Chapter 53 Chapter 53 A Single Man and a Wife Half-hearted

The door to the inner room of the ancestral hall creaked in the wind and was half open.

Through the half-open door, one could see Pei Zhiji's back as he stood with his hands behind his back. His black shawl blended in with the depressing ancestral hall. To Pei Lanying, he looked just like Yama.

She grabbed Lu Suizhu's hand, her shoulders shaking. "Sister Suizhu, please come in with me. Please."

Lu Suizhu had no choice but to push open the door.

Lan Ying was still hiding behind her, and timidly called out "Brother" to the front.

"Kneel down."

The two words "hypothermia" were so cold that Pei Lanying shuddered suddenly, but she was too scared to cry. Her knees collapsed like bones and she fell on the mat. She was still panicked and tried to pull Lu Suizhu.

She always felt safe behind Sister Suizhu, especially when facing her eldest brother.

This was originally a family affair of the Pei family, and Lu Suizhu should not interfere, but Pei Zhiji's cold and terrifying look made her feel uneasy, let alone the young and inexperienced Lan Ying.

She gently held her body to shield the sobbing Lan Ying, not daring to tug too hard at Pei Zhiji's sleeve. "Just think of it as a plea on behalf of my godsister. Don't use family rules, okay?"

Lu Suizhu had tried to persuade him for a long time on the way, but when she appeared before him, he found it difficult to remain calm. Looking at Pei Lanying, he felt even more disappointed: "Look at what she has done. How could the Pei family raise such a daughter?"

Gently pushing aside Lu Suizhu who was blocking his way, he took two steps forward and stood in front of Lan Ying. "Although you didn't grow up in the Pei family, you are still the apple of your uncle and aunt's eye. How could you be so foolish as to allow yourself to be taken advantage of like this?"

These words were so harsh that Lu Suizhu almost forgot his sharp attacking power.

Pei Lanying bit her lip and stood up angrily. The ancestral hall was so oppressive that she couldn't breathe, but she firmly believed that she would be able to leave soon and would not have to be controlled by this eldest brother.

"Big brother keeps saying I'm the daughter of the Pei family. Ultimately, isn't it because he thinks I'm bringing shame to your Pei family? Your Pei family is so prosperous, but my father can only live in poverty in Yongzhou. Why? I just want glory and prosperity, I just want to use my own strength to secure a good future for my father. What have I done wrong?"

"Okay." Pei Zhiji was so angry that he had a headache. But she was a sister that he couldn't hit or scold. In the end, he just laughed out of anger: "If you think the prince can help you rise to the top, you can give it a try and see if he will take the initiative to marry you."

This made Pei Lanying panic for a moment: "Wh...what do you mean?"

"The disputes among the imperial families will eventually erupt. In this situation, do you think you have the ability to protect yourself? If your last name wasn't Pei, I wouldn't even bother to say a word to you. Wake up in front of your ancestors' tablets."

The night wind blew a chill down her spine. Lu Suizhu silently closed the door of the ancestral hall, blocking out the last ray of moonlight.

Looking back, Pei Zhiji was standing on the steps, half of his face facing the moonlight, and a hint of embarrassment revealed in his tightly pursed lips...?

His eyes were a little vague, and he cleared his throat: "Sorry, I made you laugh." After he finished speaking, he felt that it was unnecessary. She had seen almost all the secrets of the backyard, the unbearable schemes, and the exhaustion and helplessness that he had wanted to hide from others.

Now he was almost transparent in front of her, as if he had been stripped naked.

"What's the big deal? Which official family is innocent? Lord Pei, don't overthink it." Seeing that he still didn't want to withdraw, Lu Suizhu added: "I'm afraid you will get sick from anger."

There was a dampness in the wind, as if the weather was about to change. Lu Suizhu tightened her collar and put her fingertips on it.

Pei Zhiji said: "Does it still hurt?"

"What?" Lu Suizhu was stunned.

"The wound on the back of the neck."

"Oh, it's okay." She put her hand down. The palm strike today was not very heavy and she could bear it.

Pei Zhiji was still staring at her shoulder. Even though she was wearing clothes, she couldn't withstand such a passionate gaze. She felt a little embarrassed and took a step back, twisting her handkerchief.

"I'm here to say goodbye to you tonight. Lan Ying has finished playing her piece. Your Pei family has been so busy lately... ahem, it's time for me to go home."

"Okay." Pei Zhiji paused for a moment and said, "Let me see you off."

She was about to refuse because it was windy at night, but then she heard Pei Zhiji say, "I can block the wind for you."

"Okay, then I'll have to trouble Lord Pei." Lu Suizhu accepted it with pleasure.

The road under my feet is sometimes wide and flat and sometimes crooked, but the long moonlight dragging long shadows remains unchanged.

In such a quiet night, with a huge full moon overhead, Pei Zhiji suddenly wanted to talk to her... talk about family matters. Such a strange thought popped up in his mind, and he was even surprised.

"Lord Pei, do you want to talk to me about Lan Ying?" Lu Suizhu saw that he was silent all the way, and he always looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated. It was obvious that he had something on his mind, and it made people feel suffocated just by looking at him.

The steps were handed to him just as he wished, and Pei Zhiji felt that she was so considerate that it was scary.

"I know, you are just talking big, you will definitely not ignore Lan Ying, am I right, Lord Pei?" Lu Suizhu walked in front of him, smiling cunningly and confidently, and she was extremely sure of herself.

Just what she wanted. How could she be so smart?

Pei Zhiji couldn't help but curl his lips and told her honestly, "My third uncle once wrote to me, asking me to take care of Lanying's marriage. I originally chose Su Jiangyu, who was born in Yingzhou and has passed the imperial examination this year. Although he comes from a humble family, his family tradition is simple and honest, and his ancestors have often held official positions. I've read his writings and I think he has some talent. If Lanying is willing to marry him, I will cultivate him more. With time, he will become a rare talent."

"Your husband is talented and blessed by your family, so it's a good match indeed. But why do you avoid talking about his appearance?"

Pei Zhiji was speechless for a moment: "What's so important about a man's appearance? Isn't his character valuable?"

"Master Pei is talking without any hesitation. Your future wife can stay in her room with a handsome and elegant husband every day. Just because of this, you don't care about the lives of other women?"

Pei Zhiji had never thought of this novel and somewhat... tricky angle, and was actually led astray by her. After thinking about it carefully for a long time, he realized that this was not a serious talk at all. His ears were instantly filled with two hot clouds as if they were burning on fire.

When we reached the bank of the Bian River, we saw both banks hung with colorful embroidered lanterns, and the sparkling flaming flowers were reflected on the sparkling river water.

Pei Zhiji smiled helplessly. What else could he say? He had never realized that he was so slow to react before. Then another round of words came crashing down.

"You're actually a really good person. Although you can be arrogant and sharp-tongued, you don't bully others. Even though Lan Ying made such a big mistake today, you only scolded her a few times. And most importantly, you don't have the bad habit of visiting prostitutes. You know how to keep yourself clean, which makes you much better than those spoiled young men."

The lanterns illuminated Lu Suizhu's bright eyes with a riot of colour. She spoke eloquently, but Pei Zhiji felt a little... awkward when he heard the compliments.

At exactly noon, the screens were ready, and fireworks of all colors were set off simultaneously. The sound of music and singing filled the ears, and there were also various beautiful lanterns, people talking and laughing.

She had no intention of appreciating the prosperous scene at this moment and place. Her eyes were fixed on something beautiful, when suddenly someone pushed her and Pei Zhiji's hand went around her slender waist.

The candlelight illuminated Lu Suizhu's eyes, which were clear enough to wash silk. She opened her rosy lips in shock.

Pei Zhiji froze. "Sorry, I'm sorry."

The whole hour had passed, and the people on both sides of the Bian River had gradually left. The grand and lively event came to an end. Finally, following the increasingly rare sight of people, I arrived at a quiet alley.

Pei Zhiji walked Lu Suizhu all the way to the door. When he wanted to leave, she grabbed his sleeve and quickly let go.

It was so light that it seemed as if the pull just now was an illusion caused by Pei Zhiji's blurred vision at night.

It was inappropriate for a single man and woman to behave like this late at night, and she was afraid that Pei Zhiji would think she was frivolous, so she hid half of her body in the door frame and stared at him for a long time without saying a word.

Pei Zhiji didn't move his feet, not knowing whether he was delaying something or whether the tug-of-war just now gave him some hope.

This atmosphere did not last long. Under the dark peach tree, a man walked slowly, looking a little tired.

Wu Lianjin said, "Cousin, I came to the capital to purchase some goods, and I wanted to see you while I was there."

Pei Zhiji had already avoided it as soon as he noticed someone coming.

Seeing that the sky in the southwest had darkened and became extremely dark, Lu Suizhu had no intention of inviting him in, and the two of them just stood there in front of the door.

"I'm sorry about what happened last time." Wu Lianjin stepped on the stone steps and pulled out a bright red invitation from his pocket. "Cousin, I'm engaged. The wedding banquet will be held in Fanxi next year."

After saying that, Wu Lianjin sighed, and all the inexplicable emotions were choked back into his stomach by this invitation, leaving only one sentence.

"It's me who is unworthy of my cousin."

Such inexplicable words made Lu Suizhu feel that this sentiment was cheap and ridiculous. She accepted the invitation and said, "Congratulations, cousin."

Wu Lianjin nodded, and seeing that Lu Suizhu had no intention of keeping him, he turned around and left in a daze. It was all his fault that things turned out like this, and no matter how unwilling he was, there was nothing he could do.

Wu Lianjin, you are truly a complete vulgar person.

"What did he give you?"

Lu Suizhu originally leaned her head out, thinking that Pei Zhiji had left quietly like before, but was startled by the sudden voice.

She patted her chest and stuffed it into his arms without any anger: "Since Master Pei is so curious, please help me pay the share of money."

Hearing her say this, Pei Zhiji unceremoniously opened it and took a look. He only took out a little and stuffed it back and threw it aside. He was very generous: "Okay, I will pay for the share of Governor Shen, Madam Shen, and your brother as well."

He was standing right in the wind's outlet, unable to resist the cold wind that blew in, and coughed weakly twice.

"There may be a heavy rain tonight. Sir Pei, please come with me to avoid the rain before leaving."

Lu Suizhu was afraid that he would get sick from being caught in the rain, and if he continued to suffer, it would probably take half of his life away from his frail body.

When she was in Fanxi, she saw him on the verge of death and also felt his weak heartbeat.

She was really scared at that time.

Pei Zhiji had already stepped half a foot into the pavilion, half reluctantly.

Fang Dian came out of the room, lit a few lights with some shock, and quickly opened the curtains to let the two of them in. She spoke to Lu Suizhu in a low voice.

"How can you bring a man back?"

"Just sit in the courtyard, the girl can rest assured."

Pei Zhiji's easygoing nature made Fang Dian seem meddlesome and sour. She blinked, gave Lu Suizhu a look, and then went back to her room.

"I'll meet Su Jiangyu again in a while. If he doesn't mind Lan Ying... our Pei Mansion can compensate him with some houses, land, or official positions. I'll go there in person and he will probably give me some face." Pei Zhiji weighed it carefully in his mind.

"Well, it's just that marriage can't be forced. If he just doesn't want to find a good one for Lan Ying, then that's it."

A cup of boiling hot tea was placed on the stone bench in the yard to cool, and the dark clouds had drifted away to who knows where.

The tea remained there until the person left, without even entering his throat.

Lu Sui patted Fang Dian with ill intent, but his face showed no annoyance, instead showing a bit of relief that his daughter had grown up. "Fang Dian, you're really getting worse."

Pei Zhiji drank this cup of hot tea for a long time.

"Miss, you are so foolish! I am obviously learning to be smart. Tell me if you are happy or not."

"Have fun! Go take a shower and go to bed. You have to go to the Censorate tomorrow."

Lu Suizhu pushed and covered Fang Dian's mouth, and the girl's crisp laughter like a silver bell extended all the way into the room.