Qiuyi tucked the loose strands of hair by her ear. She did not take Donglai’s wariness to heart; instead she seemed to relax. Raising the food box in her hand, she said absentmindedly, “The Eldest Master ordered me to deliver some pastries to the Second Master.”
The wariness in Donglai’s eyes grew less obvious, but his rigidly straight back still showed that he remained on guard. “Delivering pastries to the Second Master—why come to the Second Young Madam’s courtyard?”
A blush flashed across Qiuyi’s cheeks. For the past few days she had been secretly observing Pei Cheng for Hu Xiayun, so just now, when she passed this courtyard, she had reflexively peeked in.
Donglai extended a hand. “Give it to me. I’ll deliver it to the Second Master.”
Qiuyi turned sideways and put the food box behind her, not letting Donglai touch it. “The Eldest Master said I must deliver these pastries into the Second Master’s hands myself.”
Donglai turned around and said in a voice that betrayed no rise or fall, “Follow me.”
Qiuyi swallowed and hurried after him.
Meanwhile, in the study, Pei Cheng was still looking into Jiang Linzhi’s eyes. The two were very close; the atmosphere had gone from initial stiffness to a now faint, elusive ambiguity.
Pei Cheng was very uncomfortable with the current state between them.
It had been said before that Jiang Linzhi always had a faint, elusive eeriness drifting about him; that aura, which always seemed out of place with the world, made anyone who drew near him feel uncomfortable all over.
Pei Cheng was naturally no exception. But he did not show his rejection of Jiang Linzhi so obviously. He merely turned his head slightly away, refusing to meet Jiang Linzhi’s eyes.
For some reason, Pei Cheng always had the illusion that if he met Jiang Linzhi’s gaze, everything in his heart would be seen through by the other man.
“Knock, knock.”
The knock at the study door broke the awkwardness inside. Pei Cheng raised his voice. “Who is it?”
The knocking outside paused. Donglai said, “Second Master, the Eldest Master has sent some pastries.”
Jiang Linzhi did not like sweets, so he never touched sweet foods. Everyone in the Jiang family knew this, so the Eldest Master Jiang would never deliberately send pastries to the East Court.
But…
Jiang Linzhi unobtrusively glanced at Pei Cheng’s profile. He did not know whether his elder brother’s pastries were meant for him or for this person.
Pei Cheng did not know that in the brief span of that exchange, the man standing beside him had already conjectured every possibility.
The door was pushed open, and Qiuyi came in cautiously carrying the food box. She placed it on the table and carefully bowed. “Greetings, Second Master. Greetings, Second Young Madam.”
Pei Cheng stepped over to the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a light sip. Finding the tea already cold, he frowned slightly but said nothing.
Jiang Linzhi withdrew his gaze and no longer focused his attention on Pei Cheng.
Pei Cheng casually opened the lid of the food box. A faint, delicate fragrance drifted out—it was a scent he liked.
But Pei Cheng only took one look and did not eat; he casually put the lid back on.
Eldest Master Jiang had someone send a box of pastries to the East Court, nominally for Jiang Linzhi, but these sweet cakes did not suit Jiang Linzhi’s taste—they suited Pei Cheng’s.
The implication behind it could not help but make one ponder.
Qiuyi hesitated a moment before saying, “Second Master, this servant has one more matter…”
Jiang Linzhi said, “Speak.”
Qiuyi detected the impatience in Jiang Linzhi’s tone, swallowed, and, somewhat afraid that Jiang Linzhi would take the opportunity to vent his anger on her, hurriedly said, “The Eldest Master is hosting a banquet in the North Court tonight, and the Old Madam will attend as well.”
“You may go.” Jiang Linzhi gave no clear answer.
Not receiving a clear answer, Qiuyi did not dare leave just like that, but she dared even less to ask Jiang Linzhi directly, so she could only say in a roundabout way, “At tonight’s banquet, the Old Madam’s natal family will come, so the Old Madam hopes the Second Young Madam can bring Young Master Yanzhi as well.” Pei Cheng was stunned for a moment, then smiled ambiguously. “Why would the Old Madam’s words be passed on by you?”
This sentence did not openly expose anything, but Qiuyi broke out in a cold sweat. Pei Cheng truly did not spare anyone’s feelings when he spoke.
“Get out.”
Jiang Linzhi’s face was cold; it was unclear whose words had displeased him.
Qiuyi left without a moment’s delay, afraid of being punished by Jiang Linzhi.
Pei Cheng drank another cup of cold tea. Once tea grew cold, it always had an indescribably bitter taste that Pei Cheng rather disliked, yet he could not help pouring another cup.
After drinking a third cup of cold tea in succession, Pei Cheng said tentatively, “Second Master, for tonight’s banquet in the North Court, do I need to take Yanzhi?”
Jiang Linzhi said, “Since the Old Madam has spoken, it is best not to contradict her wishes.”
The implication was that they would go.
Pei Cheng inexplicably let out a breath of relief. “Second Master, I will go back first.”
Jiang Linzhi said nothing, but when Pei Cheng had just returned to his own courtyard and had not yet lifted his foot over the threshold, he heard hurried footsteps behind him. His steps paused.
Donglai stood before Pei Cheng carrying the same food box, his forehead covered in sweat. “Second Young Madam.”
Pei Cheng stepped aside and gestured for Donglai to put the food box on the table.
Donglai deftly placed the food box on the table, then took out a packet of tea leaves and said, “This is Lin tea. The Second Master saw that the Second Young Madam likes to drink it, so he specially ordered this servant to bring it to the Second Young Madam.”
Pei Cheng said, “Did the Second Master say anything else?”
Donglai said, “The Second Master asked you to remember to arrive at the North Court on time tonight.”
Pei Cheng said, “Go back and tell the Second Master I understand.”
Donglai nodded. Seeing that Pei Cheng had nothing more to ask, he took his leave.
