Chapter 14 Sachet
Pei Xingjian's gaze was suddenly captured by her, fixed intently on her.
"This is a sachet I embroidered myself. It has a delicate fragrance that can calm the mind and focus the spirit... Thank you for your care these past few days, Your Highness."
Pei Xingjian looked at the exquisite embroidery and felt his heart pounding so hard it almost burst out of his chest: "This is... a gift for me?"
Ji Shu nodded slightly and pushed the sachet in front of him.
When he took it, his warm fingertips accidentally touched her slightly cool fingertips, and his heart trembled. He couldn't help but take her hand into his palm.
"Okay, I'll keep it safe, for the rest of my life."
Ji Shu was startled, looked up at him, and subconsciously tried to pull her hand away, but he held it even tighter.
Pei Xingjian's cheeks flushed slightly, but his tone was solemn: "Shu'er, I have already expressed my feelings to my father. If you are willing, I will write to my grandmother and welcome you into the family."
Seeing her silence, he quickly added, "Don't worry, I will never let you suffer any injustice. You will have all the proper etiquette for a Crown Prince's consort."
Upon hearing this, Ji Shu almost burst out laughing, and raised her voice to ask, "Does the young master want me... to be his concubine?"
Pei Xingjian didn't notice the chill in her words. Instead, he squeezed her hand and comforted her gently, "Don't worry, Hengmei isn't a sharp-tongued person. We grew up together since childhood. What I like, she will definitely like too."
Under the lamplight, her rosy cheeks bloomed like pear petals, her eyes sparkling, yet a hint of mockery flickered across them.
She abruptly pulled her hand back, her fingertips clenching tightly in her wide sleeve, her mind becoming even calmer.
"I have come here today to explain things to the Crown Prince."
Hearing her voice soften, Pei Xingjian's expression also became serious: "Go on."
“I never wanted to be a concubine. It should have been made very clear that day that if the prince truly loves me, he should respect my wishes.”
Pei Xingjian's face darkened, and his voice became hoarse: "Being my concubine is an insult to you? Do you know how many noble ladies cannot even become concubines in the Pei family?"
Ji Shu said calmly, "I know I come from an ordinary background, and it is already a blessing to be a concubine of the prince. But I have no desire to curry favor with the powerful and wealthy, and I do not wish to be a concubine who is controlled in every way and has no freedom."
"I'd rather be a wife from a poor family than a concubine from a wealthy one."
These words, however, led him to completely misunderstand.
His expression darkened as he pressed on, "So...you want to be my Crown Prince's consort?"
For a moment, he even wanted to scold her for being delusional, but when he met her slightly red nose and clear eyes, his anger turned into pity.
She was as clear and bright as a mountain spring, as if any request was a matter of course.
He softened his tone: "I know that being a concubine is unfair to you. But believe me, I only have brotherly and sisterly feelings for Hengmei, and absolutely no romantic feelings for her. Is that... alright?"
Ji Shu almost burst out laughing. It was utterly ridiculous that there was no romantic love between them, yet that didn't prevent him from marrying her or sharing a bed with her.
What a fine set of flowery words.
Her expression turned cold, and her words seemed to freeze: "What the young master does with other women is none of my business."
"I thought I had made myself clear enough."
Pei Xingjian suddenly realized, his voice slightly hoarse: "So you agreed to meet me today only to clarify everything, not because you are fond of me?"
Ji Shu met his deep, dark eyes without flinching: "Yes. I was afraid the young master would pester me, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to explain."
"Entanglement?" Pei Xingjian chuckled lightly, but there was no smile in his eyes. "Ji Shu, what kind of person do you take me for?"
She glanced at him indifferently: "That would be for the best. I hope Your Highness will remember what I said today."
"you……"
Ji Shu got up, took the veil and cloak from the screen, and went straight out the door.
Pei Xingjian stared at the table laden with delicacies, instantly losing all appetite. The jade bracelet he hadn't yet given away smoldered slightly in his sleeve. He watched her figure disappear into the crowd below, gradually fading from sight.
Only his face remained ashen, his brows cold and hard.
"Oh!"
He suddenly threw the bracelet to the ground; with a crisp sound, the jade shattered and its light scattered.
...
Across the lake, the Furong Pavilion stands overlooking the water. From the window, one can see the entire city of Chongzhou ablaze with lights on the Lantern Festival, like a galaxy fallen to earth.
Wu Yang carried in the hangover soup, his footsteps a little heavy. Lu Changming whispered a reminder: "Keep it down, our lord is drunk."
"Yes," Wu Yang replied hastily.
Pushing open the door, one sees Pei Yanzhi leaning against the window, his eyes reflecting the bustling street scene below, tinged with a hint of alcohol.
Lu Changming took the soup bowl and stepped forward: "My lord, the hangover soup is ready."
Pei Yanzhi responded softly and was about to take it when Lu Changming suddenly looked out the window and whispered, "My lord, that seems to be... Lady Ji?"
Pei Yanzhi looked over and saw that Ji Shu was not wearing a veil, but only a snow-white cloak. Even amidst the thousands of lights, she still exuded a refined and elegant aura, and could be recognized from afar.
She walked slowly with the crowd, her head bowed as if she were thinking about something.
She walked to a river lantern stall, bent down to buy an ever-burning lantern, squatted on the bank of the Chongzhou River, looked at the lanterns that filled the river with longing, quietly lit the lantern in her hand and put it into the flowing water.
As soon as I stood up, I saw Pei Yanzhi standing alone not far behind me, his gaze deep and unfathomable, I wondered how long he had been watching me.
Ji Shu was momentarily stunned, thinking that he had not come to find her, but perhaps to observe the people's conditions. With thousands of families going out for the Lantern Festival, it was normal for him to come here.
Their eyes met, and she became flustered first. She quickly stepped forward, curtsied, and raised her voice slightly: "Greetings, Marquis Yan."
Pei Yanzhi nodded, subtly shifting his gaze: "Come and release the lanterns?"
"Yes. So, Your Excellency has also come to admire the lanterns?"
"We had a banquet tonight and drank too much. Come out and sober up."
Ji Shu then caught a faint scent of alcohol on him, mixed with sandalwood, not strong at all.
Why are you all alone today?
"I got separated from my maid in the crowd."
After saying this, she felt it was inappropriate to travel with him, lest she disturb his peace, so she said, "Then I shall take my leave first. Lord Yan, you may take your time to explore; today is the annual grand event in Chongzhou."
Just as he was about to turn around, Pei Yanzhi suddenly spoke up: "How should we release these river lanterns?"
He seemed different tonight, less aloof and condescending, even quite gentle.
Ji Shu paused, perhaps the hustle and bustle of the city dispelling her restraint, and asked softly, "Would you like to set off a lamp as well?"
Pei Yanzhi gave a very soft "hmm".
"Then please follow me."
He nodded and followed quietly behind her.
When the stall owner saw Ji Shu return, he was taken aback at first. But when his gaze swept over the man behind her, he immediately understood and said with a smile, "Is my wife buying a lantern for her husband?"
Ji Shu's ears suddenly turned red: "No...no—"
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