Chapter 86:
Originally, there was nothing wrong with this, after all, there has never been a rule from ancient times to the present that a title must be passed to the Eldest Legitimate Grandson, but Pei Shurui felt deeply guilty.
Over these years, he had taken great care of his elder brother’s widowed wife and niece. After the old Duke passed away, only three illegitimate younger brothers were separated out, while the Eldest Son’s Branch remained in the Duke’s Estate, supported by the estate, living alone in one courtyard.
But people are perhaps always greedy for more; the orphan and widow who were initially uneasy after losing her husband gradually grew bolder in their ambitions under Pei Shurui’s many years of generous treatment.
Especially since Pei Yuqing was born weak and these years had stubbornly refused to marry, which only fueled their ambitions.
They hoped the title could return to the Eldest Son’s Branch.
The sentence Xie Wanning heard when she entered the door just now came from the mouth of the Pei Family’s First Madam Zhao Shi.
If anyone besides Lu Ziyan was most unable to accept their marriage, it was undoubtedly the Pei Family’s Eldest Son’s Branch.
These twists and turns had been explained to her bit by bit in detail by Madam Zheng before Xie Wanning married.
In Madam Zheng’s words, the Pei Family’s Eldest Son’s Branch was not worth worrying about. No matter how much Duke Pei took care of his elder brother’s widow, as long as Princess Duanyang was there, they had no chance to cause trouble.
At this moment, Xie Wanning didn’t take the words she heard upon entering to heart at all, and smilingly paid respects to the relatives one by one.
It was called paying respects, but with her identity as the Young Lord’s Consort, it was just a slight curtsy, and that was only because she was the new bride entering the door for the first time; normally, even that slight curtsy wouldn’t be needed.
After all, in the Pei Family, aside from Duke Pei and Princess Duanyang, there really was no one worthy of the Young Lord and Young Lord’s Consort giving formal respects.
The Pei Family had few members, and Xie Wanning had some prior understanding, so she quickly met all the elders and received a series of greeting gifts.
Then the younger generation from each branch came to pay respects to her.
There was quite an age gap between her and Pei Yuqing; after going around, all those who respectfully called her sister-in-law were much older than her.
Xie Wanning remained composed and gave greeting gifts to each one.
Amid laughter and cheerful talk, this new bride’s greeting ceremony segment ended.
Mindful that her son and daughter-in-law had come over without having breakfast, they were probably still hungry, after chatting for a while, Princess Duanyang did not keep the sisters-in-law from the various branches long.
The inner hall, which had been lively just moments ago, immediately quieted down.
Servants brought in the meal.
Princess Duanyang looked at her new daughter-in-law, her lips unable to suppress a smile, and said with anticipation, “Our family has gained one more person today; I hope that by next year today, we can add another.”
Xie Wanning: “…”
She sat beside Pei Yuqing, and upon hearing this, the hand holding the jade chopsticks trembled slightly.
Princess Duanyang continued, “Mother has no intention of urging you; it’s just that I’ve been looking forward to this day for too long…”
“Mother!” The young lady beside her blushed bright red; Pei Yuqing couldn’t bear to watch and said helplessly, “I know what I’m doing.”
Princess Duanyang wasn’t upset at being interrupted; she smiled at her son and said, “After the meal, come tell Mother just how you know what you’re doing.”
Xie Wanning: “…”
……So the Princess doesn’t know?
The family of five silently finished breakfast, and Pei Shurui went to the study.
Pei Yuqing was called into the inner chamber by the Princess, leaving only Pei Yuxuan and Xie Wanning outside.
Looking at her newly minted elder sister-in-law, Pei Yuxuan smiled and said, “Before, you called me Xuan Jie Jie; I didn’t expect that now I should call you sister-in-law.”
Xie Wanning’s face had long been tempered; she felt not the slightest discomfort and followed up, “You work hard too, and see if you can get me to change how I address you.”
Pei Yuxuan was stunned for a moment, her small face reddening as she said coyly, “What are you saying.”
“I’m not talking nonsense,” Xie Wanning teased, imitating her earlier manner. “Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it?”
“…” Pei Yuxuan fell silent, a trace of dejection appearing on her face. “Your elder brother doesn’t like me.”
It was rare for the proud and poised little Commandery Princess to show such an expression; Xie Wanning felt a pang of heartache seeing it.
She thought seriously for a moment and said, “Not necessarily.”
Pei Yuxuan’s eyes lit up instantly, staring unblinkingly at her, pouring her a cup of tea and saying eagerly, “Sister-in-law, tell me all about it.”
“…” Xie Wanning amusingly took the tea and sipped, then continued under Pei Yuxuan’s impatient urging. “My Elder Brother has a steady personality; he never shows his emotions on his face, and when he speaks, he can’t say many pleasant words.”
“So, what he says doesn’t matter; you have to look at what he does.”
If anyone understood Xie Yanyu best, it had to be Xie Wanning, who had been nagged by him into trauma.
Her elder brother loved meddling in her affairs, like an old pedant fond of quoting books, rigid and obtuse, constantly lecturing her.
But when she proposed breaking off the engagement with Lu Ziyan, he was the first to agree, not caring at all about the reputation he usually harped on, only concerned if his sister had been wronged.
At this point, Xie Wanning asked, “Think about it: does my Elder Brother treat you differently from others?”
Pei Yuxuan frowned in thought for a long time, finally sighing in frustration and shaking her head. “I can’t think of anything. Anyway, he’s very polite to me, calling me Commandery Princess every time and unwilling to say more than two words to me.”
“Is that so… Then are you going to give up?” Xie Wanning blinked, somewhat puzzled. “There are plenty of handsome young masters in the Capital City; why did you take a fancy to that wooden blockhead in my family?”
Pei Yuxuan asked speechlessly in return, “My elder brother isn’t much better; so why did you marry him?”
“…” Xie Wanning fell silent, saying nothing.
Pei Yuxuan didn’t expect her to say anything, her mind fully occupied with whether that distant young master had ever treated her differently.
Give up?
She wasn’t willing at all!
The proud little Commandery Princess had never encountered setbacks in her life and was never short of courage to charge at walls.
As if thinking of something, Pei Yuxuan hurriedly stood up and walked out. “I have an appointment with someone; I need to go out and can’t keep you company waiting for elder brother.”
Xie Wanning watched her back, as if seeing herself from two years ago.
Equally flamboyant and bright, equally bold and forward.
Although Pei Yuxuan was a year older than her.
After finishing one cup of tea, Pei Yuqing still hadn’t come out; bored, Xie Wanning began wandering slowly around the hall.
The hall wasn’t large, but the decorations were all exquisite, mostly porcelain from the imperial palace.
The most eye-catching were the two vases as tall as a person at the inner chamber door, with several pink and white flower branches transplanted inside.
Orchids?
Xie Wanning felt a sudden interest in appreciating elegance; she walked over, slightly bending to closely admire what variety these gentlemanly flowers were, when she heard a sound from the inner chamber just one door away.
“Before, you weren’t in a hurry to marry, and now that you’ve finally married, you say you’re not in a hurry to have children—could it be that you have a hidden illness?”
It was Princess Duanyang’s voice.
She didn’t know what the mother and son had said before, but Princess Duanyang’s tone carried anger.
Xie Wanning instantly stiffened; eavesdropping on a mother and son’s conversation wasn’t very upright, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot, with minds of their own.
Inside the room, Princess Duanyang’s expression was one of shock and suspicion.
This morning when Granny Zhou reported that the wedding sheet had no bloodstains, she thought it was due to last night’s commotion causing a quarrel between the young couple, with no interest in consummation. But during the new bride’s greetings just now, her son had protected her so tightly—where did that look like a quarrel?
They seemed to have very good affection…
Now looking at her silent eldest son, her face gradually paled.
“Tell Mother the truth: last night you didn’t consummate… is it because you can’t? But the Imperial Doctors said your heart condition has been well nourished…”
“Mother!” Pei Yuqing was somewhat helpless; he didn’t refute, only saying, “It’s only the first day of marriage; don’t give me pressure, alright?”
“Alright, alright,” Princess Duanyang nodded hurriedly. “I won’t pressure you, but my son, remember not to hide your illness and avoid doctors.”
Pei Yuqing lowered his eyes, sighed lightly, and said faintly, “Don’t give Wanwan pressure either; it’s my reason.”
Outside, the named Xie Wanning blinked, moved her somewhat numb legs, and wandered back to her seat like a lost soul.
……What was this? Her absurd guess was actually true?
So, Pei Yuqing allowing Lu Ziyan to cause a huge scene in the new bridal chamber last night was really due to that?
But hadn’t he actively kissed her before…
Xie Wanning’s mind was a chaotic mess, unable to say what she felt at the moment.
Anger at being tricked into marriage?
This couldn’t really count as being tricked; she had actively begged to marry him. He had hesitated and struggled for a long time before agreeing, and he had frankly admitted his heart condition, saying he couldn’t overexert mentally or physically, nor get emotionally agitated.
Perhaps hinting that he couldn’t…
When the inner chamber door opened and the mother and son came out, Princess Duanyang’s attitude was even warmer than before.
Holding Xie Wanning’s hand, she asked after her warmly, showing great concern, then removed a pair of excellent-quality emerald jade bracelets from her wrist as a gift. While chatting, it was time for lunch.
It wasn’t until after lunch, when it was time to enter the palace to give thanks, that Princess Duanyang reluctantly let them go.
Pei Yuqing was already waiting in the courtyard; Xie Wanning bid farewell to her mother-in-law, and as she exited the hall door, she saw his tall and straight figure under the banyan tree.
His handsome profile faced this way; one glance showed him elegant as a jade tree in the wind, exceedingly good-looking.
She stood under the eaves, quietly watching for a while; her somewhat aggrieved heart gradually calmed.
On the way walking step by step toward him, Xie Wanning silently told herself in her heart that this was pretty good too.
When she got close, she tilted her head up at him with a smile. “Elder Brother Changqing, let’s go.”
Pei Yuqing lowered his gaze to look at her, crooked his finger to stroke her eyelid. “Why are your eyes red?”
Xie Wanning blinked, gripped his wrist, and said softly, “Probably from the wind; I’m a bit cold.”
Her fingers were indeed cool; a furrow appeared between Pei Yuqing’s brows as he wrapped the cloak around her. “The weather is getting colder; be careful not to catch a chill when going out in the future.”
Xie Wanning nodded and said okay.
So obedient; Pei Yuqing’s heart stirred, and he leaned down to plant a kiss on her forehead, then took her hand as the two walked side by side in the desolate autumn scenery.
The man handsome, the woman beautiful—a perfect pair.
In the carriage to the palace, the two sat facing each other; as the wheels turned, Xie Wanning hesitated for a few breaths before asking, “Last night, what happened with Lu Ziyan afterward…”
“He fainted and was taken away by Ming Jian,” Pei Yuqing said. “He just quelled the unrest in Yunzhou; it’s exactly the time for the court to reward and promote him. Last night’s offense can probably only offset his merits; he won’t be punished much.”
Xie Wanning: “…”
She hadn’t expected such an answer.
But on second thought, Lu Ziyan had repeatedly earned military merit, and with His Majesty’s high regard for him—higher even than several princes—it really wasn’t possible to severely punish him.
She was extremely annoyed. “Lu Ziyan is so arrogant, yet His Majesty repeatedly indulges him; it’s truly baffling.”
A complex look appeared in Pei Yuqing’s eyes, and he said faintly, “When something is unusual, there must be a reason; just wait patiently.”
Hearing this, Xie Wanning’s heart jolted. “What do you mean by that?”
Pei Yuqing lowered his gaze to her, seeing the gravity unconsciously appear on her face, and said with slightly restrained eyes, “Wanwan, are you worried about him?”
“No,” Xie Wanning denied instinctively. “He’s so arrogant and overbearing; how could it be my turn to worry about him?”
She shook her head as she spoke; Pei Yuqing looked at her for a moment, then suddenly took her hand and said warmly, “Don’t worry; he’ll be fine.”
Xie Wanning was stunned, staring blankly at him, unable to speak for a long time.
Until the carriage stopped, she said seriously, “I wasn’t worrying about him.”
Pei Yuqing hummed, said no more, and directly took her hand as they alighted from the carriage.
Several eunuchs were already waiting; upon seeing them, the lead eunuch bowed and smiled. “Young Lord, you’ve finally arrived. His Majesty is resting in Changchun Palace at the moment and said for you two to go directly.”
Changchun Palace was the current Empress’s sleeping palace; Pei Yuqing nodded slightly and said, “Thank you, eunuch.”
The eunuch bowed again and led the way ahead.
The palace path was long and secluded; as they ascended the long palace steps toward Changchun Palace gate, Pei Yuqing suddenly asked, “Have you entered the palace before?”
“…” Xie Wanning still had the carriage matter on her mind and wanted to explain more, but there were palace eunuchs ahead and behind.
She paused, then answered his question. “I’ve attended a few palace banquets with Mother… The place I go to most is Imperial Consort Shu’s Yanxiang Hall.”
Just as she mentioned Imperial Consort Shu, in the time it took to look up, she saw Yanxiang Hall’s chief eunuch Li Yuan standing not far away, smiling and bowing to her.
Xie Wanning was startled, knowing that Imperial Consort Shu was probably in Changchun Palace at the moment.
The two entered the hall door side by side, and everyone inside looked over.
The newlywed couple were both in red robes, with layered sleeves embroidered with beautiful patterns in gold thread, and jade belts at their waists inlaid with matching gemstones.
The man’s eyebrows and eyes were gentle, his pale complexion refined and handsome; the woman was charming and lovely, her steps graceful and poised.
The hall instantly fell silent.
Imperial Consort Shu recovered first, covering her lips with a smile. “Look at them—truly a talented man and beautiful woman, a match made in heaven.”
Hearing her aunt’s voice, Xie Wanning’s steps paused slightly; she was about to curtsy when she heard the bright yellow figure at the head say, “No need for formalities; be seated.”
His Majesty was nearing fifty, but his voice was loud and powerful. He looked at his nephew with a warm face, not like a monarch, but like an ordinary elder full of loving expression.
But when his gaze shifted to Xie Wanning beside him, it gradually darkened.
Two chapters combined~~~
