Chapter 44 Pei Yu, let's consummate our marriage...
Huiyin's desire to ride a horse wasn't an attempt to curry favor with Pei Yu. Last night in the garden, if she could ride, she could have successfully rescued Yanniang. Pei Yu was right; in a critical moment, horsemanship could be a lifesaver.
The horses at Yuanlin Horse Ranch were all carefully selected from the Imperial Stables. They were plump and strong. When the eunuch in charge of raising the horses saw Pei Yu leading a young lady over from afar, he quickly put on a smile and went to greet him.
"General Pei, are you here to choose a horse?"
Pei Yu nodded slightly and ordered, "Go and bring out that Akhal-Teke horse."
“Alright,” Ma, the eunuch, nodded and bowed with a smile. “I’ve been feeding him hay and fodder every day these past few days, just waiting for General Pei to come.”
Pei Yu approached Huiyin and explained, "There are only three Akhal-Teke horses in total. His Majesty brought two to Ganquan Palace, one of which died in an assassination attempt. This remaining one was given to me by His Majesty."
Huiyin nodded. She felt a little hot. It was almost dusk, the sun was about to set, and a cool breeze was blowing in the mountains. Although she was wearing a curtain, which was breathable, she still felt a bit hot.
The eunuch led the horse towards them. The horse was extremely robust, unlike any other ponies Huiyin had ever seen. Its coat was brightly colored and smooth as the finest satin, like flowing flames. Its limbs were strong, and its long tail swung behind it.
As it drew closer, Huiyin took a step back in fear and hid behind Pei Yu.
Pei Yu put his arm around Huiyin's shoulder and forcefully led her toward the horse. He took the reins from the eunuch, patted the horse's head, and Huiyin could even feel its breath exhaling white mist, like a dragon's pant, carrying a primal sense of power.
Pei Yu took Huiyin's hand and placed it on the horse's back, gently stroking the horse's back inch by inch, and whispered in her ear, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Huiyin's body was somewhat stiff, relying entirely on Pei Yu's guidance. Pei Yu led her to the horse's rump, the muscles beneath his hands throbbing warmly and powerfully, the horse's tail swaying gently.
"Give it a name."
Huiyin looked up at Pei Yu and found that he was looking at her with a smile in his eyes, with a faint light flowing in his eyes.
She withdrew her hand. "Let's call it Crimson Flame."
Pei Yu scooped Huiyin up in his arms, placed her on the horse, and patted her stiff back, laughing, "A good name."
Huiyin remained motionless, her back ramrod straight, looking at Pei Yu with fear. "No, come up here, I'm scared."
Pei Yu frowned slightly, said nothing more, flipped over and jumped onto his horse, landing behind Huiyin. He wrapped his arms around her, led her to hold the reins tightly, gently squeezed the horse's belly, and trotted forward slowly.
He gently stroked Huiyin's back, found three points, and softly said, "Stand up, sit up straight, relax your body."
"Don't pull the reins too tight, point your toes forward, place the balls of your feet on the stirrups, with your heels slightly lower than your toes, and keep your calves close to the horse's belly."
Chi Yan led the two of them towards the depths of the grassland. A gentle breeze lifted the veil on Huiyin's head, revealing her beautiful face inside.
The silk gauze brushed against Pei Yu's face, causing a ticklish sensation. He raised his hand to lift the curtain and left the saddle, holding Huiyin tightly as they sped up.
Huiyin's stiff body gradually relaxed under his guidance, as if she had grasped some of the tricks. She leaned against Pei Yu's chest, her hair disheveled by the wind, gazing at the boundless grassland in front of her. Something seemed to be awakening in her heart, making her want to go faster.
The clatter of hooves echoed continuously, and Crimson Flame shot out like a sharp sword. Even carrying two people, its speed did not decrease. It galloped as if it were riding the wind, not treading on dust.
Tiny, bright red beads of sweat, like fresh blood, slowly seeped from its fur.
Huiyin was no longer afraid. She opened her arms, closed her eyes, and faced the wind, her chest beating faster than ever before. Everything in her vision seemed to flow; the trees and mountains appeared to rush past.
For the first time, she experienced what freedom was. In that moment, she let go of everything and became herself again.
After a long while, Pei Yu pulled on the reins, patted Huiyin's head, and gestured for her to look ahead.
The sun began to set.
The clouds on the horizon were scorched into a dazzling gold, with the outer ring tinged with deep orange-red and a magnificent purple hue. They hung high above the western mountain ridge and slowly sank.
As the last arc of the moon disappeared behind the mountains, darkness descended upon the world. Dusk fell, and the bright moon hung high in the sky.
Huiyin gazed at the sunset glow, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Pei Yu turned his horse around, looked at her fair profile, and asked, "Are you happy now?"
Huiyin turned her head to look at him. His neck was sharply defined, and his Adam's apple slid up and down like an undulating mountain range, exuding a wild and undisguised allure.
Huiyin smiled happily and said, "I'm very happy, thank you, Pei Yu."
She blinked. "Can I ride one more lap?"
"Come again tomorrow."
Pei Yu's chest vibrated as he spoke, and a thin breath of air crept into Huiyin's neck, causing her to involuntarily shrink back. She sat on horseback, looking back as the last rays of sunset were replaced by nightfall, fading into nothingness.
When Huiyin returned to the horse farm, she belatedly began to feel pain in both sides of her thighs, making it difficult for her to even walk.
Pei Yu handed the Chi Yan to the eunuch, then looked up and saw Huiyin leaning against the wooden corridor. The night wind lifted the hem of her dress, the plain silk fluttering in the breeze, and her slender body swayed slightly.
Like a gust of wind that cannot be held, it may leave at any moment.
Pei Yu stood there, gazing intently at Huiyin's retreating figure. He always felt that Huiyin was hiding many things from him; she had locked herself in a box, where outsiders couldn't get in and those inside couldn't get out.
He slowly walked forward, patted her shoulder, and squatted down in front of Huiyin. "Come on up."
Looking at his broad back, Huiyin unconsciously took two steps back and whispered, "I can walk."
Although it was already night, having Pei Yu carry her all the way back to Yingfeng Pavilion would surely lead to them being seen by many people. The affairs of men and women of high positions always attract attention, and within a day, the entire Ganquan Palace would know about it. She didn't want that, she didn't want Pei Yu and Liu Tan to be known and talked about in this way.
Pei Yu knelt on one knee, turned around and looked at her, his expression leaving no room for doubt: "Come up here, don't make me say it a third time."
Huiyin took a deep breath and leaned against his back. After spending these days together, she had figured out Pei Yu's personality. As long as she went along with his temper, nothing bad would happen, just as Tao Ao had said, he was more responsive to gentleness than force.
Pei Yu's back was very steady. There were only a few copper lamps along the way, and the light was dim, making it difficult to see the road. However, it was as if it were daytime for him. His steps were very steady, and he did not even need to stop to find his way.
Huiyin lay on his back, the bright starlight overhead reminding her of the past. Only three people had ever carried her in her life: her father, Wang Huan, and Pei Yu.
As a child, Huiyin loved bustling streets. After her father finished his work at the government office, he would carry Huiyin on his back to the East Market to buy sweets. Over time, Huiyin developed tooth cavities, and Madam Song forbade the father and daughter from going out to stroll around the streets anymore.
That time, it was an accident. The docile little wooden horse suddenly went berserk and threw Huiyin off, injuring her leg. She was terrified and lay on the ground crying loudly. Wang Huan heard her crying and came over, helping her up from the mud and carrying her all the way back.
Wang Huan was only fifteen years old at the time. He was thin and had a hard time carrying Huiyin on his back. On the way back, he kept comforting Huiyin and telling her not to be afraid.
Wang Huan was the first person besides her father who made Huiyin feel at ease. So when her parents asked her if she was willing to get engaged to Wang Huan, Huiyin nodded. She always remembered the boy who carried her home in the rain, which was the most unforgettable thing in her girlhood.
The remaining one was Pei Yu. Huiyin's thoughts became chaotic; she found it difficult to describe her feelings towards Pei Yu. She had known of Pei Yu for a long time, only thinking of him as a formidable person who had achieved fame at a young age and had distinguished himself in battle.
Later, Pei Yu spoke ill of her in private, shattering her idealized image of a young hero. But since the two had no contact at the time, she didn't pay much attention to it.
Later, when the Song family got into trouble, Huiyin took the initiative to find Pei Yu, only to use him to exonerate her father.
Pei Yu lifted Huiyin up a little and said to the person behind him who had been silent all along, "Don't worry, I've been avoiding people the whole way, no one will see me."
Huiyin slowly tightened her arms and pressed them against Pei Yu's face. She clearly felt Pei Yu's body stop moving, and a secret joy welled up in her heart. She leaned close to Pei Yu's ear and whispered, "Pei Yu, let's consummate our marriage."
"What did you say?" Pei Yu tightened his grip and stopped in his tracks.
Huiyin stopped speaking and buried her head in Pei Yu's neck. She was not a heartless person; she had a heart of flesh and blood, and she remembered everything Pei Yu had done and said.
She didn't know when it started, but she developed a strange feeling for Pei Yu. At first, it wasn't obvious, but as time went by, this feeling had deeply affected her.
Her relationship with Pei Yu was no longer just a transaction; she had fallen in love.
This is not a good thing. Huiyin knows clearly that it is impossible for her and Pei Yu. The Pei family only has him and Pei Yan, which is too few offspring for a noble family.
His marriage is both a bargaining chip and a political maneuver. Pei Yu will marry someone else, if not Liu Tan, and he will also take other concubines to continue his lineage.
And she couldn't accept it. Not in the past, not in the future. Pei Yu might like her now, but who can say for sure what will happen in the future?
Huiyin turned her head, a tear sliding down her cheek. She hugged Pei Yu tightly and whispered, "I want to go back."
"good."
Pei Yu walked forward, his footsteps making a soft sound on the branches and leaves. Huiyin heard him say, "Song Huiyin, I will not let you down."
With tears blurring her vision, Huiyin wanted to ask Pei Yu, "Will you marry me? Will you always stand by my side? Will you help me get revenge?"
She didn't dare to ask, or even ask Liu Tan, as if as long as she didn't ask, she could pretend she knew nothing and that nothing had happened.
Huiyin wept silently, wiping away her tears quietly. If she had known, she wouldn't have gone to Pei Yu. In her heart, she whispered, "Pei Yu, I lied to you. I gave you everything. When the truth comes out, don't hate me, don't resent me."
When Huiyin returned to Yingfeng Pavilion, she had calmed down, but her eyes were still red.
Pei Yu placed her on the bed and turned to rummage through the medicine box for medicine.
Huiyin lay on the bed and heard him rummaging through the bottles and jars. She chuckled softly.
Pei Yu found the ointment, leaned over and looked at Huiyin on the bed with deep eyes, "I'll help you apply the medicine."
Huiyin nodded gently, opening her hands and letting him do as he pleased.
Pei Yu untied Huiyin's belt, revealing two long, slender, and straight legs as white as lotus roots, both aloof and fragile.
His breathing became rapid, and the self-control he had once been so proud of crumbled at this moment. He collapsed next to Huiyin, pressing his head against hers and breathing heavily, his eyes surging with desire. "Let me catch my breath."
He touched Huiyin's face, gently stroking her reddened eyes. "You cried. Why?"
Huiyin blinked and replied, "The night wind is too strong."
“You’re lying to me,” Pei Yu said, then rolled over and lay flat on his back, opening his arms to comfort himself, “At least you’re still willing to lie to me.”
Huiyin's heart began to ache again. She blinked, forcing back her tears, and said aggrievedly, "Can you please not say things like that?"
"What's wrong with saying that?" Pei Yu asked.
It will make me misunderstand, make me feel that you love me very much, and make me unable to control my heart.
Huiyin raised her hand to cover her eyelids and kicked her legs in a huff, "My legs hurt."
Pei Yu resignedly got up, patted her waist, and said hoarsely, "I'll apply the medicine for you."
The cool ointment was evenly applied to the reddened wound. Huiyin tilted her head back, listening to the rustling sounds below.
After a while, Pei Yu put away the ointment and asked her, "Do you want to take a bath?"
Huiyin nodded, and Pei Yu picked her up and carried her into the bath room. He did not call Yan Niang, but personally served Huiyin. As he felt her skin, as tender as a lychee peeled, being exposed to his eyes, Pei Yu silently recited the Heart-Cleansing Mantra and picked up a handkerchief to gently wipe Huiyin's back.
Huiyin kept her eyes closed, letting him do as he pleased. The calluses on Pei Yu's palms brushed against her shoulder blades, the warmth sending shivers down her back. Huiyin shrank back slightly, subtly avoiding his touch.
Her face turned incredibly red, and waves of heat surged up from her.
Huiyin regretted it a little, grabbed Pei Yu's hand with its veins bulging, her beautiful eyes filled with pleading, "You go out, I'll do it myself."
Pei Yu grasped Huiyin's arm and pulled her into his arms, carrying her into the inner room.
Huiyin was startled by his sudden action. She struggled a couple of times, but not only did she fail to break free, Pei Yu's breath became even hotter, and his breath was close to her ear, making her afraid to move anymore.
"Song Huiyin, look at me."
A deep voice sounded in her ear. Huiyin opened her eyes. Pei Yu's hair was wet from his movements in the bath room, and a few crystal-clear water droplets fell on the ends of his hair.
His eyes were red, and he held Huiyin's waist with both hands, his chest burning with heat.
"Huiyin, who am I?"
“You are Pei Yu,” Huiyin murmured.
Pei Yu smiled contentedly, his eyebrows raised, and anyone could feel his joy at that moment.
Huiyin's cheeks flushed, and she avoided his aggressive gaze. Her heart pounded, and she knew exactly what was going to happen next.
He straightened up, his dark eyes fixed on Huiyin's face, and began to take off his clothes in front of her, throwing them on the ground one by one.
Huiyin was already shy, and being stared at so intently by him made her even more uncomfortable. She turned over to get the blanket.
Pei Yu asked vaguely, "How did you save He Jiaying last time?"
Huiyin looked confused: "I don't know."
Pei Yu mischievously pinched the soft flesh of her waist, causing her to arch her back and bump into his arms. He suddenly tightened his grip, lowered his head and bit her, forcing out, "Do you remember?"
Huiyin hurriedly tried to stop him from biting, tears welling in her eyes, "I was saving someone."
Pei Yu chuckled softly, his voice deep and resonant, carrying a subtle, alluring quality.
"The maids in the manor all say you are the Queen Mother of the West reincarnated, and that you can save lives. Good Huiyin, please save me too."
Huiyin was kissed by him, and between their intertwined lips and teeth, she let out a soft moan: "How can I save you..."
"I'll teach you."
Pei Yu stroked Huiyin's collarbone, showering her with delicate kisses on her chest. His hand then moved downwards until he knelt beside her and lowered his head.
The lights in the west room remained on all night.
——
The next day, when Huiyin woke up, it was already too bright outside. She nestled in Pei Yu's arms, her ears filled with his soft breathing, and her waist resting on Pei Yu's well-defined hand.
She shifted her body, finding a more comfortable position. As soon as she moved her legs, she felt a dense, tingling sensation spreading through her lower body. Remembering their impulsive actions the night before, she glared at Pei Yu, who was still asleep, and tiptoed out of bed.
She grabbed a dress that had fallen to the ground and used it to cover the marks on her body. She heard the voices of a maid talking to He Jiaying outside. It turned out that He Jiaying wanted to talk to her, but the maid stopped her at the door.
He Jiaying said, "It's already past noon, why hasn't Huiyin woken up yet? Are you trying to trick me?"
The maid explained awkwardly, "Young lady, Madam Song is indeed still asleep. Why don't you come back later?"
He Jiaying was half-believing and half-doubting, but the maid couldn't resist leaning closer to her and whispering, "The young general is also inside."
She then realized what had happened, her face flushed red, and she covered her face and ran away.
Huiyin hurriedly dressed, hastily gathered her hair behind her back, slipped on her shoes, opened the door, and instructed the maid to prepare her washing and toiletries.
After she finished tidying up, she went to check on Yan Niang in the next room. Yan Niang had already woken up, her face was still pale, but she seemed to be in much better spirits than yesterday.
She was a restless person, and after only two days of lying down, she started worrying about Huiyin's daily life, concerned that the maids outside wouldn't take good care of Huiyin.
Huiyin held Yanniang's hand and chatted for a long time, telling her that she and Pei Yu had already consummated their marriage.
Yan Niang didn't believe it at first, but after seeing Huiyin's serious expression, she sighed and touched Huiyin's face, asking, "He didn't force you, did he?"
Huiyin shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. "I'm willing."
Yan Niang looked at her shy smile, pouted as if she wanted to say something, but then gave up.
Huiyin understood what Yanniang wanted to say. She wanted to persuade herself, but she didn't know how to start.
She gripped Yan Niang's hand tightly, her expression earnest. "Mother Fu, I know what you're worried about. I've made up my mind. If Pei Yu treats me sincerely during my stay at the Pei residence, I will treat him sincerely in return. I will not forget the hatred for the Song family. After we avenge them, I will not stay in the Pei family. I will take you back to Jingzhou. Pei Yu and I will go our separate ways from now on."
Yan Niang sobbed, "Can you bear to part with me?"
“I can,” Huiyin said firmly.
Yan Niang's eyes welled up with tears as she cupped Huiyin's face in her hands and sobbed. She understood Huiyin better than anyone else—her stubbornness and her unwavering sense of self.
That's why she didn't want Huiyin to fall in love with Pei Yu; a relationship destined to have no future would only hurt both parties. Pei Yu wouldn't marry Huiyin, and Huiyin wouldn't stay as a concubine—it was a dead end.
Yan Niang hoped that Huiyin would have someone by her side to protect and cherish her. She was old and an old servant, so she couldn't help much. Her only wish was to see Huiyin live a good life.
If neither of them had developed feelings for each other, they could naturally leave without any lingering attachments, but now...
“Mother Fu,” Huiyin wiped away her tears, “I need contraceptive medicine.”
Yan Niang's pupils contracted, and she silently closed her eyes and nodded. They had prepared that thing long ago and always carried it with them, just in case something happened and they were worried about Huai Zi.
She pointed to the corner of the bed and said, "It's in the box inside."
Huiyin took out the contraceptive medicine and swallowed it in front of Yanniang. The pill dissolved in water, and the bitter taste traveled from her throat all the way to her heart and lungs.
Yan Niang held Huiyin in her arms, stroking her delicate shoulders and neck, and said tremblingly, "It's alright, it's alright."
After Yan Niang fell asleep, Hui Yin left the next room and bumped into Pei Yu, who had come out to find her.
His lips curled slightly upward, and his eyes were most captivating. In the flow of his gaze, there was clearly three parts of a smile and seven parts of nonchalance. When he looked at people, he always seemed focused, but upon closer inspection, he seemed ethereal. It was as if he had only glanced at people casually, yet he had already captured their souls.
Pei Yu stepped forward, placed his hands on his hips, and looked at her with a smile in his eyes, "Why didn't you call me when you woke up?"
Huiyin's eyes, which had just been crying, were now clear and bright, reflecting Pei Yu's handsome face. She pushed Pei Yu away and walked forward apologetically, "I wanted you to sleep a little longer."
Pei Yu lazily squinted his eyes and followed Huiyin around. Wherever Huiyin went, he went, which made the maids in the courtyard giggle.
Huiyin said helplessly, "Don't you have anything to do?"
"Yes, I have."
"My affairs depend on you."
Huiyin angrily pushed aside his blocking her way, glaring at him, "You're not allowed to follow me."
"She doesn't recognize anyone once she gets out of bed..."
"Shut up!" Huiyin rushed over and stopped his loose tongue. "You're not allowed to talk nonsense."
Pei Yu carried Huiyin into the house, pressed her against the door frame, gently lifted her chin, and kissed her full lips, "Does it still hurt?"
Huiyin turned her face away, but he mischievously pinched her waist. She was ticklish and immediately burrowed into Pei Yu's arms, laughing and trying to escape, "...It tickles...don't..."
Pei Yu stopped what he was doing, his eyes sparkling, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Rest for a couple of days before I take you horseback riding. Today, I'll take you somewhere else to play."
Huiyin: "Where to?"
“You’ve been feeling down these past few days because of Yan Niang’s matter. Let me take you to the mountaintop to have some fun and get some fresh air.”
Pei Yu led Huiyin inside, taking her hand, and led her to the wardrobe to search for clothes.
Seeing that he had made a mess of things, throwing away several of his favorite dresses, Huiyin grabbed his hand to stop him, saying, "I can do it myself. You've messed up my wardrobe."
Pei Yu refused; he insisted on dressing Huiyin up himself today. Without even turning his head, he casually replied, "If you mess it up, I'll fix it for you."
Finally, after General Pei picked and chose, he found a wide-sleeved straight-hemmed robe with a peach-red floral pattern. Not quite satisfied, he held it up to Huiyin's side for a couple of moments before pushing her to change.
Huiyin took the dress. It was very similar to the one she wore when she first entered the Pei residence. It was a new dress that Madam Pei had ordered made. She disliked the color, as it always reminded her of the grievances she felt when she first entered the Pei residence, so she had kept it at the bottom of her trunk. She never expected that Pei Yu would find it now.
Not wanting to spoil his mood, she obediently changed into the dress. It must be said, the color was excellent, perfectly complementing Huiyin's complexion. Her face was like a newly blossoming peach blossom, fair with a rosy glow. Her eyebrows were delicate, beneath which were a pair of bright eyes, black as lacquer, shining like morning stars—delicate yet not seductive, beautiful yet not vulgar.
Pei Yu stared at Huiyin for a few moments, until she felt embarrassed, then put his arm around her shoulder and stole a few kisses, sighing, "I really want to hide you away so no one can see you."
Huiyin fiddled with the pearl hairpin in her hair, glanced at him sideways, and walked straight outside.
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Author's Note: I just realized this chapter is locked. I've tried my best to revise it. [laughing and crying emoji]
PS: I'm really out of ideas.
How exactly can they be released...?
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