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Chapter 19: Ambiguity

“An unmarried man and woman alone in a room. You two…”

Pei Shang was never known for being patient, but as he leaned beside the divan and watched Yu Mingyao do her needlework, he unexpectedly found the moment rather pleasant.

The light outside the window fell across her snowy white face, and even the fine fuzz on her skin was clearly visible.

She was truly beautiful—features as delicate as a painting, lips naturally red, and inky black hair cascading down. She looked just like a celestial maiden from the heavens.

Pei Shang occasionally sipped fruit tea that had been sweetened heavily or stuffed a few pieces of candied fruit into his mouth, always asking if Yu Mingyao wanted some too. His eyes scanned the room briefly but never strayed from her face.

His gaze was so open and direct that at first, Yu Mingyao felt completely on edge, like she was sitting on pins and needles.

But Pei Shang had a way of making even awkwardness feel natural. If she paused her work, he would gently ask if she wanted some tea or needed help with anything.

Whenever she made even the slightest motion to reach for something, he would instantly get up and hand it to her. Before long, they shared an unspoken understanding, as if they had known each other for years.

By noon, the sunlight outside grew warmer. Pei Shang noticed a few beads of sweat forming on Yu Mingyao’s forehead and, without thinking, pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve.

“Yao-meimei, quick, wipe your sweat.”

He leaned in, clearly implying that if she didn’t take it herself, he would do it for her.

His eagerness was obvious. Yu Mingyao glanced at him sideways, her eyes resting on the handkerchief in his hand.

“You filthy rascal, you’re offering me that dirty rag to wipe my sweat? Have you even looked at it?”

The handkerchief, originally white satin, was now stained with dark smudges and grime, barely recognizable.

“Come closer.”

Yu Mingyao’s tone was lazy, and her sideways glance made Pei Shang’s heart pound wildly. He didn’t know what to do with his limbs and moved forward like a marionette on strings.

There was a cushion beside her on the divan—next to her usual seat.

Pei Shang was gently pulled down to sit on it. A soft, fair hand pried open his fingers and took the handkerchief from his palm.

“You’re a noble young master who looks decent enough. How can you be so messy? Don’t your servants keep an eye on these things? If others saw this, they’d laugh behind your back.”

Still holding his hand, she pulled out a clean silk handkerchief from her sleeve and calmly wiped the sugary residue off his fingertips.

His large palm was unusually stiff, and she noticed that his pinky trembled slightly when her fingertip touched his palm, though he quickly suppressed it.

Seeing this, Yu Mingyao smiled slightly and didn’t miss a single crease between his fingers.

Pei Shang had long since stopped breathing. From the moment she grabbed his hand, all sound vanished from his ears.

In his eyes, there was only the girl gently wiping his hand.

Her movements were so gentle that his heart melted entirely.

Pei Shang had never been treated so tenderly. She reminded him of when he was a child running through the snow to his mother, only to fall down. His mother had held him gently, just like this.

“Yao-meimei, I…”

He wanted to tell her not to leave, to stay.

If she didn’t like how careless he was, he could change—be like that fastidious Xie Zhuoguang, burning incense and loving cleanliness. Whatever she liked, he’d become that.

[Don’t go.]

Yu Mingyao looked up and saw his red eyes, like he’d been deeply wronged.

This beautiful, unruly young man, usually so wild and untamed, now looked fragile and helpless.

Yu Mingyao thought that even the coldest heart would soften upon seeing this.

Her voice softened. She held his hand, interlaced her fingers with his, and shook their hands gently: “Where did my fearless, hell-raising Brother Shang go? Give him back to me.”

She laughed sweetly. The moment the words left her lips, the dazed Pei Shang reacted like someone had pressed a switch.

“What did you call me? Yao-meimei, please call me brother a few more times!”

Overcome with emotion, he pounced on her, carefully cradling her head so it wouldn’t hit the redwood table nearby, not even noticing their posture.

He was on top of her, pressing her into the couch, holding her tightly.

Before he could even savor the sweet fragrance at the tip of his nose—

At the doorway, Xie Zhuoguang stood, face like frost. No one knew when he had arrived.

“An unmarried man and woman alone in a room. You two… what are you doing?”

He forced the words out through gritted teeth, speaking unusually much for someone typically so terse.

Pei Shang turned at the voice. When he saw it was Xie Zhuoguang, for a moment, he honestly considered just going for it.

So what if he hugged her? This man was already so furious—what about that day?

That day, Xie Zhuoguang had placed his hand on her slender waist. Did he think about Pei Shang at all?

Yao-meimei came to the capital seeking a good husband to protect her. With the complicated politics of Duke Xie’s household, they were ill-matched.

Xie Zhuoguang, outwardly noble and virtuous, knew full well Pei Shang liked her. There was a high chance she could become Pei Shang’s future sister-in-law, yet he still shamelessly pursued her.

Despicable!

Pei Shang slowly stood, not sparing Xie Zhuoguang a glance.

He helped Yu Mingyao up, extending a hand to support her.

“Careful, Yao-meimei,” he said softly.

Yu Mingyao could have stood up on her own—what woman needed help getting off a couch, unless it was that kind of situation?

But when she remembered the coldness in Xie Zhuoguang’s eyes, a sense of satisfaction surged in her heart.

In her previous life, she and Pei Shang had been innocent—no physical contact, not even private conversations.

Yet Xie Zhuoguang was jealous daily, always suspecting her feelings for Pei Shang.

She wasn’t a fickle woman—how could she have entangled herself with another man after marriage?

No matter how she explained or how sincerely she bared her heart, he didn’t believe her. Even in bed, he brought up “Pei Shang’s” name.

After seven years of marriage, Yu Mingyao had had enough.

Now reborn, she wanted to boldly make his suspicions a reality.

Pei Shang would rise to power in the future, had a clean background, no close female attendants, and was handsome and strong—what wasn’t to like?

With a cold snort in her heart, she grasped Pei Shang’s arm.

Pei Shang, fearing she’d fall, slipped an arm around her waist as he helped her up.

Their behavior was intimate, not bothering to avoid Xie Zhuoguang.

Standing at the door, Xie Zhuoguang took it all in. The young man and woman were clearly fond of each other, well-matched in looks.

A gentleman should not intrude upon private moments—he shouldn’t even be here.

Yet despite the icy chill down to his bones, Xie Zhuoguang felt like he was drowning in anger, unable to move. His eyes remained locked on them.

Their closeness was like a knife cutting his heart into pieces—but still, he couldn’t look away.

Shameless!

In that moment, Xie Zhuoguang felt a deep hatred for Yu Mingyao. Even from several feet away, he could see the blush on her cheeks.

What had they done to make her face that red? Even sweat dotted her forehead!

And Pei Shang—he could tell from a fellow man’s eyes—was clearly aroused.

Did they kiss? Had that seductive, cunning woman made her move?

When Pei Shang tasted her lips, did his heart race and breath falter like his own had?

Xie Zhuoguang’s gaze grew colder.

Finally, when the chaotic thoughts in his mind threatened to drown him, a sense of pathetic self-pity overcame him—and he turned to leave.

From the moment Xie Zhuoguang spoke to the moment he left, only a few seconds had passed, but for Pei Shang, it felt like an eternity. When he finally couldn’t see him anymore, he let out a long breath.

“Damn Li Qing, can’t even watch properly.”

Almost ruined my big moment.

He muttered, but didn’t finish the last sentence aloud.

Yu Mingyao, seeing how quickly he returned to normal, couldn’t help but tease: “Even with Mount Tai collapsing in front of you, you stay calm—Brother Shang, you have the makings of a great general.”

…What?

What did she mean?

Pei Shang looked confused.

Yu Mingyao smiled slightly, her gaze falling on the dark green silk handkerchief lying beside the couch. Originally spotless, it now bore his scent—whether hidden in her sleeve or bosom, it felt far too intimate.

She bent to pick it up, slender fingers pinching it thoughtfully.

Pei Shang didn’t get what she said earlier, but he understood the troubled look on her face.

She was just upset that her clean handkerchief had been dirtied—but he didn’t mind!

With a flash of movement, Pei Shang snatched the handkerchief from her hand.

“Hehe.”

“Yao-meimei, don’t worry. My handkerchief is yours now—you’re not losing out.”

Seeing her still dazed, he added, “If you think it’s shabby, just come to my place. Whatever you like, just take it.”

It’s all yours anyway.

“You wish,” Yu Mingyao said with a glance, not bothering to argue further. She smiled faintly. “Once it dries, return it to me. I don’t do those kinds of things.”

“What kind of things?” Pei Shang asked, feigning ignorance.

“You know exactly what I mean.”

After dawdling for so long, Yu Mingyao no longer wanted to banter. Yan Yue had already brought tea earlier and mentioned that lunch would be ready soon—they should head over then.

It should be about time now.

She stretched her back and tossed out a “let’s eat” before walking out the door.

Pei Shang quickly called, “Wait for me!” and hurried after her.

They had just stepped outside and walked a few steps when they bumped into Xie Zhuoguang returning.

The lighthearted atmosphere vanished.

Pei Shang stood beside Yu Mingyao, and the three of them faced each other in a tense standoff—none of them smiling.

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