Chapter 72 Kindness
Ji Shu jumped off the bed, pulled her clothes tighter, and her face turned completely cold: "Didn't you say you wanted to have lunch? I'll wait for you in the front hall."
After speaking, she noticed her hair was a bit messy in front of the mirror. She couldn't help but furrow her beautiful, arched eyebrows, raised her hand to smooth her temples, gave him a final sidelong glance, and then left.
Pei Yanzhi watched this series of actions, still reclining on the couch, and suddenly chuckled. The laughter grew louder and louder, and he couldn't stop for a while.
...
After arriving at the front hall, Ji Shu poured herself a cup of cold tea, which helped her calm down and regain her composure.
Not long after, Pei Yanzhi walked out neatly dressed, his demeanor dignified, showing no trace of the absurdity he had just displayed.
Seeing that the table was already full of food, he instructed the maid behind him, "Why isn't there any dish that the young lady likes?"
Man'er was immediately alarmed. These were dishes served by the kitchen, and they didn't know what they were doing. It was their first time serving their master, and they didn't know his preferences.
Ji Shu couldn't bear to be too harsh on him, so she just pursed her lips and said, "It's alright. It's normal that they don't know what I like to eat. I'll have Chunzhi send me a booklet later, which records my eating habits."
Pei Yanzhi knew she was too kind, but since she was new to the mansion, if he was too lenient, the servants might take her for granted. The Pei mansion was not in Chongzhou.
He pondered for a moment and then ordered, "Have Steward Qiu come here." Man'er responded and hurriedly ran out.
"Let's have our meal first."
"These dishes may not be as refined as those from Chongzhou, but they are still quite delicious. Try some." He picked up a piece of roasted mutton with his chopsticks and put it on her plate.
Upon seeing this, Chunzhi couldn't help but worry. The young lady never ate meat with a strong gamey smell, and this cooking method clearly showed that the mutton was being prepared to retain its original flavor.
Sure enough, Ji Shu picked up some vegetables and ate them slowly, while the mutton on the plate remained untouched. Pei Yanzhi noticed this and his long eyebrows gradually rose.
"With such a picky eater, no wonder he's so weak. Looking at him, he's practically skin and bones."
These words stunned not only Ji Shu, but also Chunzhi and Lian'er. They were too rude and impolite.
Ji Shu took a deep breath, her previously calm face instantly burning up to her ears, and scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting? So many people are watching."
Pei Yanzhi didn't take it seriously. What was this? In the military camp, he was surrounded by men every day, and their words were far more vulgar than this.
She picked up a few more pieces of beef and said, "I don't like lamb, so I'll eat more beef." She glanced at her slender waist, which was too thin. Although it was very useful, such frailty would make it difficult to have offspring.
After saying that, he started eating by himself.
Steward Qiu followed Man'er inside quickly, bowing respectfully: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Pei Yanzhi put down his bowl and chopsticks, and seeing that Ji Shu also put them down, he said in a deep voice, "You've only eaten a few bites, eat more."
Steward Qiu was secretly alarmed: He had long heard that a beautiful young lady had entered the Mountain and Water Residence, but he did not expect her to be so favored by the Marquis. Could it be that a new lady is about to enter the manor?
As an elder of the household, he suppressed his thoughts and didn't reveal a trace of emotion on his face.
Seeing that everyone in the room was looking at her intentionally or unintentionally, Ji Shu felt secretly annoyed. In the end, she picked up the food and took a few more bites. Only then did he nod in satisfaction.
Turning to Steward Qiu, he asked, "Do you know why I summoned you here?"
Steward Qiu hurriedly knelt down, "This... what mistake has this old servant made? I hope Your Majesty will point it out, and this old servant will remember it."
Pei Yanzhi slowly blew away the foam on the teacup, glancing at his panicked eyes. Everyone in the manor knew that Steward Qiu was promoted by the old lady.
She had done a great job, but for Pei Yanzhi, it was precisely because of the old lady that he would usually show her more respect.
"Since the master of Shanshui Residence is not used to the cuisine of Yanzhou, why don't you try to find a way to hire some chefs from Chongzhou? Do you really need me to teach Steward Qiu such a trivial matter?"
Steward Qiu replied repeatedly, "Yes, yes, this old servant did not think of that. I will get to work as soon as I get back and will never make the same mistake again."
Pei Yanzhi gave a faint "hmm," and added, "There's been too much gossip in the manor today, and I don't want to hear any more talk about Lady Ji."
Butler Qiu knelt below, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, and hurriedly agreed.
Ji Shu sat quietly. Seeing him throw such a tantrum, it would be a lie to say she wasn't surprised, especially since he had treated the old servant who had been the steward for so many years, all for her sake.
She really couldn't eat anymore, so she put down her chopsticks. Pei Yanzhi heard her movement and looked over at her. Ji Shu just shook her head slightly to indicate that she really couldn't eat anymore.
I'm going to throw up if I eat any more.
He waved his hand down, "Alright, go on out."
Steward Qiu staggered to his feet, supporting himself with his hands, bowed deeply, and withdrew.
Pei Yanzhi sat calmly in his chair and looked at Ji Shu: "If there are any servants who don't serve you well in the future, and you can't handle them, then let me handle them for you."
Butler Qiu, who hadn't gone far when he heard those words, was so frightened that he almost tumbled down the stairs.
They knew that things were likely to change drastically in the mansion from that point on.
Ji Shu simply responded softly. He took a few sips of tea before saying, "The old lady has been wanting to see you. Go and pay your respects tomorrow."
Ji Shu looked at him sharply, knowing that he was unwilling, and softened her tone: "I know you have just arrived in the manor and are not used to it yet, but once you have met the old lady and have a status, it will be beneficial to you."
She knew perfectly well that this wasn't an arrangement at all; it was just a notification.
I reluctantly agreed in the end.
After lunch, Pei Yanzhi went to his study to attend to official business, as he had just returned to Yanzhou and a host of matters awaited his attention.
With a mountain of paperwork piled up, knowing he couldn't stay long, he said to her, "Once I'm done with this, I'll take you out for a stroll, okay?"
Seeing how eager he was to integrate her into the community, Ji Shu forced a smile and replied, "Alright, would you grant me a favor, Lord?"
Pei Yanzhi gazed at her beautiful face with a composed expression, his tone gentle: "What is it? But if it makes us both unhappy, then there's no need to say it."
Ji Shu was stunned. The relaxed atmosphere was completely swept away by these words, and her tone gradually turned cold: "Now that I have agreed to move into your manor, will you stop me from going out in the future?"
After all, her business couldn't just shut down like that. Even if someone else took over managing it, there would still be key areas where she, as the owner, needed to give her approval.
She knew she would inevitably have to appear in public in the future, and if he didn't want to, she hadn't thought of any other way yet, which was why she came to ask him.
Pei Yanzhi realized that it was precisely because of the heavy autumn air that she had given others a handle to use against her. If he did not agree, it would inevitably become a source of future discord.
His eyes flickered slightly, and he finally nodded: "Agreed."
But a woman traveling for business, and if she were to become the mistress of Yanzhou in the future, her every word and action would be under scrutiny. Not to mention herself, even the old lady would find it hard to accept.
He sighed inwardly, and finally said, "I can agree to that, but it can't be more than three times a month."
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