Chapter 4 Chapter 4 The Second Young Master brought back a girl...
"It's not that serious. I'm just still drunk and don't remember anything about yesterday. If I really offended you, young lady, I apologize. But my Pei Mansion is such a big family, and we don't lack maids to clean the house. Telling others about this will make people laugh. If you don't mind, then please come back with me."
The blush that had just risen on Lu Suizhu's cheeks disappeared, and now her eyelashes were trembling like lotus leaves in summer. She was about to kneel down to express her gratitude, but Pei Huaishen helped her up with one hand.
His back relaxed slightly, and he smiled helplessly at this moment. His slender hand touched Lu Suizhu's forearm, and he could feel the thick calluses on the palm of his hand through his shirt.
"Just one thing—don't make any more noise."
Pei Huaishen had never been so close to a woman before, and he felt quite uncomfortable. But when he thought about the even more extreme things he had done last night, he let it go. He stretched out his arm somewhat stiffly and put it around her shoulders, afraid that she would try to commit suicide again, so he spoke as softly as possible.
"Stop crying."
As soon as these cold yet comforting words came out, Lu Suizhu immediately stopped crying. She was sensible and it would be bad if she continued to do so.
"The young master's hair is messy, Suizhu, please comb it for him."
Following her strength, Pei Huaishen sat on a low stool, allowing the woman in the bronze mirror to gently wash his face and comb his hair. The bell on Lu Suizhu's wrist swayed gently in front of him from time to time.
It seems that this girl is good-looking and gentle. After some time, she learns the rules. He can marry her as his wife and make her a concubine, providing her with good food and clothes. The Pei family may not be unable to accept it. If it is really not possible, he can ask his brother to mediate.
He was still thinking in his mind, completely forgetting the horrible look of the woman who was trying to commit suicide just now.
A pair of soft hands rested on Pei Huaishen's shoulders, smoothing out the wrinkles on his clothes from time to time. The tears in Lu Suizhu's eyes had dried, and she had not put on any makeup yet. At this moment, she smiled, looking even more charming and amiable.
Pei Huaishen was used to turning the ring on his thumb. When he found the place, it was empty. Then he remembered that the ring was broken when he saved Lu Suizhu.
The Pei family is a century-old family with a clean and upright family tradition. Throughout the generations, there have been members who have served in the court. The current head of the Pei family is the prime minister, and the eldest son Pei won the third place in the imperial examination seven years ago. He is now the Minister of Rites and is highly appreciated by His Majesty.
The distant relatives in the side branches are also not bad. Such a family of civil officials also produced an outstanding military general like Pei Huaishen. However, a big tree attracts wind, which is bound to arouse jealousy. If you are not careful, you will be impeached by the censors.
He shook his head and sighed, then looked back at Lu Suizhu.
"I'll go back to the mansion in the next two days to make some arrangements, and then I'll take you back to the Pei Mansion."
"General, there's no need to explain. Suizhu knows everything."
After seeing Pei Huaishen off, Lu Suizhu sat in front of the bronze mirror, combing her hair tiredly and carefully wiping off the thin layer of rouge on her face. This was the most fashionable peach pink color in Shangjing, specially used to fool those stupid men who couldn't tell the difference between rouge and powder.
Although the matter was accomplished, she still felt depressed. She took out a pure silver longevity lock from the brocade box with a pair of bare hands and clenched it against her chest.
If she had not been separated from her parents when she was young, had not been sold several times by human traffickers, and had not met the prince, she would not have resorted to such despicable means.
It is rumored that the second son of the Pei family is eccentric and far less steady and upright than the eldest son, but the steady young Master Pei is not the type of person who likes to visit brothels, otherwise there would not be such trouble.
Thinking of this, Lu Suizhu couldn't help but sigh.
"Lu Suizhu, you bitch—"
Before the slap could land, Hua Wu's wrist was grabbed. She pushed the door open and stood in front of Lu Suizhu, her eyes wide open as she watched Lu Suizhu put her hand on her face. She didn't look angry at all.
"Hua Wu, I'm sorry for you this time."
Originally, Hua Wu was drinking with Pei Huaishen in the front hall, but she was snatched away by her. Fortunately, Pei Huaishen was not interested in women. Hua Wu danced twice in front of him, but he just drank the two pots of broken wine. I'm afraid he didn't even know what Hua Wu looked like.
"How disgusting! It's okay if you act like that in front of Pei Huaishen, but don't act like that in front of me. It's creepy."
Lu Suizhu smiled, and her eyebrows curved as the corners of her mouth moved, which made Hua Wu feel annoyed. Why did Lu Suizhu get all the good things? They were obviously the same lowly people.
"Hua Wu, just consider this as a remedy for the sisterhood we've built over the past few years. I'm reminding you not to fixate on that old censor. His family is in turmoil, and his wife is a tigress. Be careful, you might even become a target without even realizing it."
"Don't worry about my business. Don't think you've won. The Pei family is just looking good. Who knows what kind of wolves and tigers are inside? Others will be killed before they even get in."
Before leaving, Hua Wu glared at Lu Suizhu fiercely, but ultimately did not tell anyone about the matter.
*
The two mountains are on both sides of the river, with peaks upon peaks. From a distance, the lake looks vast and misty, blocking out the sky and the sun. From a close distance, it looks as quiet as a piece of jade, silent and cold.
In a villa outside Beijing, Pei Zhiji sat on a rock holding a fishing rod. His straight back made his green shirt look like the rustling of water among pines, lush and lustrous. His eyes, under the fluttering long eyelashes, occasionally rippled with the vibration of the water surface.
The water vapor on the lake surface was cold and oppressive. He clenched his hands to cover his lips and coughed a few times, his face already looking pale.
Three days ago, Taifu Li wrote to him saying that he had something important to discuss with him, so he spent several days fishing on the road that had to be taken back to Beijing, fearing that something might happen.
The night before yesterday was supposed to be the day when Li Taifu returned to the capital, but there was no news at all. He pondered secretly, with complicated thoughts swirling in his mind and feeling uneasy, as if something was going to happen.
"Sir, there was a message from the mansion saying that the second young master brought back a girl."
While frowning and concentrating, Xiao Feng walked hurriedly, holding a pigeon carrying a message in his hand.
Upon hearing this, Pei Zhiji sighed as he looked at the dark lake, then stood up quickly. The imperial examination was still four months away, and the Ministry of Rites had a lot of things to do.
The Minister of Rites has claimed to be ill and has not attended court yet. All matters have fallen on him alone, so much so that he has long forgotten about his younger brother who has been home for many days.
"Let him be."
Lu Suizhu was wearing a goose yellow dress, looking pretty and dignified as she walked into Pei's mansion. She actually didn't expect Pei Huaishen to act so quickly. He took her to the mansion in two days as he said. When she stepped into the gate of Pei's mansion, her brows were slightly furrowed, and she looked down at her skirt from time to time.
She didn't raise her head until she felt her hands being wrapped in a warm place and the calluses were itchy.
It was Pei Huaishen who took her hand. "Don't be nervous, your father, mother, and grandmother are not at home."
Lu Suizhu nodded, her smile a little forced, but she couldn't break free from his hand.
Servants greeted them along the way.
Pei Huaishen brought Lu Suizhu to a courtyard which was quite remote in the mansion. There were a few trees planted in the corner. When the wind blew, the wind chimes hanging under the snow-covered oak eaves rustled and fluttered, which was very beautiful.
Soon a maid and a woman came to greet them.
"Your servant Qiuzhu greets the young lady."
The maids in wealthy families all look well-behaved and behave appropriately. Lu Suizhu also smiled slightly in response.
"The Second Young Master is back—"
The old woman came up to them with a smile on her face. It was obvious that she was very familiar with Pei Huaishen. She looked Lu Suizhu up and down and seemed very satisfied.
"This girl is very smart and has a nice figure."
She was Pei Huaishen's wet nurse and had been with him since he was a child. She had secretly wanted Pei Huaishen to get married for a long time, but it had been delayed until now. The eldest son of the mansion had not yet married, and it was not easy for the second son to skip ahead.
Although this girl's background is not very good, fortunately the second young master likes her and she seems to be quite well behaved. At least the second young master has someone who understands his feelings.
"If you have any instructions from now on, just tell them. You're welcome." Pei Huaishen waved his hand and signaled them to leave. "From now on, don't call me General Pei. Everyone in the mansion will call me Second Young Master."
"Actually, I'm very happy today. I knew my mother and grandmother would definitely blame me, but I still brought you back."
Not knowing what he meant, Lu Suizhu didn't dare to respond casually. Seeing that she seemed to be hesitant to speak, Pei Huaishen waved his hand nonchalantly, and put his other hand on his knee, tapping it intermittently, which gave him a bit of the charm of a romantic young man. Lu Suizhu burst out laughing.
"The Second Young Master's current state is more like a regular visitor to Louyue Pavilion."
"Hahahahahaha, General, I think so too."
After a long chat, Pei Huaishen began to talk more and more. "Now that the border war has broken out again, I've been ordered to go. My father, mother, and grandmother all went to the temple to pray for me. Yesterday, the army sent another urgent message. I'm leaving tonight, and I don't have time to say goodbye to my family. If you encounter any difficulties while I'm away, please go to my brother. He'll help you out for my sake."
He is leaving?
Lu Suizhu secretly thought in her heart that this was a good thing for her.
She suppressed the joy in her heart, showed hesitation on her face, and asked the question even though she knew the answer.
"Is your elder brother Little Master Pei?"
"You've heard of my brother's name, and no wonder, countless girls in the capital admire him. It's a pity that my brother is a low-key person and not in good health. Otherwise, he would have been able to compete for the position of Prime Minister like my father."
Is Pei Zhiji not feeling well?
She never thought that such a person with a good family background, good looks and great talent would have such poor health. Thinking of this, Lu Suizhu couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
"General, it's getting late. We should set off." Pei Huaishen's subordinates had come to urge him several times.
The sky was already dark, and the east wind was getting stronger, making it difficult for people to stretch their bodies. Lu Suizhu's eyes were blown a little red. She clenched her palms, and there were a few more wrinkles on the handkerchief. Her long eyelashes were lowered, and her eyes were as bright as water waves. Looking at Pei Huaishen, she actually felt some sadness.
Qiu Zhu stepped forward and put a cloak on Lu Suizhu. Seeing that she was still staring at the departing figure in a daze with a sad expression, she couldn't help but say a few words of comfort.
"Don't be sad, young lady. The second young master will definitely come back soon."
Lu Suizhu said nothing, but smiled and nodded slightly.
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