Chapter 58, "The List Is Out," I hope you will read it carefully.
Yu Man felt a rush of heat surge to her head, her cheeks and ears instantly turning crimson. She abruptly looked up at Pei Ji, who was standing close by, and with almost certainty, she saw through his thoughts:
"Pei Ji, you did this on purpose."
Upon hearing this, Pei Ji slowly lowered his eyelashes, casting a faint shadow beneath his eyes. The usual curve of his lips seemed to straighten slightly, revealing an almost wounded sadness.
As if to prove that he wasn't as scheming as she thought, he released his grip on her wrist, and the burning sensation abruptly disappeared.
He even turned slightly to the side, concealing half of his silhouette in the candlelight shadows, and said softly:
"...You can leave now."
As he turned around, his still-damp black hair, like the finest silk, brushed against the back of Yu Man's hand, which still retained the warmth of his fingertips.
It's cold.
Smooth.
I'm itching to get back in.
It felt like an extremely fine feather gently scratching at my heart, bringing an indescribable shiver.
Yu Man watched his retreating figure, pursed her lips, and instead of leaving, she took half a step forward, clearly repeating the words, her voice even softer than before:
"I said, you did it on purpose."
Before she finished speaking, she reached out and, with a hint of probing, gently hooked her hand around his fingertips, which were hanging at his side.
The first sensation when fingertips touch is heat.
Unlike the warmth of his hand on my wrist just now, the temperature of his fingertips was much higher, even a little scalding, which made me nervous.
Pei Ji seemed surprised that she would take his hand first, and his body stiffened almost imperceptibly. He turned his head and looked at her with a questioning gaze.
His response was not words.
Instead, it was Yu Man's sudden tiptoeing and her unhesitating kiss on the lips.
The moment their lips touched, it was as if a long-accumulated heat surged forth, dissolving all the chilly moisture around them.
He knew perfectly well that she couldn't bear to look at him, couldn't resist.
Their lips touched, initially just a soft touch, carrying the sweet scent unique to young girls.
Yu Man originally only wanted to make a fleeting, light touch, as a response to his earlier teasing comment about his heart beating too fast, and also as a small test and reassurance that she herself didn't fully understand.
However, perhaps because they hadn't seen each other for many months, the touch of their lips together was much softer than she had imagined. It carried the crisp scent of ink from his body and a hint of the clean scent of soap after his bath, which strangely blended into a comforting and even intoxicating aroma, making her reluctant to pull away immediately.
Pei Ji seemed completely taken aback by her reaction, his body visibly stiffening, even his breath catching in his throat for a moment.
He didn't push her away, nor did he go any further. The hand that might have been hanging by his side eventually gently but firmly encircled her slender waist, a silent consent that allowed her to cautiously part her lips and tentatively explore little by little.
With an unclear mix of retaliation and other malicious intent, Yu Man lightly bit the corner of his lip.
The subtle, stinging touch caused Pei Ji's arm muscles around her waist to tense up suddenly, and a very soft, suppressed groan escaped his throat.
He seemed to subconsciously want to tighten his arms, but then forcibly restrained himself in the next moment.
Immediately, Yu Man felt his hand, which had been resting steadily on her waist, slowly move up her back and finally stop at her back, gently patting her chest, filled with comfort and a strange sense of acceptance.
As Yu Man sensed his series of reactions, a thought involuntarily popped into her head:
Neither proactive nor resistant... Could it be that she's overthinking things?
She didn't know how much time had passed, perhaps just a few breaths, or perhaps longer, when a thought suddenly flashed through Yu Man's dazed mind—the food on the table would get cold if she didn't eat it soon.
This thought suddenly brought her to her senses; her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she wanted to open her eyes to remind him.
But the moment she opened her eyes, before she could even see the face so close to hers, Pei Ji, who had been quietly accepting her initiative, suddenly changed his previous indulgence.
His hand, which had been lightly resting on her waist, tightened suddenly, pulling her closer into his embrace. His other hand then gripped the back of her neck.
Immediately afterwards, the passive and tender closeness was no longer present.
He leaned down and returned the kiss deeply.
If he hadn't held her waist tightly, Yu Man probably would have lost her balance long ago.
Her lips and teeth were filled with his scent, and the cool fragrance of ink seemed to have become richer. She even felt a little dizzy, thinking that she was probably already soaked in this scent from the tips of her hair to her fingertips.
After an unknown amount of time, Yu Man suddenly regained consciousness and opened her eyes. Instinctively, she reached out and gently pushed Pei Ji away from her.
Looking up, one could see that Pei Ji's fair skin was unusually flushed with a thin layer of red, which spread all the way to behind his ears. His eyes, which usually appeared aloof and distant, now seemed to be imbued with the misty rain of March in Jiangnan, shimmering with a shimmering light, and churning with an unquenchable desire.
Yu Man blushed. She coughed twice, pretending to break the silence, and glanced at the food on the table that was no longer steaming. She forced a change of topic and reminded him in a tone that, "I've been cooking that for a long time. You have to finish it later!"
"Okay." Pei Ji chuckled softly, his voice slightly hoarse from what had just happened.
The two finally sat down opposite each other at the table. Yu Man silently took an empty bowl and, with somewhat stiff movements, scooped out most of the rice from the overflowing bowl into her own.
Pei Ji raised an eyebrow at her actions, his tone carrying a hint of meaning: "You're not letting me finish it all by myself?"
Yu Man kept his eyes fixed on the rice bowl, not even glancing at her. He just pushed the portioned rice in front of him and said in a muffled voice, "Just eat what I tell you to eat. Why are you talking so much?"
She muttered to herself: I really thought he was as thin as a bamboo pole, and I was afraid he was hungry... But just now, through his thin clothes... Never mind, let's not talk about it!
It seems that it's more practical for her to eat more to calm her nerves.
Seeing this, Pei Ji's smile deepened, but he didn't say anything more. After she finished serving the food, he got up, picked up the two plates of stir-fried dishes that had gone cold and the bowl of chicken soup, and said gently, "The food is cold, I'll go to the kitchen to borrow a stove to heat it up."
After he carried the tray out of the room, Yu Man belatedly realized that she had really lost her mind! Why serve rice? Hot dishes should be served first! She looked at the bowl of chicken soup with annoyance. Sure enough, a layer of light yellow oil had congealed on the surface.
Beauty can be a trap! It truly is!
After he left, Yu Man slumped weakly onto the cold table, pressed her burning cheek against it, and let out a long, feeble sigh. Her fingers unconsciously rose and gently touched her still slightly swollen lips, which tingled with a subtle tingling sensation.
Pei Ji returned with the reheated dishes, and the two quietly finished their belated dinner.
After finishing her meal, Yu Man immediately stood up and said quickly, "I'm going back now... You should get some rest."
This time, Pei Ji didn't stop her. He simply picked up the cloak she had taken off when she entered, carefully draped it over her shoulders, and tied the straps. As he did so, his fingertips occasionally brushed against her chin unintentionally.
“Tomorrow,” he whispered in her ear, “we’ll go out.”
Yu Man nodded haphazardly, replied "Okay," then grabbed the edge of her cloak and quickly walked out of the room. Once in the corridor, she glanced around furtively to make sure no one had seen her before dashing back to her room.
Xiao Tao was still awake, doing needlework under the lamp. When she saw Yu Man enter with a flushed face and sparkling eyes, she couldn't help but glance behind her and ask in confusion, "Wife, is it very windy outside? Your face is so red from the wind."
Yu Man shook her head without saying a word. She walked straight to the table, poured herself a glass of tea that had gone cold, and gulped it down in one go, trying to suppress the burning sensation in her heart. Then she went to wash up, and it took her a while for the heat on her face to gradually subside.
She sat in front of the dressing table, letting Xiao Tao help her remove her hairpins and bracelets. Suddenly, she remembered something and asked, "Xiao Tao, has there been any news from Dongqing County?"
Xiao Tao shook her head: "Not yet, my wife."
Yu Manxin was somewhat worried and instructed, "If the letter arrives, be sure to bring it to me immediately." Counting the days, Deng Sanniang was quite far along in her pregnancy and would likely give birth within the next month; she needed to hurry back to see her. She could tell Pei Ji tomorrow.
The next day, Yu Man woke up even earlier than usual. While dressing in front of the mirror, she looked at herself and suddenly asked Xiao Tao, who was making the bed, "Xiao Tao, didn't you say before that you learned a few fashionable hairstyles from the nannies in the neighborhood?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Tao replied crisply, "Yes, my wife! Would you like to try?"
Yu Man softly hummed in agreement.
Xiao Tao worked swiftly and quickly styled her hair into an exquisite snake-like bun. The bun coiled gracefully, adorned with a simple pearl hairpin and a few small pale purple silk flowers at her temples. The person in the mirror instantly shed some of her usual casualness, gaining a more graceful and elegant beauty, her eyes sparkling with brilliance.
When they arrived at the main hall, Pei Ji was already waiting there. Today, he was dressed in a light blue Hangzhou silk robe, with sparse bamboo leaf patterns embroidered in silver thread on the collar and cuffs. A jade belt cinched his waist, and his dark hair was tied up with a green jade hairpin, giving him an elegant and refined appearance. When he saw Yu Man, his gaze lingered on her newly styled hair for a moment, and a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes.
The two ate a simple meal of congee and side dishes, and then went out together.
Pei Ji didn't take her to any bustling streets. Instead, he led her through several quiet alleys, finally stopping in front of a rather serene and elegant courtyard with white walls and black tiles. The lintel wasn't particularly grand, but the materials and workmanship showed excellent taste.
"This is...?" Yu Man looked at him with some confusion.
Pei Ji took out the key, opened the black lacquered wooden door, and stepped aside to let her go in first. "Go in and take a look."
The house wasn't particularly grand, but its layout was ingenious, with one courtyard leading into another, creating a deep and secluded atmosphere.
Passing the screen wall, there is a spacious front courtyard paved with bluestone slabs. In the corner grows an old pomegranate tree, which must provide a shady spot in the summer. Passing through the hanging flower gate, there is an inner courtyard with a main house, side rooms, and ear rooms. Covered corridors connect all parts of the courtyard, so you don't have to get your shoes wet even if it rains.
What Yu Man liked most was the back garden. It wasn't large, but it had running water and a small pond with a pavilion next to it. There were also artificial hills, flowers, and trees, making it exceptionally tranquil and interesting.
"What do you think of this place?" Pei Ji asked, observing her expression as he walked beside her.
Yu Manli looked around the house, inside and out, and liked it more and more. The house was quiet despite being in a busy area, and the layout was comfortable, especially the back garden, which she really liked. She pointed to a wing room near the back garden, with a few green bamboos and a small pond in front of the window, and said, "I really like this place. The light is good, it's quiet, and you can see the scenery as soon as you open the window."
Pei Ji looked in the direction she pointed, a faint smile playing on his lips. Looking at her, he said in a completely natural tone, "Then you are the master of this house. From now on, this place can be decorated according to your preferences."
Upon hearing this, Yu Man abruptly turned to look at him, then glanced around at the obviously valuable house. She blinked, an incredulous expression on her face, and couldn't help but lower her voice to ask, "...You...you've struck it rich?"
Did he inherit the family property after he went to Xunyang?
Pei Ji said, "What nonsense are you thinking? It's just that... I have some savings, and with the help of friends, I happened to find this place."
He paused, looking at her meaningfully, "You need a proper home, don't you?"
Emerging from the elegant and tranquil mansion, Yu Man clutched the brass key, still somewhat dazed. She stopped, looked up at the tall, handsome man beside her, and asked the same question again: "This house... is it really being given to me?"
Pei Ji looked down at her, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said with certainty, "Of course. Tomorrow I will go to the government office to transfer the deed to your name."
Yu Man shook her head, her fingertips tracing the teeth marks on the key, and said softly, "No rush. This matter... needs further consideration."
Pei Ji raised an eyebrow slightly, his gentle gaze falling on her slightly hesitant eyes. "What else do you have to worry about?"
Yu Man raised her eyes, her clear gaze meeting his directly, and said, word by word, "I think you need to think this over carefully."
Upon hearing this, Pei Ji couldn't help but chuckle, but he didn't explain further, only saying, "Let's go, accompany me to explore the capital city some more."
This visit left Yu Man speechless with astonishment.
If she glanced long enough at any vendor's stall, whether it was a uniquely shaped clay figurine, an enticingly fragrant sugar painting, or the latest silks and exquisite jewelry displayed in the shop, Pei Ji would buy it the next moment, his movements swift and decisive, without any hesitation. Before long, Xiao Tao, who was following behind them, was carrying boxes and paper packages of various sizes.
Yu Man finally couldn't help but tug at Pei Ji's sleeve and whispered, "Pei Ji... are you getting revenge on me?" This posture looked like he was indulging in a very retaliatory extravagance.
Pei Ji paused slightly, turned his head to look at her, and whispered in her ear, "What if you say yes?"
Yu Man's ears burned, she glared at him, took a few quick steps, and decided not to comment on his wasteful behavior anymore.
When the two returned to the inn, they saw Xiao Tao standing at the entrance, craning her neck and looking around anxiously.
Upon seeing Yu Man, she immediately jogged over to greet her, not even bothering to bow, and hurriedly said, "My lady! You're finally back! Several groups of people came just now, bringing lots of things! They're all piled up in our room!" Could something have happened?
Yu Man's face flushed slightly. She gave a guilty smile and forced an explanation: "Oh, those... I bought them because I liked them."
Xiao Tao nodded obediently with two "oh oh" sounds, but thinking of the brocade box containing the expensive Huizhou ink, she couldn't help but start calculating in her mind: This box must have cost several taels of silver, right? Has Madam spent half a month's profit from the food shop today? The little girl looked at Yu Man with a hint of bewildered worry about her wasteful behavior.
Yu Man felt even more uncomfortable under her gaze, so she quickly shoved the things in her hands into Pei Ji's hands as well, and then said to Pei Ji, "You, come over here with me to talk." She pointed to a secluded old locust tree next to the inn.
Reaching the tree, Yu Man first scrutinized Pei Ji from head to toe. She frowned and asked seriously, "Pei Ji, tell me honestly, have you... done something bad again?"
Pei Ji met her scrutiny and said calmly, "No."
"Really not?" Yu Man didn't believe it. "Then are you hiding something from me again?"
"There is nothing to hide," Pei Ji replied succinctly.
Yu Man still looked at him with suspicion, feeling that there was some secret hidden behind his sudden wealth and extravagance that she didn't know about.
Pei Ji looked at her and finally sighed softly. He leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them, and spoke gently:
"The capital city is far more prosperous than any prefecture. Markets are adorned with jewels, households overflow with silks and brocades, the nine avenues teem with carriages and horses, and the ten-mile stretch of red carpet is captivating. There are countless places to enjoy, to see, and to linger in..."
He paused, "...I hope you can savor the scenery and customs of this capital city, and not rush through your visit."
His words were tactful, but Yu Man understood the unspoken meaning—he hoped she would stay longer and remain by his side.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't tempted, but she still steadied herself and said, "Tomorrow, I still need to go back to Dongqing County. My mother is about to give birth, and I need to go back to see her to put my mind at ease."
"That's only right," Pei Ji nodded. "I'll go back with you tomorrow."
“No need,” Yu Man refused. “You can stay in the capital and wait for news. The results of the imperial examinations will probably be released in a few days.”
Pei Ji wanted to say something more, but Yu Man insisted on disagreeing.
The next morning, Yu Man woke up, got ready, and prepared to board the carriage and set off. Just as she reached the inn's entrance, a man dressed in shorts approached her, cupped his hands, and asked, "Excuse me, are you Madam Yu from Laizhou?"
Yu Man nodded: "Exactly."
The man took out a letter from his pocket and handed it over: "I was hired by Madam Xue from the Manxin Food Shop in the prefecture to deliver this letter to you. Madam Xue instructed me to deliver it to you personally."
Yu Man thanked her, took the letter, and opened it. The letter was indeed written by Xue Han; the handwriting was elegant and the writing was clear and organized.
The letter began by stating that it was written at the request of Yu's father to inform her of the family's recent situation. The most joyous news was that Deng San Niang had recently given birth safely to a healthy baby boy, nicknamed Er'an. Knowing that Yu Man was far away in the capital and worried she might be concerned, she had Xue Han write to inform her and asked her, as the elder sister, to give the little one a formal name. Xue Han added a note at the end of the letter: "Mother and child are both well, do not worry." She then recounted some trivial matters concerning the food shop and the household, assuring her that everything was fine and she need not fret.
Yu Man calculated the time the letter was sent; it was exactly four or five days ago, so everything at home must be settled by now. Her initial eagerness to return home dissipated considerably upon seeing the words "Mother and child are safe." Since everything was alright at home, she wasn't in a hurry to continue her journey.
She turned and went back to the inn, no longer mentioning her immediate departure, and showed the letter in her hand to Pei Ji. After he finished reading it, he took out a brush, ink, paper and inkstone, spread them out on the table by the window, and rolled up his sleeves to grind ink for her.
Yu Man sat down, pondered for a moment, and then picked up his pen to reply. He first expressed his joy at learning that the mother and child were safe, then said that he still needed to think about the name of the child, and then instructed Deng San Niang to take good care of herself, stating that he would be returning soon. After finishing writing, he handed the letter to Xiao Tao, asking her to find a messenger to send it.
"What are your plans for the next few days?" Pei Ji put down the inkstone and asked gently.
Yu Man stretched and yawned, then laughed, "Sleep! Don't wake me up even if the sky falls; I'm going to sleep soundly for a few days!"
She says it, and she does it.
In the following days, except for necessary meals, Yu Man stayed in her room almost all the time, sleeping soundly as if she wanted to make up for all the mental and physical exhaustion she had expended in the past few days. Pei Ji did not disturb her.
That day, she finally felt refreshed and energized, and prepared to go out for some fresh air.
As soon as I opened the door, I heard an unusual commotion downstairs. The noise was deafening, and it seemed to be mixed with the sound of horses' hooves and congratulations.
She walked down the stairs with a puzzled look in her eyes and saw Pei Ji already sitting in his usual spot, with congee and side dishes laid out on the table, waiting for her to have breakfast together.
"What's going on outside?" Yu Man sat down opposite him and asked curiously.
Pei Ji picked up his bamboo chopsticks and placed a piece of her favorite side dish on her plate, his tone calm and even: "It's nothing, the list of successful candidates in the imperial examinations must have been posted."
Yu Man first subconsciously said "Oh", then suddenly realized, the apricot list! The list of those admitted to the spring imperial examination!
She jumped up with a "tsk tsk," her movement so quick that she knocked over the stool behind her, but she didn't care. She grabbed Pei Ji's wrist and said urgently, "Then why are you still drinking porridge! Let's go! Let's go see the results!"
Pei Ji was pulled to his feet by her, but he grabbed her wrist with a gentle but firm grip, not allowing her to break free. With his other hand, he pushed the bowl of porridge in front of her, his tone carrying a hint of helpless indulgence: "We should have some breakfast first. The list has already been posted, so there's no rush."
"You're not in a hurry, but I am!" Yu Man said. "That's the list of successful candidates! It's the result of your nine days of hard work! Let's go, let's go!"
She tried her best to pull him away, but she was no match for his strength and was instead firmly pressed back onto the stool.
“Listen to me, have a bite first.” Pei Ji’s eyes were calm. “Even if you’re going to check the list, it won’t make a difference if you take a bowl of porridge.”
Yu Man had no choice but to pick up the spoon, scoop a few mouthfuls of porridge haphazardly into his mouth, and say, "Let's go!"
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