Wang gritted his back teeth.
Were these two sons out of their minds?
Those two were mere prisoners, what kind of guests were they?!
Unexpectedly, Pei Xi stepped forward as well, standing beside Pei Ji. "Father, please hear me out. Miss Nicole has made her words very clear, and I don't like to force anyone. She wants an explanation, and I believe this is the best explanation."
Was he determined to break off the engagement?
Wang's expression turned grim. He definitely did not want to break off the engagement, as this marriage was his carefully chosen arrangement, intended to give Pei Xi a wife from a sufficiently powerful family.
Choosing a new family would be time-consuming and energy-draining, and with the enthronement ceremony about to begin, there simply wasn't enough time.
"Father, let this matter go," Pei Xi said, looking at Wang with a hint of forbearance in his eyes. "Since Miss Nicole is unwilling to fulfill the engagement, I am willing to grant her freedom. Let the engagement be called off."
"Pei Xi..."
"Father," Pei Xi pleaded. "Please grant my request!"
Wang sighed deeply. All these considerations were outweighed by the look in Pei Xi's eyes. He didn't want to force his son. Glaring at Duke Chaplin and Nicole with displeasure, he said, "Since Pei Xi has spoken, the engagement will be canceled. You may leave."
And so, before Duke Chaplin and Nicole could even react, the engagement was gone.
The expressions on the faces of father and daughter were indescribable.
Nicole bit her lip, wanting to step forward and explain. "Fourth Prince..."
Pei Xi looked at her with understanding. "I know. You don't need to thank me. I hope you can find someone you truly love in the future."
That person is you!
Nicole screamed inwardly, but not a single word escaped her lips.
At this point, if she persisted and said she still wanted the engagement, she would completely lose face.
In the end, she was led away by Duke Chaplin.
Wang looked at Shen Qingqing and snorted, "Pei Ji, Pei Xi, this woman is a troublemaker. Stay away from her."
Thinking of Pei Lie, who was currently under house arrest and reflecting on his mistakes, he found this woman even more displeasing.
Shen Qingqing paid him no mind, instead gazing thoughtfully at Pei Xi.
It was not surprising that Pei Ji spoke up for her, but Pei Xi was different. Every action he took was calculated.
This time was surely no exception.
Could it be...
"Pei Xi, stop," she called out to Pei Xi, who was about to leave.
Pei Xi turned around, his posture composed. "Miss Shen, is there something else?"
Shen Qingqing asked directly, "You did this on purpose, didn't you."
Pei Xi feigned ignorance. "I don't understand what you mean."
Shen Qingqing glanced around. Most people had already left, leaving only the three of them: herself, Fu Jingshu, and Pei Xi.
And the butler standing guard at the door.
She said slowly, "From the very beginning, this was a trap you set."
Pei Xi smiled at her. "What trap?"
"You know very well what I'm talking about," Shen Qingqing snorted coldly. "The fitting room."
Pei Xi stared at her for a long moment, then suddenly asked, "Miss Shen, why don't you break up with him?"
Fu Jingshu's aura instantly turned icy.
Pei Xi, as if he hadn't noticed, boldly added, "I see you're so intelligent and capable. It's a shame to follow Mr. Fu; your talents are wasted. But if you followed me, it would be different." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
There was no trace of lechery or insolence in his eyes, only pure admiration.
Shen Qingqing showed no shyness or anger, only calmness. "It is my honor to receive such words from you, but I will not agree."
Pei Xi sighed, appearing very disappointed.
"Yes, I knew you wouldn't agree, but I was still unwilling to give up, always hoping to ask, just in case you might."
Shen Qingqing remained noncommittal. "So, you were using me."
Pei Xi fell silent for a moment, then burst into laughter. He laughed for a long time, while Shen Qingqing watched him coldly.
As if he had laughed enough, he wiped the corners of his eyes and said, "I admit, I used you."
Shen Qingqing couldn't understand. "Nicole is quite good, and you need Duke Chaplin's support to ascend the throne, right?"
Doing this would mean falling out with Duke Chaplin, and any possibility of cooperation would vanish.
Pei Xi shook his head. "No, no, no. I don't like Nicole. I can't spend my entire life with a woman I despise."
"For you, isn't it easier to deal with someone you dislike if they are by your side?"
"You know me so well!" Pei Xi said with a grin. "It seems you've done extensive research on me."
"If you don't want your tongue, I can help you with that."
His flippant attitude finally made Fu Jingshu unable to stand it. He stepped forward, his gaze like a cold blade.
Pei Xi, intimidated by his aura, couldn't help but take a step back and clicked his tongue. "You man, only she can tolerate you. Anyone else would have divorced you eight hundred times!"
Fu Jingshu said coldly, "It's none of your business."
Shen Qingqing held Fu Jingshu's hand, gently squeezing it, and looked at Pei Xi. "Stop talking nonsense. It's getting late, and we need to go back and rest."
"Alright, feel free."
Pei Xi didn't linger.
Shen Qingqing was too lazy to question why he wasn't with Nicole and turned to leave with Fu Jingshu.
As they reached the doorway, she saw the butler standing beside her.
She asked, "This afternoon, you deliberately led us to the fitting room."
The butler replied with a smile, "Yes."
Shen Qingqing sneered. "Birds of a feather flock together."
The butler didn't refute her. After they left, he turned and entered the hall, his smile on his face becoming genuine.
"Congratulations, Your Highness."
Pei Xi chuckled. "What congratulations? I knew I would succeed anyway."
Such narcissistic words, spoken by him, instead carried an air of calculated mastery.
The butler nodded in agreement. "Your Highness is naturally formidable. I didn't expect Shen Qingqing to have such skills as well."
He had thought that facing Nicole, who had been doted on since childhood, the vast difference in status would make Shen Qingqing hesitant.
He hadn't expected her to anger Nicole away with just a few words.
"Nicole's combat power is too low," Pei Xi shook his head, looking very disappointed.
The butler couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you want to break off the engagement?"
Pei Xi glanced at him, put his hands behind his back, and walked upstairs. "You don't understand."
He had wanted to see Nicole and Shen Qingqing go head-to-head, which would have been more interesting. He hadn't expected...
Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu returned to their room. She turned and hugged Fu Jingshu.
"What's wrong?" He lowered his head, looking at the soft mass in his arms, his heart softening with her. He held her, walked to the bed, sat down, and settled her comfortably on his lap, one arm around her waist.
With his other hand, he stroked her soft, smooth cheek.
"Is it about Pei Xi's matter?"