It wasn't until the sky had completely darkened that Pei Zhiyan strode in, trailing a chill behind him.
He had already shed his wedding attire and now donned a jet - black robe that accentuated his well - built waist. When Song Ruotang saw him enter, she sat up straight.
Pei Zhiyan took off his cloak. He initially intended to walk straight over but hesitated for a moment, pausing by the charcoal brazier to warm his hands.
Song Ruotang watched his back and summoned the courage to speak. "My lord, why don't you come over? Your wife will warm you up."
Hearing this, Pei Zhiyan halted in his tracks. He walked straight over, exuding an invisible aura of authority. Song Ruotang tightened her grip on the edge of her dress, expecting a scolding.
"I know you wanted to escape your parents' control. You're still young and shouldn't waste your years here. Once I've sorted out my current affairs, I'll arrange a proper place for you," Pei Zhiyan explained slowly.
Song Ruotang was taken aback. So that's what he thought?
But she had to stay. There were still things she needed to accomplish. How could she leave like this?
Song Ruotang lowered her beautiful eyes, and the tears in them welled up like pearls, sliding down her cheeks. She grabbed a corner of Pei Zhiyan's sleeve, her voice soft and pitiful. "My lord, are you going to abandon me?"
Pei Zhiyan was never good at dealing with a woman's tears. Seeing her cry so piteously, his expression softened, and he didn't even notice that his tone had become gentler. "I'll make proper arrangements for you..."
"But I'm already your woman, my lord. I was so happy when you took me into your mansion. Now, hearing your words, I realize I'm of low status and unworthy of you..."
Song Ruotang interrupted Pei Zhiyan. Tears streamed down her face. In the flickering candlelight, her delicate face glistened with tears, and the corners of her eyes were tinged with a blush, which made Pei Zhiyan a bit dazed. An indescribable feeling welled up in his heart.
He averted his gaze slightly. There was a hint of tenderness in his cold voice. "Don't cry. I understand."
Only then did Song Ruotang stop crying and put on a smile. They sat in silence for a long time. The only sound was the crackling of the charcoal in the brazier. Song Ruotang finally broke the silence.
She shyly lowered her head and gently tugged at Pei Zhiyan's sleeve. "My lord, it's getting late. Let's rest."
Pei Zhiyan looked down at the shy Song Ruotang in front of him. The strange feeling in his heart grew stronger. He didn't object to her words and lay down beside her as she asked.
He lay on his side, not facing Song Ruotang. He felt a warm presence approaching from behind. A pair of fair arms reached out from behind his waist and gently wrapped around him.
With something soft pressing against his back, Pei Zhiyan stiffened. He hadn't had a good rest for several days, but now, even though he was at leisure, he felt no drowsiness.
He heard the gentle breathing behind him and carefully turned around. What came into view was Song Ruotang's peaceful sleeping face.
She was curled up in his arms like a docile kitten, warm and soft, which made Pei Zhiyan a bit absent - minded.
The next morning, when Song Ruotang woke up, Pei Zhiyan had already left.
The maid Xiaoxi came in with a basin of water. "Madam, you're awake?"
Song Ruotang turned to look at her. Xiaoxi explained, "I'm Xiaoxi. Master sent me here to take care of you."
Song Ruotang nodded, got up, and took the handkerchief from Xiaoxi. Then she asked, "Where's... Master?"
"Master left early this morning. He said you don't need to wait for him to have meals," Xiaoxi replied.
Song Ruotang nodded. After washing up, she went outside and found that the courtyard was not very large but quite exquisite.
Seeing her looking around, Xiaoxi said, "This is the mansion where Master usually stays outside. There's never been a woman here before. It's Master's favorite mansion. He often comes here and rarely goes back to the main residence."
Song Ruotang didn't really care about Xiaoxi's words. She just nodded and went to the dining hall.
She knew that now her identity was that of a mistress kept secretly by Pei Zhiyan.
Pei Zhiyan returned very late. When he stepped into the courtyard, wrapped in the night and the snow, he saw the dim yellow lamp still lit under the corridor.
Song Ruotang was wrapped in his snow - colored fox fur cloak, which made her look even more petite. She was huddled in the cloak, propping her head up and dozing off.
"Why don't you go inside?" Pei Zhiyan walked up to Song Ruotang and frowned slightly as he looked at her.
Hearing his voice, Song Ruotang quickly raised her head. Seeing Pei Zhiyan standing motionless beside her, she was at a loss. She quickly stood up to salute.
But she was still a bit dazed. When she stood up suddenly, she felt dizzy and staggered to the side. Pei Zhiyan quickly caught her, and Song Ruotang fell into his arms.
"Your maid told me that you usually come back here. When I passed by the corridor today and saw the lamp wasn't lit and you hadn't returned, I thought I'd light it up to guide you back," Song Ruotang said softly, with a hint of caution.
Pei Zhiyan nodded slightly. "I understand." He adjusted the fox fur cloak on Song Ruotang. "It's cold outside. Don't wait for me personally in the future."
Song Ruotang lowered her eyes slightly and silently followed Pei Zhiyan back into the house. But he didn't go to the bedroom. Instead, he went to the study.
"Master, it's getting late. Aren't you going to rest?" Song Ruotang looked up at him. Pei Zhiyan paused. "I still have some official business. I'll ask a servant to take you back..."
He didn't finish his sentence because he saw Song Ruotang's long eyelashes trembling violently, as if she was about to cry.
"What's wrong?" Pei Zhiyan raised his hand, wanting to lift her head, but then thought better of it. He paused and let his hand fall, only softening his voice to ask.
Song Ruotang shook her head. The tasseled earrings gently brushed against her fair neck, making Pei Zhiyan's heart skip a beat.
She forced herself to look up. Her eyes were full of longing, looking so pitiful. She was huddled in the large fox fur cloak that didn't suit her petite figure. Pei Zhiyan watched as she bit her plump lips and whispered, "I've just arrived at the mansion, and you're the only person I know. I just..."
Song Ruotang didn't finish her sentence, but Pei Zhiyan already understood what she meant. After all, he had investigated Song Ruotang's past and knew that she had suffered a lot in the village since childhood.
Now that she was in a new place, it was only natural that she was not used to it and wanted to find a familiar person.
He understood.
Pei Zhiyan let out a soft sigh. "I'll go back to the bedroom with you."
Song Ruotang stood at the study door. The room hadn't been lit yet, so she was in the shadow. Pei Zhiyan stepped out of the room beside her and didn't see the slight curve of her lips.
He walked a few steps and turned around to see if Song Ruotang was following. He suddenly met her dazzling eyes in the light. Such beautiful eyes, shining brightly just because of his one gesture.
This made Pei Zhiyan feel an indescribable emotion in his heart.