Jiang Fei remained frozen in her peeking posture, directly meeting the gaze of “Wei Mingzhen” inside the room.
What kind of hearing ability and martial arts was this?
Fortunately, the system only asked her to complete the plot, not to assassinate Wei Mingzhen, otherwise she would never accomplish it in this lifetime.
Seeing the person at the door, Pei Jing was momentarily stunned.
That day at Dingyuan Marquis Manor, he had idly teased this girl for amusement, never expecting to meet her here.
Pei Jing leisurely fanned himself with a folding fan, “Looking for me?”
Already discovered, Jiang Fei simply stepped into the room, “Wei Mingzhen, what a coincidence.”
The singing girls in the room simultaneously turned to look at her, seemingly shocked that she addressed him so directly, then lowered their heads one after another.
Pei Jing paused briefly before suddenly laughing.
It seemed she still didn’t know his true identity, which made this even more interesting.
“Second Miss Jiang,” Pei Jing sat up straight, speaking slowly, “You’re not here to catch me cheating, are you?”
“How could that be?” Jiang Fei expressed shock, “I’ve said before that no matter how many people you find, men or women, I won’t interfere. I can even help you take concubines.”
Pei Jing gently waved his folding fan, “Since you’re not here to catch me cheating, would you like to join me for some opera?”
Not standing on ceremony, Jiang Fei directly sat opposite him, “Then I’ll trouble you.”
Pei Jing waved his hand, and the beauties nearby tactfully withdrew. He then looked at the person Jiang Rufei brought along, “You may leave too.”
Jiu Tao hesitated while looking at Jiang Fei, only leaving after seeing Jiang Fei nod in agreement.
With the room quiet, Pei Jing asked, “What brings you here to enjoy opera today?”
“I sneaked out. Grandmother punished me with house arrest for self-reflection.”
Jiang Fei stared into his eyes, growing furious at seeing not a trace of guilt on his face.
He secretly accused her of improper conduct with men behind her back, yet acted as if nothing happened to her face – how was this any different from a green tea bitch?
Pei Jing’s teapot paused slightly, “Why?”
“How dare you ask why.” Jiang Fei glared at him angrily, “Didn’t we agree that day? You would marry me, and afterwards you could play around as much as you wanted. How could you go back on your word? And even accuse me of improper conduct with Pei Jing.”
Understanding flashed in Pei Jing’s eyes.
So that was it. It seemed Wei Mingzhen had called off the engagement with the Jiang family. Such an interesting person would only lose her charm if confined in a rigid manor like the Marquis residence.
Life was utterly boring – he had never encountered someone this interesting before. He wondered if her blood tasted different from others’.
A cruel light flickered in Pei Jing’s half-squinted eyes, “You’re saying I can play however I want?”
“Exactly.” After speaking, Jiang Fei noticed his brazen appraisal of her and suddenly felt something was wrong.
She hugged herself protectively, “I meant you can play around outside as much as you want.”
Pei Jing toyed with his cup, deliberately asking, “What if… I want to play at home?”
Jiang Fei: “…”
“Or rather,” Pei Jing said leisurely, “Do you want to go out and play with me?”
Jiang Fei pondered his words. Was it because her mind was dirty that everything seemed dirty?
Why did she feel there were some indecent undertones in his words?
In the book, the difference between the Jiang Rufei and Jiang Rulin sisters was that one was the legal wife while the other was a concubine; one secretly had many affairs while the other wanted to but couldn’t succeed.
From now on, she would be living Jiang Rulin’s storyline. In the book, Wei Mingzhen showed little concern for his wife after marriage—they even slept in separate rooms.
Yet under Wei Mingzhen’s emotional neglect and suppression, Jiang Rulin gradually grew somewhat unhinged.
She actually developed feelings for Prince Zhaoning Pei Jing and, consumed by jealousy, schemed to harm Wei Ciying—the woman Pei Jing loved.
Logically, Wei Mingzhen wouldn’t actually touch her. He’d rather sleep with documents than share a bed with his wife—this was probably just intimidation.
Thinking this, Jiang Fei suddenly felt more confident. “Marry me first before saying anything. What’s the point of talking when you’re about to break off the engagement?”
Pei Jing glanced at her twice, startled by her crude language. She bore no resemblance to a noble lady from the capital, instead carrying an air of the martial world.
Someone from the martial world…
A face suddenly flashed through Pei Jing’s mind, his eyes instantly turning icy.
He lifted his folding fan to tilt Jiang Fei’s chin upward. “So eager to marry into the Wei Family?”
Jiang Fei raised her chin, attempting to retreat.
But Pei Jing was faster. Pressing the fan forward, he knocked Jiang Fei off balance. The cold fan ribs pressed against her throat, making her instantly tense.
“You…” Jiang Fei stared at the suddenly transformed “Wei Mingzhen” before her. “Are you insane?”
Pei Jing studied her for a moment before suddenly laughing. “Indeed, I am quite ill.”
Jiang Fei sensed something was wrong but couldn’t pinpoint what exactly.
As she tried to rise, she heard a faint “swish”—the sensation at her neck turning icy cold.
Lowering her gaze, Jiang Fei’s pupils constricted.
A thin blade had emerged from the tip of the folding fan, positioned precisely against her throat.
Pei Jing seemed to be examining her neck—so slender and pale, as if it would snap with a squeeze.
A gentle swipe of the fan would open a gash across her pale throat.
The flesh would part, warm blood would gush forth, creating a striking contrast against her fair skin.
Pei Jing’s Adam’s apple bobbed. The natural crimson at the corners of his eyes resembled unwashed bloodstains, accentuating the otherworldly allure of his phoenix eyes.
Jiang Fei gasped, afraid to even breathe or swallow too heavily.
If she wasn’t mistaken, she saw the same murderous intent in his eyes as during their first encounter.
“Wh-what are you doing?” Jiang Fei stammered in terror.
Pei Jing leaned closer, observing the fear in her eyes before smiling with satisfaction.
The bloodlust in his eyes intensified as he pressed the blade closer. “I detest the martial air,” he drawled.
Jiang Fei suddenly remembered: the man Wei Ciying loved in the book—the male lead—hailed from the Sword Casting Pavilion, the foremost sect in the martial world.
Wei Mingzhen strongly opposed his sister’s relationship with the male lead, believing a noble lady marrying into the martial world would lead to an unstable life.
That must be it!
Mentioning his disapproved future brother-in-law had triggered “Wei Mingzhen’s” murderous rage.
This explanation made perfect sense.
“Don’t—don’t be rash,” Jiang Fei hurriedly soothed. “I’ve just been reading a vernacular story book lately. If you don’t like it, I’ve read others too. I can cosplay many different characters for you.”
Jiang Fei’s words made Pei Jing pause his movements. He narrowed his eyes, “Copy to death?”
“It means… imitation.” Jiang Fei swallowed nervously and cautiously explained, “I can imitate a well-bred lady, guaranteed to be dignified and proper…”
Then she abruptly shifted her demeanor, pretending to be the refined young lady she played in front of Yao Shi, “Young master pressing me here like this is rather… improper.”
Before she could even see his reaction to her imitation, Jiang Fei herself broke out in goosebumps.
This didn’t resemble a chaste and virtuous lady – it was more like a courtesan playing hard to get.
Pei Jing seemed amused, suddenly laughing aloud.
After a moment of contemplation, he said, “How about we play a game instead?”