Chapter 4. She was clearly avoiding him.
Chapter Four
Xie Yitang, the daughter of the Xie family, was overjoyed.
She received such respect from Pei Zan today, and it's likely that all the officials' wives present knew that she was deeply favored by Pei Zan.
However, before she could be happy for long, the man, as cold as a gentle breeze and thin mist, suddenly turned his gaze and stared down at Xie Yitang.
Under that terrifying gaze, Xie Yitang subconsciously took a step back and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong with Governor Pei?"
Pei Zan slightly curled his lips, his smile cold and indifferent, not reaching his eyes. As if scrutinizing the person beside him, he said in a calm tone, "If I remember correctly, Miss Xie is a woman from the Xie family of Jiangzhou... Since she is a woman from another family, how dare she slap a servant of my Pei family? Such overstepping of her bounds is as if she were instructed by someone in the family."
Pei Zan's words were quite clever. On the surface, he was praising Xie Yitang's family for raising their daughter well, but in reality, he was subtly criticizing Xie Yitang for being immoral and unruly, and for being out of control.
Xie Yitang's face instantly drained of color. She dared not reveal that the second wife, Xie Shi, was her aunt, lest Pei Zan's reprimand cause the entire Xie clan to lose face and all the Xie family girls to suffer.
But Xie Yitang didn't think that Pei Zan's sudden attack was to stand up for that lowly servant with no influence.
Perhaps Pei Zan is a person who is always decisive and doesn't like others interfering in family matters... or perhaps she was being arrogant today.
Thinking of this, Xie Yitang hurriedly apologized: "Governor Pei, it was I who overstepped my bounds and offended you. I hope you can calm down and not hold it against me."
Upon hearing this, the previously silent crowd suddenly let out a couple of low snickers.
Laughter came in sparse bursts, rising and falling intermittently.
This was clearly mocking Xie Yitang for her earlier grand display, berating everyone in the mansion as if she were the mistress of the Pei household.
Unexpectedly, Xie Yitang was a tiger made of cardboard. When the real person arrived, the skin of this fox borrowing the tiger's power melted away, and she truly lost all her dignity.
Xie Yitang's face turned pale and then flushed, and her ears were burning red.
But she had offended Pei Zan, so she didn't dare say anything more, only glaring venomously at the whispering girls in the distance.
Xie Yitang must ask Pei Zan for forgiveness today, lest her shrewish image become a topic of gossip and make it difficult for her to find a husband in the future!
"Young Master, please forgive me this time for the sake of the Second Madam..."
Xie Yitang cried so pitifully, her eyes red-rimmed, a sight that evoked pity. The little girl's shoulders trembled, her whole being filled with fear and unease.
But Pei Zan was a heartless man, and he did not pity the little girl's helplessness.
Pei Zan ignored the girl's show of weakness. Without saying a word, he coldly flicked his wide sleeves and left into the wind and snow.
Watching Pei Zan's lonely figure gradually disappear into the distance, Xie Yitang felt a lump in her throat. She bit her lower lip, unable to hold back her tears, which streamed down her face.
Xie Yitang knew she was in deep trouble tonight. If her father found out she had offended Pei Zan, she would be scolded to death by her parents!
-
News of Pei Zan's return to the manor quickly spread throughout Yu Chen Courtyard.
Ziyan and Lüzhu, who were sent to the courtyard to serve their master, exchanged a glance and were overjoyed.
But they were first-class maids trained by the First Madam, so even if they were happy, they could only smile and dare not show it.
You must know that Madam Shen ordered them to serve Young Master Pei, who now holds the highest official rank, and even allowed them to give birth to illegitimate children... What profound good fortune, what deep affection and dignity!
If they could truly have a son or daughter, that would be the eldest grandson of the household, or a son or daughter born out of wedlock, enough to ensure they would live a life of comfort, wealth, and honor in their later years.
Thinking of this, Ziyan cleared her throat, swayed her slender waist, and returned to the servants' quarters. She planned to change a few pieces of jade-inlaid jewelry and then take out the begonia-patterned silk jacket that the First Madam had bestowed upon her to change into.
When Pei Zan returned to Yuchen Courtyard, his trusted old servant, Uncle Feng, had already ordered people to place his master's usual items, such as the lotus-shaped teapot, the auspicious four-legged incense burner, the rosewood official's hat chair, and the birchwood canopy bed, in the room.
The servants filed in and tidied up the furniture in an orderly manner, without letting the servants sent by Madam Shen interfere at all. It was clear that they had been instructed by their master in advance not to let anyone in the mansion meddle in their affairs.
Ziyan's heart skipped a beat, and she gradually understood Pei Zan's temperament; this meant he didn't like the Pei family's arrangements.
She had heard that the eldest young master and Madam Shen were at odds, but she just laughed it off, thinking that mother and son shouldn't hold grudges overnight. But now that she saw it, it seemed to be true.
Ziyan was flustered and confused. She stood under the eaves to serve, and couldn't help but raise her eyes to carefully observe the Grand Commander Pei, who was watching the snow with his hands behind his back.
The man's shoulders and back were as straight as bamboo, his wispy black hair half-tied up and cascading down his lower back. He wore a floor-length black fox fur cloak, the hem edged with fluffy snow. Concealed by the winter mist, he truly looked like a celestial being, aloof and otherworldly, handsome and ethereal.
Such an outstanding person, who has no concubines in his harem and no mistress to keep him in check, how could he not stir up romantic feelings in men?
Ziyan had a plan; she absolutely couldn't let this easy target slip away.
Ziyan brought over a tortoise-shell copper hand warmer and offered it to him, saying, "Young Master, it's chilly outside, please warm your hands!"
Although Ziyan was already eighteen or nineteen years old, no longer a delicate young girl, she had a well-developed figure with a shapely waist and chest. In addition, she had a beautiful and charming voice; with just a soft call, she could captivate hearts like a nightingale emerging from a valley.
Ziyan was well aware of her advantages and often used this ingratiating voice to coax the stewards in the mansion and gain benefits for herself.
But it was obvious that Pei Zan was used to attending banquets and social events, often accompanied by singers and dancers. He had experienced all sorts of ups and downs, and he didn't like others getting close to him. He wasn't interested in her act at all.
The man didn't even blink, nor did he respond to Ziyan's words.
Ziyan's face turned pale. After hesitating for a moment, she carefully hooked the hem of Pei Zan's clothes and tried to use the hand warmer to wrap around his arm under his clothes.
Before Ziyan could succeed, Pei Zan suddenly lowered his eyes, glanced at her, and asked quietly, "Which hand?"
“Wh-what…” Ziyan paused, biting her red lips.
She was only one step away from Pei Zan's exquisitely shaped hand bone adorned with prayer beads.
Pei Zan closed his eyes slightly and quietly pulled his robe back.
“I have always had a rule that no blood should be shed on New Year’s Eve and the snowy night. But you have violated this rule time and time again, which has made me somewhat displeased... Since you pulled with your left hand, then cut it off.” Pei Zan’s face was handsome and cold, like a male bodhisattva in an ancient Buddhist temple, but his words were as sharp as blades, cruel and merciless.
Ziyan finally understood her master's words. He disliked her unruly actions and was going to punish her!
"Young Master, spare me! It was this servant who dared to touch your robes!" Ziyan knelt down, looking utterly dazed, as if she had been stunned by Pei Zan, her whole being in a daze.
However, Pei Zan did not give her a chance to beg for mercy. He simply glanced at Uncle Feng and said, "Drag him away."
Soon, Uncle Feng understood. He quickly stepped forward, ordered his men to support Ziyan on either side, gagged her with a handkerchief, and dragged away the struggling servant.
Pei Zan's methods were ruthless, leaving no one a way out.
Upon witnessing this scene, all the servants present were terrified.
The servants in the courtyard all knelt down, begging Pei Zan to spare their lives.
Pei Zan frowned when he saw that there were many outsiders in Yu Chen Courtyard, and was about to drive them away again.
Uncle Feng stepped forward and whispered, "Young Master, if we send away the maid that Madam sent as soon as we get back to the manor, it might cause gossip in other rooms. After all, she'll only be here for a month. Why not let her stay to sweep the courtyard and take care of things inside and outside? Today's punishment will be enough to teach those fools a lesson, and they won't dare to offend the master."
Upon hearing this, Pei Zan remained silent.
He didn't say much, but simply pushed open the bedroom door where his belongings had been packed, and went to take a bath and change his clothes.
Before long, Ziyan’s heart-wrenching cries echoed from outside the courtyard, and Lüzhu trembled with fear.
When had the servants of the Pei household ever witnessed such a bloody scare as killing the chicken to warn the monkey? For a moment, everyone closed their eyes and held their breath, becoming even more cautious in their words and actions.
Green Pearl was even more disheartened.
The young master is clueless about romance and treats offending servants with rage, ready to kill them at the slightest offense. How could she possibly expect Pei Zan's affection?
The best course of action now is to make the best of a few months, get rid of this devil, and then return to the First Madam's courtyard to work as soon as possible.
This is the best course of action!
-
At the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), in the rear room of the outer courtyard.
When Lin Rong got up, the redness and swelling on her face had subsided by more than half, and the burns on her hands had also been healed by the ointment from the previous night, leaving only a few inconspicuous red spots.
Living in the mansion was like walking on thin ice; being scolded and beaten was commonplace, so no one would bother to ask Lin Rong a question.
Lin Rong slept in for an extra half hour, a rare occurrence. By the time she washed up, changed her clothes, and went out, the hot porridge had already been devoured by the other maids who were sweeping and cleaning, the stable boys who were guarding the stables, and the servants who were driving the carriage.
Lin Rong anticipated that she would have to eat cold steamed buns again today, but she didn't complain at all.
Before Lin Rong could reach for the pot, a chopstick gently struck the back of her hand.
Lin Rong looked up and saw that it was Granny Zhao who had stopped her. She muttered softly, "Grandma, I haven't eaten yet."
Old Mrs. Zhao said with a smile, "I told Chunhua not to bother you, how could I not know you haven't eaten? Here, this is a cured chicken leg that I specially saved this morning, it's still warm, you can eat it with steamed buns."
Chunhua and Lin Rong share a room, but Chunhua has won the favor of the second madam and is now running errands in the inner courtyard. It seems that she will have to move out of that drafty little shack soon.
Lin Rong stared at the steamed, oily cured chicken leg in the bowl, her nose tingled, and her eyes welled up with tears. "Grandma, you've been so incredibly good to me!"
Granny Zhao glared at her and said, "This old woman has no children. If you know how good I am to you, remember to take care of me in my old age and see me off when I die. That way, all my care for you won't have been in vain."
Lin Rong thought for a moment, then touched the tip of her nose shyly: "I'm afraid that won't work. I'm leaving another day... But if Grandma doesn't mind, I'll definitely send you money every month once I find a job outside. I'll treat you like my own grandmother!"
Granny Zhao was just joking with her. She knew Lin Rong was honest and kind-hearted. If she really agreed, the little girl might actually send her money every month.
Granny Zhao felt comforted and didn't say anything more, only urging her to eat quickly because she still had work to do.
Lin Rong was put under the stove by Granny Zhao to watch the fire. This way, she could warm her hands and feet, eat, and not be considered lazy—killing three birds with one stone.
Before long, the maids and servants from each courtyard came to the kitchen to fetch food.
Breakfast has been delivered to the eldest son's house, the second son's house, and the old lady's courtyard, but no one has come to collect the food for Yuchen Courtyard yet.
Just as the food was getting cold, a servant came and said that the kitchen could randomly assign a clever and quick-witted maid to deliver the meal to the inner courtyard.
Few servants in the kitchen had ever been to the inner courtyard, except for Lin Rong, who was dragged there on New Year's Eve to fill a quota and had been inside.
The task of delivering food naturally fell to her.
Lin Rong had no suspicions. She obediently picked up the carved rosary food box and made a move to walk towards Yuchen Courtyard.
Before Lin Rong could take two steps, Granny Zhao suddenly looked troubled and called out to her, "Rong girl, do you know why you're making such a fuss about delivering such a good thing as meals to Yuchen Courtyard and instead sending a servant from the outer courtyard?"
Lin Rong was honest and straightforward, but not stupid. Her expression hardened, and she quickly lowered her head to ask, "Please tell me, Grandma."
"I heard that last night a head maid tried to get into the young master's bed, but she was dragged to the outer courtyard and beaten half to death. She survived, but her legs are probably ruined. She didn't even make it to the end of the year, and this morning her parents took her home. The fact that the servants in the inner courtyard would give up such an opportunity clearly shows that the young master is difficult to serve and wants to find you to be their scapegoat. You'd better be extremely careful and not anger him!"
Granny Zhao spoke with such conviction that Lin Rong became extremely anxious. She remembered that Sister Green Pearl had said she wanted to be the young master's concubine. Could it be that Green Pearl had fallen for a trap? How foolish! Pei Zan was such a noble and powerful man; how could a servant possibly aspire to such a position?
Lin Rong asked worriedly, "Was it Sister Lüzhu who had the accident?"
Granny Zhao shook her head: "It's Ziyan from the manor."
Lin Rong felt both relieved for Green Pearl and saddened by the lowly status of the servants, all because of a single, casual remark from the masters of the manor.
She said gratefully, "Thank you for your guidance, Grandma. I will serve you carefully and will never dare to offend the young master."
Granny Zhao: "Hey, I've always known you're a sensible person. Go ahead, it's the first day of the Lunar New Year. If you stay up all night, we can still have a drink together."
Thinking about being able to drink and chat with Granny Zhao tonight, taste some sweet cakes that are hard to come by, and even receive a reward from the old lady's courtyard, Lin Rong was extremely excited. She became even more careful in protecting the box, not daring to make the slightest mistake.
Fortunately, the journey was smooth. Knowing that Lin Rong was going to deliver food to Yuchen Courtyard, the well-informed servants all looked at her with sympathy, as if she were going to serve some wolves and tigers.
The weather is sunny today, and the snow has melted.
Lin Rong walked into the inner courtyard, her shoes covered in mud splashed up by melting snow.
Before Lin Rong could even step into the flower hall, she first caught a whiff of elegant sandalwood.
Lin Rong's body trembled, knowing full well that this was Pei Zan's territory and she had to serve him with utmost care.
Thinking of this, Lin Rong glanced at her muddy shoes.
Lin Rong sighed. She dared not make mud stains all over the flower hall, but the brocade table with waterfowl pattern was right in front of her. There was only a slender white porcelain vase on it with a few sprigs of sparse plum blossoms. No food was laid out. She guessed that it was waiting for her to come forward and serve the meal!
After much deliberation, Lin Rong took off her dirty shoes and socks and stepped barefoot into the hall paved with pear blossom-patterned bluestone slabs.
After Lin Rong tiptoed into the flower hall, she washed her hands in a wooden basin used by servants to wash their hands before daring to use her other clean hand, which hadn't touched her ankles, to serve the dishes one by one to the table.
The kitchen staff didn't know what Pei Zan liked to eat, so following Madam Pei's instructions, they served the nobleman some eight-treasure porridge, sweet cakes and dumplings, as well as a dish of honey wine shad, pearl dumplings, and braised chicken.
Perhaps they thought that Pei Zan, who was supervising the army in the field, was actually a military man and must enjoy some wine and food.
The old lady not only instructed the cook to prepare some meat dishes, but also cooked fish tofu and stir-fried crab meat, and set out two jugs of sweet wine for guests to choose from.
The breakfast menu was varied, but the bowls and plates were small, so Lin Rong could easily lift the food box by herself.
It was because she was careful that the soup didn't spill and become a mess.
The job is so complicated that mistakes can easily happen if you're not careful, no wonder they asked her to deliver it.
If something goes wrong, wouldn't that upset Pei Zan?
Lin Rong couldn't leave after delivering the food; she had to kneel and wait for Pei Zan to finish his meal before she could leave.
Before Lin Rong could put on her shoes, they waited outside the hall.
Pei Zan had already passed through the moon gate and was heading towards the flower hall.
Pei Zan returned from sword practice, his long sleeves slightly lifted, his body covered in sweat, having not yet had time to go inside to bathe. A thin layer of red from martial arts practice rose on his lean and muscular wrists, slightly damp with sweat, which clung to the string of black prayer beads, creating an illusion that was both sacred and alluring.
Pei Zan's chest and ribs were just beginning to heal, and he was not yet able to get out of bed to practice martial arts. However, he had been training for many years and did not want to stay in bed for too long and neglect his sword skills. So this morning, taking advantage of the beautiful snow in the courtyard, he went out for a while.
When he returned, he wanted to go inside to change his clothes, but Uncle Feng was worried about his master and hoped that he would have a few bites of food first, and then slowly clean up.
As he was a loyal old servant who had followed him for many years, Pei Zan wouldn't want to embarrass him, so he naturally agreed.
However, when Pei Zan glanced around, he saw a pair of thin cotton shoes hidden in the pile of withered leaves at the bottom of the steps.
The shoes are very small, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. The fabric has been starched many times and looks old, with little pattern, suggesting they are women's shoes.
Pei Zan entered, sword in hand.
He quickly realized that a woman was kneeling with her head bowed in the corner of the flower hall.
The man paused, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly.
The girl was barefoot, her slender white feet tightly tucked in, her pink toes curled up like lotus buds after the rain, each petal curling up slightly.
Pei Zan remained unmoved, scrutinizing the little maid with only his cold and silent gaze.
His gaze was like a sharp blade, landing on Lin Rong's fair neck and the pair of snow-white feet pressing against the girl's full buttocks.
Lin Rong had long since caught the scent of aloof sandalwood, and she realized with a sudden realization that Pei Zan was scrutinizing her.
Lin Rong dared not move, letting the man slowly tear her to pieces with his fierce gaze.
For a moment, Lin Rong felt as if her master had scraped her flesh and bones, and pain rippled through her limbs and bones.
Thinking of Ziyan, who had been punished by Pei Zan yesterday and almost beaten half to death, Lin Rong felt a soreness in her lower back and cramps in her legs, and felt inexplicably nervous.
She felt sweat beading on her nose and was so uncomfortable that she instinctively lowered her head even further.
Lin Rong thought of her cold feet behind her and couldn't help but tug at her robe to cover them up. Unfortunately, she was wearing a thick coat and trousers today, without a skirt to cover her feet.
"Why are you so disheveled?" Pei Zan's voice was clear and cold, like a pool of icy water.
Lin Rong listened intently, but she couldn't discern the emotion in his words.
But when Pei Zan withdrew his murderous gaze and took two steps forward, Lin Rong relaxed a little.
"Please forgive me, young master." She took a deep breath and explained in a low voice, trying to make her words as clear as possible so as not to be disliked.
"I came in barefoot only because I was afraid that the mud on my feet would soil the soft carpet in the hall. I have absolutely no improper thoughts about the young master. Even if I had ten lives, I would not dare to be disrespectful to such a noble master as the young master..."
Lin Rong was a maid who grew up in the Pei family. Although she was illiterate, she would try her best to hone her eloquence in order to survive.
Pei Zan heard what she said.
The girl spoke clearly and logically, and even though her voice trembled slightly, she did not rudely raise her head or brazenly peer at her superior's imposing face.
Pei Zan said indifferently, "Step back."
"Yes." Lin Rong felt relieved to have escaped with her life, but her legs were still a little weak.
Lin Rong paused for a moment, then, fearing that things might change if she delayed, she quickly bowed and left the flower hall with her head down.
Only after slipping on those cotton shoes, softened by the snow water, did Lin Rong's soul return to her body.
Overjoyed, Lin Rong burst into tears. For a moment, her movements became hurried, as if she were fleeing, and she ran out of the courtyard, not daring to linger for even a moment longer.
Pei Zan placed the gleaming longsword back on the shelf, lightly rubbing his thumb against the Buddhist prayer beads, understanding dawning on him.
This woman had no intention of rebelling against him... she was clearly avoiding him at all costs.
A note from the author:
Mwah! Red gems drop every day, no need to go into details.
This isn't a lighthearted, wish-fulfillment story; it's a story of emotional entanglements (highlighted warning). So, if it's not to your taste, please don't force yourself, because if you do, you'll scold me (sorry). Let me finish this melodramatic story honestly. I especially love all the little ones who followed me here. Let's continue reading [Let me see].
I recommend a pre-order for a book by Dengdeng~
"After the Divorce, I Was Forcibly Taken by My Emperor Ex-Husband" by Caodeng Daren
[The ruler seizes his subject's wife; the woman is not the male's primary partner.]
Shen Youning, a concubine's daughter from a humble family, was blessed with a beautiful face and good fortune, and married into the Lu family of Fanyang.
The husband is a high-ranking official with a promising future, and the mother-in-law comes from a noble family with powerful connections, which can help the husband.
In the eyes of the world, this was a superior marriage alliance, but only Shen Youning knew the bitterness within.
At night, her husband, Lu Sheng, knowing Shen Youning's good nature, used her as a cover to keep a mistress.
During the day, Shen Youning suffered cold treatment from her sisters-in-law. Her mother-in-law insulted her, saying she was like a hen that doesn't lay eggs, occupying the nest but not bearing children, and that her son was truly blind to have welcomed her into the family.
Shen Youning's married life was extremely difficult.
Until the dynasty changed, an unknown peasant hero suddenly entered the imperial court and became the ruler of the country.
In order to secure his position in the court, Lu Sheng harbored evil intentions. He wanted to demote his wife to a concubine and marry a daughter from a powerful family to restore his family's prestige.
Shen Youning refused to abdicate and relinquish her position to a more virtuous person, and finally proposed a divorce to her husband.
-
The new emperor, Xie Rongshi, came from a humble background but had the world at heart.
He lived a life of poverty from childhood, and even after becoming emperor, he never changed his frugal and honest ways.
The strangest thing is that the man was born with unparalleled handsomeness, but until he reached the age of thirty, he never took in any beautiful wives or concubines, and his harem was empty.
The court officials secretly suspected that the emperor, who appeared decisive and ruthless, was actually quite incompetent in bed...
Until one day.
Xie Rongshi, like an iron tree blooming, actually welcomed Shen Youning, the woman who had been divorced and abandoned by the Lu family, into the harem and made her empress.
The entire palace followed Shen Youning's lead, and the lowly concubine's daughter became the Empress, enjoying the utmost favor and honor.
Shen Youning was filled with trepidation, unsure how to begin with this unexpected windfall... She also couldn't understand why the emperor, nearing thirty, was still unmarried, and certainly not as ugly as the rumors suggested.
The king on the bed was fair-skinned and handsome; he was clearly very well-born…
Only Xie Rongshi knew that he had been plotting and scheming for a long time, and had been lusting after the woman beside him.
This is because Shen Youning was his wife in his previous life.
-
A few years later.
The disgraced officials in the court resented Xie Rongshi and acted ruthlessly, exterminating all the powerful families.
They sent spies to Kunning Palace to tell the Empress the whole truth: Xie Rongshi's entire plan was just for the purpose of seizing power and wealth by force.
The spy sowed discord: "Do you hate His Majesty for interfering and separating you and Lu Lang?"
Shen Youning looked down at her round pregnant belly, and then thought of her handsome emperor husband at home.
She sighed, "I'm about to give birth, what can I do but get a divorce? If you're married, you have to turn a blind eye and make do."
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