The study.
Pei Yan's eyes snapped open. He took in the room's furnishings and recognized it as his study in the General Mansion.
He had his own residence, but he had drunk too much this time and ended up staying the night at the General Mansion.
His head throbbed—a symptom of his overindulgence.
He felt a strange, indescribable sensation in his body, one he had never experienced before.
Pei Yan rarely drank, but it was the anniversary of General Mei's death, so he'd had a few extra cups.
Pressing his temples, Pei Yan sat up.
The silk quilt slid down, revealing a lean, powerful torso.
Even in a relaxed state, his wheat-colored muscles were sharply defined. Broad shoulders, a narrow waist—his physique was a picture of clear lines, hinting at boundless strength.
He had grown up by General Mei's side and gone to the battlefield in his early teens. He had suffered countless injuries, and his body bore several old scars.
They looked fearsome, but they were also his glory.
In his peripheral vision, he noticed a few small scratch marks on his chest. They didn't hurt or itch, so he paid them no mind.
But a moment later, he spotted an earring on the bed—clearly a woman's belonging.
Pei Yan's expression faltered. He reached out with a large, well-defined hand and picked up the sliver of white.
His hawk-like eyes narrowed.
The white jade was smooth and delicate, carved with an intricate pattern. It was exquisite and small.
It was identical to the earrings Mei Wanying wore!
Pei Yan's breathing grew heavy.
He immediately got out of bed, dressed, and strode into the outer room.
Less than an hour had passed since Mei Wanying had left. The room was still pitch-dark, but it didn't hinder Pei Yan's vision.
The desk was a mess. Books were scattered on the floor. The Xuan paper laid out on the desk was crumpled, bearing what looked like blood and other unidentifiable marks.
A shattered porcelain bowl lay by the leg of the desk.
Everything was in disarray.
Including the bed...
A vein throbbed on Pei Yan's temple. Something was about to erupt.
Clutching the earring, he walked out with a grim expression.
He wanted to leave directly, but the thought of not getting to the bottom of this was agonizing.
Pei Yan ground his teeth. 'Mei Wanying… She's so defiant!'
He changed direction and headed toward a brightly lit area.
Before he even got close to Mei Wanying's courtyard, he ran into her personal maid.
When Ding Xiang saw Pei Yan, she was like a mouse that had seen a cat—utterly terrified.
In the past, she had seen Pei Yan as her mistress's child husband, yet he always maintained an unapproachable distance, treating her mistress with indifference. She had often cursed him behind his back for not knowing what was good for him.
She even called him an ungrateful wretch...
'So what if he's a bit handsome and exceptionally capable? What's he so proud of?'
'Her mistress is the number one beauty in the Capital City!'
But then, in a sudden transformation, the child husband became the current Emperor's only son.
His status was now unspeakably noble!
Ding Xiang curtsied, assuming Pei Yan would ignore her. She kept her head down and tried to walk past.
"What are you doing?"
The cold voice sent goosebumps rippling across Ding Xiang's skin and a chill down her spine.
Not daring to meet his gaze, she stammered, "My mistress has caught a chill. She has a stomachache and sent me to fetch some medicine."
"A stomachache?"
Ding Xiang lowered her head further. "My mistress gets stomach cramps when her monthly visitor arrives."
"Give it to me."
She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but the man's voice seemed less tense.
Ding Xiang glanced quickly at Pei Yan, guessed he wanted the prescription, and tremblingly handed it over.
Pei Yan took the prescription and left, quickly disappearing from sight. Ding Xiang was left wondering whether she should follow him or return to the courtyard and wait.
After some thought, she decided to wait where she was.
Pei Yan took the prescription to a physician. "For a stomachache. Is this prescription correct?"
The physician took one look. 'This isn't a remedy for a stomachache at all!'
It was clearly an abortion soup!
'If someone drank this without clarification, it would harm their body!'
He asked, "What kind of stomachache?"
Pei Yan's ears burned, a faint blush creeping up them that didn't show on his face. "Monthly courses."
The physician understood. "This prescription needs to be changed. Several of these herbs should not be taken. They can harm a woman's body and, in severe cases, affect her fertility."
He prepared the correct medicine and handed it to Pei Yan.
The man took it and left.
This time, there was no hesitation in his steps. He headed with clear purpose toward Mei Wanying's courtyard.
'He was going to see just what kind of trouble Mei Wanying was stirring up now!'
「 ... 」
Mei Wanying was reclining on a chaise lounge while a maid stood beside her, drying her long hair.
A maid entered and announced, "Miss, His Highness is here."
'His Highness... Such an unfamiliar title.'
After Pei Yan was officially recognized by his ancestors, he had been ennobled as Prince Chen and granted his own residence.
The character for "Chen" in his title, which referred to the imperial house, was enough to prove how much the Emperor valued Pei Yan.
In the past, if Pei Yan had come to see her of his own accord, Mei Wanying would have been dizzy with joy.
She would have put on her most beautiful clothes and styled her hair in the most attractive way to meet him.
She would have flaunted herself before him, trying to win him over with her beauty.
Recalling her past actions, Mei Wanying felt a sense of shame.
Pei Yan didn't love her. Whether she was beautiful or plain, he simply didn't care.
Mei Wanying's delicate brows furrowed slightly.
She didn't move.
"It's the middle of the night. It's not convenient to receive guests. Ask His Highness to leave."
Her voice was soft, but Pei Yan's hearing was so sharp that he heard every word clearly.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his fingers stroking the jade earring. An indescribable emotion brewed in his deep, dark eyes.
After a moment, he let out a cold laugh and strode inside.
Mei Wanying didn't want to see Pei Yan, but she was caught completely off guard.
She was already in a foul mood, and now a nameless anger flared within her.
She had already given up. She wouldn't cling to him anymore, and she wouldn't love him anymore.
'So why did he have to come and provoke her again!'
"Get out!"
It was the first time the innocent and charming beauty had ever shown her claws to Pei Yan.
Her tone was impatient. She turned her head away, unwilling to look at him, leaving him with a view of her exquisite profile.
And the sight of her long, delicate neck, like that of a swan.
The look in Pei Yan's eyes deepened.
He sneered, "Feeling guilty?"
If one listened closely, there was an undercurrent of gritted teeth in his voice.
Mei Wanying did feel guilty, but she couldn't let it show.
That incident had to be a secret she would take to her grave. Pei Yan could never know.
Otherwise, she would be forced to walk the same old path as her previous life.
Mei Wanying finally let her gaze fall upon Pei Yan. He was tall and straight, with deep-set eyes, a high-bridged nose, and lips that were neither too thin nor too thick. Every feature was as perfect as if carved by a master sculptor, without a single flaw.
His temperament was aloof, carrying a natural air of nobility and detachment.
Every young woman in the Capital City wanted to marry Pei Yan.
Before today, Mei Wanying had wanted to marry him too. She had dreamed of it.
"Why should I feel guilty?" she retorted.
Her beautiful eyes were devoid of emotion, and her tone was just as faint. She was truly different from before.
An inexplicable irritation stirred in Pei Yan's heart.
He stopped beating around the bush and took out the earring. "Yours?"
Although it was a question, his tone was certain.
Mei Wanying's breath hitched.
She had been too flustered at the time, and she couldn't see clearly. She never imagined she had dropped something.
She dismissed the maid who was drying her hair, telling her to wait outside. Then she rose and walked slowly over to Pei Yan, taking the white jade earring from him.
Her fingertips brushed against his calloused palm, a fleeting touch before pulling away.
Pei Yan's fingers curled, clenching into a fist.
He put his hands behind his back. "You have nothing to say?"
Mei Wanying: "Nothing."
Her indifferent attitude grated on Pei Yan's nerves. 'She was never like this before!'
The man took a step closer, his tall frame radiating an intense pressure.
Mei Wanying heard him ask, "What did you do to me, Mei Wanying? Make yourself clear."