As the carriage drove out of the vermilion gates of the Marquis Weiyuan's manor, the morning light was just breaking through the clouds in the east, dyeing the bluestone street a warm, mellow gold.
Pei Cijing and Shen Ninghuan sat side by side in the carriage.
The atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
Pei Cijing wore a sky-blue brocade robe today, with a suet white jade pendant hanging from his waist and his dark hair tied up with a jade crown, looking handsome and gentle. Although he was usually careless, when he dressed up properly, he really had the demeanor of a noble young master.
Shen Ninghuan wore a pale lilac plain satin long dress, covered with a thin silk moon-white jacket embroidered with silver magnolia patterns. Her hair was combed elegantly, pinned with a pure gold and kingfisher feather hair accessory and a few fresh autumn begonias. Her elegance revealed a trace of the brightness of a newlywed.
When the carriage reached the front of the manor, they happened to see Pei Ciling also about to board a carriage.
More than a month had passed.
Pei Ciling's changes were truly obvious.
Perhaps Marquis Weiyuan's thunderous methods had taken effect. Grounded and forced to abstain from desires, practicing martial arts every day, the superficial aura of being hollowed out by wine and women had faded completely.
Today, he wore a black brocade robe with arrow sleeves, a leather belt around his waist, and black boots on his feet. His posture was as straight as a pine, and although his face was still a bit thin, it showed a well-defined and handsome outline. The stubbornness of being crazy for "love" between his brows had faded, replaced by a settled, slightly cold composure.
Pei Cijing lifted the carriage curtain and exchanged a glance with him, secretly sighing in his heart: without the filter of being love-brained, this cheap older brother's appearance really lived up to the words "looking like a decent human being."
His gaze swept past Pei Ciling's side.
There was no one there.
Shen Ningyue did not follow.
Pei Cijing suddenly realized that no matter how affectionate his former fiancée and this good older brother were, as a concubine, she was not qualified to attend such an occasion.
A concubine!
Ultimately, she could not be presented in public.
Even if Pei Ciling wanted to bring her, the Marquis's manor would not allow it. First, they could not afford to lose this face, and second, the Marquis's wife was still counting on this flower-viewing banquet to find a proper heir's wife!
Madam Li was standing in front of the steps, holding Pei Ciling's hand and carefully instructing: "Ling'er, at today's flower-viewing banquet, noble ladies from various families will gather. You should look more, listen more, and speak less. If there is someone you like, write down her name and tell mother when you come back."
She paused, lowering her voice a bit, but with unquestionable expectations:
"You are not young anymore, and the position of the official wife being vacant is not a solution. Take advantage of today to take a good look. Remember, you must find someone with a clean family background, upright character, and who can bear the responsibility of the heir's wife. Do not get involved with those enchanting and devious ones anymore!"
The last sentence had a hidden meaning.
It almost carved the words "Shen Ningyue" into the sentence.
Pei Ciling frowned slightly, seeming displeased, but ultimately did not refute, only saying in a low voice: "Son understands."
Madam Li then let go of his hand and adjusted his already smooth collar, her eyes full of expectation: "Go, perform well, and do not embarrass the Marquis's manor."
Pei Ciling nodded.
He turned and got into another carriage.
The two carriages drove one after the other into the deepening autumn colors.
Princess Anhe's manor was located in the most noble eastern part of Shengjing.
Vermilion gates and high walls, flying eaves and brackets, the grandeur was extraordinary.
In front of the gates, carriages and horses were already like dragons, and gorgeous canopies gathered. Young masters and ladies from various families arrived in full dress, smiling brightly, with fragrant breezes blowing.
Because of the etiquette that "men and women should not touch hands," the flower-viewing banquet had separate seats for men and women.
The men were in the water pavilion in the front yard, enjoying winding stream parties and pitch-pot games; the women were in the flower hall in the back garden, admiring chrysanthemums, tasting tea, and engaging in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Pei Cijing and Shen Ninghuan parted ways at the second gate.
"Wife, I'm going," Pei Cijing said to Shen Ninghuan in a low voice, his eyes flashing with eagerness. "Just talk to your sisters with peace of mind. If anything happens... ahem, I mean, if you hear anything interesting, tell me when we go back tonight."
How could Shen Ninghuan not know his "gossip" thoughts?
A trace of a smile flashed across her eyes. She nodded gently, her lips curving slightly: "Husband too. Don't just focus on watching the excitement and forget the serious business."
"Rest assured, rest assured!" Pei Cijing patted his chest to guarantee. "As your husband, I will definitely 'perform' well and never embarrass my wife!"
That was what he said.
But his eyes clearly read "gossiping first, performance depends on fate," and his steps were so brisk that it seemed he was not coming to a banquet, but going to a market.
Shen Ninghuan shook her head helplessly and, guided by a maid, headed toward the back garden.
The flower hall in the back garden was already arranged with blooming flowers.
Dozens of pots of famous autumn chrysanthemums were placed randomly, with golden hooks and silver petals, jade snow and fine fat, blooming passionately under the autumn sun. The air floated with a faint scent of chrysanthemums and tea, mixed with the fragrance of rouge and powder on the girls, weaving a soft and prosperous scene.
Ladies from various families gathered in twos and threes, either admiring flowers, tasting tea, or laughing in low voices. With the tinkling of jade ornaments and the fragrance of clothes and shadows of hair, it was truly a picture of a prosperous boudoir.
As soon as Shen Ninghuan stepped into the flower hall, before she could see the situation inside clearly, a goose-yellow figure rushed over like a baby swallow returning to the forest, bumping solidly into her arms.
"Sister Huan! You're finally here! I missed you so much!"
The voice was crisp and charming, with undisguised joy.
Shen Ninghuan was bumped half a step back. She steadied herself and looked down—in her arms was a girl of about fifteen or sixteen, with a round face, big blinking eyes, hair combed in double buns, and pinned with a few fresh yellow small chrysanthemums.
It was exactly Jiang Tian, the only daughter of Jiang Zhiwei, the Minister of the Court of Judicature and Revision.
This girl had been good friends with her since childhood. She had a lively and jumpy personality and was a happy pistachio who couldn't hide her words.
A genuine smile rippled in Shen Ninghuan's eyes. She raised her hand and gently rubbed the top of Jiang Tian's hair, her tone carrying familiar doting: "How old are you, still so rash."
Jiang Tian raised her head from her arms and pouted: "I just missed you! Since you got married, we haven't seen each other for almost two months!"
She held Shen Ninghuan's hand, looked her up and down, and tutted: "Let me see, has our great beauty Shen gotten fatter or thinner after marriage, more beautiful or been worn down—"
Halfway through her words, she suddenly stopped, and her brows furrowed.
"Sister Huan," Jiang Tian leaned closer, lowered her voice, and her tone was full of indignant resentment for the injustice. "I heard everything! That heir of Marquis Weiyuan is simply not a human! And your concubine-born sister, a pair of adulterers! They made you... made you marry into the second branch!"
The more she spoke, the angrier she got, and her cheeks puffed up: "Although I haven't seen that Pei Cijing, I've heard of him. He's just an ordinary Marquis's son, neither good at literature nor martial arts, who only knows how to wander around all day. Sister, with your appearance and talent, marrying him is simply a bright pearl covered in dust, a phoenix entering a sparrow's nest! It's too unfair!"
Shen Ninghuan listened quietly, feeling the genuine care in her little sister's heart. The smile on her lips did not diminish, but rather deepened a bit.
She held Jiang Tian's hand in return, patted it gently, and her voice was gentle but firm and serious: "Tian'er, do not say these words again in the future."
Jiang Tian was stunned: "Sister?"
Shen Ninghuan looked at her, her eyes as clear as a mirror. "Marrying into the second branch was my own choice. My parents-in-law are generous and kind, and my husband... treats me exceedingly well. Others might think I married beneath my station, but I am the one living this life. Whether it is good or bad, I know best."
She spoke calmly, but every word landed like pearls and jade, clear and powerful.
Jiang Tian stared at her blankly.
The morning light slanted through the carved window lattices, falling upon Shen Ninghuan's serene profile. Her brows were relaxed, a gentle smile playing at the corners of her lips. With a rosy complexion and clear eyes, she exuded a tranquil and composed radiance, the unmistakable glow of a woman who was carefully cherished.
She was not forcing a smile.
She was truly living a comfortable and happy life.
"I am the one living this life. Whether it is good or bad, I know best." Shen Ninghuan raised her eyes, looking toward the noble ladies gathered in twos and threes in the pavilion, chatting and laughing merrily. Her gaze was clear and peaceful. "Others might feel it is marrying down, a grievance, but to me..."
She paused and turned back to look at Jiang Tian, a gentle light rippling in her eyes.
"My parents-in-law are generous and kind, treating me like their own daughter. My husband... treats me wonderfully, respecting and caring for me. The second branch of the Marquis's estate is quiet and free, devoid of those toxic internal struggles. With such a life, I am very content and very happy."
Jiang Tian looked at her in a daze.
The Shen Ninghuan before her had an excellent complexion, rosy cheeks, and clear eyes. The smile on her lips rippled out from the depths of her eyes, soft and genuine. Her entire demeanor possessed a settled, serene beauty that was even more pronounced than before her marriage.
That was not the look of a wronged, resentful woman.
Jiang Tian blinked.
Suddenly, she burst into a pfft of laughter.
However, she feigned heartbreak, covering her face and pretending to cry. "Boohoo... It really is true that a married daughter is like spilled water, and a married good sister is the same! How long has it been, and your heart and eyes are already completely filled with your husband? I speak a word of justice, and it becomes my fault?"
"Sob sob, my heart is broken..."
Her crying rose and fell in a dramatic cadence, yet she did not shed a single tear. Her exaggerated acting was laughable.
Shen Ninghuan shook her head helplessly and reached out to poke her forehead. "Your crying is very fake."
"I do not care!" Jiang Tian dropped her hands, acting shamelessly with righteous indignation. "Anyway, my heart is broken, and I cannot get over it without some compensation! Sister Huan, figure it out yourself!"
That little appearance of demanding benefits or else she would keep making a fuss made her look exactly like a coquettish, mischievous kitten. Shen Ninghuan could do nothing about her fussing, a trace of a smile flashing in her eyes.
She raised her hand.
And removed a hairpin from her hair.
It was a silver hairpin, simple and elegant in design. The head of the pin was inlaid with a pearl the size of a longan. The pearl was round and full, with a lustrous sheen, radiating a soft and gentle halo in the autumn sunlight. Though not as dazzling as gold or jade, it possessed its own understated luxury.
This was exactly one of the pearls from the box of jewelry Madam Zhou had given her a few days ago.
She had taken a liking to it.
So she had it set into a hairpin.
"Here, an apology gift." Shen Ninghuan handed the hairpin to Jiang Tian and smiled. "Is this enough?"
Jiang Tian's eyes widened. Staring at the pearl, she forgot to take it for a moment. Coming from an official's family, she had a good eye for such things.
A pearl of this size and quality was rare even in the imperial palace, and it was incredibly valuable.
Their relationship was indeed good.
But she dared not easily accept such a precious gift.
"Sister, are you... are you serious?" Jiang Tian stammered. "I... I was just joking! This is too precious, I cannot take it!"
She waved her hands repeatedly, shaking her head like a rattle drum.
Shen Ninghuan, however, brooked no refusal. She gently slipped the hairpin into Jiang Tian's hair. The pearl, contrasting with the young girl's dark hair and delicate face, made her look even more vivid and charming.
"Keep it," Shen Ninghuan said gently. "I have many more things like this, all given by my mother-in-law. She always says I am young and should dress up more, stuffing whole caskets of jewelry upon me. How could I possibly wear them all by myself? This one suits you best, and I have been wanting to give it to you for a while."
Jiang Tian raised her hand and carefully touched the pearl hairpin in her hair. It felt warm and smooth to the touch. Looking up at Shen Ninghuan's smiling face, she felt her good sister's sincerity, but also somewhat felt as though the other party was showing off something.
"Sister Huan..." her voice softened, carrying genuine envy and emotion. "Your mother-in-law... is truly so good to you."
"Yes." Shen Ninghuan's smile was tender. "She is truly good to me."
Jiang Tian carefully tucked the hairpin into her sleeve, hooked her arm through Shen Ninghuan's again, leaned on her shoulder, and muttered softly, "Then I must keep it safe! When I get married in the future, I must also find a husband with such a wealthy mother-in-law!"
Shen Ninghuan was amused by her and gently rubbed the top of her head. "Oh, you—"
Before she could finish speaking, a slight commotion suddenly arose at the entrance of the flower hall.
The two looked up.
They saw a young lady slowly walking in, surrounded by several palace maids.
The girl was about sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in a crimson palace gown with large peonies embroidered in gold thread on the hem. Her hair was worn in a high chignon, adorned with a nine-phoenix pearl-bearing step-shake. The luminous pearls dangling from the phoenixes' beaks swayed gently with her steps, their brilliance flowing.
She was exceptionally beautiful.
Her features were as exquisite as a painting, her skin as white as snow, and her lips as red as cinnabar. However, within that beauty lay a touch of the condescending aloofness and arrogance unique to the royal family.
It was the host of today's flower viewing banquet—
Princess Anhe, Li Chanying.
All the young ladies in the hall stood up in unison, curtsying respectfully. "Greetings, Your Royal Highness."
Their voices were soft and uniform, rippling out amidst the room full of chrysanthemum fragrance...
