Chapter 341 – Ten Miles of Bridal Makeup (Fourteen)
“Xu Xiaoyu, you better give me a good reason!”
She slammed her hand on the table, causing a loud bang that made everyone’s ears tingle.
Jiang Pengji wasn’t overly grumpy, but who likes to be rudely awakened from a deep sleep by someone outside?
It was quite cold in Hejian, especially at this late hour; the air felt frosty, as if she had been thrown into an ice cellar.
She held her patience, waiting for Xu Ke to speak.
She was curious to know what could be so important that he left his warm, soft bed with his newlywed wife to disturb her sleep. Just thinking about her cozy bed and soft blankets made it surprising that Jiang Pengji wasn’t throwing a fit.
Seated at the head of the table, she rubbed her face to shake off sleepiness while glaring intensely at Xu Ke, who knelt nervously before her.
Xu Ke had just recently married; people in his position could easily indulge with their wives, so he must be steaming with warmth.
But she was just a lonely single dog, and if the heat from her bed escaped, she’d have to warm herself up all over again!
“Why are you here in the middle of the night when you should be keeping your wife busy with family matters?”
Jiang Pengji’s tone was sharp, and there were noticeable red imprints of sleep on her cheek, indicating just how bad her mood was.
Xu Ke coughed awkwardly, feeling flustered.
He remembered that what he had to say was urgent, but he had forgotten how inappropriate the timing was.
Most people were already asleep, blissfully lost in sweet dreams, including Jiang Pengji.
“Ke has something urgent to inform the Young Master, please, Young Master, calm down a bit,” he said, genuinely worried that Jiang Pengji’s anger would boil over after hearing about Xun Mei, potentially making things worse.
“Just say it! I am perfectly calm,” Jiang Pengji grumbled with a frown, her mood clearly contrary to her words.
Xu Ke hesitated, gathering his thoughts for a moment.
“This matter concerns my maidservant, Xun Mei. I ask that you consider her years of diligent service to you and spare her this time. If after you hear this you remain angry, then let it all fall on me—I just want to give her a chance to redeem herself.”
Xu Ke spoke earnestly, detailing everything Xun Mei had confided in him.
Clarifying the situation wasn’t hard; the challenge lay in how to downplay Xun Mei’s involvement.
Fortunately, since Xun Mei hadn’t genuinely erred yet, confessing might just lessen her punishment.
However, Jiang Pengji’s reaction was completely unexpected for Xu Ke.
Even if she wasn’t furious, she should have shown some signs of anger, considering that Xun Mei’s actions had constituted a betrayal.
“I already knew about this matter; I just didn’t expect Xun Mei to come clean to you so soon.”
As Jiang Pengji spoke, Xu Ke’s expression shifted uneasily.
She continued, “Xun Mei is typically tight-lipped and cautious. As far as I know, you’re the only one she has told. Initially, I thought she would keep it hidden until she couldn’t anymore. If the news got out, her situation would be awkward.”
Xun Mei’s act of betrayal could hardly be described as anything other than treachery and disloyalty!
With such a character, wouldn’t Xu Ke, as her husband, be somewhat repulsed?
Not to mention that Xun Mei had betrayed the Liu Residence.
The Liu Residence had been kind to Xun Mei and to Xu Ke as well!
From the perspective of a scholarly individual, one would never accept such a stain on one’s honor.
“When did the Young Master find out?” Xu Ke asked, looking befuddled. If it weren’t for Xun Mei revealing it, he wouldn’t have noticed a thing.
Jiang Pengji smiled, “There’s no plan in this world that is perfect. Xun Mei and Ta Xue are hardly professionals in the spy realm; their hiding skills are still lacking. Some unusual behavior, if observed carefully, can always be detected.”
Hearing this, Xu Ke paused, seeming to contemplate something.
“Xun Mei’s decision to tell you indicates her stance,” Jiang Pengji said, looking directly into Xu Ke’s eyes. “You should go back and comfort her, lest she starts overthinking. As for Ta Xue, she can’t be moved just yet, but I will take her away. The Liu Residence is heavily guarded; outsiders won’t dare to reach in, and Xun Mei is just a minor pawn, so there’s little danger.”
Xu Ke knelt, his fists clenched tightly in his lap.
His expression was complicated, “You’re not going to hold Xun Mei’s mistakes against her?”
“She hasn’t caused any actual harm and she’s your wife, so why should I dwell on her transgressions?” Jiang Pengji shook her head, adding, “In fact, when Xun Mei expressed the desire to be with you, I had already decided not to hold any grudges.”
Xu Ke was taken aback, asking, “Why?”
“She is a wise girl. I think she realized her uncertain future and wanted to withdraw while she could. You’ve said it yourself; she has cared for me for many years, and the bond we share is as deep as that of siblings. Since that is the case, why would I extinguish her with a vengeance for something that hasn’t fully manifested? I offered her a chance, and thankfully, Xun Mei hasn’t disappointed my expectations.”
Xu Ke fell silent, pondering for a long time.
“As for your marriage to Xun Mei, I didn’t support it from the beginning. Do you know why?” Jiang Pengji elaborated, “There are two reasons. First, you, Xu Xiaoyu, are no ordinary person. Hearts can change; if one day you soar to great heights while Xun Mei remains an ordinary girl, I’m afraid she won’t be able to hold onto you and would become a resentful partner. The second reason is this matter; even if I forgive you, not speaking it out loud leaves it a hidden danger.”
Fortunately, Xun Mei’s own confession left ample room for reconciliation in this conflict.
After a long pause, Jiang Pengji added, “I bear her no grudge.”
Indeed, there was really nothing to be angry about.
She yawned, feeling sleepy, “Unless there’s something else, you should go back and hug your lovely wife; don’t disturb my sleep.”
Xu Ke couldn’t help but be amused and exasperated.
He thought the matter was serious enough to warrant a midnight visit, only to receive such a result.
“Ke, please thank the Young Master for me,” he said, believing in the extraordinary magnanimity of the person before him.
“Is that it?” Jiang Pengji propped her head up with one hand, feeling drowsy.
While couples were busy having their squabbles, this lonely single dog was deprived of her sleep, battling heavy eyelids.
Xu Ke, sensing her fatigue, wisely bowed and withdrew.
Jiang Pengji took a deep breath, doing her best to keep her eyes wide open as she crawled back into bed, rolling under the blanket.
In this vast world, sleep was the ultimate priority—whatever nonsense could wait until morning!
With the lantern in hand, Xu Ke returned to his own dwelling. The warm orange glow of the candle inside warmed his heart.
“The matter has been settled.”
He took off his outer garment, placing it aside, and wrapped his arms around Xun Mei’s waist, resting his head on her shoulder with a sigh.
“Settled? That quickly?”
Xun Mei was fidgeting with anticipation, feeling anxious.
“Yes, the Young Master is broad-minded and incomparable. Now that he’s been informed, it should count as resolved.”
Xun Mei lowered her eyes, her heart finally at ease.
“We’ll be leaving tomorrow…” Xu Ke whispered softly, “but it’s still early, my lady, perhaps we should make ourselves comfortable.”
“Hmm?”
A rustling sound came from the room, and after a while, only intertwined breaths remained.
