Fortunately, Chengfeng was quick-witted and kicked Qi Changyi's scattered robes and jade belt to a hidden place behind the door.
The fourth prince seemed to have come specifically to look for Pei Zheng. As soon as he came in, he walked straight to the desk where Pei Zheng was sitting and asked angrily,
"Master Pei left so quickly. Before we could come to a conclusion, he left us all and ran to the study alone. He really didn't take other people seriously!"
The officials following behind him also had faces full of resentment and nodded in agreement. If it weren't for the support of the Fourth Prince, they would never dare to come together to attack Pei Zheng.
“Your Highness the Fourth Prince, I think the Emperor has made it clear enough in the court earlier. The marriage is a foregone conclusion. If you have any dissatisfaction, just submit a memorial directly to the Emperor.” Pei Zheng sat upright without even raising his eyelids.
Outsiders only saw him sitting upright in a neat and tidy manner, but they didn't know that his fingers were rubbing the soft and tender earlobe under the table.
"Submit a memorial?" The fourth prince asked in return, "I'm afraid that the memorials concerning the barbarians will be thrown aside by the emperor. The only one who can persuade the emperor to revoke his order is you, Lord Pei."
Pei Zheng raised his lips slightly, "Oh? What if I don't want to?"
There was a hint of contempt and provocation in the tone, and the atmosphere in the study room instantly became tense.
The fourth prince's handsome face darkened. This Pei Zheng was really ungrateful. No matter how he weighed the pros and cons, he just wouldn't listen. He was so stubborn as if he had some other intention.
Several officials also wanted to continue arguing with Pei Zheng, but were interrupted by Pei Zheng. "If you want to stay and have tea together, I will accompany you. But if you want to discuss this matter, why don't we go to see His Majesty together?"
He glanced at the few people and saw that those officials had obviously retreated. They did not have the courage to argue with Pei Zheng in front of the emperor.
The officials looked at each other and said to the Fourth Prince, "Your Highness, look at this..."
The fourth prince stood straight and closed his eyes, "You guys go down first."
Those people hurriedly left the study as if they had been pardoned.
The study suddenly became quiet. Qi Changyi, who was still lying under the desk, listened carefully and thought that everyone should have left.
His legs had become numb from kneeling, but with the corner of Pei Zheng's outer robe covering him, he no longer felt cold. He could even feel the heat coming from Pei Zheng's legs and could not help but lean towards the source of warmth.
Pei Zheng withdrew the fingers that were kneading his earlobe at this time, and his originally fair and almost transparent skin now turned red, as if it was about to drip blood.
Qi Changyi quietly nudged Pei Zheng's leg. Pei Zheng moved back slightly and looked under the table with his eyes lowered.
The little guy had half of his body lying on his legs, and happened to raise his eyes to look at him. With the white clothes on, he looked like a well-behaved little rabbit who liked to pester people.
Pei Zheng's eyes were involuntarily attracted to his little red earlobes, which were his masterpiece.
Qi Changyi asked with his mouth, "Brother Pei, can I go out now?"
Before Pei Zheng could answer, the Fourth Prince's angry voice sounded in the study.
"Master Pei, this prince is still standing here, and you just ignore me and don't even look at me? What good things are under the table that can make Master Pei look at it so fascinatedly?"