He stayed by her side the whole time, willing to endure the tedium and trivialities for her sake.
This teenager offered up his sincere heart without reservation.
Pei Shijiu's cheeks flushed slightly under her gaze; her look stirred his heart.
He couldn't resist wanting to kiss her cheek—
When he was with her, his admiration was tinged with respect, and his pursuit was tempered with restraint.
He wondered when he could be a little bolder. She understood his feelings; everyone in the capital considered them a couple. If he were to be presumptuous, would she be angry? Would she forgive him?
Pei Shijiu couldn't make up his mind, but his head was spinning and his heart was in turmoil.
Without realizing it, I leaned down and gazed intently into those bright, dark eyes.
In the sweltering air, a few wisps of cool breeze occasionally blew from the surface of the pool, making people feel relaxed and at ease. The boy's hair, with a hint of sandalwood, fell down onto Qiao Lian'er's cheek.
In a daze, Qiao Lian'er did not dodge.
Perhaps they had been spending so much time together that she had taken it for granted.
Ta-da!
The wooden staircase of the waterside pavilion was clattering with footsteps as someone hurried up, getting closer and closer.
The subtle atmosphere was broken. Pei Shijiu frowned, straightened up, and looked at the newcomer with annoyance and anger on his face.
It was Song Guangdi.
Seeing the boy's cold gaze, which carried a powerful sense of intimidation as if he wanted to devour him, Song Guangdi couldn't help but shudder. He stopped abruptly at the top of the stairs, his body swaying violently, almost falling backward like a headless tumbler.
Qiao Lian'er couldn't help but smile.
"Wang Fu, did you bring your distant niece?"
"They're here, they're downstairs. I was just about to report to Princess Zhenguo," Wang Fu said quickly.
"Let her come up."
Wang Fu wiped his sweat and waved to those below.
Pei Shijiu sat down to the side, picked up the cold tea, and exuded a melancholy aura.
Song Dujuan came up, lowered her head and knelt properly in front of Qiao Lian'er: "This commoner pays respects to Princess Zhenguo, may Princess Zhenguo live a thousand years."
Qiao Lian'er glanced at her face. Compared to others, Song Dujuan's human skin mask was more realistic and detailed, just like real human skin, with tiny hairs, exuding the blood and vitality of a living person. If she hadn't known that the Song family liked this trick, she wouldn't have been able to tell even if she looked closely.
Moreover, the human skin mask that Song Dujuan used was as thin as a cicada's wing, yet it could significantly alter the appearance of her facial features, showing that she was quite cunning.
On the contrary, people like Song Guangdi and Song Qijin wore thick masks to try to conceal their original facial features, but upon closer inspection, one could still see that they were about 50% similar, and the masks looked rather fake.
That's why Song Ruier used Gu worms to eat away part of her flesh and bones when she disguised herself; it was a safe way to do so.
Qiao Lian'er didn't ask Song Dujuan to get up, but instead asked, "What's your name?"
"Wang Guilan is sixteen years old this year." Song Dujuan's current demeanor was humble and cautious, and she spoke in a soft voice.
"Very good, Guilan, what skills do you have?"
"I know a few routine chores, and I can learn what I don't know."
Qiao Lian'er said, "You are indeed diligent, but your uncle signed a death contract. Do you want to sign a death contract or a living contract?"
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