Chapter 78

"You......"

Shen Shuangning's back was against the wall, she stared blankly at Pei Zhi; this sudden confession really left her at a loss.

After such an interruption, anyone would forget what they originally wanted to say.

Besides them, the long corridor was empty and deserted.

Aheng kept her head down, not daring to look further.

"I know Miss Ning still has many doubts in her heart and doesn't fully trust me, but I still stand by what I said from the beginning: I will never do anything to hurt you."

When Pei Zhi said this, his usually calm eyes seemed to hold an indescribable emotion, like sorrow mixed with guilt.

Seeing this, Shen Shuangning felt an inexplicable surge of sour sorrow.

She didn't dare to meet his eyes, so she turned her head away and pushed him away.

Pei Zhi knew his earlier behavior had been offensive, so he stepped back, yet his gaze as he looked at her was firm: "Miss Ning, even if you like Xie Lin, I won't back off, even if you truly marry him."

Shen Shuangning was shocked by his words, utterly taken aback.

Pei Zhi was the gentleman among gentlemen in everyone's eyes—self-disciplined, courteous, elegant and proper, measured in his advances and retreats, never making the slightest mistake; he was the sort who had rites and morals etched into his bones.

He—how could he say such things to her?!

Pei Sanlang, what about your integrity?!

Even Aheng stared, unable to believe her eyes or ears.

Young Master Pei...... so "wild"? How exciting!

Shen Shuangning's eyelids twitched; she thought, Pei Sanlang, why are you also stirring trouble?!

Guarding against Xiao Jingyuan wasn't enough; she also had to guard against Pei Zhi. These two were now deeply entangled with her—one taught her literature, the other martial arts. She couldn't avoid either, nor could she afford to offend them—what a predicament!

"You've helped me a lot in secret; I'm grateful. Now that you are the Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince, I don't know if this is what you wanted, but if you intend to ally with the Crown Prince, I advise you to think twice."

Shen Shuangning, vexed and uneasy, abruptly changed the subject, making it clear that her warning him was solely to repay a kindness, with no other motive.

Pei Zhi naturally sensed the distance and boundaries in her words.

He feigned ignorance, asking, "Miss Ning, what do you mean?"

Shen Shuangning instead fixed her gaze on him, her eyes conveying a hint of scrutiny: "Young Master Pei, you're smarter than me and can see the situation more clearly. Although the Crown Prince has been established, the Queen will not cease paving the way for Prince Rui, and given the current circumstances, the Crown Prince is weaker by three parts. Should Prince Rui return to the capital in the future, it will spell disaster for the Crown Prince and his faction; as the Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince, you would hardly escape involvement."

Such words from a young lady of the inner chambers were already shocking and unconventional.

However, Pei Zhi's face showed no ripple; he only smiled lightly and said, "In that case, Miss Ning favors Prince Rui even more."

Shen Shuangning raised her small face and said, "It's not that I favor him; it's the prevailing trend. Prince Rui holds military power, while the Crown Prince does not—that is the crux."

"What's there to fear? Just take Prince Rui's military power away." Pei Zhi gave a faint smile, speaking in a carefree manner.

Shen Shuangning's heart jolted, but she kept her composure and said, "That's not easy."

Pei Zhi said, "The world's situation is undecided; who will laugh last remains uncertain."

Hearing this, Shen Shuangning thought the same.

After all, in her previous life the Crown Prince had no strategist as brilliant as Pei Zhi by his side; perhaps Pei Zhi could truly help the Crown Prince ascend the throne.

"Miss Ning, you need only know that I alone can protect the Rongguo Duke's mansion you cherish."

One could say Shen Shuangning also fled in disarray from Pei Zhi.

After all, she had always thought that even if Pei Zhi had feelings for him, he remained "safe."

But who would have expected that the perpetually gentle lamb would one day reveal fangs that did not belong to him, which would frighten any ordinary person?

I had thought returning to Chang Le Gong would be safe.

But who could have imagined that the Third Prince would actually return together with Jingyu!

Zhai Ji is Jingyu's elder brother by blood, so the palace gates of Chang Le Gong are naturally meaningless to him.

How could she have forgotten this person?

Shen Shuangning had originally heard that Jingyu had returned and was about to go find her for something, so she headed to the main hall to look for her—only to find, by ill luck, that Zhai Ji was sitting inside drinking tea.

At this moment, Shen Shuangning had already entered; Zhai Ji glanced over with a half-smile, leaving her neither able to advance nor retreat.

Shen Shuangning's heart sank. Compared to the previous two men, Zhai Ji was far more dangerous, after all she had truly offended him.

Shen Shuangning did not know when Zhai Ji had left the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but she knew he had come to Chang Le Gong today specifically, certainly not just to catch up with Jingyu.

It is highly likely he came for her, and moreover, he comes with ill intent!

Jingyu was completely unaware of their past grudges; seeing Shen Shuangning come to her of her own accord, she was overjoyed, rose, and walked toward her.

"Ningning, you've come!"

Shen Shuangning had no choice but to steel herself and approach, performing a respectful bow: "I pay my respects, Princess, Third Prince."

Jingyu immediately helped her up and held her hand, saying, "As I said, no need for formalities in Chang Le Gong, Ningning—why did you forget again? When did you arrive today? I just returned from seeing my mother; were you bored waiting for me?"

Letting Jingyu pull her over to sit, Shen Shuangning's eyes twitched slightly at the words.

Hehe, not boring at all, not boring in the slightest.

Jingyu, unaware of her resentment, pulled her to sit on the kang by the window, then sat beside her and took a pastry from the tea table to give her.

Shen Shuangning found it hard to refuse; after thanking the princess, she took it and ate two bites.

Who would have thought Jingyu would then say, "Tasty, right? This is something my elder brother bought from outside."

No sooner had the words left her mouth than Shen Shuangning began to cough violently.

Once bitten by a snake, one fears a rope for ten years; at this moment Shen Shuangning's mind held only one thought: Could Zhai Ji have poisoned the pastry?!

Jingyu was startled, quickly poured her some tea and handed it over, then gently patted her back to help her breathe.

"Eat slowly; no one's going to snatch it from you."

At this moment Zhai Ji sat opposite, curling the corner of his lips as he watched Miss Shen's flustered state, as if he could see through her thoughts, and spoke unhurriedly:

"If Miss Four likes it, I can often bring some over."

Shen Shuangning had already calmed, tugging at the corner of her mouth and said, "I'm not used to sweet foods; there's no need to trouble you, Third Prince."

Zhai Ji gave a light smile, then casually found an excuse to send Jingyu away.

Jingyu always obeyed her imperial elder brother.

Shen Shuangning dared not share a room with Zhai Ji; she was about to rise and take her leave, but he preempted her with a low voice: "Sit down, could I possibly eat the Fourth Miss?"

Jingyu also noticed that Shen Shuangning had been tense since she entered, and soothed: "My imperial elder brother is easy to get along with, Ningning, don't be afraid."

In the midst of speaking, she glared at Zhai Ji: "Imperial elder brother, stop scaring Ningning."

Zhai Ji simply smiled: "How could I bear to scare her?"

Jingyu then left Shen Shuangning behind and went out; as soon as she was gone, Zhai Ji indeed came over to Shen Shuangning.

He grabbed her pointed chin, gazing down at that gorgeous, alluring face, simultaneously loving and hating it.

Her slightly upturned peach-blossom eyes revealed a chilling viciousness, her joints tightening inch by inch, almost crushing that delicate skin.

"I've been thinking of the Fourth Miss day and night in the Office of Pacification!"

"Today, after leaving that godforsaken place, I heard the Fourth Miss had actually entered the palace to accompany the imperial younger sister in her studies; I was overjoyed, so I specially burned incense and bathed before coming to see you."

If not for his expression, just listening to his words would sound like sweet nothings.

The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs lowered their eyes, observing nose and heart, staring at their toes, daring not to glance elsewhere.

Zhai Ji wore a bright treasure-blue python robe, the vivid color striking, fully displaying his nobility.

But his already handsome face had lost its former spirited vigor, instead gaining a touch of exhaustion and gloom.

As an imperial prince, being locked up in the Office of Pacification for half a month naturally left him uncomfortable inside and out.

Shen Shuangning held her back straight, neither humble nor arrogant, coldly eyeing him without a word.

"I've changed my mind." Zhai Ji suddenly laughed.

His fingers, like snake scales, glided over her smooth cheek; Shen Shuangning's eyelashes trembled.

"Since you spurn the face I give you, if you won't be my principal wife, then you'll be my concubine. Last time you luckily escaped; this time you've entered the palace—no one can save you!"

Zhai Ji confidently believed that the young lady before him was already in his grasp.

Shen Shuangning's eyes flickered slightly.

She then dropped her silent demeanor, snorted coldly, and retorted: "Is that all the Third Prince has for dealing with women? Oh, no—his tactics toward men are the same."

These days, male-male affection is trendy, but as an imperial prince, Zhai Ji would suffer disgrace if it got out—especially dreading that it reach Emperor Xuwendi's ears.

Shen Shuangning's blatant threat hit Zhai Ji where it hurts.

Zhai Ji's eyes turned vicious in an instant; he raised his hand and slapped Shen Shuangning.

With a "pah," Shen Shuangning's cheek jerked to the side, half her body collapsing onto the heated brick bed.

As a martial practitioner, Zhai Ji's strike left Shen Shuangning's ears ringing; she closed her eyes, suppressing the dizziness, feeling no fear—only secret delight at having outwitted him.

After striking, Zhai Ji felt a bit regretful.

A red palm print quickly blossomed on the woman's fair, tender cheek; Zhai Ji's chest felt as if something had clenched it hard, then a surge of irritation rose.

He reached out, grabbed Shen Shuangning, and pressed angrily: "Why do you keep provoking me? Do you really think I'm reluctant to kill you?"

Shen Shuangning rested her hand on the tea table, fingertips twitching slightly, and said calmly: "Third Prince, crushing me would be as easy as squashing an ant, but remember—a dike a thousand li long collapses from an ant hole; if I become a variable in your years of scheming, this account won't be worth it."

Since acting meek and weak is useless, it's better to bare one's fangs suitably to make the opponent wary.

Zhai Ji stared straight at her, his expression shifting repeatedly, unknown what he was thinking.

And just then, Shen Shuangning heard a commotion outside the hall.

Now!

Seizing the moment Zhai Ji was off guard, Shen Shuangning snatched the tea cup from the tea table and smashed it hard onto the floor.

Zhai Ji hadn't expected her sudden move; instinctively, he retreated to save himself.

Shen Shuangning didn't even glance at him, quickly picking up a shard from the ground.

Zhai Ji's face shifted drastically, assuming she was about to fight to the death—really? He had only slapped her!

But the next instant, Shen Shuangning clutched the sharp shard and fiercely slashed her own wrist!

In that instant, a striking bloodstain burst open on her fair wrist!

Zhai Ji's pupils contracted; he lunged forward instinctively: "You're crazy? Give it to me!"

Shen Shuangning let him take it.

At that moment, Zhai Ji caught a flash of slyness in her eye—but it was already too late.

Shen Shuangning fell to her knees with a "thud," her voice full of fragility and fright, trembling just right: "Third Prince, I really didn't mean to. Please don't kill me…"

When Jingyu entered, what she saw was this scene: the room was in disarray, littered everywhere; Shen Shuangning knelt weakly on the floor, her paper‑white face bore a clear red mark, blood from her wrist kept flowing out, her eyes full of panic; and her own older brother, Zhai Ji, suddenly clutched a sharp fragment that flashed with cold light!

Zhai Ji immediately threw away the fragment in his hand, but his expression was that of someone caught doing wrong and feeling guilty.

Right now, no matter what Zhai Ji does, he cannot clear himself of the wrongful accusation.

Jingyu was shocked and turned pale.

She had only left for a moment—how could such a thing happen?

"Imperial brother! What have you done!!"

Jingyu's voice carried shock and anger that could not be hidden, and a sense of losing control.