Volume One, Chapter Four: The Emperor's Stance

Pei Yunxi smiled and waved her hand to show she was fine, but the two brothers’ hearts were still uneasy. The little sister was always so sensible it was heartbreaking.

The emperor’s expression was dark and unreadable. He motioned for the chief eunuch to fetch a fox fur cloak to wrap around Mu Yuanzhi again but said no more, instead turning his concern to Pei Yunxi. “Are you still feeling unwell, Xi’er?”

“Your Majesty, I’m fine. It’s just that my hand feels a bit cold,” Pei Yunxi replied softly.

Hearing this, the emperor handed her a purple moon-patterned dragon hand warmer, the imperial personal item.

Pei Yunxi held the hand warmer, her rosy cheeks full of smiles.

Everyone’s minds were clear as crystal at that moment: the emperor’s gesture made it obvious that Mu Yuanzhi was to be punished for injuring the little princess.

The fox fur cloak was meant to keep warm, yet Mu Yuanzhi did not feel any warmth from it.

She should have known by now—she held no place in the emperor’s heart. He was certain she had hurt his precious daughter, so any punishment was justified in his eyes.

Mu Yuanzhi lowered her gaze, sweeping away the turmoil within. Turning to Pei Yunxi, she said, “Little sister, I was wrong that day. Knowing well you cannot wield weapons, I shouldn’t have given you the newly made hidden weapon that caused your injury. I have reflected on it daily in Yongxiang. Please forgive me this once.”

Pei Yunxi had been relieved that the earlier commotion had diverted attention from the cloak, so she was taken aback by Mu Yuanzhi’s sudden apology and froze, missing the chance to respond.

Mu Yuanzhi’s words, however, stirred murmurs among those present.

They naturally assumed that since Pei Yunxi was hurt by a hidden weapon crafted by Mu Yuanzhi, it must have been her doing—jealousy and revenge.

Among them, the Ministry of Works personnel knew the most about the incident. The little princess had insisted on examining Mu Yuanzhi’s new hidden weapon out of curiosity. Mu Yuanzhi had initially refused but eventually relented.

Everyone present knew the power of Mu Yuanzhi’s hidden weapons; ordinary people couldn’t use them. It was not unusual for her to accidentally injure herself.

Pei Shangyan furrowed his brow deeply. When he looked at his two younger sisters, he hesitated to speak. Pei Shangling, however, couldn’t help but sneer, “It’s good you know your mistake. You gave such a dangerous thing to the little sister, knowing full well she doesn’t understand. No one would believe it wasn’t on purpose!”

Inverting right and wrong, Mu Yuanzhi inwardly chuckled. Pei Yunxi had insisted on having the hidden weapon she’d just made. If she hadn’t given it, they would have accused her of being stingy, unwilling to share even this little thing with her sister!

Since Pei Yunxi wanted it so much, why not give it?

Mu Yuanzhi reached up and took off the bronze bell tied to her hair, handing it to Pei Yunxi. “This is a gift of apology. Little sister, please accept it; only then will it show my sincerity.”

This bronze bell had been a treasured gift from Pei Shangling. She had always cherished it, carefully cleaning it daily, valuing it above all else because Pei Shangling had told her it was an ancient bronze unearthed after much effort deep within the Kunlun Snow Mountain, and he had spent a year personally polishing it.

He had said the bell’s chime suited her like an orchid in a secluded valley and that he could always find her by following its sound.

Later, when Pei Yunxi glanced at it a few times, Pei Shangling came to ask for it back, which she refused. To her surprise, he became furious, snatched it, and smashed it on the spot, then gave Pei Yunxi a more beautiful and exquisite one to appease her.

She had cried over the broken bell for a long, long time...

Mu Yuanzhi put away the flood of emotions and looked at Pei Yunxi with a bright smile.

Pei Yunxi hesitated, unsure whether to reach out to accept it. Suddenly feeling a prickling unease, she glanced at Pei Shangling, only to realize his expression had turned terrifyingly fierce, his eyes blazing with rage.

“Little sister, this is a gift from your fourth brother. You should give her something else,” Pei Shangyan intervened, sensing the tension.

He knew his fourth brother’s temperament well. Mu Yuanzhi’s action would undoubtedly enrage the volatile fourth brother.

Even if Mu Yuanzhi was sincerely apologizing, she should not have passed that bronze bell on to the little sister.

“But I think this bronze bell suits little sister better. If she likes it, I’m willing to let it go,” Mu Yuanzhi said, looking toward Pei Shangling. “Right, brother Ling?”

Pei Yunxi was still holding the embroidered clothes meant for Xiao Yichen. Hearing Mu Yuanzhi’s words, her face turned awkward, as if Mu Yuanzzi was used to stealing others’ affections, and she nervously glanced at Pei Shangling.

Pei Shangling’s breathing grew heavier, as if struggling to suppress something.

When he gave her the bronze bell, she had promised to cherish it forever!

“Brother Ling, will you help me wear it?”

“I really can’t stand you. You don’t even know how to wear the bell properly. You’re so dumb!” he teased.

“Brother Ling looks better wearing it!”

“If I help you wear it every day, wouldn’t I be too busy?”

“If you wear it on me till I’m old and gray, I’ll cherish it all my life!”

Those memories hammered at Pei Shangling’s nerves, and the fire surging in his chest raged wildly!

Mu Yuanzhi!

How dare she trample on his feelings like this!

Even if his gift were given to a dog, it was still his gift, and he would never allow anyone to insult it!

“That’s right, it suits little sister better because you don’t deserve it,” Pei Shangling growled through clenched teeth, his voice low and terrifying like a trapped beast’s roar. His eyes were bloodshot, as if about to bleed.

Mu Yuanzhi’s pale lips curled in bitter irony as she pushed the bronze bell forward. “Little sister, don’t you want it? Are you not going to forgive me?”

Pei Shangling’s burning gaze fixed fiercely on the bronze bell in Mu Yuanzhi’s hand.

“I…” Pei Yunxi felt as if reaching out would set her ablaze. She hesitated and glanced at Pei Shangling, who seemed unaware of her look, his aura terrifying.

She didn’t understand why Pei Shangling suddenly became so furious. A mix of grievance and resentment welled up within her, and in defiance, she forcefully took the bronze bell from Mu Yuanzhi’s hand. “Thank you, Sister Yuanzhi.”

The atmosphere instantly exploded. Pei Yunxi stepped back as if scorched, regretting accepting the bronze bell.

Pei Shangling’s fierce anger was terrifying; she was afraid.

“Well! This is how siblings should be—no grudges!” the emperor’s commanding voice cut through, tempering Pei Shangling’s rage, though his eyes remained locked on Mu Yuanzhi.

Mu Yuanzhi excused herself, citing discomfort, and the emperor consented.

The star of the recognition ceremony was Pei Yunxi, and Mu Yuanzhi knew it made no difference whether she was there or not.

“Mu Yuanzhi!” Pei Shangling grabbed her wrist hard, pulling her back without noticing the bluish-purple frostbite marks on her arm.

Mu Yuanzhi winced in pain, frowned slightly, and used a clever move to break free, stepping back repeatedly.

Her actions only fanned the flames, and Pei Shangling nearly ground his silver teeth to pieces.