Chapter 9: Lock Her Up with the Arch-Villain!

That night, the shadow guard sent out by Dugu Jin returned.

He carefully withdrew his arm from under Yuan Peipei’s head, then covered her with the blanket before slipping on his outer robe and quietly stepping outside.

He closed the door swiftly, wary of letting in the cold air.

“Report.” Dugu Jin’s face was stern and cold, his deep eyes filled with icy fury and anger.

The shadow guard knelt on one knee. “Your Majesty, Prince Xuan has returned to the capital. We have found his private soldiers in the south, but the exact number is still uncertain.”

Dugu Jin took a deep breath.

Private soldiers.

The ambition of the imperial uncle was blatantly obvious.

But why?

The imperial uncle had always presented himself as calm and indifferent, never eager for power. For years, he had stayed away from the capital’s intrigues, recuperating his health in the south.

At one time, Dugu Jin had even been concerned, sending people repeatedly to deliver good medicine to him.

Now it was clear—the health recovery was just a facade; building his own power was the true intention.

“Replace the team monitoring the imperial uncle’s movements in the capital. Send two men to infiltrate the Prime Minister’s residence,” Dugu Jin ordered.

“Yes.” The shadow guard, seeing no further instructions, vanished swiftly.

Dugu Jin stood outside for a long while, until a shooting star streaked across the sky.

He never believed in fate.

But if a shooting star could grant wishes, he only wished to spend his life with his Peipei.

Turning back inside, he waited until the chill had left his body before slipping under the covers again.

Yuan Peipei, who had been sleeping soundly, seemed to sense a familiar presence and instinctively nestled into Dugu Jin’s embrace.

A faint smile curved his lips.

Peipei, I will create a sky under which you can freely soar, so that you may live forever carefree.

The next morning, Dugu Jin wore his usual expressionless face.

“You’ve been in the palace for so long but haven’t invited your family to visit. I heard you have an elder sister with whom you share a good relationship. Why not invite her to stay with you here for a couple of days?”

When the emperor spoke, it was an imperial edict—no room for refusal.

Though Yuan Peipei felt a pang of sadness, she respectfully replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Father and mother favored her sister, her elder brother cared for her sister, and now even the emperor paid more attention to her sister?

[Don’t be sad, dear Peipei. The big villain is only trying to test Yuan Jinjin.]

[Since Yuan Jinjin is the heroine and has already met the male lead, the story will focus on them now. Since this is a fanfic, can we please not let dear Peipei die?]

[Yes, lock her together with the big villain!]

Yuan Peipei’s wide eyes fixed on Dugu Jin, and she took a deep breath to muster courage. “Does the emperor like my sister?”

So she was jealous.

This little fool—he had made it so obvious, but she still didn’t understand his feelings?

“I have never met your sister, how could I like her?”

“What if you meet her? My sister is skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; she understands many important principles. Unlike me…” Yuan Peipei lowered her head.

Only then did Dugu Jin understand.

Peipei had always lived in the shadow of Yuan Jinjin, never having any confidence in herself.

He pulled her into his lap.

“What’s the matter? You are my gentle consort, favored above all in the palace. She is but a mere subject; when she meets you, she must kowtow and pay respects. Remember, if anyone in this palace dares to break the rules and mistreat you, you may return the favor in kind. If you cannot handle it, come to me.”

Yuan Peipei had never heard this before.

“Does my sister also have to pay respects to me?”

Dugu Jin’s mind raced. “The last time you went to the Prime Minister’s residence, did they not perform the formalities of lord and subject?”

Yuan Peipei honestly shook her head. “Perhaps Father and the others were just too happy to see me and forgot.”

Forgot?

The Prime Minister had served for decades—could he really forget such a crucial matter?

Most likely, they simply looked down on Peipei, not holding her in their hearts.

“Then invite the entire Prime Minister’s family to the Palace of Rainbow Garments for a reunion dinner. Let them know that their precious daughter has not been mistreated here,” Dugu Jin instantly changed his mind.

No formalities?

Bring them all to the palace; he wanted to see who would dare be reckless!

[Is dear Peipei happy? The big villain is standing up for you.]

[He truly loves her! He may not say many sweet words, but he definitely does many thoughtful things!]

[Right, first establish authority for dear Peipei and slap the Prime Minister’s residence in the face!]

Yuan Peipei looked utterly bewildered.

Standing up for her?

What anger was there to vent?

Why slap the Prime Minister’s family?

Seeing her confused expression, Dugu Jin pinched her cheek gently. “Silly girl.”

At breakfast, Dugu Jin again fed her mouthful by mouthful, and Yuan Peipei had grown used to it, nestling in his arms while playing with his jade pendant, opening her mouth obediently when the chopsticks reached her lips.

When the imperial edict arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence, Yuan Changxiang and the others were stunned.

They were to come to the palace for a reunion dinner with Peipei?

What was the meaning of this?

He handed Duheng a bag of golden melon seeds. Duheng waved his hand, refusing to accept them. “Prime Minister, you are too polite. These are only what an old servant should do. I shall return to the palace to report now.”

“Father, Lord Du really respects you,” Yuan Jinjin sighed, yearning for the days when she would be admired and revered.

Yuan Changxiang, however, could not smile. “If Duheng accepted my gift, it would mean he was willing to maintain a relationship with us, a polite exchange going forward. But he just refused, which means he is drawing a clear line between us.”

Yuan Shangwu scoffed. “Father, you are the Prime Minister, second only to the emperor. If he draws a line with you, isn’t he foolish?”

Yuan Changxiang shook his head helplessly. This son still lacked experience.

“Duheng was suddenly assigned to serve the emperor personally when he ascended the throne. What does that mean? It means he belongs to the emperor. His reaction reflects the emperor’s attitude. The emperor is displeased with me.”

Yuan Changxiang pondered at home, but could not figure out where he had offended the emperor.

That afternoon, the family washed, dressed, and composed themselves before boarding a carriage toward the imperial palace.

They disembarked at the palace gate and walked to the Palace of Rainbow Garments.

It was Yuan Jinjin’s first time inside the palace. It was so vast, so majestic.

No wonder so many desired power—if one could rule here, how wonderful that would be.

The eunuch leading them suddenly stopped. “We have arrived, Prime Minister. This is the Palace of Rainbow Garments.”

The Yuan family was surprised.

They had thought the residence for Yuan Peipei in the palace would be small, but what was this?

High palace walls, a plaque with sharp calligraphy, gardens blooming profusely, and a pond stocked with fish.

At the main hall’s entrance, a stern-faced nanny said, “Prime Minister, please wait. I will notify Her Royal Highness.”

Yuan Shangwu frowned. “Notify? We’re family coming to see our own sister. Why can’t we just go in? Has Peipei grown haughty since entering the palace and started behaving like a consort?”

The nanny turned with a dark expression. “Young Master Prime Minister, be careful with your words! The title of Consort Roufei is not something you may casually mention!”