Chapter 136: Conflict

Chapter 136: Conflict

After leaving the Yaohua Palace, the Princess Consort's face gradually darkened.

Not even when she returned to her residence did her expression improve.

"Mother, how was your attempt at probing him?"

The Princess Consort seemed lost in thought. It was only when she heard Xie Peiyu's voice that her emotions gradually settled.

"I'm beginning to find him hard to read now."

"Oh, really?"

"All these years, he has taken good care of us, you and me, his son and daughter. He has always remembered his past promises and never allowed me to suffer any injustice."

Xie Peiyu's face was somber. "But it's very possible that Father died at his hands."

"Yes, indeed!" The Princess Consort let out a long sigh. "I can hardly believe that your father was his victim."

"You don't believe me? Mother would rather trust Gao Fei than Father's own handwriting?"

The Princess Consort slowly shifted her gaze, "I didn't say that. I just don't understand why he would do such a thing."

"What else is there not to understand? Naturally, it's to ascend the throne. That edict..."

"Yu'er, the authenticity of that edict is still uncertain." The Princess Consort interrupted Xie Peiyu before he could finish.

Xie Peiyu stood frozen, his voice slowing down, an expression of disbelief on his face, "Mother, Mother? You believe Gao Fei over Father?"

"Not really…" The thought of her former husband made the Princess Consort feel sorrowful, mist forming in her beautiful eyes.

"How could I not trust your father? But I truly never heard your Imperial Grandfather mention passing the throne to you. When he was young, he was injured by assassins and could no longer have children. He was destined to have only me as his daughter. Back then, he began looking for a child from the royal clan to raise.

He had me grow up alongside them, allowing me to choose the one with whom I had the closest relationship to adopt as my own. All these arrangements were for the future of Great Qi and my own future.

He planned this for over a decade, and I witnessed it all with my own eyes. He never once considered having my child succeed the throne. What I can't understand is when he suddenly changed his mind. He changed his mind, told your father, but not me. Doesn't that seem odd to you?"

Xie Peiyu nodded. "Yes, it is odd. But you also mentioned that the letter inside the ball Zheng Jinxiu brought back was written in Father's own handwriting."

"Yes, but your father is gone, and so is the general by his side. Now, no one knows the truth behind their deaths."

The Princess Consort slowly rose and stood by the door, gazing at the clear blue sky.

"For years, the people have lived in peace and prosperity, a tranquility earned through generations of the Gao family's ancestors. I would not alter this state unless it were absolutely necessary. I cannot be so selfish as to put the people in the midst of warfare for my own sake."

Xie Peiyu stepped closer to her. "Even knowing that Gao Fei was responsible for your father's death, you won't avenge him?"

Tears slid down the Princess Consort's beautiful eyes, pattering onto the ground.

"Avenge? How could I not want to avenge him?"

Xie Peiyu gave a bitter laugh. "Mother, I understand."

With that, he turned and left without looking back.

"Yu'er..." The Princess Consort called out anxiously.

Xie Peiyu, who had already walked several yards away, paused but didn't turn around. Instead, he slightly tilted his head. "Mother, what if he wants my life?"

"He... won't..."

"How can he not? If you don't uproot the grass when you cut it down, it will sprout again in the spring breeze."

The Princess Consort stood rooted to the spot.

This time, Xie Peiyu didn't linger.

...

After her elder brother's departure, Xie Peiyu could no longer frequently visit the Zheng residence. A couple of visits a month would be considered normal, but that wasn't enough for him. Hence, he often scaled the wall at night.

On this particular day, Zheng Jinyu was already accustomed to his visits. After he climbed through the window, she calmly closed the doors and windows.

Only after she finished did he speak up.

"I'll take you out to see the stars."

Zheng Jinyu, who had just turned around after closing the window, replied, "...”

"Do you want to go?"

"Not interested?"

"Not interested?" Xie Peiyu looked puzzled. "Why not?"

"Why what?"

Xie Peiyu replied confidently, "Don't young ladies usually enjoy these things? Stargazing, admiring the moon, visiting lantern fairs, setting off fireworks..."

"Hold on, who taught you that?"

Xie Peiyu smiled gently. "I specially asked my sister for advice on how to make you happy."

A princess?

It would be a lie to say she wasn't touched. Damn it, why had her heart been so easily swayed lately?

He was just too skilled at this.

Even if he didn't know, he would strive to learn and humbly seek guidance.

Zheng Jinyu's heart pounded wildly, almost prompting her to agree.

But this was too outrageous. Going out to stargaze at such a late hour? The streets were under curfew, and there were numerous patrol soldiers around. Getting caught wouldn't be a laughing matter.

"Never mind, I'm afraid of being caught."

Xie Peiyu replied, "We won't go to the street. We'll stay within the mansion."

"That won't work either. There are servants patrolling outside, and maidservants and old ladies in the inner courtyard. They all have sharp eyes."

"I said I'd show you the stars, so I won't let anyone catch you."

Could... this really work?

"You don't trust me?"

Her heart fluttered with temptation.

"Very well, I'll give it a try. If you get me caught, we're finished."

Xie Peiyu suddenly smiled, drawing her close against his chest.

They secured the door with a latch, arranged the blanket to make it seem as though someone was still in bed, then leaped out through the window.

She was experiencing the sensation of flying without wires for the first time, and it nearly made her scream. Fortunately, she managed to hold it back.

They eventually landed on the roof of an abandoned courtyard within the Zheng estate – a place where Xie Peiyu and Zheng Hongyan often held their private discussions.

Zheng Jinyu cautiously sat down on the ridge of the roof, looking up at the sky.

Indeed, this was an ideal spot for stargazing. The ancient sky, free from pollution, was a dazzling sight, filled with glittering stars.

Yet Zheng Jinyu felt that he wouldn't bring her here to stargaze for no apparent reason.

After admiring the stars for a while, Zheng Jinyu turned her head to look at Xie Peiyu beside her.

He slightly tilted his head back, and under the shimmering starlight, the contours of his chiseled profile were bathed in a subtle glow.

He appeared both aloof and ethereal.

"Xie Peiyu, have you encountered something?" she asked softly, her voice like the gentle twinkle of stars around their ears.

Xie Peiyu's lips parted lightly, and his Adam's apple moved up and down.

"I... just don't know how to proceed," he said, his words seemingly disconnected.

"What do you not know how to proceed with?"

He turned to look at her, his deep voice gentle as a breeze across her face.

"I both wish to marry you as soon as possible and fear taking you into my home."

Zheng Jinyu wore a puzzled expression.

"I'm afraid of dragging you into a quagmire."

The more she listened, the more confused Zheng Jinyu became.

"I never considered such matters before, but now..."

He realized that he truly liked her now. Back when she was merely his betrothed chosen by their elders, he hadn't thought so much about it.

But now, he couldn't help but consider her well-being more often.

The more he liked her, the more conflicted he felt.

"What quagmire?"

Xie Peiyu let out a bitter smile. "I initially didn't intend to discuss this with you, but now, I want you to make the choice yourself. The Princess's residence, though it appears glorious, might actually be a quagmire that engulfs people until not even their bones are left behind."