Chapter 216: Chapter 216: I’ve Put Up with You for Long Enough!
Anyway, ever since Qu Fulan moved back into the Pei Mansion, Xiao Shiqing could no longer easily visit her as he wished.
Although Qu Fulan would go out during the day, Xiao Shiqing was too occupied to be free at that time; after all, he was favored by the Emperor, leaving him busy from dawn to dusk every day.
Isn’t it only during these "dawn to dusk" hours that he gets a chance to come by for a look?
Even if he couldn’t see her, being closer to where she lived would offer some solace in his heart.
Loving someone isn’t so easy to give up, unless it isn’t true love.
Xiao Shiqing might be a bit inarticulate, but when he opened his heart to Li Jirou, it was genuinely sincere, having resolved to spend the rest of his life with her.
Now that things are as they are, not knowing how to handle relationships, he couldn’t figure out a solution and could only follow his heart.
However, with the one he loves living in the house of an adversary, Xiao Shiqing naturally felt uneasy, and this uneasiness made him somewhat distracted during court.
The positions in the court hall were arranged in two rows of civil and military officials, with a central passage left in the middle.
Both Pei Ji’an and Xiao Shiqing had earned their honors on the battlefield, originally belonging to the military officials, but later were given positions in association with civil officials, thus achieving the "civil and military dual excellence" level. Yet, they still stood on the military side, and given their rank, they both stood in the first row, side by side.
So when Xiao Shiqing was absent-minded, Pei Ji’an naturally noticed it. Then, when the Emperor posed a sharp question about how to manage river channels, all the officials lowered their heads deeply, fearing to make eye contact with the Emperor and even more so to be singled out to answer.
However, Pei Ji’an took the initiative to step forward, "Your Majesty, this humble servant and Prince Xiao happened to discuss this issue on the way to the palace. Prince Xiao mentioned that he has profound insights on this matter, so perhaps Your Majesty might want to hear him out."
When the Emperor was mulling over whom to appoint to answer the question, he was gratified by what Pei proposed, stroked his beard with a smile, and said, "In that case, let’s hear from you, Minister Xiao."
Xiao Shiqing: "..."
He looked incredulously at Pei Ji’an beside him, who returned a completely harmless smile: You’re welcome.
Fortunately, Xiao Shiqing was no incompetent person. Though he had been distracted, he did catch the gist of what the Emperor was asking. He quickly organized his thoughts, presented his limited knowledge, and muddled through.
After the assembly, the Emperor kept Pei Ji’an in the Imperial Kitchen to relay some matters. By the time Pei Ji’an came out, the other ministers had already left, except for Xiao Shiqing standing upright at a pavilion not far away.
Pei Ji’an acted as if he hadn’t noticed, walked straight past without a glance, and as he was about to pass by, Xiao Shiqing stopped him, then with a somber expression began, "What did you mean by your actions in the grand hall earlier, Heir Pei?"
Faced with direct questioning, Heir Pei too was unperturbed and glibly replied, "I simply noticed the hesitation in Prince Xiao and spoke up for you; it was just a small favor, Prince Xiao, there’s really no need to thank me in person."
Xiao Shiqing instantly felt an urge to fight.
Being a practitioner of martial arts himself, how could Pei Ji’an not sense the intent? He immediately raised an eyebrow and said, "Are you sure you want to fight?"
He was also in the mood to flex his muscles a bit.
Xiao Shiqing’s temples throbbed a couple of times; then he snorted coldly and turned to leave.
If there were a fight over such a matter, what would that become? Perhaps Pei Ji’an’s upbringing was unknown to him, but Xiao Shiqing had been brought up strictly, never to cause trouble lightly.
Even though it was Pei Ji’an who provoked first today, he couldn’t be petty; otherwise, how would he be different from squabbling housewives?
So Xiao Shiqing walked out of the palace with an extreme sense of frustration.
Pei Ji’an, however, was in a very good mood, walking along leisurely behind him.
Court ended quite early today, so not many families might have even woken up yet, including the newlyweds in the Pei Mansion.
Although the newlyweds needed to serve tea to their elders, they didn’t have to get up too early.
The masters could afford to be a bit lazy, especially the newlyweds, but the servants were not so lucky, waiting in the courtyard early in the morning for instructions from their masters.
The maids and women guarding the yard were alright, but those stationed at the door, listening to the sounds inside, couldn’t help but blush.
At this moment, within the room, Ren Hua was completely pinned against the cabinet...
It was only after a stick of incense’s time had passed that Ren Hua tremulously got dressed, with the couple heading to the front yard one after another.
Tuan was already present before the old madam, along with Second Madam and Third Madam, all waiting for the couple to serve tea.
Tuan was well-mannered, taking the lead to greet, "Father, Mother."
Although Ren Hua didn’t know the rules of a wealthy household, since she was newly married into one, someone naturally had already taught her what to do. After Tuan paid his respects, she took the prepared meeting gift from a maid’s hand and gave it to him, then lovingly ruffled his hair, her eyes full of softness.
Children could sense the sincerity and affection from adults, and he snuggled into his new mother’s embrace.
A child who had never experienced motherly love might now get a taste of it from here on out.
The elders in the family, seeing this, were very pleased. No matter how they opposed it before, now that things were set in stone, they naturally hoped the family would live harmoniously.
Afterwards, the newlyweds served tea to the elders together, who also presented the pre-prepared gifts to Ren Hua.
Having gone through all the protocols and eaten breakfast with the elders, on the way back to their separate courtyard, Ren Hua found herself unable to hold on.
It wasn’t because she was frail; she wasn’t a sheltered lady rarely stepping out. She used to trade frequently about, considering herself physically tough, but after being tossed about half the night last night and then again this morning...
After all, it was her first wedding and her first time, which truly left her a bit overwhelmed.
The key was she felt a faint pain down there, particularly uncomfortable when walking, really quite miserable.
Pei Yuan suddenly picked her up and carried her back to the separate courtyard. He was no fool; perhaps as a first-time groom he wouldn’t understand, but having been married twice, he was somewhat aware of how to care for a new wife.
Ren Hua was taken aback, seeing the servants bustling around as well as the maids and women following them, she blushed immediately and hastily said, "My lord, I can walk myself; quickly put me down."
Pei Yuan, looking at his wife’s blushing face, only found her more endearing, and without putting her down, righteously carried her back to the separate courtyard.
Seeing this, the other servants were also very surprised, then remarked on how the young master truly cherished the young lady.
On the other hand, just as Heir Pei was about to arrive at the Pei Mansion, he noticed a familiar figure on horseback in front of him. Upon closer inspection, who else could it be but Xiao Shiqing?
This was overtly brazen, making a scene on his territory—how could Heir Pei bear such provocation? He immediately swung his sword.
Feeling the sword energy, Xiao Shiqing deftly dodged it, yet the sword energy still hit his hairpin, splitting it in two, causing his hair to cascade down.
With his hair flowing loose, the man scowled ominously at the oncoming figure, gritting his teeth, "Pei Ji’an, I’ve put up with you for a long time!"