Chapter 47 General Pei wanted to ask how to please a woman...
Pei Yu left Yingfeng Pavilion directly and walked into the garden without stopping. His face was ashen and his cold demeanor caused the officials on the road to not dare to come up and pay their respects.
Turning a corner into a courtyard, the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments drifted out, interspersed with a few lewd and suggestive words. Pei Yu glanced over; it was a notorious playboy from Chang'an, gathering a group of people to drink and entertain them with a troupe of dancers and courtesans.
He strode past without stopping, vaguely hearing a few teasing remarks, "Women, you know, first you have to coax them, second you have to scold them, and third, hahaha..."
Pei Yu's ears twitched, and he stopped in his tracks, casually moving closer. He had exceptional hearing and could hear a few whispers even amidst the music.
"I, Han Erlang, may not be able to boast about anything else, but I'm unparalleled in my ability to woo women. As long as I'm involved, there's no woman in the world I can't handle..."
Han Erlang? Pei Yu thought for a moment. He recognized the man. He was the youngest son of Princess Duanyang, a notorious playboy who caused trouble. Once, he ran into him and was taught a lesson. Since then, he had avoided him.
He listened for a moment, then realized the people inside had started drinking and playing drinking games, making a lot of noise and making it hard to hear clearly. Pei Yu straightened up, adjusted his collar, and walked expressionlessly toward the courtyard gate.
Two male servants from the Han family stood at the gate, who greeted him with smiles and asked, "General Pei, what brings you here?"
The male servants of the Han family exchanged glances. Their young master had never invited General Pei to the gathering, so why had he come uninvited today?
Pei Yu slightly raised his chin, his eyes haughty. "Go and inform your husband that I, Pei, have come to visit. I wonder if he will welcome me?"
The servant dared not delay, and in just over ten breaths, Han Erlang's fat-headed and big-eared figure appeared at the door. He was used to indulging in debauchery and delicacies, and his once handsome face had been turned into a pig's head by overfeeding.
Pei Yu frowned. How could someone like this possibly win over a woman? Could there really be some secret to it?
Han Erlang walked forward with a frightened expression. In those few steps, he had already gone through everything he had done in the past few days in his mind, confirming that he had not done anything to offend Pei Yu.
He wiped his sweat and stepped forward shakily, "Pei Pei... General, what brings you here?"
It wasn't that he was cowardly; in fact, a year ago, when Pei Yu returned to the capital, he took his cousin out for a trip. Han Erlang had always enjoyed flirting with women, and seeing that He Jiaying was pretty and a single woman, he couldn't resist making a few teasing remarks. As a result, when he turned around, Pei Yu was standing behind him with a smile on his face. Without saying a word, he punched him and knocked him to the ground on the spot. Even now, thinking about it makes his nose ache slightly.
Pei Yu's gaze flickered for a moment, then he said casually, "I smell wine. Are you drinking?"
Han Erlang grinned, his face crinkling with wrinkles. "Yeah, yeah."
Pei Yu glanced at him, but Han Erlang didn't react. He glanced at him again, but Han Erlang still didn't understand. He was quite disgusted; this Han Erlang really had no tact whatsoever.
Pei Yu had no choice but to ask directly, "May I go in?"
"Yes, of course, please come in." Han Erlang realized what was happening and quickly rubbed his hands together, inviting Pei Yu inside.
Pei Yu was forced back inside by the strong smell of alcohol as soon as he stepped through the door. He held his breath, trying to avoid the pile of drunken people on the floor.
Han Erlang dragged his heavy body in, kicked the drunken man at his feet, and shouted, "Get up, get up! General Pei is here, hurry, hurry, hurry!"
The men drinking in the hall, all tipsy, asked, "General Pei? Which General Pei?"
Han Erlang got angry and pointed at them one by one, "The one who knocked out your front tooth five years ago, the one who hung you up at the city gate overnight, the one who chased you with dogs for three blocks."
Without him having to shout anything, the group of people sobered up instantly, staring at Pei Yu with wide, round eyes as if they had seen a ghost.
The drunkard on the ground staggered to his feet, his face reeking of alcohol, and leaned close to Pei Yu, pouting as he said, "Beauty..."
Before he could finish speaking, Pei Yu had already chopped him down with a single chop, wiped his hands on the hem of his robe in disgust, and then raised his hand to signal the musicians to stop and the dancers to leave.
The others huddled closer to Han Erlang, trembling, "You... how did you bring this nemesis here?"
Han Erlang was on the verge of tears. "It has nothing to do with me. He came to me on his own."
"He's still as ruthless as before. Wasn't he supposed to have become more composed?"
Pei Yu wiped his hands clean, chose a clean table to sit down, and Han Erlang, being very perceptive, found a clean wine cup, poured tea for Pei Yu, and smiled ingratiatingly.
"You... never mind." Pei Yu looked at his fleshy face, his eyes barely visible, and then turned to look at the others.
He tapped the table, and the others all trembled. Pei Yu said, "I've come today to ask you something. Please sit down."
The group sat down, seemingly sleepwalking, and Han Erlang, roused by the others, mustered his courage and asked, "General Pei, what do you... want to learn?"
Pei Yu: "Just now you said that there is no woman in this world that you can't win over. Do you have some kind of secret?"
Han Erlang had expected Pei Yu to ask about official business or some private matters within their family, and he was prepared to be beaten. He hadn't anticipated Pei Yu's question. He rubbed his hands together and asked, "General Pei, are you trying to please a woman?"
Pei Yu frowned, recalling Huiyin's stubborn temper, and retorted, "What do you mean by flattering? Do you think I'm that kind of person?"
Han Erlang repeatedly begged for forgiveness, saying, "I misspoke."
One of them spoke up: "General Pei, do you want to ask how to make a woman fall head over heels in love with you?"
Pei Yu nodded, resting his chin on his hand. "Yes, that's it. Do you have any brilliant ideas?"
"Of course there are."
Han Erlang and the others, having shaken off their earlier fear, gathered around Pei Yu and started talking amongst themselves. When they got excited, two men even hugged each other as an example, which gave Pei Yu goosebumps.
Pei Yu didn't leave Han Erlang's courtyard until sunset. Han Erlang chased after him, reminding him, "Remember these three tips!!"
Pei Yu paused, then nodded perfunctorily.
When he returned to Linshui Pavilion, it was already dark. The ceramic lanterns in the courtyard were lit, casting a halo of light. Huiyin had just finished bathing and was sitting under the eaves drying her hair, wearing a plain white straight-hemmed robe. Her two slender white wrists shone brightly in the night.
He stomped his foot heavily, and a maidservant, hearing the noise, came to greet him, saying, "Young General."
Pei Yu grunted in agreement and walked toward the main house, his eyes fixed on the person under the eaves, without making a sound.
He stopped and ordered, "Go prepare the meal."
The maid glanced at Huiyin discreetly, and seeing that she said nothing, she whispered, "Young General, dinner time has passed, and there are only some pastries left."
Pei Yu was displeased and glanced at him sideways: "Isn't there a special kitchen? Go and make two dishes."
The maid stammered, "That was specially made for you by Lady Yan; only she knows how to make it."
Pei Yu: "..." Well, he doesn't deserve to eat.
"Go down."
The maid left with a sigh of relief, leaving only two people in the courtyard, one in the south and one in the north.
Pei Yu stood at the door, listening to Han Erlang and the others chatter on and on all afternoon. He barely ate anything, but drank quite a bit of wine. He recalled what Han Erlang had said: First, you can't show weakness; you can't let a woman know you can't live without her; you can't let her lead you by the nose.
He walked toward Huiyin and found that she was holding a bamboo slip, which was covered with characters he did not recognize. Just looking at it gave him a headache.
He coughed heavily. "I'm hungry. Go get me some food."
Huiyin put down the bamboo stick, her silky hair swaying like flowing water, filling the air with fragrance. She bent down to put on her shoes, her back to Pei Yu so her expression was unreadable, and said in a light tone, "There should still be some in Madam's courtyard, I'll go ask for some."
Pei Yu grabbed her arm, looked at her expressionless face, and felt a pang in his heart. He touched his nose and said, "Never mind, I'll just use a little."
Huiyin withdrew her hand. The smell of alcohol on Pei Yu made her feel uncomfortable, so she subconsciously took two steps back and looked up.
He was clearly quite drunk; his dark collar was ripped loose, and his chest heaved violently. His skin was flushed from the alcohol, and his eyes, usually sharp as a hawk's, were now like dusty stars, dim and confused.
Besides the smell of alcohol, she also detected a faint scent of cosmetics on him, very subtle but present. Huiyin didn't like wearing makeup, nor did the maids in the courtyard.
The air smelled of alcohol mixed with the scent of perfume. She asked, "Where did you come from?"
Pei Yu was secretly pleased to see that she was willing to take the initiative to talk to him, but he still maintained a cold expression on his face. Remembering Han Erlang's words, he said with an impatient look, "Han Erlang."
Huiyin softly uttered, "Han Erlang?"
He Jiaying had mentioned to her several times that after Han Erlang came to Ganquan Palace, he was unable to enjoy himself, so he turned his residence into a banquet hall and recruited many beautiful women and singers to his brothel. He held banquets every day and sang every night, making it a veritable brothel.
She saw Pei Yu leaning against the armchair, his skin exposed at the collar stained with red marks. She hadn't known what those marks were before, but now she understood perfectly.
Huiyin dug her fingertips deep into her palms, forcing herself to maintain a proper, even somewhat stiff, smile through the pain. She should have expected this, but she hadn't anticipated it would come so soon. Just yesterday, they were inseparable, deeply in love, vowing never to betray her.
She turned away, ignoring Pei Yu's impatient expression, and shut the door behind her. "I'm not feeling well tonight, you should sleep somewhere else."
Pei Yu had been following her into the house, but she suddenly shut the door on him, almost making him pinch his nose. He frowned and remained silent. Everything was exactly as Han Erlang had said, so why was Huiyin even angrier? He even saw a slight glimmer of tears in her eyes.
He knocked on the door, "Song Huiyin, open the door."
No one answered, so he increased the force, and the wooden door creaked under his hands. Someone from the east courtyard next door shouted, "Who is it, so late at night?"
Pei Yu paused, turned to look, and saw a bunch of heads piled on top of each other watching the commotion from the window of the next room. When they saw him, they quickly shrank back.
Feeling humiliated, he kicked the door hard and threatened, "If you're so capable, don't let me in for the rest of my life."
Yan Niang wrapped herself in her clothes and went out, watching Pei Yu's departing figure, then looked worriedly at the main house. Mingming had told her after waking up from her afternoon nap that she had acted impulsively, knowing that Pei Yu was only responsive to gentle persuasion and not force, yet she still went against him.
She prepared the meal early, waiting for Pei Yu to return, reheating the food again and again. Even after dark, she refused to go inside, sitting under the eaves waiting for Pei Yu, only to start arguing with him again as soon as he came back.
What a nemesis!
Pei Yu had nowhere to go after leaving the house, and not wanting Madam Pei to find out about his quarrel with Huiyin, he had no choice but to climb over the wall to Pei Yan's courtyard, squeeze Pei Yan, who was sleeping soundly, off the bed, and lie down on top of him.
In his hazy sleep, Pei Yan dreamt that someone was trying to steal his food. The possessive person grabbed his blanket and punched and kicked him while talking in his sleep.
Pei Yu was kicked twice by him, and in a few quick moves he kicked Pei Yan off the bed. Ignoring his younger brother who was lying on the ground talking in his sleep, he rolled up in the quilt and went to sleep.
——
Pei Yan was awakened by the glaring sunlight. He tugged at the curtains haphazardly but failed to grab them. Muttering to himself, he covered his eyes and suddenly realized that something hard was beneath him, causing him a sharp backache.
Pei Yan sat up and realized he was sleeping on the floor. He thought he had fallen off the bed because of his sleeping position last night. He rubbed his hair, yawned, and climbed back into bed.
Pei Yan was startled when his fingers randomly touched something warm and soft. He grabbed the other person and cried out, only to be slapped across the face by Pei Yu. "What are you yelling about!"
“Brother!” Pei Yan patted his face, his sleepiness completely gone.
"What are you doing in my bed?!"
Pei Yu sat up. His clothes, which reeked of alcohol and had fermented overnight, smelled particularly bad. He disgustedly pulled off his coat and threw it on the ground, saying perfunctorily, "I got back too late last night and didn't want to disturb your sister Huiyin."
Pei Yan chuckled twice and said smugly, "Don't try to fool me. I think you're the one who offended Sister Huiyin and got kicked out."
Pei Yu picked up a soft pillow from the bed and threw it at him, cursing, "You talk too much."
Pei Yan hugged the soft pillow and leaned closer with a grin, his cat-like eyes gleaming. "Tell me, how did you offend Sister Huiyin?"
Pei Yu glanced at him, not wanting to pay attention to his silly younger brother. He reached out and unbuttoned his inner robe, ordering, "Find me a clean set of clothes. I want to take a bath."
Pei Yan said "Oh", stared at the spots on his chest and asked, "Brother, were you bitten by insects? I'll go find someone to get you some ointment."
Pei Yu glanced down and noticed several red marks on his chest that had appeared out of nowhere; they weren't itchy and he hadn't even noticed them. In a flash, he remembered Huiyin's unusual behavior last night, cursed under his breath, and wrung out his dirty clothes to head out.
Pei Yan felt he had stopped the person, "Brother, are you really going to go out like this?"
Pei Yu stopped and sniffed. He did have a smell on him, which he found somewhat repulsive.
Where is the shower room?
After he finished getting ready, he rushed off to find Huiyin, only to find that she was nowhere to be found. It turned out that Madam Pei had taken Huiyin out early in the morning, saying that she had gone to visit the female relatives.
Pei Yu had no choice but to go to the yamen first and come back to explain to Huiyin later that evening.
July's heat fades, and the weather turns cool.
Before the carved window, the fragrance of jasmine filled the air. Madam Pei sat in front of a full-length bronze mirror, dressing up. Huiyin, dressed in green, knelt behind her, holding several jade hairpins in her hands.
After Madam Pei finished tidying up, she beckoned someone to bring over a stack of bamboo strips and place them in front of Huiyin, indicating that she should take a look.
Huiyin picked up the bamboo slip, which recorded the backgrounds and character of several noble ladies. They were all daughters of families with a long history of merit, ranging in age from fifteen to eighteen.
Madam Pei didn't keep her in doubt for long. She stood behind the screen with her arms outstretched as her maidservants helped her dress. She was in a good mood: "These days I have selected several young ladies. Their family backgrounds and character are all excellent. They are exactly what I want. I have already submitted the list to Her Majesty the Empress, and she has no objections. I called you here today so that you can come with me to meet them."
Huiyin saw Li Yingyue, the daughter of the Marquis of Anyang, and Feng Anjun, the daughter of the Feng family, on the bamboo slip. Feng Anjun was the youngest, and she was Feng Cheng's cousin. She was straightforward and lovely, and had just turned fifteen this year. Pei Yu was twenty-one this year, and the young lady Feng was not a good match for him in age.
Thinking this, Huiyin voiced her doubts. Madam Pei had already finished dressing and emerged from behind the screen. Today she was wearing a bright green double-curved robe, her skin was fair, and her eyes were smiling. She looked to be no more than thirty years old.
Madam Pei said, "Li Yingyue was chosen by me for Yu'er, and Feng Anjun was chosen by me for Yan'er. What do you think?"
Huiyin deliberately ignored the question, as she was not qualified to comment. Madam Pei did not really want her opinion either. She pondered and said, "A young lady from a distinguished family is certainly good, but the young master is still too young. Isn't it a bit too early?"
“It’s getting late,” Madam Pei waved her hand. “We need to settle things and get married as soon as possible, so that we don’t end up like his brother, who is still waiting for a definite date.”
Huiyin remained silent for a long while, then asked, "That Miss Liu?"
Madam Pei put on the last jade pendant to weigh down her clothes, and said without turning her head, "Yu'er said a few days ago that he would not marry her. I never wanted her to abandon Yu'er and marry someone else in the first place. Now everyone is happy."
After getting ready, Madam Pei led Huiyin southwards, seemingly heading to the Feiliu Water Pavilion in the south. Huiyin followed behind Madam Pei, listening to her praise the two young ladies all the way.
She thought for a moment and realized that she had seen both of these young women before, and they were indeed as Madam Pei had said—beautiful in appearance and of outstanding character.
Madam Pei had put in a lot of effort to find these two men. In Chang'an, there weren't many eligible young ladies from noble families. Most of them were betrothed when they were thirteen or fourteen and would get married a couple of years later.
The two men she chose were extremely suitable for the two young masters of the Pei family in every respect; even the Empress could not find fault with them.
It's just unknown who will be chosen in the end.
Huiyin remained silent the whole way, and even Madam Pei noticed something was wrong. She sighed softly and comforted her in the tone of someone who had been through it all: "I know you are upset. What woman in the world would be willing to share her husband with someone else? Look all over Chang'an, which young man only stays with one person? Besides, Yu'er is determined to get married."
"I know."
Madam Pei took Huiyin's hand and patted it gently, comforting her, "Don't worry, Li Yingyue is known for her virtue and kindness, she will definitely tolerate you."
Huiyin smiled and nodded, "Okay."
Madam Pei stopped and waved for the maidservant following her to move away. "I'll have someone bring you some medicine later. I didn't make you take contraceptive medicine before because I thought Yu'er was going to marry Liu Tan. But things are different now. Li Yingyue is a noble lady and cannot be neglected. You cannot get pregnant before Yu'er's marriage, do you understand?"
Huiyin remained silent for a long time before nodding and replying, "I understand."
Madam Pei nodded in satisfaction, patted Huiyin's hand, and led her forward, saying, "You are the most sensible child you could ever be."
Feiliu Waterside Pavilion is a waterside pavilion built against a rock wall, making it extremely cool and refreshing. The name "Feiliu" refers to a waterfall that cascades down from above the rock wall, converging into a secluded pool where spring water flows.
Inside the waterside pavilion sat two ladies and a young woman, each with two tables facing each other. The lady on the left was Lady Xiao, a matchmaker from Chang'an City, while the lady on the right, with a gentle face and soft voice, was Lady Anyang. The woman sitting beside her was her daughter, Li Yingyue, who was the future daughter-in-law chosen by Lady Pei.
Li Yingyue wasn't the first type of stunning beauty; she possessed an outstanding temperament, her entire being seemingly enveloped in a serene, scholarly aura. She also had a small beauty mark under her eye, which softened her smile and made her even more beautiful.
Madam Pei released Huiyin's hand and stepped forward with a smile, saying, "I'm late, please forgive me, Madam."
Madam Xiao, being straightforward, said with a smile, "If you're late, you'll be punished with a cup of wine."
Lady Anyang smiled slightly but didn't say anything. However, from the moment Huiyin appeared, her gaze never left her.
Huiyin followed behind Madam Pei with her head down. Given her status, she did not have a seat on this occasion and could only sit behind Madam Pei, serving as a servant.
She helped Madam Pei sit down and bent down to straighten her skirt. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that the Lady of Anyang and Miss Li were watching her intently.
Huiyin hid behind Madam Pei, avoiding their gaze. She didn't quite understand why Madam Pei would bring her, a concubine, along when meeting her future in-laws. Was she deliberately trying to embarrass them?
After Madam Pei was seated, she raised her wine cup to toast Madam Xiao and Madam Anyang, and said with a smile, "I will punish myself with a cup."
Lady Anyang was a woman raised in the water towns of Jiangnan, and every move she made carried the charm of Jiangnan. Although her voice was gentle, her words went straight to the point: "This must be Lady Song."
Huiyin straightened up and bowed to the three women, saying, "This concubine greets Lady Hou, Lady Xiao, and Miss Li."
Lady Anyang smiled and said, "Seeing is believing, you are indeed a beauty." After saying this, she stopped talking and did not respond to the topics that Lady Xiao and Lady Pei brought up. For a moment, the scene was a little awkward.
Huiyin looked at the mother and daughter opposite her, her suspicions growing stronger. She really couldn't understand why the Lady of Anyang was so cold when the two families met. Was she dissatisfied with the marriage or with her?
Li Yingyue, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, "Madam Pei, I would like to have a word with Madam Song."
Madam Pei and Madam Xiao exchanged a glance, their expressions hesitant. Everyone said that this Miss Li was gentle and virtuous, so why did she want to talk to Huiyin as soon as they met? What did she want to do?
Lady Anyang also spoke up: "They are about the same age, so it wouldn't hurt for them to go out and chat."
Huiyin lowered her head, waiting for Madam Pei to speak. Deep down, she didn't want to go. She didn't want to know what Li Yingyue had to say, nor did she feel she had anything to discuss with her. She just wanted to end this tedious banquet quickly and return to study the silk manuscript left by Yuan Zhi.
“In that case, you may go,” Madam Pei said to Huiyin, who was beside her.
"Yes." Huiyin stood up and followed Li Yingyue out of the waterside pavilion. The sunlight was dazzling, making her feel irritable.
Li Yingyue dismissed the maid, ignoring whether Huiyin behind her was listening or not, and said to herself, "This is the first time I've seen you in such a disheveled state."
Huiyin paused slightly, her hand clenching and then slowly loosening. "What does the young lady want to say?"
Li Yingyue smiled and turned around, "Don't be nervous, I just want to talk to you, that's all."
Seeing Huiyin's wary look, she didn't say anything else and went straight to the point, just like her mother, "You know that Madam Pei has taken a liking to me, right? Maybe we'll even live under the same roof in the future. I just want to get closer to you."
Huiyin's lips curled into a mocking smile. "A young lady who marries in is a wife, and I am a concubine. I am the only one who has to please you."
Li Yingyue's eyes dimmed as if she were thinking of something. She seemed about to say something when her gaze suddenly sharpened, shining as she looked towards the waterside pavilion.
Huiyin looked in the direction he was looking, and there was a man in the waterside pavilion. He had broad shoulders and a narrow back, and his profile was like jade. Even though she couldn't see his profile clearly, Huiyin knew that he was Pei Yu.
A maidservant from Madam Pei came running up, panting, to Li Yingyue's side. "Miss Li, the young general has arrived. Madam Pei requests your presence."
Li Yingyue raised her hand to tidy her hair and dress, smiled, and walked away. Huiyin wanted to follow, but was stopped by Madam Pei's maid, who said with difficulty, "Madam Song, the Lady said you shouldn't go over there yet."
Huiyin withdrew her foot, and Li Yingyue had already walked into the waterside pavilion to greet Pei Yu. Pei Yu also turned around and nodded to her, his eyes upturned, his smile obvious.
She looked at the couple in the waterside pavilion; they were such a perfect match.
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