Chapter 4: Wasn't This Your Own Choice?

It takes half an hour by carriage to travel from the Princess's residence to the Imperial Palace. For Jiang Ning, experiencing a carriage ride for the first time, it felt as though her entire lower back was falling apart. Had she known it would be this unbearable, she would have arranged for a sedan chair instead.

Observing the young woman’s pale complexion, Pei Xu, who was sitting across from her, gave a soft, mocking click of his tongue. How delicate she was, unable to endure even such a short journey. The tonics bestowed upon her by the Emperor were truly wasted.

Meanwhile, a haggard-looking Jiang Ning bit her lip tightly. The slender, exposed portion of her leg seemed to tremble ever so slightly. Pei Heng slowly turned the jade thumb ring on his finger, silently watching the girl huddled in the corner. Her long, damp lashes fluttered like the wings of a startled butterfly, and her fair cheeks were as smooth and delicate as a peeled egg—so tender they seemed ready to weep at a touch.

Perhaps it was because his thoughts were clouded by the fragrance lingering on her, but Pei Heng felt that something about him was not quite right. How could he... have such thoughts about Jiang Ning?

On the other side, unable to hold herself up any longer, Jiang Ning collapsed limply against the purple silk cushions. She looked boneless, her arms hanging down in a languid, listless posture. Noticing the patch of tender, white skin exposed on her person, Pei Heng instinctively frowned. This woman was truly devoid of propriety! He was right here, yet she dared to be so bold... Would she be the same if it were someone else?

Sensing the oppressive atmosphere radiating from Pei Heng, Jiang Ning furrowed her brows and cast a glance in his direction. Just as she was about to speak, Pei Heng, having moved to her side at some point, hoisted her up.

"To suffer in silence like this—the Grand Princess seems like a changed person." In the past, Jiang Ning would certainly have made a scene and taken her frustration out on him. Today, however, she was uncharacteristically quiet.

The man’s sudden movement left Jiang Ning flustered. "What are you doing? Let go of this Princess at once!"

Pei Heng gently rubbed her slender, soft waist and spoke in a low, pressed voice, "If I don't hold you, your body will surely fall to pieces."

Jiang Ning wanted to struggle, but the man’s arms were like cold iron, holding her firmly in place. With no other choice, she was forced to abandon her resistance. Damn Pei Heng, how could he be so impudent? Logically speaking, shouldn't this madman despise her and wish to stay as far away as possible?

Watching the girl’s puffed-up, indignant expression, Pei Heng felt an inexplicable itch in his chest, as if it were being lightly brushed by a feather. Yet, this uncontrollable sensation did not seem entirely unpleasant.

With Pei Heng acting as a human cushion, Jiang Ning felt as though she had come back to life. Regardless of what his intentions might be, she didn't care much. As long as she was comfortable, everything else was secondary.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Palace, Jiang Ning scrambled out of the carriage as if fleeing from a plague god. Watching the girl scurry away, Pei Heng curled his lips and lowered his head to catch the lingering scent on his hands.

Noticing those who had alighted from the carriage, the head eunuch, Liu Xi, who had been waiting outside for a long time, hurried forward to greet them. "Grand Princess, you have finally arrived. His Majesty and the Grand Tutor have been waiting in the Imperial Study for quite some time."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning was puzzled. "The Grand Tutor is here too?"

Liu Xi smiled. "Indeed, His Majesty and the Grand Tutor have been playing chess all morning." He then glanced around, "Where is Lord Pei... no, Vice Minister Pei?"

Jiang Ning clenched her fists, her face filled with worry. It was over. Could today's events be the scene from the book where he discovers his true heritage? She remembered that in the novel, Pei Heng was the biological son of Grand Tutor Shen. If not for the schemes of the Grand Tutor’s concubine, Pei Heng would never have been cast out among the commoners to be raised as the adopted son of a village woman.

Fortunately, Pei Heng was ambitious; he had relied on his own merits to pass the imperial examinations and become an official. If it weren't for the Grand Princess taking a fancy to him, he would have risen to power much sooner. At this thought, Jiang Ning’s eyes suddenly brightened. As long as she didn't cling to Pei Heng like the original Grand Princess, but instead allowed him to successfully acknowledge his family and return home, wouldn't this plague god be completely out of her life forever?

Seeing Jiang Ning’s dazed expression, Liu Xi asked with concern, "Grand Princess, are you quite alright?"

Recovering her senses, Jiang Ning waved her hand dismissively. "I am fine, I am fine. Pei Heng will be here in a moment."

No sooner had she spoken than Pei Heng approached her with a steady gait. "Grand Princess, treating someone as a tool and then discarding them is not a good habit."

Detecting the meaningful look in his eyes, Jiang Ning widened her eyes and replied with a flushed face, "What nonsense are you spouting? Who treated you as a tool?"

Pei Heng leaned down and whispered into her ear, "How is it nonsense? Just now, in the carriage, did you not use me as a cushion?"

Jiang Ning lowered her voice and pushed him away, her face reddening. "Was that not your own doing?" It was as if she had forced him.

Pei Heng narrowed his eyes and placed a hand on her waist. "True, it was all my own doing. Don't be angry, Grand Princess."

Watching the two of them acting so intimately, Liu Xi was utterly confused. Had the Grand Princess finally succeeded in her aggressive pursuit? Just last month, Pei Heng wouldn't even give her the time of day. Had he suddenly changed his nature?

Eager to get rid of the plague god as quickly as possible, Jiang Ning gave a light cough and said to Liu Xi, "Eunuch Liu, why are you just standing there? Hurry up and lead this Princess and Vice Minister Pei to the Imperial Study!"