Wish You All the Best - Chapter 44

Chapter 44

As they approached the main hall, Jiafu noticed that Pei You’an, who had been walking in front of her the whole time, gradually slowed his pace at the foot of the stairs, as if he were waiting for her.

Since he had slowed down, she took a few quick steps to catch up and entered with him.

The hall was still lit with bright candles, and servants from every branch of the household stood along both sides, yet it was so quiet not a sound could be heard. Old Madam Pei sat in the center, with Pei Quan, Madam Xin, and Second Madam Meng seated to her left and right. Below them was Pei Xiuluo; Pei Xiuzhi was nowhere to be seen.

The moment she stepped inside, Jiafu felt countless gazes cast upon her. She lowered her eyes slightly and followed Pei You’an to the Old Madam, where she bowed to offer her respects.

Old Madam Pei usually wore plain, dark colors, but this morning she was dressed in new garments of dark agarwood brown, patterned with subtle, golden "wan" symbols. She looked uncharacteristically spirited. After Pei You’an and Jiafu finished their bows, she signaled for them to rise. Pei You’an stood, but Jiafu remained kneeling. She took two needlework items she had prepared in advance for her new daughter-in-law's tribute to her elders from Nanny Liu, who was following behind, and respectfully presented them with both hands. One was a black velvet forehead ribbon, and the other was a pair of stone-blue cloth-faced, soft-soled women's boots. Although the embroidery was exquisite, the material was quite rustic; at a glance, one could tell they were country goods. The moment they were produced, the nearby Pei family servants stared at them, then back at Jiafu, their eyes harboring subtle disdain.

Yuzhu wanted to take them on her behalf, but the Old Madam stopped her and accepted them personally.

Jiafu said softly, "Grandmother, the forehead ribbon is for the cold weather, and the boots are appropriate for this season. I thought to myself, Grandmother, you possess all the riches and honors of the world, so even if I brought you fairy garments from the heavens, you might not think them rare. Since this is a gesture from your granddaughter-in-law, what matters most is your comfort. I simply used the homespun cloth from my hometown to make these shoes; their virtue lies in being light, soft, and comfortable—especially as the weather gets warmer, they won't make your feet feel stifled. The needlework is my own; if the stitching or embroidery is lacking, I hope Grandmother will not mind."

The Old Madam touched the forehead ribbon, then traced the embroidered patterns on the boots, nodding with a smile. "Those flashy, expensive things are nothing but eye-candy; there isn't a house that doesn't have them. I am old, and it is rare for you to be so thoughtful and considerate for me. Grandmother accepts them; I will wear them when the weather turns warm. If they are good, make me two more pairs when you have the chance, and I shall have someone send them to a few of my old sisters."

Jiafu smiled and agreed, accepted the Old Madam's reward, and kowtowed in gratitude. Once she rose, the Pei family servants who had previously looked at her with disdain now wore a different expression.

Pei You’an remained expressionless. He glanced at Jiafu and then led her to pay respects to Madam Xin.

Madam Xin sat in a chair, beside the empty seat reserved for the late Duke of Wei. She also wore a smile, sitting perfectly straight. She took a sip of the tea Jiafu offered, accepted the needlework, and gave her a welcome gift. Next were Pei Quan and Second Madam Meng.

Pei Quan was always one to put on airs and rarely smiled at home, but knowing that he owed his recent promotion and elevation in rank to his eldest nephew, he was exceptionally amiable when Jiafu offered her respects. Second Madam Meng was even more affectionate; she took Jiafu's hand and said with a smile to Pei You’an, "After the bridal chamber was teased last night, all the aunts and sisters-in-law came out, and not one of them didn't praise Afu. Not only is she beautiful, but she is also extraordinarily virtuous and thoughtful. Look, even the Old Madam likes her immensely. I have always loved this niece of mine as if she were my own daughter. Now that she has married you, You’an, you are truly one family. Your union with Afu is a predestined bond from a past life." As she spoke, she beckoned to her son.

Pei Xiuluo bowed respectfully and addressed Jiafu as "Eldest Sister-in-law."

Pei Xiuluo was about the same age as Pei Xiuzhi, only half a year younger, but their fates were vastly different. He had no hereditary titles to rely on, so he had to earn his own prestige. Naturally, someone like Pei You’an, who passed the imperial examinations in his teens, was a rarity even in a hundred years. The civil service exams were not easy. Pei Xiuluo studied extremely hard, but he currently only held the status of a Xiu-cai (Cultivated Talent). Fortunately, he was able to enter the Imperial Academy as a Gong-sheng (Tribute Student) to study, waiting to take the "Grace Examination" the new Emperor would open next year. His own marriage was already arranged, to take place after he sat for the exams.

By rights, Jiafu and he were first cousins, so they should have been close. In childhood, that was indeed the case; Pei Xiuluo had been very kind to Jiafu and always smiled when he saw her. But later, on one occasion when Jiafu visited the Pei family, she accidentally caught him cornering a maid a few years his senior behind a rockery in the back garden, kissing her and touching her chest. She had been quite startled and ran away quietly.

At the time, Jiafu was still naive and ignorant of worldly affairs, but she vaguely knew this was something that shouldn't be revealed, and she certainly couldn't let him touch her hair or pinch her cheeks as before. She told no one, but from then on, she stopped approaching him alone. Combined with the fact that she didn't visit the Pei family often as she grew up, their relationship slowly faded.

Now, Pei Xiuluo was a talented and refined young man, gentle and elegant. Jiafu thought back to that accidental encounter in her childhood, assuming it had just been youthful curiosity, but a knot remained in her heart. Seeing him address her as "Eldest Sister-in-law," she smiled and acknowledged him.

Quan-ge was also brought in by his wet nurse. He had grown much taller than a year ago. He seemed somewhat afraid of Pei You’an, standing there motionless. Instructed to call Jiafu "Eldest Aunt," he did so; Jiafu had prepared a set of clothes for him, which the nurse accepted on his behalf. He then timidly called Pei You’an "Eldest Uncle."

Jiafu noticed that Pei You’an seemed to like children quite a bit; when Quan-ge called out to him, not only did a smile appear on his face, but he also reached out to pat the boy's head.

Old Madam Pei looked at the sky outside the door and said, "Xiuzhi originally intended to come this morning, but his illness has not yet passed. Health is of the utmost importance, so I told him to rest at ease. Afu is not an outsider, so there is no need to be formal. You’an, you should take Afu to the palace to offer thanks for the favor; you can pay respects to the ancestors when you return."

Pei You’an agreed. Jiafu followed him in bowing to everyone, and they exited the main hall. Tanxiang added a soft satin cape over Jiafu’s shoulders. Once they stepped outside the main gate, Jiafu sat in the carriage with Pei You’an, and they headed toward the imperial palace.

It was just dawn. The carriage clattered along the road, where pedestrians were few and far between. Pei You’an seemed to have the habit of never putting down his books; once in the carriage, he took a book from a small chest in the corner and began to read it to himself.

Jiafu sat beside him, bored to tears, and couldn't help but stretch her neck toward him. "Eldest..."

She paused, then corrected herself: "Husband, what book are you reading? When I was at home, I loved to read, too; perhaps I have read it before..."

Pei You’an did not even lift his head. He merely closed the book and showed her the title page, saying indifferently, "Lun Heng (Discourses Weighed)."

Naturally, Jiafu did not count as a brilliant scholar, but she had indeed loved reading since she was a child. Her father had been very enlightened and did not restrict her to reading only books on feminine virtues. He often took her to bookstores, and besides the classics and histories her older brother Zhen Yaoting read, she had also read many miscellaneous books like geographies and plays. Having seen the book in his hand earlier—its edges were a bit frayed, showing he read it often and likely liked it quite a bit—she had wanted to find a topic to start a conversation. Hearing his answer and glancing at the cover, she shut her mouth and stopped speaking.

Pei You’an heard her suddenly fall silent and cast a sidelong glance at her.

Jiafu smiled awkwardly. "Husband is truly well-read."

Pei You’an didn't react; he turned his face back and continued to flip through his book.

Jiafu felt rather uninteresting. She sat in a daze for a moment and couldn't help but think of last night.

After their intimacy, although he had treated her with gentleness, she could sense that he was clearly just forcing himself to share the bed with her.

To be honest, Jiafu had originally had some confidence in her own appearance. After all, in her previous life, she had experienced two men. Whether it was Pei Xiuzhi or Xiao Yintang, in such matters, once they were intimate, she didn't have to deliberately humble herself or do anything; they were all obsessed with her.

But last night, she had received a blow.

She secretly glanced at him again. Seeing his gaze remained fixed on the book, her mood suddenly sank. She leaned her head into the corner, closed her eyes to feign sleep, and said no more.

The Pei residence was not very far from the palace. The carriage traveled for a short time before gradually slowing and coming to a stop.

They had arrived at the palace gates.

Jiafu opened her eyes to see that Pei You’an had already risen and exited the carriage. The eunuch Cui Yinshui was waiting at the palace gate; seeing Pei You’an emerge, his eyes brightened, and he hurried forward to greet him.

Jiafu was helped down by Nanny Lin, who followed in the carriage behind, and she stood still.

Cui Yinshui had already arrived. He called out "Master Pei" and then turned to Jiafu, calling her "Madam" with a beaming smile. Jiafu nodded with a smile and, together with Pei You’an, followed him through the palace gate, walked to the West Garden, and finally reached the front of the Chengguang Palace.

It was a quarter of an hour before the time arranged by the Ministry of Rites for them to meet the Emperor to offer thanks.

Cui Yinshui went inside to announce them. Jiafu suddenly felt a bit nervous and subconsciously looked at Pei You’an beside her. She saw him standing tall, his expression solemn, standing firmly by her side like a mountain. She tilted her head slightly and looked at him for a while, and suddenly, as if she had gained strength, she exhaled slowly and calmed down again.

Xiao Lie sat behind the imperial desk, his eyes slightly swollen as if he hadn't slept well last night. When they knelt side-by-side to offer thanks and were told to rise, he scrutinized Jiafu, a look of satisfaction appearing on his face. The eunuch brought out the rewards, and Jiafu knelt again to thank the Emperor for the generous gifts bestowed upon her maternal family.

Xiao Lie said kindly, "No need for such formalities. Your Zhen family has merits. In the future, if you serve You’an well, that will be the Zhen family’s loyalty to me."

Jiafu cast a quick glance at Pei You’an beside her.

He was looking at the Emperor on the throne and not at her.

Jiafu lowered her head in acknowledgment. After rising, according to the rules, she had to go to the Jiefu Palace to kowtow and thank the Empress.

Li Yuangui personally led Jiafu over. When she entered the Jiefu Palace, she saw Empress Zhou sitting in the hall, with Zhang Fengtong seated beside her. Below them sat a female Daoist priest dressed in yellow, holding a horsetail whisk.

The priestess was still very young, only around twenty, and had an exceptionally beautiful appearance—fine, arched eyebrows, white teeth, and red lips. Sitting there, her celestial grace and jade-like elegance were only further set off by the Daoist robe, making her appear truly extraordinary.

Jiafu did not recognize this beautiful priestess. After kowtowing to Empress Zhou and offering greetings to Zhang Fengtong, Zhang introduced the priestess to Jiafu, saying she practiced in the White Crane Temple south of the city, her lay surname was Chi, and her appellation was Hanzhen. Only then did Jiafu have a vague impression and finally remember that this priestess was actually quite famous.

When Prince Shun’an first ascended the throne, he had faced opposition from a group of officials loyal to the Tianxi Emperor. Among them was a Hanlin scholar named Chi, who was then the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy and a great master of calligraphy and painting in his own right, highly prestigious. He opposed Prince Shun’an and secretly united other officials to call for a thorough investigation into the case of the young Emperor falling from his horse. At the time, Prince Shun’an endured it, but afterward, he charged the scholar with treason. Of his entire household of over a hundred people, all the men were executed, and the women were stripped of their status and turned into government slaves.

This priestess was the granddaughter of Scholar Chi. Back then, at only fourteen years old, she had already earned the reputation as the "number one talented woman" in the capital. After being turned into a government slave, she refused to submit to the guests who sought her favors and jumped from a building to end her life. She had great luck; when she jumped, she happened to land on a passerby and did not die, but the incident quickly spread, public opinion boiled over, and songs were written in the markets praising her integrity. Prince Shun’an granted her a special amnesty and allowed her to become a Daoist nun. Later, when Xiao Lie ascended the throne, he cleared the names of that group of people, among whom was Scholar Chi. Thereafter, this priestess frequently entered the palace, became close friends with the Crown Princess Zhang Fengtong, and achieved extreme fame. She was admired by many men, including high-ranking officials and nobles, but she insisted on not returning to secular life and remained a Daoist.

After Zhang Fengtong finished introducing the priestess, she smiled and said to her, "She is Master Pei's newlywed wife, the Zhen family's daughter from Quanzhou."

Chi Hanzhen’s cold, clear eyes turned toward Jiafu. After a moment, she rose from her seat and performed a Daoist greeting to Jiafu. There was no smile on her face, and her brows hid a sense of haughtiness.

Jiafu, suddenly knowing that this beautiful Daoist priestess—who seemed untouched by the dust of the mortal world—was the granddaughter of Scholar Chi, respected her integrity and did not take her haughtiness to heart. She smiled and nodded.

Chi Hanzhen did not look at Jiafu again. She turned her head and said to Empress Zhou, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your care, but I have no intention of returning to secular life. When I return, Hanzhen will ask my master to set up an altar to pray for Your Majesty. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

Empress Zhou smiled and said, "The Emperor has cleared your grandfather's name. I just felt it a pity that you are so young and yet spend your days in the company of green lamps and yellow scrolls. I summoned you into the palace yesterday for that reason. Since you have no intention of returning to the secular world, I certainly will not force you. In the future, if you have nothing to do, come visit often. You have long held the name of a talented woman; it would be good if you could lecture me on the scriptures sometime."

Chi Hanzhen agreed, bowed to the Empress and Zhang Fengtong once more, and turned to float away.

Empress Zhou turned to Jiafu, speaking kindly and casually. Jiafu responded accordingly. Finally, she took her leave. Zhang Fengtong offered to see her out. Jiafu declined, but Zhang insisted on escorting her to the outside of the palace hall. She took Jiafu’s hand and said, "Sister Zhen, I initially acted out of gratitude, but I did not know your history with Master Pei, which led to a misunderstanding. Now that I know, I have even been lectured by the Empress Dowager, and I regret it deeply. Do not blame me. Fortunately, the Crown Prince and Master Pei are like brothers, so in the future, you and I will naturally be like sisters. If you have time, remember to come to the palace often, and we shall visit one another."

Jiafu smiled and agreed, asking her repeatedly to stay where she was. Only then did Zhang Fengtong stop, watching Jiafu depart with a smile.

Jiafu was led back toward the Chengguang Palace by Li Yuangui. Halfway there, her heart skipped a beat, and her footsteps halted.

Pei You’an was standing on the palace path ahead, talking to a woman. The woman had a graceful back and wore fluttering yellow robes; it was Chi Hanzhen, the Daoist priestess who had just left. It appeared the two knew each other from the past. She did not know what was said, but Chi Hanzhen bowed deeply to Pei You’an, appearing extremely grateful, before continuing on her way.

After the priestess left, Pei You’an turned his head and saw Jiafu stopped by the side of the path. He raised his brows slightly and walked toward her. Upon reaching her, he said to Li Yuangui, "Sorry to trouble you, Eunuch. There is nothing left to do regarding the Emperor, so I shall take my wife out of the palace now.”