Young widow in her boudoir

As the night deepened, Jin Yue brought over a mother-of-pearl inlaid wooden box.

"Madam, the Second Master sent someone to deliver this."

When Xie Rutang opened the box, she saw a hairpin lying quietly on the velvet lining inside; it was a piece of jewelry.

She picked it up and saw that the dangling hibiscus hairpin shimmered and shone with a luxurious luster in the darkness.

"Madam, this hairpin is so beautiful! It was actually a gift from the Second Master! The base of the hairpin is even engraved with the mark of Qibao Pavilion. It is said that the jewelry in Qibao Pavilion is extremely rare and hard to come by. The lady in Yunyue Courtyard longed for a hairpin and tried to reserve it through various channels, but to no avail!"

Xie Rutang's heart stirred slightly.

The second master would notice that among the group of daughters-in-law from prominent families today, she was the only one not wearing expensive jewelry.

She lamented today that as the widow of the Shen family, she was no longer destined to own jewelry. Even the jade bracelet she used to wear had been pawned to supplement the family income.

Xie Rutang looked at herself in the bronze mirror and saw that it looked good, but she couldn't bring herself to wear it out.

Jin Yue said, "The person sent by the Second Master just now also brought a message that the Second Master would not allow his woman to be without jewelry. He instructed Madam to accept it, as there will be occasions in the future when she can wear it."

Xie Rutang gripped the dangling hibiscus hairpin tightly. Since it was given to her by Second Master Pei, it must be very valuable, and she should keep it safe.

As a vulnerable woman, she had to take the initiative to fight for herself and carefully plan and scheme so that she could live a stable and secure life in the future.

The next day, Xie Rutang didn't see Pei Zhiheng all day.

……

A beautifully decorated carriage was parked at the entrance of Dali Temple.

Today is the day that Yin Wangfeng, the eldest son of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, is released from prison. The Crown Princess has come in person to pick up her younger brother.

Previously, Yin Wangfeng had gotten into trouble, and it was only thanks to Crown Prince Li Guan's connections that he was able to be bailed out of the Dali Temple.

Since the Crown Princess herself was present, it was a matter of royal dignity. Even though Pei Zhiheng was always impartial and incorruptible, he could only frown and stop investigating further in the face of the Eastern Palace's influence.

Yin Qinrong lifted the carriage curtain and, supported by her maid, slowly stepped down from the carriage.

Dressed in a peacock blue robe, adorned with pearls and jade, and surrounded by attendants and guards, the Crown Princess's entourage was solemn and dignified.

The corridor was quiet. Yin Qinrong looked up and saw Lord Pei standing in front of the solemn red gate of the Dali Temple.

Pei Zhiheng rose to fame at a young age, and now, dressed in a black official robe, he exuded a refined and elegant air. The jade belt accentuated his straight shoulders and waist, and his demeanor was icy and otherworldly. Years of experience in officialdom had matured his face, making it more reserved and less youthful.

According to the rules of the court, if a member of the royal family comes in person, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review must personally greet him. This was because Yin Qinrong's husband was Crown Prince Li Guan.

When Pei Zhiheng bowed to her, Yin Qinrong, with her sharp eyes, immediately noticed a scratch mark on his neck caused by a woman's fingernails.

What else could that place be but an injury inflicted by a woman?!

Yin Qinrong suddenly stood still, her eyes fixed on his figure, which stood alone in the wind.

Ultimately, because of the bond they shared in their youth, Pei Zhiheng, in order to avoid suspicion, only made a brief appearance before leaving, leaving his second-in-command, Zuo Shaoqing, to receive her.

As he watched Pei Zhiheng leave, he continued to give instructions to the clerk as he walked, never glancing back at him again.

Yin Qinrong felt a little disappointed, but she also felt that Pei Zhiheng still had feelings for her, otherwise he wouldn't have avoided her. If he really had no feelings for her, he shouldn't have any scruples about her.

Remembering the woman's scratch marks on Pei Zhiheng's neck, Yin Qinrong nearly broke the gemstone nail guard on her hand.

She had met Pei Zhiheng's widowed sister-in-law. That woman was as indifferent as water and lived a quiet and obedient life in the Shen family. How could someone as aloof and cold as Pei Zhiheng have any feelings for Xie Rutang?

Moreover, he was extremely picky and not just any woman would catch his eye, let alone a widow who was prone to gossip.

It shouldn't be Xie Rutang. Yin Qinrong despises that kind of widow, and she doesn't believe Pei Zhiheng would be interested in her.

After a moment of silence, Yin Qinrong's face darkened as she said to her trusted maid, "Go and investigate which woman the Second Master has been seeing at the Shen family recently."

Even though she had become the Crown Princess, she would never allow anyone else to get close to Pei Zhiheng and tarnish the noble flower in her heart.

……

Pei Zhiheng was busy at the yamen until late at night. Before he could even have a sip of water, the clerk came into the room carrying a stack of documents that had been delivered urgently the night before.

Beside the desk, two clerks had already neatly categorized and stacked the case files from various prefectures and counties, piling them high on the desk.

At this moment, Yuejian brought in the dinner. The candles were burning brightly in the room. The food in the government office was simple and plain, which could not compare to the exquisite and refined food in the Shen family mansion. It consisted of just a few ordinary vegetables and a bowl of coarse rice.

Pei Zhiheng didn't even glance at it, his brows furrowed. He simply raised his hand and waved impatiently, signaling to clear away the dinner, before continuing to work at his desk.

He was busy until late at night when a night-blooming cereus bloomed in the courtyard outside, and a faint fragrance quietly drifted into his room from the window.

The fragrance was so similar to the scent emanating from Xie Rutang's neck. Pei Zhiheng then vaguely remembered that he seemed to be keeping a woman in the Shen family.

She was quite pitiful after losing her husband.

Although her status as a widow made the traditionally conservative Pei Zhiheng feel ashamed to talk about it, and he frowned deeply, he would never allow outsiders to mention her existence.

Xie Rutang was like a stain on his life; for more than twenty years, he remained as pure as snow, untouched by any dust.

Pei Zhiheng held a calligraphy brush in his hand. The candle slowly melted, and red candle wax dripped onto the table, but he was completely unaware of it. The firelight illuminated his refined and noble features, making them appear and disappear.

His expression was solemn and calm, as if all the sounds around him in the dead of night were shut out from outside.

As long as his relationship with Xie Rutang remains unknown to outsiders, it's fine for him to keep a foolish woman in the Shen family; it won't cause any major problems.

When it got cold, a widow warmed his bed; Xie Rutang's voluptuous and alluring figure captivated him.