Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Divorce, Separation.

A trace of long-forgotten irritation rose in Pei Jing's heart.

"These words lose their meaning when repeated too much." His eyes gradually turned cold, and his voice became icy.

Where could Yu Qizhi go without him? Pei Jing scoffed inwardly.

Back to her family, who were always ready to send her to another man's bed to pave the way for her father?

Or perhaps she would fend for herself outside?

Though Yu Qizhi was not a person of extravagance or arrogance, she was accustomed to being served by maids.

Could she endure such hardship?

"Even tantrums have their limits."

Pei Jing looked at her and said, "I've told you, I will compensate you."

"Crown Prince, I've already made everything clear," Yu Qizhi felt exhausted, both mentally and physically. "I'm not throwing a tantrum. I'm really tired and want to sleep."

As she spoke, Yu Qizhi turned her back to him again, facing the inner side of the bed, not looking at him once more.

Pei Jing paused, pursing his lips tightly as he gazed at Yu Qizhi's slender and frail silhouette.

The warm yellow candlelight cast a soft glow on her shoulders and hair.

However, with her back to him, her figure exuded coldness and avoidance.

Pei Jing waited for a while, but Yu Qizhi remained silent, whether truly asleep or stubbornly ignoring him.

His long, well-defined fingers clenched silently on the brocade quilt, and his patience finally ran out under her coldness.

"Yu Qizhi, think carefully about what I said."

With that cold remark, he got up and left.

Yu Qizhi heard the door open and close, then soon fell into a deep sleep.

...

Yu Qizhi had merely caught a chill by the lake that day. After resting for a few days, her fever subsided, and she recovered.

However, she did not wait long for Pei Jing to either agree to a separation or to divorce her.

The servants in the Crown Prince's residence continued to treat her as usual.

Yu Qizhi thought that the day she spoke with Pei Jing, they had made everything very clear.

This day, the Jin brothers came to visit the residence.

The date for the Emperor's audience with the two young generals of the Jin family was approaching, set for the upcoming New Year's Palace Banquet.

The Emperor's decision was final: one of the two young generals of the Jin family, Jin Yue or Jin Heng, would have to remain in the capital.

In front of Pei Jing, the Jin family no longer needed to avoid suspicion.

Jin Heng, who hadn't seen Pei Jing in years, immediately challenged him to a sword duel upon meeting.

"Second Brother's movements have become even more refined."

After sheathing his sword and adjusting his breathing, Jin Heng smiled at Pei Jing.

Pei Jing had been apprenticed to their eldest brother, Jin Cheng, since he was young, and he interacted with Jin Heng and Jin Yue like brothers. Since Pei Jing was a year older than Jin Yue, Jin Heng also addressed him as Second Brother.

Pei Jing remained unperturbed, not even breaking a sweat: "You've improved too."

Pleased by the compliment, Jin Heng laughed heartily and pulled Pei Jing into the study to talk.

Jin Yue was still waiting in the study. While Pei Jing caught up with the Jin brothers, he kept his words tight-lipped, revealing nothing about the Emperor's intentions.

Unable to get any information from Pei Jing, Jin Heng understood and didn't mind.

However, a hint of gloom gradually crept into Jin Yue's expression.

Jin Yue had never gotten along well with Pei Jing, and now, with many changes in the world, people's hearts were even more unpredictable.

Feeling displeased, Jin Yue deliberately looked for trouble.

His gaze happened to fall on Pei Jing's slightly rolled-up sleeve from the earlier duel with Jin Heng.

On Pei Jing's wrist was an elegant tooth mark that had not yet fully healed, evoking various speculations.

Jin Yue furrowed his brows, quickly associating it with the recent rumors about Pei Jing's new wife and Jiang Luoyi.

Since he couldn't get anything out of Pei Jing, Jin Yue brought up a new topic.

"The Commander's new wife..."

Jin Yue's expression was full of hidden meaning, clearly harboring ill intent as he asked:

"Just how beautiful is our sister-in-law that you're keeping her so secret? Let us brothers see her too?"

Pei Jing glanced at him, his expression unchanged.

Yu Qizhi...

He tapped his knuckles lightly at his side, involuntarily recalling the tantrum Yu Qizhi had thrown at him a few days ago.

In recent days, he had deliberately kept his distance from Yu Qizhi. He felt he had made enough concessions, and her aggressive behavior was truly unreasonable.

Yet, when Jin Yue mentioned Yu Qizhi just now, images of her smiles and frowns involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Pei Jing sneered inwardly.

He would wait until she came to her senses.

...

On the other side, Yu Qizhi walked through the corridor and arrived at the door of Pei Jing's study.

She originally intended to discuss the separation with Pei Jing alone but saw an unfamiliar servant boy holding a teapot outside the door.

Realizing that Pei Jing must have guests in his study, she decided to wait until they were done.

Just as she turned to leave, the servant boy called out to her.

"Miss, could you do me a favor? Could you please take this tea into Crown Prince Pei's study for my young general?"

Before Yu Qizhi could react, the teapot was thrust into her hands.

Jin Heng had just finished practicing swordsmanship with Pei Jing and shouted that he was thirsty. As a military officer accustomed to the border regions, Jin Heng casually asked his attendant to fetch some water, but the servant hesitated, afraid to enter the study.

Pei Jing did not like having too many people around his study, so the courtyard was usually empty.

Upon seeing Yu Qizhi, the servant assumed she was one of Crown Prince Pei's attendants. Growing up on the border, he was unfamiliar with the palace etiquette and felt it inappropriate to enter the study himself.

There was only one woman in the Crown Prince's courtyard, and since she could enter freely, she should be able to bring the tea in.

The servant boy gratefully urged Yu Qizhi forward, but she quickly realized what was happening and tried to return the teapot, saying, "I'm not—"

But then she heard voices from inside the study—

"Our sister-in-law must be quite the beauty for Commander Pei to keep her hidden so well. Let us see her."

Yu Qizhi frowned slightly outside the door.

The stranger's words seemed to refer to her.

The study fell silent for a moment before Pei Jing's low, cold voice responded:

"Just a trifle, not worth mentioning."

His tone was indifferent, as if discussing something utterly mundane.

Yu Qizhi's fingers unconsciously tightened.

Then another young voice interjected, steering the conversation away, and more words were exchanged.

"Who's outside?"

Yu Qizhi handed the teapot back to the servant and was about to leave when the study door suddenly opened in front of her.

Standing before her was an unfamiliar young man, who must have been the third person speaking earlier.

"Elder... Elder Sister-in-law?!"

Jin Heng stared at Yu Qizhi, momentarily stunned, clearly mistaking her for Jiang Luoyi at first glance.

Seeing her, Pei Jing seemed briefly uncomfortable.

He took two steps toward her and noticed her slightly reddened fingertips.

"What happened to your hand?" Pei Jing asked softly.

Yu Qizhi withdrew her hand, her expression calm:

"My hand is fine. I apologize for the interruption, Crown Prince. Please continue."

With that, Yu Qizhi turned and left.

Pei Jing remained silent, his face darkening.

The atmosphere became awkward. Jin Yue, the instigator, glanced playfully at Yu Qizhi's departing figure and the others present. He had intended to test Pei Jing, but the outcome surprised him.

Jin Heng also realized that the woman outside was Pei Jing's new wife.

"Hey, Second Brother, saying things like that will hurt her feelings."

Jin Heng didn't think there was anything wrong with Yu Qizhi coming to the study to find her husband.

Being straightforward by nature, he hesitated for a moment before saying, "There are rumors outside that you intend to divorce her and marry... Jiang Luoyi. Is that true?"

Jin Heng initially didn't believe it. After all, everyone in their family knew why Pei Jing had proposed to Jiang Luoyi.

Jiang Luoyi had no feelings for Jin Cheng; she sought imperial favor and family honor. Jin Cheng, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with the Jiang family.

Jin Heng had always believed that Pei Jing's proposal to Jiang Luoyi was a temporary measure to delay the Emperor's intention to arrange a marriage for Jin Cheng. But seeing Yu Qizhi, who resembled Jiang Luoyi, he began to doubt.

"If that's the case, we, as her family, would agree..."

The study fell silent for a moment.

"Who said that?" Pei Jing asked expressionlessly.

"Huh?" Jin Heng was taken aback, unable to gauge Pei Jing's thoughts. He replied, "Well... quite a few people are saying it."

Pei Jing didn't respond.

Even Jin Heng had heard about it. As for Yu Qizhi, she must have heard even more of the gossip and rumors circulating outside.

So... Yu Qizhi must be feeling very distressed and uneasy.

Pei Jing silently thought to himself that was why, despite her usually compliant and gentle nature, she had acted out towards him like that.

His fingertips involuntarily twitched slightly. Unnoticed by Pei Jing himself, a part of his heart suddenly softened and relented.