Shen Yunjiao experienced the feeling of soaring into the air for the first time.
She had only ever seen it on TV or in novels before, and she never imagined that she would actually experience it firsthand today.
This feeling is both tense and exciting.
She hadn't expected Xiao Huaijin to be so skilled in light-footed martial arts, carrying her across the rooftop with one hand without breaking a sweat.
Moreover, Shen Yunjiao noticed that the muscles on his back were quite firm and strong.
Xiao Huaijin actually had training; you really can't tell just by looking at his face.
"Are you alright?"
Xiao Huaijin's gentle and cool voice came from above.
It was at this moment that Shen Yunjiao realized that her arms were still tightly wrapped around him.
Shen Yunjiao looked embarrassed for a moment, then immediately released him and said, "Excuse me."
"It's alright." Xiao Huaijin also withdrew his hand, his palm still warm from Shen Yunjiao's body.
Just now, while holding her, Xiao Huaijin smelled that delicate and tranquil fragrance on her body again.
The fragrance was even richer than that of the cloak and the plain gauze, and even the surrounding air was imbued with a gentle scent that could softly envelop both people and the moonlight.
Xiao Huaijin was afraid that he would smell it any longer, so he was even more reluctant to say goodbye to Shen Yunjiao.
Seeing the scattered candlelight in the distance, Shen Yunjiao thought she should hurry back to the ancestral hall.
Otherwise, if the servants of the Pei family caught her and the Crown Prince together in the middle of the night, she wouldn't know how to explain it.
Shen Yunjiao quickly curtsied to Xiao Huaijin and turned to leave.
Xiao Huaijin's gaze fell on the graceful figure that was gradually disappearing into the distance.
I wish tonight could pass by more slowly.
As he reluctantly turned his gaze away, he caught a glimpse of Shen Yunjiao turning back halfway.
A look of confusion crossed Xiao Huaijin's long eyelashes.
Shen Yunjiao pursed her lips slightly, and after rummaging around in her bosom for a moment, she pulled out a small, square handkerchief.
"This handkerchief is a token of my gratitude to Your Highness for taking me out today."
This handkerchief has neither embroidery nor engraving, and it is indigo blue, so even if Xiao Huaijin takes it out to smell it when he has a headache, he is not afraid of being misunderstood.
Shen Yunjiao's eyes reflected the bright moonlight, shining brightly even in the darkness.
Thank you.
Xiao Huaijin answered with a slight smile, raising his right hand and opening his palm.
The handkerchief, still warm from its owner's body, landed steadily in his hand.
The person who gave him the handkerchief turned and left without a second thought after he accepted it.
Xiao Huaijin remained standing there, quietly looking down at the handkerchief in his hand.
Nanfeng, who was standing on the rooftop without anyone noticing, took a few more glances at his master, who looked so absent-minded.
As a result, he saw his master's cold and aloof gaze suddenly fall on him.
Nanfeng was so frightened that he jumped down from the wall and hurriedly bowed, saying, "Master, I was worried that you and Miss Shen would be discovered after being inside for so long."
"I'll forgive you this time, but if you dare to peek again, you can go back to your hometown and farm."
Xiao Huaijin snorted coldly, then said indifferently:
"Have Zhuye keep a close eye on the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, and report back to me if anything happens."
"Yes, I understand." Nanfeng breathed a sigh of relief seeing that his master seemed to be in a good mood.
Before leaving, Xiao Huaijin turned back and took one last deep look at the entrance of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.
It was worth making a special trip outside the palace.
—
In the latter half of the night, a light rain suddenly began to fall, and the entire Duke of Dingguo was shrouded in rain and mist.
Pei Zhixuan got up and put on his clothes before dawn.
Although his movements were very slight, the person who should have been asleep next to him slowly opened his eyes.
Fang Ziyu sat up fully clothed and saw Pei Zhixuan about to leave with a candle. She called out anxiously, "Husband!"
Pei Zhixuan turned around stiffly, and Fang Ziyu had already gotten off the bed, ran to him, and hugged him tightly.
"Husband, don't go. Ziyu knows you're going to see your sister. You went last night. Are you going again?"
Fang Ziyu pleaded, her face streaked with tears.
Pei Zhixuan patted Fang Ziyu's back somewhat awkwardly: "Ziyu, I'm not going anywhere."
I never imagined that Ziyu already knew last night that I went to the ancestral hall to find Shen Yunjiao.
But she didn't blame herself for anything last night.
Thinking about it this way, Pei Zhixuan felt a pang of guilt towards Fang Ziyu.
“It’s not that Ziyu doesn’t want you to see the young mistress, but on our first day of marriage, if Ziyu lets you leave early, what will others think of me and my mother?” Fang Ziyu said in a low voice.
"Besides, the young mistress hit my mother. If you go to visit her now, aren't you just telling the whole mansion that my mother is easy to bully?"
At this point, Fang Ziyu's eyes quickly filled with tears again.
A pang of heartache flashed in Pei Zhixuan's eyes, and he quickly comforted her softly, "Ziyu, I won't go to see Shen Yunjiao today, don't worry."
He took a deep breath, pulled Fang Ziyu into his arms with one hand, but his gaze was unconsciously fixed on the intense night outside the window.
The sound of rain gradually increased.
Pei Zhixuan was lost in thought and naturally overlooked the fact that Fang Ziyu in his arms had already stopped crying and her eyes were flashing with a cold light of jealousy.
She had known Pei Zhixuan for two years and had always kept him in her heart, so she naturally noticed at a glance that something was wrong with him.
She now realized that Pei Zhixuan loved Shen Yunjiao without realizing it.
Even though Shen Yunjiao made mistakes many times, he was able to forgive her.
Fang Ziyu naively believed that as long as she married Pei Zhixuan and they consummated their marriage, she could firmly grasp Pei Zhixuan's heart.
But last night...
Pei Zhixuan did not touch her.
If things continue like this, I really won't have any chance of survival at all.
Fang Ziyu said softly, "Husband, it's still early, why don't we rest a little longer?"
"Ziyu, we are going to the palace today to express our gratitude for the marriage decree. I will go to the study to prepare first."
Pei Zhixuan released Fang Ziyu and gently placed the candlestick in his hand on the table.
He looked at Fang Ziyu tenderly, "You should change your clothes too, so we can enter the palace to meet the Emperor as soon as possible."
"Husband, please wait." Fang Ziyu bit her lip, took a neatly folded white cloth from beside the bed, and then bent down to spread it on the bed.
Pei Zhixuan knew what it was. His eyes flickered, and he slowly said, "I'm sorry, Ziyu, I—"
"Husband, please don't misunderstand. I just wanted to discuss with you whether I could pretend to have... you know... with you. I'm afraid that if my mother-in-law asks, I won't be able to explain it to her," Fang Ziyu said softly, lowering her eyes.
Pei Zhixuan lowered his eyes, a slight sense of relief in his heart. He replied, "I'll do it."
He put his finger in his mouth and bit it hard, squeezing out a few drops of blood which dripped onto the white cloth, bright red like blooming flowers.
"In that case, your mother will definitely not make things difficult for you."
Pei Zhixuan placed his hand on Fang Ziyu's shoulder and patted it lightly.
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