Young widow in her boudoir

After speaking, Pei Zhiheng withdrew his gaze and continued writing the judgment with his vermilion brush.

Xie Rutang was slightly taken aback. It was already past Chenshi (7-9 AM), yet he hadn't eaten and was waiting for her.

Jin Yue entered the room and quietly lifted the bed curtains. When she saw the red marks all over her body, she couldn't help but blush.

Then they helped her change her clothes and do her makeup, while Xie Rutang's expression remained indifferent.

Sitting in front of the bronze mirror, Jin Yue wanted to apply some lipstick and jewelry for Pei Zhiheng since he was in her room, but Xie Rutang refused to do so.

She combed her long hair down to her chest with a comb. "This is fine."

She just wanted things to be simple.

Even though Pei Zhiheng was in Cuiwu Courtyard, she didn't want to dress up to please a man. Women dress up for the man they love, but she had no such intentions towards Pei Zhiheng. Besides, she always felt guilty towards Shen Yuan, so she would just go through the motions and didn't want to waste her energy here.

Xie Rutang simply had her maid tie her hair into a married woman's bun, without wearing earrings, before going to have her meal.

This was the first time Xie Rutang had dined at the same table as Pei Zhiheng, and she couldn't help feeling a little nervous. After all, they were under the same roof, and Pei Zhiheng had been in a great mood last night, even taking her again in the middle of the night after they finished.

Several exquisite dishes were already laid out on the table.

Breakfast was always light, and Xie Rutang's expenses in the mansion were often secretly reduced by Ye Wanyu, so there were no expensive ingredients.

Cuiwu Courtyard used jade bowls and silver spoons. On the table were glutinous rice lotus root, silver thread rolls, fermented duck, chicken and ham porridge, and a bowl of cheese, all of which were home-style dishes.

One would think that Pei Zhiheng, who enjoys delicacies every day in the Pei residence, would frown upon such ordinary food.

However, having long served in the Dali Temple, he was not used to such formalities and had become accustomed to simple meals. The man picked up his jade chopsticks and ate quickly and neatly, his demeanor exuding elegance and nobility, without the arrogance and pickiness of a noble son.

Furthermore, a prudent person like Pei Zhiheng would be most averse to indulging in gluttonous pleasures.

For him, eating was merely a means to fill his stomach, so that he could continue to handle the mountain of official business during the day.

Xie Rutang, however, did not have the same appetite as him. Today, her waist was aching and she was so angry that she gritted her teeth. She could sense that Pei Zhiheng seemed to be addicted to it, and he had been torturing her in various ways last night.

Pei Zhiheng pushed a bowl of chicken soup in front of her, "Drink the soup, it'll help you recover."

Xie Rutang bit her lip lightly, "Yes."

Soon, after Pei Zhiheng finished eating, he noticed that she didn't seem to have much of an appetite.

He gently put down his jade chopsticks. "Is there anything else missing in the house?"

She only hoped he would rescue Xie Huai; she didn't expect him to help her in any other way, because the more he took care of a woman like her, the more complicated the relationship would become.

Pei Zhiheng frowned. "You don't need to be so polite."

After all, he got her body, so she was the one who suffered.

"I will have Hongyao secretly send over the jewelry and silk fabrics that the Empress Dowager bestowed upon the Pei family last time. If you encounter any difficulties in the Shen family in the future, just come and find me."

Xie Rutang gripped her chopsticks tightly. If it weren't for the fact that her deceased husband had left behind the Chengxin Painting Shop, she might have remarried a year later. Why let her mother-in-law mold her and force her to serve the Second Master?

Xie Rutang disliked her relationship with Pei Zhiheng, but she had no choice but to pretend that she was enjoying it.

Pei Zhiheng took care of her, so she had to act pitiful and beg for his protection.

Because she knew that men liked this, especially powerful men.

But she knew perfectly well that Pei Zhiheng was only taking care of her at the Shen family because he was in a good mood and treated her like a pampered cat. Therefore, Xie Rutang didn't feel flattered at all; the man just liked the feeling of controlling her.

If she shows admiration for him, she will receive more of his pity and care.

Xie Rutang lowered her eyes. "Then I thank you, Second Master. You are a very considerate person."

Pei Zhiheng frowned as he looked at her. She was too thin. He wondered how she had grown so tall. Her chest was like a pair of heavy pears, while the rest of her body was as frail as a willow, as if the wind could blow her over.

Pei Zhiheng placed a piece of fermented duck in her bowl.

Eat more.

Xie Rutang ate obediently.

After finishing her meal, Pei Zhiheng did not linger and left her Cuiwu Courtyard.

Before leaving, his handsome figure paused for a moment in front of the door.

He turned his head to the side, his voice devoid of any ambiguity, as if he were handling official business, treating her courtyard as a matter of business that needed to be dealt with.

"From now on, I will come at 1:15 PM every night."

Xie Rutang's heart pounded, and her ears felt hot.

He said this simply to tell her to prepare at this time in the future, so that it would be convenient for him.

After Pei Zhiheng left, Bai Tianhongyao secretly delivered the items. As expected of his head maid, Hongyao was cautious. She covered the treasure box with a cloth and delivered it when no one was around.

When it was delivered to her, Xie Rutang opened it and found that it contained all sorts of precious beads and fabrics.

The pearls in the box were as big as a thumb, each one plump and lustrous. There were also brocades with lotus flower patterns, gold-thread jacquard satin with moon patterns, and silk tapestry. There is a saying that an inch of silk tapestry is worth an inch of gold. These silks shimmered in the room, making it impossible to look away.

Pei Zhiheng is a generous spender.

Hongyao bowed to her: "The things that Second Master ordered me to deliver have been delivered. I will now take my leave."

Knowing that Xie Rutang's meals at Cuiwu Courtyard were poor and that her allowance was often cut back, the man used his power as Second Master Pei to secretly order the kitchen to improve her diet.

Tonight's dinner table features abalone, crystal goose, and finely shredded meat, dishes she rarely gets to eat. Not only is this rare at Xie Rutang's place, but even the old lady's Shou'an Hall doesn't serve such good food every day.

Xie Rutang remained silent for a while before putting away the gift the man had given her. Since it was from Pei Zhiheng, she might as well accept it.

If she were to run into financial difficulties or encounter predicaments in the future, she could pawn or sell these gifts. Pei Zhiheng probably meant the same thing, and she would never openly wear the things he gave her to flaunt.

……

After the Qixi Festival, the weather gradually turned cooler, so Madam Shen asked the women of the household to go to Dao'an Temple on Qingyin Mountain to worship Buddha and offer incense. They were required to stay overnight at the temple.

Firstly, it was to burn incense and pray for the safety and prosperity of the Shen family; secondly, it was to help Shen Yuan's soul find peace, as the old lady firmly believed in the concept of reincarnation.

Upon hearing this news, Xie Rutang breathed a sigh of relief. If Pei Zhiheng continued to stay in her courtyard as frequently as he had these past two days, her body might not be able to handle it.