Chapter 134: First Meeting the Sister-in-law, About the Same as Pei Shaoqing

Chapter 134: Chapter 134: First Meeting the Sister-in-law, About the Same as Pei Shaoqing

"My Lord, Celestial Capital City is just ahead."

Shen Zhen’s voice came from outside the carriage.

Pei Shaoqing lifted the curtain and looked out. The sheer, imposing grandeur that rushed toward him made his heart skip a beat.

The city walls, built of green stone, were at least a hundred feet high by his estimation. They stretched out of sight to either side, like a colossal ancient beast lying in wait. Mottled moss and arrow scars crisscrossed its surface, and one could vaguely make out armored soldiers standing guard and banners fluttering in the wind.

Above the open city gate, a plaque of black iron hung high, bearing the two words "Yong’an Gate." Below the archway, a lively stream of people and carriages flowed in and out.

The wide moat glittered under the sunlight, its surface busy with boats. The robust chants of boatmen mingled with the cries of vendors, a powerful chorus of sounds vying for his attention.

In his past life, Pei Shaoqing had seen skyscrapers hundreds of meters tall, far higher than the walls before him. But the impact of the two was completely different. The magnificent city walls, at least, struck him with a much stronger sense of awe.

"We’ll dismount and enter the city on foot." He took a deep breath to suppress his shock, then let the curtain fall.

Xie Qingwu lifted her window curtain just as Jiang Yuechan lifted hers. Their eyes met, both reluctant to part.

"Take care, Sister Yuechan," Xie Qingwu said.

Jiang Yuechan pressed her lips together. "You too, Sister Xie."

After saying their goodbyes, they both lowered their curtains.

"Greetings, Baron Pingyang!" The soldiers at the city gate saw the banner of Pingyang and dropped to one knee in salute.

Pei Shaoqing lifted the curtain and tossed a bag of broken silver to the lead officer. "I’ve caused you all no small amount of trouble in the past," he said gently. "Take this and split it among the men. Consider it a drink on me, by way of apology."

Some people now believed he was a prodigal son returned, while others thought he had been hiding his true abilities all along. Whatever the case, everyone agreed he was a completely different man from his former self.

Naturally, he had to act the part.

Besides, while these low-ranking officers guarding the city gates held little power, their position was crucial. A small act of goodwill could prove useful someday.

"Thank you for the reward, Baron Pingyang!" the young lead officer shouted, catching the pouch in a fluster, both shocked and delighted.

Because of the psychological scars from his past encounters with Pei Shaoqing, Chen Feng had been on edge when he first spotted the carriage from a distance. But he never expected the rumors to be true—the man had actually changed!

They were getting silver, and from the currently renowned Baron Pingyang, no less. The several soldiers under Chen Feng’s command shouted in unison, "Thank you for the reward, Baron Pingyang!"

Pei Shaoqing smiled faintly and lowered the curtain.

The convoy slowly moved forward once more.

"Pei Shaoqing is back! Quick, hide your daughters and young wives! Don’t let them go outside!"

"What nonsense are you spouting! Haven’t you heard? Baron Pingyang was just immature before. He’s a changed man now. He wouldn’t do those wicked things anymore!"

"Exactly! Baron Pingyang used to gallop his horse through the city. Look now, his men are leading their horses on foot. It’s completely different from before!"

"As the old saying goes, a prodigal’s return is more precious than gold. To be granted a title for his merits at such a young age... He is truly a model for our generation."

Pei Shaoqing was a celebrity in the Capital City.

He was then, and he is now.

So, many people gathered on both sides of the street to watch his convoy, pointing and murmuring amongst themselves.

From behind the curtain, Xie Qingwu gave directions.

The convoy soon arrived at the entrance of the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion.

At the entrance to the Marquis’s Mansion, several tall Guards stood with halberds, demonstrating the prestige of the Marquis Weiyuan.

Pei Shaoqing emerged from the carriage and straightened his collar.

"Greetings, Second Young Master!"

The Guards at the gate all knelt in unison.

"You may rise," Pei Shaoqing said casually.

"Welcome back to the mansion, Second Young Master, Second Madam!" a servant exclaimed, scurrying forward with a bowed back to greet them.

Another servant rushed into the mansion, shouting, "Madam! The Second Young Master is back!"

Pei Shaoqing had just stepped into the front courtyard when he saw a gentle and elegant young woman hurrying toward him with a smile.

"That’s our sister-in-law," Xie Qingwu whispered.

Pei Shaoqing gave a subtle, almost imperceptible nod.

This was the first time he had seen Nalan Yujin.

She was in her twenties with skin as fair as jade. Still in her nursing period, her figure was exceptionally voluptuous. Even her heavy, ornate court robes couldn’t hide her full, ample chest, which swayed precariously as she walked.

"Shaoqing, you’ve returned today, but you didn’t send a messenger ahead. I could have prepared a proper welcome instead of having the household be so unprepared," Nalan Yujin said from a distance, her eyes smiling as she feigned displeasure.

Pei Shaoqing responded coolly, "As someone who was exiled for my mistakes, how could I dare trouble Sister-in-law to welcome me?"

According to the plan he and Xie Qingwu had agreed upon, as long as he maintained a distance from the people of the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion, no one would notice anything unusual about him.

Now that he had his own title, he could establish his own household. That was why on this trip back, he planned to acquire a residence so he could move out of the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion on future visits to the capital.

A few days prior, Nalan Yujin had received a letter from her husband. In it, he relayed her father-in-law’s speculation: that her younger brother-in-law’s actions were all orchestrated by Xie Qingwu. In reality, he was still the same scoundrel, merely putting on an act.

Therefore, she was not at all surprised by his current attitude.

Besides, if Pei Shaoqing hadn’t been hiding his talents or deliberately soiling his own name in the past, it meant he had genuinely tried to assault her back then. For that reason, Nalan Yujin held no fondness for him.

She was only acting this way to give face to Xie Qingwu.

"Shaoqing, are you still angry about Father-in-law sending you to Tongzhou? He only did it for your own good," Nalan Yujin said perfunctorily in a gentle tone. She then enthusiastically stepped forward and took Xie Qingwu’s hand. "Does Tongzhou agree with you so well? Qingwu, you’re becoming more and more beautiful."

A flash of suspicion crossed Pei Shaoqing’s eyes. Nalan Yujin’s attitude toward him and his wife was not what he had expected.

"You jest, Sister-in-law. How could a poor, remote place like Tongzhou compare to the Capital City?" Although Xie Qingwu was also puzzled by Nalan Yujin’s behavior, she remembered their plan to distance themselves from the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion. Following her husband’s lead, she replied with a frosty, sarcastic tone, "My husband and I have just returned and are a bit tired. We’d like to go to our room to bathe and change first."

Seeing this, Nalan Yujin was taken aback for a moment.

She felt a pang of confusion and doubt.

’Didn’t Father-in-law say that Xie Qingwu was the one masterminding everything for my brother-in-law? That she was even the one who orchestrated the move to Tongzhou? A woman that clever should have gladly accepted my friendly overture.’

’But her attitude... why does she seem just as resentful as Pei Shaoqing about being exiled to Tongzhou?’

’She’s even less respectful and polite than she used to be.’

With no time to dwell on it, Nalan Yujin said with a beaming smile, "Very well. Shaoqing, you two go back to your room to bathe and rest. I will see to your Guards and servants."

"Just have Aunt Liu, Sister Shuang, and Lan’Er stay. Wang Peng and Shen Zhen, after you’ve finished moving the luggage, take the men and find an inn. Put it on my account," Pei Shaoqing said emotionlessly, then turned and walked away.

Too many people meant too many mouths. Although he had warned them, keeping so many of his retinue at the Marquis’s Mansion would make it easy for others to fish for information.

Wang Peng and Shen Zhen replied, "Yes, My Lord!"

"We’ll have to trouble you then, Sister-in-law," Xie Qingwu said tepidly before hurrying to catch up with her husband.

General Li followed closely behind them, chest puffed out proudly.

Nalan Yujin’s gaze was captivated by the exceptionally large cat. It took her a moment to come to her senses and order the steward, "Settle the people the Second Young Master brought."

"Yes, Madam," the steward replied respectfully.

Liu Yuheng and Zhao Zilan exchanged a look. ’Are the master and madam on bad terms with their sister-in-law?’ They secretly resolved to keep their mouths shut and not speak carelessly during their stay at the Marquis’s Mansion.

The moment they entered their room and closed the door, Xie Qingwu frowned. "What was that all about? I can understand her attitude toward me, but she was far more enthusiastic toward you than ever before, Husband. That’s not normal."

Given Nalan Yujin’s character and status, she wasn’t a snob. It was impossible that she would let go of past grievances simply because Pei Shaoqing had received favor and a title.

There had to be another reason for her change in attitude.

"Exactly. I did try to assault her in the past, after all!" Pei Shaoqing was completely baffled. Deciding not to dwell on what he couldn’t figure out, he said, "It doesn’t matter. Once I see His Majesty, I’ll request Pingyang Manor. Then we’ll have our own place the next time we’re in the capital, and we can limit our dealings with the Pei Family."

...

Meanwhile, Jiang Yuechan had arrived at the Pingxi Marquis’s Mansion.

Because the man he had sent to wait at the city gate had returned with a report, Jiang Xiaoyun timed his arrival perfectly, coming out to greet her. Seeing the carriage stop, a smile touched his lips. He personally stepped forward, lifted the curtain, and extended a hand. "Fourth Sister, it’s been a long time."

"Second Brother!" Jiang Yuechan’s face lit up with joy. She placed her hand in Jiang Xiaoyun’s and let him help her down from the carriage.

Gone was the composed demeanor she maintained in front of Pei Shaoqing.

In its place was the playful air of a young girl.

"Slow down, don’t fall," Jiang Xiaoyun said with a hint of resignation. "You’re a grown woman now, yet you’re still as reckless as a little girl. When you meet Tang Zhi, the man Second Sister has introduced to you, you can’t be so ill-mannered."

"Second Brother, what kind of person is this Tang Zhi?" Jiang Yuechan asked, her curiosity piqued.

Jiang Xiaoyun’s expression stiffened. He answered vaguely, "He is the younger brother of Noble Consort Tang. His father is Tang Fei, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. He’s the eldest son, and his wife passed away from illness some years ago. In that sense, he’s a suitable match for you, Fourth Sister."

"I was asking about him as a person," Jiang Yuechan said, frowning at her brother’s evasiveness.

Jiang Xiaoyun forced himself to continue, "He’s quite learned, having passed the provincial examinations this year, and his looks are decent enough. He’s just... a bit arrogant and unrestrained. But rest assured, Fourth Sister, once you are married, he will certainly treat you with due courtesy."

"How does he compare to Pei Shaoqing?" Jiang Yuechan blurted out, wanting a more direct comparison.

"Well..." Jiang Xiaoyun hesitated for a moment before averting his gaze and replying, "About the same, I suppose?"

’About the same as the old Pei Shaoqing,’ he thought.

’Except with more scholarly talent.’

This was a marriage alliance between families; Jiang Yuechan had no right to refuse. Although Jiang Xiaoyun felt sorry for her, there was nothing he could do. Fearing she would press the matter further, he changed the subject. "Fourth Sister, why did you suddenly bring up Pei Shaoqing?"

"He saved my life..." Jiang Yuechan knew that even if she didn’t say anything, her Guards would report it to Jiang Xiaoyun, so she told him the truth about the encounter with the bandits.

"Such audacious fiends!" Jiang Xiaoyun cursed, his expression dark. He said icily, "If not for Pei Shaoqing’s prior promise, I would have them flayed and deboned!"

Pei Shaoqing had made the promise not to hold Shi Potian responsible in order to save Jiang Yuechan. Therefore, no matter how furious Jiang Xiaoyun was, he couldn’t go back on that word.

"The Jiang Family owes Pei Shaoqing a favor," Jiang Xiaoyun said, taking a deep breath. His gaze grew complicated as he continued, "Tomorrow, I will host a banquet for him to express our gratitude, lest people say that we of the Pingxi Marquis’s Mansion have no manners."

"I’ll go too. I haven’t formally thanked him for saving my life yet," Jiang Yuechan said quickly.

Jiang Xiaoyun nodded. "Alright. I’ll write an invitation shortly and have someone deliver it to the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion."