For some inexplicable reason, Cui Jintang had a bad premonition.
She turned to leave, but was blocked by Chu Yingfeng.
There was pleading on his face. "Don't make yourself suffer."
"Chu Yingfeng, we should be considered friends."
Cui Jintang paused for a moment. Considering that Yan Liangwen was still present, she subtly reminded him, "I'll act as if I don't know about what you said to your elders at home."
"You should strive for a way out in the imperial examinations for the sake of your family, rather than being forced to be with me."
Her gaze was so clear that many words got stuck in Chu Yingfeng's throat.
His hands drooped limply for a moment.
Cui Jintang seized the opportunity to bypass him and quickly walked towards Pei Zhaolin's study.
But after walking just a few steps, she started to trot anxiously.
It was not until her figure disappeared from sight that Yan Liangwen retracted his gaze, shook his fan and shook his head with a smile.
He turned to leave, only to see Chu Yingfeng still standing there, head bowed, lost in thought.
Yan Liangwen sighed and put his arm around Chu Yingfeng's neck like a good brother.
"Give it up, Young Master Chu! She has said so much. Don't you understand what she means?"
"I've been able to be her friend for so many years not only because of our deep friendship but also because I know how to judge the situation."
Yan Liangwen patted his chest proudly. "In this regard, Young Master Chu, you should learn from me!"
Chu Yingfeng twitched the corners of his lips and forced a ugly smile. "Then I have to thank Young Master Yan for your advice."
"You're welcome."
---
Cui Jintang trotted all the way there and found the courtyard completely silent, not a single person in sight.
Only the wind chimes hanging from the eaves were jingling in the wind.
One jingle after another. At such a moment, it was really disturbing.
Standing outside the study, Cui Jintang raised her hand to push the door open, only to find that it was not fully closed.
There was still a crack.
Cui Jintang was puzzled for a moment and pushed the crack wider.
Immediately afterwards, she heard a sentence that would haunt her for the rest of her life:
"A low - class orphan girl is not fit to be a main wife."
Inside the study, Pei Zhaolin's voice was low and cold, full of loathing she had never heard before.
Another male voice sounded. It should be Doctor Wu.
"But my lord once promised Miss Cui and proposed to her in public!"
"Just a casual remark. How can it be taken seriously?"
After a brief silence, Pei Zhaolin sneered.
Every word fell into Cui Jintang's ears like a blunt knife cutting into her bones.
Cui Jintang stood outside the study, her fingertips gripping the door frame until it turned pale, but she stubbornly straightened her back.
"What I need is someone who can help me protect the Pei family, not a... burden."
Pei Zhaolin paused for a moment, and his voice turned even colder. "If she can't accept being a concubine today, then she should be driven out of the capital."
Every word was like ice - cold water, extinguishing the last bit of warmth in Cui Jintang's chest.
She let out a bitter laugh. Her body was as stiff and slow as if it had just thawed from the cold.
Cui Jintang pushed the door open forcefully. The door hit the wall with a loud noise.
"Who?!"
A scolding female voice suddenly came from behind the screen.
Immediately afterwards, Luo Xiang walked out from behind the maid. Seeing Cui Jintang standing outside, she smiled slightly. "Miss Cui is here?"
Luo Xiang turned around and happily urged Pei Zhaolin. "That's just right, Zhaolin. Repeat what you just said to Miss Cui!"
Pei Zhaolin's face darkened. He pulled out his arm from Luo Xiang's grasp, looked at Cui Jintang, opened his lips, but didn't say a word.
Nor did he offer any explanation.
The last bit of hope in Cui Jintang's heart slowly faded away.
She slowly lifted her foot and walked around the screen.
Her embroidered shoes stepped on the jade bricks silently.
Cui Jintang bit her lower lip tightly until she tasted a hint of rust.
She curled her red lips and smiled gracefully.
"My lord Pei, there's no need to say more."
In Pei Zhaolin's suddenly shrinking pupils, she bowed and her voice was as soft as falling snow.
But every word sent a chill down one's spine.
"I, Cui Jintang, have never been a woman who can't live without a man."
A look of determination gradually appeared in Cui Jintang's eyes.
After saying that, she took off the jade bracelet on her wrist.
With a flick of her hand, the jade bracelet fell to the ground and instantly shattered into pieces.
At that moment, Pei Zhaolin felt as if a piece of his heart had been gouged out, leaving a painful emptiness.
"From now on, you and I will be like this broken jade bracelet," she looked up, her eyes dead - cold. "Our ties are severed, and there will be no turning back."
Luo Xiang watched and suddenly showed a sweet smile on her face.
"Miss Cui is really decisive."
Luo Xiang turned around, smiling at Pei Zhaolin. There was a hint of veiled warning in her eyes. "Zhaolin, you should also show your attitude!"
Pei Zhaolin clenched his fist tightly in his sleeve.
But his face remained calm. "Since you're so ungrateful and unwilling to be a concubine, then get out of the capital as soon as possible. Don't let me see you again. You're just a bad omen."
Cui Jintang closed her eyes tightly, holding back the tears welling up in her eyes.
She took a deep breath to hold back the sobs.
She said angrily, "Pei Zhaolin, you're really something!"
After saying that, Cui Jintang turned around and left.
Under the wind chimes on the eaves, only her determined back was left.
Like a determined river, from now on, she would be completely separated from him.
A look of heartache flashed across Pei Zhaolin's eyes.
Then came Luo Xiang's slightly impatient voice. "Zhaolin, since you've received the imperial edict, you should go to the palace to thank the emperor soon."
Luo Xiang took two steps forward and grabbed Pei Zhaolin's arm, whispering, "All the guests here today are princes and nobles. After the Pei Mansion was surrounded for so long, you need to explain it to everyone through them."
"Right, Zhaolin?"
Pei Zhaolin's face was cold, showing his disgust for Luo Xiang without any disguise.
"Today you threatened me with the lives of hundreds of people from the Cui and Pei families. Luo Xiang, behind you, it should be the current emperor, right?"
Luo Xiang's face became a bit unnatural.
Hearing the maid beside her cough twice, Luo Xiang immediately showed a smiling face to Pei Zhaolin. "What are you talking about, Zhaolin?"
The situation was already settled, and Luo Xiang's vigilance was obviously lower.
She said, "If we get married soon, I can tell you what you want to know. Otherwise, the lives of those thousands of personal guards outside the suburbs of the capital and Miss Cui's identity..."
"I've already promised you!"
Pei Zhaolin narrowed his eyes, showing his killing intent without any concealment. "If you dare to hurt her even a bit, even if I have to rebel, I'll kill my way into the imperial city!"
Frightened by the killing intent in his eyes, Luo Xiang's legs went weak and she took two steps back.
The maid quickly supported her and slowly sized Pei Zhaolin up.
Realizing that the maid was still there, Luo Xiang quickly stopped Pei Zhaolin's disrespectful words. "Stop talking!"
If she stayed any longer, Pei Zhaolin might be completely enraged.
If the maid heard what he said and reported it to the emperor...
Luo Xiang raised her chin and looked directly at Pei Zhaolin. "Now, you should go with me to explain it to all the guests outside, right?"