Pei Yunxi smiled and waved her hand to indicate she was fine, but both brothers still felt their hearts hang in mid-air. Their little sister was always so considerate it made one’s heart ache.
The Emperor’s expression was dark and unreadable. He beckoned for the head eunuch to fetch a fox-fur cloak to wrap around Mu Yuanzhi, then said nothing more. Instead, he turned his attention to Pei Yunxi with concerned inquiries, "Xier, are you still feeling unwell?"
"In reply to Father, Xier is fine. My hands were just a little cold," Pei Yunxi replied softly.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor handed her the purple-patterned dragon hand warmer he had been holding. Pei Yunxi clutched the Emperor’s personal hand warmer, a bright smile spreading across her flushed face. Everyone present understood perfectly: with this gesture, the Emperor was signaling to all that Mu Yuanzhi had harmed the little princess and deserved to be punished.
Even though it was a fox-fur cloak meant for warmth, Mu Yuanzhi felt no heat as it draped over her shoulders. She should have known; there was no longer any place for her in her father’s heart. He had already decided she had hurt his precious daughter, so whatever punishment he saw fit was only natural.
Mu Yuanzhi lowered her eyes, brushing aside the turmoil in her heart, and said to Pei Yunxi, "Little Sister, that day was my fault. I knew you didn't know how to handle weapons, so I shouldn't have given you the new concealed weapon I made, causing you to get hurt. I have been reflecting on it every day in Yongxiang. Won't you forgive me just this once?"
Pei Yunxi had been rejoicing that the earlier commotion had shifted everyone's focus away from the cloak; she hadn't expected Mu Yuanzhi to suddenly strike up a conversation and apologize. Stunned, she failed to react in time and missed her chance to respond.
However, Mu Yuanzhi's words were not lost on the others. They naturally assumed that since Pei Yunxi had been injured by a concealed weapon, and that weapon had come from Mu Yuanzhi, it must have been Mu Yuanzhi’s doing—an act of jealous retaliation. Among those present, the officials from the Ministry of Works knew the truth best: that day, the little princess had been curious and insisted on examining the new weapon Mu Yuanzhi had crafted. Mu Yuanzhi had been unwilling at first, only compromising when she couldn't refuse. No one present was unaware of the lethal power of Mu Yuanzhi’s creations; they were not for ordinary people to use, and it was no surprise someone had hurt themselves.
Pei Shangyan’s brows were furrowed deep. As he looked at his two sisters, he hesitated to speak. Pei Shangling, however, couldn't help but interject with a sneer, "It’s good that you know you’re wrong. You knew Little Sister didn’t understand these things, yet you gave her something so dangerous—no one would believe it wasn't intentional!"
Twisting right and wrong. Mu Yuanzhi let out a cold laugh in her heart. It was Pei Yunxi who had insisted on having the new weapon. If she hadn't given it to her, they would have called her stingy for not even being willing to share such a small thing with her little sister. Since Pei Yunxi wanted her things so badly, what harm was there in giving them all to her?
Mu Yuanzhi reached up, unclasped the Bronze Bell from her hair, and handed it to Pei Yunxi. "Take this as a gift of apology. Please accept it, Little Sister; only then will you see my sincerity."
This Bronze Bell had been a gift from Pei Shangling. She had always treated it like a treasure, meticulously cleaning and caring for it daily, valuing it above all else. Pei Shangling had told her he had spent his life’s effort digging the ancient bronze from the depths of the Kunlun Snow Mountains and had spent an entire year personally polishing it to completion. He had said its chime matched her spirit, and that whenever he heard it, he would know it was her and come to find her. Later, when Pei Yunxi had simply glanced at it a few times, Pei Shangling had demanded it back from her. When she refused, he flew into a rage, snatched it away, and smashed it to pieces on the spot, only to turn around and give a more exquisite one to Pei Yunxi to cheer her up. She had clutched the broken pieces of the bell and wept for a long, long time.
Mu Yuanzhi set aside her myriad thoughts and looked at Pei Yunxi with a radiant smile.
Pei Yunxi hesitated, wondering whether to reach out, when she suddenly felt a piercing gaze on her back. She glanced stealthily at Pei Shangling beside her and realized with a start that his expression had turned terrifying; his eyes could only be described as split with rage.
"Sister Zhi, this is a gift your fourth brother gave you. You should give Little Sister something else," Pei Shangyan said, sensing the atmosphere turning sour and attempting to smooth things over. He knew his fourth brother’s temper; doing this would undoubtedly infuriate him. Even if Sister Zhi were truly trying to apologize, she shouldn't have given away this Bronze Bell.
"But I feel this Bronze Bell suits Little Sister better. As long as it’s something Little Sister likes, I am willing to yield it to her," she said, looking at Pei Shangling. "Brother Ling feels the same, doesn't he?"
Pei Yunxi, still clutching the garment she was embroidering for Xiao Yichen, felt embarrassed by Mu Yuanzhi’s words, as if she were someone who habitually took what belonged to others. She looked at Pei Shangling, feeling uneasy.
Pei Shangling’s breathing grew heavy, as if he were trying to suppress something. When he gave her the Bronze Bell, she had clearly said she would cherish it for a lifetime!
"Brother Ling, help me put it on, will you?"
"I really can't stand you. You can't even put on a bell? You’re hopeless!"
"It looks better when Brother Ling puts it on me!"
"If I put it on you every day, won't I be too busy?"
"You have to put it on me until we’re old and gray! I will cherish it forever!"
The remembered words hammered against Pei Shangling’s nerves, and the fire rising from the depths of his heart raged in his chest. Mu Yuanzhi! She dared to trample on his feelings like this! Even if he gave his things to a dog, they were still his gifts; he would never allow anyone else to insult them!
"That’s right, it does suit her better, because you are not worthy," Pei Shangling hissed, the sound forced through his teeth like the growl of a restrained beast. His eyes were bloodshot, threatening to bleed.
Mu Yuanzhi curled her pale lips in self-mockery and pushed the Bronze Bell forward once more. "If Little Sister won't take it, does that mean you don't intend to forgive me?"
Pei Shangling’s burning gaze was fixed unblinkingly on the Bronze Bell in Mu Yuanzhi’s hand.
"I..." Pei Yunxi felt as if reaching out would immediately set her on fire. She looked at Pei Shangling in hesitation, but he acted as if he didn't see her, his aura terrifying. She didn't understand why he was suddenly so angry. Grievance and resentment welled up within her simultaneously; in a fit of pique, she reached out and snatched the Bronze Bell from Mu Yuanzhi’s hand. "Thank you, Sister Yuanzhi."
The air around them seemed to explode. Pei Yunxi stepped back as if scorched, immediately regretting that she had accepted the bell. The malevolence radiating from Pei Shangling was too terrifying; she was afraid.
"Good! Siblings should be like this—there must be no discord!"
The Emperor’s authoritative voice cut through the tension, suppressing Pei Shangling’s rage, though his eyes remained locked on Mu Yuanzhi.
Mu Yuanzhi excused herself, citing physical discomfort, and the Emperor granted it. The main character of the recognition ceremony was Pei Yunxi; Mu Yuanzhi knew it didn't matter whether she was there or not.
"Mu Yuanzhi!" Pei Shangling gripped her wrist, holding her back, completely ignoring the purple and blue frostbite on her skin.
Mu Yuanzhi frowned in pain. With a deft movement, she broke free from his grasp and retreated several steps. Her actions were undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire, and Pei Shangling looked as though he might shatter his own teeth.