Qingxia saw his resolute attitude and shouted loudly, "Why does my miss have to give you face? We’ve already said we don’t want your things, so take them back quickly."
As Qingxia said this, she reached forward to pull Shao He away, but as soon as her hand touched Shao He’s clothes, she was repelled by a burst of Inner Strength.
She looked at Pei Hanze in shock, her eyes gradually becoming sharp, "What do you want to do? It’s just a broken Jade Pendant. If my miss doesn’t accept it, what can you do about it?"
"How insolent for a mere maid to be," Pei Hanze’s gaze hardened too, and a chilly aura emanated from him.
Just as Qingxia was about to step forward, Pei Hanze suddenly made his move.
Qingxia’s body flew out, hitting a tree and falling to the ground.
Blood immediately began to flow from the corner of her mouth, a pitiable sight.
She struggled to get up from the ground, glaring fiercely at Pei Hanze.
"Are you clear-headed now?" he asked, stepping leisurely toward her, looking down from above.
Biting her lip, Qingxia stood up, supporting herself on her knees as she gasped for air, then looked up and stared resolutely at him.
Just as he was about to strike a second time, Shao He spoke up, "Young Master, don’t go too far."
"Miss Shao speaks the truth," Pei Hanze turned around and walked step by step to Shao He’s side.
He picked up the Jade Pendant from the table, lifted her hand, placed the Jade Pendant in Shao He’s palm, and then closed her hand over it.
"This Jade Pendant suits you well."
Shao He felt the formidable presence of this man, sensing he was far from being just a common noble’s son.
"Who exactly are you?"
Suddenly, a gust of palm wind struck, and Pei Hanze shoved Shao He toward Qingxia with an attack.
Qingxia’s pupils shrank instantly, and she quickly stepped back several paces to dodge Pei Hanze’s assault.
Seeing this, Pei Hanze’s expression turned cold as he intensified his attack.
Their fists and feet tangled, and Pei Hanze eventually gained the upper hand, cornering Qingxia against the wall and reaching out to grip her delicate neck.
"Ugh..." Qingxia struggled to speak.
"Enough, Young Master," Shao He hastily intervened.
Pei Hanze released his fingers, and Qingxia immediately squatted on the ground, clutching her reddened neck and coughing desperately.
Pei Hanze approached languidly, stopping half a meter from her, his gaze coldly fixed on her pale face as he said indifferently, "You had better behave in the future, otherwise..."
His words trailed off, carrying an unstated threat.
Cleaning the blood from the corner of her mouth, Qingxia stood up, meeting his gaze without fear, her tone resolute, "If I find out you dare to hurt our miss, I will repay it tenfold!"
"What loyalty in a maid, too bad it doesn’t match your strength," Pei Hanze said with a mocking smile.
Shao He strode forward and supported the weak Qingxia, "If the Young Master has no further business, we will take our leave."
Pei Hanze grasped Shao He’s arm and raised his hand as if to caress her face, but his hand remained suspended in the air, never touching her.
"Little Imperial Uncle," a crisp voice came from behind.
Turning her head, Shao He saw Pei Huaian approaching in black attire, step by step.
"Greetings to the Imperial Uncle," Pei Huaian greeted with a bow.
"Mhm," Pei Hanze glanced at him faintly and let go of the hand.
Surprised, Shao He exclaimed, "Imperial Uncle?"
Pei Huaian smiled indulgently and pulled her to his side, teasing, "So eager to marry me that you’ve started calling me ’Imperial Uncle’ before even crossing the threshold into our home?"
An intense look flickered across Pei Hanze’s eyes, and his handsome brows furrowed.
"The Imperial Uncle may not be aware since he’s just returned to the Capital City, but Doctor Shao is my betrothed, the Prince’s Consort yet to be married," said Pei Huaian with a light smile.
Upon hearing this, Pei Hanze’s eyes narrowed into slits, and a dangerous aura enveloped him.
Shao He then remembered that he had mentioned his surname was Pei, but at the time her mind was occupied with Pei Huaian, and she had not retained what he had said.
"Apologies, Prince, I was unaware of your identity and overstepped my bounds. Please be magnanimous," Shao He said, bowing slightly.
Seeing her so proper, the tenderness in Pei Hanze’s eyes vanished, and he radiated displeasure.
Shao He had assumed Pei Hanze was an ordinary official; after all, he was dressed in fine silk fabrics, spoke elegantly, and had an outstanding demeanor, and most importantly, he was very young.
She had not expected that he was in fact Pei Huaian’s Imperial Uncle.
Pei Huaian took the Jade Pendant from Shao He’s hand and returned it, "This Jade Pendant does not suit Shao He, please take it back, Imperial Uncle."
Pei Hanze took the Jade Pendant back into his embrace, gave Shao He a deep look, and turned to leave.
Pei Huaian watched the departing figure, released Shao He’s hand, stepped back, and maintained a certain distance.
"Why do you act ? Do you know how dangerous it was just now? The Little Imperial Uncle is notoriously capricious; you shouldn’t get close to him. It’s very dangerous."
After finishing speaking, Pei Huaian turned to leave, but Shao He suddenly rushed over and hugged him.
"Please don’t disappear again, okay? I can only feel at peace when you’re here," she pleaded, her voice full of earnestness.
Pei Huaian turned around to see Shao He in this state, and his heart suddenly tightened; his lips were lightly pressed together.
After a long while, he finally said slowly, "Let go."
Shao He refused to let go, instead burying her head in his broad chest, steadfast even as he tried to push her away, holding on tightly.
Seeing this, Pei Huaian sighed and said, "Release me first, I’ll send you back to rest."