Chapter 48 – Pampered and Delicate

Good, or not good?

Pei Xuan stood there, stunned, her ears turning an astonishing shade of red.

Ever since she whimsically wrote this story three years ago, she had kept her identity as the author a well-guarded secret. No one would have guessed that the usually serious Gentleman Pei was secretly writing romantic and supernatural tales.

But what about now?

She had treasured this manuscript for three years before finally showing it to someone, only to be immediately exposed. She couldn’t figure out what went wrong.

She had to admit Cui Ti’s cleverness and intelligence.

However…

She had envisioned the rabbit spirit and the immortal lord achieving a perfect union ever since she met Cui Ti. As for their newlywed bliss…

The summer night’s breeze couldn’t dispel the heat from her cheeks, and her heart pounded like a drum. “Niangzi, how did you guess?”

Cui Ti smiled mischievously. “Just a wild guess.”

Pei Xuan chuckled. “Is my acting that bad?”

“Not just bad,” Cui Ti teased, tugging at the front of her shirt. “You’re terrible at lying, and your eyes…”

“My eyes? What’s wrong with my eyes?”

Cui Ti couldn’t resist wanting to kiss her again. “Your eyes are saying, ‘Praise me, praise me.’ If I said this ‘author’ wasn’t good, would you feel wronged?”

Wronged?

Pei Xuan fell into deep thought.

Did she really show her emotions so plainly in front of Titi?

“I don’t care.”

“Hmm?”

Cui Ti tilted her head back, asking her to wipe the sweat off. “I want to see the immortal lord and the rabbit spirit in love,” she said, poking Pei Xuan’s chest. “Just like you and me now.”

“…”

Holding the soft white towel, Pei Xuan’s breath hitched, her eyes filled with spreading warmth. She said hoarsely, “Niangzi, have mercy?”

If this continued, she wouldn’t be able to control herself.

“Will you agree or not?”

First, her three-year secret identity was revealed, and now she was being coaxed into writing some amorous scenes. Pei Xuan couldn’t resist and raised her hands in surrender. “I’ll do as you say, as you say.”

Cui Ti threw herself into her arms, covering her “Fujun” in fragrant sweat.

Eventually, the two of them dawdled their way to the bath and dawdled their way out. Outside the window, the stars shone brightly. The summer wind rustled the tree branches, and somewhere in the yard, two night cats were fighting.

After that night, in addition to her position as an Imperial Lecturer of the upper sixth rank at the Hanlin Academy, Pei Xuan had a new task-writing stories for her beloved Niangzi.

When people talked about the legitimate son of the Pei Family, who wouldn’t praise his literary talents and charm?

Able to compose poetry at the age of three and becoming the Zhuangyuan at seventeen, he paraded through the streets of Xi Jing on horseback, admired by many noble ladies. Such a Pei Xuan was undoubtedly dazzling.

Among the common people, those who wrote stories were mostly impoverished scholars, though there were exceptions.

One notable exception Pei Xuan knew of was the Third Imperial Prince in the palace, a famous author whose works were wildly popular, even causing paper shortages in Xi Jing.

Pei Xuan had no intention of competing for the title of Dazhao’s foremost author. Her stories were meant for one person only.

She was troubled by how to satisfy this sole reader. She had a vague feeling that her serious and dignified reputation might not hold up.

Writers are often fanciful, and despite Pei Xuan’s outward appearance of austerity and propriety, she had her flights of fancy. Otherwise, at the age of fifteen, she wouldn’t have written an entire tragic love story in one night after getting drunk.

July, Imperial Palace, Sutra Hall.

After concluding her half-day lecture on the classics and history, Pei Xuan took a small sip from the tea cup beside her, moistening her throat.

Emperor Zhao slowly emerged from his contemplative state, looking at the talented young Imperial Lecturer with admiration. “Xingguang has been looking well lately,” he remarked.

He set aside his imperial demeanor to chat and joke with his junior. Pei Xuan’s beautiful face bloomed with a smile. “With the country at peace and harmony between ruler and subject, my days are naturally comfortable.”

Whether this response was sincere or not, Emperor Zhao could tell at a glance.

What he appreciated most about Pei Xuan was his integrity. Despite being the chancellor’s son, he remained pure and upright, living like a lotus that grows unsullied from the mud.

Having such a minister was a blessing for the nation and the people.

The Hanlin Academy had long been known as a “place for nurturing future chancellors.” Pei Xuan was the Crown Prince’s chosen sword to stabilize the country. Even now, while the sword remained sheathed, its undeniable brilliance inspired reverence.

Everyone said that Pei Xuan had the Emperor’s favor. His rapid promotion within a few short months of entering the Hanlin Academy was unprecedented. Yet Emperor Zhao understood that this was just the beginning.

Pei Rufeng had an excellent son.

Unfortunately, this excellent son belonged to someone else. Fortunately, this excellent son had a good relationship with his own son.

“I’m off to see the Crown Prince. You should head home and work hard. Hopefully, I can drink to your child’s full moon celebration soon.”

“…”

Caught completely off guard, Pei Xuan stood there in a daze as Emperor Zhao exited with a hearty laugh. She wiped imaginary sweat from her forehead, feeling embarrassed.

An attendant approached obsequiously. “Imperial Lecturer Pei, this way, please.”

The palace was vast and its corridors long. Young princesses and Imperial Princes peeked curiously from the corners. Catching a glimpse of them, Pei Xuan quickened her pace.

She had no desire to take another consort, especially since His Majesty had been eyeing her like a wolf eyeing its prey, often lamenting her early marriage.

Thinking about how to draft her next story and how to act more discreetly in the future, Pei Xuan left the palace, relieved to see her family’s carriage waiting.

The curtain lifted, revealing the neatly seated Young Madam Pei, who looked at her with a smile. “Xingguang?”

Pei Xuan was momentarily stunned and quickly sat beside her. “Titi? What are you doing here?”

“I came to pick you up.”

In an instant, the fatigue of the half-day melted away. Pei Xuan’s face lit up. “Have you been waiting long?”

Cui Ti, without answering, leaned in to sniff her clothes. Detecting no scent of other women, she played with Pei Xuan’s slender fingers. “Not too long.”

This inspection, as if checking if her “Fujun” had been unfaithful, made Pei Xuan straighten her back defensively. “I didn’t look at any other girls. Besides, the palace is full of princesses and consorts. As a minister, I must adhere to the rules of propriety and cannot offend.”

“Why are you so nervous?”

“…”

Pei Xuan pursed her lips, remaining silent while Cui Ti teased her with her eyes.

Pei Xingguang leaned in to join their conversation. “You look just like Mom ‘interrogating’ Dad.”

“Really?” Cui Ti lowered her voice. “You guessed right. I learned this from our Mom.”

Pei Xuan blinked, not quite understanding.

“Mom came to the villa to watch a play with me and specifically told me to keep an eye on you. She said the palace is full of women and quite a few vixens.”

The word “vixen” rolled off Cui Ti’s tongue with a casual, airy tone. Pei Xuan’s throat tightened as she thought: No vixen could be as charming as my Niangzi. I’d have to be blind to fall for any other “spirit.”

“What are you thinking about?”

Cui Ti bit the soft skin on Pei Xuan’s neck.

The normally gentle rabbit spirit suddenly turned into a playful dog, and the delightful tingle was something only Pei Xuan could feel.

She was so tempted to be mischievous in the carriage, but she held back, merely brushing her leg against Cui Ti’s. “I’m thinking, how could Mom fool me again.”

Previously, to hasten their consummation, Mom had even fabricated an excuse about being incapable. Pei Xuan enjoyed her Niangzi’s closeness while desperately suppressing her untimely urges.

Fortunately, Cui Ti knew when to stop and soon distanced herself.

“Did you remember how it felt just now, Xingguang?”

“What?”

“The immortal lord, overwhelmed with post-marital passion, couldn’t control himself and had an intimate encounter with the rabbit spirit in the carriage. You need to write that in.”

“…”

With her face flushed like a peach blossom, Cui Ti covered her face and peeked at Pei Xuan’s stunned expression, unable to suppress her laughter.

Her cheeks turned crimson from holding back, and Pei Xuan could hear her stifled giggles. She rubbed her ears. “I remember. But do I really have to write it?”

“Yes, you have to.”

Her tone was serious.

Pei Xuan couldn’t bear to disappoint her over such a small request, though the thought made her feel embarrassed. “I’m afraid I won’t write it well.”

“Practice makes perfect.”

“…”

Pei Xuan gritted her teeth silently. “Alright.”

Cui Ti couldn’t help but laugh as she fell into her arms.

She loved seeing Xingguang’s expression of reluctant agreement—it was just too cute.

It made her feel cherished.

The carriage rolled into Sushe Villa, and Pei Xuan went to the study to draft the day’s romantic chapter. Meanwhile, Cui Ti summoned Raoliang.

With the door closed, Raoliang reported, “Cousin miss has been spending a lot of time with third miss lately.”

Leaning on the beauty couch, Cui Ti furrowed her brow for a moment, then smiled. “Do you think she’ll invite me out tomorrow?”

“Well…”

Raoliang didn’t understand the tension between Cui Ti and cousin miss. The cousin miss was beautiful and kind-hearted, and no one in the Pei Family spoke ill of her. Yet, the Young Madam simply did not like her.

Perhaps it had something to do with the gentleman.

The gentleman and cousin miss were close cousins, having grown up together with a strong bond. Before the Young Madam married into the Pei Family, everyone thought the lady of the house would choose cousin miss as the gentleman’s wife.

However, while the cousin miss was a kind-hearted person, third miss Cui was more likely a schemer with ill intentions. Cui Ti couldn’t fathom how such a good and bad pair could hit it off.

She suspected that Cui Dai was deliberately currying favor with Dou Qingyue.

Cui Ti didn’t care much about their motivations and waved her hand dismissively. “You may go now.”

The room became quiet, and with no one to disturb her, she closed her eyes, trying to organize her chaotic thoughts.

People of a kind flock together. If Dou Qingyue was associating with Cui Dai, then in Cui Ti’s eyes, Dou Qingyue might not be as virtuous as she appeared.

Not to mention her constant presence around Xingguang, which was annoying. And her recent close companionship with Cui Dai—no one knew Cui Dai better than Cui Ti did.

But there were things she couldn’t discuss with Xingguang.

She couldn’t even bring them up.

Xingguang knowing she disliked Dou Qingyue was one thing, but speaking ill of a younger female cousin in front of her was another.

She didn’t want to sow discord.

Lest Xingguang think she was petty and intolerant.

The Dou Family and the Pei Family were so close they were practically inseparable. As the Pei Family’s Young Madam, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to stir up trouble. If her mother-in-law found out, it would only cause unnecessary complications.

Cui Ti sighed softly. She only wanted to spend a peaceful life with Xingguang, free from disturbances.

With both third miss Cui and cousin miss, the former being favored by her parents and the latter having a good reputation with Dou Qingyue, Cui Ti sometimes felt like she was always on guard after her “rebirth.”

But her instincts were strong, and she still suspected that cousin miss was here to compete with her for Xingguang’s affection.

She was deeply troubled.

As the moon rose, Pei Xuan emerged from the study, holding the freshly written manuscript. Bai Tang was supporting the Young Madam as they took a post-dinner stroll under the moonlight.

“Finished writing?”

Pei Xuan nodded, taking Cui Ti’s hand and leading her forward.

“Then I want to see it!”

She was eager to return to their room to see how the immortal lord reconciled with the rabbit spirit. Pei Xuan couldn’t refuse her, but to read it, Cui Ti would need her assistance.

There was no escaping now.

The usually serene Gentleman Pei held the manuscript with a solemn, otherworldly expression.

Cui Ti playfully nudged her arm, teasing, “You look so serious. Your seriousness will affect my ability to appreciate it.”

“…”

Her Niangzi was a demanding little bookworm. Pei Xuan sat on the bed, trying hard to relax her tense body and mind.

The two of them sat shoulder to shoulder, reading the freshly written manuscript. Cui Ti occasionally let out small exclamations of surprise, sounds that filled Pei Xuan with both pride and embarrassment.

When Cui Ti finished reading, Pei Xuan asked, “How was it?”

“It was wonderful!” Cui Ti praised without hesitation.

Satisfied, Pei Xuan put away the manuscript and began helping her Niangzi undress. “It’s getting late; we should sleep.”

“What happens next? How will the reincarnated immortal lord convince her parents to let her marry her beloved girl?”

“That’s for tomorrow’s writing. You’ll know when you wake up.”

She nestled into the soft bedding with Cui Ti in her arms, but Cui Ti, eager for more of the story, clung to her hand. “When can I read it tomorrow?”

“I’ll try to write it early.”

Cui Ti, too excited to sleep, held onto her. As the night wore on and Pei Xuan began to drift into deeper sleep, Cui Ti asked, “What do you think of Dou Qingyue, Xingguang?”

“A Yue…” Pei Xuan mumbled, half asleep, “A Yue is very good…”

The next morning, the “very good” A Yue sent a servant with an invitation for a lake outing with her cousin’s wife.

Raoliang’s eyes widened as she repeatedly examined the gilded invitation—Young Madam had predicted it correctly. Cousin miss really did invite her for a boat ride!