Young widow in her boudoir

But Pei Zhiheng was indeed promiscuous before marriage. There are many men like that in the world. It is understandable that he would have affairs and have a romantic relationship. Pei Xuannan would naturally not tell his mother and would cover for him.

Pei Xuannan didn't ask any further questions and ordered a servant to bring him the box of ointment.

He was simply surprised. He had always thought that Pei Zhiheng was aloof and cold, never involved with women, and devoted himself entirely to his official duties. He never expected that Pei Zhiheng would suddenly blossom into a romantic relationship.

Pei Xuannan suddenly became curious about who the woman was.

What kind of person could possibly make Pei Zhiheng break his vows?

Has Yuanzhi really let go of the Crown Princess?

……

Chengxin Painting Shop faces the street, where pedestrians and carriages come and go, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares fill the air.

Xie Rutang lived in an elegant room on the second floor. The window was half open, and most of the noise of the city was blocked out, leaving only peace and quiet. A fine silk was spread out on the desk, and she concentrated on her brush. Before long, she painted a picture of "Ladies Wearing Flowers in Their Hair".

Seeing that there was still plenty of time, she painted another painting, "Green Landscape". Shen Yuan had painted this painting before, and he had taught her by hand in the Cuiwu Courtyard. Therefore, Xie Rutang knew it by heart, and her handwriting was exactly the same as his, almost indistinguishable from his.

Looking at the painting, Xie Rutang felt a little dazed, and her eyes even stung. After composing herself, she handed it over to Manager Yang.

Manager Yang carefully placed the scroll into a wooden box lined with soft brocade. "I will have someone store it carefully and hang it in the shop on a chosen day, or leave it for a familiar customer."

Xie Rutang nodded. Manager Yang had followed Shen Yuan for many years, and she felt at ease with him managing the painting shop.

She didn't linger any longer and hurriedly returned to the Shen residence before evening.

Madam Shen ordered Rong Mama to come over and supervise whether she was decocting and drinking the medicine. It seems that the old lady was also anxious and wished that she would get pregnant soon.

Xie Rutang took a bath first, and then drank the medicine when she came back.

Just as she finished bathing, Hongyao arrived at Cuiwu Courtyard on the orders of the Second Master to deliver some items.

Upon learning that Master Pei was going to send Xie Rutang of Cuiwu Courtyard a box of ointment with special uses, Hongyao's hands trembled and she almost dropped it.

Why would Madam Shen need to use this?

Given her current status, how could she possibly need this? She has no need for it! Where would a man come from in Cuiwu Courtyard?

Even the usually calm and composed Hongyao was startled. She quickly guessed that her master was probably having an affair with Madam Shen.

Hongyao was shocked by this conjecture. No wonder Zhulan had been disrespectful to Madam Shen before. Why did the Second Master deal with her so ruthlessly and cruelly?

It turns out that Madam Shen has climbed the social ladder by marrying into the Second Master's family!

When Hongyao arrived, Xie Rutang was drying her hair in front of her dressing table.

The candlelight shone on the woman's alabaster skin, making it glow. Her neck was long and slender, and her perfectly maintained black hair, slightly damp, fell to her chest, making Xie Rutang appear even more delicate and frail. She was a beauty that was rare in the world.

Especially her slightly full lips, which were naturally red without any makeup.

Seeing Hongyao's feigned indifference, Xie Rutang guessed that the man's maid probably knew everything, and her fingers involuntarily clenched.

But now that things have come to this, what's the point of being ashamed or pretentious? During the time Pei Zhiheng continues to stay at the Shen family's residence, she will most likely continue to deal with his maid.

So Xie Rutang asked Jin Yue to take the items, saying, "Thank you for your hard work, Miss Hongyao."

Then Jin Yue personally escorted her out.

Xie Rutang sat there alone and opened the brocade box, only to find that it contained a medicinal ointment. After reading the words "For use during intercourse" written on it, she blushed with embarrassment. She hurriedly put it down, as if it were a hot potato and did not want to touch it again.

Xie Rutang recalled the scene of meeting Su Yao at the gate of the Pei residence today, as well as the words Gu Zhifei said to her while walking in the garden.

Then what does she count as?

Xie Rutang herself was a refined young lady, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and possessed her own pride. Naturally, she understood what her relationship with Pei Zhiheng meant.

Whenever she put herself in Su Yao's shoes, she would inevitably despise herself.

Su Yao will become Madam Pei, the man's legal wife. Any decent and dignified woman would despise a woman who flirts with her husband outside the marriage.

Xie Rutang clenched her sleeves, finding it hard to breathe.

Once Pei Zhiheng and Su Yao get married, what if Su Yao catches her in the future? Wouldn't Su Yao hate her so much that she beat her half to death? If she then says that she was stuck with a domineering mother-in-law, who would believe her?

Xie Rutang paused, unsure of what to do, her face turning slightly pale.

If she were Su Yao, she would hate her to the core, hating her for using her body to bewitch men's souls.

It wasn't until 7:45 PM, when there were hardly any people in the Shen family's backyard and the moonlight was dim, that Pei Zhiheng came to Cuiwu Courtyard.

When I came over, I saw Xie Rutang sitting alone by the couch. Her long hair was already dried. Her black hair was like piled clouds and mist, softly hanging down her shoulders. Unlike during the day when she combed her hair into a bun and wore hairpins in the mansion, she looked more languid and gentle at night.

When the man arrived, this was the scene he witnessed.

The night was quiet, and Xie Rutang didn't hear his footsteps until the man approached from behind, reached out and held her slender waist, pulling her into his arms.

A low, slightly cold voice came from above, carrying a sense of oppression.

"What are you doing?"

Only when he got closer did Pei Zhiheng realize that she was holding a bowl of medicine and drinking it; the dark liquid had a strong bitter taste.

Seeing him approach, Xie Rutang's cheeks flushed with a rosy glow, which was clearly reflected in his dark, deep eyes.

She hesitated for a moment, her delicate hands clutching the hem of her white skirt like a small white flower.

Pei Zhiheng quickly realized what she was drinking, and when he returned home, he saw her drinking fertility drugs.

The man was stunned for a moment, and when he came to his senses, his eyes became even more unfathomable. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he slowly watched her red lips drink the remaining medicine little by little.

She takes it before having sex so she can get pregnant faster.

After Xie Rutang finished drinking the medicine, she put down the bowl. At this moment, there was still a little medicine residue on her lips. Pei Zhiheng saw it and brought his dry, slightly cool fingertips over to wipe it away for her. He even mischievously increased the pressure and rubbed her red lips.

The woman was unaware that her drinking the fertility potion was, in his eyes, a blatant act of seduction.

After wiping her face clean, Pei Zhiheng stroked her cheek in the dimly lit boudoir, then leaned down to kiss her. Undeniably, after touching her, he had developed a craving, and every night he just wanted to come over as early as possible.

Unexpectedly, Xie Rutang recalled the scene of seeing Su Yao earlier that day, her pupils contracted in fear, and she began to struggle.

The figure pressing down on her suddenly stopped.

Pei Zhiheng's robes exuded an unapproachable coldness, and his face was calm and composed. He withdrew his hand, his sword-like eyebrows deeply furrowed. "Did Gu Zhifei say something to you at the Pei residence today?"

Xie Rutang stiffened slightly, unsure how to respond. He immediately saw through her thoughts and knew she was overthinking.

But the reaction was completely different from what she had imagined. Pei Zhiheng's voice was indifferent, his dark eyes fixed on her frail figure, "I will arrange the marriage with Su Yao after you become pregnant."

Therefore, she can rest assured.