Young widow in her boudoir

Xie Rutang's eyes were red-rimmed, and her lips were moist from biting them.

Does she not even have the right to remarry?

Is he only satisfied if he spends his whole life guarding his deceased husband's memorial tablet in the mansion?

Why can't we just let her go?

He saw tears welling up in her eyes, brought to her sobs.

Pei Zhiheng's fingertips paused slightly, and his emotions abruptly ceased.

He looked closely at her face. Although she wasn't wearing any makeup, her skin was still smooth and delicate, and she was breathing softly.

Xie Rutang felt like a piece of tofu that had fallen to the ground.

People had stepped on it, and Pei Zhiheng's finger had barely touched it before it was completely ruined.

Xie Rutang's slender fingers froze.

Perhaps this is a good opportunity to ask him for help.

She knew in her heart that Pei Zhiheng was only after her beauty.

Xie Rutang's eyes reddened as she looked at him, deliberately softening her posture. "Second Master, my brother had only a few words with the Prefect's son, Young Master Wu, a month ago. I never expected that the man would act so arrogantly and domineeringly because of his family background. He even turned around and falsely accused my brother of injuring someone first. Now he has been imprisoned."

"That young master Wu secretly made things difficult for us at every turn, refusing to budge on letting us go no matter what."

Her fingers twisted tightly around her clothes, her eyes filled with a desperate and broken sorrow. "I have run around trying to find a solution, and I have no choice but to come here to beg for your help. Second Master, you are in charge of all criminal cases in the Court of Judicial Review. Any entanglement that other officials cannot handle can be resolved with just a word from you..."

"I wonder if Second Master would be willing to show some compassion and help my brother get out of prison."

Pei Zhiheng lowered his gaze and swept it over the tears in her eyes, his expression unmoved. "No."

His lips were devoid of any warmth. "Madam, you seem to have overestimated my power. The Court of Judicial Review oversees all criminal cases in the realm, and it is most forbidden to show favoritism or personal feelings."

"Besides, your brother got into a dispute with someone first. Whether or not he resorted to violence is for the officials to verify. Right and wrong should be judged by the law, not by personal connections. I cannot handle this matter."

Xie Rutang originally only harbored a sliver of hope.

But she hadn't expected Pei Zhiheng to be so indifferent and ruthless, which still deeply hurt her.

However, he wouldn't even give a word of thanks, no matter what.

Her eyes suddenly lost their light, and she froze on the spot, feeling embarrassed and helpless, wishing she could disappear into a hole.

Her heart turned completely cold.

Pei Zhiheng narrowed his phoenix eyes, revealing a strong sense of danger. "Stay away from that poor scholar from now on."

Otherwise, who knows what he might do.

He finally released her delicate chin with two fingers. Xie Rutang floated to the surface like a drowning person, finally able to breathe deeply, but deep red finger marks were still left on her snow-white skin, a shocking sight.

Pei Zhiheng's dark-colored official boots with cloud patterns stepped across the dirty, damp water in the alley.

Xie Rutang clutched her clothes, a surge of humiliation and bitterness welling up inside her.

Not long after the man left.

Xie Rutang then tidied his clothes and walked slowly out of the alley with a blank face.

Amidst the bustling crowds on the street, Jin Yue finally found her after searching everywhere. She rushed forward anxiously, "Where did Madam go just now? I searched the entire street and alley but couldn't find her. I thought Madam was lost and almost went to the yamen to report her to the authorities."

Xie Rutang gently shook her head, the red mark on her chin faintly hidden by her falling hair. "It's nothing."

She didn't want to dwell on the embarrassment from earlier, and simply ordered, "Go buy two more pieces of tofu, then we'll head back home."

She didn't want to mention what had just happened.

……

The moonlight was hazy, and two faint, deep sounds of clappers could be heard in the distance.

After finishing his official duties at the Dali Temple, Pei Zhiheng returned to his residence.

The carriage curtains were drawn, shutting out the noise from the street.

Pei Zhiheng leaned against the carriage alone, slowly raising the fingers that had just gripped her chin, gently stroking them with his fingertips again and again.

Xie Rutang hadn't done anything, yet these past few days he'd been haunted by her like a young boy.

In the afternoon, he coldly refused her, putting on an aloof and unapproachable demeanor. However, once they were alone and quiet, she still disturbed his peace of mind.

He leaned his head slightly against the carriage wall, closed his eyes, and seemed to think of something, his throat tightening inexplicably.

He had just returned to the Shen residence and gotten off the carriage when Shen Xiaoxiao, who was waiting for him at the gate, came to greet him.

"Brother Yuanzhi!"

But as soon as she got close to Pei Zhiheng, she froze.

A gentle evening breeze carried a faint, alluring fragrance emanating from the man's clothes.

Can't go wrong.

Why does Pei Zhiheng smell like a woman?

Shen Xiaoxiao was absolutely certain that the fragrance was not coming from the sachet she was wearing.

She also knew that Pei Zhiheng had no concubines in his room.

Shen Xiaoxiao bit her lip, her heart burning with jealousy, and her body felt cold.

Who exactly is the woman he met today?

Pei Zhiheng did not notice her unusual behavior and turned back to Su Xue Residence.

The news of the Second Master's return to the mansion spread throughout the Shen residence.

During his stay at the Shen residence, the Shen family arranged for all the maids who had served Pei Zhiheng to be beautiful. They were not only literate but also considerate and sensible. There were also two servants, one to guard the courtyard and the other to grind ink and deliver messages.

Zhu Lan hurriedly went back inside to apply rouge in front of the bronze mirror before going out to greet him. Sure enough, she saw a man striding in from outside, his dark robe bound by a cold jade belt, his handsome face solemn and composed.

Her eyes lit up with joy. "Second Master, you're back!"

The room was kept cool with ice basins and fruits, even in summer.

Zhu Lan handed him a bowl of tea, which had been brewed for him beforehand. It was Pu'er tea, which he was used to drinking. "This is 'Jin Yu Tian' tea, a tribute from the second branch of the Shen family to Second Master. They said it was a tribute item that the mansion had just obtained and was specially sent over."

Pei Zhiheng held the rim of the bowl with his fingertips, took only two small sips of tea, and then casually put it back in its place.

He remembered that Ye Wanyu was now in charge of the Shen family mansion, and she was ruthless and tough, often targeting her sister-in-law Xie Rutang.

Xie Rutang has a gentle personality and dislikes arguing with others. She usually tolerates her sisters-in-law as much as possible.

She didn't like going out much either. After Shen Yuan's death, she often locked herself in her room to write and paint in order to ease her longing for her husband.

Now that Ye Wanyu is the sole head of the household, Xie Rutang's situation has become even more difficult.

Zhu Lan didn't like Madam Shen very much; she almost missed the task that the Second Master had given her that day.

Ye Wanyu, who was in charge of the household, had a lot of contact with Pei Zhiheng's head maid on a daily basis. The second branch of the family also frequently flattered her, hoping to use this opportunity to curry favor with Pei Zhiheng.

On the contrary, Xie Rutang, the widow of the Shen family, had a gentle and quiet demeanor when she saw Ye Wanyu, so Zhu Lan naturally felt closer to her.

After Zhu Lan finished serving the tea.

I thought the man leaning back in the rosewood chair would change his attitude toward Shen Wenyi.

Pei Zhiheng sat idly drinking tea, his elbow lightly resting on the edge of the table. "Just give me a cake of ordinary rice flower tea in return."

Zhu Lan was slightly taken aback. "Yes."

Looking at the handsome and dignified man in front of her, Zhu Lan blushed and quickly looked away, no longer daring to look directly at her master's face.

Madam Pei has been looking worried lately. Ever since Pei Zhiheng was promoted to Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, he gets up and goes out before dawn, sometimes so busy that he doesn't even have time to drink a sip of water.

Madam Pei was considering arranging a concubine for him, fearing that he would be too busy with state affairs to have any desire for women.

After bathing and changing, when Zhu Lan handed him the belt, she couldn't help but blush when she saw his cold and noble face.

The old lady hadn't been feeling well these past few days, and coughed for half the night last night, so he sent someone to deliver a letter to the palace overnight, requesting that the imperial physician come to the residence.

As we walked to Shou'an Hall, the lanterns under the eaves were already lit, their silk gauze casting a thin glow.

The imperial physician was already waiting nearby. Upon seeing Pei Zhiheng, he stood up, bowed, and then took the old lady's pulse.

It takes time for the imperial physicians to take your pulse and conduct a face-to-face consultation.

Pei Zhiheng sat on a chair by the window, exuding an air of authority without anger, his thin lips extremely pale.

He closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. He had been busy with many trivial matters today, but the fragrance in the room actually swept away his fatigue. His brow relaxed, and he felt relaxed, comfortable, and somewhat familiar.

So he casually asked, "What does it smell like in the old lady's room?"

Upon seeing this, Granny Rong smiled and said, "It's a mosquito-repelling sachet made by the young mistress. It has a calming and sleep-inducing effect, and it contains orchids, lavender, sandalwood, and mugwort..."

It smells good.

Lanxiang smells a lot like her.