Chapter 016

yes.

What's the difference?

Jiashan asked herself the same question. She suddenly realized that she had never considered Zhan Yue and Zhan Shaoying as the same kind of people.

Zhan Shaoying was born into a wealthy family and had everything. After marrying him, Jiashan knew that he was just a nobleman. When he liked her, he was willing to love and pamper her, but when he was furious, he could take advantage of her helplessness and kill her with a sword.

Zhan Yue...Zhan Yue is different.

Jiashan didn't know what had left such an impression on her. Was it because of the caring questions Zhan Yue had asked her when they met at the gate of Dongzhimen in their previous life?

It seems not entirely.

Jiashan just stubbornly thought that if she ever reached the point where she had nothing again, and Zhan Yue was by her side, he would probably share her poverty.

Jiashan was shocked by his own thought.

She picked up the teacup in panic. Pei Yuantang's fiery gaze made her feel that she had nowhere to hide.

Jiashan glared at him and said sternly, "Don't look at me like that."

Pei Yuantang chuckled, and his gaze towards Jiashan seemed nonchalant: "You feel guilty."

Jiashan was stunned.

"What are you feeling guilty about?" Pei Yuantang looked at her relentlessly. His voice was as gentle as before, but it unconsciously contained a hint of intimidation.

Pei Yuantang narrowed his eyes slightly, not wanting to miss any expression on Jiashan's face: "You haven't told me yet, how are they different?"

Jiashan couldn't help but feel a little irritated under such questioning. She had a good relationship with her cousin, but it was not to the point where she could tell him everything.

She looked at Pei Yuantang, her words already carrying a hint of displeasure: "Mr. Zhan was able to hold a high position because of his own ability. But Zhan Shaoying was able to enter the Ministry of Public Administration because of the blessing of his family."

"This alone is different." Jiashan's voice was clear and pleasant, but to Pei Yuantang it only sounded suffocating.

This cousin of his was the eldest daughter of the emperor. She was of noble status, well-spoken, and always had high standards. She seldom had time for idleness and foolishness.

After knowing that Jiashan disliked Zhan Shaoying, Pei Yuantang naturally thought that she would dislike the whole family and would not have any extra affection for Zhan Yue.

But just now, Pei Yuantang learned from the gatekeeper Wu Yingtong that Jiashan and Zhan Yue were getting along very well.

In fact, Pei Yuantang had felt strange since Zhan Yue helped Jiashan deliver a letter to Pei's residence. Zhan was also a great commander, with countless talented and brave men under him. Delivering a letter was not an important task, so why did he need to go out in person? Even if Pei Yuantang was executed, he would not believe that he had no ulterior motives towards Jiashan!

The more Pei Yuantang thought about it, the more he felt unhappy. He picked up the pine nut on the table and took a bite out of it. Jiashan didn't know what was wrong with him, nor could he guess what he had said to ignite his temper, so he could only say, "Don't you always dislike those who only rely on their family to get to the top? When did you start to look down on people with ability?"

Pei Yuantang looked at her quietly for a few seconds, his handsome brows knitted together: "I don't look down on him."

"I'm glad you don't look down on me." Jiashan knew Pei Yuantang was a bit arrogant. But for a man like Zhan Yue, it would be bad to offend him no matter what he said.

After all, he will be a distinguished and prominent man with a promising future. Who knows, the Pei family will need him in the future. Jiashan doesn't want his cousin to make enemies at such a young age.

She pointed at Pei Yuantang's collar, signaling him to pay attention to his image and not get snack crumbs on his clothes.

Pei Yuantang followed her line of sight and casually tapped it with his fingers.

Although Pei Yuantang looked elegant, he was not very particular about certain matters. After all, although he had a bright future in studies and politics, he was still like a child who needed care in life.

This is also what Jiashan still doesn't understand: how a man like him could have managed to remain unmarried in his previous life.

Thinking of this, Jiashan couldn't help but look at Pei Yuantang carefully.

His facial features are distinct, his eye sockets are deep, his eyebrows are bright, his nose is delicate and his lips are thin. These are all signs of a good-looking man. Compared with Zhan Yue's cold and aloof manner, Pei Yuantang has the elegance and style that are unique to Jiangnan celebrities.

No wonder so many women were willing to follow him without any status in his previous life.

Is it going to be like this again this time?

Jiashan pursed her lips. She first thought about what to say in her heart, and deliberately used a teasing tone to say: "Don't just blame me. Now that you have passed the imperial examination, uncle, don't you have a good marriage arranged for you?"

Pei Yuantang was basking in the sun with his eyes closed. Hearing this, he slowly raised his eyelids. His face became even more handsome under the afternoon sun.

"Care about me?" Pei Yuantang asked slowly, his thin lips slightly parted, and he turned his head to look at her.

If it were normal times, Jiashan would have rolled up her sleeves and clenched her fists to complain to him when she heard his self-satisfied question. But when she thought about the fact that Pei Yuantang would argue with her uncle over marriage in the future and might end up alone for the rest of his life, she softened her heart.

Jiashan raised his eyes, picked up the teacup and took a sip: "So be it."

Pei Yuantang smiled, his eyes half-closed, with a hint of satisfaction in his smile: "How could you not arrange a marriage for me? Today he wanted to drag me to visit the home of Dou Ge, the Grand Scholar of Wenhua Palace. I used you as an excuse to refuse."

Jiashan looked at him calmly.

Yes, that's right.

The matter between Pei Yuantang and Dou was settled before she and Zhan Shaoying, so if nothing unexpected happens, it must have happened recently.

Jiashan had never found out before why Pei Yuantang looked down on Dou. I wonder if there is a chance to find out now while Pei Yuantang is in a good mood?

Jiashan glanced at him and said casually, "The eldest granddaughter of Douge's hometown is fifteen this year. She is a perfect match for you in terms of age and family background. Uncle probably has some thoughts like this."

Pei Yuantang snorted, put his hands behind his head, and said lazily, "It's not maybe, it's definitely."

"Fifteen years old," Pei Yuantang pulled out one hand and tapped the table lightly. He looked at Jiashan and smiled slightly, "About the same age as you."

Jiashan frowned and stared at Pei Yuantang's eyes unconsciously. Suddenly, she realized that there was 99% tenderness and gentleness in his eyes.

What does this mean?

He...cousin...wouldn't he?

Jiashan bit her lip and was about to open her mouth, but Pei Yuantang suddenly looked away.

"I don't want to marry Dou." Pei Yuantang raised his head slightly, and said in a clear and calm voice, "Women raised in scholarly families are all the same, with a watery appearance and a clay-molded temperament, without any personality and no interest in life."

"It would be a torture to live my whole life with such a person." Pei Yuantang slowly picked up a pine nut from the table and ate it.

This time, without Jiashan's reminder, he neatly brushed away the debris on the side.

Jiashan couldn't help asking, "Have you ever met Dou?"

Pei Yuantang shook his head dryly: "No, I don't want to see her either. I won't marry her."

He spoke so decisively that Jiashan couldn't help but sigh. After two lifetimes, his cousin still had the same bad temper.

She thought for a moment, took a sip of tea to moisten her throat, and said gently, "Then you should talk to your uncle nicely, and don't let this matter cause discord between father and son."

"Getting married is a happy event. If the marriage fails and you add misfortune, it would be a loss instead of gain." Afraid that he would get angry and go to Dou Ge's mansion again to embarrass them, Jiashan had to speak to him in a serious tone.

Pei Yuantang seemed a little impatient: "I know."

"At home, they lectured me, and now I have to be lectured by you." Pei Yuantang said indifferently, "I really don't know what I am trying to do."

Jiashan said: "Aren't we all doing this for your own good?"

Pei Yuantang stared at her and said with a very unpleasant smile: "I really don't want you to do this for my own good."

What he said today was all very strange, Jiashan had already had some suspicions, but he didn't dare to think too much about it. Now seeing him like this, Jiashan couldn't help but feel even more strange.

She tilted her head to gauge his expression, but Pei Yuantang stood up on his own.

"It's getting late," Pei Yuantang said, "Call Yuankang out. I'll say goodbye to him and go back soon."

Jiashan looked at him suspiciously. Pei Yuantang raised his eyebrows: "Why, do you have anything else to say to me?"

He was in high spirits, and in an instant he regained his original strength. Jiashan had to persuade her that she was overthinking, and she said, "No, I'll go call Yuankang."

Jiashan turned and walked away, but Pei Yuantang's eyes followed her, unwilling to move away. Only when Jiashan entered the house did he lower his head, rub the tip of his nose, and his eyes dimmed.

Zhao Youze was copying scriptures with all his heart. When he heard that Pei Yuantang was leaving, he did not even raise his head. He just said loudly, "Sister, please help me see my cousin off. I will finish copying this section soon, so I will not go."

Seeing that he was serious, Jiashan felt relieved. He said yes and went to see Pei Yuantang off himself.

She sent him to the gate of the courtyard and walked a few steps outside. Pei Yuantang thought to himself, "Let's stop here. I'm not married and you're not married yet. It's not appropriate for others to see us."

Jiashan was a little surprised to hear this from him. You know, he was not very good at dealing with people.

Jiashan was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Be careful on your way back. Remember what I said, don't argue with your uncle. If I have time these days, I will definitely bring Yuankang to visit grandpa, uncle and aunt."

Pei Yuantang said disapprovingly: "You'd better not come. You came here under the pretext of praying for your aunt. If you come to our house, my father will say you are a jerk. He will say you are abusing your power and being hypocritical."

Jiashan sneered.

My uncle has been the chief academic officer of the Imperial Academy for more than ten years. He has many students all over the world and has always been very protective of his reputation. He is a somewhat pedantic person, so this is indeed something he would do.

She compromised, "Then I'll find a chance to visit them when I return to the palace."

"Yes." Pei Yuantang nodded. He looked at Jiashan with a look of clear water in his eyes. "I'm leaving. If there is any new news about your marriage, I will write to you."

Jiashan smiled and said, "Okay."

After a moment's thought, Jiashan added with concern: "If you run into Commander Zhan when you go out, be polite to him."

Seeing Pei Yuantang remained silent, Jiashan asked, "Do you understand?"

Pei Yuantang's expression was cold and hard, and he said in a cold tone: "I know."

After hearing that he had agreed to it, Jiashan gradually felt relieved. After seeing Pei Yuantang off, Jiashan walked slowly towards his own yard.

It was a windy autumn day. The drooping vines swayed gently in the wind. The dense orchid pollen balls were as white as jade, and they were shyly about to bloom like pretty girls.

Jiashan wanted to go forward and smell the fragrance of orchids, but unexpectedly, when he looked up, he saw a pair of black pointed boots under the branches of a willow tree. The boots were embroidered with white silk Buyun, which looked very familiar.

Jiashan opened her beautiful eyes slightly, silently sized up the willow tree for a long while, and then slowly said, "Sir, eavesdropping under the willow tree is not what a gentleman does."

Less than a second after her words were spoken, a person finally walked out from behind the willow tree.

Zhan Yue was still wearing his casual clothes today. He didn't know how long he had been standing under the tree, and there were a few willow leaves as thin as knives on his cuffs. Under his completely black clothes, the two green spots were like pearls and jade, which were particularly obvious.

Hearing the squeeze in Jiashan's words, Zhan Yue just looked at her calmly.

He walked slowly towards her.

After a moment of silence, Zhan Yue leaned forward and murmured hoarsely, "Why do I have to let him be polite to me?"