Young widow in her boudoir

Pei Zhiheng recently made great contributions in quelling a rebellion in Anyang. As a result, imperial favors were sent to Su Xue Residence one after another, filling the room with all kinds of precious trinkets, silks, gold and silver artifacts.

Following her master's instructions, Zhu Lan carefully checked and counted all the lists of rewards and gifts, then sorted them out according to their respective amounts, preparing to distribute them to each household and courtyard of the Shen family. This was a way to use the emperor's favor to benefit the entire Shen family and save face.

But when it came time to assign Xie Rutang's share from Cuiwu Courtyard, Zhu Lan hesitated.

Earlier, Xie Rutang had unintentionally bumped into her, which had already made her extremely unhappy.

Moreover, this morning she had chatted with the second wife, Ye Wanyu, who added fuel to the fire, exaggerating Xie Rutang's unchaste behavior and eccentric nature, which only intensified her disgust.

Zhu Lan especially disliked Xie Rutang's overly charming face. She herself was pretty and always knew how to be beautiful, but every time she stood in front of Xie Rutang, she was overshadowed and couldn't help but feel a little jealous.

Jealousy exists among women.

Seeing that the maids had finished distributing Xie Rutang's gifts, they were about to set off to deliver them to Cuiwu Courtyard.

But Zhu Lan stopped her: "Wait."

Her eyes flickered, and a wicked thought began to form in her mind.

They decided to keep the reward from Cuiwu Courtyard and give it to Ye Wanyu instead.

Firstly, it would please Ye Wanyu and win her favor.

Secondly, it would also serve as a blow to Xie Rutang, allowing him to vent his pent-up frustration.

Zhu Lan glanced at the box of brocade and jade items prepared to be sent to Cuiwu Courtyard. "There's no need to send this portion to Cuiwu Courtyard for now. Move it to my room and keep it there. Distribute the rest to each household as usual. Also, add a few more pieces of fine jade pendants and two bolts of cloud-patterned silk to the gift set for Madam Shen's side."

The maid hesitated upon hearing this. "Sister Zhulan, this is an imperial bestowal of honor. If we alter the distribution without permission, what if the master asks..."

Zhu Lan interrupted her coldly, "I'll take care of whatever happens. Who are you to meddle? Just do as I say, do your job carefully, and mind your own business."

The maid dared not say anything more and had no choice but to do as she was told.

Zhu Lan then revealed a satisfied smile.

Besides, she's been a long-time servant of Pei Zhiheng, and they all know how much their master dotes on her.

Even if the master really finds out, he definitely won't hold it against her.

She's just a widowed woman in the Shen family, yet Xie Rutang has such a bad reputation. Ultimately, it's Ye Wanyu who runs the Shen family.

……

The Shen family did not have a separate kitchen; the three meals a day were always taken care of by Xie Rutang and Ye Wanyu in turns.

However, Ye Wanyu found another excuse to shirk her duties today, leaving Xie Rutang to handle all the big and small matters in the kitchen alone.

As soon as it gets light, she has to carefully check the shopping list and her mother-in-law's nourishing soup.

Not only that, Ye Wanyu also harbored resentment towards Xie Rutang for seducing Shen Wen.

Today, Ye Wanyu specifically requested a dish called Wensi Tofu. Each inch of tofu is cut into forty thin strips, as fine as hair, so fine that they don't fall apart when soaked in water.

When Jin Yue arrived, she saw the lady cutting tofu in the kitchen, her arms barely trembling.

Jin Yue felt a pang of sadness watching this, and her nose tingled with emotion.

She recalled the special care the Second Master had shown the Madam recently, and concluded that the Second Master must have feelings for the Madam.

Jin Yue's heart stirred, and she whispered, "Madam, Ye Wanyu is making things difficult for you in every way. Why don't I go and report to the Second Master? Let him stand up for you, and he will surely uphold justice for you."

Xie Rutang frowned. "Jinyue, do you know what you're saying?"

She can't do anything to betray Yuanlang again.

Even if Pei Zhiheng was the best, the most powerful, and the best to her, she still only wanted to stay by Shen Yuan's side.

Moreover, Pei Zhiheng has the Crown Princess in his heart; why would he help his widowed sister-in-law? Last time, when Yin Qinrong came to the Dali Temple to ask him for help, he helped her as well.

Even if she was having a hard time in the manor and bothered him with such trivial matters, Pei Zhiheng would not interfere and would only watch coldly from the sidelines.

With the help of two cooks, Xie Rutang finally finished preparing lunch. Various soups, meat and vegetable dishes were neatly arranged on plates. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief and wipe the thin layer of sweat from her cheeks.

Suddenly, the sound of a servant announcing something came from under the corridor.

Pei Zhiheng, the second master who lived in Su Xue Ju of the Shen family, actually came over to dine with them. Before long, the man entered the dining room.

When Xie Rutang saw him, she silently lowered her head, pretending to have forgotten what happened in Cuiwu Courtyard last night, and tried her best to make herself less noticeable.

Lunch was served in the flower hall, where seven or eight dishes of hot and cold appetizers were already laid out on the mahogany round table. When Pei Zhiheng took his seat, the maids were already serving the dishes in an orderly fashion.

Suddenly, the beaded curtain rustled, and Ye Wanyu gracefully walked in.

She didn't step into the kitchen at all today, but went straight to the table and took the bowl of yam and pork rib soup from Xie Rutang.

Ye Wanyu smiled and said, "The most important thing about this soup is the heat. I personally watched it simmer for almost half an hour. You're all clumsy, so don't spill it."

Xie Rutang paused, her fingertips still hovering in mid-air, her eyelashes trembling, then silently falling back down.

She didn't say anything, but instead took a half step back.

Ye Wanyu smiled and ladled a bowl of soup for her parents-in-law, Shen Wen, and Pei Zhiheng, saying, "Try it and see if it suits your taste."

Pei Zhiheng's gaze swept lightly over the table full of delicacies, finally settling on Xie Rutang's hands.

I noticed the slightly reddened back of her hand.

Her hands were originally pampered, and she was proficient in all kinds of arts, such as playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. However, after days of frying, stewing, and boiling, her delicate skin had long since developed thin red marks and a few blisters, making it much rougher.

His cool gaze lingered on it for a moment, then he looked away as if he hadn't seen it at all.

Xie Rutang drank the soup poured for her by a maid. She was quiet and spoke very little, never interrupting anyone.

The old lady then spoke up: "Yesterday, Miss Su Yao came to the manor and brought a painting she had recently finished. I was thinking of keeping it for you to see when you came back, but you have been at the Dali Temple all day and I haven't seen you for a long time."

A hint of playfulness appeared in her eyes. "I teased her, saying that you've only been away from the capital for a few days, yet she's already so concerned. The girl blushed and immediately took my arm, pleading with me to put the painting in your study."

Pei Zhiheng remained calm. "I'll go back and check on it tonight."

During the conversation, Ye Wanyu joined in the banter, saying, "Miss Su is exceptionally talented and thoughtful towards Second Master. Such delicate sentiments are truly rare. Once Second Master has seen the painting tonight, I imagine the two of you will understand each other even better."

"Next year, there will be a joyous occasion in both our households."

Pei Zhiheng didn't say anything, just smiled calmly.

After lunch is over.

Seeing Pei Zhiheng in his official robes heading towards the government office, Xie Rutang, taking advantage of the absence of others in the garden, stepped forward with his clothes in hand, stood under the eaves, and softly called out, "Second Master."

Pei Zhiheng turned around and saw her standing in the interplay of light and shadow, her slightly worn dress shimmering with an indescribable charm. He paused for a moment, then walked towards her.

The two suddenly closed the distance, and a light, refreshing scent enveloped them. Xie Rutang felt nervous and subconsciously took a step back.

Pei Zhiheng's phoenix eyes fell heavily on the clothes she was holding, his gaze slightly lowered. "What is it?"

Xie Rutang dared not look directly at his face: "Last time, Second Master borrowed my outer robe, and I washed it once. It is clean, and now I am returning it to Second Master."

Pei Zhiheng glanced at the clothes in her arms, the delicate white fingers resting on them. He lowered his eyes, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger, "I'm going to the Dali Temple. There are a few backlogged cases waiting to be processed, and I don't have time right now. You can send them to Su Xue Ju next time."

Having said that, he didn't linger. He led his entourage out of the Treasure Vase Gate, his robes brushing across the threshold, and in an instant disappeared into the flower-lined path at the end.

Xie Rutang froze, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly, her mind going blank as she tried to figure out what he meant.

If she really sent his clothes to Su Xue Ju... does he want everyone in the Shen family to know?

Has he gone mad?

A second master from another family, who was staying there temporarily, and a widow. Did he want the whole household to know about their relationship?

He clearly appears to be a steady and reliable person.

Unable to imagine the consequences, Xie Rutang bit her lip deeply, making her lips even redder and more luscious.