Chapter 83 Bringing His Wife Home: The magistrate's mansion in Pingyi Town was bustling with activity...

When the rustling sounds outside the window stopped, Feng Yujiao stopped talking, opened the window and looked at the base of the wall where the basket had been kicked over. She couldn't help but laugh: "You little girl, you're really clever."

"Aunt Zhao has the biggest mouth. I'm afraid that before nightfall, the whole village will be saying that you have a disease that costs a lot of money to treat, and that you won't dare to come and ask for my hand in marriage."

"But are you really sure you don't want to get married?"

Thinking of that marriage that had attracted so much attention in the past, Lin Zhi lowered her eyes and awkwardly continued embroidering the handkerchief in her hands.

"I'm not getting married."

“I sleep with scissors under my pillow every night. If someone tries to bully me, I would rather die than live in dishonor.”

Seeing her say these words so calmly, Feng Yujiao felt a subtle, persistent pain in her heart, and she felt extremely uncomfortable.

As if sensing Feng Yujiao's worry, Lin Zhi chuckled and offered her the embroidery, saying, "Sister, take a look at my embroidery."

"Although I can't match my previous skills, as long as I keep trying, I should be able to recover to half of what I used to be."

Looking at the exquisitely embroidered handkerchief in her hand, Feng Yujiao's eyes widened in surprise: "Feiyi! Your craftsmanship is so good, how can you say that?"

"With this pattern and these stitches, if we took them to town to sell, they would probably be snapped up in no time!"

"But your hand injury looks quite serious. Will it be painful if you embroider these?"

Lin Zhi stretched out her fingers and shook her head: "No, it only takes an hour or two to embroider a handkerchief. I can just take a break."

Feng Yujiao nodded thoughtfully: "I remember my father saying that every time he went to town, the young ladies and wives there would either complain that the handkerchiefs from the capital were too expensive, or that the embroiderers in town didn't do a good job."

"If you sold your skills, you could probably make a lot of money!"

Lin Zhi also had some ideas. She originally just wanted to try selling in Pingyi, but most of the households in Pingyi were farmers, so even if she wanted to sell, she was afraid there wouldn't be many buyers.

Feng Yujiao held the handkerchief in her hands, turning it over and over to examine it with great delight. "How about this! Next time my father goes to town, I'll go with him and help you sell this handkerchief, okay?"

"But you have to give me this one!"

Lin Zhi couldn't help but chuckle: "Good sister, if you become my sister-in-law, I'll embroider ten handkerchiefs for you!"

The two quickly burst into laughter again.

Xie Zheng had just dismounted at the gate of the mansion when he saw the steward hurriedly running over, "Young Master! Great news!"

Xie Zheng frowned slightly and handed the reins to the servant: "What joyous occasion could make you act so rashly?"

The butler quickly led him inside, lowering his voice to say, "The Second Miss is back!"

Xie Zheng paused in his steps: "Xie Jin is back?"

"She was doing well in Jiangnan, why did she come back?"

Xie Zheng frowned as he thought of his sister's character, but he was somewhat surprised when he saw Xie Jin. His sister, who used to be full of gloom, was now much calmer and more composed, and even the murderous aura she used to have faded a lot.

"Brother."

Seeing that she took the initiative to greet him, Xie Zheng was also touched. He strode forward, looked at her, and couldn't help but nod: "Good, good, you look much better now than before."

"How are you doing? Are you getting used to living in Jiangnan? It's not like the capital where you've been used to everything since you were a child."

Xie Jin smiled and said, "It's alright. I wasn't used to it when I first went there, but now that I'm home, I feel a little restless."

Although Xie Zheng was pleased with his sister's change, he was also suddenly saddened: "There's something else I haven't told you. A-Zhi... she passed away a few months ago, perishing in a fire..."

Xie Zheng had anticipated that his sister would be sad, but Xie Jin simply sighed and said, "My parents have told me about this, it's such a pity."

"But I also heard that she gave birth to a daughter?"

Xie Zheng nodded: "She couldn't escape the fire because she had given birth. The child was also pitiful, losing its mother right after birth."

“Pei Lang still has some conscience after all. The other day, he held an incredibly grand celebration for the child’s one-month celebration.”

Seeing Xie Jin's somewhat absent-minded expression, Xie Zheng frowned slightly and waved his hand in front of her: "What are you thinking about?"

Xie Jin came to his senses and smiled bitterly: "I just feel sorry for her, but after all, Miss Lin helped me so much."

"Brother, may I visit the Pei residence to see her daughter?"

Xie Jin's words were not wrong. Xie Zheng did not want to set foot in the Pei family again, but he could not stop Xie Jin from going.

“Of course I have no objection. Just go if Pei Lang agrees.”

But when Pei Lang heard Xie Jin announce his arrival, he didn't change his posture while flipping through the book in his hand, nor did he even raise his eyes: "I won't see him."

His tone was cold and decisive.

"That girl was always wicked, and she's different now. What if she corrupts Mianmian?"

Xingyun hesitated, "But Miss Xie said she wanted to come and pay respects to Madam. If you don't let her in, she won't leave."

As soon as Lin Zhi was mentioned, Pei Lang stopped what he was doing.

A few months later, he sometimes even felt that Lin Zhi was still alive. However, when Mianmian occasionally woke up crying in the middle of the night, Pei Lang would hold her and comfort her while wondering if she missed her mother.

Her long eyelashes drooped slightly, obscuring the expression in her eyes. After a long pause, she spoke in a slightly hoarse voice, "Let her in."

After Xie Jin solemnly offered incense to the memorial tablet, Pei Lang, standing to the side, coldly ushered the guest out, saying, "Since Miss Xie has finished offering incense, please leave."

Xie Jin showed no resentment or self-consciousness at being kicked out. Instead, he went to Mianmian in a very familiar manner: "Where is Azhi's daughter? She has been kind to me. I missed the baby's full moon celebration. Since I'm here today, I should bring some gifts."

Hearing her mention Lin Zhi, Pei Lang clenched his fists tightly, turned his head away to try to ignore the intense pain surging in his heart, and his expression darkened.

Seeing that his expression seemed a little bad, Xie Jin picked up a handkerchief and pressed it to the corner of her eye: "I didn't mean anything by it. I just brought some little trinkets that the child likes, as a way of taking care of the child for Azhi."

Pei Lang remained silent for a moment before finally agreeing: "Let's go."

When the wet nurse saw Pei Lang coming over, she quickly took the child in her arms and brought it to him: "My lord, look how well the little girl slept today. She slept for three hours straight."

"I ate a little less today, and I felt a bit listless when I woke up."

Pei Lang skillfully cradled Lin Zhaoning in his arms and swayed her gently. Xie Jin's gaze deepened as he looked at the father and daughter before him.

"Since Miss Xie has already met you, please put your things down and go back."

"It's getting late, the child should be asleep soon."

As if she hadn't heard his cold tone, Xie Jin had her maid put down the things she had brought.

"This gold and jade necklace is to protect Mianmian and keep her safe. There are also some other things that other children like."

Seeing the exquisite rattle drum and cloth tiger laid out, Pei Lang was startled. He frowned and couldn't help but reach out to pick them up. But he didn't expect that as soon as he waved them in front of Lin Zhaoning, the previously listless child's eyes lit up and she reached out to grab them.

But how could he possibly give something to his daughter that was brought by an outsider?

Pei Lang raised his hand a little higher, but the well-behaved little girl in his arms pouted and burst into tears!

Lin Zhaoning may be small, but her voice is surprisingly loud. Her cries startled Xie Jin, who raised an eyebrow in surprise. It seemed that Pei Lang had indeed raised his premature daughter well.

"Don't cry, don't cry..."

Pei Lang frowned as he coaxed Xie Jin, but his expression suddenly hardened, and his scrutinizing and wary gaze fell on Xie Jin: "How did you know that Zhao Ning's nickname is Mianmian?"

He touched the character "绵" (mian, meaning cotton) on the handle of the rattle drum, but he couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart.

Xie Jin blinked: "My older brother told me that he sent a congratulatory gift at the full moon banquet. I heard it from your servants."

But Pei Lang was not someone who could be easily fooled. Just as he was about to speak, his hand suddenly went empty. The rattle drum had been slapped into his arms by Lin Zhaoning's small hand.

He intended to take it out and have the servants clean it, but unexpectedly, the little baby hugged the rattle drum, slowly closed his eyes, and began to doze off.

The chubby, babyish baby fell asleep peacefully, and Pei Lang carefully placed her on the small bed next to him.

"It seems Mianmian really likes this rattle drum."

Xie Jin stared at the small bed with a smile in her eyes, but Pei Lang coldly called out, "May I ask, Miss Xie, where did you get this rattle drum?"

“Mianmian is still young and didn’t like these things before. It’s rare for her to like something, so I want to prepare a few more for her.”

Xie Jin's eyes flashed, then he laughed again: "They're just some cheap trinkets brought back from Jiangnan. If Lord Pei likes them, he can naturally go and buy some more to bring back."

"It's getting late, so Xie Jin won't stay any longer to disturb you."

Watching Xie Jin's departing figure, Pei Lang's expression gradually turned cold and gloomy: "Xie Jin's arrival here is definitely not so simple. Xingyun, go and investigate where she went before returning to the capital."

"yes."

After Xingyun left, Pei Lang strode back to his room, staring intently at his daughter's peaceful sleeping face.

He reached out to pull the rattle from her arms, but even after gently trying twice, he couldn't succeed.

Seeing how protective she was of that thing, Pei Lang had no choice but to let go and grab the cloth tiger beside him.

Although it was a worthless item, the colors and fabrics on it were the softest and most comfortable. Even though Pei Lang had seen many fine things, he still thought it was quite good.

It doesn't seem like what Xie Jin said about buying it casually in Jiangnan.

Reaching out to touch the fine stitches, Pei Lang felt a sudden pang in his heart. If Lin Zhi were still alive and her hand hadn't been injured, she would definitely have loved making these things the most.

Unfortunately, all the things she had prepared for Mianmian in advance were burned to ashes in the fire at the embroidery workshop.

He lingered on the object in his hand for a moment, then suddenly remembered that he hadn't watered the garden that day.

After staying by Mianmian's side for a while, Pei Lang called over the servants and wet nurse to watch over her before hurriedly leaving.

Hearing hurried footsteps behind him, Pei Lang continued to calmly water the grass in front of him that had already sprouted tender buds.

"You who killed Miss! How dare you live in this world!"

Xia Ying raised her knife and charged at Pei Lang, but before she could even see when the person in front of her moved, the knife was taken from her hand and she fell to the ground with a clatter.

Pei Lang stared at the disheveled Xia Ying with an unchanged expression: "If you really care about A-Zhi, then take good care of Mianmian."

"If I die, to whom should I entrust Mianmian?"

This wasn't the first time Xia Ying had done this, and Pei Lang's tone was somewhat numb.

Even if you hate me, I won't die so easily.

"I want to protect my daughter and help her grow up well."

Xia Ying collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, "Then kill me! Miss is gone, Sister Chun Tao is dead, why am I the only one left!"

Why am I the only one left?

"In the dead of night, I long to walk with them!"

Xia Ying's crying moved all who heard it to tears and saddened all who saw it. It also stirred a subtle ripple in Pei Lang's heart, who sighed deeply: "I knew before that you had a cousin waiting for you to return home to get married."

“He hasn’t gotten married yet and is waiting for you. If you’re willing, I’ll have someone bring him to the capital so that you can come and see Mianmian after you get married.”

“Lin Zhi had planned this for you before, but there just wasn’t enough time.”

Xia Ying cried herself to sleep and couldn't get up from the ground. Her eyes were full of tears as she glared at Pei Lang with hatred.

"Does Lord Pei truly care? I have served Miss for many years and have always grieved for her, yet you still have the mind to tend to flowers and plants. Has Lord Pei ever truly cared about Miss?"

As soon as Xia Ying uttered her question, Pei Lang stopped what he was doing, squatted down in front of a large patch of tender grass shoots, and gently touched the grass that was struggling to grow upwards.

She spoke in a voice so soft it was almost inaudible: "Do you know what kind of grass this is?"

These words seemed to be directed at Xia Ying, but also at himself.

Xia Ying was still a little dazed when she saw him say to himself, "This is called Dream Grass."

"Legend has it that when it grows up, you can see the person you miss in your dreams."

"The more plants I plant, the more chances I have to see A-Chi."

Xia Ying's eyes were filled with tears, and she didn't know what to say, but Pei Lang's usually straight back was slightly hunched when he stood up.

"If you've decided to get married, go find the steward and let him make the arrangements for you. If you still want to kill me, that's fine too, do as you please."

Watching Pei Lang disappear step by step in front of her, Xia Ying clenched her fist and slammed it on the ground, her tears wetting a small patch of bricks.

Late at night, Pei Lang stared irritably at the rattle drum in his hand, feeling something was wrong. When Ji Feng returned, he didn't even have time to wash the dust off his face before rushing to Pei Lang's side.

“Young Master! I have recently tracked down Pei Mingli’s whereabouts. He went to Jiangnan to see Xie Jin.”

"I'm afraid these things were also given to Xie Jin by Pei Mingli to bring to the young lady."

Upon hearing this, Pei Lang stood up abruptly, strode over to him, and grabbed Ji Feng by the collar: "What do you mean, 'brought by Pei Mingli'?"

"Where did he come from? Where did he put Lin Zhi's body?!"

The overly anxious Pei Lang was like a trapped alpha wolf, his eyes fixed on Ji Feng, afraid that he would say something he didn't want to hear.

“Young Master… Your subordinate is incompetent and can only find out that Pei Mingli came from a small village in Jiangnan, and he came alone without any large items with him.”

These words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the brief flame of hope that had been kindled in Pei Lang. He suppressed his emotions, and even the veins on his forehead bulged.

"No, I must investigate this myself, you bunch of useless trash!"

"How much time has passed, and Azhi still hasn't been buried!"

"Get out! All of you, get out!"

Jifeng was kicked out of the room and got up from the ground in a very disheveled state. Xingyun helped him to his feet.

"Don't hold a grudge against the young master for what happened today. Since the madam left, the young master has been suppressing his anger and rarely lets it out."

Jifeng clutched his chest, swallowed the metallic taste in his mouth, and sighed, "Both of us were saved by the young master, so what's with all this talk of holding grudges?"

"If it weren't for you, young master, we would probably be dead long ago. It's a blessing from heaven that we've lived these extra days."

Xingyun sighed deeply: "Young Master said he would investigate personally, but now that the Crown Prince has made progress under Young Master's tutelage, I'm afraid even the Empress will not release him."

The two men were merely Pei Lang's subordinates, so naturally they dared not comment further on the matter.

As expected, the next day when Pei Lang brought up the matter in the palace, Xiao Ting was not in a hurry, but the Empress became anxious instead: "No!"

"Yu'er has finally mastered her studies with great difficulty, and now she is diligent every day. If Lord Pei is away from the capital for a long time, wouldn't all her efforts be wasted?"

Although Xiao Ting hadn't considered these things, he still didn't want him to leave the capital. He coughed lightly and said, "The Empress is right. What is so important, Pei Qing? Why not entrust it to your subordinates?"

But Pei Lang stood firm in the hall, refusing to back down: "May I ask Your Majesty, even though I have lost my wife and my young daughter has lost her mother, I have not dared to delay the prince's studies."

“Since His Majesty refuses to release the person, then granting me permission to resign and live in seclusion is also a great favor from His Majesty.”

Seeing that he was about to resign without leave, Xiao Ting gave the Empress a reproachful look, "Why do you say that, Minister Pei? If you have something to do, then go."

"But this child has a bad memory. Even if you have ten days, you'll be back by then, right?"

Pei Lang clenched his fist. Ten days... ten days is fine too.

Having just received Xiao Ting's permission, Pei Lang left the capital without wasting a moment.

Xia Ying was loyal to her master, and she also agreed to settle her cousin in the capital. With her and Xingyun Jifeng protecting Mianmian, he had nothing to worry about.

His heart was beating unusually fast, but the thought of finding Lin Zhi's body and bringing her back filled him with tension and bitterness.

He used to be able to deceive himself, thinking that perhaps Lin Zhi was not dead at all. But if he actually saw the corpse, he was afraid he would go crazy.

Two horses died from running so fast they didn't dare stop, but Pei Lang still couldn't catch Pei Mingli. When he arrived in Jiangnan and met up with his other men, he was told that Pei Mingli seemed to have sensed something was wrong and had secretly left, killing several people who were following him.

Pei Lang walked into the empty room with a gloomy face, only to find some leftovers left by Pei Mingli.

But after walking around for only one round, he suddenly realized that something was wrong.

The remaining vegetable leaves on the plate were broken in half before being stir-fried. However, ordinary cooks would stir-fry the whole leaves, but Lin Zhi, who loved the tender leaves of the vegetables, insisted that the cook do it this way.

An absurd thought flashed through his mind. Suppressing the wild beating in his heart, he called over the inn's cook. When he was told that a man had specifically instructed him to break the drum in half before frying it, he thought of the familiar character "绵" (mian, meaning soft or cozy) on the rattle drum. Pei Lang slammed his fist heavily on the table.

Lin Zhi must still be alive!

However, ten days was only enough for the journey back to the capital, so Pei Lang had no choice but to instruct his men to investigate Pei Mingli and report back to the capital as soon as they found even the slightest clue.

"Sister! You're almost four months pregnant, and the weather is getting colder every day. It looks like it's going to snow soon. Can't you just stay home and rest?"

"What's more important to you than the money from selling this handkerchief?"

Seeing Feng Yujiao's slightly protruding belly, Lin Zhi was terrified when she saw her return from town and quickly helped her back to the bed to lie down.

Feng Yujiao couldn't hide the joy on her face: "I'm perfectly healthy, not as delicate as you say!"

"Besides, these handkerchiefs are selling very well today. I've sold all twenty of the ones you sent me last time."

"Today, there was a rich young man who bought ten of them in one go!"

"Feiyi, your craftsmanship is truly excellent. I think even the embroiderers in the capital can't compare to you."

Watching Lin Zhi busy herself with covering her with a blanket and pouring water for her, Feng Yujiao liked this aunt from the bottom of her heart.

Nearly a year of rural life did not make her haggard; on the contrary, she became more beautiful and had a calm and serene temperament that one could not help but be captivated by at first glance.

"Feiyi, now that your brother and I both have children, do you really not want to get married?"

“I noticed that Scholar Luo’s eyes are always on you, calling you ‘Miss’ this and ‘Miss’ that, but he doesn’t even call you ‘elder sister’. He’s clearly interested in you.”

Lin Zhi paused in handing her water, giving her a reproachful glare: "Sister-in-law, you overthink things. Aren't you afraid your future nephew will be a gossip?"

"You should lie down quickly! I'm afraid your brother won't be back in time today, so I'll go cook for you."

Feng Yujiao assumed she was just shy and smiled, but in her heart she thought that Scholar Luo was quite good.

But as soon as Lin Zhi stepped out of the room, the expression on her face turned indifferent.

Feng Yujiao didn't talk about anything else, but she did say that Luo Qinzhi was right, that man seemed to really be interested in her.

However, she had always regarded Luo Qinzhi as her younger brother. He was a talented man, and there was no need for him to waste his time on her.

But since they didn't say it explicitly, if I went over and refused them directly, I'd only be presumptuous and cause myself unnecessary trouble.

Lin Zhi folded all the vegetable leaves in half and realized that as long as he didn't expose her secret, she would pretend not to know.

I should stay away from him these days; if we see each other less often, I won't have so many worries.

The magistrate's residence in Pingyi Town was bustling with activity. After a luxurious yet understated carriage was brought into the residence, Magistrate Deng hurriedly came out to greet him: "This humble official was unaware of your arrival, Your Excellency, and has failed to greet you properly!"

Deng Qun quietly raised his eyes and saw a long, slender hand reach out from the carriage and lift the curtain. A tall, handsome figure stepped down, seemingly carrying something in his arms.

Pei Lang looked around and said in a deep voice, "Magistrate Deng, there's no need for such formalities. I am traveling in private and have not come here on orders."

"Such a grand display is going a bit too far these days."

Deng Qun quickly stood up: "Lord Pei is truly a man of great concern for the people. It was my oversight. Please do not hesitate to ask if you need anything. I will not make any further decisions on my own!"

Pei Lang paused for a moment, "There's nothing necessary, just adding a small bed for the child."

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Author's Note: What is Lord Pei doing in such an inconspicuous little place? It's so hard to guess! [Please!]