Young widow in her boudoir

"Miss Su came all this way today to keep me company while I chant Buddhist scriptures. She even read poems to me to cheer me up. She's a very sensible young lady. Why don't you accompany her for a stroll in the garden later?"

Pei Zhiheng frowned, but since it was his mother's order, he couldn't very well refuse.

As they were talking, the bamboo curtain on the waterside pavilion swayed slightly, and Su Yao gracefully walked out, dressed in a light pink peony dress, her demeanor elegant. When she approached, she said with poise and grace, "I have solved the game of chess that you played, Madam."

Madam Pei was very satisfied. "I thought this game of chess would not be solved until tomorrow, but you are a very patient child."

As she spoke, she beckoned to Su Yao, signaling her to come closer.

"Your thoughtfulness is truly rare. You are neither arrogant nor impatient, and you are sweet and virtuous. No other girl in the capital can compare to you. I wonder if Yuanzhi will be lucky enough to marry you."

Su Yao's long eyelashes trembled, her cheeks flushed red, and her eyes, like grapes washed with water, were extremely pleasing to the eye and deeply loved by the elders.

She stole a glance at Pei Zhiheng beside her, but the man didn't even look at her, which made her feel a little disappointed.

Su Yao quickly lowered her eyes and obediently smiled, "Yao'er is content to stay by the old lady's side every day. I hope the old lady is in good health and at peace."

Her sweet voice quickly made the old lady smile.

Su Yao turned around, only to meet Pei Zhiheng's deep, dark eyes.

Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Pei Zhiheng, being a cold and sharp person, naturally saw through her little scheme in front of Old Madam Pei.

During the half-month that Pei Zhiheng was away from the Pei residence, Su Yao came to keep Old Madam Pei company every day. She was only sixteen years old and at the most delicate age, yet she was willing to accompany Old Madam Pei to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures, which showed that she was quite scheming and coveted the position of Madam Pei.

But Madam Pei was actually quite aware of the situation, but Su Yao was just too adorable, so this flaw was insignificant. She liked clever girls.

Su Yao stared straight at Pei Zhiheng and blinked innocently.

Seeing that the osmanthus cake she wanted was a bit far from her and conveniently placed within the man's reach, Su Yao softly said, "Lord Pei, could you please get me a piece of osmanthus cake?"

Madam Pei sighed inwardly. Su Yao was sweet-looking, knew how to act coquettishly, and knew how to show weakness. What man wouldn't like her?

It's a pity that, if it were any other man, his heart would probably have been captured by her long ago, but Pei Zhiheng was like an iceberg.

Pei Zhiheng frowned. Since she was a guest of the mansion, he couldn't refuse. He silently reached out and moved the pastry plate in front of her, his expression cold and distant. That was all.

Su Yao lowered her eyes in disappointment, but then smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Lord Pei."

But she felt that was enough, after all, the man she wanted to pursue was the most outstanding man in the world.

Since Pei Zhiheng did not reject her but instead took a step back, Su Yao was already satisfied.

This also shows that Pei Zhiheng was very well-mannered.

Feeling sleepy in the afternoon, Madam Pei decided to take a nap shortly afterward and ordered Pei Zhiheng to accompany Miss Su on a stroll in the garden.

Before leaving, Madam Pei turned back and instructed him, "Yuanzhi, Miss Su is a filial child. When you get back, please choose a piece of jewelry to give to her as a token of my appreciation."

His words implied a desire to bring him and Su Yao together.

In the summer garden, the flowers and trees were lush and the corridors surrounded by water. Su Yao's heart was pounding all the way.

She turned her head and looked up at Pei Zhiheng. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life, with exquisite features, deep eyes, and even the curve of his thin lips was just right. However, he was somewhat cold-hearted.

Su Yao felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. If a man wasn't a little bad and not heartless, how could a woman be so captivated by him?

She was well-read and a lady from a prestigious family, but she still fell for the man in front of her and couldn't extricate herself.

Su Yao secretly pinched her palm again.

She once boasted that her beauty was among the best in the capital, but when she saw his widowed sister-in-law outside the Dali Temple last time, she was amazed by her ethereal beauty and fairy-like appearance.

Fortunately, Xie Rutang had already been married.

Xie Rutang is already an old woman, and she herself is much younger than Xie Rutang.

Su Yao smiled. No matter how old a man is, he always likes younger girls.

Unfortunately, Pei Zhiheng only accompanied her for a quarter of an hour in the garden before taking his leave, citing his need to return to the government office to review documents, leaving her alone in the garden, looking dejected.

Before heading to the Shen residence on Zizhu Street, Pei Zhiheng made a detour to Jianfu Lane to buy books. Soon after, he stood in front of a bookstore, still holding the few ancient books he had just purchased. Looking up, he saw that there was a jewelry shop right next door.

Pei Zhiheng's eyes flickered slightly as he recalled what Old Madam Pei had said earlier that day. After a moment's hesitation, he stepped inside.

Seeing him dressed in a black official uniform, the shopkeeper hurriedly stepped forward to greet him warmly, "What kind of jewelry would you like to choose, sir? Our shop has newly arrived pearl hairpins, gemstones from Southeast Asia, and comb backs inlaid with gemstones in pure gold."

The shop was filled with a dazzling array of jewelry. Pei Zhiheng's gaze swept lightly over the rows of hairpins and ornaments. He immediately frowned, clearly lacking in knowledge about women's jewelry.

The shopkeeper gestured and introduced, "This cabinet is filled with youthful styles, suitable for unmarried young women, while the cabinet next to it is more suitable for mature women..."

Pei Zhiheng's eyes darkened at this moment, and he remained silent.

Just then, a noble lady from the inner quarters entered and asked, "Shopkeeper, has the hibiscus hairpin with dangling beads that I ordered some time ago arrived?"

The shopkeeper cupped his hands and smiled, "We've arrived! I'll fetch it right away. Madam has excellent taste. This dangling pearl hibiscus hairpin is the finest item from Qibao Pavilion this year, and countless ladies from noble families have come to order it."

After the hairpin was brought to her, the noblewoman examined it for a moment, a look of satisfaction on her face, and then paid for it and left with the goods.

Pei Zhiheng glanced at it out of the corner of his eye and asked in a calm voice, "Do you still have that dangling pearl hibiscus hairpin?"

The shopkeeper was slightly taken aback, but then came to his senses.

"Reporting to you, sir, this is the last one left."

As she spoke, she turned around and carefully took the hairpin out of the brocade box. The hairpin was slender, and the head of the hairpin was carved from a hibiscus jade into the shape of a petal, with tiny millet beads hanging down from the bottom.

"Wrap it up."

Pei Zhiheng did not carefully select the hairpins; he simply ordered them to be properly placed into a brocade box, paid the money, and then a servant carried the jewelry box out of the shop with him.

No sooner had Pei Zhiheng left the mansion than Su Yao's maidservant followed him at a leisurely pace in an inconspicuous carriage, half a street away.

Upon seeing Pei Zhiheng emerge from the jewelry shop with a slender brocade box in the hand of his attendant, the maid returned to the Grand Tutor's residence and hurriedly reported to her mistress.

Su Yao was looking in the mirror when she heard this, her delicate face flushed red, and she subconsciously clenched the jade comb in her hand. "Are you telling the truth?"

The maid nodded emphatically, "I saw it with my own eyes, it's absolutely true! Lord Pei really went into Qibao Pavilion and bought a hairpin for Miss."

Su Yao's heart skipped a beat, and she was so embarrassed that she dared not look anyone in the eye. A blush instantly rose on her cheeks.

It seems that Lord Pei still cares about her, and is willing to put in the effort to buy her jewelry.

……

As night fell, Pei Zhiheng returned to the Shen residence.

Upon hearing the commotion at Su Xue Ju, Zhu Lan hurriedly put down what she was doing, her cheeks flushed like rouge, and rushed to greet them, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible joy.

"Second Master is back!"