Chapter 16: A Heartfelt Exchange of True Feelings

Pei Zisu was not afraid in the slightest.

Having been engaged in battles since childhood, he had encountered enemy leaders both fierce and cunning; there was nothing new to him.

He could easily meet the gaze cast by Princess Qinghuan, so he returned her look with a calm expression. This glance caused the princess to temper her demeanor somewhat, falling silent for a brief moment before speaking.

"There are troubles in Luzhou, and naturally I, the princess, will handle them. Thank you, General Pei, for the reminder. Yet your luck is remarkable—you seem to stumble upon all sorts of coincidences. It seems the officials in Xijing still need a thorough overhaul."

Though her words were not outright, the implication was clear.

Pei Zisu was a commander from Hanzhou; if he knew so much about affairs within Xijing, it could only mean that the Guard Office had made no progress. As a member of the royal family, Princess Qinghuan could not tolerate such negligence, so vigilance was only natural.

He felt no discomfort, smiling faintly as he looked at the princess, his gaze unwavering.

"I am not in a position to speak further on this matter. I trust the emperor and the princess will make the right decision."

Satisfied with this conciliatory response, Princess Qinghuan no longer pressed him and soon resumed her relaxed expression, arching an eyebrow as she asked,

"I just recalled something—if I remember correctly, Anian is from Xuzhou. Could she be the one your heart belongs to, General Pei?"

"The princess is perceptive; that is indeed the case."

"In that case, I would be pleased to see this union come to fruition. With your aunt present, it should proceed smoothly. However, I noticed Anian's expression earlier seemed somewhat reluctant?"

"The Wen Yuan Marquisate and the Jiang family cherish their cousin dearly and naturally have their concerns. Though my heart belongs to her, I do not wish to force the matter. Within a month, everything that needs settling will be settled. Please rest assured, Princess, I will bring my wife home."

He spoke with firm confidence, which greatly pleased Princess Qinghuan.

Her eyes flickered with both approval and a subtle warning as she looked at Pei Zisu, though she did not articulate it outright. Pei Zisu understood her meaning clearly.

"Princess, rest assured—if my cousin is willing to marry me, I will never betray her in this life, nor will I cause any scandal involving concubines or illegitimate children."

"Truly?"

"The Pei family is not just me alone. If my line ends, the entire clan ends. If my cousin is unwell, then we need not worry about descendants—I would drink a potion to end my line myself."

Princess Qinghuan, having met many people, had never heard of a man willing to take such a drastic step to avoid troubling his wife. She admired him and could not help but laugh lightly. Then, looking at Pei Zisu as if he were one of her own, she said,

"Very well. I will remember your words today. If you keep your promise, I guarantee that not a single soul in Dasui will dare to speak ill of this marriage."

Both were strong-willed individuals and quickly found common ground, making further words unnecessary. Yet the one they spoke of was currently intoxicated and dazed, as if their soul were drifting back to the past.

The funeral bells rang, and the people lined the streets weeping mournfully.

Jiang Shiyuan did not understand why she found herself there, but seeing the profound grief of those around her, she too felt her emotions darken.

Paper money fluttered through the air, and prayer banners waved high above the crowd. Jiang Shiyuan tried to move closer but was pushed back repeatedly by the pressing throng. Just as she was about to fall, a strong arm caught her. Before she could turn to see who it was, she opened her eyes to the face of Pei Zisu.

Startled, she immediately sat upright, clutching her embroidered quilt tightly, her eyes wary as she asked,

"Cousin Pei, this is the princess's residence—what do you intend?"

Pei Zisu smiled helplessly, seeing how guarded the woman he cared for was. He wondered if he had unknowingly offended her somewhere.

"Cousin, I am no threat to you. Why put up such barriers?"

"You speak well, but please move outside. Though we are relatives, the difference between men and women remains. It is best not to give others grounds for gossip."

"Grounds for gossip? You know I would never want that."

Hearing such a roguish reply from Pei Zisu, Jiang Shiyuan’s anger flared, though she was unaware that the flush on her cheeks had not yet faded. Her glare, as she stared at him, was like an enchanting spirit in his heart, captivating him further.

"Cousin Pei, if you don't leave now, don't blame me for calling someone!"

At this moment, Jiang Shiyuan was like a cat ready to scratch—unlikely to kill but easily capable of leaving a few wounds. Pei Zisu found her endearing but knew some matters must be clarified, or his hopes would remain just hopes. Straightening his expression, he calmly asked,

"Cousin, please don't be anxious. Hear me out before deciding, alright?"

"What do you want to say?"

"Naturally, I want to marry you."

"Cousin Pei! I believe my great cousin and cousin-in-law have made my feelings clear. There are too many obstacles between us—why waste time? Even if you get your wish, the future will not be free of conflict. Rather than becoming a couple filled with resentment, it’s better to stop now. We still have the bond of kinship. Isn't that more lasting?"

Jiang Shiyuan was not one to endure quietly. In her previous life, she often felt burdened by her illness, feeling she owed her family and the heir too much. She bottled up her emotions, swallowing her pain silently. She had tasted that bitterness too many times.

Now, having been given a second chance, she refused to live in such repression.

Thus, decisive action was best.

Alas, Pei Zisu was not one to give up easily; otherwise, he would never have risen to his position. Jiang Shiyuan’s words were like a light drizzle before him—harmless, only strengthening his resolve that she belonged in his future.

He rose and stood solemnly. Though his stance was commanding, his eyes were sincere as he said,

"I understand your concerns, as well as those of the Marquisate and the Jiang family. They worry about your health and the difficulties in bearing children. If that is the case, then we shall have no children. I will handle things with my parents and clan to ensure they do not trouble you. As for marrying far away, that too is solvable. If you truly do not wish to go to Hanzhou, I will establish a residence for you here in Xijing. Wait for me two years—after I have crushed the Southern army so thoroughly that they cannot retaliate, I will return to accompany you here. You will not have to leave again. Also, the position of Pei family's primary wife is not easy. If you do not want it, I will not force you. After all, I still have younger siblings and their wives. It will merely require them to take care of these matters. Perhaps it will be difficult, perhaps hard, but as a brother who has finally found a home, it is only fair they bear some of the burden."

His tone was earnest at first, but toward the end, his expression as if using his siblings as shields was so obvious that it made one want to scold him.