Chapter 108: Kiss without taking responsibility

Jiang Fei's world fell apart at this moment.

She had planned everything, even doing a 365-degree backflip, but she never expected that she would actually kiss Pei Jing. She clearly wanted Pei Jing to wipe out her entire family and become her enemy, so why did they kiss?

If we wait until the system comes online and loads the plot, the sky will probably fall, right?

Wen Zhu observed Jiang Fei's reaction with great interest, watching her go from shock to panic to disbelief, and then to shame and anger, like a cat with its fur standing on end.

Jiu Tao was stunned when she heard this. "Miss, are you really..."

"Shut up." Jiang Fei closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened her eyes again, she had regained her composure.

It doesn’t matter, she comforted herself, it doesn’t count as a kiss through a handkerchief, and even if it is a kiss, she doesn’t have to be responsible for it.

Jiang Fei suddenly felt like a scumbag. She had cheated Pei Jing of his money and now she had even taken his first kiss.

No, she needs to cleanse her soul now. Tomorrow she will go to Jinglian Temple to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures to purify her soul.

…

The carriage drove out of Prince Zhaoning's Mansion and headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

"You caught a cold a few days ago. Are you feeling better now?" Emperor Zhaowen asked while sitting behind the desk.

Pei Jing replied, "It's ready. We'll be heading up the mountain tomorrow."

Emperor Zhaowen nodded. "I heard from the imperial physician that your old illness has improved. The imperial physician has revised the prescription and reduced the dosage. Are you taking it on time?"

"I give in."

It was the first time that the two met, and there was no tension between them. Their tone was unusually calm.

It seems that we are no longer arguing, but I don’t know what to say.

There was silence in the hall for a moment. Emperor Zhaowen seemed to want to say something, but stopped.

He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then said, "It's cold and damp in the mountains at night, so you should bring more clothes."

Pei Jing nodded slightly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

"Then," Emperor Zhaowen waved his hand, "Go ahead, and be careful on the road."

After Pei Jing retreated out of the hall, Emperor Zhaowen still couldn't take his eyes off her for a long time.

"Yuande."

Meng Yuande stepped forward and said, "I am here."

"You said..." Emperor Zhaowen paused, "Has this child changed his personality?"

Meng Yuande bowed and said with an apologetic smile, "Your Majesty treats you like his own son, and you naturally understand."

Emperor Zhaowen snorted softly, "He hasn't been causing any trouble lately, and the number of memorials implicating him on my desk has decreased."

"From what I can see, the prince has finally grown up," Meng Yuande said. "He used to be a bit capricious, but now he knows who treats him well and understands the emperor's heart. He's causing the emperor less worry."

Emperor Zhaowen's eyes showed a trace of relief, "I hope so."

…

Prince Zhaoning has always enjoyed special privileges in the palace, and whether he can enter or leave the palace in a sedan chair is entirely up to him.

The royal chariot slowly passed through the palace road. The hoarse chirping of cicadas hung on the treetops. The evening clouds were low, but the summer heat had not yet dissipated. It was so hot and stuffy that it was hard to breathe. Even the wind was filled with a sense of dryness.

Pei Jing leaned in the sedan chair, tapping the armrest with his fingertips, but his heart was far less indifferent than his expression.

The brocade handkerchief in his sleeve felt like a lump of red-hot charcoal, burning his heart so much that he didn't even notice the carriage slowing down.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?"

Pei Jing came back to his senses and turned his head to look at the young eunuch. The young eunuch pointed forward, and Pei Jing saw Wei Ciying kneeling in front of him.

The eunuch who led the way guessed that the prince was in a daze and didn't know what was going on, so he explained, "Miss Wei was summoned to the palace today to pay her respects to the Empress. She was about to leave when she ran into the prince and bowed to him."

"Oh." Pei Jing waved his hand. "Miss Wei, please excuse me."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Wei Ciying stood up, but before she could stand straight, she fell forward. Fortunately, she was supported by two palace maids on her left and right.

"Miss, Miss Wei."

Pei Jing sat up slightly, "What happened to her?"

"Miss Wei has fainted," the maid said, "I'm afraid it's the heat."

"Call the imperial physician." Pei Jing made a prompt decision.

The two palace maids quickly moved Wei Ciying to a shady place. Pei Jing also got off the sedan chair and looked down at the unconscious Wei Ciying.

The palace maid was now helpless and sweating profusely. She could only wipe Wei Ciying's sweat with a handkerchief and fan her to cool her down.

Wei Ciying's face was pale, the hair at her temples stuck to her face wetly, her lips were moving, and she was mumbling something.

"Miss, what did you say?" The palace maid quickly put her ear closer. When she heard it, her face suddenly changed and she subconsciously raised her head to look at King Zhaoning beside her.

Pei Jing frowned slightly, "What's wrong? What did she say?"

The palace maid trembled her lips and dared not answer, and Wei Ciying began to mutter again.

Pei Jing leaned down.

"Anian...don't go, I'm Caoya..."

A soft call from the desperate situation in childhood suddenly hit Pei Jing's ears. His body stiffened involuntarily. The name pierced the depths of his memory like a sharp blade.

"Your name is Anian, and my name is Caoya. That's what they all call me."

"I'll protect you from now on. Whoever said I can't support you, I'll pick up trash to support you."

"Because you are pretty. No one in our place is as pretty as you. I raised you. When I grow up, I will marry you and you will support me."

"Anian, no one wants me either. From now on, we are a family..."

Pei Jing suddenly stood up, but instead of moving forward, he took two steps back in fear, his chest still heaving violently.

"Your Highness." The young eunuch called out several times, "Your Highness? Your Highness, what's wrong with you?"

Pei Jing suddenly came to his senses. The dilapidated temple walls around him gradually transformed into high walls covered with red tiles. The dirty little girl also disappeared and turned into the noble lady in gorgeous clothes on the ground.

Pei Jing involuntarily took another step back, unable to even conceal the panic on his face.

The young eunuch saw that something was not right. Everyone in the palace knew that Prince Zhaoning had an "old illness". Could it be that he was about to fall ill?

"Quick." The young eunuch quickly stepped aside and whispered to another eunuch, "Hurry and find the prince's personal guard named Duan. Go!"

Guards were not allowed to enter the Forbidden Palace unless under special circumstances and could only wait outside the second palace gate.

Duan Jiu rushed into the palace after receiving the news. Wei Ciying had already been moved to a waiting room specially provided for foreign ministers, ladies of honor, etc. to rest temporarily after entering the palace.

Duan Jiu rushed in in two steps and saw his own prince standing by the window with his back straight.

He was very familiar with this posture; it was the look on the prince's face when he was trying hard to control his emotions.

"Your Highness." Duan Jiu stepped forward quickly.

Pei Jing didn't turn around, but simply raised his hand to signal him to be silent. From behind the screen came the voice of the imperial physician instructing the palace maid, "Miss Wei is fine now. She's just suffering from the heat. She needs to rest for a few days."

After giving his instructions, the imperial physician came out and bowed to Pei Jing before leaving. The palace maid followed him out.

"Your Highness, Miss Wei has woken up."

Pei Jing nodded slightly, "You all step aside. I have a few words to ask her."