Quick Transmigration: Saving That Cannon Fodder

Pei Ming was taken aback for a moment, then immediately denied it: "No, I just said it casually. The soldiers at the border are doing well."

This time it was Zhao Qiyu's turn to question:

"Oh? Is that so? Then why is the general staring at the furnishings in my mansion? He looks like he's never seen money before. Anyone who didn't know better would think the court has mistreated him."

Pei Ming was embarrassed by what he was being said, so he made a casual remark, and Zhao Qiyu actually started to label him, making him lose face.

"Hehe, Your Highness is indeed eloquent."

Zhao Qiyu nodded: "Of course. The Empress often praises me for being smart, unlike some people who are inconsistent in their words and deeds and are as stupid as pigs."

"you"

Pei Ming was annoyed by his veiled criticism, but he was also mindful that he was the Prince of Yu and could not retaliate.

I had to change the subject:

"I heard that the servant who shielded His Highness from the arrow that day is still in the Prince's residence? His injuries have almost healed, so why is he nowhere to be seen?"

Zhao Qiyu sneered: "General Pei, this is my residence. You've overstepped your bounds."

Zhao Qiyu was extremely disgusted with Pei Ming; how dare a mere subject presume to interfere in the affairs of his household?

But Pei Ming seemed not to understand his meaning, and softened his tone, saying:

"Your Highness, since we are to be married by imperial decree today, we must consider our reputation."

"I heard that His Highness is personally taking care of that servant and even letting him live in a side hall. What kind of behavior is this if word gets out?"

Pei Ming may not like Zhao Qiyu now, but that doesn't mean he can tolerate Zhao Qiyu's favoritism towards a servant.

Zhao Qiyu looked at him calmly, not answering his question, but instead asking in return:

"I heard that General Pei brought someone back from the border, and he is currently living in General Pei's courtyard. You two are seen together all the time. What kind of behavior is this?"

"The imperial decree has only been issued for less than two months. Even if His Majesty allows you to take a concubine, it will be three years after our marriage, and the concubine will be a woman who will bear you children, not some country bumpkin from who-knows-where."

When Bai Xu was mentioned, Pei Ming's expression turned sour, and he was even more surprised that Zhao Qiyu brought it up directly.

He felt a little guilty: "How can this be the same? That was at the border. It was Bai Xu who saved me. I saw that he was all alone at home, so I brought him back to the capital to repay him."

Zhao Qiyu chuckled:

"Take care of him? The kind of 'take care of him' you're talking about is embracing him at the palace gates and being inseparable from him in public. Anyone who didn't know better would think that he was the one General Pei married in a grand wedding procession."

Caught red-faced, Pei Ming still tried to deny it: "Who told you this? Is someone deliberately trying to sow discord between us?"

He sighed and explained:

"Your Highness, this is all a misunderstanding. I have always treated him as a younger brother and have never had any other thoughts."

"That's strange. If the general can treat that villager like a younger brother, why can't I treat the person who saved me the same way?"

Zhao Qiyu said with a mocking expression, "Does General Pei think that your life is more precious than mine?"

His words were barbed, infuriating Pei Ming to the point that he gritted his teeth but couldn't retaliate; he had to feign disappointment.

"That Chi Xing is nothing but a lackey, how can he be compared to Bai Xu?"

Zhao Qiyu coldly said, "Even if she is a servant, she is still a person in my manor. Bai Xu, a person of unknown origin, is she qualified to compare with Chi Xing?"

Such a person might be a spy sent from somewhere. General Pei is so blinded by beauty; he is truly foolish.

Should I report this matter to my father and have the General's Mansion thoroughly investigated?

These words served as a stark reminder to Pei Ming that he could not afford to clash with Zhao Qiyu. They were not yet married, and if something were to happen to the Pei family, no one could protect them.

He was going to treat Zhao Qiyu well, even if it was just an act, until after they got married, when Zhao Qiyu would be a member of the Pei family.

Taking a deep breath, Pei Ming said helplessly:

"I misspoke, Your Highness. Please calm down. As for Bai Xu, he is indeed from Dayue. If Your Highness dislikes him, may I ask him to move out of my courtyard?"

"That makes it sound like I'm jealous. Pei Ming, the imperial decree was obtained by your grandfather, not because I wanted to marry you. If you really don't want to, you can ask the emperor to rescind the decree."

This is an opportunity given to him by Zhao Qiyu. Anyone with eyes can see that Zhao Qiyu would never marry a man.

Even if she were to marry him, one day in the future, his elder brother, the Crown Prince, and his mother would surely pave a way for him, and at that time, the Pei family would be in an uncertain state.

Unfortunately, Pei Ming was just as foolish as his grandfather. He was used by the emperor and was complacent, thinking that an imperial edict could trap him for life.

They had no idea that the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne was inevitable, and that the Pei family should have tried to win him over, instead of presumptuously confining Zhao Qiyu within the Pei family compound.

Pei Ming twitched the corners of his mouth, appearing sincere on the surface:

"Your Majesty is willing. I am grateful for Your Majesty's grace in granting me this marriage. I also truly admire Your Highness. Once Your Highness is married into the family, I will certainly treat you well."

These words made Zhao Qiyu's stomach churn, and the image of Chi Xing's face flashed through his mind. Compared to this, Pei Ming was utterly disgusting.

A young eunuch walked in from outside and whispered a few words in Zhao Qiyu's ear. Zhao Qiyu quickly got up and went out.

Upon going outside, Zhao Qiyu saw Chi Xing standing in the sun. The sun was quite strong at this time, so he pulled him inside.

"Why did you come all this way? You're injured."

Chi Xing was dressed in a white robe. His face was pale from his injuries. He was tall, but he looked rather thin at the moment.

He coughed twice, covering his mouth with a handkerchief, and his big eyes welled up with tears, making him look incredibly pitiful.

"Sit down quickly and have some water."

Zhao Qiyu helped him sit down on a chair next to him, not caring that Pei Ming was still sitting below him, and poured a glass of warm water for Chi Xing to drink.

Chi Xing looked at Pei Ming in confusion, only to see Pei Ming staring at them in disbelief.

Zhao Qiyu took the water cup and fed it to Chixing's lips.

Taking a couple of sips of warm water, Akahoshi said with an innocent look, "Your Highness has not returned for so long, this servant was worried that something might have happened."

"This is the Prince's residence. If anything happens to me, it's my fault. I should have sent someone to inform you."

Chixing hurriedly shook his head: "This servant has been overthinking it. Your Highness is right."

Seeing that the two were so engrossed in their conversation that they were practically ignoring him, Pei Ming couldn't help but cough a few times.

Zhao Qiyu didn't want to pay him any attention, but Chi Xing looked at Pei Ming and asked, "And who is this?"

"I am Your Highness's fiancé. You were the one who saved Your Highness that day. I haven't thanked you yet."

He had an arrogant demeanor, referring to himself as "this general" repeatedly. He first mentioned that he was Zhao Qiyu's fiancé, his tone full of warning.

They thought Akahoshi would be intimidated by his identity, and Akahoshi did indeed show a timid expression.

He looked flustered and was about to stand up to bow to him: "So it's General Pei, this servant greets you..."

Zhao Qiyu reached out and pressed down on his shoulder: "Don't move."

Then, turning to stare at Pei Ming, Zhao Qiyu said coldly, "General Pei, are you here today to show off your power in my palace?"