How I Pampered the Tyrant Into Devotion With My Space-Chapter 535: The Disliked Fathers

After being praised for her beauty, Shen Wanqing’s complexion was no longer as haggard as before, instead appearing quite radiant. She lightly patted Pei Shu’er’s hand.

"What are you saying, just speaking the truth."

Pei Lingxuan was about to bid farewell, and Pei Shu’er asked, "Brother, are you prepared for this year’s examination?"

As soon as this topic was brought up, Pei Lingxuan looked quite troubled.

He shook his head, "Not yet, I was ill for a long time earlier this year and haven’t had the energy to study."

Pei Shu’er noticed that he still carried a hint of sickness on his face.

"If you don’t mind, why don’t you stay at the Prince Zhan Mansion?"

She had already privately asked Tang Zan about this, and Tang Zan’s exact words were that there were plenty of empty rooms at the Prince Zhan Mansion, so Pei Shu’er’s family could come whenever they wanted.

"We have a third place winner here, who didn’t achieve first place back then because he was sick and couldn’t concentrate."

In fact, Pei Shu’er also thought Tao Mingxuan was quite intelligent, even if his situation turned tragic.

Pei Lingxuan was taken aback, "Which third place winner?"

Pei Shu’er replied, "Tao Mingxuan."

Pei Lingxuan’s eyes lit up, "Is it really him? That’s wonderful. His perseverance and bravery are what I admire most. Sister, can you introduce me?"

Pei Shu’er nodded. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Come on, let’s go to the backyard. He’s reading there at the moment."

Tao Mingxuan was currently reading and daydreaming; he was living in Prince Zhan Mansion as an advisor, and the entire mansion showed him great respect.

When Pei Shu’er arrived, she was carrying medicine.

"Drink your medicine."

Tao Mingxuan nodded, drank the medicine, and then looked at Pei Lingxuan.

When he saw the admiration in Pei Lingxuan’s eyes, he smiled.

"Do you have any examination questions to ask me?"

Pei Lingxuan nodded, "Truly worthy of a third place winner."

In that year’s exam, Tao Mingxuan was the most famous in the Capital, surpassing both the first and second place winners.

The two of them began discussing examination questions. Tao Mingxuan listened to some of Pei Lingxuan’s insights and checked his academic competency.

"Your foundation is solid, but you still need to further refine your essays."

"Coincidentally, I’m free recently, so over this next month before the exam, I’ll help you review."

Pei Shu’er promptly had the cook send over some pastries.

The pastries were indeed delicious, even Pei Lingxuan ate several pieces.

Pei Jingyi ate with gusto, munching on a pastry like a little hamster.

After all, the main household was not well off, and they rarely had pastries that cost several, even over a dozen Silver for a box.

Shen Wanqing occasionally allowed them to indulge, but not too frequently.

Most of their pastries were made by the servants at the Minister’s Mansion.

After trying the pastries, both Pei Shu’er and Tao Mingxuan stopped eating.

Even Shen Wanqing only tasted a bit before stopping.

Pastries that used to taste wonderful now seemed lackluster after eating them again.

In reality, their tastes had been spoiled by the Prince Zhan Mansion’s cuisine.

Finally served were pastries made by the cook. As they were brought out, a rich aroma filled the air.

Everyone enjoyed them immensely. Pei Lingxuan tried one and lit up, then continued without stopping.

"Previously, the most expensive pastries we’d eat cost over a dozen Silver, does this tastiness mean it costs over twenty Silver?"

Pei Jingyi, already full, tasted one pastry and marveled.

"So tasty."

Pei Shu’er smiled, and Shen Wanqing added with a laugh, "These pastries, even if your sister sold them, they would only cost about ten coins each, and they’re not even her best."

In the Capital, you wouldn’t find pastries for ten coins each at bake shops, except maybe small vendors.

But pastries from small vendors wouldn’t taste as good or be as hygienic.

They were experiencing this level of taste for the first time in the Capital.

Pei Shu’er said, "If you like the taste, eat more and take some home with you."

Pei Lingxuan felt embarrassed, while Shen Wanqing nodded.

"Certainly, give us more when we leave. I’ll let Qing Heng taste them too."

Pei Shu’er knew that every time Shen Wanqing came to the Prince Zhan Mansion, she was practically seeking refuge.

After eating, she took Pei Shu’er to her room, and Liu Xu, aware of her friend’s arrival, quickly joined them in Pei Shu’er’s room.

Upon meeting them, Shen Wanqing poured out her woes.

"You wouldn’t believe it, Pei Yu, that old scoundrel, wants to drag me down with him in death!"

Pei Shu’er and Liu Xu’s expressions both changed, unable to believe it.

Liu Xu said, "Minister Pei seems like a disciplined man, and he’s fairly rational. It’s unlikely he’d do something so drastic."

Pei Shu’er also said, "Mother, don’t rush, tell us slowly."

Shen Wanqing said, "Look at him, with all those troublesome women, isn’t it obvious he wants to catch some disease and die?"

"What’s worse, he stayed in my courtyard several nights ago, claiming he wanted to pass the disease to me."

Pei Shu’er: "..."

Her melodramatic mother’s logic was absurd, but there was some truth to her thinking.

Pei Shu’er asked, "Mother, did Father really say that?"

Shen Wanqing nodded, then reached out with pained expression.

"I couldn’t prevent it and let him succeed again. Quickly see if I’m unwell."

Pei Shu’er was amused but helpless.

"Mother, don’t worry, Father, being a Chief of Staff, even when finding women, surely sees a doctor."

Her intention was to comfort Shen Wanqing, but Liu Xu, beside her, spoke up dryly.

"Come on, when men are driven by passion, they don’t think about such things..."

Pei Shu’er was left speechless, thinking it was strangely logical.

Liu Xu sneered, "Your father once dared to go after the courtesan of a brothel."

She clicked her tongue, "The courtesan previously had several patrons."

Thinking of this, Liu Xu’s face changed slightly.

"Shu’er, after checking your mother, look at me too, to see if I’m ill."

Tang Peizhong, eavesdropping on the rooftop, had a complex expression.

In Liu Xu’s eyes, he was not only a scoundrel, but a likely infected scoundrel.

Pei Shu’er immediately checked the pulse, then shook her head, "No, Mother, you’re very healthy."

Both mothers breathed a sigh of relief simultaneously.

They talked until they were tired, then retired to their rooms.

Pei Shu’er intended to read when she noticed a small figure peeking inside from the door.

Pei Shu’er said, "Come in, Jingyi."

Pei Jingyi had two small pigtails, her cheeks flushed, seemingly observing Pei Shu’er continuously.

Then she put her hands behind her back, twisted shyly, and spoke softly.

"Sister, you... are truly beautiful."