After they returned to Liuli Courtyard, Yan Huaijin promptly sprawled back onto Pei Yunting’s couch. The icy aloofness he had shown moments ago had completely vanished. Had she not witnessed it herself, she would have thought she had imagined it.
In front of her, Yan Huaijin had always known exactly when to be serious and when to relax.
Watching him wince in pain and instinctively clutch his wound as he lay down, Pei Yunting said with mild disdain, “Trying to act tough again.”
Yan Huaijin gave a bitter smile and complained, “If it weren’t for the sake of backing you up, who would drag themselves over here while their injuries haven’t even healed? Pei Wanwan, you’ve truly mastered the art of crossing the river and tearing down the bridge afterward.”
“Who asked you to back me up? Besides, it wasn’t that serious to begin with…”
“Oh? Then who was it just now who looked as though she’d been rescued? Your eyes practically lit up the moment you saw me.” Yan Huaijin folded his hands behind his head and looked at her teasingly. “Knowing my injuries weren’t serious, yet you still stayed by my side so anxiously. You—”
“Yan Huaijin!” As if guessing what he was about to say, Pei Yunting’s cheeks instantly flushed a rosy red.
Though the young prince looked somewhat pale from his injuries, they did nothing to diminish his handsome features. The young lady, her face flushed with embarrassment, glared at him, but her upturned peach blossom eyes made the expression seem more like affectionate reproach than anger, making it impossible to look away.
Had a scholar witnessed this scene, he would surely have sighed with emotion—childhood sweethearts, growing up side by side, the brilliance of youth dazzling to behold.
The two continued bickering back and forth, and before they knew it, half an hour had passed.
Pei Yunting gazed at the dried bloodstains on his clothes, her brows knitting together.
“You said earlier in the front courtyard that you had something to tell me?”
Hearing that, the smile faded from Yan Huaijin’s face. A rare seriousness appeared in his expression.
“I almost forgot to ask. What exactly were you doing at Xiaoxiang Pavilion that day? Judging by how familiar you were with the place, it clearly wasn’t your first visit. Who taught you to go there? Do you know how dangerous it would have been if your identity had been exposed? Xiaoxiang—”
“Enough, enough!” His barrage of questions nearly made Pei Yunting’s head spin. “Can’t you ask one at a time?… Of course I know it’s dangerous. That’s exactly why I disguised myself as a man and deliberately didn’t bring any maids with me—to conceal my identity. As for what I was planning to do, I have my own reasons. It’s something worthwhile. If I succeed, you’ll naturally find out. If I fail—”
“I’ll do everything in my power to protect you.”
His words were firm and decisive. More importantly, he truly had the confidence to make such a promise.
Seated gracefully at the table, Pei Yunting rested her chin on one hand and smiled brightly at him.
“I won’t fail.”
Yan Huaijin fell silent.
His gaze drifted to the strip of plain cloth peeking out beneath her collar, and he seemed momentarily lost in thought.
“This reminds me of something that happened many years ago.”
Pei Yunting froze for a brief moment before realizing exactly which incident he meant.
It was a secret shared by only the two of them.
Mentioning it so casually brought both of them back to their childhood memories.
Pei Yunting’s eyes grew distant as she absentmindedly twirled the teacup in her hand.
“So much time has already passed.”
A moment later, she seemed to remember something amusing and suddenly covered her mouth as she laughed. The loose strands of hair draped over her shoulders trembled gently with her laughter.
“Back then, that stubborn little boy who got thoroughly scolded by me has now grown into the elegant Third Prince. Ah… time truly spares no one.”
Grinding his teeth, Yan Huaijin threatened, “Pei Wanwan, if you keep bringing that up to laugh at me, I’ll—”
Meeting his gaze, she slightly lifted her chin.
“And what exactly will you do?”
“…”
Yan Huaijin stared at her for a long while, yet in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to utter a single harsh word.
Finally, he admitted defeat.
“Mother was right. You’re always bullying me.”
“Your Highness the Third Prince,” she said with a smile, “how old are you now?”
“I—”
After all these years, when it came to exchanging witty remarks, Pei Yunting still held the upper hand.
Three days later came the Mid-Autumn Banquet.
Emperor Ren’an invited all the court officials to admire the full moon together, while the Empress hosted the noble ladies for moon viewing and poetry.
That day, Marquis Zhen’an, Pei Zhao’an, finally returned home early instead of spending the entire day at the military training grounds. He had intended to change clothes first, but upon hearing from the steward that his youngest daughter was accompanying his wife in her room, he changed direction and headed there instead.
Pei Zhao’an and Lin Shuyu had been married for decades and remained deeply devoted to one another.
He had fought on countless battlefields to defend the nation, while she had borne him four children and faithfully waited for his victorious return.
Yet in the end, years of worry had taken their toll. By the time they were finally able to enjoy a few peaceful years together, Lin Shuyu’s health had already deteriorated. She was no longer the lively young woman she had once been, and Pei Zhao’an had always carried deep guilt over that.
My body belongs to my country, my heart belongs to you. Yet between nation and family… I still failed you.
Lifting the curtain, he entered the room to find his youngest daughter resting her chin in her hands, listening attentively as her mother spoke from the bedside.
The little girl who had once chased after his horse in tears had long since grown into a graceful young lady.
Mother and daughter both smiled upon seeing him.
The imposing aura of a seasoned general gradually softened.
“Father’s home!” Pei Yunting beamed. “Mother and I were just talking about the Mid-Autumn banquets from previous years.”
Pei Zhao’an affectionately rubbed his daughter’s head before sitting beside the bed.
“Tonight we’ll attend the banquet together. Your mother and I should finally have a chance to spend some time together. It’s been quite a while since we’ve gone out as a family.”
Lin Shuyu shot him a playful glare.
“Our daughter is still here. Why are you saying things like that?”
Watching her parents exchange affectionate glances and smiles, Pei Yunting quietly excused herself, unwilling to disturb them.
As soon as she reached the entrance of Liuli Courtyard, a servant stepped forward and bowed.
It was one of the shadow guards Yan Huaijin had secretly stationed in the Pei residence.
“Second Miss, my master asked me to deliver a message.”
“What is it?”
“My master says that during tonight’s palace banquet, please do not accept anyone’s invitation… until he arrives.”
Pei Yunting looked thoroughly puzzled.
“Did he explain why?”
The guard shook his head.
“My master only told me to relay those exact words.”
Because of that single sentence, she spent the entire walk back to her room wondering what Yan Huaijin meant.
Could something unexpected happen during tonight’s banquet?
Was someone planning to harm her and use her to implicate the Marquis Zhen’an’s household?
Yet if matters were truly that serious, Yan Huaijin would never have merely sent a casual message.
He would have come personally and taken her away long before now.
Unable to make sense of it after much thought, Pei Yunting slowly let out a breath.
Since he hadn’t explained further, it meant the situation probably wasn’t as grave as she had imagined.
She would simply deal with it when the time came.
The Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet was held beneath the full moon.
Court officials gathered together amid songs, elegant dances, and the melodies of silk and bamboo instruments.
The ruler and his ministers drank and celebrated together, exchanging endless toasts.
The noble ladies’ banquet was equally lively. At gatherings like these, several of the capital’s most talented young ladies would inevitably be invited to compose poetry for everyone’s enjoyment.
In previous years, the young ladies from Pure Consort’s maternal family in Qinghe Commandery had always stolen the spotlight, with the top three places almost invariably belonging to them.
Surprisingly, none of them attended this year.
Pei Yunting knew there was no escaping it. She had already prepared a poem on the journey to the palace.
Among the noble daughters of Yanjing, she enjoyed a fair reputation.
She had often accompanied her elder sister, Pei Yaosheng, to poetry gatherings. Although she had been young, she possessed remarkable literary talent, spoke eloquently, and was both beautiful and accomplished. Coupled with her close relationship with Yan Huaijin, she naturally attracted considerable attention.
Stepping into the center of the grand hall, she gracefully curtsied as etiquette demanded and modestly prefaced her recitation with, “Please forgive my humble attempt.”
“Trees of flame and flowers of silver brighten this sleepless night;
Music fills the air beneath the perfectly rounded moon.
Such a joyous gathering surpasses all before it;
Even the Moon Palace itself grows drunk upon these jade-like festivities.”
Having finished, she calmly returned to her seat.
The various expressions among the noble ladies behind her seemed to have nothing to do with her.
The Empress praised loudly,
“Wanwan is gifted and outstanding. She has never once disappointed me.”
Since the Empress herself had spoken so highly, everyone naturally echoed her compliments before the conversation gradually shifted elsewhere.
Not far away, Princess Nanping merely snorted softly, her expression indifferent.
The young ladies of the Grand Tutor’s residence were all cousins of Pei Yunting and Pei Yaosheng, and they had been close since childhood.
That evening, their seats had been arranged together.
While the elder ladies reminisced happily, the younger girls chatted animatedly among themselves. Having all enjoyed a little wine, they became increasingly talkative.
Partway through the banquet, Pei Yunting began to feel slightly intoxicated and lost interest in the festivities.
Pei Yaosheng therefore had someone inform the Empress, who graciously permitted Pei Yunting to step outside for some fresh air.
The moment she left the hall, the crisp night breeze refreshed her.
She found a quiet corridor where no one was around and stood beneath the eaves, gazing into the distance.
She imagined how lively the streets of Yanjing must be tonight.
Several years ago, she herself had wandered those bustling streets during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
For miles, colorful lanterns had decorated the roads. Street performers breathed fire and performed dazzling tricks, leaving onlookers utterly spellbound.
Even now, the memories remained vivid.
Though the palace banquet was grand and magnificent, everything here had become all too familiar.
Rather than inspiring wonder, it only left her feeling bored.
If only I could stroll through Yanjing’s festive streets once more…
Pei Yunting let out a soft sigh.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Before she could turn around, a familiar voice reached her ears.
“Why are you hiding here taking a break again?”
Moments later, the speaker came to stand before her.
Dressed in spotless white, he looked refined and elegant as polished jade.
Upon seeing him, Pei Yunting smiled gently.
“Brother Aze.”