Chapter 62
In Hengwu Courtyard, Qi Yu sat by the stove warming herself, while Qiu Kui placed sweet potatoes at the bottom of the stove and occasionally turned them over with iron tongs.
Once it was broken open and steaming hot, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, it was handed to Qi Yu.
After Qi Yu finished eating, Pei Jin wiped her hands and said, "Madam, the kitchen has bought some fresh vegetables and made some hot mutton soup. Let's have antique soup tonight."
Qi Yu's mouth watered just listening to it: "Let's slice some more meat and grill it. Do you have any spices at home?"
Pei Jin was delighted: "Yes."
Even though she had already eaten lunch, Qi Yu finished a whole roasted sweet potato and started thinking about dinner again.
She used to just be a bit lazy during the winter, but now she's probably going to develop a craving for food.
But when faced with delicious food, who can remain completely unmoved?
Qi Yu didn't think she was acting strangely.
Pei Jin smiled to himself as he kept her company. He knew perfectly well why, but he didn't point it out. Fortunately, Qi Yu was rather oblivious and didn't think about the possibility of her being pregnant.
In addition, Qi Yu's intention to leave him made him even more anxious.
The best proof is a bowl of medicine that weakens someone temporarily without harming their underlying health.
Just as Qi Yu had no attachment to the palace, how much reluctance did she feel towards the Pei family mansion and Hengwu Courtyard?
Qi Yu sat on the rattan chair and put her hands into Pei Jin's arms.
Pei Jin felt hot, and was wearing cotton-padded clothes, which made him feel warm and cozy.
When Pei Jin looked at her, her eyes curved into crescents, as if she were completely dependent on him and no one could refuse her.
Pei Jin held Qi Yu's shoulders, and seeing this, he felt their hearts were even closer, so close that his whole heart felt hot.
Even so, a sense of unease rose from the bottom of his heart.
Their relationship was too superficial, far less than the time Qi Yu spent with His Majesty; it was as if they would be scattered by the slightest breeze.
Pei Jin held Qi Yu tightly in his arms. Seeing this, Qiu Kui stepped back, leaving the two of them alone in this space.
Qi Yu glared at Pei Jin; this man was simply pushing his luck.
Her wicker chair was large and covered with a plush carpet. Would he come and take over her chair at any moment?
Pei Jin looked into Qi Yu's eyes, and he could swear that he had never had this thought before.
But now...
"My wife, it'll be warmer if we squeeze in."
Qi Yu was very upset and gave up her seat.
Pei Jin pulled Qi Yu into his arms, making himself the cushion.
Qi Yu leaned against Pei Jin's chest, silently calculating how many more days Pei Jin had left to work.
Last time during the Qixi Festival, Wu Shiyan transferred Pei Jin away on the grounds of official business, but there has been no news of him since.
As a result, Pei Jin was always by her side, making it inconvenient for her to do anything.
Qi Yu felt that she might not necessarily die of illness; as long as she left the Pei residence, everything would fall into place.
Qi Yu brought up the system that had been gathering dust all along. The bare system panel only had this one female supporting character task, which was marked as unfinished. Everything else indicated that this was an artificially stupid system.
The only use of this system was probably to get her here, and then, through her own efforts, she managed to sleep with two men who seemed quite nice.
Qi Yu praised herself in her heart and then fell asleep without realizing it.
When she woke up, she found herself wearing a thick fox fur coat, which protected her from the chill of the setting sun.
Looking up again, I saw that Pei Jin was also asleep.
Pei Jin, fast asleep, seemed to have a fragile look on his face, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he had something on his mind.
Qi Yu's gaze swept over Pei Jin's face, thinking that it was probably related to Wu Shiyan. But since he dared to do it, he should have considered the consequences. She had no pity or annoyance for him.
Qi Yu admired Pei Jin's handsome face until a moment later, when Pei Jin opened his eyes and saw Qi Yu, his gaze softened instantly.
“Madam.” He pinched Qi Yu’s soft cheek.
Qi Yu sat up, her fox fur coat half-falling onto her body: "My lord, I'm hungry."
Upon hearing the word "my lord," Pei Jin's heart trembled involuntarily, and his smile became worthless: "Why didn't you wake me up?"
Qi Yu climbed off Pei Jin and stood still, saying, "My lord is sleeping soundly, and for some reason, I feel a little reluctant to part with him."
She was staring at Pei Jin's face, somewhat dazed.
However, even if it were Wu Shiyan, she wouldn't wake him up. Pei Jin wasn't having a nightmare, so there was nothing wrong with him sleeping a little longer.
The most touching emotions are those that seem real yet are not.
Pei Jin paused for a moment, then leaned in and kissed Qi Yu's lips.
Qi Yu was very satisfied with the antique soup for dinner, and after finishing the last bowl of sweet soup, she felt comfortable all over.
During the day, Qi Yu's eyes were cold and aloof, but at night they shone brightly, like stars, as she looked at Pei Jin.
Pei Jin was hot-tempered; she wanted him to sleep with her!
Pei Jin felt that the past few days had passed exceptionally quickly. They read books, played chess, and enjoyed delicious food together. He played the zither, and Qi Yu appreciated it. Although Qi Yu could only say "it sounds good, it sounds good, it sounds exceptionally good," and occasionally she would say a few words that sounded like celestial music, he would still laugh heartily at her earnest expression.
Because at this moment, they are like a real couple, a gentle husband and an intelligent but sometimes absent-minded wife, with no one else able to get in between.
However, no matter how much you cherish it, time still flies by quickly, so fast that it's impossible to hold onto it.
On the day he was to go on duty, Pei Jin put on his official robes, kissed Qi Yu on the forehead, and then went to the government office.
In Hengwu Courtyard, Qi Yu woke up at dawn, by which time the body beside her was already cold, which shows how early Pei Jin had left.
After getting up and washing up, Qi Yu felt refreshed. Pei Jin's shift meant that her chance to leave had come, so she immediately took Lingjiao and headed outside.
She wanted to see if leaving the Pei residence meant her mission was complete.
It's also possible that they will leave the capital.
Qi Yu was about to leave the mansion when Tian Wenshan was ordered to enter, and the two bumped into each other.
Qi Yu and Tian Wenshan exchanged a glance. Tian Wenshan's face was tense, and her eyes showed caution and difficulty.
Upon learning that the Imperial Concubine's original surname was Gu, everything seemed to have an answer.
His Majesty was ashamed to see the Imperial Concubine, yet he missed her terribly, so he had no choice but to send her.
Qi Yu took the initiative to speak: "Is there something you need, Eunuch Tian?"
Tian Wenshan breathed a sigh of relief, took out the letter from his sleeve, and handed it to Qi Yu with both hands.
Qi Yu tore open the letter and first looked at the end, where Wu Shiyan's private seal was affixed, before she began to read the letter.
Time passed slowly, and Tian Wenshan became visibly nervous, his forehead covered in a layer of cold sweat despite the cold winter day.
"I understand, I will go see him." After reading the letter, Qi Yu realized that things were not as she had expected. Wu Shiyan seemed to be extremely cautious in his writing, and every word was carefully considered.
Tian Wenshan also looked guilty.
But no matter what, meeting Wu Shiyan is still not a problem.
Wu Shiyan asked her to meet him at the teahouse. Tian Wenshan went with Qi Yu and stopped downstairs, while Qi Yu took the water chestnuts upstairs.
Qi Yu pushed the door open and entered, then turned around and closed it again before looking at Wu Shiyan.
Wu Shiyan was the only person in the room. He stood by the window, and no one who entered the teahouse could escape his sight.
Wu Shiyan silently chanted in his heart, and sure enough, he heard the door open within the expected time. He looked up and looked over, his gaze silent but with a hint of unease.
Qi Yu smiled slightly but did not go over: "Your Majesty, I wish to leave the capital."
After much deliberation, she decided to lay out her thoughts completely. Rather than letting Wu Shiyan guess, she would rather express her own meaning.
But seeing Wu Shiyan's fist clenched tightly without making a sound, Qi Yu felt that it might not be that easy.
But she was going to leave no matter what.
The mission was not marked as complete after leaving the Pei residence. Only if leaving the capital was not enough would Qi Yu consider faking her death.
Unexpectedly, Wu Shiyan said in a low voice, "Okay."
Huh?
Qi Yu looked at him in surprise.
"Ayu, come here, I want to talk to you."
Qi Yu stepped forward and, seeing Wu Shiyan open his arms, she flew into his embrace like a bird.
"I'm sorry," Wu Shiyan said sincerely. Before Qi Yu arrived, he was thinking that perhaps he could use Zhao Wanyi and the lives of the Zhao family to keep Qi Yu by his side.
But seeing that Qi Yu's eyes were not tainted by hatred, he was instantly filled with deep guilt. At this moment, he would agree to whatever Qi Yu said.
Even if one wants to leave the capital...
Wu Shiyan said in a low voice, "I didn't know that the Gu family's affairs back then would affect you, and that it would make me so regretful and suffer like this. Although it's too late to say this now, I still want to say I'm sorry."
“It is my fault that you sisters have been separated for so many years, leaving you without the protection of your parents and having to grow up in the countryside. Ayu, I am sorry.”
His voice grew softer and softer, but fortunately Qi Yu was close enough to hear every single word he uttered.
Qi Yu recalled the rumors circulating in the palace that she and Zhao Wanyi were blood-related sisters.
Judging from Wu Shiyan's words, her and Zhao Wanyi's backgrounds should be related to the Gu family, and they have a blood feud with Wu Shiyan.
Considering the unusual relationship between Zhao Wanyi and Pei Jinqi, Zhao Wanyi was probably fully aware of it and had been making arrangements in the capital over the past few years.
Therefore, Zhao Wanyi's purpose in entering the palace is quite obvious.
She wanted to kill the king.
Qi Yu was silent for a moment. To be honest, she was not disturbed by these things.
"Is Your Majesty injured?" Qi Yu asked, touching Wu Shiyan's body.
When his hand reached for his chest, Wu Shiyan suddenly gasped.
Qi Yu pulled Wu Shiyan to a soft couch to check the wound on his chest: "Your Majesty, don't stop, continue."
Wu Shiyan said the words he had thought of hundreds of times: "If Ayu really wants to take revenge on me, then let your bloodline inherit the throne. That would be the best revenge against the royal family."
Qi Yu saw the wound on Wu Shiyan's chest and hissed softly. The wound wasn't wide, but it was very deep and near his heart. It was a bit unlucky; whether Wu Shiyan could even stand here today was another matter.
Fortunately, Wu Shiyan has always been very lucky.
Qi Yu frowned: "What does Your Majesty mean?"
Wu Shiyan knew he couldn't hide it for long, so he simply let him say it: "Ayu, you're pregnant."
Qi Yu: !!
She looked at Wu Shiyan in disbelief: "When did this happen?"
Wasn't she a supporting female character? At first, Qi Yu was a little worried after sleeping with Wu Shiyan, but fortunately, she couldn't get pregnant for a long time, so she was relieved.
Compared to Wu Shiyan, she was more worried about Pei Jin. The second male and female leads seemed like a match made in heaven.
Why did it have to happen at a time like this?
Qi Yu calculated the delayed period over the past few days and roughly guessed when she conceived.
Wu Shiyan: "It's been a month already."
"I think Pei Jin is aware of this matter as well. He is skilled in medicine and can easily take pulses."
Following Wu Shiyan's words, Qi Yu realized Pei Jin's unusual behavior, which is why Pei Jin found out that night.
No wonder their attitude changed slightly; they cherished it even more now.
But why didn't Pei Jin tell her?
Wu Shiyan added, "He might not say it because he wants to make this child his own."
It's difficult for outsiders to tell if a fetus is less than a month old.
Under Wu Shiyan's gaze, Qi Yu blushed.
If Pei Jin says she's pregnant in another month, she really won't know whose child it is. But if Pei Jin is certain it's his, she'll believe him.
Wu Shiyan felt stifled; Pei Jin was a beast.
Qi Yu thought that Pei Jin was quite a jerk.
But isn't it enough for the child to just know who their mother is?
Besides, whether or not to have the child is still another matter.
"Ayu, I can entrust Zhao Wanyi and the Zhao family to your decision."
He only hoped that Qi Yu would keep the child, but Wu Shiyan ultimately didn't say this request aloud.
Qi Yu frowned; Wu Shiyan must have a request for her to say that.
I already feel bad that I can't stand with Zhao Wanyi in our hatred of the enemy. If I can't even protect Zhao Wanyi and the Zhao clan that are implicated, I really can't bear it.
"How is Zhao Wanyi?" Qi Yu silently called out to her sister in her heart.
It feels amazing.
Wu Shiyan had already ordered Zhao Wanyi to be imprisoned, but after that day, he thought of Qi Yu. If Qi Yu knew that he had been harsh on her sister, her resentment would only deepen. So he ordered Zhao Wanyi to be kept under guard in the palace.
"How dare I touch her? I am the one who is most seriously injured."
As for the injury on Zhao Wanyi's neck, Wu Shiyan hadn't even thought about it.
Wu Shiyan said sorrowfully, "She is still your sister."
They cannot be killed, nor can they be harmed.
Although regicide is a serious crime, few people know about what happened that day, and he kept quiet about it early on. If he wanted to punish him later, he could simply bring it up again.
This is why Zhao Wanyi and the Zhao clan could gauge Qi Yu's attitude.
If Qi Yu protects him, Wu Shiyan can turn a major issue into a minor one, and a minor one into nothing.
Qi Yu lowered her gaze and withdrew her hand.
Wu Shiyan straightened his clothes.
“I hope my sister can be safe and sound. As for the Zhao family, you can ask my sister about her attitude. I don’t know anything about it.” Qi Yu frowned. “She may be a little heartless, but apart from caring about Zhao Wanyi, I have no resentment or hatred. Besides, I have no memory of the past.”
If you don't even have the memory, what's the point of talking about hatred?
The only reason I cared about Zhao Wanyi was because I had met her before, and having another older sister seemed like a good thing.
Wu Shiyan's heart pounded. He knew this was the best outcome, but he was puzzled: "But Ayu still wants to leave."
Qi Yu faced it calmly, her eyes brighter than ever before.
Yes, yes, she's going home!
She would have laughed heartily if it weren't for the baby in her belly.
Of course, whether or not to keep the baby depends on her return to the world, as modern medical conditions are far superior to those here.
Even though Qi Yu didn't say anything, Wu Shiyan knew that she was determined to leave.
He then said, "I will always be waiting for you in the capital."
Qi Yu was the most soft-hearted. He didn't believe that she would leave the capital to see all the beautiful scenery of the mountains and rivers and the four seasons and pass by the capital without coming to see him.
He only needs to wait patiently for one, two, or three years. Of course, he will also restrict Pei Jin from leaving the capital.
He couldn't possibly hand over Qi Yu to her, letting the two of them leave the capital to become an illicit couple, leaving him alone in the capital.
"No need to wait..."
Wu Shiyan grabbed Qi Yu's hand and interrupted, "You're talking nonsense."
Wu Shiyan stopped Qi Yu from speaking further. Qi Yu hesitated, then a bowl of meat porridge was stuffed into her hand.
Why would a teahouse serve porridge?
Having been out for so long, Qi Yu was indeed a little hungry. Under Wu Shiyan's heavy gaze, she sat down and finished her porridge.
Wu Shiyan stroked Qi Yu's chin: "You've lost weight."
These past few days he dared not see Qi Yu, and the news Lin Qi brought back did not ease his longing, so he naturally assumed that Qi Yu had lost a lot of weight.
Qi Yu felt the elastic soft flesh on her cheeks and found it hard to believe Wu Shiyan's words.
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