Chapter 26: Wasn't it supposed to be a gift for Little Sister Zhiyan?

"The Crown Prince said, if the Crown Princess asks, just say 'Believe him.'"

"Believe him?"

"Believe him in what? Believe he's a good person? Believe he won't harm her?"

"Whether he's a good person or not, at least he really won't harm her."

"\"When will he come back? \" Mu Yuanzhi asked again."

"The same method can't be used a second time; if Xiao Yichen forces his way in next time, he'll surely give himself away."

"\"Crown Princess, rest assured, Pingnan Wangfu is after all not an ordinary place; even the Chief Minister Xiao forcing his way in once would probably be enough to intimidate them. \""

"That's true, but Mu Yuanzhi still isn't reassured; although she doesn't know why Xiao Yichen is convinced that Gu Rongjin is the mastermind behind the arson and extermination case, she instinctively leans toward Gu Rongjin."

"Indeed, things turned out as Gu Rongjin and his group had expected; the Son of Heaven harshly reprimanded Xiao Yichen for his forcible entry into Pingnan Wangfu."

"After the morning court, Pei Shangling sought out Xiao Yichen: 'I've never seen you act so impulsively before, Xiao Yichen—you're practically a mad dog, latching onto Gu Rongjin and biting.'"

"The cold ruthlessness in Xiao Yichen's eyes instantly faded: 'I will definitely catch him.'"

"He can't escape!"

"\"Father Emperor has already returned this case to the Imperial Court of Justice; it's no longer your case, yet you keep fixating on him—do you dare say it's not because of Mu Yuanzhi? \" Pei Shangling pointed at Xiao Yichen: 'I advise you to adjust your attitude, Xiao Yichen; if you dare let down my younger sister, I won't let you off!'"

"Xiao Yichen, however, let out a cold snort: 'The Fourth Prince once gave me the same warning, but back then it was for Yuanzhi.'"

"Pei Shangling instantly felt as if his acupuncture point had been struck, but soon he exploded with rage: 'Past is past, present is present—you are now Yunxi's fiancé, and Mu Yuanzhi has nothing to do with you anymore!'"

"Nothing at all?"

"Indeed, there's no longer any connection; before he wished they had no connection, and now that wish has been fulfilled, yet he feels unwilling."

"They grew up together from childhood and were engaged for three years—how can they just say there's no connection and have it be so?"

"\"Old Fourth, Yichen, you haven't left yet? Perfect, saves me from having to look for you individually. \" Pei Shangyan came over, smiling."

"His arrival cut off the tense atmosphere, but the mood remained strange."

"\"Will you all go to the lantern festival tonight? My little sister has been looking forward to it for a long time; it would be a good chance for her to relax. \" Pei Shangyan said."

"If the lantern festival weren't happening to take place just now, he'd still be worrying about how to get his little sister out of the shadow of her fright."

"Xiao Yichen was about to politely decline, but he's been busy investigating Gu Rongjin—where would he find the mood to go to a lantern festival?"

"\"Little Sister Zhiyan also loves the lantern festival; this year there's also my little sister, so the whole family ought to be lively and harmonious. \" Pei Shangyan could already picture everyone strolling the lantern festival together, and he asked Xiao Yichen once more: 'Yichen, you'll come, right?'"

"\"Of course. \" Xiao Yichen answered, having changed his mind."

"Investigating Gu Rongjin isn't urgent either."

"\"My little sister has been hoping to enjoy the lanterns with you; see you tonight. \" Pei Shangyan nodded satisfactorily, then nudged Pei Shangling: 'Come on, let's go find Little Sister Zhiyan and invite her to view the lanterns—she'll surely be delighted.'"

"Pei Shangling felt uneasy: 'You just need to go find her; why do I have to come too?'"

"Just seeing her now makes him angry!"

"\"Siblings don't hold grudges overnight—didn't you promise me you wouldn't cause trouble anymore? \" Pei Shangyan said, forcibly dragging Pei Shangling away, and added, 'Besides, isn't that new bell you polished meant to be a gift for Little Sister Zhiyan?'"

"\"I—who said I was giving it to her?! \" Pei Shangling's face flushed red as he clenched the bronze bell hidden in his sleeve: 'That was originally meant for my little sister, but she already has one; throwing it away would be wasteful, so I just gave it to someone at random!'"

"Pei Shangyan didn't keep pressing Pei Shangling's stubbornness either; this new bell is carved with a little lamb—Little Sister Zhiyan is born in the Year of the Goat, while my little sister is a Monkey, so they're completely different."

"They arrived at Weiyang Palace, only to be turned away at the door."

"\"Sorry, Your Highnesses, the master is indisposed and has already retired. \" Hongdou apologized."

"\"You don't see the Crown Prince, do you? It's not that I don't want to reconcile with her—it's that she simply won't accept it! She's being arrogant! Indisposed? She just got back from Pingnan Wangfu and already claims to be indisposed?! \" Pei Shangling's eyes were full of contempt."

"Going to see Gu Rongjin wouldn't make her indisposed, right?!"

"\"Old Fourth, you're speaking so loudly, Little Sister Zhiyan will hear. \" Pei Shangyan restrained Pei Shangling, who was about to charge in with his chin raised, then told Hongdou: 'In that case, I and the Fourth Prince will wait for her to wake up in the side hall.'"

"Hongdou felt embarrassed; upon meeting Pei Shangling's fierce gaze, she shrank her neck and had no choice but to nod in agreement."

"It's just waiting; as long as we're not making things difficult for the master, it's fine."

"Pei Shangling let out a cold snort, flicked up his robe, and strode in; Pei Shangyan followed behind, furrowing his brows: 'Little Sister Zhiyan's anger isn't just because of your temper—you'd better rein it in.'"

"\"I'm holding back, Crown Prince, rest assured. \" Pei Shangling said that, but his sitting posture and expression looked like someone owed him several thousand taels and hadn't paid."

"The side hall was quiet, only the sound of the water clock marking time; Pei Shangling tried to rise several times, but Pei Shangyan pressed him down each time, and after an hour he could no longer hold back."

"\"What are you sleeping for, and for so long? Even if she fainted, she should have woken up by now! \" Pei Shangling slammed his hand on the table and stood up: 'She's just trying to intimidate us!'"

"Pei Shangyan was also impatiently waiting, but he could keep his composure."

"Today we came to find Little Sister Zhiyan to go out and have fun, not to argue."

"\"Pei Shangling, shut up! \" Pei Shangyan exerted the authority of the heir apparent, and Pei Shangling had no choice but to sit back down, silently sipping his tea."

"After another half-hour, Pei Shangyan was about to summon a palace servant to inquire when he saw a bright figure approaching."

"\"Little Sister Zhiyan! \""

"\"Finally, you deign to show up. \" Pei Shangling muttered discontentedly."

"\"Do you two brothers have something? You've been noisy enough that I can't rest. \" Mu Yuanzhi entered, gave them a casual glance, and her whole aura exuded aloof indifference."

"Even though he's long been used to this Mu Yuanzhi, Pei Shangyan still isn't accustomed; he instinctively expects her to come running over to tug at him and act coquettish, and thus he feels a twinge of sadness."

"Pei Shangling's hair-trigger temper was now restrained; he held himself back from snapping at Mu Yuanzhi."

"\"Why aren't you brothers saying anything? If there's nothing, just go back—I'm busy. \" Seeing the two of them—one fierce and menacing, the other deep in thought—yet silent, Mu Yuanzhi frowned."

"Are they just idly coming here to cause trouble?"

"Pei Shangyan gathered his emotions, smiling: 'Little Sister Zhiyan, do you still remember that today is the lantern festival? The lantern fair outside is livelier than in previous years; you love viewing lanterns the most, my little sister is also looking forward to it, and Yichen will go too.'"

"\"I don't like viewing lanterns; you all have fun. \""

"Why would she want to view lanterns with a bunch of annoying people? Bored?"