She was buried alive at the start, but she's determined to smash her ex-husband's head in

The younger generation's playful antics did ease the originally serious atmosphere somewhat. Duke Mu and Prince Yong's expressions softened slightly, but thinking of the Crown Prince's predicament, they straightened their expressions and asked Qi Yanzhi and the others to leave first.

Pei Zhaoan looked at Prince Yong and said, "I ask that Prince Yong carefully consider today's proposal and give me a reply."

Prince Yong's already furrowed brows looked even tighter, and he nodded thoughtfully with a sullen face.

Pei Zhao'an was an imperial bodyguard, and his will represented the emperor's. However, this imperial decree was rather strange...

After leaving the tea room, Shen Yushu had a table of pastries prepared and pulled Lin Qingwei close together like two sisters, chatting about this and that, leaving Qi Yanzhi no room to get in.

As for Pei Zhaoan, he sat down straight without being invited.

In an instant, the lively conversation stopped abruptly, and the three people looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

Lin Qingwei was even more confused. Wasn't Pei Zhaoan always very busy? He never attended any banquets and would never waste any time. Why was he sitting here like this? Was he really hungry?

But he doesn't seem like the type of person who would like sweet pastries...

"Only three servings of pastries were prepared." Qi Yanzhi's meaning was clear.

He didn't want Pei Zhaoan to stay here; his intuition told him that nothing good would happen if Pei Zhaoan stayed.

Pei Zhaoan pretended to be confused: "So the young master isn't hungry. This is enough for three people."

Then, she brazenly took a piece of hibiscus cake, took only a small bite and frowned at the sweetness, but still ate the whole piece without changing her expression.

When someone is shameless to this extent, it can really infuriate others, especially Qi Yanzhi, who looks like he's about to explode.

Shen Yushu had just returned to the capital and had never met Pei Zhaoan before. She had heard some rumors about him, but she wasn't that afraid. She quietly discussed it with Lin Qingwei.

"Ayan seems to really dislike the Grand Secretary, why is that?"

Lin Qingwei genuinely had no idea when these two people had come to dislike each other so much. In their previous life, they had no connection whatsoever. What was it about them that made them so hostile in this life?

She shook her head honestly: "I only returned to the capital a few days ago, so I don't know much about these things."

"I see." Shen Yushu glanced at Pei Zhaoan again. "To be honest, I think the Grand Secretary is more manly and more handsome than Ayan."

Lin Qingwei's eyes widened involuntarily. Really? Didn't she think Pei Zhaoan looked terrifying?

"You wouldn't like someone like the Grand Secretary, would you?"

If that's the case, we need to make Shen Yushu see how terrifying Pei Zhaoan is as soon as possible!

Shen Yushu immediately shook her head: "No, I'm just saying this from an objective point of view. Ignoring all of Lord Pei's shortcomings, he really does have some good looks."

is it?

Lin Qingwei glanced at Pei Zhaoan again.

The light shone obliquely on his face, highlighting his full forehead, deep-set eyes, high nose, and thin lips with a faint blush. The light made his thick eyelashes stand out clearly, and even his perpetually cold eyes seemed to have warmed up.

His eyes were naturally lighter than most people's, making him appear even more cold and indifferent.

Under the light, it has a crystal-clear appearance, like an amber gem that has been sealed for thousands of years, shimmering.

He glanced sideways and met Lin Qingwei's gaze. That moment felt like an eternity, as if everything around him had stopped, and he could only see her.

Lin Qingwei immediately looked away, her heart pounding for a long time, whether from fright or some other reason.

"What kind of man does Miss Shen like?" she suddenly asked.

Everyone looked at her. Shen Yushu, who was drinking tea, almost choked to death when she heard this, her face turning bright red.

A figure flashed through her mind, but she quickly shook her head to dismiss it.

Shen Yushu said, "I haven't met a man who can make my heart flutter yet."

“His Highness the Crown Prince and the Heir Apparent are both outstanding individuals, and they grew up together with Miss Shen. Has Miss Shen never been moved by them?” Pei Zhaoan glanced at Qi Yanzhi, then looked at Lin Qingwei.

Qi Yanzhi quickly explained, "No way! She doesn't like me! I've never been able to beat her since we were kids, and she doesn't like men who are weaker than her!"

"Hahahaha!" Shen Yushu laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight. "You finally admit it! It seems you really like Sister Qingwei and don't want her to misunderstand at all!"

Pei Zhaoan's expression turned even uglier.

"Yes, I really like Qingwei." Qi Yanzhi made no attempt to hide his feelings, smiling as he looked at Lin Qingwei.

Lin Qingwei felt a warm glow and a smile appeared on her face. There were very few men in the world who were so sincere and frank. However, she was simply unable to repay his kindness to her. Thinking of this, Lin Qingwei couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

Pei Zhaoan said coldly, "You must have practiced those words on other women countless times before, Your Highness."

"Lord Pei! Don't assume everyone is like you!"

The two had disliked each other for a long time, and suddenly started arguing like children. Shen Yushu and Lin Qingwei looked at each other, not knowing how to stop it.

Shen Yushu said softly, "Forget it! How can the two of us, who have no rank or status, control them? Let them argue, it'll be more exciting to listen to."

He really has a very unique way of thinking.

"Miss Shen, if, I mean if, one day Yanzhi or His Highness the Crown Prince does something to wrong you, what will you do?"

No matter how much you speculate, it's better to ask her directly. After all, she's not Shen Yushu, and she can never truly see things from her perspective.

Shen Yushu said, "Don't call me Miss Shen anymore, just call me Yushu."

She had originally intended to give Lin Qingwei a casual answer to her question, but seeing Lin Qingwei's serious expression, she also began to think about the question seriously.

After a while, he replied, "Based on my understanding of the two of them, they would never do anything to betray me, nothing at all. The three of us grew up together since childhood, and our relationship is so close that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that we are like siblings."

If one day they do something to betray me, it must involve interests beyond our control. As people grow up, they're no longer as carefree and uninhibited as children. I won't blame them for being useless, nor will I blame myself for being unlucky.

Her words were not something a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl would say; her clarity surprised Lin Qingwei.

Perhaps such pure friendship truly exists in this world. She cannot assume that everyone in the world is as ungrateful as Xu Hanzhang just because of her own experience.

"Oh, let's not talk about that! Sister Qingwei, I really think Ayan likes you a lot!"