Chapter 4: The Father Emperor's Attitude

Pei Yunxi smiled and waved her hand to indicate she was fine, but the two brothers' hearts were still worried.

The little sister is always so sensible that it makes people feel heartache.

The Emperor's expression was dark and uncertain; he gestured for the Chief Eunuch beside him to fetch a fox-fur cloak for Mu Yuanzhi to put on again, then said nothing more, turning to concernedly ask Pei Yunxi: "Xi'er, are you still feeling unwell?"

"Replying to Father Emperor, Xi'er is fine, just her hands are a little cold." Pei Yunxi replied softly.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor handed her the Purple Moon Pattern Dragon Hand Warmer he was holding.

Pei Yunxi held the Emperor's personal hand warmer, her powdery face full of smiles.

Everyone's hearts were like a clear mirror at this moment; the Emperor's action already told everyone that this was punishment for Mu Yuanzhi harming the little princess.

Clearly it was a fox-fur cloak for warmth, draped over her body, yet Mu Yuanzhi did not feel warm.

She should have known this already; in the Father Emperor's heart she no longer had any place, he had determined that she had harmed his precious daughter, and any punishment was warranted.

Mu Yuanzhi lowered her eyes, swept away the complexity in her heart, and said to Pei Yunxi: "Little sister, that day I was wrong; knowing you couldn't handle blades and spears, I shouldn't have given you the newly made hidden weapon, causing your injury. I have reflected on it day after day in Forever Lane—will you forgive me just this once?"

Pei Yunxi was still relieved that the earlier commotion had diverted everyone's attention from the cloak, never expecting Mu Yuanzhi to suddenly speak to her and apologize; she froze for a moment, failed to react in time, and missed the chance to reply.

Meanwhile, Mu Yuanzhi's words, upon reaching everyone's ears, gave rise to calculations.

They naturally assumed Pei Yunxi had been injured by a hidden weapon, and since the hidden weapon came from Mu Yuanzhi's hands, it must have been her scheming, revenge born of jealousy.

Among these people, those from the Ministry of Works understood the matter best; that day the little princess, out of curiosity, insisted on studying Mu Yuanzhi's newly made hidden weapon, Mu Yuanzhi was initially unwilling, but eventually gave in after being unable to resist.

Everyone present knew the power of Mu Yuanzhi's hidden weapon; ordinary people wouldn't use it, so it was no surprise that she had injured herself with it.

Pei Shangyan's brows were deeply locked as he looked at the two sisters, wanting to speak but stopping; instead, Pei Shangling couldn't help but sneer: "Knowing your mistake is enough; you clearly know the little sister understands nothing, yet you still gave her such a dangerous thing—no one would believe you if you said it wasn't intentional!"

Right and wrong were turned upside down; Mu Yuanzhi chuckled inwardly, it was Pei Yunxi who insisted she make a new hidden weapon—if she hadn't given it, they would have accused her of stinginess, unwilling to give even this little thing to the little sister!

Since Pei Yunxi wanted her things so much, what harm would there be in giving them all?

Mu Yuanzhi reached out, took off the bronze bell tied to her hair, and handed it to Pei Yunxi: "This is an apology gift; little sister, accept it, and then I will appear sincere."

This bronze bell was a gift from Pei Shangling; she had always treasured it, carefully cleaning and maintaining it daily, valuing it above all else, because Pei Shangling had told her it was ancient bronze he had painstakingly unearthed from deep within the Kunlun Snow Mountain, then spent a year personally polishing to completion.

He also said the bell's tone best complemented her orchid-in-an-empty-valley aura; upon hearing it he could immediately recognize it and follow the sound to find her.

Later, when Pei Yunxi merely glanced at it a few more times, Pei Shangling came to ask for it back; she naturally refused, not expecting him to become uncontrollably angry, snatch it away and smash it on the spot, then turn around and give her a more beautiful, exquisite one to please Pei Yunxi.

She held the broken bell and cried for a long, long time…

Mu Yuanzhi gathered her myriad thoughts, her eyes full of smiles as she looked at Pei Yunxi.

Pei Yunxi hesitated about whether to reach out to take it, suddenly feeling a prickling on her back; she furtively glanced at Pei Shangling beside her, only to realize his face had at some point become terrifying, his gaze describable as eyes about to crack.

"Little sister Zhi, this is a gift from your fourth brother; you should give something else to the little sister." Pei Shangyan, sensing the awkward atmosphere, spoke to smooth things over.

He knew his own fourth brother's temperament; Mu Yuanzhi doing this would undoubtedly provoke the mercurial fourth brother.

Even if Little Sister Zhi sincerely apologized to the little sister, she shouldn't have passed along this bronze bell.

"But I think this bronze bell suits the little sister better; as long as she likes it, I can let her have it." She said, looking at Pei Shangling: "Brother Ling, you think the same, right?"

Pei Yunxi was still holding the embroidered clothes for Xiao Yichen, and hearing Mu Yuanzhi's words, her face turned awkward, as if she were accustomed to stealing others' favorites, she looked anxiously at Pei Shangling.

Pei Shangling's breathing grew a little heavier, as if he were desperately suppressing something.

When he gave her the bronze bell, she had clearly said she would cherish it for a lifetime!

"Brother Ling, could you help me put it on?"

"Really can't stand you, you don't even know how to wear a bell—just drop dead!"

"Brother Ling wearing it looks better!"

"If I help you wear it every day, wouldn't I have no time?"

"If you make me wear it until I'm seventy or eighty, I will cherish it for a lifetime!"

The recalled words struck Pei Shangling's nerves; the fire surging up from his heart slammed wildly across his chest.

Mu Yuanzhi!

She actually dared to trample his feelings like this!

The things he gave, even if given to a dog, are still his, and he absolutely will not allow anyone to insult them!

"Exactly, it really suits the little sister better, because you don't deserve it." Pei Shangling's voice, squeezed from between his teeth, was like a repressed beast's roar, low and terrifying, his bloodshot eyes almost able to drip blood.

Mu Yuanzhi's pale lips curled in self-mockery, and she pushed the bronze bell forward again: "Little sister, you don't want it—are you unwilling to forgive me?"

Pei Shangling's scorching gaze was fixed firmly on the bronze bell in Mu Yuanzhi's hands.

"I..." Pei Yunxi felt that if she reached out she would immediately draw fire upon herself; she hesitated to look at Pei Shangling, who seemed not to notice, his aura terrifying.

Not understanding why Pei Shangling had suddenly become so angry, resentment and grievance welled up together; she grudgingly snatched the bronze bell from Mu Yuanzhi's hand: "Thank you, Sister Yuanzhi."

The surrounding air instantly exploded; Pei Yunxi felt as if she were burned, stepping back a step, slightly regretting having accepted Mu Yuanzhi's bronze bell.

The murderous aura radiating from Pei Shangling was too terrifying; she was afraid.

"Good! Siblings should be like this, without grudges!"

The Emperor's solemn words fell, also suppressing Pei Shangling's anger somewhat, but his gaze remained tightly locked on Mu Yuanzhi.

Mu Yuanzhi withdrew first, citing poor health, and the Emperor consented.

The main character of the recognition ceremony was Pei Yunxi; Mu Yuanzhi knew her presence or absence made no difference.

"Mu Yuanzhi!" Pei Shangling gripped her wrist tightly, pulling her back, completely failing to notice the bluish-purple frostbite on her wrist.

Mu Yuanzhi winced in pain, then with a clever twist broke free of Pei Shangling's hand, retreating several steps.

Her action was undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire; Pei Shangling almost bit through a silver tooth.