Chapter 25: Heir Pei dragged her to the edge of the bed...

Xia Nianchu watched the Old Madam walk away, but she had no desire to leave the West Wing.

Her cousin, the Heir, had always been a stickler for propriety. If that were the case, why was he choosing to stay behind?

Shen Shuyi was residing in the West Wing. If she left, wouldn't her cousin and that infatuated woman, Shen Shuyi, be left alone together in the same room? If news of this were to spread, it would surely tarnish her cousin's impeccable reputation.

Watching Shen Shuyi’s pale face, Xia Nianchu formulated a plan. She gently took hold of Shen Shuyi’s slightly cool hand and said in a soft, melodic voice, "Cousin Shuyi, you look so unwell. Wouldn't it be better if I stayed to take care of you?"

As she spoke, a gentle, spring-like smile tugged at the corners of her lips, her eyes filled with sincere concern.

Shen Shuyi was slightly taken aback by the request, but she quickly squeezed Xia Nianchu’s hand in return, feigning a weak and touched expression. "Cousin Nianchu, you are so thoughtful; I hardly know what to say. With you here to look after me, I’m sure I shall recover much faster."

*So, could Heir Pei please spare this poor, sickly creature for now?*

Ajian, who had just regained consciousness, was bewildered by the scene. Just then, Pei Dongzhou looked at her. "Ajian, see Cousin Nianchu out."

Ajian agreed instinctively, but then realized something was amiss. She was a maid serving her young mistress; why should she take orders from the Heir? Yet, the Heir was a master of the Marquis’s estate and the future successor to the title; she truly had no choice but to obey his command.

Hesitantly, she approached Xia Nianchu, only to see her mistress signaling to her repeatedly with her eyes. Caught in a dilemma, she didn't know what to do.

"Cousin, you are a man of great importance; how could you waste your precious time caring for a trivial, insignificant person like me?" Shen Shuyi attempted a final, desperate struggle.

"Cousin Shuyi is the person Grandmother values most, so naturally, I value her as well. I would not be at ease leaving you in the care of others." Pei Dongzhou’s lips curled into an elusive smile, his gaze landing gently on Ajian. "Ajian, see our guest out."

His voice was calm and unhurried, yet it sent a chill down Ajian’s spine. His eyes remained as gentle as ever, and the curve of his smile was perfectly composed, yet it inexplicably reminded her of a blade covered in a light dusting of winter snow—seemingly harmless, but hiding a sharp edge.

Ajian bowed her head in obedience, her fingertips trembling involuntarily.

"This servant will see the young lady out."

Xia Nianchu’s slender fingers turned white as she clenched them, her nails digging into her palms. Her lips were pressed tightly together, and she remained rooted to the spot, her eyes full of resentment.

Pei Dongzhou’s gaze swept over her coolly. A faint smile touched his lips as he said in a measured tone, "What? Would you like me to escort you out myself?"

The tone was light and smiling, yet it carried an undeniable command. With no other choice, Xia Nianchu had no option but to leave the West Wing.

For a moment, only Pei Dongzhou and Shen Shuyi remained in the room. Shen Shuyi hoped Ajian would return quickly so she wouldn't have to face the Heir alone. She glanced at the door repeatedly, feeling as though she had never known time to pass so agonizingly slowly.

After seeing Xia Nianchu out, Ajian hurried back without a moment's delay. She had just stepped onto the threshold when she heard the Heir’s cold voice from inside: "Ajian, close the door."

His voice was deliberate, carrying an unquestionable authority. "I have some private matters to discuss with your mistress."

Ajian’s heart skipped a beat. She looked instinctively at her mistress, only to find her gazing back with teary, beautiful eyes, filled with desperation and helplessness. Ajian was caught in a quandary, her fingers twisting her sleeve—she couldn't bear to leave her mistress alone to face the Heir’s pressure, yet she lacked the courage to defy his command.

As she hesitated, Pei Dongzhou’s gaze swept over her like a cold blade. "What? Do you need me to see you out myself?"

His voice remained calm, but it brought a thin sheen of cold sweat to Ajian’s back. How could she dare to delay any longer? She retreated quickly and shut the door behind her, the entire motion fluid and swift.

Hearing the door click shut, Shen Shuyi gripped her quilt tightly. *Damn you, Ajian! Is Pei Dongzhou really that terrifying? How could you just leave me to him? Aren't you afraid your mistress might be devoured alive?*

Recalling Xia Nianchu’s demeanor, she decided to imitate her. In the next moment, she dove into the quilt like a startled rabbit, leaving only a pair of watery eyes exposed. Her voice, muffled by the blankets, sounded aggrieved: "For the Heir to be alone with me in this room like this... if this were to get out, my reputation would surely be ruined..."

Just as she met Pei Dongzhou’s enigmatic, half-smiling face, she quickly shrank back into the bedding.

The next instant, the quilt wrapped around her was rudely torn away by the man. A wave of cool air rushed in, carrying the scent of incense lingering on his robes. She let out a sharp cry, attempting to hide in feigned shock, but the Heir reached out and dragged her to the edge of the bed.

His slender fingers lifted her chin with irresistible force, compelling her to look directly at him. His eyes were deep and dark, his lips curled into a mocking arc as he spoke in a low, bewitching voice: "In that case... how about I take responsibility for you, cousin?"

His warm breath was inches away, heavy with an overbearing dominance.

Shen Shuyi cursed silently, feeling that she was doomed. *Could it be that he has concluded I kissed him while he was unconscious? And now he’s using this method to punish me?*

She wasn't very good at playing the role of a delicate damsel; she felt that throwing a few punches would be far more effective. But she couldn't afford to make him loathe her completely, so she decided to endure it for now.

"I know my place. You are of noble status, and I am but an orphaned girl—hardly someone worthy of your attention. Please rest assured, cousin; I will never breathe a word of what happened today." As she spoke, she tried to nudge away his wandering hand.

Pei Dongzhou’s long fingers traced the tiny scratch on his thin lips, his eyes suddenly sharpening. He stopped hiding his intent and leaned in closer to Shen Shuyi, his voice low and dangerous: "This wound..."

Seeing Shen Shuyi swallow hard, he pressed her, "Is this your handiwork?"

He had only thought he’d had a vivid, erotic dream. Even if the sensation of that soft touch in his dream had felt so real, he had dismissed it as mere fantasy. But now, looking at Shen Shuyi’s lush, alluring lips, his gaze deepened—perhaps it hadn't been a dream at all, but something this seemingly harmless cousin of his had done while he was unconscious.

How else could he explain why he had suddenly fainted in the West Wing? If Shen Shuyi hadn't laid a hand on his lips, how could he account for the unexplained scratch? And he still remembered too many details from his dream upon waking.

This woman had a history of trouble; she was absolutely capable of such an underhanded deed.