Chapter 49

The carriage arrived at Prince Xi’s residence. As they got off, they saw a small green-canopied carriage heading towards the Xun residence. There was a sign hanging beside the carriage that read ‘Imperial Medical Office.’ Seeing the sign, Xu Yunqi felt a bit of longing.

Pei Mucheng noticed and asked the steward, “Is Master Xun sick?”

The Xun residence only had Xun Yunhe as its master now, so only he could summon the Imperial Medical Office.

The steward glanced at Xu Yunqi and replied softly, “Didn’t that case get judged yesterday? Master Xun personally escorted Young Master Nianxi out of the capital last night and caught a chill. He’s now unwell.”

The couple was both taken aback. Xu Yunqi’s expression remained unchanged as she went inside first, followed by Pei Muheng, who didn’t care whether Xu Yunqi wanted to hear it or not, and told her, “All of Ye’s confidants were executed. Her two families’ relatives were implicated and dismissed from office to return home. Xun Yunling was sent to the inner prison of the Yeting Court, gravely ill and unlikely to live much longer. Xun Nianxi was exiled to Lingjiang and left the city last night.”

Xu Yunqi casually walked along the corridor to the backyard, nodding to indicate she knew.

That night, the couple had no words.

The next day, Pei Muheng went to court first. Xu Yunqi was summoned to Jinhe Hall by Princess Consort Xi, “It’s been a long time since I paid my respects to the Empress. She is a kind person and never holds grudges, but I must not forget my manners. Yunqi has helped cure my headaches, so I must go pay my respects and thank her. You all will accompany me.”

The daughters-in-law agreed, and Pei Mushan, hearing the name ‘Yunqi,’ winked at Xu Yunqi, who smiled without saying a word.

The two sisters-in-law rode in the same carriage, and Pei Mushan presented Xu Yunqi with a set of horse tack. “This was given to me by my brother when I learned to ride, and now I’m giving it to you.”

Xu Yunqi declined, saying, “You should keep it for yourself. Your brother has already prepared a set for me.” She signaled Yin Xing to show it to her.

It turned out that Pei Muheng had already instructed Huang Wei to prepare a brand new set of horse tack for Xu Yunqi. Pei Mushan unwrapped the bundle and saw that it included knee and wrist guards.

Near the Donghua Gate, the maids took the carriage to Shanglin Park first, while Princess Consort Xi led her daughters-in-law to Kunning Palace to pay respects to the Empress.

Upon entering the inner hall, it was filled with many consorts, all dressed in bright and luxurious clothing, creating quite a dazzling sight. Besides the Empress and Noble Consort Yan, all the prominent concubines and princesses were present.

Princess Consort Xi knelt to kowtow to the Empress.

Seeing her radiant appearance, the Empress quickly praised, “What miraculous elixir have you taken? Your complexion looks much better.”

A favored concubine chimed in, “In my opinion, it must be the skillful hands of the county princess.”

Princess Consort Xi did not boast about Xu Yunqi’s medical skills outside, fearing that everyone would trouble her daughter-in-law for treatment. She said, “The health pills bestowed by Your Majesty are excellent. Recently, following Yunqi’s advice, I have been practicing the Five Animal Frolics, which have greatly relieved my body.”

Practicing the Five Animal Frolics was a lie, just a way to tell the concubines to find their own methods for treatment and not to trouble her daughter-in-law.

Everyone was smart enough not to pursue the matter further.

The Empress, accustomed to Princess Consort Xi’s protective nature, laughed repeatedly, “Please, have a seat.”

Noble Consort Yan’s gaze fell on Pei Mushan, and she warmly beckoned, “Shanshan, come over here.”

Pei Mushan was about to marry Yan Shaoling, so Noble Consort Yan treated everyone from Prince Consort Xi’s residence as her own.

Pei Mushan shyly approached her, and Noble Consort Yan held her hand, asking about various things. “When is the wedding date set?”

Pei Mushan replied with her head lowered, “Two months from now.”

“So soon,” the Empress interjected.

Noble Consort Yan glanced at the Empress and sighed, “I think it’s still too slow. I wish I could have her married right away.”

She then said to Pei Mushan, “Yesterday, the Hangzhou Weaving Bureau sent a tribute of genuine silk brocade. I picked a few of the best colors for you to make new clothes.”

Upon hearing this, some of the consorts in the palace gasped slightly.

Seeing that Prince Qin was gradually falling out of favor, the consorts in the palace began to shift their allegiances. Most of them, who once gathered around Noble Consort Yan, were now subtly turning towards the Empress. Apart from her two closest concubines, Noble Consort Yan had hardly any confidantes left, proving the saying “out of sight, out of mind.”

Surprisingly, the Emperor had not yet removed Noble Consort Yan’s authority to assist in managing the harem, so the tributes from the Weaving Bureau still ended up in her hands. Noble Consort Yan’s intentions were quite clear: she was trying to win over Prince Xi’s residence.

The Empress showed no sign of displeasure and instead smiled warmly, “Shanshan is beautiful and should wear bright clothes. I also have some new South Sea pearls here. Take them with you when you leave.”

Pei Mushan had to express gratitude to both sides.

Then, Concubine Li, seeing that Noble Consort Yan was holding onto Pei Mushan, came up with an idea, “Your Majesty, I heard that the Twelfth Prince invited people to play polo at Shanglin Park today. You are the most compassionate, so why not let these juniors go and have some fun?”

The Empress agreed readily, “That’s a good idea. Shanshan, take your sisters-in-law with you.”

Pei Mushan couldn’t withstand the persuasion of the consorts, so she quickly led Xu Yunqi and the others out of Kunning Palace.

After a while, the Empress kept a few daughters-in-law to talk and dismissed the concubines. The concubines followed Noble Consort Yan in small groups out of the palace hall. As they exited Kunning Palace and headed west, they saw Noble Consort Yan suddenly stop under the palace wall. The other consorts stared at her, not daring to leave.

Noble Consort Yan slowly turned, holding onto a palace maid’s arm, and her gaze swept over the group, finally landing on Concubine Li.

Concubine Li, who had entered the palace three years ago, was favored by the Emperor. She was charming and witty, known as the Emperor’s “Flower of Speech,” and had been the most favored concubine in recent years.

Noble Consort Yan knew that Concubine Li was the Empress’s pawn against her. She looked her up and down and then said coldly, “Concubine Li, you are wearing a pink dress embroidered with peonies today. This attire is inappropriate. Take her away and give her twenty strokes of the cane!”

The other concubines were shocked and stared at Noble Consort Yan in disbelief.

Concubine Li was furious and humiliated, “Noble Consort Yan, this dress was given to me by the Empress. By doing this, you are showing disrespect to the Empress.”

Noble Consort Yan remained calm and composed, “Even if it was given by the Empress, it must still comply with palace rules. Otherwise, if everyone breaks the rules, wouldn’t it be chaotic? Moreover, the Empress may have given it to encourage your progress, but she didn’t tell you to wear it.”

According to palace regulations, only concubines of the third rank or above could wear pink, and peonies were reserved for the Empress. It was clear the Empress had given Concubine Li one of her old dresses as a favor.

Concubine Li was left speechless.

Noble Consort Yan must have resented her for speaking on behalf of the Empress, aiming to intimidate others.

Unfortunately, Noble Consort Yan held real power, and there was nothing Concubine Li could do about her. Palace attendants quickly came to take her away to the Discipline Office for punishment. Along the way, all they could hear were Concubine Li’s pitiful cries, while the other concubines didn’t dare to breathe loudly.

A maid supported Noble Consort Yan as they returned to the palace. The maid, worried, said, “Your Highness, why do this? Openly offending the Empress; even His Majesty wouldn’t approve.”

The implication was that Noble Consort Yan was too arrogant.

Noble Consort Yan shook her head, “I have been arrogant for so many years, always pressing down on the Empress since she entered the palace. Until now, have you seen His Majesty do anything to me?”

The maid replied nervously, “That’s because you had Prince Qin and Elder Yan supporting you in the past.”

Noble Consort Yan sneered, “Not at all. Compared to a dog that doesn’t bark, someone like me, whom His Majesty can see through and easily control, makes him feel more at ease. Otherwise, why do you think I have remained favored for so many years?”

“His Majesty hasn’t appointed a crown prince yet, and they already don’t respect me. How can I not give them a lesson?”

Noble Consort Yan had an even deeper purpose: to use this opportunity to test the Emperor’s attitude towards her and Prince Qin.

The maid thought that even if Noble Consort Yan remained favored, Prince Qin couldn’t inherit the throne and would eventually have to yield to the Empress.

“There are no longer any of His Highness’s people in the cabinet. Xu Yunhe doesn’t participate in factional disputes, and Deputy Assistant Shi Zhuo nearly took the Crown Prince’s life last time, clearly favoring the Twelfth Prince. Although Elder Zheng is a fence-sitter, as the Minister of Rites, he must advocate for the establishment of the legitimate heir. The positions of the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of War are still unclear. In any case, His Majesty’s cabinet reshuffling seems to pave the way for the Twelfth Prince.”

Noble Consort Yan was well aware of this, but the fire in her eyes never extinguished. “Until the last moment, no one knows who will win.”

At Shanglin Park, Madam Li and Madam Xie, along with their children, chatted with the Emperor’s daughters-in-law while Pei Mushan led Xu Yunqi and Pei Mulan to the hunting grounds.

The maids, Tao Qing and Yin Xing, spread a mat on the grass and prepared water and snacks for their masters.

Tao Qing approached, “Miss, Young Master Yan accompanied the Twelfth Prince into the mountains. He said he wouldn’t be hunting, just watching.”

Pei Mushan was worried, “Where did they go?”

Tao Qing pointed to the forest in the west, “They went westward.”

Pei Mushan thought for a moment, then slung the prepared bow and arrow over her back, mounted her horse, and said to Xu Yunqi and Pei Mulan, “Mulan, stay here with your sister-in-law. I’ll be back soon.”

With a crack of her whip, a flash of red swept before their eyes as she swiftly rode toward the forest.

This place was a sheltered slope with low terrain, covered with lush green grass. Down the slope lay the narrow Taiye Pool, its surface sparkling under the brilliant autumn sun, offering a refreshing and pleasant view.

Pei Mulan watched Pei Mushan’s back and scoffed, “She says she’ll be back soon. Sister-in-law, do you believe that she’ll be back within two hours?”

Xu Yunqi smiled without saying anything and picked up the set of bows and arrows that Pei Mushan had left behind, playing with them in her hands.

Pei Mulan thought she also wanted to go hunting in the forest, “Sister-in-law, do you want to ride a horse?”

Xu Yunqi shook her head and slowly drew the bow, aiming at a tree in the direction of the forest. She raised her hand, and Yin Xing handed her an arrow.

Xu Yunqi nocked the arrow and released it with a swoosh, but it silently disappeared into the depths of the forest.

She missed.

Xu Yunqi didn’t get discouraged and continued practicing.

Pei Mulan saw that she had shot eight arrows without hitting the tree trunk and couldn’t help but laugh, “There are things that even sister-in-law can’t do.”

Xu Yunqi blushed slightly, “I want to learn archery. Do you know how?”

Pei Mulan eagerly took the bow, “Father taught us when we were young. Let me try.”

Pei Mulan shot three arrows and hit one. The half-baked teacher then began teaching the clumsy student.

The two of them spent a long time practicing but didn’t improve much. Instead, Yin Xing and the two little maids had to keep retrieving the arrows.

Finally, Yin Xing had enough, “I’ll go to the Imperial Guard and get a bundle of arrows.”

She ran towards the decorated pavilion in the distance. Since the Twelfth Prince had invited people to play, the Imperial Guard had arranged for attendants to serve there, including physicians, horses for selection, and plenty of bows and arrows.

On the grass mat, there were only seven arrows left. Pei Mulan didn’t dare use them anymore and handed the bow and arrows to Xu Yunqi, “You can use the remaining ones, sister-in-law.”

Xu Yunqi nocked another arrow. She had been strong since she was young and could almost pull the bow to its full draw. She kept adjusting her posture, trying to get a feel for it when suddenly, a refined voice sounded from behind her, “Keep your shoulders level and your feet shoulder-width apart…”

Xu Yunqi was slightly startled and turned her gaze. She saw that the Twelfth Prince had walked over without her noticing. He was still in his martial attire, holding a horsewhip, standing five steps behind her with his hands behind his back. His smile always gave off a sense of boundless strength, as if the moonlight embraced him.

With the greatest archer of the Jin Dynasty willing to offer guidance, Xu Yunqi didn’t want to waste the opportunity. She quickly adjusted her stance according to his instructions, looking ahead and asking, “What’s next?”

With her permission, Pei Xun moved closer, standing by her side, even leaning in to check her aiming direction, shaking his head, “Push the web of your thumb to the grip, and align your wrist with your forearm…”

Pei Xun raised his hand to correct her posture. His long arm stretched out, and Xu Yunqi clearly saw the thick calluses on his thumb.

On the other side, Pei Mulan also fetched her bow and arrows from her horse’s back, standing aside to learn. After adjusting Xu Yunqi’s posture, Pei Xun came over to teach her, “No, no, relax your strength here, don’t grip too tightly, don’t be nervous…”

Then he stood between the two of them and instructed, “Look ahead, align your vision, the arrow, and the target on the same horizontal line. Raise the bow to be level with your chin.”

“For the first arrow, use seventy percent strength; save thirty percent. Good, you can draw the bow now… Remember to engage your back muscles to pull the arm, slowly draw to full draw, quick, strong, precise, release!”

As he gave the command, the arrow flew off the string. Xu Yunqi widened her eyes, watching the arrow speed towards the branch with incredible velocity. Though it was slightly off target, it still hit the mark. She smiled joyfully.

Yin Xing, who had hurried back, cheered while holding the arrows, “You hit it! You hit it! Miss, you hit it! The Twelfth Prince truly is a master archer!”

Pei Xun smiled generously, hooking a long finger to draw an arrow from the bundle Yin Xing was holding, and handed it to Xu Yunqi, “Stay still, get the feel, and try again.”

After finishing his duties, Pei Muheng rushed from the Ministry of Revenue to the northern part of the imperial city, arriving at Shanglin Park. Entering the riding grounds through the Jinlou Gate, he saw a tall man standing behind Xu Yunqi from a distance. The man occasionally raised his hand to correct his wife’s posture, and each time she released an arrow, he clapped and smiled.

Xu Yunqi hit three consecutive arrows, her bright eyes sparkling, her brows curved like crescent moons, with a radiance that seemed to spill from her eyes along with her smile.

Pei Muheng had never seen her so happy. This smile was different from her usual gentle and reserved demeanor; her brows showed a hint of unrestrained freedom. Even in her decisive moments of releasing arrows, there was a hidden intensity.

She glanced back at the Twelfth Prince with a grateful smile, her cheeks glistening with a light sweat, illuminated by the dazzling sun, making the whole scene seem less vibrant in comparison.

In that moment, a sour and bitter feeling filled Pei Muheng’s chest, making it hard for him to breathe. He instinctively quickened his pace, then slowed down as he approached, taking a deep breath to maintain his composure, “Tweltfh Uncle!”

The three turned to look at him simultaneously. Pei Xun’s expression remained unchanged as he pointed to Xu Yunqi, “I was just teaching her the basics. She’s still quite inexperienced. You should supervise her more in the future, Xiao Qi.”

Xu Yunqi brushed the stray hair from her cheeks and looked at Pei Muheng, wondering if he had time to help her practice archery.

Pei Muheng raised his hand in a bow of thanks, “Thank you, Twelfth Uncle.” He then stood beside Xu Yunqi, looking at his wife, “How long have you been practicing? Are you tired?”

Xu Yunqi rubbed her sore arm, “More than an hour. Yes, I’m tired.”

Pei Muheng took the bow and arrows from her hands and handed them to a guard, “Then rest for a while.”

Pei Mulan, still elated from hitting three consecutive arrows, pulled Pei Xun aside and asked, “Tweltfh Uncle, you said my bow and arrows aren’t good. What kind should I get then?”

Pei Xun laughed heartily, “Your father is too stingy to give you good ones. Don’t worry, I’ll have someone send you both some good bows.”

He then glanced at Pei Muheng, “Xiao Qi?”

Pei Muheng understood his meaning. The last time, Pei Xun had hinted at his injured leg, apparently wanting Xu Yunqi to perform acupuncture on him. So, he looked at his wife.

“Twelfth Uncle’s leg was injured. Yunqi, could you take a look?”

When it came to Xu Yunqi’s profession, she was always meticulous. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and said, “Okay.”

Pei Xun’s attendant pointed towards a waterside pavilion. The group walked down the slope from the riding grounds to the pavilion.

There, palace maids and attendants had already prepared tea and snacks, as well as screens to block the lake wind.

Pei Xun sat on a grand master’s chair behind a screen, stretching his leg out on a long bench in front of him. An attendant knelt to remove his shoe, revealing the injury. It had been more than half a year since the Tongzhou case, and the sword wound had completely healed, leaving only a reddish scar.

Pei Mulan, feeling thirsty, sat on a crescent stool to the right of the table, drinking tea and wiping sweat. Pei Muheng sat opposite her.

A palace maid helped Xu Yunqi wash her hands while Yin Xing spread out the medical kit on a square stool beside the long bench.

Xu Yunqi put on a pair of white gauze gloves, knelt on a small brocade stool in front of the long bench, and began to feel the wound. “Does it still hurt?”

As she gradually increased the pressure, Pei Xun tried to sense it, “A little…”

“How about here?”

“Yes, it still hurts here, especially on rainy days…” Pei Xun’s face showed concern.

Xu Yunqi looked up at him, no longer clumsy and inexperienced, but with the seriousness of a doctor examining a patient. “If you delay any longer, it will become a chronic condition. Someone else will take over your archery master title.”

Pei Xun smiled wryly.

Pei Muheng heard the phrase ‘if you delay any longer’ and vaguely felt something was off. How did she know his injury had been delayed for a long time?

Pei Xun, knowing Pei Muheng’s meticulous mind and fearing he would blame Xu Yunqi later, quickly explained, “Xiao Qi, when I returned from Tongzhou, people found out that there was a doctor in the southern city who was very skilled in acupuncture. During a martial arts competition at the palace with Great Wu, my injury worsened. After I came back, I went to Nanyang Medical Clinic and coincidentally met your wife. She gave me an acupuncture treatment.”

So that’s what happened.

Pei Xun explained in person, putting Pei Muheng at ease, but soon, a wrinkle appeared in his mind.

This meant Twelfth Uncle knew of Yunqi’s medical skills earlier than he did, and Yunqi had never mentioned their encounter to him. The feeling of being the last to know something that should be the closest relationship made him unhappy. This dissatisfaction, combined with the scene just now, continued to ferment, making him feel slightly sour.

Pei Muheng, always calm and composed, showed no change in his expression, “Since that’s the case, why did you wait until now for a follow-up treatment?”

Pei Xun leaned back leisurely, “I hoped you would bring her over yourself.”

Pei Muheng understood Pei Xun’s intention, hoping he would acknowledge Xu Yunqi’s medical skills and take the initiative to bring her.

He nodded without saying anything.

Xu Yunqi, not paying attention to their conversation, applied a layer of medicine to Pei Xun’s injury and began acupuncture.

Pei Mulan saw her holding long silver needles and unhesitatingly inserting them into his ankle, shivering, “Uncle, does it hurt?”

Pei Xun smiled and replied, “It doesn’t hurt. In fact, there’s a kind of tingling pleasure. Do you believe it?”

Pei Mulan looked at him doubtfully.

Yin Xing turned back and explained, “Fourth Young Lady, acupuncture is all about technique. A clumsy practitioner causes pain, while a skilled one accurately hits the acupoints, making it feel relaxing and comfortable. Though it may feel sore and swollen, it’s very refreshing.”

Pei Xun nodded, “Exactly.”

Pei Mulan weakly extended her hand, “I’ve had some soreness in my arm from years of embroidery. Can Sister-in-law give me a few needles later?”

Pei Muheng glanced at his sister, “Your sister-in-law has had a long day. Leave it for another time.”

Pei Mulan grudgingly closed her mouth.

Seeing her disappointment, Yin Xing quietly comforted her, “Come to Qinghui Garden tomorrow when my lady is free.”

“Okay, okay.” Pei Mulan’s eyes lit up, and she nodded, then glanced at her brother and moved a little further away from him.

After 30 minutes, Xu Yunqi finished the acupuncture and instructed Yin Xing to use medicinal oil to massage the muscles. When the needles were removed, Pei Xun no longer felt any pain. When Yin Xing massaged the muscles, it was very soothing.

This girl’s skills were indeed extraordinary.

Pei Mulan really liked Yin Xing and squatted down to observe, giving her previous spot to Xu Yunqi. The palace attendants served Xu Yunqi by washing her hands and pouring her a cup of hot tea.

It was just after noon, and Xu Yunqi felt hungry, so she ate a few pieces of snacks.

The waterside pavilion was quiet, with only the rustling sound of the lake wind hitting the screen.

In the distance, a few swallows circled in mid-air, sometimes soaring up to the clouds and other times diving into the water, their wings creating a splash of crystal-clear water. Their agile and graceful movements traced smooth arcs in the sky.

Watching the swallows fly, Pei Xun sighed, “When I was young, I longed for the carefree life of swallows. I shot a few and kept them in a cage, but unfortunately, they soon died. Swallows are meant to soar in the sky, not be confined by palace walls. The brilliance of confinement eventually leads to decay.”

Pei Muheng, understanding the metaphor, replied, “A wall is a wall, whether it’s a palace wall or a wall of clouds. If the heart is free, no place can confine it. The so-called brilliance of confinement is nothing more than people trapping themselves, perceiving it as a wall. If you don’t see it as a wall, it isn’t one.”

Xu Yunqi didn’t fully grasp their riddle but understood the meaning behind Pei Muheng’s words.

She wholeheartedly agreed. No matter where she went, she could always make the best of her situation. The real confinement wasn’t the environment but the person themselves.

She glanced at her husband and continued drinking her tea.

Pei Xun, hearing this, laughed softly, “Xiao Qi is still young and doesn’t understand the world’s dangers and the unpredictability of people’s hearts. Many times, when you reach a certain position, you have no control because you carry more responsibilities and burdens. You have a more important mission. Today, Uncle will teach you a lesson: you can’t have your cake and eat it, too.”

Beauty and power cannot coexist.

Pei Xun’s maternal family, the Su family, is the largest clan in Jiangnan, commanding great influence. Because the Su family is the leader among the aristocratic families in Jiangnan, the Emperor, after the death of the first empress, quickly married Pei Xun’s mother as the new Empress. However, when Yan Ping took over as the Chief Minister of the Inner Cabinet, he placed Qu Weizhen in Jiangnan, effectively splitting half of the Su family’s power.

Qu Weizhen is his arch-nemesis.

Pei Mucheng did not fully cooperate with him to bring down Prince Qin, nor did he remove Qu Weizhen, but instead took the opportunity to ally with Liu Xiwen. There is only one reason for this: Prince Xi’s residence aims to seize the throne.

Pei Xun doesn’t want Pei Muheng to stand on the opposite side. Hence, he warns him with this advice.

You can’t have both power and beauty.

Xu Yunqi may not share his intentions. Her decisiveness in seeking a divorce last time proves this.

Pei Muheng leisurely looked at his wife, holding a teacup in his hand. Xu Yunqi, unaware, looked back at her husband with her clear and innocent almond-shaped eyes, like two pools of clear water, exuding warmth and gentleness. Anyone looking at her would feel their heart melt.

At that moment, he wanted to keep this beauty to himself and not let anyone else covet it.

His thin lips slightly parted, and his clear, handsome eyes gleamed with a sharp determination, “In this world, there’s nothing and no one you can’t have if you have enough ability and vision.”

Pei Xun silently smiled at these words, “Hmm, that’s reasonable.” He slowly straightened up, took a teacup from the table, and took a sip, “Young eagles are easy to catch, but old eagles are hard to tame.”

He reminds Pei Mucheng not to forget that Xu Yunqi has Xun Yunhe behind her, who always prioritizes Xu Yunqi.

Xu Yunqi didn’t know why Pei Muheng kept staring at her, so she blinked at him. Pei Muheng closed his eyes and chuckled.

Seeing that Yin Xing was almost done, Pei Muheng smiled, “It’s getting late; we should go back. Uncle, take good care of your injury.”

When the couple returned to the carriage, Pei Xun sent over a set of bows and arrows. The attendant bowed to Xu Yunqi, “This is a gift from His Highness the Twelfth Prince. Please accept it, County Princess.”

Xu Yunqi glanced at her husband, and Pei Muheng’s gaze fell on the set of bows and arrows. It was an old bow that Pei Xun had given him for practice years ago, a gift from the Emperor, cherished by Pei Xun. Now, it was given to Xu Yunqi.

Pei Muheng didn’t know what Pei Xun’s intention was, but it wasn’t something that made him happy. He couldn’t refuse it and accepted it on Xu Yunqi’s behalf, “Thank you, Twelfth Uncle, for your kindness.”

On the way back, Xu Yunqi ate something to fill her stomach and fell asleep against the carriage wall. When they returned to the prince’s residence, it was still early. In the past, Pei Muheng would either go to the study or court. Today, he accompanied her back to Qinghui Garden. Even after she changed her clothes and came out, he was still there, drinking tea at the table.

Xu Yunqi noticed that her husband seemed off and sat beside him, “Third Master, what’s wrong?”

Pei Muheng admitted feeling blocked inside and turned to his wife, “Yunqi, do you want to learn archery?”

Xu Yunqi nodded without hesitation, “Yes, I really want to learn, and I like it.”

Pei Muheng let out a bitter laugh, a slight hint of bitterness in his eyes, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let someone else teach her.

Xu Yunqi blinked, “You didn’t ask me.”

Noticing that Pei Muheng’s expression had darkened, Xu Yunqi realized that he minded it.

Pei Xun was an elder, and Pei Mulan was present. It was normal for an elder to teach the younger generation archery. Seeing Pei Mulan’s reaction, it seemed like this happened often, so she didn’t think it was inappropriate. Now, it seemed her husband’s possessiveness was beyond her imagination.

She explained helplessly, “His Highness the Twelfth Prince suddenly arrived and saw me and Fourth Sister practicing archery, so he stopped to give guidance…”

“I know. I’m not blaming you.” Pei Muheng interrupted her, looking at her with dark eyes, an uncontrollable jealousy bubbling up inside him, “Yunqi, I’m just…jealous.” he admitted.

Xu Yunqi was stunned.