Pei You'an had initially addressed her as "cousin." As they grew closer, he began calling her "A'fu," following her family's affectionate nickname. Later, during a moment of deep intimacy, seeing her delicate face like a hibiscus on the pillow, her soft breaths, and her fragile yet graceful form—so tender it seemed unbearable to touch—he couldn't resist calling her "Fu'er" in a surge of emotion. Jiafu, hearing this, responded with even more fervor beneath him, her sweet cries lingering in the air, leaving them both utterly enchanted. From then on, Pei You'an used this endearing name for her.
Pei You'an heard her words, his eyelashes fluttering slightly before he opened his eyes.
Jiafu gazed at him with wide, earnest eyes. She noticed him looking at her for a moment, a flicker of delight passing through his gaze, though the corner of his lips quirked as if suppressing a smile. Finally, he reached out and patted her back gently, as if soothing a child, murmuring softly, "I understand. Sleep now."
Did he not believe her? Or did he find her words amusing?
Jiafu felt a pang of frustration and unwillingness. She released her arms from around his neck and instead tightly grasped the hand that had been comforting her, pressing it down firmly. With added emphasis, she declared, "Elder Cousin, I mean every word! No matter what happens to you, Fu'er will cherish and love you for a lifetime!"
Pei You'an softened his expression, his eyes lingering on Jiafu for a long moment before he stopped teasing her. In a low voice, he asked, "How does Fu'er plan to cherish this elder cousin of hers?"
His voice, already deep and rich, grew even more intoxicating in the dimly lit bedchamber, like a seductive whisper. Jiafu felt her heart tremble, emboldened by boundless courage. She climbed onto his slightly parted chest, propping herself up on her elbows to meet his gaze. Seeing his Adam's apple move faintly, she couldn't resist leaning in, her fragrant lips brushing his in a fleeting kiss. "Whatever Elder Cousin wishes Fu'er to do, Fu'er will do it for you," she said, her tone unexpectedly solemn.
Pei You'an had intended to let her rest early, knowing she had been exhausted from her long day—leaving at dawn and returning late at night, with no respite even at the temple. Yet, she refused to heed his considerate gesture, instead showering him with heartfelt but naive confessions. Though touching, her words carried a childlike sincerity that was both endearing and amusing. Strangely, he found himself swayed by her earnestness, nearly losing control, yet she persisted.
The more serious she was, the more irresistible she became, and the harder it was for him to restrain himself...
Pei You'an froze as he felt her lips graze his Adam's apple again. A rush of heat surged through him, his vision darkening momentarily, yet he forced himself to remain still, silently watching her.
Jiafu immediately sensed the change in his body and understood its cause. Seeing the strange intensity in his gaze, she grew flustered and slightly regretful.
In all honesty, she hadn’t intended anything beyond expressing her boundless love and tenderness for him. She cursed her own clumsiness—how had her words turned into provocation?
Blushing furiously, Jiafu lay stiffly against his chest, not daring to move another inch. Hastily, she explained, "Elder Cousin, please don’t misunderstand me—"
Pei You'an merely let out a low hum, his gaze growing darker. After a pause, he rasped, "Kiss me again." His Adam's apple bobbed once more.Jiafu found him a bit hard to understand, but recalling what she had just said, she obediently leaned in again to kiss his Adam's apple. She heard a low, guttural sound rise from his throat, and as she was about to pull her lips away, the back of her head was pressed down by his hand.
A trace of unwillingness still lingered in Jiafu's heart, mixed with a touch of grievance. Struggling under his restraint, she panted heavily and managed to free half her head. "Cousin, I really am—"
Pei You'an could bear it no longer. He flipped her onto her back, pressing her down, and captured her lips—those lips that spoke far more than they acted.
Dew moistened emerald clouds; rich fragrance clung to silk robes. Behind the half-drawn embroidered curtains, a hibiscus bloomed in the brocade tent, its petals glistening with night's dew.
The beauty's soft cries gradually rose, candlelight flickering against the gauze canopy, causing the golden hooks to sway gently with faint rustling sounds.
Pei You'an felt waves of wild passion, his desire burning fiercely, his actions unusually unrestrained. When it was over, still unsatisfied, he made no move to carry her to wash or sleep. Instead, he caught one of her jade-like legs, intending to try again from behind. But seeing her forehead damp with sweat, her disheveled appearance pitiful as scattered petals and shattered jade, her hands clutching the quilt and her head ducked beneath it like a quail, refusing to show her face—he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
By then, it was already the first watch of the next day. The maids on night duty in the adjacent room, drowsy with sleep, were abruptly startled awake by the faint sound of a man's laughter from the inner chamber. Recognizing it as the young master's voice, they wondered why he was still awake so late, laughing so heartily—it was truly baffling. Rising to peek through the window, they saw the lamp still burning in his room.
Once his laughter subsided, Pei You'an relented. Wrapping Jiafu in the quilt, he carried her to the bathing chamber. Afterward, he extinguished the lamp, and they lay back in bed. Drawing her into his arms, he gently massaged her shoulders, neck, and lower back to ease her fatigue. As their breathing steadied, he asked softly, "Did something happen? Why did you suddenly say those things to me tonight?"
Now clean and nestled against him, Jiafu enjoyed the soothing strokes on her back, feeling utterly content. She closed her eyes and yawned, drifting toward sleep when his question chased away her drowsiness. Hesitating for a moment, she tightened her small arms around his waist and whispered, "Fu'er just wants Cousin to always be happy. I want to be good to you for the rest of my life."
A warm current surged through Pei You'an's heart. He held her tighter, finding her lips in the darkness and pressing a tender kiss. "I understand. You must be tired. It's late—sleep now."
Jiafu felt satisfied, yet for some reason, a faint trace of melancholy lingered in her heart—an indescribable feeling.
She finally murmured an "Mm," softly closing her eyes.
The night settled into deep silence.
Jiafu slept soundly, unaware of the time, until she was abruptly roused by knocking outside. In her dazed state, she heard the voice of the maid on night duty: "Young Master, someone from the palace has come. His Majesty urgently summons you—please rise early and go to the palace first thing!"
Jiafu awoke. Pei You'an had already sat up, drawing aside the bed curtains and lighting the lamp.
Rubbing her eyes, Jiafu sat up as well, peeking out at the water clock. It was only the second half of the Hour of the Tiger—still a long while before morning court.Pei You'an had originally planned to continue his leave today, intending to take three consecutive days off. No one knew what had happened, but the emperor had sent someone to summon Pei You'an so early in the morning.
Pei You'an threw on his outer robe and went out, opening the door to inquire. Upon learning it was Cui Yinshui who had come to call for him, he returned inside. As he dressed himself, he said to Jiafu, "I’ll head to the palace first. You should go back to sleep."
But Jiafu could no longer sleep. She hastily draped her own clothes over herself and went to fetch his court attire, helping him layer it properly. She then opened the door to call for attendants to assist with washing up. After he ate a few bites, she saw him off. The sky was still pitch black. Though she returned to bed as he had advised, sleep eluded her, and she simply waited for dawn.
...
Pei You'an left the inner courtyard and made his way to the front hall. Cui Yinshui was waiting there, his face tinged with anxiety as he kept glancing around. The moment he spotted Pei You'an, he hurried forward and bowed. "Lord Pei, please come to the palace at once."
Pei You'an walked briskly alongside him and asked, "What’s happened?"
Cui Yinshui had practically sprinted here earlier and was still catching his breath. "In the third watch, an 800 Li Urgent Delivery arrived directly from the Governor of Sichuan, seemingly related to Zhou Jin’s mission to quell the unrest in Jingxiang under imperial decree. The specifics are unclear to me. From outside, I only faintly heard His Majesty erupt in fury. Then my foster father came out and ordered me to summon you to the palace."
Pei You'an frowned slightly but said nothing more. They quickened their pace to the main gate, where he took the reins from his attendant, mounted his horse, and galloped toward the imperial palace.
By the middle of the Yin hour, Pei You'an arrived at the Imperial Study. From a distance, he could see the brightly lit interior. Li Yuangui was waiting outside and immediately approached upon seeing him. While guiding him inside, Li whispered an explanation of the situation.
Indeed, it concerned Zhou Jin’s earlier mission to suppress the unrest—now a grave mishap had occurred.
Upon arriving in Jingxiang, Zhou Jin had adopted ruthless measures, first branding the displaced people who resisted relocation as "bandits." He mobilized troops from neighboring southwestern provinces and launched a fierce campaign of suppression. Initially, the results were striking—a number of so-called "bandits" were executed as a warning to others. Then, under the guise of official orders, he coerced the displaced masses into migration. Millions of displaced people, left with no choice, abandoned their homes and lands, embarking on a path of no return. Instead of allocating land or providing settlements, the authorities forced them all to garrison the borders. Those who refused were immediately labeled as bandits, rounded up, and slaughtered. Countless displaced people, driven by whips and clubs, were herded along the river toward the borders of Yunnan and Guizhou. Corpses littered the path, and with the summer heat, plague spread unchecked. Bodies floated in the river, the stench so overwhelming it clogged the waterways. The scene was so horrific it resembled a living hell.
Just days ago, a group of desperate displaced people secretly organized and rose up under cover of night. After killing their guards and seizing weapons, their numbers swelled with rallying cries, eventually reaching hundreds of thousands. They openly defied the authorities, turning back en masse toward Jingxiang. Along the way, they stormed cities and seized territory, their momentum unstoppable. Local officials fled at the mere rumor of their approach, too terrified to engage.Seeing the major task accomplished, Zhou Jin sent a report of victory to the capital and prepared to return to report his achievements. Upon receiving the news, he hurried back and once again mobilized troops for a suppression campaign. The Governor of Sichuan, who had always been at odds with him and disapproved of his actions, swiftly sent a report to the throne, detailing various accusations. He charged Zhou Jin with recklessly seeking merit, advancing rashly, and indiscriminately killing innocents, making him the true instigator of the unrest in the southwest.
"Your Majesty was so furious he couldn't sleep all night. Before dawn, he ordered me to summon you and the officials from the Ministry of War. Those gentlemen should be arriving soon," said Li Yuangui.
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