There was a table on the couch, and on the table was a small vase, in which were two tiny lilies of the order of jade, with a delicate and elegant fragrance.
Outside the window, there is the sound of rain hitting banana leaves. On the table are two bowls of steaming hot salted pork noodles, a dish of crab, and several kinds of pickled vegetables to go with the noodles. Everything is neatly arranged, and it looks both beautiful and fragrant.
Tao Ti sat on the couch with her legs crossed, looking at Pei Yan opposite her, "I didn't want to eat rice tonight, so I just cooked some noodles... I didn't expect Your Highness to come... Well, you can just make do with it and eat it?"
Pei Yan said gently, "That's good."
Tao Ti smiled and said, "Yeah, then you should eat it quickly. Noodles are best eaten while hot. If you leave them out for too long, they will clump together."
Pei Yan picked up the chopsticks and looked at the noodles in front of him. The noodles were evenly thick and thin, with a light yellow color. On top was a layer of brined pork, which was crystal clear, crispy and tender. A boiled egg cut in half and two crisp and crunchy cabbages made the bowl of noodles colorful and appetizing. Just looking at it made him salivate.
The noodles are soft and smooth, the noodle soup is rich and fragrant. The brined pork is even softer, more glutinous and more fragrant, fat but not greasy, and the taste is extremely wonderful.
"Your Highness, don't just eat noodles, try this crab dish. The yellow croaker purchased by the kitchen today is particularly fresh, and Chief Steward Sun specially sent me a few of them." Tao Ti suggested.
"Crab?" Pei Yan's eyes fell on the plate of golden and delicious food in the middle.
"Well, it's actually fried fish with eggs. But this dish tastes very much like crab, but more delicious than crab, so it's called crab." Tao Ti introduced it to him with interest, "Look at this fish meat, it's white and tender, doesn't it look like crab meat? And this golden egg yolk, doesn't it look like crab roe?"
Pei Yan smiled, "Yeah, it looks like that."
He picked up a piece of the dish with chopsticks and put it into his mouth. He raised his eyebrows and said, "It tastes good, fresh and tender. It lives up to the name of the dish."
Seeing that he liked to eat, Tao Ti was also happy, "If you like to eat, eat more. A good appetite will keep you healthy."
To be honest, when she saw how thin and pale he was, she subconsciously had the urge to feed him, wanting to make him stronger and healthier - uh, why does it sound more and more like motherly love the more she thought about it?
No, no, that's not right. Motherly love is such a mess.
Well, she does this out of sympathy for the poor, and to cherish and protect beautiful things! Just like raising panda cubs, kittens, puppies, and hamsters...
Pei Yan didn't know that he had already compared himself with N animals in Tao Ti's mind. When he had almost finished eating, he put down his chopsticks and wiped the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief gracefully.
"I heard that you sent your personal maid back to the Marquis's Mansion?" he asked casually.
Tao Ti's face flashed with surprise, and when she came to her senses, she said seriously, "Well, she prefers to work in the Marquis' Mansion, so I let her leave the palace."
Pei Yan said softly, "Well...", but didn't ask any further questions.
It would have been fine if he didn't mention Zishuang, but once he mentioned it, Tao Ti couldn't help but feel conflicted. Should she tell Pei Yan about Pei Changzhou sending the letter?
If he said that, the past between the original owner and Pei Changzhou would be revealed. Pei Yan was in poor health, and he might get angry and vomit blood. Then he would be committing a great sin.
But if I don't say it, it feels insincere, keeping him in the dark... and who knows if Pei Changzhou will not give up and continue to do other things.
Ahhhh…what should I do?
Tao Ti frowned gloomily and stuffed noodles into her mouth one bite after another. Her cheeks were bulging like a little squirrel storing food.
Pei Yan saw that she was worried and reminded her softly, "Eat slowly, be careful not to choke."
As he said this, he handed her a cup of warm water.
Tao Ti looked at him gratefully and caught a glimpse of his almost transparent pale skin. After thinking for a while, she decided to keep it a secret from him for the time being.
Poor Pei Yan doesn't have much time left. He only has a year or so to live. It's better to let him enjoy the rest of his life peacefully and not worry about trivial matters.
Besides, she has made up her mind not to have anything to do with Pei Changzhou anymore. Even if Pei Changzhou sends a letter or approaches him deliberately in the future, she can't afford to offend him, but can't she hide?
It was raining non-stop outside, so Pei Yan took a rest in Yaoguang Palace.
Tao Ti didn't care and even made two cups of hot milk, one for each of him.
"Drinking more milk is good for your health, and drinking it before bed can help you sleep."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I saw it in a medical book." Tao Ti said, and as if to prove his words, he raised his head and drank the glass of milk in his hand.
Finally, she looked at him with a pair of watery black eyes, as if saying, "Look, I've finished drinking it all, you can drink it without worry."
Seeing her like this, Pei Yan's deep black pupils were tinged with a light soft color. Suddenly, he took a step forward and stretched out his hand to her.
When the cold fingers touched the corner of her mouth, Tao Ti was stunned for a moment.
He he he...what is he doing?
This distance, this posture, this gentle gaze...
She just felt like the little deer in her heart had gone mad, running around and banging around until she was almost dead...
Pei Yan wiped the corner of her mouth with his neat fingers. When he saw the shock and shyness in her sparkling eyes, he explained, "There are milk stains at the corners of your mouth. They are white, like a small mustache."
Taoti: "Is that so..."
With a snap, the little deer broke his waist awkwardly, and the beautiful fantasy disappeared without a trace.
"Sorry for the offense." Pei Yan withdrew his hand and took a step back.
"No, it's okay, thank you." Tao Ti only felt her cheeks getting hot.
Pei Yan curled his lips, "But still very cute."
Taoti, "!!!"
The little deer in my heart came back to life, and happily started dancing the Yangge, singing Today is a Good Day...
Woo woo woo woo Mom, I have made it. The beautiful lady praised me for being adorable!
If Qiongqi was here at this moment, she would definitely hold down Qiongqi's shoulders and shake him back and forth crazily, "Ahhhhhhh, he praised me for being cute! I am cute!"
Pei Yan saw Tao Ti blushing and not saying anything, her round eyes were like sparkling gems, bright and clear, which made him feel an inexplicable emotion.
He suppressed his strange emotions, turned his eyes away, picked up the milk on the table and took a sip.
"Is it delicious? I added sugar, it should taste pretty good." Tao Ti asked impatiently, her little face full of anticipation.
Pei Yan met her gaze again, and that strange feeling came over him again. He said nothing, but drank the milk in one gulp and nodded at her.
Tao Ti narrowed her eyes and smiled, "Then you get used to drinking it, you can ask the kitchen to prepare it for you every day."
Let the kitchen prepare it?
Pei Yan's thick eyelashes drooped slightly, hiding the inexplicable loss in his eyes, and whispered, "Okay."
Late at night, the two went to bed together.
Taoti has a very good sleep quality. As soon as she touches the pillow, she falls asleep soon.
Listening to the soft breathing sound beside his ears, Pei Yan slowly turned his head and saw her sleeping sweetly.
Her long black hair lay neatly on the soft blue pillow. She was wearing a thin moon-white nightgown, which was very proper and tight, not revealing any of her body.
Thinking of her natural and casual sleeping posture last time, a faint smile appeared in Pei Yanbo's calm eyes.
After a moment, he gently lifted the quilt, slowly got out of bed, and walked steadily to the window outside the hall.
As soon as the window was opened, the cool wind mixed with the moisture of rain blew on my face, making my mind clearer.
After three quick and sharp whistles, a dark figure flashed in from the window and knelt on one knee, "Master."
Pei Yan's handsome face was expressionless, and his voice was low and cold, "Keep a close eye on Pei Changzhou recently."
Based on his understanding of Pei Changzhou, that man would never let it go so easily.
"Yes." The secret guard replied.
"Also, the maid that the Crown Princess sent out of the palace knows too much. Tell her to shut up."
"As you command." Only the dead will keep their mouths shut forever.
After the secret guards left, Pei Yan returned to the bed.
Tao Ti's sleeping position has changed from lying flat on her back to lying on her side, with one arm draped over the quilt. On her fair and slender wrist, the white jade bracelet is shiny and smooth.
Just now I thought she was sleeping properly, but now she is restless. Pei Yan seemed to be a little helpless, he bent down, gently lifted the quilt, pinched her soft arm, and put it back into the quilt.
As if she felt someone touching her, Tao Ti's eyelashes trembled and a lazy moan came out of her little mouth.
Soft and coquettish, with a hint of coquettishness.
Pei Yan stared at her sleeping face and thought, this well-behaved and quiet look is quite endearing.
Then he thought that this time she not only did not go to Pei Changzhou's appointment, but also drove the troublemaker maid out. He pinched her soft little face with satisfaction and praised in a hoarse voice, "You are so good."