Chapter 8 You should call me your husband

Linshui Pavilion, as its name suggests, is built by the water, located in the northwest corner of the lake in the backyard. It has two floors and a small courtyard. Huiyin and Yanniang followed the maid through a maze of twists and turns to this place and fell in love with it at first sight. This was because Madam Pei disliked Huiyin, and the accommodations she arranged were naturally secluded and quiet.

The maid who led the way beckoned two maids out of the pavilion, instructing them to take good care of Huiyin and respectfully asking Huiyin to settle in as soon as possible before returning to report to Madam Pei.

"We, Asang and Aheng, greet you, young lady." The two maids curtsied to Huiyin. They were both young, about sixteen or seventeen years old, with tender faces, and looked even younger than Huiyin.

Huiyin helped the two up, her voice gentle: "No need for formalities."

She turned to the two of them and introduced Yan Niang, "This is my mother, you can call her Yan Niang."

Asang and Aheng were still young and their thoughts were written all over their faces. They weren't valued much in the Pei household and were sent to this remote house without much guidance. The two secretly glanced at Huiyin and exchanged glances, pretending that no one else was aware.

Upon entering the Linshui Pavilion, the outer courtyard was small, with a large locust tree planted in a corner, perfectly shading half of the courtyard. The first floor was the reception room, elegantly furnished, with wooden flooring, spacious and well-ventilated. Wooden corridors were located on the left and right sides, leading to a tea room and side rooms for the maids to rest, respectively.

Huiyin lifted her skirt and went up to the second floor. The furnishings on the second floor were the same as on the first floor, and it was a place for living, sitting and sleeping. There was a covered walkway where one could lean on the railing and look at the lake.

There was a lacquered low couch by the window. After a long day of fussing, she was quite tired. Huiyin didn't have time to look at it much. She took off her shoes, lay down, and fell asleep.

At first, she felt a little chilly, but soon Yan Niang brought over two charcoal braziers, making the room warm and cozy. Huiyin was lost in her dream. In her dream, the Song family was still there. She sat gracefully in the corridor of the Song mansion, playing the zither and lute carefree. Her mother and younger brother clapped and cheered beside her, while her father sat at the easel, leisurely putting brush to paper. The scene of the family's happiness leaped onto the paper.

The song ended, and the dream ended.

Huiyin opened her eyes blankly, tears falling from the corners of her eyes. She rested her head on a small wooden table, staring blankly at the dim sky outside the window. It took her a long time to realize where she was.

Yan Niang pushed open the door and came in, carrying hot food and soup, which she placed on a small wooden table beside the low couch. The lotus-shaped candlesticks were lit in layers. Yan Niang, holding a damp handkerchief, leaned close to Huiyin to wipe her face. "At noon, Madam Pei sent over quite a few things, and someone also relayed a message saying..."

Huiyin took the handkerchief and wiped herself. She noticed Yanniang's hesitant expression and asked, "What did you say?"

"Madam Pei has agreed that the concubine-taking ceremony will be held in three days. General Pei is not yet married, so she has instructed that everything be kept simple and that the ceremony be held in the mansion."

Huiyin hadn't eaten since noon, and her stomach was growling with hunger. She picked up a bowl of millet rice and ate a couple of mouthfuls to suppress the discomfort in her stomach. At the same time, she comforted Yanniang, "This is a good thing. We don't have to host a banquet or meet outsiders, and it gives me time to adjust. Don't be sad."

Yan Niang turned her head away, wiped away her tears, and continued, "Madam Pei also sent two maids over, and I have already arranged for them to stay. I have seen the two maids who were originally mine, and they are not very clever. The two new ones keep asking me about the young lady's deeds, but I have stopped them. I don't think they will be well-behaved anytime soon."

After finishing her meal, Huiyin wiped her hands clean and instructed, "Since they are just lowly servants, don't let them go upstairs."

She rose and surveyed the attic. To the left of the low couch stood a large, single-panel screen with curtains hanging on either side. Behind the screen was an inner room for resting, directly opposite which was a set of rosewood desks. Soft felt carpets covered the floor. To the right was the bathhouse, and a small door to the right of the low couch led to the passageway.

Huiyin pushed open the small door and walked onto the corridor. The setting sun cast a long shadow over the world, leaving only a vast twilight. She closed her eyes, opened her arms, and savored a moment of freedom.

After a while, Asang stood outside the second-floor room with a lacquer tray in her hand and said respectfully, "Miss Song, the madam has sent word that the concubine-taking ceremony will be held at 7 PM. These are the clothes and jewelry that have been sent. I will help you change."

Yan Niang turned around in surprise and said, "It was clearly said at noon that it would be held three days later, why was the time suddenly changed?"

Asang lowered her head and whispered, "I don't know either. It was Qiao, the lady's maid, who came to deliver the message just now."

Yan Niang wanted to ask more, but Hui Yin stopped her, saying calmly, "It's all the same sooner or later."

She instructed Asang to leave the clothes and jewelry behind and send the person away. Huiyin picked up the dress that had been delivered; it was a light pink blouse with a curved hem, embroidered with peach blossoms and intertwined branches. The color was somewhat old, and there was wear and tear on the cuffs.

Yan Niang helped Huiyin put on her dress, but the curved hem didn't fit Huiyin's figure well, and it was tight around the chest. Judging from the pattern, it must have been He Jiaying's old clothes. She was seething with anger; the Pei family had gone too far, actually sending someone to deliver old clothes to humiliate a young lady. She put all her effort into dressing Huiyin up, determined to stun everyone in the Pei household.

Inside the Zhengyang Courtyard, Madam Pei was still angry and refused to pay attention to Pei Yu. She just sipped her tea carefully without giving him even a glance.

Pei Yu chuckled for a moment, then took out a wooden box from his sleeve and handed it to Madam Pei. "This is a piece of jade that my son acquired by chance when he was in Dong'ou. Please take a look."

Madam Pei sat motionless, her eyes narrowed. Pei Yu had no choice but to open the wooden box, take out the ruby ​​pendant, and personally present it to Madam Pei to apologize, "It was my fault today. I beg you, Mother, to be magnanimous and not hold it against me."

The ruby ​​shimmered with tiny sparkles, captivating Madam Pei at first glance. She eagerly took the gemstone pendant, put it on, and asked Aunt Qiao behind her, "Is it beautiful?"

After receiving Qiao's praise, she turned her head, her anger dissipating considerably, and snorted coldly, "At least you still have a conscience, you haven't forgotten your mother after getting a wife."

Pei Yu did not reply. Madam Pei said with concern, "You've just returned, and you're leaving again tomorrow. Why doesn't His Majesty let you rest?"

"It was my son who volunteered to go and personally receive the Crown Prince upon his return to the capital, so I felt at ease."

When Madam Pei heard that the matter concerned the Crown Prince, she fell silent and continued to worry about Pei Yu's marriage. She complained, "Why are you in such a hurry? Why not wait until you return and then give Song Huiyin a proper status?"

Pei Yu flipped the teacup lid with his fingers, his long eyelashes casting shadows as he casually said, "It's the same sooner or later."

Huiyin was led by a maid to the door of Madam Pei's room. She bent down to take off her shoes, and the maid beside her suddenly withdrew her hand. She lost her balance and stepped on the hem of her dress. She stumbled and her jewelry jingled. The two people inside the room heard the noise and looked out. The maid guarding outside said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Young General, Miss Song has arrived."

The maids on either side lifted the beaded curtain. Huiyin glanced at the maid, straightened her clothes, and stepped onto the floor in her silk stockings. The Pei family was wealthy, and Madam Pei's room was covered with plush carpets, making it warm and comfortable.

She slowly walked to the center of the room and knelt down to pay her respects. Madam Pei, holding a painted ceramic hand warmer, scrutinized her critically. On the brocade mat to her left, Pei Yu leaned against a low table, his posture and expression relaxed.

"Madam is well, General Pei is well."

Pei Yu looked up and saw the girl under the lamp with her black hair tied up, her two buns secured with crescent-shaped silver ornaments. Her eyebrows and eyes were exquisite, with a delicate nose and cherry lips. The peach blossom decoration on her forehead made her skin glow like a rosy hue, and her slightly ill-fitting dress made her look slender and graceful, making her cool and aloof features appear even more beautiful.

She raised her eyes, her gaze meeting Pei Yu's. Pei Yu seemed captivated, as if drawn into a garden bursting with springtime beauty. He awkwardly raised his cup to drink, concealing his expression, his fingers unconsciously intertwining and rubbing together.

Madam Pei was also dazzled by Huiyin's beauty. In her youth, she was a renowned beauty, and after marrying into the Pei family, she had seen many stunning beauties, such as the current Empress Pei and the Lady of Chu. Knowing Huiyin's beauty, she couldn't help but wonder, with such a gem before him, how could Pei Yu possibly notice anyone else in the future?

She showed no emotion on her face and simply replied, "Get up."

Huiyin straightened up as instructed and, led by a maid, knelt to the side to wait, her eyes lowered.

Madam Pei glanced at Pei Yu's absent-minded appearance, cleared her throat and said, "The meeting was originally scheduled for the third day, but Yu'er has something to do and has to leave the capital. Let's take care of your business while he's still here."

"I know that with your background, you must be resentful about ending up like this. Now that you are a concubine of the Pei family, the Pei family will naturally protect you. From now on, you must abide by the virtues of a wife, follow the family precepts, and serve your husband well. Do you understand?"

Huiyin turned to face Madam Pei, placing her hands on her knees to listen to the reprimand. After Madam Pei finished her admonition, she waited a long time for Huiyin's response, then frowned and looked at Huiyin.

The young woman's upright figure was aloof and cold. Her face was turned to the side, and the candlelight made it impossible to see her expression. After a long while, she replied, "I will remember."

Madam Pei breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Yu'er is not yet married, so we will serve tea to his wife later. Yu'er also has a younger brother named Pei Yan, who is currently studying at the Imperial Academy and comes back once every ten days. You will meet him in the future."

Madam Pei got angry just talking about her youngest son, and she also started to dislike Pei Yu, who was standing next to her. Holding her forehead, she angrily complained to Pei Yu, "When you come back, you have to teach that brat a lesson! He only learns bad things and doesn't learn any good ones. He's picked up all your spoiled brat habits from when you were young! He's always fighting and causing trouble in the school. The headmaster has complained to me three times already!"

Huiyin was caught off guard by these words and looked up at Pei Yu opposite her. He was actually a playboy in his youth, which was hard to believe.

Pei Yu sat up straight, facing Huiyin. Seeing the lingering smile in her eyes, he reassured Madam Pei while keeping an eye on her: "Don't worry, Mother, I will deal with him myself."

Madam Pei waved her hand impatiently, "I'm tired, you may all leave."

Huiyin and Pei Yu rose and bowed simultaneously, then left the inner room together. She followed a step behind Pei Yu, and a maid helped them put on their shoes before they left Zhengyang Courtyard. Because they were in the inner courtyard, Pei Yu did not bring any guards; only a maid from Zhengyang Courtyard followed behind Huiyin.

The three of them reached the corner of the wooden corridor. Pei Yu stopped, dismissed the maid, and turned to stare at Huiyin. "Is it that funny?"

Huiyin looked up and met his deep eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, and she slowly shook her head. "What do you mean, General Pei?"

Pei Yu took two steps closer, and Huiyin unconsciously stepped back and pressed herself against the wall. She only reached Pei Yu's chest and could only look up at him, her lips slightly parted, not understanding his meaning.

You should call me your husband.

Huiyin's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she clenched her fists, unable to bring herself to call out.

"I shouldn't have laughed, I'm in the wrong."

Pei Yu scoffed: "Didn't you just say you couldn't explain what you meant?"

Huiyin gritted her teeth, never expecting Pei Yu to be so vindictive. She pinched her waist, forcing out tears, and whispered, "General Pei, please forgive me."

In the corridor, the two shadows intertwined. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew by, and the flame of the ceramic lamp flickered, illuminating Huiyin's profile clearly. Her long eyelashes were filled with tears, and her face was pleading.

Pei Yu paused, took two steps back, and said coldly, "Don't try to act all weak and helpless. I'm not buying it."

Huiyin: "...Yes." She silently rubbed her aching waist, thinking to herself, "She won't listen to either soft or hard tactics, so what will she listen to?"

Seeing her discomfitured expression, Pei Yu's cheeks creased into a barely perceptible vortex. He turned and walked away with his hands behind his back. Huiyin called out to stop him, "I wish to ask about my younger brother's whereabouts."

Pei Yu continued walking, his figure quickly disappearing into the darkness, his voice clear: "The body has not been found; we have already sent people to check the surrounding villages."

Huiyin was relieved; the absence of a body was the best news. She returned to Linshui Pavilion under the cover of night. Yanniang was waiting outside the courtyard with a lantern. As soon as she saw her, she came up to her and whispered in Huiyin's ear.

Upon entering the courtyard, the main hall was brightly lit by candlelight. Asang and Aheng knelt nervously on the steps outside the hall, with two unfamiliar, coarsely dressed servants standing behind them. Seeing Huiyin enter, all four knelt neatly on the ground and bowed in unison, saying, "This servant greets Madam."

"Madam Song," Huiyin murmured, no longer thinking about anything else. She dismissed everyone to rest and took Yan Niang upstairs. After washing up, she sat on the couch, leaning against the small table, listening to Yan Niang recount the news she had gathered.

Yan Niang took the ointment mixed with Ze Lan juice and applied it evenly to the ends of Hui Yin's hair. Hui Yin's long hair had been cared for by her since it was first grown, and now it was thick, smooth, and as delicate as silk.

She continued working, saying, "I asked Asang and the others today. The Pei family has three branches. The Grand Marshal and the current Empress are from the same lineage. The other two branches are from concubines, and their families are all in their posts. They only return home for holidays and when they need to report on their duties."

"There are four masters in the main branch of the Pei family. Apart from the young master who is still studying at the Imperial Academy, we have met the others today. I heard that this young master is extremely impulsive and loves to fight."

Upon hearing this, Huiyin suddenly recalled her confrontation with Pei Yu in the corridor, and her waist still ached faintly.

Yan Niang continued, "That Miss He's father is Madam Pei's brother. She lost both her parents at a young age and was taken in and raised by Madam Pei as her own daughter."

Huiyin now understands why Pei Yu suddenly changed his mind and accepted her. First, she was there to shield him from other suitors. Second, this Miss He was both his cousin and his mother's darling, someone he couldn't touch, scold, or beat.

He had a white moonlight in his heart and naturally did not want to take his cousin as a concubine and delay the rest of her life. However, this cousin was deeply in love with him and would not marry anyone else.

Huiyin, holding a spark of fire, rested her head on one hand, lost in thought. Pei Yu appeared cold and unrestrained on the surface, but was actually thoughtful and valued relationships deeply.

Just now in Madam Pei's room, she heard Pei Yu coaxing Madam Pei. He was completely relaxed, a stark contrast to his sharp and sarcastic manner at the post station last night.

Given He Jiaying's personality, she'll probably cause trouble as soon as Pei Yu leaves the capital tomorrow. Considering how much Madam Pei values ​​He Jiaying, she'd protect her niece even if she killed Huiyin.

Pei Yu may not have been unaware of this, but in his eyes, Huiyin was nothing more than a tiny speck of dust, not worth mentioning.

A note from the author:

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