Zhao Pei followed the servant into the magnificent mansion. In her impression, it once belonged to a certain prince. However, the country has changed, and the mansion has also changed its owner. Zhao Pei secretly confirmed it in her heart, and she wanted to meet this person. However, they did not immediately go to see Fu Rong's so-called "master", but were led to the living room, and immediately a beautiful maid came forward to help Zhao Pei bathe, change clothes and wash.
Zhao Pei suddenly realized that she was dirty and smelly after five days of bumpy ride. Going to see that person directly was really... humiliating.
The maids who were serving exchanged glances with each other, thinking that Zhao Pei was the master's new concubine. Some looked disdainful, some mocking, some envious, and some sympathetic, but after seeing her dressed up, they all turned into amazement.
Although she is not young, she is well maintained. She has bright eyes, white teeth, and is elegant and refined, especially her lively eyes, which are clear, bright, and sparkling, and she looks very smart, but there is also a kind of indifferent vicissitudes of life that makes people unsure.
The maids tied up her hair which was as smooth and shiny as a black satin ribbon, inserted a golden hairpin, a jade hairpin and a silver ring, and took out a golden dress and presented it to Zhao Pei. Zhao Pei looked at it and smiled bitterly: "What's the matter? It's not a palace banquet. It's just to meet someone. Why make such a fuss?" Then she took off the jewelry on her hair and left only the silver hairband, and wore only a simple white gauze skirt.
She looked at herself in the mirror and said proudly, "Take me to see him."
After Zhao Pei left, the maids looked at each other for a long time without saying a word, and it was unclear whether they were shocked or stunned.
》》》》》》》》》》》
Zhao Pei walked past the landscape screen and went straight to the back of the house. The house was eerily quiet. Only the three-legged incense burner on the table was emitting smoke and wafting fragrance. Zhao Pei looked at this very familiar scene, and felt a chill on her back and subconsciously held her breath.
At this time, a light laugh was heard: "Princess, you have worked hard on this journey."
Zhao Pei was startled and looked around hurriedly. She only saw a vague figure slowly emerging from behind the layers of gauze curtains. She opened her eyes wide and stared at the person who seemed to be smiling and mocking her, and a few words flashed through her mind: I don't know him.
The man in front of me was about 46 or 47 years old, and looked very ordinary, with many wrinkles on his face. He was slightly fat, and if you look closely, it seems that his legs and feet are not good, and he limps a little funny. But his eyes were sharp, like a wild wolf, a hungry and ferocious wild wolf looking for food.
Zhao Pei looked at him coldly and asked, "Are you Hou Jing?" Although it was a question, it was more of a statement.
He laughed, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes squeezed together: "The princess is really smart."
"I really can't think of anyone else who has such courage." Zhao Pei snorted coldly, but her clear voice was intimidating without even being angry.
Hou Jing's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he bowed and smiled, "The princess is very calm."
Zhao Pei ignored his words and found a place to sit down. "What's the matter with General Hou kidnapping me to Jiankang?"
He smiled and cupped his hands: "I cannot bear the responsibility of 'kidnapping', but I was afraid that the princess would not want to come, so I had to resort to this last resort. I hope the princess will not blame me, please do not blame me..."
Hou Jing bowed deeply after he finished speaking, and his words seemed very humble and fearful. Zhao Pei stared at him for a long time and shook her head: "I thought General Hou was a genius, but I didn't expect him to be so... ignorant."
Hou Jing's eyes dimmed, and he chuckled, "Please enlighten me, Princess. Why am I so ignorant?"
Zhao Pei looked at him and deliberately coughed a few times: "This is how General Hou treats guests." Hou Jing smiled and asked the maid to serve tea and snacks.
Zhao Pei hadn't eaten properly in the past five days. Seeing those cakes and pastries, she really wanted to pounce on them and eat them all. However, for the sake of face, she could only sip the fragrant tea and said sarcastically, "General Hou 'invited' this princess to come here, just to distract the attention of King Xiangdong or as a threat. But General Hou still made a mistake. I'm sure General Hou has heard about the cold face of King Xiangdong. This princess... has no threat effect on him. Maybe... King Xiangdong should thank you very much for getting rid of this shrew like this princess." Zhao Pei said sarcastically, and it was not known whether she was mocking Hou Jing, Xiao Yi, or herself, but her tongue felt bitter after she said it.
Hou Jing stared at Zhao Pei, whose face was expressionless, with a thoughtful look. Suddenly, he shook his head and smiled faintly: "Princess, you underestimate yourself too much. I believe that your charm is not only this, but also..." When the words came to his lips, he realized that he had lost his composure and stopped talking with a faint smile.
Zhao Pei didn't pay any attention to his strange behavior just now. She took another sip of her tea and stared at Hou Jing sarcastically: "I can't bear the praise from General Hou. I would like to ask you, in the past five days, have you received any updates from the King of Xiangdong about my disappearance?"
Hou Jing was slightly stunned, frowning slightly, and said nothing. Zhao Pei saw his rather puzzled look, and her hope that she had been holding on to started to sank a little. The smile on her lips froze. How could Xiao Yi, who didn't even care about his own son, care about her? If that was the case, her situation would be dangerous.
But Hou Jing smiled slyly: "It doesn't matter if there is no movement now. I don't believe that the King of Xiangdong will ignore the princess in front of the world." His smile made Zhao Pei's scalp tingle. Even though she was very worried, Zhao Pei still said calmly: "It's up to you. It's enough for me to eat well and sleep well."
Hou Jing smiled and agreed: "Of course, I will never let the princess down."
Zhao Pei said again: "This princess does not want to live here. It is too stuffy and uncomfortable here. This princess wants to live in the palace."
Hou Jing stared at her and smiled knowingly: "Okay. I have this plan anyway. How can I not let the emperor know that the princess is coming to the capital?" His smile became more and more treacherous. Zhao Pei felt cold all over and stared at him stubbornly with her head raised. (To be continued)