Dawn broke, and the room was silent.
It felt as though yesterday had only just been New Year’s Eve, so why had she opened her eyes this morning to find it was already the Lantern Festival?
The more Pei Yunting thought about it, the more depressed she became. She lazed in bed for quite some time, unwilling to get up.
Ever since Wen Jingxu had returned to the capital to report on his mission, the Emperor had specially exempted him from official duties until his marriage. As a result, he had become increasingly bold, visiting the Zhen’an Marquis Manor almost every single day. He would linger within ten paces of Pei Yaosheng no matter how anyone tried to chase him away, clinging to her like a piece of sticky candy.
What made it worse was that he had every right to do so. The elders of the manor all turned a blind eye to his behavior, and if it grew late, they would even invite him to stay for dinner.
Naturally, this only made him even more fearless.
Pei Yunting knew full well that the man was full of schemes. Ordinarily, none of them showed on his face. Those who did not know him well might even think him a refined and elegant gentleman. But she had personally experienced just how terrifying Wen Jingxu could be, so she avoided him whenever possible. Fortunately, the daily morning and evening greetings had been suspended during this period, so she spent her days shut away in her room. One moment she would be reading, the next she would be practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard. After several days, her complexion became noticeably healthier, her fair skin glowing with a rosy hue.
What she had not expected, however, was that one day, Ling Xuan delivered a letter to Liuli Courtyard from Xu Wanyao.
Ever since the women from Vice Minister Li Rao’s residence had been rescued that night, Yan Huaijin and Zhou Sinian had naturally taken over handling all the aftermath, refusing to let her involve herself any further. Pei Yunting understood that this was simply their way of protecting her. Since most of the matter had already been resolved, letting them take charge would save her a great deal of trouble, so she gladly agreed.
Otherwise, with her status as an unmarried young lady, if Prince Yi’s faction were to discover her involvement, she would have no way of dealing with them. Worse still, it might drag her father into political struggles at court, leaving him restrained at every turn. That was the last thing she wanted.
After opening the letter, she was greeted by Xu Wanyao’s neat, elegant small-script handwriting. The letter explained that she had successfully reunited with her maternal grandparents’ family. After learning of her intentions, her grandmother hoped she would remain with them a little longer. After all, they had been separated for so many years, and there were endless things left unsaid after all the suffering she had endured.
They were now her only family in the world.
Unable to refuse, Pei Yunting immediately wrote back, telling Xu Wanyao not to worry. Her own plans had only just begun, so there was no need to rush. If she ever needed her help, she would send word in advance and call her back.
As for Zhou Sinian, according to custom, he naturally came to pay a New Year’s visit. Just as in previous years, both families gathered together and enjoyed a lively meal.
One thing worth mentioning was that Pei Yunting had finally remembered the matter she had been pondering for days. Seizing a moment when no one was paying attention, she pulled Zhou Sinian aside and whispered with him for quite some time, successfully recruiting her very first ally.
Because of this alone, she remained delighted for several days, as though victory were already within reach. Even her attitude toward Wen Jingxu became noticeably friendlier.
…
Another night passed, bringing with it another blanket of silvery snow.
When she pushed open the window the next morning, everything outside had been swallowed by a world of pure white.
Seated before the small table by the window, Pei Yunting carefully wrote her reply to Xu Wanyao on a sheet of letter paper. Outside, snowflakes danced in the howling wind from time to time, brushing against her cheeks and sending a faint shiver through her.
A red plum blossom that should have been proudly blooming in the corner of her courtyard now rested in someone’s palm instead. Before long, it was tucked gently into her hair.
Looking at the young man in indigo robes standing so close to her, Pei Yunting let out a helpless sigh.
“Your Highness the Third Prince, the New Year has already passed. You’re eighteen now. Can’t you follow proper etiquette? Enter the manor through the front gate like everyone else, then come to my room properly?”
When it came to her, Yan Huaijin had never followed the rules.
Before elders and tutors, he was the picture of propriety, never neglecting a single courtesy. Yet in front of her, he became an utter rogue.
Hearing this, Yan Huaijin curled his lips into a grin and raised an eyebrow.
“I’m just taking the convenient route. Besides, I’ve climbed in this way so many times before, and no one ever stopped me. I assumed everyone in the manor had silently approved. Don’t tell me Second Miss Pei is actually unhappy about it?”
“…”
Pei Yunting had no desire to continue arguing about the matter.
“Move over. You’re blocking my light.”
Instead of stepping aside, Yan Huaijin leaned even closer until he was practically pressed against her, bending down to see what she was writing.
Pei Yunting froze for a moment before subtly shifting an inch away.
Although Great Qi was not particularly strict about interactions between men and women, proper boundaries still had to be observed. Noble sons and daughters had been taught etiquette from childhood and thoroughly understood the principle that men and women should not have unnecessary physical contact.
Yet the very person who ought to uphold such rules—the Third Prince—always ignored them completely whenever he was with his childhood sweetheart.
Perhaps that was what made childhood friends different.
Because they had known each other since they were young, physical contact had long become second nature. It was nothing like strangers of the opposite sex, who would lose their composure from the slightest brush of hands.
Noticing her tiny movement, Yan Huaijin widened his eyes dramatically in disbelief. His attention instantly shifted away from the letter.
He turned to look at her.
“Pei Wanwan… what does this mean? You’re avoiding me? You were never like this before.”
The grievance written all over his face made him look genuinely pitiful, leaving even Pei Yunting momentarily stunned.
After a pause, she quickly explained,
“No… it’s because… because we haven’t seen each other these past few days, and I’ve been around other men more often lately. I just didn’t react in time. Besides, men and women shouldn’t be so close. What we used to do was already crossing the line. Now that I’m observing proper etiquette, why are you scolding me instead? There’s no such logic in the world.”
After listening to her lengthy explanation, Yan Huaijin immediately caught the point that mattered most.
“You mean Wen Jingxu? He’s only your future brother-in-law, yet he dares get that close to you? I’ll—”
I’ll kill him.
Before he could finish, Pei Yunting reacted with lightning speed and covered his mouth.
“No, no! I was only making an example! Is there really any need to get so worked up?”
Yan Huaijin blinked as he stared into her eyes.
Within three seconds, however, his gaze began drifting elsewhere.
It wasn’t intentional.
The two of them were simply standing far too close.
Her eyelashes were almost within reach, instantly dragging him back to that night on the rooftop when they had shared their kiss.
His eyes lowered.
Seeing her bright red lips, he remembered their soft warmth.
At last, Yan Huaijin could endure it no longer.
He hurriedly stepped back, pressing a hand against his chest as though something inside were about to burst free.
Every warning bell in his mind went off at once.
His instincts screamed at him to flee.
Looking at the utterly bewildered Pei Yunting, he spoke so quickly that the words nearly tumbled over each other.
“After the Lantern Festival, come with me to Gusu. Pack your luggage early. Tomorrow at noon, I’ll come pick you up.”
The moment he finished speaking, he turned and strode out without another glance.
The Third Prince truly came and went like the wind.
He left in a hurry, without carrying away even a single snowflake.
Only one person remained standing alone in the middle of the room.
She lowered her head and stared at her now-empty hand.
After a long while, she slowly curled her fingers.
…
When they heard that she would be accompanying Yan Huaijin to Gusu, Pei Changfeng did not openly object, but the look on his face made it obvious that he was far from pleased.
Pei Zhonghan was much more direct. He pulled Pei Yunting aside and lectured her for quite some time, warning her not to be deceived by the dazzling world outside, not to trust men too easily, and above all, never to let a man slow down the speed of her sword. Whatever happened, preserving her own life was the most important thing.
Though Pei Yunting was still completely baffled by his sudden lecture, she patiently agreed to every point, repeatedly promising that she would take good care of herself until both of her brothers were finally reassured.
Pei Yaosheng had recently been so preoccupied with Wen Jingxu that she barely had a moment to herself. After hearing about the trip, she opened her mouth to say something, but in the end only said,
“You know what you’re doing. Just come back early.”
Just then, Wen Jingxu happened to walk over. With a courteous nod and a gentle smile, he added,
“That’s for the best. By the time you return in a few months, you’ll arrive just in time for your sister’s wedding to me.”
Pei Yunting: …
Pei Yunting: Stay away from me.