nashuaworldcup Chapter 255 Why is Madam Here?
Chapter 255 Why is Madam Here?
Wen Jiayue and Pei Huaijin exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
Pei Huaijin calmed himself down and let the guards in to explain in detail.
The guard said, "Your Highness, Marquis Jing'an has come to see you specifically. The Duke is personally receiving him. Please return immediately."
Wen Jiayue's heart skipped a beat. Shen Fuhan should be at the Dali Temple right now. What was he doing at the Duke of Qi's mansion?
And what a coincidence, it just so happened that it happened right when she met Brother Dragonfly...
Seeing that neither of them spoke, Pei Shijing asked curiously, "Brother, aren't we leaving?"
Pei Huaijin nodded and said, "Let's go, Madam Shen, shall we come along too?"
Wen Jiayue stared at him in astonishment. Was she going too?
Then she realized that he wanted her to appear openly and honestly, so that Shen Fuhan would find out about this later, and it would be difficult to explain then.
Anyway, she and Pei Huaijin weren't meeting alone; Pei Shijing was also there.
She stood up and said, "Okay."
The three of them left the restaurant. Pei Huaijin rode back on horseback, while Wen Jiayue and Pei Shijing rode in the same carriage.
After thinking for a moment, Wen Jiayue asked her, "Does the Marquis often visit the Duke's mansion?"
"Lord Marquis?" Pei Shijing tilted her head, somewhat confused. "Is he your husband? Why do you call him that?"
Wen Jiayue choked: "I'm used to calling you that."
“I see,” Pei Shijing blinked and thought for a moment, “Apart from yesterday, Marquis Jing’an hasn’t come yet.”
Wen Jiayue's heart sank. Could Shen Fuhan really know that she was having a meal with Brother Dragonfly?
However, anyone who investigates will consider it a coincidence.
Only heaven and earth know the truth about her meeting with Brother Dragonfly.
Shen Fuhan's visit to the Duke's mansion this time was probably just an accident, a coincidence.
Wen Jiayue felt relieved and took the opportunity to ask about Brother Dragonfly.
Do you remember what happened before your brother left Beijing?
“Of course I remember, I was six years old then,” Pei Shijing said with a smile. “When I was little, my older brother liked to hug me the most, much better than my second brother who would scare me all day long.”
Wen Jiayue tentatively asked, "At what age did you start remembering things?"
She still hasn't figured out how her brother Dragonfly became the heir apparent of the Duke of Qi.
I should have asked that question today, but unfortunately Pei Shijing was there, so I couldn't say anything.
“Hmm, four years old,” Pei Shijing said. “Why is Madam Shen asking about this?”
Wen Jiayue smiled and shook her head: "Just asking."
She silently calculated in her mind that when Pei Shijing was four years old, her brother Dragonfly was ten years old, and that was the year he moved.
If he had returned to the Duke's mansion at that time, the timing would match up, but it's uncertain if it went any further back.
However, she had never heard of the Duke of Qi's family recognizing relatives.
So, before Brother Dragonfly became Pei Huaijin, who was Pei Huaijin in the Duke's mansion?
Wen Jiayue racked her brains until her head was about to explode, but she still couldn't come up with a solution.
Perhaps only Brother Dragonfly knows the answers, but it's unclear when he'll have the chance to tell her.
They soon arrived at the Duke's Mansion.
Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Wen Jiayue followed Pei Huaijin and his sister inside.
The three of them arrived together outside the main hall of the main courtyard. Just as the servants were about to report, the Duke of Qi's powerful voice came from the main hall.
"Truly, the younger generation is to be feared!" exclaimed the Duke of Qi. "The Marquis of Jing'an is young, yet he possesses such profound wisdom and foresight; this is truly a blessing for the nation."
Shen Fuhan's voice, calm and without a trace of emotion, rang out: "Not at all, Duke Qi, you flatter me."
The servant then knocked on the door and said, "Your Excellency, the young master, the third young lady, and Madam Shen have arrived."
The sounds inside stopped abruptly, and the Duke of Qi said, "Come in."
Wen Jiayue took a deep breath before slowly walking inside.
Without even looking up, she knew that Shen Fuhan's gaze was fixed on her.
After exchanging greetings, Wen Jiayue sat down next to Shen Fuhan.
Shen Fuhan asked, "What are you doing here, Madam?"
His tone was unusually calm, as if he were just asking a casual question.
Wen Jiayue explained softly, "I went to Peach Blossom Spring for a meal and happened to run into the Third Miss and the Prince, so I ate with them."
Shen Fuhan nodded and said, "What a coincidence. Have you eaten?"
Wen Jiayue said shyly, "I came over before I even started eating."
“It’s just that I’ve come at an inopportune time,” Shen Fuhan said in a low voice. “I’ll take you to Peach Blossom Spring for a meal later.”
Wen Jiayue nodded, completely relaxing.
It seems that Shen Fuhan did not doubt this explanation.
The couple chatted quietly, oblivious to everyone around them. No one disturbed them, but everyone's gaze seemed to fall on them, intentionally or unintentionally.
The Duke of Qi was not surprised by this; everyone went through this when they were young.
Pei Shijing looked at them, her eyes full of curiosity.
Pei Huaijin maintained his gentle and refined demeanor, glancing at the tea before lowering his eyes to drink.
After they finished speaking, everyone exchanged a few pleasantries and finally got down to business.
Shen Fuhan said, "I came here today because of a case from the Dali Temple. One of the people involved has a history of conflict with you, Your Highness. I would like to ask you to speak with me in private."
Pei Huaijin nodded and said, "Brother Shen, this way please."
The two then went to the study.
This is the study of the Duke of Qi, simple and elegant, with a large collection of calligraphy, paintings and books, but Shen Fuhan has no heart to appreciate it.
He looked at Pei Huaijin, asking about the case at the Dali Temple, but his mind was on something else entirely.
If Pei Shijing weren't here today, he wouldn't be so polite.
It's either Pei Huaijin who dies, or Pei Huaijin who perishes.
Despite the surging emotions within him, Shen Fuhan remained outwardly calm. After asking the routine questions, he asked the man to write down his address.
He could have remembered it, but now he only has the ability to restrain himself and maintain the status quo.
Pei Huaijin wrote down the address on a piece of Xuan paper and handed it to him.
Shen Fuhan glanced at it, and was about to put it away when his gaze paused slightly.
This handwriting... seems familiar, why does it look so familiar?
But he had never seen Pei Huaijin's calligraphy before.
Shen Fuhan suppressed his doubts and nodded, saying, "Thank you."
“Brother Shen, you don’t need to be so polite,” Pei Huaijin said gently. “If you have any further questions, feel free to ask me.”
The two walked out of the study side by side and returned to the main hall.
"Thank you for your help, Duke Qi and the Crown Prince," Shen Fuhan said, cupping his hands in thanks. "My wife and I will be returning now."
The Duke of Qi urged them to stay, saying, "The banquet is almost ready. Why don't you two eat before you leave?"
Shen Fuhan smiled and declined, "I just promised my wife that I would take her to Peach Blossom Spring for a meal. Please forgive me, Duke Qi."
As he spoke, he glanced at Pei Huaijin as if it were an unintentional gesture.
Seeing that his smile froze slightly, she slowly lowered her gaze.
Wen Jiayue was about to go back with Shen Fuhan when she turned around and heard Pei Huaijin say, "I'll see Brother Shen off."
Footsteps sounded behind her, and before she knew it, a note was slipped into Wen Jiayue's hand.
She looked at Pei Huaijin in surprise, and he nodded, indicating that it was he who gave it to her.
Wen Jiayue carefully put the note away and glanced nervously at Shen Fuhan.
Seeing that he wasn't paying attention to her, she finally felt relieved.