Chapter 44 Giving Up
The only thing that could calm him down was Ji Shu, but when he arrived at the Ji residence, he was stopped at the door. The servants told him that the young lady was not there and that the door was closed to visitors.
For the next few days, it was the same. Just when he was feeling disheartened and didn't know what to do, Wei Heng woke up.
Wei Heng told him that Ji Shu had been acting with him from beginning to end, just wanting to get revenge on him. On the day of the revenge, she made Ji Shu watch a play that she had directed and acted in herself.
Pei Xingjian refused to believe it no matter what, and even asked Lu Changfeng to investigate, only to find that it was true.
He was shocked to realize that Ji Shu was indeed avoiding him, and had even run to a manor outside the city, which was why he had been riding all the way here.
Ji Shu walked ahead, and when she learned that Pei Xingjian had arrived, she felt a headache coming on. This bothered her even more than when Pei Yanzhi moved into the manor.
She knew in her heart that it was because of Pei Xingjian that she was drugged by Wei Heng, and that she was recuperating here today to think things through.
Most likely, they've already realized they were acting and are coming to settle scores.
Lu Changfeng hurriedly said, "Young Master, Lady Ji has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, Pei Xingjian suddenly looked up.
She was dressed like a young lady from a noble family, with a white jade hairpin casually holding her hair up in a bun. She wore a moon-white cross-collar ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) on the upper body and a long skirt embroidered with peony branches on the lower body.
This further accentuated her slender and graceful figure, like a wisp of cloud just emerging from the mountain.
When Pei Xingjian saw Ji Shu walking over in the corridor, he was overwhelmed with emotion and subconsciously got up and went over to her.
"Shu'er..."
Ji Shu bowed and asked, "Young Master, what brings you to this place?"
Seeing her so distant, Pei Xingjian felt a pang of hurt. He had many questions for her, but for a moment he didn't know how to begin.
He knew he was afraid. What if what Wei Heng said was true?
Then, forcing herself to remain calm, she said, "I was worried about you these past few days, and that's how I found out you came here. Is it because of me, or did Wei Heng say something to you that made you avoid me like this?"
Looking at the travel-worn woman with bloodshot eyes, Ji Shu could tell that she must have been suffering these past few days.
She lowered her eyes to conceal her expression and said softly, "No, I stay at the estate for a while every year, with no other intentions. As for Lady Wei—"
When Wei Heng was mentioned, he deliberately paused slightly. Sure enough, Pei Xingjian asked urgently, "If she told you anything, tell me, and I will definitely not let her bully you."
Hearing these words, Ji Shu felt only mockery. If he hadn't been so indecisive, Wei Heng would never have bothered her.
If it weren't for this incident, why would she be going back and forth between this father and son? Thinking of this, she was filled with irritation. She hadn't even seen one off yet, and another one was already here.
Finally, he composed himself and said, "Madam Wei is just too worried about you, so I won't take anything she does to heart. It's alright."
The more casually Ji Shu described it, the more it proved that Wei Heng must have done something; otherwise, why would Shu'er leave her own house and run to this desolate wilderness?
In just a few days, she had lost some weight, which only made her dark eyes, fair skin, and beautiful appearance stand out even more.
With a heart full of tenderness, he stepped forward and took her small hand in his. Ji Shu tried to break free from his hot, large hand, but couldn't.
Once a man's desire is aroused, it is hard to restrain him. He pulled Ji Shu into his arms and said, "I have missed you so much these days, it hurts my heart."
"I thought you had been deliberately avoiding me these past few days, so I rushed over here feeling uneasy."
The moment Ji Shu's face was pressed against his chest, she didn't think of Pei Xingjian, but instead thought of his father, Pei Yanzhi.
How absurd and horrifying!
"Your Highness, please let go! I have something to say to you."
Pei Xingjian then released her, took a deep breath, and said, "Okay, go ahead."
While the two were talking, Pei Yanzhi stood at the corner of the corridor not far away.
Seeing their sincere feelings, they even hugged each other when they got emotional.
Such a perfect match, if he didn't help them be together, it would seem like he was breaking up a loving couple.
Lu Changming couldn't help but glance at his lord. He saw that the lord's surface was calm and showed no emotion, but he gave people the feeling of the sea before a storm, which was enough to swallow everything.
She dared not look any longer and lowered her eyes.
Ji Shu asked, "Your Highness, I heard you're returning to Yanzhou soon?"
Pei Xingjian nodded, thinking she was worried that he would forget him after returning to Yanzhou, and raised his hand to assure her, "Don't worry, Shu'er, I will talk to my grandmother about our marriage when I go back this time. Will you wait for me?"
Ji Shu turned her gaze to the high wall in the distance and sighed softly: "Your Highness, what I want to say is that it is impossible for me to agree to your request. I'm sure Wei Heng has already told you that I said those things on purpose at Furong Pavilion that day, just to spite her."
Turning around, she looked directly at Pei Xingjian and said, word by word, "I am not a kind person. You could say I hold grudges. Someone like that is not worthy of the position of the Crown Princess of Yan. Let's not see each other again."
Pei Xingjian's face turned pale and her eyes reddened. She had somewhat anticipated this on the way here, but it was nothing compared to how hurtful it was when she said it herself.
He was flustered and anxious, as if he had done something wrong, completely different from his usual arrogant demeanor. "Shu'er, I just want to ask, was everything before just an act? Did you ever like me, even a little bit?"
Ji Shu was stunned for a moment, then shook her head: "No, never at all."
In an instant, he felt a dull ache sweeping through his heart, an overwhelming bitterness engulfing him, and a hint of mockery appeared in his eyes.
Looking at his dejected figure, Ji Shu continued, "Your Highness, I am not suitable for you, and you are not suitable for me. Now that you are engaged, it is not appropriate for you to be here. You should go back as soon as possible."
"If your father finds out, I'm afraid he'll make things difficult for me!"
This world is too unfair to women. Although it is not she who is entangled with Pei Xingjian, Pei Yanzhi is afraid that her dealings between him and his son will cause trouble.
Ji Shu could tell that the only person in the world who could be controlled was Pei Yanzhi, the Marquis of Yan. That made sense, after all, he was his son.
Pei Xingjian felt as if his heart had been pricked by needles, and said in a hoarse voice, "Are you angry with me, or is it because of what happened that day?"
Ji Shu turned slightly to the side and remained silent for a while before speaking in a firm yet indifferent tone: "Your Highness, I am grateful for your kindness, but I have thought about it carefully these days. We are not suitable for each other, not only because of our social status, but also because of many other factors. If we continue to be entangled, it will not be a good thing for either of us."
"It would be best if we each went our own way before you left Chongzhou."
"Nothing else, I'll go back to my room to rest now."
Her skirt billowed behind her as she walked away without a backward glance.
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