Quick Transmigration: Why did you provoke him? He's love-struck!

Chapter 151 Canglan Ferry (21)

When Pei Ji returned from his shift that evening, Yan Zhen was lying on the bed, calculating accounts with a small abacus, muttering to himself. There was also a large stack of silver notes on the bed.

Upon seeing Pei Ji, Yan Zhen sat up and generously handed over a stack of silver notes: "Here, the agreed-upon profit sharing."

Pei Ji didn't take it: "You keep it."

Yan Zhen said half-jokingly, "Aren't you afraid I'll run off with the money?"

“No,” Pei Ji said firmly, “You’re not that kind of person.”

This sudden trust startled Yan Zhen slightly, who wondered when his revolutionary friendship with Pei Ji had developed to this extent.

She didn't think about the question in depth. Seeing Pei Ji turn his back to change out of his official robes, and remembering that he had been finishing his shifts later and later each day, she casually asked, "Has something happened at the Ministry of Justice? You seem to be very busy these days."

“Something has happened,” Pei Ji said. “A seventh-rank official in the capital reported that his ten-year-old daughter had gone missing in the street. When the officials investigated, they found that there had been more than thirty similar cases in the capital and surrounding towns in recent years. However, in the past, most of the missing daughters were from farming families, so it did not attract much attention.”

Yan Zhen's attention was drawn, and he sat up straight, asking, "And then?"

"The yamen couldn't make a decision, so it was reported to the Dali Temple. Right now, the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple are working together to investigate this case. The missing children have several things in common: they are all girls, and their ages are between eight and twelve. It's possible that they are the same person or the same gang that committed the crime."

Yan Zhen frowned deeply upon hearing this: "Have you found any leads?"

Pei Ji hesitated for a moment, then said, "We're still investigating."

He was clearly unwilling to elaborate, so Yan Zhen stopped asking.

Just then, a soft rustling sound came from under the window outside. The two quickly turned their heads and saw a figure running away quickly reflected on the window paper.

It is Mingyu.

This girl has been eavesdropping more than once or twice, but she's been doing it especially frequently these past two days.

Yan Zhen had a premonition that Yan Jinhe might not be able to restrain himself and was about to make a move against her.

Her mind raced; she not only had to take precautions, but also make a scene when Yan Jinhe's men made their move.

Even if they can't prove that Yan Jinhe instigated the incident, they still have to throw this mud at her and make the people in the Duke's mansion believe that she is jealous of them.

But before that, she had to lay the groundwork and give Yan Jinhe a "motive" to harm her.

Thinking of this, Yan Zhen beckoned to Pei Ji.

Pei Ji leaned closer: "What are you doing?"

"If Yan Jinhe's people come to invite you to Jinxiu Garden in the next couple of days, then you should go."

Ever since Pei Ji returned to the manor as Pei Wangzhou, Yan Jinhe would send Yin Xin to invite him to Jinxiu Garden every two or three days.

Sometimes it was night, sometimes it was day, but Pei Ji refused them all.

Pei Ji asked, "Why?"

He disliked the scent of perfume on Yan Jinhe; it made him uncomfortable when he got close to her.

"Don't ask so many questions, just listen to me."

Pei Ji frowned: "If she comes to invite me tonight, should I go too?"

"of course."

“I’m not going!” Pei Ji said. “What if she makes me spend the night at Jinxiu Garden…”

Yan Zhen patted his face with a grin: "Then you're in luck, kid. Not just anyone can catch the eye of a high-ranking official's daughter."

Pei Ji immediately got angry and slapped her hand away: "Don't joke with me. I won't make such a big sacrifice for you."

He looked resentful, as if he had been sold out, and was genuinely angry. Yan Zhen then said, "Alright, I was just joking with you. You can go ahead, and I'll make a scene and bring you back."

Just as she finished speaking, Yin Xin's voice came from outside: "Young Master, Madam has prepared dinner and invites you to dine with her."

Yan Zhen gave Pei Ji a wink, and as if on cue, the devil appeared.

Pei Ji first responded to Yin Xin with a "okay," then asked Yan Zhen in a low voice, still a little uneasy, "You'll come to pick me up, right?"

Yan Zhen was amused by his expression, which resembled that of a kindergarten child who was worried that his mother would abandon him.

"meeting."

Pei Ji followed Yin Xin away.

Upon arriving at Jinxiu Garden, Yan Jinhe sat down at the table. The two met briefly, and Yan Jinhe's eyes revealed obvious surprise.

She thought Yin Xin would return empty-handed again today, just like the previous times, but unexpectedly the prince arrived.

It seems that although he dotes on Jiang Li, he still has feelings for his legal wife.

"Husband, please sit." Yan Jinhe stood up, helped Pei Ji wash his hands, and then personally served him food.

But Pei Ji was clearly distracted, his eyes frequently glancing outside, and he ate less than half of what he used to eat during the meal.

After dinner, Yan Jinhe asked a servant to bring water so that Pei Ji could take a bath.

Upon hearing this, Pei Ji immediately replied, "I have already bathed in the Bamboo Garden."

Mentioning Zhuyuan, Yan Jinhe's smile faded considerably. She said aggrievedly, "Husband, ever since you returned to the manor with Sister Jiang, you've devoted yourself entirely to her. I have nothing to say about your mutual affection with Sister Jiang, but I am, after all, the wife of the heir apparent. How am I supposed to face the outside world when you treat me this way?"

Pei Ji frowned: "What do you want?"

Yan Jinhe noticed the impatience in his eyes and knew that her words had displeased him.

But since he rarely came over tonight, she didn't want to miss this opportunity. So she rose and gracefully walked to him, her fair hand stroking his firm chest: "Of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is to have no offspring. I want a child to continue the lineage of the Duke of Cheng's mansion..."

Pei Ji felt a chill run down his spine when she touched him, and goosebumps instantly covered his arms.

He resisted the urge to push her away, and coldly said, "I've been busy with many matters at the Ministry of Justice lately, and I'm exhausted from running around all day. I have no interest in doing so."

His aloof attitude was palpable, and Yan Jinhe felt as if she had been doused with a bucket of cold water. She was filled with shame, anger, and resentment, and couldn't help but say, "Sister Jiang, you have some skill. Even while pregnant, you can still keep your husband so attentive that he has no interest in other women."

Pei Ji was taken aback, then realized what she meant. His eyes turned cold, and he was about to get angry when a sharp voice came from outside.

"Pei Lang! I need to see Pei Lang! You brat, don't stop me! Get out of my way!"

Pei Ji felt as if he had heard some heavenly music and immediately stood up.

Yan Jinhe heard this too and immediately asked, "What happened?"

Yin Xin hurried in, her face full of trouble: "It's Miss Jiang. She barged in saying she wanted to see the young master, and several maids and nannies couldn't stop her..."

As if to echo Yin Xin's words, Yan Zhen's voice came again, with an arrogant air of wanting to tear the maids and nannies apart.

"Try stopping me again! I'm carrying the eldest grandson of the Duke's mansion. Can you take responsibility if something goes wrong? Get out of my way—Pei Lang! Pei Lang, come out here! You promised me you would never touch another woman in your life. If you dare to break your promise, I will take your son and smash my head against the wall in Jinxiu Garden today!"

Pei Ji immediately prepared to leave.

Yan Jinhe quickly stepped in front of him, saying, "Husband..."

Before she could finish speaking, Pei Ji ruthlessly brushed her aside and left like a gust of wind.

Caught off guard, Yan Jinhe was nearly knocked over by the blow, only managing to steady herself by grabbing the table.

Hearing the defiant shouts outside, she gripped the tablecloth tightly with both hands, her eyes red with anger, and her whole body trembling slightly.