Chapter 14: He Was Different Toward Her

The daughter’s innocent and charming appearance made Wang Chengdai’s heart feel as if fireworks had just blossomed within it. She hurriedly took her arm and headed toward the room.

Xie Wenyuan, still seated in the rattan chair, shook his head with a smile. He glanced up at the hazy moonlight at the horizon, which seemed to be edged with a soft fringe, and warmth immediately filled his heart.

Whether it was Yuming or Junjun, he was unquestionably a doting father to his daughters.

If Junjun could truly live here for a long time, he wasn’t afraid she wouldn’t grow up lively and spirited.

Yet... suddenly, a thought crossed Xie Wenyuan’s mind, and his brow furrowed.

Although Junjun had returned, she was now past the age of marriage.

Back when she lived at the Prime Minister’s residence, there was no worry about marriage—daughters from prominent families were often kept until seventeen or eighteen before being married off. But as common folk, they didn’t have such connections and needed to be mindful early on.

He vaguely remembered that the Prime Minister’s family had arranged a marriage for her, to the legitimate son of the Pingjing Marquis’s household.

But now Junjun was no longer the Prime Minister’s daughter; was that match still valid?

As these thoughts weighed on him, unease grew in his heart.

His daughter had just returned—why trouble himself with marriage matters now? For the time being, he would keep her close and spend more time with her. Later on, he could carefully consider the matter.

With so many fine young men in Yanjing, he refused to believe he couldn’t find a son-in-law who was accomplished, handsome, and virtuous.

...

Xie Yun had hardly brought any luggage; what little she had was mostly to familiarize herself with the layout.

Wang Chengdai led her into the leftmost room under the eaves and thoughtfully drew the curtain for her. When Xie Yun stepped inside and looked around, a sudden thought struck her.

This was unmistakably a young woman’s boudoir.

The room was simply and elegantly arranged. At the far end stood a canopy bed made of yellow rosewood, its lotus-colored gauze draping low. To one side was a yellow wooden wardrobe carved with simple floral and bird patterns, faintly exuding an air of antiquity.

By the window sat a small sandalwood dressing table and a writing desk, complete with brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. In one corner rested a plum blossom vase holding two gnarled peach branches, emitting a light, refreshing fragrance.

Xie Yun was delighted to discover that a lush pomegranate tree grew just outside her window.

If one were to draw back the curtains in the daylight, the view of the flourishing flowers and gently swaying shadows outside would surely be most pleasing.

Though not extravagant, every detail showed genuine care, revealing how dearly Wang Chengdai and her husband loved their daughter Xie Yuming.

Wang Chengdai watched Xie Yun anxiously, and seeing her gaze settle on the canopy bed, she hurriedly said, “Mother will fetch you freshly washed bedding—new and unused. Please wait a moment!”

Before Xie Yun could speak, Wang Chengdai swiftly returned with a quilt of autumn-hued silk, pulled the curtain, and left again. Soon after, she came back hurriedly, carrying a crisp, snow-blue quilt. Xie Yun helped her make the bed together.

Once the bedding was arranged, Xie Yun glanced around once more and smiled more warmly. “This place is truly lovely. Mother need not trouble herself further—please go back and rest.”

Wang Chengdai breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her with affection. “Then Junjun should rest early as well. If anything is amiss, tell Mother tomorrow.”

Her own mother ran a tavern and was straightforward in nature, with a warm heart steeped in traditional kindness.

Xie Yun nodded repeatedly, then escorted Wang Chengdai back to the neighboring room, her steps hesitant as if reluctant to part.

Once alone, Xie Yun sat before the writing desk, dipped her brush in ink, and wrote a few characters. Her heart grew calmer still.

She was about to begin her new life here.

She looked forward to it.

...

Yunqufang, the Pei Residence.

Pei Shijin returned late at night.

This mansion was a gift from Emperor Yongxi himself. Hearing that Pei Shijin was born in Yangzhou, the residence was meticulously maintained with spacious pavilions and refined elegance, embodying the ancient charm of Jiangnan.

Yet Pei Shijin had no other family. The vast estate inevitably felt empty, especially on this silent night, where only the rows of banana and phoenix trees swayed gently in the breeze, rustling softly.

He strode along the winding garden path straight to the study, where siblings Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan had long been waiting.

Pei Shijin waved away the formalities and asked directly, “Has the body been taken care of?”

Xiao Ling replied seriously, “It has been handled. The pawnshop has already sent word to the palace. We expect Commander Cao has received the news by now.”

Pei Shijin nodded. “Perhaps I need to visit the palace tonight.”

Noticing the fatigue in his expression, Xiao Yan advised, “That’s just your guess, sir. You might as well rest first.”

Pei Shijin waved her off but then suddenly asked, “Was Xie Yun safely delivered?”

Xiao Yan suppressed a strange feeling in her heart, hesitated, yet couldn’t help but say, “It seems, sir, that you have different feelings toward Miss Xie.”

Pei Shijin frowned, his mind flashing back to the clear, doe-like apricot eyes he had seen two years ago in a mountain valley.

What could be different? It was only that two years ago, he had intended to use her but ultimately couldn’t bring himself to be ruthless.