Chapter 62

Chapter Sixty-Two: Don't Be Jealous of the Future Mistress! "Yes, sister, we're bound to become one family sooner or later. Look, why should buying a few things be such a hassle? Today your shopkeeper wouldn't even let me leave with my purchases—isn't that just looking down on me? In my opinion, you ought to replace this shopkeeper of yours. He has absolutely no sense of tact!" In the face of Song Jiaojiao's words, Jia Qingcheng paid her no mind, nor did she acknowledge Pei Wuliang. Seeing that the shopkeeper wouldn't be done anytime soon, she went straight into the inner chamber to sit and wait. When Pei Wuliang saw her go to the inner chamber, he quickly turned and coaxed Song Jiaojiao in a soft voice, "Jiaojiao, go wait outside for me. I need to speak with your sister for a moment." Pei Wuliang's attentive care toward Song Jiaojiao, that doting manner, involuntarily sent Jia Qingcheng's thoughts into disarray. In her past life, Pei Wuliang had treated her the same way. It was precisely because he was good to her and didn't despise her ugliness that she had naively believed she had found the man who loved her most. But only after being reborn did she realize that their harmonious, loving marriage was a colossal lie. Now that the lie had been exposed, all that remained was endless heartache. She silently watched as Pei Wuliang saw Song Jiaojiao into the carriage, then came back to find her... "Miss, he's here!" Chunyan also knew that this medicine wasn't prepared for Pei Wuliang, but now he had misunderstood—what was to be done? "No need to acknowledge him." "Qingcheng, tomorrow is the return visit. Do you have any plans?" Plans? Jia Qingcheng naturally had her plans, but what did that have to do with Pei Wuliang? Seeing that Jia Qingcheng remained silent, Pei Wuliang assumed she was being jealous again. "What's wrong with you? Seeing me together with Jiaojiao makes you feel bad—are you jealous?" Feel bad? Jealous? Jia Qingcheng was about to laugh in anger. She had long stopped caring about this faithless husband from her past life. Why would she feel bad watching a pair of adulterous dogs together? "If you don't speak, then that means you admit it. Qingcheng, you must adjust your mindset. Otherwise, not only will you suffer losses in the Pei residence, but you'll also be miserable in Chu Wangfu." These words made Jia Qingcheng knit her brows tightly as she looked at him, while Pei Wuliang continued to prattle on, "Prince Chu has taken a new stunning beauty as a concubine. I've seen that woman." Jia Qingcheng: "..." Her heart skipped a beat. So it was true—Pei Wuliang hadn't recognized her that day, and had only taken her for the stunning beauty Prince Chu had newly married? "And then?" "And then?" Pei Wuliang grew somewhat irritated. "You know what I'm talking about. Setting aside Prince Chu for now, with your appearance, what do you have to compete with that stunning beauty?" Seeing that Jia Qingcheng still remained silent, Pei Wuliang sighed again. "Alright, I know you're having a difficult time in the prince's household. However, you still need to protect what you ought to protect. As long as Prince Chu is done for, that stunning beauty won't be able to threaten your position. But you cannot harbor such jealous thoughts. After all, you'll still marry me in the future, and Jiaojiao will be your future mistress. I don't want you to sour things with her over such trivial matters. Do you understand what I mean?" Seeing that she still didn't respond, Pei Wuliang continued, "I know you've always loved me deeply, but I've been really busy lately and have no time to keep you company. Just endure a little longer. As for that stunning beauty, you needn't worry—Prince Chu is already done for. Even if a celestial maiden descended to earth, he wouldn't have the fortune to enjoy her." Hearing these words, Jia Qingcheng was nearly laughed into anger. It seemed Pei Wuliang had always misunderstood that she wasn't favored. Never mind. She didn't want to explain anyway. "Alright, I have matters to attend to and can't stay long with you. In a while, decoct the medicine for me and deliver it to my residence as before. Oh, and bring some candied fruit as well—I've been tasting bitterness in my mouth lately and can't stomach anything too bitter." Having said this, Pei Wuliang rose to leave, but after a few steps he remembered something and turned back to gaze at her deeply. "About tomorrow's third-day return visit—I've thought it over. You needn't go." Needn't go? "Why?" Jia Qingcheng didn't understand why he would say such a thing, but Pei Wuliang had his own logic. "Prince Chu is in such a state—who would accompany you on the return visit? If you go back alone, wouldn't that just invite ridicule?" Jia Qingcheng said nothing upon hearing this, and Pei Wuliang, seeing her intimidated, finally said flatly, "Don't expect me to accompany you tomorrow either. I'll be busy accompanying Jiaojiao on her return visit and won't have time for you. So, I thought it over—you'd better not go. Going back would only bring shame and embarrassment. Better not to go at all!" He would surely be very busy tomorrow and probably wouldn't have time for her. Jia Qingcheng merely cast him a cold glance. "Whether I go back or not is my business. You don't get to decide!" "Still throwing a tantrum?" Pei Wuliang had lost his patience. "This isn't the time for stubbornness. All your Jia family relatives will be there tomorrow—do you want them to laugh at you?" Jia Qingcheng ignored him. Even if Prince Chu couldn't accompany her back, she would still go alone. This was the proper custom, and it could not be broken! "You're forcing my hand, aren't you?" Pei Wuliang immediately walked to her side. "I know you're trying to force my hand, but Qingcheng, I've already warned you—I won't have time for you tomorrow. Even though I will marry you, Prince Chu is still here, so we must keep our distance. Don't throw a childish tantrum. The more you act like this, the less I'll be able to accompany you tomorrow!" Jia Qingcheng nearly laughed at his words. When had she ever asked Pei Wuliang to accompany her? "Alright, enough with the sulking. Jiaojiao is waiting for me, and I can't stay with you too long, or I'd be doing her a disservice. Here's what I'll do—I'll take her back first. Tomorrow, you don't need to make the return visit to your family. Going back would just be a spectacle. When I have time, I'll find a way to come see you!" With that, Pei Wuliang flicked his sleeves and strode away. After he left, Chunyan, who had been standing nearby, nearly vomited from what she'd heard... "Miss, who does this Pei Wuliang think he is? He dares to order you not to make the return visit? What right does he have?" Chunyan's fists clenched in anger, but Jia Qingcheng showed no reaction. Her thoughts drifted far away. In her past life, Pei Wuliang had accompanied her on the return visit. Back then, she had believed he truly cared for her. But now, seeing how he treated Song Jiaojiao, she finally understood what genuine affection looked like. It was a partiality carved into the very marrow of one's bones. "No need to pay him any mind!" Chunyan was about to say something more when, suddenly, a respectful voice came from outside. "Shopkeeper, is the eldest Miss Jia in the shop?" Looking for her? Jia Qingcheng, upon hearing that someone sought her out, immediately had the person brought in. From his attire, one could tell at a glance he was a shopkeeper. Seeing that Jia Qingcheng was indeed there, he hurried forward and bowed with clasped hands. "Eldest Miss, this is Young Master Pei's procurement ledger from the past two days. Please take a look." Pei Wuliang's ledger? Jia Qingcheng reached out with a mixture of doubt and suspicion to take the ledger. When she saw what was written on it, her gaze darkened...