Chapter 10: An Awkward Encounter and Teasing at Yuhua Pavilion

Soon, all those involved in the matter came together in Pei Zisu’s mind.

The Han King’s report about repairing the dike along the Huai River had been made half a year ago.

Because the snowfall was different from previous years, experienced officials had predicted that heavy rains might flood the area in July or August. They therefore requested early repairs to safeguard the people’s livelihoods.

Luzhou was naturally rich in iron ore, so orders for iron ingots to build the dike had been sent there long ago. The Han King had even personally instructed them to expedite the work. Yet, despite all precautions, someone had dared to tamper with these life-saving iron ingots. Pei Zisu was furious.

They fought and bled on the battlefield, all to protect their beautiful land and innocent people behind them.

But these officials, utterly indifferent to the fate of the common folk, had substituted inferior materials. If these were truly used, the dike’s stability would be compromised. When the floodwaters rose, the people would still be submerged despite the money spent and the dike repaired. Every detail pointed to a scheme aimed squarely at Han Prefecture.

When he had died in his previous life, the dike had yet to break.

But within months, Han Prefecture suffered. Having witnessed firsthand the plight of the displaced downstream along the Huai River, Pei Zisu had begun to investigate secretly.

It was not hard to guess that the culprits were either the ambitious Prince Yi or corrupt officials from Luzhou. Whoever they were, they must be held accountable for their deeds.

Silently closing the box before him, he slipped away under the cover of night.

He left without breaking the lock, while the surrounding villagers slept soundly.

The next day dawned with shifting clouds.

When Jiang Shiyuan rose, she heard footsteps bustling outside. Sitting up, she glanced at the bright sky and recalled her appointment with Princess Qinghuan. Calling out softly, she said,

“Liuhua.”

“Your servant is here.”

Pushing open the door and lifting the curtain, Liuhua appeared, already prepared and carrying a copper basin, which she placed on the stand. She wrung out a cloth and handed it to Jiang Shiyuan with a faint smile.

“Miss feels much more at ease sleeping in the marquis’s residence than at home.”

“That’s true; I barely woke up last night,” Jiang Shiyuan replied with a smile. Her body was sensitive to heat, so the room she stayed in at the Marquis Wenyuan’s residence had been specially modified. Behind the eaves was a rain pavilion designed to lower the temperature during summer by letting water fall continuously. Inside, a cooling fan was placed, making the room several degrees cooler than outside—a costly endeavor.

The Wenyuan Marquis’s household had invested great effort to make these arrangements for her.

But the Jiang family had just relocated from Xuzhou, lacking both funds and skilled craftsmen, so they had only planted many trees around her courtyard. Though they grew quickly, they were not yet mature enough to provide full coverage.

Naturally, Jiang Shiyuan did not feel as free and comfortable living here as she did in her own home.

After a simple wash, Lvluo brought a set of loose, comfortable summer clothes. It was the most pleasant attire for the season, though somewhat plain. Jiang Shiyuan glanced at it and said,

“Have you forgotten my appointment with the princess today? This isn’t quite proper. Go fetch the lotus-purple long dress embroidered with silver threads and lotus patterns that my aunt recently made for me. Also, find the butterfly-flower hairpin inlaid with silver, gold, and southern red agate. If I look too plain, the princess will say something.”

“Miss is always so thoughtful. I’ll get it right away.”

Dressed in the gown and fixing her hair with the exquisite hairpin, Jiang Shiyuan instantly transformed into a fairy among flowers. The hairpin, graceful and elegant, became the highlight of her entire appearance.

After eating a few bites of the small dishes just served, she put down her chopsticks.

Her appetite was modest, so Liuhua did not press her to eat more. Instead, she brought some mint water for Jiang Shiyuan to cleanse her palate and began applying her makeup.

Jiang Shiyuan’s features were naturally beautiful, so only a light powder was needed to cover her pale complexion. On her lips, she applied a new shade from the Rouge Jade Studio—a delicate bud red. Just a little, diluted with water, it lasted for hours, growing more natural over time.

Satisfied with her reflection in the bronze mirror, Jiang Shiyuan stepped out.

She first went to pay respects to the elderly Lady Wang in the Jade Blossom Courtyard and mentioned her visit to the princess’s residence. The old lady then arranged a carriage with a few attendants skilled in martial arts to accompany her, feeling reassured to let her go.

Unexpectedly, just as Jiang Shiyuan reached the corridor of the front hall, she met Pei Zisu.

He was dressed less ostentatiously than at yesterday’s banquet, wearing a purple brocade robe with a round neck and a falcon-feathered cap. Silver threads embroidered the swastika pattern on his garment, which at a glance matched Jiang Shiyuan’s long dress somewhat.

Standing beside him was their second cousin, Wang Kuan, a man who enjoyed stirring up playful trouble. He stepped forward to tease,

“You two certainly brighten the eye today. I was wondering why Zisu never wears this color—now I see why.”

Wang Kuan’s gaze shifted back and forth between them, making Pei Zisu chuckle lightly. His almond-shaped eyes twinkled as he looked at Jiang Shiyuan, but her slight frown interrupted him.

“Cousin, are you already drunk this early?”

He shrugged innocently and fell silent. Yesterday, he had worried about their good match not materializing, so meeting today was a chance to speak, though it seemed better to hold his tongue after all.

Pei Zisu glanced at Jiang Shiyuan’s carefully arranged appearance, his admiration nearly spilling from his eyes, and asked,

“Are you leaving the residence, Anian?”

“Yes. Princess Qinghuan invited me to keep her company.”

“Oh? What a coincidence—just yesterday I received an invitation from the princess’s residence as well. We can go together.”

Jiang Shiyuan looked at Pei Zisu with some puzzlement. When had he grown so close to Princess Qinghuan? How had she not known?

Still, since he had the invitation, she said little, merely bowing slightly and replying,

“Cousin Pei, you’ll probably ride horseback, while I’ll take the carriage. Though we travel the same way, custom dictates separation of men and women. Entering the princess’s residence together might cause gossip. I believe you are heading to pay respects to grandmother; I must take my leave first. Please excuse me.”

With that, Jiang Shiyuan took her maidservants Liuhua and Lvluo and departed.

Her steps were steady, showing no sign of haste or fear—truly befitting the granddaughter personally raised by Lady Wang.

Only after she disappeared through the round gate did Wang Kuan lean closer and speak quietly.