This only made it more obvious that she was trying to hide sothing.
Pei Yunshu watched him, her suspicions gradually mounting.
She had a particular taste in food, which Pei Yunng understood well; it wasn’t surprising that Pei Yunng had told Xiao Zhufeng. However, firstly, Pei Yunng had always been discreet and wouldn’t have divulged her private matters to another man, and secondly, there were a few dishes she had stopped eating after Pei Yunng had left ho—details even her own brother was unaware of—so how did Xiao Zhufeng co to know of these?
Now that she thought about it, apart from this, he also seed to know her very well. Every ti he visited the Pei Mansion, he would casually bring fruits and desserts that suited her taste. Being with Xiao Zhufeng felt like being with an old friend. His deep understanding of her was naturally surprising.
Pei Yunshu looked at the man before her, a male figure in an Imperial Guard Uniform, tall and impressive, and vaguely familiar. Yet she was certain that aside from their interactions at the Palace Front Office, she had no deeper acquaintance with him. Hesitating for a mont, she softly asked, "Deputy Envoy Xiao, before you went to the Palace Front Office... have we t before?"
Xiao Zhufeng stiffened slightly.
"No," he said.
Pei Yunshu beca even more doubtful.
As if he couldn’t face her probing gaze, Xiao Zhufeng turned his back. "If there’s nothing else, I should be going now. If there’s anything else, young lady, you can find at the Palace Front Office." Having said that, he hurried out the door.
Pei Yunshu watched his retreating figure, deep in thought, as Fangzi, leading Treasure Bead, walked in. Little Treasure Bead could now walk, and upon entering, she began to call out, "Uncle—Uncle—".
Fangzi smiled and said, "The little miss heard that Vice Envoy Xiao was here and insisted on coming out to find him. Has he already left?"
Pei Yunshu nodded and picked up Treasure Bead to sit on her lap.
"He cos here every other day, it’s as clear as day," Qiong Ying, who was straightforward, blurted out, "He must have fallen for our miss."
"Qiong Ying," Pei Yunshu chided, "Don’t speak nonsense."
"I don’t think Qiong Ying is speaking nonsense," Fangzi teased, leaning in and whispering, "The duties at the Palace Front Office are so demanding, yet Deputy Envoy Xiao still finds ti, and cos whenever the young lady calls. He helps where he should and even offers help where he shouldn’t. Every visit, he brings gifts for the little miss. If this were a common friend, or out of consideration for the young master, he wouldn’t be going to this extent. Look how the little miss likes Deputy Envoy Xiao so much; it’s clear he intends to treat Treasure Bead as his own daughter."
"You!" Pei Yunshu feigned anger and pretended to strike her, while Fangzi giggled and ran away, laughing with Qiong Ying.
There was Treasure Bead, still tugging at Pei Yunshu’s collar, calling in a babyish voice, "Mommy—Uncle—"
Pei Yunshu was helpless, and amidst her helplessness, she couldn’t help but feel her cheeks heating up.
She wasn’t a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl secluded from the world. Excessive fondness and patience ant sothing, and even though she hadn’t considered this before, now, pointed out by others, she understood all too well.
Yet, there was still one confusing point—why did Xiao Zhufeng know her preferences and habits so well? That inexplicable and faint sense of familiarity, where did it co from?
When Pei Yunng returned ho that night, Pei Yunshu talked to him about the day’s events, and at last, she asked, "I was always with the Pei Family when I was young, I hardly went anywhere else, and I don’t rember having t Deputy Envoy Xiao, but how does he know everything about ? Did you tell him?"
Pei Yunng shook his head.
"Then why?"
He then raised an eyebrow, deliberately dragging out his words, "Now that’s a long story, if sister wants to know, you should ask Deputy Envoy Xiao yourself."
"I asked, and he denied it," she said.
"Then you should ask a few more tis," Pei Yunng said without elaborating, "Ask a few more tis, and he will be willing to tell you."
"Ah Ying!"
The young man stretched lazily. "Speaking of which, I’m about to have a family of my own, while Deputy Envoy Xiao is older but still on his own, a solitary and pitiful figure."
The words sounded familiar, and Pei Yunshu glared at him: "Pei Yunng..."
"Next ti you go to Wan’en Temple to pray for blessings, rember to also pray for so peach blossoms on behalf of Deputy Envoy Xiao."
He winked, "He would be very pleased."
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