Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Xing Shuwei’s body went rigid. She was afraid he would discover Noble Consort Zhang’s token hidden inside her robe.
She wanted to beg for mercy, but her mouth was sealed too tightly.
Her face flushed from lack of air, and all she could do was gaze at him with tear-bright eyes.
Pei Xianjing was truly furious. One broad hand covered her collar, poised to tear it open.
“Pei Xianjing.”
“Brother Jing.”
The moment his lips released hers, Xing Shuwei hurriedly pleaded for mercy.
“Weiwei knows she was wrong. Weiwei shouldn’t have hidden things from Brother Jing. Please give Weiwei a chance to explain.
“Don’t…” She sobbed. “Don’t be like the Princess and refuse to give me even a chance to speak.”
At those words, Pei Xianjing remembered that she was still injured, and the strength in his hands eased.
Xing Shuwei was finally able to breathe. She rested both hands weakly on his shoulders.
As soon as she leaned closer, her soft, fragrant breath brushed the corner of his lips.
A storm was raging through Xing Shuwei’s mind when she heard him say, “Very well. I’ll give you a chance to explain.”
He did not set her down. His two warm, broad hands gripped her slender waist.
Xing Shuwei arched slightly. Fortunately, the token did not fall out.
“Dowager Lady Pei intends to send Weiwei into the Marquis’s estate as a concubine, while Fourth Brother asked me to help bring him and Miss Zheng together.
“Both times I encountered Lord Zhang, it was connected to Princess Jin’an.
“I didn’t want the Princess to suspect the relationship between you and me, so I could only keep up appearances with him. I have no idea what he thinks of it.”
She could not lie at a time like this, so Xing Shuwei could only select facts to tell him.
She left Lady Pei out because she feared Pei Xianjing would return to the estate and ask Lady Pei to verify her story.
Lady Pei would never help conceal it. She might even push all the blame onto Xing Shuwei.
Xing Shuwei felt the carriage was moving exceptionally slowly today. Dawn already streamed through its windows, yet they were still on the road back to the Duke’s estate.
Pei Xianjing ceased all movement and looked at her in silence.
Her heart pounded madly in her chest. For a moment, she could not tell whether he believed her.
Everything she had said was a well-founded truth, yet under his scrutiny, she felt terribly guilty.
The words “Brother Jing” caught in her throat. Afraid that acting too attentive and ingratiating would alert him to something amiss, she simply waited patiently for him to speak.
“By that account, I suppose I should be blamed for failing to protect you?” Pei Xianjing’s voice still revealed neither joy nor anger.
The more he sounded like this, the more uneasy she became.
She shook her head. “How would Weiwei dare?
“You are usually occupied with official duties. You cannot keep your mind on me at every moment.”
She shifted back and rested her head against his shoulder. “Brother Jing, you misunderstood me at the imperial prison.
“It wasn’t that I felt no gratitude for your coming to save me, nor was I concerned for Lord Zhang.
“I hated myself for being so useless, for allowing someone to turn me into a blade meant to wound you.
“I was angry with myself, and angry that you truly disregarded your own future to save someone as lowly as me.”
“I was foolish beyond measure. I brought disaster upon myself, yet made you a blemish upon flawless jade and cast dust over a shining pearl.
“Brother Jing, you saved my life again. Even ten thousand deaths would not repay you.
“And for the trouble I have caused you this time, even ten thousand deaths could not absolve me.”
It was fully daylight by the time the carriage stopped. It did not halt at the main entrance of the Duke’s estate, but at the side gate near Qianchen Pavilion.
The alley was silent, with no pedestrians yet passing through.
Pei Xianjing released her. “Go back and wash. Then come to Qiansheng Pavilion on your own.”
“Yes,” Xing Shuwei answered timidly, bending down to climb out of the carriage by herself.
Without looking back, she lifted her skirts and hurried through the side gate.
Once she returned to Qianchen Pavilion and bolted the courtyard gate, she leaned against it and took several deep, gasping breaths.
Had Pei Xianjing’s anger subsided? Had he believed her?
“Miss.” Qiutong hurried over, calling to her.
The voice startled Xing Shuwei.
“I’m sorry, Miss. I caused you trouble.”
“Eldest Young Master Zhang suddenly lunged at me covered in blood. I was so frightened that I froze, and I didn’t dare dodge, so…”
Qiutong blamed herself. “Are you all right, Miss?”
Xing Shuwei shook her head. “It had nothing to do with you. I was careless. I’m the one who should apologize.
“You must have been terrified. Hurry inside, wash, and change into clean clothes.”
Qiutong nodded. “The hot water is ready. This servant will help you bathe first, Miss.”
Xing Shuwei did not dare delay. She still had to go to Qiansheng Pavilion.
By the time she finished washing and arrived at Qiansheng Pavilion, it was already after seven in the morning.
Gao Li had prepared breakfast, a serving for Xing Shuwei alone.
The small table had been placed beside Pei Xianjing’s desk.
Xing Shuwei curtsied to him. He said nothing and merely glanced at the seat beside him.
Understanding immediately, she sat down obediently.
Looking at the blood-red bird’s nest soup before her, Xing Shuwei remembered the blood and mud staining her clothes, then Qiutong’s blood-soaked appearance.
Her stomach churned violently, as though she could smell blood.
Pei Xianjing glanced at her. Not daring to delay, she picked up the spoon, scooped up some bird’s nest soup, and fed it into her mouth.
A moment later, Chengde entered.
“Eldest Young Master, the invitations have been delivered to the Marquis of Qingyuan’s estate and the Shen residence.
“The Marquis of Qingyuan and Commander Shen both agreed explicitly. Lord Zhang and Assistant Commander Shen will attend.”
Chengde stopped respectfully before the desk and reported to Pei Xianjing.
“Mm.” Pei Xianjing’s voice was cold. “Have Zhenxi Hall prepare suitable weapons for me.”
“Yes.” Chengde acknowledged the order and turned to leave.
Xing Shuwei felt as though she were sitting on needles. What was he planning now?
“Brother Jing…” Xing Shuwei called. “You truly don’t need to stand up for Weiwei again.”
If he had not gone to the imperial prison to retrieve her and rescued Qiutong as well, she could have watched from the sidelines without any burden on her conscience, telling herself that everything he did was for his own career.
But now…
Xing Shuwei’s heart felt clogged, and she could find no outlet for it.
“Thanks to you, the Marquis of Qingyuan’s estate escaped the Qizhou case unscathed.
“Thanks to you, Zhang Mingan also eliminated his greatest enemy within the Marquis’s estate.
“From now on, outsiders will see me as belonging to the same camp as those two families.
“If I invite their younger generation to exchange a few moves, they will be only too pleased.” Pei Xianjing’s voice was like winter ice.
His explanation only made Xing Shuwei more certain that his arrangements were nowhere near so simple.
Pei Xianjing continued, “After the sparring, I will invite them to the estate as guests.
“You are familiar with them, so you can help Gao Li prepare what is needed to receive them. How does that sound?”
Xing Shuwei did not want to.
She said, “Brother Jing promised me last time that I wouldn’t have to toil over banquets again.
“When the three of you meet, you will surely discuss important affairs of court.
“Weiwei understands nothing about court affairs, and I fear you may not be able to speak freely, so…”
“You do whatever others ask of you, but when I ask something, you raise obstacle after obstacle.
“Weiwei, search your conscience. Have I ever treated you poorly in the past four years?
“I know you have a temper. But am I the only person you ever show it to?”
Pei Xianjing’s words landed dully upon Xing Shuwei’s heart.
She swallowed twice and finally agreed. “Weiwei is happy to serve Brother Jing.”