Chapter 21

Qi Yunmiao felt that Pei Ze’s temperament was much like the fickle skies over the capital—sometimes sunny, sometimes overcast, sometimes pleasant, and sometimes foul.

He had not promised Qi Yunmiao that he would attend the birthday banquet for the Old Matriarch of the Marquis of Lingyang’s estate. Consequently, until the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Qi Yunmiao had lived with a heart full of anxiety, praying that he might suddenly be struck by a fit of kindness and have a change of heart on the day of the feast.

Upon learning that Qi Yunmiao might have the chance to attend, Nanny Fang had rummaged through every corner of her cabinets, desperate to find a festive outfit to prepare for her. Although Shen Ruozhu had been gone for over a month, she had commissioned several winter garments for Qi Yunmiao before her departure, all of which had been delivered to the estate and stored in the wardrobe.

Nanny Fang found a red satin jacket with gold silk embroidery, paired with a matching red pleated skirt adorned with auspicious koi fish patterns. After holding them up against Qi Yunmiao, she felt there could be no better attire for the banquet. She had even planned to style Qi’s hair in a pair of adorable double-ring buns.

Though it was not yet clear how much of Shen Ruozhu’s beauty Qi Yunmiao had inherited, her large, round eyes were distinct and captivating, full of life and spirit, like the morning sun that brought joy to anyone who looked upon her. Nanny Fang thought that if she were styled this way, there would surely be no little girl in the world more precious than Qi Yunmiao.

They made every preparation, waiting only for Pei Ze’s word to set off for the Marquis’s estate.

They waited and waited, until the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month finally arrived. Early that morning, Qi Yunmiao rose eagerly, changed into the clothes Nanny Fang had prepared, and sat in the courtyard, hoping Pei Ze would call for her to head out.

It was also the Laba Festival. Fearing that Pei Ze might forbid her from going, Nanny Fang comforted her in advance, saying, "It’s alright. If we truly cannot go, we shall stay at home, and I will cook Laba porridge for you. My hometown’s recipe is unique; no one in the capital knows how to make it, and even the Prime Minister praises it every year."

"But Nanny, I want to go." Qi Yunmiao looked up with longing, the two red silk ribbons in her hair swaying.

Nanny Fang had found those ribbons in her jewelry box that morning—the very ones she had worn on her first day at the Prime Minister’s estate. She had tied them into bows on Qi Yunmiao’s double-ring buns to match her outfit, making her look like a "good fortune" doll from a New Year’s print.

Heart aching for the girl, Nanny Fang quickly changed her tone: "Yes, yes, of course, we shall go. Our estate has always had a good relationship with the Marquis of Lingyang’s; the young master will not truly refuse."

"Really?" Qi Yunmiao asked.

"Yes," Nanny Fang nodded solemnly.

"Then... if Brother goes alone and doesn't want to take me, what should I do?" Qi Yunmiao asked immediately.

"This..." Nanny Fang was suddenly at a loss. She couldn't think of how to answer. Within the Prime Minister’s estate, besides Pei Xun, the person whose word carried the most weight was Pei Ze. Even when Shen Ruozhu was present, if she and Pei Ze argued, the servants never knew whom to obey.

"If we truly cannot go, once the young master leaves, I will secretly take you to the streets to stroll and buy some novel trinkets. How about that?" Nanny Fang suggested.

"Hmm..."

Qi Yunmiao did not want to settle for that. She sat by the window, watching the sun rise, and suddenly stood up, having made a decision. She would go to Pei Ze’s courtyard and pester him to ask again!

She lifted her skirt and set off. However, before she could rush out of the courtyard, the young manservant who constantly attended Pei Ze arrived. Seeing her dressed in the vibrant red skirt, he said excitedly, "Miss is already up? The young master has prepared the carriage in the front and asked you to head to the main hall for a meal. Once finished, we shall set off together for the Marquis of Lingyang’s estate!"

—

Qi Yunmiao finally sat in the carriage heading to the Marquis of Lingyang’s estate. Along the way, she kept lifting the curtain to look outside, unable to keep still. Pei Ze glanced at her several times, truly unable to understand what could be so exciting about a mere birthday banquet.

Since it was a formal occasion, Pei Ze was also wearing a new outfit—an ink-colored robe with landscape paintings, featuring intricate embroidery on the sleeves and hem. Two white jade pendants hung from his belt, serving as the only highlights of his ensemble. He sat with perfect posture, motionless since boarding the carriage.

Finally, as Qi Yunmiao lowered the curtain and withdrew her gaze, Pei Ze advised, "When we arrive at the banquet, stay close to me. Do not speak out of turn. Aside from the congratulatory words, do not ask what shouldn't be asked, and do not say what shouldn't be said."

Qi Yunmiao was puzzled: "What shouldn't be asked?"

"..."

That was exactly what shouldn't be asked. Pei Ze glanced at her again and sighed helplessly: "The Marquis of Lingyang’s household is currently managed by the womenfolk. The Marquis is often away on military campaigns and rarely at home, as is their young heir, Yue Louxi, who is also frequently with the army. If anyone mentions them, do not chime in."

"Oh," Qi Yunmiao said, "Are they not returning today either?"

"No." Pei Ze thought for a moment and added, "Also, the Marchioness of Lingyang passed away some years ago; do not mention that either."

"Yes," Qi Yunmiao nodded obediently.

Pei Ze pondered for a moment as the carriage swayed, ensuring there was nothing else to warn her about. Once satisfied, he allowed her to lift the curtain again, where she gazed in awe at everything outside.

This was the first time Qi Yunmiao had seen so many powerful figures. They were already quite close to the Marquis’s estate, and the entire street was choked with carriages. She had seen crowds of people shoulder-to-shoulder, but never a line of carriages congested like this.

Qi Yunmiao leaned against the window, observing the scene. The Prime Minister’s estate had many carriages; when she went to the Song family for lessons, she usually took a single-horse carriage. When she went out with Pei Ze or her mother, it was a two-horse carriage—much more spacious and grand, equipped with a desk and tea sets.

As for three-horse carriages, she had yet to see one. But on this street today, she finally saw them. Two-horse, three-horse—it was nothing rare here, all stuck in the congestion outside the Marquis’s estate. No wonder they said the capital was a den of wealth where the powerful ran rampant.

Qi Yunmiao counted the carriages, wondering if there were more three-horse or two-horse ones. Before she could finish counting, their carriage seemed to slowly edge toward the entrance of the estate.

Pei Ze urged, "Enough, we are nearly there. Stop looking, tidy yourself up, and don't embarrass me."

"Oh, alright."

Qi Yunmiao had no choice but to lower the curtain and pull her head back. However, the moment she did, a gust of wind swept past her window, catching the curtain and flipping it back up.

"Pardon me! Pardon me!"

"Coming through!"

Hearing the hearty voices, Qi Yunmiao couldn't resist peeking out again. In the midst of the jammed traffic, a young man was riding a tall horse, his red robes flying wildly, his silhouette striking against the morning sun. He navigated the chaos with ease, galloping all the way to the steps of the Marquis’s estate before pulling hard on the reins, breathless.

As he dismounted, the previously orderly Marquis’s estate erupted into a frenzy. From the entrance came shouts of excitement:

"The Young Master has returned?!"

"Heavens, it really is the Young Master!"

"Someone! Quickly, tell the Old Matriarch, the Young Master is back!"

The Young Master of the Marquis of Lingyang’s estate?

Qi Yunmiao paused, recalling his name.

Yue Louxi.