Shi Feiyu had known for quite some time that Pei Liang would be coming to the capital, but with pressing duties keeping him occupied, he had been unable to meet her right away.
It was only today that he finally had a few days of leave. After returning home to rest briefly, he came straight over—and happened to arrive just in time for lunch.
Qiu Sanxiang, Ying Siji, and several others had come along as well. The moment those fellows heard that Little Chef Pei had returned from her training and was reopening her restaurant, they had been itching for their holiday to begin.
Her cooking had already been remarkably good during their military campaign. Now that she had honed her skills even further and could let loose in her own restaurant, they could only imagine how delicious it would be.
So they did not even bother going home, instead gathering around their heir and insisting on tagging along for a free meal.
Sure enough, the restaurant was packed and business was booming. Judging from the gift baskets outside, plenty of people had come to show their support.
Yet the moment they stepped inside, they realized that the liveliness of the restaurant was not quite what they had imagined.
Most of the diners were enjoying their food while pointing and whispering toward one particular area as though watching a monkey show.
At a table in the middle of the dining hall, meanwhile, dishes and bowls lay shattered across the floor amid utter chaos. A richly dressed older man had a big, foolish-looking fellow pinned down, cursing and beating him.
Wei Yingshu and the others had deliberately chosen the central table when they first arrived, intending to make things difficult for Pei Liang. That way, no customers would be sitting in the way and everyone could enjoy the spectacle.
As it turned out, they had ended up putting themselves right in the middle of the stage.
When Wei Yingshu saw Shi Feiyu and his group arrive, she completely forgot her original purpose. Her eyes turned pained and aggrieved as she gazed at him.
“M-Master Shi.”
Shi Feiyu had some impression of her. For various reasons, Miss Wei had visited the Shi residence quite frequently over the past year or two.
Although Shi Feiyu was rarely at home, whenever he did return, he seemed to run into her without fail. Marquis Shi and Shi Er were both full of praise for her culinary skills, and Shi Feiyu had tasted her cooking as well. Her dishes were indeed exquisite and delicious—better, in fact, than Pei Liang’s cooking had been in the past.
Since she had greeted him, Shi Feiyu merely nodded. His gaze did not linger on her pitiful face, which seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words.
Instead, he looked past her and asked, “What happened?”
Wei Yingshu assumed he was asking about her. Her heart filled with sweetness, and even her immense grievance was reduced by half.
She was about to speak when Pei Liang’s voice came from behind her.
“Nothing much. They sold me inferior ingredients, then tried to ruin my restaurant’s reputation by accusing me of selling them bad food.”
With that, Pei Liang briefly explained what had happened.
Wei Yingshu froze. Slowly, incredulously, she turned around and saw Pei Liang speaking with Master Shi in an unhurried, confident manner.
For a moment, she was consumed by anger and hatred. She thought the woman shameless—throwing herself at an important person the moment she saw him. Was Master Shi even speaking to her?
And Wei Yingshu absolutely refused to admit that the two of them might already know each other.
Master Shi was chaste and aloof, untouched by women, unlike every ordinary man she had encountered since childhood. How could this be? How was it possible? And with the very woman she hated most of all?
Her self-deception was soon shattered.
After hearing Pei Liang out, Shi Feiyu waved a hand. The guards behind him stepped forward and pulled the father and son from the Gou family apart.
He shoved Young Master Gou straight toward the constables from Shuntian Prefecture and said, “Now that the truth has come to light, why haven’t you taken this unscrupulous merchant—who cheats people out of their money and frames others—back with you for a thorough interrogation?”
The constables had come intending to take sides. Who could have imagined that their own side would be as stupid as pigs, exposing themselves in front of everyone? They had originally planned to muddle through the matter and leave, but the heir had spoken.
Never mind the constables or the prefect’s son who had ordered them to do this—even if the Prefect of Shuntian himself had come, he would still have to bow his head and obey without the slightest delay.
The men therefore placed Young Master Gou under arrest despite their misgivings. Master Gou wanted nothing more than to beat the troublesome brat to death, but he did not dare simply stand by and watch him be sent to prison. After all, this case had personally been brought to the attention of a powerful noble. Who knew whether the investigation might lead to further revelations, with people deliberately digging into Young Master Gou’s mouth and uncovering the shameful secrets of the Gou family’s business?
He hurriedly said, “Please don’t be angry, Your Highness. This is all a misunderstanding. That fool has had unusual tastes since birth—he simply enjoys strange and spoiled ingredients.”
“Just as Owner Pei suspected, this batch of ingredients was delivered solely for his personal consumption. We would never have allowed it to interfere with the food served to our other customers.”
“As for his sudden ravings and false accusations just now, he was entirely incited by this vile woman.” He pointed at Wei Yingshu. “This woman has a long-standing grudge against Owner Pei. She also throws herself at men every day, making countless men bow at her feet. She must have learned that my foolish son enjoys such things and egged him on to commit this disgraceful act.”
How could Wei Yingshu tolerate anyone defaming her reputation as a wanton woman in front of the man she loved? She hurriedly said, “Master Gou, don’t slander me. You can ask Young Master Gou himself—did I ever say anything of the sort?”
Master Gou sneered. “You little tramp, do you really think you’re somebody just because you’ve managed to fool a bunch of idiots? Every whore in a pleasure house who plays this game is your ancestor. Do you really think a woman trying to get something out of a man needs to say it outright? Don’t pretend you’re some pure and spotless saint!”
Wei Yingshu was usually pampered and held in high regard. She had never before suffered such crude and humiliating abuse.
Her eyes reddened at once, and she hurriedly turned to Shi Feiyu. “Young Master Shi, I’m not—”
Young Master Gou still wanted to clear his beloved’s name, but Master Gou was quick enough to slap him across the face first. He struck with all his strength, smashing the corner of his son’s mouth and leaving him seeing stars, his head ringing so loudly that he could no longer get a word out.
Master Gou’s ability to read the situation far surpassed that of his foolish son. He knew that mere excuses would be useless. What mattered now was persuading the wronged party, Owner Pei, to show mercy.
With an ingratiating smile, he said, “Owner Pei, now that you’re reopening First Under Heaven Restaurant, I should have prepared a lavish gift to congratulate you. Back when Chef Pei was still here, my Gou family did a great deal of business with yours, and for all those years, we both benefited greatly.”
“Yet today, a single oversight allowed this beast to do something so damaging to our relationship. I’m truly ashamed. But rest assured, Owner Pei: tomorrow I will personally bring this wayward son to your door to apologize. In addition, to celebrate the return of First Under Heaven Restaurant, my Gou family will provide supplies free of charge for the next three years. We will also guarantee the finest selection and the highest-quality goods. Consider it a way of honoring the business relationship once shared between Grandpa Pei and me.”
The terms could hardly have been called anything but generous. The Gou family’s branch businesses specialized in rare ingredients, with a stable supply and consistently good quality. Three years of free provisions would amount to a considerable sum—more than enough to redeem a foolish son.
And that was only the most obvious benefit. The Gou family’s rare ingredients and goods, sourced from all corners of the realm, had long enjoyed a steadier supply than those of other merchants. That alone showed that they had extensive connections and channels, at least among the lower levels. If put to good use, the advantages would be endless.
It was well worth Pei Liang making this concession.
Moreover, although Pei Liang felt that the earlier the fool disappeared, the better it might be for the family business, the ancients placed great importance on loyalty and personal ties.
Master Gou had repeatedly brought up the late Chef Pei. Among the old patrons present, quite a few did business supplying goods to the Pei family. Though they had laughed at the Gou family’s misfortune just moments ago, they could now put themselves in the same position. If their own wayward descendants someday ruined the family’s reputation, they, too, would hope that their long-standing business partners might take past ties into consideration and refrain from destroying them completely, lest their families be dragged down with them.
Thus, Pei Liang smiled and said, “Master Gou, there’s no need to put it that way. Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, it was merely a false alarm. Grandfather used to say that the many accolades earned by Fragrant Heavens Restaurant were also thanks in no small part to the loyalty of all the proprietors here. We mustn’t let such a minor incident damage our future cooperation.”
Hearing this, Master Gou knew that the other party was still willing to do business with him, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He was just about to drag his son away and take his leave when Shi Feiyu said, “Since it’s a personal preference, why don’t you sit down and finish your meal?”
It was not only the braised antelope nose. Dishes made from the other questionable ingredients were also brought out one after another.
By now, Young Master Gou’s face was swollen and bruised, his teeth broken and blood running from his mouth. Even so, he was forced to finish an entire table of disgusting dishes.
Master Gou only wanted to ensure that the influential person before him would not pursue the matter afterward. As for his son being taught a lesson, he wholeheartedly approved. Hearing this, he merely sneered. “Very well. Finish your meal first. I’ll have someone stay here and watch you. You’d better lick the plate clean—not a single bite may remain.”
Once Master Gou left, Shi Feiyu looked at the others around the table. “Since you’re all in the same circle, I assume your tastes are similar. Sit down and finish the meal together.”
The young masters’ expressions changed drastically. Most of them came from powerful families, but they were all idle wastrels. Otherwise, they would not have banded together to cause trouble at this hour.
Compared with someone like Shi Feiyu—whose family stood at the very pinnacle and who himself wielded real authority—their statuses were as different as heaven and earth.
By now, Shi Feiyu’s guards had already forced them back into their chairs. “Please, gentlemen.”
If Wei Yingshu still couldn’t tell that Shi Feiyu was standing up for Pei Liang, she would have had to be blind.
Her eyes seemed to grow misty. “Master Shi?”
Shi Feiyu had already turned to go upstairs. Only when he heard her voice did he seem to remember her. “Oh. She’s the same.”
Wei Yingshu was then shoved back into her seat as well.
She felt that what had been pressed down was not merely her body, but also the hopes that had been steadily rising within her.
Shi Feiyu’s indifference did not bother her in the slightest. Compared with the way he treated other women—whom he regarded as though they were invisible—she could at least occasionally exchange a few words with him. Besides, Marquis Shi and his wife were both pleased with her.
Wei Yingshu had always believed that although Master Shi was aloof by nature, her presence was at least somewhat special to him. Yet now she could only watch as he pressed her down like an animal and forced her to swallow that vile substance for the sake of the woman she hated most.
Tears immediately began to stream down Wei Yingshu’s face. Though the several young masters nearby had been humiliated as well, seeing their beloved in such distress, they hurried to take over and volunteered to do it themselves. In the end, Wei Yingshu’s tongue never touched that humiliating filth.
They thought the girl was merely upset and heartbroken at being mistreated. Little did they know that Wei Yingshu was actually grieving for another man.
Still, this had been a disgrace. The families of these young masters were all respectable and well-known in the capital, and after suffering such humiliation today, they would likely have a hard time letting the matter rest once they returned home.
The group finally staggered out on unsteady legs. After they left, the remaining diners became even more absorbed in their meals.
The food was so delicious that every customer left stuffed to the brim, supporting one another as they walked out. Word spread quickly, and more people came seeking the restaurant’s famous dishes.
Even after the usual mealtime had passed, the restaurant showed no sign of emptying. In fact, there were not even enough tables, and people had to line up outside.
The kitchen was so busy that no one had time to stop until every ingredient in stock had been used up. Only then did they close amid a chorus of complaints from the customers.
By that point, Pei Liang finally had time to rest.
After all, she had only just returned, and the kitchen staff had not yet fully adapted to her pace. Once they found their rhythm, things would be much easier.
Pei Liang took a sip of water and went to the private room on the second floor where Shi Feiyu and the others were staying.
They had already eaten their fill—or rather, they had already eaten two or three rounds. It was nearly time for dinner, after all.
The food here was simply too fragrant. Whenever they managed to digest even a little and make room in their stomachs, they could immediately start eating again.
When Pei Liang entered, Ying Siji and the others hurried to their feet with a smile.
“Come, come. We knew you’d been busy all day, so we saved these for you.”
As he spoke, he brought over several dishes they had ordered separately.
Pei Liang smiled. “I’ve been in the kitchen all day. How could I possibly go hungry?”
Ying Siji chuckled. “That’s different. His Lordship said that when you’re in the kitchen, all you can smell is greasy food, which actually ruins your appetite. These are light and easy on the stomach, but they taste incredible.”
Only after saying this did he remember that she herself had cooked the dishes. He scratched his head and gave a foolish grin.
Qiu Sanxiang glanced at his master’s expression, then dragged the fool out of the room. Before leaving, he cleared away the dishes from the table. Only then were Shi Feiyu and Pei Liang left alone in the private room.
Shi Feiyu rose and poured her a cup of tea, sliding it across the table.
“Have something to fill your stomach first.”
Pei Liang did not stand on ceremony. She took a bowl of steamed egg custard and slowly ate it. Only after a warm fullness had settled in her stomach did she find the time to look carefully at Shi Feiyu.
She had not expected that he had already been watching her for quite some time. When their eyes met, a trace of embarrassment flashed across his face. His body instinctively straightened, as if to make himself appear a little less disheveled.
Although they had exchanged letters often over the past several years, seeing the face and figure that had lived in his memories appear before him once more still felt novel. It brought with it a faint, awkward flutter of delight.
Shi Feiyu remembered what the two of them had said when they parted.
At that moment, his mood was no different from that of any man who had just confirmed his relationship, only to spend several years away serving in the army and separated from his woman.
For years, Pei Liang had repeatedly savored the memory of the other party lowering her head and shyly responding to her confession. Her heart had been filled with anticipation. And now, when they finally met again, the young woman who had still possessed a hint of youthful awkwardness back then had blossomed into a woman of breathtaking beauty.
Shi Feiyu had originally intended to rush here straight from the military camp. But halfway there, he thought of something and turned back home, where he washed and groomed himself all over again. He changed into several outfits in succession, yet found none of them satisfactory. A man who had hardly ever spared a thought for such matters in his life had suddenly become like a young lady determined to outshine everyone at a flower-viewing festival.
When he first entered, his expression revealed nothing. In reality, however, everything about him—from his stance and bearing to his words and actions—was an unabashed attempt to show off.
Clearly, Pei Liang appreciated this side of him. As she studied him now, her eyes were filled with delight far beyond mere anticipation.
Her temperament differed from that of ordinary women. Apart from the shyness she had shown when they exchanged their true feelings before parting, she was usually frank and composed, never hiding her admiration.
Surely she was happy as well?
Pei Liang was naturally delighted. Over the past few years, Shi Feiyu’s appearance had become even more perfect and alluring. The experience of several military campaigns and his rise to power had given him, at an age when most men were still far from their prime, the commanding presence of a man in authority.
If not for the awkwardness of making a move before she had paid, Pei Liang might already have been unable to restrain herself.
Seeing that she had eaten nearly her fill, Shi Feiyu asked, “Why did you choose to return to the capital at this time?”
Pei Liang answered directly, “Because winter is almost here.”
At her words, Shi Feiyu’s expression tightened. After several moments of silence, he finally spoke again. “Since you could already guess what was coming, you shouldn’t have come back.”
He should have realized it sooner. With her intelligence, vision, and skill, how could she have failed to notice such obvious signs? She had never been like those who drowned themselves in pleasure and ignored the world around them.
Pei Liang merely said, “Why shouldn’t I return when such a splendid opportunity has presented itself?”
Shi Feiyu was startled. “You—”
Pei Liang curved her lips into a smile. There was no longer any attempt to conceal the ambition in her eyes.
“Natural and man-made disasters have struck year after year across the various regions, and this year has been worse than ever. Only the lands along the two rivers have still managed to produce enough to meet the tax levies. But the emperor needs money to indulge himself, the disaster-stricken regions need money for relief, and suppressing the rebel armies needs money as well. Even in the few provinces untouched by calamity, ordinary people can no longer make ends meet.”
“We aren’t having an easy time of it, and neither is the court to the north. An epidemic of plague broke out there as early as spring, and vast numbers of cattle and sheep have died. The emperor is too busy drinking and dreaming to notice the memorials—or perhaps he has noticed them, but compared with disasters and rebellions, such matters simply don’t rank high enough on his list of concerns. In any case, merchants who make a living through trade know the truth perfectly well.”
“This year, the pressure of the war in the north has eased considerably. There’s only one explanation: they’re too busy looking after themselves. But even if they’ve suffered severe losses, they still have to survive the winter. Now they’re secretly trying to purchase grain in the south, yet finding no way to do so—”
“How do you know?” Shi Feiyu asked with a frown. This was highly sensitive intelligence.
Pei Liang replied, “Because I bought it all.”
Shi Feiyu felt as though he had inhaled a breath of cold air. Then he heard her continue, “But don’t worry. Even without me, they wouldn’t have been able to buy any grain.”
“Harvests have declined in recent years, and grain prices have risen year after year. The major grain merchants all want to hoard supplies and sell them at a huge profit. The northern court has suffered such serious losses that it can’t afford their prices, so naturally, no grain merchant is willing to deal with them.”
“Then how did you manage to buy it?” Shi Feiyu asked casually.
Pei Liang gave him a brief explanation of how she had used the limited capital at her disposal as leverage, carrying out a series of exchanges of interest until she finally pried loose the stocks held by the wealthy grain merchants whose fortunes rivaled those of nations.
The economic principles, negotiating tactics, and occasional schemes involved would have taken three days and three nights to explain in full.
Even Shi Feiyu, a genius so cunning he seemed almost demonic, could not possibly comprehend a knowledge system in which he had no foundation. Still, he understood one thing clearly.
Pei Liang had money—an enormous amount of money. And she had grain in her hands as well.
Pei Liang continued, “The north has never had sufficient supplies for winter, and this year they don’t have a single grain store left. Meanwhile, the wealthy households in the south have endured years of unceasing warfare and are now exhausted in both horses and soldiers, no longer capable of putting up much resistance. Given this, what they will do before winter arrives is self-evident.”
Shi Feiyu did not refute a single word, because her assessment matched his own. That was precisely why he had refused the imperial command to suppress the rebel forces in the southwest a month ago, choosing instead to remain in the capital and station his troops in the north. He had anticipated that this battle was inevitable.
Now, however, his political enemies in court were attacking him for spreading alarm and seeking glory through war. Even the emperor had been repeatedly signaling his displeasure of late.
It was not merely a matter of words or attitude. Last month’s military pay had already been delayed for many days. The silver needed to purchase winter coats, shoes, and socks for the soldiers had yet to be allocated, and the provisions had been postponed again and again.
Shi Feiyu said, “So you returned to the capital to help me win this war?”
Pei Liang shook her head. “Only half right.”
Shi Feiyu studied her for a long while before finally confirming that the treasonous idea in her head was exactly what he had imagined.
There had been signs of it from the beginning. She had been able to see through his ambitions, and when speaking of the emperor, she had shown no reverence at all, making no effort to conceal herself in his presence. He had finally become certain that his suspicions were correct.
And so she said, “Let’s imagine that this battle is unavoidable. If we fight it under the original conditions, what is the most likely outcome?”
Shi Feiyu let out a cold laugh and simply stopped hiding the desperate state of the northern army.
“I can win, but it will be a victory won at tremendous cost.”
Pei Liang smiled. “I’m afraid it may be worse than that.”
Shi Feiyu looked at her as she continued, “It’s true that the northern tribes no longer have the strength to launch a genuine, prolonged invasion.”
After all, they too had suffered severe losses and were short of supplies. The horses on which they depended for war had also been decimated by the epidemic. Even with Great Liang riddled with weaknesses, they still lacked the ability to march south and seize half the empire in one decisive campaign.
“But this raid is their last hope before winter, so they are bound to attack with overwhelming force. To speak frankly, you won’t be able to withstand the first assault head-on. You’ll have no choice but to make a strategic retreat.”
“Since the founding of the dynasty, the Great Liang’s founding emperor has sworn that the Son of Heaven would personally guard the capital gates. Once you retreat, the capital will lie behind you. The court will likely descend into chaos. Given what you know of the emperor, what do you think he will do?”
Shi Feiyu answered without hesitation, “Flee south.”
And that was indeed what happened. The original novel was told from Wei Yingshu’s perspective, so it did not delve deeply into the shifting situation across the realm. Even the various military triumphs of its male protagonist, Shi Feiyu, were mentioned only in passing, conveyed merely through their results.
But in truth, once the causes and effects were sorted out, everything became perfectly clear.
The original story did indeed have the emperor flee south with a group of ministers just before the Northern Barbarians breached the city, whereupon he established the Southern Court.
Because Wei Yingshu had made the acquaintance of many powerful figures in the capital, Gao Lezhang, the son of a high-ranking official, abandoned his wife and took Wei Yingshu with him when he fled. That was how she ended up in Jiangnan.
Which, in turn, led to the later plotline in which Shi Feiyu’s second martial uncle, seeking revenge for the Pei family, joined forces with various restaurants to pressure Wei Yingshu.
After finally repelling the Northern Barbarians, Shi Feiyu traveled south to escort the emperor back to the capital, only to face the emperor’s suspicion and the ministers’ attacks.
The emperor was mediocre in ability, yet arrogant and self-congratulatory. He was convinced that he excelled at recognizing talent and that his mastery of imperial tactics was flawless.
But because he had ignored Shi Feiyu’s warnings and ended up fleeing in disgrace, the ordeal was nothing short of a humiliating mark against him as an emperor. Thus, rather than rewarding or thanking Shi Feiyu for his extraordinary achievement, he even came to regard Shi Feiyu’s very existence as proof of his own incompetence.
Then there were the slanderous words of petty men who either did not want to be held accountable afterward or simply wished to watch Shi Feiyu’s family grow too powerful. Together, they actually sought to have him condemned by imperial decree.
And so, the most absurdly overpowered protagonist’s halo in the entire original novel finally made its appearance. Relying on nothing more than a meal and a variety of arguments that seemed inexplicable and utterly unconvincing to the onlookers, Wei Yingshu somehow managed to persuade the emperor to spare Shi Feiyu.
That was also why Shi Feiyu began to look at the heroine in a different light from that point onward.
If all the characters in the novel were merely flat caricatures, then based on what Pei Liang now knew of Shi Feiyu—
either he had been enveloped by the halo of stupidity,
or he had fallen for the heroine’s miraculous talent for lowering everyone else’s intelligence.
Put that way, quite a few parts of the original story really did seem worth examining more closely.
But none of that mattered at the moment.
After Shi Feiyu answered that the emperor was very likely to flee south, Pei Liang became certain that this man’s journey south to welcome the emperor back was probably nothing more than a performance. Even the incident in which he had narrowly escaped death and nearly been condemned might have been staged as well.
The purpose was to give himself a legitimate cause for rebellion when the time came to betray the emperor.
Pei Liang smiled. She looked at Shi Feiyu.
“I like people who have a clear plan for the future.”
“So I’d rather invest in a young man who knows exactly what he ought to do than in someone who merely shouts empty slogans about his dreams.”
Shi Feiyu found her words somewhat baffling. But Pei Liang continued:
“Then what comes next is obvious.”
“The Northern Barbarians lack the strength to sustain a prolonged war, while the capital may very well be left without a ruler. The interests that all sides have spent years establishing and dividing among themselves will be left wide open.”
“How could I possibly let such a golden opportunity pass me by?”
As she spoke, she rose and came to stand behind Shi Feiyu. She placed both hands on his shoulders in turn. Her hands were not soft and delicate like those of other women; they seemed to carry inexhaustible strength.
Yet as they moved over his shoulders, they were imbued with the utmost suggestiveness.
At last, Pei Liang lowered her head, letting her breath brush against his ear as she whispered seductively:
“You see, if one knows how to make use of an opportunity, everything under heaven can be obtained as easily as reaching into one’s own pouch—even the world itself.”
“I know you harbor ambitions that soar to the heavens, but standing alone, you are bound to face hardship. A person should do what he does best. If you can set your mind free to decide the fate of the world, then what you seek will be yours for the taking.”
“You’re good at bringing peace to the four corners of the realm and ruling the world. What I happen to be good at is exactly what you need right now. So there’s no need to feel humiliated or embarrassed. If a person wants something, they have to make the corresponding sacrifices. Having the resolve to give up certain principles for the sake of one’s dreams is admirable in its own right.”
“Just like this time. You wouldn’t need to waste any more energy worrying over inadequate military supplies or crises no one understands. You wouldn’t have to spend every day wracking your brains over how to make do with the limited resources in your hands, only to be hamstrung by a bunch of idiots with no vision.”
“But if it were me, I could anticipate whatever you needed at every stage and provide it in advance, all the way until the day your dream comes true.”
At the end, her lips seemed almost to brush against Shi Feiyu’s ear.
“So, how about becoming mine?”
Pei Liang had used lines resembling those of a wealthy woman taking a pretty young man under her wing more times than she could count. Young men tended to have strong pride, so one had to choose one’s words carefully.
Her goal was a beautiful body, not to torment him like some vulgar tycoon with a face full of jowls. There was no need to force him into submission through humiliation and belittlement. That was simply lacking in class.
For that reason, the time she spent with each of the handsome men she kept was always quite pleasant. It was only the breakups that tended to get ugly.
Their relationship had been nothing more than a straightforward exchange of money, yet every single one of them eventually started thinking of himself as her boyfriend. They lost all sense of boundaries. Some even threw tantrums when she found someone new.
Tsk. They had all already become accomplished, respectable men by the time they parted ways, yet they still made such spectacles of themselves.
That was why the assistant responsible for handling calls, meetings, and unannounced visits from Pei Liang’s exes was paid an extremely high salary.
Extremely high. Very, very high.
At that moment, all of Shi Feiyu’s senses seemed to have gathered at the tips of his ears. His heart was racing, his whole body weak and limp, as though he were floating among the clouds.
In fact, the moment Pei Liang placed her hand on him, his attention had followed the movements of those hands—from his shoulder to his upper arm, then seemingly across his chest.
He heard Pei Liang’s words in a daze, making out only that she understood his ambitions, the difficulties of his circumstances, and the grievances he had suffered.
Then, hazily, he heard that she wanted to help him—while asking him not to feel humiliated by it.
What a joke. He, Shi Feiyu, was hardly the sort of shameless man who would accept another person’s kindness while feeling degraded by it.
And yet he was deeply moved by the care she had taken. She had rushed over to help him, considering every possible detail, even taking his pride into account.
She must love me desperately to be this cautious, he thought. Otherwise, with her bold and decisive nature, why would she say so many things that did not need to be said?
Then the final words—“Become mine”—exploded with perfect clarity in his mind, those few characters occupying his entire consciousness.
Shi Feiyu could hold himself back no longer. He rose, pulled Pei Liang toward him, and placed a solemn, cherished kiss on her lips.
His answer was, “Yes! I will never fail you.”
Pei Liang thought to herself: That won’t be necessary. As long as he doesn’t fool around with anyone else while she was keeping him, that would be enough. She had a thing about cleanliness.
Still, he had agreed rather quickly.
Pei Liang had assumed that someone like Shi Feiyu—already a man of high rank and deeply conscious of hierarchy and propriety—would be difficult to win over.
She had even prepared herself for him to fling back his sleeve and leave, after which she would proceed slowly and try again later.
While a newly minted pair of lovers was being forged amid a conversation as incomprehensible as a chicken talking to a duck, Wei Yingshu returned to the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion. After dismissing the various young masters, she still did not leave.
Master Shi had gone inside around lunchtime and had yet to come out. Even if he were eating, what meal could possibly take this long?
Later, several junior officers who were often at Master Shi’s side emerged, yet he remained inside.
The longer Wei Yingshu waited, the heavier her heart became. What exactly was Master Shi’s relationship with Pei Liang? What could possibly make him spend an entire afternoon with her?
Then she suddenly recalled the first time she had met Master Shi. Back then, she had won the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion but lost her reputation, and had sat alone inside it for an entire night.
The next morning, when she pushed open the window, she saw Master Shi riding his fine horse into the morning light.
Thinking back now, Pei Liang had left the capital on that very day. Li Shen’s men had even reported that she had found a group of soldiers to rely on, leaving them too afraid to approach or make a move. As a result, they had been forced to watch helplessly as she escaped the capital.
So that was it. Pei Liang had already gotten close to Master Shi back then.
Wei Yingshu gnashed her teeth in resentment. Then she saw the two of them emerge from the entrance of the building opposite. There was a smile on Master Shi’s face—a smile she had never once seen there before.
Wei Yingshu could only stare blankly as he left, while Pei Liang turned around and went back into the restaurant.
The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. She had always believed that although her own progress was not particularly satisfactory, she was still the only one who stood out. Yet now she had suddenly discovered that the person she hated most had long since gotten close to her target.
Wei Yingshu could no longer sit still. Early the next morning, she went to the Shi residence.
The gatekeeper at the Shi residence was familiar with her, and Madam Shi had instructed them that she need not be announced, so they let her in without question.
The Shi family had not yet eaten breakfast. The moment Madam Shi saw Wei Yingshu, she broke into a smile.
“I was wondering why I woke up in such a good mood today. It turns out I was destined to enjoy a feast!”
Though Wei Yingshu was burning with anxiety inside, she naturally would not be discourteous before the Marquis and Marchioness. Smiling, she went into the kitchen. Before long, she had prepared a table laden with fragrant, exquisite, and lavish breakfast dishes.
At that moment, Shi Er came over to pay his respects. Upon seeing Wei Yingshu, he could not hide his excitement.
“Yingshu, have you had breakfast yet? If not, eat with us.”
Madam Shi, however, laughingly scolded him. “Do you think Miss Wei is like you? You spend every day lazing around and never get up until the sun is high in the sky. We have to remind you three times before you’ll even come to breakfast.”
Wei Yingshu had actually rushed over without having breakfast, but after hearing Madam Shi say this, she felt too embarrassed to admit it.
So she merely smiled and said, “I’ve already eaten. Marquis Shi, Madam Shi, and Second Young Master, please don’t trouble yourselves over me.”
As she spoke, she accepted a cup of tea from the maid and sat to one side, quietly waiting for the Shi family to finish breakfast.
She held herself back for a while, but in the end, she could not resist asking, “Where is the eldest young master?”
Shi Er curled his lips and was just about to answer when Madam Shi cut him off.
“No talking during meals!”
The rules among the upper class were strict. Wei Yingshu’s face immediately flushed crimson, and she was so embarrassed that she fell silent.
In a family of such wealth and status, even a single breakfast could not take less than half an hour. Marquis Shi left first to attend court, but by the time Madam Shi and the others had finished eating, wiped their mouths, and washed their hands, a full hour had passed.
Only then did Madam Shi turn to the long-waiting Wei Yingshu, a warm and cordial smile on her face.
“Miss Wei, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”
Wei Yingshu had indeed been growing anxious, but she was not particularly displeased. She knew that the more distinguished a household was, the more strictly every word and action was governed by etiquette. Thus, she hurriedly smiled and shook her head.
Madam Shi then said, “Why don’t we go sit in the garden?”
The Shi family had enjoyed generations of wealth, and their residence was naturally exquisite beyond compare, displaying luxury in every detail.
Surrounded by such splendor, Wei Yingshu gradually felt calmer. Only then did she hear Madam Shi ask, “Miss Wei, did you come today to see Feiyu?”
“Unfortunately, he went out early this morning.”
Wei Yingshu replied, “No, I came to see you, Madam.”
“Oh? You came to see me?” Madam Shi raised a brow.
Wei Yingshu had been holding those words in all morning, and at last she had a chance to let them out. She hurriedly said, “A new restaurant opened yesterday across from my Tianxiang Pavilion. Its owner is Miss Pei, the former heir of Tianxiang Pavilion.”
“Of course, as a commoner and a merchant’s daughter, she would not normally warrant Madam’s notice. However, Eldest Young Master was there yesterday and stayed for half a day. He even seemed to have an extremely pleasant conversation with Miss Pei. When he left, his expression was relaxed, and he had a smile on his face.”
“As an elder whom Eldest Young Master respects, may I ask whether Madam has heard of this young woman?”
“Pei?” Madam Shi smiled. “Are you referring to the Pei family with whom your family has some past connection? I’ve heard about it. I also heard that Miss Wei was there yesterday to show her support, though there was some unpleasantness midway?”
Wei Yingshu’s face went pale, and she felt so mortified that she scarcely knew where to look. She said vaguely, “There was just a small misunderstanding among the people I went with.”
Fortunately, Madam Shi did not press her on the matter. Instead, she comforted her, saying, “I have no particular impression of her. But I watched Feiyu grow up, and I know him very well.”
“He’s a bit slow when it comes to matters of the heart. Even when he treats someone warmly, it is usually for some other reason. Miss Wei, you needn’t be alarmed.”
Seeing that Wei Yingshu still could not set her mind at ease, Madam Shi took her hand and sighed.
“His birth mother passed away when he was young. No matter how much I’ve tried to grow close to him as his stepmother, there has always been a barrier between us.”
“Though the Shi family is already thriving like a fire fueled by oil, we have no need to force either of the brothers to marry some noble young lady merely to invite gossip.”
“You are the only woman he is willing to speak more than a few words to. The Marquis is also very pleased with you, and your superb culinary skills have made you stand out in his eyes.”
“Rest assured. No matter what happens, the Shi family recognizes only you.”
Wei Yingshu gave a shy smile, and only then did she relax considerably.
That was right. Since ancient times, marriages had been arranged by one’s parents and matchmakers. Besides, no one yet knew what was truly happening on the other side. In any case, there was no need to frighten herself.
After sitting with Madam Shi for a while longer, Wei Yingshu finally took her leave.
What she did not know was that, the moment she departed, Shi Er came over and asked Madam Shi, “Mother, I quite like Yingshu too. Why do you keep trying to bring her and Big Brother together?”
Madam Shi immediately grew irritated. She dabbed her hands with a handkerchief and gave a cold laugh.
“She’s only a woman. When have I ever been short of women for you? It’s just that, with this one, even if you want her, you should first consider whether you have the life to enjoy her.”
“Mother, why are you suddenly being so creepy?” Shi Er said, clearly unconvinced.
Madam Shi patiently broke it down for him:
“That woman is downright uncanny. She isn’t even a peerless beauty, and when it comes to cunning and clever schemes, she’s laughable. As for her skill at pleasing men, she’s nothing special either.
“And yet, so many young fools hover around her as though they’ve been bewitched. Some of them are even sons of high-ranking officials. Take the eldest son of the Minister of Revenue’s household, for instance. He was so determined to marry her that he’d rather die than take anyone else, and he actually turned the match his family arranged for him into a bitter feud.
“And he’s hardly the only one. In the capital, which wife or mother of a family that pays even the slightest attention to its sons hasn’t repeatedly warned them to stay far away from that demoness? It’s only you men who refuse to take it seriously.
“Your eldest brother is at the height of his power now and enjoys His Majesty’s deep favor. It’s impossible for you to catch up with him and bring him down by your own efforts. Once your father is gone, will there even be a place for the two of us, mother and son, in the Shi household?
“His wings have already fully grown. We can’t exert any influence from the outside, so we’ll have to find another way in.
“Since that Wei woman is fond of your eldest brother, it’s practically Heaven’s blessing. In that case, we should simply help her achieve her wish. She’s a commoner, so once your eldest brother marries her, he’ll lose the support and connections of an influential wife’s family. Then your mother can find you a noble lady from a prominent household. With that, you won’t have to worry about lacking the strength to compete.
“Besides, once that Wei woman marries your eldest brother, he won’t merely have to live under the threat of being cuckolded day after day. He’ll also face revenge from the men who lost the woman they loved. That woman is certainly not the type to remain faithful, and she’s both foolish and easy to control. The moment something goes wrong within his household, it’ll be much easier for us to strike.”
Shi Er understood only part of what she was saying. “That can’t be right, can it? Ying Shu isn’t as sinister as you make her sound. And if she really is as you claim, how do you intend to persuade Father and Eldest Brother to take her as his principal wife?”
Madam Shi was briefly at a loss for words, then snapped impatiently, “I have my own plans! Enough, enough. In any case, you are not to interfere. If, once everything is accomplished, you still have feelings for that woman, you can simply bring her into the rear household as a concubine.”
Then she sneered, “Though I must say, if you really manage to take your brother’s wife as your concubine, it would certainly help me vent my anger.”
