Chapter 311: Chapter 273: It’s Hard to Guard Against a Thief Within the Family
Fu Zhen glanced at him: "Get lost."
After saying that, she stomped off.
Pei Zhan watched her nimbly walk off like a little colt, soon regaining his serious expression. After pondering for a moment, he left and mounted his horse.
...
Fu Zhen did not go to the Ning Family but returned directly to the Pei Mansion.
Mrs. Ning did indeed act somewhat strangely in the matter of Mr. Ning, but since she wouldn’t speak, Fu Zhen didn’t want to force her.
There must be a reason why she wouldn’t speak. Mr. Ning’s passing was a major turning point in Mrs. Ning’s fate; order had only just been restored after upheaval, and Fu Zhen didn’t want to rub salt into her wounds.
Pei Zhan rode his horse to the Ning Family.
In front of others, General Pingxi maintained his cold and unapproachable demeanor. Immediately after opening the door for Mrs. Ning, the gatekeeper bowed deeply to Pei Zhan: "The lady has just returned and might need some rest. Please sit inside for now; I will ask someone to inform her."
As Pei Zhan walked, he instructed, "If the lady is ready, have someone find me in Jia’s room."
Ning Jia had formally become a student of Scholar Shen, diligently studying daily and making great progress in his studies. However, having grown up in the inner chambers of the Fu Family, he was still somewhat reserved in his social interactions.
Thus, every time Pei Zhan visited, he would always take some time to sit in his courtyard.
Mrs. Ning entered the backyard, where Jin Zhu greeted her, scrutinizing her before saying, "The lady seems a bit solemn; is there something wrong at the shop?"
Mrs. Ning lifted the curtain herself: "Nothing."
Jin Zhu opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Mrs. Ning went straight into the room, sitting at the bronze mirror to remove her hairpin.
Jin Zhu followed her in, reaching out to help, but Mrs. Ning said, "You may leave now; I need to rest for a while."
Jin Zhu discerned the mood and left tactfully.
Mrs. Ning watched her close the door, then turned her gaze back to the reflection, staring at herself for a moment before standing up and moving into the interior room to open a chest in the corner.
The wind, carrying the summer heat, lifted the curtains inside the room and caused the ornament dangling from her temple to sway, its shifting shadow reflected on her brow and eyes, casting them in semi-darkness.
Inside the chest, many ledgers and letters were neatly arranged. She pulled a yellowed letter from one stack and unfolded the frayed paper to read.
After a while, she set the letter down and sat on the chair by the window, lost in her thoughts.
"Lady, the master is here."
Jin Zhu’s voice came through the door from a distance.
Mrs. Ning promptly concealed her deep contemplative expression, responding, "Understood!" Then she refolded the letter.
Pei Zhan exchanged a few words with Ning Jia, who was sitting while he stood. A maid from Mrs. Ning’s room came to invite, "The lady is in the flower hall, requesting the master’s presence for tea."
Ning Jia immediately straightened his posture.
Pei Zhan looked at him and said, "Are you happy that I’m leaving?"
Ning Jia opened his mouth, but remained silent.
Pei Zhan stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, walked a few steps, then paused and turned back: "In a few days, I have a social engagement; you should come with me."
Ning Jia again straightened his back, "Sister’s husband’s social engagements are all with those in high positions in court. How dare I overstep to attend?"
"If I say you should go, then you go with me."
Pei Zhan glanced at him and then left after saying that.
Ning Jia held his breath watching his back until it disappeared, then exhaled.
The authority of General Pingxi was truly overwhelming. Even though he had become his brother-in-law, Ning Jia still felt like one of his subordinates.
...
When Pei Zhan reached the flower hall, Mrs. Ning had already had tea prepared.
She smiled and stepped out, "Ming Zhi is visiting us again? Did Zhen Er go back by herself?"
"Did you see the outfit she was wearing just now? She couldn’t be out showing off in that. She went back to change. She left me, so I decided to come and sit for a while."
Pei Zhan said this as he sat down, "Hasn’t Miss Xie arrived yet?"
Mrs. Ning handed the tea to him with a smile, "Is there something you’d like to say?"
Pei Zhan also smiled: "My little thoughts can’t escape mother’s perceptive eyes."
Mrs. Ning said, "Speak directly; we don’t beat around the bush."
Pei Zhan nodded: "To be frank, today He Qunying came to me asking the Ning Family for a ship. I initially didn’t want to bother, but he mentioned grandfather, so I had to take it seriously.
"Regarding my grandfather’s death, was there anything suspicious? I wish to hear a truthful answer from mother."