Chapter 103 Part 3

Pei Xiaoyuan stood alone by the river in a daze for a long time, then raised his head and looked up at the sky.

After all this trouble, the sun had begun to set. She should have finished her business.

He didn’t have time to go to Yuan Zhi today, so it’d better go back to Shenshu Palace to pick her up first. Everything else could only be arranged later.

Pei Xiaoyuan quickly climbed up to Yuyun Tower, but she was not there.

After the event was over, everyone left. A palace servant who was cleaning up the place told him that the princess had also left the palace.

The main painter was decided to be Zhou He.

Yao Xu’s paintings were gorgeous and detailed, but lacked momentum. The paintings of Fang Shanjin were obviously reserved and did not fully display his skills. Of the two masters, one had unsuitable painting styles, while the other was unwilling to paint. Zhou He, an unknown painter, suddenly appeared and made everyone’s eyes light up. Although his qualifications also caused some concerns, Lantai and his master took the lead in support, so the others could only keep silent. Finally, the princess made the final decision and finally settled the matter.

Pei Xiaoyuan stood in the empty Yuyun Tower for a moment. He felt that since the day he promised her that he would be her consort, his emotions had been in constant turmoil, never finding a moment of peace. One event after another had unfolded, endlessly emerging, each bringing with it feelings and experiences he had never encountered before.

His mind was in a chaotic mess, unable to untangle. He saw the setting sun outside the palace wall in the distance sinking lower and the sound of the evening drum urging him in his ears. He calmed himself down and returned to Yongning Mansion with a complicated and indescribable mood.

When he arrived, it was already dark. He was told that the princess was tired after coming back today and wanted to rest early. At this moment, she was bathing and changing clothes and had not come out yet.

Pei Xiaoyuan stopped in the courtyard. He shi looked at him with a worried look in her eyes: “Master, you don’t look well. Is your injury flaring up again? Are you feeling unwell?”

Pei Xiaoyuan smiled and said that his wound was fine and he was fine too, and continued to walk towards the bedroom. He shi hesitated for a moment and called him back, “Master, wait a moment.”

She invited Pei Xiaoyuan to a slightly off-path spot and asked: “Master, do you know about the marriage of Miss Zhenfeng of the Wang family?”

Seeing Pei Xiaoyuan lifted his gaze, He shi explained, “Before your wedding, the Princess heard that Zhu’er had arrived and brought her into the palace to stay for a few days. Zhu’er said that one day the Grand Princess came to visit the Princess and, as if telling a joke, brought up something. She said that there was a lady named Zhenfeng in the Wang family who had caught the eye of Prince Qing and was going to be the princess consort. It was said that the young lady’s father also had an old relationship with Master’s family. The Grand Princess laughed and cursed Prince Qing at the time, saying that he was going to ruin the daughter of a good family again, and he had the nerve to ask her to be a matchmaker. Naturally, she refused. Zhu’er didn’t know who Wang Zhenfeng was, but remembered it when she heard that she had an old relationship with Master’s family, so she mentioned it to me when she returned.”

He shi sighed softly, “It’s not that I mean to meddle or cause trouble for you. It’s just that your mother had contacts with their family in the past, not to mention her father, so this matter has always been on my mind. You and the Princess got married a few days ago, so naturally it’s inconvenient for me to bring it up. But earlier, it crossed my mind again. I don’t know about the situation, but I can’t shake a feeling of unease. After all, she’s the daughter of one of your father’s former subordinates. I also know your temperament, and after much thought, I felt it was better for you to know. Otherwise, should something come up later, you might blame me for keeping it from you…”

He shi felt that Pei Xiaoyuan seemed to be frozen, as if he was listening to her, but also as if he was lost in thought about something else.

“Master!” she called again, and when she saw him came to his sense and look at her, she continued.

“I was thinking, if you can help with this matter, please do so to save the old friendship. However, there is one more thing you must remember!”

She paused and looked at Pei Xiaoyuan. “After I came here, I also heard about Miss Zhenfeng’s help in handling Lady Cui’s death anniversary… If you are determined to help, you must not hide it from the Princess and discuss it with her, otherwise…”

Before He shi finished her words, Pei Xiaoyuan couldn’t bear it anymore. He turned around and walked towards the bedroom.

He finally understood why Yuan Zhi suddenly intervened in this matter.

His heart raced uncontrollably, and the growing warmth in his chest and stomach almost drove him to rushed in. Stepping into the inner room, he stopped abruptly behind the lowered pearl curtain, which shimmered resplendently under the long candles’ glow. Through the curtain, he saw that she had come out, seated at her dressing table, gently drying her damp hair. Zhu’er and Jiu’er stood nearby, attending her. The moment he stopped, the two maids noticed him and called out, “Prince Consort,” bowing respectfully.

Through the curtain, Pei Xiaoyuan saw her glance over her shoulder at him briefly before turning back to the mirror, continuing to dry her hair. Taking a steadying breath, he parted the curtain and stepped inside, walking straight to where she sat. On her dressing table, he saw the osmanthus branch and orchid buds given by the two siblings in Prince Ning Mansion yesterday, each carefully placed in a small vase.

She told Zhu’er and Jiu’er to go out. The two maids complied and left the bedroom.

Pei Xiaoyuan’s gaze shifted from the vase to her silhouette in the mirror opposite. He was about to speak when he heard her say, “What happened to Qingtou during the day? Why did he fight with the people from Liu family for no reason? He’s even beaten like that! I think he’s very honest and not the kind of person who would take the initiative to stir up trouble. When I asked him, he refused to say anything. Didn’t you go there? What happened that even Chengping was involved!”

How could he tell her that because he was a prince consort, he was now the subject of gossip among the people of Chang’an, and was portrayed as a sycophantic person who tried to curry favor with the powerful. This was completely incompatible with his upbringing, his prudent and austere character, and his desire to strictly abide by the principles of conduct.

Afraid even he himself would find it unlikely to say that he doesn’t mind it at all.

However, as Chengping said, he would learn to slowly accept everything that was originally unacceptable to him.

“It was a matter of him and the grandson of the Liu family fighting over a falcon…” He responded vaguely and then changed the subject.

“Princess! Did you also help with the recent incident involving Miss Wang Zhenfeng?” he finally asked. She just looked at him and said nothing else, just hummed.

That was enough.

Pei Xiaoyuan couldn’t help but think of the last time she visited the family of the old members of Shenhu Army in the name of his mother. Not only that time, but she also regularly sent people there to send money and gifts. He knew it. And now, when he was completely unaware, she helped with this matter again…

Pei Xiaoyuan felt the heat in his chest surging uncontrollably, a warmth so intense it seemed to swell his very heart. A thousand words swirled in his mind, but he didn’t know what to say to fully express his emotions at the moment.

“Thank you very much.” In the end, this was the only word he could say.

Her long hair was already half-dry. She set aside the towel and rose gracefully from her seat at the dressing table. Standing before him, she gestured for him to lift his arms slightly and began to untie his belt and remove his outer robe with practiced ease. “Master Pei, why are you being so polite? I overheard this matter from my aunt that day and merely asked Yuan Zhi to remind Prince Qing. It’s just a matter of a few words.”

“I still have to thank you for your kindness. I am very grateful.” Pei Xiaoyuan paused and continued, his tone becoming more serious.

Xuyu put her hands on his belt, raised her face, and met his eyes as he looked down at her. Their eyes met for a moment, and she smiled.

“Master Pei really doesn’t need to be like this,” she said.

“It’s just my small way of repaying you.”

Under Pei Xiaoyuan’s slightly confused gaze, she explained: “I know she admires you deeply. She’s from one of the Five Surnames, well-educated, virtuous, and has ties with your family. In every way, she would have been a perfect match for you.

“You have reservations about being a prince consort. I’ve thought about it—if we part ways in the future, she would be an ideal choice for you. You are the only one left in the Pei family now. Although Lord Pei doesn’t say it, he must be hoping that you can marry a good wife. Since I have to delay you first, then it’s also my responsibility to think a little about your future.

“Master, please raise your arms a little higher…”

For a long while, he remained motionless as if he had not heard anything. Xuyu looked up again and saw that he was staring at her with a hint of anger in his eyes.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.

Pei Xiaoyuan suddenly took a step back, letting her hand slip from his body. Without a word, he tore off the scarlet-and-silver fish pouch that was still hanging on his waist, along with a jade waist ornament—a part of her dowry, designed as a man’s accessory—and smashed them to the ground. The jade ornament shattered instantly, fragments scattering in all directions. The gold fish talisman flew out of the pouch, rolling noisily across the floor before disappearing beneath the bed.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Xuyu was surprised, her gaze instinctively followed the fish talisman as it vanished under the bed. When she looked back at him, her tone changed from gentle to stiff.

“Pei thanks the Princess for thinking so far ahead for me!” He said coldly, then put on his half-taken-off clothes in a hurry, left her behind, slammed open the pearl curtain and went out.

Just at this moment, He shi brought medicine with the maid. As she entered the inner chamber of the bedroom, she was stunned to see him with a sullen face, walking out while getting dressed.

“Prince Consort, it’s time to take your medicine!” said Zhu’er.

He didn’t respond and just strode past them.

Across the trembling pearl curtain, He shi glanced at Xuyu, the fish pouch, broken jade and other items on the ground. Her face changed drastically with fear and she hurriedly chased after him: “Master, where are you going? Quickly come back!”

“It’s stuffy! I’m going to go out and get some fresh air! Don’t worry about me!”

Before he finished his words, he had already walked out of the bedroom door without looking back.

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