Chapter 2 Contraceptive Soup: Fingertips slipped under her skirt, leaving her no room to refuse...
Mingying's heart was pounding like a drum.
She could actually see him again, and be held in his arms, making her want to struggle to confirm the reality of this moment.
"Don't move."
Pei Xiaoyun's clear and gentle voice reached her ears. He held her slender waist tightly in his arms, as if he could break it with a little more force. "Why aren't you wearing shoes? Do you feel better?"
He gently placed Mingying back on the couch, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she nuzzled his shoulder like a kitten: "I feel better."
As she spoke, her nose tingled with emotion, and her voice trailed off with emphasis.
Seeing him come in, she understood everything. Those two old women were not Pei Xiaoyun's doing; they had lied to her. He really wouldn't be so heartless.
Pei Xiaoyun took out a jar of ointment, dipped her fingertip in a little, and gently pressed it onto the handprint on her face. "Mian'er, does it still hurt?"
Mingying opened her round eyes and shook her head.
Like a well-behaved doll with delicate features, she has no temper and can be easily coaxed.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all that." After applying the medicine to her, Pei Xiaoyun played with her delicate, slender fingertips. "Those were definitely not my intentions, you know that."
He had just arrived when he heard a commotion in the courtyard. Those two old women dared to touch her people while he was away.
He's been busy lately and hasn't had time to deal with the people in his household. It seems it's time to clean things up.
How could Mingying notice the change in his expression from gentle to dark? She nuzzled his chin with the top of her soft hair as if seeking favor: "As long as you still remember me and come to see me, I'm very happy."
She admired and depended on her master.
But for a lowly servant like her, admiration was like a joke. She could only hope that he would soften his heart, consider their past relationship, and be more tolerant of her.
The shouting in the courtyard stopped.
Mingying seemed to have thought of something and cautiously asked him, "Young Master, what happened outside just now?"
As dusk settled, Ling Shuang came in to set the table, the bowls and plates clinking together with a clear, crisp sound.
Pei Xiaoyun, unconcerned, continued chatting casually with Mingying inside the tent: "I dealt with a few unruly servants."
"That wretched maid Zhui'er always bullies you, doesn't she?" He reached out and stroked her smooth, black hair, saying lightly but firmly, "I'll beat her to death, to vent your anger."
Upon hearing the words "beaten to death," Mingying's breath hitched, and the hand he held in his palm stiffened slightly.
Pei Xiaoyun noticed her unusual reaction and said calmly, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"
Mingying took a breath, lowered her head, and remained silent.
She doesn't need to vent her anger in this way.
This even frightened her a little.
Someone had just died outside, yet they were enjoying each other's company inside the tent.
No matter what Pei Xiaoyun did to her, she remained stiff, no longer displaying the tenderness she had shown before.
Pei Xiaoyun, feeling disheartened, stood up first and said, "Shouldn't a servant who betrays her master die?"
His cold words, carried by the chill of the wind, entered the tent. Mingying didn't know how to respond, but seeing him get up, she instinctively got out of bed to serve him.
For dinner, there was her favorite osmanthus-stuffed lotus root and plum-braised duck, which Pei Xiaoyun specially ordered the chefs at Qianweilou to make.
Seeing that she stood there motionless like a wooden stake, he tapped the table with his knuckles to signal her to come and eat.
Mingying seemed to have received an unquestionable instruction and immediately sat down next to him.
Although it is against etiquette for a master and servant to dine at the same table, in the past in Yangzhou, when Pei Xiaoyun allowed it, he would close the door and let her sit next to him.
"Eat more." Pei Xiaoyun picked up a piece of duck meat for her.
Under his dark gaze, Mingying picked up a piece of food and put it in her mouth, finding it tasteless and difficult to swallow.
She took small bites of the meat, the duck fat staining her lips with an indescribable, glossy sheen.
Pei Xiaoyun gazed at it, and suddenly longed to lean in and taste its sweetness.
A beautiful and obedient little thing, he's had it for three years and still loves it dearly.
He bestowed a reward as if bestowing a favor: "Be good, and next spring when I marry my first wife, I'll make you my concubine. This villa is no longer safe; I won't feel at ease leaving you outside. I'll take you back to the manor tomorrow."
After he finished speaking, he quietly admired her expression.
He gave her a title and brought her into his household; this was exactly what she had always dreamed of.
He longed to see a pure and sweet smile on her face.
But she didn't.
Her knuckles trembled slightly as she held the chopsticks, but she didn't say a word.
Pei Xiaoyun assumed that her sullen mood was caused by the mention of marriage, and said with a half-smile, "I'm going to get married sooner or later. Are you jealous? Don't worry, I won't leave you."
Mingying could only manage a smile that looked worse than crying.
He admitted it himself, so it seems like getting married is a done deal.
But what else could she possibly want?
Being his concubine is already an immense blessing. Given her status, even if she loves him, can she really be with him for life?
She was just a little scared.
Zhui'er was still chattering away last night, and today she's gone; the people from the Duke's mansion are also aggressive and show no mercy.
She had never been inside those high walls and courtyards. Was it really a good place?
She stood up and curtsied, saying, "This servant wouldn't dare. This servant was just thinking that since you are not yet married, would it be inappropriate for you to bring this servant back to your residence first?"
"You don't want to come back to the manor with me?"
The smile faded from Pei Xiaoyun's lips, as if her palm had been scratched by a cat she had been playing with, and a sense of unease rose from the bottom of her heart.
This slight displeasure brought up something he hadn't originally wanted to talk about.
"Mian'er".
His voice was cold, echoing in the cramped room.
Who did you meet at the White Horse Temple the day before yesterday?
The chilling aura dispelled the warmth of Mingying's blood. She pursed her lips, raised her head, and said, "I met someone, a relative."
She knew that Pei Xiaoyun had always disliked her going out, and she thought she had covered her tracks perfectly, but she never expected that he would find out anyway.
"Didn't you say your whole family was dead? Where did you get any relatives?" Pei Xiaoyun stared at her. "Didn't I tell you to stay home more?"
Mingying knelt down with a thud, not daring to lie, and answered truthfully: "He is my adoptive mother's son, and he is my sworn brother. His family raised me for more than a year, and now they have come to the capital. The day before yesterday was the anniversary of my parents' death, and I went to the White Horse Temple to pray for them. That's when I met my sworn brother. He said his mother was seriously ill and asked me to help him. I couldn't bear it, so I gave him some money."
After kneeling for a while, Pei Xiaoyun finally helped her up.
I believe you.
A shadow fell.
Judging from her timid appearance, she wouldn't dare to betray him or have anything with anyone else.
Mingying sat back down next to him and obediently ate the food he picked out for her.
During this time, when he brought up the matter of returning to the mansion again, she dared not refuse this time.
After a tender night, Pei Xiaoyun went to pick out the buttons on her clothes.
Mingying's body went limp, her eyes filled with spring water, and she pressed his hand, "Young master, I've caught a cold, and I'm afraid I'll pass on my illness to you."
"It's nothing, just a cold, what's there to be afraid of?"
Pei Xiaoyun's fingertips slipped under her skirt, leaving her no room to refuse.
Mingying was experiencing alternating sensations of heat and cold, but he held her firmly in his large hands, preventing her from drowning in the decadent atmosphere.
—
Early in the morning, the snow had stopped and the sky was clear.
When Mingying woke up, the sunken bed was slightly cool, and there was no one beside her.
When she got up, her joints ached all over, and her fair neck was covered with marks. She heard clattering sounds coming from the courtyard; the servants were probably moving things and mounting the carriage.
A bowl of brown medicine was placed on the bedside table as usual; it was the contraceptive soup she had to drink every time. This couldn't be delayed; she had been drinking it for three years and had become accustomed to it. Just as she was about to take a sip, Pei Xiaoyun lifted the curtain and came in.
He wore a lake-blue brocade robe with gold trim, looking refreshed and distinguished, exuding the air of a noble young master.
He sat on the couch, smoothed the stray hairs from her forehead, picked up the bowl and fed her a few bites, while talking to her: "I looked at your dressing case, and it's all rather plain stuff. I've added a few new pieces of jewelry for you. You're mine, so you should dress nicely on a daily basis."
Mingying drank the bitter medicine expressionlessly and nodded.
"Alright, you can drink it yourself." Pei Xiaoyun stood up, lifting his robe. "I'm going to go outside and take a look. After you finish drinking, hurry up and get dressed and wash up. We should go. You don't need to take those old things with you."
—
Pei Xiaoyun was intercepted by the Crown Prince's men on the way, who said that the Crown Prince wanted to discuss something urgent with him. He had no choice but to let Mingying go back to Lanqingzhuoyuan with Ling Shuang, while he went to the East Palace.
He left, and Mingying felt uneasy.
After getting off the carriage, Ling Shuang took her hand and said, "Don't be afraid. There are few people in the old man's courtyard. I'll take you there. The old man will definitely have someone prepare an empty room for you soon."
Mingying was grateful for Ling Shuang's kindness. With Ling Shuang by her side, she felt much more at ease and gave her a sweet, faint smile.
Lanqingzhuo Courtyard is the largest courtyard in the Duke's mansion. During the years that Pei Xiaoyun was in Yangzhou, no one lived in the mansion, but the servants never neglected to clean and tidy it.
Upon entering the courtyard, the air is filled with the fragrance of flowers, and every step reveals a new and beautiful scene.
Mingying did indeed have a room of her own, and she and Ling Shuang and the others moved their luggage down and set it up.
She didn't have much; besides a few clothes, all she had left was the jewelry Pei Xiaoyun had given her. She chose a hairpin that wasn't too plain or flashy, thinking of wearing it for him when he returned.
After working for a while, she went out into the yard for some fresh air. A basin of hot water was splashed at her feet, and if she hadn't reacted quickly, her clothes would have been soaked.
The one who splashed the water was a woman in a purple dress. She had delicate eyebrows and a fine nose, but her words were sharp and sarcastic: "This must be Miss Ming. She is indeed beautiful and charming, like a fairy. Looking at her, you can't raise a girl like her at home. I'm afraid only a brothel that specializes in raising young ladies can produce such a delicate flower."
Mingying could tell that she was being deliberately sarcastic, but she never wanted to get into conflicts with anyone, so she just smiled slightly and said, "Miss, you are so pure and beautiful, and your radiant appearance can only be achieved by being pampered."
"You think everyone is as shameless as you!" Yu Zhong's expression changed, and he grabbed her hand to stop her from leaving. "I'm not like you. I have parents and I'm a respectable girl from a respectable family."
Mingying didn't want to argue with her, so she walked past her to leave.
"I'm going to work now."
Yu Zhong blocked her path as if punching cotton, then raised her small face and said, "Zhui'er and I are like sisters. It was you who bewitched Master and caused her death!"
Mingying still felt lingering fear when she thought about what happened last night, and said in a low voice, "I didn't hurt her."
She turned to look for Ling Shuang, ignoring Yu Zhong's calls.
—
Ling Shuang, mindful that she was new to the place, led her around the courtyard. When they got tired, the two of them brewed tea at Lanfang Pavilion.
The steam was boiling in the small stove, and before Ling Shuang could even drink it, the gatekeeper called her away under the pretext of asking her about some business.
Mingying had no choice but to sit alone in the waterside pavilion and drink tea.
This Duke's mansion is unlike the one he used to live in with Pei Xiaoyun in Yangzhou, which was only separated from the bustling main street by an alley. Every day, he could hear the noise of the city when he opened the window, and he could buy candied hawthorns as soon as he went out.
She looked up and saw that within these towering walls, the place was quiet and serene, so quiet that even the servants didn't dare to make a sound while sweeping.
The wind was strong by the lake, and she felt cold, so she wanted to go back. Just as she was about to turn back, a maid with an unfamiliar face came in through the side gate.
"Is this Miss Ming?"
“It’s me. May I ask who you are, young lady?” Mingying looked at her. She came in through the side gate and didn’t look like someone from Lanqingzhuo Courtyard.
The maid said, "I work in the front yard storeroom. Since you are from the master's courtyard, come with me to the storeroom so we can collect the fabric for this month's clothing."
She spoke in a hurry, grabbed Mingying's hand and started to walk away. Mingying couldn't refuse, so she had no choice but to follow her.
The two followed a secluded path to the back garden, and the further they went in, the fewer servants they saw along the way.
The wisteria trellis blocked out the light and shadow, making even the coral stones on the ground difficult to see clearly.
Mingying walked into the shadows and sensed something was wrong. A chill ran down her spine, and she stopped. "Sister, I just arrived. I don't know what kind of fabrics to choose for the courtyard. I'm afraid I'll neglect our master. I'll go back first and come back with Sister Ling Shuang later."
She turned to walk back, but a sturdy figure blocked her way, and the unfamiliar man in front of her pressed himself against her.
The man held her hand and caressed it gently, greedily inhaling the fragrance emanating from her body.
Mingying was shocked and pulled her hand away, retreating hastily. "Who are you?!"
Behind them were artificial rocks, leaving them nowhere to retreat.
"You were brought back by my older brother, don't you know who I am?" the man said with a flippant smile.
Mingying looked at his features, which bore a resemblance to Pei Xiaoyun's, and finally understood. She forced herself to remain calm and said, "So it's Second Master. I have offended you. Please forgive me."
Her intuition told her that this second master was no good person, so she apologized and tried to run away.
Pei Jingzhou grabbed her wrist and pulled her in front of him. "What's so good about you following my elder brother? He doesn't have a title, while I am the heir of this Duke's mansion. Besides, the county princess is fiery and will she be able to tolerate you in the future? Why don't you come with me? I will definitely hide you away and cherish you."
This young woman's voice was so sweet it was almost sickening; she seemed obedient and easy to please. He was puzzled; how come he hadn't managed to acquire such a satisfactory little trinket despite going to Yangzhou three times?
"Second Master, please don't joke. This servant is already yours!"
Seeing that he was determined to do something reckless, Mingying cried out in panic, but the man's rough hand covered her mouth and nose. The hidden button on her front was about to come undone when suddenly, a gust of wind swept in.
She closed her eyes tightly, only hearing Pei Jingzhou's screams.
Pei Xiaoyun appeared before them without them noticing. With a powerful swing of his strong bones, he lifted Pei Jingzhou, who was lying on his back, and kicked him hard in the abdomen, as if he wanted to kill him.
Pei Jingzhou struggled to get up, clutching his stomach and spitting out a mouthful of blood. "Brother, spare me! It wasn't me... it was her! She seduced me! She met me on the road and said that you were going to get married, and that you probably wouldn't be able to accept her. She wanted to be with me, so she lured me to this rockery for our tryst."
Pei Xiaoyun found it noisy.
His cold gaze shifted to Mingying, whose face was deathly pale from shock. For a moment, the same look he gave Pei Jingzhou was no different.
"Mian'er, is that so?"
A note from the author:
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The male lead is a dog, extremely dog-like!
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