Eleven thousand eleven

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Could it be that she actually disliked Pei San to such an extent? That seemed unlikely. Jiang Xinyue thought to herself, maybe she should just endure it since it was only a kiss and it would soon be over. But when she tiptoed closer, the smell of sweat mixed with the earthy scent of dust still clinging to the man was overwhelmingly pervasive.

She immediately turned her head away, suppressing the wave of nausea. One hand pressed against the man’s chest, the other covering her mouth, she mumbled an explanation, “It’s really not my fault, you just smell unpleasant.”

Pei Yannian’s face darkened even further. Without a glance at his young wife, he strode out directly to tidy up the wooden basin and buckets left by the door.

Listening to the crackling sounds outside, Jiang Xinyue knew that if they were still in Qingshui Town, she would have gone forward to soothe him. But now that they were in the capital, what could Pei San really do to her?

She pretended not to notice his displeasure, tiptoed out, and said, “Then I’ll just leave now. I’ll come see you another time.”

Having said that, she slipped out through the side door without once looking back at the man.

The hand gripping the wooden basin tightened, the blue veins on the back of his hand standing out sharply.

Pei Yannian said nothing more. After bringing all the items inside, he didn’t stay long. He locked the door before heading out to the military camp.

Since returning from the border, he had voluntarily relinquished all military authority in hand. To show favor toward the Duke of Zhen Guo’s household, the emperor appointed him commander of the Eastern Grand Camp on the outskirts of the capital.

After hearing news from his young wife, he had put down his military duties to rush back, only to return to handle official matters once more.

Upon arrival at the camp tent, Wen Shan eagerly approached, “Duke, did you see madam?”

Pei Yannian was reluctant to bring up the matter, simply responding with a grunt as he sat down at his desk.

Wen Shan, still riding the wave of joy from finding the madam, thought about how he deserved a reward for locating her.

News of the duke’s marriage in the village had been sent to the capital early on. Although the dowager was displeased that such a significant event was only communicated to the family, she understood the duke’s straightforward nature and had only instructed that the bride be brought to the capital for a visit upon their return.

It could be said that the entire household awaited the arrival of the duke’s unknown wife, eager to see what kind of remarkable woman had won his heart.

Yet, the duke alone returned to the capital, his face as dark as storm clouds, often summoning his men for training sessions.

No one knew that the duke, having fought fiercely on the grasslands, could easily overpower all eight of them multiple times and toss them aside.

That was not training—it was one-sided punishment.

But... heh heh, now that the duke had found his wife, his mood should improve. So perhaps the one who first found her deserved some reward to soothe the pain of ‘training.’

Wen Shan, oblivious to his master’s sour mood, stepped forward and asked, “Madam seemed very happy to see you, didn’t she?”

Pei Yannian finally glanced at him, jaw clenched, eyes glinting meaningfully in the tent’s candlelight.

“Why haven’t you brought her here? Did you send her back to the Duke’s Manor first?”

His grip on the brush tightened.

“You’re rather insensitive, aren’t you? After being apart so long, you send her home but come yourself to the camp? Isn’t it said that short separations make for sweet reunions? You’re too devoted to work.”

Wen Shan’s words hit the mark.

Pei Yannian flung the brush aside, his face darker than ink. He looked up at the still jubilant Wen Shan and snapped coldly, “Are you that idle?”

“Ah?” Wen Shan was caught off guard.

“Idle enough to spar with me.”

Pei Yannian rose abruptly, grabbed the unsuspecting Wen Shan by the shoulders, spun him around and threw him down.

Late autumn had arrived; the temperature dropped sharply at night.

As the cold wind brushed his cheek, Pei Yannian’s mind sharpened. With each punch, his strength ebbed, and the day’s events fell naturally into place.

He was no fool. At his rank, many at the border wished him dead.

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Assassination was no mere idle tale told by storytellers.

His young wife’s words were full of loopholes; she was trying to deceive him, but he wasn’t so easily fooled.

But what could he do? This was Qiao Qiao.

The one who always sought refuge in his arms during thunder and rain, the one who stubbornly refused to rise in the morning, the one who could even say “I like you” to someone as uninteresting as him...

Forget it. Let’s see what she’s up to. As long as the one she liked was himself, such harmless little lies were insignificant.

After sweating out a thin layer, Pei Yannian exhaled deeply, choosing not to dwell on it.

Glancing at Wen Shan, who was groaning on the ground, his sharp gaze swept over him.

“You’re regressing. Go practice on your own.”

Feeling the heavy pressure on his back like a thousand pounds, Wen Shan dared not protest and quickly got up, clasping his fists respectfully. “Yes, sir.”

Pei Yannian said little more, took the handkerchief brought by Yan Qing to wipe the sweat from his brow, and strode toward his tent.

Halfway there, he suddenly recalled something and ordered Yan Qing, “Send someone to thoroughly clean the courtyard on Drum Tower Alley. I’ll be staying there for a few days.”

Yan Qing didn’t question whose courtyard it was and nodded, “Yes.”

But Pei Yannian did not leave immediately. He stopped in place.

The wind caused the nearby torch to flicker, elongating and distorting his shadow.

In the dim light, his sharp, star-like eyes flashed with complex emotions. Ultimately, he did not instruct Yan Qing to investigate who the Miss Jiang was.

He thought the answer should come from his young wife.

—

Jiang Xinyue was entirely unaware that she had already been seen through.

On the carriage, she began to scold her two maids.

“You two! When I hadn’t even regained my senses, you ran off so fast I couldn’t see you anywhere. Aren’t you afraid he might be a bad man who would really take me away?”

“But Miss, don’t you know him? He didn’t seem to have any ill intent,” Qing Fei patted her pouch nervously and lowered her head. “Besides, if he really was owed money, we could just pay him back. We’re not short of money.”

Jiang Xinyue was silenced, unable to reply.

Qing Fei seemed somewhat convinced by her own reasoning and looked at her mistress with a small, pitiful gaze that said, “We’re trying our best to listen to you, so why are you still angry?”

Qing Cui nodded repeatedly nearby, “Yes.”

The two maids blinked, wearing the expression of “we’re doing everything you say, so why the anger?”

Fine, these two maids were indeed unsuitable to be present.

Jiang Xinyue couldn’t help but vent her frustration, harshly pinching each of their faces. Seeing their brows furrowed but no resistance, she finally felt a bit relieved.

After what happened with Qing Zhu, she had been very anxious, fearing another “Qing Zhu” might appear among her close maids.

But Qing Fei and Qing Cui could clear themselves of suspicion.

No one would pick two fools as spies.

“Qing Fei, skip dinner for a month. No matter what the kitchen makes, you’re not allowed to eat it. Qing Cui, your monthly wages are docked for a month.”

Qing Fei and Qing Cui were aggrieved but dared not argue. Qing Fei sulked a while, then nonchalantly approached and quietly asked, “Miss, who was that man today?”

“What’s the matter?”

“Just curious.” Qing Fei hesitated before sharing her observation. “He looks fierce, but it seems like he likes you.”

Jiang Xinyue looked at her in surprise.

Qing Fei chuckled softly, “I don’t think I’m wrong. He looks at you the same way the young master does.”

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Jiang Xinyue was no longer surprised but seemed to want to write “What nonsense are you talking?” all over her face.

“Don’t say such things carelessly. If others hear, it’ll cause trouble.” She paused, then said in a low voice, “No one is allowed to mention what happened today, understood?”

The two maids nodded repeatedly.

Back at the manor, before she even reached the courtyard, Jiang Xinyue took off her outer garment at the door.

A sharp-eyed young maid promptly brought a copper basin filled with hot water for her to wash her hands. The basin contained a few drops of floral dew; as she dipped her hands in, a faint rose scent wafted up, soothing her tense nerves from the long day.

Since Qing Zhen and Qing Zhu had met tragic ends, few capable attendants remained by her side.

Qing Fei managed the small kitchen and its affairs; Qing Cui was timid but meticulous, having learned bookkeeping early and was responsible for the accounts and storeroom.

Those who usually cared for her daily life were Qing Zhen and Qing Zhu.

Qing Zhen had died tragically at the hands of mountain bandits for her sake; Qing Zhu had already been silenced by murder, her true status unknown.

Both maids who had grown up with her had met untimely deaths, filling Jiang Xinyue with an indescribable sorrow. She lowered her eyes to hide the complex emotions beneath.

After washing her hands, she stretched them out, allowing the young maid to dry them with a soft silk cloth.

Just as she was about to enter, the young maid went inside first, took out her usual rose-scented ointment, and used a slender silver spoon to scoop out a small amount—about the size of a soybean.

Warming it in her hands, she gently rubbed it onto Jiang Xinyue’s hands, massaging the knuckles.

“What’s your name?” Jiang Xinyue asked suddenly after watching her for a moment.

The young maid was taken aback, then obediently knelt, “Miss, my name is Tao Xi.”

“Alright, get up and speak.” Jiang Xinyue sat down in a rosewood chair, glanced at the young maid’s face, tucked a soft pillow behind her waist, and asked lightly, “Why haven’t I seen you much before?”

“Previously, I was responsible for tending the flowers and plants in the courtyard and rarely came indoors. Some time ago, the housekeeper instructed me to serve inside.”

“Were you close to Qing Zhu?”

Qing Fei and Qing Cui, who were cleaning the basin and cloth, stopped at the mention of Qing Zhu’s name. The usual rustling ceased, and the atmosphere grew heavy.

Tao Xi hesitated before telling the truth, “I used to share a room with Sister Qing Zhu. Later, when she became your maid, we no longer lived together but kept in touch.”

“Anything else?” Jiang Xinyue’s smile faded, impatience creeping into her tone. “Did Qing Zhu tell you about my habits?”

Though Jiang Xinyue was delicate, she was not harsh to her servants, rarely ever wearing such a cold expression.

Tao Xi was frightened. “I had no other thoughts. Sister Qing Zhu taught me on her own. She said once she got married, she would ask you to reward me, so I could serve you.”

“She was going to marry?” Jiang Xinyue sat up straight, looking at Qing Fei and Qing Cui. “Did she ever mention this?”

Qing Fei and Qing Cui shook their heads. They only knew Qing Zhu was an orphan who seldom socialized, and knew little else.

“Do you know who her lover was?”

“Yes, I think I saw him once. He came to the Marquis of Huaiyuan’s residence to get money from Sister Qing Zhu. When she couldn’t gather it, she borrowed from me. I heard he lived around Qingque Street, doing small business. Beyond that, I don’t know.”

Jiang Xinyue was shocked, as if she had never truly known Qing Zhu despite living with her for over ten years. How many secrets had Qing Zhu kept from them?

After clarifying the matter of Qing Zhu’s lover, Jiang Xinyue dismissed Tao Xi. “Don’t be nervous. I was just curious. Keep doing your duties well.”

Qing Cui helped the pale Tao Xi up and personally escorted her out.

Jiang Xinyue sensed that Qing Zhu’s lover was key, but she had no capable people to investigate.

Not that she lacked capable people—she suddenly thought of Pei San, whom she had met today.

Wasn’t it a perfect coincidence? Pei San was highly skilled in martial arts and stayed in the outer courtyard—a perfect person to gather information.

But what excuse could she use? Jiang Xinyue fell into deep thought.