Chapter 146 Pei Xingjian was drugged

She had just gotten up to leave, but she sat back down and said, "Actually, I didn't come here today for anything else. I just wanted my sister-in-law to give me the key to the storeroom so I could pick out a few things and leave."

Ji Shu stared at her for a few moments, then suddenly smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, you should have said so earlier. If you had, how could I not have given it to you? We're all family."

Then he said to Chunzhi beside him, "Zhi'er, give the key to the storeroom to the Second Madam."

Chunzhi reluctantly took a key out of her sleeve and handed it to Miaoyin, who was standing to the side.

Having achieved her goal, Madam Song's brows finally relaxed a bit: "Don't worry, sister-in-law, I'll only choose three items, and I'll return them in half an hour."

Ji Shu said in a nonchalant tone, "It's alright. Since I've given it to you, you can choose a few more."

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Madam Song beamed with joy, and her earlier resentment vanished completely.

Ji Shu turned her head and instructed Chunzhi, "Remember to register the items that the Second Madam brought."

After saying that, he didn't even glance at Song Yunshu, and left straight away, leaving behind a faint fragrance as he passed by Song's side.

Chunzhi quickly replied, "Yes, Madam."

So angry that Song's temples throbbed with bulging veins.

After returning to her room, Ji Shu took out the jade hairpin from her hair and examined it closely in her hand, from the moment she entered the room.

Song Yunshu's gaze never left the jade hairpin in her hair. Could this be the first time she had ever seen it on a woman? Gu Shi had never worn it before?

She remembered that Jiang Nianrou had said that only the matriarchs of Yanzhou could wear this jade hairpin, so why didn't the Gu family of that year have it?

This was the first time she had felt curious about Madam Gu. In the original book, Madam Gu wasn't mentioned much, only that she died in childbirth.

Song Yunshu clearly confirmed this to her as well. The fetus in her womb during the difficult childbirth had already taken shape and was a boy. So why had Pei Yanzhi never mentioned it to her?

Could there be some hidden story?

She gently turned the jade hairpin in her hand, recalling her time living in Shanshui Residence. If she truly cared about someone, she would surely cherish and carefully protect the things they left behind.

How could they allow another woman to move in and damage the original traces inside?

So, does he care about the Gu family or not care at all?

After thinking it over and over but unable to reach a conclusion, she put the jade hairpin back in its original place.

After selecting her items, Song Yunshu returned to the Magnolia Pavilion in a huff, her heart filled with resentment as she looked at the things she had worked so hard to obtain.

Now this huge manor is Ji Shu's domain. She only wanted to take a few things, but she was made to suffer like this. If this continues...

She had no standing in this mansion anymore; thinking of this, hatred surged in her dark eyes.

The candlelight flickered in the room as she looked at the things her brother had given her. It was said that these things were worth five taels of gold outside, whether for a woman or a man.

Even the most composed person will lose control when faced with this.

She gripped the bottle tightly, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes before she regained her composure. Since you, Ji Shu, are so heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless.

...

In the evening, Chunzhi served her as she washed and dressed, her tone disdainful: "I originally thought that Second Madam was a noble lady from a high family and would disdain such gold and silver. You didn't see it this afternoon, Madam."

"She went in to select items as if she wanted to empty the storeroom. Fortunately, the maid was watching her, and she was only allowed to choose one old ginseng and two pieces of white marble that could be sold for a high price."

Upon hearing this, Ji Shu gently rebuked, "You should only say these things to me from now on. Don't say them outside. Do you think the old lady doesn't know? Since she never says anything, how can we stop her?"

Chunzhi gently wiped her back and responded softly.

After a long while, Ji Shu leaned against the tub and whispered, "Zhi'er, if one day I want to leave this place, would you be willing to come with me?"

Chunzhi was so startled that she dropped the handkerchief in her hand into the bucket. She was so shocked that she forgot to address her: "Young lady, what do you mean by that?"

Seeing how frightened she was, Ji Shu said calmly, "It's alright, it's nothing, I was just saying it casually."

Chunzhi felt conflicted, sensing that the lady's casual remark was not unintentional.

Seeing that her eyes were slightly closed, she suppressed her emotions and did not ask any further questions.

The following day, Ji Shu took over the management of the household affairs one by one. These were not difficult for her, as she had managed household affairs in Chongzhou, in addition to Qiu Yinong's business dealings.

These tasks were relatively easy for her to handle. In addition, the old lady had been managing the household for many years, and all the affairs of the mansion were in good order. She only needed to follow the established procedures.

After reviewing the account books, seeing that the weather was fine, Ji Shu took Chunzhi for a walk in the garden.

Chunzhi suddenly whispered, "Madam, is that the young master in the pavilion...?"

Ji Shu looked up and, sure enough, it was Pei Xingjian sitting in the pavilion. However, he seemed to be feeling unwell.

But she didn't want to meddle, and as she was about to leave, there was a loud bang, and Pei Xingjian dropped what he was holding to the ground. He held his forehead, his face flushed.

Ji Shu stopped in her tracks and instructed Chunzhi, "Since the young master is unwell, go and call the doctor to come and take a look."

We can't just stand by and watch something happen to him right under our noses.

Chunzhi nodded and jogged out of the garden.

Ji Shu stood under the shade of the tree, gazing at the pavilion in the distance.

Before long, Pei Xingjian felt as if his body was on fire, and all the meridians in his body felt uncomfortable.

Craving something to extinguish the burning fire, he picked up the teapot and drank several mouthfuls, but still couldn't quench his thirst. Frustrated, he threw the teacup on the ground.

He gripped the collar of his shirt tightly, gritted his teeth, and finally his eyes cleared a little. With a slight movement of his eyes, he spotted Ji Shu under the shade of a tree not far away.

He staggered to his feet and took a few steps forward. Ji Shu noticed that his steps were unsteady and his cheeks were flushed with an abnormal redness, so she sensed that something was wrong.

"Shu'er?" His voice was low and hoarse. "I'm really feeling unwell. Could you take me back to Qingyun Residence?"

The deep-seated itch in his body did not subside; instead, it was aroused by his proximity to Ji Shu, giving rise to an even deeper desire.

They were only a few steps apart, and he could even smell her sweet fragrance, which was slowly destroying his reason.

He stood there, frozen and stubborn, waiting, hoping she would agree to take him home. He even had a sudden, unpleasant thought: if she agreed, would it mean she still cared about that relationship?

It's not that I don't care about him at all.

Ke Ji Shu's tone was indifferent, as if she hadn't noticed his unusual behavior: "Your Highness, your courtyard is just ahead. It would be improper for me to escort you back."

Pei Xingjian forced a bitter smile, his breathing heavy: "Then...madam, could you please escort me to the entrance of Qingyun Residence, and I'll walk in myself—"

Hearing him call her "Madam," Ji Shu knew that he regarded her as an elder.

Seeing that he was indeed feeling unwell, but since she only escorted him to the door and he should be alright, Ji Shu finally agreed, "Okay."