50. Chapter 50 Flaw
Pei Xiuhan still held Xiaoxiao's arm and stood in front of Xiaoxiao with a very possessive attitude.
When he went to Guxing Street to pick up Xiaoxiao, he was still restrained. At that time, Zhang Li only vaguely realized that Pei Xiuhan's feelings for Xiaoxiao were a little different.
At this moment, Zhang Li had already seen that he clearly had feelings for Xiaoxiao!
Zhang Li frowned unconsciously, feeling as if his little sister was being targeted by a strange man. He felt a sense of irrational displeasure. Even though the man opposite him was the renowned Regent, he still felt unhappy. After realizing this, his respect and awe for Pei Xiuhan mostly dissipated.
Zhang Li cupped his fist at Pei Xiuhan and said in a deep voice, "Xiaoxiao has troubled Your Highness again these past two days. I came here today to take her away."
He stood straight and looked neither humble nor arrogant.
Pei Xiuhan was sensitive to the change in his attitude. His expression turned slightly cold. "Have you resolved your family issues? What if Xiaoxiao gets hurt again if she goes back with you?"
Zhang Li knew Zhang Cheng a little bit. He was not as shameless as Wang Jinju. He would definitely leave today. Everything was basically fine at home. Zhang Li had agreed to let Pei Xiuhan take Xiaoxiao away before. Firstly, he saw that Xiaoxiao wanted to come over, and secondly, he was afraid that Xiaoxiao would feel upset at home. After all, Zhang Cheng and Zhang Jun were still there.
Zhang Li straightened his back and began by expressing his gratitude. "Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern for Xiaoxiao. She is my sister. I will take good care of her and will not let her get hurt again. Your Highness, please do not worry."
Pei Xiuhan felt that the word "thank you" was a bit harsh. He naturally saw that Zhang Li did it on purpose. Zhang Li was clearly reminding him that he was just an outsider.
Pei Xiuhan narrowed his eyes, and the corners of his lips rose slightly. Because Xiaoxiao was still there, he managed to maintain his composure. "No need to thank me. Xiaoxiao is more than just your sister. In the past two years you were away, the palace was her home, and it will continue to be her home in the future."
Zhang Li paused slightly and turned to look at Xiaoxiao.
Xiaoxiao was deeply moved, and her eyes were so gentle when she looked at Pei Xiuhan that she didn't notice her brother's gaze at all.
Zhang Li was depressed for a moment, and then he urged Xiaoxiao, "Why don't you thank the prince?"
Xiaoxiao always listened to him and had long forgotten that she shouldn't be polite to Brother Pei. She thanked him obediently, "Thank you, Brother Pei."
After hearing this thank you, Pei Xiuhan felt even more unhappy, and his eyes became darker.
He glanced at Zhang Li indifferently, and the more he looked at him, the more he felt that this guy was a bit annoying. His eyes flashed, and several reasons to transfer him out of the capital instantly flashed through his mind.
Xiaoxiao didn't notice the tit-for-tat between the two, but she sensitively realized that Brother Pei seemed unhappy. After seeing the little girl's worried gaze, Pei Xiuhan relaxed his expression.
Zhang Li looked at Xiaoxiao again and said, "Let's go home with your brother. Xiaoxing really missed you when you were away. This morning, he asked me when you would be back."
Thinking of Xiaoxing, Xiaoxiao missed him a little. He was still so young and definitely couldn't cook. His brother was not at home at noon, and she didn't know how he had lunch. And Zhang Lan, she was only ten years old.
Xiaoxiao felt guilty for a moment, then nodded quickly, "Yeah, I'll go back with my brother."
Pei Xiuhan naturally had no way to force her to stay. He was holding back a grudge, and even after Xiaoxiao left, he still felt a little unhappy. Thinking that there were still five months until the Chinese New Year, and that he would be able to marry the little girl back home by then, he felt relieved. "Go call the masons, and start construction on the mansion from today."
Yesterday, Pei Xiuhan briefly mentioned that he wanted to expand Wuya Hall. Yang Hao thought it was just a whim, but who would have thought that he would actually do it? He was quite confused. Wuya Hall alone had five main rooms, which was more than enough for the master to live in. How could it be expanded?
For Pei Xiuhan, five rooms are certainly not enough. His study alone takes up two rooms, and the bathroom takes up another. Minus the living room, there is only one bedroom. After getting married, Xiaoxiao will definitely live with him. One bedroom for two people is inevitably a bit small.
Not only does the dormitory need to be enlarged, but she also needs to have a piano room and two flower rooms. Girls also need beautiful clothes, so a room to store them is also necessary. In Pei Xiuhan's opinion, doubling the size is just right.
Yang Hao quickly called the bricklayer over, and Pei Xiuhan carefully explained his ideas to the bricklayer, who naturally responded respectfully.
During the expansion period, construction was required. Even if dozens of people were to work at the same time, it would take nearly a month. The newly built house could not be lived in immediately, so Pei Xiuhan naturally needed to move out. He simply moved to Su Yuexuan.
The maid didn't dare let him stay in the east wing, so she hurried into Xiaoxiao's bedroom, intending to replace all the bedding with new ones and move the dressing table out. Just as they were about to clean up, they saw the master follow them in, "No need to move here, just clean up the east wing."
The maid was a little surprised. She had never expected that he would commit such a crime as to live in the west wing.
Pei Xiu Han naturally did not feel aggrieved. He wanted to transfer Zhang Li away, and it was not just a thought. After a while, he would be able to bring the little girl back. If he occupied her room, he could not let her go to another courtyard.
After the maid left, Pei Xiu Han did not leave. Xiao Xiao had lived here for quite a long time, and the room seemed to be filled with the unique fragrance of the little girl. Pei Xiu Han felt a little tired and went to the couch to rest for a while.
*
After Zhang Li and Xiaoxiao arrived home, they found that Zhang Lan had left with Zhang Cheng, leaving only one sentence. Xiaoxiao was stunned and guessed that this girl didn't want to cause trouble for Zhang Li. She couldn't help but sigh.
Zhang Li was also stunned for a moment, and then he breathed a sigh of relief when he thought that Zhang Cheng would not beat or scold the child at will.
Xiaoxiao was a little worried. "They must not have much money, right? I don't know if they have enough money for the journey."
Xiaoxing stretched out his fair little hand and gently tugged at Xiaoxiao's sleeve. Xiaoxiao then looked at him. The boy was looking at her quietly, with a reassuring strength in his light brown eyes.
Xiaoxing picked up a pen and wrote a line on the paper, then handed it to Xiaoxiao. "I felt sorry for her and was afraid that you would worry about her, so I secretly stuffed ten taels of silver into her package. It's enough for her expenses along the way. Don't worry, sister."
Xiaoxing did feel a little sympathy for Zhang Lan.
When Zhang Ligang brought Zhang Lan back, she was still covered in wounds. Xiaoxing vaguely overheard some of this and knew that Wang Jinju often beat her. Because he had been beaten many times as a child, Xiaoxing's sight of Zhang Lan's thin appearance always reminded him of himself a few years earlier.
When he saw Zhang Lan was about to leave with Zhang Cheng, he felt a strange feeling in his heart. He remembered that Zhang Lan was still sick and Zhang Cheng was quite poor. He probably didn't have money to pay for her medical treatment, so he simply gave her some silver.
Zhang Li also saw the words written by Xiaoxing.
He returned to his room and took out ten taels of silver to give to Xiaoxing, but Xiaoxing refused to take it. He picked up a pen and wrote on the paper: "Thank you for taking care of me during this time. I have never paid a penny for living here. Consider it as paying for my food."
The little guy was very determined.
Zhang Li couldn't persuade him, so he had to give the silver to Xiaoxiao. In addition to the ten taels, there was still five taels left, which he handed to her, and urged: "Buy more meat. You two are both growing up, so eat well."
Xiaoxiao didn't answer this time. She asked curiously, "Where did you get the money, brother?"
When Zhang Ligang brought Xiaoxiao back, he gave all his military allowance to Xiaoxiao.
Zhang Li said, "This is a reward for suppressing bandits. You can keep it."
Xiaoxiao shook her head. "Brother has already given me twenty taels of silver. You can't just give it to me as soon as you have money. What if you have to attend social events? You always need to have some money with you when you go out."
She acted like a grown-up, which amused Zhang Li a little, and his gloomy mood improved a little. "When my brother needs money, he can ask you for it. You know me well. I lose things all the time. It would be bad if I lost it. You can keep it. Buy groceries when you need them. When you need to buy something, feel free to spend it. If it's not enough, just tell me."
He was indeed forgetful. When his grandmother was alive, she often said he was very rough. Xiaoxiao curled her lips and accepted the money obediently. "Then I will save it for my brother and use it for you to get married."
Zhang Li was not shy and said directly: "What girl would be interested in me? I might as well save up some dowry for you. After the New Year, you will be fifteen."
Xiaoxiao's face turned red, and she said, "I won't tell you anymore."
I ran to cook.
Zhang Li and Xiaoxing both followed him into the kitchen. Zhang Li wanted to help light the fire, but Xiaoxing took the initiative and sat down on a small stool. When he first came, he didn't know how to light a fire at all. He either couldn't light it or it went out while it was burning. He often got so anxious that his face turned red.
A young boy, obviously from a good family, came to do such rough work. He looked quite pitiful. Every time Xiaoxiao drove him away, he refused to leave. The little guy was very stubborn.
Now it was burning well. At this moment, he had already lit the firewood skillfully. While Xiaoxiao cooked rice, Zhang Li went to wash the vegetables, and the three of them cooked a table of dishes together.
Luzhu came back only when the meal was ready.
She was always indifferent. Seeing Zhang Li, she seldom spoke, and only nodded at most. Xiaoxiao saw her and curled her lips, "Sister Luzhu is back just in time. Go wash your hands and come to eat."
Luzhu doesn't know how to cook, so she usually just helps to serve meals, wash pots, and wash her hands. Then she takes the initiative to help serve dishes.
The food had just been served when a distinguished guest came into the courtyard. It was Pei Jing.
Pei Jing likes to wear white clothes. Now he is wearing a moon-white robe. He is holding a fan in his hand. He looks like a young man from a wealthy family and looks very handsome.
The guards did not follow him in, only Eunuch Zhang followed him into the courtyard.
Zhang Li was completely stunned when he saw Pei Jing. He hurriedly wanted to kneel down to greet him, but Pei Jing grabbed his arm and stopped him from kneeling. "I am here on a private visit in disguise. You can just call me Master Pei, not Your Majesty."
Xiaoxiao quickly welcomed him into the house and followed his instructions without calling him the emperor. "Why are you here now? Didn't Brother Pei forbid you from leaving the palace?"
It would have been fine if she hadn't mentioned it. Once she did, Pei Jing became extremely depressed. In order to leave the palace this time, he had been forced to agree to many humiliating treaties. Ultimately, he was worried about Xiaoxiao. "I heard you were injured, so I came to see you. How are you now?"
Xiaoxiao was only scratched once, leaving three red marks. Although they looked scary, they were all fine after applying the ointment and would scab over in two days.
Pei Jing asked Eunuch Zhang to give Xiaoxiao some ointment. "I guess the emperor's uncle also gave it to you. Use it if you can use it. If not, forget it."
Pei Jing saw the dishes on the table at a glance. Xiaoxiao made a total of four dishes and one soup, both meat and vegetables. The soup was egg drop soup, the meat dishes were stir-fried crayfish and shredded pork with chili peppers, and the vegetables were tofu with green onions and wood ear mushrooms with vegetables.
Xiaoxiao didn't cook noodles for lunch today, but made some salt and pepper crackers sprinkled with sesame seeds. Pei Jing could already smell the aroma. He had been meaning to eat for free anyway, so he sat down without hesitation. "I'm almost starving too. Let's all sit down and eat together."
He had classes all day today, so if he wanted to see her, he could only do so during meal times, and he was really hungry now.
When Eunuch Zhang was about to test the poison, Pei Jing drove him away. "Alright, stop wasting time. You guys should sit down quickly."
Xiaoxiao and Luzhu didn't bother to be polite with him and sat down directly. Zhang Li stood there at a loss. Pei Jing was the emperor after all, so Zhang Li was somewhat nervous. The same was true for Xiaoxing. When he learned that Pei Jing was the emperor, he became nervous and stood there awkwardly, his little face turning pale.
Seeing that they were standing there without moving, Pei Jing said, "Why are you being so polite? Sit down."
Zhang Li pulled Xiaoxing to sit down.
Pei Jing then noticed Xiao Xing and asked, "Who is this?"
Xiaoxiao briefly explained Xiaoxing's identity. Pei Jing didn't doubt anything and sat down to have his meal. It was not the first time he had eaten Xiaoxiao's homemade food, and he quite liked these home-cooked dishes.
Pei Jing ate while looking around the small courtyard. The more he looked at it, the smaller it seemed. Pei Jing said, "The house I gave you as a reward will probably be renovated next month. You can just move in when it's finished."
Xiaoxiao nodded with a smile and thanked him again.
Pei Jing waved his hand, "Why are you being so polite to me?"
He was handsome and all his movements were beautiful, but he didn't notice that during the meal, Xiaoxing glanced at him several times inadvertently. Seeing that he and Xiaoxiao had such a familiar relationship, Xiaoxing's heart sank unconsciously.
After dinner, Pei Jing didn't want to go back to the palace. Eunuch Zhang urged him twice, but he drove him away each time. "It's a rare opportunity for me to leave the palace, and you won't even let me relax."
Thinking about how he had agreed to many conditions with his uncle in order to leave the palace, Pei Jing didn't want to go back anymore. He just felt that skipping the afternoon classes would make him feel better. He said to Xiaoxiao, "It's rare for us to get out, let's go for a walk on the street."
Xiaoxiao didn't dare take him out on the street. What if his whereabouts were leaked and he encountered an assassin? What would she do then?
Pei Jing always did what he wanted, and when he got stubborn, he was not so easy to coax. Xiaoxiao simply said, "Let me accompany you. Let's go to the palace first and talk to Brother Pei about this. If he agrees for you to go out, we can go out later."
Pei Jing knocked Xiaoxiao on the head with his fan. "If you don't want to go, just say so. Why are you trying to play tricks on me?"
Xiaoxiao curled her lips, "It's not that I don't want to, but what if I encounter danger? If Brother Pei agrees, he can also send more people to protect you."
Pei Jing snorted and said with a lack of interest, "If I really go to the palace, he will definitely tie me up and take me back to the palace. He won't allow me to skip class."
Xiaoxiao felt that he had been working very hard recently and deserved to relax, so she said, "I'll plead for you."
Pei Jing naturally knew that the emperor's uncle had always been tolerant of Xiaoxiao, and he became interested after hearing this.
Xiaoxiao said something to Zhang Li and prepared to go out.
Xiaoxing glanced at Pei Jing calmly, hiding the emotions in his eyes. He reached out and pulled Xiaoxiao's sleeve, smiled shyly, and gestured that he wanted to go out.
Xiaoxiao curled her lips and asked, "Xiaoxing wants to go shopping too?"
Xiaoxing nodded. The boy was usually very quiet and always incredibly well-behaved. This was the first time he made a request. Xiaoxiao was reluctant to refuse him and looked at Pei Jing inquiringly.
Pei Jing had nothing to worry about. The boy was young and mute, so even if he was brought along, it wouldn't bother him. He nodded nonchalantly and said, "Then bring him along."
Xiaoxing went to Prince Yan's Mansion with them.
After arriving at Prince Yan's Mansion, the guards wanted to lead them, but Pei Jing drove them away and took Xiaoxiao into Prince Yan's Mansion. Xiaoxing did not go in and waited for them outside.
After entering, they found that many bricklayers had come to Wuya Hall, and it was obvious that they were expanding the courtyard.
Wuya Hall was already big enough and the courtyard was also new. Xiaoxiao opened her eyes wide unconsciously, not understanding why Brother Pei wanted to expand Wuya Hall.
Pei Jing was also curious and walked around Wuya Hall. When Yang Hao saw them, he quickly said, "The prince has moved to Suyuexuan now. If the emperor and Miss Xiaoxiao want to look for him, they can go directly to Suyuexuan."
Pei Jing said, "We'll go there later. Why did the emperor's uncle suddenly expand Wuya Hall?"
"Perhaps the prince feels that the living quarters are not big enough and wants more space. He might as well expand the bedroom and add a few more rooms, two of which should be turned into greenhouses."
Greenhouses generally require excellent ventilation, so when building a house, you need to decide in advance what kind of house you want.
Xiaoxiao was even more surprised. "Brother Pei doesn't like flowers and plants? Why did you suddenly want to build a greenhouse?"
Yang Hao didn't know either.
Pei Jing blinked, his eyes full of interest, "Could it be that the emperor's uncle has finally come to his senses? Could it be that he wants to marry a princess?"
Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat.
Pei Jing tapped his palms with his fan and said with a smile, "Of course he is. Aren't greenhouses usually built for girls? The greenhouse in the palace isn't far from Wuya Hall. He probably hasn't been there once. Could he have suddenly fallen in love with flower viewing?"
The more Pei Jing spoke, the more he felt this made sense. "Even if he really loved admiring flowers, the yard is so big, he could have asked the maid to move the flower pots to the middle of the yard. Why would he expand it for no reason?"
Pei Jing's brows were filled with smiles. "Let's go, let's go and see what's going on. Could it be that Gu Zhen has contacted him?"
Xiaoxiao felt that his analysis was very reasonable. He must want to marry the princess. Otherwise, why would he go through so much trouble for no reason?
Xiaoxiao pursed her lips, and her expression unconsciously became a little depressed. This incident was too stimulating for her, and she couldn't control the expression on her face for a moment.
When Pei Jing saw her lost look, his heart moved and his eyes narrowed unconsciously.
He has always been smart and immediately thought of the last time Xiaoxiao burst into tears when he mentioned the ring in the palace.
Pei Jing's eyes widened unconsciously, and he looked at Xiaoxiao with a look of disbelief. He dragged Xiaoxiao to a deserted place, waved away Luzhu and the secret guards, and asked her in a low voice, "Tell me the truth, do you have other thoughts about the emperor's uncle?"
If you listen carefully, you can hear a hint of gnashing of teeth in the voice.
Xiaoxiao's heart couldn't help but jump, and her pupils shrank unconsciously. She hurriedly denied, "I, I didn't."
She said no, but her face turned red unconsciously. She looked embarrassed and flustered, and was not convincing at all.
When Pei Jing saw her expression, he felt powerless. He pinched his eyebrows unconsciously, feeling ridiculous and shocked.
I treat you as a friend, and you want to be my imperial aunt?
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