Chapter 233: Chapter 233: The Fight Breaks Out
Xiao Shiqing came to deliver something to Li Jirou.
Though she had changed her name, he preferred her old name. The new name seemed like an invisible ravine, separating them far apart.
But in public, he would still comply with her wishes and call her by her new name.
He had just returned from the border not long ago, and he made a special effort to come and see her.
Whenever he obtained something good, fabrics, jewelry, or practical items, he would send some to her. Sending too much might make her unwilling to accept, though sending little would also not guarantee she would.
Whether she wanted it or not was not his concern, he only cared about delivering. Even if she threw it away, gave it to someone else, or sold it after he left, it didn’t matter.
This time, Xiao Shiqing brought items that were sent as tributes after their victory in border warfare. He selected a few fresh and precious things to deliver to her.
Xiao Shiqing’s thinking was simple. He felt Li Jirou was like before, seeming obedient and sensible in front of others but throwing tantrums and ignoring him for days when angry.
With the Li Family’s recent troubles, he thought of it as her acting out and didn’t mind how long it took; he would eventually coax her back.
However, upon arriving outside her residence, he saw Pei Ji’an, and a nameless fire surged in his heart.
Perhaps once or twice, he could completely ignore this person, not let him dwell in his mind, but repeated appearances by him made Xiao Shiqing acutely aware that there was another person wedged between him and her, apart from the gap in years.
This person, though not having grown up with her or participated in her growth, became an irreplaceable presence during her difficult times.
Pei Ji’an felt the same way.
Before taking her to the border, he had not deeply realized his own emotions.
From childhood to now, An Ruchang and a few others had girls they liked, even if only temporarily, but he never did.
When young, that was understandable, but at twelve or thirteen, the age of "understanding," An Ruchang and others had chamber maids arranged by their families. They shared experiences afterward, as it was a significant milestone in their growth as men.
Despite An Ruchang and others extolling those feelings to the skies, he felt nothing, having no impulsive thoughts for women.
Later, residing at the border.
Men in the barracks lived for today without knowing tomorrow, naturally savoring the day, as doing so with wine and women made even dying the next day worthwhile.
Pei Ji’an distinctly recalled a young soldier who initially, upon arriving at the barracks, longed for his wife at home, claiming lifelong devotion, but within a year could not resist seeking out a girl.
It showed that few men could restrain themselves unless there was a physical issue.
Pei Ji’an once thought he had such an issue until returning to the Pei Mansion, when lanterns were dim, seeing her for the first time, and feeling an unprecedented sense of anomaly in his heart.
Pei Ji’an found this feeling quite fresh, without intentionally holding back or suppressing it, simply following his heart.
The result was a natural desire to be good to her.
Anything good or beneficial, his first thought was of her, without needing any reason.
Even discovering she might be a spy or of questionable identity did not retract this feeling, mainly because he could not withdraw it.
Lately, she exhibited such surprising behavior, slowly revealing her competence and uniqueness.
Indeed, she differed from other women.
She was independent, strong-willed, desired freedom; as long as conditions allowed, she could gradually grow powerful, without needing to depend on a man like other women.
He was pleased to provide her various conditions, provided she remained by his side.
But later, she chose to leave.
Though not without disappointment, there was simultaneously a surge of pride. Someone deserving of his exceptional regard truly was different.
He finally realized his feelings for her.
While taking her to the border, at the moment the tree fell, though injured, he could easily have rescued her due to his abilities.
Instead, in that instant, he was paralyzed by agonizing heartache, unable to act, merely watching as the tree struck...
At last, he understood the true meaning of anxiety over one’s loved ones.
Through the following year, he came to understand many things.
Originally a person of cold disposition, he was touched by someone so wonderful that she stirred his heart.
Yet he was not the sole person moved by her.
That person was not only his deadlocked rival, but also her childhood friend. They shared years of connections he couldn’t infringe upon, even once an oral marriage promise.
If not for the troubles with the Li Family, they might already have been wed, and he never would have met her.
It was the issues with the Li Family that facilitated everything now.
Thus, all was destined in fate; she was meant to appear before him, nothing could prevent it.
What purpose did Xiao Shiqing have in coming now?
Did he not understand what destined denial meant?
He felt his anger rapidly rising.
Their gazes met, tension fierce, and a confrontation seemed imminent.
Qu Fulan appeared at this moment.
Before she could speak, Xiao Shiqing lunged forward, attempting to punch Pei Ji’an in the face, but Pei Ji’an dodged swiftly, countering with a kick that Xiao Shiqing evaded.
Rarely did the two refrain from using their inner strength or Qinggong skills, engaging directly in combat.
Not only did Qu Fulan stand there stunned, but also both their entourages were taken aback.
Truthfully, these two seldom fought, as their skills were evenly matched, and a fight would yield no verdict nor serve any purpose.
Besides, one managed the northern border, the other the southern, without direct conflict of interest. Returning to court meant following the emperor’s orders, often working together and splitting credit, rarely entailing conflict to the point of fighting.
But now...
The event happened so abruptly that their men stood watching, forgetting to intervene, risking peeling by the emperor if he learned.
"What are you doing?"
Qu Fulan dismounted the carriage, furrowing her brow, and spoke.
Luckily, Madam Pei had already been sent home; otherwise, explaining this scene would be difficult.
Two grown men fighting at her doorstep?
The angered men paused their attacks upon hearing Qu Fulan’s voice.
Yet their gazes still harbored intense dissatisfaction, wishing to vanquish the other.
Qu Fulan sighed in relief seeing them pause, for had anything transpired at her doorstep, how could she possibly account for it?
The saying about many troubles before a widow’s door was apt; though she wasn’t a widow, as a single woman, even in modern times, single women face numerous controversies.
Qu Fulan grasped some understanding of the current situation.
It was simply Xiao Shiqing remembering his "former lover," arriving here, encountering his rival Heir Pei, and without agreeing, they fought.
Ultimately, it was because of her. If not for her as the catalyst, these two wouldn’t often meet each other privately.
Qu Fulan massaged her temple, realizing this was not a sustainable situation, and concluded she needed a permanent solution.
Actually, the best remedy was to tell Xiao Shiqing the truth that the girl he liked had long been gone, the shell remained but the spirit did not.
However, if doing so, he might attempt experiments with her to bring Li Jirou back.
Thus, after careful consideration, there was only one solution.