My elder sister forced me to become a concubine; I was reborn and remarried into the emperor's

Pei Ji didn't hear what she said clearly, and raised an eyebrow: "What?"

"I said, don't die."

Ever since Pei Ji resolutely went to the battlefield, people have been hoping for his early death every day. Not only the enemy, but even many people in the court at this time are hoping for his death.

Or they might beg for mercy, asking him not to kill.

He hadn't heard anyone tell him not to die in a long time. Even when someone occasionally showed concern for him, it was always with high-sounding words, never with such directness and enthusiasm.

He could tell from her words and eyes that she genuinely cared about him.

That's enough.

He gripped her hand tighter: "It's just a prophecy, why did you take it so seriously?"

No, it's not a prophecy. If we follow the course of events from the previous life, then it's all true.

“I had a dream a few days ago. I dreamt that a few years later you would be ambushed in a valley somewhere. Five thousand soldiers would not survive, and your fate would be unknown.”

Wei Nanxun was in a dilemma: what kind of opportunity should she find to tell him about her past life?

Today's conversation is so rushed that it's the perfect opportunity.

Pei Ji clearly didn't care about the so-called dream; he was more concerned about her.

He lowered his eyes slightly, his smile widening uncontrollably: "You're worried about me."

It was not a question, but an affirmative statement.

Whether it was because she was bothered by his nonchalant attitude or because she felt guilty for having her thoughts read, Wei Nanxun glared at him fiercely.

After glaring at him without any reaction, she was stunned. Since when had she become so unrestrained towards him? Although she always called him "Your Highness," she had never truly been afraid of him.

This was completely different from how she treated Pei Yuyan in her previous life. Even though she and Pei Yuyan had consummated their marriage, she still respected and valued him. She would never glare at him or utter a single word of dissent.

She seemed rather embarrassed and angry: "I was talking to you seriously, why did you change the subject again?"

Pei Ji's favorite thing about her was her flushed cheeks, looking both shy and annoyed, like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on—it was incredibly cute.

"I'm being serious with you too."

His voice was softer than ever before, and he gently kneaded her fingers; she had never seen him like this before.

"Ah Yue, what are you afraid of?"

Wei Nanxun's eyes were full of confusion. She was afraid of many things: that he didn't like her as much as she thought, that he would be like all men in the world, falling in love with someone else after getting what he wanted, and that she would fall in the same place twice.

However, the master said that she would have a benefactor in this life to help her turn bad luck into good, and the divination also said that she would meet a benefactor.

Her first thought was of Pei Ji; he was the one who saved her from the aphrodisiac and pulled her out of the abyss.

"I'm not asking you to make a decision right now; let's give it a try first."

"If you feel uncomfortable at all, I will let you go and I will never go back on my word."

A hint of wavering appeared in Wei Nanxun's eyes. The master had also told her to forget the past and look forward, but could she really let go and escape?

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms without giving her a chance to object.

"If you are still unwilling, you can push me away right now."

Wei Nanxun's heart was immediately in turmoil. It seemed as if two voices were speaking in her mind. One said, "Quickly push him away. From now on, the two of you will go your separate ways and have no further connection. No one will be able to disturb your heart anymore."

But another voice said, "Are you really willing to let this push mean we'll never see each other again?"

Wei Nanxun's palm was pressed against his chest, and she could hear his heartbeat, rapid and strong.

Was he nervous? Turns out he can be nervous and uncertain too.

And it's all because of her.

Just as her mind was in a complete mess, a moist breath brushed against the tip of her ear.

"Ah Yue, it's too late."

Wei Nanxun suddenly woke up from her dream and pushed him hard in the chest, but he didn't budge.

His arms encircled her slender back with such force that it felt as if he wanted to meld her into his body. He chuckled softly, his chest vibrating, which made her tremble as well.

"That's too late."

He just held her like that, without doing anything else out of line, which made her feel a sense of peace and tranquility.

Fine, if he's willing to lower himself and deceive her like this, she'll accept it even if he falls for her again.

At least she was different from her previous life; she relied on herself and no longer placed all her hopes on a man. He was just someone she liked.

At worst, they can not get married. The princess can keep male lovers, and it's not impossible for her to keep a regent as a mistress.

The two embraced for an unknown amount of time before the sound of chanting sutras drifted from afar.

She then realized where she was; to be talking about love in this sacred Buddhist place seemed rather disrespectful to the gods and Buddhas.

She struggled slightly, and this time Pei Ji cooperated by letting go of her hand, but his hand naturally slid to hers, and with a gentle snap of his fingers, they intertwined.

His size was just right; he didn't fasten it too tightly, so as not to hurt her or make it impossible for her to break free.

Wei Nanxun quickly glanced at the place where their fingers were interlocked; it was perfectly sealed, and nothing else could be inserted.

Her heart began to pound. The last time the two held hands was in Pingzhen. She didn't know his identity, but thought she had found her lover, and was overjoyed.

And that would have been inside the house, with no one else around.

But now, in broad daylight, there are pilgrims and monks coming and going outside. Is this really so open and aboveboard?

While Wei Nanxun was still hesitating, Pei Ji had already led her outside, giving her no chance to hesitate.

Fortunately, it was time for a sermon, and most of the people in the temple went to the main hall. We didn't encounter many people along the way.

But her hands were still sweating with nervousness, and she tried to sneak them out, but they were held tightly.

Go out through the west gate and you'll find a mountain path that winds its way up to the top of the mountain.

Huangjue Temple is a scenic spot that attracts not only pilgrims but also literary figures who often come here to compose poems and paint. The paths are all paved with bluestone steps.

Seeing this reminded her of the back mountain of Baima Temple, and she subconsciously smiled.

"What are you laughing at?"

Wei Nanxun thought he had only given a slight smile, without making a sound or any movement, yet he hadn't missed even this subtle detail.

"I don't like going out, and I've only climbed mountains a handful of times. The last time I climbed a mountain was at Baima Temple. I went up the mountain alone to avoid people, which is why I rolled down the valley."

That's how I met him.

Pei Ji only knew that she had fallen into the valley, but he didn't know why.

He was an extremely intelligent man. After Pei Yuyan arrived, he thought for a moment and understood who the so-called "hiding person" was.

A cold glint flashed in his eyes. He had long disliked this nephew, especially since he used Wei Nanxun's innocence to provoke people, which was the most unacceptable thing for him.

Now that she knows he forced her to this point, she can no longer suppress her anger.

Wei Nanxun had kept quiet because she felt awkward, but now that she had started talking, she felt that not speaking was the awkward thing.

He had no choice but to continue making conversation: "And what about you? Why didn't you bring your men, and why were you so badly injured?"

"Someone wants me dead."

He didn't mean to hide it from her; it was just that the factions in the capital were so complex that he was afraid that if he talked too much, she would get implicated.

Wei Nanxun didn't think he was being perfunctory or hiding anything; she just felt that his words were too casual. Putting herself in his shoes, if many people were watching her every day and wanted her dead, she would definitely live in constant fear.

In comparison, his situation was even more difficult than hers.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have been schemed against like this in my past life.

Wei Nanxun subconsciously tightened her fingers, holding his hand even tighter, as if it were a silent comfort.

"What would have happened if I had actually pushed you just now?"

Pei Ji felt the warmth between his fingers, and the coldness in his eyes melted instantly. He smiled and said, "Silly girl, you can't push her away."

His so-called letting go was nothing more than gambling on his place in her heart. Even if he lost the gamble, he would not let her go.

Fortunately, he won his gamble.