Xiao Chengci said in a low voice, "What? You've come all this way and you want to leave?"
Xiao Chengci embraced Pei Zhi and closed the door behind him.
Why did you reject me today?
Pei Zhi struggled slightly, and Xiao Chengci released her.
Pei Zhi turned around, took two steps back, and knelt down without thinking.
"This humble girl greets Your Highness. I was unaware of Your Highness's identity before and have offended you greatly. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
Xiao Chengci raised an eyebrow slightly. So, Pei Zhi knew his identity?
It really was much later than he expected.
Xiao Chengci didn't tell Pei Zhi to get up, and Pei Zhi didn't dare to get up either, so she could only kneel on the ground.
Xiao Chengci walked to the table and sat down, pouring himself a glass of water. "Normally, your father and elder brother don't talk to you about matters of state?"
Xiao Chengci was really curious as to why Pei Zhi only learned of his identity so late, making him wait for so long in vain.
“My father and brother usually have many trivial matters to attend to, and I am not interested in these things.”
After Pei Zhi finished speaking, she kowtowed again, "I have offended Your Highness before, and I deserve to die."
"Alright, get up." Xiao Chengci didn't want to see Pei Zhi bow and kowtow to him.
"Sit down," Xiao Chengci said, gesturing to the seat beside him.
Pei Zhi sat down next to Xiao Chengci, who poured her a cup of tea. "This tea is from the palace; it tastes quite good."
Pei Zhi quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Just sit still and stop with all this nonsense."
Pei Zhi took the teacup with both hands, took a small sip, and then showered it with praise.
Xiao Chengci propped his head up with one hand, staring at Pei Zhi with an amused look.
Now that you know my identity, what are your thoughts?
Pei Zhi was slightly taken aback when she heard Xiao Chengci refer to himself as "I, the Lonely One".
Xiao Chengci is not only a prince, but also the crown prince. Doesn't that mean he'll be the future emperor?
Pei Zhi hurriedly replied, "I am terrified and would not dare to have any improper thoughts."
Xiao Chengci persisted, "What if I let you think about it?"
Pei Zhi put down her teacup, then stood up and knelt down decisively. "I know my status is too low and I am not worthy of Your Highness. I dare not presume to have such thoughts."
Pei Zhi gritted her teeth and continued, "If Your Highness has any needs, I am willing to come at your beck and call. As for anything else, I would never dare to have any unrealistic thoughts."
Xiao Chengci retorted, "Low status? Not necessarily. You are, after all, the legitimate daughter of the Duke's mansion."
“My daughter was raised by pig butchers. After they passed away, she worked as a pig butcher for a period of time to make a living.”
Xiao Chengci already knew what Pei Zhi was saying.
Pei Zhi said mournfully, "Besides my pretty face, how am I qualified to stay by Your Highness's side?"
Xiao Chengci was silent for a moment before saying, "Sit down and answer."
Xiao Chengci was somewhat confused by Pei Zhi's words, unsure of Pei Zhi's intentions.
Xiao Chengci had a feeling that Pei Zhi disliked his identity.
Then she found it funny, guessing that Pei Zhi was frightened by his identity.
What woman in the world wouldn't want something to happen between him?
Pei Zhi didn't grow up properly in the Duke's mansion, so it's normal that she wouldn't dare to have such fantasies.
Occasionally, Xiao Chengci would also scold himself a couple of times.
It's strange that he looks down on so many noble ladies in the capital, yet treats a woman who used to slaughter pigs with special regard.
Xiao Chengci tapped the table lightly with his index finger twice: "Where did you go yesterday?"
Pei Zhi paused slightly, then looked up to meet Xiao Chengci's deep gaze.
Pei Zhi cautiously replied, "The day before yesterday, my mother sent me to deliver a gift to the teacher. Yesterday, Madam Yuan came to pick me up to go to the estate to pick flowers with her."
Yesterday, Mr. Yuan's carriage stopped at the estate.
Then, Shang Huai picked Pei Zhi up from the back door, and after they had finished playing, Pei Zhi returned in a carriage.
"I see."
Yesterday, Xiao Chengci's men came to report that it was indeed the Yuan family's carriage that had taken Pei Zhi away.
It was eventually discovered that the carriage had been parked outside the manor for an entire day.
Xiao Chengci curled his lips into a smile. It seemed he had been overthinking things.
Xiao Chengci reached out to take Pei Zhi's hand, and Pei Zhi seemed to be startled, standing up abruptly.
This action also surprised Xiao Chengci.
He hadn't expected Pei Zhi to react this way after learning his identity.
Xiao Chengci tried to soften his tone: "You don't need to be afraid of me."
Pei Zhi lifted her skirt and knelt down again, "Your Highness, I... I deserve to die."
Xiao Chengci saw Pei Zhi kneeling on the ground, a small ball, her whole body trembling.
For no apparent reason, Xiao Chengci sighed, feeling somewhat bored.
Xiao Chengci was young and had just lost his virginity. He had come today hoping to have something happen between them.
Seeing Pei Zhi trembling, Xiao Chengci lost interest.
Such caution and meticulousness is completely different from the enthusiastic and generous Pei Zhi of before.
"Get up. Don't kneel down so easily. I don't eat people." After saying that, Xiao Chengci personally helped Pei Zhi up.
Xiao Chengci grasped Pei Zhi's hand and realized that it was icy cold.
It seems that Pei Zhi was truly frightened.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Xiao Chengci was not an irresponsible person: "Don't worry, I will definitely give you an explanation for our matter."
Pei Zhi feigned surprise, "Confess?"
“I haven’t married the Crown Princess yet. Later, I will go and inform the Empress Dowager to bring you into the Eastern Palace first.”
Xiao Chengci patted Pei Zhi's hand, "Don't worry, after I get married, I will make you my concubine."
Xiao Chengci spoke these words in a tone of bestowal, and Pei Zhi had to feign being flattered.
In reality, Pei Zhi was rolling her eyes to the heavens.
Pei Zhi made a move to get up and kneel again, but Xiao Chengci pressed her down.
"Speak your mind, and I won't get angry with you."
Pei Zhi said plaintively, "Your Highness, my daughter is ignorant of etiquette and has never been properly raised. How could she be a concubine? My daughter is unworthy."
Xiao Chengci frowned. "So you mean you're willing to remain a concubine in the Crown Prince's palace forever?"
Pei Zhi was given a high position, but she was still unhappy about it?
Pei Zhi was so angry she wanted to grind her teeth to dust, but she could only show a worried expression and say, "I don't even think I'm worthy of being a concubine."
Pei Zhi lowered her head and squeezed out two tears. "Your Highness, please keep my daughter by your side. What if her past is brought up again in the future?"
"The Crown Prince has actually taken in a pig-slaughtering woman; this is bad for His Highness's reputation."
Before Xiao Chengci could reply, Pei Zhi hurriedly said, "This humble girl is willing to serve Your Highness without any title or status, just like now, and does not wish to cause Your Highness any trouble."
Pei Zhi's repeated refusals aroused Xiao Chengci's suspicion.
"Nameless and without status?" Xiao Chengci seemed to have heard a joke.
Xiao Chengci lowered his voice and said, "Are you playing hard to get? Do you want to become my Crown Princess?"
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