Pei Huaian’s fury instantly skyrocketed to its peak; he clenched his fists tightly, looking like he dearly wanted to strangle Shao He’s neck.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"If you so desire to keep her, then our engagement is over! From now on, I will no longer pester you!"
Pei Huaian grabbed her wrist in one swoop and glared at her, refusing to let go,
Shao He’s eyes shifted slightly, signaling him to release her quickly.
But Pei Huaian wouldn’t let go, as if releasing her would make her disappear.
Ah Lan, witnessing their quarrel, gleamed with satisfaction in her eyes but feigned innocence on her face.
"Sister Shao, don’t misunderstand, Brother An now only has you in his heart, whatever we had is in the past."
"Ha, it seems you would love for us to call off the engagement, so you can be with him openly instead of sneaking around ," Shao He responded unreservedly, her tone icy and decisive.
Pei Huaian glared at her fiercely, as if she were his sworn enemy, radiating hostility. He stepped closer to her, his gaze filled with destructive anger.
"I’ll say it one last time, I will never call off our engagement."
"Pei Huaian, don’t forget, you were the first to break the promise!" she responded coldly, staring at him.
The bloodshot in Pei Huaian’s eyes grew more pronounced, and grasping her shoulder blade, he roared, "Shao He, don’t push me! You well know that I..."
Shao He scoffed, cutting him off, "Ha, I don’t know, I only know that your old love has returned, should I not make space for her?"
She didn’t want to stay any longer with such a person, shoving him and yelling, "Go away, get out!"
However, Pei Huaian still held firmly onto her shoulders, not letting her escape even slightly.
Ah Lan stood nearby, watching the two argue, her lips curling up, revealing a sinister smirk of triumph.
She cleared her throat, reminding, "Brother An, perhaps let Sister Shao leave first, take some time apart to cool down."
"Shut your mouth!" Pei Huaian suddenly turned and shouted at her fiercely.
Ah Lan, having never seen him before, couldn’t help but step back in fright.
Only Shao He knew, his stable condition had relapsed again.
The tyrannical and ruthless Pei Huaian had returned.
Ah Lan steadied her spirit and quickly walked over to pull on Shao He’s other arm, consoling, "Sister Shao, Brother An is really upset right now, please forgive him! He hasn’t wronged you!"
Hearing this, a pained expression appeared on Pei Huaian’s face, his eyes gradually reddening.
Shao He, now even angrier, shouted at Ah Lan with all her might, "You know nothing!"
Ah Lan, yelled at, her eyes welled up with tears, though neither of them paid her any attention.
Shao He seized the moment to pull out a silver needle, silently stabbed it into Pei Huaian’s pressure point, causing his body to freeze.
She then took the chance to leave the alley, looking back worriedly as she went.
If things continued this way, they likely wouldn’t be able to proceed.
Ah Lan wrapped her arm around Pei Huaian’s, leaning on him like a dependent bird.
"Brother An, I truly am sorry about earlier, I didn’t mean to put you in a difficult position!" she said, filled with remorse.
"Hmm," Pei Huaian replied tersely, then regained his calm.
Looking at his face, Ah Lan couldn’t resist raising her hand to gently caress his handsome profile, "Brother An, are you still mad at me?"
Her voice carried a seductive undertone, tantalizing to men.
Pei Huaian, with difficulty, used his inner strength to force out the silver needle, then grabbed her fingers, "You go back first, I still have things to handle."
Ah Lan reluctantly watched the departing figure, just about to leave the alley, when she was suddenly stopped.
"How went the task?" A pair of dark eyes locked onto her, the voice carrying a dangerous tone.
Ah Lan’s face changed, panic flickering in her eyes.
"They now have misunderstandings, Shao He proposed to call off the engagement, but the Fifth Prince disagreed."
He pulled Ah Lan into his arms, his deep voice whispering in her ear, "Remember, if this time isn’t successful,"
He paused for a moment, his eyes flashing fiercely, slowly uttering three words, "you bear the consequences."
Ah Lan froze completely, what did he mean?
Her face turned pale, her gaze vacant, her whole being seemed petrified, motionless.
After speaking, the person turned and left.
Ah Lan finally snapped back to reality, unsure whether returning here was right or wrong, but she had no other options left.
In the Fifth Prince’s Mansion, Pei Huaian sat alone in his study, his face ominously dark, he clenched his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead.
Ah Mo knocked on the door, "Master, The Emperor inquires about tomorrow’s coronation ceremony."
Pei Huaian’s gaze fell on the flowerpot by the windowsill, where a vivid, enticing peony bloomed amidst its fragrance.
His gaze darkened, he took a deep breath to suppress the tumultuous emotions within, and slowly walked out.
The next day, early morning.
At the Fifth Prince’s Mansion, everything was decked in festive colors, smiles radiated from everyone’s faces.
Today was the Crown Prince’s coronation ceremony, and the butler had risen early to prepare.
Yet after a long search, the main person was nowhere to be found, seeing Ah Mo coming, he pulled him aside to ask, "Where is the Fifth Prince?"
"The Master is busy, he’ll be back soon," Ah Mo replied with a secretive smile, obviously going to appease Doctor Shao.