Chapter 44

Wu Shiyan pursed his lips and bit his teeth so hard that he didn't utter the question. He took Qi Yu's hand, held it tightly, and brought her to his side.

That scene was too offensive, and the words of the down-and-out scholar were particularly grating.

Strangers? Who does he think he is to say that?

A mocking smile appeared on Wu Shiyan's lips.

If he didn't kill Pei Jin, couldn't he at least kill him?

Fearing she might hurt Qi Yu, Zhao Wanyi had no choice but to let go and stand up.

Zhao Wanyi's smiling eyes were filled with vigilance; she did not hesitate to assume the worst of Wu Shiyan, this cold-blooded and treacherous man.

Before Qi Yu could react, she was pulled to Wu Shiyan's side and had to hold onto his arm to keep her balance.

She seemed to have figured out what was going on: Wu Shiyan was jealous. How could he be jealous?

Qi Yu was greatly shocked and looked at Wu Shiyan. He looked as if he wanted to kill Zhao Wanyi. His face was expressionless, but his eyes were filled with murderous intent and his aura was heavy.

Qi Yu wanted to explain, but didn't know where to begin.

Since Zhao Wanyi has chosen to change her appearance, she must have her reasons. She should help cover it up instead of letting her be exposed.

But Wu Shiyan's appearance can hardly be described as kind.

Qi Yu originally thought that Wu Shiyan would ask who Zhao Wanyi was, and then she would take the opportunity to tell him that this Brother Zhao was a woman, an older sister of hers. However, Wu Shiyan did not say a word, put his arm around her waist and left the private room, quickly leading her out of the restaurant as if there was some monstrous flood behind them.

Standing in front of the carriage, Qi Yu's feet finally touched the ground; she had been helped down by Wu Shiyan.

She looked up and met Wu Shiyan's icy gaze. His breathing was heavy, and the hand on her waist gripped her tighter and tighter, making her feel a sharp pain.

But there was no time to worry about anything at this point. As Wu Shiyan coldly got into the car, Qi Yu quickly and succinctly said, "She's a woman. I just wanted to tease Pei Jiu, but I didn't expect you to come."

If it were Pei Jin instead, she wouldn't have brought the person to the restaurant she had arranged to meet Wu Shiyan.

Although she liked Wu Shiyan's soft and comfortable chest and Pei Jin's firm yet thin waist and abdomen, she wasn't foolish enough to be caught between the two men and face a chaotic situation.

Moreover, over the past two weeks, Qi Yu had gradually come to understand Wu Shiyan's domineering nature. If she hadn't been destined to go home, she really wouldn't have dared to be tempted by Pei Jin's clumsy attempts to seduce her and ultimately accepted it.

Qi Yu thought of Pei Jin. Pei Jin, a gentle and refined person, would definitely handle this situation better than Wu Shiyan.

Instead of taking her away without saying a word or asking a single question.

The more Qi Yu thought about Pei Jin, the more she felt that Wu Shiyan had acted inappropriately. Then she realized... she had actually mentioned Pei Jin while Wu Shiyan was still in front of her.

That was really wrong.

Qi Yu looked serious.

Upon hearing this, Wu Shiyan's eyes widened slightly. He fiddled with the ring on his hand, and his gloomy aura vanished instantly. He couldn't help but look towards the second floor of the restaurant.

Upon closer inspection, even his calm and composed demeanor betrayed a subtle sense of guilt.

It's too late.

Qi Yu was puzzled by Wu Shiyan's reaction, but before she could think about it further, the second-floor window was broken open, and Zhao Wanyi rolled to the ground, glancing at them while clutching her injured arm before fleeing for her life.

Looking out the second-floor window, the guard peeked out and, seemingly surprised that His Majesty was still downstairs, froze, his sword clattering to the ground.

!!

"You ordered the killing of someone you'd only met once?"

Qi Yu couldn't help but question him, her tone filled with utter disappointment.

She pried Wu Shiyan's hand away and tried to find Zhao Wanyi, but Zhao Wanyi had already run away. She didn't know where to start looking for her, so she clenched her fist.

Immediately afterwards, three or five guards ran down from the second floor of the restaurant, one of them boldly asking, "Your Majesty, shall we go after them?"

Qi Yu: "You're not allowed to go!"

Wu Shiyan said, "You failed in your duties. Go back and receive your punishment."

Qi Yu froze upon hearing this, and hesitated to look at Wu Shiyan.

What does it mean to be ineffective in handling affairs?

The guards figured they probably didn't need to chase after them anymore.

As His Majesty left the private room, he made a gesture to them. They had followed His Majesty for a long time and naturally knew what it meant, but they did not expect that the man was already on guard.

When they knocked out the concubine's maid and tried to secretly kill the man, he turned out to be skilled in martial arts, so they only managed to injure his arm, and he eventually escaped through a window.

This incident led to the matter being exposed in front of the Imperial Concubine.

This also exposes Your Majesty's true nature.

However, in the eyes of these guards, His Majesty was still a wise and powerful emperor who left no future troubles and was decisive and ruthless.

Qi Yu wanted to leave directly.

Wu Shiyan asked calmly, "Where are you going?"

Qi Yu's voice turned cold: "Anywhere is fine as long as I'm not with you."

Wu Shiyan felt empty and lost. Even Qi Yu, who was usually very easygoing, could no longer tolerate him.

He pressed his thumb ring tightly: "Peijiu is still in my hands."

Qi Yu suddenly looked at him.

Wu Shiyan said in a deep voice, "Get in the carriage and return to the palace."

Since we've already acted so despicably, let's be despicable to the very end.

Qi Yu took a deep breath, brushed aside Wu Shiyan's outstretched hand, and boarded the carriage with the help of others.

Wu Shiyan glanced at his empty palm, then clenched it.

He was provoked first, so what was wrong with killing him?

At most, he just didn't ask clearly.

The thought that the name he had used had been murmured countless times, that the jade-like hand he had once held tightly was now in another man's hand, and that the well-mannered and respectful person he knew was being amused by another man, left him with no energy to question him. He only wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.

As for the other party being a woman, Wu Shiyan thought about it and realized that he absolutely could not accept it.

Wu Shiyan boarded the carriage and saw Qi Yu leaning to one side as if she were sleepy, with her eyes closed as if she were dozing.

The carriage slowly began to move.

Wu Shiyan reached out and lifted Qi Yu's soft cheek, and whispered, "I was wrong."

"But she spoke ambiguously in front of me, which is why I misunderstood," he said against his will. "If I had known she was a woman, I certainly wouldn't have been jealous, nor would I have had the thought of killing her."

Qi Yu opened her eyes and turned her face away from his hand: "I don't believe you."

"The wound on Pei Jin's forehead was also inflicted by His Majesty. Why?"

Pei Jin's demotion was too abrupt. He hadn't been involved in the matter of the Prince of Ning's heir, and Zhao Wanyi had only been home for half a day. Now that I think about it, something just seems off.

Qi Yu looked at Wu Shiyan. Did he know about her relationship with Pei Jin?

Wu Shiyan: "You used to call him Lord Pei, when did you become so familiar with him?"

“He messed things up, so I naturally had to punish him. I couldn’t control my anger and that’s why I hurt him. But afterwards I had the eunuchs send him out of the palace.”

He's fine, isn't he?

Wu Shiyan thought that he should have sent the imperial physician that day to check if Pei Jin had drunk poisoned wine, but at that time he didn't care about Pei Jin's life or death, and naturally missed the opportunity.

Qi Yu was still doubtful: "Really?"

Wu Shiyan lowered his eyes and said evasively, "He is more real than real gold. He is in full charge of dealing with the remnants of the rebel king. I trust him more than anything."

If Pei Jin is connected to the rebel king, then it's no wonder that the rebel king's remnants disintegrated so quickly, with each newcomer being completely eradicated.

That's why the court officials don't take the remnants of the rebel king seriously and are vying to make the southern tour.

Wu Shiyan was certain of Pei Jin's sincere devotion to the people; if he were a key figure among the remnants of the rebel king, he would not have worked for them.

Qi Yu pursed her lips. It would be better if Pei Jin hadn't been implicated by her, but it was an undeniable fact that Wu Shiyan wanted to kill Zhao Wanyi.

He even used Pei Jiu to blackmail her. She knew that they could only talk things out when they were together, but she still found this tactic extremely annoying.

Even when Wu Shiyan tried to act pitiful and humble, she still wouldn't eat.

Qi Yu said listlessly, "I would like to rest for a while."

Wu Shiyan wanted to ask who that person was, what connection they had with Qi Yu in the past, and about Qi Yu's past, but seeing this, he had no choice but to stop.

The carriage drove towards the imperial palace.

Qi Yu couldn't fall asleep. Wu Shiyan's gaze on her face was too intense, disturbing her sleepiness.

Wu Shiyan knew that Qi Yu was not asleep, so he stared at her without any restraint.

Ayu can't escape.

He would weave a cage with sweet words, forbidding anyone but the palace servants from provoking her.

Wu Shiyan has given up on exploring Qi Yu's past; at least she is his now and in the future.

They will stay together, growing old together like an old married couple day after day. They will have a child, or they can choose not to have one.

The carriage arrived at the palace and drove directly into their residence.

Qi Yu alighted from the carriage behind Wu Shiyan and said calmly, "I will return first."

Wu Shiyan couldn't stop her and watched Qi Yu leave.

He instructed, "Send a lunch to the Imperial Concubine, and have her servants return to their quarters early. Also, summon a craftsman skilled in jewelry making."

As soon as Wu Shiyan got off the carriage, Tian Wenshan rushed forward and respectfully acknowledged him.

Qi Yu waited for Pei Jiu first. Pei Jiu touched the back of her neck, looking like she hadn't reacted yet. She only smiled belatedly when she saw Qi Yu.

Pei Jiu said, "Your Majesty, I don't know which thief knocked me unconscious. When I woke up, I was at the imperial palace."

Qi Yu pulled her over and examined her injury. A red, swollen mark came into view. As Qi Yu had someone bring over some ointment, she said, "It's His Majesty's person."

Pei Jiu immediately fell silent, her mind clearing considerably. Upon further reflection, she realized that she had indeed been one of His Majesty's guards at the time.

But why did His Majesty's men knock her unconscious?

Pei Jiu thought of the Empress's childhood sweetheart, and a wave of sadness washed over her. Looking at the Empress's indifferent expression, she felt even more that she was grieving the death of her old friend.

It's true that Your Majesty had a childhood sweetheart, but His Majesty is far too domineering.

Qi Yu applied ointment to Pei Jiu's wounds and instructed her, "Rest for the next two days. Come to me again when the red marks have faded."

She hadn't realized what Pei-ju was thinking.

Pei Jiu blinked away her tears, put on her clothes, and said, "Yes, sir." Then she left with the ointment.

Qi Yu leaned lazily against the soft couch. After the palace servants brought in the food, she got up to eat.

Even if she remained indifferent to Wu Shiyan, she still had to take care of her own health; she had no intention of going against Wu Shiyan to the death.

The southern tour entourage will not depart until tomorrow, so Qi Yu went to bed early as dusk fell.

Therefore, she was completely unaware of Wu Shiyan's arrival, and naturally did not know that he had snapped a bracelet onto her wrist.

It wasn't until midnight that Qi Yu woke up, feeling dizzy from sleep. She wanted to get out of bed to get a drink of water, only to find that Wu Shiyan had arrived and was sleeping beside her.

Qi Yu's gaze swept over Wu Shiyan, her heart remaining completely unmoved.

However, she was suddenly pulled down before she could get up.

Qi Yu instantly snapped awake, her eyes widening as she looked at the cold bracelet on her wrist. The bracelet was connected to Wu Shiyan's wrist by a thin gold chain; he also wore a bracelet that was larger and simpler than hers.

However, it is more like an exquisite pair of shackles than a bracelet.

The movement on the bracelet startled Wu Shiyan awake; his eyes went from dazed to clear in an instant.

He grasped Qi Yu's wrist and pressed it down lightly in an instant: "Where are you going, A-Yu?"

Wu Shiyan placed Qi Yu's hand on his chest, his eyes looking at Qi Yu's lips with longing, his long eyelashes brushing lightly.

Wu Shiyan's image was reflected in Qi Yu's eyes.

Qi Yu didn't understand when Wu Shiyan had learned to act this way.

That's simply...unreasonable...utterly despicable.