Chapter 66 What a Ruthless Man! In the darkness, no one spoke again. ...
Sure enough, bowls and dishes had been set out in the hall, and the aroma of steaming dishes filled the air. As soon as Meng Lingyao stepped in, her gaze fell on her eldest cousin, Zhong Dingye, who was sitting at the head of the table.
He was extremely tall with broad shoulders and a dark robe that outlined his imposing, mountain-like profile. His eyebrows were like swords, and his eyes were like cold stars; sitting there, he exuded the aura of a steadfast and unyielding military general.
Meng Lingyao stared at his profile, her heart pounding. In that instant, her consciousness blurred and overlapped—in that seemingly real yet unreal "old dream," her older cousin and Zhao Xu were generals in the same camp and often visited each other.
He was the first to keenly perceive the difficulties he faced in the Marquis's residence, and privately inquired about them with concern, telling him that he should tell him if he had any troubles.
At that time, her pitiful pride got the better of her, and she didn't want to show any dissatisfaction in front of outsiders—even if that outsider was her closest cousin. She bit her lip and nodded in agreement, but ultimately didn't say a word.
Her older cousin was eight years her senior. Unlike Zhong Dingming and Zhong Dingyao, who grew up together, he was her reliable older brother since childhood.
Upon seeing each other again, memories of the past flooded back, and Meng Lingyao almost teared up.
Zhong Dingye seemed to sense something and suddenly looked up. Their eyes met, and he instantly caught a glimpse of the barely perceptible ripples of emotion in his cousin's eyes.
Meng Lingyao paused slightly, then immediately lowered her eyelashes, forcibly suppressing all her surging emotions, and gave him a faint smile, as obedient as when she was a child.
Zhong Dingye's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, and his usually tightly pursed lips softened, curving upwards into a slight smile.
Zhong Jingshu glanced at this and that, her round eyes full of curiosity, but she wisely kept quiet. Zhong Dingming and Zhong Dingyao, on the other hand, looked like starving ghosts, burying their heads in their food and eating heartily.
Steam rose from the table, and her family chatted and laughed. The turmoil in Meng Lingyao's heart gradually subsided, leaving only a clear and warm feeling.
As the sun began to set, Meng Lingyao bid farewell to her maternal grandparents, and Zhong Dingye personally saw her off at the gate. The warm breeze blowing through the courtyard carried the whispers of the magnolia trees onto the bluestone path.
Passing through the hanging flower gate, around the screen wall, and arriving at the stone steps in front of the mansion gate, Zhong Dingye paused slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but then stopped.
Meng Lingyao noticed his hesitation, turned around and smiled, "Cousin, if you have something to say, just say it."
Zhong Dingye gazed at her and slowly said, "Just now, I heard Dingming joking around in front of Grandmother. From what he said, you... have accepted Pei Shaoqing's marriage proposal?"
"Mm," Meng Lingyao replied readily.
“You have been opinionated since childhood and have a lively personality,” Zhong Dingye said with a complicated look in his eyes. “I always thought your future husband would be a gentle and mild-mannered person.”
He had interacted with Pei Xu on official business. In terms of demeanor, talent and ability, Pei Xu was impeccable and did not have the arrogance often seen in scions of noble families. However, his indifference and aloofness seemed to emanate from his very bones.
Even though his cousin was about the same age as him, he never associated the two of them.
At least not before.
Meng Lingyao smiled slightly, "Cousin is indirectly saying that I have a bad temper."
“It’s not a bad thing for a girl to have some sharpness.” Zhong Dingye’s words fell heavily in the twilight. “I hope you can always keep those qualities and never compromise yourself to please anyone.”
"No matter how prestigious the Pei family is, they must not diminish their own power. If things do not go their way..."
Meng Lingyao felt a slight warmth in her heart. This familiar instruction, after going around in circles, was still spoken by her older cousin.
Pei Xu was even more capable than Zhao Xu, as his older cousin had warned him before the wedding.
Thinking back to the exquisite pastries she had eaten and taken from Jingguan Temple that day, Meng Lingyao was about to say a few good words for him.
The clear, rhythmic sound of horses' hooves approached from afar, shattering the silence. A simple, elegant carriage with a blue curtain came to a steady stop in front of the Zhong residence. The blue curtain was lifted by a hand with distinct knuckles, revealing Pei Xu's refined and handsome face.
"Mr. Zhong." He nodded to Zhong Dingye at the door.
His gaze then fell on Meng Lingyao in front of the steps, and his voice instantly softened as if falling into a spring breeze and pond, "Yaoyao."
The way she called out "Yaoyao" was melodious and low, completely different from her usual clear and sharp voice, which made even Zhong Dingye, who was standing next to her, twitch his eyebrows slightly.
Meng Lingyao was slightly taken aback. "What are you doing here?"
“I have something to return to you.” Pei Xu got out of the carriage and walked steadily towards the steps. He stopped two steps in front of Meng Lingyao, his voice neither loud nor soft, “I went to the mansion just now, but you weren’t there. My aunt said you came to Commander Zhong’s residence, so I took the liberty of following your trail.”
Zhong Dingye's gaze swept between the two men.
What kind of major case has the physical evidence that can't even wait a moment?
Without the slightest hesitation, Meng Lingyao nodded and smiled as she took her leave from Zhong Dingye, saying, "Cousin, please wait. I'll be going back now."
Zhong Dingye watched her turn around and looked at Pei Xu, "Young Master Pei, I have been busy with many matters at home today and have not had time to entertain guests. I apologize for my rudeness."
Pei Xu, neither humble nor arrogant, cupped his hands and said, "You are too kind, Vice Commissioner Zhong. It is I who have taken the liberty of visiting you. I will definitely choose another auspicious time to pay you a proper visit in the future. I hope that the Commander and Vice Commissioner will not find me a bother."
Zhong Dingye returned the greeting but did not offer any polite reply.
Meng Lingyao had already reached the car and interrupted, "Aren't you in a hurry? Aren't you going to get going?"
Pei Xu said no more and turned to the carriage. His movements were extremely proper; he merely touched her elbow through his sleeve. Meng Lingyao used the support to lightly step onto the footboard and into the carriage before letting go of his hand.
He then got into the carriage, and before the curtain fell, he said to Zhong Dingye, "Farewell."
The wheels turned, and the green-curtained carriage disappeared into the twilight street. Zhong Dingye stood on the steps, watching the shadow finally vanish into the flowing lights. After a long while, he suddenly chuckled and shook his head.
Inside the carriage, the light was filtered through the blue curtains, creating a hazy atmosphere. This time, there was no incense in the carriage, but the faint fragrance of herbs and trees wafted from Pei Xu, permeating the entire carriage.
He practically became a human incense burner.
Meng Lingyao was slightly taken aback; this was the scent of the perfume she had concocted. Then, remembering that he had only used undercooked, "semi-finished" products, a subtle sense of guilt crept into her heart.
She remembered that the car was spacious, but it suddenly felt cramped because of the extra person inside.
His shoulders and arms were inches away; she could even feel their contours rising and falling slightly with his even breathing. For a moment, no one spoke in the carriage except for the rumble of the train and the faint sounds of people from the marketplace outside.
Meng Lingyao tilted her head to look at him in the deepening darkness, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Why didn't you call me cousin at the door just now?"
Pei Xu turned his head upon hearing this, "May I call out?"
Meng Lingyao was taken aback by his question. The darkness seemed to offer him some kind of cover, making her heart skip a beat. After a moment, she pretended to be nonchalant and said, "If you want to shout, then shout. Who can stop you?"
The lamplight cast a soft shadow on his face, and she seemed to see him give a very faint smile. "In that case, thank you, Yaoyao."
The word "thank you" was uttered softly, like a feather brushing against the tip of the heart.
Meng Lingyao's fingertips unconsciously curled up slightly, and she changed the subject, "Didn't you have something to return? I don't remember leaving anything with you."
Pei Xu didn't say anything, but with a flick of his wrist, a delicate dagger appeared in his palm.
It was the one my maternal grandfather gave me.
Meng Lingyao took it in surprise. "How did it end up in your hands?" She had always suspected that she had lost it somewhere.
“When the dagger fell to the ground earlier, it knocked off a few gems,” Pei Xu explained unhurriedly. “I put them away for the time being and asked someone to find suitable gems to re-set them.”
Meng Lingyao gripped the dagger and examined it closely. The craftsman's workmanship was exquisite; if she hadn't handled it many times, she would hardly have noticed which pieces had been added later.
"This is a dagger my maternal grandfather gave me. Even a girl like me needs to have the means to protect herself," she murmured, her fingertips tracing the cold sheath.
"The elders in your family cherish you like a precious treasure."
Meng Lingyao raised his head and said, "Of course."
Her profile was clearly defined in the dim light streaming through the car window, her chin raised, exuding a sense of self-assured arrogance.
Pei Xu looked at her like this and sighed inwardly, thinking, "It should be like this."
She deserves to be cherished and cared for in such a way, and deserves all the perfect love in the world.
Meng Lingyao drew her dagger, admiring its sharp, gleaming blade. She extended a finger, her fingertip reaching out to touch the edge of the blade.
Before he could even touch her, another hand suddenly reached out and grabbed her slender wrist!
Pei Xu frowned. "What are you doing?"
"I'll just touch it to test it out. I know my limits and won't hurt myself."
Pei Xu did not loosen his grip, and said coldly, "We are in a carriage. What if there is a bump in the ride?"
Meng Lingyao couldn't remember the last time she'd seen his cold face, and felt a sense of déjà vu. A slight stirring rose in her heart, replaced by a subtle rebelliousness. Meeting his icy gaze, she said, "What a coincidence! This is on Jinwu Street, always the safest place..."
Before the last word had even finished, the carriage jolted violently! Meng Lingyao lost her balance, and her arm instinctively moved forward, the cold blade of the dagger almost touching her skin.
"Whoa—the truck ahead has left some miscellaneous items on the road, so it might be a bit bumpy. Be careful, gentlemen!" the driver's voice came just in time.
Pei Xu stared at her, his eyes sharp.
Knowing she was in the wrong, Meng Lingyao's ears burned, and she whispered, "I understand, I understand, Lord Pei, this won't happen again..."
Pei Xu slowly released his grip.
Meng Lingyao twisted her wrist, then suddenly leaned close to him, looked up, and met his cool, clear eyes so close to hers. A sly glint appeared in her eyes. "If there really is any turbulence... isn't it you who's here?"
The two were extremely close, so close that she could clearly see each of his eyelashes, so close that she could almost smell the fresh, grassy, and dewy scent of his breath.
Pei Xu lowered his eyes and met her gaze for a moment before abruptly looking away.
Meng Lingyao chuckled inwardly, knowing that he was clearly enjoying it.
She carefully sheathed the dagger in her sleeve, then looked at his arm hanging by his side. "Is the wound you sustained earlier healed?"
"It's alright." He looked straight ahead at the curtain.
"Let me see." She reached out and tugged at his sleeve.
"I'm fully recovered." He stepped aside to avoid the attack.
Meng Lingyao leaned over and grabbed his arm, "Let me see!"
After several silent refusals, he finally gave in, and Pei Xu helplessly raised his arm to let her lift her sleeve.
The occasional flashes of light outside the window briefly illuminated a corner, revealing two distinct marks on his forearm near his elbow.
One line was faint, already closed but leaving a scar. The other was deeper, with the edges still bearing traces of lingering red.
Meng Lingyao immediately recognized that the deeper wound was the one he had made that day.
What a ruthless man.
She unconsciously reached out and gently touched the scar with her fingertips.
Pei Xu's muscles tensed instantly, and his arm jerked back, but then froze in the next second, letting her soft fingertips linger and wander along the edge of the wound.
The lighting inside the carriage was dim and unclear, and the sound of breathing could be heard very close by.
That tiny touch was like a spark igniting a silent undercurrent within the confined space. The skin beneath his fingertips was clearly defined and burning hot, and the taut muscles of his arm trembled slightly at her fingertips as the carriage swayed.
In the darkness, no one spoke again.
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