The grudges and entanglements of the past, the rights and wrongs, are now impossible to clarify.
Although the Prince of Jin purged many people, he did not bring Pei Shen to the forefront.
It wasn't that he didn't dare, but rather that Pei Shen, standing in his shoes, did an impeccable job.
All the evidence Pei Shen found was objective and true.
The Prince of Jin could only conclude that someone had framed the Xiao Family and sent the fabricated evidence to Pei Shen.
This is why Nanxing didn't die together with Pei Shen in the end.
If Pei Shen framed the Xiao Family, she wouldn't let him get away with it.
But to this day, she has no evidence to prove that Pei Shen is guilty.
He was simply fulfilling his duty.
However, no matter what, Nanxing couldn't bring herself to be with him.
The parting was calm and breezy, but deep down, my heart was being torn apart.
However, this heart-wrenching pain is nothing more than a laughable one-man show.
Nanxing really wanted to ask Pei Shen if he had ever loved her, even just a little bit.
However, he never uttered it aloud, leaving those words as a knot in his heart that he neither regretted nor dared to think about.
When she abandoned everything for Pei Shen, she thought she had only let the Xiao Family raise her for nothing; but later she discovered that she was also an executioner who participated in the slaughter of the Xiao Family.
No matter how many excusable circumstances there are, Nanxing cannot reconcile with herself.
After leaving, she lived like a lost soul, wandering aimlessly, sometimes drinking heavily and even begging, exiling herself.
Even so, a few years later, she returned to the outskirts of Beijing.
Then he was unexpectedly kidnapped by bandits, and then he met Tang Zhuyun and was rescued.
Even after being in the capital for so long, and even knowing where the Marquis Champion was, Nanxing had never taken the initiative to inquire about any news about Pei Shen.
She wondered, if they were to meet again on a bustling street, would they not recognize each other?
But perhaps their fate had run its course, and they never met again.
Now she was certain that Pei Shen had always known she had returned to the capital, just two streets away from him.
Although her heart had long since turned to ashes, a spark of unwillingness to be extinguished still lingered within those ashes, telling her, oh, you really meant nothing to him.
That's good.
You might feel guilty for exploiting emotions, but you won't feel guilty for exploiting arrogance and possessiveness.
At most, everyone's equally bad; there's no good person among them.
Nanxing withdrew her gaze from Pei Shen's hand, tilted her head slightly to meet his gaze, and said softly as their eyes met, "I went on a killing spree at the J iaren Palace."
Even Pei Shen, who had seen it all, showed a fleeting look of shock in his eyes at this moment.
At the J iaren Palace, a massacre ensued.
"Why?" He quickly calmed down. "You should know, that's Xiao Wu."
Hasn't the Xiao Family always been her faith?
"My current mistress is the Princess."
"They've turned against each other?"
Sure enough, what he understood least was women.
Nanxing nodded. "The arrest warrant should have been issued. I don't want to die."
She recounted the entire incident.
Pei Shen's slender fingers curled slightly as he tapped the tabletop repeatedly.
Outside, the wind and rain started again, pattering softly, and the window paper rustled.
The study was dimly lit. Nanxing held a glass of honey water, sipping it gently, and waited Jingjing for Pei Shen's reply.
After a long pause, Pei Shen said, "Okay."
Nanxing also said, "Okay."
Pei Shen suddenly smiled. That smile was like a profusion of flowers in full bloom, blurring the seasons and bringing back long-forgotten memories.
He said, "So you trust me?"
"There is no other way," Nanxing said.
Pei Shen's smile deepened.
He suddenly asked, "Vermilion Bird, have you ever thought about me?"
"I've thought about your health," Nanxing said.
Pei Shen was taken aback, then laughed out loud, "Vermilion Bird, you've changed."
Nanxing said, "Pei Shen, you once said that you would give me whatever I wanted. Does that still stand?"
Pei Shen nodded. "It will always count, even if it costs you my life."
He said the same thing back then.
However, Nanxing stabbed himself with the sword, but did not point the sword at him.
Pei Shen believed that this was the beginning of a warm reunion between the two.
Unexpectedly, Nanxing said, "Pei Shen, I want you."
Pei Shen's smile froze, his eyes turning cold. "So, this is an exchange?"
"It's not an exchange, it's wanting." Nanxing said, reaching to unbutton her clothes. "I've never been with another man. You can think of it as a woman's suppressed desires for many years."
Soon, all her clothes were off, and she stood calmly in front of Pei Shen.
Pei Shen's eyes darkened, the corners of his eyes turning slightly crimson—that was desire.
Nanxing looked down at her flat... chest and lower abdomen, and said self-deprecatingly, "Back then you said I was just immature; now, I guess there's nothing to comfort me with."
Pei Shen suddenly lunged at her, embracing her and biting her lips, his breath ragged. "No, I'll show you how much I love you through my actions."
Nanxing clung to him, refusing to let go.
They clung to each other passionately, from day to night, from the bed to the floor, from the floor to the table.
Pei Shen lay on the couch and pulled Nanxing, who was getting up and dressing, to his feet. The latter immediately fell against his chest.
Pei Shen's chest heaved with laughter as he said, "Should I be proud that I can make your legs go weak?"
Nanxing placed her hands on his chest, creating distance between them, and said, "That's enough for me today."
"Even if you say it's not enough, I can't continue," Pei Shen said frankly. "After all, there's a long future ahead, and I don't want to be defeated today."
I need to get dressed.
"You turn your back on us once you've had your fill?"
"I just feel cold."
Pei Shen released her, got up himself, and dressed with her.
"I've been away for too long; Your Highness would have worried," Nanxing said. "Farewell."
Pei Shen called out to her, "Aren't you worried about your affairs anymore?"
"You agreed," Nanxing said.
Pei Shen was pleased by this unwavering trust and said, "Stay."
"The Prince's mansion is now without its leader; I have to go back," Nanxing said. "Besides, the most dangerous place is also the safest. I'll hide until you've completely resolved this."
"Good."
I'm leaving now.
"Wait!" Pei Shen stood up, his eyes filled with inquiry. He said, "Vermilion Bird, what exactly is this all about today?"
"A one-night stand," Nanxing said. "Don't think of it as a transaction, at least don't say it out loud, or I'll feel embarrassed too. Although, I might have genuinely harbored those thoughts to some extent."
Pei Shen smiled, "Vermilion Bird, you've really grown up."
Nanxing: "Thank you for your patience and kindness."
Pei Shen watched her figure disappear into the darkness, the smile on his face lingering for a long time.
Little Birdie, I know you will come back.
There is ample time.