A gentle smile bloomed across Pei Yunting’s face.
She was still debating when she ought to forgive him.
Meanwhile, Yan Huaijin felt uncomfortable all over.
Last night had been the second time he had dreamed a dream he never should have.
The moment he realized he had been unwilling to wake from it, he had nearly cursed aloud.
Damn it… why are all my spring dreams about her?
Judging by Pei Yunting’s current demeanor, she had completely forgotten the kiss they had shared on the rooftop the previous night.
Otherwise, she would already have cornered him and demanded an explanation.
For a moment, Yan Huaijin did not know whether he should feel relieved or disappointed.
He rubbed his face, unusually vexed.
Just a single glance at her made the tips of his ears burn crimson, an unnatural flush spreading across his cheeks.
Pei Yunting, meanwhile, was busy planning something else in her mind and failed to notice anything unusual about him.
She casually asked,
“You’re not busy today? Why did you come so early?”
“…”
Of all the questions she could ask…
Fortunately, the Third Prince had long perfected the art of pretending nothing was wrong.
Without changing expression, he replied,
“I had a dream about you last night, so I wanted to come see you.”
Pei Yunting did not dwell on it, assuming he was merely trying to smooth things over after returning late.
“I’m going out later. If you’re free, would you like to come with me?”
Before Yan Huaijin could answer, she hurriedly added,
“I’m still not forgiving you. I haven’t even opened your gift yet. Don’t think you can fool me with this. I’m still very angry.”
Knowing full well how stubborn she was, Yan Huaijin did not expose her bluff.
“Then I’ll have to trouble Second Miss Pei to broaden my horizons.”
When their carriage stopped outside the Court of Judicial Review, Yan Huaijin’s eyelid twitched.
During the months he had been away from the capital, Pei Yunting had spent no shortage of time with Zhou Sinian.
And if ordinary people couldn’t tell how he felt about Pei Yunting…
There was no way Zhou Sinian wouldn’t know.
The two of them were already familiar faces at the Court of Judicial Review.
Before Zhan Zhao could even announce their arrival, someone had already gone inside to report them.
Although it was only early winter, this year was much colder than usual.
Out of consideration for his officials, Emperor Ren’an had permitted them to change into warmer, more comfortable clothing after court before returning to work.
Thus, Zhou Sinian appeared today wearing a snow-white brocade cloak.
The moment Pei Yunting saw him, her eyes lit up.
“Oh? Which family’s young master is this? Truly, a gentleman as pure as jade, unmatched beneath the heavens.”
Zhou Sinian looked at Pei Yunting, then discreetly glanced at Yan Huaijin.
Deciding to salvage his friendship with the prince, he suggested,
“Why don’t we head to Qiongyu Pavilion for a meal? I haven’t even had breakfast today. I’m starving.”
Pei Yunting nodded in agreement.
After ordering their dishes, Zhou Sinian naturally took over making the tea.
Among the three of them, Pei Yunting adored tea the most.
It was because of her that Yan Huaijin had also developed the same refined tastes.
She loved collecting every variety of tea and enjoyed brewing it herself.
After becoming friends with the two of them, even Zhou Sinian had gradually come to appreciate the art of tea.
He first recounted everything they had discovered at Li Rao’s residence.
Then he explained the plan he and Pei Yunting had devised.
Finally, he said,
“Our informant reports that Prince Yi and his group have already reached the border of Youzhou. It’s time to make our move. The longer we delay, the greater the risk.”
Pei Yunting quietly sipped her tea.
Only then did it occur to her that Zhou Sinian was, in many ways, Yan Huaijin’s greatest strategist.
“That should work,” Yan Huaijin said. “But there are still variables. Li Rao undoubtedly left people behind at the residence.”
He turned toward her.
“Pei Wanwan, you’re not going.”
He continued firmly,
“I wasn’t here before. Now that I’ve returned, there’s no reason for you to keep risking yourself.”
Pei Yunting shot him a glare.
“I’m going anyway. I was there the last few times. I’m the one who insisted those women should be saved. Why can’t I go now?”
Her expression practically screamed:
I’m still angry at you. Don’t think you get to order me around.
“Pei Wanwan.”
Yan Huaijin narrowed his eyes.
“Try arguing with me again.”
She folded her arms.
“Who’s afraid of whom?”
Zhou Sinian: …
Zhou Sinian: Could you two stop fighting? You give me a headache every single day.
Late that night, a fire suddenly broke out at the Assistant Minister’s residence.
Pei Yunting had already arranged for people to be stationed nearby.
The moment the flames were still manageable, they began loudly warning everyone.
Aside from the secluded courtyard, none of the other courtyards suffered casualties.
The servants scattered in every direction, and chaos quickly engulfed the estate.
The remaining shadow guards and martial experts were busy escorting Li Rao’s family members to safety and had no time to worry about the secluded courtyard.
Seizing the perfect opportunity, everyone swiftly rescued the women imprisoned there.
Outside, flames lit the night sky.
Dressed in pale blue robes, graceful and elegant, Pei Yunting helped the shaken Xu Wanyao to her feet.
She nodded toward the elderly nurse standing behind her before addressing all the women.
“We have come under the authority of the Court of Judicial Review to investigate the Assistant Minister’s residence.
“Tonight is your chance to begin anew.
“If you wish to return home to your families, do so.
“If you wish to remain in Yanjing and make a living here, that is equally fine.
“There will always be a path forward.
“But if you insist on staying in this place that devours people without leaving even their bones behind…
“If you intend to wait for Li Rao’s return and continue living as before…
“I will not stop you.
“But let me warn you.
“When the Assistant Minister’s household is emptied and every member of the family is executed…
“Do not regret your choice.
“My words end here.
“The road ahead is long.
“Take care of yourselves.”
After hearing her crisp, decisive speech, the women stood frozen.
It took them some time to accept that they had truly escaped.
Then one woman was the first to kneel deeply before Pei Yunting.
“Thank you, benefactors!
“I will never forget your kindness!
“For saving my life, I will repay you a hundredfold.
“If there is ever anything you require of me, whether it be climbing mountains of blades or crossing seas of fire, I shall not hesitate!”
Several others followed, tears streaming down their faces.
“We would do the same!”
Yan Huaijin ordered the Imperial Guards to escort them all to the Court of Judicial Review for registration.
Each woman received travel money.
Those wishing to return home were provided with carriages.
Those who had no surviving relatives but wished to remain in Yanjing were given silver to help them begin new lives.
Great Qi placed no restrictions upon women’s occupations.
As long as one was willing to work, making a living was never impossible.
Once everything had been arranged, Yan Huaijin turned toward Pei Yunting.
Xu Wanyao had once again knelt before her.
Behind her, the elderly nurse who had begged for help that night also knelt.
With tears filling her eyes, Xu Wanyao said solemnly,
“Thank you, Miss, for upholding justice.
“If not for you…
“I would already be lying in the mass graves.”
She lowered herself to kowtow.
Pei Yunting immediately stopped her and helped her back to her feet.
Smiling gently, she said,
“It was merely a small act of justice.
“We are all ordinary people.
“You needn’t perform such a grand gesture.
“After collecting your silver from the Court of Judicial Review, return home with your nurse.
“Your grandparents’ family surely never imagined you were still alive.
“When you return…
“Forget everything that happened here.
“Treat it as nothing more than a nightmare.
“The days ahead will be open roads.”
Instead, Xu Wanyao held Pei Yunting’s hand and shook her head softly.
“How could I ever forget…”
“I’ve already walked through the gates of death.
“I’m not afraid of what others think.
“But I’m afraid my reputation will bring shame upon the daughters of my grandparents’ family.
“Even if we reunite, I have no intention of staying there forever.
“My innocence has already been ruined.
“I no longer have any desire to marry.”
She looked earnestly at Pei Yunting.
“You’ve shown me such kindness.
“If you don’t despise me…
“When I return to Yanjing someday…
“May I become your maid?”
Standing nearby with folded arms, Yan Huaijin raised an eyebrow.
Since childhood, Pei Yunting had disliked having too many servants around.
She found them troublesome.
Thus, she only kept three maids.
Yiner and Yier were her personal first-rank attendants.
Yaner was a second-rank maid.
She had once had a wet nurse, but after the woman passed away from illness several years earlier, no new servants had been added to the courtyard.
Yan Huaijin had even tried placing a martial arts guard beside her.
She had refused.
In the end, he could only assign shadow guards to secretly protect her.
Though he sympathized with Xu Wanyao…
He was fairly certain Pei Yunting would not take her in as a maid.
As expected, she declined.
“Don’t rush your decision.
“Go home first and reunite with your family.
“If you still haven’t changed your mind afterward, come find me at the Marquis of Zhen’an’s residence.
“I have another position that may suit you better.
“Would that be acceptable?”
Xu Wanyao nodded enthusiastically.
“Of course!”
The bright moon hung high overhead, spilling silver light across the earth.
Seeing that the fire at the Assistant Minister’s residence had nearly been extinguished and that everything here was drawing to a close, Yan Huaijin lazily yawned before draping the cloak he had been carrying over Pei Yunting’s shoulders.
“Pei Wanwan.”
“It’s time to go home.”
Hearing his voice, Xu Wanyao looked over.
Beneath the moonlight stood a young man whose temples looked as though carved by a blade, whose brows resembled ink paintings.
To call him a celestial from the River Luo would not have been an exaggeration.
Earlier, many of the young women had secretly stolen glances in his direction.
Yet throughout the evening, the Third Prince never spared another woman even a single look.
Either he gazed absently at the stars overhead…
Or his eyes remained fixed upon Pei Yunting.
After witnessing that, no matter what feelings the women harbored, none dared entertain any hopes.
What no one knew was that beneath the cool, brilliant moonlight…
The tips of Pei Yunting’s ears had quietly turned red.
Just as they had after the lingering kiss they had shared the night before.
Just as unsettled as her heart.