Chapter 7

Chapter 7

She finally came back to her senses.

Sheng Zhaoning glanced at him with some confusion; she didn’t understand the purpose of Wei Yi summoning Chi Yu here.

But ultimately, she felt guilty toward him.

Sheng Zhaoning’s returning gaze unexpectedly met Chi Yu’s as he turned his head.

The emotions in his eyes were complex, and Sheng Zhaoning couldn’t discern them. She just sighed and said slowly, “I’m sorry, I’ve implicated General Chi.”

Chi Yu clenched his fingers hidden under his sleeve. “It was my own choice, Miss… Sheng, you needn’t blame yourself.”

Sheng Zhaoning looked at him quietly, many words stuck in her chest, but once they reached her lips, she couldn’t say them.

Chi Yu had liked her for many years; she knew.

But what could she give him? Nothing but using him, and then only deceit.

Whether in the past or now, Sheng Zhaoning was never worthy of him.

Wei Yi watched them coldly, their words caught in their throats, his face darkening, the air around him growing heavier.

He wasn’t unaware of Chi Yu’s feelings. After this incident, he had thought Chi Yu would see through Sheng Zhaoning’s hypocritical mask, but it turned out his infatuation with her remained unchanged.

Wei Yi’s fingers tapped the table twice out of habit. He glanced at Sheng Zhaoning and suddenly said, “Come here.”

She looked up, meeting Wei Yi’s dark, oppressive eyes, and her heart involuntarily tightened.

She could more or less guess what he was about to do.

Sheng Zhaoning lowered her gaze, obediently stood up, and walked over.

Just as she reached his side, Wei Yi suddenly reached out and pulled her over.

Her overly frail body couldn’t stand steady, and after being yanked by that forceful grip, she stumbled hard into a warm, broad embrace. The familiar scent filled her nostrils.

Sheng Zhaoning was held firmly in his arms, unable to move.

“Your hands are so cold.”

Her slender fingers landed in a pair of warm palms, curling up as they were enveloped. The stiff, cold knuckles gradually warmed. Sheng Zhaoning looked up and saw Wei Yi looking at her with a half-smile, a warning hidden in his eyes.

She glanced at Chi Yu from the corner of her eye and saw him stiffen, looking somewhat desolate.

Sheng Zhaoning sighed inwardly.

Softening her straight waist, Sheng Zhaoning lowered her head, obediently leaning on his shoulder. Her voice, muffled as she buried her face in his chest, sounded slightly suffocated.

“I’m a little cold.”

It was a drawn-out tone, delicate and tender, with a hint of fragility.

Wei Yi’s heart was stirred by that sound. He raised an eyebrow, and the hand pressing on her waist tightened a few degrees.

“If you’re cold, wear more. If you fall ill later, you’ll be delicate again.”

With that, he casually picked up the cloak beside him and wrapped it around her.

Wei Yi deliberately softened his voice, making it ambiguous and lingering. Such a tone exuded intimacy between the two, making it hard not to imagine more.

Chi Yu pressed his thin lips together, his clenched fists trembling with force.

Sheng Zhaoning rarely took the initiative to be this close. Although it was only an act, Wei Yi couldn’t help but curl the corners of his mouth, holding her affectionately for a while longer.

Half a moment later, as if suddenly realizing Chi Yu was still there, he raised his head to look at him and asked, “Don’t just stand there. Sit anywhere; there are no outsiders here.”

Chi Yu rose silently and casually chose a chair to sit down.

Wei Yi pondered for a moment before speaking: “I heard that a while ago, Old General Chi was looking for a match for you everywhere. Have you found anyone to your liking?”

As if he hadn’t expected him to suddenly bring up this topic, Chi Yu was taken aback, his gaze subconsciously turning to Sheng Zhaoning.

The latter still had her head buried in the neck of the person holding her, not even sparing a glance.

It was as if a hole had suddenly been torn in his heart; even the pain couldn’t match the overwhelming desolation spreading from inside out.

Chi Yu slowly lowered his eyes and said, “I have no intention of marrying.”

“You’re not young anymore, and it’s not good to keep dragging this out.”

Wei Yi’s gaze fixed on him, observing his expression. He leaned back slightly and continued, “Grand Tutor Zhang’s granddaughter is about the right age for you. That young lady has met you once and fell in love with you. Several times she begged Grand Tutor Zhang, crying, to come ask me for an imperial decree of marriage.”

“I’ve actually made inquiries. That young lady is beautiful, versed in the four arts, gentle in temperament, and suitable for marriage. What do you think?”

As soon as the words left their mouth, Chi Yu stood up, knelt on the ground with head bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, I have no romantic interest in Young Lady Zhang, nor any intention of marrying. I ask that Your Majesty decline the Grand Tutor’s kindness on my behalf, so as not to delay Miss Zhang’s marriage prospects.”

“Is it truly that you have no interest, or has your heart already settled on another?” Wei Yi asked with a smile, his expression so natural it seemed like just a casual question.

Chi Yu, his mind read, looked rather embarrassed.

He dared not look up. He clenched his fists, shut his eyes tightly, and faint veins bulged on his forehead. He took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind, and slowly raised his head…

“General Chi.”

Sheng Zhaoning suddenly spoke, cutting off the words that were about to slip from his mouth.

Chi Yu looked up, directly at her. In his dim, defeated eyes flickered a sliver of improbable hope.

“I have had the fortune of meeting Young Lady Zhang twice. She would be a good match for you, General. I hope you will give it serious consideration.” Her eyes stared straight at him, sealing shut all the words he had left unsaid.

The hope shattered in an instant.

Chi Yu looked up, the rims of his eyes reddening imperceptibly.

“Miss Sheng wants me to marry her?”

“I am merely stating facts, with no other intention.”

Sheng Zhaoning lifted her head from Wei Yi’s shoulder and looked at Chi Yu. “However, if the General and Miss Zhang could accomplish a happy union, I would naturally offer my sincere congratulations.”

Chi Yu gazed at her, trying to discern the emotions in her eyes, as if hoping to find even a hint of insincerity.

But the gaze she returned was resolute and composed-so open that not a shred of falsehood remained.

Chi Yu shifted his gaze away from Sheng Zhaoning, took a deep breath, and gave a bitter smile. “In that case, I will deliberate on the matter. Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty.”

A faint smile hung on Sheng Zhaoning’s lips as she leaned back against Wei Yi’s shoulder.

Wei Yi, having watched the drama to his satisfaction, relaxed his brows in pleasure.

“Good. Since you’ve said this, I will inform the Grand Tutor later. The subsequent matters will be up to you to decide.”

“Yes.”

Wei Yi had a verbal decree delivered, exempting Chi Yu from the remaining month of hard labor.

After all, he was a meritorious official who had followed him from his princely residence, and a brother who had grown up with him since childhood. It wouldn’t do to treat him too harshly, lest it chill the hearts of the old guard. So he also bestowed many gifts as comfort.

After Chi Yu left, Sheng Zhaoning struggled to rise from him, but was pushed back down. A large hand hovered dangerously around her waist.

“What’s this? The moment he leaves, you can’t keep up the act?”

Sheng Zhaoning couldn’t push him away and had no energy to argue with him, so she simply said nothing and stayed obediently in his arms.

Seeing her silent again, the little good mood Wei Yi had just regained vanished in an instant.

“Regretting that you didn’t choose Chi Yu back then? He was willing to be demoted and do hard labor for you. Truly a deep affection.”

Sheng Zhaoning closed her eyes, too lazy to pay him any mind.

Wei Yi was angered by her indifferent attitude. He pinched her cheek viciously. “Speak.”

Annoyed, she followed his lead and said, “Yes.”

Wei Yi gritted his teeth in fury, pulled her into his arms, and bit randomly at her infuriating mouth. Even when she pushed against him in pain, he refused to stop.

After a long while, he finally let her go, leaned close to her ear, and said viciously, “I warn you, if you dare to fool around with Chi Yu again, I will make you regret it!”

Sheng Zhaoning’s breathing was ragged. The oppressive feeling in her chest made it hard to breathe. Several tiny cuts had opened on her lips, now swollen and painful.

She had no heart to argue with him. Wei Yi only wanted her obedience, so she would show him obedience. Provoking him would only bring trouble upon herself.

Seeing her obediently nod, Wei Yi’s expression relaxed, and even his eyes softened.

“From now on, stay obediently by my side and put away your schemes. If you dare stir up trouble again, I will not let you off lightly.”

Sheng Zhaoning nestled in his arms and made no sound.

Wei Yi took her silence as consent, slightly curled the corner of his mouth, and stroked the top of her head repeatedly.

Completely unaware that her eyes were slowly, gradually turning cold.