Chapter Eighteen: Sending Messages to a Stranger Right Before My Eyes

She could only wait for him to let go on his own.

Biting her lip tightly, she suddenly trembled. “Pei Xingzhi, who do you think you are to interfere? Do you want to disgrace me in front of everyone? It’s because I have no money that I took this gold token—to buy you a birthday gift.”

“Look at how much I’m doing for you. Aren’t you proud?”

Jiang Lingyao’s mind was in chaos, but she couldn’t think of a better way. Pei Xingzhi had always kept his distance from matters of love; dragging the current situation into that realm was the only way to make him lose interest.

She was immensely grateful she had worried about Liao Yun’s tight finances and slipped the gold token into the letter.

Her eyes fixed on Pei Xingzhi. When a flicker of surprise crossed his face, she suddenly stepped forward, snatched the letter, stuffed the gold token into it, and told the waiter, “Take it away! I’ll come to get the money in a few days.”

“Wait!”

Pei Xingzhi furrowed his brows, stopping the waiter. “Return the gold token to her.”

His gaze was complicated as he looked at the tears on Jiang Lingyao’s face, his voice softening. “I didn’t need to stoop this low for you. Besides, Jiang Lingyao, you’re the legitimate daughter of a noble household, how could you…”

“Legitimate daughter? But that day you watched helplessly as my home burned to the ground, didn’t you?”

Jiang Lingyao’s heart pounded wildly again, afraid Pei Xingzhi might sense something amiss.

Unexpectedly, Pei Xingzhi said coldly to the waiter, “Give me the gold token. We’re not doing this deal.”

The waiter nervously pulled the token from the envelope and hurried away with the letter as if fleeing.

Jiang Lingyao let out a long breath, tears streaming down again, staring blankly at Pei Xingzhi.

She dared not imagine how desperate she would be if she failed to leave successfully.

For her, the noble household was no longer a cherished home but a cage.

Everyone said they loved her, that it was for her own good—but they hurt her deeply.

In the past, Jiang Lingyao had always wanted to ask why they treated her this way.

Could it be that Song Lian’er possessed some supernatural power that made everyone transfer their love, originally meant for her, to Lian’er instead?

But after returning this time, she no longer cared. Her only wish was to see her grandmother one last time and then leave.

“You…”

Pei Xingzhi had never seen her cry so miserably. For a moment, he was at a loss and took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

Jiang Lingyao suddenly stepped back, avoiding his hand, and said coldly, “Please leave. I don’t want to see you. I won’t come to your birthday.”

She saw a flicker of worry cross Pei Xingzhi’s usually indifferent face and was momentarily stunned.

Was he feeling guilty?

“Don’t cry. Today I was negligent. I didn’t know you were in such hardship. I even thought…” Pei Xingzhi rubbed his brow. “Lian’er said she saw you delivering a letter for someone else.”

Hearing Lian’er’s name, Jiang Lingyao sneered inwardly. The flicker of hesitation she had just felt vanished completely, replaced by a colder gleam in her eyes.

Whatever Song Lian’er said, they believed blindly. What did that matter?

“I’ll escort you back.”

Seeing Jiang Lingyao stubbornly resisting, Pei Xingzhi felt a fleeting, subtle pain. His voice hardened. “Let’s go.”

Jiang Lingyao knew he never went back on his word but still gritted her teeth and said, “My maid is still waiting.”

“Where? I’ll have the guards fetch her personally.”

Pei Xingzhi resumed his usual cold tone. “Let’s go.”

Once in the carriage, Jiang Lingyao’s heart kept racing; her fingertips grew cold.

Fortunately, Pei Xingzhi hadn’t noticed.

She wearily closed her eyes, leaning against the carriage, unwilling to engage with him.

“Mingzhu, you will become the lady of the Pei family someday. You need not worry about money.” Pei Xingzhi unfastened the token at his waist. “Take this. You can withdraw silver from all the major merchants in the capital.”

Jiang Lingyao opened her eyes but felt a lump in her throat.

He was masterful at beating her down only to offer sweet consolation, fostering false hopes just to shatter them again.

Pei Xingzhi’s kindness was due to their engagement. Jiang Lingyao knew this cold, privileged man might never understand love in this lifetime.

She didn’t accept. “No need.”

Pei Xingzhi said no more and forcefully pressed the token into her hand.

Jiang Lingyao glanced at him tiredly, no longer wanting to argue. She took it, planning to return it when she had the chance.

The atmosphere between them grew awkward. As the carriage reached the noble estate, she quickly stepped out, bypassed Pei Xingzhi’s outstretched hand, leaving him frozen in place.

He thought Jiang Lingyao was still angry.

She appeared gentle, but Pei Xingzhi knew she was proud and hated being seen in a vulnerable state.

He had never seen her cry as pitifully as just now; he felt no anger toward her, only guilt.

“Mingzhu.”

He sighed. “I also prepared other gifts for you.”

Other gifts?

So the set Song Lian’er took earlier was actually…

He signaled a maid to bring them out but was interrupted by a soft female voice behind him.

“Brother Pei, didn’t you go back already? Why are you with sister?”

Song Lian’er approached, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Did sister just whisper something bad about me to you, making you leave with her?”

Hearing this, Jiang Xiuyuan beside her was furious. “Jiang Lingyao! You’re bullying Lian’er again. Why do you have to fight her for everything?”