Young widow in her boudoir

Pei Zhiheng stood under the moon in his black official robes. The courtyard was lit, and the warm light shone on his face, but it could not melt away the innate coldness on his face.

After the man returned, he took off his black boots and went back inside to change into a blue casual robe.

When he returned to the side hall, Zhu Lan was already there with a cup of hot tea. Her gaze was soft and gentle as she looked at him, her cheeks still flushed. "Second Master, you must be tired from your journey. Have some hot tea to warm yourself up."

Today was supposed to be a day off, but Pei Zhiheng, aside from returning to the Pei residence, still couldn't stay idle and made a special trip to the Ministry of Justice to handle official business. The case being discussed involved members of the imperial family and was intricately complex, requiring his personal involvement in the trial, which was referred to the Dali Temple.

The negotiations took a long time, and he only left and returned to the Shen residence as dusk fell.

Pei Zhiheng sat in the chair, took the black tea, and drank half a cup.

Seeing that the Second Master had returned, Zhu Lan finally found an opportunity to give him a thorough dressing down about Xie Ru Tang.

Zhu Lan pursed her lips in dissatisfaction. "Second Master, Madam Shen came over at noon today."

Upon hearing this, Pei Zhiheng's hand holding the teacup suddenly paused.

The image of Xie Rutang lying on her side on the bed at night flashed through his mind. Her slender and frail figure, her skirt swaying gracefully, adorned with no jewelry, yet every detail evoked his tenderness and made his throat dry. So, when he passed by a jewelry shop that evening, he bought her a piece of jewelry.

Pei Zhiheng, whose features were always cold and aloof, placed his teacup on the table. "What is she doing here?"

Seeing his question, Zhu Lan grew even angrier. She used her silver tongue to say, "Who knows what Madam Shen came here for! Second Master, you don't know, but Madam Shen made quite a show of herself when she came. After entering the room, she didn't say a word, but just threw this jar of ointment on the table, saying that the things Second Master gave her were worthless and she didn't care for them..."

She deliberately omitted the fact that Xie Rutang had come to deliver the items, and instead exaggerated the story to the man.

As she spoke, Zhu Lan silently took out the jar of Jade Skin Cream.

Upon seeing the jade skin cream in her hand, Pei Zhiheng's dark eyes instantly turned cold. "Did she really say that?"

Xie Rutang treated the things he gave her in this way.

This was the first time in his life that he had given a woman a gift; he had never tried to please a woman before.

Zhu Lan continued to embellish the story: "That's what Madam Shen said, and Chunying, who works with me, also heard it."

She blinked, her eyes flickering slightly, "I wonder what Second Master did to displease Madam Shen. Judging from Madam Shen's actions, it seems she doesn't take Second Master seriously at all..."

Pei Zhiheng frowned, his eyes seemingly capable of freezing, filled with a chilling intent. He figured there was no need to give her the dangling pearl hibiscus hairpin he'd bought at Qibao Pavilion today; how could it possibly be worthy of Madam Shen's attention?

Originally, he felt sorry for her situation in the Shen family.

Zhu Lan carefully observed his expression from the side, thinking that the Second Master would be furious and punish the arrogant and rude Madam Shen.

Pei Zhiheng said calmly, "Throw away this Jade Skin Cream."

"Since Madam Shen doesn't care for the things at Su Xue Ju, she can simply close the door to guests from now on and there's no need to invite people over for tea."

With that, he turned and went into the study, not saying another word, and it was impossible to tell how he viewed Xie Rutang.

Zhu Lan stood there stunned for a moment, then went to dispose of the jar of Jade Skin Cream.

……

After returning from Suxue Residence that day, Xie Rutang found a quiet corner in the garden and cried her heart out.

She gave Pei Zhiheng a gift, but he looked down on her shabby purple-haired brush and didn't even reply. But if that purple-haired brush were converted into silver, it would be her entire year's expenses.

She went to Su Xue Ju to return the outer robe, only to be mocked and ridiculed by his maid.

During this period, Xie Rutang felt that she could hardly go on. Her mother-in-law's difficult behavior and cold eyes, her sister-in-law's sarcastic remarks, and the servants' gossip behind her back made it difficult for her to move an inch in the Shen family.

Xie Rutang cried so hard that her body trembled, and the handkerchief she was kneading in her hands was quickly soaked with tears.

She cried and cried, still lamenting that Shen Yuan had abandoned her so early, leaving her no offspring. Now she was all alone, with no one to rely on and no hope at all.

Xie Rutang cried until it was time for the Shen family's evening meal before she finally managed to suppress her emotions, wipe away the tears on her face, and lightly cover the redness in her eyes with rouge.

When Xie Rutang arrived at the main hall, the women were in the inner room, separated by a brocade gauze curtain. They were enjoying themselves, and the shadowy figures of maids could be seen passing by, carrying plates and serving dishes.

Upon arriving at this point, Xie Rutang revealed her insecurity.

Her emotions at that moment did not allow her to go over and force a smile, but if she did not go, she would appear even more aloof and isolated, and her situation in the Shen family was already awkward.

Just as Xie Rutang was about to force a smile and go in, she placed her slender fingers on the curtain.

Then I heard them saying that Pei Zhiheng would be coming over later.

Xie Rutang's heart tightened, and she stopped in her tracks.

She said such hurtful things at Su Xue Ju at noon; he must already know.

She and Pei Zhiheng had such a messy falling out; she really didn't know how to face him.

Moreover, she was afraid that their unusual behavior in public would be noticed by others, exposing their past ambiguous relationship.

Xie Rutang was both angry and heartbroken.

But then she thought, if she really had something going on with Pei Zhiheng and Ye Wanyu and the others found out, wouldn't things be in complete chaos? The Shen family would be in for a world of trouble!

If I were to talk about my sorrow, that maid Zhulan was his future concubine. Pei Zhiheng must have spoiled her a lot. It's perfectly normal for her to be arrogant and make me feel embarrassed. What am I, a widow, anyway?

Most importantly, he himself made outrageous remarks at Suxue Residence.

Once Xie Rutang calmed down, she became frightened...

How could someone as noble as Pei Zhiheng, who grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth and looked down on everyone, not be angry?

Xie Rutang wanted to slap herself right now. Although she wanted to sever ties with him, why did she say such nasty things? Did he really think he was something special?

They have no relationship whatsoever! Their relationship isn't even romantic!

If I were to see Pei Zhiheng later, I don't know how awkward it would be; it would be a complete disaster.

Hearing the conversation of the women inside, Xie Rutang didn't hesitate and decisively lowered the curtain.

A maidservant happened to be carrying a bowl of fruit and, upon seeing her, bowed and asked, "Madam, where are you going?"

Xie Rutang remained expressionless: "I'm not feeling well, please let them know for me."

After saying that, he left in a hurry and walked back the way he came.

She only hoped that Pei Zhiheng would finish his stay at the Shen residence as soon as possible.

That way, I won't have to see him.