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

That day, Wei Nanxun had breakfast as usual, and then began to look through the account books left by his father, as well as the list of various items he had collected from all over the country over the years.

She was introduced to the world of abacus by her mother from a young age. Although she was not as proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting as her other sisters, she could still read and write. Moreover, she inherited her parents' strengths in arithmetic. Not only did she enjoy it, but her talent even surpassed that of many men. It could be said that she grew up with an abacus by her side.

When my father was doing business, he was used to bringing these things back to share with my mother and asking for her opinion. Even after my mother passed away, he still copied the things and left them in the study, which made it convenient for her to study.

After her mother passed away in her previous life, she was forced to give up her hobbies. After marrying Pei Yuyan, she had even less need for them and had neglected them for many years. Now, picking them up again, she was still somewhat rusty. It took her more than a month to finally regain some of the feeling of using an abacus from back then.

Manager Qiu would report the shop's progress to her every day, and every now and then he would give her pointers on the ins and outs, making him the best teacher she could ask for.

The entire Wei family has been in a joyous mood since a few days ago. Lady Wang sent someone early on to spread the news that the Crown Prince would be coming soon to finalize the engagement.

Tell her to keep the servants in the courtyard in check and not let them wander around, otherwise it would be disastrous to ruin the important matter that has been settled.

The whole "detaining the servants" thing was clearly a warning, a way of telling her to be careful and prevent her from causing trouble. Little did they know, she wouldn't even bother to leave when begged.

Since returning from the palace, she had not seen any other members of the Wei family. She only heard that her eldest uncle had been furious that day, slapped Wei Mingzhao, and punished her by confining her to her room.

The blame lies solely with Wei Mingzhao; he squandered a winning hand.

They had already been betrothed by the emperor, yet they still engaged in premarital sex. It's said that a woman who is betrothed becomes a wife, while one who elopes becomes a concubine. It was only because the emperor cared about his reputation and didn't want his chosen marriage to become a joke; otherwise, given their behavior, Wei Mingzhao would have had a hard time even becoming a concubine.

However, none of these things concern her anymore.

She read for a while, then faintly heard the sound of firecrackers, and paused slightly in her reading.

No secrets stay hidden forever, and given Consort Xian's ulterior motives, some details of what happened at Jingren Palace that day inevitably leaked out. Perhaps wanting to dispel the unfavorable rumors circulating in the capital, Lady Wang and the Crown Prince made even the engagement ceremony exceptionally grand and lively.

She gave a sarcastic smile. Her aunt was really going to great lengths; she could even hear the firecrackers from Xiyuan, which was so far away.

The second house is a separate courtyard, located in the most remote western part of the entire Wei family estate.

In the past, with her father away, her mother deceased, and her younger brother studying at the academy, she felt abandoned and isolated by everyone, feeling inferior and depressed. But now she finds peace and quiet, which makes it convenient for her to interact with the stewards.

Seeing her laugh, the maid Yidong, who was serving her, mistakenly thought she was just curious and explained, "Miss, it's His Highness the Crown Prince who has come to place an order. I heard from the people in front that there are many people with him, such as the top scholar, the young marquis, and the young master of the *** family. They are spreading red envelopes in the front yard, saying that everyone will get one."

Wei Nanxun paused slightly, referring to the young master of the *** manor.

Could he be my benefactor?

If only I knew what my benefactor looked like.

Wei Nanxun quickly banished the thought from her mind. Even if he really was her benefactor, she couldn't possibly get involved at this crucial moment. She had finally managed to distance herself from those two; it wouldn't be good if she were mistaken for still harboring feelings for the Crown Prince.

However, if she doesn't go, someone else can go instead.

"Since it's such a joyous occasion and there are red envelopes, I'll give you half a day off to go ahead and join in the fun and share in the happiness. Oh, and call Zhixia to come along too."

Yi Dong was initially envious of the maids in the front courtyard who could snatch red envelopes and watch the excitement, but when she heard that the young lady had also given them a holiday, she immediately beamed with joy.

Only Zhixia shook her head: "I'm not going. If we all leave, who will take care of you?"

"I'll just read a book in the yard and not go anywhere. I don't need anyone to wait on me. Go and check on things for me, so you can come back and tell me what interesting things happened." She winked playfully at Zhixia as she spoke.

Only Zhixia knew that she had been saved by ***, and after Zhixia's hint, she understood.

Although she was still hesitant, she thought that since she was in her own yard, nothing should happen to her, so she agreed.

After the maids left, their faces beaming with joy, the West Garden instantly fell silent.

Wei Nanxun read a book alone for a while, then remembered that the flowers she had moved out yesterday had not yet been brought back. They were probably wilting after being exposed to the sun all morning, so she quickly put down her book and hurried out of the house.

Sure enough, she saw several pots of orchids being exposed to the scorching sun. Without thinking much, she picked one up and walked down to the porch.

Before she could put down the flowers, she heard footsteps behind her. Thinking it was Zhixia returning, she said without turning her head, "Little Zhixia, quickly help me carry the flowers back."

The person behind him was clearly taken aback, but without responding, he obediently went to move the flowers.

When she realized the footsteps were wrong, she turned around and saw Pei Yuyan, who should have been in the front yard making the betrothal ceremony.

Wei Nanxun was startled and almost tripped over her skirt. She couldn't help but feel annoyed; she had been too carefree lately, completely oblivious to danger, and hadn't even recognized Pei Yuyan's footsteps.

But she couldn't understand why he was here at this time.

Wei Nanxun quickly composed herself, trying to appear natural, and curtsied, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Highness the Crown Prince. I was unaware of your sudden visit and have offended you greatly. Please forgive me."

Pei Yuyan watched as her expression changed instantly, her natural and intimate tone vanishing completely.

He clearly remembered the first time he saw her; the way she looked at him was like a startled fawn in a spring forest, innocent and pitiful, with a hint of a young girl's first love. He had seen countless such expressions since childhood, and he could never be wrong—she was in love with him.

Why did her attitude change so completely after only a few days apart? She avoids him like the plague, as if he were some heinous thug.

He couldn't understand it. He had already warned the Wei family, and Wei Mingzhao listened to him completely. What exactly had happened?

Pei Yuyan, his face cold, casually threw the flowerpot in his hand to the ground. The sound of the pottery shattering was like thunder tearing apart the original silence.

She was startled by the sound, not because the sound was particularly sharp or piercing, but because Pei Yuyan in front of her was a complete stranger to her.

He still had that handsome face, but his eyes were cold and gloomy. His gaze was like that of a snake lurking in the darkness, as if he could take her life at any moment.

Wei Nanxun subconsciously took half a step back: "Your Highness, are you lost? You should be in the main courtyard discussing the marriage with your uncle and aunt right now. I'll have someone show you the way, Zhixia..."

Before she could finish speaking, he had already taken a few steps over, grabbed her wrist, and stared intently at her.

"I have come to find you."

Wei Nanxun's heart skipped a beat. Pei Yuyan looked so dangerous. It was as if she had slept with him for four years without ever truly seeing the person next to her.

She forced a smile: "What are you joking about? You'll be my brother-in-law from today onwards. Why are you looking for me instead of your sister?"

"Wei Nanxun, don't play dumb with me."

“You know very well that the person I have always wanted to marry is you, so why are you refusing me?”

He enunciated each word with exceptional clarity, catching Wei Nanxun completely off guard and leaving her no room for evasion. The man she knew was someone with reserved emotions, someone whose thoughts were always unfathomable.

Everyone says he is both scholarly and martial, approachable, and the most handsome young master in the Great Yan. Even she thinks so, and feels honored to have married him.

Even though she paid for it with her life, she never sought revenge on anyone in this life. She felt that she was also responsible for her own blindness and arrogance. How could she have thought that this upright and noble prince would really love her? She deserved to die.

To him, she was just an insignificant woman who only wanted to live her own life, stay far away from them, and keep a good distance. Therefore, she only thought about hiding and never imagined that he would push her to this point.

Wei Nanxun was momentarily taken aback. She struggled to break free of her restraints and said solemnly, "Your Highness, please show some respect. You may have misunderstood something. You are my elder sister's fiancé. I have only respect for you and have never had any romantic feelings for you."

Pei Yuyan tightened his grip even more, and he sneered, "You know I've come to break off the engagement, so why won't you see me?"

“You know this is a break-up of the engagement. My sister and I are very close. Even if I did have feelings for you, I would never do anything to hurt her. Besides, you and my sister are already husband and wife. Why bring up these things again today?”

"You really do hate me, Ah Xun. I thought the person in the room that day was you."

Pei Yuyan, who had been so ruthless, suddenly softened his tone, and his affectionate gaze was so convincing that if she hadn't died once, she would have believed him.

But it was that last sentence that sent a chill down Wei Nanxun's spine. Did he think it was her? He really knew that using such methods on an unmarried woman was hardly the act of liking her.

He became gentler, and his grip loosened. Wei Nanxun seized the opportunity to break free and took several steps back.

“Your Highness, whether it was a misunderstanding or not, the damage has already been done. You are the bright sun in the sky, while I am but a blade of grass in the vast world. You are someone I can only look up to from afar. Now that you have become my brother-in-law, please forget the past.”

"How can she be so unattainable? You can reach out and touch her. I have no love for her. If you enter the palace with her, I promise I will never touch her again."

Wei Nanxun almost burst out laughing. Wasn't this the same nonsense Wei Mingzhao had told her in her past life? To hear it from Pei Yuyan's mouth this time made her wonder just how stupid she was to be fooled so many times.

"There is no such thing as sisters sharing one husband in this world. If you neglect my elder sister for my sake, wouldn't that cause us sisters to kill each other? Please, Your Highness, never mention such a thing again."

"What a beautiful sisterly bond! But what if I insist on having it?"

"Then you'll only get a corpse."

Pei Yuyan kept staring at her face and didn't notice that she had retreated to the broken flowerpot, squatted down with lightning speed, picked up a piece of broken pottery, and held it directly to her neck.

Her neck was slender and fair; a light scratch left a noticeable bloodstain, and blood beads instantly oozed out.

"Although I am a concubine's daughter and my parents are both merchants, I know how to respect myself. Before my mother passed away, she warned me that I would never become a concubine in this life. Even if you are the crown prince and give me a lot of favor, a concubine is a concubine and I will not change that."

She spoke each word with such solemnity and force that even Pei Yuyan was taken aback.

His gaze fell on her bright red wound.

Would she rather die than be with him?

At first, Pei Yuyan thought she was just a pretty and easy-to-control girl. He could get her gratitude by lending a hand. She was bright and alluring, but her eyes were extremely innocent, clear and pure, unlike anything he had ever seen in his life.

She happened to fit his plan perfectly; a few sweet words were all it took to make her obey him, just like the people he had known before.

But he soon discovered that she was different from everyone he had ever met before; she wasn't playing hard to get, she genuinely rejected him.

She was absolutely right. There was no way he could marry her as his principal wife. A crown prince could be fond of women, but he could never be foolish or senile, unless he resigned as crown prince.

Then let her go?

The thought of this option caused Pei Yuyan a sharp pain in his mouth; no, he didn't want to.

He wanted it even if it was just a corpse.

not to mention……

"Put it down, and I won't touch you." He said, leaning forward.

"Don't move!"

Wei Nanxun no longer believed him. She backed away little by little, wanting to get closer to the house so she could quickly run inside and close the door.

Why is she so unlucky? Of all times, she's sent everyone to the front yard...

She glanced around for a way to escape, but just as she was about to back away, she felt a sharp pain in her wrist, and the shard of pottery she was holding fell to the ground.

Taking advantage of her momentary lapse in concentration, Pei Yuyan strode over, grabbed her arm, and pulled her into his embrace.

Wei Nanxun was both angry and resentful. She was angry that she couldn't see his true colors, and resentful that she was weak and powerless, and had fallen into his control again.

Such intimate contact made her feel disgusted and humiliated, as if everything she had just said was a joke.

As she struggled desperately, she heard his voice close to her ear.

"Who exactly cured you of the poison that day?"

Wei Nanxun's eyes widened slightly, his movements pausing for a moment. What did he mean? Did he know something?

Pei Yuyan noticed even such a subtle reaction. He had only been suspicious at first, but seeing her shock and surprise, his doubts turned into 90% certainty.

"It's true, I noticed it as soon as you came back. Your clothes had been changed. If it really was your aunt who saved you, why would she change your clothes and even choose almost the same outfit? What was she trying to hide? Why did you seem to have some difficulty moving around that day?"

Pei Yuyan tightened his arms around her, and every word he uttered felt like an interrogation.

It was as if one's own possessions had been tainted.

"Didn't you say you wouldn't become a concubine? Didn't you still have an affair before your marriage?"

Even Zhixia didn't notice that her clothes had changed, yet he noticed after only meeting her once? How long had he been staring at her...?

Wei Nanxun felt an unprecedented sense of humiliation and fear. Despite it being the sweltering summer day, she felt icy cold from head to toe, and her jaw was even trembling.

She didn't speak until Pei Yuyan's patience ran out and his movements became more forceful, at which point she slowly uttered a few words.

"He is different from you."

Those six short words, spoken softly, pierced Pei Yuyan's heart.

She was just a dispensable woman; why should she give herself to someone else rather than be with him?

This was the first time in Pei Yuyan's life that he had tasted the bitterness of failure and unfulfilled desires.

His gaze fell on her slender neck, which could be snapped with a gentle pinch; he could kill her at any moment.

But he didn't want to. What was the point of killing her? He wanted to make her regret it and make her willingly kneel before him.

Before Pei Yuyan could take any further action, a low voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Your Highness, someone is looking for you in the front courtyard."

He assumed it was someone from the Wei family looking for him, and without turning his head, he said, "I won't see you."

The sounds outside stopped for a moment before someone mustered their courage and called out again, "Your Highness, it's the Crown Prince of the Northwest. He says he has important business with you..."