blatant protection
The banquet was still an hour away from starting, and Xia Chengen and his guests chatted happily in the pavilion.
As the hour of Wei approached, the Pei family's carriage stopped outside Chang'an Court.
Wen Zhibai pursed her lips, feeling slightly uneasy. It was widely rumored in the capital that she and Pei Qinzhou had a close relationship. It was actually somewhat inappropriate for her to attend the banquet with Pei Qinzhou today without any official status or title.
Pei Qinzhou alighted from the carriage first, then lifted the curtain and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
She shook her head and didn't say anything.
As if seeing through her little thoughts, he smiled and extended his long, slender, fair right hand: "Hold my hand, we're together."
“Lord Pei, I’m afraid it’s against the rules. After all, the host this time is His Highness the Crown Prince.”
He stepped forward and covered her palm with his: "I've already thought of what to say, just stay by my side."
"What excuse?"
Pei Qinzhou took her hand and waved it in front of her eyes: "Of course she is... my betrothed wife."
Before Wen Zhibai could say anything more, Crown Prince Xia Chengen came out to greet him.
Wen Zhibai, supported by Pei Qinzhou, alighted from the carriage and bowed to the Crown Prince.
"Your subject, Wen Zhibai, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Xia Chengen opened his folding fan: "You are Wen Zhibai?" He said halfway through his sentence, then turned to look at Pei Qinzhou.
Wen Zhibai: "Your Highness, that's right."
"Haha, no wonder Lord Pei hasn't come out these days. It turns out he really has such a beautiful lady hidden away."
After a few pleasantries, the group entered Chang'an Court together.
Chang'an Courtyard is situated halfway up a green mountain. It was built as a resting place for high-ranking officials and nobles. It mainly features scenic views, so there are many precious flowers and plants. The place is filled with singing and dancing, and is often shrouded in white mist, making it seem like a fairyland.
Passing through layers of cascading jeweled curtains, we finally arrived inside Chang'an Court.
Everyone stood up and bowed to Xia Chengen.
Xia Chengen sat back down at the main table, clapped his hands, and fine wines and delicacies were served one after another from all sides and placed in front of everyone.
Pei Qinzhou and Wen Zhibai took their seats at the table, which quickly attracted suspicious glances from many people.
"Today, I have prepared fine wine and delicacies to celebrate your move into the Eastern Palace and to express my gratitude for your help." Xia Chengen raised his wine cup, gestured to the banquet tables on both sides, and then drank it all in one gulp.
His gaze focused on Pei Qinzhou and Wen Zhibai, a barely perceptible emotion flashing in his eyes. He raised his cup again: "This cup of wine is dedicated to Lord Pei, for his advice and strategies for both me and the Great Xia."
Pei Qinzhou remained expressionless, but still raised his wine cup: "Your Highness is too kind."
At this moment, a portly old man at the table spoke up: "I presume that the lady beside Lord Pei is Miss Wen Zhibai, daughter of Lord Wen Lingchen?"
Wen Zhibai: "Indeed, does this gentleman know me?"
The old man's tone was tinged with resentment and sarcasm: "Hmph, your father submitted a memorial to the court, impeaching Lord Pei. The Wen family's affair caused quite a stir that day. Who there didn't know you, Miss Wen? Not only did you disgrace the Wen family, but you also implicated Lord Pei."
Wen Zhibai was taken aback. She looked at Pei Qinzhou beside her, only to see him say calmly, "Lord Wang, watch your words."
"Does Lord Pei really intend to protect an unfavored concubine's daughter?"
Wen Zhibai's fingertips dug into her palm as she lowered her head: "In what capacity does this gentleman comment on the Wen family affairs? Could it be that you were also present that day and witnessed the whole story? Did you know everything?"
"Hmph, I may not be here, and even if the other things are false, it is true that Lord Pei lost the arm of the Wen family's eldest son because of you!"
Xia Chengen stood up from his seat and walked to the middle of the standoff: "I think there must be some misunderstanding. Lord Pei, you may tell me, and I will explain it to His Majesty."
"I only ask Miss Wen to give me a title, that's all. As for what I did or said, it was all my own choice, nothing more." Pei Qinzhou put down the wine in his glass, then sat closer to Wen Zhibai, picked up a purple grape from the fruit plate, and brought it to Wen Zhibai's lips.
Her brow furrowed slightly as she stared at the glistening grape, unsure of what to do, before reaching out to take it: "I can do it myself."
Unexpectedly, Pei Qinzhou dodged her movement, leaned close to her ear, causing her to curl up and tremble: "Um... Zhibai, we are not innocent right now, please give me a nominal identity for the time being."
The grape was brought to her lips again, and in full view of everyone, she gripped her sleeve tightly and gently bit into the grape.
"Good boy/girl." Pei Qinzhou smiled.
Xia Chengen smiled awkwardly, then returned to his seat and summoned the dancers.
Amidst the clinking of glasses, many people approached Pei Qinzhou to offer toasts. Wen Zhibai observed the officials coming and going at the table, straining his ears to try and glean the information he needed from their conversations.
Amidst the laughter and chatter of officials, a slightly quieter voice pierced through the noisy crowd: "Has Lord Chen heard about the dispute between Wen Lingchen and the Crown Prince over Pei Qinzhou?"
The man surnamed Chen did not respond. The two exchanged glances, then took their leave from the Crown Prince and went outside.
dispute?
What exactly happened? She hadn't heard Pei Qinzhou mention it yet, and her eyes glanced at Pei Qinzhou, who was surrounded by people.
Wen Zhibai quietly squeezed behind Pei Qinzhou, poked Pei Qinzhou's hand with his finger, and met his slightly tipsy eyes: "Lord Pei, no, Mr. Pei, it's so stuffy in here, I want to go out for some fresh air."
"good."
You agreed to her so easily?
"I'll go with you." He said, and started to get up.
She knew it wouldn't be that easy.
“No need, I want to go for a walk by myself.” She glanced at the surrounding officials again: “Pei Lang, these officials seem to have a lot to say to you, but we have plenty of time together, so there’s no rush.”
Pei Qinzhou rested his hand on his temple, looking at Wen Zhibai with amusement. Something was definitely amiss, but what could he do but spoil him?
He pinched Wen Zhibai's cheek with his other hand: "Okay. Don't run around, we'll go home together in a little while."
She nodded: "I knew Pei Lang was the best."
She turned around, lifted her skirt, and ran towards the door, completely unaware of the eyes watching her from behind.
Following in the footsteps of the two adults, Wen Zhibai also arrived at a lotus pond in Chang'an Court. However, this lotus pond was located in the westernmost part of Chang'an Court, which was very remote.
Several quiet stone paths extend to the center of the lotus pond, where there is also a pavilion.
She was about to follow when she realized that the two had disappeared without a trace. Realizing that something was wrong, she tried to turn back.
Before she could even take a step, a force pressed down on her back and pushed her into the lotus pond.
The icy pool water quickly soaked her clothes. She wasn't a strong swimmer, and after a few splashes, she was completely submerged.
The water flowed uncontrollably into Wen Zhibai's nasal cavity, and the feeling of suffocation was like a raging flood, completely engulfing her.
"Is this how it all ends...? I'm not reconciled." She grabbed a lotus stem, but it was no use.
Looking up at the shimmering water, is the world on the water a path of hope, or just another road to despair?
Her consciousness gradually blurred, and her vision became unclear. After the shock and fear, her limbs gradually began to weaken and become numb.
In the last instant before closing his eyes, a voice called out Wen Zhibai's name.
As she drew nearer, until ripples appeared on the water's surface, someone was swimming towards her with all their might.
"Is it you? Pei Qinzhou..." The name of that person unconsciously appeared in her mind.
Wen Zhibai was right; it wasn't a hallucination she was having as she was dying.
Pei Qinzhou's brows furrowed tightly. He first took the girl's wrist, then quickly wrapped his arms around her slender waist, and swam with her towards the top of the water.
He could never lose her again.
What's more, it's right under my nose.
He carried her back to the shore.
Wen Zhibai gently patted his shoulder: "I thought I wouldn't be able to keep my promise to you again."
Pei Qinzhou pressed his hand against her cold forehead: "What?"
“Pei Qinzhou, in my dying moments, what I thought of was that I hadn’t gone home with you yet…” After saying that, Wen Zhibai collapsed and pressed against his chest.
But she should have hated that person. For the sake of her own feelings and desires, she imprisoned herself in his circle.
But why, at this moment, did she wish he would appear before her immediately, and feel a sense of pleasure upon seeing his anxious face?
Xia Chengen instructed Guangxi to quickly summon a doctor, and the guests also stood aside discussing the matter.
Pei Qinzhou's face flushed with anger, water dripping from his wet hair, and his eyes were filled with a cold indifference that sent chills down everyone's spines.
"Let's take Miss Wen to her room first." Xia Chengen exchanged a glance with Wang Qisong standing behind him, then met Pei Qinzhou's cold gaze, and added, "It seems that Miss Wen was drunk and accidentally fell into this lotus pond."
Pei Qinzhou did not reply, but led his men to the guest room to wait for the doctor.
After everything settled down, only Xia Chengen and Pei Qinzhou remained in the room.
Before the bed, Pei Qinzhou quietly gazed at Wen Zhibai's pale face, his fingertips lightly touching her eyebrows and eyes.
"You care about her that much?" Xia Chengen took a few steps forward.
"Yes." Pei Qinzhou stood up and coldly asked Xia Chengen, "Why did Your Highness do this?"
"..."
A silence fell between the two.
"Qinzhou, you know me. We've known each other since you were seventeen, and you've been my advisor. Now that I sit on the throne of the Eastern Palace, I'm being watched by so many people. Now is the time when I need you the most." Xia Chengen placed his hand on his shoulder. "You understand better than I what Father Emperor said in court that day. The court is full of intrigue and undercurrents. You actually made enemies with a high-ranking official because of a woman. Do you remember when you told me that you wanted to fight for power and status in this world? But ever since Wen Zhibai appeared, you've completely lost your composure! This is not the Lord Pei I first met."
“Your Highness,” Pei Qinzhou interrupted him, his eyes growing even more resolute, “If it weren’t for her, I would have no intention of vying for power in this world.”
"Pei Qinzhou, are you going to disobey me?" Xia Chengen withdrew the hand that was on his shoulder.
“Pei Qinzhou is just Pei Qinzhou, not anyone’s puppet.”
Seeing his stubbornness, Xia Chengen was speechless for a moment.
He turned around, picked up Wen Zhibai, and was about to leave when he stopped beside Xia Chengen.
"Your Highness, I'd rather not be a staff officer."
Xia Chengen took a deep breath: "Are you trying to turn against me?"
"Whatever Your Highness thinks, I will never let it go after you have hurt her."
He left after saying those words.
On my way home, the long street was peaceful.
His eyes were filled with sorrow, and a hint of guilt could be seen in them: "I was wrong."
The sound of horses' hooves echoed, their clatter falling onto the bluestone street. Wen Zhibai, wrapped in Pei Qinzhou's cloak, leaned against him. She had heard everything they had just discussed, and she managed to say in her still weak voice, "Pei Qinzhou, please don't let me cause a rift between you and the Crown Prince."
"Leave this to me, you don't need to worry."
"Pei Lang... Can I call you that from now on?" She regretted it as soon as she said it. Wen Zhibai pretended to be delirious and leaned closer to him. Fortunately, he couldn't see the pink on her face in the dark.
She closed her eyes slightly, and drowsiness crept into her body.
He was silent for a moment, then his voice, as soft as a feather, whispered in her ear: "Mmm."
The starry sky was dazzling, and the warmth of each other still lingered where the two were close. Wen Zhibai slept quietly on his lap, breathing lightly.
Pei Qinzhou lowered his eyes to look at her sleeping face. The unpredictable Lord Pei could easily reveal a tenderness in his eyes when facing his beloved.
He didn't hide anything from Xia Chengen about his love for her; he had no way of lying against his conscience.
Yes, if it weren't for Wen Zhibai, he would never have had any interest in this empire.
But now it seems that if he leaves the Eastern Palace, he will not be able to pave the way for Wen Zhibai. He understands that she is determined to take revenge and will inevitably fight for power sooner or later.
He is but a speck of dust in the vast mortal world. Even if he strives for years, he will only be a firefly in the darkest night, insignificant.
Pei Qinzhou was willing to do whatever Wen Zhibai wanted, no matter what the outcome.
"I know it's not that you can't live without me, but that I can't live without you."
The girl's breathing was even; she seemed to be fast asleep.
Pei Qinzhou's fingers brushed a strand of her long hair aside: "Will you blame me for what happened today?"
He was well aware of what Xia Chengen intended to do to her.
"I just want you to rely on me a little more. Now, I can be your support."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
