Slow Passing Years - Chapter 3

Pei Xun had a high nose and thin lips, his sweeping brows reaching his temples; in a dark-blue brocade robe, he stood tall and slender, his face like carved jade.
Though a civil official, he carried a cutting edge of his own.
The Tanhua Scholar famed across the capital, I thought-he truly lived up to his name.
“This is white tea from Tingzhu Teahouse, fresh and fragrant.” Sitting across from Pei Xun, I said softly, “Heir Apparent, please have a taste.”
“No need for pleasantries.” Pei Xun looked straight at me. “What do you want to say?”
“Heir Apparent, I know you cherish your favored concubine,” I said bluntly. “But you cannot possibly go your whole life without taking a wife.”
Pei Xun arched a brow, yet did not grow angry.
I was a little surprised, and thought somewhat better of him.
“If you marry a noble-born lady, you fear she’ll grind down your beloved concubine once she enters the household; if you marry a decent girl of ordinary birth, your mother won’t be able to accept it.”
“No one is willing to jump into this fire pit, so the Marchioness came to me.” I took a sip of tea. “Since that’s the case, Heir Apparent, you ought to show some sincerity, shouldn’t you?”
“Families eager to cling to the Marquis Manor’s power are everywhere.” Pei Xun sidestepped and countered, “Even if I married a woman of low birth, what of it?”
“Low in status, her words would carry little weight, and she would show even greater deference to Yunniang.” Pei Xun’s tone was indifferent. “With my shelter and favor, does Yunniang not already enjoy wealth and honor?”
As for how that wife would suffer without her husband’s love and regard-he did not care.
I lifted my head and met Pei Xun’s utterly unruffled eyes.
This man was truly pitiless; in his heart there was only Shen Youyun. For the sake of his beloved concubine, he could be this cold.
“Even so,” I suddenly smiled, “why haven’t you found one?”
Pei Xun did not answer. He lowered his eyes and sipped his tea.
“Because your official career needs the backing of in-laws, and the Marquis Manor’s social ties also require household management authority, with a mistress of the household to manage them for you.”
“No matter how much you favor her, she cannot hold the keys to the household,” I said. “What mistress of the household would lower her status to associate with a concubine?”
“Then since you endure grievance to this extent,” Pei Xun propped his head and studied me, “Miss Cui, what is it you want?”
“I want to be your lawful wife, but only in name-a sham marriage.” I looked at him. “Heir Apparent, in this life I will never share a bed with you.”
Pei Xun’s hand on the teacup stilled; he suddenly looked up at me.
“…Is it,” after a long hesitation he said, “that you still have Shen Lin in your heart?”
Shen Lin, second son of the Transmission Commissioner, my once-betrothed-the elder brother of his favored concubine.
They were also bosom friends.
In that moment I felt it absurd and laughable. Men in this world are all alike-presumptuous and conceited.
In their eyes, if a woman keeps her chastity, it must be for another man.
“Yes.” Too lazy to waste words, I let the mistake stand. “I still think of him.”
Pei Xun’s cold, handsome face softened a shade. “You are indeed, as Brother Shen said, a person of deep feeling.”
I raised a brow. When the Shen family’s estate was raided and its property confiscated, Shen Lin dissolved the betrothal of his own accord.
For the sake of that shred of past regard, I put in some silver to smooth things over.
I hadn’t known it left me with such a fine reputation.
“But I must have a child to rely on,” I said. “Shen Youyun is two months with child already. I don’t mind.”
“Only, whatever child Shen Youyun bears-boy or girl-must be placed at my knee, to be raised personally by me.”
“Very well. Youyun’s prospects I will earn for her; the rest of her life she will have my protection,” Pei Xun said. “That you want a child is only natural.”
“There is just one thing: Youyun’s Ningwan Pavilion is within my inner study, and all her daily expenses are on my private account.”
Pei Xun’s tone grew weighty. “You cannot touch this.”
“I will conduct matters by the rules, and keep to my side.” I asked, “And if your beloved concubine is the one who breaks the rules?”
“She is intelligent and refined, proud in nature-she would not-” Meeting the smile in my eyes, Pei Xun paused, then said, “Then she will be punished according to the rules.”
“Anyone can make promises.” I clapped my hands; a young servant came forward with brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. “Let’s set down a gentleman’s agreement.”