Pei Qingmin stared at Leng Yue’er’s retreating figure, the low pressure around him almost solidifying into something tangible.
With a sharp crash, something shattered inside the quiet high pavilion. Minghai, who was guarding outside the door, jolted in alarm and practically crawled into the room. The sight of the mess on the floor and his master’s dark, stormy expression made his legs tremble.
“Your Highness, please calm yourself! Do not harm your health!” Minghai did not dare step forward to clean up, only bending low repeatedly as he pleaded in panic. He had served Pei Qingmin for many years and had never seen the usually gentle prince lose his temper like this.
Pei Qingmin closed his eyes. The coughing in his chest grew more urgent from the earlier outburst, and his pale lips faintly took on a bluish tint.
After a long moment, he finally suppressed the itch in his throat and the irritation in his heart. With a wave of his sleeve, his voice came out hoarse from illness and restrained anger. “It is nothing… return to the residence.”
Minghai hurried forward and carefully supported his arm, slowing his steps as he helped him descend the stairs.
Pei Qingmin lowered his gaze to the stone steps beneath his feet. A trace of self-mockery rose in his heart. As the Prince of Wei, he held only a title. Plagued by illness for years, he had neither real power nor authority, unable even to control a mere dark guard. How utterly pathetic he was living.
“Your Highness, there are footsteps behind us, moving toward us. It seems to be Fourth Miss Qu,” Minghai reported softly, his eyes alert as he glanced back.
Pei Qingmin paused and slowly turned around, just in time to see Qu Moying being supported by her maid Yudong, walking forward somewhat unsteadily and in a hurry.
He instinctively stepped forward half a pace, placing himself directly in front of her.
This was exactly the scene Leng Yue’er saw upon returning to her position. She slipped back silently, while the guards nearby all shot her quick glances. This dark guard came and went like a revolving lantern, living so freely, while they were all stuck in a tense, precarious situation, fearing the prince’s anger would fall on them instead.
Leng Yue’er’s peach blossom eyes were fixed intently on the two people before her, completely oblivious to the subtle glances around her.
Qu Moying was already dizzy and in a hurry to return to her carriage. Being blocked by Pei Qingmin, she staggered slightly and nearly fell.
She forced herself to steady her body and curtseyed. “Greetings, Your Highness Prince Wei.”
Looking at her frail appearance, Pei Qingmin felt no pity. Instead, a cold, speculative thought arose. With him being a powerless, sickly prince, why had she rushed toward him like this? Was she trying to covet the wealth of Prince Wei’s residence, or attach herself to his status?
With that thought, his tone grew colder. “What do you want from this prince?”
Qu Moying’s head was spinning so badly she did not hear clearly. She instinctively asked, “What did Your Highness say?”
Seeing her like this, Pei Qingmin only assumed she was pretending ignorance. His impatience deepened, and his expression darkened. “You cannot understand? Then why are you rushing after me like this?”
Qu Moying felt a tightness in her chest at his tone, and even her discomfort seemed to fade slightly.
She steadied herself and bit her lip. “Your Highness Prince Wei, this commoner’s body is unwell and harbors no other intention. I shall take my leave.”
With that, she tried to bypass him with Yudong’s support, hoping to return quickly to her carriage and rest.
But Pei Qingmin mistakenly thought she was trying to retreat after being exposed. He stepped forward again, firmly blocking her path, his tone carrying both sarcasm and finality.
“So all your earlier actions were to enter the Prince Wei residence, were they? Very well, this prince grants you that, you may enter the gates of the Prince Wei residence.”
The moment those words fell, the air around them seemed to freeze.
Yudong’s expression changed, just as she was about to speak in defense, when a sudden laugh broke from the shadows nearby.
Leng Yue’er could no longer hold it in and let out a soft chuckle.
The sound was crisp and unmistakably mocking, standing out sharply in the bustling street.
She quickly covered her mouth, pretending to restrain herself, and waved vaguely. “Continue, continue.”
Pei Qingmin snapped his head toward her, fury surging in his eyes. This dark guard was becoming more and more brazen, daring to openly laugh at him.
Qu Moying was also stunned. After a moment, she finally understood what Pei Qingmin meant. Her mood turned both irritated and helpless. She glanced at Leng Yue’er and felt the figure looked somewhat familiar, even realizing it was a woman. She tried to look more closely.
But she suppressed her curiosity and turned back to Pei Qingmin, curtseying again, her tone distant and impatient. “Your Highness Prince Wei, you are mistaken. I have never harbored such intentions. Please step aside, my body is unwell.”
Minghai also sensed something was wrong and hurried forward to smooth things over. “Your Highness, this is likely a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding! Fourth Miss Qu is unwell. Let us not delay her rest.”
As he spoke, he subtly tugged at Pei Qingmin’s sleeve, urging him not to continue this standoff and make the situation even more embarrassing.
Pei Qingmin’s coughing worsened again. He covered his mouth and coughed violently, his face growing even paler, his body swaying slightly.
Seeing this, Qu Moying, though displeased, did not wish to argue with a sickly man. She simply stood with Yudong, waiting quietly for him to move aside.
Yudong stood protectively in front of her mistress, warily watching Pei Qingmin, afraid he might say something even more absurd.
Leng Yue’er raised an eyebrow, murmuring inwardly, this sickly prince is quite good at playing pitiful. Is he trying to use this to defuse the awkwardness?
If he does not rein this in soon, this scene will only become more interesting. She will be watching closely.