Chapter 61: Your Highness, Perhaps You Should Reflect on Yourself

He Lan stared wide-eyed in disbelief. Today’s gossip was truly fascinating.

From the looks of it, all three of their wives had tried to run away. It was obvious who the problem was here.

Pei Ji remained silent, but his mind was already racing with calculations.

So, she had planned her escape yesterday together with Su Xiangwan — the two of them had agreed to leave together.

He looked at the vial in his hand that contained the parasite. He had gone out of his way to find a cure for the parasite in her body, only to realize she didn’t care at all.

So from beginning to end, it had all been just wishful thinking on his part.

He sneered inwardly. “Let her in.”

“Yes,” Mo Ying responded and went outside.

Su Xiangwan waited quietly at the gate of the prince’s residence.

After a while, she saw Mo Ying approaching from afar. She had seen this man before — he was one of Pei Ji’s subordinates.

“Madam, this way please.” Mo Ying gestured for her to follow.

Su Xiangwan nodded. “Thank you.”

She had originally just wanted to gather some information, but now they were actually inviting her in — and it was Pei Ji’s man who came for her. What was he up to?

As her thoughts spiraled, Mo Ying led her around rock gardens and pavilions, across small bridges and flower paths, until they arrived in front of a pavilion.

She couldn’t clearly see who was inside, but something about it gave her a bad feeling.

The one who wanted to see her was likely Pei Ji.

She had acted too recklessly today. She should have considered this — if Yueya had really escaped, then coming here now was basically admitting that she was in on it.

And if Yueya hadn’t escaped, then she must’ve been imprisoned by Pei Ji somewhere.

Either way, she had now alerted the enemy.

Thinking this, Su Xiangwan stopped walking. “I just remembered there’s something I need to take care of. I’ll come visit the Lord another day.”

As she spoke, she turned to leave.

But Mo Ying blocked her path without budging, his voice cold and firm. “Madam, please.”

Seeing this situation, Su Xiangwan knew she wouldn’t be able to leave so easily. She clenched her palms and forced herself to stay calm.

Letting out a deep breath, she once again walked toward the pavilion.

“Your Highness, Madam Xiao has arrived,” Mo Ying said as he lifted the curtain.

Su Xiangwan stepped inside. She had expected to see only Pei Ji, but to her surprise, her husband — whom she had only met once — was also there, along with two others she didn’t recognize.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” she said with a curtsy.

Pei Ji gave her a quick glance before looking away. “You may rise.”

Su Xiangwan straightened and looked toward Xiao Qingrong. Remembering the rumors she had heard, she figured that since her husband was on good terms with Pei Ji, maybe he could help ease the situation a bit.

“I didn’t expect Husband to be here too. Had I known, I would’ve come along with you.”

Xiao Qingrong’s lips curled into a slight smile as he spoke warmly, “Since when did Madam become so close with the Prince?”

The woman standing in the center wore a dress the color of pale green water, with a white belt that accentuated her slim waist. Her features were soft and gentle, and when she smiled, it was like a spring breeze — unforgettable at first sight.

He remembered that his wife used to be so sheltered in the Prime Minister’s estate, hardly ever stepping outside. How did she form such a close bond with a lady of the inner court, one who was not favored?

Su Xiangwan pressed her lips together and replied softly, “A woman’s friendship is something a man like you wouldn’t understand.”

“So what you’re saying is—only men are allowed to have bonds of brotherhood, and women can’t have deep friendships of their own?”

“Prince, do you know where the princess is?” she asked in a clear voice.

Pei Ji lifted his eyelids, his gaze sharp and piercing as he looked at her. “Shouldn’t Madam be the one who knows best? Why come asking this prince?”

His expression was dark, as if someone owed him eighty thousand taels of silver.

Su Wan could hear the sarcasm in his voice. She replied without missing a beat, “The princess is your wife, Your Highness. How would I know?”

“Oh? But I heard someone say that Madam also tried to run away last night. Wasn’t that something you two had already discussed?”

Leaning against his hand, his tone was calm and indifferent.

“You must have heard that from my husband. Last night, I was only grieving over his death. I was heartbroken and wanted to take a walk to clear my head—when did I ever say I wanted to escape?”

Pei Ji didn’t respond. He simply thought to himself—No wonder they got along so well. That calm face while telling lies… they really are alike.

Su Wan feigned confusion. “Hearing Your Highness speak this way—don’t tell me the princess actually ran away?”

Then she added, “The princess is so gentle by nature and has always been sincere toward you. If she chose to leave, she must’ve had her reasons. Rather than blaming others, maybe Your Highness should reflect on yourself.”

As soon as she said this, the pavilion fell into dead silence. He Lan couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly—Su Wan really is a heroine among women, daring to provoke Pei Ji like that.

At her words, all the warmth in Pei Ji’s eyes disappeared, replaced by a piercing cold light. He looked at Su Wan as though he were looking at a corpse.

Su Wan could feel his chilling gaze crawl down her spine, but she steeled herself and said bravely, “I know you’re angry, Your Highness. But I still have to say what must be said.”

“Su Wan,” Xiao Qingrong looked at her disapprovingly.

She really was bold. If she truly angered Pei Ji, even he wouldn’t be able to protect her today.

Couldn’t she see Pei Ji’s eyes were practically murderous? And she still dared to speak nonsense.

Of course Su Wan knew he was furious—but some words had to be spoken.

“Oh? Then let’s hear it,” Pei Ji sneered.

He was curious to know what else she had to say.

“Your Highness stands above all others. You control the princess’s life and death, all at your whim. She lives every day in fear and anxiety, constantly afraid that if she displeases you even slightly, her life will be forfeit.

In this world, women are born into a lower status, shackled by rules and doctrines. But no one willingly wants to live that way. If given the choice, who wouldn’t want to live freely and vividly?

Perhaps she does care for you—but that tiny bit of affection isn’t worth giving up her freedom for, or living each day walking on eggshells around you.

So let me offer you a word of advice, Your Highness: there are remedies for all ailments in this world—but not a single one for regret.”

Su Wan’s voice wasn’t loud, but every word struck firm and true.

Shen Yanli couldn’t help but reflect—So this is how Ah Shang felt too?

Pei Ji remained silent for a long while. The atmosphere dropped to freezing.

“She said she had feelings for me,” echoed in Pei Ji’s mind. Did she really say that? With her own mouth?

Luckily Su Wan didn’t know what he was thinking, or she’d probably scoff, Out of everything I said, that’s the only part you heard?

And even worse—that one lie was the part he chose to remember. Pathetic.

Yes, Su Wan had said that deliberately—to give Yueya a way out. She was now nearly certain Yueya had been recaptured by him.

“This prince never regrets,” Pei Ji’s icy voice reached Su Wan’s ears.

She raised her eyes, unafraid, and said, “Your Highness, nothing in this world is absolute. Humans are greedy by nature. When you grow interested in someone or something, at first you may only want to possess them—but as time passes, you begin to crave their heart… and then more.”

Hearing this, Pei Ji’s grip on the object in his hand tightened. Something within him shifted ever so slightly.

Is that really how it is?