Chapter 192 Using Children as an Excuse
Seeing that he held the teacup steadily with both hands and looked calm, I knew that his hands should be fine.
That's true; someone of his status would never lack top-quality medicine.
Thinking back to how she had rushed over to apply medicine for him just a few days ago, she felt like slapping herself.
Perhaps sensing the unfriendly gaze from her right, Pei Yanzhi turned her head and looked over, meeting the hidden anger in her eyes.
He knew he had been misunderstood again, and felt helpless. He thought about how Old Master Sheng was currently in Ganzhou.
Whether she was pregnant or when she came to Ganzhou, she was able to gain a foothold by relying on Old Master Sheng, so she came to visit.
Unexpectedly, I ran into her. Looking at her eyes, I figured she had probably misunderstood again.
After Old Master Sheng finished speaking, he noticed that the two people seemed like complete strangers, and a faint awkwardness hung in the air.
Clearing his throat, he said to Pei Yanzhi, "My lord, please stay for dinner tonight. I'll have Xiaoshu cook two dishes."
Upon hearing the title "Lord Marquis," Pei Yanzhi's heart trembled slightly. Three years had passed, and no one addressed him that way anymore; he was more often called "Your Majesty."
He looked at Ji Shu and saw that her face was full of reluctance. A feeling of suffocation suddenly welled up in his chest. Did he care about this meal?
As the ruler of the world, what kind of woman couldn't he have? Why did he have to run into obstacles with her at every turn? The words of refusal were on the tip of his tongue.
But what he finally said was, "In that case, I'll have to trouble you, sir."
Grandpa Sheng nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Ji Shu with a solemn expression: "Did you hear that? We have guests at the mansion today, so you'll have to cook two of your best dishes."
Ji Shu glanced at Pei Yanzhi, then at Old Master Sheng, and ultimately decided it was best not to say anything more.
He responded softly, then got up and went to the small kitchen.
Chunzhi had been waiting outside, and she had heard the sounds coming from inside. She saw that her wife was sullen when she came out.
She chuckled quietly, knowing that the old man had her figured out.
"My lady, you say the young master is so adorable, anyone who sees him would fall in love with him."
Ji Shu recalled the scene just now: the usually stern and unsmiling Old Master Sheng showed a loving expression when he saw Qinghe.
That was something she hadn't seen in the three years she had spent in Ganzhou.
If you said this was his great-grandfather, some people might believe it.
"Fine, let's just do it to please him."
After entering the small kitchen, Ji Shu instructed the servants to slaughter chickens and prepare feed.
In these three years, she not only learned medical skills, but also did a lot of research on food.
Whenever I visit the old man's place, if I have enough time, I always cook a few dishes myself.
About an hour later, I had prepared a roast chicken, snow dumplings that the children love, and braised tofu with mushrooms that the old man loves.
After instructing the servants to set out the dishes, he returned to his room to freshen up before going to the hall.
Before we even got close, we heard Qinghe's excited chatter, amazed by her cooking skills.
Hearing his soft, childlike voice, a smile involuntarily appeared in her eyes.
The four of them rarely dined together at the same table. Old Master Sheng glanced at Ji Shu, who was eating silently, and then looked at Pei Yanzhi and deliberately asked, "Lord Marquis, seeing how intelligent the young master is, I wonder where his mother is now?"
Upon hearing this, not only did Ji Shu stop eating, but even Pei Qinghe, whose mouth was glistening with oil, looked up at his father.
Pei Yanzhi narrowed his eyes and looked at Old Master Sheng, the corners of his mouth slowly rising: "To my shame, four years ago, the world was in turmoil, and I led troops into battle. After my wife gave birth to Qinghe, she disappeared without a trace."
Old Master Sheng's gaze was sharp as a blade, piercing straight at him: "Is it not about removing the mother and keeping the child?"
"Cough...cough cough!" Ji Shu choked abruptly, got up and walked to the side, picked up the teapot and took several gulps.
Old Master Sheng frowned, still staring at Pei Yanzhi: "The Marquis has not yet answered me!"
Pei Yanzhi's brow twitched, and he wished he could grab the woman who had her back to him and give her a good beating.
He took a deep breath and said, word by word, "What do you mean by 'removing the mother and keeping the child'? I've never heard of such a thing."
Grandpa Sheng was initially suspicious of the woman who claimed to be his granddaughter, but after seeing her sincerity in learning medicine, her excellent management of Guangmintang, and her frequent visits to him, this lonely old man, he eventually developed a genuine affection for her.
Unexpectedly, it turned out to be a lie. She claimed that he had abandoned her mother and kept the child, and that the Marquis disliked her because of her low social status.
If they truly disliked him, why would they make a special trip to visit him, bringing their young child along? Clearly, their true intentions were not what they seemed.
The deceived old man glared at Ji Shu with a livid expression.
After catching her breath, Ji Shu sat down again, only to be met with the old man's angry gaze. Her eyes were glazed over.
Who would have thought the old man would ask so directly, leaving no room for maneuver?
Seeing her discomfort, Pei Yanzhi couldn't bear it and said, "I did many wrong things back then, which made her mistakenly believe that I was leaving my mother behind. This... is not her fault."
"Does Your Excellency truly think so?"
"Yes, I've come today for two reasons: first, to thank the old man for visiting every month for the past four years to check on my pulse; and second, to express my gratitude..."
He gazed intently at Ji Shu, his unspoken meaning clear.
Old Master Sheng sighed softly, accepting this explanation.
...
After the meal, Ji Shu bid farewell to the old man and left with the father and son.
There were no lights on outside the corridor, it was dim, only the cold moonlight spread across the ground.
Qinghe held her mother's hand and asked softly, "Mother, why haven't you come to play with me these past few days?"
Ji Shu replied softly, "Then why don't you come to the pharmacy to find your mother?"
Pei Qinghe muttered, "Father... won't allow it. He said Mother is too busy every day, and if I go, it will affect your business."
Ji Shu cursed the old man in her heart, thinking that she was being petty and using the child as an excuse.
Pei Yanzhi quietly followed behind the mother and son, watching the two figures, one tall and one short, his heart felt as if it had been melted by the snow-white dumpling from before, sweet and soft.
The anxiety and restlessness of the past few days were quietly soothed at this moment, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.
When they arrived at the carriage, Pei Qinghe now knew that Sister Sheng was his mother, and he was reluctant to part with her.
From a young age, he knew that his identity was special; the kind of family happiness that ordinary people enjoy was impossible for royalty.
His father had taken him in from a young age, and it was only this year, when his grandmother mentioned it by chance, that he learned that he also had a mother.
Pei Qinghe tugged at Ji Shu's sleeve expectantly. Ji Shu looked down and saw him staring at her with his round eyes.
Her heart softened, and she knelt down to ask softly, "What's wrong, Xiao Qinghe?"
"Mother... are you going back?"
Ji Shu stroked his soft face, nodded, and looked up at the darkening night: "Yes, do you want to come back with me?"
Pei Qinghe's eyes lit up, then dimmed again, and she whispered, "Father said... you don't want me to stay by your side."
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