Chapter 46

Chapter 46

The night was dark, and the tavern was closing for the night.

"Sir, it's getting late. Time to go home," the attendant urged.

After downing the last cup of strong liquor, Pei Bingan left payment on the table and stood to leave.

A crescent moon hung overhead, casting a dim, faint glow over the empty streets, shrouding everything in gloom.

Absentmindedly, his gaze drifted toward Xiaowei Alley not far away.

Though Madam Su's residence was just a short walk away, it now felt as though mountains and rivers separated them, an insurmountable distance.

The memory of her strolling with Dr. Xu, carrying the lantern and smiling brightly, made his heart ache.

In their three years of marriage, he had never once accompanied Madam Su to a lantern festival or taken her out for leisure.

He had always been consumed by official duties, completely neglecting her.

He had been a poor husband.

Perhaps her disappointment had accumulated bit by bit, until finally, she asked for a divorce.

Suddenly, he recalled the night they consummated their marriage—three days after their wedding.

That entire night, he had let go of control for the first time, and upon sobering, he was unusually flustered.

He had always adhered to strict discipline, practicing restraint and never indulging in carnal desires.

So, he suggested they live apart, visiting her courtyard only on the fifth and tenth of each month.

"From now on, you will reside in Ziyi Courtyard. I will come to your quarters on the fifth and tenth of each month. Don't bother me otherwise," he had coldly instructed her.

Being so cold to his new bride—perhaps that had been her first disappointment in him.

On the silent street, Pei Bingan drew a quiet, deep breath, clenching his fingers tightly.

He owed Madam Su amends. Even though they were now divorced, he still wanted to make up for the neglect and coldness she had endured those three years.

At dawn's first light, Qian Shan brought a long sword to the pawnshop.

The sword was a treasure Pei Bingan had seized on the battlefield—razor-sharp in its dark iron sheath. It brought five thousand taels of silver.

Pei Bingan went to Xiaowei Alley.

He knocked at the gate of Su Residence once more. Madam Su was surprised. She had instructed Qing Ju not to let outsiders in, so he remained outside, speaking to her from there.

"This is the money I owe you. Thank you for managing the Pei household diligently these three years," Pei Bingan said solemnly as he handed over a thick stack of silver notes.

Standing face to face, Madam Su accepted the notes, skimmed them briefly, and realized the amount exceeded what was due.

"That's too generous, General. I only need my rightful share," she said, quickly counting out twenty-eight notes and returning the rest untouched.

Pei Bingan frowned, displeased.

"Take what I've given you. In three years of marriage, I never bought you anything. When we parted, you took nothing from the Pei household—not even a needle or thread. Consider this my compensation for my negligence."

Madam Su raised her delicate brows in astonishment.

Their last meeting ended badly, and she had him thrown out of her home.

She had thought that as a general accustomed to being revered by everyone, putting up with such treatment in her courtyard without holding a grudge was already big of him. Never did she expect he would still give her so much money.

Knowing he wasn’t well-off—his duke's allowance and military pay were all allocated to the border troops—she wasn’t about to take advantage.

After a moment’s thought, she smiled and said, “General, why don't you come in for tea?”

“Thank you.” Surprised by the invitation, Pei Bingan gave a firm nod.

He had secretly visited Su’s residence many times before, but this was the first time he had actually been invited in.

Thus, walking briskly through the second gate and around the blue screen wall, he instinctively swept his gaze across the courtyard.

Her courtyard was beautifully laid out—a pathway paved with bluestone, its edges inlaid with colorful pebbles, flower pots under the roof overhang blooming with vibrant blossoms that complemented the flowering trees in the yard.

In one corner stood a rock garden made of Taihu stones, where a small waterfall cascaded down the stones into a clear pool below.

Several fish of varying colors swam freely in the water, their tails swaying leisurely.

After a brief glance, Pei Bingan’s face fell.

It never occurred to him that she too liked rockeries and ponds.

In the entire Pei residence, only Yuehua Courtyard had a pond and artificial hill.

Had he known earlier, he should have let her live there.

Initially, he had assigned her to Zihui Courtyard just because Yuehua was too close to his own quarters. He feared that returning home each evening, he might find himself wandering to her residence, breaking his own rule of visiting only on fixed days.

“General, won’t you come in?”

His thoughts abruptly interrupted, Pei Bingan steadied himself and ascended the steps, striding into the main hall.

Inside, a delicate scent hung in the air, and his gaze instinctively drifted to the incense burner in the corner, its thin mist curling upward.

In the past, he had disliked her burning incense indoors—the delicate aroma that seeped into his lungs always made him feel like he was losing control, as if he might succumb to indulgence.

Now, encountering the familiar scent again, for a second it felt like he were back in Zihui Courtyard, as if he and Su Yunyao were still husband and wife.

Su Yunyao poured two cups of tea.

Noticing his dazed expression, she smiled softly and gently prompted, “General?”

Pei Bingan jolted back to the present.

His eyes fell on the two steaming cups of tea. After a brief pause, he brushed his sleeve and sat down.

The first sip of tea spread its fresh fragrance, warm and familiar—just how he remembered.

Suddenly, Pei Bingan set down the cup and averted his gaze, his throat went tight.

Since she left the Pei residence, he had never tasted tea like this again.

“You've been doing alright here?” After a silent moment, he asked hoarsely.

Su Yunyao replied, “Everything is fine. The neighbors are nice, it’s convenient to travel, and my incense shop isn’t far…”

She paused, then explained, “I never mentioned this before, but I opened an incense shop outside. It wasn’t intentional secrecy—my family originally dealt in spices, and with the household funds running low, plus it was something I wanted to do, I decided to start the business…”

Pei Bingan nodded and said, "Good. No explanation needed."

It relieved him that she could stand on her own. Moreover, considering all the hardships she had endured for the Pei household, he wouldn’t hold any grudges over her keeping things from him.

Su Yunyao lowered her eyes and smiled faintly.

She never expected they’d one day speak so calmly and as equals.

Since that was the case, she decided to openly tell him about her deliberate plan to separate.

She bore him no hatred—only a refusal to remain trapped in the inner quarters, playing the dutiful wife or the nag.

By stepping away in time, he could remarry a worthy wife, and she could also find a good husband. A win for both.

Otherwise, if she hadn’t divorced him, the world would’ve just gotten another miserable pair.

"General, I admire and respect you, but I’m no model wife, nor do I fit your ideals. We are not suited to be husband and wife," she said after a moment of silence, her tone tinged with apology. "As for our separation, I had planned it long ago. The banquet incident, too, was my design. I kept it quiet only because there was no better way. I hope you won’t take offense."

Pei Bingan remained silent for a long time.

Before, he had stood above her, commanding her as a husband, arrogantly forbidding her from mentioning separation. He was the one who owed reflection and apology—not her.

"No matter. I see the full picture now and hold no grudge," he said, his voice slightly choked as he gazed deeply at her. "Yunyao, it was all my fault. Three years as my wife did you no favors."

Su Yunyao looked at him and smiled in relief.

The ancestral marriage pact between the Su and Pei families had ended in separation, but she was glad that they’d parted amicably, free of bitterness. After all, in this world, having one more understanding friend was far better than having one more despised enemy.

"You flatter me, General. There’s no need to dwell on the rights and wrongs of the past. From now on, we should both look forward, shouldn’t we?"

After exchanging a few more words, as they prepared to part, Su Yunyao went to the side room and fetched several packages of candied fruits, placing them in a box and slipping extra silver notes inside.

"These candies may not suit your taste, General, but please take them back for Shu Xian to try. She’s fond of them as well," she said with a smile as she handed it to him.

Taking the wooden box, Pei Bingan glanced at a colorful embroidered lantern placed on the long table and asked after a pause, "Do you like that lantern?"

Following his gaze, Su Yunyao found it odd.

Once, he’d have ignored such things outright. Why was he paying special attention to it today? Did he want to take it back for his nephews?

But alas, that one was her prized piece—it couldn’t be given away. But she had other lantern designs at home and could offer him one.

"That one is my favorite. I plan to hang it up for the New Year celebrations."

She smiled politely and took out a revolving lantern from the nearby cabinet, saying, "This lantern’s quite entertaining. Take it back for Tuan Tuan and Man Man to play with."

Pei Bingan glanced at her and said curtly, "Unnecessary."

After studying her a long moment, he stood up with his hands behind his back and said solemnly, "Your grandfather once helped mine, and this debt of gratitude must be repaid on behalf of my grandfather. If you ever face difficulties in the capital in the future, remember to come to me anytime. Don’t let the divorce drive us apart."

Su Yunyao raised her delicate brows slightly.

Her perfume shop thrived, and the only tricky issue was the upcoming sale of Western Jin spices in the market—she doubted how much Lingbai Herb she’d procure.

But that was something she likely wouldn’t need to trouble him about.

Still, since he had spoken so reasonably, she smiled and nodded. "Very well. Should I need your aid, General, I’ll ask freely."

After studying her a long moment, Pei Bingan gave a slight nod, turned on his heel, and left.

Stepping out of the courtyard gate and leaving Xiaowei Alley, the moment he mounted his horse, he finally couldn’t resist looking back.

The gate of the Su residence had long been closed, with no sign of Lady Su standing there to see him off.

He held his horse still, lingering, his lean, powerful hand tightly clutching the wooden box she had given him.

It still carried her distinct, lingering fragrance—hers alone.

She didn’t yet know that long before he had calmly told her not to distance herself from him, he had already understood one thing.

He didn’t want a virtuous wife. *He wanted her.*

In battle, he never surrendered. And he wouldn’t just stand by and let her leave.

Whatever her childhood friend Dr. Xu could do—he could do more, and better.

He would never give up.

Not until she willingly took his hand and returned to his side.