Did Miss become a nun today?

Her heart skipped a beat. "What are you saying, cousin?"

Before she could finish speaking, her chin was grabbed.

Pei Changyu turned her face towards him and gently rubbed his fingertip against her chin.

Xie Yun Chu's chin was chilled by the wind outside. When it was pinched, she felt numb and jerked back, her back pressed against the carriage wall.

"Cousin... is he drunk again?"

I did not drink any alcohol today.

If you haven't been drinking, then you're sober.

Doing this while sober is even more perplexing than being drunk.

She instinctively wanted to look away, but then felt that doing so would make her seem pathetic, so she met his gaze.

He's just a cousin, what's there to be afraid of?

She's not a demon or monster; she's just a human being. Why should she be afraid?

Thinking of this, I clenched my fists and opened my eyes wide, afraid that I would be at a disadvantage.

My eyes were sore from staring so long when I suddenly realized what she was doing.

She was devoted to Buddhism and destined to become a nun. Buddhism emphasizes the mind and character, so why bother arguing with him?

His eyes flickered, then he looked away, silently chanting "Amitabha" a few times before quickly calming down.

Why is she panicking?

No one could sway her resolve to become a nun, not even her aunt, let alone her older cousin.

His thoughts are his business; what does it have to do with her?

Thinking of this, she smiled slightly. "Since you haven't drunk any alcohol, let's go back."

The carriage slowly drove away, not very fast.

Pei Changyu frowned, his eyes darkening. "Doesn't my cousin have anything to say?"

"What would you like to hear, cousin?" She met his gaze.

He probably wouldn't want to hear what she said.

It's better to remain silent than to confront each other directly; it's always better than a complete falling out.

The carriage swayed gently as Xie Yun Chu closed her eyes to rest, softly reciting Buddhist scriptures: "May I, in my next life, when I attain enlightenment, have a body like crystal, clear and bright inside and out, pure and without blemish..."

As she recited it many times, she heard her heart gradually calm down, as if it could no longer be stirred by any waves.

When I opened my eyes again, they were clear and pure, without greed or anger, as if I had received some kind of enlightenment and had shed my obsessions and sharp edges.

Pei Changyu always managed to do things within his control, but Xie Yun Chu always seemed to be doing things in ways he didn't expect.

She slowly clenched her fists. Clearly, she had been flustered and disoriented in front of him just moments before. What had happened to make her so pitiful yet distant?

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he leaned closer. "Is my cousin still afraid to look at me?"

He got too close, his warm, damp touch like a feather brushing against me; instead of relieving the itch, it only made it more unbearable.

She let out a long breath and lowered her eyes, remaining silent.

Pei Changyu, taking advantage of the situation, cast her in his shadow, "Cousin, aren't you going to look at me?"

Xie Yun Chu kept her eyes closed, as still as a mountain. Pei Chang Yu was like a wild spirit, trying to seduce a nun and lead her to break her vows.

Seeing that she ignored him, Pei Changyu reached out and gently hooked her fingertips. Just as he had imagined in the teahouse, they were warm and soft, and he could completely encircle them with one hand.

"Cousin, are you really not going to open your eyes?"

That warm breath slowly moved from beside her ear to her lips, so close it almost touched.

He pressed his fingertip against her lips, chuckled softly, and leaned down to touch them.

Xie Yun Chu couldn't resist any longer and suddenly opened her eyes. She saw a seductive face lying across her, and those eyes were like a fine net, locking her firmly inside.

"Big cousin, what are you doing?"

The question was asked calmly and without emotion. Even though the two were very close and their lips occasionally brushed against each other, she did not flinch or show any reaction.

Pei Changyu froze, turning his body to the side, his gaze lowered, landing on the soft lips.

Having tasted it, he knew even more how delicate and sweet those lips were, making them unforgettable once touched.

Her eyes, usually moist, showed no sign of panic, nor the shyness or embarrassment he expected from a young girl.

He saw only his own reflection in her eyes, trapped there all alone, like a stone sinking into a deep pool, without making a sound.

"Big Cousin." Xie Yun Chu raised her hand and pushed the person back, separating them after a brief touch.

"Say what you have to say. If not, sit still. The ride is bumpy, so don't bump your head."

Pei Changyu's smile remained, but his brows had softened slightly.

To be indifferent and uncaring is truly heartless.

His eyes darkened, but instead of fading, they leaned down with a somewhat dazed look.

Xie Yun Chu tilted her head slightly, and before Pei Chang Yu could make a further move, the carriage suddenly stopped.

The carriage swayed, and the distance between the two widened slightly.

"Young Master Chen? What are you doing here?" Lan Yue's voice came in.

"Miss Lanyue, I'd like to speak with Miss Xie." His voice was somewhat urgent. Before Lanyue could stop him, he looked towards the carriage curtain and said to himself, "Miss Xie, I was serious about what happened last time. I have no connection with Miss Lu. I only helped her twice and we've met a few times."

Inside the carriage, Pei Changyu paused, his smile deepening. "My cousin has certainly attracted quite a few attentions outside."

Xie Yun Chu did not respond.

Receiving no response, Chen Yan grew increasingly anxious. "Miss Xie, I don't have anyone in my heart. Please believe me, I really can..."

Lan Yue's expression changed, and she quickly jumped out of the car to try to pull the person away, but Chen Yan was determined and kept shouting into the curtain, and she couldn't stop him.

"Young Master Chen, stop talking now. Go back first, and we can talk about it later."

But Chen Yan refused. He had been feeling uneasy these past few days. He originally wanted to go to the Marquis's residence to look for her, but he was afraid of causing her trouble.

But after not seeing her for several days, he became increasingly uneasy. He had readily agreed to the matter that time, and if Miss Lu caused a misunderstanding and delayed important matters, he would truly have let her down.

"Miss Xie..."

There was a moment of silence inside the carriage.

Pei Changyu smiled in an ambiguous way, "So this is what my cousin likes."

Xie Yun Chu sensed the sarcasm in his words, and slowly sat up straight, lifting a corner of the carriage curtain to reveal half of her face.

Chen Yan stood outside, clenching his fists, his face flushed red. He had clearly mustered a great deal of courage to catch up and say those words.

Upon seeing her face, his eyes lit up instantly. "Miss Xie, I..."

"I know what you mean. I'll talk to you about this later. You should go back now."

Before Chen Yan could say anything more, Xie Yun Chu had already lowered the curtain.

She must not let word get out that she arranged a fake marriage, especially not to her older cousin.

As the carriage departed, Pei Changyu lifted the curtain and looked out, his gaze meeting Chen Yan's precisely.

Those eyes were so dark and menacing that they sent chills down one's spine for no reason.

Pei Changyu lowered the curtain and sat back in his original seat, straightening the hem of his clothes that had been ruffled by the wind, with composure and elegance.

His face remained as gentle as ever, even the curve of his lips hadn't changed, but the atmosphere in the carriage was noticeably heavier than before.

The carriage stopped in front of the Marquis's residence. Pei Changyu had just gotten out of the carriage when he suddenly stumbled. He steadied himself by leaning on her and said apologetically, "My leg went numb."

I don't believe you.

Her eldest cousin was so steady and reliable; in the Marquis's mansion, his words carried more weight than the old lady's. But now she couldn't help but wonder how much of what he had said to her over the years had actually been true.

Back at Shifang Courtyard, Qingluo skipped and jumped up to her, "Miss, good news!"

She handed me a letter. "Take a look at this."

Xie Yun Chu took the letter, her gaze falling on the signature, and a smile finally appeared in her eyes.

A letter from Zhao Mingyue.

Xin wrote several pages long, first recounting his experiences in the military camp, such as falling and getting covered in mud during drills, shivering from the cold while on guard duty at night, and being able to clearly hear the snoring of his brothers in the camp through the tents. Although he complained in every sentence, there was a hint of joy in his words.

She also said that the Zhao family was so angry with her that the old lady fainted several times.

The Zhao family even sent people to arrest her and take her back, but because the military order was not fulfilled, they threatened to expel her from the family.

Although her military service has not been long, she has already made meritorious contributions and now holds a proper military rank.

The letter ended with him asking how she was doing, mentioning that she would soon have a day off, and inviting her to the horse farm.

Xie Yunchu read the letter twice from beginning to end, and her heart, which had been hanging in suspense for so long, finally settled down.

She had been worried about Zhao Mingyue, a young woman, having many difficulties in the military camp, and whether she could handle it. But she was relieved to hear that Zhao Mingyue was doing well.

She carefully folded the letter and put it away, finally seeing something that pleased her.