The night markets in Beijing are bustling, with thousands of lights illuminating courtyards and homes, and the cries of vendors filling the air.
Chu Mo stood by the lamplight, staring blankly at the woman before him.
She said to him, "Thank you for saving me, sir."
Everything around me felt unfamiliar and alienated.
A chill ran through Chu Mo's hands and feet, and he felt as if even his breath was about to freeze. After a long while, he finally asked, "What tricks is Princess Changning up to now?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fei's eyes widened in confusion and astonishment: "You...know me?"
Chu Mo frowned, his hands clenched tightly, and finally couldn't help but take a step towards her: "Have you made enough of a scene..."
Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Fei almost immediately took three steps back, avoiding his approach, her eyes filled with fear.
Chu Mo froze in place.
In the past, if he stood still, she would run towards him with a smile.
Now, for every step he takes towards her, she takes three steps back.
It's like avoiding a wild, untamed beast.
"Feifei." Pei Qing suddenly spoke up from the side.
Jiang Fei's eyes lit up, she turned to look at him, and started to walk towards him.
"Jiang Fei!" A sinister voice, laced with hidden anger, rang out. Chu Mo, seeing the glint in her eyes because of Pei Qing, stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. "What? Now you're pretending not to recognize me?"
"What are you saying?" Jiang Fei pursed her lips, trying to pull her hand away, but he tightened his grip even more. "I don't understand what you mean. I thank you for saving me just now, but please let go..."
"Don't you understand what I mean?" Chu Mo laughed angrily. "Has the princess forgotten who was chasing after me and saying they liked me back then..."
"Chu Mo," Pei Qing suddenly interrupted him, her voice extremely calm, her eyes slightly shifting, "Let her go."
Chu Mo paused slightly while holding Jiang Fei's hand, looked up at Pei Qing, and suddenly sneered, "What are you afraid of?" After saying that, he looked down at Jiang Fei, about to speak.
Jiang Fei suddenly spoke up: "I don't like you." Fear still lingered in her eyes, but she looked calmly into Chu Mo's eyes. "We've only known each other for today, how could I like you? Besides, I... already have someone in my heart, I only like that person..."
As she finished speaking, her voice softened, and she glanced quickly at Pei Qing, her expression showing a hint of shyness.
Chu Mo was stunned.
They met today? They had been related by marriage for a year, and she said they met today?
He stared intently into Jiang Fei's eyes, trying to find even the slightest sign of lying.
But no.
Her eyes were open and clear, allowing him to look her over.
She said that she already had someone in her heart.
Chu Mo felt as if someone was stabbing his heart with a dagger, a chill creeping up his spine, and the grip on his hands tightened.
"Let me go..." Jiang Fei struggled forcefully.
Chu Mo laughed: "Did you already have someone in your heart?"
Jiang Fei was puzzled.
Chu Mo gently leaned closer to her: "Then, Princess Changning, shall I remind you who broke off their engagement to marry me?"
Pei Qing, who was about to step forward, froze.
What Jiang Fei broke was her engagement with him.
What if Jiang Fei also wanted to return to Chu Mo's side at this moment?
Chu Mo continued to ask, "Doesn't the princess remember who risked their life to protect me?"
"Who is it that cooks my favorite dishes in different ways every day?"
"And who is it that always wants to stay in my study with me..."
Jiang Fei's face suddenly turned ashen, her fingertips trembling slightly as she struggled to break free from his grasp: "Enough... let me go..."
"Enough?" Chu Mo looked at her and chuckled hoarsely. "Oh, and there's the rice cake, sugar figurine, and lantern you used on Pei Qing earlier. You said you wished for my wishes to come true, but now you're pretending to have forgotten everything..."
“I don’t know what you’re talking about…and I don’t want to know…” Jiang Fei raised her other hand to her temple. “I don’t know…”
As she spoke, her lips turned deathly pale, tears streamed down her face, and she swayed, her body stiffening with cold: "My head hurts so much... Pei Qing..."
Chu Mo felt a surge of fear; this was a sign that the Cold Flower Poison was taking effect.
His grip loosened slightly without him realizing it.
Jiang Fei quickly pulled her wrist away from his grasp and ran towards Pei Qing, but stopped in her tracks when she saw Jiang Rongrong. Finally, she timidly grabbed Pei Qing's sleeve: "Pei Qing, let's not stay here, okay? I want to go home..."
The voice was low, tinged with a subtle sadness.
Pei Qing looked down at the hand that was gripping hers, and her stiff limbs gradually relaxed.
She chose him.
“Okay,” Pei Qing said in a hoarse voice, “I’ll take you home.”
He looked at Chu Mo and said, "She can't be subjected to any more shocks."
After saying that, he turned to leave.
"Aqing!" Jiang Rongrong's voice stopped him in his tracks.
Pei Qing froze, then turned to look at Jiang Rongrong, whose eyes were already brimming with tears.
He felt completely lost when it came to Jiang Rongrong.
She was the first woman he was willing to protect, but why did he feel so desolate looking at her now?
Pei Qing's sleeve was gripped tighter, bringing him back to his senses. Seeing Jiang Fei's uneasy expression, he finally looked away, his voice somewhat strained: "Let's go."
Behind her, Jiang Rongrong stared in astonishment at the two figures, tears finally streaming down her face.
Why...? She only left for one trip, and everything is different now?
Chu Mo remained standing there expressionless, his hands clenched tightly, the veins on the back of his hands bulging.
Jiang Fei didn't stand there staring at him with red eyes, nor did she hate, resent, or be angry with him, much less grab a long whip and cause a scene with him...
She was dressed in unfamiliar clothes, and calmly stood in front of him, saying that she did not know him.
That's fine too.
At least, I no longer have to worry about being entangled with her, I don't have to carry any anxiety, I don't have to...
Is this really a good idea?
A voice rose from the depths of my heart, softly asking a question.
Chu Mo's face turned pale. He clutched his chest tightly, coughed, and tasted blood rising in his throat.
My chest hurts a lot.
The pain caused him to hunch over, making it difficult for him to breathe.
She rarely cried in his presence.
Even when she learned the truth on the city wall, she only looked at him with lifeless eyes.
But just now... she was calling out Pei Qing's name with tears in her eyes.
She didn't know who he was!
When she looked at him, there was neither love nor hate.
She even had someone else in her heart.
The way she timidly grabbed Pei Qing's sleeve just now, and the light in her eyes when she looked at Pei Qing, all said that the person in her heart was Pei Qing!
The Jiang Fei who once hugged the back of his neck, kissed the corner of his lips, and said "I love you so much" with eyes full of affection, now says she has fallen in love with someone else!
How can I tolerate this!
What exactly happened?
...
Chu Mo's favorability rating has reached 80.
On the way back to the Imperial Preceptor's residence, Jiang Fei listened to the system's voice, lowered his head, and smiled faintly to himself.
Noticing her subtle movement, Pei Qing looked up at her: "Princess..."
“Feifei,” Jiang Fei interrupted him.
Pei Qing was taken aback.
Jiang Fei looked up, met his eyes, and then forced a smile: "I like it when you call me 'Fei Fei'."
Pei Qing stared at her intently: "Feifei, just now..."
"That girl just now, is she the woman in the portrait in your room?" Jiang Fei interrupted him and asked softly.
Pei Qing remained silent.
Jiang Fei pursed her lips: "I know, I should congratulate you, you've finally waited for her, but Pei Qing..."
Her eyes stung with tears, but she still looked at him as if nothing was wrong, saying, "I can't do it."
Only a lantern was hanging inside the carriage.
Pei Qing stared blankly at the woman under the lamp.
“The young master who saved me just now seemed to treat that girl very well,” Jiang Fei continued. “Pei Qing, I will treat you very well too, okay?”
"From now on, I will eat the food and medicine sent by the kitchen properly, I will wear white clothes as you asked, I will not secretly have peach branches thrown away again, and I will not ride horses anymore. I will go back to being the person I used to be..."
She didn't finish her sentence.
Pei Qing suddenly pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as if he wanted to embed her into his body.
Jiang Fei leaned against him, her voice low and muffled: "Pei Qing, I really like you..."
Pei Qing's hand holding her trembled.
Do you like it?
He opened his mouth, but paused when he saw the white dress she was wearing.
Jiang Rongrong recalled the look in his eyes earlier, wondering why... he didn't have the urge to pull her into his arms.
Jiang Fei listened to Pei Qing's favorability rating fluctuate wildly, but after a few waves, it returned to 80.
Jiang Fei: "..."
Sure enough, seeing Jiang Rongrong return made them stingy with their favorability towards her.
What a scoundrel.
The carriage arrived at the Imperial Preceptor's residence at 9 PM.
As soon as Jiang Fei and Pei Qing entered the backyard, they saw the guards hurrying over.
"My lord, princess, someone from the palace just came and delivered an imperial edict, requesting that you two come to the palace tomorrow, saying that there is something important to tell you."
...
The next day.
When Jiang Fei and Pei Qing entered the palace, it was evening.
The palace banquet to welcome Chu Mo and Jiang Rongrong was scheduled for three days later, but the emperor wanted Jiang Fei and Pei Qing to enter the palace today, which was truly puzzling.
Jiang Fei was too lazy to guess, and simply treated it as a day trip to the palace.
The emperor was getting old, so he received the two men in his bedchamber.
After Jiang Fei and Pei Qing exchanged greetings, the emperor only asked a few questions about Jiang Fei's health and whether she was taking good care of herself before falling silent. After a while, he asked again, "How has Pei Qing treated you?"
Jiang Fei glanced at Pei Qing, pursed her lips, and nodded gently.
The emperor smiled with satisfaction, said nothing more, and sat on the dragon throne waiting.
Just as Jiang Fei was feeling confused, footsteps sounded again outside the door.
A palace attendant rushed in: "Your Majesty, the Prince of Guangyuan of Great Wei and the Third Princess have come to pay their respects."
Chu Mo and Jiang Rongrong?
Jiang Fei lowered his eyes slightly, then understood. Jiang Rongrong was, after all, a member of the royal family. Now that she had returned to the Great Yan, she would naturally have to enter the palace to meet the emperor. And Chu Mo was probably accompanying Jiang Rongrong.
After the eunuch left, Chu Mo and Jiang Rongrong entered. Upon seeing Pei Qing, Jiang Rongrong's expression changed slightly, but she lowered her head gently when she saw Jiang Fei.
Chu Mo stared intently at Jiang Fei.
He ordered someone to investigate, and the guards said that she had been traumatized and had forgotten some things.
And those things included him.
She had forgotten how deeply she had loved and adored him.
She also forgot to wash his hands and cook for him.
The companionship in the study, the sugar figurines, the pastries, the protection of him, the wishes on the lamp, and... the nonsense of "I will not marry the emperor".
I've forgotten everything.
This naturally includes his exploitation of her, his poisoning, and all the harm he caused her.
It was as if he had never existed in her life.
I've completely forgotten about it.
Thinking of this, Chu Mo's gaze turned sinister.
Noticing Chu Mo's gaze, Jiang Fei looked in that direction with a puzzled expression, then, filled with surprise and unfamiliarity, gently moved closer to Pei Qing beside her.
Seeing the fear in her eyes, Chu Mo chuckled and looked away. After bowing to Jiang Rongrong, he was seated on the right.
The emperor said, "Today's banquet is just a private one, and it just so happens that all of you are here." With that, he waved his hand.
Soon, palace servants brought in trays of food and placed them on the dining table in front of the group.
The emperor looked at the group of people, and after a long while, he looked at Chu Mo: "Prince Guangyuan had stayed in the Great Yan for a period of time before. I heard that after returning to the Great Wei, he made quite a few achievements, yet he still did his best to be filial and let his father sit firmly on the throne?" He smiled and said, "It is a pity that Prince Guangyuan only serves as regent."
Chu Mo's expression tightened slightly, and his gaze quickly swept over Jiang Fei.
The latter quietly picked up a piece of fallen chrysanthemum with his chopsticks and placed it in Pei Qing's bowl, without ever glancing at him.
Chu Mo tightened his grip on the bamboo chopsticks, then chuckled, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. There's nothing to regret."
The emperor glanced at him, then looked at Jiang Fei: "Feifei suffered a shock a few months ago and has forgotten many things. Fortunately, she has the Imperial Preceptor Pei with her." As he spoke, he covered his mouth and coughed a few times. A eunuch hurriedly brought him a silk handkerchief. "Now, what I am most worried about is Feifei's lifelong happiness."
Chu Mo's body stiffened.
“Father.” Jiang Fei looked up at the emperor, her ears slightly red.
The Emperor chuckled: "It's quite a coincidence, Fei Fei has been betrothed to the Imperial Preceptor Pei since childhood. After all the twists and turns, they've still managed to end up together..."
Suddenly, a crisp sound drew everyone's attention—Jiang Rongrong's spoon fell onto the table, and she was looking at Pei Qing across from her with a pale face.
Pei Qing looked up, seemingly surprised that the emperor would bring up the marriage agreement today, and even more surprised that... he felt no rejection, but was taken aback when he met Jiang Rongrong's gaze.
Chu Mo stared intently at Jiang Fei, who hadn't looked at him again.
Only Jiang Fei kept her head down, her cheeks slightly flushed.
The emperor looked at the group without changing his expression and continued, "Feifei, Pei Qing, if I were to say that I would allow you two to rekindle your past relationship, would you be willing?"
Chu Mo's fingers trembled as he stared intently at Jiang Fei.
He never imagined that the old emperor would bestow a marriage upon Jiang Fei and Pei Qing right before his eyes.
Jiang Fei's eyelashes trembled, and she quickly glanced at Pei Qing beside her before saying, "I will listen to Father."
With a "snap," the bamboo chopsticks in Chu Mo's hand broke, piercing his palm, and blood immediately gushed out.
Jiang Rongrong came to her senses, took the handkerchief, and was about to wipe the blood from his palm.
Chu Mo, however, kept his fists clenched and ignored her, only looking at the man on the dragon throne.
The emperor also looked at him: "Does Prince Guangyuan have something to say?"
Chu Mo felt a lump in his throat, wanting to say something, but then he looked at Jiang Fei, who hadn't glanced at him once from beginning to end.
The image of her nearly flaring up with the Cold Flower Poison yesterday inexplicably surfaced in his mind. Finally, he lowered his eyes, his hand trembling slightly from the force, and said, word by word, "This is the Emperor's family matter."
"Indeed," the emperor smiled, then looked at Pei Qing, "What does Grand Preceptor Pei think?"
Pei Qing was momentarily dazed as he watched Jiang Rongrong worry about Chu Mo's injured palm. He only came to his senses after hearing the emperor's words, but his brows furrowed slightly as he was about to speak.
The emperor interrupted him and sighed softly, "The Pei family has produced outstanding talents for generations, and they have been loyal to the Great Yan. Just think about how the late Grand Preceptor served the Great Yan for more than fifty years."
Pei Qing unconsciously clenched her fists.
He knew what the emperor meant by those words.
So what if he holds power? He is a member of the Pei family, and the mother Gu is buried beneath this imperial city. He has no room to refuse.
But he hated being coerced.
The next moment, Pei Qing felt his sleeve being gently tugged.
He turned his head to look.
Jiang Fei was looking at him, her eyes filled with unease.
Pei Qing paused for a moment, then finally looked at the emperor: "Your subject has no objection."
The emperor nodded in satisfaction: "In that case, I will personally bestow the marriage upon you at the palace banquet the day after tomorrow. Feifei should not stay at the Imperial Preceptor's residence for the next few days; she should return to the Princess's residence first." After saying this, he was helped up by the eunuch and left for the inner palace.
The moment the emperor left, Jiang Rongrong stood up, her face as pale as paper, her eyes red as she looked at Pei Qing, and then turned and ran out.
Pei Qing's body stiffened, and his gaze unconsciously followed Jiang Rongrong's.
“Go ahead,” Jiang Fei suddenly said from beside him.
Pei Qing turned to look at her.
“I know you and she have something to talk about, and she needs your comfort.” Jiang Fei smiled. “Don’t forget to come back.”
Pei Qing's fingertips trembled slightly, and she nodded, saying, "Okay." It was like a promise.
After saying that, he prepared to leave.
“Pei Qing!” Jiang Fei suddenly called out.
Pei Qing paused.
Jiang Fei forced a smile: "Do you remember what I said?" She said, "I only trust you."
Pei Qing stared intently into her eyes, then finally turned and left.
Jiang Fei remained standing, watching Pei Qing's retreating figure, the light in her eyes gradually dimming, her voice a soft murmur: "But I wish you would stay..."
Chu Mo, who was standing to the side, stared at her figure and felt a pang of sadness as he listened to her almost affectionate words.
She had used the same tone to try and persuade him to stay!
Jiang Fei seemed to notice him and looked at him.
Chu Mo's back stiffened, and something in his heart pounded violently. But it quickly froze.
Jiang Fei quickly concealed her emotions in front of him, but her slightly red eyes still betrayed her sadness. She forced a smile at him and said politely, "I never expected that you, young master, would be the Prince of Guangyuan. I was rude last night, and I must thank Your Highness for saving me last night."
Hearing her unfamiliar words and seeing her unfamiliar expression, Chu Mo found it incredibly funny.
It was so funny that my eyes welled up with tears, but a chill crept down my back.
Your Highness.
This is how she now addresses him.
It's as if the person who once held him and said, "You are my husband," wasn't her.
Now she wears an unfamiliar white dress, and her walk is not as flamboyant as before; even her back view carries a sense of tranquility.
But what he saw filled him with desolation.
Chu Mo picked up the wine glass beside him and was about to drink it all in one gulp.
Jiang Fei frowned, then suddenly said, "Your spleen and stomach aren't good, so don't drink too much cold food..."
The sound stopped abruptly, and she stood there in disbelief, her face slightly pale.
Chu Mo's hand froze in mid-air, and he stared straight at her, his eyes suddenly brightening.
Jiang Fei suddenly realized what she had said, her eyes filled with confusion: "I don't know why I said that, I also..."
She couldn't continue, so she said "sorry" and ran out quickly.
Chu Mo watched her retreating figure, his gaze lingering for a long time before he lowered his eyes. Only then did he notice the sake in his glass trembling slightly. Something in his heart was pounding fiercely.
Meanwhile, Jiang Fei sat lazily in the carriage returning to the princess's residence, listening to the system's pleasant voice:
Chu Mo's favorability rating: 90.
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