That night, just as Pei Yunting had taken off her outer robe and was about to retire for the evening, Yi’er stumbled into the room in a panic.
She looked at her in confusion.
“What happened?”
Panting heavily, Yi’er’s face flushed red from running.
“Lord… Lord Zhou, along with Zhanzhao and Zhanyuan, are carrying the Third Prince here!”
“Zhou Siyan and Yan Huaijin?”
Pei Yunting’s heart tightened.
“Does anyone else in the residence know?”
Yi’er shook her head.
“Lord Zhou specifically ordered that no one be informed. They should be here any moment…”
“Yunting! Come help us!”
It was Zhou Siyan’s voice.
Without another thought, Pei Yunting rushed outside before Yi’er could even remind her to put on an outer robe.
Although she had mentally prepared herself, the moment she saw Yan Huaijin being supported by the others, her eyelids twitched violently.
His usually immaculate hair crown was disheveled.
Blood stained his face.
The fabric around his waist had been soaked a deep crimson, blooming across his robe like a scarlet lotus embroidered upon the cloth.
This man truly never learned.
She had only warned him at Qiongyu Pavilion around noon to be more careful.
Only a few hours later, he had already added another injury.
“Where did you all go?”
She ushered everyone into the room.
Yan Huaijin was carefully laid onto the couch.
His eyes remained tightly shut, his brows faintly knitted together.
“How did he end up so badly injured?”
Zhou Siyan accepted the tea Yin’er poured for him and drained it in one gulp.
Only after catching his breath did he slowly recount the night’s events.
After escorting Pei Yunting home, Yan Huaijin had gone straight to the Court of Judicial Review.
Earlier, Zhou Siyan had sent word that the three prisoners being held there had suddenly died.
Not a single one survived.
Their corpses were left in horrifying condition.
While investigating the case previously, Yan Huaijin had asked Emperor Ren’an to temporarily assign Zhou Siyan a squad of Imperial Guards to make the investigation more convenient.
Those guards had clashed with the assassins sent to silence the prisoners.
There had been three assassins.
One of them bore a pair of crossed scars on the back of his hand.
The moment Zhou Siyan heard that description, he immediately remembered the personal bodyguard of Assistant Minister of Justice Li Rao.
That man had an identical scar.
Normally it was carefully concealed.
Even Zhou Siyan had only discovered it by chance.
Had he not already known about that scar, tonight’s events might very well have become another unsolved mystery.
After all, no one would naturally think to connect the deaths of those prisoners with the Assistant Minister of Justice.
Shocked by the discovery, Zhou Siyan immediately sought out Yan Huaijin to discuss the matter.
Incidentally, this was precisely the matter Zhanzhao had come to report earlier at Qiongyu Pavilion.
After hearing everything, Pei Yunting fell silent in thought.
Li Rao, the Assistant Minister of Justice, was neither a good man nor particularly talented.
He had climbed from the insignificant rank of an eighth-rank official to his current position solely through the recommendation of Prince Yi—the father of Princess Nanping.
Yan Huaijin had thoroughly investigated his background.
Li Rao was greedy, lustful, and exceptionally skilled at flattering those above him.
Originally, he had only served as Acting Assistant Minister of Justice.
Only after receiving Prince Yi’s praise, along with the strong recommendation of the Minister of Justice, did he officially obtain the position.
After rising to power, he only became more arrogant and reckless.
Yet almost no officials dared impeach him.
The reason was simple.
He belonged to Prince Yi’s faction.
And standing behind Prince Yi was Yan Huaize—the Emperor’s eldest son.
Although the Great Qi Empire had not yet formally appointed a Crown Prince, the First Prince, as the eldest son, naturally enjoyed considerable support.
The Second Prince had long been plagued by illness, rarely leaving his residence, while his mother held little influence in the palace, effectively eliminating him from contention.
As for the Third Prince, Yan Huaijin, he was undeniably an exceptional talent.
Given enough time, he would surely become an outstanding ruler.
Unfortunately, he was two years younger than the First Prince.
In the eyes of many ministers, that disadvantage alone left him unable to surpass Yan Huaize.
At this point, the case became far more troublesome.
Yet it also confirmed Pei Yunting’s earlier suspicion at Qiongyu Pavilion.
Someone within the imperial clan was deeply involved.
And the person implicated happened to be Yan Huaize…
“You don’t need to worry.”
Seeing her grave expression, Zhou Siyan comforted her gently.
“Huaijin will uncover the truth.”
“And even if he can’t…”
“I’m still here.”
Pei Yunting called for a basin of hot water.
After wringing out a towel, she gently wiped the blood from Yan Huaijin’s face.
“You still haven’t told me.”
“How did he sustain these injuries?”
Zhou Siyan coughed awkwardly into his fist.
“Well…”
“Today we followed the trail to Li Rao’s residence.”
“We ended up fighting them.”
“He… protected me.”
“So… he was accidentally injured…”
The farther he spoke, the quieter his voice became.
At the same time, he cautiously observed Pei Yunting’s expression, genuinely worried she might rush over and avenge Yan Huaijin on the spot.
Just then, the man lying on the couch slowly regained consciousness.
His voice was hoarse as he murmured something unintelligible.
Zhou Siyan immediately felt as though he had been granted a pardon.
Pei Yunting quickly moved to Yan Huaijin’s side.
“Wait a moment.”
“I’ll treat your wounds.”
In truth, this was hardly the first time she had tended to him.
Having studied medicine since childhood, she had often treated Yan Huaijin’s injuries, as well as those of her brothers.
However, over the past two years, Yan Huaijin had stopped seeking her help whenever he was hurt.
As for why…
He never said.
And Pei Yunting never asked.
Now, seeing him lying pale-faced on her couch, barely conscious while softly calling her name—
“Wanwan…”
—her heart inevitably softened.
Patiently, she treated each of his wounds.
She allowed him to cling to her sleeve throughout the process.
She paid no mind to the blood staining her bedding.
Whenever he groaned in pain, she gently comforted him in a quiet voice…
Almost as though she were soothing a child.
Zhanyuan and Zhanzhao exchanged silent glances.
“…”
His Highness really knows how to act.
Watching the scene unfold, Zhou Siyan couldn’t help but smile.
His heart also felt strangely warm.
Since his mission had been accomplished, he wisely decided it was time to leave.
Before departing, he deliberately slowed his pace beside Zhanyuan and Zhanzhao.
“I’ve done all I can for your master.”
After patting each of them on the shoulder, he strode away, quietly claiming all the credit while pretending otherwise.
…
Fearing that Yan Huaijin could not be left unattended, Pei Yunting found an excuse to skip paying her morning respects the next day.
Fortunately, none of the elders objected.
They merely instructed her to rest well.
In truth, they probably already knew Yan Huaijin was recovering within the Marquis’s residence.
They simply chose to turn a blind eye.
Besides, Her Majesty the Empress was helping conceal the matter from within the palace.
There was little to worry about.
However, by late morning, Liuli Courtyard received two unwelcome visitors.
Pei Yunting was feeding Yan Huaijin his medicine when Yin’er entered with an unusually dark expression.
“Miss.”
“What happened?”
“It’s the Second Branch.”
“Third Miss Pei and Fourth Miss Pei insist on seeing you.”
“I already told them you’re unwell and not receiving visitors.”
“But they refuse to leave!”
Yin’er huffed indignantly.
“When have they ever been this attentive before?”
“They’ve obviously heard the rumors…”
She left the rest unsaid.
Everyone knew exactly why they had come.
It was because of the man lying on the bed.
This certainly wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.
After a brief moment of thought, Pei Yunting handed the medicine bowl to Yi’er.
“I’ll go deal with them.”
“You all stay here and watch over him.”
Liuli Courtyard was one of the finest courtyards in the residence.
Facing south, it was filled with flowers and plants.
Every winter, the red plum blossoms blooming here far surpassed those anywhere else within the Marquis’s estate.
Pei Xuan and Pei Hui had visited before.
Yet they had rarely had the opportunity to truly admire the courtyard.
The longer they looked, the more resentful they became.
They were all daughters of the Pei family.
Why was the Second Branch inferior to the First Branch in every way?
Why had Pei Yunting’s father inherited the Marquisate and become a great general…
…while their own father remained merely a Fourth-Rank Military Commandant?
The distinction between legitimate and collateral bloodlines…
It truly left one gasping beneath its weight.
Pei Xuan silently sipped her tea, suppressing the bitterness rising inside her.
The graceful figure of Pei Yunting approaching from the distance only made her resentment deepen.
Even so…
She could never openly reveal such dissatisfaction.
Together with Pei Hui, she stood and greeted Pei Yunting.
Neither of them bowed.
Pei Yunting couldn’t be bothered to pursue the matter.
She merely nodded, indicating they should sit.
“No one visits without a reason.”
“What brings my two younger sisters here today?”
“I was reading in the courtyard just now and had reached the most interesting part.”
“I’m rather eager to get back.”
Upon hearing that, Pei Hui instinctively glanced toward Pei Xuan before forcing an awkward smile.
“It’s… it’s been quite a while since we’ve had a proper sisterly conversation.”
“Perhaps we could chat privately inside your room…”
Seated in the place of honor, Pei Yunting looked at the two women whose true intentions were plainly written across their faces.
Throughout the entire exchange, a faint smile remained on her lips.
Someone certainly possesses remarkable charm.
He could even entice sisters who never got along with me to suddenly wish for a ‘heart-to-heart conversation.’
He could also make a princess eagerly watch him practice swordsmanship and invite herself to dine with him.
She let out a faint, meaningful chuckle.
Just as she was about to interrupt Pei Hui, a tall figure appeared outside.
His expression was cold and imposing.
Zhanzhao and Zhanyuan instinctively stopped outside the courtyard.
Yan Huaijin walked in with one hand behind his back.
Without sparing even a glance toward the young ladies who shyly bowed to him, he spoke directly.
“Wanwan.”
“Why haven’t you come back yet?”
“I’ve been waiting for quite a while.”
Hearing him call her Wanwan in such an intimate tone, Pei Yunting nearly broke out in goosebumps.
Seeing the half-serious, half-playful expression on his face—and the slight lift of his eyebrow—she immediately realized he had come to support her.
She was both amused and exasperated.
The expressions on Pei Xuan and Pei Hui’s faces, meanwhile, were absolutely priceless.
One looked as though she had swallowed vinegar mixed with soy sauce, her complexion alternating between red and green.
The other maintained a blank expression, yet the hand holding her teacup trembled uncontrollably.
Pei Yunting almost laughed aloud.
They couldn’t even maintain proper composure.
Why had they come here just to embarrass themselves?
Moments later, Yan Huaijin was already standing beside her.
Seeing her momentarily distracted, he braced one hand against the chair’s back and the other against its armrest, effectively enclosing her within his embrace.
Lowering his head, he whispered into her ear.
The intimate scene left the two women below flushed with embarrassment and burning with jealousy.
Yet all Yan Huaijin actually said was,
“When I woke up, you weren’t there.”
“I heard someone was giving you trouble, so I came immediately.”
“I think they’re angry enough already.”
“When are you coming back with me?”
“I have something to discuss.”
Pei Yunting leaned back half a foot, staring deeply into his eyes.
Judging by her expression…
She clearly intended to settle accounts with him later.
Yan Huaijin wasn’t the least bit intimidated.
He casually finished the remaining tea in her cup.
Without offering a single polite farewell, he simply took her hand and led her away.
As for what Pei Xuan and Pei Hui might say after witnessing today’s events…
He couldn’t have cared less.
Most likely, before the rumors even had a chance to spread, the elders of the Pei family would order everyone to keep silent.
Everyone knew they were childhood sweethearts with an exceptionally close relationship.
The people of the Marquis of Zhen’an’s residence understood better than anyone how much Yan Huaijin indulged and favored Pei Yunting.
Naturally, they would never allow certain rumors to reach his ears and create unnecessary trouble.
However…
Yan Huaijin glanced back.
His eyes settled on their clasped hands.
Only Pei Yunting seemed completely accustomed to it.
It appeared that, from beginning to end…
She had never harbored the slightest romantic thoughts toward him.