Chapter 63

“Mmmm…” Her breath was taken away in an instant.

Xu Yunxi was caught off guard, swallowed hard, and fumbled backward with her hands, trying to find some support.

Noticing her movement, Pei Muheng’s grip tightened, pressing her supple body even closer. Xu Yunxi was pushed against the table, finally finding support. Her slender waist straightened instinctively, and her hands pressed against his chest, feeling the heat of his skin through the fabric. He entered her mouth without any warning. She instinctively recoiled and hid, but his agile tongue wantonly plundered her teeth and oral cavity, charging recklessly, with their saliva mingling—it was a completely unfamiliar sensation.

Xu Yunxi’s lashes trembled intensely as she stared at him blankly and helplessly. His close and lowered thick lashes, combined with his intense eyes wrapped in an unwavering sharpness, firmly locked onto her with intense focus and passion.

Xu Yunxi was forced to look away, her brow furrowed. Amidst this stimulating chase and evasion, he pushed her into a corner with forceful strength, leaving her breathless. Just as she finally found a small gap to catch her breath, he captured her again. He instinctively learned, as tiny currents ran along his tongue to his forehead, causing Xu Yunxi’s mind to go blank momentarily. Her hand, which was against his chest, slightly shrank back. He released her waist, lifted her arms, and pinned them behind her back. Their bodies collided with strength; his tongue chased hers, and his powerful grip tightly restrained her.

Xu Yunxi twisted her chin backward, attempting to break free from his grip, her slender spine arching tightly. Pei Muheng released one hand, grabbed her round body, and lifted her onto the desk. With a swift arm sweep, the teacups and vases on the desk were pushed aside, teetering on the edge. At the same time, her spine was pressed against the wall. Soon, his large hand covered her neck, inch by inch, devouring her aggressively.

After completely taking control of the situation, his offensive slowly transitioned from a stormy tempest to a gentle breeze. The young man’s mellow breath, accompanied by a pine-like briskness, invaded her consciousness through her lips. Their noses brushed against each other bit by bit, and a strange heat flowed slowly from deep within. Xu Yunxi’s straightened spine seemed to soften as if ironed, and her watery almond eyes involuntarily flickered. Noticing the changes in her body, he adjusted his rhythm. Gently releasing her hand, he supported her soft waist, freeing her from the grip on the back of her neck. Leaning forward slightly, his long, slender back arched as he slowly withdrew, kissing her soft lips again and again. This gave Xu Yunxi some breathing space, her shoulders trembling as she exhaled warm breath through her mouth.

He did not stop there. His soft lips quickly moved to her cheeks, kissing her flushed face before trailing back to her glistening, full earlobe. He unceremoniously took it into his mouth, causing Xu Yunxi to shiver violently. Her hands instinctively grabbed his lapel, her fingertips trembling uncontrollably and embedding deeply into his firm muscles. The hard chest pressed against her, causing a slight pain that made her instinctively climb up to his shoulders, seeking the stronger presence.

She was like a warrior fighting desperately against death, refusing to surrender even when there was no hope left, her body still holding onto a last reserve of strength. Pei Muheng, however, remained unperturbed, calmly overseeing the situation, quickly finding a flaw and steadily advancing, a tingling sensation running through her heart, a soft moan escaping her trembling lips. Her fingertips inadvertently brushed against his slender neck, an intense wave of pleasure quickly taking over his consciousness, a fiery heat spreading like wildfire, his lips swiftly returning to their main target, gently prying open her slightly parted lips once more. This time, she knew there was no escape and resignedly surrendered to him.

Opening her eyes, she was met with his gorgeous face, her eyes glistening with moisture, the hint of resolve in her gaze trembling along with her under his relentless assault, her lashes fluttering densely, her cheeks flushed with a faint red hue. This blush gradually rose like a heat wave, enveloping her eyes, a misty, watery shimmer swirling in her gaze. Unable to bear it any longer, she finally closed her eyes.

After she relaxed and immersed herself in it, everything before her eyes was fragrant and sweet. He kissed again and again, his fingertips slowly spiraling up from her waist and landing on her white neck. The rough calluses were too sharp, making her shiver. Beads of sweat burst on her forehead, and an inexplicable yet fascinating desire flows through her entire being.

His forceful movements repeatedly washed her soul, turning its pure and delicate color into a flush. Their sticky sweat mingled, driving away the cold with waves of heat. From the desk to the high table, they took a five-step journey that lasted for a full half-hour. The high table was knocked askew, tea cups shattered all over the floor, and the entire east room was in disarray.

He dragged her along, separated by the last thin layer of inner clothing. She could feel the elongated and firm sensation, the upright posture, the smooth lines, each perfectly balanced and unparalleled. Unconsciously, she was already hanging on to him. He held and hooked her, not giving her a chance to land.

Unaware of how much time had passed or whether it was dawn or night, layers of bumps covered her entire body, from her toes to her forehead, only to be flattened bit by bit by his overwhelming force, pushing to the deepest depths.

*

The sky had completely darkened, and the room had no light. Pei Muheng held her tightly, never letting go, his temple pressed against her cheek, listening to her heavy breathing that took a long time to calm down. Her delicate shoulder blades were still trembling, and he gently comforted her. Xu Yunxi stared dazedly in the direction of the window, her consciousness hazy.

No one lit the lamps, the entire courtyard was excessively quiet. Even though there was no sound, she inexplicably felt a constant buzzing in her mind. The soft, tingling sensation persistently swirled around her limbs and settled in her heart. She had never felt this way before, completely lost in herself. She never knew he could do this to such an extent, carrying an aura of dominance and authority, baptizing her inside and out, possessing her, and desperately drilling into her bones and heart. It seemed as if he wanted to carve open her heart.

Xu Yunqi couldn’t describe her feelings, only that this man was too ruthless.

They held each other, intertwined as one, for quite a while. Only then did Pei Muheng pull away, slowly releasing her from his embrace, brushing aside her damp black hair, and looking down at her.

“Yunqi…” Even his voice carried a gravelly hoarseness.

Her flushed cheeks were as if washed by water, clear and bright. Her long, dense eyelashes were like a thick brush covering her watery eyes. Her upturned nose had a thin layer of red, delicate and charming. He gently touched her nose, and Xu Yunqi raised her eyes, her dark, watery eyes still filled with emotion, looking at him with a wet gaze. For a moment, Pei Muheng’s heart softened completely. He slowly pulled out a piece of clothing and gently wiped her cheeks and neck. The dominance he had shown earlier was now replaced by extreme tenderness.

After wiping away the sweat, he heard the sound of water being prepared in the bathroom. He casually put on an outer robe and carefully held her in his arms. Only when he stood up did he notice that the entire mattress was soaking wet. Pei Muheng glanced at Xu Yunqi without showing any emotion, and Xu Yunqi pretended to be indifferent, turning her face away in his embrace.

Pei Muheng let out a low chuckle and carried her to the bathroom. In the dim light, Xu Yunqi glared at him fiercely.

A glazed lamp lighted the bathroom, and its light was not too bright. Pei Muheng looked down at her again; she had regained her usual calm and gentle demeanor. Holding her, he stepped into the bath barrel, still cradling her in his arms, and began to wash her. Xu Yunxi’s bones were still soaked with a softness, leaving her weak and letting him do as he wished. Pei Muheng meticulously cleaned her body, his face constantly moving before her eyes. The recent intense passion had not diminished the sharpness between his brows. His facial features were well-defined, his cold and stern eyes revealing a hint of aloofness, making him appear even more elegant and refined.

After washing her, Pei Muheng cleaned himself and wrapped her in clean clothes, carrying her back to the bed with carved steps.

Nanny Chen was thorough and efficient in her work, quickly changing the clean bedding. The bed was dry and clean, saving Xu Yunxi from embarrassment. Feeling weak all over, she immediately curled up in the bedding without moving. The fierce encounter earlier had lasted for over an hour, leaving Xu Yunxi’s stomach empty and her body drowsy. She looked up and saw Pei Muheng fiddling with the clothes Nanny Chen had given her, not knowing what he was searching for. As Xu Yunxi struggled to get up, the man who had not found anything outside soon turned back inside. His eyes fell on her cuffs, and without caring about her expression, he grabbed her hands and began to fiddle with her cuffs.

“What are you doing?” she asked, utterly confused. Her voice was hoarse.

Pei Muheng replied, “I’m looking for your silver needle.”

Xu Yunxi was momentarily stunned but quickly understood and then chuckled.

Pei Muheng raised his eyes unhappily, “What are you laughing at?”

Xu Yunxi blinked, “I didn’t plan to use it.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Muheng’s expression froze, feeling like happiness had come too quickly to handle. Before he could respond, she continued with a smile, “There’s no need to use it this time.”

Soon, the joy on the man’s face stiffened, his gaze gradually becoming as sharp as a blade and finally turning into a hint of hostility, “What do you mean?”

Xu Yunxi, completely unaware of his anger, naturally explained, “My period just ended, so I can’t get pregnant right now.”

Pei Muheng’s mouth twitched, meeting her sparkling eyes, which still held a hint of blush that wouldn’t fade away. He endured it and turned his head without speaking. He wasn’t in a hurry for her to get pregnant immediately; her attitude upset him. While he eagerly hoped for a child with her, she seemed not to care.

The suppressed anger resurfaced, and Pei Muheng took a deep breath and asked her, “Then when is it easy to get pregnant?”

Xu Yunxi sat quietly, looking at him gently, without saying a word.

Pei Muheng laughed angrily, grabbed his outer robe, and left.

It was the first time Xu Yunxi had seen him leave like an enraged lion, and she found it quite amusing.

After laughing for a while, she called Nanny Chen to set up a meal. She filled her stomach and, after digesting, comfortably went back to sleep.

Pei Muheng didn’t leave solely because he was angry; he had to return to the palace to report. He had dinner in Wenzhao Hall and then rushed to Fengtian Hall. The Emperor was still fuming over today’s events and didn’t see him. Only Liu Xiwen came out to calmly instruct him, “The Emperor means that there is no suitable candidate for the Minister of Revenue at the moment. He asks you to temporarily oversee the Ministry of Revenue and keep an eye on things.”

In the past, the Minister of Revenue, Yan Feng, had been a hindrance, preventing Pei Muheng from fully implementing his plans. Now, with the salt policy issue completely resolved, Pei Muheng paid his respects outside the hall and returned to the Ministry of Revenue. Today’s major incident had occurred while Xun Yunhe was away from the capital, so Pei Muheng didn’t dare leave the government office area even for a moment.

Having dealt a severe blow to the Twelfth Prince and after a passionate time with his wife, Pei Muheng was now in high spirits, full of ambition, and dedicated himself to his official duties.

Late at night at the Twelfth Prince’s residence.

After leaving the palace, Pei Xun went to the Ministry of Justice to handle the Qiu family affairs before finally returning to the warm pavilion to rest. Shedding his complex royal attire, he changed into a loose, moon-white robe and sat lazily on the Luohan bed. He no longer had his usual vibrant smile. An earth dragon warmed the room, and the clear-glazed windows were covered with a layer of condensation. With his knees slightly bent, he rested one hand on his knee and the other on the pillow, closing his eyes to rest.

After a while, the steward brought in a food box and opened it to reveal a bowl of ginseng and goji berry porridge.

Pei Xun had no appetite for dinner, but the steward, knowing his preferences, prepared a bowl of light porridge for him. “Your Highness, please have something to eat to fill your stomach.”

Pei Xun didn’t move. After a while, he slowly raised his eyes and saw the steward full of pity. His eyes once again held a smile. “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

Hearing this, the steward’s eyes immediately welled up with tears, almost crying. From the time Pei Xun left the palace and established his own residence at the age of fifteen until this year, he had been serving him for fifteen years.

In the steward’s eyes, Pei Xun was an excellent master to serve. He was born noble, had no bad habits, and spent his days studying or practicing archery or sitting in his residence learning about the world. He never bossed his servants around, didn’t hoard wealth, wasn’t arrogant, and stayed away from women. All his thoughts were devoted to vying for the throne.

In the steward’s eyes, the Crown Prince and Prince Qin were unworthy, and the world should belong to his master, Pei Xun.

Pei Xun thought the same. From the moment he was born, he knew his status as the legitimate son of the Empress, which made him very awkward and sensitive in court. Therefore, he had kept a low profile since childhood, avoiding court matters and hiding under the title of idle prince. From eliminating the Crown Prince to overthrowing Prince Qin, and setting today’s trap, he had always been confident and strategic. This was the first time he had suffered such a setback.

His long fingers tapped rhythmically on his knee. Reflecting on today’s events, Pei Xun couldn’t help but smile bitterly. He knew today’s move was ruthless, and forging an imperial edict damaged his credibility. However, the thought of kicking Prince Xi out of the game made him feel that losing some credibility was insignificant. However, he not only lost four key allies but also his reputation among the officials plummeted.

On the other hand, Pei Muheng turned the crisis into an opportunity, winning the officials’ support and praise.

His “hit the target with one strike” style was thoroughly exploited by Pei Muheng. Conversely, Pei Muheng, always in a low position, was good at assessing the situation, advancing steadily and cautiously, planning three steps ahead, and taking every step carefully.

Pei Xun would never believe he had lost his chance to become Crown Prince. In fact, he knew very well that the Emperor had no other choice but him now. However, compared to the past proactive attacks, he now had to adjust his strategy defensively. From now on, no officials would blatantly support him. Pei Xun, after all, was not the Crown Prince or Prince Qin. When faced with setbacks, he quickly adjusted his mindset, understanding that at this moment, rather than court struggles, he needed to repair his relationship with the Emperor and rebuild his image among the officials, then quietly wait for the Emperor to age and for the imperial edict of succession.

Understanding this, Pei Xun took the bowl of porridge and slowly drank it.

After a while, the door opened, and a graceful woman entered. On a cold autumn night, the woman was dressed very lightly, gracefully holding a bowl of ginseng soup as she approached, “Servant greets Your Highness.”

The steward picked up the food box and exited in a timely manner.

Pei Xun glanced at the woman, seeing her wearing only thin clothes in the cold, his brows furrowed, “What are you doing?”

The woman looked at him with tenderness like flowing water, her voice carrying a hint of enchanting charm as if it had been smoked with incense. “Your Highness is in a bad mood today. I wish to serve you.”

Upon hearing this, the warmth in Pei Xun’s eyes faded. He stared at her for a while, then spoke seriously, “I took you in because you play the pipa beautifully and could entertain the Empress. After all, you come from a respectable family, so why would you degrade yourself in such a manner?”

“If I truly wanted a woman, this residence would be overflowing by now.”

Tears instantly welled up in the woman’s eyes. She bit her lip and argued, “I fell in love with the Twelfth Prince at first sight and am willing to serve you wholeheartedly…”

Pei Xun, disappointed, turned his gaze to the window, his eyes growing distant. For some reason, the image of a serene and delicate face flashed in his mind. That person was always gentle yet determined, like a swift swallow soaring in the sky, unfazed by wind or rain. In contrast, Pei Xun had no regard for the woman offering herself.

“You have skills and talents; you can make a living without submitting yourself to others. Besides, I’m about to marry, and it’s impossible for me to take in other woman. You should leave and return to Lingxiao Pavilion to await orders,” Pei Xun coldly issued the order to leave.

The woman was extremely reluctant and cried for a long time, but she gradually found a trace of meaning in his words. She placed the ginseng soup down, tightened her clothes, and left.

It suddenly started raining outside the corridor. With Xun Yunhe’s return imminent, if he knew that the cabinet had been turned upside down, he would likely have another stormy response. Pei Xun smiled bitterly and slowly leaned against the pillow, falling asleep.

Two days later, Xun Yunhe rushed back from Taishan on horseback. After learning about the Temple of State incident, Xun Yunhe was not too surprised. He had predicted that Pei Xun would make a move before he left the capital, but he hadn’t expected him to be so ruthless, aiming to destroy Prince Xi completely.

Xun Yunhe’s departure was decisive for two reasons: First, if Pei Muheng couldn’t fight Pei Xun and protect his daughter, Xun Yunhe would have to sever all ties between Xu Yunxi and Prince Xi’s mansion to protect her. Second, since Xu Yunxi’s identity was revealed, the Emperor had harbored some concerns about Xun Yunhe, making him less trustworthy. By leaving, Xun Yunhe wanted to show the Emperor that the court still needed him, the Prime Minister, to preside over it.

Xun Yunhe had an extremely keen political instinct. This turmoil involving the cabinet touched the Emperor’s bottom line. Additionally, since Xun Yunhe took over as the prime minister, he has been contemplating how to reform government affairs. Now was the perfect opportunity.

He entered the palace at night to meet the Emperor. The sovereign and his minister talked for a long time. The next morning, during a court session, Xun Yunhe issued an edict.

This edict aimed to establish a system of Censors in central government offices such as the Six Ministries and Nine Courts. These Censors, holding the rank of Grade Six officials and coming from the scholar-official class, would perform duties such as reviewing, rejecting, investigating, and filing. Specifically, every edict issued by the Emperor and the cabinet would first go through the hands of these Censors, who would approve or reject it. When the edict was delivered to the Six Ministries, the Censors had to sign it for filing. Five days later, they would check and urge the offices to implement it. Upon completion, the implementation would be filed with the Censors, becoming an important basis for officials’ promotions.

With the establishment of the Censors in each department, the power of the Tongzheng Department to review and reject was revoked, and the previously unrestrained Censorate was now restrained. More importantly, the administrative efficiency of the government offices would be greatly improved, benefiting both the nation and the people.

Shi Zhuo realized that Xun Yunhe’s system of regulations was aimed at him. In the past, Shi Zhuo had only investigated others, but now he was also under the supervision of the Censors.

Could you say he was acting selfishly? Not at all. The Censors, from the Emperor to all officials, could investigate anyone, including the Prime Minister.

But did Xun Yunhe have any flaws that others could investigate? None.

Since the establishment of the Jin Dynasty, Xun Yunhe had been the official above Grade Four with the fewest investigations against him. He was honest and upright, always prioritizing the country and never acting selfishly or unjustly. Such a highly esteemed court official was beyond comparison for everyone else.

Xun Yunhe clearly used the system of Censors to firmly grasp control over the Six Ministries and Nine Courts and the administrative efficiency of all offices.

For the Emperor, who was well-versed in the art of balance, Xun Yunhe’s move clearly hit the mark. With the Censors in various departments, the Censorate, and the Eastern Depot, the three pillars of power were now running in parallel, ensuring the stability of his reign. As for advising the Emperor, what department official wouldn’t occasionally address the Emperor? Moreover, over the years, there has been no shortage of officials stepping forward.

With the Censors, the Emperor gained an additional tool to balance the Censorate.

Indeed, in terms of administrative standards, no one in the court surpassed Xun Yunhe. The Emperor silently sighed, acknowledging this.

Xun Yunhe seized this opportunity to implement drastic reforms, benefiting both the Emperor and the people. Although the officials were worried, they couldn’t help but respect him. Even Pei Xun, who was clearly being restrained, had to admire Xun Yunhe’s foresight.

While Pei Xun played at intrigue, Xun Yunhe used open strategies and controlled him completely.

For a moment, Pei Xun regretted not forcing the Emperor to decree a divorce between Pei Muheng and Xu Yunxi earlier, which would have prevented Xun Yunhe from supporting Prince Xi’s mansion.

With his father-in-law back in the capital, Pei Muheng clearly felt relieved. He guessed that Xun Yunhe would be busy with the Censor arrangements in the coming days and wouldn’t have time to return home. Therefore, Pei Muheng didn’t rush to tell him about Old Master Zhang’s matter and instead submitted a leave request, citing illness. The previous incident had left the Emperor somewhat unsettled, so Pei Muheng decided to lay low for a while.

While he claimed to be ill, he didn’t really plan to get sick. But just as this thought crossed his mind, Pei Muheng suddenly remembered a saying: “Those young men, even if they’re not ill, will make themselves sick just to have our young lady diagnose them.”

“Ah, my young lady can refuse everything except taking care of patients…”

Thinking of this, Pei Muheng immediately stood still.

This year’s winter arrived earlier than usual, with heavy clouds and light snow by the end of October.

Pei Muheng stood with his hands behind his back under the slanted corridor, his dark eyes filled with deep thought. The lamplight cast a shadow on his tall nose, and he stared intently in the direction of Qinghui Garden, his mind being tempted over and over again by this idea.

After a long silence, this reserved and dignified master spoke, “Huang Wei, are there any ice blocks in the house?”

“Ah?” Huang Wei looked incredulous. “What do you need ice blocks for?”

Pei Muheng replied without changing his expression, “Since I’m claiming to be sick, it can’t be a fake illness.”

Huang Wei stared at him in shock, blinking hard. “Are you serious, Third Master? Are you really going to do this? Everyone in the court knows it’s just an excuse, and no one will come to verify it. Besides, illness can be anything, big or small. If you say you have a headache, can the imperial physician say you don’t? Why go to such lengths?”

Faced with Huang Wei’s chatter, Pei Muheng said only one sentence, “I want to be truly sick.”

With a few unreasonable determinations.

This was unusual. Huang Wei, who had a keen sense like a dog, looked around and his gaze fell on the distant Qinghui Garden. He quickly understood and slapped his own forehead. “I’ll get it right away.”

The summer had passed, and the stored ice was long gone. It hadn’t snowed yet, so who still had ice?

Coincidentally, the neighboring Xun mansion’s cellar still had some. Huang Wei hurriedly brought it over and placed it in the study bathroom. Then he saw his master, Pei Muheng, having a bucket of cold water prepared, swiftly adding ice into the basin, making the bathwater emit a chilling steam. Just one glance made Huang Wei shiver. As he watched Pei Muheng about to undress and step into the bath, Huang Wei quickly grabbed his arm. “Third Master, this… this is not a joke.”

Pei Muheng remained unmoved. He had been at court for the past few days, and Xu Yunxi had been ignoring him. He was still angry when he left that day. Returning to the back courtyard in such a state would be pointless; it was necessary to take drastic measures.

Pei Muheng resolutely stepped into the icy bath. The cold made his skin break out in goosebumps, and his forehead was steaming with cold air. Huang Wei stood by, anxious and almost crying, wanting to call for help from the back courtyard, but was sternly stopped by Pei Muheng.

Did they think he was pretending to be sick to have her take care of him in the front courtyard? No, being the meticulous Pei Third Master, this was all part of his plan to lure her in.

Pei Muheng’s resilience was extraordinary. He endured the freezing cold and later wrapped himself in clothes, warming up by the charcoal fire. His face turned pale. “Perseverance pays off,” and that night Pei Muheng developed a high fever.

Xu Yunxi was sound asleep, holding Yin Xing, when she suddenly heard Huang Wei shouting outside in the middle of the night. “Young Madam, please go to the front courtyard quickly. Our Third Master has a high fever and is unconscious.”

The words “unconscious” jolted Xu Yunxi’s nerves. As a physician, she immediately sat up.