Li Rong didn't say anything.
As she listened to these words, she felt an indescribable softness gently wrapping around her.
This kind of gentleness was hard for her to understand, but it also made her feel at ease. For a moment, she felt as if she was 18 years old.
Only the 18 year old her had the qualifications to express her emotions without any concealment, and still have someone to sympathize with and comfort her.
She lowered her head for a long time before finally looking up. Somewhat embarrassed, she said: "I've made a fool of myself in front of you."
"How could that be?" Pei Wenxuan laughed. "I'm happy to see Your Highness in such a sorry state."
Li Rong heard this and glared at him with red eyes. "Are you itching for a beating if you don't get scolded for a day?"
"Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan folded his hands in his sleeves. "You've let me down today. Shouldn't you do something about it? Do you know how expensive the flowers you blew up today were? "
"No matter how expensive it was, it was still my money. I'm afraid you've forgotten where your money came from. " Li Rong sneered. "Every day you spend money on useless things like this. You're lucky I didn't make trouble for you. How dare you ask me to compensate you?"
"Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan brushed his sleeves and said proudly, "I'm afraid you've forgotten that I'm the heir to my father's fortune."
After being rebuked by Pei Wenxuan, Li Rong remembered that ever since Pei Wenxuan caused trouble at the Pei Family, Pei Wenxuan had taken all of his father's money.
Li Rong raised his eyebrows. "Did I underestimate you?"
Pei Wenxuan nodded elegantly. "It's good that Your Highness knows."
Li Rong was speechless for a moment. He waved his hand and walked forward. "Forget it, I don't want to talk to you. It's so cold."
As he spoke, Li Rong hurriedly walked towards his room. Before he could take two steps, he felt Pei Wenxuan's warm cloak cover him. Li Rong turned to look at him. Pei Wenxuan was wearing a single shirt. He was walking along the corridor with a smile on his face, but he didn't say anything.
Li Rong quickly looked away and lowered his head.
She didn't know why. She didn't feel anything when she was talking, but after she finished speaking and Pei Wenxuan interrupted her, she felt an indescribable awkwardness, which made her whole face heat up.
Pei Wenxuan glanced at Li Rong from the corner of his eye and saw the slight blush on her face. He suppressed the smile on his lips and did not add fuel to the fire.
The two of them entered the room. Pei Wenxuan accompanied Li Rong into the room. Li Rong felt a little nervous when she thought about sleeping face to face with Pei Wenxuan at night.
However, she didn't want to push Pei Wenxuan away when they finally agreed to it. She could only pretend that nothing had happened and wash her hands with her back to Pei Wenxuan.
Pei Wenxuan saw that Li Rong was deliberately busy and didn't look back at him. He also didn't enter the room. He put his hands in his sleeves and leaned against the door, smiling as he watched Li Rong busy herself. After a while, Li Rong heard no movement behind her. She finally turned around and saw the young man standing at the door. She couldn't help but ask, "Why don't you come in?"
"Didn't Your Highness allow me to sleep in the study?"
Pei Wenxuan replied confidently.
Li Rong was stunned. She didn't know why, but her nervousness suddenly disappeared. At the same time, she was worried that Pei Wenxuan was still angry. However, when this thought appeared, she forcefully stopped it. She felt that it was a little awkward to care about whether he was angry or not.
For a moment, her thoughts were tossed and turned. Pei Wenxuan saw the expression in her eyes change. Finally, he heard Li Rong say, "Then why are you still standing at the door?"
After saying that, Li Rong seemed to feel that her words were too stiff. She softened her tone and said, "Rest early. You still have to go to court tomorrow."
When Pei Wenxuan heard her say this, he immediately laughed. He straightened up and bowed to Li Rong. He said respectfully, "I will follow Your Highness's instructions. This official will take his leave first."
Li Rong responded stiffly. Pei Wenxuan turned around and leisurely left.
She stood quietly in the room. For a moment, she couldn't understand Pei Wenxuan's intentions. Just now, everything was fine. Why did he want to sleep in the study?
While she was thinking, she heard footsteps outside. Then, she saw Pei Wenxuan turn back. He came to the door and said with a smile, "I almost forgot about something."
"Wha …"
Before she could finish speaking, Pei Wenxuan came in front of her. He bent down and gently kissed her face. He said softly, "Your Highness, good night."
Then, without waiting for Li Rong to react, he straightened up, turned around, and walked out.
Li Rong stood there expressionlessly. After a while, she raised her hand and wiped her face. She muttered, "Gaudy."
After saying this, she finally relaxed. She took off Pei Wenxuan's coat and hung it on the side. Then, she walked to the bedside and gently sat down.
Not long after she sat on the bedside, Jing Lan came in. He looked at Li Rong and restrained himself. He said, "Your Highness, this servant heard that the prince consort wants to sleep in the study today."
"Yes," Li Rong said calmly, "Add a quilt for him."
"Your Highness," Jing Lan said with difficulty, "How can a husband and wife have an overnight grudge …"
"We don't have any grudges. Don't worry about it," Li Rong looked up and said calmly, "The prince consort and I are just having fun. Don't bother us."
"Ah?" Jing Lan said in surprise. Li Rong stood up and walked to the clean room. He ordered Jing Lan, "In a while, send a bowl of ginger soup to the prince consort. Don't let him catch a cold. Also, send someone to find out how much the prince consort has spent on buying peonies. Take out some money from the treasury and send it to him."
Jing Lan silently listened to Li Rong's words. The more she heard, the more shocked she became. Even the money spent had to be returned. What kind of fun was this? They were clearly living separately.
However, she understood Li Rong's temperament. If she said anything more, Li Rong would probably be annoyed by her. Thus, Jing Lan could only swallow her words. Without saying a word, she wrote down Li Rong's orders.
Pei Wenxuan walked to the study. When he entered the study, he closed the door. Thinking of Li Rong's surprised expression, he laughed happily.
He lay down on the small couch. After a while, he heard Dong Ye's voice from outside, "Gongzi, the quilt is here."
Pei Wenxuan hurriedly sat up and said loudly, "Come in."
Dong Ye hugged the quilt and pushed the door open to squeeze in. Pei Wenxuan stood up and looked at Dong Ye arranging the quilt. Dong Ye couldn't help but say, "Gongzi, why are you being angry with His Highness? His Highness will be angered to death if you take the initiative to sleep here. "
"Ai, what do you know," Pei Wenxuan said with disdain, "This is called retreating in order to advance. This is a tactic."
"I don't understand your tactic."
Dong Ye made the bed and muttered, "This servant knows that the small couch in the study is too hard. If you really want to live separately, why don't you find a guest room and sleep in the study? Won't you be torturing yourself if you sleep in the study?"
"Go, go, go," Pei Wenxuan saw that Dong Ye made the bed and waved his hand, "How can the study and the guest room be the same? Sleeping in the study is to wait for His Highness to summon me back. If I sleep in the guest room, do I have a reason to go back? "
"Then why don't you just stay here?"
Tong Ye asked in a self-righteous manner. Pei Wenxuan was rendered speechless by his question. A moment later, he reacted and hissed, "I say, why are you getting bolder and bolder? Do you not want to work anymore? "
"I'm worried about you," Dong Ye said earnestly, "Gongzi, a relationship can't withstand the torment. Since you care about His Highness, you should be more direct. You're so thick-skinned and shameless. A woman is afraid of being pestered by a man. You originally had the advantage of being in a favorable position, but now you've moved to the study. It's cold, hard, and lonely. What are you after?"
"What are you after?" Pei Wenxuan raised his eyebrows. "Of course, you're after the Princess. Don't say anymore, "Pei Wenxuan walked over and waved his hand," You can leave. I want to sleep. "
Dong Ye saw that Pei Wenxuan didn't listen to him. He sighed and turned to leave.
After Dong Ye left, Pei Wenxuan turned off the light and lay down on the bed.
He first lay flat on the bed. After a while, he turned over and thought about what Li Rong was doing and thinking at this moment.
He could tell that Li Rong was probably very embarrassed after saying these things to him today. She might need a long time to accept him, so he stepped back and gave Li Rong some time.
He also gave himself some time.
He didn't expect Li Rong to say these things to him. However, when Li Rong said these words, he clearly saw for the first time that Li Rong's last life was such a deep wound.
He thought that time had healed these wounds, but now he knew that they didn't heal out of thin air. They were just hidden in a deeper corner, as if they had disappeared.
But if it had always existed, then it would silently play a role in the countless choices made in life.
Li Rong was afraid of relationships.
She had been proud her whole life, but she had no confidence in herself when it came to relationships. Because she knew that she was bound to lose, she would decisively withdraw at the beginning of every relationship.
This was the knot between them. She couldn't accept him, and he was too weak.
So in their last life, even if there was no Qin Zhenzhen or Su Yongqing, they would still end this relationship because of other things.
He couldn't force her.
Pei Wenxuan thought quietly. Li Rong was like a cat that had just entered the world of relationships. She was afraid of everything, so he could only let her explore. He couldn't put everything in front of her at once.
She could come and go as she pleased. Only with enough decision-making power could he feel secure enough.
This was probably what Li Rong wanted to wait for.
The distance between them should be decided by Li Rong, not him.
Li Rong was willing to take the first step and decide this distance. This was already a very good start.
Pei Wenxuan pursed his lips in the night and couldn't help but laugh.
The two of them fell asleep while thinking about what happened that night. When dawn came, Li Rong vaguely heard someone wake her up. She subconsciously wanted to call Pei Wenxuan, but then she remembered that Pei Wenxuan had gone to sleep in the study.
She groggily called out, and the Jing Lan came in with a lamp. Li Rong couldn't get used to the glaring light for a while. Then she was called out of bed.
In the past, Pei Wenxuan would first get up and cover her eyes with a handkerchief. Then he would go back to the window and use his shadow to block the light. Then he would put her clothes under the quilt and help her put them on, making sure that she didn't feel cold at all.
Now that he wasn't here, even if the servants did their best, they couldn't be so considerate.
However, this small detail reminded Li Rong of Pei Wenxuan's good points. She sighed softly and turned her head to ask, "Has the Prince Consort gotten up?"
"The Prince Consort is already waiting in the dining room," the Jing Mei helped Li Rong get dressed and said with a smile, "Does Your Highness want to go over and eat together?"
"Naturally, I want to go over."
Li Rong replied. After getting dressed, she went to the dining room.
Pei Wenxuan had already changed into his official robes and was sitting down to read the information that had just been sent back. Li Rong entered the room. Pei Wenxuan looked up and said with a smile, "Good morning, Your Highness."
"Good morning," Li Rong smiled and her eyes fell on the information that had just arrived, "Is there any special news today?"
"Nothing much," Pei Wenxuan put down the information in his hand and looked at Li Rong, "Did Your Highness sleep well last night?"
"Very well," Li Rong said and sat down next to Pei Wenxuan, "How about you?"
"Not bad either," Pei Wenxuan said. Li Rong nodded and wanted to find a topic to talk about. However, before he could think of anything, he heard Pei Wenxuan say, "About yesterday's assassination, Your Highness, do you plan to go to the Imperial Court today or do you plan to wait and see?"
"Wait and see." Li Rong saw that Pei Wenxuan took the initiative to talk about business and said, "Maybe we didn't, but the mastermind took the initiative to report him?"
"It's not impossible." Li Rong nodded and said slowly, "Let's wait and see."
Pei Wenxuan nodded and began to talk about other business with Li Rong. Pei Wenxuan didn't mention a word about what happened last night, as if nothing had happened.
Li Rong followed Pei Wenxuan's words and talked about business, but there was a faint sense of uneasiness in her heart.
She felt that she should say something, but she didn't know what to say.
After the meal, the two went to the Imperial Court together. Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan walked side by side in the corridor. Usually, Pei Wenxuan would find some reason to pull her, but today, Pei Wenxuan was very proper, as if they were just colleagues. There was no charm or gentleness, and he only talked about the Imperial Court.
When Pei Wenxuan didn't pull her, Li Rong had an indescribable feeling in her heart. She seemed to have become used to this. When Pei Wenxuan suddenly stopped, she had an indescribable … unaccustomed feeling.
She didn't show it on her face, but quietly approached Pei Wenxuan and walked side by side with Pei Wenxuan.
Pei Wenxuan felt Li Rong leaning over, and her sleeves rubbed against his. As the two walked, her hand inadvertently touched the back of his hand. Just this short intertwining caused an indescribable itch. Pei Wenxuan couldn't help but look up at her, then pretended that he didn't know anything and continued to talk about business seriously.
He didn't dodge, but he didn't take the initiative either. He just let Li Rong's sleeves rub against his, and he only lowered his eyes and lowered his head. Li Rong talked about the Imperial Court.
"According to what you said, if Xie Lanqing really instructed Lin Feibai to help the Chen family assassinate you, then with the Xie family's current position, would they still be willing to support the Crown Prince?"
As Pei Wenxuan spoke, the two of them arrived at the side of the carriage. At this time, Pei Wenxuan finally reached out and Li Rong helped Li Rong into the carriage.
Li Rong placed her hand on the back of his hand, and their skin finally overlapped. Pei Wenxuan's face was calm, and he only treated this as a polite gesture.
Li Rong took advantage of the time when the two of them overlapped hands to slowly trace the back of Pei Wenxuan's hand with her fingertips. She felt that her goodwill should be obvious enough, but Pei Wenxuan was still unmoved.
The two of them got into the carriage, and Pei Wenxuan continued to analyze for Li Rong, "Moreover, with Xie Lanqing's intentions, he will probably take the initiative to participate in the Chen family's memorial today. Wouldn't it be too late for Your Highness to participate in it another day?"
"Let's wait and see first." Li Rong replied casually.
In any case, Xie Lanqing was like a grasshopper after autumn and wouldn't be able to jump around for long. She was only concerned about one thing now.
They clearly agreed on it last night, so why did Pei Wenxuan go back on his words today?
What did Pei Wenxuan mean by this? If he rejected her last night, he shouldn't have come back to kiss her.
If he promised her, why did he sleep in the study and ignore her so much in the morning?
Li Rong thought about it. Pei Wenxuan's words went in one ear and out the other. In any case, she had already thought about the problem last night, so she didn't want to repeat it.
She listened to Pei Wenxuan talk at the side, sizing him up from time to time.
Pei Wenxuan saw her gaze and knew that Li Rong had bitten the bait after he gave in by an inch.
He didn't change his expression and continued to talk nonsense about the court.
Li Rong thought about it all the way. When she got off the carriage, Pei Wenxuan reached out to help her down. Li Rong coughed lightly and decided to make it more obvious: "Pei Wenxuan, that, the small couch in the study is very small. It won't be easy for you to sleep on it, right?"
"Replying to Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan replied with a smile, "After sleeping on a high bed for a long time, the small couch has a different flavor."
Li Rong saw that Pei Wenxuan didn't respond and couldn't help but laugh. She said gently: "It's so easy to sleep on. Why don't you sleep in the study for the rest of your life?"
"Your Highness is joking," Pei Wenxuan immediately said, "This official will still have to go back. After all, this official and Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan looked up at her with a smile that wasn't a smile, "there will be plenty of time in the future."
Li Rong didn't say anything. She stared at Pei Wenxuan's smiling face for a long time before she finally came to her senses.
The peony this time was indeed a bit expensive.
She finally understood that Pei Wenxuan didn't want to part ways with her. She was afraid that after agreeing to her request, he couldn't stand the destruction of the mountain full of peonies and decided to find a place to vent his anger and put on airs with her.
Li Rong thought for a moment, then tapped her small fan on the palm of her hand and said considerately: "I understand what you mean."
Pei Wenxuan was a bit confused. Li Rong looked up and said seriously: "I will compensate you for the peony, but in the future, you can't be so arrogant."
Pei Wenxuan: "… …"
He clearly understood every word, but why couldn't he understand when they were put together?
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