Chapter 142: Chapter 142: Flustered Jiang Yuechan, a Murder Case

"Big Brother, what are you thinking about?"

Ye Hanshuang asked after drying herself with her dudou, noticing that Pei Shaoqing, who was already fully dressed, was just standing there in a daze.

Pei Shaoqing shook his head and replied, "It’s nothing."

He recognized the maid who had just been peeking over the courtyard wall. He had seen her trailing Nalan Yujin on his first day back at the Marquis’s Mansion; she was likely her personal dowry maid.

"Big Brother, are you worried that maid will spread rumors? Should I go kill her?" Ye Hanshuang asked after getting dressed, wanting to help ease her brother’s worries.

"Don’t," Pei Shaoqing blurted out. He stood up and added, "It’s not because of her. Alright, you get some rest. If you’re bored, go out for a walk. I’m going back to bathe and change. I have a banquet to attend tonight."

He was worried the maid had seen his ’towering pillar.’ If she started spreading it around as gossip, the other maids who had been intimate with Pei Shaoqing would surely refute her story. If word of this reached Nalan Yujin or even Pei Shiqing, it could arouse suspicion.

But on second thought, Pei Shaoqing felt it was unlikely. As Nalan Yujin’s personal maid, she had to be smart. Spreading rumors about her master’s private life would get her beaten to death, and no one would bat an eye.

"Oh." Ye Hanshuang nodded obediently.

In the evening, as the sun set and the lanterns began to glow, Pei Shaoqing left with Xie Qingwu for a banquet at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

Since they were going by carriage, he had Wang Peng bring four men to accompany them.

The moment they walked in the door, a waiter recognized Pei Shaoqing, a former regular, and hurried over, bowing obsequiously. "Second Young Master Pei, you’ve arrived! Second Young Master Jiang is waiting for you in a private room on the third floor. Please, follow me."

"Give him a tip," Xie Qingwu said calmly.

Wang Peng, who was following behind, immediately pulled a small piece of broken silver from his robes and tossed it to the waiter.

"Thank you, Second Young Master! Thank you, Madam!" The waiter’s face lit up as he cupped the broken silver in his hands. He led the way with utmost respect. "Mind the steps, Master, Madam."

They made their way to a private room on the third floor, where the waiter stopped. "Second Young Master, Madam, I won’t go in. Just give a shout if you need anything."

Wang Peng reached out and pushed the door open.

Pei Shaoqing walked in with Xie Qingwu.

"Brother Pei, it’s been too long! You’ve certainly caused quite a stir. I’m truly in awe and feel humbled by comparison!" A handsome Jiang Xiaoyun, dressed in blue brocade robes, rose with a hearty laugh to greet them.

Jiang Yuechan, wearing a red Cross-collar Ruqun, also approached Xie Qingwu with a beaming smile. "Sister Xie."

Pei Shaoqing and Xie Qingwu exchanged a quick glance.

’If Jiang Xiaoyun had merely invited them to a banquet, that would be one thing—just keeping up appearances. But to be this enthusiastic means the Pingxi Marquis’s Mansion has decided to bury the hatchet with them. For now, at least.’

"Brother Jiang, you flatter me. I simply wasted too many years in the past. After a sudden awakening, I’ve managed a few meager achievements, that’s all," Pei Shaoqing said with a modest shake of his head.

"So humble, Brother Pei, so humble! I’m really not used to this." Jiang Xiaoyun shook his head, then bowed slightly to Xie Qingwu. "My lady, please, take a seat."

He was a few years older than Pei Shaoqing, and as they were both sons of nobility, it was not at all out of line for him to address Pei Shaoqing as a younger brother.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Second Young Master Jiang." Xie Qingwu smiled gracefully, taking the delicate hand of the approaching Jiang Yuechan. "I never thought we would meet again so soon, Sister Yuechan, let alone be able to smile at each other. I thought once we were in the Capital, we’d have to pretend to be strangers."

"That’s because Father already sent a letter to the Capital telling Third Sister to let go of her grudge over A’bai. Plus, the Baron of Pingyang saved my life, so of course I can interact with Sister Xie without any reservations," Jiang Yuechan replied, blurting it out unconsciously. She was not one for subtlety.

Jiang Xiaoyun was a little exasperated by his younger sister’s forthright nature, but since it was better for Pei Shaoqing to know the Jiang Family’s current attitude, he went along with it. "Our father’s meaning is that personal grievances are minor, while matters of state are paramount.

Marquis Weiyuan is preparing for the war against the northern barbarians after the spring thaw. As fellow officials in the same court, my father is unwilling to hinder him over a personal grudge at a time like this. Therefore, the matter of A’bai’s death will be set aside for now. It can be revisited in the future."

"I am deeply impressed that Marquis Pingxi can prioritize the greater good," Pei Shaoqing complimented, then added, "As for how Marquis Pingxi wishes to settle the score in the future, I will face it squarely. For now, at least I can drink with Brother Jiang in peace, and my wife and Fourth Miss Jiang can interact openly."

"Well said, Brother Pei! Even if we must draw swords on each other tomorrow, it won’t stop us from drinking until we drop tonight! Please, sit!" Jiang Xiaoyun gave Pei Shaoqing a deep look. ’He’s a stranger, a complete stranger. It’s almost as if I’m facing a different person entirely.’

The table was a square Eight Immortals table, covered with a long tablecloth. A single chair was placed on each of the four sides, one for each of them.

Pei Shaoqing sat opposite Jiang Xiaoyun.

To his left was Xie Qingwu, and to his right, Jiang Yuechan.

Jiang Yuechan stood and personally poured Pei Shaoqing a cup of wine. She raised it solemnly and said, "Baron of Pingyang, I offer you this first cup. Thank you for drawing your sword to right an injustice. I would not have survived otherwise."

"You are too kind, my lady. Please." Pei Shaoqing clinked his cup against hers and then tilted his head back, downing it in one gulp.

Jiang Yuechan also drained her cup. She seemed to have a low tolerance for alcohol; after just one cup, her cheeks were already flushed a rosy red, adding an indescribable allure to her features.

Next, Jiang Xiaoyun raised his cup. "I offer you this second cup. Thank you for saving my sister."

"Please." Pei Shaoqing downed another cup.

After setting down his cup, he wiped his mouth and asked casually, "My lady, have you met Tang Zhi yet?"

Jiang Yuechan’s expression immediately darkened.

’If she hadn’t been married before, if she hadn’t known a heroic man like her late husband, if she hadn’t seen the young, newly-ennobled Pei Shaoqing make bandits retreat with a single word, she might have been able to resign herself to marrying Tang Zhi. But now, she couldn’t accept it at all.’

"How can you even bring that up, Brother Pei? You beat my future brother-in-law into such a sorry state that Yuechan got a fright when she saw him today," Jiang Xiaoyun interjected quickly, seeing his sister’s expression sour. He said it in a joking manner.

’Tang Zhi knew he’d been beaten to a pulp, yet he still agreed to meet with my sister this morning.’

’I have no idea what that bastard was thinking.’

Pei Shaoqing just chuckled, unconcerned. "Now you’re wrong there, Brother Jiang. If I hadn’t known Tang Zhi might become your brother-in-law, I wouldn’t have stopped at just that. That was the result of me holding back."

"So, should I be thanking you for that, Brother Pei?" Jiang Xiaoyun laughed, raising an eyebrow with a smirk.

"As he is my fiancé, the thanks should naturally come from me," Jiang Yuechan said, forcing a smile. Without waiting for Pei Shaoqing’s response, she poured herself another cup of wine and drank it down.

Pei Shaoqing could see she didn’t like Tang Zhi at all and was trying to drink her sorrows away. He decided to deliberately poke the bear, saying with a broad smile, "Although things between Tang Zhi and me were a bit unpleasant, I’ll definitely be there to ask for a cup of wine at Fourth Miss’s wedding. Don’t forget to send an invitation."

Jiang Yuechan shot him a glare. ’Can’t this bastard read the room? Can’t he see I don’t like Tang Zhi? He really has to bring up the one thing I don’t want to talk about.’

"Of course, of course. I’ll deliver the invitation personally when the time comes." Jiang Xiaoyun agreed readily, afraid his sister might lose control of her emotions again. He quickly changed the subject. "Brother Pei, I hear this year’s Mid-Autumn Imperial Banquet will be on an unprecedented scale, even more lively than previous years."

"Oh, is that so?" Pei Shaoqing showed a look of interest, then abruptly changed the subject back. "By the way, has the Fourth Miss’s marriage been officially set?"

Jiang Yuechan finally couldn’t take it anymore.

She kicked Pei Shaoqing under the table.

Pei Shaoqing glanced at her with a wide grin.

Jiang Yuechan kicked out again, but this time Pei Shaoqing caught her by the ankle. She tried to pull her foot back but couldn’t move it. Afraid that Jiang Xiaoyun and Xie Qingwu would notice, she could only pretend nothing was wrong and continue drinking.

"Not yet. Alright, Brother Pei, let’s get back to the Mid-Autumn Imperial Banquet," Jiang Xiaoyun said, forcibly steering the conversation. "I heard His Majesty has arranged several competitions with prizes for this year’s banquet."

"Oh? It’s probably just composing poems and couplets. I’m not good at that sort of thing, so I’ll just have to watch Brother Jiang steal the show," Pei Shaoqing replied perfunctorily, gently stroking Jiang Yuechan’s calf.

She was wearing silk trousers, and after he rolled them up, a section of her snow-white calf was exposed for him to play with.

Her skin was fine and smooth, impossibly delicate.

Jiang Yuechan’s heart raced. She never imagined Pei Shaoqing would dare to take such liberties with her in a situation like this. She felt a mix of shame, anger, and excitement, and shot him a fierce glare.

Then, her heart skipped a beat as Pei Shaoqing slipped off her embroidered shoe and silk stocking. He took her slender, jade-like foot in his hand and began to play with it. A tingling, ticklish sensation seemed to travel from her foot up her leg and through her entire body, making her feel weak to the bone.

A silent spring began to well, cherishing its gentle stream...

She suddenly recalled what Xie Qingwu had told her in the carriage about Pei Shaoqing’s many ways of toying with women. ’This guy really is an expert at this,’ she thought.

Although Jiang Yuechan felt deeply ashamed, a part of her was also tempted to throw all caution to the wind.

’She had been a widow for three years and was about to marry a piece of trash like Tang Zhi. Did he even deserve her saving herself for him?’

"What are you thinking about, Sister Yuechan? You didn’t even hear me talking to you," Xie Qingwu said with a gentle smile.

"Ah!" Jiang Yuechan snapped back to reality, her eyes darting about as she replied, "I was just thinking about my upcoming wedding."

Her conscience was so guilty she didn’t dare meet Xie Qingwu’s gaze.

Suddenly, she felt Pei Shaoqing release her foot. She felt a pang of disappointment as she pulled it back.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the four of them bid each other farewell.

Only after watching Pei Shaoqing and Xie Qingwu leave did Jiang Xiaoyun turn to his sister, frowning. "Yuechan, what’s wrong with you? You’ve been absent-minded all evening."

"I... I’m fine. It’s just... thinking about Tang Zhi is upsetting," Jiang Yuechan said, making an excuse.

Her heart had been thrown into disarray by Pei Shaoqing’s touch.

And not just the one in her chest.

Jiang Xiaoyun sighed. "I know you don’t like him, little sister, but there’s no other way. Tang Zhi is highly regarded by His Majesty. Father might be entering the Cabinet, and if we can win Tang Zhi over, our influence in the court will increase significantly."

The Great Zhou also had a Cabinet, but it was not like the Cabinet of the Ming Dynasty. It was more akin to the Military Affairs Office of the Qing Dynasty, where Cabinet Ministers were chosen directly by the Emperor himself, without needing to go through a court recommendation process.

This was one of the reasons why Emperor Jingtai had been able to maintain firm control over the country for decades.

"I understand, Second Brother," Jiang Yuechan replied, murmuring to herself as she stared at the departing Pei Family carriage.

...

In the dead of night, Wang Er snuck out of Prince Qi’s Mansion to have a clandestine meeting with his mistress, Liu Qiaoniang, in Yangliu Lane.

But before the two of them could even get started, Liu Yuheng, who had slipped in as silently as the night wind, snapped both of their necks.

The next day, a neighbor reported the incident to the authorities. The Yong’an County Government Office, which administered the Celestial Capital City, sent men to investigate. When they deduced a Martial Artist was responsible, the case was handed over to the Jing’an Guard’s Hundred Households in Yong’an County.

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