CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: PEI JINHENG

EDITOR: ATLAS STUDIOS

"Third Sister-in-law Li, these are the embroidery pieces I’ve made recently, can you help me take a look?"

At the Chai Family, Long Yue took the embroidery pieces handed over by Chai Qiao’er, examined them carefully, and nodded, "Not bad, there’s improvement. Compared to before, it’s as if two different people made them!"

"Really? Thank you, Sister-in-law! It’s all thanks to your help!"

Qiao’er said with a sincere laugh, becoming more affectionate with her address.

"By the way, Sister-in-law, my brother will head to the county town after organizing the game, are we going?"

"Since it’s on the way, let’s go. We can sell this batch of embroidery pieces while we’re there."

Long Yue had dozens of embroidery pieces on hand, which could be exchanged for quite a bit of silver. A trip would also serve as a nice break.

Shortly afterward, Chai Tieniu entered, took a few packages, and headed to the county town with the two of them.

The old ox mooed loudly, the cart slowly moved, dragging two uneven tracks on the muddy path, and a black shadow suddenly appeared behind, laughing foolishly as he watched the cart go far away.

"Little lady, tsk tsk, what a remarkable person, graceful and beautiful, making one’s heart itch uncontrollably..."

The man stared ahead with wide eyes, almost popping them out, while drool kept dripping from the corners of his mouth...

County town, Embroiderers’ Pavilion.

Yun Niang had received a distinguished guest from the Capital City yesterday, whose demeanor and speech were incomparably noble, leaving her anxious and uneasy. She thought she could rest today, but that person came again!

"Sir, our shop is humble, we have no good tea, please forgive us!"

Yun Niang carefully offered a cup of moderately warm tea to the young man sitting in a delicate wicker chair, the chair which she would reluctant to sit on casually and yet he was reclining leisurely.

"When love lasts long, why should it matter how often we meet... Yue’er, if you have feelings for me, then why must you betray me?"

The man held an exquisitely embroidered silk handkerchief, his thumb gently rubbing the intricate embroidery, his eyes glued to a line of words, murmuring.

This embroidery handkerchief, whether in artistic style or craftsmanship, was imbued with her essence, making him unable to forget.

He brought the handkerchief to his nose, gently smelling it, seemingly able to catch a distant trace of her faint lotus fragrance.

Pure and unsullied amidst the mud, elegant and unpretentious in clear waters, he always believed that his family’s Yue’er was such a noble and graceful lady, but why did he have to witness such an unsightly scene?

Why is it?

He was angry, he was sad, he was unwilling, so in a fit of rage, he tore the marriage agreement set by the two families years ago. The Pang Family felt it was a disgrace to their family name, and instead of anger, they sent many compensations.

But what use were these compensations to him? All he ever wanted was Yue’er!

And so, when he learned she was expelled from her family, forced to marry into a poor family in the countryside, he felt both heartache and regret, wanting to find her, but at this moment, the Emperor was bestowing a marriage between him and Second Miss Pang!

If he left the Capital City now, rumors would spread outside: the Emperor just arranged the marriage, and the eldest son of the Pei Family ran off to see an old flame...

The Emperor’s honor would be tarnished, and his own future would be irreparably ruined!

He took a deep breath, suppressing his inner grief, and slowly said, "When will the person who made this embroidery handkerchief come?"

"Replying to you, sir, the timing’s uncertain, sometimes three to five days, sometimes ten days or half a month. It has already been five days since the last visit, she might be... about to come? Uh... is the sir looking to meet her?"

"No, the craftsmanship of the embroidery handkerchief is exquisite, I’m just curious to ask."

"Oh..."

Yun Niang, being a woman in her thirties who has seen much of the world, could clearly see the man was not being honest.

But she couldn’t say anything, just silently prayed in her heart, hoping nothing troublesome would arise.

Later, as the gentleman left, Yun Niang breathed a sigh of relief, only to see Long Yue bringing in Qiao’er.

Yun Niang clenched her fists and quickly greeted them enthusiastically, "Ah, you two finally came. Many people have been asking if there’s any new embroidery lately, I almost couldn’t handle it!"

This was just small talk, but also the truth. Long Yue’s embroidery was exquisite, with many wealthy ladies and young maidens competing to buy.

Long Yue replied with a smile, "There were things at home these days, came less frequently, and made the shopkeeper wait anxiously!"

After she finished speaking, she noticed something seemed off with Yun Niang. Despite the cold day, why was her forehead covered in sweat?

"What’s wrong with the shopkeeper? Are you sick?"

"Ah, no... I just served a guest earlier, and was a bit busy and warm..."

Yun Niang, being a businesswoman, knew that those wealthy or official figures could destroy merchants like them as easily as crushing an ant, so she dared not offend that distinguished gentleman.

She dared not speak about his matter, but keeping it from Long Yue made her uneasy, resulting in even more sweat on her forehead.

Long Yue observed her nervous demeanor and suddenly realized something, then smiled and said, "The shopkeeper might indeed not be feeling well. In that case, let’s settle the bill quickly, and then you can rest."

"Ah, yes, yes!"

Yun Niang responded repeatedly, then proceeded with counting and settling the account, though she seemed inattentive, almost overpaying them ten taels if not reminded by Long Yue.

Taking the twenty taels for this batch of goods, Long Yue handed Qiao’er her share of eight taels, and placed the remaining twelve taels into her purse before she left.

Upon leaving the Embroiderers’ Pavilion, Qiao’er curiously asked, "Third Sister-in-law, the shopkeeper seemed off today, didn’t she?"

"Indeed, she seemed off, but that doesn’t concern us. It’s all clear between us!"

"Hmm!"

"Let’s go, see if there’s anything to buy at the market!"

"Alright!"

The two gradually moved away, a tall figure emerged from the alley behind the Embroiderers’ Pavilion, his gaze focused on the elegant silhouette going away, furrowing his brows slightly.

With someone accompanying her, it’s hard to meet her, he needed to find an opportunity to be alone.

"Mr. Pei!"

A sweet voice suddenly called out from behind, Pei Jinheng turned with furrowed brows, seeing a girl in a light green dress, he asked, "You know me? Who are you?"

"Ah, has Mr. Pei forgotten me? I’m Zhou by surname, name Zhiqin, a distant cousin of Sister Yue. I used to play at her place as a child, Mr. Pei should’ve seen me!"

Zhou Zhiqin mentioned softly, trying to display the unique charm and innocence that comes with youth.

Pei Jinheng nodded, "I vaguely remember. Miss Zhou, is there something you need?"

"Oh, I just saw Mr. Pei watching my cousin earlier, is there something you wish to discuss with her?"

Pei Jinheng, "I do have something."

"Then..."

"Her companion makes it inconvenient!"

Pei Jinheng said with a furrowed brow, since he had been recognized, he had no choice but to be straightforward.

"Oh, does Mr. Pei wish to meet my cousin alone? That’s simple! I’ll arrange for her to come out, wouldn’t that allow you to meet her privately?"

Pei Jinheng was new to this small town and not very familiar, so since someone offered help, he nodded, "Alright, much obliged, Miss Zhou!"

"No need for thanks, sir!" Zhou Zhiqin joked, her eyes carrying a barely noticeable hint of malice.