Just moments ago, Old Madam Wang had been barely clinging to life in her chair, gasping for breath like she was on her last. Now, she was striding briskly toward them, even more vigorous than a strong man eager for dinner. Who among the crowd didn’t understand what was really going on?
Earlier, seeing Old Madam Wang’s crooked mouth and twisted nose, with drool trickling down, everyone had assumed Fatty Wang was cunningly using his mother’s supposed stroke as an excuse to shift blame. But now it was clear—the old woman’s acting skills were extraordinary, a performance carved deep into their minds.
However, Pei Liang had noticed something before entering the main hall. Although Old Madam Wang showed no obvious signs of faltering, when Fatty Wang was stopped from drawing his knife, her hand, hidden under the blanket, had instinctively twitched.
Such a reflex—raising the hand, struggling to hold it back, then lowering it—happened in a flash. Someone who had truly suffered a stroke to that extent couldn’t possibly retain such sharp reflexes.
With that in mind, no matter how convincing Old Madam Wang’s symptoms appeared, they had to be faked. Pei Liang then quietly arranged for Ying Siji to intervene, hoping to force her to slip up publicly.
It turned out Pei Liang’s suspicion was right. Old Madam Wang had once been a spirit medium, skilled in “inviting ghosts to possess.” Her convulsions, spasms, fits, and rolls on the ground had fooled even the most skeptical into believing in ghosts and spirits.
In her later years, luck had smiled on her. Her daughter blossomed into a delicate beauty. With her daughter’s connection to the magistrate, this old charlatan, once a mere spirit medium, now wielded power and prestige that even the official’s legitimate wife couldn’t match.
Seeing her ruse exposed, there was no way out. Fatty Wang grew anxious and angry: “Mother, what kind of madness are you acting out now?”
He reacted quickly: “Mother had epilepsy in her youth. Maybe she’s having a seizure. Help take the old lady away.”
But Old Madam Wang shook her head desperately. Moments ago, she couldn’t speak no matter what, but now, with a sudden burst of energy, she managed to utter words.
“Don’t eat it! This person poisoned the pufferfish meat. She wants to harm you.”
As soon as she said this, Pei Liang’s expression darkened with displeasure. “First, she fakes illness to extort money, and now, when that fails, she spreads slander. I run the Yixiang Restaurant. Would I poison someone in broad daylight? What a joke.”
She picked up the chopsticks she had just used and took another bite of the pufferfish.
Then she looked at Fatty Wang. “Mr. Wang, I initially only wanted to prove my innocence. But now I see your schemes never end, and you’re not willing to let this go peacefully.”
No matter how much Fatty Wang tried to backpedal, it was useless. At this point, who would believe he’d just drop it after all this?
One pufferfish lover couldn’t wait to speak up: “Exactly! Little Chef Pei prepared the pufferfish in front of everyone. The fish meat never touched a drop of blood or poison. Even if she hadn’t tasted it herself, we’d still trust her completely—especially since she’s staking her own life to prove it’s safe.”
“Little Chef Pei, Fatty Wang is just stirring up trouble. Such a delicacy is wasted on him. Why don’t—”
“Yes, yes, let us try it ourselves to confirm.”
Seeing the crowd getting riled up, their eyes gleaming green as they stared at the soldiers’ knives, ready to act.
At that moment, a group hurriedly arrived, pushing aside the onlookers. At their head was none other than the magistrate himself.
Seeing that Magistrate Fang’s ‘brother-in-law’ had personally come, Fatty Wang finally breathed a sigh of relief, shooting a hateful glare at those who had been heckling moments ago, before slashing twice at Pei Liang, who had been stirring up trouble.
He hurriedly put on a wide smile and stepped forward. “Lord Fang, you must do me justice. I only came over in a moment of desperation because my old mother’s illness relapsed. Even if I was wrong, it’s understandable, right? But these people are so overbearing. I don’t even know which camp they belong to. Not only did they abandon their posts, but they also—”
Before he could finish, a sharp slap landed squarely on his face, as if peeling off a layer of flesh from his greasy cheeks.
Even Fatty Wang, with his thick skin and heavy flesh, saw stars, his teeth rattled, and he was stunned for a moment.
Then Prefect Fang pointed at him and said, “Take this lawless scoundrel away. Just because he is the family of a concubine, he dares to flaunt the authority of the Prefecture Office to bully men and women alike—utterly despicable.”
“Investigate him thoroughly. Find out every crime he’s committed and punish him without mercy.”
Fatty Wang’s soul seemed to fly away; his face went deathly pale as he begged repeatedly, “It’s a misunderstanding! Lord, please show mercy. Consider that my sister, the concubine, has served you diligently. Spare us this once.”
Prefect Fang sneered coldly, “A concubine dares to claim mercy?”
He then turned to his attendants: “Drive that wretched woman out of the office.”
There was no greater thunderbolt in Fatty Wang’s world. The wealth and power his family enjoyed all hinged on his concubine sister. Now that foundation was crumbling. His entire family was nothing more than lowly scoundrels.
Even if the Prefect chose to overlook this, the enemies they had made earlier would surely make their lives miserable.
Fatty Wang collapsed into a puddle of mud as the officers dragged him away like a dead pig, roughly grabbing his old mother and taking her along.
As they left the Yixiang Pavilion, they saw Prefect Fang adjusting his robes, wearing a broad smile as he sought an audience with the general upstairs.
Fatty Wang couldn’t understand what had happened. Just a moment ago, everything was fine. That man surnamed Sui had been dealt with and was on the verge of surrendering the secret recipe for the glutinous rice duck.
How could everything collapse in an instant, years of scheming reduced to nothing? Wasn’t that military officer just a minor official commanding a mere five hundred men?
True, in official rank, Shi Feiyu could not compare to a fourth-rank Prefect like Fang, but the Shi family was one of the great noble houses of the dynasty, holding an unbroken hereditary first-class dukedom.
Shi Feiyu was the eldest legitimate son of the Shi family. Though he had been suppressed by his stepmother in his early years when the family’s influence was weak, both of the Shi brothers had come of age in recent years, their talents and appearances worlds apart.
Even the current emperor highly praised Shi Feiyu, who had completely won the emperor’s favor. Even if Lord Shi was biased to an extreme, no one dared to offend or make a joke at the expense of the Shi family. Choosing a fool? Even if he agreed, the clan would never consent.
Prefect Fang, who had managed to secure this prosperous and fertile post, was naturally skilled at wheeling and dealing, having mapped out the forces in the capital with precision.
This time, after the tribute was seized, the emperor sent Shi Feiyu to sweep through the tribute route. Reports from various provinces and prefectures kept pouring in—his campaign was unstoppable, uprooting even the most stubborn bandits. The operation was executed flawlessly.
It wouldn’t be surprising if, upon returning to the capital, he was granted the title of heir apparent. How could Prefect Fang dare offend him?
Upon learning that his brother, the concubine’s disreputable sibling who was unfit for public standing, had offended someone, Prefect Fang wished he could have that fool executed on the spot.
Fortunately, General Shi did not take offense. After requesting an audience, he was invited inside.
The onlookers—diners nearby—had initially thought this was just an ordinary military officer. A few hundred soldiers were enough to intimidate bullies like Fatty Wang, who relied on his influence to harass others. But if a real confrontation broke out, it could get troublesome.
No one had expected even Prefect Fang to tread carefully, wearing a forced smile.
With the trouble resolved, Pei Liang quickly arranged lunch for the soldiers and said to Uncle Sui, “Bring out all the signature dishes from the restaurant. General Shi is treating.”
Old Sui waved his hand hurriedly. “Not at all, General Shi has already helped me out of a bind. I can’t let him spend a penny. This meal is on me—everyone, eat well.”
“No worries. He’s not short of money. Uncle Sui, just have the kitchen show off their best skills.”
Old Sui was more than happy to comply. Seeing Pei Liang ready to lend a hand, he urged her to sit down and rest.
Qiu Sanxiang came again to invite her into the private room. The soldiers took their seats, nearly filling all the tables and chairs of Yixiang Pavilion. The waitstaff brought tea and snacks, while the kitchen bustled with activity.
It was as if the earlier commotion had been nothing but a bad dream.
Yet the onlookers were full of juicy gossip, eager to share.
Since it was inconvenient inside the restaurant, they gathered in small groups outside, whispering, “Wow, who’s this distinguished guest? That Prefect Fang, who usually acts so high and mighty, looked like he wanted to crawl on his knees just now.”
Prefect Fang was notorious for his broad face and square head, as well as his greed and cruelty, earning him a mocking nickname.
“That Old Sui usually keeps a low profile, but who would’ve thought he had such powerful connections?”
“Not just Old Sui—didn’t you see his niece? That Little General’s demeanor is like she’s handing over the purse strings to her husband and telling him to take care of it.”
“Little Chef Pei is beautiful and capable, looks like quite the match. Compared to that old Prefect Fang marrying a young concubine, this is a perfect pairing of talent and beauty.”
“Looks like Pei Chef intends to join forces. Old Sui really hit the jackpot—such a capable assistant with a powerful backing. From now on, who would dare bully Yixiang Pavilion?”
The crowd munched on their gossip and dispersed, spreading the news far and wide within a day.
Pei Liang planned to make a comeback in Jiangnan, and creating this kind of momentum was necessary. Flying this banner would smooth many small matters—why not take advantage?
At this moment, dish after dish was brought to the table, and the soldiers feasted heartily.
Pei Liang sat with Shi Feiyu in a private room on the second floor. Their interaction at the table was natural, marked by an obvious rapport. It was far from the usual scene of a noble son ordering around his concubines; there was genuine respect.
Prefect Fang understood this all too well. No wonder General Shi had specially brought people to back her up.
This woman’s humble origins made her unfit to be a lawful wife, but with such favor, even the general’s legitimate wife would have to tread carefully around her in the future.
Prefect Fang was well aware of the benefits of such intimate influence. He even personally poured wine and offered a polite apology to Pei Liang, showing he could humble himself.
Since they behaved this way, Shi Feiyu naturally returned the courtesy. For a time, the atmosphere at the table was harmonious, and both host and guest were pleased.
After the meal, knowing Shi Feiyu still had to meet with the governor, Prefect Fang did not linger.
Just before leaving, Shi Feiyu said, “This Yixiang Pavilion truly lives up to its reputation—authentic flavors and solid ingredients. It’s clear they run an honest and reputable establishment.”
“Prefect Fang agrees?”
Prefect Fang knew very well this was all about supporting a beloved. Shi Feiyu had just crushed the bandits and was passing through the capital, worried that his beloved might be mistreated here.
So he quickly nodded, “General Shi is right. Such sincere merchants deserve a bit more favor.”
That afternoon, the prefectural officers made a grand show of delivering several large boxes filled with silver and gifts to Yixiang Pavilion, claiming it was compensation that Fatty Wang owed to the establishment.
Afterward, the chef Sui and Pei Liang personally went to the prefecture office—one to express thanks, the other to retrieve the recipes or the exclusive business contracts that Fatty Wang had forcibly taken from other taverns.
Though Yixiang Pavilion’s prominence soared for a time, it came at the cost of alienating neighboring merchants and peers. For a while, people couldn’t stop praising the place.
But that was a story for later.
After lunch, Shi Feiyu and his group had to leave. They were returning to the capital and needed to inspect their route along the way. This time, however, Pei Liang would no longer be in charge of their provisions. She had already taught many along the journey, and the soldiers were growing restless.
They watched her leave with eyes full of longing, as if the meal they just had was their last feast before execution.
Before departing, Shi Feiyu handed Pei Liang a white jade seal and said, “The Shi family holds some property in Jiangnan. Should you encounter trouble or wish to contact me, this seal will grant you access to assistance.”
Pei Liang hadn’t expected such generosity. But Shi Feiyu, being a clever man, naturally understood that a little early support would make his investment pay off faster.
So she called out to him, “General Shi, you’ve done a splendid job completing this mission. I fear you’ll soon be entrusted with even greater responsibilities.”
He had already demonstrated his military genius. Now, with uprisings breaking out every few days and threats looming from northern barbarians and southern pirates, there was no shortage of battlefields. Even without knowing the original story, one could tell he would have no time to rest.
Pei Liang continued, “If you are frequently on campaign, no matter where the battlefield shifts, please send word when convenient. That way, I’ll know where to send messages should I need to reach you.”
After hearing this, a flicker of light shimmered in his eyes.
He had lost his birth mother at a young age and grown up in a hostile environment. His stepmother had taken control of the household, and he had suffered many cruel tricks behind closed doors. As a result, he kept women at a respectful distance. Despite having many admirers, he never let any woman close to his heart.
When Pei Liang first professed admiration for him, her eyes were full of practical necessity, so he never trusted her at first.
But as they journeyed together, he found himself drawn to her many qualities. Initially, it was purely admiration for her talent, so his wary guard never sounded an alarm.
Later, the feeling of having someone who could match his thoughts so closely was too wonderful to ignore. The lonely sense of superiority that had weighed on him suddenly found a place to rest.
Now, coming back to himself, he no longer wanted to reject the feelings she had shown.
Looking at Pei Liang, Shi Feiyu said, “I am very pleased with you.”
What followed needed no further words—this was his way of responding.
Pei Liang replied simply, “Mm, I’m pleased with you, too.”
Shi Feiyu couldn’t help but feel a burst of excitement at his words. Yet, thinking back afterward, she wondered why, when she said she was satisfied, her gaze kept drifting over his chest, waist, and thighs.
Perhaps it was because, as a girl, she was too shy to look him in the face, leaving her eyes nowhere else to rest.
