Wish You All the Best - Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Perhaps it was due to his frail health in childhood, or perhaps it was a result of his restless mind, but as the years went by, Pei You’an’s sleep became increasingly light and scarce. Although he had been weary from travel during the day, when the depth of night arrived, he remained unable to sleep, tossing and turning. Giving up, he rose and lit a lamp, picking up an old book. Just as the surroundings fell into a profound silence, a cry of "Save Afu" suddenly drifted across the wall. Though the sound was faint, it was like a stone breaking the calm surface of a pond; a figure—at once vague and intensely clear—immediately surfaced in his mind.
He recognized it clearly: the cry for help had come from the Zhen family cousin. It was truly hard to believe, however, that she could suddenly appear here and call out to him through the wall. When he followed the sound and stepped out of his door, he never could have anticipated witnessing such a scene. What caught him even more off-guard was that she had rushed over just like that and embraced him.
Pei You’an could clearly feel the body in his arms trembling slightly. After she had spoken, seeing that she seemed not to hear him and remained clinging to him so tightly, it was clear she was terrified to the extreme.
Having a warm, fragrant, and delicate body suddenly pressed against him was a sensation that made him feel quite ill at ease. His heartbeat became erratic, his breathing grew shallow, and he found his hands with nowhere to rest. Yet, seeing how terrified she was, he could not bear to forcefully push her away. After hesitating, he allowed her to remain for the time being, raising his eyes to look at the woman from the Prince’s manor across the way. He said, "She is my cousin, who has always resided in Quanzhou. Who gave you the audacity to engage in the trade of human trafficking and abduct her all the way to this place?"
He was always gentle with others, rarely revealing his joy or anger, but at this moment, his two eyes were as sharp as lightning. His voice was not loud, but it carried a stern, imposing air; he was clearly enraged.
Before Matron Zhu had set out, she had been instructed not to leak any news of this trip, which was why she had hidden immediately upon encountering Pei You’an at the entrance earlier. She truly had not expected that while Pei You’an was not the Zhen girl’s biological brother, the two were indeed cousins. Her thousand years of experience had been undone by a mere child; the girl looked honest, weak, and timid, yet she had not only set a fire that nearly burned the Matron alive, but had also managed to call Pei You’an out in person.
Thinking back now to the girl’s reaction when she saw Pei You’an at the entrance, the woman finally realized she had been thoroughly played.
Matron Zhu was both angry and panicked. She managed to steady her nerves, leaned in a little closer, and offered a sycophantic smile. "Master Pei, you have misunderstood. How would I dare engage in such trade? And I truly did not know she was your cousin. Just now, she set fire to the house and nearly burned me to death inside. You saw it yourself, Master Pei—I was worried she would disturb others, so I chased after her, that is all. If there has been any offense, I beg your indulgence. In truth, it is nothing major; it is simply that a noble person requested the young lady’s presence. There is absolutely no malicious intent. Please rest assured, Master Pei, and I ask that you hand the young lady over to me."
"Which noble person?" Pei You’an asked coldly.
Matron Zhu’s mouth opened, then closed again. Seeing the Zhen girl clinging to Pei You’an and shaking her head at him incessantly, she knew this matter had been thoroughly botched.
The name of the Crown Prince could never be mentioned, but if she didn't say it, how could Pei You’an possibly release the person to her? If she couldn't get the girl back, how would she answer for it?
"Master Pei! Is something the matter over there?"
The voice of the station master came from the end of the corridor.
The earlier commotion had also drawn the station master. Seeing flames in the direction of the superior rooms where the Prince’s manor staff were staying, he had been alarmed and hurriedly called for people to extinguish the fire. Fortunately, the room was not connected to others, and the fire was discovered early, so it hadn't spread. Once the fire was out, he rushed over here. Through the shadows, he saw a woman clinging tightly to Pei You’an’s chest, with the woman from the Prince’s manor also present. The situation seemed strange and conflicts appeared to be brewing. The station master guessed there was a secret behind it, and since it involved the Prince’s manor—something he couldn't afford to provoke—he dared not approach, only shouting from across the corridor.
Matron Zhu looked back, seeing quite a few people gathering at the end of the corridor, all drawn by the previous commotion. Her expression turned ugly.
If the job was botched and then leaked, there would truly be no way to report back.
"Everything is fine here! It is getting late; tell the brothers to go and get some rest!"
Pei You’an raised his voice in response.
Soon, the end of the corridor returned to silence.
Matron Zhu steeled her heart and said, "Master Pei, it is best to be lenient when you can. You know that I am merely following orders, so please do not make things difficult for me..."
"My cousin is like my own sister. Go back and tell that noble person that I have taken her with me. If there are any matters, come find me; I will be waiting in Wuding Prefecture."
Pei You’an cut her off, then lowered his head to gently remove Jiafu’s arms from around his waist. "It is over now. Follow me inside."
Matron Zhu watched as he turned and entered the courtyard gate with the Zhen girl. As the gate closed and their figures disappeared, she touched her face, which was stinging from the fire, gritted her teeth, and turned to stride away.
...
Jiafu was disheveled, her face stained with soot, clutching the cloak she had used to cover herself. Even so, it could not hide the two segments of snow-white calves and her pair of bare, jade-like feet exposed beneath. Her toes were round and adorable, though they were currently curled up tightly as if shy of being seen. Beneath the embarrassment, she carried a touch of charming vulnerability and an almost erotic appeal.
The room, originally cold and lonely, suddenly became lively and vibrant because of the presence of such a young girl.
Pei You’an looked away, his voice slightly dry. "Do you still have clothes over there? I will call someone to retrieve them for you."
Although she had escaped danger, Jiafu remained shaken. Suddenly hearing him ask about clothes, she felt the cold wind creeping in from beneath the cloak, making her feel infinitely ashamed. She kept her legs pressed tightly together and said with a tearful, miserable face, "To keep me from escaping, that woman took all my clothes at night. In the fire just now, they must have all been burned to nothing..."
Pei You’an paused. He walked over to retrieve a heavy outer robe of his own, placed it to the side, and without a word, turned his back to her.
Jiafu understood his intention. Suppressing the shame in her heart, she walked over to take his garment. She discarded the short cloak, wrapped his robe around herself, pulled the collar tight, and tied the sash. Although it was loose and baggy, it finally covered her feet.
She whispered, "I am ready."
Pei You’an turned around, swept his gaze over her once more, and gestured for her to sit.
Jiafu glanced at him secretly. Seeing that his expression had returned to its usual gravity, she sat down obediently, placing her hands neatly on her legs, not daring to move.
"What happened?" he asked.
Jiafu recounted everything, starting from being held hostage by Xiao Yintang as they left the city, up to the accident that happened outside the Mazu Temple that day. As she spoke, Pei You’an listened without interrupting a single word. When she finished, he remained silent for a long time, simply turning around and walking slowly toward the window, staring outside as if lost in thought.
Jiafu watched his back, feeling a growing sense of unease.
Because of his help in her previous life, she had taken it for granted that he would help her now.
It was true that he had stepped in just as she had hoped, allowing her to escape successfully. But the matter was clearly not over, and based on his position, this was undoubtedly a matter that would cause him great difficulty.
Jiafu bit her lip, stood up slowly, and said softly, "Big Cousin, have I caused you trouble?"
Pei You’an turned around and looked at her. Seeing her wide eyes gazing at him steadily, he offered a faint smile. "It is no matter. You need not be afraid; I am here for everything."
"I promise to send you home safely, and such things will never happen again," he added with an emphatic tone.