Chapter 134 Seeking Shelter from the Rain
Pei Yanzhi gripped the two umbrellas tightly and said in a deep voice, "Keep searching."
He always felt that she wouldn't return to the manor so soon; no matter how fast she was, she couldn't outrun his horse. Whenever he thought that she would disappear again, a suffocating sense of urgency would follow him like a shadow, tightening more and more.
Passing through a bamboo grove, Lu Changming's eyes lit up: "My lord, what about the lady's carriage!"
There was a simple tea stall set up under a big tree ahead, probably just for travelers to rest and take shelter from the rain.
Ji Shu and her servants were temporarily taking refuge there.
The sound of horses' hooves grew louder as they approached on the muddy dirt road. Ji Shu glanced over and saw the leader quickly dismount, grasp the reins in his hand, and arrive in a few steps.
The man stared intently at her, raindrops sliding down his forehead to his chin, dripping onto the ground and creating a small puddle.
Chunzhi cried out in alarm, "My Lord—"
"What brings you here?" he said, then secretly observed the woman's expression.
Seeing her slowly put down the teacup in her hand, she stood up and curtsied, saying, "My Lord."
He then turned to Chunzhi and instructed, "Bring out a handkerchief. Didn't you see that the Marquis is soaking wet?"
Pei Yanzhi stepped forward, his voice low and deep: "I only want yours, give it to me!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Shu looked up at him and gently bit her lower lip: "My handkerchief is already dirty, I'm afraid it's inappropriate."
"Let me get you a clean one."
"I want yours!" Pei Yanzhi stared straight at her face, and sure enough, in no time, the beautiful woman in front of him was so angry that her cheeks turned slightly red.
She casually tossed the handkerchief from her sleeve onto him, then sat down without a word, continuing to watch the rain scene before her.
Lu Changming signaled the guards to surround the area. The old man at the tea stall had never seen such a scene before, and he and his wife stepped forward tremblingly in fright.
"Sir, is there something wrong with this old man's business?"
Lu Changming glanced at him indifferently, took out a small silver ingot from his pocket and tossed it to him, saying, "My master and mistress need to take shelter from the rain here, this is a reward for you."
"Bring up all your food and drink."
The old man breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this and hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes, I'll be right there."
Pei Yanzhi casually wiped her face and chest, the handkerchief exuding a faint fragrance, filled with her scent.
Knowing that she had just taken it from her sleeve, his heart warmed, and he sat down next to her, saying, "I was busy with military affairs yesterday, so I didn't go to the West Garden. Are you angry with me, Madam?"
Chunzhi quietly raised her eyes, secretly startled. Although the Lord and his wife usually dismissed each other when they were alone, Chunzhi had rarely seen the young lady and the Lord interacting in private.
Seeing the young lady's coldness, I felt uneasy: If you, my lord, do not respond to my humble attitude, will you become angry?
She had witnessed this man nearly strangle the young woman to death when he was angry. Chunzhi suppressed her emotions and lowered her head, remaining silent.
Ji Shu looked up at him and saw him wasting his handkerchief like this. Did he know that this handkerchief was her favorite, and she loved the embroidery on it?
When Pei Yanzhi saw her gaze fall on the handkerchief, he assumed that his face was not clean enough and wiped it haphazardly a couple more times.
Seeing this, Ji Shu closed her eyes in exasperation and scolded in a low voice, "Alright, what have you done to a perfectly good handkerchief? A grown man wiping a woman's handkerchief like this, doesn't Your Excellency care if others laugh at you?"
He suddenly realized that she was worried about her handkerchief. He was so angry that his teeth itched. It was one thing if she didn't care about her man, but she was really worried about a handkerchief.
"It's just a handkerchief. You can have as many as you want once we get back to the manor."
Ji Shu: "..."
Look at what she's saying! So it's her fault after all?
Ji Shu turned away, clearly not wanting to talk to him. Pei Yanzhi touched his nose and said to Chunzhi, "Why didn't you inform me before going to Yuqing Temple today? Even if there was something very important, it could have been postponed."
Chunzhi hurriedly replied, "Madam was afraid of delaying your official business, so we will take our leave first."
Pei Yanzhi placed the handkerchief in his hand on the table, and upon hearing this, cast a deep gaze at Ji Shu: "Is Madam being considerate of my busy schedule, or does she simply not want me to go with you to offer incense to your father-in-law and mother-in-law?"
Ji Shu's expression stiffened slightly under his gaze. After a long while, she said, "I don't know what nonsense you're talking about. You yourself said you were busy with official duties and that's why you didn't return to the West Garden."
"I was merely concerned for Your Excellency's health; what wrong have I done?"
Seeing that she was being stubborn, he snorted and said, "Even if you don't want me to go with you, I still offered incense to the two elders at the temple today."
Ji Shu was stunned, her eyes flickered as she looked at him. Unexpectedly, he still offered incense. Pei Yanzhi's eyes flashed with a rare look of pride upon seeing this.
At this moment, the old man and woman at the tea stall laid out all the food and drinks on their stall and said, "Sir, Madam, this is my wife's specialty, taro cake. Please try it."
Ji Shu nodded slightly.
The old man's face was weathered, but he was extremely fond of his wife. When Ji Shu arrived, she saw that the old woman was probably burned.
The old man hurriedly took her hand and was about to get the medicine, but the old woman repeatedly said no.
But in the end, she couldn't resist the old man's insistence and let him apply the medicine. His eyes were full of tenderness, and Ji Shu was stunned for a long time when she saw it.
Pei Yanzhi noticed that Ji Shu was staring at the elderly couple and asked, "What's wrong? Is there something wrong with this couple?"
Ji Shu sighed softly. How could someone like him know how rare this ordinary couple was in the world? Even if she told him, it would be like talking to a brick wall.
"It's alright, have your tea and snacks."
After the heavy rain, the soil smelled earthy. If we didn't leave now, we would have to sleep outdoors tonight.
After Chunzhi helped Ji Shu into the carriage, the group slowly walked away.
When the old man went to tidy up the table, he saw dozens of gold melon seeds on the table of the noble couple. He couldn't help but want to chase after them, but the people and horses had already disappeared without a trace, leaving only hoofprints.
Inside the carriage, Chunzhi asked, "Madam, that's a whole bagful! Isn't that too much?"
Ji Shu closed her eyes slightly and said nonchalantly, "Your wife has no shortage of money. Seeing that the old couple has no children, if it can make their remaining years peaceful, it's worth it."
"What, are you feeling sorry for me?" She opened her eyes slightly and looked at him with a smile.
Chunzhi pouted slightly and muttered, "I've never seen Madam be so generous to anyone before?"
Ji Shu couldn't help but chuckle to herself, and gently flicked her forehead, knowing that she was jealous.
"I have already prepared your dowry long ago. If you meet someone you like in the future, I dare not say that you will have a grand wedding procession, but I will definitely marry you off in a grand and glorious manner."
"Just because of this dowry, the man will treat you well. If one day he treats you badly... it doesn't matter, you have plenty of money to rely on."
Chunzhi blushed deeply as she spoke. She had never thought about getting married; serving the lady was the most important thing to her.
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