Dusk settled. Red lanterns lit up at the gate of the Xie family courtyard.
What should have been a joyous wedding banquet, filled with laughter, now stood cold and severe. Guests, like startled birds, lined up at the gate to register their names, press their handprints, then one supporting another, trembling as they fled this extraordinary feast.
Even though that palace eunuch in gray-blue robes kept smiling, like a kindly neighbor reminding them: “Loose talk brings disaster. Guarding your tongue is the way to a long life.”
But he was a eunuch. In storybooks, such rootless men were always the most vicious, cruel, and depraved.
Falling on the ears, those words were no less than the grim reaper’s sneer: “Dare to gossip, and your life is forfeit.”
The guests’ legs turned to jelly as they dispersed. The already chaotic courtyard grew all the more bleak and desolate.
Xie Wuling stood before the main hall door, the tailor-made crimson wedding robe making his figure tall and upright. But that handsome face no longer bore the triumphant joy of riding at the head of the bridal procession earlier in the day. His narrow black eyes stared fixedly at the tightly closed hall doors and windows.
The dragon-and-phoenix candles were lit. He clearly saw the shadows cast upon the window.
That should have been the bridal chamber for him and his bride.
It should have been their dragon-and-phoenix candles.
But on the window pasted with a great red “Double Happiness,” the two shadows overlapped—
Whether merely standing together, or… embracing, he could not tell.
Long fingers beneath his crimson sleeve clenched tight, veins bulging on the back of his hand. A fire blazed in Xie Wuling’s chest, burning to rush in, drag out that pale-faced pretty boy, and smash him to the ground for a beating.
But he could not.
Sixth Master Chang’s heavy hand pressed on his shoulder, voice lowered and earnest: “This little wife of yours is no ordinary person. An eunuch is here, and armored guards too… Do you not realize, even the Cuis, the Provincial Governor’s household, cannot command eunuchs?”
That alone showed the new bride’s noble status—perhaps kin of the imperial clan.
“Ah Ling, I know you’re stifled, but the circumstances overpower us. If you act for a moment’s satisfaction, not only you alone, but even the neighbors and townsfolk who came to the wedding banquet today may be implicated.”
Feeling the fury straining beneath his palm, Sixth Master Chang sighed: “Wait until the little lady comes out. She handles matters with calm—she should soon give an answer.”
Xie Wuling said nothing, still watching the two overlapping shadows at the window.
In his mind flickered the scene at the earth temple, when she wore the red bridal veil, shyly telling him: you’ll know when night comes.
Then flashed the memory of yesterday at the Ronghua Pavilion, when that pale-faced man vied with him for the cloisonné magnolia branch, saying he wished to gift it to a female relative at home.
If he had a woman in his household already, why entangle himself with his Jiaojiao?
At last, the two shadows by the window parted, one following the other toward the door.
At last, they were done speaking.
The wooden door creaked open. Xie Wuling instantly straightened and strode forward: “Jiaojiao.”
But the bride in her blazing red gown lowered her head, avoiding his eyes.
Xie Wuling’s heart suddenly sank.
Sank, sinking without end.
“Jiaojiao.”
The man’s call rang out again, but it no longer held that former lazy smile. Instead, it carried a note of cautious probing—
As if afraid of being abandoned.
Shen Yujiao’s nose stung. She dug her nails into her palm, lowered her head, and dared not look.
Afraid that if she met those eternally bright, burning eyes, she would soften, lose control.
But now, softening was useless, losing control was useless—it would only make the situation worse.
Yet Xie Wuling still rushed forward: “Jiaojiao, are you all right? Did he bully you?”
Before his hand could touch the hem of her robe, a white figure shifted.
Pei Xia pulled Shen Yujiao behind him.
Then two armored guards stepped forward, seizing Xie Wuling left and right, barking: “If you dare offend the honored one again, you will be cut down on the spot!”
“To h*ll with you!” Xie Wuling’s face flushed red, struggling fiercely: “She’s my wife—let me go!”
He was tall and robust by nature, full of strength. Even the well-trained guards found him difficult to restrain at first.
Rongqing gave a signal. Two more soldiers pressed forward—one clamped tight around Xie Wuling’s neck, another wrapped his arms around his waist.
“You dogs, you b*stards!”
Pinned beneath four men, Xie Wuling could not move. His bloodshot eyes glared fiercely at the spotless white-robed gentleman: “If you’ve got guts, fight me one on one! Four against one—what kind of man are you?”
Pei Xia slanted him a glance, expressionless.
He could not deny—the man did indeed have a fine face.
Just yesterday when buying flowers, even though his purse was thin, he still paid from his own pocket for that velvet blossom.
Looking again at the arrangements in this courtyard, and the things in the bedchamber that barely counted as “elegant”—screens, potted plants, an incense burner…
It was clear he truly did have some sincerity toward Yuniang.
But such a man, full of foul words and coarse manners, unlettered and uncultivated—Yuniang had been raised among silks and brocades since childhood. How could she possibly endure living under the same roof with this kind of person?
And just now, she even said she married him willingly?
At the thought of her earnest tone when saying this, Pei Xia’s eyes darkened. He lifted his hand and drew Shen Yujiao to his side.
The body under his palm seemed to tremble. He turned his gaze slightly, looking at her.
Shen Yujiao’s eyes were full of astonishment.
Pei Xia was always a man of self-restraint and propriety—even during their wedding, he had never shown affection in public.
Yet now, upon this reunion, in less than half an hour he had already pulled her into his arms three times.
And this time, it was in front of so many people.
She had the instinct that something about him was different, but before she could think it through, Xie Wuling saw Pei Xia’s action and instantly shouted in fury: “B*stard! Who allowed you to touch my wife? Let go of her, you son of a b*tch!”
Feeling the woman in his arms also stirring to pull away, Pei Xia’s eyes flickered. Without a word, his long arm tightened its hold.
“Your wife?”
His face was calm, his voice colder still: “Yuniang was betrothed to me while still in swaddling clothes. Ours was a marriage decreed by parents and arranged through matchmakers.”
He glanced over the chaotic courtyard, lips barely moving: “And you—what are you?”
Xie Wuling choked, then barked in frustration: “If you hadn’t crashed the wedding, I’d already have bowed to Heaven and Earth with Jiaojiao!”
That arrogant air of superiority on the pale-faced fellow was hateful enough, and now, seeing him holding Shen Yujiao, Xie Wuling gnashed his teeth like a beast desperate to break free from its cage, body coiled to strike, a hoarse growl rising in his throat.
The armored guards nearby were startled as well—how could this man’s strength be so great? And that reckless, life-daring ferocity—it was terrifying!
“Hold him down! Hold him down!”
Rongqing too was shaken, quickly retreating toward the door, then calling toward Pei Xia: “Pei Langjun, don’t waste words on this kind of man. Quickly, take your lady into the carriage.”
“I’d like to see who dares take my wife away!”
Xie Wuling roared. A sudden surge of brute force burst from him, and he actually shook off the armored men restraining him.
Rongqing’s face went pale. “Quick! Press him down! What are you all standing there for—draw your blades, draw them!”
“Shing, shing”—several swords left their scabbards.
Seeing this, Shen Yujiao could no longer remain silent. She cried out in alarm: “No! None of you are allowed to harm him!”
But the guards paid her no mind, all turning toward Rongqing. Rongqing, in turn, looked toward Pei Xia.
“Brother Shouzhen.”
Shen Yujiao’s voice shook, her cheeks white as snow: “You just promised—you wouldn’t hurt him.”
Pei Xia lowered his gaze. “It was he who struck first.”
Shen Yujiao quickly called out toward Xie Wuling, who was bracing against the armed men: “Xie Wuling, stop! Stop this at once!”
Xie Wuling faltered, turned his head to look at her—
In that instant, a soldier kicked the back of his knee. His tall frame buckled, almost crashing to the ground.
Shen Yujiao’s heart lurched violently. No longer caring about the poise of a respectable lady, she glared fiercely at the soldier: “Who gave you permission to lay a hand on him!”
The guard had never seen such a fierce aristocratic lady before, and froze on the spot.
On the side, Sixth Master Chang, seeing the scene somewhat steadied, quickly rushed forward to support Xie Wuling: “Didn’t I tell you not to be rash, not to be rash!”
Xie Wuling said nothing. His narrow, black eyes locked onto Shen Yujiao, brimming with grievance: “Jiaojiao.”
Shen Yujiao knew his nature—if she did not explain herself, he would never relent.
Complicated emotions filled her gaze as she looked at him once, then she turned and said to Pei Xia: “Let me speak with him.”
Pei Xia’s brows drew together slightly.
Shen Yujiao tugged at his sleeve, lifted her face, dark eyes shimmering: “Just take it as me begging you.”
Begging him.
For the sake of another man.
Pei Xia stared at that slender hand clinging to his sleeve. After a brief pause, he said, “A quarter of an hour.”
“Alright.” Shen Yujiao lowered her head and wiped at the corners of her eyes.
Rongqing stepped forward, bowing: “For the sake of the lady’s reputation, permit this servant to accompany her.”
Shen Yujiao froze.
Pei Xia cast her a glance, then looked once at the tall man in the wedding robe. His voice was cool: “I’ll trouble you, Eunuch Wang.”
Releasing his hold on Shen Yujiao’s shoulder: “Go. Say what must be said, then come back.”
Shen Yujiao knew Pei Xia was already being exceedingly tolerant.
Had it been anyone else, how could they allow their wife to be alone with another man? Much less a man who had nearly married her himself.
The chamber door stood open. Rongqing folded his hands before him, standing at the threshold, facing inside.
Xie Wuling ground his teeth in frustration at the sight: “This is my house, and yet I’m the one being watched?”
Shen Yujiao walked in, letting out a soft sigh: “Don’t fuss over such things.”
At her words, Xie Wuling’s focus shifted instantly from the doorway to her alone.
In the glow of blazing red candles, her hair was piled high, pinned with a gilt hair ornament and red silk flowers.
Her ears bore a pair of golden earrings—freshly forged gold that shone dazzlingly bright. Just as he had imagined, worn on her they made her skin seem whiter still, her beauty peerless.
A pity he had only been able to afford the earrings. Otherwise he would have bought her a gold necklace, a golden phoenix hairpin, golden bracelets—let her be adorned in gold from head to toe, radiant like an immortal from the Jade Pool.
But even without those adornments, she was already so beautiful that he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
All the hostility from earlier seemed to dissolve. Xie Wuling’s gaze softened as he fixed on his bride: “Jiaojiao, you look truly beautiful today.”
Hearing those words, meeting those earnest and bright eyes, Shen Yujiao’s nose stung, and she nearly burst into tears again.
She turned her face aside, taking several deep breaths to press down the surging sourness in her chest, and said hoarsely: “He didn’t give us much time. I’ll just tell you what’s most important…”
Not bothering to sit, she stood facing him, briefly and clearly recounting her identity and background.
Nothing else was concealed from Xie Wuling—only when it came to the cause of her downfall did her eyes flick toward the eunuch at the doorway.
After all, this touched upon the honor of the Pei clan. Until she was sure the hand behind it was the Wang family, Shen Yujiao only said: “Some petty villain sowed harm, scattering me from my household.”
After pausing a moment, she looked at Xie Wuling intently: “I will go back with him.”
Xie Wuling, after hearing her origins, was not very surprised. It was more or less as he had guessed—anyway, it was a household he’d never dared dream of.
But when he heard Shen Yujiao say she would leave with that man, his face froze: “And what about me?”
He stepped forward. “Jiaojiao, are you casting me aside?”
In an instant, the sour ache pressed across her chest. Shen Yujiao bit her lip.
She knew how much he had looked forward to this wedding, knew how much he longed to marry her.
But fate toyed with people—given today’s situation, she was powerless.
She could not afford to soften again.
She thought, if she softened once more, it would only bring him harm.
“Thank you, for taking care of me and the children these past two months.”
Forcing a polite smile, Shen Yujiao looked at him: “But my husband has already come to find me. Naturally, I must return with him. Don’t worry—you helped me, and he will give you a generous reward…”
Before she could finish, Xie Wuling pressed her shoulder with his hand, his gaze sinking deep into hers: “What does this Laozi want with a reward? All I want is you.”
Shen Yujiao’s heart trembled.
From the corner of her eye she saw the eunuch at the door glance their way. She hurriedly shook off his hand. “Do not be reckless.”
Seeing his stunned look, she at last could not help but soften a little, lowering her voice: “Xie Wuling, calm yourself!”
Clutching at her robe hem, her dark eyes looked at him steadily: “Do you understand—if I were a wife of any ordinary family, and my husband found me in such a state, what the end would be?”
Xie Wuling’s thick brows furrowed. He listened as she said evenly: “You and I would both be killed. They have a hundred ways to kill you. As for me, I’d be drowned in a pig cage, or given a cup of poison, or a length of white silk. If they were more ruthless, everyone who knew of this matter would be silenced…”
The light in Shen Yujiao’s eyes slowly dimmed. She murmured: “You and I are still lucky.”
Because it was Pei Xia who found her.
Since he walked the path of a gentleman, without pursuing blame, she too could not overstep.
“Xie Wuling, I’m sorry…”
Shen Yujiao tried to force a smile, but as her lips barely curved, tears brimmed in her eyes. “You’re so good—you’ll surely meet a young lady better than me…”
She wanted to offer a blessing, but already she was weeping too hard to speak.
Xie Wuling’s throat ached. He scoffed: “There is no young lady better than you.”
His Jiaojiao was the best in the world.
He stepped forward, wanting to wipe her tears.
A heavy cough came from the doorway. The eunuch’s thin voice rang out: “Madam Pei, your quarter hour is up.”
Both inside were startled.
So short, a quarter hour.
Shen Yujiao lowered her head, not daring to look again at the man beside her. She whispered one more “I’m sorry,” then hurried out.
Xie Wuling stood frozen, staring at the blazing dragon-and-phoenix wedding candles for a long time before he came back to himself.
“Jiaojiao!”
He rushed out, but within the courtyard that graceful red figure was already gone. He chased further.
At the alley entrance, soldiers barred his way with drawn blades.
“Do not harm him.”
A clear, jade-like voice rang out. Xie Wuling looked up, and saw that figure in white.
Pei Xia stood at the mouth of the alley, his jade-like face still cool, only those deep, narrow eyes fixed on him: “If you are a wise man, you should know—stopping here is best for everyone.”
“For everyone’s good? Ha.”
Xie Wuling straightened, glaring coldly: “So the Pei clan’s famed gentleman is nothing but a useless man who can’t even protect his own wife? When Jiaojiao was framed, when a little lady was fleeing famine with children in tow—where were you, this so-called husband? When she was starving skin-and-bone, hiding in a shrine eating moldy offerings—where were you?”
“If not for me bringing her home, she’d have long been dead of hunger! And now you think you can come and snatch her away from me?”
Just the thought of how he had brought her home, washed her clean, fed her all kinds of good food and drink, carefully nurturing her until her face regained color and flesh—and now this Pei fellow came to just take her away—Xie Wuling was so furious he could spit blood.
Hearing his every accusation, Pei Xia pressed his thin lips tightly.
After a long while, he said: “It is indeed my failing as a husband. For the kindness you showed my wife and children, I will repay you.”
Xie Wuling gave a cold laugh: “You think this old man covets your repayment? I want nothing—nothing but my wife.”
“Yesterday I let you have the flowers, for they are but lifeless things, not worth quarreling over.”
Pei Xia’s face was solemn, his voice deep and steady: “But Yuniang is my wife of first vows. In this life, in this world, it is absolutely impossible to yield her to another.”
With that, he said no more, turned, and left.
Xie Wuling watched that tall, graceful figure depart, directly boarding a black-lacquered, flat-topped carriage—drawn by four horses, a standard befitting only the Prefectural Governor’s household.
The carriage, under escort of armored soldiers, rumbled forward into the dark of night.
He stared at the lowered curtain, hoping it might lift, just a corner.
But until the procession vanished completely from sight, the curtain never stirred.
Night had fallen entirely.
A chill drop landed on his face.
Xie Wuling raised a hand to touch—rain.
Jiaojiao had said before, she hated rainy days most.
—
Inside the steadily moving carriage, oil lamps burned fixed in the wall, their yellow glow illuminating this small enclosed space.
Shen Yujiao sat there in a daze, still feeling as if in a dream, unable to believe it.
At this moment she should have been sitting in the bridal chamber, waiting for Xie Wuling to lift her red veil amid the teasing of guests.
But now… how had it come to this?
She had left that little courtyard where she’d lived two months, left that sleeping chamber slowly furnished piece by piece, left that confident, rash man with peach-blossom eyes who smiled as he called her “Jiaojiao.”
Her heart felt empty, as if a piece had been carved away.
Shen Yujiao stared blankly at the entwined lotus pattern embroidered on her red wedding robe, her gaze unfocused, lost.
Suddenly, a hand settled atop the back of hers.
Warm, and gently tightening.
Her eyelids quivered. She lifted her gaze—and collided with the man’s calm, gentle black eyes.
His look, like a flame through smoke, saw straight through her absent-mindedness. Yet no displeasure showed there. He only held her hand and said: “It’s all over now.”
It’s all over.
Just a few simple words, summing up those two months in that courtyard.
But besides letting it pass, what other choice was there?
She looked at him, the corners of her lips tugging faintly: “Mm. I know.”
After a pause, she lowered her eyes, slowly drawing her hand free from his palm.
Pei Xia glanced at her trembling lashes, and at last let go.
Half a year of separation, and she had suffered so many wrongs. To feel estranged from him—such feelings were natural.
No need to rush. Slowly, step by step.
Pei Xia withdrew his hand, sitting upright: “Tomorrow I will send a thank-offering.”
“Alright.”
“You don’t even ask what the gift will be?”
Shen Yujiao said softly: “Whatever you prepare must be thoughtful.”
What was there to ask? Nothing more than gold and jewels, or perhaps arranging a better post for Xie Wuling.
Since she had returned to Pei Xia’s side, whether or not he minded, she should no longer ask too much about matters concerning Xie Wuling.
This was best—for her, and for Xie Wuling.
Seeing her attitude, Pei Xia’s brows eased slightly: “He showed kindness to you and the children. I will not treat him lightly.”
Shen Yujiao smiled faintly: “Good.”
But the smile only touched her lips, never her eyes.
Her heart was in too much turmoil now; she could not truly smile.
For the rest of the journey, silence filled the carriage.
Shen Yujiao leaned her head against the wall, closing her eyes to rest.
Though her eyes were shut, she could feel the man’s gaze—first on her face, then lingering at her waist and belly.
After a long while, that gaze shifted away.
She let out a quiet breath, mind drifting in weariness: from now on, how was she to live with him?
When the carriage halted before the Prefectural Governor’s residence, the sky outside was fully dark.
Autumn rain drizzled down, soaking with chill.
Shen Yujiao bent to step out. Cold wind drove the rain down her neck, making her shiver.
Pei Xia stood beside the carriage holding an umbrella, extending his hand toward her.
After a moment’s hesitation, Shen Yujiao placed her hand in his long palm.
The strength of his arm was steady, firmly supporting her as she descended: “Careful, it’s slippery.”
“Thank you… Prefe—”
The hand holding hers pressed tighter. Meeting his deep eyes, she understood: he disliked that form of address.
But the word “langjun” stuck in her throat, foreign, impossible to voice.
At last, she lowered her head and kept silent.
Two servant girls came forward with umbrellas, intending to assist.
Pei Xia cast them a cold glance. At once, they understood, retreating quietly aside.
Thus Shen Yujiao was led by him all the way into the Prefectural Governor’s residence.
She asked: “Am I to accompany you to pay respects to the Second Prince?”
Pei Xia said: “No need. You’ve been wearied all day. Go to the guest quarters and rest.”
“Alright.”
In any case, she had no wish to see people now.
Or rather—what identity was she supposed to present, meeting others now?
Pei Xia escorted her to a courtyard, summoned two maids to serve her, then himself went to cleanse and change into a fresh moon-white robe.
When he emerged again, he told Shen Yujiao: “I will go meet the Second Prince. I’ll return in half an hour.”
Shen Yujiao sat quietly on the bed’s edge, answering: “Alright.”
After he left, she drank half a cup of hot tea—then suddenly remembered one thing—
Ping’an was still at Aunt Liu’s house!
A sudden wave of guilt surged in her heart—no wonder she had felt all along as though something had been left behind. How could she have forgotten this matter?
But truly, everything had happened so abruptly at dusk. Only now, with quiet settling in, did she recall that little one.
She turned her gaze to the autumn rain streaming outside the window. The child was at Aunt Liu’s house—there, she could rest assured.
Once Pei Xia returned from Second Prince’s place, she would then discuss with him about bringing the child back.
