Pei Lie remained silent for a long time.
Beside him, Pei Ji was trembling with fear, looking at his elder brother imploringly. "Big brother, please spare me. I'm really not cut out for this. Why don't you do it yourself? If you really can't, let Pei Xi do it."
He would be happy if someone else was willing to do this thankless task.
Pei Lie glared at him upon hearing this. "Are you an idiot?"
Anyone else would have been fine, even Pei Xing, but Pei Xi was out of the question. That guy was vicious and had poisoned Pei Ji and their mother.
He was a menace.
Pei Ji knew he had spoken out of turn. "I just think Pei Xi is also the King's son. Even if we don't agree, the King probably won't compromise easily."
He had spoken rashly out of panic.
He truly wouldn't want Pei Xi to become king, especially after hearing from his elder brother that Pei Xi had poisoned their mother.
Pei Lie felt a splitting headache. Everything he had planned had gone awry because of Pei Ji, that scoundrel!
"Get out, get out, I don't want to see you!"
Pei Ji knew this was his elder brother's signal of compromise. He chuckled inwardly and looked at Shen Qingqing gratefully, cupping his hands in her direction.
"Thanks a lot."
"Still not getting out?" Pei Lie's deep voice boomed.
Pei Ji quickly turned and bolted.
Shen Qingqing couldn't help but snicker. "What's your problem? Look how scared he is of you. The way you act as an elder brother, tsk, tsk, tsk."
Pei Lie found everything irritating now, including her.
"It's none of your business."
"I can't be bothered to manage you!"
Shen Qingqing retorted without politeness.
Seeing them bicker yet not fall out, the Queen found it quite novel and looked at Fu Jingshu.
"And who is this?"
Shen Qingqing quickly introduced, "This is my husband, Fu Jingshu."
A flicker of disappointment flashed in the Queen's eyes. "Hello."
Shen Qingqing found it strange. "You know him?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
The Queen shook her head.
"Then why were you just now..." disappointed?
The Queen looked at Fu Jingshu. She hadn't intended to say anything, but since they had asked, her upbringing wouldn't allow her to not answer.
"I originally thought you and my son would be quite a match. I didn't expect you to be taken."
As soon as she said this, Fu Jingshu's face darkened.
He subtly pulled Shen Qingqing into his embrace, his expression indifferent yet possessive, naturally asserting his claim and dominion.
"This is my wife."
Meaning, don't covet her!
Pei Lie tutted. "You don't need to be so nervous. No one has any designs on her. I can't handle such a fierce and scheming woman."
He admired Shen Qingqing, even appreciated her, but he didn't like her.
He preferred the gentle, soft type of girl, like a cloud, like a piece of glutinous rice cake, melting in the mouth, sweet and cloying.
The Queen couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright, I was overthinking. You two look very well-matched together, much better than my son."
Pei Lie became unhappy again. How could she attack him personally? "Mother!"
"Mother didn't mean it that way. You are also very good."
The Queen was truly busy, comforting them on both sides.
After the laughter and banter, she inquired about their plan. Pei Lie and Shen Qingqing briefly explained the plan they had agreed upon in the dungeon.
"Then when do you plan to..."
"We still need some crucial evidence now," Shen Qingqing had already planned. Next, everyone's cooperation would be needed.
Once the evidence was obtained, Pei Xi would be finished.
The Queen nodded. "Go ahead and do what you need to do. Tell me if you need anything, and I will help in any way I can."
Pei Lie said gently, "You should focus on resting."
The Queen disagreed. "This is our family matter, after all. Miss Shen is helping us, so we've already benefited greatly. How can I leave it all to her? Pei Lie, don't bicker with Miss Shen in the future. Give in to her more; she's here to help."
She was their benefactor.
Pei Lie's lips twitched. "Understood."
The Queen's health had not fully recovered, and her weakness prevented her from staying up for too long. After only a short conversation, fatigue showed on her face.
Shen Qingqing decided to let her rest and left the room with Fu Jingshu.
Pei Lie followed shortly after.
As soon as they reached the corridor, someone came to escort Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu back to their rooms. Pei Lie stepped forward to block them. "Mother said these two are her benefactors and should be treated as honored guests from now on."
The two guards hesitated.
Pei Lie narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Do Mother's words no longer matter?"
"They matter, of course, they matter."
The two guards dared not openly defy the Queen. If the Queen were unconscious, it might be different, but now that she was awake, her word was law.
Everyone in the palace knew this.
After the two guards left, Shen Qingqing looked at Pei Lie. "Now, you can start your move."
"Alright, I will arrange everything. But as for Pei Xi's past..." Pei Lie hesitated.
"Don't worry, I've already sent people to investigate."
"Okay, I believe in your capabilities." Pei Lie's blood boiled as he thought of the sensational events that would unfold at tomorrow's succession ceremony. "I'm almost impatient."
"Why rush? The best always comes last."
Shen Qingqing, with her hands behind her back, turned and left.
She wanted to go back and get a good night's sleep, to conserve her energy for the tough battle tomorrow. She wondered how King was doing...
Suddenly, Pei Lie's voice came from behind.
"I've had someone change your room for you. It's directly opposite your original room. Don't worry, there are no cameras."
His voice held a playful, teasing tone.
He clearly knew how anxious the couple had been living under camera surveillance.
Shen Qingqing's face flushed slightly, but that was all. She turned, her eyes sparkling, and gave a charming, alluring smile. "Thank you."
It wasn't until she had already left that Pei Lie came to his senses.
He had actually been lost in thought at her smile.
But it wasn't surprising. This woman's beauty was truly unparalleled in the world. At least, among all the women he had met, none could compare to her.
...
Returning to the room, Shen Qingqing looked around.
"Not bad."
The environment, the decorations, even the sheets and duvet covers were new. They must have been aired out beforehand, exuding the scent of sunshine.
Fu Jingshu glanced at her and then went into the bathroom.
Shen Qingqing's heart skipped a beat at his glance, and her face felt warm, not from shyness, but from excitement and anticipation.
After all, they hadn't been intimate for a long time.
As the bathroom door opened, a scene of a handsome man emerging from the bath unfolded before her eyes—his firm chest, smooth lines, water droplets trickling down his skin...
He actually put on a bath towel in front of her!
Everything that should be seen, and what shouldn't, was clearly visible!
She couldn't help but swallow, her mouth feeling dry. She quickly reached for the water that had just been poured and took a sip.
But the cool water did nothing to quell the heat rising within her.
The man approached slowly, exuding an aura of predatory dominance. His unique, cool fragrance mingled with the steam, creating an irresistible allure.
Shen Qingqing's delicate nose twitched. "So fragrant."