After the meeting of the Azure Dragon Hall dispersed and Yejing Hall left, Pei Xiangjun, accompanied by her maid Xiuhe, went to the residence of her sister-in-law Zhang Yulian and recounted what had just happened.
"Although Jingtang is young, he really has the demeanor of a leader. Now the eight incense masters no longer look down on him. As long as Jingtang makes a name for himself in the martial arts world, the troubles within the Honghua Building will be resolved..."
Pei Xiangjun was wearing a light yellow ruqun (a traditional Chinese dress). She sat sideways on the carved soft couch, holding a needle and thread, embroidering a picture of "the bird playing in the water," and softly praising Yejing Hall's performance.
Madam Zhang sat opposite her. Upon hearing this, her expression eased a bit, but there was not much joy on her face. Instead, there was a hint of sadness:
"No matter how well Jingtang performs, he is just the adopted son of the second uncle. He has no blood relation with the Pei family and has never received any favor from the Pei family. It's out of kindness that he helps the Pei family take on the heavy responsibility, and it's also his freedom if he doesn't. The Pei family can't say anything about it."
"Sister-in-law, don't worry. I know Jingtang's character."
Madam Zhang had been the wife of the leader for many years after all, and she had more experience than Pei Xiangjun. She let out a sigh and said:
"Third Sister, there are some things I still need to talk about. People's hearts can change. With Jingtang's performance today, when he becomes more powerful in the future, you definitely won't be able to control him. You can't just rely on the word 'trust' for such a large family business. You have to find a way to keep his heart here."
"Jingtang values chivalry. His strength is that he doesn't care about fame and fortune, but that's also his weakness. If he wants to help the Pei family, he will do his best even if I don't say anything; if he doesn't want to help, what can I do to keep him here?"
A look of helplessness flashed in Madam Zhang's eyes. Seeing that there were no outsiders around, she leaned closer:
"What men desire is nothing more than 'power, money, fame, and beauty'. Jingtang doesn't covet money or power, and he doesn't need the Pei family to give him fame. So we can only start from the last one..."
Pei Xiangjun paused in the action of embroidering the bird and raised her eyes:
"Do you mean to use the beauty trap? Jingtang is more good-looking than ninety-nine percent of women. I don't think there are many women in the world who can tie him down."
Madam Zhang glanced at Pei Xiangjun's figure:
"Ordinary women naturally can't tie him down, but you are no ordinary woman. As the female leader of the Honghua Building, you are extremely charming. In the martial arts world, it is often said, 'A thousand pieces of gold for righteousness is not as good as a bit of charm'. You must have much more charm than that, right? Can't you tie down a young man?"
?!
Pei Xiangjun's eyes showed surprise. She adjusted her plump clothes and showed a bit of shame and annoyance:
"Sister-in-law! What are you talking about? You and I are of the same generation, and Jingtang calls me his aunt!"
"What aunt?"
Madam Zhang said earnestly: "You are a disciple of the Pei family, and Jingtang is the adopted son of the Pei family. The two of you have no real relationship. Who would say there is a problem if you become husband and wife? Jingtang is talented and good-looking, and his talent seems to be remarkable. If you don't strive for it when you have the opportunity, and you give such a good young man to someone else for nothing, don't you think you will suffer a loss? If I had a daughter, I would betroth her to Jingtang right now..."
"Sister-in-law, don't randomly match people up. It would be embarrassing if it backfires."
"I'm not joking. If you can't bring yourself to do it, then find a way to look for someone among the disciples of the Honghua Building. The Honghua Building has countless disciples, and there are many beautiful women. You have to pick one and send her to Jingtang's side to warm his bed and do the chores. If you don't become a family, how can you ensure that Jingtang's heart is with the Honghua Building?"
Xiuhe, who was making tea and eavesdropping beside them, slightly puffed out her chest and "accidentally" bumped into the teacup, making a sound. She was almost about to cough twice.
Pei Xiangjun ignored Xiuhe, who was acting infatuated, but she also knew that what her sister-in-law said made sense. After a moment of hesitation, she sighed:
"I'll go and test Jingtang's attitude first to see if he has the intention of getting married."
Madam Zhang thought that Pei Xiangjun was just too shy to take the initiative:
"A young man of eighteen or nineteen years old, if he doesn't think about girls, there must be something seriously wrong with him. Such a young man is not like those experienced people who are used to the ways of love. He is the easiest to win over. As long as you 'please' him a little, he will treat you as the apple of his eye and follow your every word..."
"Ugh~!"
Pei Xiangjun waved her water sleeves lightly and interrupted her sister-in-law's shameless words. Seeing that it was still early, she got up and took her leave:
"I'll go and test his attitude. Sister-in-law, don't randomly act as a matchmaker."
Madam Zhang shook her head and continued embroidering:
"You just can't bring yourself to pursue a man. If you regret it one day, don't blame your sister-in-law for not giving you advice."
"Got it. Sigh, really..."
...
-----
Gurgle...
Not long after, a luxurious carriage with a wooden sign bearing the character "Pei" passed through the old streets of Ranfang Street.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Xiuhe's pretty face poked out. She looked around on the street:
"Why does Young Master Ye live in such a shabby place? I've been in the capital for so many years, and I've never been here before."
"Jingtang is thrifty by nature. When he first arrived in the capital, he didn't have much money, so he settled here."
Pei Xiangjun sat in the carriage. She had also dressed up a bit. She was wearing a beautiful light yellow spring dress, with a shawl draped over her shoulders, and had applied a touch of light red rouge. She looked intellectual and beautiful, just like a mature and charming young lady from a wealthy family.
Although Pei Xiangjun had no intention of having a relationship with a younger man, as her sister-in-law said, she had no real relationship with Jingtang. He was unmarried and she was unwed, and there was nothing wrong with Jingtang's appearance and character. Even if she had no intention, she couldn't deliberately resist. It was best to let things take their natural course.
She was going there to test Jingtang's attitude, but for some reason, Pei Xiangjun had a strange feeling of "offering herself" in her heart.
While Pei Xiangjun was thinking about how to start the conversation later, her ears twitched, and she suddenly heard strange noises coming from the deep alley:
Swish, swish—
The sound of a sword stabbing straight out, accompanied by the voices of a man and a woman:
"Miss Knight, wait a moment. No, no, no..."
"Keep running? Let's see how long you can run!..."
?!
Pei Xiangjun's eyes narrowed slightly, and she immediately came to her senses.
She hadn't had much contact with Jingtang, but she still knew his character. The last time he was attacked while in disguise, even though he had no chance of winning, he remained calm in the face of danger. To be so panicked, he must have encountered an extremely powerful enemy.
Whoosh—
In just a moment, the carriage curtain moved slightly, and Pei Xiangjun, who was sitting inside, had disappeared.
With just two leaps, Pei Xiangjun rushed over the rooftops of the desolate houses and landed in the courtyard, which had been completely renovated compared to the last time she saw it.
Thud—
Landing steadily on her feet, Pei Xiangjun saw two people standing in the main room!
Jingtang stood on the right side of the table, looking flustered. He was still in the posture of raising his hand to stop something, and he looked at her in surprise!
Opposite the table was a young woman with a willow-like waist. She had peach blossom eyes and slender eyebrows, a face as cold as ice, and her appearance was perfectly flawless. She even had an otherworldly air about her. Even Pei Xiangjun, who was also an extremely beautiful woman, was a bit amazed when she saw her.
However, this woman clearly had malicious intentions!
The anger in the woman's eyes had not yet subsided. She was holding a three-foot blade in her right hand and pointing it at Yejing Hall. There were many marks on the ground and the wall where the sword had stabbed.
Pei Xiangjun's face turned slightly cold, and she immediately wanted to rush in and subdue this audacious female thief!
But as soon as she took a step, she saw the sumptuous meal on the table and the bird squatting on the table watching the scene...
There were two sets of chopsticks on the table, and there was also half-drunk wine...
Looking more closely, the woman holding the sword had a flushed face and wasn't even wearing shoes...
No matter how she looked at it, it seemed like they were flirting!
??
Pei Xiangjun stood there in a daze. Her usual calmness as a person in a high position prevented her from showing her emotions, but her face still turned red. She asked:
"Jingtang! You... Who is this?"