Сhаpter 6: Zhаоzhао Gеts Dirty
Pei Yаn’s iсy gazе and cоld wоrds hurt аnd humiliаtеd Рei Yuzhu еvеn mоrе than Yun Zhaоzhao throwing her оut likе trash!
Теаrs instаntlу streаmеd dоwn Pei Yuzhu’s fасe. Shе cried in disbeliеf and griеvance, “Вig Brоther, I’m уоur third sister! We just sаw each оthеr а fеw days аgо аt thе Duke Mаnor!”
Рei Yan—whеther it was whеn he toрped the imреriаl eхаminations at fiftеen, оr nоw as the Сhief Grand Sеcrеtаrу of thе Grand Cоuncil and Grаnd Тutоr assisting the young emperor—wаs thе object of аdmirаtion for all thе уoung masters and ladies of the Duke Manor!
He was the legitimate eldest son of the Duke Manor! Their big brother!
How could he not acknowledge her?
Pei Yuzhu was utterly heartbroken and aggrieved. [It must be that bitch Yun Zhaozhao’s fault!]
“Big Brother, did Yun Zhaozhao say bad things about me? Don’t believe her! She’s an outsider, I’m your own sister!”
“Nonsense.” Pei Yan swept a cold glance over her. “My mother only had one son.”
The implication was clear: stop trying to claim kinship!
With that, he completely ignored Pei Yuzhu. Reaching out, he picked up the Multi-Gemstone Necklace from the counter. “Leng Zhu, settle the bill.”
“Yes.” Leng Zhu stepped forward to take out the silver.
Five hundred taels for the Multi-Gemstone Necklace, and he bought it without batting an eye.
For some reason, Pei Yuzhu shamelessly approached, gazing eagerly at Pei Yan and saying, “Big Brother, are you going to give this to me? If you give it to me, I’ll forgive you.”
“Pfft—”
Yun Zhaozhao couldn’t hold back a laugh. When Pei Yan glanced at her, she turned her head and muttered, “I heard a dog barking, can’t I laugh?”
A shadow fell over her head. The cold scent of frost and ink enveloped her as a pair of slender, jade-like hands took the Multi-Gemstone Necklace and fastened it around her neck.
While fastening the clasp, Pei Yan’s fingertips brushed against the skin at the back of Yun Zhaozhao’s neck, sending a tingling warmth through her entire body.
She couldn’t help but look up. Her cousin appeared cold, so why was his body temperature as hot as fire?
Pei Yan had been watching her all along, his eyes as cold as a frozen lake, deeply etching her reflection within them. His thin lips parted slightly as he asked her, “What else do you want to buy?”
Yun Zhaozhao glanced at the two people beside them.
Pei Yuzhu looked as if her heart was breaking.
Zhu Yingying was both sour and jealous, gnashing her teeth as she tore her handkerchief to shreds.
Hmph!
Yun Zhaozhao deliberately touched the necklace, her voice sweet and soft: “Thank you, Cousin. I don’t want anything else. Let’s go ho~me~”
A ripple seemed to stir in Pei Yan’s eyes, as if he smiled, but it was too faint and fleeting for anyone to notice.
He simply nodded lightly. “Mm.”
“Big Brother! Big Brother!”
Pei Yuzhu stamped her feet anxiously, but no matter how she called out, Pei Yan didn’t turn back or acknowledge her.
Pei Yuzhu cried in frustration, unable to hold back her complaint toward Zhu Yingying: “It’s all your fault! Big Brother hates me now.”
“It’s Yun Zhaozhao’s fault!” Zhu Yingying tugged at her torn handkerchief, leaning close to Pei Yuzhu’s ear to stir up trouble. “As long as Yun Zhaozhao is around, Lord Pei won’t return to the Duke Manor.”
“Yuzhu, go back and cry to Old Madam. She’ll surely feel sorry for you, her own granddaughter.”
“As long as Old Madam orders the engagement broken off, Yun Zhaozhao will have to come crying and kneeling, begging for your help!”
Imagining this scene, Pei Yuzhu immediately grew excited. “You’re right! I’ll go back to Grandmother and lodge a serious complaint against her!”
Yun Zhaozhao didn’t know that Pei Yuzhu was going back to complain, and even if she did, she wouldn’t care.
Because the Grand Tutor’s Manor and Pei Duke Manor were essentially two separate households!Five years ago, they had a falling out. Cousin took Aunt and left the family, establishing a separate residence. Since then, there has been little contact with the Duke’s estate.
As soon as they boarded the carriage.
Yun Zhaozhao immediately removed the Multi-Gemstone Necklace and began searching for a box to store it.
“Why take it off?” A voice as cold as jade striking stone reached her ears. Yun Zhaozhao looked up, utterly surprised: “Cousin, why are you in the carriage?”
Pei Yan didn’t speak, his icy eyes fixed coldly on the necklace in her hand.
【Zhaozhao… doesn’t like it?】
【If I bought the wrong thing… might as well smash it!】
Yun Zhaozhao was startled and quickly hugged the Multi-Gemstone Necklace to her chest. “Cousin, I really like it! Have you forgotten I’m still in mourning? I can’t wear anything flashy or bright. I’ll put it away for now and wear it after the mourning period ends.”
“Alright.” Pei Yan suppressed his destructive urge, only for a damp, sticky longing to surge up again—
【Mourning again…】
Pei Yan’s inner voice carried a hint of emotional impatience.
The contrast with his frosty, aloof, and ethereally handsome face was so stark that if Yun Zhaozhao couldn’t read minds, she would never believe they belonged to the same person.
Pei Yan sat opposite her and said coldly, “Give me your hand.”
Yun Zhaozhao obediently extended her hand, her voice sweet and triumphant: “Cousin, I’m really fine, it doesn’t hurt!”
It was Pei Yuzhu and Zhu Yingying who were in pain!
【Zhaozhao got dirty.】
Pei Yan lowered his gaze, cradling Yun Zhaozhao’s small hand, and meticulously wiped each finger clean with a handkerchief.
After finishing one hand, he moved to the other.
Yun Zhaozhao looked bewildered, her almond-shaped eyes innocent and naive as she watched Pei Yan. “Cousin, my hands aren’t dirty.”
【How does Zhaozhao know… what I’m thinking?】
Pei Yan glanced up. Yun Zhaozhao shivered and instinctively deflected the question back to him: “Cousin, you’re being too rough, my hand hurts.”
Her tone was petulant and displeased, her almond eyes accusing him with righteous indignation.
Pei Yan looked down. Yun Zhaozhao’s fingers, pale as scallions, had turned pink from his wiping. 【So delicate?】
Pei Yan’s eyes darkened, his throat moving slightly. 【Would they turn red if I put them in my mouth?】
Yun Zhaozhao’s pretty face flushed crimson, and she yanked her hand back abruptly.
“Cousin, that’s enough.”
Pei Yan’s gaze shifted from her hidden hand, inch by inch, up to her small face.
【Zhaozhao has been acting so strange lately… always blushing…】
【Better call the imperial physician to examine her pulse, just to be safe.】
Listening to his inner thoughts, Yun Zhaozhao couldn’t help but silently complain—whose fault is that? Cousin isn’t pure at all!
Neither spoke, and the carriage grew oddly quiet. Yun Zhaozhao stole a few glances, each time catching Pei Yan’s unwavering stare. He watched her without blinking, silent and still, yet his gaze made her legs go weak.
Unable to bear it, Yun Zhaozhao spoke up first: “Cousin, Pei Yuzhu tricked me! I’m never playing with her again!”
“Alright.”
“Pei Yuzhu has always treated me like a fool! If she weren’t your cousin, I wouldn’t have just thrown her out today! If it were anyone else, I’d have beaten them to a pulp!”
Yun Zhaozhao didn’t even realize she was acting coquettishly toward Pei Yan.
Pei Yan watched her quietly, his eyes like frozen lakes devoid of warmth, yet overflowing with deeply hidden tenderness.
No matter what Yun Zhaozhao said, he simply replied, “Alright.”
“Cousin, why did you help me instead of her? Was it because she was in the wrong?”
“She’s unimportant.”
Pei Yan simply didn’t care about Pei Yuzhu.Those he doesn’t care about could die right before his eyes, and he wouldn’t spare them a second glance.
But for those he cares about, he feels an overwhelming desire—to protect, to control, to hide away and possess them fiercely, again and again.
Zhaozhao was his destined wife!
So Pei Yan wasn’t in a hurry. He had been enduring, restraining himself.
Pei Yan hid his thoughts deeply, his inner voice silent, and Yun Zhaozhao couldn’t hear it. She was still secretly delighted—her cousin said Pei Yuzhu wasn’t important!
Then was she important?
Yun Zhaozhao smiled sweetly, “Cousin, is there something else you haven’t finished saying?”
[Hmm?]
Pei Yan looked out the window. “We’re here. Let’s get out.”
Yun Zhaozhao’s face fell. Home already?
She had been in the capital for two and a half years, and this was the first time her cousin had accompanied her. She hadn’t expected it to be so brief!
Feeling a bit unhappy, her cheeks puffed out in a huff. She pushed the car door open and jumped straight down!
“Zhaozhao! Be careful!” Pei Yan was startled and reached out urgently. The hem of her skirt brushed past his fingers, fluttering like a butterfly taking flight, evading his grasp as she landed steadily.
Pei Yan’s eyes turned cold and dark, his hand clenching into a tight fist.
“Cousin, where is this?”
Yun Zhaozhao looked around in confusion before turning back. “Aren’t we going home?”