Chapter 25, Divorce Agreement
Upon entering the room, Zhao Zhixue saw Pei Duo standing motionless in front of the wardrobe for a long time, ignoring his questions. He couldn't help but feel displeased and disgusted at being deliberately ignored.
He only stayed at the prefect's residence for three days, yet he returned so arrogant and haughty.
He didn't even respect his childhood neighbor.
But today he was determined to have a word with him. If that was the case, from this day forward, he would take Sui Sui and find another place, and would not rent the same courtyard with him.
"Brother Pei, let's talk."
Zhao Zhixue walked over.
The footsteps drew closer, almost reaching Pei Duo from behind.
Jiang Ninghui's almond-shaped eyes widened in terror. Her husband only needed to take one more step forward... just one more step, and he would see her hiding in the wardrobe.
More and more tears streamed down her face.
The silent sobs were swallowed back down in my chest.
Jiang Ninghui looked at Young Master Pei in bewilderment. How could such a refined and elegant gentleman remain unmoved at this moment?
Did he not know that if his husband discovered her in the wardrobe, he would also be implicated?
It not only affected his reputation, but also his future career.
Pei Duo took in the changing emotions in her eyes.
The young man's strong, slender fingers gripped the jade-colored outer robe beside the wardrobe and covered Jiang Ninghui with it. Then, he turned to close the wardrobe door and looked at Zhao Zhixue, who was two steps away: "Brother Zhao, I was thinking about something just now and didn't listen carefully to what you said. I apologize."
Zhao Zhixue's expression visibly darkened.
Just as he was about to speak, the young man said, "I need to go to the prefect of Longchang later. I wonder if Brother Zhao would be willing to go with me?"
The unbearable pain in Zhao Zhixue's eyes and the anger in his chest were instantly dispelled by the gentle breeze.
He asked excitedly, "Brother Pei, what do I need to bring to the prefect's residence?"
Pei Duo said calmly, "The Prefect has a sweet tooth, so Brother Zhao can bring some pastries that are both delicious and of excellent quality. However, Brother Zhao, you need to hurry, as we will be leaving in 35 minutes."
Zhao Zhixue: "Brother Pei, please wait a moment, I'll be right there."
After saying that, he turned around and rushed out of the courtyard gate, afraid that if he was a step too late, he would miss the opportunity.
The young man looked at the closed courtyard gate, a hint of cold sarcasm creeping into his clear, cold eyes.
pity.
Zhao Zhixue was not allowed to see the divorce agreement.
After all, this was the first time his sister-in-law had pitifully begged him.
How could he possibly hurt his sister-in-law's feelings?
Given the current situation, even if Zhao Zhixue discovers the divorce agreement, he will not divorce his sister-in-law.
After all, he still needs his sister-in-law's birth chart to bring him good fortune in the imperial examinations.
We need to take it slowly.
Jiang Ninghui obediently hid in the wardrobe without making a sound. Young Master Pei's jade-colored outer robe was draped over her as before, and the faint scent of cedar wafted into her nose. The fabric of the robe was cool and soft, and it clung to her cheeks and ear tips.
It was pitch black all around, and I couldn't see anything. I could only hear the conversation between Young Master Pei and my husband outside.
The wardrobe door opened, and the robe on her head was removed.
The sudden bright light made Jiang Ninghui blink uncomfortably.
Young Master Pei stood in front of the wardrobe, his cold and aloof face hidden in the shadows.
He reached out to Jiang Ninghui, gesturing for her to put her arm around his forearm and lean down for support.
The young man was polite and knew how to behave appropriately.
"Please don't be offended, sister-in-law. I was silent for a long time because I was thinking of a way to get Brother Zhao away."
How could Jiang Ninghui blame him?
She was so grateful to him.
Looking at the long, slender fingers in front of her, Jiang Ninghui suddenly remembered that this hand had just covered her nose and lips, pressing closely against her cheek.
She lowered her head in embarrassment, placing her hand on Pei Duo's forearm. Through the thin clothes, she could clearly feel the young man's strong and powerful arm bones in her palm.
It seems to contain immense power.
She felt as if she wasn't draped over a forearm, but rather over a warm iron rod.
Jiang Ninghui, using Pei Duo's strength to get down, was very grateful to him: "Young Master Pei, thank you for helping me again."
The young man's voice was cold and indifferent: "It was nothing."
Jiang Ninghui bit her lip, her watery eyes looking at Pei Duo: "Young Master Pei, you just said you wanted to take my husband to the prefect's residence. I know this was a last-minute idea you came up with to get rid of my husband. I don't want to put you in a difficult position. I'll talk to my husband and dissuade him from this idea so as not to cause you any trouble."
"It's alright."
Pei Duo approached the wardrobe and folded the jade-colored robe he had taken from Jiang Ninghui: "I was going to the prefect's residence anyway, it's just that I'm bringing one more classmate along, it's no problem."
The young man turned around, his extremely cold gaze landing on Jiang Ninghui's still flushed cheeks: "Would you like to come with us, sister-in-law?"
Jiang Ninghui shook her head: "I...I won't go."
The highest-ranking official she had ever seen in her life was the village head; she had never seen a yamen runner, let alone the prefect.
Especially these past few days, the prefect has been investigating the real culprit who murdered Liang Wentao and others. Although the real culprit has been caught, she has been to that cellar after all. When she sees the prefect, she will definitely feel guilty and tremble. If she reveals her true colors, wouldn't that harm Young Master Pei and her husband again?
Seeing that her face was pale and she was very resistant, Pei Duo didn't make things difficult for her.
Jiang Ninghui remembered that there was still a divorce agreement in the room. She told Young Master Pei and hurriedly went next door. She hid the eight copper coins, picked up the divorce agreement, went to the kitchen, and burned it.
Only then did I feel relieved.
Fifteen minutes later, Zhao Zhixue returned carrying a beautifully packaged box of pastries. He saw Jiang Ninghui coming out of the kitchen and greeted her with a smile, "Wife."
Having personally experienced indescribable bitterness these past few days, Jiang Ninghui was now at peace and without any burden in her heart, so she smiled and said, "My lord."
Pei Duo stepped out of the house, giving the couple a cold glance as they chatted and laughed intimately: "Brother Zhao, have you finished shopping?"
Zhao Zhixue: "I've bought everything, shall we go now?"
Pei Duo: "Hmm."
He glanced at Jiang Ninghui, who was standing at the kitchen door, and said, "Sister-in-law, Brother Zhao and I won't be home for lunch, so there's no need to prepare our lunch."
Jiang Ninghui: "I understand."
After the young master and young master Pei left, Jiang Ninghui made a simple lunch. She hadn't had much of an appetite in the past few days, but today she ate a little more than usual. In the afternoon, she went to town with her sister-in-law Mu and heard some more news.
The real culprit who murdered Liang Wentao and others was beheaded at the entrance of the vegetable market in Longchang County the following day.
Because of a murder that occurred at Liang Family Restaurant, and the victim was Liang's father's son, Liang's father wanted to find a suitable person to sell the restaurant.
Mu Hua whispered, "If you ask me, it's good that Liang Wentao died!"
She glanced at the people passing by and pulled Jiang Ninghui aside slightly: "Madam Jiang, do you know that two years ago, Liang Wentao ruined two good young women from good families? The Liang family spent a lot of money to settle the matter. One of the girls was too ashamed to stay in Qingping Town and moved away with her family. The other girl couldn't bear it and jumped into the river and committed suicide. This matter caused quite a stir at the time. If the Liang family hadn't been rich, Liang Wentao would have been in jail back then. How could he have been allowed to roam free for two years?"
Jiang Ninghui knew Liang Wentao was a scoundrel, but she never imagined he was this scoundrel.
Fortunately, Young Master Pei appeared in time to save her.
Otherwise, she might end up like the girl who jumped into the river and committed suicide.
As Jiang Ninghui and Sister-in-law Mu walked back, they passed the Qingping Town School. There were two shops selling writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones on this street. Jiang Ninghui was illiterate, but she could tell from the appearance of the shops.
She thought of the pen that Liang Wentao broke when Young Master Pei tried to save her that day.
I wonder if her eight coins are enough to buy a pen to compensate Young Master Pei.
Seeing Jiang Ninghui enter a scholar's study, Mu Hua led her child in and followed her in. The sight of two illiterate women entering a scholar's study filled with fresh and elegant decor was strikingly incongruous.
The shopkeeper glanced at the two women dressed in coarse linen clothes but didn't pay them much attention.
Jiang Ninghui was quite reserved as she entered the shop where Wenren had just stepped in for the first time.
Seeing that the shopkeeper ignored her, she looked for herself and saw a black writing brush with gilded floral patterns at the junction of the brush body and the bristles. It looked somewhat similar to the brush that Young Master Pei had.
Jiang Ninghui quietly asked the shopkeeper about the price of the calligraphy brush.
They learned that it would cost three taels of silver.
Jiang Ninghui looked embarrassed and ashamed, and she grabbed Sister Mu and fled with her head down.
The largest sum of money she had ever seen in her life was the one tael of silver that Young Master Pei had given her.
That pen cost three taels of silver.
I'm afraid even if I sold myself again, I wouldn't be worth three taels of silver.
Mu Hua shook her head in amazement: "What kind of pen is this? It costs three taels of silver! My husband's annual salary is only three taels of silver."
As the New Year approaches, the weather is getting colder and colder.
The sky was clear and blue in the morning, but in the afternoon it started snowing heavily.
Jiang Ninghui added some more charcoal to Pei Gongzi's room, and, wanting to enjoy the warmth of the winter day, stayed by the fire for a while longer.
As dusk approaches, it is nearing its end.
Jiang Ninghui went to the kitchen to prepare dinner when she heard the crunching sound of wheels on the snow outside. Then, the courtyard gate was pushed open from the outside, and Young Master Pei and his husband came in one after the other.
The young man seemed to be in a very good mood, with a smile on his face ever since he entered the door.
He handed her a food box, saying, "My lady, this is the meal that the prefect had his servants pack. It's still warm, so please eat it."
Jiang Ninghui was flattered and felt that the food box in her hand was burning hot.
Why would the prefect allow someone to prepare dinner for a commoner like her?
She looked past her husband's arm at the young master Pei who had entered.
The young man slightly raised his eyelids, his dark eyes cold and indifferent. He said in a low voice, "Since it was given by the prefect, sister-in-law, please eat it. There's no need to feel burdened."
Jiang Ninghui knew.
The prefect must have ordered this food box to be packed because of Young Master Pei.
She felt that she owed Young Master Pei another debt.
Time and time again, I've almost lost count.
Zhao Zhixue: "Wife, you eat, I'm going to review my lessons."
He didn't go to school in the afternoon, and I reckon he's fallen behind again. He needs to review his notes to prepare for next year's autumn examination.
This trip to the prefect's residence with Pei Di was his first time coming into contact with an official's mansion and witnessing the power of the officials. It made him even more eager to climb to the top step by step. He wanted to pass the imperial examination, gain the emperor's favor, enter the court as an official, and be even more powerful than the prefect he had seen today!
Jiang Ninghui watched her husband enter the house, nodded slightly to Young Master Pei, and then carried the food box into the kitchen.
The food box was exquisite; Jiang Ninghui had never seen such a fine food box before.
Afraid of damaging the food box, she carefully opened the lid and placed four delicate dishes, a bowl of soup, and a bowl of steaming white rice on the table.
There was braised pork, exquisite fish, a dish of beautifully presented prawns, and a plate of green vegetables that weren't available this season.
Jiang Ninghui had never seen such delicious dishes before, let alone eaten them.
"sister in law."
A deep, pleasant voice suddenly came from behind.
Jiang Ninghui turned her head and saw Young Master Pei standing half a step away from her. The young man was extremely tall, almost blocking the half-open kitchen door. He looked down at her, his gaze barely perceptible as it swept over her upturned neck: "Do these dishes suit your taste, sister-in-law?"
This is food served at the prefect's residence; how could she dare say it was inappropriate?
Moreover, how could such exquisite and delicious dishes not suit one's taste?
Jiang Ninghui nodded gently, her soft voice pleasant to the ear: "It suits my taste perfectly."
She felt a little embarrassed to face Young Master Pei.
Although her intimate contact with Young Master Pei at noon was to help her and prevent her husband from seeing it, it was actually a way of helping her.
But she still felt ashamed and embarrassed.
Pei Duo: "Sister-in-law, have dinner. I'm going back to my room."
Jiang Ninghui: "Okay."
With Pei Duo gone, Jiang Ninghui finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She picked up her chopsticks and tasted a piece of braised pork. The pork was still warm, and its texture was rich but not greasy, leaving a lingering fragrance on her lips and teeth.
This piece of meat is the biggest and best-tasting piece of meat Jiang Ninghui has eaten in over a decade.
After finishing her meal, Jiang Ninghui tidied up the kitchen. She brought her husband a pot of boiled water and went straight to Pei Gongzi's room. She raised her hand and gently knocked on the door. A cold voice came from inside: "Come in."
Jiang Ninghui pushed open the door and entered, and saw Young Master Pei standing in front of the pear blossom table, holding a brush and painting.
"Young Master Pei, I've boiled a kettle of water."
Pei Duo didn't look at Jiang Ninghui, but pointed to the spot next to his hand: "Please put it here, sister-in-law."
Jiang Ninghui walked over and placed a pot of boiling water on the table. She didn't look at it and left immediately, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the painting on the pear blossom table. It depicted a pair of extremely beautiful eyes, but those eyes were filled with tears, and her cheeks were covered with clear, white teardrops.
She watched as Young Master Pei used his brush to add a beautiful facial contour to the woman's face.
A delicate nose was added...
The young man seemed unaware that there was another person in the room.
He painted quietly, his sharp jawline flowing smoothly and sharply, and a hint of wicked laughter seeping into his dark pupils.
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Author's note: There will be another update tomorrow at 11 AM!
There's a red envelope in this chapter! [Sprinkling flowers]
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