Chapter 96 Still Reluctant

For a moment, he couldn't figure out what he really wanted.

Wu Yang stood with his head bowed, thinking about everything that had happened to Madam Ji these past few days, and finally couldn't help but say, "Perhaps Madam Ji just wants to ask for some freedom, and wants you to respect her, instead of forcing her and disregarding her wishes?"

Pei Yanzhi stood in the shadows for a long time, so long that Wu Yang felt his words were too presumptuous and was secretly regretting them.

But then they saw their lord stride toward Wenxin Pavilion, never mentioning going to Yongning Lane again.

In the following days, Ji Shu enjoyed several pleasant days. First, Chang Wu finally arrived, and a banquet was specially held to welcome him and celebrate his safe arrival in Yang County.

During the meal, Chang Wu took out a letter that Lady Rui had asked him to bring, which recorded many customs among merchants in Yanzhou.

Ji Shu read through everything and gained a lot of insights. She even took many notes and kept herself busy for several days.

Pei Yanzhi had not shown up for several days. At first, the three of them, master and servant, found it strange, but after several days, they gradually relaxed.

Ji Shu even wondered if he was tired of her. If that were the case, she should go to the temple and donate more money for incense.

Just when she was almost certain of her guess, Pei Yanzhi appeared unexpectedly.

That day, Ji Shu returned from the farm. She had bought dozens of acres of land from the farm in Yangjun Township, specifically to grow some rare flowers and plants.

Growing your own food saves money, and it also means you won't panic if something becomes unavailable in the market.

Ji Shu handed the completed drawings to Chunzhi and said, "Take them to Nanshun Street and give them to Chang Wu. Also, ask him if he is missing anything."

Chunzhi hurriedly responded and ran out. Lian'er noticed that the young lady's forehead was soaked with sweat.

She picked up a round fan and shook it, saying with concern, "Why must you do it yourself, young lady? Just tell us to do it."

Ji Shu closed her eyes slightly and responded almost imperceptibly. When people are busy, they don't have time to think about other things, and besides, the shop is her life's work.

"In a few days, go to the slave trader and pick a few that you like to help Chang Wu in Qiu Yinong. One person can't handle it all."

"Okay, sure."

At this moment, in Yongning Lane, Wu Yang looked at the former Yu Luo Zhai, which now had the Ji family's plaque hanging up, and quickly glanced at his lord, whose face was slightly gloomy.

He stepped forward and knocked on the door. The doorman opened it quickly and hurriedly bowed upon seeing who it was.

Pei Yanzhi stepped in first, asking as he walked, "Where is everyone?"

Upon hearing the commotion, Granny Zhou rushed over and hurriedly curtsied, saying, "Madam Ji is inside; she just returned."

He glanced around, his brow furrowing slightly: "Why aren't they serving inside?"

Granny Zhou dared not say more. They wanted to serve her, but this Lady Ji was either wary of them or disliked others getting close. Apart from her two personal maids, no one else was allowed to approach her.

"The young lady doesn't like others getting close; she only allows us to work outside."

Pei Yanzhi: "From now on, this will be Lady Ji's residence. You shall do whatever she says."

After saying that, he waved his hand, signaling them to leave.

Hearing some commotion outside, Ji Shu looked up and saw the door open from the outside. Pei Yanzhi, dressed in a black round-necked robe, stood outside, backlit, making it impossible to see his expression.

Ji Shu got off the bed and saw him walking towards her step by step. Her heart sank. She had thought...

Pei Yan stepped forward to take her hand and explained gently, "These days I've been too busy with military affairs and other things, often working until late at night, so I thought I wouldn't bother you."

"You haven't come for a few days, are you annoyed with me?"

In fact, Pei Yanzhi had been intentionally avoiding her these past few days. His desire for her had grown stronger, and he had thought that not seeing her for a few days would lessen his obsession.

Who knew that just looking at her like this, his desire for her did not diminish in the slightest, but rather, his body had only been screaming with pain because of her these past few days.

Ji Shu looked into his eyes as if trying to see into his heart, then glanced at the people kneeling on the ground.

Pei Yanshang took three steps forward in two quick movements, scooped her up in his arms, and the servants below retreated and closed the door.

Ji Shu struggled but could not, her waist held tightly by his hand. She could only turn her head and ask, "Since you are so busy, you should not waste your time on matters of the heart."

When Pei Yanzhi heard this, he felt that she was being jealous, as if she was blaming him for not coming to visit. His eyes lit up.

He chuckled softly and then impatiently leaned down to kiss her. His suddenly tall body pressed down on her, trapping Ji Shu in his arms. There was nowhere to retreat, and she could only endure it.

His neck was forced to tilt upwards, and his back was pressed hard into his arms. He had difficulty breathing, his tongue felt numb, and he even felt as if his tongue was being swallowed whole.

"Ugh—" She pushed against his chest with her palm, feeling her difficulty breathing.

Only then did he slightly rise, feeling the warmth and softness of the woman before him, and finally felt that the pent-up frustration in his heart had been released.

Perhaps from the very first day they met, he only wanted to hide her away and not allow anyone to covet her.

Even if she was unwilling, he believed that in time, she would realize his feelings.

He pulled her into his arms, stroked her earlobe, and asked softly, "What have you been busy with these days?"

"I heard from Granny Zhou that the shop has already been chosen?"

Ji Shu looked at his large, rough, and thick hand, which she felt could hold her firmly and prevent her from escaping. She responded with a faint "yes".

Having long been accustomed to her indifference, he still patiently asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"No need."

Then she slowly looked up at her, her eyes, like autumn water, filled with tears. Pei Yanzhi lowered his head to kiss her, but she raised her hand to stop him.

"Could my wife be a fairy sent down from heaven to steal my soul?" he said with a vague smile.

Ji Shu blushed with anger and spat, "Pah!" She thought, "He's shameless himself, thinking about this all day long, and now he's blaming me!"

How disgusting!

Seeing a slight blush rise on her cheeks, Pei Yanzhi chuckled softly, then, remembering what he had been busy with these past few days, composed himself.

"Shu'er, do you remember what I told you a few days ago? Have you thought it through?"

Ji Shu was stunned, recalling what had happened in the past few days. She had been so busy these days that she hadn't remembered anything. She saw that Ji Shu looked blank.

Pei Yanzhi was so angry that his teeth itched, and immediately bit her arm as she lifted her gauze sleeve.

Who knew that when he touched the smooth, creamy skin, he couldn't bear to let go. The meat in his mouth felt like creamy cheese, and when he brought it closer, he could smell the subtle fragrance emanating from the skin.

After rubbing gently for a long time, Ji Shu hissed and then looked up.

He looked down at her and said, "I've been trying to get you to think things through these past few days, but it turns out you've forgotten everything."

A tingling, numb sensation spread through her arm, and Ji Shu remembered what he had said that day.