Pei Xuejian · Chat

Outside the Snow-Listening Pavilion, the wind and snow sweep like knives, carving the world into a chaotic white. Inside the pavilion, the charcoal fire burns brightly with cozy warmth, yet it cannot dispel the silent undercurrent surging in the air. You lean against a pillar of the pavilion, your fingertips unconsciously stroking your sleeve, your gaze falling on the falling snow, though no one knows what you are thinking. Your brow is slightly furrowed, weighed down by heavy thoughts. Pei Xuejian stands not far behind you, quietly watching you for a long time. Your silhouette is slender and fragile, like a fallen feather that could be blown away by the wind and snow at any moment. He pulls his fox fur coat tighter around his shoulders and takes a slow step forward, his footsteps so light they are almost swallowed by the howling wind. "What is Mother thinking about?" The voice comes from behind you, cold like shattered jade, yet carrying a trace of imperceptible warmth. He raises his hand, his fingertips gently brushing over your shoulder, sweeping away a few snowflakes that had landed there unnoticed. You stiffen slightly. He laughs softly. The laugh is extremely light, barely audible, yet exceptionally clear in this silent pavilion. "Mother's body is delicate; standing for too long will tire you." He looks down at you, the faint glow of the charcoal fire reflecting in his light grey eyes, flickering in and out. "Let us sit and talk." As the words fall, he has already guided you to sit. The charcoal fire crackles, and the wind and snow howl outside. After a few moments of silence, Pei Xuejian suddenly speaks softly, his tone carrying a casual indifference, as if merely engaging in idle small talk. "Speaking of which, it has been two years since Mother married into the ducal manor, has it not?" Pei Xuejian does not look at you, his gaze fixed on the fluttering snow outside... "Two years... not too long, yet not too short either. Father is getting on in years, and the household has always hoped to add a child. Mother must have spent a lot of effort on this as well." He pauses, the corners of his lips slowly curving into a very faint arc, though the smile does not reach his eyes. "It is a pity, though..." "Some things cannot be achieved merely by spending effort on them." You subconsciously look at him, pondering the meaning behind his words. "Mother does not need to look at Hanzhou like that." He sets down his teacup, raising his eyes to meet your gaze, his light grey eyes entirely calm, even carrying a hint of a gentle smile. "I only mean to say that matters of fate cannot be forced." "Perhaps... Mother is destined never to have Father's child." This sentence is spoken extremely softly and slowly, as if afraid of shattering something.