Chapter 51: The Day of the Funeral

Although Pei Ji was a heartless man, he was at least generous in a stingy sort of way. He had given her a decent amount of silver, so now she had a modest sum of money to her name.

Upon returning to the royal residence, Jiang Huaiyue went straight to A-Yuan’s courtyard.

When A-Yuan saw her, she ran over from afar, calling out, “Sister Yueya~”

Her light blue dress fluttered in the wind, and her smile was as bright as sunshine.

Every time Jiang Huaiyue was with her, she felt cheerful and relaxed.

“What are you doing?” Jiang Huaiyue gently patted her head, smiling with the corners of her lips curled.

A-Yuan blushed slightly and smiled shyly, “I’m practicing writing.”

“So amazing! What have you written? Let me take a look.”

Raising her eyebrows, she praised her encouragingly.

A-Yuan excitedly pulled her into the room and brought her to the desk. Jiang Huaiyue looked down at the crooked handwriting on the table and couldn’t help but chuckle.

“A-Yuan, didn’t your brother give you a copybook? Why aren’t you copying from it?”

Beside the wobbly handwriting on the desk was a stack of calligraphy copybooks. Jiang Huaiyue recognized the handwriting—it was Pei Ji’s.

Pei Ji’s calligraphy, just like the man himself, was grand and bold with sharp strokes and a strong presence.

A-Yuan pouted and said with a bit of grievance, “It’s too hard.”

Even tracing over the characters was difficult for her.

“Then don’t write for now. I bought you some snacks,” Jiang Huaiyue said as she pinched her little cheek and held up the snacks in front of her.

A-Yuan’s eyes lit up immediately, and she nodded happily. “Okay!”

Jiang Huaiyue unwrapped the snacks and handed them to A-Yuan. A-Yuan took one in each hand and nibbled on them like a hamster.

“Mmm~ So yummy!” Her eyes squinted with joy, and the dimples on her cheeks appeared faintly—absolutely adorable.

Jiang Huaiyue poured a cup of water and pushed it in front of her, gently reminding her, “Drink some water while you eat, so you don’t choke.”

“Okay, okay.” A-Yuan obediently nodded and cupped the teacup with both hands, taking a small sip.

Her delicate movements made Jiang Huaiyue laugh. This girl was just too adorable, and yet…

Thinking of this, she took out something she had brought from Huichun Hall. “Luobai, this is calming incense. Light it in A-Yuan’s room at night; it will help prevent nightmares.”

Luobai hesitated for a moment before accepting it.

Seeing her concern, Jiang Huaiyue casually added, “You can ask the Prince about it first if you’d like.”

“Thank you, Princess,” Luobai replied softly.

After all, Miss A-Yuan was the Prince’s only sister. If anything were to happen to her, none of them could bear the responsibility.

After spending some time with A-Yuan, Jiang Huaiyue returned to Shuixieju (Water Pavilion Residence).

In the Royal Study

Mo Ying stood guard outside the door, holding a sword, still as a statue.

Inside, wisps of incense smoke curled in the air. Pei Ji sat in a huanghuali wood chair, light streaming through the window, casting half his figure in brightness and half in shadow.

“Xiao Qingrong, you weren’t discovered when you returned, were you?” He Lan asked, raising his brows at the refined and elegant man sitting before him.

Everyone believed that the famous General Xiao was dead, but what they didn’t know was that the one who died was merely a decoy. The real Xiao Qingrong had quietly returned to the capital long ago.

Upon hearing He Lan’s question, Xiao Qingrong’s graceful features lifted into a slight smile, and he calmly replied, “Of course not.”

He had made thorough preparations before leaving. In everyone’s eyes, he was already dead.

“When do we make our move?” Shen Yanli asked.

He continued speaking, and several people gradually turned their gaze to Pei Ji.

“Your funeral day, then,” Pei Ji replied coldly.

After many years of preparation, it was time for the master of this world to change.

Xiao Qingrong lightly pursed her lips: “Alright, the people I brought have all disguised themselves as commoners and entered the city.”

He was still very much alive, yet had to watch others hold a funeral for him. Honestly, it felt rather strange.

“He Lan, on that day, you and your men will guard the palace gates. Don’t let anyone escape,” Pei Ji said, his fingers lightly tapping on the table.

“Don’t worry, not even a fly will get out,” He Lan smiled, his expression eager.

Seeing that everyone else was ready, Shen Yanli asked, “What should I do?”

Pei Ji glanced at Xiao Qingrong upon hearing this.

Xiao Qingrong’s expression was calm: “Longqian Palace has a secret passage leading outside the city. Take some men to guard outside the city, just in case.”

The secret passage of Longqian Palace was built a long time ago during the palace construction, known only to the Emperor and the Crown Prince.

“Alright, got it,” Shen Yanli agreed.

Once everything was settled, he could guard Ashang properly.

Just as he finished speaking, He Lan teased, “How have you arranged your families?”

After looking around, he realized among the four of them, he was the only single person.

Pei Ji’s eyes were deep as he spoke solemnly, “The Prince Regent’s residence is as secure as a fortress.”

After this matter, Ayuan would be able to move freely in public without worry, no longer needing to hide in that small courtyard corner.

“I haven’t told many in the capital about my identity,” Shen Yanli responded.

He had no enemies, and everyone knew that Shen Erye’s woman had run away, which was good — Ashang’s safety was then guaranteed.

Xiao Qingrong suddenly thought of the wife he had never met and paused, “I will arrange for someone to keep watch.”

Considering that night would probably be chaotic, it was better to be extra cautious.

He Lan listened to their words, shaking his head helplessly. It was better being a lone wolf — look at them, all so worried.

After leaving the study, Pei Ji stepped into the courtyard in the night. Mo Ying said, “Your Highness, today the princess went to Chuntang and brought some calming incense for the lady, saying it could ease her nightmares.”

“Has Song Ke examined it?” Pei Ji asked softly.

“Yes, Dr. Song said it’s indeed effective,” Mo Ying replied.

Pei Ji recalled how Jiang Huaiyue behaved with Ayuan, and whispered, “Then let Ayuan use it.”

At Shuixie Residence.

Pei Ji entered the room and saw the beauty leaning against the couch, holding a book and reading, graceful and smiling softly.

Hearing the noise, Jiang Huaiyue looked over and saw him, the smile at her lips fading slightly as she greeted calmly, “Your Highness has arrived.”

He stood not far away, looking at her with cold, clear black eyes; the black mole on the tip of his nose added a few unique charms to his appearance.

Pei Ji saw her suppressing her smile, her expression calm and unreadable, waved the attendant away, and then walked over to Jiang Huaiyue.

“You brought calming incense for Ayuan?” he asked casually as he sat beside her.

Jiang Huaiyue moved back slightly and lowered her eyes to answer, “Yes, I asked about Ayuan’s health. The doctor said the medicine is somewhat toxic, but Ayuan can have some medicinal meals to nourish herself.”

Although she liked Ayuan very much, after all, she was Pei Ji’s sister, so there were some things she couldn’t interfere with, so she simply didn’t.

Pei Ji narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly. Noticing her change in attitude, he sneered coldly, “Not pretending anymore?”

Jiang Huaiyue held her book and paused for a moment, “What are you talking about, Your Highness? I don’t understand.”

She was just a bit tired today and didn’t want to deal with him.