Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"Feng Qingling." Yu Qizhi's fingertips trembled as they brushed over the dossier. She silently repeated his name in her heart several times.

The person she thought of was now separated by the veil of life and death.

The name once spoken by her lips and seen by her eyes had now become cold, lifeless characters.

A dull pain welled up in her chest, and as she stood up, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.

Her vision blurred as she took a few steps forward, suddenly colliding with someone's chest.

"What's wrong?"

Pei Jing's displeased voice reached her ears.

"I'm fine," Yu Qizhi managed to steady herself upon seeing who it was. "I just suddenly felt... short of breath."

After speaking, she realized she still held the books Weichuan had picked out for her. She placed them on the desk, but the tightness in her chest remained.

"It might be from the sudden change in temperature," she murmured, her forehead resting against Pei Jing's chest.

Pei Jing turned her face towards him, noticing her flushed cheeks, pale lips, and the cold sweat on her temples—clear signs of discomfort.

He guessed it was due to the effort she put into fixing Pei Youning's toy horse earlier that day.

Yu Qizhi was not well-adapted to Chang'an's winter climate; every winter, she would develop minor ailments.

The study was heated to an oppressive warmth, and with a slight exertion of his long fingers, he easily loosened the collar of Yu Qizhi's thick coat.

Unexpectedly, beneath her coat, she wore another brocade blouse. After removing one layer, there was another, until finally, she was left in her light silk robe.

Pei Jing raised an eyebrow, teasing her, "So many layers."

Despite her thick clothing, when Pei Jing withdrew his hand, he felt her palm was still ice-cold.

"Your health is too poor," he stated matter-of-factly.

Yu Qizhi lowered her eyes and exhaled softly.

"Do you feel better now?" he asked.

She did not answer but instead stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his body, pressing her cheek against his, their skin separated only by a thin layer of silk.

The distance between them was so close that the faint scent of red plum blossoms from Yu Qizhi lingered around him, carrying the cool fragrance of snow.

The red plum blossoms outside the courtyard were in full bloom. Since the onset of winter in Chang'an, the snow had made their fragrance even stronger.

The subtle aroma of Yu Qizhi enveloped him.

Pei Jing did not move. He suddenly recalled the first winter after their marriage, when Yu Qizhi, holding a few branches of red plum blossoms, looked uneasy under the surprised gazes of Uncle Zhao and the other servants, apologizing, "Can't I take some branches from the plum tree?"

That plum tree had been planted by Pei Jing's mother when she married into the Marquis Mansion. Even after her passing, the servants continued to care for it tenderly, unwilling to damage it in any way.

Yu Qizhi, not entirely oblivious, understood the situation from Uncle Zhao's hesitant expression.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know," she apologized, lowering her gaze.

Looking at the now bare branches of the plum tree, Pei Jing felt unexpectedly relieved.

"It's just a tree; take what you need," he said then.

Since then, the fragrance of red plum blossoms often filled Yu Qizhi's bedroom.

"Hug me."

Yu Qizhi's soft words interrupted Pei Jing's thoughts.

She looked up at him, her almond-shaped eyes misty with tears, shimmering with a layer of light.

The moonlight gently fell on Yu Qizhi's face, and Pei Jing's expression darkened. He pulled her closer, lifted her, and placed her on the desk he usually used.

With Pei Jing's movements, the books Yu Qizhi had casually set down slid off the desk one by one.

As if remembering something, Yu Qizhi stopped him. "Wait, where's Youning?"

"She's gone back," Pei Jing's voice was slightly hoarse.

Yu Qizhi's back pressed against the smooth, cool rosewood desk, the chill creeping up her spine inch by inch.

She shifted slightly, and Pei Jing frowned. "What now?"

"A bit cold."

"You won't be cold soon."

Yu Qizhi tilted her slender neck, momentarily blinded by the cold gleam of the sword hanging in the study. She turned her gaze, squinting to see the reflection of herself and Pei Jing on the blade.

In the next moment, Pei Jing's fingers gripped her chin, turning her gaze back to him.

Meeting his deep, intense eyes, Yu Qizhi paused, then smiled at him.

...

Yu Qizhi could not remember when or how she returned to her bedroom. All she knew was that she had fallen into the dream that had haunted her for so long.

In the dream, it was snowing in Luo County. Feng Qingling held a paper umbrella, walking on the snow-covered stone path, leaving behind only a slim, upright silhouette.

He walked faster and faster.

Yu Qizhi hurried after them.

"Brother Ling, wait... wait for Ao Ying!"

Feng Qingling seemed to hear her plea and stopped, turning his head. Blood began to seep from his eyes, nose, and mouth.

Yu Qizhi wasn't scared; she wanted to take out a handkerchief to wipe it away but suddenly froze mid-action.

She realized she couldn't see Feng Qingling's face clearly anymore.

"Yu Qizhi."

A deep voice sounded in her ear: "Yu Qizhi."

A foreign force touched her shoulder, and the voice called her name once more.

The dream crumbled, and Yu Qizhi woke up, opening her eyes to see Pei Jing's slightly cold face before her.

She touched her face, only then realizing it was wet with tears.

"The sky is just beginning to lighten; dawn is near."

"I had a dream," Yu Qizhi explained softly. She looked at Pei Jing, speaking apologetically: "Did I talk in my sleep? Did I wake you?"

"No."

Pei Jing's tone was indifferent. He glanced outside, then got out of bed.

As he dressed, facing away from her, Yu Qizhi noticed that the shoulder area of the robe Pei Jing had taken off was darkened, as if dampened by something.

It seemed... like it was soaked by her tears.

"I'm sorry," Yu Qizhi apologized sincerely.

Pei Jing glanced at her.

After quickly putting on his official robes, he turned to look at her again, observing her tear-streaked face after waking from the dream.

He frowned slightly, took a deep breath, and said, "You've been..."

Yu Qizhi looked up at him, puzzled.

"Forget it," Pei Jing said, not finishing his sentence.

"Be good," he added.

Not long after Pei Jing left the residence, a physician came to check on Yu Qizhi.

It was still the same old ailments, so the physician prescribed some mild tonics. Fang'er obediently went to brew the medicine.

After drinking two doses, Yu Qizhi continued working on repairing the toy horse for Pei Jing's sister.

Repairing these small items wasn't difficult for her, and since she had promised Pei Youning, she would do it well.

...

That morning, on his way to North Yard, Pei Jing encountered an emissary from the Crown Prince, who delivered a message that the Crown Prince wished to meet him.

The Crown Prince was confined to the Eastern Palace and could not leave. As Pei Jing was tasked by the Emperor to investigate the case, meeting the Crown Prince was reasonable.

The Crown Prince and Pei Jing were maternal cousins, which naturally made the Crown Prince trust and feel close to Pei Jing.

"Cousin!"

The young Crown Prince, confined in the Eastern Palace for days, rose to greet Pei Jing, visibly excited.

"Your Highness, be careful what you say," Pei Jing cautioned.

In the imperial family, there were no cousins, only lords and ministers.

"Commander Pei," the Crown Prince corrected himself. "This time, it must have been Fourth Brother setting me up!"

Pei Jing spoke calmly: "The assassin captured earlier will be jointly interrogated by Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice. I will also participate in the proceedings."

Despite Pei Jing's unchanged expression, the Crown Prince felt relieved.

From childhood, this cousin had always been reliable, seemingly able to handle any situation.

Before they could exchange more than a few words, seeing Pei Jing about to leave, the Crown Prince hastily called out:

"Wait! I summoned you here for an important matter."

Understanding that Pei Jing couldn't stay long in the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince got straight to the point:

"Currently, no one can enter or leave the Eastern Palace, but my Crown Princess is due to give birth soon. If Father doesn't change his mind by then..."

Thinking of his pregnant wife, who was confined with him, the Crown Prince's emotions stirred: "I've dragged Jiaojiao into this. Childbirth is already dangerous, and if anything goes wrong because of me..."

Seeing Pei Jing unmoved, the Crown Prince's tone became urgent:

"Cousin, you're married now too, and you have a wife. You must understand. Please help me! At the very least, let the midwife in when the time comes!"

Pei Jing paused.

Looking at the flustered Crown Prince, Pei Jing subtly frowned.

"Don't worry. I understand," he said.

Finally calming the agitated Crown Prince, Pei Jing left the Eastern Palace, mounted his horse, and paused, his hand on the reins.

He asked Weichuan beside him:

"Her... Yu Qizhi's elder brother caused trouble at the gambling hall. Is he still being held there?"

Weichuan was taken aback, feeling confused.

In the past, Pei Jing had completely ignored the Yu family. Weichuan couldn't understand why, after meeting with the Crown Prince, Pei Jing suddenly cared about this seemingly unrelated matter.

But Weichuan still answered truthfully:

"He's still being held. Madam's elder brother happened to cause trouble at the Shen family's gambling hall and even boasted that he was the Crown Prince's elder-in-law, daring anyone to touch him. He was particularly arrogant at the time."

"Young Master Shen sent word, saying he knew you valued your reputation and planned to keep him locked up for a few more days to teach him a lesson, so he would stop causing trouble under your name in the future. By now, it's time to release him."

Hearing about the Yu family's actions, disdain flashed across Pei Jing's eyes.

"Go tell Shen Quezhi to let him out," he frowned, instructing Weichuan.

"Also, make sure someone teaches that eldest son of the Yu family how to speak properly."

Weichuan understood and agreed to each request.

"And one more thing," Pei Jing added, as if remembering something, "if any letters from the Yu family come to the mansion in the future, bring them to me first."

Yu Qizhi should sever ties with her messy relatives for the better.

Pei Jing slightly loosened his reins, expressionless in thought.

This time, he could help her first. This way, she wouldn't cry in her sleep anymore, right?

Yu Qizhi's nature was too gentle and timid; even a minor issue could make her cry in her dreams.

Whimpering and sniffling, she would come over and cling to his back, crying until he felt annoyed.