Chарtеr 20: Ноw Will You Thank Ме
You arе the outsidеr!
Тhеsе wоrds drаined thе соlоr from Prinсess Chang Le’s fасe. Еvеn thоugh shе knеw Pеi Zhао disliked her, bеing рubliclу humiliated in front оf so mаny peоplе madе hеr wish she cоuld vanish into the grоund.
“Реi Zhаo, yоu’ll rеgrеt this!”
Shе stampеd her fоot, cоvered hеr facе with a handkerсhiеf, аnd hurried оut, with Хiutao quicklу follоwing. Тhe mistress аnd servant sоon disаррeаred from thе northern раrt оf the city.
The crowd of оnlоokers had beеn wаtching the spесtacle, and many had even spoken ill of Xi Ning. Now, seeing Pei Zhao’s protective stance, they grew fearful.
This is bad! Who would have thought Third Master Pei would dote on his mistress like this, not even sparing a glance for Princess Chang Le.
They had spoken ill of Xi Ning—would he hold a grudge?
Trembling, they tried to shrink into the crowd, afraid of catching Pei Zhao’s eye.
Xi Ning’s face was buried in Pei Zhao’s chest. His arm felt like a branding iron—hot and unyielding—and she couldn’t break free.
“Th… Third Master.”
She called out to him softly, her hand resting on his chest. Though she tried to push him away, to Pei Zhao, it felt like being scratched by a kitten, sending a tingling sensation through his body.
“Behave.”
He patted her lower back, an intimate gesture that made Xi Ning blush crimson. She didn’t dare move again.
How… how could he pat her there!
And now that Princess Chang Le had left, why wasn’t he letting her go?
Xi Ning’s mind was in turmoil, feeling that something was off about the whole situation.
Pei Zhao had arrived so promptly and had even defended her. Was it truly because she was his mistress? But they had already agreed that once Pei Zhao’s affairs were settled, their relationship would end automatically.
By making such a public display now, was he afraid their ties could be severed?
Nanny Su and Rendong watched Pei Zhao’s protective demeanor with beaming smiles.
She had always said that their young lady was so wonderful—Third Master was bound to take a liking to her.
And sure enough, he was already showing his care.
With so many eyes around, Pei Zhao had no desire to become the subject of gossip. He carried Xi Ning into the carriage.
Besides Chang Lin, the coachman, there was also an unremarkable-looking guard—the one Pei Zhao had sent to secretly protect Xi Ning. It was thanks to his report that Pei Zhao had arrived so quickly.
“If I hadn’t come, would you have just let her bully you?”
Once inside the carriage, Xi Ning freed herself from Pei Zhao’s embrace and sat on the cushioned stool opposite him.
The sudden absence of her soft body left Pei Zhao feeling strangely empty.
Despite his usual indifference to women, he found himself easily stirred by Xi Ning.
He looked at the woman sitting across from him, her head bowed, and questioned her sternly.
“Third Master knows my status is lowly. If Princess Chang Le wanted to crush me, she could do so with a flick of her finger.”
Xi Ning twisted the corner of her clothes, her voice soft and fragile, though inwardly she felt otherwise.
Even without Pei Zhao, she wouldn’t have sat back and taken the abuse—she would have fought back.
But this wasn’t her past life, where justice prevailed. Here, status was everything.
The original owner of this body was merely a lowly mistress, even less than a servant. Facing Princess Chang Le, she could easily lose her life.
This whole situation had arisen because of Pei Zhao, and she had seen his attitude. If she didn’t play the victim and appeal to his sympathy now, when would she?
The handkerchief in her hand was nearly torn to shreds. Seeing her so vulnerable, Pei Zhao’s frown deepened.
If she was this easy to bully, how could he feel at ease leaving her outside?”You are my person. No one in this capital can bully you. If anyone dares to cause trouble again in the future, just fight back. I’ll handle the consequences for you!”
If Third Master Pei couldn’t even protect a woman, there would be no point staying in the capital.
Xi Ning felt reassured by this promise.
With Pei Zhao’s words, those who wanted to bully her in the future would have to think twice.
“Thank you, Third Master. Without you, I truly wouldn’t know what to do.”
Xi Ning looked up, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips.
Though it was a grateful smile, to Pei Zhao, it seemed filled with grievance.
His heart tightened. Unconsciously, he averted his gaze from hers, his fingers curling at his sides. When he spoke again, his tone softened.
“Since I’ve taken you in, I will naturally protect you. No one can lay a finger on you.”
Pei Zhao was cold by nature, yet he was responsible, dependable, and of excellent character. If not for the disparity in their statuses, Xi Ning might have been moved.
It was a pity. She was merely an external mistress, destined never to have a future with the man before her.
But could he protect her for a moment? Could he protect her for a lifetime?
Now it was Princess Changle; in the future, there would be other women.
Pei Zhao was peerlessly handsome, and every noblewoman in the capital admired him. She had already become a thorn in their eyes. Troubles like today’s would surely arise again in the future. Would Pei Zhao appear every time?
Moreover, what Xi Ning didn’t say was that Pei Zhao was already over twenty-three. At this age in the Zhou Dynasty, he could have been a father. The Duke’s household was already arranging a marriage for him. Her own status was lowly and humble. Once his official wife entered the household, her situation would only become more awkward.
Xi Ning lowered her eyelids, her thoughts hidden beneath them.
She needed to earn money quickly and plan an escape route for herself. She had to obtain her deed of sale before Pei Zhao married, so she could disappear into the vast world, never to see him again.
The two remained silent throughout the journey. When the carriage stopped on Wutong Street, Xi Ning snapped out of her thoughts.
She looked up to find Pei Zhao staring at her.
The man’s eyes were deep, holding emotions she couldn’t decipher. In the cramped carriage, it made her entire body tense.
“Th… Third Master, we’ve arrived at the outer courtyard.”
Her voice trembled as she spoke. Everything had been fine just moments ago, so why had Pei Zhao suddenly become like this?
Xi Ning didn’t know that her earlier pensive expression had been mistaken by the man for fear. Princess Changle was notoriously willful and domineering. How could a delicate and fragile woman like Xi Ning be a match for her?
Pei Zhao had wrestled with his thoughts the entire journey, even entertaining the idea of bringing her into the household.
He had bought Xi Ning merely as a cover, never truly seeing her as his concubine.
Yet, after these few encounters, he had gradually grown fond of this woman.
Pei Zhao didn’t want to admit he liked her. She was just a woman—hardly worth his attention.
Moreover, the men of the Pei family had no tradition of taking concubines. If he brought her into the household, Xi Ning’s situation would likely become even more difficult.
Having reasoned this through, Pei Zhao lowered his eyelids slightly and replied softly.
“Hmm.”
Xi Ning couldn’t discern his thoughts. Gathering her skirt, she rose to leave. Before stepping out of the carriage, she turned to thank Pei Zhao once more.
Just as she was about to lift the carriage curtain, the man’s voice sounded from behind her.
“How will you thank me?”
“Third Master?”
Xi Ning’s body stiffened. What did Pei Zhao mean by this?
She didn’t understand.
The faint light outside filtered in, casting a dim glow that illuminated the woman’s startled face—delicate as a peony yet radiant as a peony, tempting one to pluck it.Pei Zhao clenched his fingertips, barely restraining the impulse to pull her into his embrace.
The lingering fragrance on his lapel constantly reminded him that this woman had just fallen into his arms.
She was his.
Pei Zhao was no inexperienced youth; he clearly understood his own desires.
He had set his sights on Xi Ning.