Chapter 40 The troublemaker is coming
His eyes fell on the stone table, surprise evident on his face. "You did all this?"
Jiang Fei was proud in her heart, but she didn't show it on her face.
She nodded with a smile and said modestly, "It's just some simple food, don't despise it."
Several people sat down. The teapot was on Jiang Fei's left hand. She reached out to pick up the teapot, and her wrist trembled when she lifted it.
"Be careful." Wei Mingzhen took the teapot quickly. When their fingertips touched, Wei Mingzhen's fingers trembled slightly.
A faint smile appeared in Jiang Fei's eyes.
The second key to conquering the male supporting role: create some subtle physical contact.
Today's meal, from the ingredients of the dishes to the placement of the teapot and bowls and chopsticks, was all carefully designed by her. I think she didn't put so much effort into the college entrance examination.
Seeing that Jiang Fei's left hand was still wrapped in gauze, Wei Mingzhen frowned slightly, "You are injured, why are you so worried?"
"It's no problem." Jiang Fei, who was a bit addicted to pretending to be virtuous, said, "The vegetarian food in the mountains is too light. I was worried that you wouldn't be used to it. You are busy with official duties and you have to divert your attention to come visit me. Ru Fei can't share your worries, so I can only express my gratitude."
Wei Mingzhen looked at her, a rare hint of uneasiness in his eyes.
He knew in his heart that he did not come to visit Jiang Rufei at all, but was just worried about Wei Ciying. However, she went to the kitchen despite her injury and cooked soup for him personally.
Looking at the table full of vegetarian dishes, it is obvious that a lot of thought has gone into their preparation.
Wei Mingzhen's tone softened, "Miss Jiang is thoughtful."
Jiang Fei took in his reaction and secretly rejoiced.
This Wei Mingzhen is still too much of a gentleman. If she had known that a meal could cause him to react like this, she would have cooked for him every day and eaten him until he died of stuffing.
"I'm almost starving." Wei Ciying broke the awkward and slightly ambiguous atmosphere between the two.
She deliberately jingled her chopsticks on the edge of the bowl and blinked at the two of them, "If you keep being so polite, the food will get cold."
Wei Mingzhen frowned, "Ciying, you can't——"
"I know, I know," Wei Ciying interrupted him, "You can't knock on the bowl, then I'll start eating."
She picked up a dish in front of her with chopsticks, put it in her mouth, chewed it twice, and suddenly her eyes widened.
"What's wrong? Does it taste wrong?" Jiang Fei asked deliberately. She still had some confidence in her cooking skills.
Wei Ciying shook her head, swallowed the food, and said, "It's really delicious. Sister-in-law, your cooking skills are so good?"
"Eat more if you like."
…
The small bluestone pavilion is hidden deep in the bamboo forest. When the mountain breeze blows, the copper bells on the eaves make a clear sound.
"Your Majesty, it's time for vegetarian food."
The nun walked over with a black lacquered food box and placed some vegetarian dishes on the stone table.
Pei Jing glanced around and saw a plate of fried spring rolls, a bowl of Wensi tofu, a plate of stuffed and braised bamboo shoots, and a bowl of Luohan vegetarian food on the table.
Jinglian Temple prepares vegetarian dishes for pilgrims who come up the mountain every day. They are simple rice porridge with seasonal vegetables and other light dishes. Today's dishes are different from usual.
Pei Jing picked up the ebony chopsticks, picked up a piece of bamboo shoot and put it into his mouth. The bamboo shoot was wrapped in the fresh fragrance of the vegetarian broth, and when he bit it, he could taste the sweetness of crab meat.
This taste...
He raised his eyebrows slightly, "The dishes in the nunnery today are quite unique."
The nun was about to leave when she heard this and stopped. She said, "A pilgrim came to the kitchen today and made some extra food. Our nunnery is poor and I was afraid to neglect His Majesty. I saw that the dish was good and I dared to bring it to His Majesty for a taste."
"Your cooking skills are quite good." Pei Jing raised his eyes. "Can pilgrims cook for themselves in your nunnery?"
The nun said, "It was the Third Young Master Wei from the Dingyuan Marquisate who came up the mountain. Donor Jiang wanted to use the kitchen to prepare a vegetarian meal. We were just offering a favor."
Pei Jing's chopsticks stopped on the Luohan vegetarian dish and he immediately lost his appetite.
He threw down his chopsticks and asked, "They're giving me the leftovers?"
The nun was extremely apprehensive. "Your Highness has misunderstood. It's not that there are leftovers. It's that Donor Jiang originally made some extra when he was making it."
Pei Jing suddenly stood up, his sleeves sweeping across the stone bench, and after taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped.
"Duan Jiu."
Duan Jiu immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I'm here."
Pei Jing tilted his head slightly, his lips and eyebrows curled up, "Go and do something for me."
…
The atmosphere in the side yard is just right.
In order to allow Jiang Fei to recuperate in peace, the monks and nuns in the temple arranged the other pilgrims in the side yard at the other end. Only Jiang Fei and Wei Ciying lived in the east yard, so the meal was particularly quiet.
It can be seen that everyone in Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion dotes on Wei Ciying. The fact that such a lively and outgoing girl can be raised in such a noble family shows that she is very indulgent in her daily life.
Take the matter between her and Jiang Linyuan for example. If it were any other family, they would have locked her up and not allowed her to go out. However, the Marquis' Mansion was afraid that she would get sick from being bored, so they only sent a maid to keep an eye on her.
At present, Wei Ciying has been bribed by Jiang Fei. As long as she can conquer Wei Mingzhen, she will be able to marry into Dingyuan Marquis Mansion smoothly, and then use Wei Ciying's trust in her to interfere.
This plan sounds perfect.
Jiang Fei was just thinking when a person walked in from the cave entrance.
Duan Jiu stepped into the courtyard, holding the sword at his waist, and saluted towards the people, "Master Wei, Miss Wei, Miss Jiang."
Wei Mingzhen put down his chopsticks and asked, "What can I do for you?"
Duan Jiu bowed and said, "I am here to return the gift on the orders of my prince."
Several people were confused. Before they could figure out what the return gift was, they saw Duan Jiu clapping his hands together twice, and a guard holding a lacquer tray came in from the cave entrance.
The moment Duan Jiu looked at Jiang Fei, an ominous premonition immediately arose in her mind.
"Miss Jiang."
Jiang Fei's heart skipped a beat.
Duan Jiu said respectfully, "The prince once enjoyed the vegetarian dishes Miss Jiang prepared for him and was very satisfied. He specially ordered me to send a return gift."
Jiang Fei was stunned.
No, how could the vegetarian dishes she used specifically to win over Wei Mingzhen become the ones she made for Pei Jing herself?
“Oh no—”
"Miss, please look." Duan Jiu interrupted and lifted the silk cloth covering the lacquer tray.
Inside the lacquer tray is a wooden hairpin with lifelike peach blossoms carved on it.
"This was carved by my prince himself. Although it's not a valuable item, I hope you won't despise it, young lady."
Jiang Fei felt dizzy. It was obvious that Pei Jing was deliberately trying to make trouble!
She immediately turned to look at Wei Mingzhen and saw that his face had completely darkened. His gaze dropped to the table of vegetarian dishes, and his hands on the table were clenched into fists.
Even Wei Ciying, who was sitting opposite, frowned and looked at Jiang Fei unhappily.
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