Chapter 4

Half a month later, the princess invited me to attend the Apricot Blossom Banquet she was hosting. She had always treated me well, so I agreed.

Just as I was about to get on the carriage, Pei Huai still held my hand anxiously. “Niaoniao, the case hasn’t been resolved yet. I can’t accompany you today, so you must be extremely careful.”

As he spoke, he gave countless instructions to my maid, telling her to watch out for the cold and heat, to serve tea and pour water-every little detail, he had to confirm one by one before he felt at ease.

My maid Cuizhu spoke with a hint of envy in her tone:

“The Marquis truly cherishes Madam. There’s not a second man in all Jing City as young and accomplished, and as attentive, as the Marquis-”

Before she could finish, Zhier tugged at her sleeve from the side.

Seeing my face darken, she abruptly fell silent, not daring to say another word.

I leaned against the carriage, eyes half-closed.

“A good man?”

These words, which once filled me with pride and satisfaction, now sounded nothing but utterly ironic.

In truth, I had deceived Pei Huai.

This trip to Mount Xiang was not to attend the Apricot Blossom Banquet.

I wanted to see that woman.

I stood beneath the apricot trees, looking toward the signboard not far away-

“Zhenyu Pavilion.”

As precious as jade.

It seemed Pei Huai truly cared about her.

My heart clenched violently, as if a thousand needles and ten thousand blades cut through it, blood streaming, flesh mangled.

At that moment, a familiar figure suddenly knocked on the door.

It was Pei Huai.

I had known him for decades-no one knew him better than I did.

Then, a woman opened the door. When she looked up, a stunningly beautiful face was revealed.

She smiled faintly and hooked her arm around Pei Huai’s.

Pei Huai followed her lead and walked inside.

From afar, I seemed to hear him call softly:

“Yaoyao.”

His voice was low and hoarse, full of desire.

He was moved by her.