Young widow in her boudoir

Despite the burns, Xie Rutang lowered her eyes and didn't explain. "Mother-in-law, please calm down. It was my oversight that I didn't test the temperature properly. I'll go and cook it again right away."

"Re-fry it? Can my old bones withstand this kind of torture?"

The old lady gripped the armrest of the soft couch, gave a cold laugh, and glared at her with a cruel look. "I think you're resentful about your widowhood and find this old woman an eyesore, so you're trying to take revenge on me."

Rong, the old lady's maid, tried to step forward to persuade her, but was shooed away by the old lady's glare.

Xie Rutang knelt down, still speaking gently and calmly, "Your daughter-in-law has never been disrespectful to her mother-in-law. When my late husband was alive, I always remembered to serve my elders. Now I dare not be negligent in the slightest."

She was filled with bitterness, and she knew all too well that the old lady couldn't accept Shen Yuan's death, which was why she took her anger out on her every day.

After venting her anger on her, the old lady said, "What are you still standing there for? Your clothes are all dirty, why don't you go and change them? Do you want people to think that I, this old woman, am mistreating you!"

Pei Zhiheng, standing behind them, witnessed all of this.

Xie Rutang blushed, covering her chest, which was wet and milky white, with her hands. Her cheeks felt hot and sour.

The old lady was tired, and Rong Mama helped her to her bedroom to rest.

A maidservant came over, helped her up, and escorted her back to Cuiwu Courtyard.

……

The following day, Pei Zhiheng received a new reward from His Majesty, including several bolts of top-quality brocade as tribute.

His personal maid, Hongyao, brought over a piece of silk and asked him if he wanted it stored away in the warehouse.

The various silks in the box shimmered with light, but one piece of purple shimmering brocade stood out, its shimmering surface reminding him of Xie Rutang.

Pei Zhiheng frowned for a moment.

Last time he got drunk, he pinned Xie Rutang against the wall and kissed her wildly.

Unfortunately, he had no feelings for Xie Rutang and didn't want to take responsibility.

It would be better to use this priceless brocade as compensation to sever ties with her.

Hongyao, having received his orders, brought the several bolts of precious silk to Shou'an Hall, laid them all out on the table, and allowed the women of the Shen family to choose for themselves.

At that time, everyone in the room was present. Second Madam Ye Wanyu sat upright to one side, Xie Rutang stood quietly to the side, and her sister-in-law Shen Xiaoxiao was chatting with the old lady. All three of them were in the hall.

Shen Xiaoxiao was sixteen years old. She had a round face, with curved eyebrows and bright, dark eyes like grapes that had been soaked in water. She wore a gold and jade necklace around her neck, which the old lady had tied on her by hand when she was one year old.

She was pampered by everyone in the mansion since she was a child. Old Master Shen and Madam Shen doted on her like the apple of their eye, and Shen Yuan spoiled his younger sister in every way, never wanting her to suffer the slightest grievance.

After Hongyao finished bowing to the women of the Shen family, she smiled and said, "These are silks that Second Master Pei specially sent to distribute to the women of the household."

Ye Wanyu touched the jade bracelet on her wrist. "Miss Hongyao, get up quickly."

"Someone, quickly bring Hongyao a cup of tea."

It was rather strange that Ye Wanyu, as the mistress of the house, would treat a mere maid with such courtesy.

But this Hongyao is no ordinary person; she is Pei Zhiheng's head maid, someone whom Old Madam Pei specifically requested to serve him. She has extremely high seniority.

When Hongyao bowed, the jade bracelets on her two wrists jingled.

Even Ye Wanyu thought that Hongyao's jade bracelet was of the finest quality, better than the one she wore. It must have been a casual gift from Pei Zhiheng to his servants. With such a generous master, Hongyao was extremely loyal to the Second Master and was also a capable assistant to Old Madam Pei.

This shows just how wealthy and powerful the Pei family is, that even Ye Wanyu has to treat her with utmost respect.

The moment Shen Xiaoxiao's gaze fell upon the shimmering brocade, she couldn't look away.

The satin surface shimmered with a soft, flowing light, subtly shifting in shades of smoky purple with the changing light.

She had never seen such beautiful silk before!

Shen Xiaoxiao immediately blurted out, "I want this one!"

As soon as she opens her mouth, no one dares to compete with her.

Xie Rutang was stunned when her gaze fell on the shimmering brocade.

Purple……

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she recalled some unpleasant memories: the purple undergarment she wore when she sat on Pei Zhiheng's lap.

She felt that this shimmering brocade was a gift from Pei Zhiheng, representing that night.

But she quickly shook her head.

How could that be?

Next, Ye Wanyu selected a fine piece of Yun brocade, rich and intricate in color.

They took all the best ones.

Whenever there were any rewards to be given in the manor, Xie Rutang, the widow, was always the last to be chosen; she never had any say in the matter.

Finally, Xie Rutang chose the piece of Huanhua silk that they had left over.

Seeing this, Ye Wanyu couldn't help but smile and say, "Sister-in-law, you are currently a widow, so this simple and somber fabric suits you perfectly."

Xie Rutang simply smiled and didn't argue with her.

She knew in her heart that she had no father or brothers to support her, no husband to protect her, and was isolated and helpless in this deep mansion. Even if she was slighted, she could only endure it.

If you were to refute them, you would only earn a reputation for being petty, and there would be even more gossip in the household afterward.

After selecting the silks, Shen Xiaoxiao actually dragged Xie Rutang to Su Xue Ju to find Pei Zhiheng.

Because of the relationship between the Shen and Pei families, Shen Xiaoxiao has been Pei Zhiheng's younger sister since childhood, but she has developed feelings for him.

She was preoccupied with her own thoughts, and her words carried a hint of arrogant arrogance, "Sister-in-law, come with me to find Brother Yuanzhi."

Pei Zhiheng is exceptionally talented, which is why Shen Xiaoxiao sought his appraisal after creating this painting, hoping to gain his approval.

Now that Pei Zhiheng has come to stay at the Shen residence again, Shen Xiaoxiao's ears burned red just thinking about it. How could she sit still under the same roof? She couldn't wait to go to the courtyard to find him.

Xie Rutang frowned; she didn't want to go.

Shen Xiaoxiao grabbed her, insisting on taking her there.

Xie Rutang frowned, looking troubled. "Xiaoxiao, as a widow now, it would be improper for me to go to a male guest's residence so abruptly. If word gets out, it will cause a lot of gossip."

When Shen Xiaoxiao heard this, she felt that Xie Rutang was deliberately spoiling her mood. She said arrogantly, "I was just going to see Brother Yuanzhi on the way to ask him to comment on my painting. What's wrong with that? None of the elders in the family stopped me, but you kept making excuses and deliberately spoiling my mood."

The young lady got angry, her face turning ugly. "If you won't go, then I'll go by myself."

Xie Rutang couldn't persuade her otherwise.

Shen Xiaoxiao was spoiled by the old lady and Shen Yuan since she was a child. Thinking of Shen Yuan, Xie Rutang's eyes welled up with tears again.

Pei Zhiheng lived in Su Xue Ju in the southeast corner, which had its own independent garden and courtyard. He had occasionally stayed there since he was a child.

Upon entering Su Xue Ju, one is greeted by carved beams and painted rafters, exquisite herbs and rare flowers, and bamboo shadows sweeping the steps as the wind blows. The view is filled with bamboo, rocks, and clear water, exuding a sense of magnificence and elegance.

When the two men approached, the maids on the veranda all curtsied, their demeanor calm and respectful.

These were all servants brought by the Pei family. Their manners and conduct were far more proper and refined than those of the servants in the Shen family. The mere presence of these servants was enough to reveal the profound family background and scholarly tradition of the Pei family, which was something the Shen family could not match.

It was completely different from the Cuiwu Courtyard where Xie Rutang lived.

Even though Pei Zhiheng was a guest of the mansion, Xie Rutang felt uneasy as if she were a guest herself.

Previously, she could only catch a glimpse of him from afar at the reunion banquets held by the Shen and Pei families, hiding behind the female relatives.

He has been living in the Shen family mansion for some time now, and only occasionally does he visit the old lady.

When Hongyao saw them, she led them inside.

Upon arriving at the study, Pei Zhiheng was dressed in a bamboo-green robe. He was the youngest and most promising official in the dynasty, and at the tender age of twenty, he had already become famous throughout the capital. His handsome face was also impeccable.

Upon seeing him, Shen Xiaoxiao became shy: "Second Master."

Although Pei Zhiheng was her brother, she didn't just want to be his sister. When she heard the news that he was going to get engaged to the daughter of the Su family, she smashed all the porcelain in the house that night. She just couldn't believe that her brother Yuanzhi was going to marry another woman.

But she didn't dare to question him.

She was afraid of Pei Zhiheng.

Pei Zhiheng is fierce, rigid, and very strict with her.

Shen Xiaoxiao bit her lip in grievance. Brother Yuanzhi was perfect; no one in this world was worthy of him.

Xie Rutang bowed to him as before, then quietly lowered her head and looked down. She appeared gentle and demure, but in reality, she was alluring.

Pei Zhiheng looked at her and addressed her according to their seniority.

"Sister-in-law."

When he was in the manor, he was still the upright and noble Pei Lang in the eyes of others.

Then, Shen Xiaoxiao took out her newly made painting of swallows and fish and asked him to appreciate and give her some pointers.

Pei Zhiheng glanced at it indifferently, his eyebrows twitching almost imperceptibly, and smiled lightly, "Not bad, your brushwork has improved a lot compared to before."

Shen Xiaoxiao blushed instantly.

She clung to him, saying matter-of-factly, "Since you've improved, Brother Yuanzhi should give me a reward."

Pei Zhiheng casually took a jade seal from the bookshelf and gave it to her, and Shen Xiaoxiao was overjoyed.

Because of their friendship, Pei Zhiheng had always spoiled and doted on her since she was a child.

After Xie Rutang and Shen Xiaoxiao left.

The maid then picked up Xie Rutang's lost item. "Second Master, this is the handkerchief that Madam Shen left at Suxue Residence..."

On that blue handkerchief, the name of the widowed sister-in-law Xie Rutang, "Xiu," was embroidered.

The handkerchief is patterned with hibiscus, and it faintly carries the alluring fragrance of a woman.

Pei Zhiheng frowned, a pair of cold, white, jade-like fingers holding the book, his expression calm. "Throw it away."

That day, he ordered his servants to uproot a large patch of hibiscus in the flower garden of Suxue Residence.

The man, who had been solving cases for many years, had eyes sharper than an eagle.

She was sent by the old lady to seduce him.