Chapter 141 Tensions Rise

Having spent these days by his side, Ji Shu had already figured out his habits. He disliked having others around when handling official business. In addition, he had added a small door to his study, so sometimes he could come back from outside without anyone noticing.

After carefully putting away the perfume, he looked at his makeup in the mirror and, seeing that everything was in order, said to Chunzhi and Lian'er, "You don't need to come with me."

After saying that, he went to the study.

Before even reaching the study, he could hear the voices of advisors and strategists discussing matters. One of them said, "My lord, our Yanzhou is a barren land. Now the court is taking advantage of not providing us with grain and supplies to suppress us in every way. Autumn and winter are approaching. If we do not make preparations in advance, I am afraid that we will suffer the same fate as last year."

Another person chimed in, "Nowadays, some of the major aristocratic families have already secretly ceded their share of the imperial court's resources. If they want to raise provisions, they must have substantial financial support."

Wu Yang led Ji Shu around from the other side to sit on the couch where Pei Yanzhi usually took a nap. The staff in the room did not notice anything unusual, only Pei Yanzhi sat at the head of the table and glanced over casually.

Thinking back to what he had asked Wu Yang to investigate that morning, it wouldn't be difficult to find out what she did each day.

Unexpectedly, after finding out, Wu Yang hesitated before saying, "My lord, the mistress has been taking contraceptives lately!"

Pei Yanzhi remained calm, seemingly unconcerned, and waved his hand to indicate that he understood.

Just as Wu Yang was about to step back, he added, "I've also discovered something else, but I'm not sure if I should mention it!"

Pei Yanzhi: "Speak."

"Yesterday, the mistress went to Yuqing Temple to offer incense, and the young master went with her."

Pei Yanzhi suddenly looked up at him: "Why didn't you say anything yesterday?"

Wu Yang gave a wry smile: "I just learned from the secret guards that the mistress probably didn't know that someone would be following her after she left the mansion, which is why the secret guards discovered that the young master was following her all the way."

"Later, the Crown Prince stayed in the meditation room with the mistress for a while."

Pei Yanzhi leaned back in his chair and silently closed his eyes.

He couldn't help but think of that exquisitely embroidered sachet again. For the past ten months, he had gone to great lengths to sever ties with her, but she had never been willing to leave any trace of attachment, only wanting to cut ties with him.

If it were a simple matter, she would never have done this.

When the advisors below the hall suddenly noticed that their lord looked displeased, they all thought they had said something wrong, and the hall fell silent.

Pei Yanzhi slowly opened his eyes and said, "Alright, I already know about this matter. You may all leave."

When Wu Yang served the hot tea, the hall was already empty. Pei Yanzhi lifted the curtain and came in, seeing her sitting obediently on the couch.

My heart softened, and any unpleasant feelings I had disappeared when I saw her.

He walked over and said to Wu Yang, who was waiting to the side, "Prepare the meal."

Wu Yang immediately withdrew.

Pei Yanzhi took her wrist, took the teacup from her hand, took a sip, and looked up to see Ji Shu's angry gaze, as if to say, "How can you be so shameless?"

He smiled slightly, noticing a fragrance on her that was somewhat different from usual, and asked, "What are you wearing today? It smells wonderful."

He took her hand, lowered his head, and sniffed it. After smelling it, he commented, "Hmm, the scent is light and elegant... but—"

Ji Shu perked up her ears, "But what?"

Pei Yanzhi leaned close to her ear: "However, it still doesn't smell as good as yours."

Ji Shu blushed and spat at him, saying he was really an indecent old man.

"I acquired a rather nice item today, would you like to take a look at it?"

Ji Shu nodded slightly.

Pei Yanzhi took out an exquisite and gorgeous wooden box from beside the soft couch, the patterns carved on it were lifelike.

Seeing her eyes light up, he handed her the box, saying, "Open it and take a look."

Ji Shu took it, opened it, and found a beautiful dagger inside. The blade was long and narrow, the handle was inlaid with white jade, and the lotus pattern was winding on it. The scabbard was inlaid with various pigeon-blood red gemstones, which shimmered in the sunlight.

A look of amazement flashed in her eyes as she lightly drew her blade, a cold glint appearing as the tip became slender.

It was indeed a rare treasure, and women couldn't help but be captivated by such an exquisite and powerful tool.

Seeing her like this, Pei Yanzhi smiled even more. "I got this by chance, and I think it suits you very well. Are you happy with it?"

Just as Ji Shu was about to speak, Wu Yang led the servants in to serve the meal, interrupting her.

She put the dagger back into the box and carefully touched the patterns on it, when he suddenly asked, "Which doctor prescribed the medicine you took last night?"

"I'll have Grandpa Sheng come this afternoon to take your pulse. If there's anything you're lacking, it'll be a good opportunity to take good care of yourself."

The spoon lightly touched the bowl. She looked up at him, wondering what he meant by those words.

She replied vaguely, "No need, it's not a serious illness. I'll stop after I finish this dose."

"It is precisely because it is not important that we need to take a closer look."

Seeing that he was staring intently at her, she knew that if she continued to refuse, it would only arouse his suspicion, so she simply said "okay".

He picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and asked casually, "I forgot to ask, did Xingjian go to offer incense yesterday?"

Ji Shu was stunned, and immediately realized that this was not an invitation to dine with her, but rather an interrogation of a prisoner.

She placed the bowl and chopsticks on the table, met his gaze directly, and asked, "My lord, what do you want me to say?"

"Could it be that the Marquis has a penchant for being cuckolded, which is why he questions me like this? Yes, that's right, the young master did go to Yuqing Temple, but so what?"

"Does this temple belong to me alone? Can only I go to offer incense, and no one else can go?"

Seeing her throw such a tantrum, Pei Yanzhi's temper flared up as well. "Your temper is getting worse and worse these days, throwing things around at the dinner table."

Did I say I doubted anything about you?

Ji Shu said sarcastically, "Yes, I am just a woman. Now that you have married me, I must allow you to suspect and insult me ​​at will, and I cannot disobey you in the slightest. Whatever you say goes!"

"Sometimes I wonder, what shameful thing have I done to deserve such humiliation from you?"

"Have you ever considered that I am also a living, breathing human being, and that you have repeatedly doubted and accused me? Do you think my heart is made of iron and doesn't feel pain?"

His gaze fell on the box beside the bed, and he grabbed it and threw it at him. There was a dull thud as the hard box hit him squarely on the forehead.

Blood slid down his brow bone and dripped onto the dining table, making his face look terrifying.

Ji Shu was stunned. She hadn't expected him to withstand it without dodging or flinching.