Young widow in her boudoir

Yin Qinrong's hair was lightly styled, and she wore a pair of red gold earrings inlaid with rubies. Her face was even more radiant and beautiful, with graceful bearing. The palace sash at her waist was adorned with tiny jade beads.

Pei Zhiheng, dressed in a long robe, bowed to her and said, "Your humble servant greets the Crown Princess."

Yin Qinrong bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes, "Yuanzhi, do you really want to become this distant from me...?"

In the light, her ruby ​​earrings reflected a luxurious glow.

Now, she is the Crown Princess, and he holds a high-ranking official position. What stands between them is the inviolable code of etiquette and social norms.

"Who is that woman in the Dali Temple?"

Upon hearing that he had a new woman by his side, Yin Qinrong could no longer contain herself. She rode in a carriage from the East Palace, a jade ring cutting across her soft palm. "Are you really going to help your widowed sister-in-law in your household?"

Pei Zhiheng frowned, his face still as cold and hard as stone, as if carved by a knife.

Yin Qinrong's beautiful, pure eyes reflected his figure. "Yuanzhi, you've never helped any woman other than me before... You still resent me, resent me for marrying Li Guanyao back then..."

Yin Qinrong, however, was determined to win.

She had planted spies in both the Shen and Pei households, and even after she got married, she would never allow Pei Zhiheng to fall in love with another woman.

He did not agree to the widow's request to have a child, which showed that he did not like Xie Rutang, and thus she was relieved.

He didn't respond; he was as cold as an ice cube.

Unable to bear his coldness and indifference, Yin Qinrong's powdered face soon burst into tears. "Actually, I haven't had a good time in the Eastern Palace all these years, Yuanzhi, I regret it so much..."

But he hesitated to say he regretted anything, his mind wandering.

She was already a stunning beauty, but now she was weeping and looking so vulnerable that any man who saw her would want to hold her in his arms and comfort her.

Upon hearing this, Pei Zhiheng frowned even more deeply, his eyes darkening.

……

The damp prison at Dali Temple.

Just now, Xie Rutang's clothes had a jade button undone by the man, revealing the moon-white inner garment underneath.

She hurriedly buttoned up her clothes, raised her hand to smooth her messy hair, and tried to cover up the traces left by their earlier intimacy.

Yuejian waited patiently outside the door for her to finish and come out.

As Xie Rutang came out of the inner room, Yue Jian stood respectfully with his head bowed: "Madam Shen, Lord Pei went out on some business. The carriage is ready. I will escort you back to the Shen residence first."

Xie Rutang hummed in agreement.

She responded softly and put on her veil.

The thin veil of her hat hung down, obscuring her face and figure in a hazy shadow, blocking all prying eyes.

Even though she was a widow, she was still a noblewoman from a prominent family. Every gesture she made was graceful and elegant, and the hibiscus jade pendant at her waist remained perfectly still, shimmering with light.

The woman looked frail after leaving the Dali Temple, which was heartbreaking to see.

Even Yue Jian couldn't help but hold his breath and marvel at Madam Shen's stunning beauty.

Such an aura reminded Yue Jian of the Crown Princess Yin Qinrong, who lived secluded in the palace. Looking across the capital, only Consort Yin possessed such a noble and elegant air.

Lady Yin and her husband had known each other since they were young; they were a perfect match.

Lady Yin had accompanied her husband through an extremely difficult period. Pei Zhiheng had treated her like a younger sister since childhood, always taking care of her and looking after her in every way.

At the time, both families thought that the two would get married and become a beautiful story. However, Lady Yin chose Crown Prince Li Guan and married into the Eastern Palace as a concubine.

Even after marrying into the royal family, whenever trouble arose, Yin Qinrong would still seek Pei Zhiheng's help immediately, certain that he would remember their childhood friendship and would never ignore her.

Having grown up together since childhood, Pei Zhiheng couldn't bear to see Consort Yin subservient to others in the palace, so he responded to everything she did.

But in Yuejian's eyes, the master was only acting out of a sense of responsibility; he was like Yin Qinrong's older brother.

Adults are often buried in complicated political affairs, and their hearts are hardened to the point of being cruel. While others are just beginning to experience love and affection in their teens, he has already cut off all distracting thoughts and eliminated all emotions and desires.

He is destined to be alone for the rest of his life.

Xie Rutang was terrified today. A woman was being accused of bribing officials, a serious crime.

Her small face was as white as paper, and anyone who saw it couldn't help but feel pity for her.

Yuejian, who was driving the carriage outside the curtain, couldn't help but say, "Madam Shen's case is both difficult and easy. If I may be so bold as to say something inappropriate, if Madam were willing to give it a try and plead with the lord..."

Judging from what Pei Zhiheng said in prison today, he thinks there is still room for maneuver.

If it were truly a case of certain death, given the nature of adults, they wouldn't waste a single word.

Xie Rutang was stunned.

She felt that Yue Jian was just trying to coax her, and that Pei Zhiheng seemed to be an upright and honest person who might show her leniency.

Besides, what could she possibly offer Pei Zhiheng in exchange for? Moreover, he had already rejected her request to have a child; he wasn't interested in her.

Xie Rutang's light pink lips lost their color.

Yue Jian did not reveal his unfinished meaning, and continued driving on the streets of the capital.

……

Pei Zhiheng had only been back in the capital for a day, having rendered meritorious service in quelling the rebellion in Anyang and enjoying the Emperor's favor. He had just come out of the palace to receive his rewards. The officials in the capital were already busy preparing a victory banquet for him at Yichun Tower to welcome him back.

Yichun Tower is a famous brothel in the capital, only frequented by the powerful and wealthy. This is a tradition among officials and their colleagues. Pei Zhiheng had no choice but to go, as he couldn't avoid the social obligations.

Yichun Tower is brightly lit tonight, and its front is full of cars and sedan chairs.

The colorful curtains hung low, and the private rooms of Yichun Tower were filled with adults dressed in official robes.

The most outstanding and the most eye-catching in appearance was Lord Pei, who was currently enjoying great popularity before the Emperor and was sitting on one side of the table.

Pei Zhiheng held a jade cup in his hand, his eyebrows and eyes flickering in and out of the candlelight, yet his demeanor remained noble and pure, like a celestial being, making them seem like ordinary mortals in comparison.

The sounds of string and wind instruments never cease; in such a place of pleasure, one cannot ignore the beautiful women.

On the stage, a woman held a pipa horizontally in her arms. Her features were beautiful and refined, quite unlike the ordinary prostitutes in the brothel. Her slender fingers gently touched the strings, and as she played the pipa, she looked up and gazed affectionately at Pei Zhiheng directly opposite her.

Pei Zhiheng remained silent, simply drinking alone.

During the banquet, someone's gaze fell upon her, and with a smile, introduced her to Pei Zhiheng, "Lord Pei, this woman's name is Huang Yu. Her pipa playing is unparalleled in the capital. It's rare that she's willing to play a tune for you today. How about letting her serve you at your side?"

With her light pink dress swaying gently, Huang Yu stepped forward, holding her pipa.

Her heart pounded wildly; no one knew how many years she had admired Pei Zhiheng.

That's Lord Pei, after all.

He was famous in the capital in his early years, a man of great learning, and the dream man of many women. On the day he passed the imperial examination and rode through the streets as the third-ranked scholar, she squeezed to the side of the street and caught a glimpse of him from afar. From that moment on, she fell in love at first sight. For so many years, she has waited patiently and devotedly, hoping that Pei Zhiheng would one day visit Yichun Tower and hear her play the pipa.

However, Pei Zhiheng was aloof and indifferent to romance, and had never been to this place of misty willows before.

Even today, when he is here in person, he has never paid any attention to her.

Huang Yu concealed the stinging in her eyes, her voice like a celestial melody: "This humble servant, Huang Yu, greets Lord Pei."

The moment that voice rang out, it sent shivers down the spines of countless adults present.

He addressed him as Lord Pei.

Pei Zhiheng, who had been calm and collected, suddenly raised his eyelids slightly.

Pei Zhiheng then remembered Madam Shen, who had been taken to Dali Temple earlier that day.

She also bowed to him, calling him "Lord Pei" in a delicate, graceful manner. As she bent down to curtsy, he noticed a white peony embroidered on the silk covering her chest.

Although Huang Yu's voice lingered, it was far less alluring than when Xie Rutang addressed him as "Sir".

Xie Rutang spoke softly from her red lips, her expression even more tender and gentle.

Pei Zhiheng suddenly felt a dryness in his throat. He poured the cold wine into his cup, but it couldn't suppress the sudden heat rising in his heart.

Although Xie Rutang looked plain and gentle, with a quiet demeanor, her voice was more alluring than that of a courtesan.

I wonder how she is now, and what she's doing at the Shen residence.

Shen Shuming still lives in the Shen family mansion; he was a member of the clan chosen by the old lady.

Just thinking about how she was being pleasured by other men...

Pei Zhiheng's brows furrowed suddenly.

Seeing that the man's gaze was fixed on her, Huang Yu thought she had won his favor and was secretly delighted. She then swayed her graceful figure and took the opportunity to lean in and offer him a toast.

Pei Zhiheng suddenly stood up, not giving her a chance, saying that it was getting late, and ended the banquet.

He suddenly missed Xie Rutang's gentle and sweet beauty, and wanted to go to her Cuiwu Courtyard to rest and have her cook him a hangover soup.