Chapter 40: Arranged Marriage

After that day, Jiang Huaiyue did not see Pei Ji for three consecutive days, which actually suited her just fine.

She and Pei Ji had no feelings for each other—forgetting him was the best option.

Fortunately, he was quite handsome, so she might as well treat him like a pretty boy she could use.

At the same time, news came from the palace: the emperor was rumored to favor men. This caused a huge uproar in the court.

As the rumors spread, they became more intense; some even said the emperor refused to take a consort because he was attracted to men.

Because of this, Jiang Jingchen went on a rampage inside the palace.

That night, after drinking several cups, he lost control and was caught mingling with eunuchs in the palace.

He quickly blamed Pei Ji, claiming it was Pei Ji’s doing and his revenge.

But he couldn’t clearly explain it, so he secretly dealt with everyone involved—but somehow, the rumors still spread.

Things got so out of control that the next morning at court, he announced he would make Chu Nanzi—the granddaughter of the Grand Tutor Chu—empress. Although many ministers opposed it, he didn’t care anymore.

Even if Nanzi didn’t like him now, she would eventually come to love him.

When the imperial edict arrived at the Grand Tutor’s mansion, Chu Nanzi was in the courtyard tending to her medicinal herbs.

Her maid Helu ran over, “Miss, palace officials have come to deliver an edict.”

“Did Grandfather go to receive it?” Chu Nanzi stood up, feeling puzzled about the sudden decree.

Helu replied, “He’s already gone, but the eunuch said Miss must also go.”

Chu Nanzi furrowed her brows, took a handkerchief from Helu to wipe her hands, then turned and walked toward the front yard.

When she arrived, many people stood in the courtyard. The jade eunuch held a yellow imperial edict and smiled, “Grand Tutor, Miss Chu, please receive the edict.”

The Grand Tutor looked at his granddaughter and knelt down trembling.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have heard that Miss Chu Nanzi of the Grand Tutor’s mansion is gentle, virtuous, and talented, and I am pleased. I hereby grant her the title of Empress, to enter the inner palace. By imperial decree!”

After reading the edict, the eunuch stepped forward to Chu Nanzi, “Miss Chu, congratulations, please accept the decree.”

Chu Nanzi’s expression was cold as she looked at the edict in front of her and sneered, “What’s there to congratulate?”

She had already clearly refused, so why was there an imperial edict granting her marriage?

The jade eunuch had been instructed by the emperor before leaving the palace: regardless of Miss Chu’s reaction, do not take offense, just deliver the edict and leave.

“Miss Chu, this is a blessing many women long for. Please accept the decree.”

Chu Nanzi clenched her hands tightly by her side, but after a moment, she finally stretched out her hand: “I, your servant, accept the decree.”

Seeing her accept it, the eunuch happily said a few auspicious words, then turned and left with his men.

The Grand Tutor came over, “Nanzi, if you don’t want to, grandfather will try to find a way to help you refuse.”

Hearing this, Chu Nanzi handed the edict to Helu behind her and helped her grandfather up. “Grandfather, your health isn’t good. Don’t worry about these things. I will handle it myself.”

Now that he was her only family, and he was old, she couldn’t bear to let him toil and struggle.

“Silly girl, although I’m old, I still have some say in court,” the Grand Tutor coughed lightly, his voice hoarse.

“I know, Grandfather. When I need help, I’ll ask you,” Chu Nanzi patted his back and helped him inside.

Prince’s Mansion.

After Jiang Huaiyue finished eating with Ayuan and returned to her own courtyard, she found her room had been completely emptied.

“What does this mean? Could it be that Pei Ji wants to kick me out of the mansion?” she muttered to herself.

At that moment, Mo Ying came in from outside: “Princess, all your belongings have already been moved to the Waterside Pavilion residence.”

“Why?” Jiang Huaiyue asked in confusion.

“That is His Highness’s order,” Mo Ying replied.

Jiang Huaiyue couldn’t figure out what Pei Ji was up to—why on earth would he want her to move and live with him?

She stepped past Mo Ying and headed straight to Pei Ji’s courtyard.

The Waterside Pavilion, where Pei Ji lived, was the most secluded courtyard in the mansion—large and exquisite, but very quiet, which suited his temperament perfectly.

When Jiang Huaiyue arrived, she saw Song Ke changing the dressing on Pei Ji’s wound.

“Your Highness, why did you order Mo Ying to move my things to the Waterside Pavilion?” she asked.

Pei Ji glanced at her, his expression indifferent: “Why do you ask?”

Since the day he fled from her courtyard in a hurry, Pei Ji had kept his composure for several days, deliberately avoiding seeing her. But somehow, he found himself thinking of her constantly.

Especially when he remembered that she still had Jiang Jingchen in her heart and had lied to him for Jiang Jingchen’s sake, he was so angry that he wanted to kill Jiang Jingchen.

“I feel my own courtyard is quite comfortable,” Jiang Huaiyue said firmly. She did not want to live with this man who could fly into a rage at any moment. If she upset him one day, she might lose her life.

Seeing the unwillingness in her eyes, Pei Ji’s mood darkened. He looked at the arm being treated and said, “Go out.”

Song Ke, who had been watching the scene, reluctantly left at his command.

Once he was gone, the large room was left with only Jiang Huaiyue and Pei Ji.

Pei Ji slowly finished dressing and then got up to approach her.

Jiang Huaiyue instinctively stepped back but was grabbed by the arm and pulled into his embrace. “What are you hiding from?”

He lowered his eyes, gazing at her fair face with deep and intense eyes.

His burning gaze dropped to her body, making Jiang Huaiyue startle. She looked up into his deep pupils and struggled, trying to leave.

“Your Highness, please let go first. Let’s talk.”

Wasn’t he supposed to dislike women? Could it be that after sleeping together once, he wanted more?

Pei Ji clearly didn’t want to hear her talk and instead bent down to kiss her.

Rather than listening to her, he preferred to see her crying with red eyes on the bed.

Jiang Huaiyue’s legs went weak from his kiss. If he hadn’t held her waist, she probably would have fallen.

Seeing things spiraling out of control, she panicked and said, “Your Highness, we can’t do this.”

Last time was a different story—he was drugged then. But now, both of them were fully conscious. How could this be allowed…

Pei Ji put her down on the bed, his gaze darkening slightly: “Isn’t it a bit late to say this now?”

“Your Highness, marital matters should be between two people who love each other,” Jiang Huaiyue said softly.