Besties in a Book: She’s a Widow and I’m Pregnant & Fleeing!
Besties in a Book: She’s a Widow and I’m Pregnant & Fleeing! Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Entering the Palace

The next day, Jiang Huaiyue was woken early from bed by Qiuchan.

She sat yawning in front of the bronze mirror while Qiuchan skillfully arranged her hair into a bun, pinning on a buyao (dangling hair ornament) and other accessories.

“Princess, it’s done.”

Hearing her voice, Jiang Huaiyue lifted her eyes to look at her reflection. She had to admit Qiuchan’s hands were truly skillful.

“Qiuchan, do I look good?” She touched the hair ornament on her head and carefully looked into the mirror to ask.

Qiuchan, as Jiang Huaiyue’s devoted fan, answered without hesitation,
“You look beautiful. The princess is the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Jiang Huaiyue’s lips couldn’t help but curl into a smile, a bit narcissistic, she said,
“I think so too.”

She smiled brightly, her delicate brows and eyes radiant, almost glowing.

Qiuchan watched her princess admiring herself in the mirror, then glanced outside and reminded,
“Princess, the time has come. It’s time to enter the palace.”

It was almost the hour of Chen (around 7-9 AM). Yesterday, the prince had said he would wait for the princess to enter the palace together. Qiuchan worried if the princess was late, the prince would be annoyed, and the one who would suffer would still be the princess.

If she hadn’t reminded her, all would have been fine, but once she did, Jiang Huaiyue’s good mood vanished instantly.

But now that it had come to this, no matter how reluctant, she had to go.

“Let’s go.”

Jiang Huaiyue stood up reluctantly and walked toward the door.

At the mansion’s gate, when she arrived, Pei Ji was already waiting. Seeing the ornate carriage and the dark-clad figure beside it, Jiang Huaiyue slowly approached.

“Princess, please,” the dark figure said with a calm expression.

Jiang Huaiyue glanced at him under her lifted eyelids and thought silently, “You get the kind of servants your master is.”

Pei Ji’s expression was cold overall, and his subordinate was an icy-faced man who held a sword all day as if ready to stab anyone who displeased him.

Qiuchan reached out her hand, and Jiang Huaiyue used it for support to climb into the carriage.

She lifted the curtain and saw Pei Ji sitting upright in the middle of the carriage, holding a book in his bony, slender hands and reading.

Yesterday, he wore a deep indigo robe, with silver thread cloud patterns embroidered on the collar and sleeves. Around his waist was a wide belt with azure auspicious clouds. His jet-black hair was bound with a silver crown, making him even more handsome and imposing.

Jiang Huaiyue chose the farthest seat and apologized,
“I took too long dressing up, I kept the prince waiting.”

As she spoke, she saw Pei Ji’s gaze lift from the book to her. She raised her head and gave a faint smile.

Pei Ji’s dark eyes studied her attire from yesterday: a floral hairpin and a simple gown, her bright smile dazzling. Recalling something, his hand tightened on the book scroll.

If A Yuan hadn’t fallen ill, she could have lived so freely and happily. But now, she could only stay in that small courtyard, unable to appear before others.

All of this was caused by their Jiang family. Filled with resentment, Pei Ji lowered his eyelids, afraid he might not control himself and strangle her.

Jiang Huaiyue saw he ignored her and did not try to start a conversation.

She glanced around the carriage and found Pei Ji truly enjoyed himself—this small space contained everything one might need.

As the carriage moved, it was so quiet that only the sound of wheels and horse hooves could be heard.

Bored, Jiang Huaiyue quietly observed Pei Ji.

He looked indifferent, immersed in his book as if everything around him was irrelevant.

Jiang Huaiyue felt a bit intimidated but couldn’t resist breaking the silence.

She cleared her throat and cautiously asked,
“Prince, will you accompany me later to meet the emperor brother?”

To be honest, she really hoped Pei Ji would go with her; that way, Jiang Jingchen wouldn’t have a chance to assign her any missions.

Pei Ji didn’t look up, a trace of sarcasm flashing in his eyes. “Does Your Majesty want me to go?”

The little emperor had gone through so much effort to let her enter the palace just to inquire about him. Now she wanted to have him accompany her as well—wasn’t that just to ruin the little emperor’s plans?

She really didn’t know if she was pretending to be naive or truly was.

“Of course, we’re family now,” Jiang Huaiyue said softly.

Pei Ji sneered coldly, “If that’s the case, then do as Your Majesty wishes.”

He was somewhat looking forward to seeing the little emperor’s expression.

Seeing that he agreed, Jiang Huaiyue felt a bit relieved. Just then, a noisy clamor came from outside, so she leaned back a little and lifted a corner of the curtain to look out.

The carriage was passing through the bustling market again—the same lively scene of fireworks and human life she had seen before. Seeing it, her eyes couldn’t help but reveal a hint of longing.

“Prince, after we leave the palace, can I take a stroll on the street?” she asked, looking at Pei Ji with anticipation in her eyes.

Pei Ji showed little reaction. “Do as Your Majesty pleases.”

“Thank you, Prince,” Jiang Huaiyue said sincerely, already planning to visit Wanwan later to see if she wanted to do anything.

After about the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, the carriage stopped at the palace gate. Mo Ying’s voice came from outside: “Prince, Your Majesty, we’ve arrived.”

Pei Ji put down his book without a word and was the first to get off the carriage. Jiang Huaiyue pouted, lifted her skirt, and bowed slightly as she followed behind.

After getting off, she looked up. The palace walls soared into the clouds, the winding glazed tile roofs shimmered with golden light under the sun, radiating refinement and luxury everywhere.

Walking side by side with Pei Ji, he took long strides and after just a few steps, Jiang Huaiyue was left behind.

Looking at his tall figure, she muttered to herself—so what if he has long legs? So what if he walks fast?

Thinking this, she complained again: Why build the palace so huge for no reason? Walking around makes your legs ache.

Pei Ji walked ahead and after a while noticed no sound behind him. He glanced back and saw Jiang Huaiyue dawdling.

He said coldly, “Your Majesty, if you walk any slower, we could have lunch already by the time we reach the imperial study.”

Jiang Huaiyue smiled without sincerity, “Prince, you jest.”

After saying this, she quickened her pace to catch up. Pei Ji turned to look at the sweat on her forehead and her light panting, frowning.

Only a few steps and she’s already this out of breath—her health is really poor.

Whether it was just his imagination or not, Jiang Huaiyue felt that Pei Ji seemed to slow his pace for the rest of the journey.

They went straight to the imperial study, where a little eunuch guarding the door saw them and came over to salute, “Your servants greet Prince and Your Majesty.”

“Is His Majesty inside?” Pei Ji asked.

“Yes, His Majesty has been waiting for Prince and Your Majesty. He said when you arrive, just come straight in,” the little eunuch replied respectfully.

Jiang Huaiyue’s hand hidden in her sleeve clenched slightly, a mix of nervousness and curiosity swelling within her.

She wondered what this so-called “heartthrob male lead” really looked like—how he managed to captivate every woman in this world.

Inside the imperial study, after bowing with Pei Ji, Jiang Huaiyue glanced secretly at Jiang Jingchen.

After looking, her verdict was that he didn’t compare to Pei Ji.

Pei Ji’s features were three-dimensional and exquisite, and his experiences shaped the man he was now. His personal aura was outstanding.

Jiang Jingchen, sitting in the high seat, wore a golden dragon robe embroidered with threads of gold and a crown studded with dazzling jewels. His posture was upright, his eyebrows and eyes clear and gentle, but although handsome, he appeared somewhat immature.

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