Chapter 72 Feigning Pity?
Pei Ji pondered for a moment: "I read about how to make this incense in a book when I was in Song. If I can really grow this pear tree, I'll try to see if I can make a batch for you."
“Okay!” Sheng Sheng agreed readily without any hesitation. “But Brother Pei Ji, you saw how this incense was made when you were in the Song Kingdom. It’s been several years now, haven’t you? Do you still remember it clearly?”
Pei Ji nodded slightly: "I remember. However, I have no experience in making incense. Remembering is one thing, but I may not be able to succeed in actually doing it."
Pei Jisheng was handsome and usually smiled, but at this moment he spoke in a serious and somewhat solemn manner, as if he were giving her a heads-up.
It inexplicably exudes a cute vibe.
Sheng Sheng suddenly burst into laughter.
Pei Ji asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
She shook her head repeatedly, her two dimples never ceasing: "It's nothing, I just think Brother Pei Ji is kind of cute like this."
Pei Ji was taken aback, first looking slightly bewildered, then laughing: "You always have ideas that are different from others."
"Really? Sheng Sheng would never lie."
Afu chuckled in agreement: "Hehe, our young master has been handsome since he was little. Who knows how many young girls he'll be heartbroken when he grows up!"
Although he looks a bit thin, people always say that boys grow later and only start to exert themselves later.
Pei Ji is only eleven years old; his future is very promising.
It was almost noon, and they had just returned with fresh vegetables, so Pei Ji asked, "Would you like to have lunch here?"
I'm not hungry, but I'm craving something.
Whether it was due to the bloodline of the Song people or just Sheng Sheng's own psychological effect, the vegetables at Jingyuexuan were a hundred times tastier than those in the palace.
Sheng Sheng happily agreed: "Okay, okay! Afu's cooking skills are even better than Uncle Huang's and the others in the Yuqing Palace's small kitchen. Afu, why don't you go and teach them how to make even a simple vegetable dish taste so delicious?"
Afu was so embarrassed by the praise that he said, "Princess, you think too highly of me. How can I compare to the imperial chefs in the palace?"
Zijuan said irritably, "I think you're quite shameless."
Because of the friendship between the two masters, Zijuan and Afu have also become familiar with each other and can now joke around with each other.
The two burst into laughter, then slapped their foreheads and exclaimed, "Oh dear, we almost forgot about the important matter!"
Pei Ji glanced at her, seemingly curious about what her important business was.
Sheng Sheng swung her legs, her face beaming as she looked at him: "Brother Pei Ji, let's go see the palace banquet on New Year's Day! My mother even hired a variety show troupe to perform. I heard that troupe is very famous, and they're from some kind of wave..."
Zijuan added, "Persian!"
"Yes, yes, yes, it's definitely going to be a lot of fun. Brother Pei Ji, let's celebrate New Year's Day together!"
The little dumpling smiled, her pure and innocent eyes staring at him without blinking, as if they held stars within them, their brilliance always irresistibly drawing him in.
Pei Ji was taken aback.
In the past, in the State of Song, he held a low position and was always a transparent presence at palace banquets.
Upon arriving in the State of Yu, he treated himself as a completely invisible person; here, it was a good thing that others ignored him.
No one had ever said such a thing to him before.
Brother Pei Ji, let's celebrate New Year's Day together!
Pei Ji had lost count of how many times she had shown him kindness.
This bright and soft little dumpling always treats people with the most sincere and warm attitude.
Pei Ji lowered his eyes: "This is against the rules."
Afu's expression changed from QvQ to QAQ, and he was completely baffled as to why his young master had refused.
The young master was in a foreign land, and he was always alone by his side. Even during festivals, amidst the joyous atmosphere, his sorrow only deepened.
Now that I've finally found a friend, why did you reject them?
A voice, full of doubt: "Why?"
Pei Ji glanced at her quickly, a fleeting emotion flashing in his eyes.
Whether he didn't want her to see the emotions in his eyes, or wanted to make himself look more pitiful, he quickly lowered his eyes again, his head also drooping, looking somewhat forlorn.
Pei Ji's eyelashes trembled slightly. He held a teacup in his hand, rubbing it gently with his fingertips, and hesitated: "My identity... is inappropriate, it will attract criticism. Palace banquets are not like ordinary banquets, the occasion is formal, and all the royal relatives and nobles are present. If people see you with me, it will cause controversy."
Sheng Sheng felt a pang of heartache watching this; she had experienced the same fear of being disliked.
"Why is it inappropriate? Did my father ever say that Pei Ji was not allowed to attend the palace banquet?"
Afu: "No, when we first came here, His Majesty sent someone to invite us to the New Year's Eve banquet, but our young master prefers quiet and has never gone."
Afu couldn't say it outright; he couldn't very well say that his young master was trying to protect himself. So he simply used the phrase "prefers quiet" to replace the previous statement.
"That's settled then." The little dumpling jumped off the stool, put her hands on her hips, and patted her chest. "With me here, who dares to say a single bad word about you? Besides, even Father Emperor said it's okay. If they jump out and say it's not okay, wouldn't that be disobeying Father Emperor's orders? Don't worry, Sheng Sheng will take you to see a performance!"
The little dumpling made a promise, acting like a domineering big sister, which, combined with her soft and cute appearance, was quite amusing.
Pei Ji twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a slight smile, but it didn't reach his heart.
The little dumpling, oblivious to his surroundings, grabbed his hand and said, "It's settled then! In three days, Shengsheng will come find her brother to come with us!"
Pei Ji did not respond immediately, but instead lowered his head as if he was thinking.
Afu wouldn't interfere with the young master's decision, but deep down she hoped he could live a happier life like ordinary people.
Putting everything else aside, I finally have a friend like the Second Princess, and she's a very favored princess at that. Even if I don't want to go to the banquet, it's still good to stick close to her!
Afu hurriedly said, "Young master, Afu also wants to see how the New Year's Day in Yu Kingdom is different from that in our Song Kingdom. We've been here for so long, but we haven't had a chance to experience it properly yet!"
After a moment of silence, Pei Ji smiled and nodded: "Okay."
The little dumpling was happy. After finishing the business, she started asking for the white radish that they had just brought back that morning.
Afu was now extremely grateful and respectful to the Second Princess, and immediately said, "Then shall I make radish soup for the Princess? I just made some meatballs a few days ago, which are absolutely delicious with radish soup."
"Okay, okay."
"I'll go right now. The radish needs to be stewed for a while, the princess likes it soft and tender!" Afu ran out immediately.
Zijuan stood up: "Princess, then this servant will also go and help."
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