Chapter 133: Must Establish a Good Reputation! Scheming Bitch Xie Qingwu

Chapter 133: Chapter 133: Must Establish a Good Reputation! Scheming Bitch Xie Qingwu

Watching Shi Potian lead his men away, Pei Shaoqing rode his horse toward Jiang Yuechan’s carriage. A few guards tried to block him, but he cracked his whip at them. "Get lost!"

"Stand down." Jiang Yuechan mustered her courage, lifted the window curtain, and looked up to meet the gaze of Pei Shaoqing on his horse.

Only then did the guards from the Marquis’s Mansion step aside.

Pei Shaoqing looked down from his high perch, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Yuechan’s trembling bosom. His expression unchanged, he said, "Do you people from the Jiang Family understand the concept of repaying a kindness?"

"Watch your tone! I, of course, understand that principle," Jiang Yuechan replied indignantly.

Hearing her refer to herself that way, Pei Shaoqing raised an eyebrow. "You’re married? Where’s your husband? Don’t tell me he was so scared he hid under your skirt."

He was suddenly reminded of this body’s original owner, that coward.

"Lord Pingyang, watch what you say. Three years ago, when Western Wei invaded our eastern borders, my late husband died in battle." Jiang Yuechan’s pretty face turned cold, her eyes frosting over.

Pei Shaoqing was taken aback. He never would have guessed that Jiang Yuechan, who looked to be barely twenty, had already been a widow for three years.

"My apologies." He cupped his hands in a gesture of apology. "Since you understand gratitude, then the debt for saving your life must be repaid. I have only one request: do not go after Shi Potian. That is what I promised him."

"Fine." Jiang Yuechan agreed without hesitation.

Her swift agreement surprised Pei Shaoqing. After all, judging from her earlier behavior, she didn’t seem very bright and was rather willful and arrogant.

Just then, Jiang Yuechan spoke again, a little embarrassed. "Lord Pingyang, you must be heading to the Capital City? In that case, may I travel with you for the rest of the way?"

’She was scared out of her wits by Shi Potian and wants my protection. No wonder she agreed so quickly. She knows how to adapt to the situation.’

"Have you never seen me before, Madam?" He remembered that Jiang Yuechan hadn’t recognized him earlier and asked out of curiosity.

Jiang Yuechan answered softly, "I grew up in the Marquis’s Mansion in West State and have only visited the Capital City a few times."

"I see. And what business brings you to the Capital City this time, Madam?" Pei Shaoqing asked with a nod.

Jiang Yuechan was silent for a moment before replying, "My sister has found a good match for me and has summoned me to the Capital City to meet him."

’So it’s for a blind date.’

"Your sister has a vicious heart. I doubt she’d introduce you to anyone decent," Pei Shaoqing scoffed.

One’s position determines one’s attitude. From his standpoint, he certainly had nothing good to say about Noble Consort Wan.

Jiang Yuechan’s delicate brows shot up. The woman who had seemed so gentle and weak just a moment ago retorted, "And is Lord Pingyang a good person for beating my poor nephew to death in the street?"

"I just saved you. I even saved my enemy’s sister. Doesn’t that make me a good person?" Pei Shaoqing shot back.

Jiang Yuechan was suddenly at a loss for words.

Pei Shaoqing pressed, "Am I a good person or not?"

"Of course you are," Jiang Yuechan first admitted, then changed her tune. "But you beat my neph—"

"If I’m a good person, then I wouldn’t have beaten your nephew to death for no reason! He must have done something utterly detestable to provoke the wrath of both heaven and man. You should reflect on that yourself," Pei Shaoqing said with righteous indignation.

With that, he spurred his horse and turned to leave.

Jiang Yuechan was completely dumbfounded. It took her a long moment to process what happened before she yelled, "Pei Shaoqing, you’re going the wrong way!"

"I’m going to buy some oranges. You stay put and don’t wander off," Pei Shaoqing said without turning back.

Jiang Yuechan frowned at his words. ’Were there oranges for sale on the roadside just now? I really can’t remember.’

She said to her guards, "We will wait here for Lord Pingyang. Dig graves and bury the dead on the spot. Remember their names; I will ask my father for their families’ compensation."

"Yes, milady!" the guards replied in unison.

The guards busied themselves with their work.

Jiang Yuechan sat alone in her carriage, her thoughts in a jumble.

She was part of the Jiang Family. Pei Shaoqing could have just watched her die, but he saved her instead. Just as he himself said, he was, by all accounts, a good person.

’Such a good person.’

’And yet he beat my nephew, Jiang Bai, to death in the street.’

She knew Jiang Bai well enough. He did basically everything... except things a decent human being would do.

He was rotten to the core.

As for Pei Shaoqing, she had heard in the past that he and Jiang Bai were two of a kind. But based on recent rumors and his actions today, that was clearly not the case.

’Then could it be that my nephew really did do something so detestable that it forced Pei Shaoqing to use their rivalry over a woman as a pretext to kill him in public?’

For a moment, Jiang Yuechan’s feelings were a complicated mess.

Pei Shaoqing had a life-and-death feud with the Jiang Family.

But he had also saved her life.

After a long while, she let out a soft sigh. "Sigh... the most I can do is not hold this against you myself."

As for the rest of the Jiang Family, she had no control over them. After all, Pei Shaoqing shared only enmity with her other relatives, not a life-saving debt.

...............

After rejoining the main convoy, Pei Shaoqing slipped into his carriage. "My dear wife, guess who the bandits were trying to rob?"

"I’m not guessing," Xie Qingwu said flatly.

Finding no fun in that, Pei Shaoqing continued, "Alright, it was Noble Consort Wan’s sister, Jiang Yuechan. She’s on her way to the Capital City for a matchmaking meeting."

"They even dared to rob the daughter of Marquis Pingxi! Are there really bandits in this Great Zhou Kingdom as audacious and reckless as you?" Xie Qingwu’s beautiful eyes widened in surprise.

Pei Shaoqing grinned. "I was just as surprised as you are. He let Jiang Yuechan go on my account, and she promised not to pursue the matter on my account. So, the issue has been neatly resolved."

"My husband certainly has a lot of pull. Audacious bandits give you face, and the young lady of the Jiang Family, whose nephew you killed, also gives you face," Xie Qingwu teased.

"What can I say? My reputation precedes me!" This time, Pei Shaoqing truly tasted the benefits of having a certain reputation. He secretly resolved to build a good public image for himself.

’I can still do bad things, but I can’t let people find out.’

Then he added, "Jiang Yuechan was terrified and wanted to travel with us. I agreed."

"You did the right thing, husband. This will show your magnanimity, and when word gets out, it will help build your fame," Xie Qingwu said softly with a slow nod.

Then she smiled sweetly. "Speaking of which, I’ve met this second young lady of the Jiang Family a few times."

"Oh?" Pei Shaoqing looked curious.

Xie Qingwu explained, "The daughters of officials in the Capital City often invited each other out. Back then, Jiang Yue’e hadn’t yet entered the palace, and whenever Jiang Yuechan came to the Capital City, she would bring her along to the various gatherings we held."

It was always like this for the children of the rich and powerful.

They had their own little circle, exclusive to their social class.

Most of the people who fought to the death in the Imperial Court or the inner palace had once played together as children.

They were the true masters of this kingdom.

"Well then, my wife can catch up with her in a little while," Pei Shaoqing said jokingly.

But Xie Qingwu began to think seriously. "That’s not a bad idea. Although Jiang Yuechan is also a bit proud, arrogant, and willful, she’s much easier to get along with than Jiang Yue’e.

"And since you’ve saved her life, I can use our past acquaintance as playmates to get closer to her. Maybe in the future, I can even get information from her on how to deal with Jiang Yue’e. In any case, it’s on our way."

"My wife, you’re such a schemer. No wonder I can never seem to get to the bottom of you. You’re truly unfathomable."

"Pah! As if you haven’t already entered the palace!"

After they met up with Jiang Yuechan, Xie Qingwu took the initiative to step out of her carriage, a bright smile on her face as she went to greet her. "Sister Yuechan, it’s been so many years."

"Sister Xie," Jiang Yuechan replied, getting out of her carriage.

There was a clear sense of distance from her.

But Xie Qingwu seemed not to notice, enthusiastically stepping forward to take her hand, her face full of the joy of reuniting with an old friend. She smiled and said, "My husband just told me he rescued you. This must be fate! At least now I’ll have a sister to chat with and pass the time on the road."

Before Jiang Yuechan could reply, she turned back to Pei Shaoqing and said, "Husband, I’ll ride with Sister Yuechan. You men don’t need to worry about me."

A childhood playmate, whose husband had just saved her life—how could Jiang Yuechan possibly refuse?

She had no choice but to invite Xie Qingwu into her carriage.

Xie Qingwu was a clever one. Building on the weak foundation of having met a few times in their youth, she used just a few words to stir up Jiang Yuechan’s memories of the past. The two of them quickly grew familiar, and laughter constantly filled the carriage.

"Sigh," Xie Qingwu suddenly sighed.

Jiang Yuechan quickly asked, "What is it, Sister Xie?"

"My husband has a feud with the Jiang Family. Once we reach the Capital City, we won’t be able to chat so intimately like this anymore." Xie Qingwu gave a bitter, melancholic smile.

Jiang Yuechan bit her lip. She squeezed Xie Qingwu’s hand and said softly, "Lord Pingyang saved my life. I have no standing to hate him. But you’re right, Sister Xie. I’m a member of the Jiang Family, and I have to consider the implications. We really can’t be like this after we reach the Capital City."

Having tested her attitude toward Pei Shaoqing, Xie Qingwu broke into a smile and changed the subject. "Let’s not talk about unpleasant things. Let’s talk about something else. Which family’s son did Noble Consort Wan introduce you to? Is he in good health? Sister Yuechan, you’ve been a widow for three years. I’m afraid an ordinary man might not be able to handle you."

"Sister, what nonsense are you talking about? What do you mean, ’handle me’?" Jiang Yuechan’s face turned red with embarrassment.

"You’re not some innocent maiden anymore. What’s a married woman like you got to be shy about?" Xie Qingwu said with a teasing smile. "When it comes to men, looks are one thing, but performance is what really matters. My husband is like an ox. I’m still swollen, you know."

"Lord Pingyang is that vigorous? Sister Xie, you are truly blessed." Jiang Yuechan couldn’t hide the envy in her eyes.

The corners of Xie Qingwu’s mouth lifted slightly. Gossiping about bedroom affairs was the fastest way for women to grow closer.

Of course, she couldn’t just jump right into it, which was why she had reminisced about the past to close the distance with Jiang Yuechan first.

And what she was doing now was making their relationship heat up quickly.

She sighed and said, "Tell me about it. And he’s so creative, too. Let me tell you..."

Jiang Yuechan listened, feeling a mix of novelty and excitement. Her face flushed, her heart raced, and she subconsciously pressed her long legs together.

A long drought calls for a deluge, and she yearned for someone to command the floods.

"What about you? Your late husband was a soldier; he must have been quite something too, right?" Xie Qingwu guided Jiang Yuechan, encouraging her to let down her guard and talk about her own bedroom experiences.

Jiang Yuechan said coyly, "He was alright... not as good as Lord Pingyang, and certainly not as creative..."

Over the next few days, thanks to Xie Qingwu’s deliberate efforts, she and Jiang Yuechan became inseparable bosom buddies who could talk about anything.

In the blink of an eye, four days passed.

They finally arrived at Celestial Capital City, the capital of the Great Zhou Kingdom.