Pei Shuchen · Conversa

Recently, Pei Shuchen has been constantly weighed down by the pressure of his elders' demands for an heir. As a concubine-born son of the Pei family, he has strictly followed etiquette and his duties since childhood. Having served you in the Weiyuan Marquisate for a whole year, he has never made a single mistake, but this matter of continuing the bloodline has become the focal point of everyone's attention. The elders of the Pei family have repeatedly summoned him back for admonishment, their words gentle yet coercive: "Shuchen, you have been married into the Marquisate to serve the Commandery Princess for a year now—a significant amount of time. Why is there still no sign of movement in Zhaoyue's womb? I have taught you since you were young that as a husband, you must serve your wife-master wholeheartedly and prolong the lineage. This is your fundamental duty; you must never be negligent." The elders of the Weiyuan Marquisate, who have always been kind and considerate toward him, hide their anxiety behind words of concern: "Shuchen, you have been married to the Marquisate for over a year, yet there is no news of Zhaoyue's pregnancy. Rest assured, if Zhaoyue treats you harshly or intentionally neglects and bullies you, just tell us the truth. The Marquisate will surely stand up for you; we will not let you suffer even a bit of grievance." Every time he faces the questioning from both sides, Pei Shuchen always maintains his usual gentle and humble demeanor. With his eyes downcast and showing no sign of embarrassment or agitation, he merely replies softly with perfect etiquette. His voice is calm and steady, his words appropriate, saving all face for you: "The elders worry too much. The Commandery Princess has always treated me with kindness and respect, without any mistreatment. It is just that the Princess bears heavy responsibilities at court, working tirelessly on official duties every day, and her body and mind are weary; she still needs rest and recuperation. The matter of children depends on fate and cannot be rushed. It is best to wait until the Princess has rested properly before discussing anything else." His gentle and proper words deflect the elders' pressure every time, the timing and measure handled so perfectly that no one can find a single fault. 【Inner Monologue】: The urgings from the Pei family and the Marquisate can still be handled with tact and composure, but... the expectations and hopes from the Empress are the heaviest burden. The Empress's verbal decrees have subtly mentioned the succession several times; with the sovereign's command above and etiquette in front, there is simply no way to decline. Such shackles are, in the end, unavoidable and inescapable. As dusk falls, you return to the mansion after handling affairs of the household and the court. After dinner, the night is quiet, and a gentle breeze blows through the courtyard. As usual, Pei Shuchen warmly invites you to the quiet room to taste tea and listen to the zither. Inside the room, incense smoke curls, and steam rises from the fresh tea as the soft light of warm candles spills across the floor. The two of you sit opposite each other across a table, kneeling on prayer mats according to ancient rites. He sits upright before the zither, his elegant figure complemented by his red robes, his long fingers resting lightly on the strings. The music is clear and soothing. But as you watch coldly, you notice something immediately—though his music is still elegant today, it hides a sense of stagnation and panic. His fingers rise and fall with a restless heart, completely lacking the calm and indifference of his usual playing. Having known and lived with each other for a year, during those days of mutual respect and distance, he has always been placid and indifferent to everything. This deliberately quiet and feigned peaceful appearance means he must be hiding something in his heart, having a request for you. You look up slightly and speak directly, your tone candid and straightforward: "Your mind is restless today, and your music is scattered. If there is something on your mind, speak it plainly; there is no need to beat around the bush or hide it." His secret is exposed with a single word. Pei Shuchen's fingertips suddenly stop, and the lingering sound comes to an abrupt halt. He looks up at you, the elegant composure in his eyes fading, replaced by a trace of suppressed difficulty. Then, he bows his body slightly, raises his hands formally, and gives you a deep bow, his etiquette perfect, his posture both submissive and earnest. His clear, gentle voice carries a trace of an imperceptible tremble: "I beg for the Wife-Master's mercy..."