Help! The Frosty Noble's Son Is in Love With Me!-Chapter 326: In That Dream, She Wasn’t Doing Well

Chapter 326: Chapter 326: In That Dream, She Wasn’t Doing Well

As he arrived at the palace gates and saw his own attendants, he couldn’t help but show off a bit in front of Xiao Shiqing.

"What delicious breakfast did the Young Madam have you bring today?"

Xiao Shiqing indeed turned his gaze.

"The Young Madam prepared many delicious pastries, all made by her own hands, afraid that the Heir might be hungry. They were sent over at full speed as soon as they were done, and they’re still warm. The Heir should try some now."

Pei Ji’an rarely ate breakfast before attending the morning court session.

After all, eating inevitably involves drinking water, and who knows how long the court session would last? Could one really excuse themselves to the toilet in the middle of it?

So most court officials didn’t have breakfast and attended on an empty stomach.

At first, Qu Fulan didn’t know he went to court without eating. It was only when she casually asked if he had breakfast and got a negative response that she understood the reason.

It’s like how in modern meetings, everyone goes to the bathroom beforehand to avoid discomfort during the meeting.

The morning court was far more severe than a morning meeting.

Hearing that the morning court could last one or two hours, at least the emperor could sit, but the ministers had to stand.

Thinking of him standing hungry in the grand hall for several hours, Qu Fulan felt a pang of heartache.

Although she couldn’t make him eat before the session, at least she could ensure he ate right after it ended, to feel a bit better.

So the Heir was aware that the attendant would bring breakfast, and deliberately showed off in front of Xiao Shiqing.

He didn’t intend to do such a thing at first, but wasn’t he forced to?

No matter how things were in the past, now she was his wife; as the saying goes, "one must not wrong a friend’s wife," and even if they weren’t friends, does it mean it’s okay to wrong a colleague’s wife?

Truly inconsiderate!

He didn’t mind giving him a little nudge as a lesson.

It seems the effect was remarkable, seeing Xiao Shiqing’s desolate expression made Pei Ji’an feel relieved.

Xiao Shiqing truly felt desolate and withdrew his gaze, his eyes obscured with a complex emotion.

If she was doing well, that was good.

His words today were indeed abrupt, but who knew he had a dream last night.

In that dream, she wasn’t doing well.

He didn’t know why he had such a dream, detailed and cruel.

She was taken back to the Xiao Family by him, yet he was so busy that he always left her alone at home.

She never complained until...

Thinking of those scenes gave Xiao Shiqing a suffocating pain in his heart.

Even knowing the dream was false, such a dream left him uneasy.

Just now, he instinctively wanted to say those words to Pei Ji’an, as if he hoped he could do what he couldn’t, worried she would experience those dream-like scenarios.

Neglected, ignored, eventually losing even her only wish.

Her eyes in the dream always held a melancholy, as if shrouded by a thousand-year fog.

But in reality, she was doing well.

The elders often said dreams and reality are opposites, is that why he had such a dream?

The worse she was in the dream, the better she was in reality?

With this thought, Xiao Shiqing’s heavy mood didn’t lift.

He was convinced he wouldn’t treat her as he did in the dream, if given a chance, he’d do better than Pei Ji’an.

It’s just...

Qu Fulan didn’t know Xiao Shiqing dreamed of her either, even if she did, she wouldn’t mind.

After all, a dream, what could it prove?

Meanwhile, she was at home packing things to donate to the charity event.

The court wanted to hold a charity event, so naturally, they needed contributions. By then, households would likely donate some valuable or unused items.

Things like hairpins, earrings must be treasures, worthy of being auctioned back.

It’s not entirely a free gift, but selling favors at a low price to the court, which would then auction them off.

Also, antique paintings and calligraphy targeted at specific buyers, there’s no fear of having no buyers.

The beginning of everything is hard, initially needing some support from big households to proceed.

But most of her items were gifts from Pei Ji’an, not to mention after marriage, but even when she was still a maid, she received many from him, and though she might not have liked some, when it came to donating, she made careful selections and ultimately decided to use his paintings and keep her own items.

Pei Ji’an naturally had collected various paintings and had an entire room for them, but Qu Fulan wasn’t interested in paintings; after all, such art was for the rich.

Having made up her mind, she put her things away, planning to discuss the paintings with him upon his return.

But as she waited, the servants clearly said he would be back after court, and by this time, he should have arrived. Why hasn’t he returned?

Usually, he’d have been home long ago.

Just when she was about to ask someone, the attendant came over.

"The eldest young master is discussing matters with the Heir, and the Heir told the Young Madam not to wait for him for a meal."

Indeed, Pei Ji’an was intercepted by Pei Yuan midway, and the two entered a tavern.

"Does big brother have a matter?" Pei Ji’an poured wine for Pei Yuan.

"No major issue, I heard you and your younger wife went to the Hot Spring Villa recently, I also wish to take your sister-in-law there, is it convenient?"

Pei Yuan didn’t have a Hot Spring Villa. Before his first marriage, he had visited his younger brother’s villa, but since his second marriage, he hadn’t been, and now he wanted to take his wife there to relax.

Even the doctors said Ren Hua needed to relax more, which would be beneficial for pregnancy, and visiting the hot springs would be ideal.

Since the last miscarriage, there hadn’t been any news regarding a pregnancy, and while Pei Yuan wasn’t concerned if she became pregnant or not, the family elders valued offspring highly and hoped for many children. Ren Hua didn’t express it but cared deeply.

If the hot springs could solve the problem, he wouldn’t mind taking her several times.

Pei Yuan, nearing thirty, after a life of bleakness, found rare passion in his second marriage and cherished this union immensely.

Pei Ji’an thought it was something major, "Big brother, feel free to go, we’re all family, no need to stand on ceremony."

His Hot Spring Villa was indeed large, with natural spring water from the mountains, why not?

As adults, Pei Ji’an naturally understood the benefits of hot springs, especially when taking a beauty there, truly a perfect delight. Best not to dwell on it, or else he might find himself yearning again.

Qu Fulan was about to go out to retrieve a suit and dress made for today when Pei Ji’an returned.

"Where are you going?"

"Just collecting a couple of outfits Aunt helped make earlier."

"I’ll go with you."

Qu Fulan was naturally pleased, and on the carriage, she brought up the matter of the paintings.

"Whatever you decide is fine." He had no objections.

"You should choose yourself, otherwise, if I pick poorly and give away your favorites, it wouldn’t be good."

"When I gave you those paintings, you immediately recognized their value, and now you claim you have poor judgment?" He laughed at her.

"The key is I don’t know which ones you like."

"The ones I’m particularly fond of are in a hidden cabinet, the ones outside are for currying favor."

After discussing this matter, Qu Fulan realized a significant issue.

"Did the emperor approve the foundation plan?"

"He was thrilled and immediately asked whose wonderful idea it was. I simply teased him with a hint."

"And how will it be implemented?"

"After a few days of discussing strategies and selecting a leader, the auction can be held at the end of the month."