Chapter 9

Later, the Shadow Guards from other households told me that their masters were speaking ill of my master behind his back.

They said that Bai Liwen, at the end of the day, had the blood of merchants in his veins, of lowly birth and unfit for the grand stage.

I was furious. That very night, I snuck into several other princely mansions behind my master’s back and chopped down all their money trees.

May you all die poor!

That happened when I was fifteen.

Thinking back now, my lord probably thought I was still too young at the time, not fit for any important tasks in that regard.

Now that I’ve grown up, I ought to do my part.

I absolutely cannot let my lord down.

With that in mind, I straddled Pei Su, attempting to reach out and touch his shoulder.

Pei Su’s eyes widened, his chest heaving violently.

“Don’t.”

His breathing grew heavier.

In the next instant, he flipped me over and pinned me down.

The world spun, and the jade pendant at Pei Su’s waist pressed into me painfully.

He leaned down, his face close to my neck, and with great restraint, nuzzled and pecked at me.

Then he let me go.

I couldn’t quite accept this sudden change, and couldn’t help but utter a confused “Eh?”

Pei Su said nothing.

He bit his lower lip, then abruptly pulled over the bedding to wrap me up tightly like a dumpling.

Then he lowered his head and, through the thick covers, hugged me tightly with all his strength.

His breathing gradually steadied.

A long time later, I heard him speak, forcing calm into his voice.

“Yuniang.”

“Mm?”

“It’s not like that.”

I was stunned and asked, “What?”

He turned his head. In the moonlight, his eyes were clear and bright, and his tone was especially solemn.

“My feelings for you aren’t so frivolous… Wait a little longer.”

Huh?

Give me a break, will you?

So shocked was I, I didn’t even hear Pei Su’s next whispered words: “I will marry you.”

I couldn’t understand where things had gone wrong.

Immediately after, I felt lighter, and when I snapped back to my senses, I realized Pei Su had lifted me up-blanket and all.

I lay there stiffly in his arms, watching him carry me out of the room, across the corridor…

And back into my own chamber.

For a scholar, he’s surprisingly strong, isn’t he?

My lord was right-this man is sly and cunning, his outward appearance deceiving. There are many things yet to be observed carefully; he cannot be easily trusted.

Pei Su set me back on my bed, his cheeks still shockingly red.

He paced back and forth in front of my bed, clearly hesitating. At last, he seemed to make up his mind and leaned in to kiss me.

But only on the forehead.

The cool kiss landed between my brows, fleeting and light, gone before I could even feel it.

In a daze, I called, “Lord Pei?”

Pei Su took two steps back, as if I were some dangerous beast.

“Yuniang, you… get some rest.”

With that, Pei Su fled my room as if escaping from something.

Strange man.