Chapter 22 The whole family was together, all of them...
Pei Jinghuai and Pei Jingyi got into a fight?
Shen Lingyue was shocked. Weren't they fine when they parted ways outside the flower hall?
Just as she was about to pull Qingchan aside to ask her more questions, Yan Yi also emerged from behind the flower bushes. "What happened?"
Qingchan immediately shut her mouth and stared at her as if facing a formidable enemy.
Shen Lingyue: ...
As expected of her trusted head maid, she's so dedicated; even at a time like this, she's still on guard.
She coughed lightly, "It's alright, sister-in-law is no outsider, you can just say whatever you want."
Qingchan looked at Shen Lingyue, who nodded to her.
Qingchan: I understand, Miss must be trying to lull the enemy into a false sense of security!
However, the matter wasn't complicated to begin with. Qingchan said, "The young master had just returned to Danyue Pavilion and hadn't even had a chance to sit down and have a sip of tea when that young man named Ping'an came over from the front yard, said a few words to the young master, and then..."
Qingchan glanced at Yan Yi, her tone softening.
"Then the son-in-law stormed off to Jiusi Courtyard, and he and the eldest son closed the door and talked about something. Then the two of them started fighting."
Shen Lingyue suddenly felt a headache.
It sounds like your own dog came to provoke you.
Could it be because of the matter of paying respects to Princess Qinghe's memorial tablet earlier?
But didn't she take revenge on the spot?
Unable to understand, Shen Lingyue could only ask, "Where is the son-in-law now?"
"The Marquis has sent men to escort him back to our courtyard."
Shen Lingyue sighed. Why had she disturbed the elders? She turned to Yan Yi and said, "Let's go back and check the situation first, and we'll talk about it later."
Yan Yi nodded, and the two parted ways.
She watched as Shen Lingyue rushed back, constantly asking about Qingchan's details, her brows furrowed, looking very concerned.
Then he turned around and slowly returned to Jiusi Courtyard.
Upon entering, he asked, "Where is the eldest son?"
The maid pointed, "In the East Study."
Yan Yi pushed open the door and saw Pei Jingyi sitting by the window, his face ashen, with a large red patch on his left cheek near the corner of his mouth, a blemish on his otherwise flawless complexion that was quite jarring.
The desk not far away was in a mess, with books and scrolls scattered all over the floor, and the chair that was originally placed neatly was also lying askew on the ground.
They must have been knocked over during the argument with Pei Jinghuai earlier.
Pei Jingyi was sitting there lost in thought when he heard footsteps. He looked up and saw Yan Yi, his eyes flashing slightly.
"You're back."
Yan Yi nodded. "I only found out you two were fighting when your sister-in-law's maid ran to the garden to report the news. Why?"
Pei Jingyi's wound was on the corner of his mouth, and every time he opened his mouth, it would cause him a slight pain.
He said succinctly, "He's having a fit, it's nothing serious."
"oh."
He clearly didn't want to talk about it, and Yan Yi wouldn't bother pressing him for an answer.
The two sat and stood, and for a moment they looked at each other in silence, the atmosphere somewhat cold.
When Shumo came in carrying her medicine box, she saw Yan Yi and quickly said, "Young Madam, you're back! Let's quickly apply the medicine to the young master."
He was still holding two freshly boiled eggs in his hand, both anxious and annoyed: "I'm supposed to go to the palace to express my gratitude tomorrow, Second Young Master has gone too far, you shouldn't hit someone in the face..."
"Shumo".
Pei Jingyi coldly interrupted him, "Put your things down and get out."
Shumo responded with a wronged tone, then quickly whispered instructions to Yan Yi on which medicines to use, before reluctantly leaving.
Yan Yi held the medicine box and eggs that had been forced upon her, a rare look of confusion appearing on her face.
She's never done this before.
"Or I could go outside and find someone..."
"Thank you for your trouble, Madam."
Pei Jingyi lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes casting a faint shadow under his eyelids.
"I don't like outsiders touching me. The maids in the courtyard usually only do some chores like cleaning and sweeping."
He sat there silently, not complaining or playing the victim despite being beaten, which inexplicably reminded people of fragile porcelain. Who would have the heart to destroy such a beautiful thing?
Yan Yi shamefully gave in. Well, perhaps this could be considered a wife's duty?
She carried the medicine box forward, opened the lid to inspect it, and quickly figured out how to operate it.
Yan Yi picked up a porcelain bottle labeled "reduce swelling and bruises" and declared in advance, "I'm not very good at these things. If it's too light or too heavy, or if it's not suitable, just tell me."
Pei Jingyi hummed in agreement.
Yan Yi began to apply the medicine to him.
Pei Jingyi could feel her gentle, light touch, like a dragonfly skimming the water, and even a hint of cautious nervousness.
Her fingertips occasionally brushed against his cheek, and she quickly withdrew them as if she had been burned, as if afraid of having any intimate contact with him.
Dragonflies hovered low over the lake, their transparent wings shimmering with gold. Their long, slender tails lightly skimmed the water's surface before they flew away without looking back.
A ripple of unease stirred within me.
Yan Yi applied ointment to his wound and turned to get a handkerchief to wipe her hands.
Pei Jingyi suddenly spoke up: "I thought that since my father-in-law is a military general, you should be used to handling these things."
Yan Yi turned around, her expression indifferent.
“I lost my mother when I was young and had a distant relationship with my father. He never taught me these things, let alone let me treat his wounds.”
Who says a military general's daughter has to be good at treating wounds? Stereotypes are unacceptable.
After she finished speaking, Pei Jingyi's expression seemed to turn even colder. He turned to look out the window and remained silent.
Yan Yi thought for a moment, peeled the egg that Shu Mo had brought, wrapped it in a clean handkerchief, and handed it to him, "Why don't you roll it again yourself?"
Pei Jingyi silently took it, then held it to the corner of his mouth for a long time without moving it, looking somewhat perfunctory.
The somber atmosphere in the room was broken only by the arrival of Qi's mother.
"Young Master, Madam sent me to deliver medicine and to apologize to you on behalf of the Second Young Master."
Madam Qi knelt down and bowed her head low. "Second Young Master is really too inappropriate. How could he be so disrespectful to his elder brother? Please, considering his youth and impulsiveness, don't hold it against him..."
Yan Yi looked at the boxes of various sizes that Meng Wanyin had brought. Meng Wanyin had not only given medicine for her injuries, but also a number of tonics, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, showing her great sincerity.
Mother Qi then took out a wooden box from her bosom and handed it to Yan Yi.
"Young Madam, this is a gift that Madam originally prepared for you when serving tea. She couldn't take it out earlier, so she asked me to bring it here with you."
Yan Yi was somewhat surprised. This morning, she had only kowtowed and offered tea to the memorial tablet of Princess Qinghe. She did not expect that the Lady Hou, as her stepmother, would treat her, her eldest daughter-in-law, the same way.
Unsure whether she should accept it, she looked at Pei Jingyi with a questioning gaze.
He nodded to her, "Since it's your mother's gift, you should accept it."
Yan Yi stepped forward and took the wooden box. "Please thank Mother for me. I will go to the main courtyard to pay my respects to her in a couple of days."
Mother Qi breathed a sigh of relief and said a lot of good things about Pei Jinghuai until Pei Jingyi showed a little impatience, at which point she tactfully took her leave.
Yan Yi: "Then I'll call someone in to sort and put away all these gifts?"
"good."
Yan Yi breathed a sigh of relief, which gave her the perfect opportunity to slip back to her room.
Otherwise, are we just going to stay here and stare at Pei Jingyi?
Just as she was about to call for help, Pei Jingyi said again, "Madam is kind-hearted and not the kind of person who is harsh. If you feel bored during the day, you can often go to the main courtyard to sit. Don't worry that I will have any concerns."
His wedding leave was only five days, and after that he had to go out to work every day, leaving early and returning late, leaving her alone in Jiusi Courtyard.
Moreover, there are many cats in the main courtyard. Don't girls all like fluffy little things?
Yan Yicai realized he was referring to the Lady Hou and nodded in agreement.
The thought of Pei Jingyi going to work in a few days made her eyes light up, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curled up. "It won't be boring. I can talk to Xiaoyue... I mean, sister-in-law."
Pei Jingyi: ...
Why do I sense a subtle hint of disdain?
He lowered his head and rubbed the eggs, deciding not to tell her yet that his second son was still a celibate.
Without an official position, one naturally doesn't need to go out.
*
When Shen Lingyue returned to Danyue Pavilion with Qingchan, it seemed as if a full-blown fight was taking place in the courtyard.
Pei Jinghuai held a long stick he had picked up from somewhere, waving it around with great flair.
"So what if I hit him? He deserved it! He deserved it!"
"What's it to you why I hit someone? I can hit someone whenever I want, do I need to pick a day?!"
Opposite them were several guards from the Marquis's side, who were helpless against the Second Young Master.
He is, after all, a proper master of the manor; we can't be too lenient or too harsh on him, nor can we treat him the same way we treat thieves.
"Second Young Master, please stop using your supernatural powers."
The middle-aged man who seemed to be the head of the guards said helplessly, "We are just following orders. Please be lenient and stop making trouble, okay?"
Shen Lingyue ran back, leaning against a pillar and panting, and asked, "What are you doing?"
Shuangxu trotted over from the side and explained, "The Marquis is very angry and said he would punish the son-in-law. The son-in-law refused, and the two sides are currently at odds."
Shen Lingyue understood. So Pei Jinghuai wasn't brought back under escort, but escaped back?
The standoff continued, and just as several guards were about to tentatively step forward, Pei Jinghuai knocked them back with a stick.
The guards moved in circles, looking for an opportunity to disarm them.
Two men tried to flank the backpack from the side, but Ping An shouted, "Young master, be careful! They're going to ambush you!"
Shen Lingyue couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Why does it look like an eagle catching chicks?
Pei Jinghuai looked up at the sound, "Why are you back—"
In that brief moment of distraction, Cen Ming made a hand gesture, and the guards swarmed forward, pinned Pei Jinghuai down, and threw the long stick far away.
"Ahhh, let me go!"
Pei Jinghuai struggled incessantly, his gaze towards Shen Lingyue filled with a hint of resentment, "Whose side are you really on?"
Shen Lingyue: ...
You're the one who's acting crazy and biting people, and you're blaming me?
Despite the complaints, we still have to maintain appearances.
Shen Lingyue pretended to be anxious, ran over, and blocked Pei Jinghuai's way.
"Don't you dare hit my husband!"
She closed her eyes, her expression one of resignation to death, and said, "If you're going to fight, fight me too!"
The bride was beaten on her second day after entering the household; she wanted to see if the Marquis's mansion could afford to lose face like this.
Cen Ming: ...
No, young mistress, it really isn't that bad!
Pei Jinghuai forgot to struggle for a moment and looked up at the figure in a daze.
The bright early summer sunlight streamed down from above, casting a golden glow on the hem of her crimson skirt.
At this moment, Shen Lingyue was no less than a goddess descended to earth to save all living beings in his heart.
Pei Jinghuai: So she really cares about me... The drugging must have been because she was too scared and nervous the first time...
He chuckled twice, as if he had thought of something.
The guards responsible for holding Pei Jinghuai down suddenly noticed that the second young master's face had turned suspiciously red, and he was also making a strange laugh...
For no apparent reason, it gave him goosebumps.
Cen Ming was still negotiating with Shen Lingyue.
"Please step aside, Second Young Madam. The Marquis has ordered that the Second Young Master has disrespected his elder brother and injured someone. He must be given twenty strokes of the cane. This is the family rule."
Shen Lingyue racked her brains: "My husband is not an unreasonable person. There must be a reason why he took action."
She turned around and winked at Pei Jinghuai, "Husband, tell me quickly!"
Pei Jinghuai stubbornly retorted, "No reason, I just hit him, so what!"
Shen Lingyue: ...I might as well kill you!
She silently stepped aside and gestured for Cen Ming to proceed.
Cen Ming: ?
Pei Jinghuai: ?
That's it?
Why don't you try to fight for it again?
Shen Lingyue: I'm tired. Let's destroy it.
She said irritably, "If you're going to fight, then fight quickly, don't delay my homecoming the day after tomorrow."
These words seemed to remind Pei Jinghuai, and his eyes lit up. "Uncle Ming, go tell the old man that I still need to go to the palace to express my gratitude tomorrow!"
If he gets beaten today, he'll be carried into the palace tomorrow.
Let's see if Pei Xian can afford to lose face.
Sure enough, Cen Ming hesitated for a moment, then called over a subordinate and told him to go to the front yard and ask again whether or not the cane should be used.
The subordinate returned quickly. "The Marquis said to put it on the books first, and it won't be too late to beat him after the Second Young Master accompanies the Second Young Mistress back to her parents' home."
Cen Ming raised his hand to let the others release him.
Pei Jinghuai sprang to his feet with a somersault, letting out a defiant snort.
Want to hit him? No way.
Cen Ming reminded him, "Second Young Master, the Marquis said to keep accounts, not that he's not going to fight anymore."
Just as the guards were about to leave, Madam Qian's gloomy, round face peeked out from behind the door.
"Second Young Master, do you know your crime?"
Pei Jinghuai glared angrily: "You old scoundrel, how dare you lecture me?"
Madam Qian didn't take it seriously. She had come "on imperial orders," and said in a high-pitched voice, "The Grand Madam has decreed that the Second Young Master must kneel in the ancestral hall for six hours as punishment, or she will go to the palace right now to report you for being unfilial and disrespectful to your elders—"
Shen Lingyue's expression changed.
This old lady is so biased, it's outrageous!
It's just a fight between brothers, what's the big deal? Why go to the palace to complain about Pei Jinghuai?
Once this label of being unfilial and disrespectful to one's brothers is attached to him, forget about inheriting the title; being expelled from the family genealogy would be the least of his worries.
She composed herself, turned to look at Pei Jinghuai, and saw that his face was flushed, he was biting his lip, and he was on the verge of exploding.
Shen Lingyue stepped forward to block her, preventing Qian's mother from making a fuss about it.
She grasped his tense forearm and whispered, "Filial piety is paramount; don't confront her directly."
After saying that, she pinched him once, but couldn't move him, so she pinched him again.
Pei Jinghuai sighed and helplessly pushed her hand away. "I know."
Stop pinching him, it's not like he can't feel the pain.
He flicked the hem of his clothes and strode toward the door.
Mother Qian turned pale with fright, fearing that Pei Jinghuai, in his rage, would throw her out.
However, he only paused for a moment beside Qian's mother, and said coldly, "Kneel then."
Did he think he had never knelt before, even for just six hours?
Pei Jinghuai went to the ancestral hall by himself, but Mama Qian was still standing at the door.
Shen Lingyue found her face annoying and said irritably, "We don't keep people here for meals, aren't you leaving?"
The flesh on Qian's mother's face was trembling; she was furious.
This sharp-tongued little rascal has absolutely no trace of the gentle and virtuous demeanor of a noble lady.
How dare he order people around in the courtyard as soon as he walks in?!
She gritted her teeth and forced out the words: "Now that the second young mistress has entered the family, she should urge her husband to be more ambitious and reasonable. Today, the second young master beat the eldest young master for no reason. Do you think you bear no responsibility?"
Shen Lingyue blinked and pointed at herself: "I only entered the family yesterday, and you all expect me to turn my husband into a saint and a gentleman?"
"If I remember correctly, my husband is twenty years old this year, right? Who has been teaching him for the past twenty years? His grandmother is his own mother! She is so wise, reasonable, and resourceful, yet she couldn't teach her grandson to be respectful to his elders. Why should I be blamed for this?"
Shen Lingyue retorted without backing down: "If I am responsible, then what about the Grand Madam? What about the Marquis and his wife? Fine, then let our whole family kneel in the ancestral hall!"
Mrs. Qian was dumbfounded. What kind of robber logic was this?!
"You, you—"
"What do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'what did I say wrong'?" Shen Lingyue sneered. "I was married into this family by imperial decree. The imperial edict says, 'A perfect match made in heaven, rewarding merit and virtue, to comfort the Emperor.' Do you understand what that means? It means that only by marrying into the Pei family can the Emperor be at ease!"
Shen Lingyue looked up at the sky and said to herself, "Now I understand. So I married into this family to take the blame for your whole family. When I go to the palace to express my gratitude tomorrow, I'll have to ask you properly, is this how a marriage decree is used?"
Go to the palace to file a complaint? It's like anyone can't do that.
Mrs. Qian's face was deathly pale, and large beads of sweat rolled down her forehead.
Good heavens, you can't say that! That's a capital offense!
She stood there, trembling, wanting to run away but not even having the strength to lift her legs.
"Oh dear, I forgot to ask, what teachings did the Dowager Madam give me?"
Shen Lingyue stood in the sunlight, smiling as she looked over. Her young and beautiful face, however, was more terrifying than a man-eating demon in Qian Mama's eyes.
Mother Qian trembled, "The old lady said, she said you have to copy 'Admonitions for Women' ten times to remember it..."
Before Shen Lingyue could speak, she quickly added, "Actually, it doesn't matter if you don't copy it. I'll go back and persuade the Grand Madam. This matter doesn't really concern you, Second Young Madam..."
Shen Lingyue clapped her hands twice and nodded in satisfaction.
"Mother Qian truly lives up to her reputation as the most capable person by the Grand Madam's side; she is pragmatic and knows when to advance and retreat."
She gave a kind smile: "Then I'll be waiting for your good news."
Her response was the sight of Qian's mother scrambling away, faster than a rabbit.
Shen Lingyue snorted, then belatedly realized that the courtyard seemed a bit too quiet.
Looking back, she saw Qingchan Shuangxu at the head, followed by Ping An Jixiang, and all the maids and servants in the courtyard were looking at her with admiration.
Shen Lingyue had a strange feeling that she had been promoted and received a raise. She cleared her throat, put her hands behind her back, and said, "Why are you all looking at me? Go do what you're supposed to be doing."
The crowd scattered like birds and beasts in an instant.
Qingchan came up to her, her eyes shining brightly, "Miss, you were so impressive just now!"
"So-so, third in the world," Shen Lingyue said modestly. "I didn't expect the Pei family to cause so much trouble."
Compared to the Pei family, she suddenly felt that the Shen family was so harmonious and loving.
Shuangxu asked, "Our son-in-law has to kneel in the ancestral hall for six hours. Should we prepare something to send over?"
After being reminded by her, Shen Lingyue remembered.
"Quickly make him a 'kneeling ease' and send it over."
Hahaha, I never thought she would say that line!
Qingchan understood immediately and quickly pulled Shuangxu to finish the job, using the most ordinary fine silk cloth stuffed with thick cotton and sewing it in.
He packed another food box with snacks and tea, and after thinking for a moment, he found a cotton quilt with a pillow rolled inside.
Shen Lingyue was speechless. "He's going to be punished by kneeling, not to go camping."
He knelt until midnight and then came back, which didn't interfere with his sleep.
Qingchan glanced at her with exasperation and reminded her, "Today is the second day of Miss and her husband's wedding."
The next day, and they hadn't even called for water yesterday!
If the son-in-law kneels uncomfortably, gets tired or sick, then tonight's work will be wasted again.
Shen Lingyue didn't even think about it that way. "What happened the next day? Oh, you have to go to the palace to meet the emperor tomorrow. It wouldn't look good if you were limping."
Ping An was still waiting on the side. Qing Chan was too embarrassed to be too explicit, so she rolled up the big bundle and put it on his back, and instructed him: "We can't go to the ancestral hall. You and Ji Xiang keep watch. If anything happens, come back and let us know."
Ping An was deeply moved. "Thank you, sister. It's so good to be married. Finally, someone cares about the young master."
In the past, the young master had often been punished by the Marquis to kneel in the ancestral hall. He would go in alone and come out with both legs swollen and his knees bruised and battered.
Shen Lingyue was somewhat incredulous, "Doesn't Mother bring food to her husband?"
"They did deliver meals, but the lady dared not do anything else, for fear that the Marquis would scold her."
Shen Lingyue seemed to be thinking about something, and after a moment she thought about it, she said to him, "It's alright. It's only natural for me to feel sorry for my husband. I'm sure the Marquis wouldn't be able to come and lecture me."
"Hey!" Ping An happily carried the bundle away.
The courtyard was in complete chaos before it finally settled down.
Shen Lingyue also had time to think: Why did these two people suddenly start fighting?
Pei Jinghuai is so stubborn, he won't say anything even when he's about to be punished. Is it because he's in the wrong?
Shen Lingyue had a headache. She still hoped to maintain a good relationship with the eldest son's family so that she and Yan Yi could legitimately play together.
Otherwise, if the two brothers are fighting like madmen, are they supposed to stand by hand and cheer them on?
She called Qingchan over and said, "Go to Jiusi Academy and find out what my elder brother and sister-in-law are doing, and whether it would be convenient for me to go and apologize."
Unable to get any information from Pei Jinghuai, she had no choice but to target Pei Jingyi.
Even if she can't get the answer, Yan Yi might be able to.
Once Yan Yi finds out the reason for the fight, she will definitely tell her.
Shen Lingyue was very confident.
Qingchan went out, and returned after a short while, shaking her head.
"The gates of Jiusi Academy were tightly closed. I asked the gatekeeper, and she said that the eldest young master was injured and feeling unwell, and was already resting."
Shen Lingyue exclaimed, "Are you badly injured?"
Does that mean Yan Yi can't come out either?
She pouted, looking a little unhappy.
She thought that once they got married, they could be together every day, but now they're even further apart than the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.
Qingchan nodded and then shook her head: "It's not too serious, but it's normal that the young master doesn't want to see people since the injury is on his face."
Shen Lingyue exclaimed again, "You're disfigured?"
My apologies, my brother-in-law's face must not be harmed.
She also wanted Yan Yi to see handsome men every day to refresh her eyes.
"Don't worry, Miss. I've asked around, and the main courtyard has already apologized on our behalf and even sent a lot of tonics over."
Shen Lingyue nodded to indicate that she understood, and asked Qingchan to leave first, as she wanted to be alone for a while.
She was sitting on the daybed by the window when she suddenly punched it hard.
I'm a little angry.
Pei Jinghuai was too impulsive! No matter what, he shouldn't have hit his own brother.
Don't you think that with Pei Jingyi's build, how many punches could he withstand?
He hit someone, but he's still stubborn and refuses to admit his mistake, and he even expects his mother and wife to clean up his mess...
Men with unstable emotions are not desirable.
The little bit of affection Shen Lingyue had developed for his body was almost completely ruined by him.
She unilaterally decided to give him the silent treatment! Until he realizes he's wrong!
In the afternoon, Shen Lingyue read storybooks in her room, ate dinner on time, and went to bed on time at night.
Qingchan tucked her in and then hesitated as she lowered the bed curtains.
Shuangxu tugged at her from behind, and the two left the room.
Qingchan: "Why won't you let me speak?"
Shuangxu: "Can't you tell that Miss is in a bad mood?"
"I can see that. Well, what I was trying to say was to tell her not to go to bed so early, and to wait for her husband to come back..."
"Miss is angry with the young master, how could she possibly stay awake and wait for him?"
Shuangxu made a decisive statement, "This is a matter between the couple. Let's not interfere and go back inside."
Qingchan said "Oh," and followed behind her, asking, "Do we still need to prepare water tonight?"
"..."
*
Inside the ancestral hall.
Pei Jinghuai was wrapped in a quilt and lay sprawled on the prayer mat, with two bulging things tied to his knees.
He stared intently at the water clock beside him, and as soon as six hours were up, he jumped up, pushed open the door, and ran outside.
It was past midnight, and the vast mansion was quiet everywhere. Only his hurried footsteps passed through the courtyards, startling a flock of birds that fluttered into the sky.
The night breeze was a bit cool, but Pei Jinghuai's heart was burning with desire. He couldn't wait to return to Danyue Pavilion, to that warm, fragrant bed.
He jogged all the way to the outside of Danyue Pavilion, looking at the tightly closed gate with a puzzled expression.
Why didn't they leave the door open for him?
-----------------------
Author's Note: Moonbeam: The seal is broken, sisters, let's fight!
Congratulations to Qian Mama on achieving a double kill! [heart emoji]
*
(Emperor Qingxi: So this is what you meant by comforting my heart?)
My neck was a bit sore this morning, so it's a little short [crying emoji]. I'll be back with a 10,000-word update tomorrow night! This time, I'm determined to take back everything that's rightfully mine~~~~~~ And please continue to support me! One vote from you, one vote from me, and Yuezai will debut tomorrow! [cheering emoji] [cheering emoji]
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