Rebirth on the Day She Was Poisoned by an Aphrodisiac - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Red Lanterns

Illness comes like a landslide but leaves as slowly as spinning silk. After half a month of recuperation, Pei Chen was finally able to walk around the courtyard. Her managers reported the events of the past two weeks.

The biggest news was that Lady Chen had been sent away to a country manor by Princess Liyang under the pretext of “recuperating from illness.” Now, the Pei household was without a matriarch.

Internal affairs had piled up like a mountain, waiting for Pei Chen to manage them. Interestingly, Pei Ming offered no objection to Lady Chen’s departure; he practically gave his silent consent.

Pei Chen sat on her swing, soaking up the sun. She knew there must be things happening behind the scenes that she wasn’t aware of, but since the Princess had already acted, she didn’t need to worry.

“Since no one is in charge, we will hold a morning meeting tomorrow. I want to meet all of you,” Pei Chen said simply. She turned to her two maids. “Tell me everything you know—specifically, who are Lady Chen’s confidants.”

Bailu and Baishuang were overjoyed. They exchanged a look, their excitement barely contained. Their mistress had finally stood up.

In the meantime, Pei Chen summoned the head accountant. She needed to understand the daily expenses, the harvest from the manors, and the profits from the shops.

The accountant arrived in a hurry with the ledgers. Pei Chen noticed that Pei Ming withdrew several hundred taels every two or three days. She was curious but didn’t say anything—it was useless to demand it back now. She closed the ledger, her expression neutral as she sipped her tea. The accountant waited nervously.

Finally, she asked, “Sir, were you part of my mother’s dowry?”

When Lady Gu married General Pei Kai, her dowry was legendary. Empress Dowager Gu had arranged everything for her—confidants, managers, and accountants were all part of the package. This meant the man before her was originally Lady Gu’s man. However, since Lady Gu hadn’t managed anything for years, his loyalty was no longer guaranteed.

“Back to the Young Master, I once served in the Ministry of Revenue,” the accountant replied, bowing his head.

Pei Chen nodded. “Lady Chen is ill, so the household affairs fall to me. The Princess will soon join this household, so you must sharpen your wits.”

The accountant stole a glance at the youth. Times had changed; Pei Chen was now the master of the house. “I understand.”

“I have no specific instructions other than this: from today on, any expenditure over ten taels requires my approval. The same goes for all procurement.” Pei Chen stood up and walked slowly toward him. She handed back the ledger, a playful yet sharp glint in her eyes. She lowered her voice: “If you find this difficult, the Princess’s manor is full of talent. You are free to return home.”

The accountant trembled. “I understand! I will strictly follow your orders.”

Pei Chen was satisfied. She didn’t actually enjoy household management—she wanted to enter the court and stand beside Liyang—but she knew she had to control her own house first.

The Meaning of the Lanterns

By the 5th of June, the heat was rising. Pei Chen, who had a naturally cold constitution, found the warmth comfortable. She spent her days matching her memories of the future with the present state of the capital’s great families.

On this day, the Empress Dowager summoned her to Shou’an Palace to eat lotus seeds. All eight princesses were present. Liyang was standing by the Dowager, a wedding dress displayed beside them.

Pei Chen’s eyes lit up when she saw the dress, but the Third Princess, Mingyun, quickly blocked her view. “Young Master, I heard you were deathly ill. When you marry, will you even be able to… handle the bridal chamber?”

Pei Chen’s lip twitched. She wanted to slap her, but instead, she countered: “Has the Third Princess been doing ‘good deeds’ lately?”

She was referring to Mingyun’s attempt to seduce the son of the richest man in the empire, the Ouyang family, just to secure him as a consort.

Mingyun glared at her. “I won’t let you have your wedding night. I’ll burn all your red lanterns!”

“Red lanterns?” Pei Chen was confused. The manor would be full of them; how would burning them stop anything?

Mingyun laughed pityingly. “You’re truly pathetic, aren’t you?”

Pei Chen retreated to a seat, feeling frustrated. The Second Princess, Minglan, looked at her. “I heard the Young Master killed over a dozen assassins personally?”

“And? If the Second Princess were attacked, I would save you too. Of course, if you and Princess Liyang were attacked at the same time, I would definitely save her first,” Pei Chen replied with a smile.

Minglan’s attempt to probe was met with a snub. She lowered her eyes and muttered, “I’ll burn the red lanterns too.”

Pei Chen looked at the Fourth and Fifth Princesses. The shy Fourth Princess blushed and whispered a reminder: “After a Princess marries, the power over the… the ‘bedroom matters’ remains with her. A red lantern hung outside the bedroom signifies that the consort is permitted to enter for the night.”

Pei Chen’s face turned bright red. She wanted to gag the Second and Third Princesses. Mingyun was laughing so hard she could barely breathe.

Being a Royal Consort is truly the hardest job in the world.

The Return of the Phoenix

Liyang emerged after trying on the wedding dress. The vibrant red fabric made her skin look like white jade. She was as radiant as a blooming flower.

Pei Chen stared, dazed. Even Minglan showed a flash of envy.

As Liyang gave instructions to the seamstresses, Pei Chen found her mind wandering to her past life. Did she look this beautiful when she married Pei Ming? Jealousy flared in her chest, making her expression turn grim.

“A-Chen, are you still unwell?” the Dowager asked. “Your face is as dark as soot.”

“I am much better, Your Majesty,” Pei Chen stammered.

“Then don’t wear such a long face.” The Dowager popped a lotus seed into her mouth. “The seed is bitter at first, but if you savor it, there is a hint of sweetness.”

Pei Chen looked at Liyang and ate a seed. It was indeed bitter, then faintly sweet—much like her current situation.

As the other princesses chatted, the Dowager suggested that Minglan marry a son of the Gu family. “The Gu men are scholars who know shame. Their family rule forbids taking concubines or visiting brothels. Why don’t you try?”

Minglan turned pale. The Gu family had avoided politics to stay out of trouble, focusing on teaching. They were virtuous but had no power—the exact opposite of what Minglan wanted for her ambitions.

Liyang chuckled. “Second Sister has a strong temper; I fear anyone she marries would end up being beaten. The Gu boys are gentle scholars; it would be like a soldier meeting a poet—reasoning would be impossible.”

“Big Sister is right. I wouldn’t want to trouble the Dowager,” Minglan added, sweat beading on her forehead.

The Dowager didn’t mind. She dismissed them all, saying, “I know you look down on the Gu boys, but frankly, I think you aren’t good enough for them. It would be like a pig rooting through fine cabbage. Everyone, leave. I need a nap.”

As they walked out, Pei Chen waited for Liyang. “I think the Dowager’s words were interesting,” she said once they were walking together.

“I know. The Gu family refuses to serve in office, but if they did, they would hold high positions.”

“Your Highness, I mean we should recommend a Gu family member for a post. The Dowager would be pleased. What do you think?”

Liyang stopped. In her previous life, this had never happened. The Gu family’s prestige in the south far exceeded that of the capital’s elite. Aligning with them would be a powerful move.

She looked up and caught Pei Chen’s deep, searching eyes. She paused. What is Pei Chen thinking? What is she calculating now?

Pei Chen met her gaze and smiled gently. “Today is the 5th. Is Your Highness ready for what comes in three days?”

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