Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Pei Xianjing observed such strict restraint and propriety with Princess Jin’an, yet kept Xing Shuwei beside Qiansheng Pavilion, separated from him by only a bamboo grove.
Princess Jin’an snorted inwardly. Her words carried a measure of sarcasm. “If Eldest Young Master Pei truly wishes to take a concubine, I will accept her magnanimously.
“But one must still be selective. You cannot casually keep an unclean woman by your side, can you?”
The words displeased Pei Xianjing, but he was anxious to find Xing Shuwei. After exchanging a few perfunctory remarks, he took his leave.
Unexpectedly, he encountered Zhang Mingan again on the way back to Qiansheng Pavilion.
“Well, Eldest Young Master Pei. What perfect timing-I was waiting for you.” Zhang Mingan stepped forward and blocked his path.
How well had Shen Yanqi disposed of the corpses?
Never mind. Zhang Mingan would delay Pei Xianjing as long as possible. The rest would depend on Yanqi’s own skill.
Seeing Zhang Mingan disregard all sense of distance and nearly press himself against Pei Xianjing’s face, Pei Xianjing clasped his hands behind his back and retreated one step.
“Tsk.” Zhang Mingan grinned frivolously. “Does Eldest Young Master Pei find me repulsive?”
Pei Xianjing said nothing, but his gaze answered for him: indeed, he did.
Zhang Mingan looked at him with an enigmatic smile. Holding the fan’s handle in his right hand, he tapped it lightly against his left palm, his expression lingering with satisfaction. “Weiwei is still the best. She does not despise me.”
When he saw Pei Xianjing staring at the fan, he added, “She must treasure the fan I gave her so dearly that she has hidden it away and refuses to show it, has she not?”
Pei Xianjing’s expression was severe and his voice glacial. “Lord Zhang enjoys going to other people’s homes to cause trouble so much.
“Are you not afraid that one day, in the middle of your games, you will become a ghost?”
Zhang Mingan scoffed. “What are you saying, Eldest Young Master Pei? This noble heir has not enjoyed himself nearly enough. I have no wish to die so young.”
Pei Xianjing swept a cold gaze over him, ignored him, and instructed Chengde, “See the guest out.”
“Yes.” Chengde acknowledged the order, immediately moved beside Zhang Mingan, and gestured. “This way, noble heir.”
Without looking at the wastrel again, Pei Xianjing strode toward Qiansheng Pavilion.
Yet his thoughts were already in turmoil.
After returning to Qiansheng Pavilion, he ordered hot water, washed, and changed into clean informal robes.
Then he sat before the study window, which faced Qianchen Pavilion.
But the dense bamboo grove completely concealed the low building.
Remembering Zhang Mingan’s behavior just now, he suddenly felt that Princess Jin’an’s words had carried a hidden meaning.
“Weiwei is timid and fears offending the powerful,” Pei Xianjing thought.
Zhang Mingan had no sense of restraint. What if he had truly forced Xing Shuwei?
…
Pei Xianjing grew inexplicably restless.
He might not have wanted today’s promotion banquet, but it was still his. Had she not even prepared a modest gift for him?
She knew he had returned home, yet had not come to show the slightest concern. Had she spent all her thoughts elsewhere?
Unable to sit still, Pei Xianjing abruptly rose and hurried toward Qianchen Pavilion.
The courtyard gate was bolted.
“Weiwei, open the door.” He knocked.
After a while, the door creaked open from within.
Xing Shuwei poked half her head out, glanced at him, then looked around.
“What is this?” Pei Xianjing asked displeasedly. “Do you intend to keep me outside?”
Xing Shuwei did not answer. Instead, she asked, “Did you just return?
“Today’s banquet is being held for you. Should you not receive the guests first?
“I do not feel well. Besides, my status makes it inconvenient for me to appear, so I will not accompany-”
Pei Xianjing lifted a leg and stepped through the gate.
Xing Shuwei retreated two steps in quick succession, allowing him to enter fully.
“What are you afraid of?” Pei Xianjing looked down at her.
His powerful pressure made it impossible for Xing Shuwei to avert her eyes.
Looking at his cold, forbidding face, she was flooded with boundless grievance.
She had avoided Princess Jin’an at every turn and acted with utmost care. Why had the Princess still used such a vile method to harm her?
Xing Shuwei knew her station was lowly and did not contend with the powerful. All she sought was a chance to live openly and honorably.
Was wishing to live well and help Yan’er enter the army successfully truly such an excessive demand?
Mist gathered in her eyes, but she held it back and did not let the tears fall.
Pei Xianjing could not see her suffering and would never grant her wishes.
What use was crying before him? It would only humiliate her.
Bang. Pei Xianjing turned and bolted the courtyard gate.
He seized Xing Shuwei’s wrist and dragged her into the bedchamber.
His cold, sharp gaze swept the room, but he did not see the folding fan Zhang Mingan had mentioned.
Had she truly hidden it away like a treasure?
Pei Xianjing’s hand was cold and gripped her wrist painfully.
He dragged her to the dressing table and pinned her against it.
“What are you doing?” Xing Shuwei asked nervously.
Her hands clutched the edge of the dressing table. With a turn of her head, she could see her face reflected in the bronze mirror.
Panic, tearfulness, helplessness, disgust… too many emotions crowded her small face.
Pei Xianjing’s roughness reminded her of the two eunuchs.
Her body began trembling involuntarily, and her legs shook.
She was still terrified. She hated this feeling of being unable to resist.
“Let me go.” Her voice was agitated and angry.
“Let me go! Let me go!”
With only one arm, Pei Xianjing held her completely immobile.
He looked down at her, his rage making every breath as hot as flame.
“What is wrong with you?
“Did you do something behind my back?
“Who has made you, always so docile and obedient, dare defy me today?”
Xing Shuwei struggled several times but could not straighten her body. “Release me.”
How could Pei Xianjing release her?
In all their encounters in bed, whenever she cried out in pain or exhaustion and begged him to release her, when had he ever done so?
Pei Xianjing said, “If you refuse to speak, do you want me to examine you myself?”
“If I truly discover something, can you bear the consequences?
“Weiwei, I indulge you. You should know when to be sensible.
“You have grown increasingly disobedient lately. Why have you begun imitating others and provoking my displeasure?”
He asked, “Who is instigating you from behind the scenes? Hmm?”
Xing Shuwei seized his arm.
Because she was bent backward, when she lifted her arm, her wide sleeve slid almost to her shoulder.
The scratches left by bamboo branches were exposed upon her slender, pale arm.
They had not yet scabbed. Flecks of blood stood out sharply against her fair skin.
Pei Xianjing seized her arm and turned his head to examine it, discovering that a large patch of skin had been scraped from her elbow.
“What happened?” Pei Xianjing released the hand restraining her, pulled her upright, and sat on the stool before the dressing table.
Then he took her other arm to inspect it-
The skin had been scraped from that elbow as well.
He pressed, “Who dared treat you like this today?
“Why did you not tell me the moment you saw me?”