“What did you say?”
Pei Jing narrowed his eyes, thinking he must have misheard. This was the first time he had encountered such a bold and straightforward young woman.
“Marry me!”
Once she started, the rest came much easier.
Jiang Fei spoke rapidly, “I promise I won’t interfere with your freedom after marriage. You can take concubines if you want, as many as you like. You can visit brothels whenever you wish, men or women—whatever makes you happy. I absolutely won’t make a fuss.”
Pei Jing’s eyebrows twitched.
“Moreover, I have a generous dowry and I’m an excellent cook!” Jiang Fei grew more enthusiastic as she spoke. “If you find me annoying, we can sleep in separate rooms. If you prefer quiet, I promise not to speak more than five sentences a day—no, three sentences…”
He finally couldn’t help interrupting her, “Are you promoting yourself, or trying to scare me off to break off the engagement?”
Jiang Fei choked up. “I dare say no noble lady in the capital could possibly offer what I’m offering.”
This was absolutely competitive—in modern times, both straight and gay would want to marry her.
Pei Jing’s eyes darkened, as if pondering something. “What’s your name again? Jiang something?”
Jiang Fei pouted slightly. It seemed he really didn’t care, not even remembering her name.
“Jiang Rufei. Cui as in jadeite.”
After hearing this, Pei Jing let out a low chuckle and suddenly stood up, walking toward her.
Only when he stood did Jiang Fei understand why he had called her short earlier.
This man was ridiculously tall—at least 185 cm, maybe even taller. Jiang Fei only reached just past his shoulders.
Pei Jing looked down at her from his height. Jiang Fei instinctively stepped back, her back pressing against a tree trunk.
The man reached out and braced his hand beside her ear, leaning slightly forward. “Xiao Cui, these conditions actually sound pretty good.”
“Right?” Jiang Fei forced a dry laugh. “So you agree?”
Pei Jing’s gaze swept across her face, suddenly turning sharp. “Why are you so eager to marry into the Wei Family? Even going so far as to promise these conditions?”
Jiang Fei’s heart skipped a beat, silently cursing her bad luck.
She couldn’t very well say, “Because I want to ruin your sister, so that Pei Jing will kill my entire family,” could she?
“Well…” Jiang Fei’s eyes darted, pretending to be shy as she lowered her head. “Naturally, it’s because I’ve long admired the Third Young Master…”
“Heh.” Pei Jing sneered coldly, suddenly reaching out to pinch her chin. “You’re lying.”
Jiang Fei was forced to look up and meet his gaze. Those eyes were terrifyingly cold now, and whether it was her imagination or not, they even carried a hint of killing intent.
Cold sweat immediately broke out on Jiang Fei’s back.
This wasn’t modern society governed by rule of law. If one’s status was high enough and power great enough, they could kill without consequence—like that madman Pei Jing in the book.
“Let me guess,” Pei Jing’s thumb gently stroked her chin. “Are you… plotting something?”
Jiang Fei winced in pain from his grip, tears welling in her eyes.
Suddenly inspired, she forced out two tears. “I’m not plotting anything. I just want to leave the Jiang Family quickly.”
She sobbed, “Young Master might not know, but my personality isn’t likable. No one in my family likes me. Rather than enduring mistreatment at home, I’d rather marry over. Just give me a place to stay—I won’t interfere with your private matters.”
Pei Jing half-squinted as he examined her, as if considering how much truth there was in her words.
Jiang Fei seized the moment to wipe her tears again. “I truly have no way out. If you don’t believe me, just ask any servant from the Jiang residence—you’ll see if I’m telling the truth.”
The pressure on her chin eased as Pei Jing took a step back, retrieved a handkerchief to wipe his hands, and tossed it directly onto the ground.
Jiang Fei wanted to curse.
Damn it, if you’re so germaphobic, why pinch my chin? You think my face is oily? Well, I think your hands are sweaty!
A little crying could stir sympathy, but if it went on too long, even she would find it annoying, let alone anyone else.
Jiang Fei dried her tears and decided to tactfully retreat to advance. “I’ve said all I need to. If you don’t believe me, so be it. May I leave now?”
The person before her showed no reaction. Jiang Fei glanced at him once more, then turned and walked away on her own.
The banquet was just across the lake, but she wasn’t ready to return so soon. She intended to sneak a peek at that madman Pei Jing first—after all, she was fated to die by his hands in the future.
The opposite shore was crowded with people. Jiang Fei walked a short distance, found a narrow section of the lake, and hid behind a cluster of flowers, craning her neck to peer across.
The book described Pei Jing as a “jade-faced madman, hard to distinguish between good and evil.” When Jiang Fei read it, she had tried hard to imagine how madness could be concealed beneath a jade-like face, but since it was “jade-faced,” it surely meant he was exceptionally handsome.
Jiang Fei scanned the crowd one by one. There weren’t many truly good-looking ones.
This one’s too youthful, that one’s a bit too old, this one grins with all thirty-two teeth showing—like he’s about to devour someone, that one’s hair is already thinning, balding at such a young age…
Her shoulder seemed to be poked.
Jiang Fei was too engrossed in her analysis to pay attention, instinctively waving a hand behind her. “Hold on, I’m looking for that madman.”
“Madman?” the person behind her murmured, repeating the word.
Hearing the voice, Jiang Fei snapped back to reality.
She turned her head and was startled by what she saw. “What are you doing here?”
Pei Jing stood behind her, slightly bent, his gaze sweeping past her into the distance before leisurely returning to rest on her face.
The smile on his lips didn’t reach his eyes as he asked again, “Which madman are you looking for?”
Jiang Fei didn’t dare say the madman was Pei Jing. If word got back to him, her life would be in jeopardy.
She hurriedly explained, “You misheard. I said pifeng—I’m looking for a cloak.”
“Is that so?” Pei Jing straightened up, looking down at her disdainfully. “It’s already April, and you’re still looking for a cloak? Xiao Cui, it seems you’re quite sensitive to the cold?”
Under the blazing sun, Jiang Fei forced herself to nod. “A little bit, yes.”
Pei Jing chuckled and ordered, “The Second Miss Jiang is sensitive to the cold. Fetch my… this gentleman’s cloak.”
“No need to be so thoughtful,” Jiang Fei replied with a forced laugh.
The servant was quick. In moments, a man with a sword at his waist presented a cloak.
Pei Jing took it, unfolded it, and draped it over Jiang Fei’s shoulders, even tightening the collar for her.
“From now on, we’ll be family. It’s only natural for me to be considerate.”
Jiang Fei’s eyes lit up. “Does that mean you’ve agreed to honor the marriage arrangement?”
Pei Jing raised an eyebrow. “When did I ever say I wouldn’t marry you?”
“…” Jiang Fei was speechless. After a moment’s thought, she asked, “Are you sure you want to marry me?”
“Why not?”
Jiang Fei’s eyes darted slyly. She grabbed his arm and pointed across the lake. “In that case, since we’ll be family from now on, could you point out to me—who is Prince Zhaoning Pei Jing?”
Pei Jing lowered his gaze to look at her, pondering her earlier words for a moment before suddenly chuckling, his shoulders trembling slightly.
“What are you laughing at?” Jiang Fei asked irritably.
Pei Jing: “So the ‘madman’ you’re looking for is Pei Jing?”
Jiang Fei was startled. His comprehension skills were impressively sharp—truly worthy of being her future husband.
She immediately raised a finger to her lips, shushing him. “You mustn’t let others hear that, or it could bring fatal trouble.”
Pei Jing’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he curled his lips into a meaningful smile. “So you do fear death after all.”
Jiang Fei gave an awkward laugh, thinking to herself: I am afraid, but I still have to work hard to court death later.
Pei Jing raised his hand, his slender fingers pointing toward the pavilion across the shore. “Do you see that person in the cyan jade-colored brocade robe, drinking tea over there?”