Chapter 162

"You are doing it for her, or to satisfy your own selfish desire—you know it in your heart!" Xiao Jingyuan rose to his feet, staring at him: "Your so-called love is nothing but poison to her."

Pei Zhi looked at him, silent for a while, the hand resting on the armrest slowly clenched into a fist, even the veins on the back of his hand throbbing.

Xiao Jingyuan said coldly: "I only ask you one thing—are your lives truly bound together?"

Upon hearing that, Pei Zhi lifted his head, looked at him, and smiled: "We were reborn together in this world, so naturally... we share life and death."

He deliberately drew out the phrase "share life and death," dragging the tail sound long, like a poisoned hook, full of provocation, viciously aimed at Xiao Jingyuan!

Pei Zhi seemed oblivious to the other's increasingly grim face, continuing: "In this life she has no place for me; that's fine—if not this lifetime, then the next, the next after that... there will be a lifetime when she chooses me."

This is what he told Shen Shuangning as "a fresh start"—dragging her to die together, then snatching another chance from the cycle of reincarnation.

"You didn't cherish her in your past life—by what right do you still want to occupy one of her lifetimes?"

Xiao Jingyuan finally could bear it no longer, grabbed Pei Zhi's collar in one fist and lifted him up, his whole aura dropping to a frightening low.

"You madman! I warn you, stay away from her!"

The killing intent in his eyes was never feigned. But he dared not gamble, dared not risk Shen Shuangning's life.

In the end, he could only violently throw Pei Zhi back, turn, and prepare to leave.

Pei Zhi coughed once; the sharp pain from his wound made his vision darken, yet he forced a smile and said: "I'd like to know what method you used to make her willing to marry you."

Xiao Jingyuan's steps paused, but he did not explain anything to him, flicked his sleeve and left.

Inside the room, Pei Zhi lay back on the bed, the smile on his face fading bit by bit.

Also that evening, the guard stationed outside the door reported in a low voice, saying that the Young Master Xiao had already taken Miss Shen Fourth and set off for the capital, having long since left the jurisdiction of Jiangting County.

Yan Zheng came over and asked Pei Zhi when they would depart.

Pei Zhi simply said: "Tonight."

Yan Zheng found it hard not to suspect that the Junior Tutor was chasing after Miss Shen Fourth, but he said nothing; he had already wanted to leave.

Xiao Jingyuan feared that delays would bring trouble, and feared even more that Pei Zhi would cause further incidents, so he proposed moving the wedding forward.

The Duke's manor was already pleased with this marriage, so they simply settled on it.

When the news spread, the Prince Yan's manor and the Duke's manor instantly became busy.

As the wedding date approached, Xiao Jingyuan, using the pretext that "wedding preparations keep me busy, I have no spare attention," dumped the thorny case of Jiangting County entirely onto the still-recovering Pei Zhi.

This matter originally involved a wide scope and was extremely heinous in nature.

Not only did it uncover remnants of the Heavenly Sage Sect secretly causing chaos, but deeper investigation revealed a connection to Prince Rui—the mad monk Huang Fei is a retainer of Prince Rui.

And Huang Fei actually colluded with Xie Yan; on a small scale this is sectarian troublemaking in the jianghu, on a large scale it is a portent of Prince Rui's rebellion!

All officials in the court can see the danger therein; aside from the Embroidered Uniform Guard that specializes in investigating imperial cases, no one dares to take on this hot potato.

But Xiao Jingyuan had made up his mind to focus solely on wedding preparations, clearly having no time to deal with these "troublesome matters."

Emperor Xuanwen, who has always indulged this meritorious heir apparent, and considering his imminent grand wedding, went along with the situation and issued an edict appointing Pei Zhi to temporarily take charge of the case.

Moreover, Xie Yan had previously feigned death to escape, nearly letting the tiger return to the mountains, so Pei Zhi bears an inescapable responsibility; Emperor Xuanwen also rebuked him several times in court.

The Crown Prince has always relied on Pei Zhi, but this time seeing that his handling of affairs was indeed improper, and constrained by the emperor's anger, he ultimately did not speak up in his defense.

Once the edict was issued, someone immediately saw clearly that Xiao Jingyuan was trying to push Pei Zhi into a fire pit.

If the case is investigated only superficially, it is dereliction of duty and he cannot escape blame; if investigated deeply, the Empress will not let him off.

What's more, Pei Zhi is still recuperating, dragging his injured body to investigate such a life‑endangering case—nothing short of adding difficulty upon difficulty.

However, most of the onlookers are just watching the spectacle from across the river.

Emperor Xuanwen also issued another edict, ordering Prince Rui to return to the capital swiftly; the Empress's faction exchanged glances, all feeling

Here Pei Zhi is tangled up in a myriad of trivial matters, unable to divert his attention; elsewhere, the wedding preparations of the Duke's manor and Prince Yan's manor are in full swing, proceeding smoothly and prosperously.

Shen Shuangning rested in the Duke's manor for several days, her complexion gradually improving, and in the blink of an eye the day of her wedding to Xiao Jingyuan arrived.

That day the weather was superb, cloudless for miles, and the Duke's manor, up and down, was filled with joy.

In the bridal chamber, Shen Shuangning changed into her wedding attire.

Having passed her birthday, she was now fifteen, the age of peak youthful beauty, eyebrows like distant indigo, eyes like autumn waters; in her wedding dress she became breathtakingly beautiful.

The maidservants circled her, helping straighten her skirt and adjust her phoenix crown; seeing her appearance, they couldn't resist whispering teasing remarks:

"Miss, you look as beautiful as a celestial immortal today; if the Young Master Xiao were to see you now, he'd surely be stunned."

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but wonder: Xiao Jingyuan, who is usually aloof and noble, who knows if after marriage he'll still be able to restrain himself?

Ah Heng crossed her arms and said: "You'll have to wait until the bridal chamber is entered and the veil lifted to see; such a fine sight is for our Miss alone to enjoy—you lot had better not keep fantasizing about seeing the Young Master's foolish side."

Her words made everyone in the room laugh, the atmosphere light and warm.

Shen Miao Yun also came today; with her big belly making movement inconvenient, she sat on the soft cushion by the window, holding a cup of hot tea, smiling as she watched the lively scene.

Although she has now lost hope in marriage, she still sincerely wishes Ning Ning to obtain happiness, hoping that this Young Master Xiao is someone worthy of trust.

She gently took Shen Shuangning's hand and said softly: "Ning Ning, Elder Sister hopes you are happy, but also wants to tell you that marriage cannot confine you; if you suffer injustice or are unhappy, just return to the Duke's manor anytime—family will back you up."

These words had been spoken by her elder sister in the previous life as well; Shen Shuangning had originally been quite composed, but now she couldn't help but tear up.

"What are you crying for? On such a joyous day, you should be happy." Shen Miao Yun said this, though her eyes also welled up.

Shen Shuangning returned the grip on her sister's hand and said: "Elder Sister, this is also what I wanted to tell you."

Shen Miao Yun thought of something, and finally tears fell.

Although she had thus admonished Shen Shuangning, in aristocratic families a woman once married cannot so easily withdraw.

Shen Miao Yun did not want to mar her joyous day with too much sorrow, so she changed the subject.

"Let's not talk about that—do you know the capital is all abuzz, saying Prince Yan's manor's wedding banquet this time is overly extravagant and wasteful, comparable to a prince's marriage; it seems Young Master Xiao really spared no expense to marry you, so our Ning Ning will enjoy a splendid period!"

Shen Shuangning hadn't heard these rumors, but Prince Yan's manor naturally wields power and influence; the Young Master's wedding naturally calls for a grand display.

Not long after, Shen Ling ran in from outside, excitedly announcing: "The wedding procession is already on its way!"

As her words fell, the sound of booming gongs and drums came from outside.

When the auspicious moment arrived, the matchmaker placed the veil over Shen Shuangning's head.

As the lively sounds grew nearer.

Shen Shuangning's originally calm heart actually couldn't help but thump-thump.

Suddenly, a warm, strong arm slipped through her knee bend, another hand firmly supported her back, and lifted her up!

She let out a startled cry, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.

Immediately after, the man's low, gentle voice fell, carrying an irrepressible smile: 'Ningning, I've come to marry you.'