Fang Deng always stayed quietly on his little couch, not saying a word. There was a rare tranquility in his dark eyes, and his temperament was completely different from his sister's.
Zhao Pei leaned on the couch and watched with a smile how Han Zhen racked her brains to tease him, but Fang Deng just laughed at most and never danced like Han Zhen did before. When Han Zhen was tired of playing, she leaned on Zhao Pei and muttered: "My brother is not like me at all."
Zhao Pei was amused by her: "You know it too. Girls shouldn't be so wild. It's better to be quiet like your brother."
Hanzhen looked up at her and winked slyly: "But sister Ruhua always told me that when mom was little, she was just like Zhen'er." Zhaopei stroked her forehead, secretly complaining that Ruhua was too talkative. Just when she wanted to say something to save some face, she found that she had no face at all in front of this little girl.
When she was playing chess with He Hui, she watched how she lost miserably and how she cheated. When she quarreled with Xia Qingyao, she hid behind the arch to join in the fun, watching and shouting. And Ruhua, who brought up all the bad things she did when she was a child, such as setting fire to the back garden, blackening precious calligraphy and paintings, disguising herself as a man to attend a poetry and prose conference, skipping classes to sneak out and play... She actually told Hanzhen all these things.
What prestige do I still have
Zhao Pei glared at her, but couldn't say a word. How ridiculous! How could she be defeated by a three or four-year-old kid? If she told others about it, they would laugh at her.
"If you're naughty again, I'll draw circles on your face!" Zhao Pei said gritting her teeth.
Just as he finished speaking, Ziye walked in. "Miss, Xia and Yuan invite you to have dinner together in Luohua Hall."
Zhao Pei waved her hand and said, "Let them eat by themselves. Say I am busy." Then she was busy teaching Han Zhen a lesson. Zi Ye said, "Xia Shi insisted that you must go. It is a apology banquet."
Zhao Pei was stunned, and after thinking for a while, he asked, "Who else?"
"Only Xia and Yuan. The prince has gone out and hasn't come back yet." Ziye replied respectfully. Zhaopei was silent for a while and finally got off the couch and said, "Okay, I'll go now. By the way." He turned around and glared at Hanzhen who was smiling, "Ziye, do me a favor. Carry Fangdeng to Shui Niang. And draw circles all over this girl's face. See if she can still make fun of me!" He turned around and left angrily, not caring about Hanzhen's depressed face looking at Ziye who was gradually approaching.
As soon as Zhao Pei entered the Luohua Hall, she saw the sumptuous meal on the table and Xia Qingyao and Yuan Ming on both sides of the main seat. Yuan Ming was wearing her usual autumn-colored dress and simple hair bun. Unexpectedly, Xia Qingyao changed her previous gorgeous outfit and only wore a pure blue skirt and jacket without any other decoration.
When they saw Zhao Pei, they stood up and saluted. Zhao Pei was a little surprised to see Xia Qingyao's smiling face. Normally, she should be cursing and angry in the room, but why did she feel like she was very happy after being beaten
Xia Qingyao welcomed her to sit in the main seat, and said with a smile: "Sister, I feel relieved now that you are here."
Seeing her like this, Zhao Pei was a little flattered. It took her a while to react, and she said blankly: "This is..."
"I have been thinking about it for several days in my room. No matter how I think about it, it is my fault. I am new here and my temper is frivolous. I made you unhappy. I also said something I shouldn't have said. Now I think I am really sorry. You are generous and don't care about me. I can't be so tactful. Isn't this a special banquet for you to apologize?" Xia Qingyao kept calling her "sister" and "sister". Her mouth was sweeter than honey. Zhao Pei looked at the table of delicacies and couldn't help but mutter in her heart, to apologize to me, isn't it the palace's money? After all, isn't it my money...
Zhao Pei smiled and said to her, "Sister, why bother? I thought about it when I got back, and I realized that I did something wrong."
Xia Qingyao ordered someone to pour some wine and said with a smile, "Sister, I'm here to apologize to you. After three cups, please forgive my willfulness." After that, she raised her head slightly, covered her sleeves, drank a glass, and pretended to continue drinking.
Zhao Pei quickly grabbed her hand and said, "It's all in the past, why take it so seriously?"
Xia Qingyao said coquettishly: "Sister, please give me a chance to show my sincerity. Otherwise, I will feel extremely guilty."
Zhao Pei was speechless, and gradually loosened her hand and let her go. After three cups, Xia Qingyao seemed to be a little drunk, and the slight blush on her face made her look even more charming. She raised her eyes and smiled, "Sister, do you forgive me?"
Zhao Pei hurriedly said, "I forgive you, I forgive you." Then she muttered to herself, isn't this forcing me to forgive you
Xia Qingyao was very happy to hear this. She held Yuan Ming and Zhao Pei in one hand and said, "How about the three of us sisters have a good drink today?" Zhao Pei looked at Xia Qingyao in surprise, as if she was looking at a stranger. In fact, without the gorgeous and sharp appearance and special identity, Zhao Pei felt that she and she could be friends.
Xia Qingyao was really drunk, and she couldn't help humming a few little songs while laughing and talking. Zhao Pei and Yuan Ming listened with smiles on their sides, and also became interested.
She filled a glass of fine wine and handed it to Zhao Pei: "Sister, I toast you."
Zhao Pei looked at her blushing face, smiled and took the wine without saying anything, and drank it all in one gulp. Xia Qingyao smiled and clapped her hands, her eyes full of joy.
The wine was mellow and rich with a hint of spiciness, and it slid down my throat into my stomach, creating a strange warmth. Zhao Pei smiled, tilted her head and asked, "What kind of wine is this? It seems like I've never drunk it before."
Xia Qingyao smiled and replied, "This is a kind of wine from Sister Ming's hometown, called 'Liulian'. It is said that after taking a sip, you can't help but want to take a second sip, and you will never want to leave." She glanced at Yuan Ming who seemed to be distracted, and asked, "Am I right, Sister Ming?"
The raised tone seemed to be reminding her. Yuan Ming was startled and nodded hesitantly, saying, "Yes, that's right."
Xia Qingyao filled Zhao Pei's glass again. White hands, white jade cup, mellow wine, beautiful woman's smile, wonderful scenery, Zhao Pei thought more than once that if she were Xiao Yi, she would also be intoxicated and linger on... The wine was a bit strong, Zhao Pei's head was dizzy, and seeing her smiling and urging him to drink, he couldn't help but ask, "Sister, why don't you drink?"
"I just drank a lot and I'm already 70% drunk. Besides, this 'Liulian' is very hard to brew, there's only a small jar. How can I bear to drink it..." Xia Qingyao said. Zhao Pei couldn't help but shake her head and smile. With this mouth that looks like honey, no man can resist its sweetness.
Zhao Pei drank two cups of wine, and the aroma lingered in her mouth. She felt light and fluttery, as if she was floating in the clouds and soaring in the clear night. She felt warm all over in the chaos, and she felt an indescribable sense of comfort. It's just that... I drank too much. Could it be Wu Shi San... Such a thought flashed through Zhao Pei's mind, but she immediately dismissed it.
After eating some food, she felt a strong craving for wine. Xia Qingyao smiled and wanted to pour wine for her again. Zhao Pei, who was a little drunk, waved her hand and shook her head, saying, "This wine is a bit strong. I think I am drunk. Um... I will go back first. Enjoy yourselves." As she spoke, she staggered to her feet. Xia Qingyao followed and stood up to help her. She asked considerately, "Sister, can I help you go back?"
"No need." Zhao Pei half-closed her eyes and waved her hand, slowly walking out of Luohua Hall. She did not see Xia Qingyao's strange smile and Yuan Ming's worried face. (To be continued)