Pei Qing returned to the manor a little late today.
Jiang Rongrong and Chu Mo have indeed returned to Beijing.
As for Jiang Fei, after several days of treatment by Li Duan, the Cold Flower Poison in his body was gradually suppressed.
Pei Qing knew that she should have proceeded according to the original plan.
—Nowadays, under his instructions, Jiang Fei is becoming more and more like Jiang Rongrong.
Once the switch is reversed, everything can return to normal.
But... Pei Qing's hands unconsciously clenched tightly.
He had seen what Jiang Rongrong looked like when she was poisoned, and he himself had experienced the pain of the Qilin Gu attack, so he knew that feeling of being worse than dead.
When Jiang Fei was poisoned, she remained very quiet. Even though she was unable to move due to the cold flower poison and her body was shivering from the cold, she just lay there with a pale face and never cried out in pain.
Even so, she is all the more heartbreaking.
He couldn't help but wonder if she, who tested the poison for him, had also remained silent like this? Just so he could leave the city for those few hours.
"My lord," a guard said respectfully at the entrance of the mansion.
Pei Qing didn't say anything, but his pace quickened involuntarily.
He wanted to see Jiang Fei as soon as possible.
However, as soon as he turned around the front hall and saw the figure standing at the door, Pei Qing suddenly stopped.
Jiang Fei stood there, her white robes shrouded in mist, her face pale but her eyes bright. When she saw him, she smiled softly, her voice slightly hoarse: "You're back!"
Pei Qing's fingers trembled slightly. She quickly stepped forward, her brows furrowing slightly. "Why did you come out?"
Jiang Fei smiled at him, her eyes narrowing: "I'm fine now, so I came out to wait for you."
Looking at her smile, Pei Qing felt that inexplicable flutter in his heart again: "You don't need to wait for me anymore..."
“I wanted you to see me first when you get back to the manor,” Jiang Fei interrupted him, stepping forward to tug at his sleeve. “Lunch is ready, let’s go to the main hall together.”
Pei Qing looked at her hand and froze for a moment.
Jiang Fei realized what was happening and quickly tried to let go: "I forgot you don't like being approached by people..."
Before she could finish speaking, Pei Qing's large hand had already unconsciously grasped her hand in his palm. When he touched her cold fingertips, his fingers paused for a moment, then he gripped her even tighter, leading her toward the main hall.
Jiang Fei stared blankly at the two clasped hands until she sat down at the dining table, without uttering a single word.
Pei Qing turned to look at her: "What's wrong?"
Jiang Fei quickly shook her head, then glanced at her hands, pursed her lips and smiled, "Look, I've found my former self, and you can touch other people on your own now!"
Pei Qing was stunned, a pang of bitterness rising in her heart.
She still trusted him so much, but he made her suppress her true nature and become a different person.
And... he still didn't want to get close to anyone else, only because it was her. In front of her, he didn't feel like a monster.
"My lord, the dishes are all served," a servant's voice interrupted Pei Qing's thoughts, holding a jade porcelain bowl in his hand. "This is ginger and ginseng soup that you ordered the kitchen to prepare."
As he spoke, the servant placed the jade porcelain bowl in front of Jiang Fei.
Jiang Fei frowned as she smelled the strong ginger aroma, but paused when she looked up and met Pei Qing's gaze. Then she laughed, picked up the spoon, and was about to drink it.
“You’re feeling cold,” Pei Qing said involuntarily, feeling a pang of sadness. “Ginger and ginseng can warm you up.”
This time, it wasn't because of anyone else.
Jiang Fei's eyes lit up: "I know you care about me."
Pei Qing met her gaze, paused for a moment, lowered her eyes, and did not deny it.
Jiang Fei smiled, picked up the jade porcelain bowl, and drank it all in one gulp.
Outside the door, Li Duan's apprentice walked in, bowed to the two of them, and said, "Princess Changning, my master asked me to remind you not to forget to take your medicine later."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fei's face immediately fell, and his brows furrowed.
Pei Qing looked at her: "What?"
Jiang Fei complained softly, "The medicine is too bitter..."
Pei Qing was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting such an answer, and then laughed out loud.
"What are you laughing at?" Jiang Fei looked up at him.
Pei Qing shook his head and pondered for a moment: "I do have some candied fruits and melons from foreign lands in my room..."
Jiang Fei asked in surprise, "Really?"
Pei Qing nodded: "I will have someone deliver the medicine to my courtyard in a little while."
Jiang Fei nodded quickly.
Pei Qing gazed at her and smiled.
After dinner, the two walked quietly toward the main courtyard without speaking.
Just then, a guard hurried over and whispered something in Pei Qing's ear.
Pei Qing frowned slightly.
Chu Mo's return this time was not a cover-up, but rather a grand affair, as if... he was afraid others wouldn't know he had returned.
He is no longer the hostage who was at the mercy of others, but the regent of the Great Wei, above all others. His visit represents the friendly relations between the two countries, so he should be treated with courtesy.
However, as the emperor grew old, countless affairs fell on his shoulders.
Thinking of this, he turned to look at Jiang Fei: "Go to the room and wait for me. There are storybooks on the bookshelf. If you don't find them interesting, you can read them first."
Jiang Fei nodded, adding, "Don't work too late."
Pei Qing was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and agreed.
But as soon as he turned around, his smile faded, replaced by unease.
Why did I start to hesitate when all I wanted before was Jiang Rongrong?
Pei Qing's bedroom was clean and simple. Upon entering, one could smell a faint sandalwood fragrance, which was very pleasant.
Jiang Fei sat at the table and waited for a long time, but Pei Qing still did not return, perhaps because he was really busy.
With nothing to do, she walked to the bookshelf, opened a storybook, glanced at it casually, and put it back.
There was a thick ancient book nearby. Jiang Fei picked it up casually and was about to open it when a piece of paper inside slid out lightly and fell to the ground.
Jiang Fei frowned.
It was a portrait.
She picked up the portrait and unfolded it.
The woman in the portrait is incredibly lifelike, dressed in white, and her eyebrows, eyes, and posture bear a striking resemblance to her today.
Jiang Rongrong.
"Jiang Fei!" Pei Qing's voice suddenly rang out from the doorway, his tone more serious than usual.
Jiang Fei's face paled slightly in shock, and she looked up at Pei Qing blankly: "She is..."
Pei Qing remained silent, his heart filled with a mixture of fear and anxiety. He stepped forward, took the portrait, and placed it back into the ancient book.
Upon seeing Jiang Fei's pale face, he froze, and softened his tone, "The servant has brought the medicine. Please take it first."
Jiang Fei looked at him and nodded gently after a long while.
The medicine and candied fruit were already on the table.
Pei Qing sat absentmindedly to the side, her mind in disarray.
Did she see that portrait?
But if she saw it, why was she so calm?
What will she think?
I'm filled with frustration.
"I've finished drinking," Jiang Fei said softly, then slowly stood up, smiled quietly, "I'm a little tired today, I'll go back to my room to rest first."
After saying that, without waiting for Pei Qing's reply, she walked towards the door.
“Jiang Fei…” Pei Qing stood up.
Jiang Fei didn't stop walking and left on her own.
Pei Qing watched her figure disappear completely from sight, his hands unconsciously clenching tightly, and a bitter feeling gradually rising in his heart.
What's wrong with him?
As he said at the beginning, he only loves Jiang Rongrong, and the reason he turned Jiang Fei into what he is today is also because of Jiang Rongrong.
But then there was Jiang Fei, who tested poison for him, who held him and said, "You're not a monster," who took him to fly kites outside the city, who would kiss him carefully, and who was always the first person he saw when he returned home every day...
So many of hers.
It's not Jiang Rongrong, it's Jiang Fei.
Even the thought of sending her to Chu Mo's side caused her uncontrollable pain in her chest.
After an unknown amount of time, Pei Qing stood up steadily, but her body froze when she glanced at the table.
Jiang Fei didn't eat a single piece of the candied fruit on that plate.
He dipped his index finger in the remaining medicine and put it in his mouth; it was extremely bitter.
Jiang Fei is so afraid of hardship, yet just now... he didn't say a word.
That night, Pei Qing did not sleep a wink.
The next day, he was in a daze in the court, and it wasn't until he returned home after court that he managed to regain some energy.
The distance from the entrance of the mansion to the main hall is not short.
Pei Qing walked step by step, but the surroundings were quiet. No one attacked him suddenly with a long whip, and no one stood in front of the courtyard waiting for his return.
Dead silence.
Pei Qing quickened his pace and went to the main hall.
The meal was already prepared, but there was only one empty bowl and chopsticks.
He looked around.
A servant standing nearby whispered, "Princess Changning said she wasn't feeling well and used it in her room today."
Pei Qing was stunned for a moment, and found the entire dinner tasteless and bland.
And not just today. On the first day, the second day, she never appeared again.
She ate all her meals in her room, rarely left the room, and never waited for him at the door again.
The Imperial Preceptor's residence seemed to have returned to its former lifeless state.
She really did see that portrait.
Until this day.
When Pei Qing returned to the mansion, it was getting dark. There was a light at the entrance of the mansion, and he was walking towards the side courtyard.
His breath caught in his throat, and he took two quick steps toward the person carrying the lantern, but stopped abruptly when he saw who it was.
Li Duan.
"Why are you here, sir?" Pei Qing asked in a hoarse voice, hiding his disappointment by lowering his eyes.
Li Duan was also taken aback for a moment, then sighed softly, "My lord, Princess Changning truly cares for you." With that, he shook his head and walked away.
Pei Qing was puzzled. As he watched Li Duan's figure disappear, a servant hurriedly ran over: "My lord, Princess Changning wants you to go to the backyard."
Pei Qing's fingers trembled slightly, and then a strange joy rose in her heart.
Is she willing to see him?
He quickly walked towards the backyard.
Two long lanterns hang in the pavilion, and on the stone table beneath them are several small dishes and a pot of sake.
The dim light shone on the woman in the pavilion.
She stood there with her back to him, dressed in white. Her figure was slender, and a cool breeze made her white veil look like smoke and mist.
Pei Qing stared intently at that figure from behind. It looked exactly like Jiang Rongrong, yet it was instantly recognizable.
She is Jiang Fei.
He stepped forward, his calm voice unable to conceal a hint of excitement: "You're looking for..."
The sound stopped abruptly when the woman turned around.
That face...
That face!
It no longer has the bright and vibrant look of the past; instead, it has become much more subdued.
That's clearly Jiang Rongrong's face!
He suddenly remembered what Li Duan had just said!
Did Li Duan disguise her?
"Jiang Fei?" he whispered, his voice trembling slightly with uncertainty.
Jiang Fei's eyelashes trembled, and then she said in a low voice, "You haven't come to see me these past few days, and I wasn't planning on talking to you anymore."
Pei Qing's throat tightened.
“But I don’t think I can do it,” Jiang Fei pursed her lips, “I prepared your favorite dishes…”
"Jiang Fei!" Pei Qing interrupted her, his voice unusually tinged with anger.
Jiang Fei's eyes reddened, and she lowered her head: "Don't you like it? Master Li said you like it this way, it's what the woman in that portrait looks like..."
Pei Qing froze, looking at the woman in front of him, feeling a pang of sorrow in his heart.
For him, she disguised herself as another woman.
It was exactly what he wanted, yet the sight of it caused him excruciating pain, as if the Qilin Gu were raging throughout his body.
Finally, he stepped forward, stood in front of the woman, reached out and touched her cheek, about to peel off the thin, cicada-wing-like human skin mask.
“Pei Qing!” Jiang Fei suddenly called his name.
Pei Qing paused slightly, but the next moment she took off the mask herself, looking at the familiar bright and beautiful eyes.
This is the real her.
Then he suddenly lowered his head, cupped her face, and kissed her, kissing the corner of her lips with extreme tenderness and affection.
A gentle night breeze was blowing.
Jiang Fei heard the system's pleasant voice ring out.
Pei Qing's favorability rating: 80.
A moment later.
Pei Qing released the woman from his arms, sat down at the stone table, his lips stained with her lipstick, his ascetic demeanor tinged with desire, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Jiang Fei sat beside him, looking at the food on the stone table: "These are all your favorite dishes..."
Pei Qing interrupted her: "What is your wish?"
"Huh?" Jiang Fei asked, puzzled. "How come...?"
Pei Qing lowered his head, concealing the panic in his heart: "Consider this my repayment for tonight."
Jiang Fei thought about the plot carefully.
Judging by the time, Chu Mo and Jiang Rongrong have already arrived in the capital.
"I want to go out and have some fun," she whispered.
...
The night markets in Beijing are bustling tonight.
Jiang Fei walked ahead with joy in her eyes, looking at the painted boats on the lake in the distance, passing by the lanterns along the road, and occasionally stopping in front of jewelry shops to look at the exquisite hairpins inside.
Pei Qing followed closely behind her the whole time.
She arrived at a pastry shop, where the owner enthusiastically introduced her to the latest trendy snacks.
Jiang Fei stopped in front of the rice cake, looking at the soybean powder sticking to it.
"Young lady, you have a good eye. These rice cakes are all freshly made today..." the shopkeeper said with a smile as he stepped forward.
Jiang Fei didn't say anything, but picked up a piece of rice cake and turned to offer it to Pei Qing's lips: "Try it, it's not too sweet!"
After saying that, her face turned pale and she swayed.
Pei Qing reached out and steadied her: "What's wrong?"
Jiang Fei shook her head: "Something seemed to flash through my mind just now."
Pei Qing's body stiffened: "What?"
"It might not matter," Jiang Fei smiled, quickly regaining her composure. "You should try it!"
Pei Qing looked at her, and finally opened her lips and ate the rice cake.
The pastries are soft and chewy, with a subtle sweet aroma.
As Jiang Fei left the pastry shop, holding rice cakes in her hand, she immediately spotted the sugar figurine stall next to her.
Her eyes lit up, and she took Pei Qing's hand and walked over there.
The sugar figurine vendor is drawing a tiger, his expression focused.
Jiang Fei watched intently, holding Pei Qing's hand tightly without letting go.
Pei Qing lowered his head, looking at her holding his hand, and his breathing unconsciously became heavier.
The shopkeeper had finished painting the tiger and was about to put it in front of his stall when a coin of silver appeared before him.
Pei Qing said, "We'll buy these sugar figurines."
As he spoke, he took the sugar figurine and handed it to Jiang Fei, who was standing beside him.
Jiang Fei looked at him with bright eyes, gently licked the sugar figurine, and then smiled: "It's very sweet."
Just then, a woman's voice, filled with surprise and astonishment, broke the silence from behind.
"Aqing?"
Upon hearing this, Pei Qing's body trembled, and he remained motionless for a long time.
After a long while, he turned around, and then his body trembled: "...Rongrong?" His voice was hoarse.
Not far away, Jiang Rongrong stood by the lantern, looking somewhat tired, but her complexion had regained its former rosy glow.
However, why does the complexion that I used to find beautiful now seem... too pale?
Beside her stood Chu Mo, dressed in a dawn-colored robe, his eyes sinister.
They... are back.
Jiang Rongrong's eyes reddened, and she was about to walk towards him when she suddenly noticed something. She looked at Jiang Fei beside Pei Qing, and then looked down at their clasped hands.
She stopped in her tracks without realizing it: "You, you all..."
Chu Mo's gaze also fell on the two people's tightly clasped hands. His body froze, and a faint crimson glint appeared in his eyes.
Everyone's finally here.
Jiang Fei smiled inwardly, but her face was still full of confusion: "Pei Qing?" she called out in puzzlement, and then looked in the direction of his gaze.
When Chu Mo caught sight of Jiang Fei looking over, her body stiffened abruptly, and she even stopped breathing. But in just a moment, her gaze swept over him and landed on Jiang Rongrong beside him.
It's like... not knowing him at all.
Chu Mo frowned, staring intently at her.
Jiang Fei's face turned pale when he saw Jiang Rongrong, and his hand holding Pei Qing trembled.
Pei Qing also came to her senses and loosened her grip on Jiang Fei's hand slightly.
Jiang Fei suddenly withdrew her hand from his palm first.
Pei Qing was stunned, her empty palm accompanied by an inexplicable anger.
Is it because of Chu Mo?
"Is it her?" Jiang Fei asked, her voice trembling slightly, almost a murmur, "Pei Qing, is the woman in that portrait her?"
Pei Qing was stunned, only then realizing that she was looking at Jiang Rongrong, not Chu Mo.
A mix of emotions welled up inside him, and though he opened his mouth, he couldn't bring himself to deny it.
Seeing this, Jiang Fei's face turned even paler. She took two steps back and forced a smile: "I should be happy for you, your sweetheart is finally back..."
Pei Qing looked at the distance between them, his voice hoarse: "Jiang Fei..."
A cry of alarm from nearby interrupted him: "The horse has been startled."
Then came the sound of horses neighing, and a horse galloped wildly towards them, its hooves flying, and in a moment it was almost upon them.
Pei Qing's expression changed slightly. He looked at Jiang Fei standing on the official road, his eyes wide with shock. He hurriedly flew forward, trying to protect her.
However, his hands were empty.
A red shadow flashed by, and Chu Mo unconsciously stepped forward, put his large hand around Jiang Fei's waist, pulled her into his arms, and led her back to the roadside.
Jiang Fei's sugar figurines and rice cakes all fell to the ground, leaving a mess.
Chu Mo looked down and his expression tightened.
Just now, the image of her and Pei Qing smiling at each other, their fingers intertwined, flashed into her mind again.
Even when he appeared, she only looked at Jiang Rongrong, not sparing him a single glance.
Is this a case of feigning indifference to lure someone in? Don't they even know how to change their tactics?
That rice cake was the one she had fed him!
She also wrote for Sugar Man!
Thinking of this, he didn't loosen his grip on her waist; instead, he tightened it, staring intently at the woman in his arms.
Saving her was almost an instinctive reaction, just like... when she once lured away those men in black for him.
Perhaps because of the Cold Flower Poison, she had become even thinner, her face was pale, and she was dressed in a glaring white robe. Was it because she was a better match for Pei Qing? She seemed like a completely different person.
Even the way she looked at him changed, becoming...frightening.
On the other side, Pei Qing stood still, watching Chu Mo hold Jiang Fei's hand, watching Jiang Fei lean against him, and a strange murderous intent rose in his calm heart.
Last time, Chu Mo stole Jiang Rongrong away.
This time, he stole Jiang Fei away.
He felt a dull ache or a sense of resentment in his chest, and said softly, "Feifei."
Jiang Fei suddenly realized what was happening, quickly pushed Chu Mo away, took two steps back, and then subconsciously looked at Pei Qing, her eyes still showing a hint of attachment and fear.
Chu Mo looked at Jiang Fei, his fingertips trembling slightly.
He was all too familiar with that look in his eyes.
That's how she used to look at him.
His face darkened, and after a moment he forced a smile: "Feifei, it's been a long time..."
He stopped before he could finish speaking.
Jiang Fei finally looked at him, her face pale, and said politely but unfamiliarly, "Thank you for saving me, young master."
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