Jiang Rong and Fu Xia, who were standing to the side with their heads down, were both frightened by Pei Zhixuan's words.
After Pei Zhixuan finished speaking, he turned and strode away, holding the woman in his arms.
The room was eerily quiet; even the sound of a sparrow flapping its wings on the windowsill could be heard clearly.
A short while later, Pei Zhixuan's attendant, Ping An, entered the room.
Ping An first bowed to Shen Yunjiao and Jiang Rong, then lowered his head and said, "Young Madam, Master said that from today onwards he does not want to see you in the mansion. The carriage outside has already been prepared for you."
Upon hearing this, Fu Xia was so startled that she almost dropped the teacup she was holding.
Jiang Rong was also extremely shocked. "What? What does my cousin mean by this? Does he want to send his wife back to her parents' home?"
Could it be that my cousin is really going to abandon his wife for that Miss Fang?
Ping An stammered that he didn't know what the young master was thinking.
But Shen Yunjiao's eyes suddenly lit up, "Great! Fuxia, let's pack our things and go back to the Prime Minister's residence!"
Fang Ziyu's commotion today has inadvertently provided me with an opportunity.
She was worried about how to get through these long ten days.
Therefore, when he saw Fang Ziyu coming over to cause trouble, he decided to play along and let her continue her act.
Deliberately provoking Pei Zhixuan was naturally part of her plan.
Unfortunately, Pei Zhixuan was so angry that he didn't divorce her on the spot.
Shen Yunjiao was somewhat disappointed.
After they left safely, Jiang Rong saw the expression on Shen Yunjiao's face and remembered what Pei Zhixuan had just said. She thought that Shen Yunjiao had been deeply hurt by her cousin.
Jiang Rong couldn't help but whisper to comfort her, "Sister-in-law, don't be sad. After all, Fang Ziyu saved my brother's life, so it's normal to protect her. My brother will forgive you later."
Shen Yunjiao: Sad? Impossible.
She sighed meaningfully.
Even after Jiang Rong was put on the Liang family's carriage, Shen Yunjiao's hand was still firmly held by Jiang Rong: "Sister-in-law, you should be happy. I will go to the Prime Minister's residence to keep you company in a few days."
Shen Yunjiao smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine."
After watching Jiang Rong leave, she quickly went back into her room to get her luggage, and left the Pei residence with Fu Xia and Granny Lin without looking back.
Goodbye, this awful place, I'll never go back again!
Meanwhile, at Ci'an Hall, when Madam Xu heard the news of Shen Yunjiao's return home, she was surprised but also delighted. "Really? Xuan'er really sent that little lamb home?"
"Yes, I heard that the servants from Chunhe Hall also went with them and just got on the carriage."
"The young master was furious because of Miss Fang, and he is taking care of her now," the maid serving tea said respectfully.
"Let's go. Let's go take a look." Upon hearing this, Madam Xu hurriedly got up from the couch, her face showing a long-lost sense of refreshment.
—
When Xu entered the house, Pei Zhixuan had just left.
Where is Xuan'er?
Fang Ziyu struggled to sit up in bed, her face pale and looking pitiful. "Reporting to Madam, His Highness the Crown Prince was just urgently summoned by the Eastern Palace."
After hearing this, Madam Xu nodded slightly.
Cuiguo, the maidservant beside Fang Ziyu, diligently moved a stool for Xu Shi to sit in front of Fang Ziyu.
"Miss Fang got caught in the rain, you should have a doctor come and take a good look at her," Madam Xu said, feigning concern.
"Ziyu knows her own health condition, thank you for your concern, Madam," Fang Ziyu replied obediently.
Her heart stirred slightly, and her eyes flickered.
Then, with a somewhat worried tone, she said, "I just don't know if His Highness and the Young Mistress can reconcile, after all, they quarreled because of Ziyu."
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu narrowed her eyes and snorted coldly, "If it weren't for the fact that this marriage was bestowed by His Majesty, I think Xuan'er would have divorced that rebellious little slut long ago."
The thought of this made Xu feel choked up.
She initially thought that marrying the Prime Minister's daughter would elevate the Pei family to great heights.
Unexpectedly, the Prime Minister's Mansion didn't benefit from this at all; instead, Shen Yunjiao became even more arrogant and domineering!
Thinking back to the day she splashed hot soup on her thigh, Xu was so angry that she almost ground her teeth to powder.
"Madam, please don't be angry."
“Although I can see that His Highness does not like the young mistress, it is impossible for them to divorce now,” Fang Ziyu advised, her expression somewhat melancholy. “I love the young master, but I only wish that His Highness can live a more comfortable life.”
Madam Xu frowned in annoyance and said, "I also want this wretched woman to leave Xuan'er as soon as possible, but I don't know how."
A calculating glint flashed in Fang Ziyu's eyes. She replied casually, "Madam, I overheard a secret about the Crown Princess. Would you like to hear it?"
——
At six quarters past Shen time, the gates of the imperial palace were locked.
Pei Zhixuan arrived just as the palace gates were slowly closing.
After the eunuch at the gate saw Lord Pei, he showed his waist token to the guards and then led him inside.
This was the first time Pei Zhixuan had entered the palace so late at night.
As dusk fell, the study in the Feihua Hall of the Eastern Palace was brightly lit, with incense burners burning and wisps of smoke rising from them.
Xiao Huaijin's jade-like face appeared blurry behind the screen.
Pei Zhixuan could vaguely tell that the Crown Prince was looking over from behind the screen.
He knelt on one knee and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Xiao Huaijin flicked the tassels hanging from the pen holder with his slender fingers and replied calmly, "Get up."
He was dressed in a black and gold casual robe today, his phoenix eyes slightly lowered as he glanced at Pei Zhixuan with amusement. "It's so late. Your family shouldn't mind calling the young master over, right?"
Family members?
Suddenly, the image of Shen Yunjiao arguing with him flashed into Pei Zhixuan's mind.
He frowned slightly.
“My wife—” Pei Zhixuan paused before answering, “My wife has returned to her parents’ home, Your Highness need not worry.”
"I've heard that this Lady Shen is eccentric and domineering, yet she's deeply in love with Prince Pei." Xiao Huaijin smiled casually, but a hint of seriousness flashed in his eyes. "Prince Pei is truly blessed."
Pei Zhixuan felt something was amiss.
The crown prince's words had a hidden meaning.
Could it be that Prime Minister Shen has harbored inappropriate thoughts, arousing the Crown Prince's suspicion?
Pei Zhixuan immediately replied, "My wife is still young and impetuous. I will definitely go back and teach her properly."
"Heh." Xiao Huaijin chuckled lightly, "Teaching?"
Where Pei Zhixuan couldn't see, Xiao Huaijin's fists were already clenched tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms.
"Although you are a fourth-rank supervisor, you have made great contributions to flood control and waterway dredging in Jiangnan over the past few years. I intend to promote you and therefore do not want you to have too close a relationship with other officials of the court."
Xiao Huaijin said calmly.
He got up and walked out from behind the screen. When he reached Pei Zhixuan's side, he raised his hand to signal him to get up.
Only then was he able to observe Pei Zhixuan up close.
Indeed, she possessed both striking beauty and refined elegance.
Oh.
No wonder she likes it.
Xiao Huaijin's scrutinizing gaze made Pei Zhixuan feel slightly uncomfortable. He replied, "Your subject understands."
"What about the Shen family?"
Xiao Huaijin's unfinished words sent a shiver down Pei Zhixuan's spine.
The Crown Prince is gentle and courteous to scholars; if he were to become emperor in the future, he would surely be a wise and benevolent ruler praised by all.
From the moment Pei Zhixuan chose to enter the Censorate, he was determined to use his talents to gain the favor of the Crown Prince and assist him in ascending the throne.
For him, a wise ruler is the savior of the people and the key to whether a country can achieve peace and prosperity.
Pei Zhixuan lowered his eyes and replied, "Your Highness, rest assured, there is no affection between me and the Shen family."
After getting the answer he wanted, Xiao Huaijin nodded in satisfaction and replied, "That's very good."
"Little Linzi." Xiao Huaijin waved his hand to summon a eunuch. "Take Prince Pei to the study next door."
Xiao Huaijin smiled faintly and instructed Pei Zhixuan, "I summoned you here today to draft a list of items for the sacrificial ceremony. Young Master Pei will have to work hard; you may have to stay at the East Palace tonight."
As Xiao Linzi led Pei Zhixuan out of Feihua Palace, a sense of doubt arose in his heart.
Didn't His Highness already have Lord Zhang from the Ministry of Rites prepare this list?
Why did you make Prince Pei come again in the middle of the night?
"All of you, step back," Xiao Huaijin said loudly.
After the palace servants who were serving inside bowed and left, only Xiao Huaijin remained in Feihua Palace.
Xiao Huaijin stood with his hands behind his back.
After a moment, he took out a plain white handkerchief from his pocket, held it to his nose, and sniffed it.
A faint, almost imperceptible fragrance lingered around his nose, successfully soothing his inner turmoil.
Shen Yunjiao.
Xiao Huaijin silently murmured her name.
He banished you from the manor, and I'll make him have a home but he can't go back. Would that make you happier?
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