MYUFPC CHAPTER 36
Carefully touching Zhan Yue's chest
The scent of pine trees after rain, emanating from Zhan Yue, mingled with the wind and wafted into Jiashan's nose in waves.
The alcohol in her head suddenly cleared up a bit. She tried to calm herself down and turned her head, saying, "It's okay."
"Princess, you should really change your habit of being dishonest," Zhan Yue said softly.
He leaned forward slightly, reached out his hand, and gently touched the white jade hairpin that Jiashan was wearing today, "This looks familiar. Did I give it to you?"
Jiashan didn't deny it and nodded, "Its color matches the blouse I'm wearing today."
Zhan Yue chuckled softly.
A hidden nerve in Jiashan was subtly stimulated. She tiptoed slightly, trying to look directly into Zhan Yue's eyes. She parted her lips and retorted, "Since Daren wants me to change my bad habit of being dishonest, then shouldn't you change your bad habit of eavesdropping?"
"Don't try to fool me," Jiashan's eyes shone brightly. She smiled lightly, "Don't really think I'll believe that you just happened to bump into me."
Zhan Yue raised an eyebrow slightly, his expression unchanged.
"You're just as dishonest," Jiashan glanced at him and snorted, "Did you really not hear anything about what happened with Shuxian?"
Zhan Yue looked up, his gaze fixed steadily on Jiashan.
Jiashan felt a little dizzy under his gaze. For a moment, she felt a little lightheaded, and the slight drunkenness seemed to have crept back into her heart. She gently rubbed her nose and extended a slender finger, carefully touching Zhan Yue's chest through his clothes.
Zhan Yue was tall and had a strong chest. Jiashan's finger felt like it was poking a solid mountain, hard and firm.
She asked in a clear voice, "Shouldn't you explain to me what you mean by 'stealing someone's beloved'?"
Zhan Yue looked down at her. He saw that Jiashan's eyes were bright, with a hint of youthful innocence and a captivatingly enchanting coquettishness.
She had applied a delicate rouge to her cheeks and bright red lipstick to her lips. Yet, Zhan Yue could clearly see through this exquisite makeup that there was a slight blush on her small face.
It was obvious that this was the first time she had done something like this, and she was still a little unfamiliar. Zhan Yue's heart softened instantly.
His little princess actually cared about him a lot.
A starlight-like smile lit up Zhan Yue's eyes. He cleared his throat and said softly, "'Stealing someone's beloved'? I don't understand. I wasn't really listening to what she said. I just think what you said is right."
Jiashan raised her head and looked up at him.
Zhan Yue's voice was husky as he said, "You'll have a good husband."
"One who will wholeheartedly protect you and Yuan Kang," Zhan Yue lowered his head and suddenly grabbed her hand. His grip was firm. "A good husband."
A blush crept onto Jiashan's cheeks. Although she had said those words to Shuxian herself, hearing Zhan Yue repeat them made her heart race and feel an extra surge of emotion.
She tried to pull her hand away. But as soon as she moved, Zhan Yue tightened his grip.
His palm was almost twice the size of hers. Probably due to his martial arts practice, Zhan Yue's palm was hot and warm. Unlike Jiashan's hands, which were sometimes cold.
Being held like this, Jiashan couldn't help but struggle. But her strength was like a kitten scratching a tiger's fur.
Seeing that she couldn't break free on her own, Jiashan glared at him slightly. Her face was still flushed, and she deliberately lowered her voice, saying, "I haven't married you yet, don't be so presumptuous."
"Alright," Zhan Yue replied slowly. He gradually loosened his grip, very slowly releasing Jiashan's delicate fingers.
The back of Jiashan's white hand was almost reddened by the hot temperature of his palm.
After regaining her freedom, Jiashan rubbed her wrist. She curled her lips and said, "You better really not understand."
Zhan Yue looked at her with deepening eyes, his usually cold voice revealing a hint of laziness. He lowered his head, his face illuminated by the moonlight, making it difficult to see his exact expression.
He said, "If the princess is jealous, you can just tell me directly. Why beat around the bush like this?"
Jiashan said, "I'm not."
"The princess is being dishonest again," Zhan Yue half-squatted and stared at her intently. There was a faint smile in his eyes. He said word by word, "I still find the princess who said 'Zhan Yanqing is so attractive' more endearing."
Jiashan said, "I believe in my sister. She wouldn't develop feelings for you to the point where I would be jealous."
"Oh," Zhan Yue nodded slightly. He slowly adjusted his clothes, his hands long and slender. "Because you believe that there's definitely nothing between us?"
"Yes," Jiashan agreed.
She seized the opportunity and mischievously curved her eyes into a smile, "I'm not like someone who resorts to underhanded tactics when they're jealous. Like secretly reading letters and eavesdropping."
Zhan Yue paused for a moment and admitted these facts. He opened his lips and said, "If it weren't for this fortunate coincidence, I wouldn't have been able to hear the princess's true feelings."
"And I wouldn't have known," Zhan Yue changed the subject smoothly, he admitted frankly, "that you privately think so highly of me."
Jiashan's face turned a delicate shade of pink, and she gently bit her thin lips.
Zhan Yue stared at her for a moment. He added softly, "In the future, if you have any difficult matters, don't go to Pei Yuantang. As husband and wife, you can talk to me directly."
"The promise I made to you has been valid since that moment," Zhan Yue leaned closer to her cheek, fearing that others might hear, and said in a low voice.
Jiashan's breath quickened, and her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she looked up at him.
Zhan Yue's gaze was ardent and steady. His expression was slightly serious, "You said I could give you a sense of security. I hope you weren't just saying that to deceive Pei Yuantang."
Afraid that Jiashan wouldn't agree, he lowered his tone and asked beside her ear, "Do you remember what I said?"
Zhan Yue was intelligent and had been by her father's side for many years. He must have developed the ability to understand people's intentions from their words. It was definitely because of her careless remark to Shuxian today about having a "good brother" that made him suspicious.
If he connected this with the letters she had exchanged with Pei Yuantang in the past, it would be easy for him to investigate and find out something.
If she really married him, she wouldn't be able to hide the matter of her younger brother for long. But the palace was not the place to clarify such matters.
Jiashan nodded without saying much, "I understand."
"Good," Zhan Yue replied with satisfaction.
His gaze shifted to Jiashan's slightly flushed face. His expression darkened slightly, and he squeezed out a sentence from his throat, "Drink less alcohol when you go back, be careful not to get drunk."
Jiashan couldn't help but look up at Zhan Yue and said softly, "You're so bossy."
Zhan Yue's expression was calm, but the corners of his lips were slightly pursed, revealing an undeniable domineering aura. He gently pinched Jiashan's cheek, and a faint smile appeared in his eyes. "If you like, you can save it for our wedding day. You can drink as much as you want."
Jiashan's skin was delicate, feeling as smooth and white as freshly ground tofu.
Zhan Yue released her hand, saying, "Only I could see that day."
The force with which he pinched her cheek was very light, and it wouldn't hurt at all. However, the slightly calloused and rough fingertips, brushing against Jiashan's skin, caused a tingling sensation, making Jiashan's eyelashes flutter several times involuntarily.
Jiashan rubbed her face and retorted defiantly, "If you keep touching me like this, I'll tell the emperor and say I won't marry you."
Zhan Yue couldn't help but chuckle at her threat. He softened his tone and pleaded, "Then you should still marry me."
Jiashan was still unsatisfied and glared at him stubbornly. It was only when Zhan Yue took three steps back that she, accompanied by Su Yu and Dancui, slowly walked away.
After she left, Zhan Yue's expression turned solemn. The person who had been hiding behind the artificial mountain finally dared to come forward. Seeing that Zhan Yue was just silent, he called softly, "Commander."
Zhan Yue responded slowly. His expression softened, and he said softly, "Keep a close eye on the Pei family these days, don't give them any opportunities to take advantage of the situation."
"Yes," the person bowed.
Zhan Yue rubbed the two fingers of his right hand. The fingertips still seemed to retain the soft temperature of Jiashan's cheek.
His princess, his future wife, he must protect her well.
Zhan Yue thought to himself.
From the Jiangnan to the capital, if they traveled by fast horse, it would take at most half a month. Since receiving Pei Yuantang's reply, Jiashan had been counting the days, calculating approximately when Physician Kong would officially enter the capital.
Since the Wan Shou Festival, the emperor's attention had clearly been half focused on her marriage.
Jiashan also knew that once she left the palace, she couldn't casually see her father or younger brother. Therefore, during this time, Zhao Youze had been staying in Changle Palace for three days and then in Fengyang Pavilion for three days.
Emperor Zhanghe knew of their deep sibling affection. After all, he was his own son, even though Zhao Youze was not particularly favored by him due to his congenital illness, but thinking that Zhao Youze would be alone after Jiashan's marriage.
A bit of tenderness finally emerged in Emperor Zhanghe's iron-like heart, reserved for Zhao Youze. Zhao Youze's recent days had been quite pleasant.
This afternoon, Zhao Youze had just returned from studying with Mr. Xu. Su Yu held his hand and walked into Fengyang Pavilion, smiling, "Madam Pei has entered the palace today and is talking with the Eldest Princess. Would Your Highness like to change your clothes and go see them?"
The Madam Pei that Su Yu mentioned was the wife of Pei Zijing and the mother of Pei Yuantang. She held a rank of a third-rank consort and was the proper maternal aunt of Jiashan and Zhao Youze.
Madam Pei was gentle and kind, unlike Pei Zijing who was rigid, nor like Pei Yuantang who was arrogant. After the Empress passed away, Madam Pei would often come to the palace to bring some fun and delicious things from outside to the siblings.
Hearing that his aunt had come, Zhao Youze's face turned red with excitement. He nodded and said, "Okay!"
Su Yu then led him to the side chamber and helped him change his clothes.
Zhao Youze quickly changed into his usual clothes and ran to the main hall. Madam Pei was sitting with Jiashan, chatting while eating fruits.
Seeing Zhao Youze coming, Madam Pei's eyes turned slightly red. She reached out her hand, and said "Yuan Kang is here, come and let your aunt hug you."
Zhao Youze immediately threw himself into Madam Pei's arms. He raised his face with a smile and said, "Aunt, it's been a long time since you've been here."
"Does Aunt miss Sister and Yuan Kang?" Zhao Youze asked innocently.
Madam Pei rubbed his delicate nose and smiled, "Yuan Kang is so lovely, how could Aunt not miss you?"
Zhao Youze grinned and laughed happily.
He said in a clear voice, "Sister is going to get married, and as a family member, Aunt must also prepare a gift for Sister. When Sister marries and goes to another place, Aunt will help Yuan Kang and often come to see if Sister is doing well?"
He was young, so asking for a gift actively would not be annoying. Everyone present smiled at his words. The last few sentences made both Madam Pei and Jiashan's eyes turn red.
Thinking that after she got married and left the palace, Yuan Kang would be left alone in the palace with no one to rely on.
Jiashan couldn't help but say, "Aunt will see Aunt, and Yuan Kang will see Yuan Kang. Even if Sister gets married, she is still your sister."
"If you miss me, just tell me. You can't leave the palace, so I'll come to see you." Jiashan said.
Zhao Youze shook his head and declined, "That's not good. It will make Father misunderstand that Sister is unhappy after marriage, and it will also make Brother-in-law think that Sister is not satisfied with him."
"Sister, you can marry with peace of mind. I've grown up. Jing Fei niangniang treats me as her own, and I have Qinghe to keep me company."
"Don't worry about me," Zhao Youze added with a smile.
Jiashan's eyes dimmed slightly, and Madam Pei couldn't help but take out her handkerchief and wipe her tears. She exchanged a glance with Jiashan, and Jiashan nodded silently.
Madam Pei then pulled Zhao Youze into her arms. As she adjusted his hair, she leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Your aunt has brought a renowned physician from outside the palace. She wants him to examine Yuan Kang's eyes. Would that be alright?"
Zhao Youze was slightly stunned, then he realized what she meant. He nodded slightly, "Oh, okay."