Volume One, Chapter Thirteen: Pei Jing, I Believe You Can Trust Me

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Shen Zhi thought she should poison his tea and kill him.

Pei Jing glanced at her. "Don't worry, I will take you with me."

Only then did Shen Zhi nod in satisfaction. Qin Yi, standing nearby, watched the two exchanging glances and felt like he could barely eat his meal. He pursed his lips and quickly left the scene.

After the meal, Pei Jing came to Shen Zhi’s courtyard and grabbed her wrist with a swift motion.

"Shen Zhi, you're quite good at pretending, aren't you?"

Shen Zhi met his probing gaze calmly. "I am your lawful wife, my lord. A woman should observe the three obediences and four virtues; it is a wife’s duty. Besides, we are not yet officially prince and princess."

"Do you think I want others to gossip about us? To say that the Seventh Prince has married a foolish and willful woman?"

Pei Jing was momentarily stunned by her string of arguments. He had truly underestimated her. Though she seemed delicate and wronged in front of him, behind closed doors, her words were sharp and persuasive.

"Shen Zhi! Don’t think that just because you entered the Seventh Prince’s mansion, you can rest easy. Do you think I don’t know you were sent by the Empress Dowager?"

Pei Jing’s eyes burned with anger; he despised deceit above all else.

Shen Zhi was taken aback but understood why he thought so. He trusted no one. Given her past involvement with Pei Huai concerning the imperial garden and the Shen household, Pei Jing might well suspect they were collaborating to stage a tragic performance.

In the end, Pei Jing trusted no one—not even her.

After a moment of silence, Shen Zhi spoke. "Pei Jing, I was not sent by the Empress Dowager."

"Perhaps what I am about to say will surprise you, but I want to tell you—I am not her agent. Yes, I once liked Pei Huai, but that was in the past. He stood behind Shen Qi time and again, giving her courage to humiliate and torment me. Those vague feelings I had for him have long since vanished."

"Besides, our marriage was agreed upon by me in person."

Her words were sincere; she could not allow Pei Jing to misunderstand her forever. Some things were better said sooner rather than later.

"I’m sure you already know the emperor decreed that Shen family’s two daughters marry into the Grand Prince’s and the Seventh Prince’s households, respectively. But you must have heard the rumors: the Shen family’s legitimate daughter should marry Pei Huai. If Pei Huai is to be the future crown prince, then the general’s daughter would be the perfect future crown princess. Pei Jing, if I had refused to marry you, do you think Wei Xiangjun and Zhong Lengyu would dare to bypass my father and send me to the Seventh Prince’s mansion?"

Step by step, she approached him with unwavering eyes, as if stepping directly into his heart. Moonlight slipped through the gauze screen, and in her eyes, his silhouette seemed to be reflected.

The wind stirred gently, the wind chimes by the bed tinkled crisply, and with every step she took, her figure seemed to blur slightly. When the chimes ceased, the young woman stood in a jade-green gauzy cloud dress, her hair adorned with a lake-blue phoenix hairpin, dazzlingly vivid in his sight.

Pei Jing’s heart skipped a beat.

He drew a deep breath, his gaze toward her now veiled with hesitation.

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Shen Zhi leaned close, tilting her head and lifting the corner of her mouth. "Pei Jing, I believe you can trust me."

Pei Jing stepped back. "Shen Zhi! I hope there’s no falsehood in your words today!"

"I dare guarantee that not a word I said today is false!"

She looked at him, fiercely and resolutely penetrating his heart.

Pei Jing grew uneasy and quickly turned to leave. Only after stepping out of the courtyard did he truly relax.

Shen Zhi’s words echoed continuously in his mind.

"Shen Zhi..."

He murmured her name, bowing his head deeply.

[Beep! Beep!]

[Pei Jing’s affection level: 0%]

Hearing the system’s voice, Shen Zhi felt dejected. Damn it! After pouring her heart out like that, why was Pei Jing still unmoved?

[Is Pei Jing’s heart made of wood?]

To deal with such a stubborn and cold male lead, wouldn’t a heroine like a little sun, warm and loving, be just what he needs?

[Maybe Pei Jing can’t feel your sincerity?] the system prompted.

Shen Zhi lowered her head. [Must I fall in love with him to make him feel genuine affection?]

She twisted the corner of her mouth, a bitter smile. Pei Jing was right—she was a skilled actress; otherwise, she wouldn’t have feigned innocence to win his sympathy.

But how sincere was Pei Jing’s own heart?

She had been deceived once. She would not be broken twice by him.

She only wanted to complete her mission and return home immediately.

In the study, Pei Jing grew increasingly restless as he reviewed memorials. His mind was filled with the image of Shen Zhi smiling at him.

He rubbed his hair, tired. Pei Jing, what are you doing?

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That was just her temptation! Do you really think she came for you? Do you think she came for your sake? Don’t be foolish—she’s a liar!

In this world, no one truly loves you!

No... one...

Pei Jing’s gaze was hurt, his eyes reddening slightly.

Forget it. On this path, he was destined to walk alone, struggling forward.

The moon hung over the treetops, dimming the white light. Shen Zhi, however, slept soundly. On the table, a line of words flashed rapidly.

[Pei Jing’s affection level detected: 2%]

...

The archery contest arrived quickly. Shen Zhi had prepared early and waited at Pei Jing’s courtyard. Pei Jing showed no expression upon seeing her.

Since that day when she spoke earnestly to him, she hadn’t seen him again.

Whenever she sought him out, he was either not there or away on business. After many such occasions, Shen Zhi began to suspect Pei Jing was deliberately avoiding her.

"Your Highness! Should we depart now?"

"Your Highness~ Please take me with you!" Zhao Wan had been ready early; she had been looking forward to the contest for a long time.

At first, she hadn’t told Pei Jing because she knew he definitely wouldn’t allow her to go.

But now that departure was imminent, Pei Jing wouldn’t waste time on her.

"Oh, been a few days. I almost forgot the Seventh Prince’s mansion still has a sister."

Shen Zhi clicked her tongue, eyeing her up and down. "Sister, I wonder what status you’re here under?"

Zhao Wan’s cheeks flushed awkwardly. Although the Empress Dowager allowed her free access to the Seventh Prince’s mansion, Pei Jing had not formally married her—there was no proper ceremony. Calling her Pei Jing’s concubine felt unjustifiable.