One by one, the people around her were dragged away. Even Yunrou, who had been so arrogant just moments before, could not escape the pitiful fate of trembling as she was taken away.
In an instant, the palace path that had been bustling with noise and commotion was now left with only two people. Even Li Fuquan, who had been by Pei Jinyan’s side, followed the guards to relay the Crown Prince’s punishment.
Nianyao’s clothes were slightly disheveled from the struggle, and her smooth, dark hair had lost its peachwood hairpin during the scuffle. Her face was streaked with tears, her eyes filled with fear and anxiety. When she looked up at Pei Jinyan, the timidity in her gaze could not be concealed, no matter how hard she tried to hide it.
She swallowed, trying to ease the metallic taste in her mouth.
Kneeling down, she stared at the dark, gold-embroidered shoes of Pei Jinyan. “This servant… thanks Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Nianyao’s gratitude was heartfelt.
Even if she had managed to escape unscathed, she was still just a palace maid. With a single wave of his hand, the Crown Prince could have those who had bullied her dragged away and beaten.
Nianyao was no merciful Bodhisattva sitting on a pedestal. Seeing those who had wronged her pay the price brought her a sense of relief. Even as she looked up at Pei Jinyan’s sharp jawline, there was an unconscious admiration in her gaze.
But she never expected that jawline to draw closer. In the blink of an eye, when she looked up again, she met a pair of eyes so cold they seemed to be frosted over.
Instinctively, Nianyao tried to take a step back, but the man’s fingers gripped her chin.
The Crown Prince had spent years on the battlefield, and his fingertips were calloused. Held like this, forced to meet his gaze, Nianyao felt nothing but overwhelming panic.
His unique aura enveloped her, just as it had that day on the dilapidated bed. His invasive gaze swept over her beautiful eyes, moved to her delicate nose, and finally settled on her lips—once soft as flower petals, now marred with wounds.
His thumb shifted upward, landing on her lower lip, which she had bitten until it cracked.
“Does it hurt?”
The man’s hoarse voice sounded as if it had been ground over gravel.
Nianyao, trembling like a startled fawn, hurriedly knelt on the ground but dared not pull away from the hand that held her captive.
“Y-Yes, it hurts, Your Highness.”
The man’s grip tightened slightly, causing tears of pain to well up in the corners of Nianyao’s eyes.
But the next moment, Pei Jinyan withdrew his hand.
He stood tall and imposing, his features as refined as a painting, looking down at the delicate, vulnerable woman kneeling before him like a dodder plant.
“If it hurts, it serves you right.”
The string in Nianyao’s mind snapped with a “buzz.”
She flushed with shame, wishing she could wash away the humiliating thoughts that had just crossed her mind.
But in the next moment, Nianyao belatedly realized something.
They were still on the palace path. The Crown Prince’s actions just now had been highly improper. If anyone had seen…
The blush that had just colored her face drained away in an instant, leaving her pale and ashen.
Unconsciously, she shifted backward, trying to put distance between herself and Pei Jinyan.
However, the Crown Prince seemed to sense her intention. An oppressive aura suddenly radiated from him, making it difficult for Nianyao to breathe.
She could only kneel before him in silence, like a lamb awaiting slaughter, offering her most vulnerable neck in submission.
Pei Jinyan lowered his gaze, suppressing the violent thoughts in his heart.
He looked up, as if there were more he wanted to say, but his words were interrupted by a sudden sound from behind.
“Nephew?”
Pei Jinyan’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he turned around.
Prince Nan?
Without a change in expression, Pei Jinyan swept his sleeve, blocking most of Nianyao’s figure.
He tilted his head and spoke coldly, “Go.”
Nianyao was taken aback, carefully pondering the meaning behind Pei Jinyan’s two words before realizing he was letting her go.
Nianyao hurriedly stood up, “Th-thank you, Your Highness.”
Then, with her head bowed, she walked toward the palace path opposite where Prince Nan stood.
She walked extremely fast, as if fleeing from some ferocious beast.
Prince Nan narrowed his eyes slightly.
In that fleeting moment, he caught a glimpse of a slender, delicate figure. Having seen countless women, he knew with just one glance that this person likely possessed jade-like bones and fragrant skin—truly a peerless beauty.
A flicker of regret passed through Prince Nan’s eyes.
What a pity he hadn’t seen the beauty’s face.
His gaze fell on Pei Jinyan, carrying a meaning only men could understand.
“Everyone says the Crown Prince is as aloof as a snow lotus on a high mountain, yet it seems even you are tempted by beauty,” Prince Nan chuckled. “To die beneath the peony is to be a romantic ghost.”
He stepped forward, intending to pat Pei Jinyan’s shoulder. “My nephew, you certainly have quite the fortune with women.”
Pei Jinyan sidestepped to avoid the gesture. His eyes were as calm as still water, appearing unaffected by Prince Nan’s words.
Yet, those close attendants who served him would surely notice—
His Highness the Crown Prince was angry.
However, Prince Nan was, after all, an elder and held significant military power.
Even the current Emperor showed him some respect. Otherwise, based on what Prime Minister Jiang had uncovered back then, he wouldn’t have received such a light punishment as merely guarding the border for years.
Pei Jinyan cupped his hands in salute. “Does Imperial Uncle seek an audience with the Empress Dowager?”
He raised his eyes, meeting Prince Nan’s narrowed gaze. “This humble one seems to have heard that Imperial Uncle has already visited once.”
Prince Nan laughed heartily. “Truly worthy of being the Crown Prince of our Jin Kingdom.”
After speaking, he raised the item in his hand.
“I did pay respects to Mother earlier, but I hadn’t presented the gift,” he sighed. “So, I made a special trip back.”
Unlike his wolf-like appearance, his voice was not rough in the slightest; instead, it was as gentle and refined as a scholar from Jiangnan.
This was starkly different from his overall demeanor.
The last time Pei Jinyan had seen Prince Nan was when he was twelve years old.
Unwilling to engage further with Prince Nan, he spoke indifferently, “Then Imperial Uncle may proceed.”
Prince Nan raised an eyebrow, the scar running from his forehead to above his brow moving with the gesture. Once, a three-year-old child had cried incessantly upon seeing it.
Yet Pei Jinyan’s expression remained unchanged, his dark eyes meeting Prince Nan’s gaze.
Even Prince Nan, in his thirties and seasoned by years of warfare, couldn’t discern the emotions hidden within those eyes.
Prince Nan inwardly scoffed, then strode ahead toward Shouning Palace.
“Since my nephew sincerely yields the way, this uncle shall accept your courtesy.”
With bold, sweeping steps, he entered Shouning Palace, his every movement exuding boldness.
Pei Jinyan instinctively reached for the Jade Ring hanging at his waist but paused upon touching it.
A slight frown touched his brow as he, too, stepped forward to enter.
Though the Empress Dowager was surprised by Prince Nan’s return, the gift he presented was exceptional.
The coastal regions were rich in pearls, and what Prince Nan offered was an enormous luminous pearl.
An ordinary pearl would hardly have caught the Empress Dowager’s eye.
But this pearl was lustrous and perfectly round, glowing with a soft radiance. It was a rare pale pink hue, so large that even a palace maid needed both hands to hold it.
The Empress Dowager’s brows relaxed in pleasure. “Prince Nan is most thoughtful.”
Since Prince Nan had already visited earlier, he naturally didn’t linger long at Shouning Palace.
He did not stay long before taking his leave.
However, just after stepping out of Shouning Palace.
Prince Nan raised an eyebrow toward his trusted aide beside him and said with keen interest.
“Go and find out for me, who exactly is that palace maid that caught the little brat’s eye just now.”
The capital is dull; one must find something to pass the time.