Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Pei Guofei’s carriage reached the Duke’s estate first.
The young servants had to carry him back to his court. The carriage had been so fast and jolted so violently that he felt as though all his internal organs had shifted out of place.
A quarter of an hour later, Xing Shuwei and Pei Xianjing entered the estate one after the other.
As usual, Xing Shuwei used the side gate, while Pei Xianjing entered through the main gate.
Xing Shuwei had only just stepped through the gate of Qianchen Pavilion when she stopped in the courtyard.
“What is wrong, Miss?” The moment Qiutong saw her, she sensed that something was amiss.
After looking her up and down, she noticed the blood on Xing Shuwei’s cuff.
“Miss,” Qiutong said anxiously, “what terrible thing happened this time?”
Xing Shuwei did not answer. She merely said, “I had planned to bathe, change my clothes, and then find Pei Xianjing to explain everything in detail.
“But I do not know how badly I injured him. If it is truly serious, then once I clean myself up, the evidence will be gone.”
“I had better go to Qiansheng Pavilion first.”
With that, she prepared to find Pei Xianjing and confess.
This time was different from the last.
Last time, she had the Shen family and Princess Jin’an behind her.
This time, she had only herself.
Pei Xuanfei was a young lady of the Pei family’s direct line, yet when she caused trouble, the Third Master still had to lead her to the Marquis of Qingyuan’s estate to apologize and make amends. How much more vulnerable was someone as insignificant as Xing Shuwei?
But she had stepped in for the sake of the Duke of Qi’s estate and Pei Guofei.
If she had to bear the blame alone, she would feel that she had wronged herself.
Just as she was about to turn around, she heard Chengde’s voice outside the courtyard gate behind her.
“Miss Xing, the Eldest Young Master requests that you go to him now.”
Her hands, concealed within her sleeves, were still clutching the bloodstained stone.
There was blood on her hands as well.
Qiutong wanted to accompany her, but Xing Shuwei stopped her.
Perhaps Chengde noticed that she was unusually nervous today, for he added, “Do not worry, Miss Xing. I checked the surroundings on my way here. No one is nearby.”
Xing Shuwei still looked to either side before hurrying toward Qiansheng Pavilion.
“Miss Xing, the Eldest Young Master is waiting for you in his bedchamber.” Gao Li came to meet her and led her toward the room.
“These clothes were prepared for Miss Xing. I will not go inside to attend you.”
Gao Li handed her a box containing a set of rose-red clothes.
The fabric was of the finest quality, the color vivid, and the set came with jewelry that complemented the clothes perfectly.
There was no need to ask. Pei Xianjing had prepared them.
She had no idea what had gotten into him today.
But she had no time to concern herself with that. On the way here, she had already prepared herself to yield to Pei Xianjing.
“Thank you.” Xing Shuwei accepted the box in both arms.
Gao Li watched her enter, then closed the bedchamber door.
Xing Shuwei first looked toward the writing desk, but no one was there.
She took two steps forward and was about to search for him when Pei Xianjing’s voice sounded from behind the screen. “Come here.”
His voice was very cold.
It resembled the north wind in the depths of winter, a cold that seeped into the bones.
Xing Shuwei felt as though she were about to freeze. Not daring to hesitate, she softly called, “Brother Jing,” as she walked behind the screen.
Pei Xianjing stood beside a bathing tub. He was fully dressed, but steam curled from the hot water in the tub.
Xing Shuwei walked over and placed the box of clothes on a wooden rack.
“Brother Jing.” When she looked up at him, her eyes were veiled in mist.
Like dewdrops clinging to the tips of grass at dawn, they seemed ready to roll free at the slightest touch.
Pei Xianjing lowered his eyes, rolled up his sleeve, and stirred the water with one large, well-defined hand.
Xing Shuwei understood that he wanted her to bathe.
It was broad daylight, and people were still outside.
Whenever the wind blew, the window creaked.
It made Xing Shuwei feel as though someone might push the window open at any moment.
She knew it was only an illusion, yet she still felt ashamed.
When Pei Xianjing saw her remain motionless, he tilted his head and looked at her. “The water will cool. You will fall ill.”
The next moment, he added coldly, “How long do you intend to keep that filth on you?”
Only then did Xing Shuwei understand. This was not concern; he simply found her filthy.
But in truth, was it not her very person that he despised?
“Are you standing there waiting for me to help you?” Impatience entered Pei Xianjing’s voice.
Xing Shuwei shook her head. “I would not dare trouble Brother Jing.”
She drew the stone from her sleeve and set it aside.
With her back to Pei Xianjing, she began to undress.
Each sash she untied deepened her humiliation.
Pei Xianjing stood nearby. As he watched one garment after another fall away, his eyes grew colder still.
He knew how difficult her life was and cared deeply for Shuyan. Whenever the seasons changed, he sent her clothes, fabric, jewelry, and ornaments.
Yet he never saw her wear or use them.
Instead, she treasured the worthless trinkets Pei Guofei gave her and wore every one of them.
What exactly was she thinking?
Was she born with a taste for degrading herself this way?
Today was even worse. She had actually accompanied Pei Guofei to the Marquis of Qingyuan’s estate.
She knew that Pei Guofei was going there for Zheng Yan, yet she had still gone willingly.
To protect Pei Guofei, she had even placed herself in danger…
Pei Xianjing forced down his thoughts.
With her back to him, Xing Shuwei retreated step by step.
When she finally felt the edge of the bathing tub, she bit her lip and wondered how she could climb in without feeling quite so humiliated.
Two large hands suddenly landed on her shoulders.
The instant her body tensed, she felt herself lifted into the air-
She fell backward and splashed into the tub.
Amid her panic, another hand appeared at her waist and supported her body.
She withdrew her hands, afraid that if she now grabbed the rim of the tub, Pei Xianjing would think she did not trust him.
Pei Xianjing gripped her slender waist and pulled her toward him.
With only the wooden wall of the tub between them, he looked down at her. “Do you love courting death that much?”
Xing Shuwei quietly released a breath.
She cupped water in her palm and laid it over Pei Xianjing’s arm.
Her fingers slipped inward, wetting his sleeve.
He moved a little closer.
Boldly, Xing Shuwei wrapped her arms around his arm. “Weiwei has Brother Jing, so Weiwei is not afraid.
“Just like this. Weiwei knows you are behind me.”
Her other hand rose cautiously to wind around Pei Xianjing’s neck.
She knew he liked this.
He liked having her cling to him and revolve around him.
He had told her so himself in bed.
Sure enough, Pei Xianjing’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he obligingly bent down.
His hand followed the motion downward, and the water in the bathing tub began to churn.
In the past, Xing Shuwei would certainly have gone rigid and seized his roving hand.
But this time, she did not.
Pei Xianjing’s voice instantly turned husky. “So you know you did wrong and mean to admit your mistake and apologize?”
Xing Shuwei turned her head slightly, resting her cheek against his bare forearm beneath the rolled sleeve.
She had only just returned in terror from the Marquis of Qingyuan’s estate. Now, holding that firm, muscular arm, she inexplicably felt safe.
“Will Brother Jing give Weiwei that chance?”
She raised her head and looked at Pei Xianjing.
The droplets clinging to her hair dampened his collar.
So did the warm, moist sensation from his palm, which kept straying farther inward.