Chapter 40 Questioning
Ji Shu looked into his eyes, eyes as deep as the ocean, etched with the wisdom of time. He was not Pei Xingjian; there was no longer much emotion in his eyes.
It also makes it impossible for anyone to figure out what he is thinking.
The imposing height made Ji Shu feel uneasy, and she unconsciously took a step back. Pei Yanzhi still held her arm and did not let go.
The atmosphere grew increasingly strange. Ji Shu recalled that she had said she would keep quiet about what happened that day, so what was he doing now?
Ji Shu had never felt such a strong gaze before, as if the person standing in front of him was not herself, but the person who had been naked from the waist up on the bed that day.
This is the look a man gives a woman, filled with undisguised desire.
Pei Yanzhi looked her up and down, noticing her eyelashes trembling slightly with nervousness, her pearly teeth unconsciously biting her lips, her lips a cherry red like blood.
It looks like it could drip out if you squeeze it.
"I...I wasn't avoiding you...We originally planned to take a walk today, so why is Marquis Yan interfering with this?"
He saw everything she did, but Pei Yanzhi didn't expose her. He simply raised an eyebrow and released her hand.
Ji Shu took a half step back, and the door behind her closed behind her.
Ji Shu's eyes widened, "You..."
This is my house, not your mansion, Marquis of Yan.
Pei Yanzhi slowly spoke: "Last night, Madam Ji helped me so much, and I haven't even thanked her yet. Why are you leaving now?"
"Or does Madam Ji know it's me, which is why she wants to escape?" He pronounced the word "escape" with particular emphasis.
Ji Shu glanced at Chunzhi and saw that she was looking at her with a worried expression, as if she was afraid that she had offended this powerful figure.
Finally, she lowered her eyes, avoiding looking into those oppressive black eyes. "I just wanted to come to the manor for a few days of peace and quiet. I didn't expect to run into Lord Yan last night. I thought it was better to avoid trouble. You also concealed your identity when you were out. I don't think I did anything improper."
The implication is that you're blocking my way. Is this how the Lord of Yanzhou treats his benefactor?
Lu Changming, who was standing to the side, was shocked and developed a deep admiration for this Lady Ji.
Did she know who she was talking to? Not to mention herself, even Empress Dowager Song of Hanzhong probably wouldn't dare to speak to her lord like that.
The last person who dared to speak to their lord like that would probably have been chopped into mincemeat and reincarnated long ago.
Especially seeing that the lord's expression was calm and showed no anger, he was even more convinced of Lady Ji's superiority and his opinion of her rose even higher.
Pei Yanzhi was much taller than Ji Shu. He saw that Ji Shu was meek and obedient, but the words that came out of her mouth were anything but gentle.
Seeing that he merely nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing with what she had said, Ji Shu noticed...
He said, "Yes, that's true. This manor is beautiful at every turn and deserves a good rest. Madam Ji must have heard that I want to rest here for a few days. You don't mind, do you?"
Listen to what kind of talk this is.
Ji Shu secretly pinched her palm, took a deep breath, and quickly composed herself: "Lord Yan, my temple is too small and not suitable for your recuperation. Now that you are out of danger, things are busy in Yanzhou and Chongzhou. It would be better if you returned to your residence as soon as possible."
Pei Yanzhi chuckled, "I actually think this place is quite nice."
Ji Shu raised her head, looked directly at him, and simply asked, "Lord Yan, what exactly do you want to do?"
Pei Yanzhi raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Didn't I say I'm recuperating?"
Ji Shu looked at him with a calm expression, seemingly unaware of any injury, and suspiciously scanned him up and down several times.
Upon seeing this, Pei Yanzhi pointed to his arm, and sure enough, a faint white bandage was visible beneath his clothes.
Ji Shu was speechless. It was a minor injury, neither serious nor bedridden, requiring special rest at her estate.
Could it be that the prestigious Marquis of Yan's mansion can't afford to support an idle person like him?
Seeing her displeasure, he said, "Or is it that Madam Ji is only unwilling to take me in because I am her?"
Of course, she couldn't admit it at this point, so she reluctantly argued, "Of course not. Since Your Excellency wishes to stay, then please stay."
After saying that, he left without looking back, and Chunzhi quickly followed.
Seeing his lord staring at Lady Ji's retreating figure, Lu Changming was unsure of his thoughts.
"Isn't Lady Ji already your wife—"
Pei Yanzhi said in a low voice, "I don't want to hear those words again."
Lu Changming lowered his eyes and fell silent.
Pei Yanzhi looked at Ji Shu's slender and graceful back, shook his head and chuckled, realizing that he never knew he would have to stay out of pity.
Suddenly remembering something, he added, "Don't tell anyone about my whereabouts these past few days. If the young master asks, just say I have important business to attend to."
*
Back in the room, Ji Shu sat down sullenly, while Chunzhi put away the luggage.
Seeing his wife's sullen expression, he couldn't have guessed it before, but he remembered that he had roughly guessed something just now.
"Young lady, Lord Yan invited us to lunch. Are you still going?"
Ji Shuwei bit her lip. It was clearly her own house, yet someone had taken over her place.
At this moment, the tea and snacks on the dining table in the main hall were already laid out. Lu Changming looked at his lord lazily looking at the back chair and asked in confusion, "My lord, what should we do if Lady Ji doesn't come?"
Pei Yanzhi simply smiled faintly, "Given her personality, there's no way she wouldn't come."
Whether Madam Ji was deliberately leaving herself here or retaliating for her actions this morning, she slightly raised her eyes, showing no hurry, and leisurely continued to drink her tea.
When Ji Shu entered the main hall, she saw him sitting comfortably, half-leaning as he drank tea and read a book. He seemed lazy and at ease, yet his natural imposing presence remained undiminished.
Just like when we first met at the prefectural governor's mansion, he appeared gentle, polite, and approachable, but beneath that lay an unseen chilling and murderous aura.
That was the powerful aura emanating from those who had slain countless enemies on the battlefield.
Ji Shu composed herself and stepped forward, "Lord Yan."
Just as she was about to sit down, her gaze suddenly fell on the man directly in front of her, whose dark eyes held a smile.
Ji Shu's expression flickered slightly. Ever since that night... this person hasn't been quite right.
Pei Yanzhi watched her sit down, her expression awkward, and asked, "What's wrong? Is something amiss?"
Words of concern coming from someone so high and mighty sound jarring, even hypocritical.
Pei Yanzhi was completely unaware of all of this.
Ji Shu gently shook her head: "It's nothing."
Pei Yanzhi sighed helplessly and slightly curled his lips. "Has Madam Ji not had lunch yet? Shall we eat together?"
Ji Shu: "Okay."
She really didn't expect that after she left him waiting all morning, he would actually wait here for so long. Was he that free? Or was he waiting for her?
Ji Shu felt the aftereffects of not sleeping well last night were coming back; her temples were throbbing.
Ji Shu had instructed him yesterday that he would be staying at the mansion for the next few days, and that everything, from food to lodging, should be provided with the best.
Lunch was naturally very lavish, including many of Ji Shu's favorite dishes.
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