Chapter 40 Betrayal?

In the Imperial Study, the air was filled with the fragrance of ambergris.

As soon as Pei Yi entered the imperial study, he knelt heavily on the ground with a "thud".

"Father! Your son... Your son has found someone he loves, and he will marry no one but her in this life! I beg Your Majesty to grant us marriage!"

Behind the imperial desk, Emperor Qing, who was reviewing memorials, paused in his writing.

He raised his head, his expression unreadable, and said indifferently, "Oh? I remember your mother mentioned that you had a good impression of the youngest daughter of the Liu family, but the difference in social status made your mother feel it was not appropriate."

"Father! It's not her!" Pei Yi looked up hurriedly, his eyes filled with determination.

"The one I adore is Xie Sangning, the eldest daughter of the General of the State!"

"Bang!"

The imperial brush was slammed hard onto the rosewood imperial desk, producing a dull thud!

Emperor Qing suddenly stood up.

The air pressure in the entire imperial study suddenly dropped to freezing point!

idiot!

The chief eunuch Desheng, who was standing to the side, turned pale and knelt down with a thud, holding his breath.

Pei Yi was so startled by his father's sudden reaction that he trembled all over, and all the words he had prepared got stuck in his throat.

He instinctively lowered his head, pressing his forehead to the ground, not daring to look at his father's expression.

"Who—you—said—who?!"

Emperor Qing's voice was deliberate and strained, filled with suppressed rage.

Pei Yi lowered his head even further, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly, yet still carrying a hint of stubbornness.

"It is...it is Xie Sangning, daughter of General Xie Zhenting, the Guardian of the Nation! Father, I was immediately awestruck by her beauty! Her looks are unparalleled, her bearing extraordinary, and her status is also noble; she is a perfect match for a prince! I..."

"shut up!"

Emperor Qing's chest heaved violently as he stared at his foolish and greedy son.

Was he lusting after Xie Sangning? No!

He was openly coveting Xie Zhenting's military power and Xie Sangning's wealth!

This is challenging the bottom line of the emperor!

Xie Zhenting's imminent return to the capital has stirred up the entire imperial court!

He himself had to go to great lengths to appease and restrain the general, and this fool dared to jump out at this moment, attempting to bind the general's mansion's power directly to his chariot through marriage?!

What is this idiot trying to do? Try to get rid of me as soon as possible so he can take over?

Even without all of this... why does Pei Yi have a woman who looks so much like Lin Ruyue?

Emperor Qing's voice was terrifyingly low.

"There's no need to mention this matter again."

Pei Yi couldn't believe it. Why wouldn't his father agree?

But seeing his father's terrible expression, he dared not say anything more and could only leave first. Once outside the palace, he didn't even bother to pay his respects to the Empress.

The busiest street in Nanjing was teeming with people and traffic.

The shops were brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the cries of vendors filled the air. But all this bustling activity became a blurry and distorted backdrop in Pei Yi's eyes.

He walked around like a lost puppet, in a daze.

"No...we can't just let this go!" Pei Yi suddenly stopped in his tracks. "The Empress Dowager said...the Empress Dowager said!"

He muttered to himself, his chaotic thoughts seemingly finding an outlet: "Yes! Mother said! As long as Xie Sangning asks for it herself, Father will have to agree, whether he likes it or not! As long as she falls for me and is willing to beg Father to grant her marriage!"

This thought acted like a shot of adrenaline, instantly dispelling most of Pei Yi's gloom and frustration.

"Women," Pei Yi said with a smug smile, reverting to his usual arrogance, "with a little manipulation, I'm sure she'll be completely infatuated."

His mood suddenly lightened, and even the noisy street seemed more pleasing to the eye. He was pondering how to subtly make Xie Sangning submit when his gaze casually swept over the entrance of an extremely elegant teahouse on the street.

His feet suddenly froze on the spot!

Beside the doorway of the teahouse stood a familiar, slender figure.

A simple, moon-white cloak draped over her exquisite figure, her profile gentle and graceful. She tilted her head slightly, smiling sweetly at a tall, handsome man beside her.

That smile was gentle and shy, with a brightness that Pei Yi had never seen on her face before.

Who else could this be but his "dignified, elegant, and law-abiding" younger sister, Liu Shi?!

Pei Yi felt a surge of heat rush to his head!

Impossible! You must be seeing things!

Sister Liu is the most polite person, how could she possibly show her face in public and smile so...so...shamelessly at men!

He rubbed his eyes hard, then looked again—

The man turned slightly to brush away a speck of snow that had inadvertently gotten onto Liu Shi's cloak, his movements intimate and natural.

That's the Third Prince! Pei Shan!

Boom!!!

It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in Pei Yi's mind!

He is his biggest rival! His own brother, who is born of the same mother but always surpasses him!

In an instant, jealousy, anger, and the shame of betrayal grew wildly like poisonous vines, instantly devouring Pei Yi's reason!

"You slut!" Pei Yi gritted his teeth and forced out the two words.

He wanted to rush over, grab the couple by the collar, and question them!

I want to punch Pei Shan's hypocritical face hard!

But after taking just one step, he abruptly stopped.

His identity! His identity as a prince! He couldn't afford to lose his composure in front of everyone!

We can't let anyone see him acting like a spineless coward who's been cuckolded, throwing a tantrum in the street!

"Huff...huff..." Pei Yi's chest heaved violently as he forced himself to swallow the mouthful of fishy-sweet taste that was about to burst out.

He stared intently at the two figures, watching Pei Shan lean down and whisper something in Liu Shi's ear, causing the beauty to cover her mouth and giggle again.

He turned around abruptly and strode towards Liu Shi's house!

The black lacquered gate of the official's residence was tightly closed. Pei Yiyin was hidden in the shadows of a deep alley on the side of the residence, leaning against the cold wall, his face gloomy.

After an unknown amount of time, a small carriage with a blue curtain finally came to a slow stop in front of the side gate.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and the maid jumped down first, then carefully helped Liu Shi down.

Liu Shi still had the blush and smile from the teahouse on her face, and her steps were light, clearly indicating that she was in a very good mood.

Just as she was about to step onto the steps of the mansion, a figure rushed out from the alley!

"ah--!"

Caught off guard, Liu Shi turned pale with fright. Before she could even utter a cry of alarm, her wrist was gripped tightly by a large, iron-like hand!

The force was so great that she instantly burst into tears from the pain!

"Your Highness...Your Highness?!"

Pei Yi didn't allow her to struggle or ask any questions. His eyes were bloodshot, and without saying a word, he dragged her into the depths of the dark alley!

"Your Highness! What are you doing?! Let go of me! It hurts!"

Liu Shi staggered a few steps from his rough movements, her cloak straps came undone, and her hair was askew, leaving her in a sorry state.

She tried to break free, but her strength was utterly useless against the enraged Pei Yi.

Pei Yi shoved Liu Shi against the wall, blocking her path with his body.

His tall figure cast a shadow that completely enveloped her.