It was rare for the Estate of the Heir Apparent to have so many guests.
After all, Yan Zhao was a cold - tempered man and had few friends in the capital before.
After Ning Yuwang got married into the estate, Nanny Wang felt that the estate had become much livelier than before.
Not to mention other things, even the servants and maids in the estate had become more cheerful and lively than before.
Nanny Wang prepared a big table of delicious dishes, most of which were Ning Yuwang's favorites. She then took the initiative to stand beside Ning Yuwang and serve her food. "Princess of the Heir Apparent, try this sweet - and - sour shrimp."
As Ning Yuwang took a bite of the shrimp, her eyes closed in enjoyment. "It's delicious."
"Then have more, Princess of the Heir Apparent."
Nanny Wang happily served the food, which aroused Gu Xiao's envy. "Nanny Wang is so partial!"
"Then have more too, Young Prince Gu."
Gu Xiao was, of course, not polite. He also took the opportunity to persuade Pei Yunlu and Lu Jin not to be polite.
In her elder brother's place, Pei Yunlu didn't feel so restricted.
Although her actions were as elegant and gentle as usual, there was also a hint of casualness.
Only Lu Jin seemed a bit out of sorts.
This uneasiness was not deliberately shown by him. It was because Yan Zhao, the host of the estate, had been staring at him.
The gaze was burning and solemn, as if afraid that Lu Jin wouldn't notice.
Just as Lu Jin picked up a piece of sweet - scented osmanthus - flavored mandarin fish, a cold voice came over. "Mr. Lu has just recovered from his injury. He may not be able to eat greasy food."
The next moment, Lu Jin carefully removed the bones and put the fish into Pei Yunlu's bowl. "This is Miss Pei's favorite fish."
In contrast to Pei Yunlu's blushing cheeks were Yan Zhao's cold eyes. "What an obsequious nature."
But the two people sitting opposite each other were full of affection in their eyes and clearly didn't hear his words.
"Is it the sourness of the sweet - and - sour shrimp or the sourness in your heart, cousin? It's too strong."
Indeed, the sourness was overwhelming.
Ning Yuwang considerately pushed a glass of water over. "Your Highness, drink some water to relieve it."
Her gentle voice carried a bit of comfort, which made Yan Zhao calm down a bit and also restrain himself.
It was true that Pei Yunlu was his younger sister, but Gu Xiao, Lu Jin, Nanny Wang and others didn't know this.
"Thank you, my lady."
Gu Xiao widened his eyes. Goodness! Ning Yuwang was so magnanimous. His cousin's wandering heart was so obvious, but she didn't make a fuss. This must be true love!
For a moment, his former dislike for Ning Yuwang turned into pity.
It seemed that no matter how arrogant and confident a woman was on weekdays, once she fell in love, she would be blinded.
When his gaze swept over Ning Yuwang, it happened to fall on Nanny Wang, who also looked skeptical. He finally felt a bit more balanced. It seemed that he wasn't the only one who felt something was wrong.
Little did he know that Nanny Wang had an idea in mind. The Princess of the Heir Apparent really didn't mind, unless there was some other relationship between Miss Pei and Young Master Zhao.
Nanny Wang used to be Yan Zhao's wet - nurse and knew that Yan Zhao had a younger sister who was missing.
Looking closely at Pei Yunlu's age, it was indeed similar to that of Yan Xi back then.
Presumably, Yan Zhao regarded Pei Yunlu as his younger sister and pitied her. No wonder he disliked Lu Jin's "attentions".
Thinking this way, she finally felt relieved.
Yan Zhao and the Princess of the Heir Apparent were harmonious and affectionate. He would definitely not take a fancy to other women.
During the meal, Pei Yunlu and Lu Jin ate like they were in a sweet relationship, deeply in love with each other.
Yan Zhao ate like he was watching a good cabbage being spoiled. He was angry and annoyed.
Gu Xiao ate while doubting life, smacking his lips and sighing.
Only Ning Yuwang was carefully taken care of by Nanny Wang. She ate until her stomach was full and was very happy.
"Sure enough, the food cooked by Nanny Wang is the most delicious."
Ning Yuwang was originally a dragon and didn't have much interest in food.
But Nanny Wang was very considerate. She not only researched various kinds of pasta for Ning Yuwang but also observed Ning Yuwang's expressions to find out her little joys.
Bit by bit, she guessed Ning Yuwang's taste and made different dishes every day.
Ning Yuwang, who didn't have a strong appetite, gradually became addicted.
Nanny Wang poured a cup of fragrant tea for her to relieve the greasiness. "I'm glad the Princess of the Heir Apparent likes it."
Her eyes accidentally fell on Ning Yuwang's lower abdomen. It was a pity that Young Master Zhao's health hadn't been fully recovered yet. Otherwise, the Princess of the Heir Apparent should have had a little prince long ago.
Since it was Yan Zhao's fault, she naturally wanted to compensate Ning Yuwang in other ways.
But Ning Yuwang couldn't guess her thoughts. She just thought Nanny Wang was kind - hearted and subconsciously got closer to her.
After the dinner table was cleared, they watched the snow under the eaves.
Originally, Pei Yunlu wanted to say goodbye, but unfortunately, the cold wind was howling and the snow was falling heavily. It was a bit troublesome to go out for the time being.
She bit her lips and her gaze shifted between Yan Zhao and Lu Jin.
One was her own elder brother, and the other was the man she loved in her heart.
The former's face was too cold and obvious. His actions and words always made things difficult for Lu Jin.
Even though Lu Jin had a good temper and didn't know the sibling relationship between Yan Zhao and Pei Yunlu, he still replied seriously without showing a bit of impatience.
Precisely because of this, Pei Yunlu felt more sorry for him.
He was unfairly troubled, but his temper was still so good.
"A man who is too weak to even tie up a chicken, how can he protect the woman he loves?"
"After the incident on Fang Mountain, I also think what Your Highness said is right. I'll invite a martial arts teacher to teach me these days."
Yan Zhao's toughness set off Lu Jin's gentleness.
Pei Yunlu felt extremely sorry for him. She completely sided with Lu Jin. "It was Mr. Lu who protected me last time."
Sure enough, Yan Zhao's face instantly darkened.
Ning Yuwang rarely saw Yan Zhao lose his composure. She squinted her eyes and watched happily.
Gu Xiao, that fool, really thought Yan Zhao had taken a fancy to someone else and was trying to break up Pei Yunlu and Lu Jin.
Of course, he was wrong about the first half, but accidentally right about the second half.
Taking advantage of the time when Gu Xiao pestered Lu Jin to play chess again, Pei Yunlu sent a look, indicating for Yan Zhao to go out with her for a little talk.
The action wasn't very obvious. At least Lu Jin, who had his back to them, didn't notice.
But only Lu Jin didn't notice.
Gu Xiao immediately looked at Ning Yuwang's expression. Seeing that she was calmly drinking tea and looking at the snow, his heart was in turmoil.
"Prince Gu, it's your turn."
Seeing Gu Xiao looking back, Lu Jin gave a faint smile and repeated, "It's your turn to place a piece."
"Oh... Oh!"
Gu Xiao slapped his head. There was a hint of guilt in his eyes for no reason. Lu Jin was also a poor man!
A poor scholar against a powerful heir apparent. It was obvious that there was no chance of winning.
He secretly speculated in his heart that his cousin's behavior was really wrong and he should find an opportunity to persuade him.
After all, it's better to tear down a temple than a marriage.
At this moment, Yan Zhao, the "wrong - behaving" cousin in Gu Xiao's heart, was sharing his heart with Pei Yunlu in private.
Whose heart were they sharing?
Naturally, not the siblings'.
Pei Yunlu frowned slightly, hiding a bit of complaint. "Brother, stop making things difficult for Lu Jin."
The first thing the good cabbage said when she talked to him was not concern for her brother but pity for Lu Jin who had been troubled.
Yan Zhao was a bit hurt. "Do you really like that sickly scholar?"
Pei Yunlu bit her lips and corrected him. "Lu Jin is not sickly. He was injured because he saved me."
Ning Yuwang had already told Yan Zhao what happened that night.
But a man's intuition and his protection for his younger sister made Yan Zhao not like Lu Jin at all.
"He is too weak to even tie up a chicken. How can he protect you in the future?"