Pei was pregnant
Li Yi personally went to the Pei family's villa to bring Pei Shi back.
The carriage drove through the streets of Chang'an, the warm breeze of early summer gently caressing his face through the gauze curtains. He handed a silk-embroidered fan to Madam Pei, his tone gentle: "When Xuanji first entered the manor, she was all alone and helpless, so I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. It's my fault for neglecting you, Madam, these past few days."
He ran his fingertips across her slightly furrowed brows, his tone growing increasingly tender: "These past two years, you've worked tirelessly to manage the household, and I've remembered it all. The lotus pond in the western villa has recently blossomed with its first batch of new lotuses, making it the perfect time to enjoy them. I plan to renovate the waterside pavilion and create a winding corridor overlooking the water."
His tone softened further: "You have always been skilled at arranging things, and I'm sure you'll need to put in a lot of effort to furnish the garden. Once the project is completed, we can hold a lotus appreciation banquet and invite some colleagues over—Vice Minister Zhang loves to drink tea and discuss painting, and Secretary Wang often praises your maternal garden for its unique design."
Pei's eyes flickered slightly: "Young master, are you... going to host a banquet?"
"It's just a regular gathering." Li Yi took her hand, his voice containing just the right amount of respect. "You are the mistress of my Li family, so it's only natural that you should preside over such banquets and social gatherings. Let everyone see that the inner quarters of my Li family have their own style, and are by no means as disorderly as the outside world says."
Lady Pei lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment before finally nodding: "I understand. I will certainly handle it properly and live up to your expectations, my lord."
From then on, Li Yi's attitude towards Madam Pei indeed softened considerably. Not only did he stay overnight in the main courtyard every month as required by custom, but when he occasionally inquired about household affairs, his words also showed more respect. Madam Pei gradually smiled, and the whispers among the servants in the mansion quietly subsided.
On a clear, crisp autumn day, while strolling in the garden, Madam Pei suddenly felt dizzy. Her attentive mother, Chen, who was accompanying her, quickly summoned a physician to the mansion to examine her. The examination revealed incredibly good news—Madam Pei was nearly two months pregnant.
The news spread, causing a stir throughout the Li household. Li Yi rushed over upon hearing the news, his face displaying just the right amount of surprise and joy. He grasped Pei's hand and said gently, "You've worked hard. This is a great joy for the Li family; you must take good care of her." He then immediately instructed the steward to ensure that all expenses were in the highest possible rations, so as to ensure everything was perfect.
Madam Pei leaned against the couch, stroking her still-flat belly. Looking at the rare tenderness in Li Yi's eyes and the sudden, incredibly respectful expressions of the servants, the pent-up resentment caused by Xuanji seemed to be instantly dispelled by this belated "legitimate" glory. She finally felt that her position as "Mistress of the Li Manor" had become unshakeable with the arrival of this child.
However, this "stability" did not bring tolerance; instead, it fostered her long-suppressed arrogance. She recalled Li Yi's past favoritism towards Qiwu Pavilion, and Xuanji's aloof and refined beauty and talent, and a strong sense of unease and resentment surged within her once more. Now, carrying the Li family's heir, was she to tolerate a concubine peacefully occupying her husband's heart? Pregnancy emotions are inherently volatile, and once this thought arose, it grew wildly like weeds.
One day, as usual, the kitchen sent newly arrived Jiangnan glutinous rice cakes to Qiwu Pavilion. Upon seeing this, Chen Mama, who served Madam Pei, immediately frowned and said to the steward, "Madam is pregnant with the eldest son; these fresh items should be prioritized for the main courtyard. Qiwu Pavilion can be served ordinary snacks; there's no need to waste them." From then on, fresh fruits and delicate pastries were rarely sent to Qiwu Pavilion, and the portions sent were mostly old and worn-out items. When maids went to collect ingredients, they were often given the excuse that "Madam needs them during her pregnancy, and there isn't enough for now."
A few days later, Pei Shi, citing the reason that "the fetus is afraid of being frightened," hinted to Li Yi that Xuanji should stay at home and avoid going out.
In addition, on the first and fifteenth of each month, before dawn, Xuanji would have to get ready and stand outside the main bedroom in the courtyard, waiting for Pei Shi to get up.
This room was separated from the inner chamber only by a beaded curtain and a carved sandalwood screen. She could not sit, but could only stand silently with her head bowed, like a lifeless ornament. Inside was a warm world, with a charcoal brazier emitting a soothing fragrance, and on a couch piled high with brocade, lay the mistress and her husband.
Through the gap in the curtain, she could see maids gracefully moving about, carrying gilded bronze basins and ivory combs, their gazes carrying a subtle mix of pity and disdain. From dawn till dusk, she stood watching the window paper turn from inky black to the first light of day, her legs aching and numb, the chill seeping into her embroidered shoes from the blue brick floor. The whole world was busily awakening, but she remained trapped in this small space, like a forgotten footnote.
Once, Madam Pei ordered her to bring over a freshly stewed ginseng soup. Xuanji held the warm porcelain cup in both hands, but the warmth gradually dissipated during the long stand. By the time Madam Pei finished dressing and summoned her, the cup was already ice-cold.
Pei Shi lightly touched the soup bowl with her nail polished fingertips, frowned, and pushed it away. Her gaze remained fixed on her elegant reflection in the mirror. Her tone was casual: "It's cold, and it smells fishy. Let's boil it again." She paused, then turned her head, a faint smile playing on her lips: "You have nothing else to do anyway, so waiting a little longer won't hurt."
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, as the lanterns were lit, Madam Pei sat regally in the main seat, her pomegranate-red dress reflecting the candlelight throughout the hall. She accepted the guests' congratulations with a smile, but her eyes kept glancing at the mysterious figure standing quietly by the screen.
"Sister, please sit here," she suddenly said, pointing to the last seat. "Today is a family feast; we need someone skilled at serving the dishes."
The laughter and chatter paused briefly. Xuanji silently took her seat and picked up her silver chopsticks. Her pale white dress stood out like moonlight amidst the brocade.
As the wine flowed freely, Madam Pei, stroking her slightly protruding belly, chatted and laughed with the lady next to her: "The imperial physician says the fetus can already hear sounds, so I'm being extra careful when I speak."
"Indeed, Madam should listen to more refined music and read the classics."
Suddenly, Madam Pei turned to the last seat, her voice like shattered jade: "I've heard that your poetry was once renowned throughout Chang'an, sister? Now that you've entered the Li family, it would be best if you wrote fewer of those flowery and ornate lines." Her eyes swept over the guests, "After all, for a family like ours, elegance is of utmost importance."
In an instant, all eyes turned to Xuanji. Her knuckles, holding the chopsticks, turned slightly white, and the steam from the steaming crab blurred her lowered eyes.
The room was so quiet that only the crackling of the candlelight could be heard. Finally, Li Yi raised his glass to defuse the situation: "Madam is right. Please, everyone, try some of the newly brewed chrysanthemum wine."
When Li Yi arrived at Qiwu Pavilion that day, Xuanji was writing by the window, his expression calm and composed.
"Youwei," Li Yi sat down beside her, his tone tinged with helplessness, "Madam is pregnant, and her emotions are unstable. It's inevitable that she'll fuss over trivial matters. After all, she's the mistress of the house, and it concerns the heir... You should be patient for now and avoid direct confrontation, lest you give others ammunition to criticize you."
Xuanji raised her eyes, her gaze clear as autumn water: "My lord, you are overthinking it. I am well aware of my place and have never dared to overstep my bounds."
He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Don't worry, I've got everything under control. Her petty actions are nothing but womanly concerns; they can't shake the foundation. This Qiwu Pavilion will always be your domain."
Xuanji lowered his eyes and picked up his brush, only giving a faint reply.
Looking at her serene profile, Li Yi's desire to control everything surged once more. He knew that Pei's刁难 (difficulties/obstruction) would only make the proud Xuanji more detached from worldly affairs, and only he could protect her. What he wanted was for her to have no choice but to submit to him.
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