Chapter 139 A Rare Moment of Tenderness
After Ji Shu returned to Wenxin Pavilion, she remained silent, quietly removing her hairpins and ornaments one by one. Lian'er returned from Nanshun Street.
Seeing that the young woman was not in high spirits, he asked Chunzhi in a low voice, "What's wrong? Did something happen with the old lady?"
Chunzhi shook her head: "I don't know either. It's been like this ever since I came back from dinner."
Lian'er sighed softly, "The Lord must have done something to displease the young lady again."
The two looked at each other and sighed in unison.
Suddenly, a voice came from inside: "Zhi'er, where's the medicine?"
Ji Shu took out a jade bottle from the box, poured it a few times, and found that there wasn't a single contraceptive pill inside.
Chunzhi slapped her forehead and said hurriedly, "Oh dear, I forgot! The medicine should have been prepared yesterday. All the herbs were ready, but I completely forgot to decoct it."
Ji Shu now has more opportunities to go out, so Chunzhi no longer needs to stockpile medicinal herbs like before. She buys more herbs now, and besides, Wenxin Pavilion is not like Yongning Lane.
With so many people around, it would be bad if someone with ulterior motives saw it.
Therefore, Lian'er always brought the medicine back from outside. However, she didn't expect that this time, although all the medicinal materials were prepared, she forgot to decoct them.
Ji Shu held the white jade bottle and said coldly, "Go and brew a dose now, and I'll drink it directly."
Chunzhi was horrified: "Young lady, you mustn't! If that dose of medicine is taken all at once, its cold and potent nature may damage your health and cause problems later..."
She dared not say any more, fearing that this strong medicine would damage her foundation.
Ji Shu placed the jade bottle on the dressing table, her expression indifferent: "It's better than getting pregnant!"
Fu said impatiently, "Hurry up and go, or do you want to run into him when he comes back?"
Seeing that the lady was so resolute, Chunzhi knew that there was no point in trying to persuade her any further, so she got up and left.
The door closed, and the room became quiet. Ji Shu threw the jade comb in her hand heavily, making a crisp sound.
She gave a bitter smile, knowing that she was taking her anger out on Chunzhi, but she just couldn't control the surging anger and helplessness in her heart.
There are still ten months to go. How is she going to get through these ten months? What terrifies her even more is that she has unknowingly developed a dependence on him.
This is what scares her the most.
If she were to become pregnant during this period, she could even imagine that she would be trapped in a cage for the rest of her life, her moods controlled by others, and she would have to live according to their whims every day.
It's disgusting that he even degraded himself like that, making such a private affair available for others to see without any restraint!
Thinking of this, her eyes involuntarily welled up with tears. In a hurry, she reached into her sleeve to take out a handkerchief, but found nothing. Suddenly, she remembered that he had used it to wipe his face during the day, and her heart sank even further.
When Pei Yanzhi returned from the banquet, he saw that the candles in the room were still lit and knew that she was still awake, so he went straight in by lifting the curtain.
Because she was still newly married, Ji Shu wore a light red gauze dress after her bath, with a silver-red kimono underneath, and light green floral pants. Her black hair was loosely tied into a bun.
Chunzhi was carrying a bowl of steaming medicinal soup when she saw him come in, and her hand trembled slightly.
His voice held a barely perceptible hint of panic: "My Lord!"
Pei Yanzhi responded, and seeing that he was still taking medicine at this time, he frowned and said, "Why are you still taking medicine? Didn't you stop a long time ago?"
Ji Shu's eyes were sharp as knives as she gave him a cold look.
Chunzhi replied, "The young lady has been suffering from insomnia and vivid dreams these days. This is a calming soup specially prescribed by the doctor. Drink a bowl before bed to help her sleep."
Pei Yanzhi recalled that she did have this problem when she was in Yongning Lane, and guessed that it was in the Wei residence that she got this problem, so he did not suspect anything.
He simply said, "Hmm, prepare water, I need to take a bath."
Ji Shu took the medicine bowl and said, "You go first, I can do it myself."
Chunzhi nodded, then hurriedly went out to instruct people to prepare water.
Pei Yanzhi did not leave. Instead, he walked up to her, sat down beside her, and watched her close her eyes and drink it all in one gulp.
"Does it taste bitter? Would you like some candied fruit?"
Ji Shu remained aloof. Pei Yanzhi knew she was probably angry with him. She was always thin-skinned and had acted recklessly in her mother's courtyard. She must have regretted it deeply afterward.
Fu Er said sullenly, "There's no one else in Mother's courtyard. Even if someone knows, they won't go out and say anything. Why worry?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Shu gasped for breath, barely managing to suppress his surging anger, only to find himself walking right into the line of fire again.
She slammed the bowl heavily on the table, turned around with an extremely cold expression, and spoke in a voice that was chilling to the bone: "Does the lord include the heir apparent in the courtyard he speaks of?"
Pei Yanzhi was startled by her commotion. When she mentioned Pei Xingjian, a hint of unease flashed across his face, but he didn't think much of it.
Why are you bringing him up?
Ji Shu pressed on: "Lord, are you pretending to be confused? You know perfectly well what I'm saying."
Pei Yanzhi didn't know where she learned about this matter. Although he felt that he had gone a bit too far at the time, the die was cast.
Moreover, although he did hear some noises when the two of them were in the inner room, he didn't think much of it and just assumed it was his mother's servants.
They never even considered Pei Xingjian, but even after recognizing him, they didn't stop.
But judging from her words, it seemed as if he was deliberately teasing her.
Pei Yanzhi stared intently at her, asking each word carefully, "You mean I sent him? Deliberately let him spy on our intimate moment?"
Ji Shu's anger intensified, and she demanded, "Isn't that right?"
"Who ordered me to serve the Marquis, and who suddenly became interested inside, disregarding everything else?"
"May I ask, Lord Marquis, have you ever, even for a moment, regarded me as a living, breathing human being?"
The bitter taste of the contraceptive soup still lingered in his mouth, and he felt both hatred and bitterness in his heart. He acted so recklessly in his mother's courtyard, not knowing whether those shrewd people noticed when he returned to the table.
Even if they didn't realize it, it was only because of his noble status that they didn't expose him.
Pei Yanzhi's expression changed several times before he finally said softly, "Alright, I won't force you anymore. Besides, how could anyone resist you when you were like that..."
He was in a drunken state at the time, which made him more sensitive than usual, and he was in his mother's yard.
Upon hearing this, Ji Shu's ears turned red instantly, and her eyes welled up with tears. She spat at him.
They are clearly acting recklessly, yet they turn around and blame others. They are truly shameless.
Seeing that her anger had subsided, he took two steps forward and pulled her into his arms, explaining gently, "I really didn't know he was here. No matter how magnanimous I am, how could I allow him to watch from the sidelines? Besides, he couldn't see anything from that position."
Ji Shu hurriedly broke free from his embrace, slapped his hands away, and scolded, "Even if you can't see anything, anyone with eyes can see what's going on inside!"
"Yes, yes, I know, Madam's reprimand is absolutely correct." He quickly admitted his mistake.
He really didn't consider her feelings in this matter.
"In the future, I will definitely pay attention to the occasion, and even if it is something my wife wants, I will certainly abide by etiquette."
"You—" Ji Shu was furious and slapped him hard.
The soft murmur of curses lingered in the room, and the lord listened silently with his head bowed.
The room was filled with the soft glow of lamplight, creating a rare and tender atmosphere.
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