Chapter 7: Forcing the Issue

Turning back, her gaze fell upon the medicine bottle on the table.

At that moment, Pei Zhouwu’s heart, which had just hardened, suddenly softened again.

What if everything she said was true? What if she really was just a maid who risked her life diving into the water to find him, bringing him medicine she had personally prepared, considering his needs and delivering news to ease his mind, all while facing the risk of punishment and scolding upon her return?

But she…

She must have secrets she hadn’t shared, yet that didn’t necessarily mean she was deliberately deceiving him. Perhaps she had her own difficulties.

Had he been too harsh just now?

Recalling her wounded expression, he felt increasingly uneasy.

Looking down at the chains on his hands and feet, his brows furrowed tightly. Who else would seek him out or care for someone like him? Most would avoid him at all costs, except… her.

The thought only deepened his restlessness.

Meanwhile, by the poolside, Liu Fuying wore a radiant smile, her demeanor entirely different.

Her confident expression conveyed two words clearly: no rush.

Today’s meeting had already met her expectations.

After diving out of the water and following the path back to Changmingguan, Jin Li was waiting behind the door, her eyes red and swollen.

“What happened?”

Liu Fuying thought something unexpected had occurred in her absence.

“It’s nothing, Miss. I was just too scared—it’s my first time doing something like this. I was afraid you’d run into danger and not return.”

Liu Fuying breathed a sigh of relief and gently patted Jin Li’s cheek.

“The first time is always the hardest. You won’t be so afraid next time.”

As she walked into the room, Jin Li followed and asked, “Miss, how many more times do we have to do this?”

“Once or twice won’t be enough. I can’t just drug him and force the issue, can I?”

“Why not?” Jin Li thought it would be more straightforward.

“I did consider it before, but only under the assumption that he couldn’t leave. Now I know he’s not unable to leave—he simply chooses not to. That makes it impossible to proceed that way. Even though he’s imprisoned, the Pei family of the Imperial Father’s estate still exists, and the Empress and Crown Prince are still in power. If I drugged and humiliated him, what if he went mad, escaped, and sought revenge?”

Jin Li saw the logic in this and fell silent.

“I’m not afraid of my family being executed—those people can perish for all I care—but I don’t want to die.”

“Yes, Madam is right. I won’t bring it up again.”

After changing her clothes, Liu Fuying stepped outside into the courtyard. The sunlight was intense, and she estimated it wouldn’t take long for her damp hair to dry.

Tilting her face upward, she closed her eyes, her mind filled with the moments she had just shared with Pei Zhouwu.

Though she had marveled at it before, she couldn’t help but sigh again at his beauty. Even with a cold and indifferent expression, he remained utterly captivating.

Any child born to him would surely be just as beautiful.

Originally, she hadn’t held any expectations for a child.

But now, she found herself already imagining what their future child might look like.

The summer sun was exceptionally strong. Even with her back turned, Liu Fuying’s face was soon covered in sweat. Her hair dried quickly, and Jin Li carefully combed it again afterward. When the time was right, they fetched the vegetarian meal, ate, and prepared to descend the mountain.

Today’s trip had gone smoothly in every way.

After descending the mountain and entering the city, they returned to the estate. At the entrance, they encountered someone from the Second Uncle’s household.

“Greetings, Auntie. Are you heading out?”

Second Uncle’s wife, Yang-shi, was just as shrewd as her husband, her very smile tinged with calculation.

“Niece-in-law, have you returned from offering incense?”

“Yes. Last time, when Mother-in-law fell ill, I specially went to Changmingguan to burn incense and pray for her swift recovery. Now that Mother-in-law’s health is gradually improving, I made another trip to fulfill my vow and thank the Taoist master for blessing her.”

“What a filial child.”

Yang-shi affectionately took Liu Fuying’s hand and gave it a gentle pat, appearing utterly doting.

But then, her tone suddenly shifted. “Yet your filial piety, I’m afraid, is only known to us, our own family.”

Liu Fuying forced a smile, feeling as though Yang-shi’s hands were prickly and uncomfortable.

“What do you mean by that, Aunt?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. You needn’t pay any mind to what others say. We, your own family, understand you.”

“Indeed, I naturally don’t take others’ words to heart. But Aunt is family. If you have something to say, you must speak plainly. Leaving things half-said like this makes me terribly uneasy. What exactly has happened?”

“Ah, don’t be anxious.”

Yang-shi patted Liu Fuying’s hand again, her feigned concern truly detestable.

“It’s just a bit of idle gossip, nothing serious. Of course, we know you went to Changmingguan to burn incense and pray for blessings. But those outsiders think you went to pray for a child—saying you’ve been married for two years without pregnancy, that you can’t bear children. Just listen to such filthy talk.”

Liu Fuying maintained her smile. She knew exactly who was behind these words.

“Let them say what they want, Aunt. There’s no need for you to pay them any mind. The General and I are still young; children will come in time.”

“That may be so, but my nephew is often away on the battlefield, returning home only a handful of times. Even when he does come back, you two don’t share a bed. How can children come about like that?”

At these words, a cold glint flashed in Liu Fuying’s eyes.

Her patience worn thin, she withdrew her hand from Yang-shi’s grasp.

“Aunt, you should listen less to the malicious gossip of those with ulterior motives. Some people are just eager to see me fail to bear children and laugh at my misfortune. In fact, I have an idea: if they truly want to see me suffer, they might as well put some contraceptive medicine in our family’s well, cutting off our lineage at the root. What do you think, Aunt?”

“You… how can you say such a thing? That would be utterly wicked.”

“Indeed, utterly wicked. Those who speak such words and harbor such ill intentions deserve to be torn apart by five horses and sent to hell. They will face retribution.”

“You…”

“Aunt must be heading out, right? Then I won’t keep you. Please take care on your way.”

With that, Liu Fuying strode across the threshold.

Only after she had gone did Yang-shi reveal her true colors, angrily tugging at her handkerchief as if she wished to tear it in two.

“Who does she think she’s being sarcastic to? ‘Those with ulterior motives’ indeed! May she be the one torn apart by five horses and sent to hell! Just wait and see. Once we take over the family estate, I’ll make sure she suffers.”

From the main gate to Liu Fuying’s Shuxing Courtyard, she did not utter a single word along the way.

The atmosphere was tense, and Jin Li dared not speak lightly.

Once back in her room, Liu Fuying spoke sternly, “How does she know that the General has not shared my bed since his return?”

“Yes, I find it strange too. All the maids and servants on our side were carefully selected and replaced by Madam, and their mouths are sealed tight. There hasn’t been any chance for that other household to slip in their people, especially when it comes to matters concerning Madam and the General—who would dare to gossip?”