Chapter 59 She was merely prey he needed to conquer.

"Are you sure you're not jealous?" Pei Siyan chuckled.

Dou Wenyi's face turned pale, both anxious and ashamed, and her eyes stung with tears. "No!"

Pei Siyan scrutinized her.

She held back her tears, clutching the hem of her clothes tightly. She looked nervous and embarrassed, but there was no sign of jealousy.

"Tell me, where do you think we're a good match?" His tone became strangely calm.

These words sent a chill down Dou Wenyi's spine. In front of everyone, even the Emperor himself, Pei Siyan couldn't possibly have gone mad, could he?

Fearing she might give the wrong answer and completely enrage him, she gently coaxed, "Third sister, you are intelligent and beautiful, and you even saved my life. Your Highness is virtuous and talented, wise and brave, and has an outstanding demeanor... You two are naturally the most suitable match. Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for me anymore."

Dou Wenyi's expression was sincere, and a hint of humble flattery shone through her clear eyes.

Pei Siyan abruptly released her hand, staring intently at her neck, his voice slightly cold, "Is that so?"

From childhood to adulthood, he has heard countless praises, had countless people trying to curry favor with him, and had countless people wanting to stab him in the back.

Judging people has long been his most interesting game.

He could tell the truth from the falsehood with almost a glance, and anyone who tried to deceive or fool him would pay the price: death, or a slow death.

What she just said was so fake.

Even though he knew she was lying, he didn't call her out on it. After a moment of disappointment, a sense of irritation welled up inside him.

Are they a good match?

Is it destiny's will?

Fortune and misfortune can change in an instant; if your life is about to end, are you still a good match?

At that moment, Pei Siyan was shocked to realize that he had actually wavered a little.

He was secretly investigating his mother's affairs when he was ambushed by Prince Rui in Huaiyin County. He was driven to the brink of despair and fell off a cliff.

As the saying goes, "Those who survive a great calamity are destined for another."

Pei Siyan was seriously injured and fell into a coma. Even his eyes were temporarily blinded due to nerve compression.

When he awoke again, a robe carrying a faint, ethereal fragrance of agarwood mixed with wisps of sandalwood lightly passed by his side.

She told herself that her name was Lian'er, and that she would not come every day, but she would prepare medicine and enough food for him.

After more than half a month, his vision improved somewhat, and he could vaguely see her figure.

Her figure was graceful, her slender waist so thin it could be encircled by one hand, like a willow in early spring, both supple and resilient, and like a peony bud about to bloom, shy yet full of vitality.

In his mind, she should be beautiful and radiant. He was captivated by her gentleness and the deep affection that belonged only to him.

She said his eyes couldn't be exposed to strong light and needed to be carefully protected. She even thoughtfully covered his eyes with a black ribbon, so that during her care, he had no chance to see her face clearly.

She took care of him for more than three months.

Once, while he was taking a bath, he slipped and fell to the ground. She rushed in and saw him completely naked.

A sweet feeling welled up in his heart as he whispered in her ear, "I should repay your life-saving grace with my body. I will grant you the position of my principal wife and make you the most honored woman in the world."

She remained silent for a long time without answering.

He insisted on giving her the dragon-scale jade pendant from his waist as a token of their love.

One day, Prince Rui's assassins came after him again. The two of them got separated in the mountains and he was chased to the cliff again. Fortunately, Chi Yan and Lie Feng arrived in time with their men.

He later sent many people to search for her, but they could not find any trace of her.

Until five months ago, he discovered the dragon scale jade pendant he had given away at the flower banquet hosted by the eldest princess.

It was only then that he learned her name was Dou Mingyan, an adopted daughter of the Dou family, of humble birth and lowly status. No wonder she hesitated when he wanted to propose to her.

Her status in the Dou family is self-evident.

Dou Mingyan told him that she was pursued by Prince Rui's ambush troops and almost lost her life. She also contracted a condition called 'soul loss syndrome,' which caused her to lose part of her memory and damaged her voice, resulting in changes in her voice.

She remembered many things about their time together clearly, but there were still many details she had completely forgotten.

For example, her name, Lian'er!

She also told him that if he wanted to call off the engagement, she would never blame him.

Her profile overlapped with the image in his memory. Pei Siyan's investigators also returned with news that the third young lady of the Dou family had indeed stayed in Huaiyin County for several months.

Everything fits perfectly.

He felt even more pity for her, so he directly petitioned the emperor to grant them marriage.

Emperor Muzong was pleased to see that he had chosen a fifth-rank official with no connections as his father-in-law and granted the marriage with a stroke of his pen.

However, he gradually realized that he had no desire for her. Since he had promised her to be his wife, he would keep his promise and let her enjoy wealth and luxury.

One day, she will be the most honored empress of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

As for what kind of woman he wants, surely he has one?

What puzzled him was why he saw the shadow of 'Lian'er' in Dou Wenyi.

The scent on her body, her alluring charm, her figure, even the way her hips swayed when she walked—all seemed familiar.

That day at the East Palace, she shamelessly called herself 'Lian'er'!

But she didn't have the dragon scale jade pendant, nor had she ever been to Huaiyin County, so she couldn't possibly be the 'Lian'er' he was looking for.

Dou Mingyan was his benefactor and his crown princess.

Dou Wenyi was merely prey he needed to conquer; he was only sexually interested in her.

Pei Siyan snapped out of his thoughts.

Dou Wenyi continued, "Your Highness, you may not believe what I say, but if this matter is used by someone with ulterior motives to sow discord, it could lead to a great disaster!"

Pei Siyan looked at her coldly and said quietly, "Are you worried about me?"

Dou Wenyi couldn't understand what he was struggling with. Shouldn't he be stopping Dou Mingyan from confirming the "prophecy" first?

Originally, she didn't intend to tell Pei Siyan about this. She only told him in a moment of panic and impulsiveness. Before gaining his trust, any bad things she said about Dou Mingyan would be considered sowing discord.

Pei Siyan was silent for a moment, then said, "I will handle this matter myself; you don't need to get involved."

"Your Highness, may I go and change my clothes first?" Dou Wenyi asked him cautiously, raising her eyes.

Pei Siyan glanced at the cloak on the ground and said coldly, "You dare to wear just any man's things? Aren't you disgusted?"

This is both a reminder and a warning.

Dou Wenyi dared not provoke him, and stammered, "This humble woman would not dare."

After Pei Siyan left, Dou Wenyi quickly picked up her cloak, ran back to her room, and changed her clothes. Cuizhi rushed back, "Miss, the Third Miss went to the back mountain. Should we go after her?"

Dou Wenyi lifted her skirt and ran quickly toward the back mountain.

——

At the same time, the Imperial Preceptor accompanied Emperor Muzong out of the Sanqing Hall and strolled towards the side hall.

The emperor walked at a leisurely pace, asking as he went, "I've heard that you have a junior brother named Xuanming Zhenren? There was even a prophecy about a woman destined for heaven recently?"