After the divorce, I was adorned in a phoenix robe, while my ex-husband's entire family dug up

After Xue Jin and Pei Ran's wedding came to an end, the red silk of the Regent's Palace hung for a whole month.

Xue Jin married into the royal family and lived with Pei Ran in the west courtyard after their marriage.

It was only a hundred steps away from Wei Zhaoning and Pei Yi's main courtyard, separated by a moon gate covered with ivy. It neither disturbed the tranquility of the main courtyard nor prevented them from looking after each other, so they lived in harmony.

That morning, just as dawn broke, Wei Zhaoning woke up.

Pei Yi beside him was still fast asleep, his breathing even and long. His brows, which were usually furrowed with worry about court affairs, were relaxed, and he had shed the majesty of a regent, leaving only a touch of the languor of an ordinary man.

Afraid of waking him, she tried to get out of bed quietly, but her wrist was grabbed by warm fingers.

"Lie down a little longer." Pei Yi's voice was hoarse from just waking up, and his fingertips caressed her side, causing a ticklish sensation.

"Today is a day off, you don't need to attend the morning court, stay with me and rest."

Wei Zhaoning was startled and stammered, "Last night... I was already very tired last night."

She was exhausted last night and didn't know how Pei Yi could have so much stamina. If he came again this morning, she wouldn't be able to get out of bed for a month.

"I'm letting you off the hook this morning. Lie down with me for a bit."

Wei Zhaoning breathed a sigh of relief and lay back down on the pillow as instructed, her back pressed against his chest, where she could clearly feel his steady heartbeat.

In the first two years after their marriage, Pei Yi was always busy with court affairs and would often go to the Qin Zheng Hall before dawn. Sometimes when she woke up, the bedside was already empty and cold. Such quiet moments of lying down and chatting were few and far between.

Now that the disaster in Jiangnan has subsided and the borders are undisturbed, Xue Jin has taken up a post in the Ministry of Revenue and is managing the canal transport in an orderly manner. Pei Ran has also given up her former arrogance and is now living a peaceful life in the mansion. Pei Yi's burden has been greatly reduced, and he can finally steal some time to accompany her.

"You said you liked the jujube paste cake the kitchen made yesterday, so I asked Dongxu to steam some more this morning," Wei Zhaoning said softly, her fingertips brushing against the stray hairs on his forehead. "And the pre-rain Longjing tea that you love to drink, it was freshly roasted yesterday, and it's perfect for brewing now that it's cooled down."

Pei Yi opened his eyes, his gaze falling on her face, his eyes filled with unyielding tenderness: "You seem to care more about my preferences than I do myself."

He reached out and pulled her closer to his waist, his touch just right, enough to make her feel secure.

Wei Zhaoning's cheeks flushed slightly. She turned her head away from his gaze, but couldn't help but smile.

The two lay there, chatting idly.

Wei Zhaoning recounted that yesterday she went to the west courtyard and saw Pei Ran learning to make pastries from an old woman, smearing flour all over her face. Xue Jin was wiping her face for her, and the two of them were making a ruckus.

Pei Yi then spoke of the canal transport regulations that Xue Jin had submitted yesterday. They were well-organized and insightful, proving that he had indeed made the right choice in Xue Jin.

They talked about everyday matters unrelated to politics, but it was more comforting than the grand discussions in the court. It wasn't until Dongxu gently knocked on the door outside the courtyard to say that breakfast was ready that the two of them slowly got up.

Breakfast was served in the main hall of the courtyard, including jujube paste cake, crystal buns, and a bowl of warm chicken porridge, all of which Pei Yi loved to eat.

Wei Zhaoning served him some porridge and then placed a piece of jujube cake on his plate: "Eat slowly, no one will take it from you."

Pei Yi took a bite of the cake; it was sweet but not cloying, with a rich jujube aroma. He nodded and said, "It tastes better than what the imperial kitchen makes."

"The chefs in the imperial kitchen are skilled, but they don't know your taste preferences," Wei Zhaoning said with a slight smile as she sipped her porridge.

"I've been with Dongxu for many years and I know you don't like things too sweet, so I reduced the sugar in the cake and added some almond powder to enhance the flavor."

Pei Yi looked up at the gentleness in her eyes, then suddenly put down his chopsticks and reached out to take her hand: "Ningning, I'm sorry you had to go through this."

Wei Zhaoning was taken aback: "What are you feeling wronged about?"

"Over the years, you've followed me and haven't enjoyed much leisure. Instead, you've had to worry about the inner quarters and the gossip in the court." Pei Yi's voice carried a hint of guilt. "They always say that the Regent's Consort should be like this or that, but no one asks if you're willing."

"I have never felt wronged." Wei Zhaoning gripped his hand tightly in return, her eyes resolute.

"Marrying you was my own choice. It's my duty to manage the household affairs. As for the rumors, why should we care as long as we're of one mind? Besides, you protect the country, and I'll protect our home. Isn't that good enough?"

Looking into her clear eyes, Pei Yi felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He lowered his head and placed a light kiss on the back of her hand: "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."

After breakfast, Pei Yi went to the study to handle some miscellaneous official documents, while Wei Zhaoning went to the backyard to tend to the flower garden.

She planted many flowers in her yard: peonies, herbaceous peonies, jasmine, and some inconspicuous wildflowers, all of which she planted herself.

When Pei Yi was busy, she would tend to these flowers, watering, fertilizing, and pruning them, living a peaceful and carefree life.

Around noon, after Pei Yi finished dealing with the official documents, he went to the backyard.

From afar, one could see Wei Zhaoning squatting by the flowerbed, watering the jasmine. Sunlight fell on her, casting a soft halo around her, and even the stray hairs at her temples shimmered with gold.

He walked over quietly, without making a sound, and stood behind her watching.

After Wei Zhaoning finished watering the plants, she stood up and turned around, only to meet his gaze. She paused, startled, and asked, "Why did you come over? Did you finish processing the official documents?"

"Well, I had nothing to do, so I came to see you." Pei Yi reached out and brushed the petals off her shoulder. His fingertips accidentally touched her shoulder, and the warm touch made him feel at ease.

"Look at you, you're covered in flower petals."

Wei Zhaoning looked down and smiled, "How can you plant flowers without getting flower dust on them?"

She pulled him to sit on the stone bench by the flowerbed. "Look, this jasmine is in full bloom, and the fragrance is so strong."

Pei Yi leaned closer to smell it, the refreshing fragrance lingering at the tip of his nose. He nodded and said, "It smells quite nice. In a few days, I'll have the servants cut some branches and put them in the study. It will make reading more pleasant."

"Okay." Wei Zhaoning agreed with a smile, and then brought up other things, "Yesterday, Aran came to see me and said that Xue Jin wanted to teach her to read military books, but she found it boring and wanted me to persuade Xue Jin to teach her something more interesting."

Pei Yi chuckled, "This girl is still the same. But Xue Jin is patient and can keep her in check. Let them do what they want."

"That's what I said too," Wei Zhaoning said. "Xue Jin is a man of principle, and Aran has become much more restrained since following him, which is a good thing."

The two sat on a stone bench, chatting about trivial matters in the mansion, the flowers and plants outside the window, and interesting stories from the past.

These days, peaceful and happy, brought Wei Zhaoning peace of mind.

After lunch, Wei Zhaoning felt a little sleepy, so she leaned against the couch for a short rest.

Pei Yi sat on a chair to the side, flipping through a book, but he didn't really get into it; his gaze kept falling on her.

She was sleeping soundly, her brows slightly furrowed, perhaps having a dream. He got up and went over, gently smoothing her brows, his fingertips tracing her cheek, the soft touch softening his heart.