Chapter 58 Your Majesty's Illness! "Do I have an 'illness'? Let us decide..."
Pei Xu stepped forward, knelt on one knee, his robe casually draped over the grass, and looked directly at Meng Lingyao, who was sitting on the swing.
"Yes, I wish to propose to Miss Meng."
After he finished speaking, he paused briefly, as if considering his words. Then, his voice lowered even further, so that only she could hear it.
“I could have endured the medicine that day.” His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and a dark fire seemed to flicker deep in his eyes as he met her clear gaze. “If I hadn’t heard… Yao Yao’s voice.” When he said the last few words, it was almost as if only a breath of air passed through him.
Meng Lingyao slightly lifted her eyelids, as if stung by a bee, and a surge of heat suddenly climbed up her earlobes, staining them with a faint blush.
Her body moved faster than she thought; her toes had already kicked his knee.
"lecher!"
She scolded, "'To subdue oneself and return to propriety is benevolence'—the teachings of the sages, I think you've completely forgotten them."
Pei Xu lowered his eyes, his gaze precisely capturing the lotus-patterned shoes that had left a blurry, dark mark on his robe. The shoes were made of light-colored silk, embroidered with delicate twin lotus flowers, exquisitely crafted, with slightly upturned toes.
The hand resting on the other knee bent almost imperceptibly, revealing faint blue veins on the back of the hand.
He looked up and met her gaze on her face, which held a hint of anger. There was no embarrassment, only a deep, calm stillness.
"I can't help but feel emotional; I'm just an ordinary person."
"Clearly shameless!"
Meng Lingyao bit the soft flesh inside her lip and kicked him again, this time with a little more force than before, still landing precisely on the same spot on her knee.
Pei Xu chuckled very softly, a brief laugh, like a ripple spreading across water, silently blooming on his lips. That fleeting smile dispelled his usual aloofness and solemnity, revealing a rare, genuine side, brimming with helplessness and hidden tenderness.
Meng Lingyao's heart skipped a beat.
She never hesitated to admire his appearance, comparing it to piled stones as jade and rows of pines as green.
If she were an opponent, this appearance would undoubtedly be a sharp weapon, but if it were hers... it would be an excellent embellishment.
This thought made her slightly uneasy.
“You saw it too,” she said, regaining her composure and loosely circling the ropes on the swing. “My parents cherish me like a treasure; I am their only daughter. After marriage, I will definitely visit them often.”
“Of course.” Pei Xu nodded. “This place will always be Miss Meng’s home. I only hope that Miss will not find it troublesome and will allow me to accompany you.”
Meng Lingyao blinked. "I'm afraid the Junior Minister is too busy with official duties to have the time."
Pei Xu lowered his eyelashes slightly, and the light in his eyes darkened. "I didn't often return to the Pei residence before. My parents were not by my side, and my grandfather often lingered at the homes of old friends in the capital."
He paused briefly, looked up, and gazed at her. "If there are no relatives or friends, what kind of home is it?"
“But if Miss Meng does not despise me and marries me,” the dormant light in his eyes seemed to be rekindled, “then I will have a place to return to. Even if I am busy with many things, I should still… go home.”
Meng Lingyao pursed her lips slightly. She knew perfectly well that he was intentionally feigning weakness, but she was definitely falling for it.
She glanced at Pei Xu sideways, then slightly raised her chin. "Alright, then I'll reluctantly bring you along."
Pei Xu cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, saying, "Thank you, Miss."
"Besides that, there are some things I need to say upfront."
Her gaze was intense as she stared at Pei Xu. "After marriage, I will not be confined to the inner quarters to be a wife and mother. The shops in the capital are doing well now, and I will open many more branches in the future. I will be out in the public eye quite often. I will be in charge of the business and do everything myself. I don't like to leave everything to the manager."
“Miss Meng, you may do whatever you wish.” Pei Xu said calmly and unhurriedly, his expression unchanged. “If you need anything, just let me know.”
Such tact is quite pleasing.
“Very good.” Meng Lingyao’s lips curled up slightly, and she drew out her words. “There is one matter at the moment—Manager Qian of Juxianglou is skilled in the art of welcoming and seeing off guests, but he lacks a bit of shrewdness and insight when it comes to understanding the minds of female customers. I wonder when… perhaps I could trouble Minister Pei to send Manager Wei of Linlangge to give him some pointers?”
Pei Xu responded calmly, "There's no need to ask me. Miss can make the arrangements herself. Just use the token I gave you earlier."
Meng Lingyao was speechless for a moment, never expecting that the token would have such a use.
She paused for a moment, then asked, "What use is that token now?"
"There's plenty of time in the future, Miss. Why don't you explore it for yourself?"
Meng Lingyao thought this was a good explanation and didn't ask any further questions.
She suddenly remembered something, her expression changed slightly, she lowered her head, leaned slightly forward, and abruptly closed the distance between them, "There is another matter, which is quite important."
Her warm breath, carrying a faint, delicate fragrance, gently brushed against Pei Xu's ears and temples.
He felt a burning sensation on his earlobe from her breath, but he forced himself to remain calm and composed, his gaze fixed on her eyes so close to his own. "What is it?"
Meng Lingyao lowered her voice even further, her expression serious, "You should find an opportunity to see a doctor."
Pei Xu asked in confusion, "Why?"
She said seriously, "I've read some books before, and they say that men usually take the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, or at most the time it takes to burn an incense stick. How can it be like you, taking so long?"
It's most likely due to some hidden illness!
Pei Xu was taken aback, and it took him a moment to realize what she was talking about. His face flushed slightly, and he was speechless.
He looked at her serious expression, unsure whether to laugh or be annoyed. His breath caught in his throat for a moment before he finally found his voice.
"What books have you been reading? Do you even know the saying 'Do not look at what is improper'?"
Before he could finish speaking, Meng Lingyao swiftly struck his bent knee once again.
"To conceal one's illness and refuse treatment! And yet..."
This time, Pei Xu was prepared. With quick eyes and hands, he firmly grasped the embroidered shoe whose tip was threateningly pointing at him.
His palms were broad and thick, with distinct finger bones, almost completely enveloping the exquisite lotus-shaped shoes.
The warmth of her palm seeped through the thin silk onto her feet, the sensation so vivid that it sent a shiver down Meng Lingyao's spine.
She instinctively pulled her feet back, but they were firmly held in place by those iron-like hands, rendering her unable to move.
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of shame and embarrassment, but she still refused to back down, "You're afraid to admit your illness! And you won't even let anyone talk about it!"
Pei Xu held her like a struggling little fish in his hand, his dark eyes fixed on her face, flushed with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. The blush spread from her cheeks to her delicate earlobes, adding to her pitiful charm.
His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he finally took a deep breath, his voice containing a hint of helpless sigh.
Whether I have an 'illness' or not, Miss Meng will know after we enter into a marriage contract.
Meng Lingyao was half-believing and half-doubting, and wanted to say a few more words of advice, when a few soft coughs came from not far away.
"Cough cough—"
It was Songlan's voice.
Meng Lingyao struggled briefly, and Pei Xu wisely released her, getting up to straighten his clothes.
Songlan approached slowly, her eyes lowered and her posture respectful. "Young Master, Miss, Master and Madam are asking if you two have reached a conclusion?"
"It's all settled." Meng Lingyao hurriedly replied, stood up with the help of the swing rope, and walked straight towards Songlan without even looking at Pei Xu beside her.
As she moved, Pei Xu turned to the side to make way, still keeping his eyes down, and gave a slight nod in the direction of Song Lan.
Outside the vermilion gate, Qingzhou leaned against the carriage shaft, exchanging a few words with the driver. Caught off guard by Pei Xu's appearance, she quickly straightened up.
Seeing his master approaching slowly from afar, his expression was as calm as ever, but his brows were covered with frost.
Having served Pei Xu for many years, he was very perceptive and could tell the difference from the smallest details. Just by looking at the relaxed expression in Pei Xu's eyes and the lightness in his footsteps, he understood what was going on.
It's done!
He breathed a sigh of relief. When Pei Xu approached, he noticed that Pei Xu was carrying an object covered with velvet cloth, which looked like a birdcage, and he vaguely heard a few birds chirping.
"Sir, didn't you come today to propose marriage? The bride's family is giving you a bird as a gift?"
What kind of rule is this?
Pei Xu handed the birdcage to Qingzhou and told him to keep a close eye on it.
Qingzhou took it and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Sir, what is this?"
Pei Xu's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly. "The stolen goods seized by the Dali Temple."
"?"
Qingzhou looked surprised. After Pei Xu entered the carriage, he quietly lifted a corner of the velvet cloth and saw a parrot with full and bright wings inside. It would open its mouth and sing as soon as it saw people.
With swift reflexes, Qingzhou pressed down on its beak, then released his hand, firmly covering it with the velvet cloth.
Upon arriving at Jingguan Temple, Dan Yue greeted them as soon as they entered, saying, "My lord, they have confessed everything."
Pei Xu nodded and turned to Qingzhou. "Tomorrow..." He paused slightly, "Two days later, I will send a letter to Miss Meng."
Tomorrow seems a bit too hasty.
"Yes," Qingzhou replied.
Pei Xu walked straight towards the inner courtyard, then suddenly stopped in the central courtyard paved with white stone slabs.
Looking around the square, spacious courtyard, his gaze lingered for a moment on a few slender bamboos and a solitary stone table and benches, as if he were seriously examining this place where he had lived for several years for the first time.
He stood still for a moment, then said, "It's too empty here."
Qingzhou was stunned for a few moments before suddenly realizing what was happening. She quickly took two steps forward. "Yes, sir. What do you think we should add? Taihu stones? Or perhaps transplant some flowers?"
Pei Xu briefly recalled the events and offered a few words of advice.
Qingzhou noted everything down and quickly gave the orders. Once everything was arranged, he raised his hand to wipe his face, revealing an expression that was both crying and laughing.
Dan Yue leaned closer, looking at him with a puzzled expression. "Brother Qingzhou, what's wrong with you? Are you... sick?"
Qingzhou rolled her eyes at him and said irritably, "What do you know!"
Dan Yue secretly curled her lip, thinking to herself that he knew a lot. He knew about the lord's auspicious star shining upon him while Qing Zhou was still dreaming!
At this moment, the Meng residence finally saw off its distinguished guests and welcomed peace and quiet.
"You agreed?" Madam Zhong tapped her fingertips lightly on the table. Seeing her daughter nod, she gazed at her for a long time before suddenly laughing out loud.
“My mother is getting old and her memory isn’t what it used to be,” Madam Zhong said slowly. “Who was it that said it with such certainty back then?”
Meng Lingyao put down her teacup and forced herself to remain calm as she met her mother's teasing gaze.
Madam Zhong mimicked her usual tone perfectly, "Always has a stern face, only cares about official business, a femme fatale, a womanizer, and a troublemaker... I would never marry him!"
“It’s really not easy for a man to look like this.” Meng Lingyao’s expression was somber, her tone utterly sincere. “Mother is right. So, if I don’t go to hell, who will? This hot potato has to be taken, right?”
"Pah, pah, pah!" Madam Zhong immediately slapped her hand lightly. "What nonsense are you talking about? What hell or what hell! My Yaoyao is going to marry smoothly into a happy family and enjoy a life of bliss!"
Meng Lingyao nodded readily, a smile spreading across her face. "Of course. My daughter will definitely have a smooth and happy life."
Madam Zhong nodded in satisfaction, picked up her teacup, and asked casually, "By the way, why did you let Lord Pei take away the parrot that Jing Shu gave you? That girl will probably make a scene if she finds out."
“Oh, that bird.” Meng Lingyao’s fingertips lightly traced the rim of the teacup, her expression unchanged. “Just now, Lord Pei said that it looked like stolen goods from a case. Jing Shu is young, and she may have been deceived into buying it. Since it is stolen goods, it should naturally be returned to its rightful place and left to the authorities to handle.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhong glanced thoughtfully at her daughter. Seeing her composed expression, she didn't press the matter further and let the matter drop.
"So that's how it is."
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Author's note: Regardless of whether it's black or white, I'll refer to it all as "h" (not really).
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