Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Pei Yue had been working late for many days before returning home. Though household servants often sent him updates, it wasn't the same as being there himself. He knew Pei Ze had started school, but seeing the boy bow properly and then head straight to his study after only a brief delay still surprised him, and the words escaped his lips.

As soon as he spoke, he noticed most of the maids in the room stir, their eyes instinctively darting towards the study before they relaxed and resumed their duties.

Only then did Pei Yue realize something was amiss—since returning to Jinghua Hall, apart from their conversation, he hadn't heard any other sounds. Though Mrs. Pei was always dignified, her rules weren't overly strict, never demanding "absolute silence when coming and going." Yet today, it was so quiet, deepening Pei Yue’s confusion.

Had he been away in the imperial city for so long that even the rules of Jinghua Hall had changed?

Mrs. Pei, however, didn't answer. Instead, she rose and walked towards the western retiring chamber. Once they had all moved and settled, Nanny Lin and the maids brought fresh tea. Nanny Lin smiled and said, "Young Master, you’ve been away these days and don’t know that since Young Master Ze began his studies and found companions, he’s been incredibly diligent. The servants, seeing this, naturally became more cautious, refraining from raising their voices when coming and going."

Pei Ze’s recent diligence was well-known to all. The maids of Jinghua Hall, who spent every day with him, had witnessed how the young master, barely fluent in speech, had seamlessly transitioned into intense study. Unconsciously, they too had grown tense, afraid of disrupting his studies. Now, Jinghua Hall truly lived up to the saying—"They dare not speak aloud, fearing to disturb the scholar within."

"Earlier in the main hall, just a door away was the study. They were afraid your voice would disturb the young scholar," Ming Tang said, having enjoyed Pei Yue’s puzzled expression for a while before finally deigning to explain. She added leisurely, following Nanny Lin’s words, "As for why he’s so diligent now... A Ze is now an elder himself, studying daily with his juniors. Naturally, he doesn’t want to show weakness in front of Mr. Lu, so he studies secretly after lessons."

Pei Yue had returned home unexpectedly, catching everyone off guard. Ming Tang was dressed in everyday attire. As it was nearly March and the weather had been bright lately, she had chosen lighter spring clothing. Now, clad in a goose-yellow dress with amber-beaded hair ornaments, she sat beside Mrs. Pei, speaking softly. The lingering sunset glow outside the window filtered through the paper and cast a warm light on her face, making her appear radiant and gentle. As Pei Yue listened to her, his gaze drifted towards her and lingered, momentarily dazed.

Mrs. Pei, observing this with clarity, smiled faintly and sipped her tea, amused as Ming Tang’s usually composed demeanor gradually showed traces of unease. Her smile deepened.

"Alright, you’ve just returned from outside and have already paid your respects here. You’ve been working hard these days and finally have a chance to rest. Go back, change into something comfortable, and relax. Come back later," Mrs. Pei said, waving her hand. Immediately, maids stepped forward as if to escort them out.

The spring breeze had quietly turned the branches green, marking the change of seasons. With many household affairs to attend to, the maids had switched to lighter spring attire. As the couple walked, the maids stepped back and greeted them softly, their voices never ceasing along the way. This was far from the quiet, intimate return Pei Yue had imagined, yet he found no fault in it—instead, he thought it was quite lovely.

As they passed through the gate and rounded the screen wall, Pei Yue’s steps paused again. His gaze fell on the newly added ceramic planter at the base of the steps, and he gave Ming Tang a questioning look.

"I thought the courtyard lacked flowering plants and looked too bare, so I had some moved here. Since the Young Master has such sharp eyes, why not guess what flower it is?"

By the time they reached the planter, Pei Yue saw it was completely empty. After a moment of speechlessness, he noticed Ming Tang still smiling and the maids behind her remaining silent, clearly waiting for him to guess. Instead of pressing further, he pondered briefly. "Since it’s placed at the base of the steps near the pillars, it must be meant to climb upward. Then it must be either wisteria or roses."

Seeing a flicker of surprise in Ming Tang’s eyes, Pei Yue grew more confident. After another moment of thought, he declared firmly, "It’s roses, isn’t it?"

"Young Master is truly uncannily perceptive," Ming Tang said, genuinely impressed. To avoid the risk of the plant not surviving, she had only selected the sapling and planned to transplant it when the weather warmed. For now, it was truly just an empty planter—yet he had guessed correctly?

As they entered the retiring chamber, the familiar scent enveloped Pei Yue the moment he stepped inside. His tension eased, and his voice softened with a hint of a smile. "Want to know how I guessed?"

"Of course," Ming Tang said, still puzzling over what clue she might have missed that allowed Pei Yue to deduce the answer so quickly. She didn’t notice that Zhe Liu and the other maids had silently stopped following her, nor that the retiring chamber door had quietly closed behind them.

Pei Yue had already stepped into the inner chamber. At a glance, he noticed the curtains had been changed to seasonal colors—soft pinks and light reds, accented with pale greens and yellows, enhancing the spring-like atmosphere.

With such obvious preferences, how could she not understand how he had guessed? Pei Yue moved lightly, deliberately withholding his answer as he went behind the screen to remove his outer robe.

Ming Tang stopped before the screen, watching the faint silhouette behind it. The words on her lips slipped away, and instead, she said, "The bathing chamber should have water prepared for you. The clothes on the shelf are yours. Mother knows you’ve just returned and said dinner can wait until the beginning of the Hour of Xu. No need to rush."

It was already spring, and Ming Tang had recently ordered the screen replaced with a seasonal floral pattern. Pei Yue stood behind it, his figure outlined amidst the lush blossoms. He responded softly, "You always seem so composed, yet privately, you’re full of playful ideas. Roses bloom vibrantly, so I guessed it must be roses."

His voice was low, drawing Ming Tang closer. Her silhouette against the flowers grew clearer. Pei Yue continued, "Besides, I remember there’s a wisteria trellis in the garden. Since you’ve consulted the gardener and know about it, I doubt you’d go to the trouble of planting another one here."

Ming Tang suddenly understood—Pei Yue hadn’t magically deduced the flower from an empty ceramic planter but had pieced it together methodically from other clues.

Was this the skill of a scion of a military family? Trained from childhood to manage an entire army, he naturally wouldn’t overlook seemingly insignificant details.

"Young Master truly inherits the family’s wisdom, inferring ten from one."

The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them—Pei Yue had been taught both civil and martial arts by his elder brother, who had fallen in battle. The phrase "steeped in family tradition" might remind him of painful memories.

Knowing how close the Pei family was, Ming Tang usually avoided such topics. Now, she inwardly chided herself—how could she be so careless?

But Pei Yue showed no sign of noticing. Without pause, his tone remained gentle, tinged with nostalgia. "I was mischievous as a child, far less diligent than A Ze. When my elder brother taught me, he often lost his temper. Though I haven’t improved much, at least I’m not a complete waste. A Ze will surely surpass me in the future."

Ming Tang exhaled softly, relieved that Pei Yue wasn’t upset. She smiled faintly. "A Ze is young but determined, and naturally gifted. With proper guidance, in a decade or so, he’ll be another 'Jade Lad' of the capital."

Behind the screen, Pei Yue’s movements stilled. Ming Tang, now relaxed, remembered something else. Tracing the petals on the screen absentmindedly, she said, "Since you’re back, it seems His Majesty has recovered. Will morning court sessions resume tomorrow? With His Majesty ill, you had to stay in the imperial city, and social visits were limited. In past years, many families would visit temples around this time."

After temple visits, promising matches were often settled.

"Speaking of which, I have something to ask you. During the autumn hunt, I recall the Duke of Yu’s third son mentioned seeking your archery advice. Later, His Majesty assigned him to the Imperial Guards under your command. Did you ever interact with him afterward? What sort of character he has?"

Had Pei Yue not returned suddenly, she would have written to ask. Now, it was more convenient.

The current "Jade Lad of the Capital," Pei Yue, listened to Ming Tang’s words while his eyes followed her fingertip tracing the petals on the screen.

Through the translucent silk, the vibrant colors accentuated her delicate fingers. His heart stirred, and in the next moment, he took a step forward, reaching out to grasp her wrist lightly. With a gentle tug, he pulled her into the narrow space behind the screen, his tone suggestive. "Why does You Niang never mention herself in letters, and even in person, only speak of others? Truly, managing the household with Mother has filled your heart with too many matters, making you forget the important things."

Ming Tang, lost in thought, hadn’t expected Pei Yue’s sudden move. By the time she regained her senses, they were already in an intimate embrace.

Pei Yue was half-naked, unconcerned as he bared his torso. The space behind the screen was cramped, the light dim, yet it only accentuated his graceful figure. When Ming Tang shifted slightly, her palm brushed against his warm skin.

Unfazed, she even absentmindedly rubbed it.

Pei Yue’s grip tightened. Ming Tang noticed immediately and looked up, then relaxed into his arms, raising an eyebrow. "The Young Master’s 'important things' seem quite improper."

"Conjugal pleasures—who dares call them improper?"

Having spent time as a married man in the Imperial Guards, Pei Yue’s skin had clearly thickened. His words were spoken with utter confidence.

In the next moment, he pushed open the bathing chamber door and pulled Ming Tang into the steam-filled room.

As the sun set and stars emerged, lanterns were lit throughout the Duke of Dingguo’s residence, with the path from Chengyi Hall to Jinghua Hall being the brightest.

Freshly bathed and changed, Pei Yue seemed like a different person, his expression more relaxed. As he stepped into Jinghua Hall, like the clear moon and refreshing breeze, joy spilled from Mrs. Pei’s eyes.

Noticing that Ming Tang, who had only gone back with Pei Yue to see to domestic matters, had also changed clothes, Mrs. Pei’s smile deepened. She gave Pei Yue a meaningful glance but said nothing, instead beckoning Pei Ze over.

Pei Ze, having completed his elder duties for the day, naturally reverted to his role as a junior. Seated at the table, he let his wet nurse serve him while dutifully directing the maids to add dishes for Pei Yue.

Pei Yue, touched by the child’s concern, indulged Pei Ze’s well-intentioned but chaotic efforts, enjoying the long-forgotten experience of being served at meals.

Mrs. Pei and Ming Tang didn’t interfere. The two women ate leisurely, watching as Pei Yue’s plate quickly piled high. Pei Ze, satisfied, sighed dramatically. "Uncle is so hungry—his face has gotten thinner."

Thinner? Ming Tang glanced at Pei Yue. His features did seem more defined, but she thought it wasn’t from weight loss—just more toned...?

Unbidden images flashed in her mind. She coughed lightly and sipped soup to steady herself.

Pei Ze, still immersed in his "Uncle is too thin" narrative, lamented with genuine concern for his tall, handsome uncle. He sighed again. "When His Majesty was ill, Uncle had to work hard and couldn’t come home. Thankfully, he’s better now, or else Uncle might have fallen sick too. What would Grandmother and Mother have done then?"

Even Pei Yue, who doted on his nephew, couldn’t let this slide. Frowning, he chided sternly, "What nonsense is this?" How could a young child with unbound hair say such things?

He turned to Mrs. Pei. "Mother, have you received any visitors lately?" Otherwise, where would Pei Ze have learned such words?

Pei Ze blinked, unafraid. "Mr. Lu said it. He said Uncle works for someone called His Majesty. When His Majesty is sick, Uncle has to work hard and can’t come home."

"Mr. Lu is right," Ming Tang said, blinking as she patted Pei Ze’s head. "But His Majesty is a revered figure. A Ze, you can only say such things in front of family, never where others might hear you discussing His Majesty. Understand?"

Pei Ze nodded obediently. "Mr. Lu said that too."

Pei Yue’s expression softened slightly. "His Majesty has recovered now. The grand court assembly will resume tomorrow, and from now on, Uncle will take care of my health so A Ze won’t worry."

Pei Ze, reassured, happily scooped up fish dumplings with his spoon, occasionally glancing up at Pei Yue.

The child was carefree as long as his family was nearby. Mrs. Pei watched as someone led him away to rest, then couldn't help but sigh: "His Majesty is advanced in age, and after this illness, I fear there will be much to deal with in the days to come."

These days, with Pei Yue overseeing affairs both inside and outside the imperial city, Mrs. Pei had heard of numerous incidents, big and small. At her age and position, she knew better than to think that just because the emperor had recovered, all would be settled.

After this ordeal, who knew how many families would face punishment...

Lost in thought, Pei Yue suddenly cleared his throat and delivered startling news: "His Majesty seems inclined to summon several princes to court."

Both Mrs. Pei and Ming Tang were startled. They looked up to see Pei Yue's grave expression, clearly not joking. Mrs. Pei felt an even greater headache coming on: "In principle, this is proper, but timing it right after His Majesty’s recovery seems..."

Even half a year ago, when the emperor was still firmly in control, summoning adult princes to court would have been routine, merely following precedent. Even if some ministers had their preferences, they would still have to consider the emperor above them. But now, with the emperor having fallen ill, the entire court knew his health was not what it once was. Many were likely already plotting about the succession.

The princes entering court at this time...

Ming Tang knew her political acumen paled in comparison to Mrs. Pei's. Seeing her so troubled, she couldn't help but offer comfort: "In the end, this is just the biggest succession struggle under heaven. Our family neither seeks extra favors from the current sovereign nor aims to curry favor with the future one in advance. As long as we do our duty and avoid being taken advantage of, why worry so much?"

Mrs. Pei had merely been momentarily unsettled—these were things she had long been prepared for. After Ming Tang's calm and measured words, she regained her usual composure. Taking both their hands in hers, she gave them a light pat: "Ah Yue doesn't seem anxious either. It's just me—the older I get, the more indecisive I become."

"Exactly as you say. Our family, free of ulterior motives, stands unshaken. There's no need for excessive worry. If anyone thinks to pressure us, they'll find we're no pushovers!"