Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Pei Xianjing scooped up a spoonful of bird’s nest soup and held it to her lips.
Xing Shuwei refused it and pleaded softly, “Brother Jing, you truly must not do this.
“I know you mean well, but if you really do this, we… we may…”
She and Yan’er were already struggling to survive in the Duke’s estate.
If Pei Xianjing continued like this, who knew what circumstances they would face?
For now, the most important thing was to find a way to recover her family assets and leave the Duke’s estate as soon as possible, then find a way to send Yan’er into the army.
Thus, although Pei Xianjing’s actions had shocked her profoundly, she restrained herself and made her request gently, not daring to reveal a trace of her true emotions.
“With me protecting you both, what are you afraid of? They will learn sooner or later anyway. Why don’t I take you as my concubine now, so you no longer have to live in constant fear?”
Since becoming physically intimate with Xing Shuwei, many of his thoughts had changed.
A man who had always weighed gains against losses was now tipping the scales toward Xing Shuwei.
He knew it was irrational, yet he could not help considering her interests.
At his words, Xing Shuwei grew even more panicked.
Pei Xuanfei’s attempt to incite the Princess against her today had frightened her out of her wits. She had only just defused it. If Pei Xianjing now proposed taking her as a concubine…
She did not even dare imagine it!
Would the Princess ever spare her?
“Brother Jing, you absolutely must not mention taking Weiwei as a concubine right now. Consider this Weiwei begging you.
“Think of what sort of family the Duke’s household is. You also hold office at court. Never mind that the Princess would be displeased if she learned of it-even the imperial censors might impeach you for your libertine conduct.”
What respectable family allowed a man to take a concubine before marrying a wife?
If he took a concubine before his principal wife even entered the household, his reputation would likely be ruined.
And that principal wife was no ordinary woman but a princess!
Naturally, Pei Xianjing understood the stakes better than anyone.
He set down the bowl irritably, reached out, and locked Xing Shuwei firmly in his arms.
Then he lowered his head and kissed her.
“Mm…” Xing Shuwei could not move an inch.
As though punishing her, he kissed her hard and domineeringly, giving her no chance to breathe.
Xing Shuwei drew a deep breath, inadvertently giving him the chance to deepen the kiss.
He rose with Xing Shuwei in his arms and pressed down upon her, pinning her entire back against the desk.
Bastard, Xing Shuwei cursed inwardly.
There were so many people outside…
How could he behave with such reckless abandon?
Only when Xing Shuwei felt that she might suffocate to death did he finally release her.
She had wrinkled the robes over his chest in her fists.
Pei Xianjing lifted one hand and gently wiped away her tears.
He asked, “Are you only worried about me?”
“Or does this place-” His hand slid down, and his index finger tapped lightly over her heart. “-hold something else I know nothing about?”
“I depend upon Brother Jing for my very survival. How could I not worry about everything concerning you?”
Xing Shuwei braced her hands against his chest, her tears continuing to fall.
“Only because you depend upon me? Not because you love me?” He frowned at her.
An unreadable emotion stirred in his deep eyes.
Xing Shuwei had not expected him to ask such a question. After a pause, she replied, “Naturally, Weiwei loves Brother Jing too.”
It was the first time she had ever said such a thing to him.
She did not dare imagine the consequences of this. She had to stop him.
Since he had asked, naturally, she could only say that she loved him.
How could she possibly say otherwise?
At her words, Pei Xianjing said, “Then I will not mention taking you as a concubine. Chengde selected all these maids at my order, and they are bound by lifetime contracts. You need not worry that news from Qiansheng Pavilion will spread because of them.”
With that, he rose and returned to his chair.
Xing Shuwei stood as well.
He clasped both hands around her waist and seated her on the desk.
“With them here, there will be people to serve you whenever you visit in the future.
“Besides, you eat nothing but thin soups and bland dishes all day and have no strength at all.
“At the slightest exertion, you cry, ‘I can’t,’ or, ‘Stop’…
“Do you know how tormenting that is?”
Xing Shuwei’s face flushed scarlet.
The desk beneath her had left far too deep an impression.
Her first time had been on this very desk.
Pei Xianjing held the bowl out to her again. “Stay here tonight.”
It was not a question, so naturally, she was not permitted to refuse.
Gao Li had prepared a small couch in the study, where Xing Shuwei could lie down and rest when she grew tired.
Pei Xianjing did not torment her again.
Not long after dinner, Xing Shuwei could no longer stay awake. Seeing that he was still busy with official work, she went to sleep on her own.
Half asleep, she opened her eyes and saw a candle burning on the desk as his brush raced across the page by its light.
The northwestern border defenses in Qizhou involved military provisions and pay.
The forces behind the matter were deeply rooted and intricately entangled, yet the Emperor had entrusted such a difficult assignment to Pei Xianjing.
This clearly indicated that the Emperor intended the matter to be dealt with harshly.
The assignment would make enemies, and every one of them was powerful and influential. Pei Xianjing’s days were far from easy.
Even while so busy, he still kept such close watch over her.
Xing Shuwei closed her eyes again and silently told herself, I cannot remain in this Duke’s estate for even one moment longer.
When Xing Shuwei woke the next day, Pei Xianjing was already gone.
Gao Li wanted to help her wash and dress.
“That will not be necessary. I am returning to Qianchen Pavilion.”
Gao Li urged her to stay. “The Eldest Young Master ordered this maid to take good care of you, Miss Xing.
“We prepared an entire table of food for lunch. You should at least eat something, Miss Xing.
“Otherwise, the Eldest Young Master will punish us.”
Had she truly slept so late?
Pei Xianjing was temperamental, so Gao Li was not merely trying to frighten her.
At the dining table, Gao Li placed food in Xing Shuwei’s bowl while advising her, “Once you become the Eldest Young Master’s woman, your days will be easier, Miss Xing.
“You might as well become his concubine. Then even the masters of the Pei family will have to show you a measure of respect.”
Xing Shuwei said, “Sister Ah Li, please do not say such things again.
“The Eldest Young Master and the Princess will soon be married. We cannot cause him trouble now.
“If his official career is obstructed, none of us will have good days ahead.”
Gao Li said nothing more.
After eating, Xing Shuwei returned to Qianchen Pavilion, bringing food for Qiutong along the way.
“Miss, Lady Pei just sent someone with a message. The Princess has invited Dowager Lady Pei to Princess Jin’an’s residence as a guest.
“Your name is also on the invitation, and Lady Pei told you to prepare carefully.
“Matron Gao delivered the message. Everything she said carried a warning that you must not behave as you did last time at the Shen residence.”
Qiutong spoke as she ate.
“Miss, why would Princess Jin’an invite you? She has set her heart on the Eldest Young Master, so it makes sense for her to please Dowager Lady Pei for his sake.
“But specifically inviting you makes no sense at all.”
Xing Shuwei nodded.
She would have to respond cautiously at this banquet.
However, it also gave her a perfect opportunity to leave the estate openly. Perhaps she could find a chance to meet Zheng Yan.
If she wanted to leave the Duke’s estate, she first needed to amass enough money.
Dowager Lady Pei kept a tight grip on her family assets. The only way to pry money from her was through Zheng Yan and her mother.