77. Chapter 77: Ignorance
Pei Xiuhan held her in his arms and walked towards Su Yuexuan with her. "Why would I chase her?"
His tone was very calm, as if in his heart, Gu Zhen was just an insignificant existence.
Xiaoxiao's heartbeat quickened. She didn't dare look at him. She reached out to brush the snow off his shoulders, then whispered, "Didn't brother come back because of her?"
Pei Xiuhan was a little surprised why she asked this, and couldn't help but look at her again. The candlelight in the corridor flickered in the wind and snow, and there was obvious tension in the girl's dark eyes.
Pei Xiuhan protected her as they walked to the corridor. After closing his umbrella, he turned around and asked, "Why did I rush back because of her?"
There have always been many rumors about him, but Pei Xiuhan rarely pays attention to them. The only things his subordinates report to him are major events.
Guessing she might have misunderstood, Pei Xiuhan explained in a low voice, "Gu Zhen's father once colluded with the Third Prince to force him to abdicate. Her father and brother were both killed by my brother and me. I was afraid she might harm you, so I rushed back."
The reason why Pei Xiuhan let Gu Zhen and her mother go was, firstly, because they were unaware of the situation, and secondly, because of the Queen Mother's decree.
When Xiaoxiao heard this, her eyes brightened up a little and a smile appeared on her lips. She never expected that he rushed back because he was worried about her. Does it mean that in his heart, she is more important than Gu Zhen?
Xiaoxiao couldn't help but smile.
After walking out of the corridor, the snowflakes fell even harder, and the cold wind mixed with snow particles kept blowing on people's faces. Pei Xiuhan opened the oil umbrella, held the little girl in his arms, and took her to Su Yuexuan.
In Xiaoxiao's memory, there was only one winter when it snowed so heavily that the flying snowflakes almost blocked her vision.
When she returned to Su Yuexuan, Xiaoxiao couldn't help but reach out to catch a snowflake. The snowflake fell on her palm, feeling a little cold. She playfully covered his cheek with her cool little hand.
A smile also appeared in Pei Xiuhan's eyes. He tilted his head and gently bit her fingertips before following her into the room.
Xiaoxiao untied her cloak and hung it on the hanger. She was wearing a light blue floral jacket on top and a snow-white silk skirt on the bottom. She was not wearing anything thick underneath.
Fearing that she would catch a cold, Pei Xiuhan carried her directly to the bed. When he reached out to take off her shoes and socks, Xiaoxiao blushed and shrank back, "Brother, I can do it myself."
After she finished speaking, she quickly bent down and took off her shoes and socks.
Pei Xiuhan wrapped her up with a quilt and told Luzhu, "Go get two hand warmers."
Luzhu quickly brought in the hand warmer and then tactfully left. With the two of them alone in the room, the atmosphere suddenly became more ambiguous. Xiaoxiao couldn't help but recall his previous advances, and her heartbeat suddenly quickened.
It was late at night, and it was a bit presumptuous for a man and a woman to be alone in the same room, but Xiaoxiao couldn't bear to send him away. During the two days he was away from home, she missed him even while embroidering her wedding dress.
The longing for him seemed to have overcome everything. Xiaoxiao sat a little further inside, patted the seat beside her, and said with a smile, "Brother, it's still early. Wait until the snow stops before leaving."
Pei Xiuhan still had to go back to the palace. Thinking that he wouldn't be able to accompany her for some time, he sat down and took the girl in his arms along with the quilt. "Have you missed me these past two days?"
Xiaoxiao nodded obediently. She reached out and pulled the quilt, wrapping him up as well. Pei Xiuhan was a little amused, "I'm not cold, wrap yourself."
Xiaoxiao didn't listen. After wrapping both of them up, she snuggled into his arms. Pei Xiuhan simply pulled the quilt in her direction, and Xiaoxiao saw that he was wearing the ring on his hand again.
Xiaoxiao couldn't help but reach out and touch it. She pursed her tender pink lips again and again, and couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Brother, was this ring given to you by Gu Zhen?"
Pei Xiuhan knocked her head. "What are you imagining? This ring is my keepsake. With it, I can even mobilize the guards in the palace. How can it be considered a gift from her? Did she tell you nonsense?"
Xiaoxiao quickly shook her head, feeling a little embarrassed, her cheeks flushed. Meeting his slightly furrowed brow, she explained, "I heard from the Emperor that this ring has been with you for a long time, so it must have been a gift from someone very important. That's why I thought it was from Miss Gu. After all, you and Miss Gu were childhood sweethearts. If it weren't for Father Gu... you might have been married long ago."
As she spoke, her voice became slightly lower. He was a generation older than her, with more than ten years of time between them. Even if he had really liked Gu Zhen when he was young, Xiaoxiao thought it was normal. Despite this, she still felt a little bitter when she thought about it. She regretted not being born earlier. If only she had met him earlier, it would have been great.
Pei Xiuhan paused, vaguely sensing her concern. He briefly explained what happened back then, "We weren't childhood sweethearts. She only came to the palace once a year, during festivals, mostly to accompany the Queen Mother. She had nothing to do with me."
Xiaoxiao couldn't believe her ears. She never thought that all her bitter feelings came from her misunderstanding.
Pei Xiuhan lowered his head and kissed her hair. "If I loved her, I would have married her long ago. Why would I wait until now?"
Xiaoxiao's heart was beating faster and her heart was full. She couldn't hide the joy in her eyes at all. She couldn't help but lift up her little face and kiss him on the cheek.
Pei Xiu Han had a smile on his lips and lowered his head to kiss her lips. When their cool lips touched each other, both of them couldn't help but breathe irregularly. Pei Xiu Han pried open her teeth and absorbed her sweetness more deeply.
Xiaoxiao's numb hands and feet gradually warmed up, and a layer of sweat gradually appeared on her back. In the end, not only did he throw her small clothes aside, but her skirt also became a little wrinkled.
Xiaoxiao wrapped herself tightly in the quilt out of shame, and a mist unconsciously filled her eyes. Because it was him, she was not so scared.
It wasn't until he bit her that it hurt that Xiaoxiao couldn't help but push his head.
The girl's snow-white skin was so dazzling that it almost made one dizzy. Pei Xiuhan raised his head and calmed his breathing before leaning over to bite her lips and helping her straighten her clothes. "Does it hurt?"
Xiaoxiao's cheeks were red as blood. Seeing him asking nonsense questions, she couldn't help but stretch out her hand to cover his mouth. Pei Xiuhan's eyes were full of smiles. He grabbed her hand and kissed it again before saying, "Go to bed early. I'll come back to see you in a few days."
Xiaoxiao was a little reluctant and couldn't help but snuggle into his arms. She put her little hands around his waist and said sullenly, "Brother, no matter how busy you are, you must take care of yourself."
Pei Xiuhan nodded.
After leaving Su Yuexuan, he said to the secret guards around him: "In the next few days, have someone keep an eye on Gu Zhen. If she meets someone she shouldn't meet, or if she shows any intention of revealing my whereabouts, tie her up."
The fact that he had returned to Beijing had to be kept secret for a few more days.
In the next few days, Pei Xiu Han stayed in the palace. As expected, the people of Da Jin contacted many officials, intending to use "Pei Jing's coma" as an excuse to attack Pei Xiu Han.
In just a few days, seven or eight officials with ulterior motives were found. They had wanted to take advantage of Pei Xiuhan's absence from the capital to instigate Old Man Xiao to seal off Prince Yan's Mansion and take action against Pei Xiuhan, but unexpectedly, they were all thrown into jail one after another.
He was busy for many days and only showed up on the day of Mu Wen's wedding. Only then did everyone know that he had returned home. He only appeared for a moment and then left the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.
The turmoil in the capital lasted for more than ten days and was not completely quelled until New Year's Eve.
Many officials were thrown into prison, and Princess Yuyang was also imprisoned in a dungeon. When the news was reported back to the Jin Dynasty, Zhao Zhi's face was chillingly cold.
He thought he was sure to win this time. As long as the officials controlled the situation properly, Pei Xiuhan would definitely be branded as a "traitor". The Yellow River burst its dike in Guzhou was also the work of Zhao Zhi, who intended to transfer Pei Xiuhan away from the capital.
If Pei Xiuhan wasn't in the capital, as long as his people could incite Old Man Xiao to rebel, the Great Zhou would inevitably be in chaos. At that time, he could easily unite with the surrounding small countries and start another war. Pei Xiuhan would sooner or later become a turtle in a jar.
Unexpectedly, what came from the other side was the news that Pei Xiuhan had stabilized the situation. The secret lines he had buried in the Great Zhou were also pulled out one by one, and none of the surrounding small countries were willing to cooperate with him.
Zhao Zhi was so angry that he threw the cup in his hand, "Waste! Every one of you is waste!"
He always had a bad temper. Every time he got angry, the young eunuchs would tremble with fear. One of the timid ones was even scared to pee today. When the smell of urine spread in the hall, Zhao Zhi picked up the inkstone at hand and smashed it on his head. He hit him with great force and blood flowed out instantly.
"Drag him out and beat him to death!"
After saying this, Zhao Zhi entered the dark room, but he didn't know that the eunuch who came in took a second look at the switch he used to enter the dark room.
He vented his anger violently in the dark room, and only after coming out did he calm down. Every New Year's Eve, there was a palace banquet in the palace. Zhao Zhi had six princes and five princesses, and there were also many beauties in the harem.
His favorite concubine recently is Concubine Xue, a beauty he just conferred. This Concubine Xue has eyebrows and eyes that are 30% similar to Xue Ji, so he made an exception and conferred her the title of Concubine Xue.
In fact, if Xue Li had not given birth to a child with someone else, he would definitely take her into the harem. Now he was ashamed of her uncleanness and just locked her up in a dark room.
Zhao Zhi stayed at Concubine Xue's place at night. After the palace maid brought him tea, the eunuch tested it for poison and found that it was fine, so he drank it. At this time, Zhao Zhi didn't know that he would never wake up again after he fell asleep.
Pei Xiuhan had been busy for many days and knew that his people would take action against Zhao Zhi tonight, so he asked Pei Jing to attend the palace banquet as well.
Pei Xiuhan didn't stay in the palace for long. He went straight back to Su Yuexuan. He and Xiaoxiao had agreed early in the morning that they would stay up together to celebrate the New Year.
When he returned to Suyuexuan, Xiaoxiao, Zhang Li and Xiaoxing were having New Year's Eve dinner, and Pei Xiuhan also joined them.
Seeing Xiaoxing's gloomy expression, Xiaoxiao sat beside him and said, "Don't worry, Brother Pei will definitely be able to rescue Auntie."
After hearing the word "Auntie", Xiao Xing's eyes couldn't help but feel sore. He nodded heavily, then raised his glass and said to Pei Xiuhan: "I toast to the prince."
Unexpectedly, at this moment, he actually heard Pei Jing's voice, "Why call me Prince? You should call me brother-in-law from now on."
Pei Jing naturally also heard about Xiaoxing's experience. He was actually quite vengeful. After learning that it was Xiaoxing who wanted to harm him, he had someone give Xiaoxing a lot of croton seeds. However, he also sympathized with Xiaoxing's experience and has now forgiven him.
Xiaoxing almost thought he had heard it wrong, and quickly turned his head to look at him. The young man was standing at the door. He was wearing a moon-white brocade robe and had a smile on his lips. It was Pei Jing.
Seeing tears glistening in Xiaoxing's eyes, Pei Jing sighed and walked in, saying disdainfully, "Kid, it's New Year's Day, if you dare to cry, believe it or not, I will throw you out."
Xiaoxing quickly wiped away her tears and didn't dare to say a word like a young wife.
Pei Xiuhan knew he would come, so he just glanced at him and asked the servant to bring another chair.
The New Year's Eve dinner lasted until very late. Zhang Li and Pei Xiuhan both drank wine, Xiaoxing and Pei Jing also drank some fruit wine, but Xiaoxiao was the only one who didn't touch any alcohol.
Zhang Li had a low alcohol tolerance and got drunk early on, so Xiaoxiao asked the servant to help him back to his room.
Pei Xiuhan also drank quite a bit of wine, and the corners of his eyes were slightly red, adding an indescribable charm to his already handsome face. Even the servants were inexplicably afraid to look at him, as they felt that his eyes seemed to be able to bewitch people.
Xiaoxiao couldn't help but look at him again and again.
After everyone had left, he followed Xiaoxiao to her dormitory. His steps were steady and he didn't look drunk.
Xiaoxiao was a little worried. She stretched out her little hand and poked his shoulder, "Brother, are you drunk too? Otherwise, I won't keep watch. You should go back and rest early."
Pei Xiuhan caught her white fingertips, lowered his head and bit them gently, "Do I look drunk?"
His voice was lazy, and there seemed to be a smile in his eyes, which was inexplicably alluring.
Xiaoxiao's heart was beating a little fast.
The next moment, the man held her in his arms, lowered his head and bit her lips, "How can a drunk person be as sober as me?"
Xiaoxiao always felt that he was not so awake. She could not help but tilt her head, avoiding his kiss, and helped him sit on the couch, "Brother, sit for a while."
Xiaoxiao was about to ask the maid to prepare a bowl of sobering soup, but Pei Xiuhan hooked his arm around her slender waist, and Xiaoxiao lay directly on him.
"Don't go."
His voice was very hoarse, and he kissed Xiaoxiao's lips in this position.
Xiaoxiao was forced to lie in his arms. He held the back of her head and kissed her passionately.
Xiaoxiao couldn't help but breathe irregularly.
As Pei Xiu Han kissed her, he turned over and pressed her under him, demanding more and more.
Xiaoxiao felt uncomfortable again and couldn't help but whispered to him, "Brother, your dagger stabbed me, please put it away..."
The girl's voice was soft, and when she raised the dagger, her clear eyes were as transparent and clean as glass.
The girl was ignorant of sex and in some aspects, she was as clean as a blank sheet of paper. She was not alone; many noble ladies were ignorant before getting married.
Mu Wen was also clueless. Before getting married, she even thought that a kiss would make her pregnant. Because she was kissed by her cousin before the marriage, she was worried for a long time, fearing that she would have a baby before the marriage.
Pei Xiuhan's throat rolled involuntarily, his dark eyes like indissoluble ink. He lowered his head and pecked her lips again, saying in a hoarse voice, "I can't put it away."
Xiaoxiao was stunned, not understanding why she couldn't put it away. It wasn't until he took her hand and touched it that she vaguely understood something. Xiaoxiao's face turned red instantly.
At that moment, she felt like she was struck by lightning. She quickly retracted her hand, her heart beating uncontrollably.
Pei Xiuhan kissed her lips again and said in a hoarse voice, "Is there a way to put it away? Can you help my brother?"
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