NFBE Chapter 407 Missing (1)
Chapter 407 Missing (1)
Pei Shijing?
Wen Jiayue asked in surprise, "Did she come alone?"
Ruyi nodded.
Wen Jiayue frowned. At this critical juncture, was Pei Shijing here on behalf of the Duke of Qi's mansion, or was he simply here because he missed Zhaozhao?
She was unsure whether or not to let her into the mansion.
If it's the former, letting her into the manor would be a great help; if it's the latter... others would only think she represents the Duke of Qi's manor.
Since the outcome is the same whether or not we enter the mansion, it doesn't matter.
Wen Jiayue then said, "Let Miss Liu come in."
Pei Shijing quickly walked in with light steps, followed by two maids.
Wen Jiayue stood up to greet her, smiling and saying, "You've come at just the right time. Zhao Zhao and I have just started our meal. Have you eaten yet?"
Pei Shijing shook her head and asked playfully, "Can I come over for a free meal?"
Wen Jiayue added a set of chopsticks and bowls for her, and then asked, "If there's anything you'd like to eat, just tell me, and I'll have the kitchen make it for you."
“No need, no need,” Pei Shijing refused repeatedly. “It’s enough for me to watch over you and Zhaozhao.”
She blinked: "Because, beauty is food for the eyes."
Wen Jiayue chuckled and said, "Eat quickly."
Pei Shijing couldn't sit still after taking a couple of bites of food, so she ran over to Zhaozhao and played with her.
Zhao Zhao looked at her curiously, feeling that she looked somewhat familiar.
“Sigh, Zhao Zhao has forgotten about me again,” Pei Shijing said somewhat discouraged. “It seems I’ll have to come more often in the future.”
Wen Jiayue smiled without saying a word and lowered her head to pick up some food.
"By the way, Madam Shen, how is Lord Shen's illness?" Pei Shijing asked regretfully. "My brother couldn't come because of other matters, so he asked me to inquire. I almost forgot."
Upon hearing her say this, Wen Jiayue understood that she was representing the Duke of Qi's mansion.
“These past few days I’ve been experiencing symptoms of a cold, with fever and cough,” Wen Jiayue said. “Thank you for your and the young master’s concern.”
Pei Shijing asked in confusion, "If that's the case, Lord Shen should be able to get out of bed, so why didn't he come to eat?"
Wen Jiayue patiently explained, "He just fell asleep, so it's not good to disturb him."
“I see,” Pei Shijing sighed. “I’ll remember that and tell my brother later.”
Wen Jiayue nodded and continued eating.
Pei Shijing continued playing with Zhaozhao until she was completely satisfied before picking up her chopsticks.
“Madam Shen, the dishes at your residence are really to my liking,” Pei Shijing said, her mouth watering. “They’re even better than those at Peach Blossom Spring Restaurant.”
Wen Jiayue laughed and said, "Xiao Jing, your compliment isn't sincere."
She had also tried Taohuayuan's dishes a few times, and she had to say that the restaurant's enduring success was largely due to its signature dishes.
“No way,” Pei Shijing said somewhat guiltily. “If you don’t believe me, even if Madam Shen puts the dishes from Peach Blossom Spring in front of me, I won’t even take a bite.”
Wen Jiayue found it somewhat amusing: "I think you're just craving the food from Peach Blossom Spring."
"Oh dear, Mrs. Shen!" Pei Shijing covered her face. "You should just see through it but not say it."
After saying that, she excitedly added, "How about this, I'll invite Madam Shen to Peach Blossom Spring for a meal tomorrow."
Wen Jiayue hesitated. Shen Fuhan was still ill, and she didn't want to leave.
After Pei Shijing finished speaking, she looked at Zhaozhao and asked, "Zhaozhao, do you want to go out and play?"
When Zhao Zhao heard the word "play," her eyes lit up, and she looked somewhat excited.
Seeing her daughter's excited expression, Wen Jiayue realized that she hadn't taken Zhaozhao out of the mansion for a long time.
However, she did not want to leave the manor these past few days, so she politely declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Xiao Jing, but the Marquis is still ill, and I really have no mood to leave the manor."
Pei Shijing then remembered the matter and said with shame, "I'm sorry, Madam Shen, I forgot about it."
Wen Jiayue shook her head: "I will accept your invitation after the Marquis recovers."
Pei Shijing said excitedly, "Okay, then let's make a deal... ah!"
She jumped up in a panic, splashing the tea that had accidentally gotten on her skirt, but it was no use.
Winter clothes are thick and absorbent; water seeps into them without spilling a drop.
Wen Jiayue also stood up, looking at the dark mark, realizing that it wouldn't be dry for a while.
She then suggested, "I'll go find you some clothes to change into."
Pei Shijing shook her head: "No need. Didn't you say Lord Shen is sleeping? Let's not disturb him."
Wen Jiayue hesitated for a moment: "But your clothes..."
“It’s alright,” Pei Shijing said casually. “Let’s continue our meal.”
Seeing that she didn't seem to care, Wen Jiayue could only say, "Okay, let me know if you feel any discomfort."
Pei Shijing smiled and said, "Don't worry."
After lunch, Pei Shijing prepared to go to the courtyard to play with Zhaozhao.
She stood up, glanced down at her clothes, and said hesitantly, "Madam Shen, would you please help me find one?"
She said pitifully, "I spilled too much tea, it's so heavy."
Wen Jiayue nodded and prepared to walk towards the bedroom, but Pei Shijing stopped her again.
"I'm still worried that I might disturb Lord Shen's rest. How about I change into a maid's dress? I'll be changing somewhere else anyway. Madam Shen, is that alright?"
Seeing how considerate she was, Wen Jiayue said, "If you don't mind, of course you can."
Wen Jiayue looked at Ruyi, who nodded: "I have a new one here."
“Old ones are fine, as long as they’re clean,” Pei Shijing said lightly, taking Wen Jiayue’s hand. “Let’s go.”
She waved goodbye to Zhao Zhao reluctantly, saying, "Zhao Zhao, I'll come back to play with you again later."
Before long, the group stopped at a small side room.
If there's nothing to do on weekdays, Ruyi will rest here, right behind the bedroom. She can hear you if you call her name.
Ruyi led Pei Shijing into a side room, rummaging through her clothes. Two maids followed her in to serve their mistress.
There were already enough people, and there wasn't enough room in the side room, so Wen Jiayue didn't try to squeeze in any more.
"Xiao Jing, I'll be waiting for you outside."
Pei Shijing nodded, then said apologetically, "Then I'll close the door first."
Wen Jiayue smiled and agreed.
After waiting outside for a while, a loud "thump" suddenly came from the side room.
A gasp followed: "Ruyi, what's wrong with you?"
Wen Jiayue was taken aback for a moment, then quickly stepped forward and asked, "What happened?"
A maid opened the door, exclaiming in alarm, "Madam Shen, please come quickly..."
Wen Jiayue frowned and stepped into the side room. Just as she saw Ruyi lying on the ground, her mouth and nose were suddenly covered with a handkerchief.
Before she could react, a faint fragrance entered her nostrils, and she suddenly felt dizzy.
Not long after, Pei Shijing left with two maids, looking completely at ease.
Once outside the mansion, the carriage set off at a leisurely pace.
After turning a corner and escaping the sight of the guards of the Marquis of Jing'an's residence, the coachman cracked his whip and sped away.
In the courtyard of the main house, the wet nurse was puzzled as to why the madam and Miss Pei had not returned for a long time.
She instructed, "Cai'er, go and see what's going on."
Cai'er agreed and went to the side room, but a moment later she ran back in a panic.
"Nanny, oh no!" she cried, still catching her breath, "Madam and Miss Pei are missing..."
Before she could finish speaking, the wet nurse was already sweating profusely.
She shoved the young lady into Cai'er's hands, then rushed towards the bedroom, banging on the door frantically.
"My lord, my lord! Wake up!"