Chapter 41. Suo's lips gently brushed against her fingertips, his warm nose...

"Miss Meng," Pei Xu finally spoke, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Whether it was her imagination or not, Meng Lingyao felt that the voice was even colder than the one on Qiyun Mountain that day, like ice and snow that even the spring breeze could not melt.

Meng Lingyao's smile stiffened slightly, and she nodded in greeting, "Lord Pei, you've arrived just in time."

Catching a glimpse of water stains on the table out of the corner of his eye, he steeled himself and said, "It was my oversight, just now..."

Pei Xu looked up. For some reason, the corners of her eyes were tinged with a thin layer of red today, making her eyes appear even more distinct, yet they held a hint of panic.

“A stray cat wandered in and knocked over the teacup; it was truly rude of me,” Meng Lingyao said, forcing herself to remain calm.

"What color cat is it?" Pei Xu asked casually.

“A black cat,” Meng Lingyao said through gritted teeth, “with extremely black fur.”

"Hmm." He seemed to be asking casually as he sat down opposite him.

“I’ll have someone clean up right away…” Meng Lingyao reached out and moved the teacup aside. “No need,” Pei Xu said calmly. “Miss Meng, what brings you here today?”

Meng Lingyao picked up the teapot again, the water tracing a graceful arc in the air. "There is a business deal I would like to ask for your help, sir." She pushed the fresh tea in front of him. "I want to buy the rice shop next to Juxianglou."

Pei Xu didn't even glance at the tea, only saying, "The shop is currently sealed off by the Dali Temple, and according to the law, it should be sold off after the case is closed. If Miss Meng needs it, please wait a little while."

“I know.” A hint of urgency flashed across Meng Lingyao’s brows. “It’s just that time is of the essence, and I want to buy it as soon as possible.”

The salt and iron case is a major one, and it's uncertain how long it will take to close. But right now, everything is ready, and construction can begin as soon as the shop is acquired.

She pursed her lips, displeased. It wasn't like she was getting the shop for free; she was going to buy it with real money, she just wanted to buy it sooner. And he was pretending not to understand.

In recent days, she has also read some laws and regulations and asked her father, and learned that most of the property confiscated by the Dali Temple is later sold off.

“Since it will eventually have to be sold, could you please make an exception and allow me to buy it in advance? Everything will be at market price, not a penny less.” Meng Lingyao looked up, staring intently at Pei Xu. “For you, it’s just a small favor.”

“Yes.” Pei Xu looked back at her steadily, “But why would I do that?”

He was never a saint.

His eldest uncle died young, his father left home to travel far away, and his grandfather was already old. If he were truly without any talent, he would have been crushed by the infighting within the powerful clans long ago, let alone be able to manage the affairs of the clan.

To rise to a high position at such a young age, even one who appears self-disciplined, courteous, and a gentleman, is never without weighing the pros and cons. Since meeting Meng Lingyao, he has repeatedly made exceptions and yielded to her.

Now, it's time to reclaim something.

As soon as she finished speaking, the private room fell silent except for the chirping of birds outside the window. Meng Lingyao was momentarily speechless, many thoughts racing through her mind—did she want him to remember their past relationship solving cases together? Or was she desperately in need of his help?

These reasons arose in her mind one by one, only to be rejected by her one by one.

"Of course, it's only right to reciprocate." She tentatively began, "If you're willing to help, sir, I can't be impolite. May I ask... what does you desire, sir?"

Pei Xu's expression was extremely calm. "If I wanted it, would Miss Meng be able to give it to me?"

Meng Lingyao rarely saw him like this; he was calm and collected, yet every word he spoke was barbed. Even though she had heard countless rumors about how harshly he interrogated people and how he personally killed criminals, and even harbored a secret resentment towards him not long ago, in the time they had spent together, he had always been helpless, tolerant, and yielding.

In a daze, it seemed as if what had just happened in the room was repeating itself, only this time, she was Jian Su.

Meng Lingyao disliked this passive feeling, and her anger flared instantly. Her melancholy turned into rage. "A dignified Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, openly soliciting bribes?"

“I thought,” Pei Xu suddenly curved his lips, but the smile did not reach his eyes, “that Miss Meng hosted this banquet today to bribe me.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Meng Lingyao's brow twitched. As if divinely inspired, she casually pointed, and the fog in front of her dissipated. She suddenly understood something and then relaxed completely.

Having an ulterior motive is good, but having an ulterior motive also means having weaknesses.

She picked up the teapot again, the jade bracelet on her fair wrist swaying gently with the movement, like ripples on a pool of clear water. She walked around to Pei Xu's side and held up the freshly poured teacup with both hands.

"Please have some tea, sir."

Pei Xu sat upright like a pine tree, not even his eyelashes trembling. The steam from the tea rose in front of him, blurring his handsome features.

Meng Lingyao raised the teacup even higher, almost touching his chin. The white porcelain teacup trembled slightly between her fingertips, and tiny ripples spread across the tea. A drop of tea slid down the side of the cup, hovering between her fingers, about to fall.

Pei Xu suddenly moved. He leaned slightly forward, taking her hand and lowering his head to drink tea. His lips lightly brushed against her fingertips, and his warm breath caressed her wrist.

Meng Lingyao's breath hitched for a moment, her hand remaining motionless. She could smell the crisp scent of pine emanating from him, mingled with the aroma of tea. His long eyelashes cast faint shadows beneath his eyes, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down with each swallow.

A moment later, he stepped back, his lips glistening with moisture.

The eldest son of the Pei family certainly had a very handsome appearance.

"How's the tea?" she asked softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Pei Xu looked up at her slightly reddened ear tips, then suddenly reached out and took the teacup, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against her palm.

"Very good." His voice was a little hoarse than before as he placed the teacup back on the table.

Meng Lingyao turned back to her seat, subtly moving her numb hands. "May I ask, Lord Pei, what are the prices at the shop next door?"

Pei Xu glanced at her, his eyes as deep as the night, "Tomorrow at 9:00 AM, someone will come to discuss things with Miss Meng."

"Thank you for your help, sir." Meng Lingyao raised the teacup in front of her and drank it all in one gulp.

-

"Although you're not on duty today, you've all come to the government office. Why are you drinking?" Yue Meng scratched the back of his head, puzzled. "If you're going to drink, then don't come. If the Censorate sees you, they'll impeach you again."

Jian Su raised her head and stared straight at him. "What nonsense are you spouting now?"

"I'm talking about you, kid!" Yue Meng said matter-of-factly, tapping his cheek and then his ear. "You're all so red. I'm telling you, people who get flushed after just a little alcohol don't drink enough!"

"You?" Jian Su asked back.

"Yes," Yue Meng replied casually. "And the lord, I just went to the main hall to talk to him. I don't know why, he's never liked these things before. Maybe he's been too tired lately and is drinking to relax?"

Jian Su suddenly fell silent. After a moment, he said, word by word, "I have not drunk any alcohol."

"Huh?" Yue Meng scoffed. "Yes, you didn't drink it. You were taken advantage of by that young lady, weren't you?"

Jian Su squeezed his eyes shut and strode toward the main hall. As he passed Yue Meng, he raised his elbow and struck him hard.

"Aww—"

Yue Meng was in so much pain that he jumped up and down, but he quickly walked into the main hall.

Pei Xu was organizing files at his desk when he heard footsteps. He looked up and his gaze lingered on Jian Su, who was dressed in black.

"My lord." Jian Su bowed, bowing his head even lower than usual.

"Sit down." Pei Xu put down his pen, his voice unhurried. "What is it?"

Jian Su settled into his chair, his back involuntarily tensing, his gaze fixed on the vermilion brush on the table. "There's been progress in the salt and iron case. We've learned from several of the Zhou family's guards that they do indeed have someone providing assistance."

"Hmm." Pei Xu tapped the table lightly with his knuckles, each tap feeling like a blow to Jian Su's heart.

Jian Su's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he continued, "My men searched that direction but only found some traces of horses. Mo Hu did find a piece of cloth hanging on a tree branch, but we are still investigating where it came from."

"How are the Zhou family father and son?"

“He’s extremely tight-lipped and won’t say anything,” Jian Su replied, unconsciously lowering his voice. “But now that we have a lead, we’ll be able to find out the truth in time.”

Pei Xu nodded. "You continue to keep an eye on this case."

Jian Su responded, but showed no intention of getting up. He stared at Pei Xu's collar, not daring to move it any higher. After hesitating for a long time, he said, "I just saw the coachman feeding the horses. Did you go out today, sir?"

Pei Xu looked up. "You don't know?"

Jian Su stood frozen in place, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He opened his mouth, and after a long pause, managed to squeeze out a few words: "My lord, I..."

"Don't do it again." Pei Xu interrupted him, picked up his pen again, and didn't even lift his eyelids. "Go and get busy."

Meng Mansion.

These past few days, busy with shop affairs, Meng Lingyao has been leaving early and returning late every day, even her meals are rushed. Finally, she had a moment to herself and was resting on the daybed when a maid from Madam Zhong's room came to deliver a message.

"Miss, Madam says that we have guests visiting today and requests that you keep them company."

Meng Lingyao looked slightly puzzled, but still changed into a moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and went to the flower hall.

The guest was a lady of similar age to Madam Zhong, with fair skin, gentle features, and a soft-spoken manner. Her every move exuded elegance and grace.

“Yaoyao has arrived.” Madam Zhong introduced, “This is Madam Shi, whom you probably haven’t met before. She only moved to the capital last year.”

Meng Lingyao said earnestly, "I have indeed never seen her before. If I had, I would never forget such a lady with such an outstanding demeanor."

"You're so glib." Madam Zhong tapped her forehead, then turned to Madam Shi and said, "I've spoiled this girl. Please don't take offense, sister."

Madam Shi's eyes curved slightly. "Not at all. I really envy my sister for having such a thoughtful daughter. Unlike my daughter, who always has a long face, as if someone owes him money."

"A man should be more composed."

The group chatted happily inside, and Madam Shi did not take her leave until after lunch.

After seeing the guests off, Madam Zhong asked, "Yaoyao, what have you been busy with lately?"

"We've been busy trying to revitalize Juxianglou, and now we're almost done with it."

Madam Zhong nodded. "If you encounter any difficulties, please tell your mother." She didn't ask any further questions and changed the subject, "What do you think of this Madam Shi?"

"She has a gentle and easygoing nature," Meng Lingyao replied truthfully. "She is also gentle, virtuous, and knowledgeable."

“Yes, it’s rare that we get along so well,” Madam Zhong said with a smile. “Madam Shi’s husband is the Prefect of Yizhou, and she has been accompanying him in his post. Her only son is working in the capital and is now of marriageable age. Madam Shi wants to arrange a marriage for her son, so she came to the capital specifically for this purpose.”

Meng Lingyao had already discerned the underlying meaning in her mother's words, and she frowned.

Madam Zhong continued, "Madam Shi's son has already risen to the position of Left Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review at a young age, and his future is very promising. As for his appearance, according to Madam Shi, he inherited it from her."

Meng Lingyao paused for a moment, then asked, "What's her son's name?"

"Simple and solemn."

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Author's Note: Yaoyao: The Ultimate No-Makeup Makeup Look

Wild Goose: Why are the corners of her eyes red?