As a result, she wasn’t able to get up, but she wasn’t willing to let herself fall onto him either, so she could only remain stuck in this position
“This prince only called you to get onto the horse carriage, but even my clothes weren’t spared when you pushed me down.” Pei Qianhao’s eyes were jocular, and the corners of his lips were involuntarily raised.
Su Xi-er’s body hadn’t completely recovered, and supporting herself with both hands required strength that she didn’t have. She could still hold out to an extent, but her arms would eventually give out.
“Prince Hao, this servant is still sick. If you get sick because you were too close to this servant, I will become a sinner.” Su Xi-er tried to make her voice was flat as possible. She knew that she wouldn’t be able to hold on for much longer. If he still didn’t let go of her, the result was obvious ー falling down on him once again.
“Stripping off this prince’s clothes isn’t considered a sin?” Pei Qianhao’s gaze shifted to his chest before turning to observe Su Xi-er’s expression.
Su Xi-er’s eyes widened as she looked towards his chest. She hadn’t realised that she had accidentally pulled his clothes apart when he had broken her fall.
Was it because I used too much strength? Or was it because he intentionally loosened his clothes before I got onto the carriage.
If Pei Qianhao were to know Su Xi-er’s thoughts, his face would probably have darkened upon finding out that he had become such an entity in her eyes. Something like that would only be done by someone foolish.
Su Xi-er wanted to respond when her arms gave out, sending her falling headfirst onto Pei Qianhao.
Their bodies were pressed against one another, while her head was even laying on the spot where his clothes had come loose.
Which is tantamount to intimate…contact with the skin[*].
An uncomfortable feeling engulfed her mind once again. A profound look appeared in Su Xi-er’s eyes as she pursed her lips and attempted to get up again.
The hand hooked at her waist suddenly exerted strength and flipped her over. Suddenly, she was the one who was pressed under him, her hand landing on his bare chest.
She could feel his steady and powerful heartbeat against her palm, the heat like a scalding iron on her hand.
Subconsciously, she began to shift her hand away, but it was then tightly secured by Pei Qianhao’s.
A deep and low voice accompanied by a strong oppressive feeling could be heard. “This prince wants to see to what extent you loathe men. Do you detest Beimin’s men, or Nanzhao’s? Or maybe all men…?”
He was interrupted by Su Xi-er. Her eyes looked straight at him, an earnest and solemn emotion overflowing from her gaze. “Prince Hao, if you take liberties with this servant again, I will immediately get down from the horse carriage.”
Pei Qianhao’s pitch-black eyes sized her up carefully, and found that her face was full of seriousness. He couldn’t help but think of what Wu Ling said that morning.
“This woman is pitiful. Not only did she suffer from the nefarious schemes of men at such a young age, the man in question is even from the Pei Family.”
Having had this kind of experience, it’s no wonder that she has such a deep-seated hate of men. It wouldn’t be surprising if she holds onto this trauma for the rest of her life. Forget it, I shouldn’t make things difficult for her this time.
Pei Qianhao released her and leaned against the horse carriage’s wall with his eyes closed. “You were the one who pulled this prince’s clothes apart; take responsibility and help this prince put them back on properly.”
Su Xi-er looked at him. His eyes were shut, and he was breathing lightly.
Slowly inching towards him, she raised her hands before abruptly retracting them upon contacting his clothes, afraid that he would suddenly open his eyes and grab onto her hands.
Once everything was settled, Su Xi-er swiftly retreated as far from Pei Qianhao that the carriage would allow. She kept staring at him, preparing to alight the horse carriage immediately if he made any movement.
Pei Qianhao chuckled. “Is this prince a savage beast? Do you have to go so far?” Su Xi-er, this person has broadened my horizons. There has never been a woman who would evade me to this extent.
“Prince Hao, to this servant, you are a savage beast.” Su Xi-er simply followed along with his words. She abhorred men leaning so close to her. It caused her to think of…
Su Xi-er lowered her head, her eyes slightly closed as her heart was seized with pain.
This appearance happened to fall into Pei Qianhao’s eyes. “Memories of the past can be both pleasant and abominable. You would do well to forget the latter if you plan to keep on living.”
Su Xi-er was taken aback. Why did he talk to me about the past?
Pei Qianhao opened his eyes, his dark pupils looking straight at her. “This prince isn’t a savage beast, but even crueller than that. Since all those who have elicited this prince’s displeasure have been meted out with capital punishment, it’s impossible for me to remember any of those abominable memories.”
Capital punishment…
Su Xi-er’s expression was a little empty before she laughed. “Prince Hao, why are you telling this servant this? Having stayed in the imperial palace for a long time, those beside me are either palace maids or eunuchs. Now that this servant has been transferred here by you, I will serve you properly. Carrying and serving tea, washing and mending clothes, please don’t hesitate to instruct me, Prince Hao.”
Pei Qianhao glanced at her before he shut his eyes and leaned against the carriage wall. I have already indirectly told her how she can resolve her issues. It won’t be necessary to say other superfluous words.
Su Xi-er turned her head around and watched the scenery outside through the horse carriage’s curtains. The surrounding trees fell back unceasingly, and the faster they travelled, the closer they got to Nanzhao.
At this moment, her mind was filled with the words ‘meted out with capital punishment.’ I won’t be satisfied even with that. Even capital punishment won’t be sufficient to make up for the pain a certain someone has inflicted on me! Yun Ruofeng should also bear my pain!
The horse carriage passed county after county as they continued onwards. They rested in inns or on the outskirts of a town, no longer stopping at any county government office. As a result, their progress was much faster.
A few days later, the horse carriage had already reached the border between Beimin and Nanzhao.
Once they left this small county, they would arrive at Nanzhao. Su Xi-er laughed bitterly to herself. She ‘left’ Nanzhao in such resolute manner, but returned with this kind of identity.
With this appearance, this body, and this kind of identity, no one will recognise me.
“Your Highness, we will be in Nanzhao once we pass this county. Do you want to stop over in the county?”
Pei Qianhao glanced at Su Xi-er before commanding, “We’ll rest a little and enter Nanzhao tomorrow. At the same time, send a letter via a messenger pigeon to Nanzhao’s Prince Yun that this prince will arrive tomorrow.”
Wu Ling respectfully replied with an affirmative. Soon, the horse carriage entered the county, and stopped at an inn for a short rest.
Su Xi-er’s mind was filled with the words ‘Prince Yun’. Prince Yun… He didn’t directly ascend the throne and is also no longer the Nation Protector General, but instead the Prince Regent, existing in the name of assisting the little emperor.
Lianchen is much older than Situ Lin, and no longer needs to instate a Prince Regent. Yet, Yun Ruofeng still didn’t directly ascend to the throne; just what are his intentions…?
“What are you thinking about? Even your soul has flown off.” A man’s probing voice sounded.
Su Xi-er returned to her senses and replied respectfully, “This servant was thinking about what Nanzhao would be like.”
“They have just suppressed the pandemonium caused by war not long ago. They don’t have as many civilians as Beimin, and their overall strength is weaker as well.”
The few words that he spoke had objectively pointed out the fact that Nanzhao couldn’t be compared to Beimin.
“Among the four nations, Nanzhao is ranked second. However, this prince has doubts as to whether that will remain true. As for the reason, it is simply because Nanzhao now lacks a certain person.” When Pei Qianhao explained, admiration appeared on his countenance.
‘Lacks a certain person…’ Who is this certain person he’s referring to?
(* This term is also used to refer to bedroom activities.)
