Chapter 227 Like Me More +2
In the following days, Pei Jing arrived at the meeting on time every day. When the court officials occasionally argued over an issue, they would turn to ask Pei Jing for his opinion, and Pei Jing could often hit the nail on the head.
The court officials also changed their views on Pei Jing. It was a pity that he did not use his talent in the right way, and his background was also limited, so he would never achieve anything.
Most of the time, Pei Jing was either reading a storybook or falling asleep, looking like he was at ease but didn't want to get involved.
The affairs of state sounded really boring. If he didn't know clearly that if he didn't fight for the throne, he and Jiang Fei would have a hard time surviving in the future, he wouldn't bother to think about it, let alone become the emperor.
Instead of wasting time here, it would be better to go back early to accompany his daughter Xiao Cui.
Just as he was thinking about it, he heard very light footsteps outside the hall, and then a eunuch came in with his body hunched. He did not dare to disturb the meeting and just knelt in the corner.
Meng Yuande, who was standing before the emperor, saw this, walked over quietly and asked in a low voice.
The young eunuch whispered something in his ear. After hearing it, Meng Yuande had a strange look on his face. After hesitating for a moment, he walked towards Pei Jing.
Meng Yuande bowed and said, "Your Highness, someone from the palace has come to deliver a message."
Xiao Cui must be missing him.
Pei Jing sat up straight almost immediately, his hands on the armrests. He was about to stand up, but after a pause, he sat back down.
He said calmly, "What's the matter?"
The original discussions in the hall suddenly quieted down.
Meng Yuande really regretted taking such a job. If he had known earlier, he would have let the young eunuch tell him. He was already old, and he was still involved in such an embarrassing thing.
He gathered his composure and mustered his courage to speak: "Your Highness, someone from the palace said they really... missed you terribly and wanted to know when you'll be back."
The indifference that Pei Jing had deliberately maintained on his face was instantly shattered. The corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise, but he quickly suppressed them.
He just said "hmm" lightly and said, "Looks like I have to go ahead again."
Emperor Zhaowen became angry when he saw that look. He closed his eyes and waved his hands outwards, not wanting to say a word.
Pei Jing immediately stood up, bowed gracefully, and turned to walk out, his steps a little faster than when he came.
At this moment, Jiang Fei sighed in the palace: "If this kind of talk gets into the palace, who knows what will happen to it?"
Wen Zhu continued: "The lady also sent someone to pass it on."
"Don't I let people spread the word?" Jiang Fei slammed the table. "Didn't you see the look on his face when he came back from the palace a few days ago? Hey, if this continues, I'm afraid my reputation will be ruined by him."
Jiu Tao was braiding ropes nearby. Upon hearing this, she said seriously, "Don't worry, Miss. You have a good reputation now."
Jiang Fei raised an eyebrow, "Oh? How is it good?"
Jiu Tao said, "People are saying that you were snatched away by Zhao Xingbang. They say you are a pitiful person."
Jiang Fei: “…”
…
In the blink of an eye, it was the end of December. The court sealed the palace as usual and temporarily suspended court meetings.
Pei Jing no longer had the task of attending meetings, so he stayed at home every day. Sometimes he did nothing and just watched Jiang Fei sitting there flipping through the storybook.
When she read something interesting, she would cover her mouth and giggle, with her eyebrows and eyes curved into crescents. If she was even happier, she would roll around on the couch laughing.
When she saw the injuries, her nose would turn red, and a few tears would fall, and she would run into his arms and cry sadly. After she recovered, she would put him aside and continue watching.
Pei Jing couldn't get enough of looking at Jiang Fei. He thought this little thing was so adorable that he could sit and look at her all day long.
Jiang Fei turned a page, her eyes turned red, and she was about to cry. Pei Jing reached out and took the book from her hand.
"Don't watch it, you'll cry again if you do."
Jiang Fei's newly brewing emotions disappeared instantly. She looked up at him with a bit of grievance and asked, "What else can I do if I don't read?"
Life in ancient times was so poor. There was no internet, no mobile phones, no television, and she couldn't understand the operas she listened to. In the middle of winter, she really didn't know what to do except warming herself by the fire and reading storybooks.
Pei Jing glanced at the door, then looked at Jiang Fei, "Of course there are other things I can do."
As soon as his eyes rolled, Jiang Fei knew what he wanted to do. She was quick-eyed and quick-handed and kicked his chest as he was about to bend down.
"no!"
Pei Jing lowered his eyes, "Why not?"
"Because I said no."
This reason was quite convincing, so Pei Jing accepted it.
Jiang Fei finally understood why people in ancient times had so many children. Once the lights were turned off at night, they seemed to have no other thoughts except giving birth.
Pei Jing held her ankle, stood up helplessly and said, "It's not snowing today, so I'll take you somewhere."
Pei Jing took Jiang Fei to a farm on the outskirts of the city.
The manager of the manor had received the news long ago and was waiting at the door with his servants.
When the carriage stopped, the steward stepped forward and said, "Greetings to the prince, and greetings to the young lady."
Pei Jing put his arm around Jiang Fei's waist and carried her down from the carriage. The farm covered a large area, and large tracts of farmland around it were covered with snow. Only the land in front of the farm was clear of snow.
Jiang Fei wrapped herself tightly in the fox fur coat and asked, "What is this place?"
"Go in and take a look first."
As he entered the village, several half-grown children ran by laughing. When they saw Pei Jing, they all stopped and stood aside.
Jiang Fei was stunned for a moment, "They are..."
Pei Jing pointed his chin and said, "They are all adopted children. Oh, and some were robbed."
Jiang Fei suddenly realized and followed Pei Jing all the way inside, meeting many children along the way.
From some of the houses along the way, the sound of abacus clacking could be heard. A few young men were learning carpentry from their master, and wood shavings were piled on the ground. When they saw Pei Jing passing by, they paused but did not stop their work. However, no one dared to look up.
There were also children standing in the corridor with their teachers, reciting their lessons, and little girls of five or six years old gathered around the women, learning to thread a needle...
Pei Jing said calmly, "We've hired masters from all over the place to teach them a skill. When they turn fourteen, we'll let them make a living on their own."
Jiang Fei looked at the scene in front of him and thought of the unbearable rumors outside, saying that he preferred to collect young boys and girls, and that he played with young boys and girls. He just found it absurd and ridiculous.
My heart felt like it was blocked by something and it was aching.
She turned her head to look at Pei Jing beside her. He was looking at the snow-covered fence in the distance. His profile was cold and hard, and there was no emotion between his eyebrows.
But she could clearly see that the children's cotton-padded jackets were thick and well-fitting, their cuffs frayed but clean. The teacher had a pile of neatly cut, fine paper for practice, and the little girl learning to thread a needle was wearing brand new cotton-padded shoes.
He did so much, yet he allowed people outside to portray him in such a terrible way.
Most people in this world are willing to believe what they want to believe. Pei Jing's cruelty is real, his methods are ruthless, and his madness is real, but no one has ever been willing to delve into the kindness hidden under the ice.
Even the pen that wrote down all these events only recorded his viciousness and madness.
Apart from the people in this village, no one in this world understands him. He is like a star thrown into a cold night. No one knows the warmth hidden in the light. The loneliness makes people feel bitter.
Jiang Fei suddenly turned around and hugged him. Pei Jing was stunned. He looked down at the person in his arms, opened his cloak and wrapped her and the fox fur in his arms.
"Is it cold? Do you want to come in?"
"I'm not cold." Jiang Fei raised her head from his arms, "Why didn't you explain what happened outside?"
"What others think is none of my business." Pei Jing rubbed his fingers on her face. "But you have to know. If you knew that I am not as bad as the rumors say, and that I have a good side, would you like me more?"
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