This was to be expected. Given the current situation, the regent should be trying his best to win over his own people. A scholar like Yang Wenju, who is completely innocent and honest, is really of no use in politics.
"Not passing the exam isn't necessarily a bad thing. Do you want to stay in the capital to work or go back?"
"I still need to go back."
“That would be best.” Qiu Su pursed her lips. “It’s best not to come to the capital for the next year or two. If you want to find a job first, you can go and see the magistrate of Pingcheng County. He’s a good official.”
"Where is Young Master Pei?"
"He's been busy lately. Do you want to see him? This capital isn't a good place for you, at least not right now. He might be able to give you an official position, but he can't guarantee your family's safety. You're probably aware of the current situation in the capital."
Yang Wenju nodded, "Then, I'll take my leave. If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll thank Young Master Pei for his help."
"If you go to Pingcheng, just tell Magistrate Qin that it was me or Pei Yuan who recommended you. You should go back as soon as possible; your family must be worried about you."
Huang Tao saw Yang Wenju off, and when she returned, she asked in confusion, "Why did Miss keep urging him to leave the capital?"
"Is the capital a place anyone can stay in?" If possible, and if she hadn't fallen in love with him, she would rather she had never come here.
"You really can't let the son-in-law see him? Maybe something's going to happen."
“He’s just a scholar.” Qiu Su got up and walked out. “You can secretly follow him out and see if Yang Wenju is selling any calligraphy or paintings or anything like that. Buy them with your money.”
Huang Tao agreed and went. Qiu Su went out to see the bright sunshine, but after thinking for a moment, she went to Zhu Yuan's courtyard instead. The colder the weather got, the worse her health seemed to be.
Zhu Yuan remained aloof, but Qiu Su was stopped by Xiao Qing as soon as she entered the courtyard. Xiao Qing had always been hostile towards Qiu Su, which Qiu Su could understand; she probably would have reacted the same way to Huang Tao. Qiu Su wasn't annoyed. She stood there watching her, and after waiting a while without her speaking, she curled her lips and asked, "How is your young lady's health?"
"Thank you for your trouble, Madam. It's almost done."
"Then I..."
"Don't worry, young mistress, the young master is inside with you." Xiaoqing didn't budge. "Young mistress, you've come at just the right time."
Qiu Su looked up at the white cotton curtain with its silvery sheen, curled the corners of her lips, and then looked away.
Pei Yuan returned early, which was unusual, and went to Zhu Yuan's courtyard first. Qiu Su was too lazy to think about it; these were things she couldn't understand, and she didn't have the energy to bother with them. Let them go; she needed to think about her own life.
When Pei Yuan returned to the courtyard, the sun was already setting. Huang Tao had already bought a pile of calligraphy and paintings. Qiu Su looked through the pile and exclaimed in amazement. Yang Wenju was indeed a talented person. She couldn't understand the art of the ink paintings, but she liked the calligraphy, which was vigorous yet gentle. It is said that one can see a person's character from their calligraphy. Yang Wenju should be a meticulous person, yet he also has a bold spirit. Given the opportunity, he would surely achieve something great.
"You're back?" Qiu Su asked Pei Yuan, who had been standing at the door for a long time, without looking up.
"What are you looking at so intently, my wife? I've been standing here for quite a while."
"I know," Qiu Su glanced over, "I'll leave you outside in the wind from now on."
Pei Yuan walked to the table and sat down, propping his chin on his hand and staring intently at Qiu Su, whose eyelids were lowered. Qiu Su put down the writing in her hand, frowned slightly, and asked, "Is something the matter?"
"My wife, don't you notice any changes in me?"
Has it changed? Qiu Su's eyes swept over the top of his head again. Where there had been a black jade crown, she had noticed at a glance that it had been replaced with an unfamiliar dark blue hand-embroidered turban. She didn't want to ask who had given it to him; asking would probably only lead to an argument, and in the end, she would be the one who suffered.
"Yang Wenju came by."
"Um?"
“I made him leave the capital.” Qiu Su pushed the calligraphy and paintings on the table toward him. “His calligraphy is not bad.”
Pei Yuan casually drew a card, glanced at it absentmindedly, and chuckled, saying, "He has some talent. My wife, I'm jealous."
Qiu Su raised an eyebrow. Pei Yuan got up and walked behind her, leaning lightly on her shoulder and whispering in her ear, "My wife cares about a worthless scholar, but not about her husband. Sigh, I'm so worried and tired."
"Wasn't that self-inflicted?" Qiu Su thought to herself, yet her hands still couldn't help but gently caress his skin. After a long silence, she tilted her head slightly and asked, "How much longer will we be busy? Shouldn't we be staying in the capital? What are your plans?"
"Who knows? Living in the capital is the safest place, my wife, don't worry." Pei Yuan nuzzled Qiu Su's cheek and sighed, "My wife, if one day I have to marry someone else..."
Before Pei Yuan could finish speaking, Qiu Su waited for a while, then closed her eyes and said, "You've been coming home very late these past few days."
"Yes, busy!"
Qiu Su pressed her lips tightly together, "Then marry me."
Pei Yuan was stunned for a moment, and after a long while, he snorted. It was unclear whether he agreed or was angry. In any case, he released his arms from Qiu Su, stared at the top of her head for a long time, pursed his lips with a complicated expression, turned around and threw himself on the bed, shamelessly occupying the entire bed, and remained silent with his face down.
She was angry. Qiu Su stared at the blue turban tied in Pei Yuan's hair for a long time, but instead of going over, she got up and left the room. Pei Yuan listened to her footsteps as she left, slammed his hand heavily on the bed, and groaned, "Resentment, oh resentment! I couldn't even get a single word out, what a pity for all my true feelings."
Author's Note: My subheadings have been so artsy lately, haven't they? Just between you and me, I've finished the first part! *cough* Back to daily updates!
35
35. Resentment gradually arises...
"My lady, Mother says it's a son in her belly this time." Pei Yuan looked at Qiu Su, who hadn't paid much attention to him since dinner, and put his arm around her waist with a fawning smile.
Qiu Su glanced over, then moved her hand that was resting on her stomach. "I heard what Mother said, but this matter can't be confirmed."
“The older generation’s experience is quite accurate. They say a pointed belly means a son, and a round belly means a daughter. This has been passed down for generations, so how could it be without any basis?” Pei Yuan looked at Qiu Su’s gentle face and shamelessly put his arm around her waist. Her belly was already quite large, and he managed to place his hand on her bulging belly after reaching under her.
Pei Yuan felt the little life moving inside her belly and sighed with satisfaction, "It's amazing. It was already moving when it was so small. Now it can definitely hear us talking. Wife, who do you think it will look at first when it opens its eyes after it's born?"
Qiu Su glanced sideways, "Let's see who's different first?"
"Of course they are different. The older generation says that you will look like whoever you look at first."
Qiu Su frowned and thought for a moment, "It can't be that magical, can it?"
"It's better to believe it exists than to believe it doesn't."
"Ah, then we should tell the mountain lord to stay far away. What if the baby opens his eyes and sees a dog's face..." Qiu Su didn't finish her sentence, but laughed first.
Pei Yuan stared blankly at the smile on her face, as if she hadn't smiled genuinely since her last visit to the palace. Qiu Su noticed Pei Yuan staring at her out of the corner of her eye, her smile gradually faded, and she buried her face further into the blanket. Pei Yuan propped himself up to follow her gaze, and as if still not satisfied, he strode over to face Qiu Su, and a slight smile played on his lips as he watched her trembling eyelashes.
"What?" Qiu Su looked up at her casually.
"Nothing much." Pei Yuan moved forward slightly, lightly kissed her lips, frowned and looked at her for a long time, as if savoring the taste of the kiss. He licked his lips before leaning in again to kiss her lips tenderly.
Qiu Su pushed him away, turned her head away, and then turned over so that her face was facing outwards.
"What's wrong?" Pei Yuan asked softly, gently biting the back of her neck.
"Nothing much." Qiu Su grabbed his hand as it slid up his bulging belly, closed her eyes and said, "Aren't you tired? I want to sleep."
Pei Yuan sighed, "Susu, if I said I liked you, and that I would always like you, would you believe me?"
"Believe." Why not believe? The difference between liking and loving is vast.
Pei Yuan paused for a moment, then pressed close to her back and said, "Su Su, Zhu Yuan's condition is not good."