Chapter 6: Pei Zisu Reveals the Truth After Drinking

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At the sight of him like this, the young man sitting at the other end, who still hadn’t fully grown, burst out laughing.
“Second brother, it really takes the eldest brother to keep things in check!”
“Shut up! Watch out or I’ll deal with you!”
“Who exactly are you going to deal with?”
Wang Su’s gaze swept over, his eyebrows arching slightly. Wang Kuan awkwardly forced out a smile, then put an arm around Pei Zisu beside him like a shield and said,
“Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue.”
As he spoke, he tugged on Pei Zisu’s sleeve and whispered,
“Aren’t you going to back me up?”
Pei Zisu was about the same age as the Wang family’s second and third brothers, so they were quite close. The three often teased and joked around, making all sorts of jokes without restraint.
Among the brothers, only Pei Zisu wasn’t afraid of the eldest brother, Wang Su. So now that the eldest brother was “suppressing” him, Wang Kuan naturally had to call for backup.
“Maybe it’s because the city defense department has nothing to do lately, so second cousin is in a bad mood and wants to pick fights. Why not find a way to transfer him to the Ministry of Works to repair canals? The lower reaches of the Huai River have a huge flood discharge pressure. Dozens of officials in Hanzhou are stationed on the front lines, complaining nonstop.”
“Ah?”
Wang Kuan looked dismayed at Pei Zisu and hissed under his breath,
“I asked you to back me up, not stir up trouble! Besides, I’m doing well in the city defense department, why would I go to the Ministry of Works? Stop coming up with these bad ideas! There are plenty of people at the Hanzhou government office. Do you think I’m indispensable?”
Pei Zisu remained calm, his ink-dark eyes narrowed at the man in front of him. The more frustrated Wang Kuan became, the more content he felt inside.
Just now, the eldest brother Wang Su, who had sternly rebuked them, nodded silently. When he looked at the second brother Wang Kuan again, his expression hardened with a more iron-fisted resolve.
“Zisu makes a good point. You’ve been living too recklessly in the Western Capital, completely unaware of the common people’s hardships, mingling daily with those aristocratic city defense lads. Playing with cats and dogs won’t last long. Tomorrow, your father will visit the Ministry of Works to see if there’s a suitable vacancy and arrange it for you.”
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present was either shocked or trying to hold back laughter.
The Marquis of Wenyuan, who was happily eating, had suddenly been “assigned” a task by his son. He looked innocent and a bit wronged as he glanced at his second son Wang Kuan. He wanted to support him but his eldest son was a spitting image of their late father—temperament and all.
So he often felt like he had a second father and avoided conflicts with him.
Seeing the contrast between the two, he thought siding with the eldest might yield better results. He gave a firm “hmph” and said,
“Su’er is right. I will go and make some inquiries tomorrow.”
“Are you kidding? Father, you’re just letting the eldest brother arrange everything?”
The Marquis of Wenyuan smiled at Wang Kuan, then scanned the others at the table, shrugging helplessly.
“Among those at this table, except for Zisu, who dares not to follow your eldest brother’s arrangements?”
Wang Kuan quickly glanced around, finding everyone utterly indifferent, like bystanders watching a show. He felt deeply wronged, speechless to the heavens!
Under pressure from his eldest brother’s authority, he had no choice but to swallow his grievances, then angrily looked at the instigator beside him. Pei Zisu wore an innocent smile, making Wang Kuan’s chest feel as if a block of wood was lodged inside.
“Enough. Take these matters to the study yourself. This is a family banquet; say something cheerful. Zisu, how long will you be staying this time?”
The elderly Madam Wang, still worried about her second grandson, though intimidated by the eldest’s imposing presence, didn’t want the second grandson to suffer too much, so she deftly changed the subject.
“About a month or two. We just won a battle not long ago, so the Hanzhou army is at peace. Since it’s aunt’s birthday next month, I’m here representing the whole family to celebrate.”
Hearing this, Aunt Pei’s face lit up with happiness and anticipation. Then she asked,
“What about Zitian and Ziyao? Can they come?”
“Probably not. Ziyao is training with the army, and Zitian has been sent out by father on errands.”
“Ziyao is already training with the army? I remember she’s only seventeen. That girl is impressive, even tougher than me in my youth!”
Speaking of Pei Zisu’s twin younger siblings, a brother and sister, her eyes softened. Especially Pei Ziyao—she was quite famous as a fierce heroine in the Hanzhou army.

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The Pei family, with generations of officials, was a prestigious clan in Hanzhou, a thriving family for centuries. They mostly produced civil officials until Pei Zisu’s grandfather’s generation, when many military generals emerged.
Hanzhou lay beside the Huai River and backed by Huayin Mountain.
This scenic spot was naturally a great place, but precisely because of that, it had long been a battleground coveted by many. Rebel forces from the south came in waves, fighting relentlessly. Therefore, the city walls of Hanzhou were built ever stronger.
At the same time, there was an unwritten rule in Hanzhou city that both men and women could enlist in the army. Merit and promotion were based solely on ability, regardless of gender, resulting in many formidable female soldiers.
Pei Ziyao was a standout among them.
Though young, she was already a captain in the Hanzhou army. In the Battle of Fancheng, where Pei Zisu first gained fame, she was the vanguard. After the great victory, she was promoted and had held the rank for several years.
She now commanded ten thousand troops, an undisputed tiger general.
“Aunt, if Ziyao heard you say that, she’d be thrilled.”
“Ah, life in Hanzhou was more relaxed. When happy, she’d ride horses; when unhappy, she’d go to the training ground and pick fights. That kind of freedom is far better than putting on fake smiles before ladies in the Western Capital.”
Aunt Pei had been married into the Wenyuan Marquis household for more than twenty years but still cherished her youthful days in Hanzhou. Seeing this, Madam Wang pretended to be angry and asked,
“What? Has the Marquis household wronged you?”
Hearing this, Jiang Shishu almost jumped up to confess. Before, with her stepmother, she was hardly allowed to even sit at the table, let alone stroll in the courtyard without reprimand.
She hadn’t expected the kind old lady to get angry, so naturally felt uneasy.
She glanced up slightly and saw her eldest sister smiling, which puzzled her. But at such an occasion, she dared not ask and instead shrank into herself to lessen her presence.
“The lady was teasing me again. Since marrying in, I’ve treated you like my own mother. Without you, the Marquis, and the children in the Western Capital, I would have long returned to Hanzhou. Ah, with all my sincerity, to be spoken to this way, it’s really unfair—truly unfair!”
Saying this, Aunt Pei pretended to be on the verge of tears, making Madam Wang almost break into a smile. Just as her lips twitched, Jiang Shiyuan caught it and quickly said,
“Grandmother, please hold back. This is the perfect time to set rules. If you laugh, Aunt will be nagging about Hanzhou’s goodness every day.”
“You ungrateful girl, have you forgotten how much Aunt loves you? And you dare urge your grandmother to set rules? I think I should find you a husband from Hanzhou so you can see for yourself that Aunt isn’t exaggerating!”
Aunt Pei was so pleased she lost control and blurted this out.
A husband from Hanzhou—wasn’t there one right here?
Third cousin Wang Hong had always liked to follow Pei Zisu around since childhood. After joining the army in Hanzhou a few years ago, he became even more so. He was bold and daring in the military, so when excited, he spoke without thinking. Pointing at Pei Zisu, he laughed,
“Mother said if there’s a good one, why not favor your own family? Here’s a husband from Hanzhou ready-made! Cousin Zisu trains with the army every day; he just needs a reliable wife to keep him in order.”
At his words, everyone fell silent.
Jiang Shiyuan felt awkward, as if she were being turned into entertainment. She had only met this cousin a few times and barely knew him. Now, after Wang Hong’s teasing, she didn’t even want to imagine a future with him.
Aunt Pei’s eyes flicked between the two, about to say something encouraging, but her daughter-in-law, Xiang, interrupted. She discreetly added some of Pei Zisu’s favorite three-delicacy stew into her bowl, then casually said,
“Third brother, you don’t get it. Mother-in-law is just joking. A’nian is still young, no rush. Since today is a welcome banquet for cousin Zisu, the celebration should revolve around him. Haven’t the bowls in front of you been filled? The wine isn’t yet topped up. Second and third brothers, aren’t you going to drink?”
As the eldest sister-in-law, Xiang held considerable authority.
Just moments ago, the eldest brother had been annoyed when they tried to make Pei Zisu drink. Now the eldest sister-in-law spoke up, they really didn’t know whom to obey.
“Fill them up.”
Eldest brother Wang Su spoke sparingly but decisively, much to Wang Kuan’s delight. Sensing the awkward atmosphere, the two brothers clasped Pei Zisu and began to drink heartily, raising their cups as if they held bowls of the sea itself. Their boldness amused everyone, who laughed and changed the subject.
Jiang Shiyuan gratefully glanced at sister-in-law Xiang, raised her cup to her, and drank deeply. No words were needed.
The Marquis of Wenyuan was content, seeing everyone happy, he laughed along. Jiang Huaishan looked at his daughter hesitantly, but when Jiang Shiyuan gave him a reassuring glance, he relaxed a bit.
At the table, Pei Zisu had already drunk three or four bowls under the teasing of Wang Kuan and Wang Hong, but hadn’t touched any food. Sister-in-law Xiang, feeling sorry for him, spoke up.

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“Second brother, your courage is like that wine cup. Cousin Zisu has had several bowls already; you should drink from the sea bowl too.”
“Sister-in-law, watch closely. Even if I drink three or four more bowls, Cousin Pei will be fine!”
Saying this, he handed another bowl over. Pei Zisu accepted readily, downing several more bowls. The Jiang family father and daughter had never seen such a drinker and were stunned into silence. But to Jiang Shiyuan, this scene was no surprise.
In her previous life, she had attended a palace banquet with the heir of Prince Chun, where Pei Zisu was present. Back then, he was also a heavy drinker who never got drunk, attracting many glances. Unfortunately, shortly after that banquet, he returned to Hanzhou and the next news she heard was of his death.
If she remembered correctly, that banquet was held especially for Pei Zisu.
Hanzhou, the King of Han.
Ultimately, he was a man with wolfish ambitions.
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but glance at Pei Zisu a few more times, filled with regret and pity.
When Pei Zisu finally set down his wine bowl, his eyes met Jiang Shiyuan’s. Since birth, he had seen countless eyes filled with passion, admiration, envy, even hatred. But today, Jiang Shiyuan’s gaze confused him.
Was she worried because she thought he had drunk too much?
His cheeks flushed from the alcohol. As his eyelids drooped, when he looked up again, his long-suppressed feelings boldly surfaced. He stared unblinkingly in Jiang Shiyuan’s direction.
He didn’t want to wait any longer.
Since heaven had given him this chance, he should cherish it.
A delicate and lively woman like her deserved careful protection. He had missed his chance in his previous life, but if he hesitated again in this rebirth, it wouldn’t be like him.
Setting down his wine bowl, he rose and, with smiling eyes fixed on Jiang Shiyuan, spoke clearly,
“Cousin, I have admired A’nian for a long time and waited patiently for years. May I ask if A’nian would consent to be my wife?”
At these words, the lively chatter suddenly fell silent. Mouths parted in surprise as they looked at Pei Zisu.
“What did he… say?”
Second cousin Wang Kuan was stunned, momentarily thinking Pei Zisu had drunk too much and was rambling. But seeing the firm resolve in his eyes, he swallowed hard.
Third cousin Wang Hong was also baffled, having never expected his words to come true.
Everyone present, except the calm eldest brother Wang Su, was shocked.
Aunt Pei hesitated and asked,
“Zisu, are you serious?”
“You know me, Aunt. Pei family men never speak falsely. I am sober despite the wine and truly admire cousin A’nian. You should know this.”
“Huh? I should know?”
Aunt Pei looked puzzled but then glanced at the questioning eyes of others around her. Suddenly, she recalled the half-yearly urgent shipments of the aromatic pills from Hanzhou and had an epiphany.
Aunt Xiang’s family had once helped a recluse with extraordinary medical skills who never treated outsiders. They sent for help to Hanzhou on a whim and unexpectedly got a reply.
Aunt Pei remembered when sister-in-law had brought that doctor north to treat Jiang Shiyuan. Pei Zisu, then only nine years old, was there.
Could it be that at that time, he had already taken a liking to her?
Memories flashed through her mind: the constant supply of aromatic pills, Pei Zisu’s visits to celebrate her birthday whenever military duties allowed, always asking about cousin A’nian’s health, and most of the cooling jade mats in the storeroom were specially made and sent by him…
Piece by piece, everything connected.