He wanted to kill Liao Yun!

"Prince Pei?"

The doorkeeper was momentarily stunned. Pei Xingzhi said with a distant and cold expression, "I am here to see your young lady."

"Please, come right in!" The doorkeeper hurriedly opened the door to welcome him in. "His Grace has said that you are welcome to visit at any time. Allow me to show you to the front hall first, and this servant will go invite the young lady immediately."

Pei Xingzhi gave a cold assent. When he sat down in the front hall, his mind drifted slightly.

He could not help thinking that Jiang Lingyao would surely be happy upon hearing he had come, and today he might once again see that familiar smile upon her face.

After waiting for a short while, he heard footsteps drawing near and looked up.

Jiang Lingyao stepped across the threshold. When she raised her eyes, her expression was distant and cold, devoid of the slightest trace of a smile, and even carrying a hint of indifference. "Prince Pei."

Pei Xingzhi frowned unconsciously. "Come and sit down."

Jiang Lingyao nodded, her gaze looking at him with a trace of complexity.

Just what was going on with this marriage? It was impossible for the Emperor to bestow a marriage for no reason at all. Could it be that Pei Xingzhi had done something behind the scenes?

An inquiring look appeared on her face, making Pei Xingzhi's heart sink. The hand hidden within his sleeve clenched tightly of its own accord. After a moment of silence, he spoke in a soft voice, "Mingzhu, I came to the Manor today to discuss our marriage with you."

"Whatever you decide regarding when to send the betrothal gifts, and when to hold the wedding, I will listen to you."

He was laying out his absolute sincerity.

Pei Xingzhi knew very well that the Old Madame was the most special person to Jiang Lingyao, and he was also aware that the Old Madame was critically ill and likely had no more than three months to live. Therefore, he intended to respect Jiang Lingyao's wishes and see what she planned to do.

If she wished to marry sooner to give the Old Madame peace of mind, then he was willing to have everything arranged earlier. Even if it were a bit rushed, as long as it satisfied her, it would be enough.

If she wanted to observe a period of mourning before discussing marriage, then he could wait for her for a year.

He told Jiang Lingyao of his intentions, only to see that her face did not show a trace of being moved; instead, she looked somewhat troubled.

For some reason, his heart sank.

Jiang Lingyao waited until he finished speaking, then stood up to pour him a cup of warm tea before asking directly, "Prince Pei, I wish to ask, what on earth is going on with this marriage?"

Seeing her coldness, Pei Xingzhi could not help feeling a surge of anger. "I begged the Emperor for it. The day I saved you, I also saw your body. Jiang Lingyao, I said I would take responsibility."

Just as she thought.

Jiang Lingyao slowly let out a turbid breath and sighed. "Actually, what I want to ask is, why are you so persistent about this? You have a bright and promising future ahead of you, why must you insist on entangling yourself with me?"

Pei Xingzhi was stunned, frowning as he stared fixedly at her.

What did she mean by that remark?

His gaze suddenly turned dark and heavy. "We have a betrothal, so naturally I must marry you."

Jiang Lingyao knew all too well how stubborn Pei Xingzhi could be, and a headache instantly throbbed behind her temples. He did not truly love her; rather, he had simply grown accustomed to her presence and viewed her as his own possession—just like how he used to get angry whenever anyone else showed favor to Jiang Lingyao.

She had always foolishly believed that this was proof he, too, harbored affection for her, never imagining that it was merely Pei Xingzhi's possessiveness at work. Having sailed smoothly through life without ever failing to obtain what he desired, he was accustomed to keeping everything firmly within his grasp.

Even a discarded book was not something he would allow anyone else to touch.

In his eyes, she was no different from those books.

Jiang Lingyao pressed her lips together. "Let us discuss the marriage at a later date. I wish to spend more time with my grandmother."

Pei Xingzhi paused, then raised his eyes and said coldly, "The Pei family will send betrothal gifts in a few days. Though we won't wed immediately, it can liven up the Jiang Manor and perhaps bring some joy to your grandmother."

The look Jiang Lingyao gave him grew even more complex, carrying a trace of doubt. "There is no need for now. I do not wish to cause my grandmother any further distress over my affairs."

Pei Xingzhi frowned, a sudden thought flashing through his mind—

Could it be that Jiang Lingyao did not want to marry him at all?

The look in his eyes grew even colder. "Jiang Lingyao, what exactly do you mean?"

With his tone turning harsh, and having already been plagued by headaches over the imperial marriage decree for a long time, Jiang Lingyao felt a sudden surge of anger flare up inside her upon hearing his cross-examination. She withdrew the faint smile from her face and said flatly, "Prince Pei, please return. I still have to accompany my grandmother, so I must bid you farewell."

Pei Xingzhi had never seen her look so indifferent, and his heart twisted further. "Are you still thinking about that man? His name is Liao Yun, isn't it?"

Jiang Lingyao whipped her head around. "What Liao Yun? Matters between you and me—why must you drag an innocent person into this?"

Pei Xingzhi sneered, the corners of his eyes slightly reddened. "Jiang Lingyao, what is so good about that man?"

A man he could dismiss with just a few words, a man of unknown origins, a coward who could abandon her and run away the moment she was injured—what on earth was so good about him?

Could it be that he truly fell short compared to that useless wretch?

A glint of ruthlessness surfaced in the depths of Pei Xingzhi's eyes, and a murderous intent toward Liao Yun had already begun to take root.