The Eldest Daughter is Delicate and Pretty, How Can She Be a Malicious Supporting Character - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: A Stir in the Heart

Looking at the earrings in his hand, Xiao Huaifeng composed himself and then quickly glanced downstairs.
In the corridor below, the last thing Xiao Huaifeng saw was the corner of the girl’s light purple skirt as she got into the carriage.
What was wrong with him…
Xiao Huaifeng shook his head.

He was a playboy who spent his days frequenting brothels. How could he be captivated by a young girl today?
He admitted that Miss Pei was beautiful, with a goddess-like presence, but he usually avoided proper ladies like her.

Looking at the earrings in his hand, Xiao Huaifeng couldn’t help but think of the girl’s slender and fair wrist that was revealed when her sleeve slipped down.
For some reason, his mind wandered, and before he realized it, he had picked up a pink jade lotus bracelet. The pink jade was as pale as new snow, and the flower bud was delicate and subtle.

He used to dislike such pale colors, preferring bold and vibrant hues. But now, he couldn’t help but imagine Pei Lingyi wearing the bracelet, and it seemed like it would suit her perfectly.

The earrings he had considered earlier were now forgotten, and he stared at the bracelet until his servant reminded him that Chu Chu’s people were waiting.
He snapped back to reality, put down the bracelet, and picked up the earrings. However, as he passed by the bracelet, he couldn’t resist taking it with him.
With a complex expression, he said, “Let’s go.”
…
Pei Lingyi didn’t know about Xiao Huaifeng’s inner turmoil. After being pulled into the carriage by Changle, she was still puzzled.
“What’s wrong? Didn’t we finish looking at the jewelry?”

Changle saw that her sister was still unaware of the situation. Pei Lingyi had a gentle and charming face but was innocent and focused on the crown prince. If Changle hadn’t pulled her away, Xiao Huaifeng might have lost himself in her.

“You, you are usually so smart, but why are you so slow when it comes to matters between men and women? Do you know what kind of person my Fourth Brother is? He’s been to every brothel in the capital city. If he develops feelings for you, what will you do?”

Xiao Huaifeng’s reputation was well-known in the capital city. No one didn’t know about the fourth prince’s scandalous behavior. The noble families didn’t want their daughters to marry him, as he was a playboy who didn’t take anything seriously.
He might have a handsome face, but he was uneducated and only cared about pleasure-seeking. The noble ladies didn’t even look at him, and if he set his sights on someone, that person would be unlucky.

Pei Lingyi couldn’t help but laugh at Changle’s exasperated expression. Changle saw that Pei Lingyi could still smile, and it made her even angrier.
“Pei Lingyi, did you hear what I said? I’m being serious here!”
When Changle stopped using Pei Lingyi’s nickname and called her by her full name, Pei Lingyi knew she was really upset.
What could she do to calm her down?

When Snow Ball got angry, Pei Lingyi would give it dried fish to calm it down. After eating a few, Snow Ball would purr and snuggle at her feet.
As for Changle, Pei Lingyi saw that she was so angry that her lips were pursed up like a pouty child.

Pei Lingyi finally said in a slow and calm tone, “Alright, alright, I know I’m wrong. Please forgive me, Your Highness. As compensation, I’ll give you the first batch of plum wine made from this year’s first snow.”

“That’s more like it,” Changle said, glancing at Pei Lingyi with a pretentious tone.
“Besides, he’s my fourth brother. If he really likes you and you become my sister-in-law, it’s not a big deal. After all, he’s family.”

Pei Lingyi leaned on Changle’s shoulder and said nonchalantly, “He’s your fourth brother, but aren’t you my most important friend? He’s not exactly the ideal husband material, and most noble ladies in the capital city would avoid him. If you married him, you’d suffer.”

Changle thought about her brother’s behavior and shook her head. Seeing Changle’s reaction, Pei Lingyi felt that Xiao Huaifeng was indeed a complex person. If she hadn’t known his true nature, she might have been fooled by his playboy facade.

She didn’t have any prior connections with him, but it wouldn’t hurt to build a relationship. As for his behavior earlier, it was unexpected.
After all, he was a charming playboy, and it seemed that he was also susceptible to being charmed.
She had just helped him choose a pair of earrings, and she didn’t know what he was thinking.
In the end, the two of them went to another shop that was slightly inferior to Jinyu Pavilion and prepared everything they needed.
…
At night, the Baihua Pavilion.

The lanterns gradually lit up, and delicate lanterns hung from the eaves. This was a unique feature of the pavilion. The building was magnificent, with white marble and jade decorations, and the surroundings were bustling with people. Many officials and nobles came to enjoy wine, watch performances, and seek pleasure.
In the hall downstairs, beautiful dancers twirled like butterflies, their long sleeves fluttering and dazzling the eyes.

The higher you went, the fewer people there were. The top floor was where the courtesans lived. Usually, they rarely came down unless someone spent a fortune or solved the puzzles they left behind. Only then could they go upstairs and become the courtesans’ favored guests.

However, there was one type of person who could ignore these rules.
“Fourth Prince, you’ve finally arrived. Chu Chu has been waiting for you, and her heart is breaking,” a woman’s voice said, sweet and charming.

As soon as Xiao Huaifeng entered the room, a beautiful woman with fair skin wrapped herself around him.
She had a high bun adorned with pearls and jade, and a red dress that revealed just a hint of her curves. Her ears were decorated with luxurious agate earrings, and her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him.
“Alright, alright. I’m here now, aren’t I?” Xiao Huaifeng sat down and smiled as he saw the earrings.
“What do you think? I went to choose them myself this afternoon.”

Chu Chu touched the agate earrings and smiled coyly. “The things you send, Fourth Prince, are always of the highest quality. I naturally love these earrings. That’s why I wore them as soon as I received them.”

“But while the earrings are beautiful, they’re just objects. If you had come to see me in person this afternoon, I would have been overjoyed,” Chu Chu said, looking at the man up close. His hair was slightly messy, and his eyebrows were strong. His eyes were charming and seductive.
She couldn’t help but touch his forehead.

Xiao Huaifeng held her hand and said with a smile, “You know the emperor has been keeping an eye on me lately. I couldn’t come to the Baihua Pavilion openly.”
“Hmph, I think you’ve lost interest in me and are chasing after some other woman,” Chu Chu said, standing up and looking away.

Xiao Huaifeng felt a gust of wind pass by, and when he opened his eyes again, the woman was already out of his arms.
The red-clad woman turned her back, clearly angry. But the man who usually comforted her didn’t move.

When the man stood up to leave, Chu Chu thought he was coming to apologize, but all she heard was his cool voice.
“I have something to attend to. I’ll come see you another day.”

Watching the man leave, Chu Chu was furious and threw everything within reach. She wanted to take off the agate earrings but hesitated and eventually stopped herself.