Wrapped In Golden Branch - Chapter 6

Chapter 6
Recommended himself

“I, Miss Du, was originally the daughter of a merchant. Two years ago, I was selected to enter the palace and was a$signed to work in the weaving and embroidery department. My aunt, Mrs. Jin, was the concubine of the Huai’an Marquis’s mansion, so I met the Heir when I was young and gradually fell in love with him…”

Du Ruoqing burst into tears.

“The Heir repeatedly hinted to me that his marriage with the Princess was forced and that he would always have a place for me in his heart…”

With every word she said, the faces of Huai’an Marquis and his son became uglier.

“What I said is true, and there are letters to prove it!” There were only a few letters between the two, all of which lay on the ground.

Huai’an Marquis took a closer look and saw that it was indeed the handwriting of his eldest son!

He looked pale and swayed.

Mrs. Jin was the dowry maid of his late wife, Qiao Shuyun. She took advantage of his drunkenness to get pregnant with Pei Yizhi, that bastard, causing Shuyun to die of hatred in childbirth. Now, her niece was here to harm his and Shuyun’s child again!

Pei Yujin opened his mouth, wanting to say something to save the situation, but nothing came out.

The Emperor made the final decision: “This matter ends here. The marriage is canceled, and I will announce it to the world when the time is right.”

Before Huai’an marquis and his son could react, they and Du Ruoqing had been forced out of the palace by the eunuchs.

Empress Kang softly comforted her daughter, “There are many good men in the world. Ningning doesn’t have to be sad for such a dirty man.”

“Your mother is right.” The Emperor also quoted gently.

“I am not sad, but I worried my father and mother about me.” Li Kangning’s nose was sour.

Empress Kang hugged her daughter lovingly. “I was initially reluctant to let you marry so early, and now it’s good; it doesn’t matter if you stay for a few more years.”

Li Kangning thought of the prophetic dream again, and her heart seemed to be blocked by something. Because she couldn’t understand people well, she died, and her mother died of depression. Fortunately, everything was still in time.

Li Kangning lowered her eyes, and a tear fell silently. She had already broken off the engagement with Pei Yujin, the two-faced hypocrite. The dream would never happen again.

Outside the Qinzheng Palace, the sun shone in the sky, without clouds. Huai’an Marquis felt dizzy, and his knees were weak.

It was over.

It was the hottest summer day, yet Pei Yujin felt a chill on his back and could hardly breathe. Not only did he lose his marriage to the Princess, but his career was also over.

Pei Yujin’s voice trembled slightly, “Father, I have never done such a thing that would disgrace the family tradition. You must believe me…”

Huai’an Marquis came back to his senses. Yes, how could his child with Shuyun be a person with two hearts and minds?

Someone must have interfered!

As if he had grabbed a life-saving straw, Marquis Huai’an angrily rushed to the residence of his illegitimate son, Pei Yizhi.

Pei Yizhi was personally washing the warhorse that the Emperor had bestowed yesterday in the courtyard. The fat and strong Arabian horse had just been soaked in water. Its dark brown hair was lustrous and shone with a faint golden light.

Marquis Huai’an rushed in and asked angrily: “Pei Yizhi! Did you deliberately instruct your cousin to frame Yujin!”

“Aren’t you happy that Yujin and the Princess’ marriage is now canceled?”

When Pei Yizhi heard this, he was stunned for a moment, and then his chest rose and fell violently.

“The Princess’s marriage to Elder Brother has been canceled?” he asked word by word.

Marquis Huai’an was furious. “What on earth do you want to do? Must you destroy your Elder Brother and our Huai’an Marquis Mansion for you to be satisfied?”

Pei Yizhi turned around and left, saying nothing.

“Where are you going, you evil creature?” Marquis Huai’an chased after him.

But Pei Yizhi’s feet were so fast that he soon couldn’t catch up, and he could only stand there and stamp his feet in frustration.

Foreign officials were not allowed to enter the inner palace, where the Emperor, Empress, Prince, and Princesses lived at will. Pei Yizhi knew that whenever the Princess encountered troubles in the palace, she would stop on the long embankment of Qianqing Lake for a long time.

He had to try his luck; this was his only chance.

When Xiao Luzi, who was clearing the way for the Princess in front, spotted him from a distance, his eyes were full of hostility. He was promoted to the chief eunuch around the Princess because he discovered the former Prince Consort’s misconduct. He was even more vigilant now that he met the former Prince Consort’s half-brother.

“Your Highness, there is someone who doesn’t have eyes. I will go and clear the way for you.”

“No need.” Li Kangning stopped Xiao Luzi. She didn’t vent her anger on Pei Yujin, the young general who had just made outstanding military achievements. Especially in that prophetic dream, this man died on the battlefield for his country about a year later.

Pei Yizhi’s dark eyes brightened. He bowed and saluted without being humble or arrogant.

“I, Pei Yizhi, pay my respects to the Princess. May the Princess live happily forever.” His voice was clear and magnetic.

Li Kangning suddenly felt to have heard this voice somewhere before.

When he bowed, Pei Yizhi realized he was wearing a worn black casual dress with water stains left by the horse’s washing just now. He should have changed into a new set of clothes before coming, and he was filled with regret.

“No need to be polite.” Li Kangning said calmly.

Pei Yizhi stood up straight, staring at the beautiful, bright woman in front of him without blinking. His gaze was as hot as the sun.

It was the first time for him to be so close to her, and Li Kangning’s heartbeat suddenly accelerated for some reason-

Pei Yizhi was handsome, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, even more attractive than his brother. However, he was too tall, and the battlefield tanned his skin to a light wheat color, which made people ignore his handsome facial features, which were as sharp as a knife.

She was considered tall among women, at least seven chi tall. Yet the man in front of her was almost two heads taller than her. Her father was nine chi tall, and Pei Yizhi was about the same height.

Pei Yizhi’s ears burned, and he tried to suppress the surging and intense heat in his chest. “Your Highness, I am here to recommend myself.”

Li Kangning’s eyelids twitched when she heard this.

Recommend himself? What is he recommending to her?

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Author Notes:
Ningning is precisely 1.7 meters tall, and Xiao Pei is 1.92 meters tall, so there is still a height difference (/w?)