"What's with this look?" Pei Zhiyan thought for a moment. He didn't think he had said anything wrong just now, did he?
He had thought a great deal before. Finally, he decided to keep Song Ruotang by his side. Initially, he had felt that there was a rather large age gap between them, and he didn't want to delay Song Ruotang. So he had planned to let her lie low for a while and send her away after he finished his business.
But now that such intimate things had happened one after another, and Song Ruotang was quite proactive. Moreover, Pei Zhiyan clearly felt that he wasn't completely unmoved by Song Ruotang. If he sent her away again, it would be his fault.
Hearing his question, Song Ruotang blushed even more. She lowered her head and replied in a soft voice, "My lord hugged this concubine actively today. This concubine was just not used to it for a moment..."
Seeing her coyness, Pei Zhiyan couldn't help but burst into laughter. He pulled her into his arms and said, "Then you'll have to get used to having me around from now on."
Song Ruotang was stunned for a moment. She looked up at Pei Zhiyan with a hint of joy in her eyes and asked in a surprised tone, "Does my lord mean that you won't drive this concubine away?"
Pei Zhiyan frowned slightly, looking a bit confused. "When did I ever say that I would drive you away?"
"On our wedding night, you said you would send this concubine away..." Song Ruotang bit her lower lip gently, sounding a bit aggrieved. Pei Zhiyan suddenly realized that Song Ruotang had always remembered it. He couldn't help but pat her on the back and comforted her, "I won't send you away."
Hearing Pei Zhiyan's softened tone, Song Ruotang nestled in his arms. She slightly curved her lips at an angle where Pei Zhiyan couldn't see. It seemed that her plan was still feasible.
After Pei Zhiyan made his stance clear, Song Ruotang looked up at him with a feigned annoyance. She clenched her fist and gently pounded on his chest a few times, coquettishly saying, "My lord just loves to tease this concubine. This concubine has been on tenterhooks all the time. How will my lord compensate me?"
Pei Zhiyan slightly raised his eyebrows. "You sure know how to push your luck."
Song Ruotang smiled and leaned against his chest. "It was my lord who gave this concubine the courage."
Pei Zhiyan let out a soft laugh and helplessly pleaded for mercy. "Alright, I'll compensate you. What do you want?"
"How can this kind of thing be asked of this concubine?" Song Ruotang gave Pei Zhiyan a disapproving look and then smiled. "My lord, you should think about it yourself."
Pei Zhiyan also thought it made sense. He nodded. "Okay, then I'll think about it."
He looked at the person in his arms. "If the compensation doesn't satisfy you, don't be angry with me then."
Song Ruotang covered her mouth and laughed. Pei Zhiyan also curved his lips. He patted her on the back. "Alright, go to bed early. You've been sick, and you need to rest well."
"Got it." Song Ruotang replied. She actively hugged Pei Zhiyan's waist and nestled in his arms to fall asleep.
Actually, when Pei Zhiyan asked her what kind of compensation she wanted, Song Ruotang almost blurted out that she wanted to enter the main residence. But she also understood that although their relationship had taken a step further, it was far from the time to make such a request.
Otherwise, the hard - earned goodwill would crumble after this request was made.
It wasn't enough yet. She needed Pei Zhiyan to trust her more.
The next day, a new doctor came to treat Song Ruotang. The medicine used was of the highest quality. Even though Song Ruotang's health was poor, she recovered quickly under the treatment of the famous doctor and precious herbs.
Pei Zhiyan also often stayed by her side to take care of her, leaving her with no chance to pretend.
When she was almost fully recovered, Pei Zhiyan finally felt relieved and went to work at the Supreme Court.
Song Ruotang wrapped herself in a snow - colored fox fur cloak just like Pei Zhiyan's and walked towards the plum garden as Xiaoxi had said.
Pei Zhiyan had planted a whole yard of plum trees here before. Now, in the depth of winter, they were in full bloom. Having nothing to do, Song Ruotang brought some pastries and hot tea and planned to enjoy the plum blossoms.
Pei Zhiyan often came to the plum garden. The environment here was quiet and undisturbed. He often sorted out his thoughts on cases here and also brought case files to read.
When Song Ruotang arrived, a gust of wind happened to blow. The bright red petals fluttered down one after another, standing out especially against the white snow and adding a touch of vividness to the cold winter.
Xiaoxi placed the things on the stone table under the plum tree. Song Ruotang looked up at the flowers. Then she noticed that the house not far away didn't seem to be locked. She walked over there curiously.
The door was gently pushed open. The furnishings inside were simple and ancient. Song Ruotang looked around. There were bookshelves on both sides, filled with books and case files.
Pei Zhiyan usually came to the plum garden to deal with the remaining business of the Supreme Court. This place was equivalent to a study.
Song Ruotang took a tour around and finally stopped at the desk.
There was a case file and a stack of papers on which Pei Zhiyan had listed the clues and evidence of the case. Song Ruotang remembered that Pei Zhiyan had mentioned the theft case in the western city a few days ago.
The thief was a habitual offender. He had been caught by the Ministry of Justice before but had escaped. Now he was even harder to catch, which was why the case had been brought to Pei Zhiyan.
Pei Yu had written several letters, telling Pei Zhiyan that the victims were making a big fuss and demanding an explanation from them quickly.
Pei Zhiyan was on duty today. He should have taken these things with him. Could it be that he had forgotten?
"Madam, the tea is ready." Xiaoxi called her from outside the door. Song Ruotang picked up the case file and the papers. She stepped out of the room and told Xiaoxi, "Go find Uncle Pei and ask him to come and lock the door of the plum garden."
Seeing the things in her hand, Song Ruotang said, "Get the carriage ready by the way. I'm going to the Supreme Court."
Xiaoxi didn't ask any more questions. She just nodded and left.
She came back quickly, followed by Uncle Pei. Uncle Pei bowed to Song Ruotang. "Madam, the carriage is ready."
"Thank you, Uncle Pei." Song Ruotang nodded at him and left with Xiaoxi.
When passing by the stone table, she also took the pastries she had brought just now.
Pei Zhiyan's outer residence wasn't far from the Supreme Court. Perhaps it was for convenience. So Song Ruotang arrived at the destination soon after getting into the carriage.
"Madam, we're here." Xiaoxi got out of the carriage first and reminded Song Ruotang.
Song Ruotang got out of the carriage. She looked at the main gate of the Supreme Court in the distance and pondered for a moment. When Pei Zhiyan had welcomed her into the house, he hadn't used his own identity, which showed that he didn't want to expose their relationship.
Now that she was coming to deliver things rashly, she should be more careful. Otherwise, the goodwill she had painstakingly accumulated with Pei Zhiyan would disappear in an instant.
"I won't go over." Song Ruotang handed the case file, the papers, and the pastries in the food box to Xiaoxi. She lowered her eyes to hide the emotions in them. "You deliver them to my lord on my behalf."
Xiaoxi was a maid sent from the main residence. Hearing Song Ruotang say this, she naturally understood her concerns. So she took the things and headed towards the Supreme Court.
It had started to snow lightly when they went out. Song Ruotang held up an oil - paper umbrella painted with hibiscus. She saw a corner not far from the Supreme Court where she could hide herself. She walked over and stood in the corner, wanting to see what Xiaoxi would say or what expression Pei Zhiyan would have if he came out.
Xiaoxi walked to the gate and said to the guard, "I'm Xiaoxi, the maid from Lord Pei's mansion. My lord left his case file and letter papers at home. I've come here specially to deliver them. Please inform my lord."