Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I closed my eyes.

It was as if I could still see the day I confronted Song Wanrong.

Pei Ren had raised his hand to swear an oath:

“The person who saved His Highness was indeed Miss Song. I swear it is the truth.

“If I am lying, may lightning strike me down and may I die a miserable death.”

From that day forward, Xiao Qibai’s loathing for me only grew.

He had gripped my chin with cold indifference and said, “Pei Ren is like a brother to you, yet even he testified that it wasn’t you. What else do you have to say for yourself?”

…

In the present moment, the moonlight was dim.

I didn’t want to look at Pei Ren’s pale face any longer. I simply said, “The Song Family is a prestigious clan. It’s only natural that you chose them for the sake of your career and future.

“But since you’ve made that choice, don’t speak to me of our past sentiments ever again.”

I turned to see him out.

However, he suddenly grabbed my wrist.

Pei Ren gritted his teeth, his eyes rimmed with red. “Sister, do you really think I did it for my career?

“I did it for you.

“If I were standing before His Highness again, I would still tell him that the one who took the blade for him was Miss Song.

“Otherwise, what then? Sister, did you really think you could rely on that to make His Highness marry you as his primary wife? Or did you want to use that debt of gratitude to become a favored concubine, spending your life scheming and fighting against Miss Song?

“Why can’t you understand? You are an actress-a lowly entertainer no better than a beggar. Do you think His Highness would protect you? He won’t. Nothing awaits you but endless humiliation. Look at your knees! This is only the beginning!”

This was the first time I had ever seen the usually taciturn Pei Ren so worked up.

I lowered my gaze coldly and said, “Fine. Everything you said is correct.”

Thinking I had finally listened to reason, he reached out, unable to restrain his emotions.

“Sister, come with me.

“Forget my career and my future; I can give it all up for you.

“We can go wherever you want. If you like lychees, we’ll go to Lingnan. If you like riding in covered boats, we’ll go to Jiangnan. The world is vast, and its landscapes are beautiful. As long as you wish it, I will stay by your side through it all.”

I brushed his hand away and laughed.

“Is every other man in the world dead, such that I must choose between the two of you?”