With the servants around, Pei Zhiyan felt a bit uncomfortable. He grabbed Song Ruotang's hand and led her towards their courtyard. Only after they entered the yard and were alone did he say, "Don't say such things in the future."
"Why? Does my lord dislike it?" Song Ruotang held Pei Zhiyan's hand back and leaned her whole body against him.
Pei Zhiyan straightened up. Song Ruotang only reached his chest. She drew circles on his chest with her hand, making Pei Zhiyan feel an itch in his heart. He lowered his head to look at her, and Song Ruotang took the opportunity to gently blow on his ear.
A slight shiver spread from his ear. Pei Zhiyan caught his breath. He raised his hand and pulled down Song Ruotang's hand that was causing trouble on his chest, scolding her gently, "Don't be naughty."
Song Ruotang pursed her lips slightly, looking a bit aggrieved. "My lord, you're scolding me..."
Pei Zhiyan paused. Song Ruotang then intensified her act. Her eyelashes trembled slightly. When she looked up again, her beautiful eyes were filled with tears, looking so pitiful. "It's my fault. I was being reckless and getting close to my lord without permission. It's only right for my lord to scold me..."
As she said this, she took a step back, preparing to leave Pei Zhiyan's embrace. But the latter grabbed her hand and pulled her back into his arms. He was a bit helpless. When he spoke again, his voice softened. "It's not about getting close to me." He raised his hand and patted Song Ruotang's back to comfort her.
Song Ruotang looked up. "Then why?"
Pei Zhiyan pursed his lips and led her into the room. "Save those bold words for just the two of us. There were so many servants around just now..."
Pei Zhiyan's voice was a bit stiff. Song Ruotang's eyebrows twitched slightly, and her expression became playful.
Pei Zhiyan sat on a stool. She walked over and gently sat on his lap, snuggling into his arms. She smiled and said, "So my lord wants me to say such things in private. I've realized my mistake."
She leaned close to Pei Zhiyan's ear. Like a seductive fairy, her voice was delicate and soft. She exhaled gently by his ear. "Then, in the future, I'll only say such things to my lord in private. Is that okay?"
Pei Zhiyan tightened his hand around her waist. Song Ruotang saw his tense body and covered her mouth to giggle. Her silvery laughter rang out. Pei Zhiyan picked her up and walked straight towards the couch. Song Ruotang let out a soft exclamation, and before she knew it, she was on the couch.
Pei Zhiyan reached out and shook out the brocade quilt, wrapping Song Ruotang tightly in it. The latter wriggled in the quilt but couldn't break free. Pei Zhiyan propped his hands on both sides of her. With a hint of indulgence he didn't even notice in his tone, he gently said two words: "Naughty."
"Where am I?" Song Ruotang struggled until her cheeks turned crimson. She let out an unhappy snort. "Every word I said was sincere. If my lord doesn't trust me, I have nothing else to say."
Pei Zhiyan was naturally a bit happy to hear Song Ruotang say this. And just now, he was a bit overwhelmed by Song Ruotang's actions, so he wanted to stop her in time.
Now that Song Ruotang said he didn't trust her, he was a bit helpless. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Pei Zhiyan smiled. He raised his hand and gently brushed away the hair that had stuck to Song Ruotang's cheek because of her struggle. "Alright, go to rest. Don't play around anymore."
Song Ruotang's chest heaved for a while. She calmed her breath and quietly watched Pei Zhiyan walk to the wooden rack beside and take off his outer robe. She remembered the night in the hot spring when their clothes had been soaked and Pei Zhiyan had changed his clothes.
For some reason, Song Ruotang felt a bit uncomfortable. She turned over and faced away from Pei Zhiyan, instinctively avoiding the sight of him changing.
Pei Zhiyan saw her action. His eyebrows twitched slightly, but he didn't say anything. He just slowly changed into his inner clothes. Just as he was organizing the clothes he had taken off, he paused. His gaze stopped on the wooden table beside.
On the wooden table was a folded robe. There was white rabbit fur on the collar and cuffs, and cloud patterns were embroidered with gold thread. It was very luxurious.
Pei Zhiyan recognized this robe. He was very familiar with it.
It was the birthday gift he had given Pei Yu on his eighteenth birthday in September.
Why was it here?
Pei Zhiyan's eyes changed. He tilted his head slightly and looked at Song Ruotang, who had her back to him.
Hearing no more sound behind her, Song Ruotang turned around curiously. She met Pei Zhiyan's eyes at once. Her heart skipped a beat. She asked tentatively, "My lord, what's wrong?"
Pei Zhiyan shook his head. He walked to the couch and sat down. He said gently, "Did you see Yu'er today?"
Song Ruotang knew he had seen the coat over there. She nodded timidly. "When I came back today, I bought some persimmon cakes on the street. I happened to meet Young Master Pei."
As she sat up, she explained. There was a bit of uneasiness in her eyes. "I forgot to put on my fox fur cloak when I got out of the carriage. Young Master Pei saw that I was dressed thinly, so he kindly gave me his coat."
Song Ruotang grabbed Pei Zhiyan's sleeve. Like a child who had done something wrong, her voice became smaller. "My lord, I didn't mean to ask for Young Master Pei's coat on purpose. It was Young Master Pei..."
As she said this, she lowered her head again, biting her lower lip. She seemed to have no courage to explain further, feeling that her explanation couldn't convince anyone.
A hand gently landed on her shoulder. Song Ruotang looked up and met Pei Zhiyan's eyes. His eyes were gentle, and his voice was also soft. "I believe you."
Song Ruotang was stunned. She threw herself into his arms along his hand and hugged his strong waist. Her voice became excited. "My lord is so kind."
Pei Zhiyan helplessly stroked her back. He looked up at the red candle not far away. The candle flame flickered, but it couldn't reflect the expression in his eyes. Only unknown emotions were surging.
The two of them rested in peace.
On his way home, Pei Yu was still savoring the way he had met Song Ruotang. He thought that if he was a bit nicer to her, Song Ruotang would surely be infatuated with him like before.
Pei Yu looked down at the corner of the plum - blossom silk handkerchief in his arms. He raised his hand and took it in his hand. A confident look appeared in his eyes.
"Sir, Miss Song is here," a young servant walked in and said respectfully.
As soon as the words were out, Song Wanying's voice rang out. "Yu Lang, why did you come back so late today? You made me wait so long."
Her tone was a bit coquettish and a bit dissatisfied, but Pei Yu wasn't angry. He turned around and smiled at her. "My father just started his shift today. He asked me to go to the Court of Judicial Review to handle some matters, so I came back late."
"Isn't Lord Pei very capable? Why does he still have to trouble you?" Song Wanying was a bit dissatisfied. "These should be his own affairs. He hasn't been on duty for several days. It's really hard on you, Yu Lang..."
There was a look of pity in Song Wanying's eyes. Then she got angry. "Lord Pei is really. You're a junior, Yu Lang. As an elder, he should share some of the work with you instead of making you so busy."
Although Song Wanying knew it was wrong to privately discuss her future father - in - law, her words kept highlighting Pei Yu's importance, which made him feel flattered and a bit dizzy with pride.