MYUFPC CHAPTER 16
His eyes were filled with ninety-nine percent of tender affection
Yes. She paused, asking herself the same question. She suddenly realized that she had never compared Zhan Yue and Zhan Shaoying as if they were the same kind of person.
Zhan Shaoying had been born into wealth and had always had everything. After marrying him, Jiashan had come to understand that he was merely a pampered young master. When he loved her, he was willing to cherish and spoil her. But when his anger flared, he could, relying on her helplessness, take her life with a single sword.
Zhan Yue... Zhan Yue was different.
Jiashan didn't know exactly what gave her this impression. Was it from their previous encounter at the Dongzhimen Gate, when Zhan Yue had asked her those few concerned questions? Perhaps not entirely.
Jiashan simply stubbornly felt that if she were to become destitute again, if it were Zhan Yue who was by her side, he would probably be willing to share her poverty with her.
Jiashan was startled by her own thought.
Heart racing, she picked up her teacup. Pei Yuantang's intense gaze made her feel exposed.
Jiashan glared at him, her voice trembling slightly, "Don't look at me like that."
Pei Yuantang chuckled lightly. His gaze, fixed on Jia Shan, seemed casual, "You're nervous."
Jia Shan was taken aback.
"What are you nervous about?" Pei Yuantang persisted, his voice still gentle as usual, but unconsciously carrying a hint of intimidation.
Pei Yuantang narrowed his eyes slightly, refusing to miss any expression on Jiashan's face. "You haven't said yet, what makes them different."
Under such interrogation, Jiashan became somewhat irritated. She had a good relationship with her cousin, but she didn't want to tell him about everything.
She looked at Pei Yuantang, her voice tinged with displeasure, "Zhan Daren earned his high position through his own abilities. Zhan Shaoying entered the Ministry of Transmission and Communication thanks to his family's protection."
"That alone makes them different," Jiashan's voice was clear and pleasant, but Pei Yuantang only felt suffocated when he heard it.
His cousin was the emperor's eldest daughter, a person of noble birth with refined speech. She had always been haughty and rarely had time for romantic entanglements.
Knowing that Jiashan disliked Zhan Shaoying, Pei Yuantang naturally assumed that she would, by association, dislike Zhan Yue as well.
However, just now, Pei Yuantang had learned from Wu Yingtong, the guard at the gate, that Jiashan and Zhan Yue had been getting along very well.
In fact, ever since Zhan Yue had helped Jiashan deliver a letter to the Pei residence, Pei Yuantang had found it strange. Zhan Yue, as a commander, had countless capable subordinates. Sending a letter wasn't such an important task, so why he had to do it himself ? To say that he had no ulterior motives towards Jiashan was something Pei Yuantang couldn't believe, even if he were castrated!
The more Pei Yuantang thought about it, the more upset he became. He picked up a pine nut from the table and angrily bit into it. Jiashan didn't know what was wrong with him, and she couldn't guess which of her words had ignited his temper. So she could only say, "Haven't you always disliked those who rely on their families to rise in the world? When did you start looking down on those who are capable?"
Pei Yuantang looked at her quietly for a few seconds. His handsome brows furrowed. "I don't look down on him."
"That's good," Jiashan knew that Pei Yuantang had a bit of arrogant pride. But for someone like Zhan Yue, it was best not to offend him.
After all, he was destined to be noble and illustrious in the future. It was possible that the Pei family would need his help someday. Jiashan didn't want her cousin to make an enemy at such a young age.
She pointed at Pei Yuantang's collar, gesturing for him to pay attention to his appearance and not get crumbs on his clothes.
Pei Yuantang followed her gaze and casually brushed off the crumbs with his finger.
Despite his elegant appearance, Pei Yuantang had a habit of being careless about certain things. In the end, although he was brilliant in his studies and politics, in his daily life, he was still like a child who needed care.
This was something Jiashan couldn't understand. How had someone like him managed to stay unmarried in his previous life?
Thinking about this, Jiashan couldn't help but take a closer look at Pei Yuantang.
His features were distinct, his eye sockets were slightly deep, and he had dark, starry eyes, a straight nose, and thin lips. These were all signs of a handsome man. Compared to Zhan Yue's distant coldness, Pei Yuantang had a unique elegance and charm that was typical of a Jiangnan scholar.
No wonder so many women were willing to follow him without a name or a title in his previous life.
Could it happen again this time?
Jiashan pursed her lips. After organizing her thoughts, she deliberately used a teasing tone, "Don't just talk about me. Now that you've passed the imperial examination, hasn't my uncle arranged a good marriage for you?"
Pei Yuantang, who had been closing his eyes and sunbathing, hearing this, slowly opened his eyelids. His face, bathed in the afternoon sunlight, appeared even more handsome.
"Concerned about me?" Pei Yuantang asked lazily, tilting his head to look at her.
If it were usually, Jiashan would have rolled up her sleeves and argued with him upon hearing his smug question. But thinking about how Pei Yuantang might argue with her uncle over marriage and possibly end up alone, she softened her heart.
Jiashan raised her eyes, picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea, "You can say that."
Pei Yuantang smiled, his phoenix eyes half-closed, his smile filled with a sense of contentment. "Of course, they've mentioned marriage. Today, they even wanted to drag me to visit the home of Dou'ge, the Grand Scholar of Wenhua Hall. I used you as an excuse and declined."
Jia Shan watched him silently.
That's right, that's it.
Pei Yuantang and the Dou family had been engaged before she and Zhan Shaoying. If nothing unexpected happened, it would be soon.
Jiashan had never found out why Pei Yuantang didn't like the Dou Shi, and she wondered if she could take this opportunity to find out.
Jiashan glanced at him and said lightly, "The eldest granddaughter of Dou's family is about fifteen years old, and her age and family background are a perfect match for you. Uncle probably has some thoughts about it."
Pei Yuantang snorted. Leaning back in his chair, he lazily said, "It's not probably, it is."
"Fifteen years old," Pei Yuantang withdrew one hand and lightly tapped the table. Looking at Jiashan, he smiled slightly, "About the same age as you."
Jiashan frowned, her eyes fixed on Pei Yuantang's unconsciously. Suddenly, she realized that there was almost ninety-nine percent of tender affection in his eyes.
What did that mean?
Could it be... her cousin... couldn't it be?
Jiashan bit her lip and was about to speak, but Pei Yuantang suddenly looked away.
"I don't want to marry Dou Shi," Pei Yuantang said, lifting his head slightly. His tone was clear and calm. "Women from scholarly families are all the same, like water in appearance, molded like clay in temperament. They have no individuality and are utterly uninteresting."
"To spend a lifetime with such a person would be a torment," Pei Yuantang continued slowly, picking up a pine nut from the table and eating it.
This time, without Jiashan's reminder, he deftly brushed away the crumbs.
Jiashan couldn't help but ask, "Have you met Dou Shi?"
Pei Yuantang shook his head decisively. "No, and I don't want to. I won't marry her."
He spoke with such finality that Jiashan couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Two lifetimes and her cousin still had the same stubborn temperament.
She thought for a moment, took a sip of tea to soothe her throat, and said gently, "Then you should speak to Uncle properly. Don't let this matter cause discord between father and son."
"Marriage should be a joyous occasion. If it fails and brings bad luck instead, it would be a loss rather than a gain." Worried that he might act rashly and cause trouble at the Dou residence, Jiashan had to speak to him earnestly.
Pei Yuantang seemed a bit impatient. "I know."
"At home, I get lectured by them. Here, I get scolded by you," Pei Yuantang said with a bland expression. "I really don't know what I'm doing this for."
Jiashan replied, "Aren't we all doing this for your own good?"
Pei Yuantang stared at her and said with a bitter smile, "I really don't want you to do this for my own good."
His words were odd today, and Jiashan had already started to feel suspicious but dared not think too deeply about it. Seeing his expression now, she felt even more strange.
She turned her head to observe his expression, but Pei Yuantang stood up directly.
"It's getting late," Pei Yuantang said. "Call Yuan Kang out. I need to say goodbye and head back."
Jiashan looked at him doubtfully. Pei Yuantang raised an eyebrow. "What, do you still have something to say to me?"
His spirits were high, and he quickly returned to his usual commanding demeanor. Jiashan had to convince herself that she was overthinking. She said, "No, I'll go get Yuan Kang."
As Jiashan turned to leave, Pei Yuantang's gaze followed her, unwilling to look away. It wasn't until she entered the house that he lowered his head, rubbed his nose lightly, and his eyes darkened slightly.
Zhao Youze was diligently copying scriptures when he heard that Pei Yuantang was leaving. Without looking up, he simply raised his voice and said, "Sister, please see my cousin off. I'm almost done with this section, so I won't go."
Seeing his serious expression, Jiashan felt a sense of relief. Agreeing, she went to see Pei Yuantang off herself.
She walked with him to the entrance of the small courtyard and then a few steps further. Pei Yuantang said thoughtfully, "Let's stop here. Since we're both unmarried, it wouldn't look good if others saw us together."
Jiashan was a little surprised to hear him say that. After all, he was never very good at social etiquette.
Jiashan was silent for a moment before nodding. "Be careful on your way back. Remember what I said, don't argue with my uncle. If I have some free time these days, I will definitely take Yuan Kang to visit grandfather, as well as uncle and aunt."
Pei Yuantang disagreed. "You'd better not come. You came out under the pretext of praying for your aunt, but if you come to our house, my father will say a lot of nasty things about you, even without the censors. He'll say you're abusing your power and are hypocritical."
Jiashan chuckled lightly.
Her eldest uncle had been the Grand Master of the Imperial College for more than ten years, and he had many students all over the world. He naturally cared about his reputation and was somewhat pedantic, which was indeed something he would do.
She compromised, "Then I'll find a chance to see them after I return to the palace."
"Mm." Pei Yuantang nodded. He looked at Jiashan, his eyes seeming to hold a pool of clear water. "I'm going now. If there's any new news about your marriage, I'll write to you."
Jiashan smiled. "Okay."
After a moment's thought, Jiashan added with concern, "If you run into Commander Zhan when you go out, be polite to him."
Seeing that Pei Yuantang didn't say anything, Jiashan urged, "Do you understand?"
Pei Yuantang's expression was cold, and his tone was indifferent. "I understand."
Hearing him agree, Jiashan finally felt at ease. After seeing Pei Yuantang off, Jiashan walked slowly towards her own courtyard.
It was a windy autumn day, and the drooping vines swayed gently with the wind. The pollen balls of the lush orchids were as white as jade, shyly waiting to bloom like delicate girls.
Jiashan originally wanted to go forward and smell the fragrance of the orchids, but unexpectedly, when she looked up, she saw a pair of black, pointed leather boots under the willow branches. The boots were embroidered with white silk clouds, which were very familiar.
Jiashan's beautiful eyes slightly widened, silently studied the willow tree for a long while before slowly speaking, "Daren, eavesdropping under a willow tree is hardly the act of a gentleman."
Not long after her words were heard when a person finally emerged from behind the willow tree.
Zhan Yue, as always, was dressed in casual clothes. He didn't know how long he had been standing under the tree, but a few thin, blade-like willow leaves had clung to his sleeves. Against his all-black attire, those two patches of green seemed like a pair of jade ornaments, exceptionally striking.
Having heard the implicit reproach in Jiashan's words, Zhan Yue merely gave her a calm look.
He slowly strolled over to her side.
After a moment of silence, Zhan Yue leaned forward slightly, his voice husky as he murmured, "Why must he treat me more politely?"