Chapter 22: Lord Pei Must Really Hate Me

Jiang Shiyuan quietly followed behind Pei Che, two steps away, not daring to look at the person in front, only lowering her head to watch Pei Che’s shadow on the green stone bricks as they walked toward the palace gate.

Their figures, one in front of the other, resembled those from ten years ago at Luming Academy, when Pei Che had taken her to copy assignments as punishment.

Pei Che valued quietness and order, while she was always causing trouble, simply because she was dissatisfied.

She didn’t understand why he had to confiscate her cat, or why he could be her teacher.

After all, he was only sixteen, the same age as her cousin—why did he act like an adult?

Thus, Pei Che had taught at Luming Academy for half a year, and she had been fighting with him for half a year.

In Pei Che’s eyes, she must have seemed stubborn and troublesome, certainly very annoying.

Otherwise, how could the gift she had given him ten years ago end up in someone else’s hands?

Thinking back, a faint feeling of sourness welled up in Jiang Shiyuan’s heart.

It was true that she had been chasing after Shen Luchu, Jiang Shiyuan could not deny that.

But she felt the need to apologize to Lord Pei.

“Lord Pei, the Ninth Princess and I were playing around, and if I offended you in any way, I apologize.”

Pei Che in front of her slowed down, and the person behind caught up but then took two steps further away.

Pei Che looked at the distance between them, whether he slowed his pace or turned back, the gap remained.

Pei Che gave a barely noticeable sigh and spoke softly, “Mm, I know, that’s a lie. You have someone you like.”

A lie?

Great, after “decayed wood” and “stubborn,” it seemed she would now be labeled as “someone who loves to lie” in Pei Che’s eyes.

Jiang Shiyuan lowered her head, pressed her lips together, and said nothing, the heaviness in her chest becoming more apparent.

They soon reached the palace gate.

Jiang Shiyuan felt a slight sense of relief.

No matter what, today’s awkwardness was finally coming to an end.

“Lord Pei, I’ll head back to the mansion now. Thank you for escorting me,” Jiang Shiyuan said politely and respectfully.

Pei Che glanced around. “Has the carriage arrived?”

Jiang Shiyuan also looked around but did not see Hong Dou.

The time for leaving the palace had already been communicated to the maid yesterday, so the carriage should have been waiting by the gate.

“It should be here soon. Lord Pei, you are busy with official matters, so it’s not good to delay. You go ahead, I’ll wait here,” Jiang Shiyuan said.

Just as she finished speaking, Hong Dou suddenly appeared from somewhere, out of breath. “Miss, the carriage broke down on the road.”

Jiang Shiyuan froze for a moment. How unlucky could this be?

“Where did it break down? Is it far? What happened? Doesn’t Uncle Li know how to fix the carriage?”

Jiang Shiyuan bombarded her with questions. Normally, if the carriage broke down, it wasn’t a big deal—just wait or maybe walk a little and flag down another one. But today, she really didn’t want to stay with Lord Pei any longer.

Hong Dou, drenched in sweat, hesitated. “Uh, well, the carriage didn’t break down… it’s the horse that ran away!”

“The horse ran away?”

Jiang Shiyuan looked at Hong Dou suspiciously. How could the horse run away with Hong Dou there?

Hong Dou nodded vigorously. “Miss, you know how cunning Chi Lian is.”

At that moment, the sound of hooves clattering approached—

A glossy, chestnut-colored steed leisurely walked in front of the palace gate, with an old man with short legs trailing behind.

The horse seemed to be deliberately teasing them, walking slowly, turning its head to look back, and as soon as it saw the person behind catching up, it would gallop ahead a little, only to slow down again once it had enough of the chase.

As the steed passed the palace gate, it even deliberately turned its head and let out a loud snort toward Jiang Shiyuan.

Jiang Shiyuan watched the playful Chi Lian, unsure of what to say. The only thought in her mind was—

Would Pei Che think that the entire General’s Mansion was full of lunatics?

“Miss, look at how arrogant it is! I’ll go catch it now!” Hong Dou rolled up her sleeves in anger.

As Hong Dou was about to chase after the horse, she turned to Pei Che and asked, “Lord Pei, could you please take my Miss back to the mansion?”

“No need.”

“Alright.”

The two voices almost sounded at the same time.

Jiang Shiyuan’s refusal had just left her lips when she saw Pei Che glance back at her with a heavy gaze.

Was it her imagination, or did Pei Che seem somewhat displeased?

Was it because of her rejection? Or because of her uncharacteristic behavior today?

“I’ll take you,” Pei Che said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The coachman of the Pei family was very efficient. Almost as soon as Pei Che spoke, the carriage arrived and stopped firmly in front of Jiang Shiyuan.

With no other option, Jiang Shiyuan climbed onto Pei Che’s carriage.

When Hong Dou saw her Miss get into the carriage of the future uncle, she grinned broadly and then looked away.

Why was Miss still acting shy?

What’s there to be shy about? Lord Pei is Miss’s fiancé, and they’ll soon be sharing a bed. What’s the problem with riding in the same carriage?

In Zhou Dynasty, customs were more liberal, and it wasn’t uncommon for women to choose their husbands or remarry. Even the greatest and most virtuous founding queen had been remarried. Anyone who dared gossip about it would have their teeth knocked out by her punch!

As Pei Che’s carriage drove away, Hong Dou didn’t rush to chase after the horse but instead placed her fingers to her lips and let out a sharp whistle.

“Whew—”

The whistle echoed, followed by the clattering of hooves, and the chestnut steed immediately ran toward her, looking unusually obedient.

Hong Dou patted the horse’s head and praised, “Good horse, well done! When Miss becomes the Taifu’s wife, you’ll get ten beautiful little horses as a reward!”

…

Pei Che’s carriage was large, and once Jiang Shiyuan got on, she quietly sat by the door.

The carriage began moving slowly, and Pei Che glanced at the space between them, then turned and produced a box of osmanthus cakes from somewhere, offering it to her.

“Would you like some?”

Jiang Shiyuan looked up briefly.

She recognized it; this was Sheng Tingchun’s osmanthus cakes.

The moment she saw it, her mind flashed back to that day when Pei Che had entered the room backlit by the sun.

At that time, she had been nibbling on half a piece of osmanthus cake, the sweet taste filling her mouth.

She remembered that the road from the Pei residence to the palace gate didn’t pass by Sheng Tingchun.

Had Pei Che bought it specifically for her?

No, no, no, Jiang Shiyuan, what are you imagining?

It’s just a marriage alliance, don’t get too carried away.

Pei Che probably didn’t know he would run into her today.

Since it was early in the morning, this snack was likely just something he’d placed in the carriage to stave off hunger.

Pei Che continued holding out the snack, and Jiang Shiyuan shifted slightly, reaching out to take one, then sat back by the door.

“Thank you.”

She acted as though she wanted to keep her distance from him.

Pei Che held the snack box, his brow furrowing slightly, his lips pressing into a sharp line.

“Should I open the window?”

Jiang Shiyuan looked at his furrowed brows and felt a little embarrassed. “I didn’t expect to meet you today, so I used a bit too much perfume.”

Last night, her aunt had given her some fresh palace perfumes, and she couldn’t resist trying them all.

“Sorry for causing you discomfort.”