Chapter 25
Chapter 25
She looked at Pei Xianjing.
The eyes that had always brimmed with gentleness and reverence whenever she looked at him now resembled a cold, unfathomable abyss without the slightest ripple.
An inexplicable unease rose within him.
Pei Xianjing softened his expression and coaxed her gently,
“Weiwei, be good and listen to me, all right?”
Conflicts and arguments rarely arose between them, not because there were no problems but because Xing Shuwei had never dared to have a “problem.”
He was a lofty superior, while she was so lowly that she lay in the dust beneath him.
There could be no fairness between them.
Before him, she had no freedom.
If she fulfilled his wishes, entered Qiansheng Pavilion, and became his concubine, she would spend the rest of her life at another’s mercy.
Yan’er would also have to live with his head bowed for the rest of his life.
No. This was not the life the siblings should lead.
When she had brought her younger brother to the capital, sought lodging, and begged for help… it was all so that one day, they might stand openly and honorably in this world, not spend their lives bowing their heads under another family’s roof.
Xing Shuwei suppressed the many discomforts in her heart and banished the complicated look from her eyes.
Her long, curled lashes trembled lightly. With a choked sob, tears streamed down her face.
Seeing her weep silently, Pei Xianjing became somewhat helpless.
Xing Shuwei could not stop her tears. She was crying for herself.
Her crimson lips trembled for a long time before she finally said, “Since Brother Jing knew everything from beginning to end, you should know how difficult Weiwei’s life has been.
“I overestimated my cleverness. Brother Jing’s influence reaches everywhere. What could you possibly fail to learn if you wished?”
“Whether it was Lord Zhang before or that line from the Book of Songs that caused so much trouble today,
“did Weiwei truly seek out all this trouble herself?
“Weiwei is merely a lowly merchant’s daughter trapped within this tiny rear courtyard.
“When faced for the first time with imperial power and noble privilege, what else could she do but use every possible means to navigate it?
“Even the Eldest Young Lady was punished today before Dowager Lady Pei and Lady Pei.
“What if the Princess had believed those groundless rumors about you and me?”
As she spoke, tears continued spilling from her eyes.
Pei Xianjing kept wiping them away with his palm.
His large hand grew as wet as though it had been soaked in water.
“Don’t cry,” he coaxed softly.
“It was my fault. I did not consider matters thoroughly,” he said.
“I should have taken you as my concubine long ago. If others knew you were my cherished woman, they would not dare make you suffer at every turn.”
Xing Shuwei was dumbfounded.
She froze.
Was that what she had meant? How could he interpret her words that way?
“I will speak to Mother now.” Pei Xianjing made the decision on his own.
This was the second time that day he had mentioned taking her as a concubine.
Hearing the resolve in his voice, Xing Shuwei hastily suppressed her panic and tried to speak without rushing. “Your wedding is approaching. Would doing this now not be the same as holding me over a fire?
“Most of my caution is indeed for your sake, but for me, is it not also the only way to preserve my own life and Yan’er’s?”
Xing Shuwei took his hand and gently rested her head against his shoulder. “Brother Jing, how could I not know that you treat me well?
“We have spent four years together. You should know I am not cold or heartless.
“I have patience. I can wait slowly until the Princess no longer cares about my existence. Then life will be easier for both of us.”
She had to be patient. She could not rush.
She would leave the Duke’s estate and Pei Xianjing one day.
She would not let that day remain distant.
Pei Xianjing caressed her cheek more gently, and his gaze grew softer as well.
Xing Shuwei did not know whether she had truly dispelled his suspicions, but she knew he was no longer as angry.
“Do not cry at every turn in the future. Look, you have cried those lovely eyes swollen.”
Holding Xing Shuwei and swaying her gently, he soothed her as though coaxing a child. “I will arrange your life. You need not worry about it, and the same applies to Shuyan.
“I had Chengde test him. He is accomplished in both scholarship and martial arts, a promising talent.
“I have already selected a post for him…”
Pei Xianjing’s remaining words went in one of Xing Shuwei’s ears and out the other.
By deliberately bringing up his arrangements for Yan’er, was he not threatening and controlling her?
Xing Shuwei nodded. “Brother Jing has gone to so much trouble. In this world, only Brother Jing now plans so carefully for Weiwei and Yan’er. It is also thanks to Brother Jing’s protection that Yan’er was able to grow up safely.”
The two embraced, each harboring their own thoughts.
“You truly should make one or two close female friends.
“Not every noble young lady in the capital is arrogant and domineering.
“I will choose one or two for you and permit you to associate with them in the future. How does that sound?”
After a long while, Pei Xianjing suddenly hooked a finger beneath her chin as he spoke.
Whenever he saw her cry, his heart softened.
Yet even as it softened, he could not suppress the urge to pin her beneath him and torment her ruthlessly.
The hand encircling Xing Shuwei’s waist had unconsciously begun climbing over her curves.
Xing Shuwei wound her fingers around his knuckled hand. “Brother Jing, Miss Zheng is in circumstances similar to mine.
“May I try befriending her first?
“Besides, no matter how difficult the Marquis of Qingyuan’s estate may be, it still ranks below the Duke’s estate.
“Their family also has few connections at court. Even if I truly become friends with Miss Zheng, I will not cause you trouble.”
Xing Shuwei made no attempt to stop Pei Xianjing’s wandering hand.
“Hmm?” He made an inscrutable sound.
Xing Shuwei’s hand rose to his cheek. “With a man like Brother Jing beside me, I could never take an interest in a scoundrel like Lord Zhang.
“Moreover, at the Shen residence, I witnessed how frightening those brothers are.
“Brother Jing may disbelieve everything else I say, but of one thing, you need have no doubt: I would never take Yan’er and leap into a pit of fire.”
Pei Xianjing rested his chin against her neck and breathed in the faint osmanthus fragrance on her body.
“You have been ill for many days,” Pei Xianjing said hoarsely.
“Hmm?”
Xing Shuwei’s entire body tensed. Only after a moment did she understand his meaning.
Ever since she caught a chill, they had not been intimate.
Xing Shuwei was all too familiar with his body’s reaction.
Only one step remained before he launched his forceful assault.
Xing Shuwei frowned slightly. She had tried showing weakness and pleading, refusing firmly, coaxing gently, begging for mercy, and feigning anger… every method she could think of.
But no matter what she did, Pei Xianjing only became more excited in bed.
Once he cast aside the guise of an upright gentleman, he was utterly ruthless whenever he held her and demanded his pleasure.
“Brother Jing, it is time for dinner.”
In her panic, Xing Shuwei tried to stop him.
“Will you feed me?” Pei Xianjing asked suggestively.
“Feed…” Two crimson patches swiftly bloomed across Xing Shuwei’s cheeks. “Feed you what?”
“Mm.” Pei Xianjing nuzzled against her. “You are always pretending ignorance at times like this.
“But you know you cannot escape.
“You have been ill for days, and restraining myself has been difficult. You should reward me.”
Xing Shuwei tried to say more, but his lips had already covered hers, smothering every sound.
He bent slightly over her, kissing her as he reached for the sash of her clothes.
She straightened and tried to struggle in his arms.
The more she struggled, the more tightly he entwined himself around her.