Chapter 35 Intentional
Wei Heng considered himself to have frequented many restaurants in Yanzhou and seen a lot of the world, but he had never seen such an arrangement before.
She raised her hand to dismiss the servants, her expression growing increasingly somber. It was already late, but Ji Shu still hadn't shown herself.
Yinzi sensed something was wrong and was about to push open the door to ask when she suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from next door.
Wei Heng got up and walked closer, only to discover that there was a hidden hole in the wall that led directly to the next room. At a glance, the scene inside was as clear as if it were right in front of her.
"Young lady, this is..." Yinzi exclaimed in surprise.
Wei Heng put her finger to her lips and squinted, only to see Pei Xingjian and a woman in the room.
Her face suddenly darkened, and a chilling light flashed in her eyes.
The arrival of Ji Shu wasn't enough; who is this person now?
She quickly received her answer. Pei Xingjian grasped the woman's hand, who had her back to him, and asked excitedly, "Shu'er, why are you suddenly willing to see me today?"
This woman was none other than Ji Shu!
Wei Heng and Yin Zi exchanged a glance, then held their breath and continued watching.
Ji Shu lowered her eyes to look at his tightly clenched hand, suppressing the urge to pull it away, and said softly, "Your Highness has come here today by invitation only to clarify one thing with you. Your marriage agreement with Lady Wei should no longer involve me."
"If this continues, it will ultimately damage my reputation. I come from a humble background; if my name is ruined because of this, how will I face my parents in the future?"
When she looked up, her eyes were brimming with tears, making Pei Xingjian's heart tighten. He pulled her into his arms, gently resting his chin on her forehead, and said in a deep voice:
"Don't worry, I will definitely break off this engagement. Even if it offends the entire Wei family, I will not hesitate."
After the hole was opened, Wei Heng's face turned ashen.
She never imagined that the person she had admired since childhood would say such heartless words.
She almost wanted to rush in and confront him: Why did you treat me like this? Why were you so cruel?
From the age of ten, she knew she would be his wife.
Eight years of deep affection couldn't compare to the fact that he had only known this woman for less than two months.
She was even willing to compromise and allow her to enter the household as a concubine—but what did she get in return?
She knew there might be something fishy about her entering Furong Pavilion today, but hearing these words with her own ears still felt like the sky was falling and the earth was cracking.
In the next room, Ji Shu gently pushed him away, took a step back, tears welling up in her eyes: "I've been thinking about this for the past few days... Your Highness, let's just call it quits."
Seeing her like this, Pei Xingjian felt so sorry for her that he almost lost his soul. He hurriedly said, "Shu'er, I swear, I will definitely break off this engagement!"
"The position of Crown Princess will definitely be yours!"
Ji Shu seemed hesitant: "Actually..."
"Please feel free to speak."
A hint of sadness flashed across her eyes, and her voice grew even softer: "If it is really difficult... it doesn't necessarily have to be annulled. Perhaps, we could make Lady Wei a secondary wife? This way, we can save face for both families and avoid creating any rift between them."
Pei Xingjian's eyes lit up. Yes, how come he had never thought of that!
Since Hengmei is so unwilling to break off the engagement, wouldn't it be better to make her a secondary wife?
This sudden "turning point" delighted him, and he no longer had time to think about why Ji Shu, who had previously rejected him so firmly, was now taking the initiative to make such an arrangement.
Ji Shu had no intention of dealing with him any further, and simply said, "Then why don't you... go and explain to Lady Wei now? See how she reacts, and that will put your mind at ease."
Pei Xingjian took her hand and kissed it gently: "Okay, I'll go talk to her right away."
Ji Shu withdrew her hand, subtly wiped her face with a handkerchief, and smiled slightly: "Then I'll wait for your good news."
"Wait for me." Pei Xingjian hurriedly pushed open the door and left, unwilling to linger for even a moment.
Watching his figure disappear into the corridor, Ji Shu slowly turned around to face the dark hole in the wall. She knew that the eyes next door were still watching.
She now desperately wanted to know what the owner of those eyes was feeling at that moment.
She slowly walked to the basin, dipped her hand, which he had just kissed, into the water, and rubbed it vigorously.
It felt as if a layer of skin and flesh was being peeled away, until the back of the hand turned an unnatural red before it stopped.
Then he turned around and walked towards the door on the other side of the room.
Wei Heng was the only one left in the room. She slumped in a chair, feeling as if all her strength had been drained away.
A low groan, a mixture of crying and laughing, escaped her throat. She knew she had lost completely.
He lost to this merchant's daughter who came from humble beginnings.
The door was pushed open, and Ji Shu slowly walked in.
She looked around, her gaze finally settling on Wei Heng's face. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She had expected him to be a sharp-tongued person, but he turned out to be quite different.
A faint smile curved her lips as she gently closed the door behind her.
"Lady Wei." The voice was calm and even.
Wei Heng raised her eyes and finally saw the face of the woman who had captivated both her brother and Xingjian. Ji Shu wore only a light layer of powder today, her skin was as smooth as jade, her eyes were like autumn water, and her lips were as red as cinnabar.
As she approached, a faint fragrance wafted over, and Wei Heng suddenly understood why her brother Xingjian was so infatuated.
Not to mention Chongzhou, even in Yanzhou, she had never seen a woman with such outstanding beauty.
What a beautiful face, so delicate and lovely it makes one want to pity her.
"Madam Wei, was that play just now exciting?" Ji Shu stopped in front of her, looking down at her with undisguised sarcasm in her eyes.
Wei Heng froze, her pupils shrinking sharply: "You...you were really just putting on an act for him?"
Ji Shu tilted her head slightly, then nodded gently.
"So what if it is? Look, I don't even need to put in much effort. Just standing there, with a slight frown, Pei Xingjian feels heartbroken."
She leaned down slightly, looking into Wei Heng's eyes, her gaze filled with icy malice:
"Now that things have come to this, what do you think you have to compete with me on? Is it your status as a woman of the Wei family? Or your old relationship with him in Yanzhou?"
Her gaze swept over Wei Heng's bloodless face, and she lowered her voice, each word clear and sharp as a blade:
"But so what? I only need to say one word, and he will obey my every word. If I want to be the Crown Prince's wife, he will find a way to annul your engagement."
Wei Heng, pampered since childhood, had never suffered such humiliation. Anger instantly overwhelmed her reason, and she raised her hand to slap her across the face.
"Who do you think you are to speak to me like that!"
Ji Shu simply raised her hand—but her movements were faster than hers.
With a crisp "smack," a backhand slap landed heavily on Wei Heng's face.
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