Chapter 7: Speculation

The girl was naturally delicate and charming, and now, with tears welling in her eyes, she appeared even more pitiable and endearing.

Pei Heng furrowed his brows, inexplicably feeling troubled and unsettled.

He hadn’t done anything to her—so why was she crying?

Though she looked quite beautiful when she cried, deep down, he didn’t want her to be so unhappy...

At this moment, Jiang Ning was unaware of what was on Pei Heng’s mind. She puffed out her cheeks, flicked her long sleeves, and strode forward in anger.

Caught up in her temper, she failed to notice the steps ahead.

Just as she was about to place her foot forward, the hard steps caused her to lose her balance.

As Jiang Ning thought she was about to fall flat on her face, a strong, knobby hand suddenly grasped her slender waist.

“Clumsy enough to trip just by walking. Really useless.”

Hearing the man’s tone of disdain, Jiang Ning frowned and pushed him away forcefully.

“How dare you call this princess useless!”

“Pei Heng, don’t think you can do whatever you want just because you have the Shen family backing you!”

“Believe me, with just one word from me, I’ll have your head separated from your body immediately!”

Her soft, gentle voice lacked any real threat.

Pei Heng laughed lowly, bent down, and scooped her up horizontally in his arms.

“I believe you. When we return to the manor, my life will be at the princess’s disposal.”

Caught off guard by his sudden action, Jiang Ning struggled weakly.

“What are you doing? Put me down! If someone sees this, it would be so embarrassing!”

Pei Heng held her waist firmly.

“Tsk, how surprising—the princess actually cares about her dignity.”

His teasing words flushed Jiang Ning’s cheeks instantly.

“Pei Heng, what do you mean by that? I’ve been too indulgent with you, which is why you’re so arrogant!”

Pei Heng curled his lips and gently placed her on the soft cushion inside the carriage.

“I’ve always been proud because of favor. The princess is well aware of that.”

Thinking of how the princess treated this man in the original story, Jiang Ning twitched the corner of her mouth.

She couldn’t help but think the princess truly had remarkable patience.

With Pei Heng’s sharp tongue and nature, most people wouldn’t be able to tolerate him.

—

By the time the two returned to the princess’s residence, it was already afternoon.

Jiang Ning felt as if she were about to faint from hunger.

After all the commotion, her small frame was completely exhausted...

Seeing her listless expression, Pei Heng spoke leisurely.

“Are you hungry?”

Hearing this, Jiang Ning pouted and whispered, “How did you know I was hungry?”

Pei Heng chuckled softly.

“You were mumbling in your sleep about wanting to eat meat in the carriage…”

Jiang Ning’s eyelashes trembled as she hastily covered his mouth.

“I—I wasn’t! Don’t say nonsense!”

Pei Heng raised an eyebrow, a trace of indulgence gleaming in his eyes.

“Alright, alright. You weren’t.”

Caught in his warm, smiling gaze, Jiang Ning suddenly felt shy.

“I’m going to eat now. Suit yourself!”

Pei Heng pursed his lips and said calmly, “The kitchen cooks slowly. You’d better eat in my courtyard.”

Jiang Ning scoffed.

“What good food could you possibly have there?”

Pei Heng lowered his head.

“There’s a small kitchen in my courtyard. The cooks there are excellent.”

Jiang Ning was speechless.

Seriously?

Wasn’t she supposed to be the most important person in the princess’s residence?

How could Pei Heng’s place have a little kitchen?

Before she could ponder further, Pei Heng lifted her up again...

—

At this moment, Fu Shi and Mu Chi, who had just passed through the corridor, happened to see the scene.

Pei Heng’s strange behavior shocked them both.

Had this madman been possessed by someone?

He usually despised the princess so much—how could he be so intimate with her now?

What great temptation could have driven Pei Heng to such self-sacrifice?

To figure out Pei Heng’s motives, Fu Shi immediately summoned his secret guards to follow them inside.

Seeing Fu Shi so worried, Mu Chi dismissed his concern with a casual tone.

“Fu, why are you so anxious?”

“Don’t tell me you think Pei Heng has taken a liking to the princess?”

Fu Shi frowned deeply, his expression cold.

“That possibility can’t be ruled out. If he truly has feelings for the princess, then there’s no need for us to cooperate with him anymore.”

Mu Chi rubbed his temple, as if hearing the biggest joke.

“Fu, you’re overthinking it. Someone like Pei Heng, who’s always so arrogant, would never fall for a fool like Jiang Ning.”

Fu Shi sighed deeply and shook his sleeve.

“Matters of the heart aren’t something one can control.”

“Regardless, we should proceed cautiously.”

Though the princess was foolish and wicked, she was undeniably beautiful.

Even he, usually calm and composed, had almost been bewitched by her stunning face during the last medicine delivery.

If Pei Heng really liked Jiang Ning, their plan would fall apart.

After all, Pei Heng was too reckless and unpredictable. If they antagonized him, they would only be courting disaster.

Sensing Fu Shi’s inner thoughts, Mu Chi patted his shoulder.

“Pei Heng isn’t that blind. Someone like Jiang Ning? Even I wouldn’t look at her twice, let alone him.”

“I think he’s just trying to use Jiang Ning again, secretly making moves against that person.”