Wrapped In Golden Branch - Chapter 30

Chapter 30
Who made such a solemn vow three years ago?

Marquis Huai’an hadn’t slept all night since learning yesterday that his two sons were most likely swapped. When he was young, he was a handsome man dressed in fine clothes and riding a horse. Otherwise, he would not have won the heart of the once famous, talented woman Qiao Shuyun. Previously, because of Pei Yujin’s disappearance, he had not been able to eat or sleep for half a month, and now he looked worn out, with a hunched back and white hair.

“Your Highness, Yujin has confessed to me that he and Du Ruoqing are not having an affair. They’re in contact because he was only concerned about exposing his background. Please forgive him, Princess.”

Li Kangning was shocked and puzzled-

This Marquis Huai’an was so weird. In the past, he abandoned Pei Yizhi because he was born out of wedlock and even sneered at him despite his outstanding military achievements and the t*tle of General of the Cavalry. Now that he knew that Pei Yizhi was the legitimate child and Pei Yujin the illegitimate one, why did he still favor Pei Yujin?

“Yizhi, it was my fault in the past. My negligence caused you to suffer for many years, but Yujin has never let you down. He loves you very much and often advises me to treat you better …”

As he spoke, Huai’an Marquis burst into tears. His only love in this life was Shuyun, but after all, he raised Yujin himself. For twenty years, he poured all his feelings into that child. Moreover, it was not Yujin’s fault that they switched back then, but that the greedy and vicious woman Mrs. Jin. Yujin was innocent —

Pei Yizhi remained calm and indifferent. If it were three years ago, he might be angry with his father’s words. But now, it could no longer stir up any waves in his heart.

Li Kangning couldn’t help but feel unfair and angry for him. She said sternly: “Father has his reasons for not letting him go. If Marquis Huai’an is dissatisfied, you can go to the palace to ask for an audience with Father. It’s useless for you to say anything to me.”

Marquis Huai’an stammered a few times, wanting to say something but stopping. Yujin only offended the Princess, and he didn’t do anything serious. As long as the Princess asked, the Emperor would let him go. He pondered momentarily and said earnestly, “Princess, Yujin didn’t have any philandering thoughts. Please forgive him.”

Li Kangning was utterly speechless and couldn’t help but look up at the tall and handsome man beside her with pity in her eyes. Marquis Huai’an’s name was Pei Shunqin, and he named his beloved son Pei Yujin, a name full of earnest hopes for his beloved son. Pei Yizhi’s name was much more casual; Yizhi implied that he should a$sist his brother. Since he was switched, Pei Yizhi had never received a trace of fatherly love. No wonder Mrs. Jin came to the Princess Mansion last time and begged her to send someone to find Pei Yujin. She must have done the replacement.

Li Kangning didn’t want to listen to Huai’an Marquis’s tearful complaint anymore, so she turned around and walked into the mansion. Pei Yizhi followed closely behind. Huai’an Marquis wanted to catch up, but the guards stopped him. He was so angry that his face turned red.

Back to the courtyard of the Princess Mansion, Qingxue Courtyard, the young couple walked into the main hall side by side. A six-foot-long and four-foot-wide scroll instantly caught Pei Yizhi’s eyes. He was slightly startled. This wall was empty before.

Seeing the man staring at her masterpiece in a daze, Li Kangning couldn’t help but feel proud. “Guess who painted this picture of snow on Yan Mountain?” She looked excited and bright. If she had a tail, it would be sticking up high now.

Picture of snow on Yan Mountain? Pei Yizhi silently repeated it in his heart.

“Is the name of Qingxue Courtyard taken from this painting?” he asked.

“Yes.” Li Kangning nodded slightly. She urged again: “Pei Yizhi, you haven’t guessed who painted this painting yet!”

She called the three words “Pei Yizhi” so sweetly that it melted people’s hearts.

Pei Yizhi was full of affection, “I guess Ningning painted it.” He naturally knew who painted it. No one in the world knew better than him how this picture was painted.

Li Kangning pursed her lips to hold back her smile, her face flushed. She asked shyly, “How did you guess? This is the first time I’ve hung this painting.”

“Why didn’t you hang it up before?” Pei Yizhi hugged her.

When the girl heard this, her bright almond eyes flashed with sadness. “Because… I don’t rem*mber how I painted it.” She suddenly became unhappy. Every stroke, dot, ink, and color of this picture was her style and contained her little habits that were unknown to others and not easy to imitate. But she really couldn’t rem*mber the scene of the painting.

Pei Yizhi recalled the past, feeling unusual sweetness and a dull pain in his heart. At a time when he had nothing, he met a bright and beautiful girl who had been pampered since childhood. One glance made him fall in love with her for the rest of his life.

Pei Yizhi hugged the girl tighter and kissed her head lovingly, “It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember. Ningning will make many better paintings in the future.”

However, Li Kangning was uncomfortable with his hard chest. He struggled hard a few times and complained in a low voice: “Why are you so strong?”

Pei Yizhi chuckled. He wondered who had made a solemn oath three years ago, “I like men like my father.”

Ever since he saw the handsome and majestic current Emperor with his own eyes, he tried every means to train his physique into what it was now.

Li Kangning struggled a few times in his arms, which ar*used the hot-blooded man in his prime. Pei Yizhi’s abdomen suddenly tightened, and his thoughts grew wildly.

“Good Ningning, how about we try another style tonight?” His eyes darkened, and his voice became hoarse.

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