Chapter 59 Jiang Family
Pei Yanzhi took it and handed it to her, gesturing for her to open it and take a look.
When Ji Shu unfolded it, she found it was from Madam Song Zhaonian, inviting her to the annual tea party in Connecticut.
It seems the other party guessed that they wouldn't leave immediately after arriving in Connecticut, and would likely stay for two or three days.
Ji Shu held up the invitation, raised an eyebrow at Pei Yanzhi, and asked, "What is your opinion, Lord Pei?!"
Pei Yanzhi could roughly guess what Song Zhaonian's intentions were; he simply wanted to obtain some useful information from Ji Shu.
I also know that she's been spending most of her time either in the carriage or cooped up in the post station, so it would be good for her to go out for a walk.
He then said, "I'll go whenever I think of it. This Kangzhou is not like Chongzhou; I must bring more guards when I go out, and I must wear a veil when I travel."
Upon hearing this, Ji Shu nodded and made a move to get up from his lap, but Pei Yanzhi stopped her. Her gaze swept over the spot where Lian'er had just stood.
Q: "What are you going to do with that woman?"
Ji Shu: "I think that woman doesn't seem to be willing to serve Song Zhaonian, nor has she taken the initiative to persuade you. I think we should wait until we get to Yanzhou to see how to arrange things."
She knew all too well how difficult it was for women to survive in this world, and the forbearance and fear in Lian'er's eyes were exactly what she had experienced.
Pei Yanzhi gazed at her icy face, wondering how someone so kind could survive, and sighed softly, "You, you are truly a woman's soft-heartedness."
He never intended to let Lian'er return to Yanzhou alive, just as Gongsun Li said, he didn't bring many elite soldiers to begin with.
If this woman were to tip off others along the way, it would surely bring endless trouble.
Very well, these private matters should not taint her hands.
He fiddled with the sachet at her waist and asked casually, "If this woman asked you to enter the inner courtyard, what would you do?" As he spoke, he pulled a black lacquered sandalwood box from his sleeve.
Ji Shu's gaze was drawn to the wooden box, and she looked over involuntarily, saying casually, "That depends on whether the Marquis likes her. If you are willing, why not let her enter the inner courtyard?"
"Oh? Madam is truly magnanimous!" Pei Yanzhi tightened his grip on her waist and opened the wooden box with his other hand.
Inside, a translucent white jade hairpin lay quietly, its head adorned with three lifelike peach blossoms.
He lowered his head, casually took the gold hairpin from her hair, and then removed the gold hairpin from her hair.
Ji Shu froze, letting him gently insert the white jade hairpin into her hair.
"Take this hairpin to the gathering today." He examined it for a moment, then nodded in satisfaction. "It suits you very well."
Ji Shu subconsciously touched her hair, her eyes filled with unreadable emotions. Was his action a reward for her cooperation last night, or did it have a deeper meaning?
But the next moment, unfathomable eyes stared straight at her, and after a while, he said, "Remember, do you know what you should say and what you shouldn't say?"
After saying those words, he closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.
"Alright, didn't we say we were going to a tea party and that Wu Yang would come along? I'm going to rest for a bit."
"Yes," Ji Shu replied, her eyes lowered.
Seeing the rare weariness in his eyes, she couldn't help but look at him. People feared his authority, but few paid attention to whether he ate or slept well.
Not to mention bystanders taking a second look, even the most vicious criminals couldn't withstand his pressure.
As she hesitated, Pei Yanzhi's eyelids twitched slightly, and a playful smile appeared on his lips: "What, do you still want to stay with me? Not going out?" As he spoke, he began to untie the silk ribbons around her waist.
Ji Shu hurriedly got off his lap, cleared her throat, and said, "Since you want to sleep, I won't disturb you!" With that, she practically ran away.
Pei Yanzhi watched her retreating figure, a faint smile flickering in his eyes.
After closing the door, Ji Shu fanned the heat from her face, but her mind was still pondering the words he had said.
He needed to use her identity to navigate between various factions, while also ensuring she was careful with her words and actions, lest she alert the enemy.
Sometimes, the interactions between the various households within the inner court also reflect political needs; isn't this another kind of battlefield?
She lifted the curtain and looked out the window. Chunzhi and Lian'er were sitting beside her. She asked, "Lian'er, you should be very familiar with Madam Jiang, right?"
Lian'er nodded and said, "My godmother and godfather don't have a good relationship and live in separate residences for many years. The invitation to you this time is most likely at the behest of my godfather."
"Oh? Why?" Ji Shu asked in surprise.
In this world where men are superior to women, it's quite remarkable that there are women who live separately from their husbands.
"I'm not really clear about the various reasons. When I came to Kangzhou, we were already living separately. Now, my concubine Yao is in charge of the household affairs."
Ji Shu pondered this carefully. Most of the time, when a woman acts this way after marriage, it's because the man has changed his mind, but she can't divorce him due to family pressure.
She could only make do with this way, and thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness, for her sake and for her own.
Seeing that she remained silent and indifferent, Lian'er felt uneasy, fearing that she might have said something she shouldn't have.
My adoptive father once said that the Marquis of Yan's mansion had neither wives nor concubines, and was very clean.
Over the years, the imperial court has sent him many women, but he has disposed of them all quietly. He couldn't help but think of what he saw in the room this morning.
The way that lord looked at Lady Shu was as if he wanted to devour her whole. He had originally thought that she might not be as favored as her adoptive father had said.
Now it seems that after I arrive in Yanzhou, I don't know if I will disappear without a trace like those women before me. It would be fine if I died, as long as my family is not implicated.
For a moment, there was silence in the car.
Madam Jiang's residence was not far from the post station; it only took about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. As soon as they got off the carriage, they saw Madam Jiang leading a large number of servants to greet them at the gate.
Chunzhi helped Ji Shu out of the carriage, and Madam Jiang stepped forward with a smile: "This must be Madam Shu. You have such a beautiful face, no wonder Marquis Yan dotes on you so much!"
Seeing her smile and remain silent, Jiang continued, "Have you gotten used to the food in Kangzhou since you just arrived?"
Ji Shu smiled and said, "We like the food. There are many delicious foods in Kangzhou. My lord and I both think it's very good!"
Jiang had the typical appearance of a southerner: delicate features, petite figure, and a gentle, kind voice.
The women behind him were mostly prominent figures in Connecticut; a large group of them stood there, stepping forward to pay their respects in turn.
This was the first time Ji Shu had ever seen a tea party of this scale since arriving in this era, yet she showed no fear whatsoever.
Jiang's gaze swept over Lian'er beside Ji Shu, her smile fading slightly. She merely nodded gently, and Lian'er quickly returned the bow.
After exchanging pleasantries, Jiang led her into the garden: "Ever since I learned that you were coming to Connecticut for a short stay, I have been overjoyed. And since it happens to coincide with our annual tea party in Connecticut, I must invite you to join in the fun."
Upon hearing this, Ji Shu simply lowered her head and smiled faintly. As she entered the courtyard, which was not very large, it was exquisitely and elegantly decorated, and the servants were well-trained.
She glanced at Jiang Shi beside her; the man was full of energy and smiling, which aroused her curiosity.
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