Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Pei Yun listened with constant sighs of amazement—what a spectacle this was! By now, the entire household probably knew about it, and who knew how it would all be resolved.

Pei Yun was thoroughly engrossed in the gossip when she suddenly heard a soft sound at the door. Looking up, she saw that Qin Chu had already returned.

Seeing that it was getting late, Bixiao and Hongliu quickly rose and excused themselves.

"What were you talking about that's got you so animated?" Qin Chu asked.

"The matter at Qingyun Pavilion—Concubine Yun just had a miscarriage." Pei Yun briefly recounted the whole affair to Qin Chu, then said with a wry laugh, "It started as just a squabble between children, but who would've thought it would end up with a life lost?"

Qin Chu listened with his usual indifferent expression, seemingly not particularly interested.

Pei Yun could also tell he was in a poor mood tonight, so she didn't press further. She watched him change into his nightclothes, then the lamps were put out and they settled in for the night.

When she woke the next morning, Qin Chu was already gone from the bed.

She had grown accustomed to this by now. Sitting up and stretching, the maids filed in shortly after to help her wash and dress.

Nanny Xu had finished giving instructions in the kitchen and came into the main room. Seeing Pei Yun still dozing at the vanity, she couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, now that the Marquis has returned, you really shouldn't be so lazy every day. Every morning the Marquis rises alone, has his breakfast, and heads to court while you're still asleep. That doesn't look good."

Pei Yun cracked open an eye and said casually, "He just wakes up too early. And even if I did get up, there's nothing I could do anyway. Qin Chu hasn't said anything about it, so it's fine, Nanny."

There was no way she was going to get up at the crack of dawn to wait on Qin Chu. Not getting enough sleep in the morning was absolutely brutal.

Nanny Xu could only shake her head helplessly at her stubbornness. Her point wasn't that the Princess had to wait on the Marquis hand and foot—just that sitting together for a meal and some conversation would be nice. Wasn't that how young couples built their bond?

Oh well. The Princess had her own temperament. They'd have to ease her into it.

"By the way, what's happening at Qingyun Pavilion now?" Pei Yun roused herself and went back to her gossip.

Nanny Xu took the rosewood comb from Bixiao's hands and began styling Pei Yun's hair as she said, "They're telling the outside world that Concubine Yun fell by herself. The Third Master was so shocked and enraged by the sudden news of the miscarriage that he punished Lady Zhou. She was already released from the ancestral hall last night."

Pei Yun let out an "oh" and said slowly, "That's about what I figured. After all, the couple is still counting on the household to fund their courtyard renovations."

No good would come of stirring up trouble at a time like this. For the sake of silver, Concubine Yun would just have to put up with the injustice.

Nanny Xu nodded, saying that was exactly the reasoning.

For the next few days, Duke Su's estate was remarkably peaceful. Qin Sheng and Lady Zhou were busy skimming money from the household funds into their own pockets, so the couple kept their heads down and caused no trouble, afraid of giving the West Manor any reason to report them to the Grand Lady. The West Manor, meanwhile, was completely focused on preparations for Qin Shun's wedding and the polo match at Prince Rong's estate a few days later, with no attention to spare for anything else.

Pei Yun didn't even need to go pay her respects to Lady Tang, so she had a few peaceful days to herself. As it happened, Qin Chu seemed to be extremely busy as well, leaving early and returning late every day—they hardly spoke more than a few words. Pei Yun couldn't be bothered to ask what he was so busy with, so she just pretended not to notice. At most, when he worked too late, she'd send over a bowl of sweet dessert soup as a late-night snack.

It wasn't until the morning of the fifteenth that Pei Yun rose early, actually managing to get up at the same time as Qin Chu for once.

"You're up this early today?" Qin Chu glanced at her and asked casually.

The two dressed separately—Qin Chu never needed help, but Pei Yun couldn't manage on her own. Her robes had so many layers that there was no way she could put them on herself, so she had to rely on Bixiao and Hongliu to help her dress.

"Today is the polo match hosted by the Princess Consort of Rong, so naturally I need to get up early. If I don't bring Qin Pan along, Mother will keep nagging me for who knows how long," Pei Yun said teasingly.

A few days prior, Lady Tang had sent people three times a day bearing all sorts of snacks, pastries, clothing, and fabrics to soften her up. Pei Yun had gone along with it, and so today she was to bring Qin Pan and Qin Yue to Prince Rong's estate.

Qin Chu nodded after hearing this and said, "I have official business today, so I won't be accompanying you."

He'd been spinning like a top these past few days, not even touching the ground. It would've been a miracle if he actually had time, so Pei Yun didn't think much of it and gave a casual acknowledgment.

But right as he was leaving, Qin Chu suddenly said to her, "Since it'll be lively today, I've sent word to the school to give Qin Yu the day off. Why don't you bring him along for some fun?"

Pei Yun was all for a balance of work and play. Qin Yu studied very diligently on regular days, so letting him rest for a day to ride horses and play some polo seemed perfectly reasonable. She broke into a smile at the suggestion.

"That's a great idea. And with her brother there, Qin Yue won't be so shy around strangers."

Then, in a rare moment of thoughtfulness, she asked Qin Chu whether he'd had breakfast, and whether she should have the kitchen prepare some pastries for him to eat in the carriage to tide him over until lunch.

Lately, Qin Chu had been leaving before breakfast and coming back long after dinner, never eating a single meal at home.

Qin Chu gave her a sidelong glance with a faint smile. "No need. There's food at the yamen. I'll head off first—you have breakfast with the children."

Pei Yun was in a good mood today and, since she rarely woke up this early, she walked him to the gate and watched him board his carriage before heading back to Jinxiu Court.

Qin Chu settled into the carriage and was about to grab a book from the rack when Gao Yi appeared from outside, carrying a red lacquered food box.

"Marquis, the Princess said there's still a ways to go to the Military Affairs Bureau, and since you haven't eaten at home in a while, she specially prepared this for you."

Gao Yi grinned and opened the box. Inside was a bowl of clear broth noodles that had already been drained, along with three or four small porcelain dishes containing toppings—fried eel shreds, stir-fried spring bamboo shoots, cured meat cubes—plus a few side dishes and a bowl of rich golden broth.

This was the breakfast the kitchen had made that morning—the very dishes Pei Yun had specially requested the day before. She'd simply had some packed up for Qin Chu as a casual gesture.

What she didn't know was that Qin Chu didn't like noodles for breakfast—he found them too heavy.

Gao Yi's smile faltered slightly at the sight. He scratched his head and said, "The Princess and the Marquis are newlyweds, so it's only natural she doesn't know what you like yet. I'll take this back down."

He was just about to close the box and carry it away when he heard his master suddenly say, "No need. Leave it."

Gao Yi was astonished as he watched the Marquis pick out two of the lighter toppings, place them over the noodles, and actually take a few bites before silently closing his mouth.

Sure enough, food made by your wife was different from what your subordinates made.

Back at the estate, Pei Yun, who was having breakfast with the two children, knew nothing of this. She was cheerfully serving food to the little ones.

"Today the kitchen made yellow croaker noodles, and the eel shreds were delivered fresh this morning. The bamboo shoots and cured meat looked good yesterday, so I had them make those too. Come, try them and see how they taste."

Qin Yue was a complete little foodie—there wasn't a single thing she didn't love to eat. Her little mouth was honeyed as she showered praise left and right before she'd even reached the table. Qin Yu ate more elegantly. He'd only gotten through half his meal when Qin Yue had already polished off her entire bowl of yellow croaker noodles and a plate of fried eel shreds.

And the little girl still wasn't full—she reached out for more.

"Alright, you can't eat too much today. We'll be riding in the carriage soon, and once you're at the polo field you'll be running around like crazy. If you eat too much, your stomach will feel uncomfortable, and what if you throw up?" Pei Yun quickly stopped her, chattering with concern.

Qin Yue stuck out her little tongue and obediently said okay—she'd eat more when they came back later.

Pei Yun tapped her little nose and turned with a smile to Qin Yu beside her. "Yu Ge, your father said he's already sent word to Master Yang to excuse you from lessons today. You'll come with me and Yue Jie'er for some fun."

Qin Yu looked up in disbelief. "Father said that?"

Pei Yun nodded and said with a gentle smile, "Your father's been busy lately, but he thinks of you both often. That's why he specially asked me to take you out for a good time today."

Qin Yue was overjoyed, clapping her hands repeatedly. "Wonderful! I get to go with brother!"

Qin Yu pressed his lips together and nodded. "I'll follow Mother's arrangements."

Pei Yun smiled. Seeing that both children had finished eating, she had Bixiao and Hongliu take them to change clothes. Qin Yue was still too young to ride a horse, but she certainly wasn't going to sit still—she'd never stay put by Pei Yun's side. So Pei Yun had her changed into a lightweight outfit: a goose-yellow dress with emerald patterns, with cuffs and collar gathered tight for ease of movement. Her hair was done in simple double buns adorned with a few filigree butterfly hairpins—utterly lively and charming.

Qin Yu, who could ride, was dressed in an indigo round-collar riding robe, his hair bound with a gilt auspicious-cloud crown, looking spirited and sharp.

Just as the two children were all set, Qin Pan arrived.

The moment she entered, Pei Yun could tell that Lady Tang had dressed her with great care. She wore a silver-embroidered skirt patterned with a hundred butterflies among flowers, cinched at the waist with a kesi silk jade belt that made her slender waist look impossibly delicate. Her hair was styled in a beautiful "startled swan" bun, adorned with a set of kingfisher-feather enamel and sapphire hair ornaments—both luxurious and exquisite. Her makeup was particularly meticulous, and her slender, water-onion-like fingers were done up with cinnabar nail polish, the delicate crab-apple blossom designs on them absolutely refined. Qin Pan was already naturally beautiful, and with all this adornment, she was simply radiant beyond compare.

Qin Pan was not skilled at polo or chuiwan (a traditional Chinese ball game), so her visit this time would mostly involve chatting with the ladies of various households alongside Pei Yun. Indeed, she could afford to dress more elegantly.

"How beautiful! Your mother picked this out for you, didn't she?" Pei Yun took her hand and guided her to sit down, smiling.

Qin Pan nodded shyly and whispered, "I feel it's a bit too much. What do you think, sister-in-law?"

Today was the polo gathering, and Qin Pan worried that dressing like this might make her stand out.

Little Qin Yue happily bounded over to compliment her aunt's beauty, and Qin Pan held her close, feeling even more bashful.

Pei Yun chuckled and asked, "You've never been to a polo gathering before, have you?"

Sure enough, Qin Pan shook her head, saying she hadn't.

She didn't play polo and didn't care for it, preferring reading, painting, and playing the zither in her daily life. Thus, she mostly attended flower-viewing parties and spring banquets hosted by the various mansions in the capital. In the past, she had been too young, and Madam Tang wouldn't take her out much. Knowing she disliked dusty, bustling places, Madam Tang rarely brought her along.

"At these polo gatherings, most attendees are matrons scouting for potential daughters-in-law or sons-in-law. Naturally, there are also many young ladies who come to have fun. Some girls aren't skilled at riding, but since it's a chance to be seen, they all dress up beautifully. You needn't worry about that—you look just right today." Pei Yun said with a warm smile.

Many girls, like Qin Pan, disliked riding and thought riding outfits and pulled-back hair were unflattering, so they dressed just like this. It was also fine to chat with the ladies of various households.

Although Pei Yun knew how to play polo, she hadn't planned to join today, so she wore a sky-blue phoenix-patterned silk skirt with her hair in a bun, intending only to enjoy tea and conversation.

Qin Pan finally relaxed, relieved that she wasn't too out of place.

By the time Qin Pan arrived, it was about the right time. After sitting for a while, Bixiao came in to report that the carriage was ready. Pei Yun then left with Qin Pan, bringing Qin Yu and his sister Qin Yue along. Unexpectedly, at the mansion gate, they ran into Madam Sun and Qin Shun, who were also heading to Prince Rong's residence.

But since the polo gathering was at that hour, running into them seemed perfectly normal.

"Second Aunt." Being the younger one, Pei Yun was the first to nod and greet Madam Sun with a smile.

Madam Sun smiled as warmly as a spring breeze, glancing at Qin Pan beside her and saying, "The Princess truly radiates brilliance today, putting our two girls to shame."

Qin Shun, standing beside her mother, knew it was just polite flattery, but she still pursed her lips in quiet displeasure.

Pei Yun took the opportunity to glance at Qin Shun, noticing she wore a rose-red silk skirt with intricate gold-thread embroidery, with fine Hetian white jade and pearls adorning her hair. It suited her striking features perfectly.

Qin Shun, in turn, was secretly sizing up Qin Pan, and seeing her so exquisitely and luxuriously dressed only deepened her irritation.

"Second Aunt, you're teasing me again. I'm already married—how could I compare to Shun Jie'er and Pan Jie'er in the bloom of youth?" Pei Yun politely brushed off, not wanting to linger with Madam Sun. "Let's head out then; we shouldn't be late."

Madam Sun nodded with a smile, and the group exited the mansion together, each boarding their own carriage.

Pei Yun's carriage, carrying Qin Pan and the two children, was befitting a marquis, while Madam Sun and Qin Shun could only ride in ordinary carriages. Though they belonged to Duke Su's household, the title of Duke Su was currently vacant. Strictly speaking, the second branch held no noble rank, so they could only travel in carriages befitting a wealthy common family—absolutely not overstepping their rank.

Madam Sun boarded the carriage with her daughter and saw her sitting there with a sullen face, clearly upset.

"What's wrong now? Are you jealous of Pan Jie'er again?" Madam Sun knew her daughter well and shook her head helplessly, advising, "What's there to compare with her? Her marriage prospects are still uncertain. You're going to marry your cousin—she's not in your way at all."

Qin Shun muttered sullenly, "Mother, I know."

But when they went out together, Qin Pan could ride in a four-cornered carriage with cloud-and-crane feather decorations, while she was stuck in this small, plain carriage. On ordinary days, she could let it slide, but running into each other today made her deeply resentful.

Yet Qin Shun quickly consoled herself: once she married into Prince Zhao's mansion, she'd ride in an octagonal bell bronze carriage of princely standard. Qin Pan was merely riding on her brother and sister-in-law's coattails now—who knew what family she'd end up marrying into later.

When the betrothal decree came down, she would make sure to rub it in her face.

Author's note:

None.