Chapter 13: She Wants to Talk to Pei Jiuru
Page (1/3)
“Green Wax, wait outside for now.”
Jiang Nian wanted to speak with Pei Jiuru. Perhaps the marriage bargain had been too impulsive; she did not even know what kind of man he was.
If he was the sort of man who could not live without that sort of thing, she would not mind seeking a divorce the very day after their wedding.
Hearing the sudden gravity in Jiang Nian’s voice, Pei Jiuru set down his book. “What else did you wish to discuss with me?”
Jiang Nian gave a slight nod and asked him directly, “Ever since we returned to the bedroom yesterday evening, you’ve been in a bad mood. Is it because we’re sleeping in separate beds?”
“No.”
Jiang Nian eyed the man suspiciously. “Really?”
“Yes.” Pei Jiuru had not expected Jiang Nian to ask so bluntly, but neither was he lying.
At first, when he realized that Jiang Nian looked down on his performance in bed, he had felt both irritated and somewhat inferior.
Later, he had suddenly understood how badly he had disgraced himself. She had made it perfectly clear that she regarded the matter as nothing more than a transaction, yet he had nearly lost his head over it.
He had kept his distance from her that day and skipped the meal in the dining hall because he wanted to withdraw as quickly as possible from matters that were unimportant. The metropolitan examination was fast approaching, and he could not afford to be so distracted.
His displeasure came from his own state of mind, never from the fact that they were sleeping separately.
After thinking it over, Pei Jiuru realized that his earlier attitude had been irrational. He said solemnly, “I don’t need ginseng soup. I’m sorry to have made you come all this way. The metropolitan examination will take place next spring, and I intend to devote myself entirely to preparing for it. In the meantime, you may as well act as though there is no one like me in this household and do whatever you please. I also study late into the night. If that disturbs your rest, I can move into the study.”
Jiang Nian stared seriously into Pei Jiuru’s eyes. Seeing how earnestly—and wordily—he explained himself, she began to suspect that perhaps she had been overthinking things.
Maybe the pressure of studying had simply become too much.
Very well. That would explain his sudden, inexplicably foul mood.
“Oh. Then study hard. I’ll try not to come to the study and disturb you. As for moving in here to sleep…”
Knock, knock, knock!
Jiang Nian froze. Green Wax knew that she was speaking with Pei Jiuru; unless something important had happened, she would never knock and interrupt them.
Swallowing the rest of what she had intended to say about sleeping arrangements, Jiang Nian hurriedly said, “Go on. I’ll step outside and see what’s happening. We can continue our conversation tonight.”
After Pei Jiuru acknowledged her, she turned and left the study.
Green Wax spoke rapidly, her entire body tense with alertness. “Miss, the gatekeeper’s boy just came to report that the young lady from the Tang family has arrived. No one could stop her, and she’s already in the courtyard!”
Jiang Nian had a faint suspicion that Tang Qingwan had come for the four thousand taels.
Page (1/3)
Page (2/3)
By the time she strode into the front courtyard, she saw Tang Qingwan looking around the residence with great interest.
“What wind blew you here, Cousin?”
Tang Qingwan hurried two steps forward, took Jiang Nian’s hand, and smiled. “NianNian! How could you say that? Am I not allowed to come and see you? You’re married now, and I’ve been so worried about you!”
Her tone was warm and affectionate. Anyone who did not know better might have thought the two cousins had always been close.
Jiang Nian withdrew her hand. “You’ve been worried about me? You’re about to enter the Bo household. Surely it is Young Master Bo you ought to be worrying about.”
“Stop teasing me!” Tang Qingwan’s cheeks flushed. “The Bo family is such a powerful clan, and Yijin has become its head at such a young age. Even becoming Yijin’s concubine is something other women could beg for and never obtain. Besides, our hearts belong to each other. I don’t care about status.”
Jiang Nian gave Tang Qingwan an amused glance. No one had asked why she was becoming Bo Yijin’s concubine, so why was she rushing to explain herself? Was she trying to preserve her dignity?
Surely Tang Qingwan could not truly think that way.
“As long as Cousin is happy. Congratulations.”
“NianNian, you really do understand me. I’ve always said that the two of us have been closest since childhood. Do you remember when you were three and broke Grandfather’s favorite vase? I took the blame for you! Even then, I thought that no matter how many years passed or how old we became, I would always protect you.”
“Heh…” Jiang Nian had no memory of any such incident. But Tang Qingwan had repeated the story for so many years that everyone in the family now believed it had truly happened.
Jiang Nian had no intention of quarreling with her over such ancient history. Tang Qingwan had suddenly begun pretending at intimacy and reminiscing about the past—bringing up old feelings never led to anything good.
“Since you were worried about me and have now seen me, you should go home.”
“We’ve been talking for quite a while, and I’m thirsty. Why don’t we go inside and have some tea?”
“This residence is new, and nothing has been properly arranged yet. There’s no tea.”
Tang Qingwan’s expression stiffened, but she soon smiled again. “All right, then. We won’t have tea. Your courtyard is very nicely arranged.”
“Then feel free to look around by yourself. I have other matters to attend to.”
“Wait!” Tang Qingwan stopped Jiang Nian as she turned to leave. “I really do have something to ask of you today.”
“I can’t help. I don’t know any influential people, I have no ability, and I have no money. I can’t help you at all.”
“…”
Tang Qingwan was left speechless for a moment. Then she simply pretended not to have heard Jiang Nian and continued, “You know how wealthy the Bo family is. I’m only entering the household as a concubine. If I have no money of my own once I arrive, how am I supposed to survive?”
“Since you and Young Master Bo love each other, he certainly won’t let you go without money.”
“That’s true! But from showing respect to one’s elders to managing the servants and attendants, money is needed for everything. Yijin is busy, and there will always be times when he cannot attend to me.”
Page (2/3)
Page (3/3)
“Oh.” So she really had come to borrow money.
“NianNian, you know my family has never been wealthy. The dowry my parents saved for me was all returned to your family. Of course, that money ought to be returned! But I never expected to enter the Bo household so soon. NianNian, lend me three thousand taels first. I’ll repay you in a month—a month, I promise.”
“You must be joking, Cousin. Where would I get that kind of money?”
Tang Qingwan gave her a mysterious wink. “Don’t think I don’t know that you have several shops under your name.”
“Take a look at me from head to toe. Do I look wealthy to you? Those few shops don’t make any money. I even borrowed a great deal from Fan Qing and poured it into them.”
“But you…” Tang Qingwan studied Jiang Nian and saw that she truly was not wearing a single valuable item. “Why don’t you ask your family? If they could first move the four thousand taels they owe my father over to me for my use…”
“I am already a married daughter.”
“Your husband looks wealthy enough to me as well. Just look at this courtyard—it must have cost a great deal of money.”
“I have no say over his affairs.”
“How can you be so useless?”
“That’s right. Cousin is absolutely correct.”
Tang Qingwan stared at Jiang Nian, her expression turning cold. She finally understood. It was not that Jiang Nian had no money—she simply had no intention of lending it to her.
“Can’t you show some understanding for my difficulties? Without money, how am I supposed to conduct myself freely after entering the Bo household?”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“Jiang Nian, don’t force me to be harsh just because I’m being polite!”
Jiang Nian suddenly laughed. “Oh? You’re not pretending anymore?”
“You!” Tang Qingwan’s face turned deathly pale. Grinding her teeth, she said, “You saw through me long ago! You were deliberately making a fool of me!”
The more Tang Qingwan thought about it, the angrier she became. Since Jiang Nian had shown her no mercy, she could hardly be blamed for showing none in return.
Page (3/3)