She wasn’t new to “throwing herself” at him, but every time it happened, it was when she was half-asleep or not fully aware—like that one time in the carriage when her consciousness was unclear.
This time was no different, which left Pei Huaijin both helpless and amused.
The person in his arms was light, soft like a cloud of cotton, and carried a faint sweet scent.
Holding her, Huaijin found he couldn’t get mad at her at all.
If she really pretended to have stomach pain just to send Xiao Gugu away in a huff, well…perhaps he could forgive that.
The next morning, when he woke, she was still asleep in his arms. For the first time, Pei Huaijin felt reluctant to get up.
But years of self-discipline prevailed, and he gently pushed her aside, letting her sleep a bit longer while he changed, washed up, and went to the courtyard to practice martial exercises with Qingjian.
When breakfast was brought in from the kitchen, Shen Youran woke as well.
After eating together, she said to him, “Since Xiao Gugu isn’t coming today, I want to take the Account Book to sister’s courtyard. If there’s anything I don’t understand, I can ask her anytime.”
Pei Huaijin knew the sisters were close, and with their seventh brother having run off again these past days, Shen Yunshu must be troubled about it. Letting Youran go to keep her company and talk wouldn’t hurt, so he didn’t stop her.
“Go ahead.”
Youran hugged the Account Book happily and went off to Ci You Courtyard.
Pei Huaijin took his gifts and left, boarding a carriage bound for Xiao Fu.
At Ci You Courtyard, Shen Yunshu had also finished breakfast and was resting her forehead while reading, though her thoughts often drifted away from the pages and towards Pei Huaian.
That day, he had run away from home and hidden at a friend’s place.
Yunshu sent people to find him for three days before bringing him back.
But after two days of reading, he slipped away again, and now no one knew where he’d gone.
Yunshu wasn’t without means to force him back but hesitated, afraid that pushing too hard would cause him to spill the secret of their legal separation, so she refrained from harsh methods.
The room.
Youran glanced into the study first upon entering.
Ci You Courtyard hadn’t originally had a study, but recently, to have Fuzi teach Pei Huaian, they converted an eastern wing room for that purpose.
The study’s lattice window was open, and inside sat Shen Yunshu.
Youran stepped in, puzzled.
“Sister, why are you here? Where’s Pei Huaian?”
“Ran off again a couple days ago. Still not found.”
Yunshu looked up as Youran arrived.
“Why are you here? Not following Xiao Gugu to lessons today?”
“…”
Youran hesitated.
“We’ve been going for several days in a row; she should rest a couple days.”
“A break sounds good…hmm? What are you holding?”
“The Account Book.”
Youran placed it on the table.
“Pei Huaijin told me to study on my own these days, but I don’t understand it, so I came to ask you.”
Yunshu chuckled softly, reminding her, “He’s your husband now. Don’t keep calling him by full name.”
“I wouldn’t dare say that in front of others. At least with you, can’t I be a little freer?”
Youran noticed a book open in her sister’s hands, half-read.
The dense, obscure characters made her headache just looking at them.
“Sister, Pei Huaian has been missing for days. How do you still have the heart to read?”
“I’ve sent people looking for him. When I hear news, I’ll go find him myself. I’m free now, so I’m reading a little.”
Yunshu’s calm demeanor revealed her inner strength.
Youran, propping her chin, sighed regretfully.
“If only you were a man. With your knowledge, you’d definitely pass the Kejü as well as any boy.”
Yunshu smiled gently.
“I’ve actually thought about that.”
“Hmm? You want to take the Kejü? Dress as a man?”
“That’s treason against the Sheng Shang. How dare I?”
Yunshu looked at her naive sister and explained, “Fuzi mentioned that previously, female officials were mostly selected and trained from palace maids. This year, the Sheng Shang granted a grace permitting women outside the palace to enter the Forbidden Palace through the Kejü. I want to give it a try…”
Youran grew more surprised.
“You want to enter the palace? But you’re already married.”
“I asked Fuzi. There’s no rule forbidding married women from taking the Kejü.”
“That’s so sudden.”
Youran cupped her face, speechless.
“I thought since we all married into the Pei family, we’d never be apart.”
“I just want to try. I may not pass. Don’t think too much.”
Yunshu took her sister’s hand and warned, “For now, don’t tell others about this. Keep it secret.”
Youran pouted, muffling a hum.
“Then you might as well not have told me.”
“Alright, don’t be upset.”
With her sister calmed, Yunshu closed her book and began patiently teaching her the Account Book.
After about half an hour, Tinglan knocked and came in.
“Young Madam, a servant just reported they found the seventh young master’s whereabouts. He’s going to play polo at Ya Dao Liu Jing with friends today.”
“Got it.”
Yunshu looked to her sister.
“I have to go catch him. You stay and study.”
Youran quickly grabbed her hand.
“Sister, I want to come too.”
“Aren’t you going to study?”
“What’s so interesting about the Account Book? I can help catch him.”
Yunshu knew she’d studied earnestly with Xiao Gugu these days, and since there was no lesson, why not take her out for a bit of fresh air?
“Alright then, let’s go watch their polo match.”
Ya Dao Liu Jing was beside Jinming Pond, where a thousand-step-square polo field lay.
The leveled earth inside the walls gleamed smooth, surrounded by low walls and fences.
Last March, her father brought them here to watch the Royal Polo Team’s demonstration.
When Youran and Yunshu arrived, the match was already underway.
Several fine horses raced across the field, the ball rolling in the dust beneath their hooves.
Two teams scrambled fiercely.
Youran leaned against the railing, watching intently, then squinted to find Pei Huaian’s figure.
Despite poor eyesight, Huaian’s striking, fair face was easy to spot.
At that moment, a teammate passed him the ball. Riding behind the goal, Huaian struck a “reverse hook” shot, scoring, drawing cheers from the crowd outside the fence.
His team was ahead by two points.
According to the rules, the game paused for a brief break.
Youran turned to Yunshu, asking if they should go find him now.
Yunshu, watching the spirited youth on horseback, was unhurried.
“Let him enjoy himself first. We’ll go later.”
Youran happily stayed longer.
The riders were all about Huaian’s age, wearing jade belts and black leather boots, exuding youthful vigor—much more pleasing to watch than the old-fashioned Pei Huaijin.
Someone handed Huaian a Water Flask.
As he raised it to drink, his eyes caught two familiar figures outside the fence.
Upon recognizing them, he nearly choked on his water, coughing uncontrollably.
He threw the flask aside and said to his companions, “That’s enough for today. I have to go.”
With that, he swung onto his horse and started to leave.
“Hey! The game isn’t over! Why leave now?” a friend grabbed his reins.
At the same time, Yunshu noticed he was trying to escape, so she pulled Youran along to intercept him.
Youran, who usually ate and slept well, now displayed her only advantage over her sister—she could run faster.
Huaian struggled to explain to his friends and yanked the reins free, intending to leave, when suddenly Youran was already in front of his horse.
She spread her arms wide, blocking his path.
“Not allowed to run!”
Seeing Yunshu hadn’t arrived yet, he took a chance.
“Little madam, for the sake of our shared misery, how about letting me go?”
“No way. I’m your sister-in-law, not a horse trainer!”
Youran stubbornly stood her ground, unwilling to budge.
Seeing no escape, Huaian jumped down, and they stared at each other for a while, until Yunshu arrived.
Behind him were a group of young men in fine clothes, all of marriageable age.
Spotting the two beautiful sisters at the field, they immediately started teasing.
“Hey, seventh young master sure has good luck with women…”
“Seventh young master, introduce us—who’s your lady?”
Huaian turned and stood protectively in front of Yunshu, waving off their lewd remarks.
“Go away and play your polo.”
The group dispersed, picking up their mallets and heading back into the field.
Huaian sighed, “I really don’t want to study. Stop forcing me.”
“PJ…”
“I know you don’t want to. I’m troubled too. Come home with me first. I’ve already told Fuzi to be less strict with you.”
“It’s not about strictness. I just hate studying. Why do you all have to force me? You promised before…”
Huaian tried to bring up their previous agreement but stopped since Youran was present.
“Anyway, I’m not going back today.”
Youran stood obediently to the side, thinking that with Yunshu’s intelligence, she’d surely find a way to convince him.
She looked at her sister expectantly, only to hear Yunshu say, “If you’ve made up your mind not to return, then so be it…”
What?
Sister gave up so quickly?
Did she really have no solution?