Chapter 26

Chapter 26

The weather had been fine recently, and Qing Ju followed Su Yunyao's instructions, waiting at the ferry for three days.

Early in the morning, she hurried out the door, and by noon, she was carrying a sack of local produce from Qingzhou, walking several miles without breaking a sweat. With a cheerful grin, she pushed open the gate of Purple Osmanthus Courtyard with her foot, leading Su Yunyao's aunt, Liu Shi, and her cousin, Su Qianshan, inside.

Once inside the house, Liu Shi looked around and sighed, nodding in approval.

The general's residence was a prestigious estate, and though her niece's courtyard was small, it was still quite refined—though it couldn't compare to the family’s heyday.

Recalling the past, Liu Shi's eyes grew slightly moist.

Back when the patriarch of the Pei family enlisted in the army, the military commissioner who recognized and promoted him was none other than her father-in-law. Later, when the previous emperor established the dynasty, wary of the Su family's military power, her father-in-law laid down his arms and retired to a life of leisure and wealth.

Her father-in-law passed away early, and by the time it came to his sons, following his final wishes, neither her husband nor his elder brother entered officialdom. Instead, they engaged in discreet commerce, acting with caution.

Few outsiders knew, but in truth, the Su family was the wealthiest merchant family in Qingzhou.

Her husband had been a gentle and considerate man, though his health was poor. After his early passing, she raised their three children alone, never remarrying. Fortunately, under the protection of her elder brother and his wife, their lives remained stable.

She remembered the marriage alliance established between the Su and Pei families generations ago. Her elder brother and his wife had kept it firmly in mind, but since they only had Yunyao—a daughter they doted on like a treasure—they couldn't bear to send her far away to the capital. Thus, they deliberately distanced themselves from the Pei family, until eventually, the two families barely interacted.

The Su family's true decline began six years ago.

Disaster strikes without warning. During a shipment of goods, her elder brother and his wife set sail and never returned. The cargo ship carrying the crew and merchandise sank at sea.

Her elder brother and his wife were lost forever, and the lives of dozens of workers, along with the goods they were transporting, all had to be paid for in silver. From then on, the Su family was nearly ruined.

At this thought, Liu Shi couldn't help but take out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

After marrying into the Su family, she had lived a life of luxury, accustomed to comfort and never enduring hardship. When her elder brother and his wife suddenly passed, she wept for a month. If not for Yunyao steadying her and urging her to stay strong, she wouldn't have known how to carry on.

Later, when Yunyao turned sixteen, the Pei family sent someone to Qingzhou to bring her to the capital for marriage.

The Su family had fallen, while the Pei family was a prestigious household, and that husband was a high-ranking official. She couldn't have been happier about her niece's marriage alliance—though it was so far away, she had no idea how Yunyao was truly faring here. Every year after the autumn harvest, when things at home weren't as busy, she would bring her son to visit.

She had come twice now, yet she had never once met the husband and had no idea what kind of person he was.

Though their family was no longer what it once was, relying only on the ancestral fifty acres of land to get by, her discernment hadn't diminished. With just a glance, she could still gauge the quality of her niece's belongings and how well she was living.

Liu Shi sat properly in an armchair, while her son, Su Qianshan, fidgeted and frowned, saying, "Mother, I want to go out and look around."

Liu Shi scolded him, telling him to sit properly, and warned, "Behave yourself. Don't run around, and especially don't pick fights or cause trouble. We're your cousin's family from her mother’s side—don't embarrass her."

When Liu Shi arrived at the residence, Su Yunyao was in Guixiang Hall, attending to the elderly madam's medicine.

The elderly madam had overindulged in chilled treats the day before, eating a few bites of sweet dumplings, which upset her stomach. The physician had prescribed medicine, and she had just finished drinking it. Now, she lay on the couch with her eyes closed, muttering incessantly, "Why hasn't An Er returned yet?"

Whenever the elderly madam fell ill, she needed her eldest grandson and his wife by her side without fail.

The physician had said it was just a temporary discomfort, nothing serious. Since Pei Bingan hadn't returned from duty yet, Su Yunyao said, "Grandmother, my husband will be back soon. Once he returns, he'll come to see you."

The elderly madam glanced at her, frowned, and fell silent.

Seeing that her condition had improved slightly, Su Yunyao thought to step out for some tea and rest. But before she could rise, Qiu Hong hurried over, took her hand, and pulled her toward the courtyard, saying, "Madam, your family from home has come. They're waiting in Purple Osmanthus Courtyard—hurry!"

Su Yunyao immediately returned to Purple Osmanthus Courtyard.

Spotting her aunt and cousin from afar, Su Yunyao lifted her skirt and ran over, throwing her arms around Liu Shi's shoulders with a laugh. "Auntie, what took you so long? I've missed you so much!"

Liu Shi was so happy she burst into tears, which streamed down her cheeks.

After wiping her eyes, the two women sat facing each other. Liu Shi held her niece's hands, looking her up and down with a smile. "Life at the general’s estate must suit you well. After a year apart, you’ve grown taller and even prettier."

Su Yunyao nearly laughed aloud. She was almost twenty—had she not married that good-for-nothing Pei Bingan but instead found a gentle and caring young man, she might already have children by now. Yet her aunt was still praising her for growing taller.

It had been a year since she last saw her cousin Su Qianshan, and at first glance, she almost didn't recognize him. The boy was at that gangly, growing age, tall and sturdy. He sat there fidgeting, rubbing his hands, a little shy after not seeing his cousin for so long, and stared down at the patterned stone tiles beneath his feet. "Sister," he murmured.

Just as she had exchanged a few words with her aunt, Qing Ju rushed in excitedly. "Miss, Auntie, the master of the house is here!"

Liu Shi quickly stopped talking, while Su Yunyao froze in surprise for a moment, wondering if she’d heard right.

In the blink of an eye, Pei Bingan strode in.

He had just returned from duty, still clad in his dark official robes, his sheer presence demanding respect without a word. His expression was unreadable.

Su Yunyao watched him approach with confusion in her eyes.

Was he here for her, or had he actually come to see her aunt?

She steadied herself—that second possibility seemed far-fetched.

In the first year of their marriage, when her family had made their first-ever visit, she had waited half a day in his study, hoping he would meet them. Instead, he’d sent his attendant Qing Shan with word that he was away on official business and couldn’t return to see them.

The second year, when her aunt and cousin came again, he was actually in the mansion. Full of hope, she went to find him, thinking that since her family had traveled so far, he might spare a moment from his busy schedule to meet them. But he had merely glanced at her expressionlessly and said, "I’m buried in work—no time for visitors. They can entertain themselves."

This time, she hadn’t even bothered to mention her aunt and cousin's visit to him.

"Husband, is something the matter?" She arched a brow at his sudden intrusion.

Pei Bingan leveled a stern gaze at her. "I came to pay my respects to your aunt."

Upon returning, he had heard that Su Yunyao's family had arrived. Without even visiting his grandmother first, he had come straight to see them.

Su Yunyao stared at him in astonishment.

Had she heard correctly? General Pei had actually cleared his schedule for her aunt?

But whether he came or not made little difference—it just cut into her time with family.

After a moment of silence, she gave a curt nod.

Since he was here, she couldn’t very well send him away now. She just hoped he’d make it quick and leave.

Pei Bingan glanced around the room and spotted a middle-aged woman in a blue headscarf, dressed like a simple countrywoman—undoubtedly Su Yunyao's aunt. He cupped his hands in polite greeting.

This was Liu Shi's first time meeting her son-in-law.

She studied him discreetly. He cut an imposing figure—tall, striking, and commanding. Standing beside her niece, they made a striking pair. But his frosty air was downright intimidating.

After taking his seat, Pei Bingan spoke calmly. "How fares your household, Aunt?"

Though they were family, the Pei household was noble and prestigious, and her son-in-law held a high position. Liu Shi knew her station and rose to answer. "Thank you for your concern, General. Everything is fine."

Seeing his elder aunt acting so reserved and distant, Pei Bingan frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Aunt, please be seated."

Liu Shi looked at her niece with unease. Seeing Su Yunyao nod at her, she grew less fearful and sat back on the chair, speaking to him respectfully.

After some small talk, Pei Bingan fell silent.

Since Su Yunyao had married him, he’d never met her family or gone back with her to her hometown.

As for her family’s circumstances, he had never inquired. Now that they were discussing household matters, he realized there was little he could say.

Feeling a bit more at ease, Liu Shi observed that though her nephew-in-law was a high-ranking official, he was not as aloof and disdainful as the old madam. Her nervousness lessened somewhat.

This time, when she came to the capital to visit her niece, she had only brought some fruits and vegetables from their fields. They also had a fishpond at home, raising many perch, but the trip was too long to bring any. Liu Shi smiled and said, “General, if you ever have the time, come to Qingzhou with Yao’er. We have perch at home—steamed perch tastes best. Yao’er loves it, and you should try it with her.”

Pei Bingan gave a slight nod, his gaze unconsciously drifting to Su Yunyao, a hint of sadness flashing in his eyes.

They’d been married three years, but he’d barely spent time with her. He had only occasionally noticed her fondness for sweet snacks, never realizing she liked steamed perch.

He wasn’t sure if he’d ever get the chance to accompany her back to her hometown in Qingzhou and taste the steamed perch she loved.

“Aunt, since you’ve come all this way, you should stay in the residence for a while longer. When you have time, accompany your aunt and cousin around the capital to enjoy the sights. Don’t just stay holed up at home,” he said, his eyes fixed on her as he spoke in a low, firm tone.

She didn’t need him to tell her. Su Yunyao frowned slightly, glancing at the incense clock before nodding patiently.

He had been here for nearly a quarter of an hour—long enough. He was in the way, making it impossible for her and her aunt to converse freely.

Suddenly, she remembered that the old madam was still ill and needed her filial eldest grandson to attend to her. She smiled faintly and reminded him, “Husband—”

Before she could finish, Bai Lian, Song Wanrou’s maid, suddenly arrived at Ziyuan Courtyard.

“General, the concubine is coughing badly. She requests your presence,” Bai Lian said urgently from beyond the threshold.

Su Yunyao let out a quiet sigh of relief. The old madam was ill, and now Song Wanrou was too—he had no choice but to leave.

“Husband, you should go quickly. Don’t make Sister wait,” she urged, rising to her feet to hasten his departure.

Pei Bingan’s expression darkened, but he remained silent.

He had seen it—the unmistakable relief in her eyes when she eagerly asked him to leave, the barely concealed smile at the corners of her lips, the way her eyes curved with delight.

At this moment, his chest felt like a boulder was crushing it, making it hard to breathe.

Even one day as husband and wife should create lasting affection. After three years of marriage, sharing a bed, did she really care so little about their marriage that she wished to push him away, unwilling to let him stay by her side even for a moment?

After a long silence, he stood abruptly, coldly flicking his sleeve, and stalked out without another word.