Chapter 58: Discussion in the Teahouse

“Young Lady, I kept the food warm for you. Did you settle everything?” When Zi Su saw Bai Luochu returning, she quickly laid out the food that had been kept warm as she eagerly asked about the situation at the gate.

“There is nothing to worry about. It is just some small hoodlums who have shit for brains. They even believe that they can frame me...” Even though Bai Luochu spoke casually, the rage burning in her heart was strong. She gulped down a few cups of water and managed to barely suppress her anger as she returned to her breakfast.

“Oh? You are still able to eat huh? I thought you would be so angry you wouldn’t be able to swallow your food.” Pei Qingfeng appeared at the entrance of her courtyard.

Right now, Pei Qingfeng was using his status as a ‘patient’ to visit the First Prince’s residence to consult ‘Divine Physician Bai’. This was causing a huge headache for Pei Rumo. However, as he wanted to show off his goodwill for his second brother to the Emperor, he had no choice but to allow Pei Qingfeng to run wild. He couldn’t stop Pei Qingfeng from coming up with all sorts of excuses to bring Bai Luochu out.

As time passed, Pei Rumo understood that it was better for her to have Pei Qingfeng beside her. At least it was a much better alternative than allowing Bai Luochu to grow stronger all by herself. With her temperament, she would definitely commit several great crimes. Allowing Pei Qingfeng to hang around her could prevent Bai Luochu from piercing a hole through the sky. Putting aside the fact that she might come up with a scheme that dragged Pei Wuchen into the picture, everyone in the First Prince’s residence might even be implicated. If that were to really happen, the gains were definitely not enough to cover the losses. Hence, he simply allowed Pei Qingfeng to do as he pleased.

Bai Luochu didn’t say anything and simply rolled her eyes at Pei Qingfeng. She then vented her anger on the steamed dumpling inside her mouth by chewing on it ruthlessly.

When Pei Qingfeng saw how Bai Luochu rolled her eyes at him, he closed his folding fan and said, “This servant girl... I can understand that you are not in a great mood after facing those annoying people so early in the morning. However, you can’t treat me like this, right? Earlier this morning when I saw a group of people gathering outside of First Brother’s residence, I knew that someone was looking for trouble. I quickly sent someone to bring the most reputable Elder Li from the Hundred Herbs Hall and all those patients that you have treated before to help you out. You aren’t even thanking me… Why are you rolling your eyes at me?”

“I would be able to settle the problem even without your help.” Bai Luochu replied in her bad mood.

“I never bothered about my reputation. If I lose it, then so be it. There is no need for me to be concerned about it.” Bai Luochu retorted coldly.

Pei Qingfeng was amused by Bai Luochu’s attitude and spoke up helplessly, “I spent so much effort to build up a good reputation for you... This isn’t the way for you to trash it!”

When Pei Qingfeng was done speaking, Bai Luochu’s mouth stopped moving and she turned her head to stare blankly at him. Zi Su and Pei Qingfeng’s attendant didn’t even dare to breathe loudly and they stood at the side silently.

The courtyard regained its serenity and only the chirping of sparrows could be heard.

After blurting out so much, Pei Qingfeng seemed to realize that his words weren’t suitable considering the situation. He then awkwardly continued, “Cough Cough. Looking at how fierce you are... I will treat you to some herbal tea and desserts at the teahouse. How about using those to put out the fire in your heart?”

After speaking, Pei Qingfeng opened his folding fan as his eyebrows arched upwards. The look on his face was like that of a fox waiting for his prey to take the bait.

“That is more like it. Wait for me to finish my breakfast before going out for tea.” Bai Luochu readily consented. In her mind, there was no reason to give up the opportunity as she was going to get free food and drinks anyway. Placing the last bit of her breakfast in her mouth, she got up and followed Pei Qingfeng out of the residence.

They arrived at the teahouse in the blink of an eye. Pei Qingfeng had already booked a private room on the second floor and there was no trouble finding seats. He immediately ordered some food and drinks for the both of them.

The moment Bai Luochu entered the room, she realized that the soundproofing was done well. If the door and windows were closed tightly, she wouldn’t be able to hear a sound coming from outside the room. Of course, it worked the other way round as well. Sound in the room wasn’t able to escape.

After a moment, the door echoed with a knocking sound, “Knock knock knock.”

Pei Qingfeng was currently a cripple and the task of opening the door fell to Bai Luochu.

As soon as Bai Luochu opened up the door, the waiter said, “My Lord, these are the things you have ordered. If it is convenient, this waiter will bring it inside for you. If it isn’t convenient, I will have to trouble you to bring it inside yourself.”

It seemed like this teahouse regularly hosted nobles. Otherwise, the waiter wouldn’t act so prudently.

In Bai Luochu’s mind, it wasn’t a problem for her to bring the pot of tea over since she was already on her feet. She simply took the tray in the waiter’s hand.

That waiter assumed that these two individuals didn’t wish for others to hear their discussion, hence, he merely bowed silently and helped Bai Luochu to close the door.

“Alright, you can speak up. Why are you looking for me?” Bai Luochu placed the tea and desserts down on the table and started her interrogation.

Pei Qingfeng knew that he wouldn’t be able to hide his true intentions from the little lass and he cut out the conventional greetings. He immediately said, “I heard that Emperor Father wants to recruit you into the Imperial Physician Court. Why didn’t you agree to such a great opportunity?”

“Do you wish to know?” Bai Luochu raised her brows while asking. She replied when she saw Pei Qingfeng nodding.

“Firstly, my current identity to the world is completely fake. If I took up that position and exposed myself, I would have committed the crime of deceiving the Emperor. Secondly, I still have many things to do and it is impossible for me to stay in this place forever. Do you understand?”

When he learned that Bai Luochu was going to leave the Cloud Water Nation’s capital city one day, an unclear and indescribable feeling welled up in Pei Qingfeng’s heart. As Pei Qingfeng recalled Elder Li’s statement to “cherish this chance”, he couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile.

Putting it nicely, the person in front of him was like the imaginary clouds on the horizon. If one were to be nasty, she could be described as a loach in the slippery marshes. She was someone he wouldn’t be able to catch hold of.

Seeing how indifferent Bai Luochu was after replying, she made it seem as though nothing in the world mattered to her. She simply drank the tea and ate the desserts with a still look in her eyes that look like water in an ancient well. There wasn’t a single emotion on her face.

Pei Qingfeng took a sip of tea and suddenly felt that the tea in this teahouse tasted a little bitter. It didn’t taste as good as it did in the past.

Seeing that Bai Luochu wasn’t in a great mood, Pei Qingfeng racked his brains and searched for a topic.