After the divorce, I was adorned in a phoenix robe, while my ex-husband's entire family dug up

Xue Jin was placed in a courtyard on the west side of the Prince's Mansion. The courtyard was not large but quiet, with a few green bamboos planted in the corner, which suited his taste.

The guard escorted him to the door and then withdrew, leaving behind the words, "The princess has instructed that if the young master has any needs, he may summon a servant."

Xue Jin stood at the courtyard gate, staring at the tightly closed door, his face still somber. He touched the corner of his lips; the sensation from that day seemed to linger, and his heart was filled with both anger and turmoil.

He had never seen such an eccentric woman, not only forcibly buying and robbing but also so shameless.

But then he thought about it again. Although she was domineering, she really never forced him again. She hadn’t even stepped into the courtyard. She just had someone bring him medicine and food every day.

At first, Xue Jin refused to accept any of these things, preferring to endure the pain and survive on dry rations.

But his injuries were already quite severe, and coupled with his emotional distress, he developed a fever within a few days and lay in bed in a daze. In his hazy state, he felt someone touch his forehead; the fingertips were slightly cool.

He suddenly opened his eyes and saw Pei Ran standing by the bed, her brows slightly furrowed. "You're really tough, risking your life out of spite?" Her tone wasn't exactly friendly, but it carried a hint of barely perceptible worry.

Xue Jin turned his head away, not wanting to pay her any attention. "My affairs are none of the princess's concern."

Pei Ran wasn't angry; she simply turned and called out to the door, "Bring the medicine in."

Soon, a servant brought in a bowl of medicine, the dark liquid emitting a bitter smell.

Pei Ran took the bowl of medicine, walked to the bedside, and said, "Drink it."

"I won't drink it," Xue Jin said firmly.

"You want to die?" Pei Ran raised an eyebrow. "If you die, wouldn't that just be giving those who are hunting you their wish? You, Young Master Xue, with all your ambitions, are you really willing to die so unjustly in my palace?"

Xue Jin was taken aback; these words struck a nerve.

He was indeed unwilling to give up; he still had unfinished business and couldn't just collapse like that.

Seeing that his expression relaxed, Pei Ran handed him the bowl of medicine. "Drink it, heal your injuries, and either leave in six months or stay. I, Pei Ran, never force anyone to do something they don't want to do, but don't gamble with your life."

Xue Jin looked at her; her eyes were open and honest, without a trace of calculation. He remained silent for a moment, then took the medicine bowl, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp. The bitter medicine slid down his throat, choking him and causing him to cough a few times.

Pei Ran handed him a piece of candied fruit, "Suck on it, it'll make you feel better."

Xue Jin hesitated for a moment, but still took it and put it in his mouth. The sweetness slowly dispelled the taste of medicine.

"Thank you," he said softly.

Pei Ran smiled and said, "No need to thank me. If you die, wouldn't all my hard work over the past six months have been for nothing?" After saying that, she turned and left without saying another word.

In the days that followed, Xue Jin no longer resisted the things Pei Ran brought him, and his injuries gradually improved.

He spends his days reading or practicing calligraphy in the courtyard, trying his best not to think about his current situation.

Pei Ran would come occasionally, but she would just stand at the gate of the courtyard and glance at him, or say a few words to him. She never stepped into his room, nor did she mention matters of the heart.

That day, Xue Jin was practicing calligraphy in the courtyard when Pei Ran walked in, holding a scroll in her hand.

"This is the 'Art of War' you requested. I had someone retrieve it from the library."

Xue Jin was somewhat surprised. He had casually mentioned it to his servants the other day, but he hadn't expected her to remember it.

"Thank you, Princess." He took the book, his fingertips touching her hand, and they both instinctively pulled their hands back.

Pei Ran's cheeks flushed slightly, and she coughed lightly. "Your injuries have just healed, so don't overexert yourself. There aren't many rules in the manor. If you feel bored, you can go out for a walk, as long as you don't run out of the manor."

"No need, this place is fine." Xue Jin lowered his head and flipped through the book, not daring to look at her.

Pei Ran didn't press the matter. "Then you go ahead with your work, I'll be going now."

Watching her departing figure, Xue Jin felt a mix of emotions. He had initially thought Pei Ran was a spoiled and arrogant princess who only knew how to seek pleasure, but after spending time with her, he discovered that she was not like that at all. Although she acted directly, she had her own bottom line, kept her word, never forced him, and even took good care of him.

As a result, Wei Zhaoning could see Pei Ran running into Xue Jin's courtyard every day, and every time she came out, she was full of anger.

"What's wrong? Still not complying?" Wei Zhaoning teased.

Pei Ran sighed, "This is the first time I've ever liked someone, and he's been irritating me all the time."

Pei Quan then interjected, "Sister, what you did was wrong to begin with. You just randomly put someone under house arrest; that's really immoral."

"Mind your own business. Didn't I already say it only takes six months? After six months, I'll accept whatever happens, whether it works or not," Pei Ran said.

Wei Zhaoning nodded. "You decide. But it's okay if you fail. Three-legged toads are hard to find, but there are plenty of two-legged men."

Upon hearing this, Pei Ran felt a little disappointed. She didn't even want to think about how sad she would be if Xue Jin really refused.

"No, I need to try harder." Pei Ran ran off, saying she was going to buy storybooks to read.

When I came back, I had a copy of "Ninety-Nine Strategies for Pursuing Handsome Men" in my hand.

This left the whole family both amused and exasperated.

"Go ahead and laugh, I'll definitely teach him a lesson he won't tolerate!"

As the days went by, Xue Jin gradually let go of his prejudice against Pei Ran. He discovered that although Pei Ran seemed carefree, she was very opinionated, and the servants in the mansion respected her greatly, not because she was a princess, but because she treated her servants kindly and was fair in her rewards and punishments.

That day, several sons of officials came to the Prince's mansion, saying they were looking for Pei Ran.

Xue Jin happened to bump into them in the garden, where he saw the young men making frivolous remarks and touching Pei Ran inappropriately.

Xue Jin frowned, about to step forward, when he saw Pei Ran sidestep, avoiding one of the young masters' hands. Her tone turned cold, "Insolence! Do you think you can touch my people, Pei Ran's people?"

The young men were taken aback, clearly not expecting Pei Ran's sudden change of expression. "Your Highness, we were just joking with you."

"A joke?" Pei Ran sneered. "Do you think you can take a joke like this princess? Guards, throw them out! If they ever dare to set foot in the palace again, break their legs!"

The guards immediately stepped forward and dragged the young masters away.

Pei Ran turned around and saw Xue Jin standing not far away. She was somewhat surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"Just passing by," Xue Jin said. "The princess did the right thing just now."

Pei Ran raised an eyebrow. "What, don't you think I'm being too domineering?"

"That's how you deal with people like that," Xue Jin said sincerely. "They speak frivolously and behave improperly; they deserve to be taught a lesson."

Pei Ran laughed, "You understand me best. Those people think they can do whatever they want just because their families have some power. Do they really think I, Pei Ran, am easy to bully? Don't they know who I am?"