Chapter 53

Wu Shiyan was rock hard all over; what else could he be but a stubborn rock?

No, Qi Yu thought, there was another soft spot on him besides his lips, it was unbelievably soft.

Once Wu Shiyan pulls her hand to his chest, she's usually helpless.

The grilled fish they ate for dinner in the courtyard was arranged in advance by Wu Shiyan.

Wu Shiyan knew that Qi Yu and Pei Jin had gone fishing and grilling fish together a few days ago. He arrived late and missed it, but he couldn't let Qi Yu think of Pei Jin whenever she thought of fish.

The moonlight is beautiful, and the sky is dotted with stars.

Wu Shiyan rolled up his sleeves to remove the thorn from Qi Yu's head before placing it in front of her.

After thanking her, Qi Yu buried herself in her food.

She didn't think that way at all, assuming that Wu Shiyan was just tired of eating delicacies and wanted to try something different.

After tasting the grilled fish, Qi Yujing had just stood still when Wu Shiyan grabbed her waist.

Today, Wu Shiyan wore a black crane cloak, which made him look even taller and more imposing.

He leaned closer and asked, "Does Ayu want to go up to the roof and look at the sky?"

Qi Yu's eyes lit up, and she nodded.

The next moment, Wu Shiyan glanced at the rooftop and then flew up with her.

It really was flying! Qi Yu couldn't hide her shock. She didn't even blink. Her feet were suspended in mid-air for a moment before she landed steadily on the roof tiles.

Wu Shiyan truly lived up to his reputation as a martial artist; he could easily carry her up to the height of a single floor.

Qi Yu hugged Wu Shiyan's arm tightly, her heart filled with excitement.

She sat down next to Wu Shiyan, looked around curiously, and then looked up at the sky.

Wu Shiyan spread the crane cloak behind her. Although Qi Yu did not actually lie down, the tiles behind her no longer felt cold and uncomfortable to her.

The palace servants in the courtyard dispersed, leaving only a few on duty.

Since neither of them was sleepy, they appeared energetic from the start.

But the house is nestled against the mountain, so it's usually quite cool, not to mention it's nighttime now, and the night wind makes it even colder.

Qi Yu thought she would go back to her room after dinner, so she dressed simply and thinly.

Gradually, Qi Yu felt a little cold, so she moved closer to Wu Shiyan.

Fortunately, Wu Shiyan's poison was cured. He had a cold demeanor, but he was actually very warm-hearted.

Whether Wu Shiyan was willing or not, Qi Yu didn't care.

Although it was already past the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon was exceptionally round today, and Qi Yu was reluctant to leave so early.

At first, Qi Yu leaned against Wu Shiyan to shield him from the wind. Gradually, her hand slipped inside Wu Shiyan's clothes, feeling his warm body through the thin inner garment. Then, her hand began to gently pinch him a couple of times. Finally, Qi Yu buried her head in Wu Shiyan's chest.

She became sleepy and forgot to ask Wu Shiyan to take her downstairs, clinging tightly to the only source of heat.

Wu Shiyan remained calm and composed throughout, until Qi Yu became sleepy, at which point his smugness was revealed in a slight smile.

He held Qi Yu's waist tightly, admired the moon for a while, and waited until Qi Yu was really asleep before carrying her downstairs and into the house.

After placing Qi Yu on the bed, Wu Shiyan intended to help her change her clothes.

He helped the exhausted Qi Yu change her clothes countless nights, knowing how to do it without waking her.

But as soon as he unbuckled his belt, his gaze fell on Qi Yu's slightly open collarbone, revealing her fair and delicate collarbone.

His gaze continued downwards.

I suddenly felt my mouth and throat were dry.

His eyes also became unfathomable.

Wu Shiyan was caught in a dilemma, and after a long period of deliberation, his personal desires ultimately prevailed.

...

In her half-dreaming state, Qi Yu felt as if she were being carried by a wolf. The wolf gradually transformed into the appearance of Wu Shiyan, discussing appetite with her. In her dream, she couldn't outwit the cunning and shrewd Wu Shiyan, and could only follow his train of thought.

Upon waking up, Qi Yu felt a pang of regret; how could she have been so outspoken with Wu Shiyan?

As the dream faded, Qi Yu felt a surge of anger. Suddenly, she realized something was wrong with her body, so she lifted her clothes to take a look, which only fueled her anger.

What appetite? It's clearly Wu Shiyan who's been doing nothing right.

Qi Yu removed Wu Shiyan's arm from her body, then reached out and pinched Wu Shiyan's cheeks, pulling them apart.

Wu Shiyan originally wanted to observe Qi Yu's reaction before making any plans, but now he had no choice but to wake up.

Qi Yu snorted and let go.

Wu Shiyan didn't bother to rub his face. He placed his hand on Qi Yu's waist, which was covered by a dress, under the covers. His gaze was serious, but his tone was matter-of-fact as he said, "I was just hungry, that's why I lost my composure."

"Ayu, please hurt me."

Qi Yu's face was so red it looked like it was about to bleed.

She was even angrier, but she couldn't argue with Wu Shiyan. He was the emperor, and saying more would only give him an advantage.

No wonder she felt Wu Shiyan was cunning in her dream, yet she couldn't argue with her.

Qi Yu lay down again, turned her back, and began to think about Pei Jin.

Wu Shiyan stayed in bed with Qi Yu for a while before they got up together.

In the morning, Qi Yu and Wu Shiyan sat together and played chess.

Wu Shiyan is a genius in the conventional sense, and neither Pei Jin, who suffers from amnesia, nor Qi Yu, who has little knowledge of chess, can compare to him.

Qi Yu had no idea what Wu Shiyan was up to. After she sat down, Wu Shiyan utterly annihilated her.

Oh.

She's a dog if she keeps playing with him.

Wu Shiyan also brewed tea with practiced ease and considerately placed it beside Qi Yu: "How is it?"

After tasting it, Qi Yu said calmly, "It's excellent."

She was still immersed in the game she had just played, and a little emotional.

Wu Shiyan couldn't help but pretend to be indifferent and casually asked, "How does he compare to Pei Jin?"

"Lord Pei..." Qi Yu openly fell into some kind of thought.

Wu Shiyan grasped Qi Yu's hand: "No need to think about it anymore."

Can't he just not compete?

In short, Wu Shiyan wanted to do with Qi Yu what she and Pei Jin had done, in order to cover up the traces left by Pei Jin.

Qi Yu sipped her tea, only then realizing Wu Shiyan's intention.

That childish brat.

But Wu Shiyan really doesn't need to worry about her and Pei Jin.

The next time they meet, their identities will be clearly distinguished, and besides, one is in the palace and the other is outside, making it difficult for them to meet again.

Qi Yu looked at Wu Shiyan. Wu Shiyan was a good dish, rich and flavorful, but sometimes it needed a bowl of sweet soup to balance it out.

Otherwise, this dish wouldn't taste delicious.

Qi Yu didn't want to play this boring game with Wu Shiyan, so she made an excuse that she needed to embroider a sachet for him and told him to go and do his business and not bother her.

Wu Shiyan's previous hard work was not in vain. He originally planned to take Qi Yu to explore the countryside in order to free up time later.

He was fine at the moment, but he still obediently left.

Wu Shiyan was satisfied and went to see Pei Jin.

Naturally, he was showing off his chess games, tea tasting, fish eating, and moon gazing with Qi Yu; that's what they had done before.

“Ayu didn’t even mention you, my dear minister. Even when I brought it up myself, you didn’t care at all.”

Wu Shiyan was warning Pei Jin that he was merely a passing fancy for Qi Yu, an extremely ordinary romantic affair. Even if Pei Jin had feelings for her from the beginning, so what? In Qi Yu's heart, he was insignificant.

Pei Jin's gaze was indifferent; he simply said respectfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for coming to inform me personally."

He wouldn't be foolish enough to believe what His Majesty said, but he would be distressed that someone was accompanying Qi Yu in doing the things they had done before.

Seeing Pei Jin's displeasure, Wu Shiyan felt relieved. He did not linger and said, "My dear minister, you are very capable. After returning to the capital, your responsibilities will be even heavier."

Since Pei Jin is being kept around, suppressing him is always the worst approach.

It's only right that Pei Jin is kept so busy that he doesn't even have time to think about anything else.

After Pei Jin expressed his gratitude, he respectfully saw Wu Shiyan off. At this moment, the maid who had left upon seeing His Majesty's arrival also entered.

"Has the item been delivered?"

The maidservant said, "My lord, it has already been delivered to the noble person."

Pei Jin used the original servants from the mansion. Yesterday, he went out of the mansion without stopping, went to the nearby city with the voucher, retrieved dozens of jade bracelets, and had his maid follow his gestures. When Wu Shiyan came, he sent them all over.

Qi Yu might have thought that giving her just one would involve him, but after giving her more, she no longer had that concern. She would only think that the Pei family was so wealthy and powerful that even their gifts of gratitude were so extravagant, and then she would pick out the one she liked and wear it.

But if His Majesty were here, it would only ruin his plans.

It was common for him to deliberately break the best one, so he made a point of sending it to His Majesty when he was not with Qi Yu.

Pei Jin had expected His Majesty to try to suppress him with his imposing manner and extinguish his hopes, but he never expected that His Majesty would come to him to show off the very next day.

Isn't this also saying that Qi Yu is actually thinking of him?

This made His Majesty feel extremely urgent, so much so that he condescended to warn a mere subject.

On the other side, Qi Yu picked out one of the jade bracelets after seeing it, and then had someone put the rest away.

Each of the jade bracelets that were sent was quite valuable. The one she kept was an imperial green with a uniform and bright color, which would look good with any clothes.

Qi Yu fell in love with the bracelet at first sight. She held it in her hand and looked at it again and again before asking Pei Jiu to help her put it on her wrist.

She has quite a few bracelets, but few she likes this much. She probably won't get tired of them anytime soon.

Qi Yu was wearing a light blue dress today, with auspicious patterns embroidered on the hem and waist. She had no accessories and was very elegant. The bracelet she wore did not ruin her original temperament but added a touch of elegance.

Qi Yu was extremely satisfied and began embroidering a sachet for Wu Shiyan.

She didn't intend to deceive Wu Shiyan; she embroidered for everyone. However, it wouldn't be good not to give one to Wu Shiyan, since she hadn't suffered since transmigrating and still relied on Wu Shiyan.

It was only because she wasn't in a hurry that it took her three days to finish embroidering it.

But slow and steady wins the race, and this is the one she thinks is the best.

After it was finished, Qi Yu found the imperial physician to prepare a calming incense, and also selected other flowers from the courtyard to put in it.

During this time, Wu Shiyan got a little angry at the jade bracelet on her wrist, which Qi Yu misunderstood as her disliking the gift from Pei Jin, and that even Pei Jin's apology was unacceptable.

Seeing that Qi Yu really liked it, Wu Shiyan could only frown and promise, "When we return to the palace, I will give you something even better."

Qi Yu readily agreed, thinking that by then she might not like the one she was holding anymore, and she wouldn't feel reluctant to take it off.

Wu Shiyan truly loved the sachet embroidered by Qi Yu. After it came into his possession, he hung it on his waist, and walked with a confident stride, adding a touch of spiritedness to his demeanor.

After embroidering the sachets, they prepared to set off for the imperial palace.

It will take two days to get there.

Wu Shiyan rode his horse in front, Qi Yu's carriage was in the middle, and Pei Jin's carriage was behind. As a civil official, it was naturally safest for him to follow the emperor.

Wu Shiyan didn't want to appear too demanding, so Qi Yu consulted Tian Wenshan and that's how it was decided.

Pei Jin was still injured.

Since they hadn't met again, Qi Yu didn't know if Pei Jin's waist and abdomen injuries had fully healed, so she had someone put extra soft pillows in his carriage.

The first morning was peaceful, but in the afternoon, as they passed a mountain, a large number of bandits suddenly rushed down from it. They were all greasy-faced and carrying knives and clubs, and they blocked the road to rob people.

They're being robbed, mistaken for wealthy merchants.

With Wu Shiyan and the guards around, Qi Yu had nothing to worry about and got off the carriage.

Pei Jin also left the carriage and rushed towards her. He said solemnly, "Your Majesty, please be careful. Your humble servant is willing to protect Your Majesty."

Of the six arts of a gentleman, he was always first in riding and archery.

The palace maids brought Qi Yu's bow and arrows.

Qi Yu didn't even look at Pei Jin. She drew her bow and aimed an arrow at the person hiding in the mountains. At that moment, all she could hear were the chirping of insects and birds.

The breathing was too erratic, and she could only sense that the number of bandits rushing down was not right, but after a couple of glances, she was certain that about half of them were still hiding in the mountains.

Seeing that Wu Shiyan had calmed the situation as easily as cutting melons and vegetables, the bandits in the forest lost their composure, and the burly leader was exposed.

Qi Yu's gaze sharpened, and she immediately released her grip. The arrow pierced the air and struck the burly man's shoulder. The man was about to lift the stone to smash it down when he was hit by the arrow and lost his balance. He was then pulled down by the large stone he was holding.

The commotion was so great that Wu Shiyan noticed it.

He immediately waved his hand, signaling his guards to flank him from behind.

Qi Yu put down her bow and stopped shooting. She was a good shot, but she couldn't guarantee that she wouldn't hit her own people.

That's why she didn't aim at Wu Shiyan just now.

It would be bad to be mistaken for regicide.

In Pei Jin's eyes, Qi Yu's hair was shining, her eyes were bright, and her expression was calm with a confident air.

Today she wore a dark blue dress, only slightly lighter than Wu Shiyan's black, a departure from her usual preference for bright colors. But she is beautiful, and looks good in anything. She not only carried off the dark dress but also appeared calm and composed, with an extraordinary air about her.

Pei Jin stared at him for a moment, then quickly looked away.

He was completely unaware of Qi Yu's neglectful attitude towards him, yet he harbored no resentment whatsoever.

This is entirely his own doing, and it's only right that Qi Yu ignores him.