Young widow in her boudoir

Having just returned to Cuiwu Courtyard, Xie Rutang, exhausted from her earlier exertions in the corridor, had barely settled down on the balustrade when Su Xueju sent someone to deliver the rewards distributed by the mansion.

When Zhu Lan arrived, Xie Rutang even got up to greet her.

Today, Zhu Lan wore a peach-colored floral jacket and a light green silk skirt, which made her look slender and graceful with a beautiful face. She had a silk handkerchief embroidered with peach blossoms tied around her waist. As she entered the room, she curtsied to Xie Rutang and said, "This servant greets Madam Shen."

"This servant is here on the orders of the Second Master to deliver items to the ladies."

Xie Rutang smiled gently, "Miss Zhulan, there's no need for such formalities."

This was Zhu Lan's first time stepping into Cuiwu Courtyard. She slowly glanced at the furnishings in the room: a rosewood table, a celadon vase, and a plain embroidered screen under the window. Even the chair covers and cushions were a worn, light blue color, indescribably bland.

Although Zhu Lan wore a smile, she was actually quite disrespectful to Madam Shen.

This time, the other masters and ladies of the mansion received top-quality gifts, including fine silks and precious trinkets.

When Xie Rutang unfolded his tray, he saw only a few items, all of ordinary quality, clearly leftovers after everyone had made their selections.

Only one kingfisher feather hairpin was somewhat pleasing to the eye, but its style was outdated and lacked any originality.

Zhu Lan lowered her eyes and said in a nonchalant tone, "There are many people and limited items in the mansion. I hope Madam Shen will be understanding."

Jin Yue, who was standing to the side, was furious and was about to speak up to argue, but Xie Rutang stopped her with a look without making a sound.

Xie Rutang wasn't angry. He nodded slightly and said, "Thank you for making this special trip, Miss Zhulan."

Thinking of her case and Zhang's mother's case, Xie Rutang felt a pang of anxiety.

Firstly, she wanted to return the gift to Pei Zhiheng, and secondly, she had an important matter she wanted to ask him for help. She hoped that, considering she was his widowed sister-in-law, Pei Zhiheng would lend a hand and resolve the unresolved case between her and Zhang's mother as soon as possible.

Two days ago, she didn't know how to broach the subject with Pei Zhiheng, and she was also afraid that one day she would be summoned to the Dali Temple, where the punishments were terrifying. Therefore, she planned to send Pei Zhiheng a gift...

So Xie Rutang asked Jin Yue to go to the storeroom and fetch a valuable item.

Shen Wen used to love painting, just like her. She had once bought him a fine purple sandalwood brush with a purple bristle, produced in Shanlian, Huzhou.

Unfortunately, after Shen Wen passed away, no one could use this calligraphy brush anymore. It would be a waste to leave it in the storeroom. Rather than letting it gather dust, it would be better to give it to Pei Zhiheng as a return gift and leave it to someone who needs it more.

Xie Rutang stepped forward, holding a brocade box in both hands, inside which was a Huzhou writing brush.

"Miss Zhulan, this is a return gift I prepared for Second Master. Please take it back to Suxue Residence and pass it on to him. I am grateful for Second Master's consideration for his widowed sister-in-law; it is just a small token of my appreciation."

When Zhu Lan saw the Huzhou brush, she thought it was just an ordinary writing implement. She picked it up, glanced at it, and put it down. "Madam Shen, there's really no need for you to go to such trouble. Second Master has countless rare writing implements in his room, and he certainly doesn't lack such writing implements. I appreciate your kindness on his behalf."

The implication was that the gift was insignificant and wouldn't meet Pei Zhiheng's standards.

Xie Rutang bit her lip, feeling embarrassed and humiliated, but her expression remained unchanged: "It's just a small token of my gratitude, and I'll trouble Miss Zhulan to pass it on."

Seeing her insistence, Zhu Lan felt even more contempt for her. After all, she was just a widow confined to her chambers, with a narrow perspective, and all she had painstakingly prepared were such insignificant items.

"In that case, this servant will accept it on behalf of Second Master."

Zhu Lan, with her haughty demeanor, gave her a perfunctory half-bow and said, "If there are no other instructions, this servant will take her leave now, as I still need to deliver items to the various courtyards."

She hadn't gone far from the courtyard when Jin Yue couldn't contain her indignation and said, "What kind of airs is she putting on! She's just a maidservant by the Second Master's side. Even if Madam is a widow, it's not her place to humiliate her like this!"

Just thinking about Zhu Lan's dismissive manner when she delivered the gift, and Pei Zhiheng's cold and unpredictable nature, made Xie Rutang's heart gloomy. She wondered if the Second Master would accept her meager gift.

Jin Yue was still complaining, "All the maids in Second Master's courtyard are sycophants, clearly bullying Madam because she's helpless!"

"Pah! Now that Ye Wanyu is in charge, they send all their good stuff to Yunyue Courtyard like lapdogs!"

Xie Rutang's fingertips continued to lightly turn the pages of the book. Sunlight fell on her, creating a soft, diffused effect. Her face was lightly powdered, giving her a serene and peaceful appearance.

She was used to it. In this secluded mansion, a widow like her was treated as inferior even to a routine reward.

She had witnessed far too much of the fickleness of human relationships, especially in a prestigious family like the Pei household, where servants were known for their sycophancy and condescension. It was entirely expected that the servants would vie to curry favor with Ye Wanyu while treating her coldly.

Xie Rutang turned another page with her fingertips. "Zhulan was originally assigned to the Second Master by Old Madam Pei. She was originally intended to be promoted to a concubine, so she would be half a mistress. It is perfectly normal for her to be so arrogant and spoiled."

Jin Yue tidied up the items on the tray, unable to help but roll her eyes. "Whether she can even climb into the Second Master's bed and become a concubine is still unknown, yet she's already putting on such an arrogant attitude!"

Xie Rutang simply smiled faintly upon hearing this.

She had no other desires but to keep to herself within the Pei family mansion, avoid making enemies, live a quiet life, and serve Shen Wen well.

She vaguely sensed that Pei Zhiheng was actually somewhat attached to her body.

The clothes Pei Zhiheng left in her room have become a hot potato; she still can't figure out what the man is really thinking.

Pei Zhiheng clearly looked down on her because she was a married woman; he can't just suddenly go back on his word...

Xie Rutang sat in the room, holding a porcelain bowl painted with mountains and birds, drinking flower tea. She sipped it slowly, the tea moistening her soft pink lips, and comforted herself.

I must be overthinking it.

What could Pei Zhiheng possibly see in her?

He was a close advisor to the emperor, wielding immense power. What kind of woman couldn't he have? How could he possibly be interested in a widow like her?

Also, she now hopes that Pei Zhiheng will leave as soon as possible, and after he stays at the Shen residence for another half month, he will leave the Pei residence, so that she can return to a normal life.

But how could she deliver his clothes to Su Xue Ju without arousing suspicion...?

Xie Rutang sighed; the outer robe had become a hot potato.

However, Xie Rutang was unaware that after Zhu Lan finished distributing the gifts to each room and courtyard of the Shen family, she had just returned to her room and taken a sip of water when a maid came downstairs to ask how to handle the gifts sent by Madam Shen.

Zhu Lan didn't even bother to lift her eyelids, completely nonchalant. "Just register them all on the gift list and toss them into a corner of the storeroom."

She couldn't stand Xie Rutang's indifferent attitude, his coldness towards everyone, including her.

Unlike Ye Wanyu, who treated her as a prospective concubine of the Pei family and was very warm towards her, not only being kind and gentle but also subtly trying to win her over with her words, Xie Rutang was completely different.

Zhu Lan gave a cold laugh.

Even though Xie Rutang acts like a madam and considers herself superior, she, as a maid, is the one who manages and makes the decisions in the Second Master's room!

Even though Xie Rutang was the mistress, she had remained chaste at a young age and had no man to rely on, so Zhu Lan naturally wouldn't waste her efforts trying to please her. It wasn't just Zhu Lan; all the servants in the Shen household felt the same way.

Presumably, the Second Master wouldn't even notice such a meager gift from Xie Rutang, let alone bother to present it to him. There was no need for her to report such a trivial matter to him.

Moreover, Su Xue Ju was supposed to avoid any appearance of impropriety with the widow of the Shen family.

How could Second Master possibly be willing to get involved with Xie Rutang?