Accidentally Provoking a Beauty's Intoxication
Then, Su Mu took Wen Zhibai's sleeve and led him upstairs into his room.
Wen Zhibai sat nervously at the tea table, waiting for Su Mu to pour her tea.
"Young Master Su, I apologize for any inconvenience my sudden visit may cause you."
“Miss is too kind. I’ve been looking forward to the day when this bell will return to my side.” He pushed the teacup toward her: “No need to call me Young Master, just call me Su Mu.”
She nodded and thanked him, saying, "Actually, I have something important that I need your help with."
"Please speak freely, Miss."
“My garment workshop needs promotion, and I need someone to promote it for me. After thinking it over, you are the most suitable person.”
"I see..."
Wen Zhibai pursed his lips, unsure of his thoughts: "If you have any concerns, you can tell me. I know that we've only met once, and it would be a bit presumptuous to ask for your help so abruptly. As long as you agree, you can ask for whatever conditions you want."
"Anything is fine?" Su Mu raised an eyebrow.
"If it's within my power, I will definitely not refuse."
"Please allow me some time to think about it, and I will give you an answer in a couple of days."
"..." A hint of sadness flashed in her eyes, but she quickly cheered up: "Okay, then I'll wait for you."
In the following days, Wen Zhibai not only ran between the shops and the Pei residence, but also bought some food for Su Mu every evening and delivered it to her. He was very attentive and flattering, which made Su Mu feel conflicted.
Su Mu picked up a pastry and examined it closely, then suddenly chuckled softly.
——
On this day, Wen Zhibai returned from Yiying Tower as usual, only to be caught red-handed by Pei Qinzhou.
I haven't seen you at home for the past few days, where have you been?
Pei Qinzhou's questioning voice came from behind her, and she trembled, afraid to move like a cat chasing a mouse.
"What’s wrong with you?"
Wen Zhibai feigned nonchalance and turned to run to his side: "It's nothing, I've just been a little tired lately. Hey, by the way, where have you been?"
"Xia Chengen was confined to his quarters. He sent me a letter, asking me to come and play chess with him."
"I see. Oh, really. You're his advisor, so you should be there for him during times like these."
"And what about you? As my lover, shouldn't you spend some time with me?"
"I've been busy... I'll make it up to you properly, Lord Pei, after I'm done with this busy period, okay?"
"Okay, I'll wait."
For some reason, every word she said to Pei Qinzhou now made her feel as if she had done something wrong and her conscience was bothering her, so she told Pei Qinzhou in order to comfort him.
Before they knew it, the day had arrived for Su Mu to give Wen Zhibai an answer.
Wen Zhibai left the shop early and headed to Yiying Tower.
The courtesans in the building were all familiar with her, and as soon as they saw Wen Zhibai, they took her to Su Mu's room.
"What...have you decided?"
Su Mu handed her a peeled orange and said, "It's a pleasure working with you."
"!" Wen Zhibai sat up in shock: "You agreed?!"
"Mm." Su Mu said, taking out a piece of white paper with his clothing size written on it: "This is my size. I look forward to Miss's new clothes. As for the conditions, I haven't thought of them yet. Why don't you just owe me for now? I'll let you know when I've thought of them."
She took the note: "Thank you, Su Mu. I'm really happy that you agreed."
Are you that happy?
"Of course I'm happy..."
Wait, that voice is… Wen Zhibai’s smile froze instantly. She turned around and saw Pei Qinzhou’s face.
"...了"
"It's clear that Miss Wen is very happy; she's smiling from ear to ear." Pei Qinzhou's lips curled slightly, but a barely perceptible hint of anger flashed in his eyes.
That's it.
She swallowed hard, and the moment she saw him, a thousand explanations flashed through her mind.
"You...you didn't go to the East Palace? What are you doing here?"
“A thief broke into my house and stole the bell I kept. I took some people out to look for it, but I unexpectedly heard that you have recently taken a great liking to Yinglou’s singing. I would like to come and hear what kind of music makes you linger so long.” As he spoke, he took the piece of white paper from Wen Zhibai’s hand.
After seeing the size of the garment, his last smile vanished. He raised an eyebrow and held the side with the size printed on it in front of Wen Zhibai: "I remember you don't know how to sew. Miss Wen, would you like to explain?"
“Lord Pei, you have misunderstood,” Su Mu said. “Miss Wen only needs me to promote her fabric shop. The sizes on the photos were measured for me by the owner of another fabric shop.”
"Have you heard enough?" Pei Qinzhou asked.
"Okay, that's enough." She turned to Su Mu and said, "I'll have someone deliver the clothes once they're finished. Thank you."
"You're too kind, miss. I haven't asked your name yet."
“Her name is Wen Zhibai, and she’s from the Pei family,” Pei Qinzhou answered for her.
Wen Zhibai sensed his displeasure and quickly pulled him away.
Throughout the journey, Wen Zhibai kept thinking about how to start the conversation.
Unexpectedly, Pei Qinzhou said first: "Spending my money to support other men, Miss Wen Zhibai, you're really something."
Are you angry?
"Very good."
Seeing that he stopped talking, Wen Zhibai poked his cheek with his index finger: "Are you really angry?"
He remained silent.
"I went to see Su Mu just to ask him to help me try on the new clothes in my shop. After all, the courtesans of Yiying Tower associate with rich young ladies, which is the best way to promote the business."
"Um."
"Um...?" Wen Zhibai was completely baffled.
After returning to the Pei residence, no one dared to approach Pei Qinzhou.
Tao Zhi pulled Wen Zhibai aside. Several maids and servants in the mansion were standing with Xie An, and they asked her curiously what was wrong with Pei Qinzhou.
After Wen Zhibai told them the whole story, everyone looked at him with disdain.
Xie An: "This...you're being really unfair! Taking an adult's money to go to Yiying Tower to find the top courtesan?!"
Tao Zhi: "Miss, I thought you only summoned those courtesans last time to annoy the master, but I didn't expect you actually like them!"
The other maids said, "Yes, Miss, although that young master Su Mu is extraordinary, he is still inferior to our master."
"Hey, hey, I already said I was just looking for Su Mu to discuss business, it's not that I like him!"
Xie An leaned forward and whispered, "Miss, I've never seen the master so patient. He didn't even scold you."
"Xie An, are you asking for a beating?" Wen Zhibai glared at him. "I've already told you all this, so you can't just listen. Tell me, what should I do to keep him from getting angry?"
Tao Zhi's eyes lit up: "That's it! I have a plan!"
Tao Zhi waved to her, and Wen Zhibai leaned in to listen, half-believing and half-doubting.
"...How could you?! Do you think I'm that kind of person? Forget it, I knew it wouldn't make a difference to talk to you."
Wen Zhibai sighed and left.
Tao Zhi: "But that's how it's written in the storybooks..."
Wen Zhibai walked to Pei Qinzhou's bedroom and mustered up his courage to knock on the door.
"What is it?"
His cold voice came from inside the door.
"It's me."
"Um."
After hesitating for a long time, she pushed open the door.
Pei Qinzhou was sitting at the table reading a book.
She walked awkwardly toward him: "What are you looking at?"
"Book."
"Oh, I see."
He didn't even lift his eyelids.
"Let me grind the ink for you."
"No need, I don't write."
"Oh, I see."
"Are you hungry? I'll go get you some snacks."
"No need, I'm full."
"Yeah, you're full of anger now..." Wen Zhibai thought to himself.
She tugged at his sleeve gently, saying, "Pei Qinzhou, please don't be angry with me anymore, okay? Can you bear to see me standing here all alone like this?"
"If you're tired, sit down. If you don't want to sit, the bed is over there."
Wen Zhibai: ...
She pressed Pei Qinzhou's book down, forcing him to focus his gaze on her: "Don't look at the book, look at me."
"Um?"
“Pei Qinzhou, I like you, and I only like you,”
Driven by her heart, she placed a kiss on his lips.
For some reason, tears welled up in her eyes uncontrollably: "You don't need to doubt my sincerity towards you."
He stood up, lifted her onto the desk, and wiped away the tears that had rolled down her cheeks: "Mmm."
What followed was his lingering kiss.
This intimacy is limited to this; we'll stop here.
——
Red lanterns hung high on the eaves, swaying from side to side in the wind.
Everyone in the mansion had already rested. As usual, Wen Xian separated the pillows in the middle of the bed, one half for Gao Zheli and the other half for her.
Gao Zheli looked at Wen Xian's actions with bewilderment: "Why, do we have to break up?"
Wen Xian continued making the bed without speaking to him.
However, Gao Zheli was used to it; she didn't like to talk.
"I'm going back to my parents' home tomorrow, so you'd better not say a word and just pretend you're mute, understand?" Wen Xian's tone was not pleasant, and even had a hint of threat.
Gao Zheli quickly covered his mouth and nodded: "Don't worry, sister, you are my wife, I will listen to whatever you say."
"Shut up and go to sleep."
The sedan chair carrying the bride returned to her parents' home and stopped in front of the Pei residence. A servant outside the gate blocked her way: "May I ask who this young lady is?"
"Please inform her that I am Wen Zhibai's sister, and I have come to visit her."
"Miss, you've come at an inopportune time. Miss Wen is not in the manor."
"Do you know when she will be back?" Wen Xian asked, unwilling to give up.
"I am unaware."
Wen Xian returned to the carriage, but did not ask the coachman to leave. Instead, she waited for a while longer.
After a short while, Wen Zhibai and Pei Qinzhou returned together.
Wen Xian lifted the carriage curtain and saw Wen Zhibai. She then got off the carriage and said, "My sister is finally back." She then looked up at Pei Qinzhou and half-squatted to greet him, "Lord Pei."
"What are you doing here?" Wen Zhibai didn't want to talk to her.
"Today I'm returning to my parents' home, and I thought I'd take the opportunity to visit my younger sister."
When Wen Xian waved, the accompanying coachman immediately unloaded the gifts from the carriage.
"These are all my heartfelt wishes, sister. I hope you will accept them."
"No need, take it back. The Pei family has plenty." Wen Zhibai's tone remained icy.
At this moment, Gao Zheli secretly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to peek at the conversation between the group.
When his gaze finally landed on Pei Qinzhou, he was so frightened that he fell to the ground, his whole body trembling.
"Demon!" he exclaimed. Seeing everyone's eyes on him, and remembering Wen Xian's instructions last night not to speak carelessly, he immediately covered his mouth, trembling as he hugged himself, and sat blankly in the car.
"Gao Zheli?" Wen Zhibai frowned.
“Indeed, it was my fault for disturbing you, sister. Please wait a moment…” With that, Wen Xian walked toward the carriage, only to see that Gao Zheli’s face was pale and his eyes were somewhat vacant.
"What’s wrong with you?"
"A monster...a monster...there's a monster..." Gao Zheli muttered incoherently, then suddenly grabbed Wen Xian's hand: "Sister, hurry, there's a monster here, let's go home!"
Seeing that his mind was becoming increasingly unclear, Wen Xian was afraid that something might happen, so she quickly said goodbye to Wen Zhibai and returned to the Gao residence.
Gao Zheli hid under the covers, but held Wen Xian's hand tightly, saying, "Sister, there's a monster! I've seen a monster again... You and I need to hide together!"
"What demon?" Wen Xian didn't understand what he was talking about.
"That person... is a demon... he killed so many people!"
"He really is a madman." Wen Xian looked disgusted, assuming he was just having another episode.
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