Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 182

Chapter 182: Yes

Pei Que’s question was too direct. An Zhi blushed instantly, lowering her head, unable to look at Pei Que.

To be honest, she did have thoughts about it. After all, Pei Que was such a handsome and charming man, and he was so considerate and attentive to her. Over time, it was natural that she might develop feelings for him.

In her previous life, An Zhi had been completely devoted to Pei Yu, so she had never considered other men, much less imagined liking anyone else.

Back then, she thought she would only ever like a man like Pei Yu—a charming and elegant gentleman. She never imagined that one day she would find herself attracted to someone as noble and powerful as Pei Que.

“Pei… Fourth Master Pei,” An Zhi bit her lip. Her already red lips seemed even more alluring. She glanced at Pei Que with a hesitant expression. “Before Pei Yu broke off our engagement, we didn’t have any contact. Why… why do you like me?”

An Zhi didn’t think Pei Que was the kind of man who valued superficial things. Perhaps her appearance might have initially attracted him, but it couldn’t have been the sole reason for his actions.

Pei Que frowned slightly when An Zhi called him “Fourth Master Pei” again, a hint of annoyance in his voice. “You don’t know?”

An Zhi shook her head silently.

If she had looked up, she would have seen the jealous expression on Pei Que’s face—he was clearly very jealous.

Pei Que huffed and moved his feet off the soft couch. “Think about it some more. I have time.”

“Fourth Master Pei, I really can’t think of any reason.” An Zhi had thought about it for a long time, but besides what Pei Que had vaguely hinted at before, she couldn’t think of anything else. Just as she finished speaking, she heard Pei Que huff again, this time with displeasure. She abruptly looked up at him but then quickly averted her gaze when she met his intense gaze.

Seeing An Zhi’s reaction, Pei Que realized she truly didn’t remember. His jealousy flared. But if he got angry, people would think he was petty. After all, An Zhi had been Pei Yu’s fiancée, and it was wrong for her to be interested in another man. Thinking back to the previous question, Pei Que brought the topic back, “Let’s not talk about that. I asked you a question earlier, and you haven’t answered it yet.”

An Zhi didn’t consider herself overly sentimental, but as a young woman, she felt somewhat hesitant to express her feelings in such a setting.

After hesitating for a while, An Zhi finally replied, “Fourth Master Pei is a very good person.”

“That’s all?” Pei Que stood up and paced around the room. Hearing a knock at the door, he walked to An Zhi, leaned down, and his hair touched her forehead. “Are you trying to drive me crazy?”

An Zhi took a deep breath. She first replied to Binglu, saying she wasn’t up yet, and then pushed Pei Que towards the window.

Once they reached the window, she quickly replied, “Yes,” and then pushed Pei Que out.

Pei Que didn’t resist, fearing that any commotion would embarrass An Zhi, so he let her push him out.

Only after he landed and stood still did Pei Que realize what An Zhi meant by “Yes.” His heart felt as sweet as honey; his trip had been worthwhile!

An Zhi sighed deeply, patting her chest to calm herself.

She wouldn’t be able to take her afternoon nap now, so An Zhi got dressed and called the maids to attend to her.

The maids outside didn’t know what their young lady had just gone through; they only thought she looked exceptionally beautiful and radiant.

Since she didn’t have to go out in the afternoon, An Zhi arranged her hair simply and, after hearing from Fusheng that her brother had returned, took some snacks from the kitchen to visit him.

When An Zhi arrived, An Jing was already there.

“Greetings, Eldest Sister.” An Jing was initially reading a military book. He immediately put down the book and bowed respectfully when he saw his sister.

An Zhi smiled and said, “Good,” then took out the snacks from the box and shared them with her brothers.

Now that their father’s transfer had been resolved, An Zhi and An Xu were relieved. The three siblings chatted for a while, and time passed quickly. Then they all returned to their respective residences.

The next day, An Zhi got up early; she had to go to the Bai Mansion.

Just as she was about to get into the carriage, Shunzi ran over carrying a food box.

“Greetings, Young Lady An,” Shunzi said, handing the box to Binglu. “My master asked me to bring you some lotus root and osmanthus cake. He said you like the flavor, so he ordered the cooks to prepare it yesterday.”

After delivering the message, Shunzi smartly left.

Once An Zhi and Binglu were in the carriage, Binglu was puzzled. “Miss, why would Fourth Master Pei send snacks so early in the morning?”

An Zhi understood; Pei Que was reminding her not to forget what she had promised him the previous day. “Since he meant well by giving it to us, let’s accept it. Besides, it tastes good,” An Zhi replied, not answering Binglu’s question directly, and closed her eyes to rest.

After arriving at the Bai family’s house, Madam Qian first pulled An Zhi aside and asked her about wedding preparations. An Zhi had helped her father with his wedding before, so she was very familiar with the process. Therefore, she could answer all of Madam Qian’s questions.

“Hearing you explain everything so clearly, I feel much more at ease.” Madam Qian knew An Zhi was capable; after all, Madam Bai had been training her to be a capable wife of a high-ranking family, teaching her everything from etiquette to knowledge. “A girl like you, so beautiful and capable—whoever marries you will be truly blessed.”

“Here it comes,” An Zhi thought to herself.

Madam Qian sighed, looking at An Zhi’s delicate face, then smiled again. She had seen many beautiful women, but none as beautiful as her niece. And An Zhi was at her most radiant age.

“An Zhi, a few days ago I told you I wanted to find you a suitable husband,” Madam Qian said, as Yan Hui placed several invitation cards in front of An Zhi. “Take a look at these. Is there anyone you like? If there is, I’ll go to that family first.”

An Zhi glanced at the two thick stacks of invitation cards, pursing her lips. “Aunt, I know you mean well. But after what happened with Pei Yu, I’m still hurt and don’t want to get married yet.”

“That little scoundrel Pei Yu!” Madam Qian was furious when she mentioned Pei Yu. “He could have had a beautiful, well-mannered girl like you, but instead he ran off with some low-born hussy! He’s blind!”

Madam Qian had lived in the northwest for many years and was used to hearing crude language in the military camp. Since they weren’t in front of strangers, she didn’t hold back and launched into a tirade against Pei Yu.

An Zhi didn’t feel much when she heard about Pei Yu, but to keep her promise to Pei Que, she pretended to be a little sad.

As she had expected, Aunt Qian said they weren’t in a hurry to arrange a marriage, but if a suitable family came along, they could consider it. An Zhi politely declined, not wanting to worry her aunt any more, but eventually agreed. After discussing potential suitors, Aunt Qian started giving An Zhi advice about wedding details.

It was already afternoon when An Zhi left. As soon as An Zhi left, Madam Qian went to her husband and criticized Pei Yu and, by extension, the entire Pei family.

“We should have less to do with that family from now on!” Aunt Qian fumed. “They’ve done nothing but harm to our good girl! Do you hear me? Don’t ever associate with the Pei family again!”

Bai Cheng didn’t dare disobey his wife and nodded repeatedly.

Pei Que had originally wanted to keep An Zhi away from the men who were eyeing her, but he hadn’t expected to upset his future aunt-in-law. When he later learned of this from Bai Cheng, he regretted it immensely.