Chapter 148 I won’t look back, and you don’t have to feel guilty anymore
The convoy consisted of seven or eight carriages, a dozen servants, and more than twenty guards on horseback carrying swords. This was a reduction of half the number of vehicles to meet Song Lingyi's requirement for light travel.
The streets were bustling, so the convoy deliberately chose a wide and less crowded street to take a detour.
When they reached the East City Gate, the Pei family's carriage had been waiting there for a long time. Cui Xin quickly stepped to the window and said, "Miss Song, my daughter wants to talk to you alone."
When Song Lingyi heard that it was Pei Ling who wanted to see her, she was still a little surprised and dazed. After getting off the carriage, she saw the girl in green clothes standing a few meters away with a slightly embarrassed expression. The corners of her lips lifted slightly, revealing a faint smile.
"Long time no see, how have you been lately?"
Two months had passed since Pei Shu's death. Pei Ling and Xiang had been caring for Guan at home, rarely attending banquets in the capital. When they met again, a subtle rift between them remained.
Pei Ling frowned and said softly, "Everything is fine, but...why did Sister Song suddenly want to return to Huaizhou City?"
"I've been in Kyoto for almost a year. My parents are buried in Huaizhou City, so I have to go back and pay my respects."
"Just to honor my uncle and aunt?"
Song Lingyi's voice was tinged with laughter. "Not only that, I'm also going to Lizhou to visit my second uncle and aunt. Ah Ling even wrote to me last month asking when I would go to Lizhou so she could show her hospitality and entertain me."
Pei Ling half-closed her eyes, as if mustering up a lot of courage, and took a deep breath. "Sister Song, there's something I've been hiding in my heart for a long time. I thought I could pretend nothing happened, but now it seems I can't. Last night I heard that you were leaving Beijing, and I felt that no matter what, I had to confess to you."
Seeing her look so serious, Song Lingyi was slightly surprised.
"What happened at the New Year's Eve palace banquet was actually the result of my going to the young master and proposing a plan to him. I wanted my second brother to give up and cancel his engagement with you."
As soon as she finished speaking, Song Lingyi's pupils dilated slightly, and she stared at Pei Ling in disbelief. She didn't know whether to ask Pei Ling about her advice first, or how she knew about her relationship with Xiao Mingyi.
"I can't explain the reason to you, Sister Song." Pei Ling lowered her eyelids, a look of worry on her face. "I'm sorry to use this method to drive a wedge between you. Facts have proven that in Second Brother's heart, Sister Song is as important as his career. If it weren't for what happened to Big Brother, you two would have gotten married."
Get married?
Song Lingyi remained noncommittal. Looking back, she realized that since she and Pei Zhao had arranged their marriage, there had been many disturbances.
At first, I thought only Xiao Mingyi and Lu Qian were involved, but now I know that even Pei Ling was involved. All these factors show that this marriage is unlikely to succeed.
"Why did you tell me when you could have continued to hide it?"
Song Lingyi had a complicated expression.
In fact, she could probably guess why Pei Ling did this. Judging from Xiang's attitude towards her fighting on the day of the engagement banquet, Xiang clearly disliked her. As Xiang's only daughter, Pei Ling planned the New Year's Eve palace banquet simply to relieve her mother's worries.
Pei Ling smiled bitterly. "That day when Jueshui County encountered robbers, Sister Song didn't abandon me because I was a burden. She was like a loyal and righteous chivalrous woman in a storybook. But what about me? Out of my own selfish desires, I schemed to ruin the marriage of my savior."
"Since I was young, my father taught me the principle of 'the bright moon shines straight in, leaving no trace of understanding.' After offering this advice to the young master, I was deeply tormented. Although my second brother didn't break off the engagement, I feel guilty for my father's teachings and for saving my life, Sister Song."
Looking at the girl in front of her who was tightly clutching the corner of her clothes, Song Lingyi was stunned for a moment, then she relaxed and smiled.
"No wonder you were so cold to me when I visited Pei's house. It turns out you were bothered by this matter."
After he finished speaking, Pei Ling's pretty face stiffened slightly, and then her deep eyes looked over with apology.
Before she could speak, Song Lingyi continued, "It's all in the past. One must always look forward. I will never look back and think about it. You don't have to feel guilty anymore."
Pei Ling was startled.
It seemed as if he had not expected that the person in front of him would have such a free and easy attitude, and he was stunned and speechless for a moment.
"...Sister Song really doesn't blame me?"
Song Lingyi nodded and smiled faintly, "My fate with Brother Jianzhi has ended. I can't let myself lose another good friend. I don't have many friends in Kyoto. Next time I return to Beijing, you must welcome me back."
Pei Ling's brows relaxed slightly, and she lowered her eyes to hide the tears in her eyes.
After bidding farewell to Pei Ling, the convoy continued on its journey. According to the original plan, they would arrive at Yunhe Ferry around noon, where they could rest for a while.
The official road is wide and smooth all the way.
When the convoy arrived at Yunhe Ferry, the customs official personally greeted them. Song Lingyi originally thought that the Duke and his wife had been informed, but when she arrived at the restaurant where the customs official received them and saw the man sitting in the elegant room, she realized that she had been wrong.
When she left the city this morning, she was surprised that Xiao Mingyi did not show up. She never thought that this man was waiting for her here.
The person behind the table slowly raised his eyes and looked over, his gaze fixed on Song Lingyi, who was wearing a snow-blue spring gown.
Seeing her expression of being indifferent, her elegant almond-shaped eyes curved slightly, "I wanted to give you a farewell party in advance, but I've been busy with government affairs lately and couldn't spare the time. I only have time today."
The elm square table was filled with delicacies. Xiao Mingyi leaned against the back of the chair, looking relaxed. The crimson jacquard gauze robe he was wearing made him look more romantic.
After traveling for a whole morning, Song Lingyi was already hungry. She didn't intend to delve into the truth of his words and sat down at the square table.
Xiao Mingyi looked at her, a smile on his lips: "Let's eat."
Then he picked up a piece of fish with silver chopsticks and placed it on the blue and white porcelain plate in front of her. His tone was gentle and familiar, just like an old married couple. "The sweet-scented osmanthus fish in this restaurant is well cooked. The meat is plump and delicious. Eat more."
Song Lingyi glanced at the snow-white, plump fish in the porcelain plate, holding the silver chopsticks, and did not move for a long time.
"Why, are you afraid that I'll drug you and won't let you leave?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Song Lingyi sneered at him. She simply felt that picking up the food was too intimate.
Afraid that he would overthink it, she quickly picked up the fish and took a bite. Even though she thought it was delicious, her expression remained calm. She then picked up a piece of shredded chicken with silver sprouts and another piece of fish with her chopsticks, chewing a little faster.
"Why are you in such a hurry to eat?" Xiao Mingyi's eyes darkened slightly.
"We're in a hurry. The convoy needs to reach the next post station before dark, so naturally the meal time has to be compressed." Song Lingyi said softly.
Xiao Mingyi said nothing more. He watched her finish a bowl of pan-fried lamb with great interest, just like watching a cute little rabbit eat. He then scooped a bowl of pork tripe and chicken soup for her: "Drink some soup."
After eating so much in one breath, Song Lingyi felt the pain from the belt around her waist. She shook her head slightly and said, "I can't eat anymore. Thank you for your hospitality today, Your Highness."
Knowing that she was in a hurry to travel, Xiao Mingyi did not insist and personally escorted the convoy away from Yunhe Ferry.
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