Chapter 20: The Upright Gentleman, Pei Yunrui

Shen Residence, Crescent Pavilion.

Lu Jin never expected that he could leave alone and return with someone in tow. The two young maids found it a novelty as well—did Crescent Pavilion ever have guests?

“Where’s Caiyun?” Lu Jin glanced around but didn’t spot the girl.

“Caiyun has gone out,” one of the maids hurriedly explained to him.

That maid was quite something, running about without her mistress. What business did she have wandering off?

Settling Pei Yunrui in the study, Lu Jin waited until the little maid served tea and left before finally turning to Pei Yunrui. You’re certainly sitting with remarkable composure.

“What does Brother Pei wish to discuss with me?” Lu Jin regarded Pei Yunrui with interest, eager to see what new tricks he had up his sleeve.

“So anxious, are you, brother-in-law?” Pei Yunrui smiled lightly, picking up the tea bowl to gently blow away the leaves and take a sip. He found it strange—why wasn’t Lu Jin calling him ‘cousin’ anymore?

“I’m afraid you might be impatient,” Lu Jin deflected.

“It’s nothing much, really. I heard Xier got married, so I came along with my father and mother to see her. As her cousin, now that my little sister is wed, I must pay a visit.” Pei Yunrui spoke with his usual measured calm, a smile lingering on his face.

“Is Brother Pei satisfied, then?” With the conversation turning serious, Lu Jin felt no need to say more.

“Well, I was a bit disappointed when I heard. Do you really know Xier?” Pei Yunrui was unexpectedly direct.

Lu Jin hadn’t thought Pei Yunrui would speak so plainly. Brother, have you never heard of being tactful? And what about me? I didn’t snatch your cousin—she snatched me, alright?

“The Empress Dowager once praised Xier’s beauty as peerless, unmatched in the world. Do you understand the weight of those words?” Pei Yunrui cared little for what Lu Jin thought.

Lu Jin wasn’t overly surprised. With Shen Yanxi’s devastating charm, it didn’t matter if she had talent; just her looks alone warranted endless praise. She was simply beyond compare.

“So what? She still has to marry, in the end.” Lu Jin laughed softly. Was Pei Yunrui really going straight to the point?

“...” Pei Yunrui was speechless. Couldn’t Lu Jin grasp the meaning behind his words? I’m trying to say—you’re not worthy of my cousin. Stay calm, maintain the gentleman’s demeanor; don’t stoop to the level of this little son-in-law.

“Xier’s beauty is unmatched, and she’s a renowned talent, masterful in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Brother Lu, don’t you think you fall short?” Pei Yunrui suddenly felt that not being called ‘cousin’ was actually helpful—otherwise, the conversation would be impossible.

“In what way?” Lu Jin looked at Pei Yunrui with an eager thirst for knowledge.

“...” Why can’t we connect? Just admit where you’re lacking, won’t you? Such thick skin, utterly oblivious.

“Knowledge, character, talent...” Pei Yunrui had no choice but to list examples for this fool.

“But I don’t fall short. Speaking of knowledge and talent, the world might own one measure, but I claim two, leaving others in debt. Even if I wanted more, it’d be difficult.” Lu Jin replied with feigned helplessness.

“...” Where does he get the nerve to claim two measures and say others owe him? Pei Yunrui was shocked. He was a little guilty, though—Lu Jin had indeed shone that afternoon. But now wasn’t the time for reason; he had to press on.

“As for character, Brother Pei, I dare say that in the matter of virtue, you can rest easy. I am a proper scholar, once honored as the Jiangzhou Model of Morality, a genuine gentleman, a paragon of virtue.” Lu Jin spoke with absolute seriousness.

“...” What nonsense is this—Model of Morality? Who bestowed you the title of genuine gentleman? This is outright fabrication. In all his twenty-odd years, Pei Yunrui had never encountered such an oddity. His gentlemanly composure was beginning to waver.

“May I ask which office or person awarded Brother Lu this Model of Morality?” Pei Yunrui honestly doubted Lu Jin could concoct a plausible answer; he was curious to see how Lu Jin would continue spinning his tale.

“I awarded it myself.” Lu Jin replied, astonished.

“...” Where’s my knife—what shamelessness! To openly declare self-award? If that counted, I’d be a sage myself.

“Brother Lu, you jest.” Pei Yunrui struggled to restrain himself.

“Wasn’t Brother Pei the first to joke with me?” Lu Jin’s bright eyes stared earnestly at Pei Yunrui.

When did I ever joke with you? Why is it so impossible to communicate with you? Did I study the wrong books for the past decade? Pei Yunrui felt utterly defeated.

“Brother Pei, speak frankly—who in this world could match Shen Yanxi?”

“...” Pei Yunrui was more at a loss than ever. This man’s words flitted from heaven to earth, east to west. How am I supposed to answer? Am I expected to boast as shamelessly as he does?

“At the very least, one must have noble character, vast learning, and illustrious lineage...”

“Stop. So Brother Pei wishes to marry your cousin?” Lu Jin cut off Pei Yunrui’s self-aggrandizement. Scholars—so shameless.

“Ah, well...” So direct? Aren’t we scholars supposed to be discreet, subtle, hinting rather than stating outright?

“I disagree!” Lu Jin answered, looking at Pei Yunrui.

And who are you to disagree? What right have you?

“Why does Brother Lu say so?” Pei Yunrui was full of surprise. Did Lu Jin not understand the situation—a mere scholar for Shen Yanxi?

Lu Jin beckoned Pei Yunrui closer. Pei Yunrui hesitated, but curiosity got the better of him.

“Let me tell you quietly—marrying cousins is against the law!” Lu Jin whispered in Pei Yunrui’s ear.

Pei Yunrui jumped. How could marriage be illegal? Never heard of that! Which statute of the Great Liang?

“I’m unaware of such a law,” Pei Yunrui doubted.

“It’s the law in my heart, not yet promulgated, so of course you wouldn’t know...” Lu Jin leaned back, took a sip of tea, and stared at Pei Yunrui as if he were a fool.

“...” Damn it, Pei Yunrui felt as if he’d spent half the day arguing with a madman. Utterly pointless. What use is the law in your heart?

“I’m curious, Brother Pei—if you liked your cousin, why didn’t you say so earlier?” Lu Jin was puzzled—his cousin had already tied herself to a man; where was Pei Yunrui?

“...” Pei Yunrui thought—how could I not? Aunt never gave her approval, and Xier herself was unwilling. Otherwise, why would I be talking to you? Wouldn’t it be better to simply marry my cousin? What business would you, a little son-in-law, have?

Seeing Pei Yunrui’s troubled expression, Lu Jin understood. If she herself doesn’t agree, what’s the point? Drive away all the men around her—you think that’ll work?

Lu Jin himself couldn’t make sense of his relationship with Shen Yanxi. Call them husband and wife, and it was just a title. Not really, yet it was so. Say he’d left the Shen residence, but he hadn’t. He certainly wouldn’t stand by and let Pei Yunrui cuckold him.

“Brother Pei, take my advice: coveting another man’s wife is not a good habit. I once knew someone who was beaten to death for it—tragic, really. I only tell you because we’re kin.” Lu Jin spoke with earnest gravity.

Pei Yunrui’s face flushed. It wasn’t fear of being beaten by a mere son-in-law, but being accused of coveting another’s wife—he felt a moral shame, just stepping into society.

No, his cousin mattered more.

“But for us scholars, the status of a son-in-law is not quite respectable.” Pei Yunrui was not ready to give up.

If he could get rid of Lu Jin, he might persuade his grandmother and have a chance. This fellow was his main obstacle.

“What would Brother Pei suggest?” Lu Jin wanted to see what tricks Pei Yunrui had.

“Well, if Brother Lu is unwilling to stay in the Shen residence, he could speak to my uncle. I would help explain.” Pei Yunrui was a little pleased—was there progress?

He’d expected something clever—this was all?

“Brother Pei, in truth, I am particularly skilled at living off others. Hard fare is difficult to chew; as for being a son-in-law, it doesn’t matter.”

“What do you mean by ‘living off others’?” Pei Yunrui was confused.

“It means, as I am now—with a beauty at my side, the grand Shen family providing, I need do nothing and live comfortably...” How could he not know what ‘living off others’ meant? In his world, everyone wanted to live like that but couldn’t.

“...” Truly a scoundrel. How could a scholar utter such shameless words? Shouldn’t we speak of country, people, and duty?

“Brother Lu may not fully understand the situation. My cousin’s reputation is renowned; her admirers are countless. Once the news of your son-in-law status spreads, you might not even be able to go out.”

“Then why aren’t you afraid?” Lu Jin asked, curious.

How could it be the same? My family background is different; besides, nothing’s settled yet.

“My Pei family is a Jiangnan gentry clan; I’m known in scholarly circles. These are things Brother Lu cannot compare with.” Pei Yunrui sipped his tea to mask his embarrassment. This conversation was too awkward—he shouldn’t have come at all.

“I’m not afraid either...” Lu Jin replied matter-of-factly.

“...” Pei Yunrui was bewildered. Why not? Go out and you might be beaten to death. You think my cousin is so easy to marry?

“If anyone bullies me, I’ll call my wife to deal with them. The Shen family is also a Jiangnan gentry clan.”

“...” He should never have come. The man across from him was utterly shameless. Pei Yunrui, a true gentleman, had never met such a person.

“I hope Brother Lu can remain so calm. I’ve said all I have to say—take care!” With that, Pei Yunrui stood and left.

“Hey, Brother Pei, don’t go! Let’s talk more!” Lu Jin called out anxiously. It was rare to have someone he could spar with—how could he let him leave so soon?

But Pei Yunrui ran even faster, disappearing in a flash. Lu Jin could only regretfully put away his tricks.