Chapter 138: This is her proof of being a daughter-in-law of the Xiao family

No one knows where Xiao Yichen is, nor whether anyone has gone to notify him.

The Chief Eunuch said: "In reply to Your Majesty, this old servant has already sent someone to notify Grand Councilor Xiao."

As soon as he finished speaking, a report came that Xiao Yichen requested an audience; the Emperor then had the others withdraw first, and he himself left, making space for Xiao Yichen and Pei Yunxi.

Upon seeing Xiao Yichen, Pei Yunxi felt a surge of reliance and reached out her hand: "Brother Chen!"

Those words "Brother Chen" drew out all her grievances; tears instantly welled up, and with her lying weakly on the bed, her face deathly pale, she looked pitiful.

Yet Xiao Yichen remained unmoved; he walked over slowly, his eyes showing no concern.

Pei Yunxi panicked for no reason—what's wrong with him?

Could it be that he's angry because he thinks she's involved with the Crown Prince of Huangli State?

"Brother Chen, I was only struck by him; nothing happened between us!" she explained hastily, fearing Xiao Yichen would misunderstand.

Xiao Yichen's expression unchanged, he asked: "Why would it be you?"

"Ah? I don't know either!" Pei Yunxi masked her panic, lowering her eyes in a wronged tone.

"Let me ask another: why did the Emperor punish you with house arrest, and why did he send you to the Temple of Gratitude for cultivation?" Pei Shangyan's deep eyes held sharpness as he stared straight at Pei Yunxi.

Pei Yunxi's inner panic spread quickly; she pressed her lips, not knowing how to answer.

Though they are already husband and wife, they feel more estranged than before; he grows ever more indifferent toward her. Thinking of this, Pei Yunxi feels resentful: "I'm injured, yet you don't even ask where I'm hurt or if it hurts!"

It's as if he's interrogating her like a criminal!

Xiao Yichen pulled out a chair and sat down; his eyes held no trace of his former tenderness and concern as he stared coldly at Pei Yunxi, then said: "If it weren't you today, wouldn't the injured one be Yuanzhi?"

Pei Yunxi's eyes widened suddenly; she couldn't hide her panic, but still forced a calm shake of her head: "I don't understand what you're saying? Did you hear some rumors?"

"Yunxi, just how many things are you hiding from me?" Xiao Yichen stared coldly at Pei Yunxi: "The Emperor has broken his usual pattern, punishing you twice in a row, and even the Fourth Prince has been locked up in Forever Lane—what on earth is the reason?"

There's no wall that doesn't let the wind through; even if the Emperor never makes a show, Xiao Yichen can still hear some gossip here and there—but is it really just idle chatter?

Everyone knows how much the Emperor favors his daughter Pei Yunxi; for such a cherished daughter to be penalized repeatedly, though not severely, is still quite suspicious.

Moreover, Pei Yunxi has never once come to him to complain—this too is abnormal.

He went to ask those few princes; they hemmed and hawed. Combining that with recent major events in the palace, Xiao Yichen inferred a possibility—this is the intuition and judgment honed over years of solving cases.

"What did they find when they searched your Changle Palace?" Xiao Yichen asked next.

One thing led to another; Pei Yunxi had become so flustered she could no longer keep her composure, and Xiao Yichen naturally noticed.

But she couldn't speak!

She couldn't let him know she had once framed Mu Yuanzhi!

Unable to defend herself, Pei Yunxi could only cry, tears dropping one after another, while she pretended nonchalantly to reveal the Xiao family's ancestral jade bracelet on her wrist, reminding him that she was his lawfully wedded wife.

But Xiao Yichen had long since stopped buying her act; he even found it tiresome, too fake, too affected.

Pei Yunxi kept crying, and in her peripheral vision she saw Xiao Yichen rise and walk toward her; hope welled up in her heart, thinking he finally felt pity for her. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and spoke softly: "Brother Chen..."

Xiao Yichen leaned in; Pei Yunxi was shy and timid, her ears even turning red.

Was this him finally realizing he felt sorry for her?

Who would have thought, Xiao Yichen simply reached out and snatched the jade bracelet from her wrist!

"If you won't tell me, I'll find out anyway."

Pei Yunxi stared wide-eyed in disbelief; by the time she reacted, the bracelet had already slipped from her hand.

"Brother Chen, what do you mean by this?!" Why take away her jade bracelet—this is her proof of being a daughter-in-law of the Xiao family!

Xiao Yichen offered no explanation; he put the bracelet away, merely saying "Rest well" before leaving.

"Brother Chen!" Pei Yunxi lunged to grab him, but grasped only air.

She was furious and desperate, shouting through tears: "Xiao Yichen! I am your wife!"

"For now, that's enough."

Xiao Yichen didn't even turn his head.

Pei Yunxi was struck by a bolt from the blue; she didn't know whether it was from tugging at her wound or from angry resentment. She couldn't stop trembling, fury surging to her head with nowhere to vent, so she pounded the blanket hard, screaming hysterically: "Why?!"

"Why?! Why?! Why?!"

She didn't understand why they had come to this point.

Clearly it wasn't like this before; he used to praise her gentleness and intelligence, her thoughtfulness, and he alone treated her with a thousand kindnesses!

It was he who said he wanted to marry her; now they are wed, she is his wife—why is his heart still full of Mu Yuanzhi!

Pei Yunxi clenched the blanket in hatred, staring at her empty wrist, and also hated herself for her powerless rage.

Why, despite trying again and again, could she not get rid of Mu Yuanzhi, making her ever harder to deal with?

Perhaps if they had a child, he would no longer constantly think of Mu Yuanzhi!

Whenever Mu Yuanzhi is removed is fine, but first she must maintain her status as a daughter-in-law of the Xiao family!

Thinking this, Pei Yunxi decided to adjust her plan.

Without needing to go to the Temple of Gratitude for cultivation, she hurried straight back to the Princess's Residence; she could recuperate anywhere, but she must never leave his side except when he attends court.

Pei Yunxi had been pardoned, but Pei Shangling had not; he remained in Forever Lane, though he would soon receive an edict of pardon, and the one to proclaim it was Mu Yuanzhi.

"Ah Zhi!" the bored Pei Shangling in the corner sprang up like a carp flipping and rushed over excitedly.

Mu Yuanzhi thought that if Pei Shangling had a tail, it would surely be wagging nonstop.

Her more affectionate term for him made her frown, her dislike obvious.

Pei Shangling appeared down on his luck—no injury, no illness, no sign he needed to do hard labor; there was no chamber pot nearby, nor any firewood to chop.

It seems the people of Forever Lane didn't throw stones at him? Perhaps because they judged that Pei Shangling hadn't lost his standing and would be released soon?

"You seem to be doing alright," Mu Yuanzhi said, her tone clearly disappointed.

Pei Shangling didn't know whether he'd heard that, and he arrogantly lifted his chin: "Anyone who dares disrespect me, I'll beat them flat!"

A bunch of good-for-nothings still want to bully him?! Pure fantasy!