Сhарtеr 8: Zhаozhao Isn’t Аfrаid Anymоre, Tеаsing Неr Соusin
[Hаvе thе уoung ladу go thank Yun Zhaozhао? Thаt dоеsn’t sееm right.]
Hеаring thе maid Yu Shi’s inner thоughts, Yun Zhаozhаo proudlу lifted hеr chin. “What? I savеd her lifе. Shouldn’t shе сome рersonallу tо thаnk mе for saving hеr? Dоеs thе Loyаl and Вrave Мarquis Estаte not hоnor its debts?”
Yu Shi shoоk hеr hеad rерeatedlу. “We dо! Wе thank Miss Yun fоr saving our уoung lаdу’s lifе. Onсe she wаkes up sаfеlу, I will definitely tell her!”
“I’ll be waiting for hеr аt the Grand Tutor’s Маnor~”
Yun Zhaozhао couldn’t hide the smile in her eyes. Her laughter was charming, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling like stars, lively and adorable.
“Cousin, let’s go!”
“Mm.” Pei Yan was always cold and aloof, as serene as a jade statue of a saint. Untouched by worldly affairs, no one dared to offend him.
But Yun Zhaozhao wasn’t afraid anymore!
Her cousin wasn’t a big iceberg!
Between Pei Yuzhu and her, her cousin had chosen her!
Even when Xiao Shuyue’s maid doubted and disbelieved her, her cousin, who never meddled in others’ affairs, had stepped forward without hesitation to help her.
Her cousin was cold on the outside but warm on the inside—though perhaps a bit too warm, even a little perverted! But since they were engaged, Yun Zhaozhao blushed but didn’t dislike it.
After all, her cousin only thought about it in his heart and hadn’t actually bullied her!
“Cousin, are we going home now?”
[I don’t want to go back.]
Pei Yan lowered his eyelashes, his dark lashes concealing the fleeting emotion in his cold eyes. [Besides shopping and eating… what else can we do?]
Wow, so her cousin was actually quite clingy!
How had she never noticed before?
While Yun Zhaozhao was puzzling over this, Pei Yan had already made a domineering decision. “To the tailor shop.”
“Cousin, why are we going to the tailor shop?”
“To make clothes.”
Yun Zhaozhao was speechless. Of course, she knew going to the tailor shop meant making clothes. Couldn’t her cousin say a few more words?
When they arrived at the tailor shop a street away, Yun Zhaozhao realized Pei Yan intended to have new clothes made for her.
[Zhaozhao looks delicate in pink, vibrant in begonia red, elegant and refined in emerald green, charming and lovely in blue…]
Seeing Pei Yan start selecting fabrics in his heart, Yun Zhaozhao hurriedly rushed over and grabbed his arm. “Cousin, don’t buy recklessly! I’m still in mourning. I already have twenty or thirty plain-colored dresses and skirts at home. That’s enough!”
[Zhaozhao… took the initiative to get close to me.]
Pei Yan lowered his head, seeing only Yun Zhaozhao’s small hands gripping his arm. Her fingers were slender and fair as peeled scallions, the knuckles turning a faint pink from the effort.
[Zhaozhao… isn’t afraid of me anymore.]
Pei Yan looked at Yun Zhaozhao’s small face, the ice in his eyes melting into ripples. His voice was soft, so soft that even his cold tone seemed coaxing. “I want to buy them.”
Then, with a sweeping glance, he addressed the shopkeeper as if reciting a menu. “One bolt each of gray-blue, moon-white, and light blue to make new clothes. Pink, begonia red, pale yellow, emerald green… fifteen bolts in total, delivered to the Grand Tutor’s Manor.”
“Leng Zhu, settle the bill.”
Yun Zhaozhao was stunned, her almond-shaped eyes wide. Her cousin had bought enough fabric for her to use for the next two or three years after her mourning period ended!
This was too domineering!
But she liked the way her cousin spent money on her!
Yun Zhaozhao’s eyes curved with a smile, her moist, rosy lips lifting. “Cousin, shouldn’t you buy a few bolts of fabric for Auntie too?”
Pei Yan didn’t even think about it. “Mother doesn’t need them.”
Now Yun Zhaozhao was unhappy. She let go of his arm, her almond-shaped eyes blazing as she glared at him. “Cousin, you can’t favor one over the other!”
[Zhaozhao… is unhappy.]
Pei Yan lowered his head in apology. “Alright, I’ll buy them.”Yun Zhaozhao’s beautiful face finally bloomed with a charming, satisfied smile after picking out five bolts of cloth for her aunt as well.
At that moment, the seamstress came out to take Yun Zhaozhao’s measurements. Only after the new clothes were made could they be sent to the Grand Tutor’s Manor.
Yun Zhaozhao obediently stood in place and spread her arms. While the seamstress measured her, Pei Yan kept his head down, staring into his teacup and drinking one cup after another. It is improper to look… improper to see…
Yun Zhaozhao tilted her head slightly, gazing at Pei Yan’s flawless, handsome profile—his high brows, straight nose, and pale lips.
He seemed cold and detached, devoid of worldly desires, like the moon in the sky or a flower on a snowy mountain—too distant to approach, too unreachable to even dare.
But Yun Zhaozhao knew Pei Yan’s hidden side.
Only she knew!
Yun Zhaozhao felt as if she had unearthed a treasure, privy to an astonishing, well-kept secret! A mischievous urge stirred within her, tempting her to stir up trouble!
“Cousin, I’m thirsty!”
After her measurements were taken, Yun Zhaozhao strode over boldly and snatched the teacup right out of Pei Yan’s hand. She turned it slightly, avoiding the spot he had drunk from, and finished the remaining water.
Zhaozhao… drank from my cup…
Pei Yan stiffened, frozen in place.
A storm raged in his cold, icy eyes as he stared at Yun Zhaozhao for a long moment, unable to utter a single word.
Hahahaha!
Yun Zhaozhao laughed triumphantly in her heart—Cousin dares to think but not to act! What kind of pervert is he? Just a paper tiger!
Growing even bolder, Yun Zhaozhao put on an innocent expression. “Cousin, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Pei Yan took a deep breath, clenched his fist discreetly, and abruptly stood up. “It’s time to go home.”
Yun Zhaozhao returned with the newly purchased cloth, her carriage laden with goods.
When the shopkeeper came out to tidy up, she was surprised to find a teacup missing from the table, replaced by a silver ingot.
On the way back, Yun Zhaozhao rode alone in the carriage.
Peering through the window, she watched Grand Tutor Pei riding ahead on horseback—tall and upright as a snow pine, lofty and unapproachable—and couldn’t help but think he was actually feeling shy.
Throughout the journey, she heard no inner thoughts.
Yun Zhaozhao believed she had figured it out: if she took the initiative, she could keep her cousin in check! That way, he wouldn’t have time for wild thoughts!
She had learned her lesson!
When the carriage arrived at the gates of the Grand Tutor’s Manor, Yun Zhaozhao stepped out only to find Pei Yan blocking her path. His handsome face was icy, his gaze deep and guarded as he looked at her. “Don’t jump.”
Pei Yan extended a hand to her, signaling for her to step down properly.
But Yun Zhaozhao refused!
Now that she had a hold over Pei Yan, she simply had to push her luck!
“Cousin, catch me!”
Yun Zhaozhao deliberately jumped down. Pei Yan’s heart nearly stopped. His body reacted instinctively, faster than his mind, as he stretched out both arms and caught Yun Zhaozhao firmly in his embrace.
“Thank you, Cousin~ I’ll head in first!”
As nimble as a rabbit, Yun Zhaozhao leaped out of Pei Yan’s arms, lifted her skirt, and dashed through the gates.
Pei Yan remained frozen in place, one hand pressed against his chest. Leng Zhu looked concerned. “My lord, did she hurt you? Should we summon the imperial physician?”
“It’s nothing.”
It was just that the moment Zhaozhao jumped into his arms, his heart seemed to have exploded.
Pei Yan gazed deeply toward the interior of the manor, his handsome face cold, yet his heart filled with longing, obsession, and an uncontrollable madness.
Only held her for a moment…
I really want to hold her… and take her straight to the bridal chamber…
Suddenly!
Pei Yan sensed something amiss. His expression turned cold, his heart icy, and his gaze sharp and penetrating as he looked with imposing pressure toward the depths of the alley. An extraordinarily luxurious and opulent carriage slowly emerged…”Princess Chang.” Pei Yan’s tone was indifferent, offering a slight nod in greeting.
Behind the carriage window, a pair of phoenix eyes stared intently at him. “Grand Tutor Pei, His Majesty requires your presence.”
“I shall proceed to the palace at once.”
Pei Yan was too cold, keeping others at a distance. Princess Chang couldn’t help but recall the delicate beauty he had just embraced and couldn’t resist asking, “Who was that young lady just now?”
“She is my betrothed.”