Wish You All the Best - Chapter 54

Chapter 54

On the way back, Jiafu once again shared a carriage with the Second Madame.

Jiafu had long since realized that the Second Madame must be quite thrilled at this moment—in fact, besides her, many of the other wives present tonight were likely feeling the same way. Originally, they had only intended to make a courtesy appearance and add to the festivities by celebrating the birthday of the Crown Princess’s mother. Who could have imagined that a perfectly fine birthday banquet would end so abruptly in such a manner? Not only did the incident reveal the inside story behind the sudden death of the Eastern Palace’s secondary consort some time ago, but it also confirmed a rumor that had been whispered about in secret: that the Crown Prince and Pei You’an had both once held intentions toward the Zhen family daughter from Quanzhou, and in the end, by the Emperor’s decree, Pei You’an had won the beauty. After all, when the Zhen family accompanied the Governor of Fujian to the capital under imperial order, and later when the eunuchs went to the Zhen residence to convey the decree, the commotion was not insignificant. It was impossible for the news to have gone unnoticed, especially since it involved two figures of such interest—one, the Crown Prince; the other, a talented official most relied upon by the new Emperor. Moreover, it concerned matters of romance. Such news was inherently popular and traveled the fastest. The only thing was that until now, it had remained mere hearsay. Who would have thought that tonight it would be laid bare so starkly? Most importantly, the person who uttered these words was none other than the Crown Princess, who had always enjoyed a virtuous reputation!

The Second Madame had been observing Jiafu’s expression, waiting for her to open her mouth and cry out against the injustice. Seeing her sitting there without saying a word after they boarded, the Second Madame endured it for a moment, but finally, unable to hold back, she leaned in closer and said, "It is truly strange tonight. Even if the Crown Princess was drunk, the way she acted out was enough to witness. She spoke such nonsense to that degree—not only biting at the Crown Prince but actually dragging you and You’an into it! It’s not that I wish to be disrespectful behind her back, but I think she has lost her mind! I previously thought how dignified and virtuous she was, yet in just these few days, she has revealed such an ugly side!" As she spoke, she clicked her tongue and shook her head.

Jiafu still did not speak.

She truly had neither the mood nor the energy to deal with this aunt-in-law beside her.

Earlier, when Zhang Fengtong’s father kept Pei You’an to speak, Jiafu could guess what they were discussing. There were simply too many people in the birthday hall at that time. Under the eyes of all, with Zhang Fengtong making such a huge scene, it was absolutely impossible to suppress.

When Pei You’an returned, Jiafu had lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to steal a glance at him and saw his expression was grave.

She was increasingly certain that he was truly angry.

From the very beginning, he had known about Xiao Yintang’s intentions toward her. Her relationship with him had also started because of this matter. But before tonight, to outsiders, this was a secret—at most a suspicion. No one had ever brought it out into the open to discuss.

Things were different after tonight.

There was no need to wait for tomorrow; she feared the entire imperial court would know about this matter.

For a high-ranking official’s wife to be coveted by the reigning Crown Prince was naturally a moral failing on the part of the Crown Prince, but for Pei You’an, being the subject of discussion regarding such romantic entanglements was by no means a glorious affair.

He would be shamed because of her.

Jiafu was truly remorseful. She regretted that she had been driven by a moment of impulse to switch that cup of medicated wine to Zhang Fengtong’s side. If she had known that Zhang Fengtong would say such things after drinking it, she would rather have endured the frustration than ever have done it.

The Second Madame glanced at Jiafu and, seeing her still lost in thought, took her hand and changed to a comforting tone: "A’fu, Aunt knows you are sad, but what kind of person you are—if others don't know, could I not know? Do not take it to heart. Anyone with any sense will not believe the Crown Princess’s raving nonsense just now. You are merely an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire. You’an must also think the same way. When you return, just explain it to him carefully, and it will be fine."

Ever since the last time she had called herself "aunt," and Jiafu had called her "aunt-in-law" (using a term of lower seniority), the Second Madame no longer referred to herself as "aunt" when speaking to Jiafu.

Jiafu only felt that the Second Madame’s incessant chatter beside her was incredibly noisy and upsetting. She turned her head, slightly lifted the carriage curtain, and looked outside again.

He was riding his horse, moving at a leisurely pace along the side of the road in front of the carriage.

The group arrived at the Pei residence, and the carriages stopped at the gate one after another. The maids and matrons from the following carriage descended, bringing out a footstool and placing it by the carriage. The Second Madame was supported down by a matron first. Jiafu followed. When Tanxiang came up to assist Jiafu, Pei You’an reached out and lightly held her arm. Once Jiafu stood steady, he let go.

The two of them intended to see Madame Xin to her courtyard first, but Madame Xin said it was unnecessary and added, "You’an, if you have time, I have two words to say to you."

Pei You’an responded and turned to Jiafu, saying, "You return to the room first and rest early. I will return shortly."

His tone was very gentle, and he ordered Tanxiang and Nanny Liu to escort the Young Mistress back first.

Jiafu glanced at Madame Xin, suppressed the trepidation in her heart, and had no choice but to turn and leave first.

Pei You’an escorted Madame Xin to her room and said, "Mother, what instructions do you have?"

Madame Xin looked at him, a smile appearing on her face: "You’an, I know you have never been close to me and perhaps blame me in your heart for favoring your second brother. It is not that I have any prejudice against you. You are also my son, my eldest son at that. Now, not only does the household rely entirely on you to hold it up, but when I am old, I will also have to rely on you. It is just that you were sensible from a young age and never needed me to worry much, while your second brother is not as capable as you, which is why I looked at him a bit more. I hope you can understand the hardships I face as a mother."

Pei You’an replied, "I know these things even if Mother does not say them. I do not know what instructions you have?"

Only then did Madame Xin sigh: "You must know about what happened at the Zhang residence tonight. In public, the Crown Princess actually said that the Crown Prince covets our family’s new bride, naming names and dragging you into it as well. Before the Emperor and your colleagues, I fear you have lost some face. After all, it does not sound good. The new bride has been married in for these days, and I am not saying there is anything wrong with her. I am telling you this with no other intention than thinking that you are my son; I cannot watch you have your reputation ruined by others like this. As for her, when you return, it would be better to speak with her, so as to avoid losing your face in this manner again in the future."

Pei You’an asked, "Mother, what do you think I should say to her?"

Madame Xin was startled and hesitated for a moment: "How could the Crown Princess slander the Crown Prince out of thin air? She must have been truly unable to contain her anger, which is why she said it. They say a righteous person does not fear a crooked shadow; presumably, there have been some dealings between her and the Crown Prince..."

"It is late! If Mother has nothing else, please rest. I am returning as well."

Pei You’an bowed slightly to Madame Xin and turned to leave.

"You’an! Mother is also doing this for your reputation—"

Pei You’an suddenly stopped, turned his head, and shot two glares toward Madame Xin that actually carried a stern, lethal edge.

For so many years, although the relationship between Madame Xin and this "eldest son" had been cold, he had always remained courteous and observed his duties as a son when facing her as his "mother."

This was the first time Madame Xin had seen such an expression, and she couldn't help but be startled, subconsciously taking a step back.

"I know better than you, Mother, what kind of person she is. 'Possessing jade invites trouble'—Mother, do you not know this principle? Is the raving nonsense of a hysterical woman worth your interrogation of me?"

He used the word "interrogation"; the underlying meaning was self-evident.

It would not be an exaggeration to say Madame Xin was greatly shocked. She looked at Pei You’an, her complexion gradually turning unsightly.

"You... how can you speak to me like this..."

Her voice trembled slightly, filled with annoyance, but facing this eldest son who seemed suddenly provoked into anger, she dared not say anything more.

Pei You’an slowly exhaled. When he spoke again, although there was no longer any anger in his voice, his tone was as cold as water.

"Mother!" he said, "The so-called reputation you speak of—I lost far more of it at sixteen than I did today. I didn't even utter a word for myself back then; do you think I would care about it today?"

"In the past, you were my mother; now, it remains the same. As you just said, if you truly need me to rely on in your old age, then, if I am still around, I will certainly not refuse. But that is all. Do not inquire about my affairs or the affairs of Fu’er in the future. I know what I am doing."

"It is late, you should rest."

Madame Xin stood stiffly there, looking at Pei You’an’s disappearing back. Her entire person remained motionless, save for her two lips, which trembled slightly and incessantly.

...

Jiafu entered the room feeling listless. She took a bath, and no sooner had she changed her clothes than Pei You’an returned.

Jiafu had vaguely guessed what Madame Xin might have said to him. She quietly observed his expression and saw it was normal, with no peculiarities. After he bathed and changed, he went to the study as usual.

He had the habit of going to the study every night.

Recently, sometimes she would follow him, and other times he would go first and she would join him later.

In the study, Pei You’an would sometimes be distracted by her, dropping his tasks to be intimate with her, and the two would return to the bedchamber together.

But there were also times when, faced with her beauty, he remained unmoved, focusing solely on his own work. In such cases, Jiafu could only sit to the side reading a book to pass the time until she finally fell asleep on the books and was carried back to the bedchamber by him, or she would abandon him and return to the room to sleep first.

In short, as their relationship became increasingly intimate, Jiafu now went in and out of his study as casually as if it were her own bedchamber, without needing to ask for his approval.

She could have followed him directly as she had the last two nights, but because of what happened tonight, she became a bit timid. She stayed in the bedchamber, waiting until the middle of the Hai hour (around 10 p.m.)—for the previous few nights, by this hour, both of them would have returned to the room, as this was the latest bedtime Jiafu had set for him.

She had her reasons, and she was very firm about them. Grandmother had instructed her to urge him not to rest too late. At the time, his helpless reaction had seemed as if he wasn't very happy, but in the end, he nodded and said "all right."

The night was sultry and stifling. Although the gauze windows were open, there wasn't a breath of wind, making it hard to breathe.

Jiafu went to the study and gently pushed open the half-concealed door. Unexpectedly, she found he was not sitting behind that desk, but standing by the north window, his hands behind his back, facing the dark, smoggy night sky outside. His back was deep and somber, as if he had been standing there for quite some time.

Jiafu’s footsteps stopped abruptly at the door.

Pei You’an heard the movement she made, turned his face, and looked at her. His gaze was slightly dim.

Jiafu hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice, "It is not early. Are you not sleeping yet?"

Pei You’an smiled slightly, turned to extinguish the lamp, and said, "Let us go."

The two returned to the bedchamber. The lamp was extinguished. Pei You’an seemed a bit weary; after lying down, he closed his eyes as if sinking into a deep sleep.

Jiafu, however, felt the bed canopy was stifling and hot. Although she had bathed, her whole body felt clammy, and her mind was filled with a thousand thoughts. How could she sleep? After a moment, she opened her eyes and gazed at his profile, as calm as the night, in the blurry shadows of the canopy. She summoned her courage and said, "Eldest Cousin, are you angry with me? I blame myself for shaming you..."

"I am fine, and I have never been angry with you. Do not overthink it."

His reply came from beside her ear.

She tried to sleep for a while longer, but feeling her clothes sticking to her back, it was extremely uncomfortable. She said in a low voice, "I am a bit hot; I will go wipe myself down again..."

She slowly climbed up to a sitting position. In the darkness, she fumbled to lift the canopy, climbed off the bed, and sat on the edge. Just as she bent down to look for her shoes, her waist suddenly tightened, and she was gripped by a pair of hands from behind. She let out a soft cry as she was dragged back into the canopy by him and pressed onto the pillow.

Jiafu’s blood surged, her heart rate suddenly quickening. Before she could react, a weight came upon her body. His frame pressed down, pinning her firmly beneath him. Then, he lowered his head and immediately sought her mouth.

Pinned beneath him and kissed, Jiafu felt the desire in his body rising rapidly. She was still a bit bewildered, not knowing how he had suddenly become like this.

He had kissed her more than once already, and each time he had been very gentle. The joining of their lips and tongues had made her feel pleasure and sweetness.

But this time was different. His breath scorched her face, and the kiss was like an act of possession, heavily grinding against her lips and tongue, making her feel not at all comfortable.

"Eldest Cousin... you are hurting me..."

Jiafu could barely catch her breath. She shook her head incessantly, and after much difficulty, managed to break free. Swallowing hard, she complained indistinctly.

"Call me Husband!"

His tone carried a command that brooked no question.

"Husband..."

Jiafu trembled all over, gasping, and complied with his words.

On this sultry and long midsummer night, Pei You’an possessed the sweet, soul-stirring female body beneath him that belonged solely to him.

Outside, night rain began to fall at some point. The rain washed over the trees in the courtyard and gathered at the eaves of the veranda, falling with a splash. The night wind, carrying the dampness of the rain, permeated the gauze windows, gradually sweeping away the frustration and stifling heat within the canopy.