Delicate Flower – Chapter 176

Chapter 176 – Bamboo Forest

Shuang Tao quickly returned, saying that in a quarter of an hour, Pei Yan would be waiting for her in the outer courtyard where they were resting, and she could discuss matters at that time.

Yu Tang did not speak for a while.

When she first heard Grand Madam Pei’s words, her emotions immediately got chaotic, not only was she anxious to know what bad things Pei Yan encountered, her peace of mind was also disrupted. As soon as there arose a chance to see Pei Yan, she immediately had Shuang Tao ask to see Pei Yan …… but she did not think things through. If not for being reborn, her insight and knowledge would be drastically limited, so what ability did she have to help Pei Yan, and in what capacity did she have the right to do so?

Now that she had time to settle her thoughts and think carefully, she seemed to be overly-concerned with Pei Yan.

Yu Tang felt disconcerted, yet there was another inner voice reminding her that he was her biggest benefactor, and that in her previous life, PeiYan, in whole or in part, must have contributed to her being able to take refuge in Bitter Nunnery. Therefore, how could she stay indifferent to Pei Yan’s affairs?

She was merely showing her concern!

Exactly! That was definitely the case.

It must be these feelings of concern that overwhelmed her, making her so flustered.

Otherwise, it must be that she had no experience in dealing with this sort of things, so after this rather unpleasant incident, she would definitely be able to control her emotions better in the future, and not be this impulsive again.

Yu Tang’s thoughts and feelings were in disarray.

Shuang Tao, however, with a face full of confusion, reminded her softly, “Miss, would you like to change your clothes?”

If her mistress didn’t hurry up, she would miss her appointment.

Shuang Tao’s words brought Yu Tang back to her senses.

She silently sighed.

This meeting with Pei Yan was indeed a little too impulsive of her, but with things having come to this point, even if she wanted to back out, it was too late.

Then it would be better to just go and meet Pei Yan.

Previously when he gave her the cloak, she misunderstood him and didn’t have the time to apologise to him in person. Moreover, she stayed in the Pei Residence for almost a month, and would be heading back after ten or so more days. At the end of the year there were many things to do, so Pei Yan may not be at home when she leaves, and she may not have the opportunity to say her goodbyes. This meeting with Pei Yan was also a good time to say her farewells in advance. Then there was also the matter of Bitter Nunnery. When exactly did the Pei family start supporting Bitter nunnery? She too wants to know to get a better understanding, so it wasn’t like she had requested to meet him without actually have a purpose. (TL: This whole paragraph is just YuTang justifying her actions LOL. We know you just wanna meet him <3)

As Yu Tang thought things through, she gradually calmed down. She responded to Shuang Tao with a smile, freshened up, and went out the door.

The place that they were resting was Bitter Nunnery’s best residence. Not only was the outer courtyard filled with lush trees, but the scenery was quiet and calming with bamboo forests all around and benches to sit and rest.

Yu Tang went out the door, but did not see Pei Yan. However, she knows that Pei Yan is a trustworthy person. When he said he would come he would definitely come. Even if something arose, he would send someone to inform her.

Could it be that he was waiting for her in the bamboo forest?

The bamboo forest  was also just at their front door.

As she pondered, she couldn’t help but walk towards the bamboo forest.

From afar, she saw Pei Yan wearing a white fur cloak, in the middle of the emerald green bamboo forest, his body upright, solemn as a tree downwind, a very striking figure.

Yu Tang’s heart skipped a beat. She accelerated her footsteps, but when she drew closer, she found that Pei Yan stood opposite a lady, cloaked in a mauve fox fur cloak, hair in a neat bun, a long red and gold dangling hair pin swaying in the wind, at the side of her cheeks, with skin as white as snow.

She immediately stopped in her tracks.

ShuangTao, who was following closely behind, almost bumped into her.

“Miss……” Shuang Tao barely spoke before she covered her mouth with both hands and looked at Yu Tang in alarm.

Yu Tang’s face instantly soured, her expression wasn’t grim, but rather expressionless, but her eyes were bright like fireballs, as if they would explode if one wasn’t careful.

What, what was this?

Third Master Pei clearly asked to meet her young lady so how could he possibly have arranged to meet with Lady Gu as well?

Shuang Tao was bewildered as she stood on her tiptoes and peered across.

They then saw Gu Xi retrieving a purple handkerchief embroidered with pink zinnia flowers from her sleeve, gently dabbing the corners of her eyes, lightly holding back her tears as she chokingly said to Pei Yan, “I’ve caused some embarrassment. And it was something that I’ve never imagined would happen. I’ve held my tongue for so long, not knowing who to speak to and share my grievances. My elder brother has always said that Third Master was the most honourable person he’d ever met, and I, having met you, couldn’t hold back from speaking of my troubles. Kindly pardon my lack of restraint.” After speaking, she gently wiped the glistening tears from the corners of her eyes.

Her gesture of wiping the tears was indescribably charming and tender.

ShuangTao’s heart was racing.

Even though she was just an ignorant maid, she was still a girl, and also experience the girlish fluttering of love and adoration, so when she saw Gu Xi like this, how could she not understand it?

It’s just that she couldn’t figure out why would Gu Xi come to have feelings for Third Master Pei. After Gu Xi came to the Pei Mansion, she didn’t even speak with Third Master Pei.

Or perhaps, she had, and they just didn’t know of it?

Shuang Tao pondered internally and inexplicably looked towards Yu Tang. Yu Tang seemed to have already recovered from the shock she felt a while ago. Her face was calm as she silently hid behind a cluster of bamboo trees, and pulled Shuang Tao over, signalling her to hide as well.

Shuang Tao didn’t think twice and immediately followed Yu Tang to hide behind the bamboo trees.

The voices of Pei Yan and Gu Xi speaking could be heard more clearly.

“Lady Gu is too polite.” Pei Yan’s expression was indifferent and his voice was calm, with no trace of joy or dislike as he stated, “I wouldn’t dare. Your brother is very knowledgeable, and I have always respected him. Lady Gu being here as our guest is our Pei family’s honour. Mrs. Shen’s matter was an accident, Lady Gu need not take it to heart. Neither my mother nor I would put the blame on you. There is no reason for Lady Gu to blame herself.”

“That being said,” Gu Xi smiled bitterly and continued, “When I heard that Mr. Shen personally came to you to apologise, I was still deeply saddened by it. If I had been a little more alert, I would have definitely stopped Mrs. Shen back then, and Grand Madam wouldn’t have gotten upset, and Mr. Shen wouldn’t be sad. After all was said and done, it’s all because I didn’t handle things well at that time. Therefore, I have to apologise to you and Grand Madam, no matter what, it was me who caused trouble for everyone.” After saying that, she respectfully gave Pei Yan a curtsey.

Pei Yan stood there and accepted her curtsey, but his words sent a chill down Gu Xi’s spine, “Lady Gu, you’ve spoken of this over and over again several times. In my opinion, Mrs. Shen’s matter was not something that anyone wanted, and Mr. Shen even regarded it as one of the most shameful things that has happened in his life… Shouldn’t Lady Gu also choose to put this matter aside, and not mention it ever again in the future? That should be the right way to approach this matter. As opposed to what you are doing now, looking for me to speak of it repeatedly, or to find my mother to speak about it. How is your current action different from what Mrs. Shen did?”

“Ah!” Gu Xi stared blankly at Pei Yan, her eyes wide open as if she was unable to blink.

Yu Tang forcefully held back her laughter.

She pursed her lips tightly, her heart felt like it was filled with sweet honey and as joyful as little birds singing.

Hmph, Gu Xi finally hit a steel wall.

In the past, she used such tactics to curry favour numerous times, and now finally, for once it didn’t work.

Although it was only once, it was enough to make Yu Tang feel triumphant.

Her view of Pei Yan became even better, he looked ever more handsome and refined.

“Lady Gu, if there’s nothing else, please leave.” Pei Yan showed no mercy and said bluntly, “Running out like this, I’m sure the ones serving you should be anxious. I’m also nearing the time for my scheduled appointment, so it’s not convenient to continue this conversation. If Lady Gu still has any grievances, you may wish to speak with my mother. She is a kind-hearted person and would certainly be more than willing to give Lady Gu a solution to her pressing problems. I won’t be keeping Lady Gu.”

Gu Xi quickly left.

Yu Tang was in such good spirits that she wanted to laugh, but who knew Pei Yan would turn around and glower at the bamboo grove where Yu Tang was hiding and said sternly, ”Lady Yu, have you seen enough? If you have, then you can come out. I’m very busy, so if you don’t have anything else, I’ll head back first.”

Yu Tang sulked, feeling that PeiYan’s treatment of her was no better than Gu Xi’s, but she was thick-skinned, having previously been told off by Pei Yan countless times, not to mention that eavesdropping on people’s conversations was not right in the first place.

She walked out with a reddened face and defended herself, ”I didn’t do it on purpose. I saw you two talking when I arrived, so I couldn’t just show up, could I? How embarrassing it would be for me if others like Lady Gu, saw me! Was I not afraid that you……”

“And you’re still trying to weasel your way out!” PeiYan candidly exposed her and continued, “Since you’re afraid that Lady Gu will be embarrassed, shouldn’t you have made some noise while walking?” After speaking, he didn’t want to dwell on this matter and asked instead, “Why did you ask to see me? Is the Li Family up to some kind of mischief again? It’s almost New Year’s, and I haven’t heard anything from the capital yet. Wait for a while, I’ll make sure everything would turn out the way you want it to.”

Yu Tang wasn’t too concerned about that now, as she asked instead, “When did Lady Gu arrive? How did you meet her?”

Pei Yan shot her a disparaging look and didn’t even try to answer her question, but instead asked again, “Why did you ask to see me?”

Yu Tang let out an “oh”, and hurriedly told him of her worries of whether or not he had encountered difficulties, and asked if the Pei family was still doing well, and if there was anything she could do to help.

PeiYan examined her several times, with a gaze that clearly belittled her, as if asking what could she actually do to help.

YuTang got upset and retorted, ”Some help is still better than none. With your pompous attitude, you had better be careful that no one would want to help you in future!”

Pei Yan snorted coldly and remarked, “I’m currently busy dividing up the Li family’s land, does that count for anything? Isn’t this something you caused? Who was it that wanted to bring down the Li family? Who was it that told me that Li Yi was taking bribes? Who was the one gloating and watched from the sidelines? Since I’ve acted on this, if I don’t follow through and make sure he suffers the consequences, then should I wait for him to make a comeback and cause trouble for my Pei family?”

Was it that serious?

Yu Tang replied nervously, “We’re all neighbours, if you divide up the Li family’s estate, what would people say?”

In the past, when the Li family schemed against others, it was behind the scenes. Pei Yan wouldn’t jump out on his own and go directly against the Li family, right?

PeiYan got so irritated that he glared at her.

Was he that stupid?

This Lady Yu, was she clever or foolish?

“I think from now on, you should read more books!” After Pei Yan finished speaking, he left Yu Tang in the bamboo forest alone and walked off.

Yu Tang was so angry that she stomped her feet and shouted behind him, “I still have things to ask you, don’t leave so quickly!”

Pei Yan probably didn’t believe her as he continued walking without turning his head back.

Yu Tang had no choice but to chase after him.

Outside the bamboo forest, there was a flash of purple clothing.

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