Chapter 160 Chapter 160 “The study is so cold, let me come back…” Xie Mingke raised her head with teary eyes.
The newcomer was a tall, strong-looking young woman with rough, wheat-colored skin and what appeared to be minor abrasions on her cheeks. Only her dark eyes were resolute and bright, exuding an air of authority without anger. She descended from the sky, appearing before her, as if carrying the harsh north wind with her.
Soon, screams echoed through the alley, and people fell to the ground like wheat being cut down by a knife.
She sheathed her sword, knelt down in front of Xie Mingke, and extended a hand to her. "Are you alright? Can you get up?"
Xie Mingke snapped out of her daze and was about to place her hand on it when a sharp pain shot through her fingertips.
She had struggled so hard that a small piece of her fingernail had split off, and her fingernails were filled with sand, as if they were worn through, and a slight pain spread through her.
The fingertips hovering in mid-air trembled, as if hesitating whether to place them down.
However, the next second, the other person grabbed her wrist and, without much force, easily lifted Xie Mingke off the ground, then took off the water pouch from her waist and helped her wash herself clean.
"Did you bring a handkerchief?" the woman asked as she slowly poured water.
Xie Mingke nodded and carefully took out a handkerchief to wrap around her fingertips.
She stared unblinkingly at the woman across from her who was bending down to pour her water. From this angle, she could just see a faint scar on the side of the woman's neck. Although it had healed, the location was still shockingly noticeable.
"Alright." The woman put away the water pouch, casually wiped her hands on the hem of her clothes a few times, then frowned and asked her, "Where are your family members? How could they let you come to such a remote place alone?"
If she hadn't happened to be retrieving a knife from a nearby blacksmith's shop and vaguely heard cries for help, wouldn't this girl have been harmed for no reason?
Xie Mingke felt a surge of grievance welling up inside him as she was questioned in a somewhat stern tone. Tears streamed down her face as she choked out, "I... I got lost. I didn't mean to..."
Her crying startled the woman, who wanted to comfort her but didn't know where to begin. She scratched her head helplessly and said, "Don't cry. I didn't mean to blame you. Just be careful when you're out and about. If something bad happens to you, think about how heartbroken your family will be."
He was fine if his family wasn't mentioned, but Xie Mingke cried even harder when his family was.
She had no family at all; everyone wanted to sell her off for a good price.
The woman opposite: ...
She sighed, pulled Xie Mingke outside, and walked all the way to the main street outside the alley. The surroundings were bustling with people again, and she slipped another silver ingot into her hand.
"You're safe here now. I have things to do. Hire a car to go home yourself. Don't be so reckless in the future."
After saying that, she was about to turn and leave, but Xie Mingke grabbed her sleeve and said urgently, "Miss, you haven't told me your name or where you live yet. I will definitely come to thank you in person another day."
"My surname is Zhou, and my given name is..."
Before the woman could finish speaking, a man dressed in a black robe and hood walked across the street. He had sharp features, and a few strands of hair peeking out from under the brim of his hood were faintly mixed with silver.
His sharp gaze swept over Xie Mingke imperceptibly, as if he could see through her bones and muscles, sending chills down one's spine.
Xie Mingke's face turned pale, and he subconsciously hid behind the woman.
"Why are you taking so long to get a knife?"
Lu Donglou withdrew his gaze, his brows furrowing as if in displeasure.
"Ah, I just happened to save a girl," Zhou Yanling explained casually, then turned to Xie Mingke and quickly instructed, "I have to go now. Remember to hire a carriage to get home, make sure it's a reputable company, and take the main road—"
After saying that, he strode after Lu Donglou, and the two walked forward side by side.
Xie Mingke wanted to ask her name again, but it was too late. He only vaguely heard her ask the man beside her with a grin, "Brother-in-law, when are we going to the palace?"
The man's expression was stern as he emphasized, "During official duties, one must not make unfounded claims of kinship."
“Yes, Magistrate Lu.” She readily agreed and changed her address.
Xie Mingke stood there, stunned, watching his savior walk further and further away until he disappeared into the crowd, feeling a strange sense of loss.
I haven't even asked her name yet.
...
The Marquis's Residence.
Meng Wanyin quickly stepped forward and grabbed Yan Yi's hand, nervously observing her expression. She asked cautiously, "Why did you come back with us? This all happened so suddenly, catching the whole family off guard, especially Yunzhao, who had no idea about it."
"Don't worry, Mother, I understand." Yan Yi smiled reassuringly at her, then said to Pei Xian, "Father, the Xie family suddenly came to bring up the marriage agreement again. They know they are in the wrong, but they still insist on making trouble. They must have something else on their mind."
Pei Xian originally intended to keep it a secret from his daughter-in-law and let his son quietly resolve the matter. Now, seeing that Yan Yi not only didn't make a fuss but could also calmly analyze the Xie family's intentions, he was even more satisfied.
This is the demeanor of a matriarch who can truly uphold the honor of the Pei family.
He nodded in agreement: "I also find this matter very strange. Let's see if that Mrs. Ma will come knocking again. Show us what you have to offer, and we'll deal with whatever comes our way."
Turning around and meeting Shen Lingyue's bright gaze, Pei Xianfu added as if struck by inspiration: "Of course, no matter what conditions the Xie family offers, we will never agree."
"Exactly! You and Yunzhao are living a good life together, how can you just replace someone like that? Have you lost your mind?"
Meng Wanyin held Yan Yi's hand and made her promises repeatedly.
Yan Yi smiled and nodded in agreement.
Pei Jingyi stood aside and suddenly spoke up: "Father, Mother, I'll accompany Yan Yi back to Jiu Si Academy first. She's been out and about all day and has been caught up in this mess for no reason. She needs to rest well."
“That makes sense. You should go back now.” Pei Xian waved his hand and then asked if they should invite a doctor into the mansion to take a look, lest the pregnancy be disturbed.
“No need,” Pei Jingyi and Yan Yi replied in unison.
Yan Yi turned to look at him and explained, "Father, don't worry, I'm not that fragile, and I don't feel unwell."
Pei Jingyi waited until she finished speaking before saying, "I take her pulse and record it every day, so there's no need to hire another doctor."
Pei Xian glanced at the young couple and felt that the atmosphere between them was a little strange, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Pei Jingyi helped Yan Yi leave, but after only a few steps they bumped into Pei Yuzhen, who was running in panting.
"What's going on? I heard that the betrothal arranged by Princess Qinghe for Yunzhao has come knocking on our door?"
Pei Yuzhen patted her chest to catch her breath, her face slightly flushed, and waved her hand forcefully.
"Are you out of your mind? Why didn't you do this earlier?"
Pei Jingyi frowned and emphasized, "Auntie, you've misunderstood. There was no betrothal; it was just correspondence, so it doesn't count."
"Even if it's established, it's not okay!" Pei Yuzhen rolled her eyes at him, glanced quickly at Yan Yi, and said angrily, "Our family is doing just fine, and I'm used to her being my niece-in-law. How can we just change her like that?"
She admitted that she didn't like Yan Yi very much before, but that's all in the past. Now, if anyone dares to say anything bad about the Crown Prince's wife, she'll be the first to object!
Yan Yi's smile deepened. "Thank you so much, Auntie."
Pei Yuzhen blushed even more, cleared her throat, and said defiantly, "If they dare to come and bother me again, remember to call me back immediately, and I'll tear that madwoman's mouth apart."
Forget about thanking the Xie family; when it comes to fighting, Grandma Pei isn't afraid!
"Alright, stop making things worse." Pei Xian sighed, stopping his sister who was full of martial virtue, and then instructed her, "Keep your mouth shut and don't let Mother know."
Madam Tai was ill this spring and hasn't fully recovered yet. She's getting old, so it's best to keep her from hearing these worries.
Pei Yuzhen rolled her eyes at him, "I know, I'm not stupid."
...
Back at Jiusi Academy.
Yan Yi blushed and went to the washroom. She then asked Si Xiang to bring her some old clothes to change into. After fussing for a while, she came out and found that Pei Jingyi seemed to have been standing by the table the whole time, without moving for a long time.
He didn't even notice her walking right in front of him.
Yan Yi coughed lightly and reached out to unbutton the buttons on his collar.
Pei Jingyi seemed to suddenly come to his senses and grabbed her fingertips.
“…What are you doing?” Yan Yi was startled by him, pulled her hand back and gently patted his chest. “What are you standing here daydreaming about? Hurry up and change your clothes.”
This man's obsession with cleanliness was even more severe than hers; whenever he came back from outside, he would refuse to sit down without changing his clothes.
Pei Jingyi glanced at her, then slowly went behind the screen.
Yan Yi ignored him, sat down in front of the dressing table, removed her hairpins and ornaments in front of the bronze mirror, and let her scalp, which had been tense all day, relax. She casually tied them behind her head.
Her lower back was a little sore, so she raised her hand and pounded it a few times before deciding to lie down on the bed for a while.
Pei Jingyi changed his clothes and came out. He turned his head and saw her lying on the bed with her eyes closed. His expression changed drastically. He rushed forward, almost pounced on the bedside, and grabbed her hand tightly: "A-Tan? What's wrong?"
Yan Yi took a breath, slowly opened her eyes, and said helplessly, "Pei Jingyi, if you keep startling me like this, I'm going to get sick from your fright."
What's wrong with this person today?
Pei Jingyi's face paled, and a hint of vulnerability appeared on his handsome face. He trembled as he pressed her palm against his cheek, then turned his head and rubbed it against her with his high nose, as if a feline was marking its territory with its scent.
“I’m just… just worried that you’ll be agitated, your pulse will become unstable, and it will affect your health and the baby.”
Yan Yi blinked, raised her hand to her lower abdomen, and said calmly, "I'm fine, the baby is fine too. Don't scare yourself. We're both alright."
"Really?" Pei Jingyi asked again, as if still unsure.
Yan Yi forced a smile. "Really, it would be even better if you could let me take a quiet nap."
Pei Jingyi immediately said, "Go to sleep. I'll stay here and watch over you. I won't go anywhere."
Yan Yi: ...How can I fall asleep with you staring at me like that?
But ever since she found out she was pregnant, Pei Jingyi's problem had been going on for a while now. Yan Yi knew that it would be useless to talk to him, so she could only close her eyes, turn her head slightly, and pretend that this would help her avoid his burning gaze.
Little did she know that Pei Jingyi noticed her little action, his brows furrowed even deeper, and he reluctantly let go of her hand, instead grabbing a corner of her clothes and pulling it tightly into his palm.
When Yan Yi woke up again, it was already time for dinner, and the table was set with all her favorite dishes.
She and Pei Jingyi sat facing each other. He didn't move much, but he kept putting food on her plate.
"That's enough." Yan Yi stopped him. "You ate quite a lot on the boat at noon, you can't overeat tonight."
Pei Jingyi finally stopped, but he still followed her every move like a searchlight.
Yan Yi felt uneasy under his gaze and finally couldn't bear it any longer. She reached out and touched his forehead, asking softly, "Husband, are you feeling unwell? Perhaps we should call a doctor to take a look?"
Even if someone is clingy, this isn't the way to go! She can barely breathe.
Pei Jingyi grasped her fingertips and gently kissed them, then shook his head: "Thanks to you, I'm practically a doctor now. I know my own body very well."
"So what's wrong with you today..." Yan Yi finally couldn't help but ask, "Ever since you came back from outside, you've been acting strangely. Is it because of the Xie family?"
"Yes and no." Pei Jingyi stared at her. "Madam, don't you have anything you want to say to me?"
Yan Yi's face showed a rare look of confusion. "What did you say? What was the Xie family's intention in coming here?"
She lowered her eyelashes, lost in thought. "We were just talking about how the Xie family of Baoshu is determined to enter officialdom. Perhaps Madam Ma's visit to propose marriage was a pretense, a way to blackmail the Marquis's mansion into seeking benefits for the Xie family? After all..."
She glanced at Pei Jingyi, a playful smile curving her lips as she teased, "My husband won't divorce me, right?"
Pei Jingyi reacted as if a cat had its tail stepped on, his whole body exploding with anger. A thin blush of fury rose on his cold, jade-like face, as if he had been greatly slandered.
"Of course not. You are my lawfully wedded wife, whom I have married and who has paid homage to heaven and earth and our ancestors. No one can separate us."
Yan Yi placed her hand on the back of his hand and patted it twice reassuringly, "I know, you don't need to keep emphasizing it like this."
Pei Jingyi came to his senses and seemed to realize that he had overreacted. He took a few deep breaths and served Yan Yi a bowl of soup.
The two finished their meal in a somewhat strange atmosphere. After the meal, Pei Jingyi helped Yan Yi take a walk in the courtyard to aid digestion, and soon it was time to go to bed.
Yan Yi had only dozed off for a while in the evening and was not too sleepy yet, so she picked up the latest volume of "Jade Hall Hairpin" that she hadn't finished reading last time and sat down at the table to read it with great interest.
"My cousin has finally found her comfort zone. Her new book is getting better and better, and she's daring to write more freely," Yan Yi commented with a smile.
Pei Jingyi sat on the edge of the bed, watching her holding a book, looking relaxed and at ease, as if she didn't care about the Xie family's affairs at all.
With such an understanding wife, he should be pleased.
But Pei Jingyi couldn't be happy at all. It felt like a weight was pressing down on his heart, making him feel heavy and anxious, as if someone had lit a fire underneath him.
Unexplained emotions are swirling around like a fly with its head covered, desperately needing an outlet.
He could no longer restrain himself, so he got up, walked behind Yan Yi, bent down, and pulled her into his arms.
"Hmm?" Yan Yi turned her head, her gaze falling on his tense jawline. Mistaking him for someone urging her to rest early, she coaxed, "You go to sleep first, I'll finish reading this chapter."
The next second, Pei Jingyi raised his hand, pulled the book away, and tossed it aside.
Yan Yi frowned slightly, turned around and looked directly into his dark and deep eyes, "What's wrong with you today? Is there something you can't just say to me directly?"
He acted like a child who couldn't control his temper, throwing a tantrum and demanding attention from adults.
Pei Jingyi lowered his head and rubbed against her neck, his voice low and muffled.
"That's what I should be asking you. A-Tan, aren't you angry with me at all? Don't you think I deliberately hid things from you because I felt guilty? Don't you think I have some kind of relationship with that Xie family girl, and that makes you jealous and dissatisfied?"
Since returning from the pleasure boat, he has prepared a plethora of drafts and over a dozen plans to prepare for Yan Yi's challenge.
But instead of losing her temper, she calmly comforted the whole family, including him.
Pei Jingyi couldn't understand, so he snuggled closer to her and complained, sounding aggrieved, "You used to care about me a lot, so why don't you care this time?"
"...When was the past?" Yan Yi asked earnestly.
Pei Jingyi blurted out, "Last time I rushed to the Jade Buddha Temple to find you, and the time before that when we went to explore for minerals in the back mountains of Xiaowangzhuang, you were very worried about me, and you even hugged me tightly and got angry with me..."
Yan Yi blushed at his recollection and quickly interrupted, "These two situations are different. Whether it's Jade Buddha Temple or Xiaowangzhuang, they are both objective, uncontrollable factors. Of course, I would worry about your safety."
But what about the Xie family who suddenly came knocking on the door, and this childhood betrothal that hadn't even started yet?
Yan Yi calmly countered, "Will this have any impact on our relationship?"
After Pei Jingyi shook his head vigorously, she patted his back helplessly, "If I were to get angry with you or throw a tantrum over this, wouldn't that be unreasonable?"
Pei Jingyi suddenly stepped out of her embrace, stood up straight, and looked down at her.
The oil lamp beside the table illuminated his handsome features, and the dim light danced gently in his pupils.
“A-Tan”.
He bent down slightly, placed his hands on the edge of the table, and encircled her completely, forcefully leaning in and closing in on her inch by inch.
"Say you love me."
Yan Yi blushed instantly under his direct approach, her lips trembled slightly, and the word rolled on her tongue, but she couldn't say it.
"...What's gotten into you again?" She turned her face away in a flustered manner, not daring to meet his burning gaze. Looking down at her slightly rounded belly, she stammered, "We're already pregnant, why are you still asking about love..."
Pei Jingyi reached out and pinched her chin, forcing her to turn and look at him, relentlessly asking, "Then why aren't you jealous? Why don't you throw a tantrum at me? Why don't you tell me you love me?"
He would feel anxious and insecure, possessive of her, and want to be with her every moment, never leaving her side.
What about Yan Yi? Does she feel the same way I do?
She was always so calm and composed, the most perfect wife of the Crown Prince in the eyes of outsiders. Was it just her personality, or...? She wasn't as passionately infatuated with him, yearning for him from the bottom of her soul, wanting to possess him?
Yan Yi was somewhat lost in thought, but Pei Jingyi suddenly stood up, took two steps back, and his voice returned to its normal cool and deep tone.
"You should get some rest. I'm going to the study... to calm down."
When Yan Yi looked up again, she only saw his back as he hurriedly left, his steps somewhat hurried and unsteady.
She stood up with mixed feelings, walked around the room twice, and then belatedly realized what had happened.
Pei Jingyi... because she didn't get angry at him, but instead got angry at herself?
Saying he needs to go to the study to calm down is just a one-sided way of giving her the silent treatment.
Yan Yi was somewhat puzzled and found it absurd.
There was nothing between him and that Miss Xie, so why was she angry?
Not to mention Miss Xie, even my cousin didn't say anything to him back then, did she?
She hadn't originally planned to be angry with Pei Jingyi, but after his outburst, she was now genuinely a little angry.
Yan Yi called Si Xiang in to make the bed.
Si Xiang glanced at her cold expression, and then recalled how the eldest young master had stormed into the study earlier, moving more and more quietly, as if he wanted to become invisible.
Yan Yi got into bed and covered herself with the quilt. Looking at the indistinct patterns of the bed curtains above her head and the empty bed beside her, she became angrier and angrier.
She was the one who struggled to conceive, and she was also the one who was inexplicably approached by her "fiancée." Did Pei Jingyi really have to turn the Marquis's mansion upside down for him to believe that she cared about him and feel comfortable?
She even forced her to say she loved him... Hadn't he heard that enough in those countless secret nights? Did it only count if she said it when she was sober?
Yan Yi bit her lower lip, her mind a jumble, and after an unknown amount of time, she finally fell into a deep sleep.
In the middle of the night, she felt her calves twitching uncontrollably. She frowned and opened her eyes, only to be startled by a dark, indistinct shape lying beside her bed.
As soon as she woke up, Pei Jingyi also looked up, and the two gazed at each other hazily in the dim night.
Pei Jingyi was the first to give in, tentatively reaching out to take her hand and carefully placing it in his palm.
"A-Tan, I know I was wrong. It was my fault. I shouldn't have argued with you at a time like this."
He lowered his eyes, revealing a hint of pity.
"It's so cold in the study, can I come back to sleep here?"
Yan Yi remained silent for a while, then suddenly pulled her hand away and pinched his face with a little force.
"This house is all yours. Do you need my permission to ask where you want to sleep?"
Despite the cold tone that was meant to be a reprimand, Pei Jingyi seemed to enjoy it immensely, immediately sitting at the foot of the bed and skillfully massaging her calves.
Soon, the throbbing, aching sensation gradually subsided.
Looking at his actions, Yan Yi realized that she had been able to sleep soundly these days because he was always paying attention to her body and not letting her feel the slightest discomfort.
She sighed, leaned closer, wrapped her arms around his neck, and whispered in his ear, her face burning:
"Pei Jingyi, I think... I should love you, love you very much, is that enough?"
-----------------------
Author's Note: Here it is! Today's limited edition is Pei Jingyi, the Madman! [doge][doge]
//That's right, it's our Yanling sister back! Hahaha~ I'll send a little red envelope to the lucky ones who guessed correctly later.
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