Shen Lingwei turned her head and looked at the “moving bush” behind her.
No—more accurately, it was a small boy, about five or six years old, with branches stuck on his head and holding a bundle of branches in his hands. His skin was so tender it seemed you could pinch water out of it, and his bright black eyes darted around constantly.
And that face—it was exactly the same as the Second Young Master, Pei Ke.
Shen Lingwei immediately guessed his identity and feigned surprise. “You are… the Third Young Master!”
Pei Ye lifted his chin, crossing his arms with a swaggering air. “Good that you know. That… that little snake is mine. You—hurry up and let it go.”
This woman—was she even a woman? So ruthless!
She wasn’t even afraid of snakes.
Before, whenever he used Xiao Qing to scare those women trying to get close to his father, which one hadn’t screamed in terror, losing all composure?
Understanding flashed in Shen Lingwei’s eyes. “So this is the Third Young Master’s beloved pet. I saw it suddenly dart out of the grass just now and thought it might harm someone, so I acted rashly. In that case, I’ll return it to you.”
She was still smiling, as if she hadn’t taken the earlier scene to heart at all.
Pei Ye looked at the little snake suddenly handed to him and swallowed.
He didn’t take it himself. Instead, he turned and ordered the servant behind him, “Why aren’t you taking Xiao Qing back? Lock it up properly—don’t let it run out again!”
Behind him, a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old servant stepped forward with a bitter expression, taking the snake from Shen Lingwei. “Yes, yes, this servant accidentally let it out. I’ll lock it up right away, right away…”
At the same time, he was inwardly complaining: how long did he have to keep taking the blame for this…
A’Gui suffered in silence.
Holding the snake, A’Gui shot Pei Ye a resentful glance before retreating quietly to the side.
Pei Ye pretended not to notice, clasping his hands behind his back, puffing out his chest as he continued to scrutinize Shen Lingwei with those bright eyes.
“You’re the new cook in Second Brother’s courtyard?”
Shen Lingwei released An’an and bowed. “This servant, Shen, greets the Third Young Master.”
“I’ve heard the Third Young Master usually attends lessons. Are you finished for the day? I happen to be heading to the kitchen—what would you like to eat? I could prepare something for you to try as well.”
Her smile was gentle, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling in the glow of the evening sky. For some reason, the urge Pei Ye had to pick a fight suddenly fizzled out.
But thinking of the rumors he had heard during the day, that irritation rose again.
He lifted his chin, putting on an unmoved expression.
“Hmph. What delicacies have I not eaten? You think you can win me over with just anything you cook?”
How ridiculous—trying to bribe him with food?
Did she think he was like his second brother, someone who didn’t eat and could be coaxed so easily?
Hah! Naive!
Shen Lingwei didn’t get angry. Still smiling, she curtsied and prepared to leave.
“Very well. Since the Third Young Master has no appetite, this servant will not disturb you further. I take my leave.”
Pei Ye: “???”
“Hey! Wait!” he called out instinctively.
Shen Lingwei turned back and looked at him. “Does the Third Young Master need something else?”
Pei Ye: “…”
He searched his mind for words but realized he didn’t know what to say.
After all, he couldn’t just ask, “Why aren’t you trying to flatter me? Win me over like those women who tried to get close to my father?”
His little face scrunched up, his brows knitting together.
Shen Lingwei, after a slight turn of thought, roughly understood what was going on.
She walked over calmly, reached out, and smoothed his furrowed brows. She even pinched his soft little cheek.
It had to be said—this feeling, only those who had tried it would know. It was simply amazing.
“Such a young child, don’t frown all the time. Be careful, or you’ll age quickly and turn into a little old man.”
Pei Ye froze, as if a small current had run through his entire body.
This audacious woman dared to touch his brows!
So angry! So angry—what should he do?
“Hey! You—”
“Shh.” Shen Lingwei raised a finger to her lips.
“Third Young Master, this servant has a name—Shen Lingwei. If you don’t wish to use my name, you may call me Cook Shen.”
She crouched down to meet his gaze, her eyes as gentle as a spring breeze.
“The Third Young Master is so fair and lovely. Surely you wouldn’t want others to say you lack manners, would you?”
Pei Ye opened his mouth, but not a single word came out.
Because…
She smelled nice.
There was a pleasant scent on her—not the heavy incense of his grandmother, nor the milky smell of his wet nurse, but something warm and soft, like sun-dried blankets.
And her hand—just now it had touched his brows and pinched his cheek.
Why couldn’t he feel angry at all? Instead, he found himself craving that sensation!
So gentle.
So warm.
He wanted more.
Pei Ye was startled by his own thoughts.
No!
He had come to cause trouble—to test this woman!
How could he be won over by something as simple as a cheek pinch?
Pei Ye snapped back to his senses, his face flushing red as he jumped back.
“You—you you you…”
He pointed at Shen Lingwei, his finger trembling, trying to regain his aloof young master persona.
“Don’t try that on me! Don’t think that just because you smile and say a few nice words, I’ll be won over. Let me tell you—my standards are high!”
Pei Ye, stay clear-headed!
This woman is a seductress, a cook who uses strange tricks! Look—just one touch and you lost your strength. This must be some kind of invisible enchantment!
“The Third Young Master is right,” Shen Lingwei said, seeing through him but not exposing it, her smile deepening.
“Since the Third Young Master is not interested, this servant will take An’an to prepare the meal. If it’s too late, the Second Young Master will go hungry.”
With that, she casually took An’an’s hand, picked up Tuanzi, and walked toward the kitchen.
At the same time, in Shuying Courtyard.
Pei Shuo sat by the window, holding a scroll, but his gaze rested on the gradually darkening sky outside.
At that moment, his personal servant, Zhuzi, poked half his head in through the doorway, looking hesitant.
Pei Shuo set down the book and asked expressionlessly, “Speak. Where has Third Brother gone to cause trouble this time?”
His tone suggested he was already used to it.
Zhuzi shrank his neck and honestly reported the news he had just heard. “Reporting to Young Master, someone just saw the Third Young Master go to… to the kitchen in the Second Young Master’s courtyard!”
“The kitchen?” Pei Shuo frowned.
His third brother was usually the most refined and proud, with a sharp tongue.
Why would he set foot in such a place full of smoke and fire?
He had just skipped his tutor’s lesson yesterday—he couldn’t be allowed to cause more trouble. If their father found out, punishment would surely follow.
Thinking this, Pei Shuo stood up, his small frame straight and upright.
“Lead the way!”
However, when Pei Shuo arrived at the kitchen of Jinghe Courtyard, the scene before him left him frozen on the spot.