Pei Zhi instinctively wanted to refuse, but Mr. Yuan didn't give her a chance to speak.
“Then it’s settled. If I win, you will give me the Hetian jade chess piece. That way, I’ll feel at ease with it.”
The chessboard is small, and with three people playing, one person always has to sit on the outside.
Xiao Chengci had Pei Zhi sit opposite Mr. Yuan, then personally dragged over a chair and placed it beside Pei Zhi before sitting down.
Under the chessboard, out of Mr. Yuan's sight, Xiao Chengci's knee was already pressed against Pei Zhi's leg.
Pei Zhi wanted to shrink back, but the chessboard was only so big, and there was nowhere for Pei Zhi to hide.
Fearing that making too much noise would attract Mr. Yuan's attention, she could only keep her legs close to Xiao Chengci's.
Mr. Yuan was in high spirits, after all, he hadn't beaten Xiao Chengci in a long time.
Xiao Chengci was going to play a game of chess with Pei Zhi, so the two of them sat very close together.
Pei Zhi made the first move, and without much thought, she quickly placed her piece.
Mr. Yuan, holding a white piece, also placed his piece.
Xiao Chengci was sitting to Pei Zhi's right, and the chess box was also to Pei Zhi's right.
In this way, the chess box would be on Xiao Chengci's left.
Xiao Chengci then moved even closer to Pei Zhi to make it easier for him to pick up a chess piece with his right hand.
Mr. Yuan's attention was focused on the chessboard, and he didn't notice that Xiao Chengci and Pei Zhi were standing so close together.
Pei Zhi held a black piece in her hand, about to make a move, when her whole body involuntarily trembled slightly.
Pei Zhi immediately bit her lip, her eyes fixed on the chessboard.
Seeing that Pei Zhi had been thinking for too long, Mr. Yuan said, "You don't need to feel any pressure. Just do whatever you want."
"Yes," Pei Zhi quickly placed her piece, but secretly reached her left hand under the table and pinched Xiao Chengci's leg hard.
That shameless Xiao Chengci actually reached out and touched her while playing chess.
Mr. Yuan was still on the other side, but Pei Zhi reacted quickly enough that Mr. Yuan didn't notice anything amiss.
"hiss."
Xiao Chengci suddenly spoke, startling Pei Zhi so much that she immediately withdrew her hand.
Mr. Yuan asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
Xiao Chengci shook his head: "It's alright, I'm just thinking about it."
Mr. Yuan looked at the chessboard and saw that only a few moves had been made, but he didn't know what there was to think about.
However, Xiao Chengci's caution made Mr. Yuan even more alert; he absolutely could not lose his Hetian jade chess piece.
Pei Zhizhen dared not pinch anymore; Xiao Chengci was far too audacious.
Since Pei Zhi did not resist, Xiao Chengci seemed to have no more scruples, and his actions became increasingly excessive.
Pei Zhi could only bite her lip in silence, trying not to make a sound.
However, neither Pei Zhi nor Xiao Chengci were focused on the chessboard.
The two players were making a complete mess of a game of chess.
In the end, Mr. Yuan won the game very easily.
Mr. Yuan laughed heartily, "It seems that the two of you have absolutely no chemistry."
Xiao Chengci praised, "Sir, your chess skills are superb."
"Don't give me that. You lost the game to me. Don't think you can fool me with a few nice words."
"I dare not refuse. I will send someone to deliver the chess pieces to you tomorrow."
Pei Zhi pushed away Xiao Chengci's hand, which was still making trouble under the table, stood up and said, "Sir, it's getting late, I should go back now."
Mr. Yuan glanced at the sun outside and said, "It's just the right time for lunch. Why don't you stay and have some?"
Pei Zhi quickly declined, "No, Mother has hired etiquette matrons for the students this afternoon, and it wouldn't be good to keep them waiting."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Yuan did not insist. "Then go ahead. I'll be free in ten days. Come and learn chess from me."
"Yes." Pei Zhi bowed, then looked at Xiao Chengci who was sitting.
Xiao Chengci's chair blocked Pei Zhi's way, and since Xiao Chengci didn't get up to give up his seat, Pei Zhi couldn't get out at all.
"Sir, it's getting late, so I'll take my leave now."
Mr. Yuan had no intention of trying to persuade Xiao Chengci to stay.
Xiao Chengci is the Crown Prince, and he is very busy. It is impossible for him to spend a whole day with him.
"Alright, remember to have someone send the chess pieces over tomorrow."
Pei Zhi didn't care about anything else. After Xiao Chengci made way for her, Pei Zhi bowed and thanked him before leaving.
Xiao Chengci nodded, which was considered an agreement.
After Pei Zhi went out, she lifted her skirt and jogged, trying to put some distance between herself and Xiao Chengci.
Unfortunately, Pei Zhi was eventually caught by Xiao Chengci.
Xiao Chengci put his arm around Pei Zhi's waist, glanced at the surrounding scenery, and then led Pei Zhi to her guest room.
Xiao Chengci pressed Pei Zhi down and asked, "Why are you running?"
Pei Zhi, panting, said, "Your Highness, hurry back for your meal."
Xiao Chengci asked in a low voice, "Are you hungry?"
The two were too close, so Pei Zhi leaned back slightly and responded.
“Perfect timing, I’m hungry too.” Xiao Chengci put his arm around Pei Zhi’s waist, bringing her closer to him so she could feel him.
Pei Zhi raised her voice slightly to remind Xiao Chengci, "Your Highness, this is in the Master's residence."
Xiao Chengci buried his head in Pei Zhi's neck and compromised, "Then you'll do what you did last time?"
Pei Zhi was afraid that Xiao Chengci would disregard her wishes, so she could only plead pitifully, "Your Highness, please, not here."
Pei Zhi looked at Xiao Chengci with tears in her bright eyes.
Xiao Chengci sighed, "You still don't understand. The way you look at me makes me even more unable to control myself."
Pei Zhi cursed him as a pervert in her heart, tugging at Xiao Chengci's clothes, "Your Highness, let's go out, let's go outside. Whatever Your Highness says goes, okay?"
Xiao Chengci seemed to be pondering the deal, and only released Pei Zhi after confirming it was worthwhile.
"You go out first and have the servant take the horse to the bookstore. I will follow shortly."
Pei Zhi breathed a sigh of relief and nodded quickly.
Xiao Chengci grabbed Pei Zhi's hand and threatened in a low voice, "If you dare to play tricks on me, I'll go to the Duke's mansion to find you."
Pei Zhi did indeed have this thought in mind, and without considering anything else, she ran straight home.
But this thought only lasted for a moment.
She can't afford to offend Xiao Chengci right now, so she can only put up with it.
Pei Zhirou said softly, "This humble girl wouldn't dare."
That's just how things are in this era. Once Xiao Chengci comes to your door, Pei Zhi's life or death is entirely in his hands.
Xiao Chengci patted Pei Zhi's head with satisfaction, "Go ahead."
This time, Pei Zhi successfully left the mansion, got into the carriage, and followed Xiao Chengci's instructions, having the servant drive the horse to the bookstore.
Pei Zhi leaned against the carriage, lost in thought.
Does she intend to continue to let Xiao Chengci do as he pleases?
Pei Zhi's original plan was to make Xiao Chengci lose interest in her.
But Xiao Chengci dared to do such a thing right under Mr. Yuan's nose today, which really frightened Pei Zhi.
Xiao Chengci dared to do this simply because of his high status.
Even if he was discovered, no one blamed him.
But Pei Zhi couldn't do that. She had to get out of this predicament. She couldn't just wait for Xiao Chengci to lose interest in her; that would be sitting idly by and waiting for her to die.
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