Chapter 111:
Shouldn’t he thank this young lady for her kind heart, for not humiliating him in front of so many people, and for at least being willing to come back with him, her nominal husband.
The person in his arms still refused to speak. Pei Yuqing’s eyes flashed with coldness for an instant before it quickly vanished. He lowered his gaze and said, “Just consider me narrow-minded, insisting on getting to the bottom of it. Since you don’t want to say it, let me ask instead, alright?”
His voice was somewhat suppressed. Xie Wanning was completely unaware of this shift in his mindset. Upon hearing his question, the hand covering her lips stiffened slightly, and she nodded gently.
She had given a response, yet Pei Yuqing fell silent, as if momentarily unsure where to begin, saying nothing for a long time.
His slender fingertips slid from her temples to her lips, slowly caressing them. His lowered gaze was clear and focused. They were very close, with her almost nestled in his arms. As their eyes met, the atmosphere showed no hint of romance or ambiguity.
Xie Wanning only felt a baffling nervousness, her heart pounding up to her throat.
After a long silence, Pei Yuqing’s fingertip pressed slightly harder, rubbing the young lady’s lips in his arms, as if casually saying, “This… he forced you, right?”
“…”
“What?”
Xie Wanning’s eyes slowly widened. “Otherwise?”
She finally understood what he meant. Her pupils, still flushed with red, reflected his face, but her expression gradually turned angry.
“Do you think I was willing to be kidnapped by him, willing to be alone in a room with him, letting him…”
She really couldn’t continue. Her furious eyes glared at him, her cheeks flushed red, like a bristling little animal.
Pei Yuqing looked at her quietly. “Letting him do what?”
“…” Xie Wanning was instantly speechless, her voice unconsciously softening. “Anyway, it wasn’t voluntary. That beast forced me.”
Beast!
Pei Yuqing’s fingertips trembled sharply. His gaze fell on her lapel, almost unable to control himself from tearing open those layers of clothes to check.
To see how that man had acted like a beast!
Xie Wanning had no idea his heart was aching like it was being cut by knives. She was still earnestly defending herself. “Don’t wrongly accuse me. I was kidnapped by him midway to that separate courtyard, and he forcibly committed an indecent act on me. Everything that happened today was absolutely not my choice.”
What did he take her for!
Even if their marriage was rushed to the point of carelessness, she always remembered she was a woman of the Pei Family. Not to mention she no longer liked Lu Ziyan, even if she liked him immensely, she would never disregard her identity and do something so… scandalous.
She had already suffered enough fright at Lu Ziyan’s place, and now she had to face suspicion from him too.
Xie Wanning felt somewhat aggrieved. She struggled out of his arms and stood up, saying angrily, “A scholar may be killed but not humiliated. Pei Changqing, if you mind me being kidnapped by him, just say it directly. No need to label me as unfaithful to my husband.”
Even though the current dynasty had open customs, being unfaithful to one’s husband was still not a good term. The Xie Family couldn’t afford such disgrace.
These words were too severe.
Pei Yuqing grasped her wrist, his expression slightly solemn as he said, “My mind was in turmoil, and I spoke without thinking. I had no intention of insulting you.”
“I know you didn’t voluntarily enter that courtyard with him…” He paused, his voice hoarse. “I was just afraid you’d be moved by his persistence, regret impulsively marrying me, and… decide to change your mind.”
Especially since she had just shown that guilty and hesitant demeanor, he couldn’t help but overthink.
“Do you take me for a reckless child?” Xie Wanning said irritably. “Since I’ve made my decision, I won’t lightly regret it. Just don’t resent marrying me and bringing trouble to your Pei Family.”
Speaking of which, she was the one who benefited more from this marriage.
For her sake, the Pei Family had provoked a madman like Lu Ziyan.
That madman might even become the Son of Heaven in the future!
Before today, Xie Wanning had never imagined Lu Ziyan could possess the memories from her dream, turning into an even more reckless madman than before.
The previous Lu Ziyan, she might still have had an opportunity to get rid of. But now…
Thinking of that madman spitting blood yet clinging to her desperately to kiss her, Xie Wanning felt a chill in her heart.
She swallowed, saying dryly, “Do you know…”
“What?” Pei Yuqing pulled her to sit down, his hand sliding along her wrist into her fingers, interlocking tightly. “Know what?”
Xie Wanning fell silent for a moment, recalling his previous subtle guidance. She hadn’t thought much of it then, but now…
She pondered for a few breaths, unable to resist testing, “Lu Ziyan told me something.”
Pei Yuqing’s gaze flickered slightly as he turned to look at her, waiting for her to continue.
Xie Wanning: “…”
Seeing he wouldn’t speak, she wondered if she should directly reveal Lu Ziyan’s identity.
While hesitating, she heard him say, “What do you want to ask?”
“…You say, Lu Ziyan is so arrogant and deeply trusted by His Majesty. By offending him for me,” Xie Wanning hesitated, “will it implicate the Duke’s Estate?”
If Lu Ziyan’s identity had remained as Young Lord of the Marquis’s Estate, she naturally wouldn’t worry about this.
But…
Pei Yuqing was so clever. He was stunned for an instant before understanding.
“What did Lu Ziyan tell you?”
Xie Wanning was still hesitating when he added, “If it’s about his background, I know.”
Pei Yuqing’s tone was complex. He hadn’t expected Lu Ziyan to know his own background, let alone that he would choose to tell her such a private secret.
For court secrets like this, given what he knew of Lu Ziyan, that man wouldn’t tell her even if he liked her greatly.
Because there was no need.
The more people who knew, the more variables. Telling her would only stir up trouble without any benefit.
The person at the tip of his heart should stay obediently in a comfortable world of flowers and brocade, admiring scenery, boating on lakes, attending banquets occasionally. Even if the sky fell, she shouldn’t be disturbed.
That was what Lu Ziyan would do.
Pei Yuqing lowered his eyes, subtly concealing the darkness in them.
“Since I’ve decided to marry you, I’m not afraid of his retaliation.”
He held the young lady who now looked shocked, soothing her gently, “Wanwan, I’ve considered all the consequences. It was my own decision, so you don’t need to worry.”
Xie Wanning was somewhat moved. “But, what if…”
“There won’t be a what if,” Pei Yuqing said softly. “His status is noble, that’s true, but it doesn’t mean he’ll definitely take that position. His Majesty has many princes.”
His Majesty had four princes already grown, with the First Prince and Second Prince openly and covertly vying for the Crown Prince position, almost within reach. A prince raised outside the palace like Lu Ziyan, even if he regained his identity, would likely just become a prince guarding the border.
Xie Wanning fell silent.
How should she put it? That man had returned with a perfect score sheet to retake the exam.
Update another chapter later, thank you dear ones for your tickets~~~
Keep asking for tickets~~~
End of the month, time to climb the rankings~~~ Seeking red sleeve tickets, monthly tickets~~~ Red sleeve tickets have double event,
