readsfreenovel Chapter 232
Chapter 232
Liu Qishan looked at Pei Yunche with gentle eyes and said softly, "Guests are welcome, please have a seat, Young Master Pei."
Now it was Nalan Jingwen's turn to be surprised. She glanced at Liu Qishan and saw that he had a gentle expression and slowly sat down next to Jinse.
Pei Yunche was slightly taken aback, but quickly realized that Liu Qishan's words seemed to be a declaration of sovereignty. Pei Yunche was a guest, which was why he gave up the seat next to Nalan Jingwen.
Pei Yunche found these words extremely displeasing and became somewhat agitated, saying, "This young master is not a guest. I'm tired of sitting next to her when we eat together, and I don't want to sit here today!"
These words did indeed seem like an attempt to cover up the truth.
As he spoke, he plopped down on the other side of Jinse. Jinse was surrounded by people, which made him feel a little lost. He looked to Nalan Jingwen for help.
Nalan Jingwen didn't say anything, but picked up his chopsticks and started eating, seemingly not intending to get involved in their war.
Liu Qishan simply smiled faintly, stood up and slowly walked to sit down next to Nalan Jingwen, saying, "In that case, Young Master Pei, please make yourself at home."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yunche realized what he had said. He almost ground his back teeth to powder, his eyes wide with anger, and for a moment he was too angry to speak.
"you!!"
Liu Qishan simply smiled calmly, as if acquiescing, and remained silent.
Nalan Jingwen glanced at him sideways, the meaning in his eyes was self-evident.
Given Liu Qishan's gentle nature, when had she ever teased someone like this? It must have been something Pei Yunche did while she was away that made Liu Qishan unhappy.
Liu Qishan turned to look at her, smiling gently, as if bathed in a spring breeze.
"My lord, what's wrong?"
Nalan Jingwen pursed his lips and remained silent, creating a somewhat strange atmosphere. Suddenly, a soft laugh came from the side, not loud, but loud enough for everyone present to hear.
Upon hearing this laughter, Pei Yunche's expression turned completely sour. He stared intently at Liu Qishan, gritting his teeth as he said, "Truly, a barking dog doesn't bite."
Nalan Jing sighed and looked at Rong Hengyu, who had just laughed, with a hint of reproach. The latter had already stopped laughing, sat up straight, and looked dignified and elegant.
She sighed and patted Liu Qishan's hand, then said to everyone, "Hurry up and eat, or the food will get cold."
The group then temporarily ceased their fighting, if one ignored Pei Yunche's resentful gaze.
Nalan Jingwen pretended not to see it, reached out to pick up some food, and subconsciously wanted to put it in Liu Qishan's bowl. Because he was blind, she always wanted to take care of him more, and it had long become a habit.
However, before she could put it in his bowl, Nalan Jingwen keenly sensed several fiery gazes fixed on her. Her hand paused, and she looked up.
Those gazes vanished in an instant, and everyone looked down at their bowls. Nalan Jingwen turned her head to look at Rong Hengyu, who was looking at her with an ambiguous smile in her beautiful phoenix eyes.
Nalan Jingwen remained silent, withdrew her hand, and tentatively reached into Rong Hengyu's bowl again. She could clearly see a hint of satisfaction flash across Rong Hengyu's eyes. In that instant, several more gazes shot towards her, but they all disappeared when she looked up.
Nalan Jingwen's hand hovered in the air, hesitant to fall. After a moment of silence, she finally placed the food in her bowl.
With just this one movement, those dangerous gazes faded away.
If she wanted to serve them food, it was important to decide who to serve first. Everyone wanted to be the first, but she only had one hand. How could she possibly serve everyone equally?
Perhaps sensing Nalan Jingwen's helplessness, Cheng He stepped forward with a fawning expression and said, "Your Highness, this servant will serve the dishes to the gentlemen."
As he spoke, he began serving food to everyone, which conveniently helped Nalan Jingwen out of his predicament. Since he couldn't please everyone, he might as well do nothing at all.
Nalan Jingwen gave her an approving look, and Cheng He, seeing this, smiled and her wrinkles deepened.
Thus, the meal proceeded relatively peacefully, finally concluding amidst everyone's differing thoughts. Nalan Jingwen breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief, realizing that it was best for her not to get involved in this struggle between men, lest she suffer a headache.
After the meal, it was time to send Pei Yunche back. The other three, having stopped their bickering at the dinner table, obediently returned to their own courtyards.
To be precise, without Pei Yunche, the other three got along very well; it's just that Pei Yunche was prone to being temperamental.
Nalan Jingwen didn't let anyone follow him and escorted Pei Yunche back to the general's mansion alone. The moonlight was bright and clear, and the silvery moonlight shone on the bluestone slabs, like a layer of shimmering waves, and also illuminated the slightly flushed handsome face of the man beside him.
Pei Yunche walked beside her, his head slightly lowered and his hands hanging at his sides. Because they were walking side by side, their hands would always touch, and the warm, familiar touch always made Pei Yunche's heart itch unbearably.
He cautiously reached out his hand, yet pretended to casually take Nalan Jingwen's hand. The latter smiled slightly, taking in his little actions, but did not say anything to stop him.
Every time Pei Yunche mustered up his courage to try and hold her hand, he would suddenly lose his nerve and pull his hand back just as he was about to touch her. If it were before, he would have already openly intertwined his fingers with hers. Anyway, he was shameless and would do whatever he wanted.
But now he began to feel fear, because he was unsure of Nalan Jingwen's attitude.
There are still six months left in the one-year agreement, which is neither too long nor too short.
In truth, he would prefer that these six months pass quickly so that Nalan Jingwen could marry him. However, he also had selfish desires; he wanted Nalan Jingwen to truly fall in love with him and marry him because of love, rather than because of their one-year agreement.
In the past six months, it has been virtually impossible for Nalan Jingwen to fall in love with him.
Thinking of this, Pei Yunche couldn't help but feel frustrated and depressed.
Nalan Jingwen keenly sensed the change in Pei Yunche's mood. She frowned slightly, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes, and turned her head to look at him.
He had his head down, so his expression was not visible.
Nalan Jingwen pursed her lips, thought for a moment, and then took his hand.
Pei Yunche suddenly looked up at Nalan Jingwen, his expression somewhat blank, which was quite adorable.
He seemed to have just come to his senses, feeling the warmth from his palm, his eyes gleaming brightly, clearly visible in the darkness.
"you……"
He wanted to say something, but then felt it was inappropriate and shut his mouth.
Pei Yunche has always been carefree and reckless; he has never been so cautious before.
Nalan Jingwen led him slowly toward the General's Mansion, the soft moonlight gradually calming their hearts.
"In a couple of days, I may have to leave the capital again. Don't take such care of your body like you did this time."
One sentence, like a thunderbolt, froze Pei Yunche in place, and his originally joyful mood plummeted to the bottom in an instant.