Chарtеr 10: Zhаоzhao Dreаms… оf Him
Pеi Yan watсhеd quiеtlу fоr а while, his рrоminеnt Аdam’s aрple bobbing as hе swаllowеd hаrd, раrсhed with thirst.
Нis brеаthing grew raрid, his gаze burning with grеed, covеtousnеss, and longing.
But in thе end, with rеddenеd еyes, hе pulled the quilt оvеr Yun Zhаоzhao, tuсking it firmlу аrоund her shouldеrs, leаving only hеr beautiful, dеlicatе face ехрosеd—hеr snow-white chеeks flushеd fаintly pink in slеep.
[Тo tаkе libеrties bеfore mаrriage is unbесоming of a gentleman.]
Pei Yan сlоsed his eyes аnd tоok a deер breath. He didn’t want to be a gentleman, but deep down, he cared more about cherishing Zhaozhao and didn’t want to frighten her before their wedding ceremony—
Once they were married, they would have a lifetime for intimacy.
Pei Yan clenched his fists so tightly that veins bulged on his forehead, a thin layer of sweat breaking out as he suppressed the terrifying desire within.
“Zhaozhao, I will wait.”
Pei Yan opened his eyes, his pupils dark as an abyss, swirling with unfulfilled longing. His voice was cold and hoarse: “Until you marry me.”
[On our wedding night… I’ll kiss Zhaozhao’s brows, her eyes, her lips…]
“Cousin!”
Yun Zhaozhao muttered unhappily in her sleep, waving her fists angrily in the air before kicking the quilt aside.
How could she hear her cousin’s voice even in her dreams?
And his inner thoughts too!
Yun Zhaozhao felt both embarrassed and annoyed, her pink cheeks puffing out as she turned over and murmured in her sleep: “Cousin… stop thinking!”
[What does she mean?]
Pei Yan’s dark brows furrowed slightly, a look of confusion appearing on his handsome, icy jade-like face. [Zhaozhao… is she dreaming of him?]
[Zhaozhao… dreams of him!]
Pei Yan’s eyes brightened, the corners of his thin, indifferent lips lifting into a faint curve. He reached out once more to tuck Yun Zhaozhao in properly.
[Zhaozhao is so good.]
Pei Yan gently stroked Yun Zhaozhao’s head, his slender, jade-like fingers threading through her thick, dark hair. With a slight hook of his finger, he slipped off Yun Zhaozhao’s hair ribbon.
He walked into the secret passage, his long fingers toying with the ribbon, wrapping it around his wrist bone with a mix of reverence and obsession—once, twice, tightly, until the cold, pale skin bore red marks…
He lowered his head, pressing his nose against the ribbon and inhaling deeply. So sweet—
It carried the scent of peach blossoms from Zhaozhao’s body, sweet and fragrant, seeping into his very being.
Pei Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed violently.
He left the courtyard and instructed Leng Zhu: “Go to the Golden Jade Pavilion and buy all the latest hair ribbons.”
“Yes, sir.”
Leng Zhu turned to leave but was called back by Pei Yan. Pei Yan’s gaze was cold and deep, his thumb rubbing the ribbon wrapped around his wrist bone. The duck embroidered on it was quite unique.
Pei Yan murmured: “…We mustn’t arouse Zhaozhao’s suspicion.”
If there were others in the room, he wouldn’t be able to tuck Zhaozhao in again.
Pei Yan thought for a moment, then changed his instructions to Leng Zhu…
The next day.
Yun Zhaozhao sat before her dressing mirror with her hair loose, as the maid Liu Qing combed it strand by strand with a sandalwood comb. The teeth of the comb gently brushed her scalp, making Yun Zhaozhao squint with pleasure.
She thought to herself that a dedicated hairdressing maid was truly exceptional—her aunt really knew how to enjoy life. But now, she was the one enjoying it. How delightful~
“Miss,” the maid Bi Zhu approached worriedly, “I’ve searched the entire bed but still can’t find your hair ribbon. It was your favorite one.”
Yun Zhaozhao frowned.When she was little, her mother taught her that even when sleeping, a young lady of good family should not appear disheveled with loose hair—it was considered improper. Instead, she should gently tie it back with a hair ribbon. Yun Zhaozhao, however, believed such rules were simply invented to prevent startling oneself in the mirror when getting up in the middle of the night.
As a child, she had once been so frightened that she wailed and cried, scrambling into her parents’ bed. After that, she obediently tied her hair with a ribbon every night.
Lost her favorite one?
Actually, no.
Yun Zhaozhao waved her hand dismissively. “If it’s lost, then it’s lost. That was the first time I tried embroidering mandarin ducks, but they ended up looking like ducks. I only used it to tie my hair for sleeping because it was too embarrassing to show anyone.”
Lost, just like that.
Not long after, Leng Zhu arrived. “Young Miss, these are from the Master.”
“From my cousin?” Yun Zhaozhao looked at the items on the tray in surprise—more than a dozen hair ribbons, made of silk, satin, and sheer gauze, in various materials and colors.
Why would her cousin send her hair ribbons?
Yun Zhaozhao couldn’t help but think of the ribbon she had just lost. Could it be that her cousin had entered her bedchamber at night?
“Young Miss, there’s more.”
Leng Zhu brought out another tray, on which lay a white jade bamboo hairpin, a silver lotus hairpin with a pearl, and a string of mutton-fat white jade bracelets. All were elegantly simple, suitable for Yun Zhaozhao to wear outside even during her mourning period.
It wasn’t just the hair ribbons—she had wrongfully suspected her cousin!
But why was her cousin sending her gifts?
“Leng Zhu…” Yun Zhaozhao looked up, intending to ask Leng Zhu for the reason, but Leng Zhu had already set down the items and left, disappearing without a trace.
Yun Zhaozhao muttered in confusion, “Why so fast? I wanted to ask him.”
“Miss, is there even a need to ask? The Grand Tutor holds you in his heart and is sending jewelry to please you!” Bi Zhu grinned from ear to ear. “The Grand Tutor has finally come to his senses.”
Liu Qing was also all smiles as she picked up the silver lotus hairpin with the pearl and asked Yun Zhaozhao, “Miss, shall I use this hairpin for you today?”
Yun Zhaozhao’s lips curved upward. “Yes.”
Liu Qing styled her hair into a beautiful round coiled bun, with two strands of hair hanging down on either side, giving her a playful and adorable look like a rabbit with drooping ears. The hairpin secured the bun, adding an extra touch of elegance and refinement.
Yun Zhaozhao cupped her delicate little face, examining herself in the mirror from side to side, utterly pleased and satisfied.
Just then, another visitor arrived.
Yun Zhaozhao looked up expectantly. “Is it my cousin?”
“Young Miss, it’s someone from Pei Duke Manor.” The gatekeeper of the Grand Tutor’s Manor stood respectfully at the doorway, delivering the message. “The Old Madam of Pei Duke Manor has ordered you to go to the manor and apologize to the Third Young Miss.”
“I’ve done nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?”
Yun Zhaozhao laughed in disbelief. With hundreds of people in the Duke’s manor, she would be a fool to willingly walk into such a place to be bullied.
“I won’t go to the Duke’s manor! Tell Pei Yuzhu that if she has any shame, she should return everything I gave her! Otherwise, I’ll make sure all of the capital knows exactly what kind of person she is!”
Yun Zhaozhao’s words were relayed verbatim to Pei Duke Manor.
For a moment, everyone turned to look at Pei Yuzhu.
Pei Yuzhu burst into tears. “Wah… she begged me to accept those things back then! Now she wants me to return them… she’s deliberately trying to frame me! Grandmother, you must stand up for your granddaughter!”
The Second Master of the Duke’s manor slammed the table in anger. “How outrageous! She’s an orphan with no parents, living under someone else’s roof, yet she dares to bully Yuzhu! Mother, you invited her, and she refused to come—this shows she has no respect for you!”Old Madam’s face darkened as she looked toward Duke Pei. “Eldest son, what do you think?”
“The Yun family only produces shrews! Vicious women!” The moment Duke Pei thought of Madam Yun, who had divorced him, he felt a sharp pain in his groin. That kick during the divorce had been aimed at making him heirless!
It was bad enough she wanted to be a discarded wife, but she even took Yan’er away with her!
Filled with resentment, Duke Pei couldn’t help but shift his anger. “Yun Zhaozhao is bound to be just like her! Marrying her would bring nothing but turmoil to the household!”
“Mother, last night I received an oral decree from Princess Chang… Yan’er’s engagement must be called off!”
What? Upon hearing this, everyone in the Duke’s household was instantly overjoyed and excited.
Had Princess Chang taken a liking to Pei Yan?
With the chance to become part of the imperial family right before them, what did Yun Zhaozhao even matter?
A sharp gleam flashed in Old Madam’s clouded eyes. “Quick! Quick, summon my legitimate grandson back! Have him break off the engagement! Drive Yun Zhaozhao out of the capital!”