Chapter 21

Pei Shangling was seething with anger, about to leave, when he saw Xiao Yichen staring thoughtfully at Gu Rongjin's departing back, and went over to ask, "What's wrong with you?"

"Xiao Yichen gege, are you feeling unwell somewhere?" Pei Yunxi asked concernedly.

Xiao Yichen, who had wanted to speak, glanced at Pei Yunxi and said to her, "Yunxi, go back first; I have some things to say to your fourth brother."

"Why can't she hear what you're saying?" Pei Yunxi originally felt wronged, but when Xiao Yichen called her name without adding the princess honorific, she felt their relationship had become even more intimate, a sweet warmth rose in her heart, and she didn't bother about it so much.

"Mm, then I'll head back first."

Pei Shangling was uneasy and ordered the commander of the imperial guards to send Pei Yunxi back.

After Pei Yunxi left, Xiao Yichen then said to Pei Shangling, "I still suspect that the person in last night's fire was Gu Rongjin."

Pei Shangling thought he was going to say something else and scoffed, "You're overthinking it; Gu Rongjin is just a spoiled nobleman, his martial arts are at best a three-legged cat's skill, and besides, you heard from the crown prince this morning at court that he personally saw Gu Rongjin go to the Red Pavilion."

Gu Rongjin still harbored doubts in his heart, neither confirming nor denying.

A hand suddenly landed on his shoulder; he turned his head to see Pei Shangling's face full of strange expression leaning in close.

Xiao Yichen, you care so much about Gu Rongjin—could it be because of Mu Yuanzhi?

Xiao Yichen disdainfully turned aside, shaking off Pei Shangling's hand, and said, "Of course not; this case falls under the Cabinet, and I naturally suspect anyone suspicious."

"Is it really just because of that?" Pei Shangling gave a derisive laugh, jabbing Xiao Yichen in the chest: "Ask yourself honestly—aren't you simply trying to ruin Gu Rongjin so that Mu Yuanzhi can't marry him?"

Pei Shangling's words were like a ghost, echoing endlessly, leaving Xiao Yichen vexed and unsettled.

In the next instant, Pei Shangling grabbed his collar; he impatiently shoved it away: "Fourth Prince, please conduct yourself properly!"

"It's you who should restrain yourself, Xiao Yichen—you already have a fiancée; is it all right to have another woman on your mind?" Pei Shangling's face darkened, and he warned: "If you dare to let down my sister, I will certainly not let you off!"

Xiao Yichen smoothed the wrinkles in his collar, half-smiling: "Which sister is the Fourth Prince referring to?"

Pei Shangling choked, then raised his voice abruptly: "Stop pretending not to know! Xiao Yichen, Mu Yuanzhi is already someone else's fiancée; this is your own choice—you can't have both fish and bear's paw, so do as you see fit!"

His own choice?

Yes, it's his choice; he finds Mu Yuanzhi annoying—not gentle or considerate, too arrogant and overbearing, incessantly clingy, and from head to toe she's not his type.

It should be that way, yet why does he start to miss the days when she used to follow him around?

After all, having someone constantly quiet by his side isn't all that good either.

Xiao Yichen raised his head and gazed toward the Grand Moon Palace, lost in thought for a long while.

At this moment, the Grand Moon Palace was rare in still having its lights lit at this hour.

The Grand Empress Dowager looked at Mu Yuanzhi standing with downcast eyes and proper composure, and said, "Lift your head; why are you keeping your head down? Am I that scary, old lady?"

Mu Yuanzhi obeyed and lifted her head: "Great-grandmother, you're not frightening; it's someone else who is."

The Grand Empress Dowager gave an "oh," and asked, "For example?"

Mu Yuanzhi observed the dignified, noble old lady before her without a trace, and this was indeed the first time she had spoken so closely to the Grand Empress Dowager; before, she could barely make out the Dowager's appearance.

She couldn't tell whether the Grand Empress Dowager was angry or not; she thought that since she wanted the Dowager as her backing, and the Dowager hadn't rejected her from afar, she ought to be sincere, which is why her words weren't strictly by the book.

Too much.

Your mouth is quite formidable, and your courage is no small thing—nothing like your mother at all.

Upon hearing this, Mu Yuanzhi's eyes brightened: "Great-grandmother, have you seen my mother?"

"Not just seen," the Grand Empress Dowager said with a hint of nostalgia, "your mother was a renowned talent in the capital, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; many noble sons and daughters pursued her, and even my grandsons were no exception."

Hearing someone mention her mother for the first time, Mu Yuanzhi couldn't help but picture her mother in her prime, full of vigor.

"'As for you, you only know how to dance with swords and spears,' the Grand Empress Dowager remarked, without any disapproval or blame, rather sighing as she picked up the automatic tea kettle beside her: 'Men always favor gentle, refined women; they need a virtuous wife, not an assistant.'"

"'I don't need men to like me either,' Mu Yuanzhi muttered softly, almost under her breath."

The Grand Empress Dowager chuckled: "Where does a young lady talk like that?"

Zhang Mamam also laughed: "Just like you were when you were young, Grand Empress Dowager."

The maid, curious, suddenly pricked up her ears; the Grand Empress Dowager glared at Zhang Mamam, who immediately shut her mouth.

The atmosphere instantly lightened considerably, and Mu Yuanzhi's tense nerves relaxed; she felt that speaking here with the Grand Empress Dowager was not stiff at all, but rather relaxed.

To further her relationship with the Grand Empress Dowager, Mu Yuanzhi plucked up her courage and asked, "Great-grandmother, what were you like when you were young?"

"When I was young, I most loved horseback riding, archery, hunting, and playing cuju,' the Grand Empress Dowager recalled, her eyes lighting up with a flickering flame of joy, her whole person seeming vibrant: 'All day long I just wanted to roam the four seas and tread every mile of river and mountain, alas…'"

Alas, in the end she was still confined within these palace gates, and Mu Yuanzhi silently completed the Dowager's unfinished sentence in her heart.

And what about her? Will she end up the same way in the future?

"'Yuanzhi, do you like Gu Rongjin?' the Grand Empress Dowager said, shifting the topic."

"'I…' Mu Yuanzhi flashed an image of Gu Rongjin's appearance and smile in her mind."

In this life and the last, all the kindness he had shown her she kept in her heart, but she would not like anyone again, for the consequences of liking someone were too heavy for her, leaving her with no place to bury herself.

So she felt only gratitude toward him.

The Grand Empress Dowager seemingly had no intention of hearing an answer from Mu Yuanzhi; she rose, and Zhang Mamam and the maid quickly steadied her.

"'It's night; you should rest as well. Tonight you'll stay in the side hall, and return tomorrow morning.'"

"'Good night, great-grandmother.'"

Tonight, thanks to the great-grandmother's help, otherwise she feared she would have to sleep in the prison of the Imperial Court of Justice.

Just as in her previous life, Pei Yunxi truly could not rest for a moment, insisting on driving her to her death—but this time she would not lose again!

The next day, Mu Yuanzhi returned to Weiyang Palace; the chaotic sleeping quarters had already been restored to their original state, and she could tell at a glance that Hongdou and the others had stayed up all night tidying.

The four of them had red-rimmed eyes and dark circles; upon seeing Mu Yuanzhi, they immediately forced smiles, and before she could praise them, she heard, "The Second Prince has arrived!"