NCCnovel Chapter 535: Several Brothers with Their Own Hidden agendas
Chapter 535: Several Brothers with Their Own Hidden agendas
Inside the palace, in the quiet study, Crown Prince Pei Yan was holding a brush and writing on Xuan paper.
Sunlight streamed through the window, falling on him and highlighting his resolute features.
His eyes were focused, and his handwriting was vigorous and powerful, but his mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts.
Just then, a series of footsteps approached from afar, breaking the tranquility of the study.
Pei Yan frowned slightly, paused with his brush in his hand, and his expression instantly darkened.
He didn't even need to look to know who it was.
"Hahaha, I didn't expect you to still be alive."
With a burst of arrogant laughter, Pei Zuo strode into the study.
He was dressed in splendid clothes, with a mocking smile on his face and contempt in his eyes.
Pei Yan slowly put down the brush, raised his head, and looked coldly at Pei Zuo, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes.
"Brother, that's quite an interesting thing to say. If I were to die, you'd probably be disappointed."
His voice was deep and calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.
Pei Zuo walked to the desk, picked up a piece of calligraphy and painting, glanced at it casually, and then tossed it back onto the desk with disdain.
"Hmph, it's best if you're dead. Saves me the trouble of dealing with you."
He paced around the desk, a hint of smugness in his eyes.
Pei Yan observed Pei Zuo's every move and already understood everything.
"Brother, why bother with this pretense? Who else but you could be the one to accuse me of treason?"
His tone was laced with sarcasm as he stared directly into Pei Zuo's eyes.
Upon hearing this, Pei Zuo stopped in his tracks, his smile vanishing instantly, replaced by a gloomy expression.
"Stop making baseless accusations! Why would I do such a thing?"
He tried to appear calm, but the panic in his eyes betrayed him.
Pei Yan sneered, stood up, walked to Pei Zuo, and looked him straight in the eye without fear.
"Brother, we're brothers, yet you've resorted to any means to seize the throne. Do you think you can hide what you've done from me?"
His voice was filled with disappointment and anger.
Pei Zuo felt a little guilty under Pei Yan's gaze. He took a step back, his eyes darting around.
"Don't talk nonsense! I did all this for the sake of this country. Your treasonous intentions are obvious. I am just cleaning up the house for my father."
He argued illogically and tried to defend himself.
Pei Yan felt a surge of disgust as he looked at Pei Zuo's hypocritical face.
"For the sake of the country and its people? You're only doing this to satisfy your own ambition. Do you think you can succeed? Your father will see through your true colors sooner or later."
His voice was firm and powerful, as if announcing Pei Zuo's defeat.
Pei Zuo's face turned ashen. He clenched his fists, and a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
"Pei Yan, don't be too smug. This throne will be mine sooner or later. If you know what's good for you, you'd better back down obediently, otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!" he said viciously.
Pei Yan looked at Pei Zuo's ferocious expression and sneered inwardly.
"Brother, just you wait. Good and evil will be rewarded in the end. The bad things you've done will eventually come back to haunt you."
He turned back to his desk, picked up his brush again, and continued writing, as if Pei Zuo was not worth his time at all.
Pei Zuo looked at Pei Yan's composed demeanor, feeling both angry and resentful, yet helpless.
He glared at Pei Yan, snorted coldly, turned around and strode out of the study.
The study returned to calm, but a tense and oppressive atmosphere permeated the air, as if foreshadowing an even greater storm to come.
After Pei Zuo left, the study was silent, with only the occasional chirping of birds outside the window, which made the atmosphere even more oppressive.
Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting dappled shadows that swayed and danced on the ground.
Pei Yan was still immersed in the emotions of confronting Pei Zuo, his thoughts in turmoil.
Just then, a figure quietly stepped into the study; it was the second brother, Pei Changqing.
Pei Changqing moved with light steps and elegant posture, a gentle smile on his face, but deep within that smile lay a subtle, almost imperceptible, feminine softness.
He walked up to Pei Yan, his eyes full of concern, and said softly in a drawn-out tone, "Oh, Brother Yan, are you alright? I just heard that your elder brother came by. I suppose he said something unpleasant to you, something that made you unhappy?"
Pei Yan looked up and saw Pei Changqing, a complex emotion welling up in his heart.
Having just clashed with Pei Zuo, he felt incredibly warm at the sight of his second brother's concern.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, carefully examining Pei Changqing, thinking to himself, "In this palace full of scheming, it is truly rare for my second brother to care about me at this time. I hope this affection is genuine and can bring me a little comfort in this cold place."
He then nodded slightly, revealing a grateful smile, and said, "Second brother, thank you for your concern. How could I possibly take eldest brother's words to heart? It's just that the palace is currently rife with undercurrents and the situation is complex, which is truly worrying."
Just then, a gentle breeze swept by, causing the Xuan paper spread out on the table to rustle.
Pei Changqing gently patted Pei Yan's shoulder, as if to comfort him, a faint smile curving his lips. He thought to himself, "This Pei Yan is still too green. A few words of feigned concern are enough to lower his guard. Hmph, when I find the opportunity, I will make you know who is truly worthy of sitting on the throne."
He said, "Brother Yan, there's no need to worry. With your second brother here, I will never let you suffer any injustice. I know the intricacies of this palace better than you do, and I will protect you perfectly."
As he spoke, a strange light flashed in his eyes, but Pei Yan did not notice it.
Pei Changqing continued, his voice laced with seduction: "I know that you are worried about your wife, Brother Yan. You have been trapped in this palace these days and have suffered. Your wife must have been worried about you day and night and cried her eyes out."
As he spoke, he took out a gold hairpin from his pocket. The hairpin was exquisitely crafted and inlaid with several dazzling gemstones, which shimmered in the sunlight.
Pei Yan's eyes froze instantly when he saw the gold hairpin, his pupils contracted sharply, and a wave of emotion surged in his heart.
This gold hairpin was the very gift he had carefully chosen to give to Fang Xiaoxiao as a token of their love.
He had imagined Fang Xiaoxiao wearing this gold hairpin countless times, looking gentle and beautiful.
At this moment, his heart was filled with emotion and longing. He thought, "My second brother is so thoughtful. He knows how much I miss my wife and even specially brought me this golden hairpin. My wife, are you also thinking of me and hoping for my early return?"
Pei Yan's eyes were full of surprise. He reached out his hand, his fingers trembling slightly, and gently took the gold hairpin. His voice also trembled as he asked, "Second brother, this...this is...how did you get this gold hairpin?"