In the carriage, Shen Fuyan's mind was filled with the scene of passion and confusion from moments ago.
But thinking of how she didn't know whose name Pei Yanwei had been calling out, she closed her eyes and silently cursed him in her heart.
He had been drugged, after all—she might as well have been bitten by a dog!
Lu Bai applied medicine to her neck, and before long, the marks faded away.
In the Commandant's residence, Pei Yanwei slowly awoke, his fingers ceaselessly stroking a string of wooden beads on his wrist.
The beads were quite old and ordinary, yet Lang Jinglong and Eunuch Zhong watched with trembling fear.
Whenever the Commandant's killing intent surged to the heavens, he would involuntarily caress this string of beads.
"Commandant, there is still residual drug in your system. It is not advisable to lose your temper."
Eunuch Zhong offered him tea.
"Today, Miss Shen truly worked hard to help you dispel the drug."
Pei Yanwei's hand paused mid-motion.
"She left?" He rose and got out of bed, wearing only a middle garment, revealing a chest crisscrossed with scars. "Did you ask what business she came for today?"
"Miss Shen was unwilling to tell this servant. I'm afraid you will have to ask her yourself, Commandant."
Eunuch Zhong draped an outer robe over him. Pei Yanwei turned his head and caught sight of a pouch at his waist.
"Give it to me."
Eunuch Zhong was startled, then quickly understood. He removed from his waist the money pouch that Shen Fuyan had respectfully given him.
"Th-this, Commandant, this servant forgot to give it to you. Just now, this servant did not ask Miss Shen for it—it was Miss Shen who…"
"Enough." A faint smile appeared at the corner of Pei Yanwei's mouth. "This Commandant hasn't even said anything yet. What are you so afraid of?"
He poured out the silver and returned it to Eunuch Zhong. "This Commandant will keep the pouch."
The pouch was embroidered with delicate patterns. Though it was not stitched by Shen Fuyan's own hand, anything that came from her could only end up in his possession.
…
After returning to the Prime Minister's residence and finishing her meal, Shen Fuyan went to the back of her bedchamber.
There was a small study here, but the people of the Prime Minister's residence assumed it was a storage room, so no one came by on ordinary days.
Lürong opened the door. Inside, she and Lu Bai cleaned it regularly, keeping it spotless.
"I've been busy with trivial matters in the inner courtyard of the Prime Minister's residence for so long. It's been ages since I've had peace of mind."
Shen Fuyan sighed with emotion.
"Miss, are you going to paint today?" Lürong asked with a smile as she ground ink for her.
"No."
Pei Yanwei's panting filled her ears, making it truly difficult to calm her mind. She had no choice but to casually write a few characters.
She hadn't been able to bring up the matter of the Mutual Divorce with Pei Yanwei. What other options were there?
Watching Shen Fuyan put brush to paper, Lürong mused to herself that even Miss's casual scribbles, taken outside, would be prized calligraphy that scholars would scramble to buy.
Only the ungrateful wretches of the Prime Minister's residence were blind to true worth, leaving such a bright pearl to gather dust!
Her eyes reddened slightly. "The Xuan family doesn't appreciate Miss at all. If the Master were still here, he would surely storm the Prime Minister's residence himself and bring you home."
Shen Fuyan was stunned. What home did she have left?
The Shen family had long since stopped welcoming her.
She was so attached to the Shen family only because her father's memorial tablet was still there.
The tree her father had planted for her with his own hands was still there too.
She set down the brush, feeling somewhat tired.
"Don't cry. The Mutual Divorce is only a matter of time. Go back to your room and sleep. Another day, I will pay a visit to Commandant Pei."
Once the bed curtains were drawn and she had just drowsily closed her eyes, Shen Fuyan's hair stood on end—she suddenly sensed another person in the quiet room!
"The people of the Prime Minister's residence are as dull as pigs, but you are quite alert."
A pair of large hands parted the gauze curtain. Shen Fuyan looked at those cold, sharp brows and eyes, her lashes trembling.
"Breaking into a married woman's room in the dead of night—I'm afraid that is hardly appropriate."
She clutched the brocade quilt tightly, unable to understand what Pei Yanwei meant by this.
Could it be that because of what happened during the day, he felt she had defiled him and came to seek revenge?
Pei Yanwei only smiled without speaking. His large hand suddenly reached in, pulling her close with slight force. The next moment, Shen Fuyan found herself pressed against a chest carrying a chill.
"You!"
Her expression stiffened, and Pei Yanwei's slender index finger had already traced to the spot he had kissed during the day.
"Does it hurt?"
His slightly cool ink-black hair fell against Shen Fuyan's cheek, the faint scent of soap pods enveloping her, causing her to tremble slightly.
"Eunuch Zhong's ointment is very effective."
She dared not speak too loudly, so she lowered her voice, allowing Pei Yanwei to hold her.
"Then… it doesn't hurt anymore?"
Pei Yanwei chuckled softly by her ear, reaching out a finger to gently pinch her chin.
Shen Fuyan was forced to turn her head, meeting his aggressively possessive gaze.
She didn't understand!
During the day, the name on his lips had been Miss Xiu, yet now he deliberately slipped into her room and made such intimate advances toward her!
"Pei Yanwei, why are you doing this?"
Her heart sinking, Shen Fuyan pressed her lips together and stared straight at him.
She wanted to question him, but the words circled in her mouth and were ultimately swallowed back down.
No matter how good their childhood friendship had been, more than ten years had passed between them.
Pei Yanwei acted with arbitrary ruthlessness; she dared not gamble on that old memory.
"Why am I doing this?" Pei Yanwei's fingers gradually traced down her neck, his tone tender and lingering. "Do you truly not know?"
How would she know?
Shen Fuyan was startled for a moment, a hint of bitterness rising in her heart.
"Why the long face?"
Pei Yanwei cupped her face in his hands and gently pressed a kiss to her eyelid.
"Upset that I came late? Hm?"
He moved downward slowly, and Shen Fuyan's lips trembled, desolation spreading through her heart.
"Th-this is improper!"
She squeezed the words out through clenched teeth.
Pei Yanwei's eyes suddenly darkened.
"You're not still trying to remain chaste for Xuan Wenyang, are you?"
His voice rose slightly, and Lu Bai outside the door heard the commotion: "Miss? Do you need to get up?"
Shen Fuyan hastily covered Pei Yanwei's mouth, her gaze flustered: "No, I'm just thirsty. No need to come in and attend to me!"
She didn't dare let the maidservants see Pei Yanwei. If he killed them to keep his secret, that would be terrible…
After those brief words, Shen Fuyan's nape grew hot.
Pei Yanwei grabbed her slender waist and buried his face in her neck: "What are you afraid of? Even if that old fox Left Prime Minister Xuan Hong came, he wouldn't dare make a sound."
Supporting her with one hand, he easily got off the bed and walked to the tea table.
"Put me down now!"
Startled, Shen Fuyan nearly toppled over Pei Yanwei's shoulder. With no other choice, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Such enthusiasm—was I too restrained during the day, giving you the wrong impression?"
Pei Yanwei laughed in a low, husky voice, his large palm stroking her soft waist and hips.
"Come, drink some water."
He took a mouthful himself, then leaned down to cover the softness in his arms.
Shen Fuyan was forced to endure Pei Yanwei's fervor, most of the tea spilling down into her undergarments.
"It's all wet!"
Fine sweat beaded on her forehead as she gave him a slight glare.
"I'll change it for you."
In excellent spirits, Pei Yanwei carried her back to the bed and made as if to untie her sash.
"No!"
Shen Fuyan tightly gripped his hand, only for him to reverse and wrap it firmly in his palm.
"Why did you come looking for me at the residence today?"
Pei Yanwei kissed her damp nose, a satisfied sigh escaping from his throat.
The way he carried on—what exactly did he take her for?
Shen Fuyan pressed her lips tightly together, the corners of her eyes red as she looked at him.
"Shy?" Pei Yanwei's chest rumbled with a stifled laugh. "Is it because of the Mutual Divorce?"
He knew!
Shen Fuyan's eyes flew wide open, and a sour feeling seeped from the bottom of her heart.
If he knew, then why toy with her like this?
She met the man's teasing gaze, then lowered her eyes.
"No need for the Commandant to concern himself."
An aloofness like the tide crept into Shen Fuyan's eyes.
Silence fell over the room, and Pei Yanwei gradually wiped the smile from his face.
"So it seems this Commandant was flattering himself!"
He rose with a dark expression and took two steps, when suddenly the door creaked.
Lu Bai barged straight in: "Miss, something's wrong!"
From outside the door came Xuan Wenyang's voice, reeking of alcohol.
"Let me in! A husband entering his wife's room is only natural!"