Zi Su didn’t pick up the hidden meaning behind Pei Rumo’s words. She replied respectfully, “Master doesn’t have to worry. I personally handed the card to Young Lady Luo Chu.”
“What about her? Did you see her too?”
Zi Su didn’t understand his question. Didn’t I say that I handed the card over in person? Why would he ask about her?
Zi Su was unable to think of the reason behind Pei Rumo’s repeated question and assumed that he hadn’t heard her the first time. “Master might not have heard me clearly. This servant was late as I had a short conversation with Young Lady Luo Chu.”
Pei Rumo raised his head and looked into Zi Su’s eyes. He cleared his throat before speaking, “I praised you the day before for being smart. Are you putting up an act right now? Do you think you’ll be able to hide the fact that you went over to look at the little servant girl I praised yesterday? Weren’t you delayed because you went to scout her out?”
Zi Su felt that her actions were exposed and she replied in embarrassment, “Master, I really can’t hide anything from you...” Zi Su paused for a moment and continued, “Initially, I thought that the servant girl was nothing much. She revealed her hostility the moment I started talking to Young Lady Luo Chu. However, it seemed as though she realized something and she quickly concealed her feelings. I wanted to probe her out but she managed to end the conversation with a single sentence. She is really direct… Even though she seems a little immature now, she is Young Lady Luo Chu’s follower. It is a matter of time before she spreads her wings.”
Pei Rumo listened to Zi Su’s analysis and nodded in agreement. He then said, “I never thought that you would change so much. You are no longer the hot-tempered and timid Zi Su of the past.”
“I don’t deserve Master’s praise.” Zi Su replied modestly.
Pei Rumo decided to change the topic as there was no reason to continue talking about Zi Su. “Did Luo Chu accept the invitation card?”
Zi Shu shook her head and replied, “She didn’t express her agreement when I was there. However, I reminded her to read the card carefully and she should be tempted when she sees the extra condition. Young Lady Luo Chu should also see through this servant’s tricks and might even be saying something about me right now.”
“Whatever. She won’t do anything to you.” Pei Rumo replied without a change of expression.
Zi Su’s lips twitched secretly as she thought to herself. Of course you wouldn’t mind! You’re not the one she is talking about...
Of course, Zi Su wouldn’t voice her thoughts. Pei Rumo might even lash out at her if she spoke her mind. She wasn’t Ming Lu and she couldn’t speak without a filter in front of her master.
Zi Su’s guesses were correct. In the general’s residence, Bai Luochu’s voice echoed through her room, “Zi Su is taking after that old fox…”
Bai Luochu didn’t explain and simply handed the invitation card to Cai Ling as an indication for her to read it herself.
Cai Ling wasn’t able to notice anything wrong in the invitation. However, when she saw the final sentence, she yelled in a high-pitched voice, “What is the meaning of this! If Mistress agrees to the meeting, they will give you precious medicinal ingredients… Isn’t this an obvious plot against you?!”
Bai Luochu nodded with satisfaction as she felt that her servant girl wasn’t as slow-witted as she thought. She completed her explanation, “Pei Rumo doesn’t know me well enough. This must be Zi Su’s proposal.”
“Mistress, are you going to attend this appointment or not?” Cai Ling probed with a question.
Bai Luochu nonchalantly replied, “Of course I’ll attend. Pei Rumo wants to rope me into his faction, not take my life… Not only will I bum a meal off him, I will also be able to obtain medicinal ingredients. Is there a reason to decline?”
Bai Luochu might be her mistress, but when Cai Ling looked at Bai Luochu’s current expression, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for Pei Rumo. Sigh, it seems like Mistress is setting up a giant scam for His First Highness...
Bai Luochu wasn’t the only person receiving an invitation card. Ling Xian’er was also pestering Pei Qingfeng to bring her around the capital city.
“Aiyo, Big Brother Qingfeng, Xian’er hasn’t been here for a long time! Why can’t you bring me out to play?” Ling Xian’er tugged on Pei Qingfeng’s sleeves as she acted like a spoiled child.
Pei Qingfeng’s vision was spinning but he managed to control himself, “Xian’er, I have something important to attend to today. How can I possibly miss my appointment because of your sudden request?”
Xian’er’s head drooped and she complained, “Hmph! You said you would bring me out today! Why didn’t you tell me about your appointment? Whatever, you men are all the same…”
Pei Qingfeng’s eyes widened to the size of saucers as he stared at Ling Xian’er in disbelief. He didn’t know where she learned all these things from. “Ling Xian’er! Who taught you that?! How can you say such things?! You’re not even married yet.”
After getting yelled at by Pei Qingfeng, Ling Xian’er frowned as though she was heartbroken and cried out, “What did I say?! How can you shout at me?! I only want some company but you’re using all sorts of excuses to turn me down. You even raised your voice at me! You… you!!!”
Pei Qingfeng rarely had contact with other women and the only women he talked to was Bai Luochu. She was a wooden block who didn’t know how to act lady-like and she was as cold as ice. She never behaved like Ling Xian’er and Pei Qingfeng didn’t know how to handle this little ancestor in front of him. He was defeated and made a promise to her.
“Fine, fine, fine! I am not able to do it today, is tomorrow fine? I will definitely accompany you to tour the capital city tomorrow!”