Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Outside the window, a cold wind howled, yet inside the bedchamber, warmth bloomed. Ming Tang, weary from the night, awoke to find herself cradled in Pei Yue’s embrace, and she paused, surprised.

Normally, Pei Yue would already be up by the time she woke, and Ming Tang had long grown accustomed to waking alone. To be greeted by such a handsome face first thing in the morning felt quite unfamiliar.

Seeing Pei Yue seemingly still deep in slumber, Ming Tang stirred slightly, intending to rise. Yet, the arms around her tightened instantly, holding her firmly in place. Pei Yue even burrowed deeper into her shoulder.

Helpless, Ming Tang lay on her back, gazing at the canopy above. From this position, her eyes swept across the bed. Pei Yue had practically burrowed into her quilt, while his own lay in a tangled heap on the outer side, utterly stripped of its dignity as a proper covering.

Was this overstepping? A few days ago, it was just an arm crossing the line; now, it was his entire body.

Then again, if they shared the same quilt with no boundaries, did it still count as trespassing? Held captive in his embrace, Ming Tang, bored, let her mind wander.

Still, she had to admit—Pei Yue, true to his martial nature, was like a human hot-water bottle, radiating warmth that was incredibly comforting. In truth, such an experience in winter was quite pleasant...

The arm around her tightened again. Ming Tang instinctively turned her head slightly, quietly observing Pei Yue.

His eyelashes fluttered a few times before his eyes opened. For a fleeting moment, his gaze was hazy, then quickly cleared as he met Ming Tang’s eyes.

Realizing their current situation, Pei Yue calmly released her and sat up. Noticing the crumpled quilt beside him, he gave a light cough. "Last night..."

"Last night was cold. It’s perfectly normal for you and I to share a quilt for warmth; there’s no need to mind."

No, he wasn’t cold, nor did he need warmth. Last night, Ming Tang had kept reaching into his quilt in her sleep, disturbing him until he finally pulled her into his arms, where she finally settled.

To spare his pride, Ming Tang sat up, reaching for the clothes placed on the inner side of the bed, her tone earnest. "We’ve been married for many days now. Sharing a quilt is hardly a big deal."

Pei Yue paused, then nodded in silent agreement. "This winter is indeed colder than last year’s."

Having reached a mutual understanding, the couple smoothly moved past the matter. After paying their respects to Mrs. Pei, they each went about their day.

Ming Tang had long since returned the account books to Mrs. Pei, who had thoroughly reviewed them. With Mrs. Pei’s recent guidance, she had developed a good understanding of the household affairs. Thus, when preparing for the New Year festivities, Mrs. Pei entrusted Ming Tang with overseeing the kitchen.

Managing the kitchen was complex—from procurement to finalizing daily menus, ensuring every dish was flawless before reaching the table. With the New Year approaching, the workload was even heavier than usual.

To be given such a challenging task right after her probationary period left Ming Tang quite reluctant.

But resistance was futile. She had no choice but to sit beside Mrs. Pei, giving instructions based on previous years' records.

At this point, Ming Tang became acutely aware of the shortage of assistants around her. As her responsibilities grew, the current staff was no longer enough for her to comfortably delegate tasks.

After some thought, she recalled a figure from her memory—a bookish-looking woman. Since she had accompanied the late first wife as part of her dowry, she must be capable. Having remained loyal all these years, her devotion was beyond doubt. Ming Tang wondered why she hadn’t thought of this person sooner. She sent someone to fetch Wen Shu, who arrived promptly at Zhengxin Hall.

Upon seeing Ming Tang, Wen Shu was visibly emotional and immediately knelt in a deep bow. "Thank you, Young Madam, for bringing those wicked traitors to justice! How shameful that I, as one of the late Young Madam’s dowry maids, never suspected them."

She had once suspected Ming Tang of scheming to seize the late young madam’s dowry properties by targeting her maids. Yet, this young madam, who had never even met her mistress, had gone out of her way to protect her assets, even at the cost of making enemies. Meanwhile, it was their own people who had betrayed them. After learning the truth, Wen Shu had been weighed down by guilt but hadn’t found the right opportunity to express her gratitude.

Ming Tang had nearly forgotten the matter and quickly urged her to rise. "You should thank Madam for that." She had merely played the role of exposing the truth.

Wen Shu nodded solemnly. "This servant prays daily for Madam and Young Madam."

When Ming Tang explained her intentions, Wen Shu didn’t refuse. "I only hope Young Madam won’t find this servant too incompetent to be useful."

As it turned out, Wen Shu, having accompanied the late Young Madam as part of her dowry, was indeed quick-witted. With her years of experience in the household and familiarity with its workings, Ming Tang immediately felt her workload decrease.

So much so that when she returned to Chengyi Hall, she walked with a lighter step. Soon, she’d be able to delegate tasks freely again!

However, as soon as she reached the entrance, Zhe Liu and Wen He hurried forward, looking serious.

"What’s wrong?" Ming Tang asked, puzzled. Hong Ying, who had just returned with her, was equally confused—it took a lot to unsettle these two.

Zhe Liu spoke first. "Young Madam, the Duke of Dingguo sent someone over today."

Wen He added, "An exceptionally beautiful maid."

The moment the words left their mouths, Hong Ying grew wary. Life in Chengyi Hall had been so harmonious lately—what trouble might this newcomer cause?

Ming Tang was only momentarily surprised before raising an eyebrow, not angry but intrigued. "Let me see just how beautiful she is."

The maid was waiting in the hall. Unfamiliar with her, the little cat was restless, pacing nearby and occasionally hissing aggressively, making its dislike obvious.

Unprepared for a cat in Chengyi Hall—and one with such a bad temper—the maid was visibly flustered. Suddenly, the cat’s tone changed, letting out a soft, plaintive meow before darting past her with agile grace, abandoning all feline reserve in favor of dog-like enthusiasm.

The maid turned to see a young woman entering, surrounded by attendants.

As the woman removed her cloak, she cast a glance at the maid, her gaze lingering for a long moment before she sighed. "Truly exquisite."

The maid was gracefully beautiful, her modest bearing barely masking a hint of nervousness. Had it not been known that she was sent by the Duke of Dingguo, anyone would have mistaken her for a respectable young lady.

The Duke had returned to the estate yesterday, but this maid hadn’t been among his entourage. To have sent her over so quickly...

"What’s your name?"

The maid hurriedly curtsied. "This maid is called Yan Gui."

"Yan Gui—a fine name. Rise."

Having been delivered just two hours prior, Yan Gui had already grasped how much authority the Young Madam held in Chengyi Hall. Not only were the maids hostile, but even the cat clearly disliked her. Knowing she’d been sent to antagonize the Young Madam, Yan Gui felt a mounting apprehension before even meeting the heir.

With the Young Madam wielding such influence over the heir’s household, even if she somehow gained his favor, what could she possibly achieve?

Unaware of her internal conflict, Ming Tang treated her as nothing more than a maid—since that was what the Duke had declared. Cradling the cat, she absentmindedly played with its ears. "I happen to be short-handed. Tell me, what skills do you have?"

Yan Gui hesitated. "This servant knows some characters, can use an abacus, and is skilled in embroidery." In truth, she’d been trained in far more intimate arts, but she’d sooner die than admit that to the Young Madam.

Ming Tang’s eyes lit up. She immediately had someone fetch the necessary tools and had Yan Gui demonstrate. Impressed, she thought: literate, proficient with the abacus, and skilled in embroidery—this was like getting both Zhe Liu and Wen He's skills in one person.

Calling Zhe Liu over, Ming Tang exchanged a few words with her before nodding and turning back to Yan Gui, her expression warm. "Would you like to work in my embroidery shop?"

Yan Gui was baffled: "......?" Wait, hadn't she been meant to be the Duke’s gift to the heir as a concubine?

Zhe Liu, now persuaded, regarded Yan Gui without hostility, even seeing potential in her. With Ming Tang’s permission, she pulled Yan Gui aside, speaking persuasively.

Zhe Liu spoke earnestly, and Ming Tang was indeed a generous employer. Yan Gui’s resolve wavered. She’d been bought from a trafficker, with no family or connections. Her appearance had condemned her for unsavory training—she’d never imagined another path.

Now that she was here, and the Young Madam seemed kind...

Still hesitating, a servant announced, "The heir says he won’t return for dinner and asks that Young Madam not wait for him."

He even informs you when he won’t be back for meals... Where was the room for her to compete for favor? After a moment of speechlessness, Yan Gui made up her mind. She knelt deeply before Ming Tang. "Thank you, Young Madam. This servant is willing."

That very afternoon, without even unpacking, she followed Zhe Liu out of the estate to her new lodgings.

Though absent, Pei Yue had heard about the Duke’s "gift." Returning that evening in a foul mood, he relaxed slightly upon seeing Ming Tang. "Where’s the person he sent?"

"Young Master is a bit late. She’s already passed the interview and become one of my employees." Leaning back against the dressing table, Ming Tang teased, "Had you returned earlier, you might’ve seen her—she truly is a beauty."

Understanding that Ming Tang had already dismissed her, Pei Yue felt relieved. Yet, a new thought occurred to him.

Did she send that person away so quickly because You Niang didn’t want anyone else by his side?

"Speaking of which, she has quite a few skills. It’s a real bargain for me to pick up a skilled person who needs little instruction."

Pei Yue, who heard every word clearly: "...Fine, I shouldn’t have expected anything."

However, the recipient's refusal and the giver's displeasure were two sides of the same coin. The Duke of Dingguo was clearly unhappy that Ming Tang had dismissed the girl he’d just sent over the very next day. The following morning, he summoned Ming Tang to Dingyuan Hall to call her to account.

The societal expectations for a mistress of the house had always been tolerance and magnanimity. The Duke of Dingguo went on and on about the same old rhetoric, while Ming Tang stood at a distance, thoroughly bored.

After a long while, seeing that Ming Tang remained unmoved, the Duke changed his approach: "After all, you’re just the daughter of a Vice-Minister, hardly a match for the status of a ducal household—"

Before he could finish, Lin Ma hurried in and called out from the doorway, "Great news!"

Given the separation of genders, the doors of Dingyuan Hall were left wide open, and only the underfloor heating kept the chill at bay.

Thus, as soon as she finished speaking, Lin Ma stepped into the hall, gave a general curtsy, and beamed at Ming Tang, her wrinkles practically radiating joy: "Congratulations, young mistress! Congratulations, Your Grace! Word has just arrived that the young mistress’s father has been promoted by imperial decree to Minister of Rites and appointed Grand Academician of the Jinshen Hall!"

Ming Tang’s face indeed lit up with delight. She slipped a twisted gold bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Lin Ma: "Thank you for the good news, Lin Ma." Giving a red packet to the bearer of good news was customary.

But Lin Ma insisted on refusing. As she and Ming Tang engaged in polite refusal, she leaned in and whispered very softly, "Madam sent me to check—has His Grace been giving you a hard time?"

Ming Tang glanced over and saw the Duke’s dark expression. The corners of her lips curled into a smile. Unlike Lin Ma, she didn’t lower her voice but drawled leisurely, "His Grace was just lamenting how low my father’s rank is. What perfect timing you have, Lin Ma."

Perfect timing was everything.