This will also be your first child

"It's not impossible for me to help you."

The eldest princess shook the fan in her hand, her eyes flashing with a seductive glint. "But you have lived in the capital for so long, which household are you from? I will never lend a hand to someone whose background is unclear."

Xie Rutang pursed her lips; she hadn't wanted to reveal Daolian Jushi's identity.

It was already frowned upon by the world for a woman to openly paint and do business. Once her identity was revealed, her painting shop business would certainly suffer, and she would have to endure countless rumors and gossip.

However, it would seem insincere not to be completely honest with the princess.

The eldest princess's tone was authoritative: "You must understand that deliberately concealing something is a crime of deceiving the emperor!"

Xie Rutang quickly weighed the pros and cons in her mind. After all, the eldest princess was a woman. Her political achievements had spread throughout Daqi in the past, and she had always treated women well.

Xie Rutang had no choice but to curtsy: "I am the lady of the Shen family, a prominent family in the capital. My husband is Master Shen Yuan. I am Xie Rutang."

A palace maid whispered something to the princess.

The eldest princess did indeed glance over.

She was a widow?

Did Li Guan know about this?

The princess paused in her fanning, her alluring eyes fixed on the girl's face, scrutinizing her from head to toe. "So it's you."

A moment later, a smile of interest slowly curved her lips. She lightly tapped her palm with the tip of her fan. "I've long heard of Daolian's extraordinary brushwork, but I never imagined she was a lady from a prominent family. No wonder you hesitated so much just now; you must have been afraid that your identity would be revealed, attracting gossip and ruining your art shop..."

Xie Rutang remained silent.

Her status as a widow living in the Shen family is precisely what makes her difficult.

If her mother-in-law finds out... she will definitely object strongly, and even her sisters-in-law and husband's younger sisters will try to stop her.

Xie Rutang was unwilling to accept this.

Why can't women achieve success like men?

Xie Rutang lowered her head meekly and said, "Indeed, it is easy for women to be criticized for making a living by painting. But today, facing the princess, I dare not utter a single falsehood."

The princess's expression softened: "Since it was Mr. Xiao who entrusted this matter, I will help you with it."

A hint of mockery flickered in her alluring eyes, her smile deep and knowing.

The woman before him, Xie Rutang, was stunningly beautiful, with bright, captivating eyes. Her voluptuous and alluring figure was irresistible to any man, let alone someone as powerful and influential as Li Guan.

He has always held a high position, and there is nothing he cannot obtain that he desires. To achieve his goals, he will stop at nothing, even at the cost of destroying others.

The eldest princess had a mischievous thought in mind, and she did not intend to reveal Xie Rutang's identity to Li Guan at this time.

Li Guan protected Xie Rutang very well. When she returned to the capital in the future, he planned to hold an elegant banquet and invite noble ladies, young ladies from noble families, and ministers from the court to attend together.

Then, there will be a good show to watch...

The eldest princess looked at the painting she had sent again, her eyes filled with amazement and satisfaction. She raised her hand and gestured to the palace maid to hang the landscape painting in the clouds on the wall.

The princess stroked her knee, her fingers running over the exquisite embroidery on her skirt. "In the past, I was competitive and ambitious, pushing forward new policies in court, which offended countless officials. Just because I was a woman, they impeached me and obstructed me in every way, forbidding women from entering the court. In the end, I simply gave up everything, finding the splendor and glory of the palace utterly tasteless, and came to live in seclusion in this mountain hermitage."

Her gaze returned to the painting on the table, and she said calmly, "Your painting is excellent. Among all the male literati, there are very few who possess such skill in brush and ink."

Xie Rutang was deeply shaken.

So, is it because of this experience that the eldest princess was willing to help her?

If we help her and she becomes famous, it will also avenge the princess and show those old-fashioned and conservative officials that women are not necessarily inferior to men.

Xie Rutang slowly began, "Back then, the princess implemented new policies that benefited all people, and her good name has long been known throughout Daqi. Those old ministers were merely bound by worldly prejudices and did not understand the princess's profound wisdom."

"The princess devised strategies for the country; her courage and magnanimity far surpass those of many men."

The eldest princess, seated before the mother-of-pearl inlaid green agate screen, was moved and gave the woman a deep look.

Finally, with an air of nobility, he raised his hand and placed it in the palm of the palace maid.

The palace maid said, "Princess Chang is taking a nap. Madam Shen, please return."

Xie Rutang then boarded a carriage and descended Tongxi Mountain.

……

Ever since Pei Zhiheng returned to the Pei residence.

With the return of the male head of the household, Tingmei Residence regained its former vitality.

The interior furnishings and incense were still arranged according to his original preferences.

Although Pei Zhiheng returned to Tingmei Residence, his room remained just as quiet, because he preferred stillness and always walked very quietly with his maid, not daring to make any noise.

Apart from the quiet bamboo grove outside the window, there were no other potted plants in the man's room, only books, as cold as the wood and stones growing in the mountains.

Upon learning that Pei Zhiheng had returned to the manor, Su Yao, despite being a lady from a prominent family, could no longer maintain her composure because the man had always treated her coldly.

The next day, she clung to Pei's mother's side.

Pei Zhiheng was summoned to Cihe Hall by his mother early in the morning. He entered by lifting the curtain. His plain white brocade robe accentuated his clear and handsome features, his jade-like appearance, his tall and upright figure, his broad shoulders, and his strong waist.

Upon entering the house, one sees Su Yao, with a delicate and innocent face, wearing a newly tailored dress, sitting next to Pei's mother, making Pei's mother beam with joy.

Su Yao picked up an ivory skewer, intending to feed Qiu Li to Pei's mother.

Pei's mother smiled kindly, "Alright, alright, even pears aren't as sweet as your words."

Later, when Yaoniang marries her own son, the two will surely be loving and affectionate.

Pei Zhiheng stopped a short distance away and called out to his mother.

Madam Pei's expression softened: "You've come at the right time. Yao Niang came to see you early this morning. Why have you been cooped up in your room dealing with official business all day since you returned from the Shen family?"

Pei Zhiheng bowed and said, "As the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, I am busy with important documents every day and can only pay my respects to my mother late."

Hearing his businesslike tone, Pei's mother frowned.

However, after Pei Zhiheng brought her son to live with her from another residence when he was a few years old, her son has always had this kind of personality. Even if she wanted to cultivate a relationship later, it would be too late. Pei Zhiheng has never been warm towards her, which is also a source of her heartache.

Pei Zhiheng's indifference felt like a fishbone stuck in her throat.

That's it.

Ever since he came in, Su Yao's shy gaze has been fixed on him.

"In a few days, we will hold the betrothal ceremony. Only when the marriage is settled as soon as possible can I feel at ease."

Madam Pei stroked Su Yao's head and said, "Once Yao Niang, this little ray of sunshine, marries into the Pei family, the mansion will be lively, and your Plum Blossom Residence will no longer be deserted. In another year or two, we'll have another big, healthy boy."

"This will also be your first child."

Pei Zhiheng remained silent.

Seeing that he remained silent and his white robes still looked cold and aloof, Pei's mother took it as his tacit agreement.

Seeing that things were going smoothly, Su Yao's cheeks flushed red, like the sunset clouds on the horizon.