After washing up, Shang Huai stood outside Pei Zhi's door with a happy expression, waiting for Pei Zhi to come out so they could have breakfast together.

Shang Huai realized that his relationship with Pei Zhi was different now.

Pei Zhi went out and saw Shang Huai. She was a little surprised, but she didn't say anything.

Shang Huai walked beside Pei Zhi and said, "I've canceled all my official duties for today."

"After we've had breakfast, I'll take you to meet my relatives first."

"After I've seen them and finished what I'm doing, let's go back to Beijing together to see my father and grandparents, okay?"

Originally, Shang Huai and Pei Zhi were talking as they walked.

Upon hearing this, Pei Zhi stopped in her tracks.

Why do you want to meet your relatives?

Pei Zhi frowned. "Why do you still need to see your father, and your grandparents?"

Shang Huai was a little confused by Pei Zhi's question.

In his entire life, the only woman Shang Huai had ever been close to was Pei Zhi.

Although Shang Huai was a rough and uncultured man, he believed that he and Pei Zhi had done *that* last night.

Moreover, they were all lying on the same couch.

Regardless, he should shoulder the responsibilities of a man.

“We slept together yesterday, so it’s only natural that we should start planning our wedding.”

Pei Zhi's expression froze; clearly, she hadn't expected Shang Huai to be so innocent.

No... she was just momentarily lustful.

Surely it's not worth risking your entire life for this?

"Yesterday, although we slept in the same place, nothing happened between us."

"My clothes are intact. Besides, we're not even that close. Why are we talking about marriage?"

Shang Huai's expression changed slightly after hearing this.

Shang Huai had never experienced anything like this in his entire life.

Shang Huai didn't understand either; he should have said something to refute Pei Zhi.

Shang Huai racked his brains but still couldn't figure out how to refute it.

They're not familiar with each other?

Yesterday, they were all lying together.

Pei Zhi touched him for half an hour, but wasn't she familiar enough with him?

To what extent do we need to become familiar with each other?

Even if Shang Huai was foolish, he understood that Pei Zhi had no intention of marrying him at the moment.

Even though they were already lying in the same bed.

Or perhaps, even if they did everything yesterday, Pei Zhi still wouldn't want to marry him.

This was the first time Shang Huai had encountered such a situation. He felt helpless, sad, and unsure of how to handle it.

Shang Huai asked cautiously, "So what do you mean?"

Pei Zhi never expected that Shang Huai would be so innocent.

Her heart was pounding, fearing that she had only touched Shang Huai a few times, and now he would be pestering her to marry him.

If that's the case, then it'll be troublesome.

Pei Zhi immediately said, "What I mean is, there's no rush to get married right now, don't you think?"

Pei Zhi was genuinely afraid that Shang Huai would ask her for a formal title.

She only touched it twice, it can't be that serious, right?

Shang Huai sighed slightly. Seeing Pei Zhi's expectant eyes, he could only nod in agreement.

"Of course, it's up to you."

Pei Zhi breathed a sigh of relief, and the smile on her face became more genuine.

"Let's go then, let's go have breakfast together."

Seeing Pei Zhi smiling happily, Shang Huai forced a smile as well.

When Shang Huai and Pei Zhi arrived, Xiao Chengci and Pei Minxue had only been there a short while.

Pei Zhi greeted them and sat down.

Xiao Chengci and Shang Huai were sitting the same as yesterday, while Pei Minxue sat opposite Pei Zhi.

Xiao Chengci and Shang Huai sat down on either side of Pei Zhi.

Whether it was Pei Minxue's imagination or not, Pei Minxue seemed to sense that Shang Huai didn't seem very happy.

That shouldn't be the case.

Shang Huai shouldn't have been showing off in Xiao Chengci's face.

Everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts during breakfast, and they ate in silence.

For Pei Zhi, it was like surviving a catastrophe.

She was relieved that Shang Huai hadn't pestered her to take responsibility.

Otherwise, Pei Zhi would really have a hard time refusing.

Pei Zhi cursed herself inwardly, vowing never to tempt other people's bodies so easily again, as it was too dangerous.

After having breakfast, Pei Minxue went to handle official business.

Shang Huai canceled all his official duties today and didn't go out.

"I'm going to the study to read some books. You can do as you please."

Pei Zhi wiped her hands, got up and went to the study.

Only Xiao Chengci and Shang Huai remained in the dining room.

Their faces were both grim, and neither of them uttered a word.

After a brief stalemate, Xiao Chengci saw Shang Huai's gloomy face and was so angry he laughed.

"Shang Huai, are you showing off to me?"

Shang Huai didn't understand what Xiao Chengci meant: "What?"

"You've received benefits, and you still come to me to pretend?"

Xiao Chengci said coldly and angrily, "What, do you expect me to say congratulations?"

Shang Huai ignored Xiao Chengci and said, "You're overthinking it."

“Indeed.” Xiao Chengci nodded. “I never expected you to be such a scoundrel.”

“She just came back yesterday and is still a complete stranger to us, yet you lie down next to her. Aren’t you afraid of scaring her?”

Xiao Chengci knew in his heart that Pei Zhi would not agree.

Even if you beat Shang Huai to death, he would never force Pei Zhi to do anything.

That's just how people are.

Unable to speak ill of Pei Zhi, Xiao Chengci naturally vented his anger on Shang Huai.

Shang Huai raised an eyebrow, realizing that Xiao Chengci was jealous and angry.

Shang Huai was already in a bad mood, so naturally he wouldn't give in to Xiao Chengci.

"Yes, I really am a piece of trash."

Shang Huai leaned back in his chair, his expression softening slightly. "However, compared to Your Majesty, I am still much better off."

"She only returned yesterday, and she's already so willing to be so close to me. His Majesty must be furious, right?"

Shang Huai laughed heartily, "That's right. Didn't His Majesty always boast to me about his close relationship with Zhizhi in the past?"

"Now that I've caught up with you, it's understandable that you'd feel jealous."

Xiao Chengci's thin lips were pressed tightly together, clearly indicating that he was angry.

"If I were Your Majesty, I would also be worried."

"After all, having tasted delicacies from land and sea, would she still be willing to try His Majesty's cold dish?"

Xiao Chengci and Shang Huai are both men. How could Xiao Chengci not understand what Shang Huai meant by those words?

Shang Huai's words were a direct attack on Xiao Chengci, implying that Xiao Chengci was incompetent.

"How dare you!"

Shang Huai shrugged, clearly not intimidated by Xiao Chengci in the slightest.

Shang Huai gave a perfunctory bow and said, "Your Majesty, I have official duties to attend to and do not have time to chat with you here. I will take my leave now."

"Hmph." Xiao Chengci scoffed. "You're quite smug, aren't you?"

"What? Has Zhizhi already agreed to marry you?"

"Or has Zhizhi agreed to set a wedding date with you?"

Shang Huai's back stiffened, clearly his thoughts had been guessed by Xiao Chengci.

Xiao Chengci tugged at the wrinkles in his robes, "The number of days I've slept with her is countless."

"You should wait until you have a proper title before you come and show off in front of me."