Sold immediately after wearing it? I took my family and fled the famine.

Pei Xiancheng walked ahead, still in his official robes, clearly having returned directly from court. Pei Jingshi followed half a step behind him, also in official attire, his expression slightly somber than usual, as if he had encountered some setbacks in his official duties.

The two entered the courtyard. Pei Xiancheng saw Madam Pei first, a smile spreading across his face. He quickened his pace and asked, "How are you feeling today?"

Madam Pei nodded: "Everything's fine." She gestured with her chin toward Pei Jingshi: "Jingshi's back too, perfect timing, we have guests at home."

Pei Jingshi entered the courtyard, his gaze first falling on Madam Pei, and then naturally sweeping over the few people sitting in the courtyard.

He paused slightly when he saw Jiang Xing.

When he saw Chu Zhihe, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Chu Zhihe had already stood up. The sarcastic and mocking demeanor she had shown in front of Madam Pei and Jiang Xing was long gone. She put on a gentle and polite smile and took two steps toward Pei Jingshi: "Brother Jingshi is back."

Pei Jingshi hummed in agreement, but his gaze passed over her and went to Jiang Xing.

Jiang Xing also stood up, nodded slightly to him as a greeting, his expression was normal, and there was nothing unusual about it.

Pei Jingshi walked to the stone table. Pei Xiancheng was already sitting down next to Madam Pei, asking her in a low voice what she had eaten and whether she had slept well. Pei Jingshi then stood by the table, his gaze sweeping over the three people's faces.

He was such a perceptive person that he could tell at a glance what had just happened at the table. Madam Pei's lips were pursed, clearly showing her displeasure; Chu Zhihe had a smile on her face, but it faded too quickly, and there was still a layer of annoyance that she hadn't had time to wipe away in her eyes; while Jiang Xing sat there with his back straight, his expression indifferent and aloof.

"What were you talking about just now?" Pei Jingshi asked casually, as if it were just a casual question.

Chu Zhihe spoke first: "It's nothing, I just chatted with Miss Jiang about her farming. Miss Jiang is very knowledgeable, and I learned a lot from her." As she spoke, she smiled at Jiang Xing, a smile that contained a hint of provocation that only the person involved could see.

Pei Jingshi glanced at her but didn't respond to her words. Instead, he turned to Jiang Xing and said, "Miss Jiang, it's rare for you to come all this way. Why are you talking about these things? There's a calf waiting for you in the front yard. He's been looking around the door several times. He must be getting impatient."

His familiarity with her words sounded too ordinary, as if he had said it many times before, while what she had just said sounded like something unrelated. Such bias sounded particularly grating to Chu Zhihe's ears.

Chu Zhihe's face paled.

Pei Jingshi, however, seemed not to notice and added, "Xiao Niu is now a student of the Imperial Academy, and the teachers at the Prefectural Academy speak highly of him. Miss Jiang has taught him very well."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Jiang Xing's face, carrying a calm and gentle expression.

Standing to the side, Chu Zhihe watched Pei Jingshi's gaze as he looked at Jiang Xing, and a surge of anger welled up inside her. She clenched her handkerchief tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms.

She recognized that look all too well—back in the capital, Pei Jingshi always looked at everyone with indifference, polite yet distant. She assumed he was like that with everyone. But now, in the way he looked at Jiang Xing, there was a softness in his eyes that even he himself hadn't noticed.

Chu Zhihe took a deep breath.

She wanted to throw down her handkerchief and turn to leave. Who was she? She was the second young lady of the Chu Marquis's mansion, Pei Jingshi's betrothed. Why should she be subjected to the rudeness of a country girl and be publicly ignored by her fiancé?

But she held back in the end.

She was raised by the Chu family and knew all too well when to make a scene and when not to. If she made a scene today, and the entire Pei family knew she couldn't tolerate anyone, it would only make her seem petty. Pei Jingshi was already unwilling to marry her, and if she were to gain a reputation for being "jealous," the marriage would be even more uncertain.

She slowly loosened her grip on the handkerchief, forced a smile, and said gently, "Brother Jingshi is right. I chatted with Miss Jiang for half a day just now, and I also feel that she has it tough. A woman who has to farm, raise her younger brother, and run a business—if it were me, I'm afraid I would have given up long ago."

Pei Jingshi didn't reply; he just glanced at Chu Zhihe.

Chu Zhihe felt a chill run down her spine from that glance, and almost lost her smile.

Pei Xiancheng finally finished his questioning with Madam Pei and turned around to say, "Why are you all standing? Sit down. It's rare for Xing'er to come all this way, so let's have dinner at the mansion today."

Madam Pei echoed, "Yes, I'll tell the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes. Xing'er, you mustn't refuse today. Take Xiao Niu and eat before you leave."

Jiang Xing glanced at Pei Jingshi, then at Madam Pei, and finally nodded without refusing, saying, "Then I'll trouble you."

When Pei Jingshi heard her reply, the corners of his mouth curved almost imperceptibly. He turned and walked towards the front yard, as if he were going to check on the calf.

Chu Zhihe stood there, watching his back, then looked at Jiang Xing, and the last bit of smile in her eyes completely disappeared.

She slowly sat back down on the stone bench, picked up the now-cold tea, and sipped it slowly, as if trying to suppress something with its bitterness.

Madam Pei's voice came from the side, neither warm nor cold: "Zhihe, if the tea gets cold, just replace it with another cup."

"No need." Chu Zhihe put down her teacup, looked up, and her face had regained its polite smile: "This tea is fine, no need to change it."

Dinner was served on a round table in the front hall.

Pei Xiancheng sat at the head of the table, with Madam Pei to his right and Pei Jingshi to his left. Jiang Xing and Xiao Niu sat to the left of Madam Pei, while Chu Zhihe sat down next to Pei Jingshi.

One dish after another was served: squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, honey-glazed ham, osmanthus-flavored lotus root, crab roe tofu... The table was piled high with bright colors and enticing aromas.

Each dish was exquisitely presented, even the plates were specially brought celadon dishes with intertwined floral patterns, showing that great care had been taken.

Madam Pei glanced at the dishes, her brows twitching slightly. She turned to her maid standing by the door and whispered something to her. The maid shook her head, and Madam Pei said nothing more, only turning her gaze back to the table full of sweet and greasy dishes, her lips pursed.

Chu Zhihe spoke first, smiling gently and gracefully: "Auntie, I took the liberty of having the cook prepare a few dishes from the capital. I thought that since Miss Jiang is a distinguished guest today, she should also try some of the flavors of the capital."

She paused, then added, "This cook of mine has been with me for several years. She makes the most authentic Beijing cuisine. Restaurants outside always fall short of her skills. I was afraid of neglecting everyone, so I specially asked her to come."

Madam Pei glanced at Chu Zhihe indifferently and said, "Second Miss Chu, you're so kind. We're all here today thanks to you for letting us try these new dishes. Xing'er, come and have a taste. Don't let Second Miss Chu's good intentions go to waste."

Pei Xiancheng followed his wife's lead, picked up his chopsticks, and invited everyone to eat, saying, "Don't be shy, eat while it's hot. Miss Chu, you've come all this way, so don't be shy."

After picking up her chopsticks, Chu Zhihe paid extra attention to Jiang Xing.