"Wanwan, don’t always try to avoid me," he sighed slightly, "I really am not scary."

"..." Xie Wanneng was speechless, choking with emotions.

"Why make such a face?" Pei Yuqing smiled, "When have I ever been fierce to you?"

Xie Wanneng thought for a moment and said, "After all, you’re not truly harmless!"

Pei Yuqing’s smile grew broader, he wrapped her into his embrace and said tenderly, "All you need to know is that I truly love you."

When they first met, the gentle and shy young man, whose ears would turn red with just a word of affection, could now express his love openly.

He didn’t refute her words.

Harmless?

One who can hold ground in the court and is trusted by the Holy Emperor couldn’t possibly be harmless.

If he truly lacked any means, then indeed he would be at the mercy of others.

Xie Wanneng pressed her lips as she looked at him, her emotions complicated.

......

Even before, despite clashes, they stayed under the same roof, always seeing each other, but now Pei Yuqing was leaving the Capital, it was their first separation after marriage.

Xie Wanneng was very reluctant, this reluctance showed in all aspects.

Reluctant to reject his closeness, and visibly softened for him.

Pei Yuqing, being a sensitive man, how could he not feel the change in her attitude, it was impossible for him to retreat after success, instead, he precisely understood the meaning of ’inch by inch’.

He didn’t leave the courtyard for the next two days, not only that, he didn’t allow Xie Wanneng to leave the courtyard either, they stayed close, glued to each other.

Time flew by, and separation had to come, perhaps afraid he’d be reluctant to leave, Pei Yuqing rose early, kissed the tired girl in his arms, left without waking her, left quietly.

When Xie Wanneng woke up, beside her the bed was already cold, she stiffly lay on the bed, feeling somewhat melancholic, empty.

Having been married for half a year, she couldn’t be considered a new wife anymore, but the Eldest Princess truly loved her one daughter-in-law, cared deeply, worried she’d feel lonely without her husband, often invited Xie Wanneng to the main courtyard for chats.

And Pei Yuxuan too, would come to Xuanhua Courtyard every few days to seek her out for play.

Their conversations often revolved around Pei Yuqing.

Worried about the dangers he might encounter while away.

Thankfully, Pei Yuqing was indeed meticulous and considerate, three days after leaving the Capital, while still en route, he sent back a letter.

The letter was personally delivered by Pei Er, it was then Xie Wanneng realized he had really left his trusted subordinate in the Capital.

She felt both angry and touched, she meticulously opened the letter and read it.

The letter wasn’t long, the handwriting was so neat it could serve as a model scroll, describing all he’d encountered after leaving the Capital, deep emotions embedded between the lines.

Looking at the concluding words "Missing you madly" made Xie Wanneng’s nose tingle, she almost burst into tears.

She walked to the desk, wanting to write a reply, but her wrist hung in the air for a long time unable to land the pen, ink dripped onto the white paper, spreading into a blotch, Xie Wanneng sighed, put down the pen, turned, and took out a newly embroidered belt, handing it to Pei Er.

"Tell him not to worry about home, prioritize himself, I’ll be here waiting for him to come back safely."

The court is fraught with unpredictable shifts, the Crown Prince contest adds to the unrest across the lands, even the Capital isn’t absolutely safe, let alone outside.

Moreover, the Second Prince had earlier suspected the Qingtian Guard under Pei Yuqing, being the Emperor’s eyes and ears.

Who knows how many more aware of his identity, eager to kill him swiftly, yet in such times he is ordered to leave the Capital.