Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 285

Chapter 285: Wedding Quilt

An Zhi was no stranger to the Pei family’s courtyard. Even with the red veil covering her head, she knew where she was going.

But once she crossed the threshold, she felt unfamiliar. However, she knew she had arrived at Pei Que’s courtyard.

Although the Pei family’s residence was large, she had visited often before, always cautiously, meticulously memorizing every spot, fearing she might stray into the wrong place. She especially remembered what the other Pei family members had said: Pei Que was difficult to get along with, and it was best to stay away from his courtyard.

Unexpectedly, she ended up marrying Pei Que.

After being escorted to the bridal chamber, An Zhi’s anxious heart finally eased a little.

Finally, they arrived.

“Ouch,” Binglu suddenly moaned.

“What’s wrong?” An Zhi’s vision, obscured by the red veil, prevented her from seeing what happened to Binglu.

But the others could see Binglu’s hand, drawing blood from the needle hidden in the bridal quilt. Everyone’s expression froze, especially the two maids assigned by the Pei family, whose faces darkened.

Chunlan hurried over to check the quilt with Binglu, discovering several more needles hidden within. If An Zhi sat down, she wouldn’t have a wedding night tonight. Nanny Wang, who had been brought in by An Zhi, approached the two matrons in charge of the Pei family. “What’s your intention, Pei family? Are you saying you don’t welcome our young lady’s marriage, or are you trying to intimidate her?”

The two matrons were personally selected by Pei Que and were utterly loyal to him. They were furious when they saw the needle hidden in the wedding quilt, but they absolutely couldn’t let their young lady get angry. They quickly knelt and apologized. The older one explained, “Madam, I’ve been with the Fourth Master since the time when the old lady was here. We even checked the wedding quilt this morning. This was definitely not the intention of our master or the Pei family. The Fourth Master has entrusted us with your care. If anything happens to you, we would be held responsible. Please be discerning.”

An Zhi couldn’t see the details of what happened, but she was certain it wasn’t someone close to Pei Que who did it. It was likely someone else trying to harm her or sow discord between her and Pei Que. As for who did it, it shouldn’t be difficult to find out, as only a few people could enter the bridal chamber.

“Nannies, please rise. I understand what’s going on, and I believe your innocence. My maid was just a bit overwhelmed by her concern, so please don’t mind her. However, this matter is quite serious. Please check who has entered and left the bridal chamber since this morning.” An Zhi tried to maintain a consistent tone, hiding her current nervousness.

The two maids from the Pei family breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Madam’s words, and at the same time, they truly admired the young lady before them. They had heard a little about her before but had never actually met her. They hadn’t expected this young woman to possess such a ruthless eye. They didn’t hesitate to comply with the young lady’s orders and obeyed.

After hearing the maids say they would investigate, An Zhi had Binglu select a new wedding quilt from her dowry. After checking and sorting it, half an hour had passed.

By the time An Zhi sat down, her back ached with exhaustion.

“Miss, please have some tea to wake yourself up. It’s still light outside.” Binglu handed over a cup of tea.

An Zhi took the tea and sipped it twice through her red veil, not daring to drink more. After handing the cup to Binglu, she shifted her shoulders. She heard Fusheng’s voice at the door and asked Binglu what was wrong.

Binglu went to the door to listen for a moment, then returned with a message: “It’s about the needle hidden in the wedding quilt. Fourth Master Pei… No, it’s the son-in-law who knows about it. He’ll give you an explanation. He also said that your wedding dress is too heavy. You’ll probably be exhausted if you sit here waiting until nightfall. Let us help you take off your outer layers first to ease you down.”

At this moment, Chunlan arrived with a food box, saying it was sent by Shunzi. It contained the young lady’s favorite dishes. It was the son-in-law’s order, fearing that the young lady would starve if she waited too long.

Binglu followed Chunlan in spreading out the snacks from the food box, while Qiulan and Donglan helped their young lady remove the two outer layers of her wedding gown.

Binglu then walked over to the bridal bed and explained what was in the food box. “Mi… Madam, what would you like to eat? I’ll bring it to you.” She had just arrived at the Pei Mansion, and although she’d memorized for a long time on the way here, she was still used to calling them by their old names, so she kept getting them wrong.

An Zhi, now without the heaviest layers of her wedding gown and secretly loosening her belt a little, felt much more comfortable, but she still didn’t dare to relax too much. “Give me two pieces of osmanthus cake. Share the rest among yourselves. You’ve been busy with me all this way; thank you for your hard work.”

“Madam, you’re being polite again.” Chunlan smiled as she brought two pieces of osmanthus cake, first giving the young madam one. After An Zhi finished one, Chunlan gave the other to her and then brought her a cup of green tea. “Will you have a little more, Madam?”

“No.’ She would look foolish that evening if she overate.

Although her mother was gone, the madam, as her stepmother, though somewhat embarrassed, still shared some intimate details with her.

After rinsing her mouth, An Zhi told Chunlan and the others to go eat, leaving one person to take turns serving them.

The Pei family’s maids and servants, due to the needle-hiding incident, were ordered by the Pei family’s steward to wait at the door. No one was allowed to enter until the matter was fully investigated.

One or two sharp-eyed people, overhearing the laughter and chatter inside, muttered, “That’s undisciplined.”

The others nearby didn’t dare to speak up at this moment. After all, the more astute ones, having seen Shunzi’s arrival, knew that the master valued his young lady highly.

In the front hall outside, the male and female guests sat on either side, not separated by a screen.

The Pei family’s wedding tables were spread out from the main hall to the long corridor, creating a bustling atmosphere.

As the groom, Pei Que was the center of attention wherever he went, and everyone had to toast him.

However, Pei Que had long ago asked He Xun to replace his wine with water. If he couldn’t refuse, he would ask He Xun and the other guests to help drink.

So, when Pei Que arrived at the bridal chamber, he was still full of energy.

“The son-in-law is here,” Binglu greeted with a bow, also to notify An Zhi.

An Zhi’s nervousness returned when she heard Pei Que arrive, and she rubbed the handkerchief she clutched again and again.

“If you rub it any more, it’ll tear,” Pei Que quipped.

An Zhi wanted to respond with, “Yes,” but because her red veil hadn’t been lifted, she bit her lip and held back.

After the matchmaker said to lift the veil, An Zhi’s heartbeat quickened. Suddenly, the air before her felt fresher and her vision brighter, and she instinctively closed her eyes.

When An Zhi opened her eyes again, she saw Pei Que, facing her with his back to the light. His face was as rosy as a peach, his eyebrows were as sharp as a sword, and he looked like a banished immortal. With a smile on his face, he said, “Madam, your husband has finally married you.”