RPAGF Chapter 258 Pei Huaijin's Background
Chapter 258 Pei Huaijin's Background
Dear Moon, seeing this letter is like seeing you in person.
Xiao Jing is clinging to me so much that we might not be able to meet alone tomorrow. That's why I'm writing this letter in advance and taking this opportunity to deliver it to you.
I am the son of the Duke of Qi, that much is beyond doubt.
I have been frail since childhood, and a master claimed that I need to stay away from the Duke of Qi's mansion in order to have a chance of survival.
So my father cruelly took me away, and to comfort my unsuspecting mother, he found another child who looked like me to take my place.
My second brother's dislike for me stemmed from this; he was already old enough to remember things, and I was not the older brother he remembered.
I stayed next door to the Wen family until I was ten years old. My condition improved, and after returning to the Duke's mansion for two years, my life was once again in danger.
My father no longer hid the matter from the people in Chang'an and sent me to Liuzhou, where I stayed for nine years.
I once thought I would return to your side, but I never imagined that eleven years would pass in the blink of an eye.
However, I am already content just to see you once.
When we last met, you seemed hesitant and worried when we talked about Marquis Jing'an, and I was concerned about you.
Since you have no elder brother, I will be your elder brother.
If Marquis Jing'an treats you badly, I will stand up for you.
Moon, please don't treat me like the heir of the Duke of Qi in private. In front of you, I will always be Brother Dragonfly, just like when we were little.
Dragonfly Brother
Wen Jiayue looked away from the last word, her eyes already brimming with tears.
A long-lost warmth filled her heart, making her heart feel warm and cozy.
After reading it carefully once more, Wen Jiayue placed the letter on the candlelight.
The flames gradually devoured the writing, turning it into a wisp of smoke that could never be found again.
She stared blankly, not even noticing Ruyi approaching.
"Madam," she asked anxiously, "why are you crying?"
Wen Jiayue came to her senses and gently wiped away her tears with a handkerchief.
"I'm fine, I was just a little touched after reading Brother Dragonfly's letter."
Ruyi asked in surprise, "It was actually a letter written to you by the Crown Prince?"
Wen Jiayue nodded: "In the letter, he explained the mystery of his origins and said that he would be my older brother and support me in the future."
Ruyi gently advised, "Many years have passed since your childhood with the young master. I think it's best for you and the young master to have less contact, in case the Marquis finds out..."
She was a little worried when we met today, but thankfully everything went smoothly.
But if it happens once, it's just luck. If it happens a few more times, and the Marquis finds out, then it will only be the lady who will be harmed.
Wen Jiayue smiled and said, "I understand."
She wouldn't easily trouble Brother Dragonfly unless there was no way to undo what happened in her past life, in which case she would beg him to save Zhao Zhao.
Ruyi was relieved to hear this, but seeing that her mistress still looked a little sad, she suggested, "Shall I have the wet nurse bring the young lady over?"
Wen Jiayue nodded.
Just as they were teasing Zhao Zhao, Shen Fuhan returned.
Wen Jiayue hurriedly asked, "Has the letter been sent?"
Shen Fuhan nodded slightly.
"How long will it take to receive a reply?"
"One month."
Wen Jiayue frowned; this had taken far too long.
If Su Ye is not at the border, it would take a long time to find him.
Shen Fuhan comforted her, "It's alright, Third Sister is Yao'er's birth mother, she won't mistreat Yao'er."
Even so, Wen Jiayue was still a little worried, so four or five days later, she went to Chang Le Yuan.
Contrary to expectations of chaos, Chang Le Courtyard was surprisingly quiet; if you got close, you could even hear people reading aloud.
Wen Jiayue couldn't help but be surprised. Had Yao'er taken a liking to reading?
She didn't ask the maid to announce her arrival and quietly went inside.
"...The twelve earthly branches, from Zi to Hai. This is called the Yellow Path, the place of the sun, the place of the sun... Mother, I forgot how to pronounce this word."
Shen Chengyao's voice changed from its previous confident and poised tone to one of timidity and unease.
"Your uncle has taught you so many times! You still don't recognize it!" Shen Funian shouted angrily, "Give me your hand!"
Upon hearing that she was about to hit someone, Wen Jiayue quickly pushed open the door and went in, immediately noticing the ruler in her hand.
Wen Jiayue gave a hasty smile: "Third sister, I've come to see you."
Upon hearing the voice, Shen Chengyao quickly turned his head, as if he had seen a savior, and called out with tears in his eyes, "Auntie..."
In just a few days, Shen Chengyao's face had become so swollen that the flesh was almost sunken in.
Wen Jiayue couldn't help but feel sorry for the child, who was not even five years old, and had been tortured like this.
However, Shen Funian didn't look much better; her eyes were covered in dark bruises, as if she hadn't slept well for a long time.
Shen Funian glanced at her: "Sister-in-law, if you're here to persuade me, you should go back as soon as possible."
"I didn't intend to persuade you, I just came to see you," Wen Jiayue said casually as she sat down. "You won't be unwelcome to me, will you?"
“No, not at all,” Shen Funian put down the ruler and ordered, “Serve tea.”
In the past, if Yao'er had seen that his mother wasn't hitting him anymore, he would have run off to play long ago.
He was still sitting there, staring blankly at the unfamiliar character, looking like a child who had done something wrong.
Wen Jiayue couldn't bear to watch. It was good to hope that her son would become successful, but why torture him like this?
But she couldn't say such things; Shen Funian would definitely not like to hear them, and might even kick her out.
Thinking of this, Wen Jiayue changed the subject and said, "Have you not been sleeping well these past few days?"
“Yes,” Shen Funian sighed, “Yao’er can’t do anything, and I can’t teach him anything. I can’t sleep well night after night.”
"Did you use the calming incense I gave you?"
Shen Fu said, "It was used, but it only worked for the first two nights. Now it's just a smell."
Wen Jiayue smiled and said, "Perhaps it's not suitable for you. How about we go to Mixiang Pavilion and pick one out ourselves? There's a new jewelry shop that just opened in Chang'an City. Let's go take a look together."
“I don’t have time,” Shen Funian refused outright. “Sister-in-law, you can go by yourself. You can buy me two items, and I’ll give you the money later.”
Seeing that she was so stubborn, Wen Jiayue had no choice but to use her trump card.
"It's fine if you don't want to go. I just sent someone to Peach Blossom Spring to buy some wine. Would you like to have a drink with me, Third Sister?"
Wen Jiayue had Ruyi bring in the wine, and its aroma filled the air.
Shen Funian hesitated for a moment, then didn't immediately agree, instead asking, "Why are you drinking for no reason?"
“Your older brother…” Wen Jiayue sighed softly, “Let’s drink first, and I’ll tell you the story slowly.”
After coaxing Shen Funian to drink four or five cups, she gradually became a little drunk.
After drinking the seventh cup, Shen Funian rolled her eyes and finally fell asleep.
To appease her, Wen Jiayue inevitably drank more.
She forced herself to stay lucid and instructed Furong to take good care of Shen Funian before preparing to leave.
She had barely taken a step when Shen Chengyao grabbed the hem of her dress.
He asked pitifully, "Aunt, what should I do?"
Wen Jiayue shook her head and said, "You can rest well and relax for a few hours. Your aunt will come to see you again in a few days."
"But I'm afraid of my mother..."
Wen Jiayue sighed, and emboldened by the alcohol, decided to go all the way and said, "Come back to the main courtyard with me."