Chapter 52: I Thought You Liked Me

After dealing with him for several days, Jiang Huaiyue had gotten to know his character well. He was unpredictable, sometimes moody, and deeply thoughtful. Her own little feelings had probably long been seen through by him.

The books all said that feelings grow over time, but after so long, she hadn’t seen any affection at all.

Damn it, she’d been the one sleeping with him for nothing.

“Do you really not understand, or are you pretending?” Pei Ji lifted his hand to pinch her chin, forcing her to turn and look at him.

Their eyes met. The faint candlelight flickered on half his face, his expression dark and unreadable.

Jiang Huaiyue felt a shiver down her spine from his gaze and winced, “Ouch—”

Hearing her voice, Pei Ji’s eyes deepened. He pulled her close and lowered his head to bury it in her neck.

Feeling the heat radiating from him, Jiang Huaiyue realized he was being impulsive again. She reached out to push him, “Prince, I’m not feeling well today.”

His hand pressed and kneaded her, and when she tried to pull away, his other hand pinned her against his chest, leaving her no room to move.

The man’s warm breath brushed her ear. Seeing that he ignored her words, Jiang Huaiyue’s eyes reddened with frustration, and she scratched at his neck.

Pei Ji felt the sting, looked up into her tear-filled eyes, and parted his lips, “So aggrieved?”

“Aggrieved or not, the Prince never cares about my feelings.” Jiang Huaiyue turned her head away, some of her clothes torn aside, revealing her smooth shoulder.

Her lowered lashes fluttered slightly, her brows furrowed, and a single tear slipped down just perfectly.

Though he suspected she might be pretending, Pei Ji clearly felt a bitter ache in his chest.

Suppressing his thoughts, he pulled her close, “When you act like that, I thought you liked me.”

Jiang Huaiyue: “………”

Now, cooperating with him somehow made her the problem. Besides, who told him that the thing she felt aggrieved about was this?

If anything, she’d been aggrieved for far longer than just a day or two.

“Prince, I…”

“My wife.” Pei Ji turned her face around and wiped the tear from her cheek with his fingertip.

Though it was insincere, she had to admit—when he called her “wife,” it actually sounded quite nice.

Feeling his touch, Jiang Huaiyue didn’t know what madness had taken hold of him, but she wisely didn’t provoke him, “Husband.”

Pei Ji lowered his gaze and stared at her. The person in his arms was soft, almost boneless. Having spent so much time together, just looking at her easily stirred his desire.

Thinking of what was to come, he couldn’t help but look forward to her reaction.

He wondered what she’d be like if she knew Jiang Jingchen was dead.

Jiang Huaiyue didn’t know what he was thinking but felt something strange. She asked, “Husband, will you attend General Xiao’s funeral and pay respects?”

Since she planned to sneak away, she needed to know his whereabouts that day.

“No, I have other matters.” Pei Ji lazily answered, pinching her earlobe.

Jiang Huaiyue’s eyes flickered. She lifted her head, “Then may I go to the general’s residence to pay respects?”

“You don’t even know him. Why bother?” Pei Ji said coldly. Besides, the man wasn’t really dead, so why should she pay respects?

“General Xiao is a hero. If the Prince won’t go, I should represent him and go. Otherwise, it might cause rumors.” Jiang Huaiyue pressed her lips lightly and said softly.

Pei Ji curled a lip, “You think I’m afraid of rumors?”

Everyone in the capital talked about him, but so what? He wasn’t afraid, especially since power always lies with those who can speak.

Jiang Huaiyue said nothing, thinking, “Let’s see how capable you really are.”

Seeing her silent, Pei Ji moved his hand.

Jiang Huaiyue felt his hand against her thigh, blushed, and looked at him with mock anger, “Your hand—”

That bastard—he looks all neat and proper on the outside, but behind closed doors, he’s nothing but a thug.

Pei Ji pressed his body against her: “Be good, and I’ll let you go early tonight.”

After saying that, he kissed her lips, and Jiang Huaiyue twisted her body as he fondled and squeezed her roughly.

——————

Inside the imperial palace.

After Jiang Jingchen finished his court session, he heard that Chu Nanxi had entered the palace and was currently waiting for him in Longqian Palace. Without delay, he hurried over to see her.

At that moment, inside Longqian Palace, Chu Nanxi was dressed in a water-blue robe, standing under the wisteria tree by the corridor. A gentle breeze blew, lifting the ribbon tied at the back of her hair—her beauty was breathtaking.

When Jiang Jingchen arrived, he saw this scene and his heart pounded fiercely.

He strode over and softly called out, “Xi’er.”

Hearing the sound, Chu Nanxi turned and bowed: “Your servant greets His Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live forever.”

“Rise,” Jiang Jingchen said, reaching out to lightly support her arm, his eyes full of uncontainable joy.

Seeing the hand on her arm, Chu Nanxi stood up and took a small step back: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Xi’er, why have you suddenly decided to come to the palace?” he asked.

Chu Nanxi thought of her purpose and quietly said, “Your Majesty, your servant wishes to stay in the palace for a few days. May I?”

She had thought it over. Since the poison was given to the princess by Jiang Jingchen, the mother poison must be in his bedchamber or study. Only by entering the palace would she have a chance to obtain it.

Jiang Jingchen heard her words and instinctively felt happy, but then grew somewhat puzzled: “Xi’er, why would you suddenly want to stay in the palace?”

He had thought that his previous decree arranging a marriage might have angered her.

“Your Majesty, your servant wants to understand in advance where she will live in the future,” Chu Nanxi lied without changing expression.

Joy appeared in Jiang Jingchen’s eyes as he raised his voice: “Very well, I will arrange it immediately.”

Xi’er’s meaning was that she was willing to marry him. Good, that was great.

Chu Nanxi looked up at his happy face, without a trace of feeling in her eyes.

He immediately called for someone: “Yu Jue.”

Eunuch Yu heard the emperor calling him not far away and hurried over.

“Your Majesty.”

Jiang Jingchen’s voice rose: “Go prepare a palace for Miss Chu. Everything must be the best.”

“Yes, Your servant obeys,” Eunuch Yu lowered his eyes and replied.

This was Xi’er’s first time living in the palace, so he mustn’t leave a bad impression.

After giving the orders, he looked at the calm Chu Nanxi and said, “Xi’er, shall I accompany you for a stroll first?”

“Alright,” Chu Nanxi calmly agreed.

The two walked side by side toward the imperial garden. Passing palace staff all bowed respectfully, not daring to glance casually.

In front of the General’s mansion, mourning banners hung, and the funeral hall had long been set up. The mansion was quiet.

In the courtyard, Su Xiangwan finished instructing the steward on what to watch out for and rubbed her temples.

Ning Xiang poured her a cup of tea and handed it over: “Miss, have some tea.”

Since the news of General Xiao’s death, Su Xiangwan hadn’t slept well for several days and had been busy handling various matters daily.

Watching her, everyone felt heartache.

Su Xiangwan gathered the accounts she had reviewed, sipped her tea, and asked, “Have you finished handling everything I asked?”

“Miss, everything is ready. Are we really going to do this?” Ning Xiang softly asked, recalling Su Xiangwan’s instructions.