Chapter 102

Thinking of this, Pei Shangling coughed once.

How could Xueer blurt out such a thing? Is this something a young lady can casually discuss?

Pei Yunxi got to the point: "Last night, Brother Chen might have been injured, stayed up reading, so I kept him company all night, which is why I didn't sleep."

"Injured? Where did he get hurt? Where is he hurt?!" Pei Shangling sprang to her feet.

This won't do—what will my little sister do?!

Pei Shangling instantly thought of many things, even having planned a divorce.

At worst, my little sister could just remarry Qi Shihuai!

An old man is always better than an impotent man!

Pei Yunxi's face flushed red, and she anxiously explained: "He was made to cough blood by Gu Rongjin."

It probably isn't a serious injury, after all they didn't call an imperial physician.

"What?!" Pei Shangling, bewildered: "Gu Rongjin is back?!"

He apparently still doesn't know that Gu Rongjin is fine and can jump around in the capital as if nothing happened.

Pei Yunxi nodded, "Perhaps Father Emperor has already pardoned him; he came to the princess's residence today, saying he would escort sister back to Pingnan Wangfu."

"Outrageous! I'll go find Father Emperor!" Pei Shangling said and started to leave.

"Brother Ling!" Pei Yunxi quickly rose.

Why is he in such a hurry? She hasn't even finished the main point!

"Wait here for me, I'll be right back!"

"Brother Ling, don't rush!" Pei Yunxi ran ahead to block Pei Shangling's path: "Brother Chen has already gone to see Father Emperor; he seems angry for sister's sake, and last night, for that reason, he fought with Gu Rongjin."

Having finally said it, Pei Yunxi secretly exhaled.

"What do you mean?" Pei Shangling didn't understand, "You mean Xiao Yichen is again vying for affection and getting jealous over Gu Rongjin?"

Pei Yunxi looked wronged, neither nodding nor shaking her head.

Seeing this, Pei Shangling felt a pang of pity: "Little sister, don't be upset, that scoundrel Xiao Yichen—I'll go settle the score with him for you!"

"I know Brother Ling treats me well, but... Brother Chen might just be worried about sister, after all they've been engaged for many years..." Pei Yunxi said, lowering her gaze, crystal-clear tears pattering down.

"Don't cry, little sister." Pei Shangling was both flustered and angry.

This Xiao Yichen, he had warned before—he would never forgive hurting his little sister!

"Anyway, you needn't worry; I will certainly get justice for you!"

"Brother Ling!"

This time Pei Shangling walked too fast; Pei Yunxi couldn't catch her at all.

Brother Ling going to cause trouble for Brother Chen—she didn't mean that!

Pei Yunxi was anxious to death, and hurriedly chased after.

No matter how, once Pei Shangling stepped out of the palace gates she vanished; Pei Yunxi dazedly grabbed a passing palace servant and asked, "Where is the Fourth Prince?"

"This servant hasn't seen the Fourth Prince."

Useless thing!

Pei Yunxi had no choice but to go look herself.

After their audience with the emperor, Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin were told to stay temporarily at the princess's residence until the Pingnan Prince's mansion is rebuilt.

"Do you think Father Emperor suspects the Pingnan Prince's mansion fire?" Mu Yuanzhi asked Gu Rongjin.

"I'm half‑believing, half‑doubting," Gu Rongjin said nonchalantly. "What really bothers me is being forced to stay temporarily at the princess's residence—it's a hassle, and I have to stare at Xiao Yichen's grim face every day!"

Mu Yuanzhi nodded in agreement, though there was nothing they could do about it.

"After this, Father Emperor has no intention of letting us go to our fief," she said. "So my earlier plan is now half‑undone."

Even though the fief is close to the capital, it's still not the capital—living there would be preferable to staying in the city, but it's obvious we won't be able to return to the fief anytime soon.

Gu Rongjin understood Mu Yuanzhi's thoughts, pulled her into his arms, and reassured her: "Don't worry, little Yuanzhi—I'll get us out of here, I promise."

Mu Yuanzhi pressed her lips together and remained silent.

All we can do is take it one step at a time.

"Prince Jin, Prince Jin, please wait!" the chief eunuch hurried over, saying, "His Majesty summons you to the Xuanshi Hall."

"Why?" he asked, "I just came out!"

"The General who suppresses rebels has arrived, and it seems to be connected to him," the chief eunuch said.

……

Gu Rongjin was speechless—Qi Shi huai was bound to stir up trouble for him!

"Little Yuanzhi, you go back first."

"Mm."

Mu Yuanzhi thought she might as well take the chance to go back to the Weiyang Palace and pick up a few things.

She returned to the Weiyang Palace and bumped into Pei Shangyan at the entrance.

What is he doing here?

"Sister Zhi," Pei Shangyan said, surprised and delighted to run into Mu Yuanzhi here.

He frequently suffers from nightmares, which are a continuation of that same dream. Lately he's felt mentally drained, so he came here to look around, though he isn't sure what he's seeking.

He also consulted the state preceptor to find out the meaning of the dream and whether it was an omen, but the preceptor said he didn't know either.

Perhaps the state preceptor does know, but simply chooses not to tell him.

Mu Yuanzhi completely ignored Pei Shangyan and walked straight away.

"Sister Zhi!" Pei Shangyan stepped in front of Mu Yuanzhi, opening his mouth but then hesitating.

Mu Yuanzhi impatient: "Can you just get lost?"

The light in Pei Shangyan's eyes dimmed instantly, his heart ached.

She saw that he now possessed only hatred, nothing else remained.

He never thought he would ever reach this point with her.

"Little sister Zhi, I had a terrible dream." Pei Shangyan finally decided to say it.

Mu Yuanzhi didn't want to listen: "What does it have to do with me?"

"It's about you."

"I have no interest in listening!" Mu Yuanzhi gave Pei Shangyan a cold sideways glance and walked even faster.

Pei Shangyan followed closely, step for step, muttering to himself: "In the dream I stabbed you with a sword!"

He had thought Mu Yuanzhi would again give him cold words, but unexpectedly she stopped, her expression complex as she looked at him.

Pei Shangyan hurried to explain: "It's just a dream; how could I possibly bear to hurt you?"

"What if I say it's not a dream?" Mu Yuanzhi smirked sarcastically: "Haven't you hurt me enough already?"

Although she didn't know why Pei Shangyan would have such a dream, perhaps his subconscious just wanted to stab her; she didn't care what kind of bastard he was, and she couldn't be bothered.

Mu Yuanzhi's words struck him like a thunderbolt to the crown of his head.

No matter how he tried to suppose it wasn't a dream, it couldn't match the force of her single sentence.

Not a dream?

How could it possibly not be a dream?

It must be a dream? How could he stab her? Even for his little sister it would be impossible!

Pei Shangyan vehemently denied it in his heart, firmly believing he would never do such a thing!

This is his beloved younger sister of sixteen years!

"Little sister Zhi, don't be like this..."

"How am I? I've told you it's not a dream, Pei Shangyan—you're just that kind of person; stop pretending to be a gentleman in front of me, do you even deserve it?!"

She felt a faint phantom pain in her chest again—all because of that scoundrel Pei Shangyan!