Chapter 46 - A Dream Without a Trace: The String of Reason in Pei Xu's Mind...
The first thing I saw was a white porcelain teacup, the one she had personally served me in the private room of Juxianglou that day.
The girl who served the tea did not return to the other side of the table. Instead, she leaned against him, her hands on his shoulders, and looked up at him, "My lord..."
Her voice was soft and sweet, with a languid huskiness unique to dreams. Her fingertips traced his brow again, the heat intensifying, her burning breath gently tracing the contours of his brow bone. Reaching the end of his brow, her fingertips didn't leave, but instead, like feathers, lightly brushed against his slightly closed eyelids, causing his eyelashes to tremble uncontrollably.
"Your eyebrows and eyes are so beautiful."
Pei Xu composed himself, "Not as good as Miss Meng."
"Of course." In her dream, she no longer feigned modesty; her round eyes glistened with tears as she smiled gently, "Didn't you say, sir, that I am even more beautiful than the imperial brocade?"
"Well said, I like it very much."
As if as a reward, the fingertip continued downwards, slowly sliding down the bridge of his straight nose, each light touch sending a shiver through him. The tip of his nose, touched by that soft touch, sent a strange, tingling sensation straight to the top of his head. Pei Xu's breathing suddenly became heavy, his Adam's apple bobbing violently.
Finally, her mischievous fingertips landed on his lips. The pads of her fingers pressed down with an irresistible force, bringing a strange, heart-pounding pressure. She leaned forward, her breath sweet and fragrant, the warm air brushing against his ear, mingling with the sweet aroma of tea, seeping into his heart and soul.
"You said that the Biluochun tea from your residence is the best..." Her red lips parted slightly, her voice muffled, with a hint of sly laughter, but her gaze was fixed on his lips, "...or is my tea better?" As she spoke, the fingertip that was pressing against his lips gently and slowly caressed them.
A subtle yet distinct friction sensation came from his lips, like a spark falling into dry tinder. The string of reason in Pei Xu's mind suddenly tightened, then snapped in an instant.
He abruptly raised his hand and grabbed the hand that was roaming his lips. The skin was smooth and soft, the bones delicate, as if they could break with the slightest force. His other arm had already uncontrollably wrapped around her waist, and through the thin gauze, he could clearly feel the suppleness and warmth of her waist.
“You…” Pei Xu’s voice was hoarse and his eyes were filled with dark undercurrents. Meng Lingyao did not struggle, but instead snuggled up to him and hooked her arm around his neck. “It’s quite interesting that you’re like this, my lord.”
Pei Xu remembered that she said her lip rouge was mixed with honey.
That should be sweet.
He leaned down and kissed it, and sure enough, it was sweeter than he had imagined. He was like a traveler in the desert who had suddenly encountered sweet rain, learning without a teacher how to entwine and suckle, prying open lips and teeth to seek the sweetness deeper within.
...
At midnight, Pei Xu suddenly awoke.
His arms were empty, with only a brocade quilt piled haphazardly around his waist. His body was still burning with heat, and his sweat-soaked nightgown clung to his skin, bringing a sticky coolness. The courtyard was utterly silent, save for the rapid, pounding of his heart.
He remained silent for a while, then called Dan Yue in to tidy up. If it came to thoroughness, Qing Zhou would naturally be more suitable, but he had just accompanied her to the Meng residence. At this moment, he didn't want others to have any unnecessary speculations.
Feeling that she had offended the master that evening, Dan Yue was unusually attentive at this moment, and immediately responded upon hearing the voice, "What are your orders, sir?"
"Make the bed." Pei Xu stood up, his tone indifferent. "Prepare water."
Seeing that he looked unwell, Dan Yue didn't dare to ask any more questions and simply gave the orders efficiently.
His hands froze when he saw the mess on the bed.
He wasn't an ignorant child; he understood instantly and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Qingzhou really understands adults best." A few thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. Without stopping, he neatly made the bed and quietly slipped out.
As dawn broke, Pei Xu had already changed his clothes. He stood before the bronze mirror, fastening his jade belt hook, his reflection showing faint blue shadows under his eyes. The uncontrollable dream had disturbed his peace of mind, making his face even more gloomy. The servants, who were usually unusually quiet, were even more silent today, not daring to breathe. The entire Jingguan Courtyard was so quiet that you could hear a silver needle falling to the ground.
"The geese have arrived?"
As Pei Xufang stepped into the front hall, Madam Yang's shrill voice greeted him. She put down her teacup, held an embroidered handkerchief in her hand as if to wipe the corner of her eye, and tapped it lightly, "It's really not easy to see you these days."
Pei Xu had little patience for dealing with her and simply asked, "What brings you here today, Aunt?"
Madam Yang's expression stiffened slightly, then she sighed, "It's nothing serious, I just haven't seen you in so long, I missed you and wanted to come see you. My sister passed away early, and my brother-in-law is away from the capital most of the time, so how are you any different from my own child? Do you still remember how I..."
Pei Xu had heard this countless times when he was young, and he initially believed it to be true, until he discovered that his aunt would add something else to the milk she served him every ten days or so.
Of course, it wasn't anything fatal; it only caused him fever and abdominal pain. If he didn't fall ill, how could she, as his aunt, demonstrate the merit of her personal care? At least, that's what Madam Yang thought.
“Aunt, please speak frankly,” Pei Xu interrupted her.
Seeing his appearance, Madam Yang was secretly annoyed, but dared not show it on her face. She could only stammer, "Actually... I wanted to discuss a good thing with you."
"What is it?"
"It concerns your life's most important matter," Madam Yang finally revealed her true intentions. "The Cui family has a ninth young lady, raised in the old town of Qinghe. She is well-educated, virtuous, and gentle. I think you two are of similar age and social standing, so perhaps..."
“No need,” Pei Xu interrupted her again. “My marriage is arranged by my grandfather, so there’s no need for you to worry about it, Aunt.”
Madam Yang's expression changed. "Yanxing, how can you be so cold and distant? I am your elder, what's wrong with me arranging your marriage!"
"I have official business to attend to, so I cannot stay any longer." Pei Xu stood up.
Madam Yang's voice choked with sobs, "My life is so miserable. I married Cui San, and last year he got into a fight over a courtesan, making me the laughingstock of the capital to this day. If only my sister were still here..."
"I already had my lawyer draft the divorce papers."
The crying stopped abruptly.
Madam Yang seemed to have been choked, and it took her a long time to speak, "Your mother passed away early, and I treated you like my own son, yet you have become so distant from me... Is this due to the instigation of the Eldest Princess? No matter how close she is to you, she is still a member of the royal family!"
“Aunt, be careful what you say.” He raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife. “If there’s nothing else, Aunt, you should go home as soon as possible.”
Madam Yang flinched under his gaze, her fingers clutching her handkerchief, but she dared not speak again.
Pei Xu left the front hall, passed through layers of flowers and trees, and stepped into Ruihe Hall. Old Master Pei was facing a chessboard, making a move by himself.
"Sit down." The old man didn't even look up.
Pei Xu sat down, picked up a black piece, and casually placed it down. His playing style was sharp and ruthless, and in a short while, he had cleared out most of the white pieces.
"Smack!" The old man slammed the white piece onto the chessboard. "You little bastard! How dare you be so cruel to your own grandfather?"
The old man was so angry that his beard trembled.
Pei Xu didn't speak, but lowered his eyes and slowly picked up the captured white pieces one by one and put them back into the chess basket.
Old Master Pei's anger suddenly subsided. He sighed and slowly said, "Madam Yang came to see me yesterday."
What advice does Grandfather have for me?
"Regardless of her intentions, Miss Cui Jiu is indeed a good candidate."
Perhaps it was because he had few children; his eldest son died young, and his youngest son had not returned home for many years. He only had one grandson, Pei Xu. He did not insist on having children or grandchildren. However, he had been suffering from minor illnesses in recent years, and he felt that his health was deteriorating, not knowing when he would pass away.
"I'm past sixty, and life and death are commonplace for me. But if I'm gone too, how can I rest easy knowing you're all alone?"
Pei Xu paused in picking up the chess pieces, remained silent for a long time, and then said, "Grandfather, you flatter me."
"If you don't want Miss Cui, how about Miss Meng?" Old Master Pei suddenly changed the subject.
Pei Xu suddenly looked up. "What does this have to do with her?"
"Hmph—" Old Master Pei sneered, "Although I am old, I am not deaf or blind."
He toyed with the chess pieces in his hand and continued, “Miss Meng is indeed very good. The Meng family is of ordinary social standing, but they are still a respected family in the court and have a good reputation among scholars. Miss Meng is also known for her virtue. The situation in the court is unclear now, and my Pei family does not need any overly conspicuous in-laws. Most importantly—Yan Xing, you are in love with her.”
His eyes were sharp. "Since you are interested, your grandfather will make the trip for you."
Pei Xu's Adam's apple bobbed, and after a long pause, he said in a low voice, "No."
"Why?" Old Master Pei raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to be like those纨绔 (spoiled brats) who start relationships and then abandon them? My Pei family cannot tolerate such a dissolute!"
"..."
Pei Xu was speechless, and gave him a cold glance, "Grandfather is getting on in years, don't go around peeking at the younger generation's stories anymore."
Old Master Pei coughed, his expression unchanged, and said, "Nonsense."
Pei Xu picked up the chess pieces and said, "I still have official duties to attend to. If Grandfather has no further instructions, I will take my leave now."
Old Master Pei hesitated for a moment, then finally fell silent. "Very well, go ahead and do your work. Just don't overwork yourself and take care of your health."
Pei Xu nodded slightly, then got up and left.
Stepping out of his study, he lingered in the corridor for a long time.
Spring has faded, and the peach and plum blossoms in the courtyard have all fallen. A few green apricots are faintly visible on the treetops, and just one glance at them makes one's heart ache.
With such a clear and discerning mind, young gentlemen in the capital were as numerous as carp crossing a river. Since she was looking for her ideal husband, she must have already made plans.
Pei Xu was certain that, at least for now, he was definitely not her first choice.
-
The day before yesterday, after seeing Pei Xu off, it was already late. Meng Lingyao sent someone to tell her parents what was going on, and then went straight back to her room to rest.
She woke up the next day, and Madam Zhong had already sent word to summon her.
"Yaoyao." Madam Zhong stared into her eyes. "Yesterday, Pei Shaoqing suddenly came to the door. Do you have any clues about it?"
Meng Lingyao was completely unaware. "Wasn't it Father who invited you?"
"I know how much influence your father has."
Seeing her feign innocence, Madam Zhong chuckled, "Alright, let's not talk about that. Why are you dressing up so carefully so late at night? I had no idea you had such deep respect and affection for Pei Shaoqing?"
“If it were Cheng Yu, I certainly wouldn’t,” Meng Lingyao said confidently. “But it’s Pei Xu. It doesn’t matter how unkempt I am in front of others, but how can I be outdone in front of him?”
"Really?" Madam Zhong drawled, her voice tinged with doubt. She knew her daughter was strong-willed; she was fine with being compared to other young ladies, but she would also feel unhappy if a man stole her thunder. Not to mention Pei Xu, who had repeatedly stolen her thunder, she had said a whole lot of sarcastic things about him.
Thinking about this, she was already somewhat convinced.
Just as she was about to ask a few more questions, Cang Dian led several servants in, carrying a pile of brocade boxes. "Madam, Miss, Lord Pei just sent someone to deliver some things to our door."
"They said they came in a hurry yesterday and came empty-handed, which was really impolite, so they specially presented this today."
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Author's Note: What kind of dream was I having? Ah, hard to guess! [shy]
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