Should he thank this kind-hearted girl for not shaming him in front of so many people, at least willing to return with him, her nominal husband.
The person in his arms still refused to speak. Pei Yuqing’s eyes grew montarily cold, then quickly returned to normal. He lowered his eyes and said, "Just assu that I’m narrow-minded and need to get to the bottom of things. Since you don’t want to talk, can I ask instead?"
His voice was sowhat suppressed, and Xie Wanqing was unaware of the changes in his emotions. Upon hearing his question, the hand covering her lips stiffened, and she nodded lightly.
Although she responded, Pei Yuqing remained silent, seemingly unsure how to begin, and didn’t speak for a long while.
His long fingers slid from her hair to her lips, gently rubbing them. His lowered gaze was clear and focused. They were very close, she almost curled up in his arms, yet the atmosphere wasn’t intimate or ambiguous at all.
Xie Wanqing felt inexplicably nervous, her heart pounding in her throat.
After a lengthy silence, Pei Yuqing applied subtle pressure with his fingertip, teasing the lips of the girl in his embrace, suggesting matter-of-factly, "Here... he forced you, right?"
"..."
"What?"
Xie Wanqing slowly widened her eyes, "What else could it be?"
She finally understood his implication, and her eyes, still flushed with a hint of embarrassnt, reflected his face, her expression growing increasingly irate.
"Do you think I willingly let him take away, willingly stayed with him alone, let him..."
She couldn’t continue, glaring at him with rage in her eyes, cheeks flushed like an agitated little creature.
Pei Yuqing quietly gazed at her, "What did he do to you?"
"..." Xie Wanqing suddenly went silent, her voice unintentionally softer, "Anyway, it wasn’t voluntary, it was that beast forcing ."
Beast!
Pei Yuqing’s fingers trembled abruptly, his gaze falling onto the neckline of her garnt, almost unable to control the impulse to rip open the layers and inspect.
To see how he was a beast!
But Xie Wanqing was completely oblivious to his heartache, still striving to defend herself, "Don’t falsely accuse , I was taken halfway to that villa by him forcibly, and the disrespect today was all against my will."
What did he take her for!
Even if their marriage happened in such haste, she always rembered she was Mrs. Pei, even if she liked Lu Ziyuan dearly, she would never disregard her identity for such... scandalous deeds.
Having already been terrified enough by Lu Ziyuan, now she faced doubts here as well.
Xie Wanqing felt a bit wronged, she broke free from his embrace, stood up, and said angrily, "A gentleman can be killed but not humiliated, Pei Changqing, if you mind that I was taken by him, just say it directly, don’t accuse of being unfaithful."
Even though the current atmosphere is open, being unfaithful is never a good term. The Xie family can’t afford such disgrace.
These words were too severe.
Pei Yuqing grasped her wrist, his expression sowhat stern, said, "It was my mind in turmoil, and careless words, I did not an to insult you."
"I know you did not enter the villa with him voluntarily..." He paused, voice hoarse, "I just fear you were moved by his persistence, regretted impulsively marrying , ...decided to change your mind."
Especially since she showed such hesitation and uncertainty, he couldn’t help but think more.
"Do you take for a rash child?" Xie Wanqing replied irritatedly, "Since I’ve made a decision, I won’t easily regret it. Just don’t resent marrying and causing trouble for the Pei family."
To be honest, she is benefiting more from this marriage.
For her, the Pei family has provoked Lu Ziyuan, that lunatic.
That lunatic might even beco the future Emperor!
Prior to today, Xie Wanqing never thought Lu Ziyuan also possessed mories of her dreams, turning even more reckless than before.
The forr Lu Ziyuan she might have had a chance to escape, but now...
Recalling the scene where the lunatic held her and kissed her despite coughing blood, Xie Wanqing’s heart chilled.
She swallowed, dryly said, "Do you know..."
"What?" Pei Yuqing tugged her down to sit, his hand sliding along her wrist, threading into her fingers, tightly clasping, "Know what?"
Xie Wanqing paused, recalling his earlier subtle hints, didn’t think much of it at the ti, but now...
She contemplated for a few monts, couldn’t help but test lightly, "Lu Ziyuan told sothing."
Pei Yuqing’s eyes slightly moved, he tilted his head to look over, waiting for her to continue.
Xie Wanqing: "..."
Seeing he wouldn’t speak, she pondered if she should directly expose Lu Ziyuan’s lineage.
While hesitating, she heard him say, "What do you want to ask?"
"...You said, Lu Ziyuan is arrogant like that and deeply trusted by Your Majesty, you offended him for ," Xie Wanqing hesitated, continued, "Will it implicate the Duke Mansion?"
If Lu Ziyuan had always been the Marquis Mansion’s Princely Heir, she naturally wouldn’t worry about this.
But...
Pei Yuqing, being smart, hesitated a mont, understood.
"Lu Ziyuan told you sothing?"
Xie Wanqing still hesitated, he added, "If it is regarding his lineage, I know."
Pei Yuqing’s tone complex, didn’t expect Lu Ziyuan also knew his lineage, let alone to choose to tell her directly about such secrets.
Such Imperial Court secrets, based on what he knew of Lu Ziyuan, even if he liked her, wouldn’t tell her.
There was no need.
Each extra person aware is an additional risk, telling her this matter, aside from stirring trouble, serves no purpose.
Soone cherished should obediently stay within flowery comfort, enjoy the view, sail the lake, occasionally attend a banquet. No matter what catastrophe strikes, shouldn’t be disturbed.
This was what Lu Ziyuan would do.
Pei Yuqing lowered his eyes, discreetly obscuring the dark shade within his gaze.
"Since I decided to marry you, I am not afraid of his reprisals,"
He held the already surprised girl and softly reassured, "Wanwan, I have considered all consequences, this was my own decision, you needn’t worry."
Xie Wanqing felt moved, "But, what if..."
"There won’t be what if," Pei Yuqing spoke quietly, "His identity is indeed noble, but that doesn’t guarantee he will ascend to that position, the Holy Emperor has many Princes."
The Holy Emperor’s four Princes are all adults, with the Crown Prince and Second Prince contending openly and covertly, nearly within reach of the Crown Prince position. Lu Ziyuan as a Prince raised outside the palace, even if regains his identity, most likely would only beco a Prince guarding the frontier.
Xie Wanqing fell silent.
How should she explain, that person returned with perfect examination answers to retake the test?
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