Young widow in her boudoir

Xie Rutang understood.

The reason Pei Zhiheng was willing to lend her his seed was precisely because he valued her status as a married woman.

She doesn't have to take responsibility, and she has experience serving people, so it's a win-win situation.

He was appointed by the emperor as the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and at a young age he held power, a rare opportunity in the history of the court.

Pei Zhiheng was already a child prodigy who was famous in the capital when he was ten years old. He once composed a five-character poem with great talent, which surpassed the newly appointed top scholar who was over thirty years old at the time, and became a popular story in the court and among the people.

Even in his youth, he had experienced much and had an outstanding resume. His talent had already been recognized by the emperor, which is why he was promoted to such an important position as the Dali Temple.

Because he rose through the ranks so quickly and his foundation was so shallow, many veteran officials in the court were quite wary of him and tried to hinder and target him at every turn. At present, the struggle for the throne is turbulent, with various forces deeply entrenched and constantly vying for power.

Everyone thought that Pei Zhiheng was allied with Prince Xin and was the Crown Prince's strongest opponent, but Xie Rutang knew that he was actually the Emperor's man.

But Xie Rutang thought again, perhaps it was because Yin Qinrong married the Crown Prince that Pei Zhiheng stood with Prince Xin. Men can never let go of their original obsessions.

The emperor ordered the Second Master to maneuver in the court, intending for him to be a sword hanging over the heads of those vying for the throne, serving as a deterrent to everyone.

It was precisely because of Pei Zhiheng's experience that he worked tirelessly from dawn till dusk at the Shen family home, and therefore needed a woman to serve him, to make him feel warm and have a gentle haven, and she became the best candidate.

Pei Zhiheng is staying at her place tonight and has brought some official documents with him.

After he finished correcting the errors, Xie Rutang helped him change his clothes, wrapping her arms around his waist and removing his belt and jade pendant.

The two slept fully clothed on the bed tonight. She was so nervous that her whole body was stiff, but Pei Zhiheng, unusually, did not touch her.

After the man left in the early morning, her bed was still covered with his cold, faint scent, which wafted into her nostrils.

Xie Rutang was often thankful that she had started her period these past few days, which prevented things from progressing too quickly between her and him. She was slowly getting used to having a strange adult man sleeping in her room.

But she also knew.

The day of consummation will eventually come.

After he spoke yesterday, Xie Rutang would immediately lower her head and pretend not to see him whenever she saw him in the mansion, trying her best to reduce her presence. She would never take the initiative to greet him unless necessary.

He was very lustful, but during the day he transformed back into the refined and elegant Master Pei.

In front of Madam Shen and Madam Pei, he was a celibate junior who didn't even have a private room, and the backyard was always empty.

……

In the morning, Xie Rutang lied to the old lady, saying he was going to take care of the bookstore, and went to his sister-in-law's house.

Xie Rutang couldn't bear to deceive his sister-in-law, so he told her everything about meeting Madam Wu.

"Sister-in-law, I begged Second Master Pei in the manor, and he agreed to help me get my brother out of prison. From now on, you don't have to worry anymore."

Lin Shuangqiu was a little nervous upon hearing this, her eyelashes trembling slightly. She was flattered and asked, "Second Master Pei? Is that the Lord Pei that outsiders say is as cold and ruthless as a demon?"

How could someone so unapproachable help them?

Xie Rutang's embroidered begonia flower-patterned collar concealed the red marks underneath, left by the man over the past two days.

She lowered her eyes and said calmly, "Second Master has always been kind-hearted. Besides, I am Yuan Lang's widow. He is currently staying at the Shen family's residence. After learning about the situation of my family, he decided to take care of me."

Xie Rutang felt bitter. She omitted many things, afraid that Lin Shuangqiu would worry, and only said the good things, but it was true that she took care of her as a widow.

Lin Shuangqiu believed it after hearing it.

Indeed, Xie Rutang is, after all, Pei Zhiheng's widowed sister-in-law, so it's only natural that he would offer her help.

Xie Rutang then slowly told her about how Yun Xueer and Wu Xuming had set a trap to frame Xie Huai.

Upon hearing this, Lin Shuangqiu's originally elegant and gentle face revealed a bitter smile. "Rutang, I've always known that he can never let go of his white moonlight in his heart."

Xie Rutang was stunned.

Lin Shuangqiu stood in the room with her eyes lowered, brimming with tears, yet her striking beauty remained undiminished. "Your brother was a man of exceptional talent and appearance in Jiangnan, admired by countless women. He married me, but my family was of humble origin; it was he who had to marry below his station."

"I have been married into the Xie family for three years and have managed the household affairs for him without ever daring to make the slightest mistake. He treats me with gentleness and politeness and never criticizes me. Everyone envies Xie Huai for loving me and treating me with respect. But only I know that although we share the same bed, I have never gotten close to his heart."

After their marriage, Xie Huai treated her with even greater respect.

Lin Shuangqiu originally thought that he would gradually forget his white moonlight after Yun Xue'er got married.

As a result, their daughter had just been born.

Xie Huai then named his daughter Xie Nianxue.

This is to commemorate his lost love with Yun Xue'er.

Even the jujube paste pastries from Yunxianglou that Xie Huai often brought her were Yun Xue'er's favorite pastries.

She was filled with sweetness at the time, but after learning the truth, Lin Shuangqiu felt as if she had been pierced by a thousand arrows. She had shed tears countless times in the dead of night behind Xie Huai's back, but Xie Huai knew nothing about it.

Lin Shuangqiu dared not mention Yun Xue'er in front of him.

Xie Huai has always been seen as the perfect husband by outsiders, with stable emotions. If Lin Shuangqiu hadn't found the pair of clay figurines that Yun Xue'er had casually sculpted for him when he was a child in his study, she would have thought the same.

Xie Rutang remained silent after hearing this. She had never known any of this before. She pursed her lips and said, "Sister-in-law, don't be sad. My brother was just blinded by Yun Xue'er's appearance. One day he will find out that Yun Xue'er is not as beautiful and pure as she used to be."

"My sister-in-law is as beautiful as a flower, and her character is even more rare. There is plenty of time in the future. One day, my brother will come to his senses and realize how good my sister-in-law is. At that time, he will surely regret it."

Lin Shuangqiu simply smiled calmly, her smile beautiful in the light. Even though she had given birth to two children, she remained serene and beautiful. "Rutang, I have long since given up on hoping he will regret it."

"I plan to divorce him after Master Pei gets him out of prison."

"I have prepared the divorce papers."

……

Xie Rutang bid farewell to Lin Shuangqiu and had just stepped out of the alley when she bumped into the Crown Princess who was coming out of the Dali Temple.

Yin Qinrong, adorned with jewels and wearing a dark red embroidered phoenix-patterned long-sleeved jacket, was about to be helped into the carriage by a palace maid when she looked at Xie Rutang.

Xie Rutang nervously clenched her sleeves.

Soon after, the palace maid arrived.

The palace maid said haughtily, "Madam Shen, my lady invites you."

Xie Rutang hesitated for a moment, knowing full well the Crown Princess's past relationship with Pei Zhiheng, and wondering if Yin Qinrong would make things difficult for her. After thinking for a while, she still walked to the carriage.

"This humble woman pays her respects to the Crown Princess."

When Yin Qinrong went out, she carried an incense burner, a round fan, and various other objects with her. She lowered her eyes with an air of nobility, her demeanor graceful and elegant, her gaze falling on a woman whose beauty could not be concealed by her simple dress.

Xie Rutang had just arrived when she curtsied gracefully, her manners impeccable. Yin Qinrong immediately noticed the hibiscus hairpin with dangling pearls at her temple, confirming that it was the jewelry produced by Qibaoge that Su Yao had mentioned to her.

Yin Qinrong: "Madam Shen, please rise."

Xie Rutang still dared not relax; she knew the visitor was up to no good.

This woman, who was once engaged to Pei Zhiheng, still harbors a strong possessive desire for the aloof and cold Pei Zhiheng.

Yin Qinrong: "Madam Shen is now a widow in the mansion. She is truly chaste and loyal. Even I admire her. I would like to ask the Crown Prince to bestow a chastity arch upon Madam Shen so that the people of the capital may know of her virtuous conduct."

Xie Rutang's face immediately turned pale.

With just one sentence, she knew that Yin Qinrong had already investigated Pei Zhiheng's relationship with her in the Shen family.