Wei Nanxun thought that dying once would be enough to make her heart strong, indestructible, and let go of the past.
But when Pei Yuyan really appeared in front of her, all her pretense, all her composure, vanished.
It was only because Wei Mingzhao’s attention was completely drawn to that person that she didn’t notice the person beside her, trembling all over, her face as white as paper.
Why would Pei Yuyan be here?
She had long guessed that today’s events were definitely orchestrated by Pei Yuyan, but she didn’t expect him to appear so directly. Shouldn’t he be at the morning court session at this hour, or in the imperial study discussing government affairs?
He was diligent and hardworking, and even more afraid of being said to be negligent by the emperor and ministers. Even if the two of them had been intimate until late the night before, he would still get up on time the next day and never delay important matters.
In his eyes, love was just a pastime, and nothing could compare to power and status.
It must be a coincidence. She was just a small woman, not worth him spending so much thought on.
Wei Nanxun’s fingers under her wide sleeves were constantly twisting, persuading herself over and over again, trying to calm herself down.
Fortunately, Wei Mingzhao was there, her heart and eyes were full of Pei Yuyan. The two were engaged, betrothed by the emperor, so they didn’t need to be too cautious. As soon as she saw Pei Yuyan, her eyes lit up slightly, her cheeks flushed, and she said in surprise, “Greetings, Your Highness. I didn’t expect to see Your Highness today.”
Wei Nanxun followed with a grand salute, and then kept her head down and didn’t say a word.
Pei Yuyan’s gaze swept behind Wei Mingzhao, and he said with a smile, “You may rise. The morning court ended early today.”
The little eunuch behind him explained very sensibly, “His Majesty heard that the virtuous concubine invited Miss Wei to admire the flowers, so he specially took a box of silk flowers that were recently brought in from the west, saying that they would add color to the Empress and Miss Wei. His Majesty also remembered that Your Highness hadn’t seen the Empress for a long time, so he asked Your Highness to bring them along the way.”
Sure enough, the palace maid behind him was holding a tray covered with red silk, which showed the emperor’s love for the virtuous concubine and his recognition of Wei Mingzhao as his daughter-in-law.
Wei Nanxun breathed a slight sigh of relief. It seemed that it was really a coincidence. She said that Pei Yuyan would never delay important matters for her sake.
At this time, the virtuous concubine also knew that the Crown Prince had sent a reward, so she asked her personal palace maid, Yuchun, to welcome them in.
“Greetings, Your Highness. You came at the right time. The Second Prince just came to greet the Empress. When he heard that you were here, he said he wanted to ask you for advice on his essays.”
The Second Prince was born to the virtuous concubine and had just turned eleven this year. He was at an age where he loved to play, and he was spoiled by the emperor and the virtuous concubine. He usually loved to make trouble in reading and classes, but the teacher couldn’t do anything about this dragon and phoenix scion.
He was not afraid of anything, except for this Crown Prince brother. He said he was asking for advice on essays, but in reality, he was trying to please him and get close to him.
Pei Yuyan was seven years older than this younger brother. The two were different in age, and they couldn’t be said to be very close, but they were still considered to be brotherly and respectful.
Moreover, he knew that his aunt was helping him avoid suspicion, so he nodded slightly in response.
Yuchun then looked at them, “Greetings, ladies. The Empress was just meeting with the chief of the Internal Affairs Office to discuss the matter of leaving the palace for summer retreat in a few days. She has kept the two ladies waiting for a long time. Please come inside quickly.”
When Wei Mingzhao heard that Pei Yuyan was not going to see the virtuous concubine with them, a look of regret immediately appeared in her eyes, but there were many people and eyes here, and there was no opportunity to speak, so she could only follow into the hall, turning her head every step of the way.
Unlike her reluctance, Wei Nanxun was simply overjoyed and wished she could stay far away from this man.
It would be best if this was the last time they met in this life.
But as the two brushed past each other, she heard that familiar voice, low and hoarse, “Miss Wei, watch your step.”
His voice was undoubtedly pleasant to listen to. Usually, it was like the tinkling sound of jade being struck, gentle and clear, but whenever they were entangled in bed, he would have this low, hoarse voice with lust.
It was like an invisible net, surrounding her whole body, leaving her nowhere to escape.
Wei Nanxun was just about to cross the threshold when she suddenly heard his voice. Her legs almost gave way and she was about to fall, but fortunately, she steadied herself in time and didn’t make a fool of herself.
Was he reminding her of their first meeting?
Reminding her that he could save her, so he could control her choices, and she couldn’t escape.
Wei Nanxun could feel that burning gaze, always seemingly absentmindedly falling on her back.
Why?
Why was it that if he wanted her, she would be his? She was not a plaything, not a prey to stimulate his desire to conquer, she was a living person.
She would never let him have his way in this life.
Wei Nanxun gritted her teeth to calm her trembling self. Under that gaze, she straightened her back and walked into the hall without looking back.
Leaving that tall figure, standing still in place.
“Your Highness, Your Highness, what are you looking at?”
Pei Yuyan came back to his senses, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, “It’s nothing, I just saw an interesting civet cat.”
The little eunuch scratched his head in confusion. The Empress didn’t like small animals. Where did the civet cat come from in Jingren Palace?
Over there, Yuchun had already led the two into the East Warm Pavilion, where a beautiful woman was leaning on a chaise longue, wearing a light purple dress, her black hair piled high, and a green cat’s-eye hairpin on her head. The hairpins and earrings were all a set of green cat’s-eyes.
Green cat’s-eyes were rare, let alone those with such good color and quality, but she didn’t look old-fashioned wearing them, but rather had an unspeakable nobility.
She was also holding a ledger in her hand, and a palace maid was whispering in her ear. Only then did she raise her head.
This was the first time Wei Nanxun had seen the virtuous concubine’s appearance up close. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, and her eyes were like autumn water. She was indeed a top beauty. Hearing that the virtuous concubine looked seven parts like the late Empress, it was not difficult to understand why Pei Yuyan’s eyebrows and eyes were somewhat like this aunt.
“This humble woman greets the virtuous concubine, may the Empress be blessed with good fortune and peace.”
“Get up quickly, come to this Empress’s side, and be seated.”
“Thank you, Empress.”
Wei Mingzhao had been entering and leaving the palace since she was a child, and had seen the virtuous concubine many times, so she naturally sat closer. Wei Nanxun, on the other hand, had been respectfully lowering her head and shrinking back, except for the first glance.
“What has Ah Zhao been busy with lately? If you don’t enter the palace, this Empress won’t even have someone to talk to and relieve boredom.”
“Empress, you flatter me. You are surrounded by agreeable people, how can I compare? My grandmother said that I have a scattered nature, so she is keeping me at home to learn the rules and grind my temperament.”
The virtuous concubine revealed a knowing smile, “This Empress remembers that you are eighteen this year, right? It’s good to learn more in the boudoir. Anyway, you will be marrying into the palace in a few days, and there will be plenty of opportunities to accompany this Empress.”
All of Wei Mingzhao’s previous anxiety and unease instantly turned into the shyness of a young woman when she heard this sentence. Since the virtuous concubine had said so, wasn’t it exactly what the emperor meant?
“Empress, why are you teasing me…”
The two talked intimately for a while before the virtuous concubine seemed to notice the little girl behind her and said as if unintentionally, “Ah Zhao, is this your family’s Seventh Miss?”
Hearing Wei Nanxun being mentioned, Wei Mingzhao paused slightly and said, “In response to the Empress, my Seventh Sister’s name is Nanxun. She is quiet and doesn’t like to talk. She doesn’t usually go out much.”
“Oh? Come closer and let this Empress take a look.”
Even if Wei Mingzhao was unhappy in her heart, she could only squeeze out a smile and gently pushed the person behind her, “Ah Xun, the Empress is calling you.”
Wei Nanxun seemed to have not expected to be called and couldn’t help but reveal a little panic. She lowered her head and repeatedly said yes. Because she was too nervous, she almost tripped over the brocade stool when she got up. She barely stood firm before taking a few steps to the virtuous concubine. Before anyone else could say anything, she had already scared herself pale.
Wei Mingzhao was secretly pleased and proud of her gaffe. What if she looked alluring? She was still something that couldn’t be brought to the table. But she couldn’t let her ruin the Duke’s reputation, so she quickly got up and said, “Ah Xun is entering the palace for the first time and doesn’t understand the rules. Please forgive her, Empress.”
“It’s okay, good child, come over, raise your head, and let this Empress see.”
Wei Nanxun squeezed the sweat in her palms, her long eyelashes trembled slightly as she slowly raised her head.
Their eyes met, and a hint of amazement flashed across the virtuous concubine’s eyes. She was stunned and said, “Ah Zhao, your sister has a good appearance. No wonder, no wonder…”
Even if she didn’t say the second half of her sentence, everyone present understood her meaning, no wonder the Crown Prince would break off the engagement.
Wei Nanxun’s gaze dimmed. She had deliberately pretended to be ignorant of the rules and rude, just to leave a bad impression on the virtuous concubine, but she didn’t expect her to say such things so bluntly.
“She is also quiet. Ah Zhao, since you are not free, how about letting your sister accompany this Empress?”
As soon as these words came out, not only Wei Nanxun, but also Wei Mingzhao’s smile completely froze. She was stunned for a long time before bowing and saying dryly, “It is our Wei family’s blessing that the Empress values Seventh Sister. I’m just afraid that Seventh Sister doesn’t understand the rules and will only make the Empress worry.”
Wei Nanxun was also flustered and didn’t know whether to kneel or thank her.
The virtuous concubine saw all of this in her eyes and smiled with her eyes curved, “Alright, alright, look at how anxious you sisters are. This Empress is just joking, get up quickly.”
The atmosphere that followed was obviously not as relaxed as before, but fortunately, it wasn’t long before it was time for dinner.
The little eunuchs set up the banquet, and the virtuous concubine led the two to their seats.
“Yuchun, where is the Crown Prince? Didn’t I ask you to invite him?”
“In response to the Empress, Your Highness is still explaining essays to the Second Prince. He said he won’t be coming over and will greet you later.”
The virtuous concubine naturally didn’t believe this explanation of explaining essays. Knowing that he was trying to avoid suspicion, she didn’t say anything more, “Then ignore him, let’s eat ours. I’m in a good mood today, so I asked someone to warm a pot of fruit wine. It’s light, sweet, and just right for young girls to drink.”
As she spoke, a palace maid poured wine for the two of them. The faint fragrance of fruit instantly filled the air, it was indeed good wine.
Wei Nanxun’s father liked wine, and he had a lot of it hidden at home. When she was young, she and her mother would accompany her father to drink. Her alcohol tolerance was not bad, but she rarely drank outside.
Especially since she was in the palace, it was a time to be vigilant, so she wanted to refuse on the grounds that she couldn’t drink, but the virtuous concubine had already raised her glass.
Her status was here, and even Wei Mingzhao, who didn’t drink much, didn’t say a word. If she opened her mouth at this time, she would really be ignorant.
People could make mistakes and not understand the rules, but they couldn’t be ignorant. This was still in the virtuous concubine’s territory. At most, she would just take a sip, and she had to give her face, otherwise, whether she could leave the palace was still a problem.
Wei Nanxun hesitated again and again, and seeing that Wei Mingzhao had already drunk most of it, she had to raise her glass and take a sip.
“You’re not giving this Empress face, you have to finish it.”
She had no choice but to learn from Wei Mingzhao and drink it all in one gulp, and then never touched the cup again.
By the time she realized that something was wrong, it was already halfway through the banquet. Her alcohol tolerance was very good. She could usually drink four or five cups of this kind of fruit wine without any problem, but this time she felt dizzy and her face was unconsciously hot.
Just as she wanted to drink a cup of tea to sober up, she heard the virtuous concubine say lightly, “Ah Zhao, your sister really doesn’t drink alcohol. Why is her face so red after only half a cup? It’s better to have someone take her to wash her face and sober up.”
Wei Nanxun wanted to say no, but she was so dizzy that she couldn’t even speak properly, and the two palace maids beside her had already come to support her.
She could only tug on Wei Mingzhao’s sleeve and call out in a low voice, “Sister.”
Wei Mingzhao didn’t want to let Wei Nanxun leave her sight either, and hesitated, “Empress, Ah Xun is drunk, or I should stay with her.”
“Ah Zhao, you can’t leave. You and I can just talk about intimate things.”
In the end, the virtuous concubine’s words were more persuasive. Wei Mingzhao broke open her fingers and comforted her, “Ah Xun, you’re just a little drunk. It’ll be fine after you wash your face and drink some sobering tea, go.”
Wei Nanxun could only watch helplessly as she was helped to an empty room in the side hall. Her consciousness gradually blurred. Not only was her face hot, but her whole body seemed to be getting hot.
What exactly did the virtuous concubine give her to drink…