Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Xing Shuwei no longer dared move, her eyes filled with wounded resentment.
What did he mean by that?
Was he threatening her with Yan’er?
All strength left her body, and she sat numbly on his lap.
Pei Xianjing’s broad palm stroked her face. It was icy beneath his touch, as though he were holding a block of ice.
Had he frightened her?
At the thought, Pei Xianjing’s heart softened.
His other arm circled her and drew her even more tightly against him.
“As long as you obey me, I will do my utmost to give you whatever you want.” His voice softened.
Xing Shuwei rarely heard such words from him.
Of course, she had never asked him for anything either.
She had always known her own status and place.
She was the fish on the chopping block, and others wielded the knife.
The one holding the knife would never consider whether the creature awaiting slaughter on the block felt pain or wished to live.
Xing Shuwei leaned against Pei Xianjing’s shoulder, every word he spoke entering her ears.
“I know you usually prefer simplicity and dislike dressing up.
“But in four years, you have never gone entirely without rouge or powder as you did today.
“I do not know what thoughts you were harboring.
“But I hope you remember whose woman you are.”
The calm voice carried the forceful pressure she knew so well.
Xing Shuwei’s hand clenched instinctively. She pressed her lips tightly together and said nothing.
Silently, she reminded herself that a moment’s impatience could ruin a great plan.
She had gritted her teeth and endured four years. Why indulge a moment’s anger now?
“Open your hand. Your palm will split and bleed again.” Sensing her tension, he gave the order in a low voice.
Xing Shuwei returned to herself and accepted the opening he offered. Nestling against him with delicate softness, she called, “Brother Jing.”
Only after rubbing her forehead against his did she continue, “Weiwei was truly terrified today. I will never leave the Duke’s estate again.
“Weiwei has no other intentions.
“The Duke’s estate is Weiwei’s safest shelter.”
His official duties kept him busy, and Princess Jin’an now meant to draw closer to him.
He would not remain at the estate at all times. She would always find an opportunity.
How could Pei Xianjing fail to know that she was merely coaxing him?
Yet he did not expose her. Instead, he followed her words. “Good girl, Weiwei.”
“Keep your distance from Fourth Brother and the others from now on. I will let the matter pass this time.
“If it happens again, I will not be so easy to reason with.”
Xing Shuwei nodded, rubbing her forehead against Pei Xianjing’s with alternating light and firm touches.
With such warmth and softness in his arms, Pei Xianjing felt heat surge through his body.
He drew a deep breath and ultimately restrained himself, setting her on the seat beside him.
To avoid suspicion, Xing Shuwei left the carriage a short distance from the Duke’s estate.
Ordinarily, she did not have the status to use the estate’s main gate. She always entered through a side gate near the rear courtyard.
“Miss.” Qiutong waited for her inside the side gate.
Xing Shuwei asked, “Where is Yan’er?”
Qiutong replied, “The Fourth Young Master sent word that Young Master Xing has already been returned to Zhenxi Hall.”
“Good.” Xing Shuwei nodded, and mistress and maid entered Qianchen Pavilion together.
“Did the Eldest Young Master bully you again? Why have you changed clothes, Miss?” Qiutong pouted.
The Eldest Young Master had truly gone too far. He would not restrain himself even outside the estate.
Had he bullied her mistress while they were guests in someone else’s home?
“It is a long story.” Xing Shuwei did not intend to explain. “It had nothing to do with him. I accidentally soiled my clothes myself.”
Pei Xianjing was a man who tolerated not a grain of sand in his eye, yet today he had let the matter pass lightly.
Only Princess Jin’an could make him bend his principles again and again.
…
Qiansheng Pavilion.
Lady Pei had come to rebuke Pei Xianjing, but he had her stopped outside the courtyard gate.
“You accepted the invitation from Princess Jin’an’s residence that your father sent, yet made me attend in your place. Wasn’t that far too discourteous?
“Her Highness may accommodate you once, but she cannot accommodate you every time in the future.
“When you marry, will you still expect me, your mother, to coax your wife for you?”
“Since the marriage has been entrusted entirely to Mother, is it not only natural that Mother should devote more effort to it?
“If Mother does not go, Father will have to. So you are not doing this for your son, but for your husband.” Pei Xianjing stood perfectly straight, yet his words were distant.
Resentment filled Lady Pei’s eyes. “I am planning for your sake as well.
“With Princess Jin’an supporting you, your official career will gain wings…”
“Mother.” Pei Xianjing interrupted her. “Do you believe that once I become Prince Consort, I will no longer think of inheriting the noble title?”
Lady Pei choked. She had indeed hoped her younger son would inherit the noble title.
After a moment of silence, she said without much feeling, “I have made plans for you too.
“An eldest brother is like a father. It is your duty to sacrifice something for your biological younger brother’s smooth future.”
With that, she turned and left.
Pei Xianjing watched her receding figure, his gaze dark.
He did not know when Mother had begun distancing herself from him.
Perhaps it was when his younger brother was born.
Or perhaps even earlier.
When Mother learned she was pregnant, she drove him out of Panlin Court.
Panlin, longing for a qilin son-the child Mother longed for was his younger brother.
“Eldest Young Master, this subordinate believes Lady Pei has a point.” Chengde closed the courtyard gate and offered the cautious advice.
He had witnessed how difficult the Eldest Young Master’s life had been all these years.
Now that an opportunity had been placed before him, there was no reason not to seize it.
Could the Eldest Young Master be distancing himself from the Princess because of Miss Xing?
“Hah.” Pei Xianjing gave a cold snort.
The second empress had no son, only one daughter, Princess Jin’an. The entire Qi clan’s glory rested upon her alone.
How could her marriage possibly be merely a marriage?
…
At the same time, Biyu Court in the third branch was far from peaceful.
The Third Master struck Pei Xuanfei twice, the sharp slaps leaving both her cheeks badly swollen.
“It had nothing to do with me! That wretch Xing Shuwei was caught sneaking off to meet a man.
“I was only pushed out to take the blame. Father refuses to defend me and even hits me.
“Could Father have been bewitched by that little slut just like that damned Fourth Uncle?”
“Wretch!” Pei Xuanfei’s words nearly made the Third Master die of rage. He struck her several more times with full force.
Pei Xuanfei wept until tears and mucus streamed down her face.
“That entire nest of the Zhang clan is unreasonable. Even your Eldest Uncle fears becoming entangled with them.
“Yet you conspired with their scoundrel and dragged the Princess into it.
“What were you thinking with that pig’s brain of yours?
“When the Princess investigates, let us see how you deal with the consequences!”
“How would the Princess ever learn of it?” Pei Xuanfei protested.
“How did the Pei family raise a fool like you? The Princess was at the Shen residence, yet you dared use her name!
“Such audacity-you dare do anything!
“You were fortunate this time. The Shen family and your Eldest Aunt suppressed the incident. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable!
“You fool! Kneel in the ancestral hall and reflect on your actions!”
Pei Xuanfei was about to argue further when her mother tugged at her from the side, signaling her to go to the ancestral hall.
She hesitated, then gritted her teeth, climbed up from the floor, and headed toward the ancestral hall.