight, I thought of him and couldn’t bear to see this clinic vanish. That’s why I stepped in."

"So that’s how it was." Dr. Zhu’s doubts were dispelled. "My grandfather saved countless lives in his time—it seems his descendants are now reaping the rewards."

Before leaving, Pei Yun added one final instruction: "Someone will manage the clinic on my behalf, but remember—you must never reveal that the ownership has changed."

Though puzzled, Dr. Zhu nodded in agreement.

Back in the carriage, Shu Yan asked curiously, "My lady, your grandfather once came to the capital?"

Pei Yun glanced at her and smiled without answering.

How could that be?

Her Pei family had only risen to prominence in her father’s generation. Her grandfather had been just a common farmer who died long before she was born. Every word she’d told Dr. Zhu was a lie.

Except for one truth.

Not only would the clinic become renowned—one day, Dr. Zhu would be famous himself throughout Great Zhao.

And the reason she bought the clinic was to keep him in the capital.

In her past life, just as she had said, Dr. Zhu was forced to sell his clinic at a pittance and leave the city with his family. Then, in the spring of the twenty-fifth year of Qingzhen, a deadly plague erupted where he had settled, claiming innumerable lives.

Dr. Zhu's family also contracted the plague. At that time, the physicians in the city were helpless, but Dr. Zhu, after consulting his family's medical records and conducting extensive research, finally developed a prescription to treat the disease.

Pei Yun lifted the carriage curtain, and was met with the capital's vibrant splendor.

The plague spread so widely and lasted so long that even the capital was affected.

Her Chen'er had perished in this same plague during her previous life.

And this occurred mere three days before the prescription reached the capital.