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Outside the palace, Yin Lengdie and Pei Yu boarded the carriage together. They rode in silence for a long time before Pei Yu spoke in a calm voice, “Still not giving up?”
Yin Lengdie remained silent, her face cold.
Pei Yu glanced at her. He had once loved her cool beauty. Even knowing that she harbored feelings for Nangong Yan, he had still confessed his love. Four years ago, rumors spread of Nangong Yan’s inability to have children. She suddenly approached him, offering to marry him and asking if he still wanted to take her as his wife.
He had been eager to accept.
Even though he secretly understood that she chose him only because he was the best alternative to Nangong Yan, he was still willing.
He even deceived himself, thinking that perhaps she had some genuine feelings for him, otherwise, why wouldn’t she choose someone else? Why choose him?
Thus, they got engaged. Three years ago, they married. After their wedding, he treated her with care and consideration, and they lived together peacefully, their lives passing in quiet harmony.
Until recently, he discovered she was secretly drinking a potion to prevent pregnancy. They had their first argument, followed by an endless cold war. After a month, he couldn’t bear it anymore. One night, drunk, he confronted her. But no matter how he acted out, she remained indifferent, her expression always calm. Enraged, he asked if she didn’t want children because she was still thinking about Nangong Yan. If it were Nangong Yan she married, would she be eager to have children? He asked many questions, but she only remained silent, finally telling him to stop making a scene.
Pei Yu had a fit that night, and his heart turned cold. He hadn’t returned to their room since, for two or three months now.
The longer they were apart, the colder his heart became. He thought he wouldn’t have any more emotions for her, but seeing her like this today, his heart still ached.
“The Emperor will eventually have someone by his side. You’ve lost your place by his side. Yin Lengdie, save yourself some dignity. If you don’t care about your reputation, our Pei family does. From now on, stay out of the Emperor’s affairs. You are now a wife of the Pei family, not just Yin Lengdie.”
Pei Yu couldn’t help but say it coldly.
Yin Lengdie looked at him, her voice calm, “The Emperor and I are still friends. Is it wrong for friends to care and inquire about each other? Pei Yu, have you had enough of this? When will you stop?”
Pei Yu couldn’t help but scoff, “Friends? Yin Lengdie, do you even qualify?”
His words turned Yin Lengdie’s face pale. She hadn’t expected him to speak to her like that.
“Why don’t you go ask the Emperor if you qualify as his friend? People should know their limits. Yin Lengdie, you need to think this through.”
“Stop.”
Pei Yu shouted to the coachman outside.
Then he instructed, “Take Madam back.”
Pei Yu got off the carriage, his expression cold as he watched his carriage drive away. He sighed and turned towards the tavern.
He used to never drink, but now he went to the tavern every few days.
On Nangong Yan’s side, it wasn’t until the sky gradually darkened that Qingli finally opened her eyes.
Seeing the unfamiliar room, she got up, wanting to go outside. After a good sleep and taking the medicine, she felt a bit stronger.
After putting on her shoes, Qingli walked toward the door. When she opened it, a cold wind swept in, making her shiver involuntarily.
In the courtyard outside, Nangong was sitting in the pavilion. A stove was nearby, boiling hot tea that sent up steaming vapors.
When Qingli saw him, she froze. How could Nangong Yan be here?
Hearing the door open, Nangong Yan turned to look. Dressed in a black cloak, the fur lining at his collar gently grazed his defined jawline, softening his handsome yet stern face.
“You’re awake?”
Nangong Yan’s voice was cool and deep.
“Heijin, get her a cloak.”
Noticing her thin frame, Nangong Yan’s brow furrowed slightly.
Heijin quickly appeared and said to Nangong Yan, “Your Majesty, there are only your clothes here, no one else’s.”
Nangong Yan shot him a cold glance, and Heijin understood his meaning, immediately disappearing.
Qingli stepped outside. Barely two steps in, Heijin returned with a cloak—a white one. As she put it on, she felt warmth envelop her, though it was a bit large, wrapping around her completely and trailing on the ground.
Qingli lifted the hem of the cloak and walked toward Nangong Yan, slowly sitting down opposite him.
“How did I end up here? Where is this place?” Qingli asked.
Nangong Yan poured her a cup of hot tea. “Warm yourself up! You need to recover well in order to repay your debts.”
Qingli took the cup and drank it in one go, puzzled. “What debts? Do I owe you something?”
Seeing his calm demeanor, Qingli couldn’t help but say, “Why are you so tight-lipped? I’m asking you how you got here. Where’s Su Qingyue?”
Nangong Yan replied mildly, “This is my territory. If you ask me how I got here, I’ll answer you in kind.”
Qingli shot him a glance. “Fine, then tell me how I ended up here.”
Nangong Yan’s eyes glinted with amusement. “Naturally, I took you from Su Qingyue.”
Qingli was speechless. “Why would you take me? Did you do something to Su Qingyue?”
As she spoke, her gaze turned icy, as if to say, if you touched her, I’d deal with you right now.
Nangong Yan noticed her ready-to-fight demeanor and smirked slightly. “No, I merely threatened her a bit.”
Qingli was displeased. “You take someone and then threaten them? How shameless can you be?”
Nangong Yan looked at her. “Shameless? What about you, who took my virtue four years ago? Does that not count as shameless?”
“Ah?” Qingli was taken aback by his words, her eyes widening in surprise and guilt.
“I… when did I ever take your virtue? What nonsense are you talking about?”