Chapter 105 Conspiracy

The smile on Pei Ji's face deepened, his eyes and brows were gentle, but with an unspoken sense of seniority.

He nodded calmly at Luo Zhaohan, "Of course. I, Pei, will definitely supervise your Jince studies."

Luo Jince felt his eyes go dark, as if he saw countless piles of books and the scene of the stern Pei Shaoqing holding a ruler in his hand.

He wailed, not caring about pretending to be calm in front of Pei Ji. He hugged Pei Ji's arm and shook it, trying to play tricks: "Brother Pei! Don't be so serious! I will study hard before the New Year! I will just enjoy the lanterns during the Lantern Festival!"

Pei Ji let him shake him, his smile unchanged: "It's not about words that speak of hard work. It's still early today, and it's not convenient to go to the mansion by carriage, so I'll just walk back home. Jin Ce, would you like to accompany me? I'd also like to ask if you've made any progress in studying the Great Learning."

Luo Jince felt overwhelmed and cried out "Ah". With a bitter face, he looked at Luo Zhaohan as if asking for help.

Luo Zhaohan just gave him a sly look that said "I wish you good luck".

Pei Ji no longer gave the young man a chance to lament. He put his hand on his shoulder and turned him towards the mansion gate.

He bowed again to Luo Dinglian and Luo Zhaohan, "General, please stay. Zhaohan, please stay. I, Pei, will go ahead with Jin Ce."

Luo Dinglian stroked his beard and watched his daughter and Pei Ji interact meaningfully, with a gratified smile in the depths of his eyes. Hearing this, he just waved his hand and said, "Go."

Luo Zhaohan stood where he was, looking at the dark green figure with one hand on Luo Jince's shoulder. The young man's shadow nestled next to his tall shadow. The two of them walked on the thin snow, step by step towards the gate of the mansion.

Pei Ji tilted his head slightly, as if listening to the boy beside him complaining and begging for mercy.

The tall and quiet figure, illuminated by the bright corner lamp hanging in front of the general's mansion, seemed to dispel some of the coldness around it.

The cold wind blew snow flakes onto his face. Luo Zhaohan watched the figure blend into the snow until the dark blue carriage turned the corner and completely disappeared from his sight.

The Lantern Festival at Changlefang on Lantern Festival night...it must be very lively, right?

The smile on his lips gradually spread, and the anticipation for that warmth also filled his heart.

However, this warmth did not last long.

In the shadows of the distant streets, an inconspicuous green-covered carriage had just lowered its heavy curtains.

In the corner, a man dressed as a street wonton vendor quickly packed up his things and pushed his cart into the crowd.

Further away, at the window of the elegant teahouse, a cold and sharp gaze was withdrawn from the street corner where Pei Ji's carriage disappeared, and his fingertips tapped on the table.

Like countless pebbles thrown into calm water.

The news that Pei Ji had stayed in Fuyuan General's Mansion for nearly two hours, and the information contained behind it, had quietly flowed to those who were hiding in the high gates and deep courtyards of the capital or deep in the nine-story palace at an incredible speed during this short period of time.

…

There was a warm atmosphere in the flower hall of the Minister of Personnel's residence.

The finest silver frost charcoal was burning brightly in the huge brass brazier, dispelling all the cold.

The precious Canaan incense in the auspicious beast incense burner rises up, interweaving with the fragrance of the freshly brewed Yufeng Yunwu tea on the table.

The Minister of Personnel, Sun Wanrong, has silver hair and beard, but he looks vigorous and his old eyes are still sharp.

He sat upright on the main armchair and slowly put down the white porcelain teacup in his hand.

Sitting on the left side below was his grandson, Prince Rui Chao Yinlong, wearing a dark-colored prince's uniform. He was in a relaxed posture, playing with a smooth white jade ring with coiled dragon pattern in one hand, with a faint smile on the corner of his mouth.

On his right sat Sun Wanrong's eldest grandson, Sun Honglei, a captain of the Imperial Guard. Sun Honglei had just finished reporting on his duties, and his still-unchanged crimson military uniform only accentuated his sturdy figure.

But at this moment, there was a lingering melancholy between his brows.

The atmosphere was originally a happy New Year's leisure time, but the quietness was broken by the sound of servants' footsteps.

A man who looked like a butler walked quickly into the hall, with a solemn and cautious look on his face.

He first bowed respectfully to Sun Wanrong and Prince Rui, then walked to Sun Honglei's side, bent down, and whispered a few words quickly in a voice that only the three of them could hear.

The gloomy look on Sun Honglei's face was instantly torn apart by astonishment.

He turned his head suddenly, and his movement was so big that he knocked over the teacup beside him.

“Snap!”

The fine Ding kiln white porcelain covered bowl shattered on the ground, and the warm tea splashed out, staining the precious Persian carpet.

"What?!" Sun Honglei's voice rose, with shock that was hard to conceal, "Propose marriage? Pei Ji asked Luo..."

He stopped talking halfway as if someone had grabbed his throat.

He realized his slip of the tongue and his face flushed red, then quickly faded to a pale color as if he had lost blood.

Those once bright eyes were fixed on the broken porcelain pieces on the ground. He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white, and his body trembled slightly uncontrollably.

The air in the hall froze instantly.

Sun Wanrong narrowed his eyes slightly, and his experienced gaze was like a hawk, sweeping between his grandson's out-of-control behavior and the mess on the ground, and finally fell on Sun Honglei's distraught face.

Chao Yinlong also stopped playing with the ring.

He picked up the teacup beside him and blew away the foam gently, his movements graceful. "Don't be so surprised, cousin Hong Lei. The pearl of General Fuyuan's mansion already has someone in mind. This is no secret."

Sun Honglei opened his mouth, his throat was dry, and he wanted to refute, but found that he couldn't say a word.

Yes, how could he not know that? That day at the racecourse, she reined in her horse and stood beside Pei Ji. The natural intimacy and smile in her eyes and eyebrows were completely different from the cold and distant way she treated others.

It's just that I have never really wanted to face it.

"Bang!"

A dull sound.

It was Sun Wanrong who slammed his teacup heavily on the rosewood tabletop, making a dull sound.

His face was as gloomy as water, and his voice was low, yet it carried a thunderous rebuke, piercing Sun Honglei: "You scoundrel! Is this how cunning you are? A little bit of personal affection has caused you to lose your manners! You are unfit for any important task! Look at what you've become now! You've brought shame upon our Sun family!"

Every word is as sharp as a knife, showing no mercy.

Sun Honglei's body suddenly stiffened, his face turned pale as paper, and his head drooped even lower, almost buried in his collar.

Chao Yinlong frowned, put down his teacup, and tried to calm down: "Grandfather, please calm down. Cousin Hong Lei is still young, this..."

"Your Highness Prince Rui!" Sun Wanrong suddenly turned to him, his eyes as sharp as lightning, and directly interrupted Chao Yinlong's words.

The look in his eyes was complex and difficult to discern, as if he was saying to Chao Yinlong: "Your Highness, how good are you? The Crown Princess's affair is still at the forefront, and yet you are hesitant and hesitant. When will you finally come up with your true intentions?"

This look was like a thorn in the back, which made Chao Yinlong's heart tremble suddenly. He had to lower his eyes slightly and avoid his grandfather's gaze.

The sweetness of Canaan and the aroma of tea now made me feel upset.

Sun Wanrong's hair and beard were all white, his face was gaunt, but his old eyes were bright and sharp like an eagle.

He pointed at a thin list on the table with his fingertips, and his voice was low, but every word was weighty:

"Although General Fuyuan Luo Dinglian has retired to seclusion, his former subordinates remain deeply rooted. General Wuwei Xie Anfeng now holds the reins of military command in the northwest, and all military affairs, big or small, still rely on Luo Dinglian's leadership. This influence is truly significant."

Prince Rui, Chao Yinlong, sat at the bottom, with a solemn expression. He nodded slightly, "Grandfather is absolutely right. The Luo family has a strong foundation and its prestige in the army remains."

Sun Wanrong raised his gaze from the list and pointed directly at Chao Yinlong: "If the marriage between Pei Ji, Junior Minister of the Dali Temple, and Luo Zhaohan, the only daughter of the Luo family, is successful, Pei Ji may not have a prominent background, but with his position in the Dali Temple, he holds the power of criminal justice, and he enjoys the favor of Your Majesty. His future is limitless. If the two families form an alliance, will the sharp edge of the Luo family, the sharp sword in the army, be aimed at us?"

He paused, his tone suddenly turning cold, "This is definitely not a blessing for the Rui Palace, nor is it a blessing for His Highness!"

Chao Yinlong frowned, his knuckles tapping unconsciously on the armrest of the huanghuali chair. "Pei Ji... I underestimated him. He's usually so quiet, yet he made such a brilliant move without making a sound! Luo Zhaohan..."

The woman's cold and clear eyes flashed before his eyes, and a complex emotion passed through his heart. "She is indeed the only jewel in the Luo family's crown, and she is of great importance."

"Good chess?" Sun Wanrong asked with a hint of contempt. "The moves haven't been made yet, and the game isn't over yet. As long as we haven't formally exchanged engagement letters and accepted the betrothal gifts, there's still room for improvement."

His experienced eyes swept over Chao Yinlong with silent questioning.

Chao Yinlong immediately understood: "Grandfather wants to ruin this marriage?"

Sun Wanrong didn't answer directly. Instead, he changed the subject and asked casually, "At the welcoming banquet a few days ago, I noticed that Princess Xinyi Zhaoyang of Liuyang seemed to have a favorable impression of Pei Ji."

Chao Yinlong nodded: "It is true. Pei Ji is a decent-looking man with a decent temperament. It is not surprising that he aroused the curiosity of my cousin from Liuyang. However..."

He changed the subject, with a hint of mockery, "What kind of vision does Her Royal Highness have? Pei Ji's parents, the Earl of Changning and his wife, behaved inappropriately and lost their composure at the welcoming banquet, causing quite an embarrassing scene. The Princess was deeply ashamed and had already categorically rejected any possibility of marriage with the Pei family. His Majesty, seeing the Princess's firm attitude, also acquiesced and no longer questioned the matter. Pei Ji and Liuyang are absolutely impossible."

"What I'm asking is what Princess Liuyang herself wants," Sun Wanrong interrupted him, his eyes deep. "Has she let it go?"

Chao Yinlong was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.

Princess Liuyang Xinyi Zhaoyang, the emperor's favorite niece, was spoiled to the point of lawlessness. She always acted based on her personal likes and dislikes and was impulsive and willful.

However, due to this divine favor, she was rarely punished severely. Her feelings towards Pei Ji were probably more than just a momentary curiosity.

"Grandfather's intention is..." Chao Yinlong's eyes flashed, "to use Princess Liuyang?"

"That's right." Sun Wanrong stroked his beard, his voice low and firm. "The princess has a fiery temper and won't tolerate the slightest injustice. If she knew that someone I once favored was now proposing marriage to her close friend Luo Zhaohan with such eagerness, how would she feel?"

Chao Yinlong immediately interjected, his tone tinged with a hint of sneer, "Given Liuyang's personality, she'll undoubtedly feel she's been toyed with by Pei Ji, and will even vent her anger on Luo Zhaohan, believing she's stealing her love and disregarding sisterhood. In her rage, what she'll do... no one can predict. And this 'knife' is incredibly sharp, capable of inflicting damage without notice. Furthermore, due to its special status, even if there's a disturbance afterwards, Your Majesty will likely simply raise it high and then gently lower it."

"That's right." Sun Wanrong nodded slightly. "The princess is the most suitable knife that is least likely to be backfired. We just need to pass on the news that 'Pei Ji quickly proposed to the Luo family, and Luo Zhaohan gladly agreed' to the princess's ears, and she will do the rest for us. Women are already at a disadvantage in marriage. Rumors and malicious slander are enough to ruin a woman's reputation. By then, can the Pei and Luo families still successfully get married?"

Their eyes met, and a silent understanding was reached in the stagnant air.

A vicious plot to kill someone with a borrowed knife was quietly put into practice.

In the shadows, Sun Honglei stood there frozen as if struck by lightning.

Every word was like an ice-hardened needle, piercing his ears and piercing his heart.

Use Princess Liuyang... to destroy the marriage of Pei Ji and Luo Zhaohan?

Grandfather and cousin Prince Rui, they actually wanted to plot against Luo Zhaohan in this way!

Sun Honglei felt a chill rushing from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and his limbs were instantly frozen.

The nails of the hand in the sleeve dug deep into the palm, causing a sharp sting, but it was far less than the tearing pain in the heart.

Luo Zhaohan, the woman who was as cold as the moon but with clear eyes.

His mind uncontrollably emerged with the calm words she had spoken that day at the martial arts arena when she was entangled with him:

"Pei Ji deserves it."

"Once I have made up my mind about something or someone, I will not change my mind."

For someone like her, once she has decided on Pei Ji, her determination will be as firm as a rock. How could she change because of rumors and conspiracies from the outside world?

Even if this marriage was really ruined by the evil scheme of her grandfather and others, how could she have thought of him, Sun Honglei?

not to mention……

The source of this destruction turned out to be his closest blood relative.

His grandfather, his cousin!

When he thought about how those vicious rumors might slander her and trample on her innocent reputation, and how her bright eyes might be clouded by them, his heart felt like it was being gripped by a hand, and the pain was so severe that he could hardly breathe.

But on the other hand, my grandfather's plan was for the benefit of Prince Rui's family and for the future honor, disgrace, prosperity and decline of the Sun family.

As a descendant of the Sun family and the cousin of Prince Rui, he had already been branded with an indelible mark.

His position and his choice seemed to have been determined from the moment he was born.

On the one hand, he felt deep sympathy for the plight of his beloved woman and an instinctive disgust for such despicable means; on the other hand, there was the pressure of his family and the constraints of his alliances, and even a deep fear of the consequences of disobeying his grandfather and Prince Rui.

What should he do? What can he do?

Stop it? How could he, alone, shake the decision that his grandfather and Prince Rui had already made?

That would only bring on Thunder's wrath and drag oneself into an irretrievable situation.

What's more, what right did he have to stop it? To go against the entire family for Luo Zhaohan, who didn't even bother to look at him?

The palm of my hand in my sleeve had been pierced by my fingernails, and a sticky wet feeling came from it.

Sun Honglei bit his lower lip tightly, and a faint smell of blood filled his mouth.

He felt his heart beating wildly in his chest, like a broken drum being hit by a heavy hammer, making him dizzy.

He stood there like a stone statue nailed to a pillar of shame, unable to move, only the pain and struggle in his heart roaring silently.