While the Jiang family was busy, the bride sat idly by the bed.

Fortunately, Shen Yunjiao was there and talked with Jiang Rong for a long time, which gradually calmed Jiang Rong's nervous and uneasy heart.

When Shen Yunjiao saw the matchmaker rushing in with a red handkerchief, saying she needed to check the bride's makeup and clothing one last time, she patted Jiang Rong's hand and went out of the room first.

The Yao Garden, bestowed by the imperial family, is vast and includes an artificial lake for people to enjoy boating in the summer.

However, Shen Yunjiao had an injury on her foot, so she temporarily abandoned the idea.

Just as Fu Xia was accompanying her as they strolled aimlessly through the garden, a voice suddenly came from behind, "Yun Jiao, long time no see."

A man dressed in a pure white robe stood straight behind her, gazing at her with a slightly dazed expression.

It had been a long time since I'd seen Shen Yunjiao. She seemed to have lost a lot of weight, but her expressive eyes were still bright and piercing.

Even though she was misunderstood, she still lived a good life.

Pei Zhixuan slowly lifted his foot and walked up to Shen Yunjiao.

In the misty morning light, Shen Yunjiao looked at Pei Zhixuan seriously for the first time, but inadvertently caught a glimpse of desolation in his eyes.

Just now in the room, Shen Yunjiao had heard Jiang Rong say that Pei Zhixuan had specially written a letter to Xiao Huaijin, begging him to spare her and release her from the temple.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yunjiao was slightly surprised.

After all, Pei Zhixuan used to value his official career and future so much, yet now he's willing to openly oppose the royal family for her sake.

Thinking of this, Shen Yunjiao smiled and looked at him, "It has indeed been a long time. How have you been, Lord Pei?"

Pei Zhixuan was caught off guard by her smile, and his heart skipped a beat.

When he came to his senses, Shen Yunjiao was about to say goodbye to him. "Today is Rong'er's big day. As a member of her family, Lord Pei must have many things to do. I won't keep you any longer."

The servants hurried back and forth in the garden, carrying various items needed for the wedding ceremony as they passed among them.

Shen Yunjiao slightly squatted down to him, bid him farewell, and then walked towards the forest path in the garden.

Pei Zhixuan initially stood still, but seeing Shen Yunjiao walk further and further away, he couldn't help but start walking and follow her.

He looked at Shen Yunjiao's profile as she spoke to the servants, her expression gentle and serene, and thought to himself, who wouldn't like someone like that?

How could he give up on Shen Yunjiao, even knowing that in her heart he was just a passerby, not even a friend?

"Master." Nanfeng had just finished her mission and returned to Xiao Huaijin's side, only to find him staring at a certain spot with dark eyes and a very unpleasant expression.

“Master, I have found out the reason why Miss Shen was injured. She encountered a wild snake in the mountains when she went out to collect herbs. She accidentally twisted her ankle while running away. According to the Taoist nuns in the temple, fortunately, a tall foreigner cut the snake in half and saved Miss Shen.”

Nanfeng looked at his master cautiously and said with his head down, "I heard from the Taoist nun that the foreigner has a pair of blue eyes and a curved sword inlaid with white jade at his waist. I think that the Taoist nun was talking about Yelü Qi, the second prince of the Northern Barbarians."

"She's quite good at seducing people," Xiao Huaijin snorted coldly, and actually lifted his leg to walk towards the path.

The early autumn afternoon was very cool, but many flowers in the garden had already withered, and the leaves were slowly turning yellow.

Shen Yunjiao walked slowly along the path, her thoughts drifting away.

But suddenly someone jumped out from beside her and blocked her way.

Shen Yunjiao was startled at first, but her fear gradually disappeared after she saw that the person was Pei Zhixuan.

Seeing Pei Zhixuan's restrained expression, Fu Xia knew that her former son-in-law had something to say.

She took a step back, standing at a distance that was neither too close nor too far from Shen Yunjiao. This way, she could give her mistress some space to speak, and if her mistress was in any danger, she could rush to her aid.

Shen Yunjiao looked at Pei Zhixuan, a puzzled look in her eyes. "What's wrong, Lord Pei?"

"Shen Yunjiao, forget about him."

Pei Zhixuan looked unwell, with veins bulging on his arms, and he blurted out this sentence out of the blue.

Shen Yunjiao glanced at him and smiled gently. "What are you saying, Lord Pei? I'm sorry I don't understand." After saying that, she tried to walk around him, but Pei Zhixuan didn't leave. Instead, he simply stretched out his long arm to block Shen Yunjiao's way.

“Yun Jiao, you know what I’m talking about. He’s going to hold a selection of wives and choose a bride. Don’t be so stubborn.” Pei Zhixuan looked down at her, his gaze intense, as if a flame was burning in his eyes. He said softly, “I’m not just bluffing you. The imperial edict has been issued today. In three days, His Majesty will begin the selection of wives.”

Shen Yunjiao seemed to be burned by Pei Zhixuan's words. She suddenly raised her head and asked Pei Zhixuan, a little dizzy, "What did you say?"

“The emperor is heartless; he has already fallen in love with someone else.” Pei Zhixuan’s voice was very low; at this moment, his mind was extremely unsettled.

The person you've been longing for is standing right in front of you.

The wine her friend had just poured for her suddenly burned hot again, and Shen Yunjiao's outline seemed to be shrouded in a layer of misty white fog, making the world outside her gray.

Fueled by alcohol, Pei Zhixuan grabbed Shen Yunjiao's wrist and held her tightly in his arms. He was willing to die for her, even if it meant a violent confrontation.

"Pei Zhixuan, what's wrong with you? Let go of me!"

Shen Yun was furious and exasperated, but her opponent was incredibly strong.

Fu Xia also ran over and tried to pull Pei Shizi away.

But ironically, people become incredibly strong when they're drunk.

Pei Zhixuan whispered tremblingly in Shen Yunjiao's ear, "Yunjiao, I was wrong, I was terribly wrong before, and I regret it now. Can you give me—"

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his shoulder, his whole body spun around, and he collapsed onto the bluestone slab with a thud.

Pei Zhixuan struggled to open his eyes, only to find Xiao Huaijin's face directly above him.

Xiao Huaijin lowered his eyes, looking at him as if he were a lump of rotten flesh, cold and indifferent.

"Young Master Pei, how old are you? Are you still trying to play the fool and gain sympathy?"

Standing on the high mountain, Xiao Huaijin stared at Pei Zhixuan's face and sneered, "This is the first time I've ever seen such a shameless person."