Chapter 11: The Love Letter Part 2

Just as they were enjoying the show, the servant suddenly fumbled and accidentally flipped a cricket onto the leading Maid.

“Ah! A bug jumped on me! Help…!”

“Quick, get it off her!” The maid at the front shrieked in alarm, her face turning pale with fright.

“Pei Lan, don’t be afraid! Don’t panic…!” Seeing her dodging wildly, about to fall into the pond behind her, everyone panicked.

At that moment, a quick, agile figure stepped forward swiftly. Before anyone could see clearly, this person caught the cricket barehanded from the maid’s body and steadily supported her.

“You… Young Master Huo…!” The rescued maid looked up in surprise, discovering it was none other than Huo Jingzhao, who had just been looking so awkward.

Huo Jingzhao blew a puff of air at the little cricket in his hand, then placed it back into the clay pot.

“Too naughty.” He sighed softly, his voice hoarse and rough.

This skill, this posture… how did he look like someone who didn’t know how to play? Everyone was stunned.

Watching his slightly teasing profile as he handled the cricket, the maids all blushed. Pei Lan, who had been rescued, was even more red-faced.

“Young Master Huo…”

Huo Jingzhao flipped his hand, closing the clay pot. Then he turned and straightened her disheveled hair, asking gently, “Are you alright?”

This series of smooth, dashing actions made all the men and women present feel a bit shy.

“Thank you, Young Master. I’m… I’m fine.”

The courtyard and the Waterside Pavilion weren’t far apart, separated by a pond. Seeing Huo Jingzhao’s seemingly intimate gesture with the maid, Pei Lianyi forcefully suppressed the displeasure in his heart and frowned.

“Cao Xian, it’s too noisy.”

Cao Xian, who was following him, understood. He immediately walked through the corridor to where the crowd was.

Seeing it was the Head Steward, the servants’ faces changed slightly. They quickly lowered their heads and retreated.

Only Huo Jingzhao held the clay pot and didn’t move a muscle, as if brewing something.

Seeing this, Cao Xian’s face turned cold. He raised his voice. “The Family Head says, ‘Playing with things saps the will.’ From now on, cricket fighting is prohibited in this courtyard. Whoever brings Young Master Huo to fight crickets will be punished according to family law!”

As he spoke, he extended his hand to Huo Jingzhao. “Young Master Huo, hand it over.”

These words were sharp and stern, making the servants turn pale, fearing a dispute between the future Son-in-law and the Steward.

But Huo Jingzhao just smiled. He then used both hands to politely present the clay pot to Cao Xian.

“Is Master Pei angry?” When he asked this, his gaze wasn’t on Cao Xian at all. He was staring directly at the person inside the Waterside Pavilion.

The water’s reflection shimmered in the pond. Pei Lianyi leaned against a pillar with one hand, his tall, slender figure like a coiled water lily.

Noticing Huo Jingzhao’s gaze, Pei Lianyi’s body tensed.

He was annoyed at the inexplicable anger in his heart. He repeatedly told himself this was just managing his son’s future husband. But when the man looked over, he unexpectedly felt guilty, and… ashamed.

Even so, the pride of being the Family Head still prevailed. Pei Lianyi took a deep breath and met Huo Jingzhao’s eyes.

Are you angry?

Here you go.

Those black eyes seemed calm and indifferent, yet between their flashes, they inexplicably carried a hint of teasing.

“Master Pei doesn’t like those who are greedy for pleasure!” Cao Xian glared fiercely at Huo Jingzhao, snatched the jar from his hand, and left.

After he left, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Someone sighed, “Phew… Master used to be quite tolerant of us during rest time. What’s gotten into him today?”

“Hey! Can’t you see? It’s a show of authority for the live-in son-in-law! I’d say Young Master Huo’s future days will be tough~”

Everyone dispersed, discussing without any reservation.

Left behind, Huo Jingzhao was thoughtful. Watching Pei Lianyi’s departing back, his eyes darkened.

“A show of authority, huh…? Interesting.”

Thinking of that person’s straight, slender waist, he chuckled.

But the horse was a bit off target.

“Young Master Huo, Li Qi and the others are used to speaking without restraint. Don’t take it to heart.” At that moment, someone spoke behind him.

“Ah.” Huo Jingzhao turned his head. It was Pei Lan, the maid who was reluctant to leave.

“Thank you, Miss Pei Lan, for your comfort.”

As he replied to the woman, he put on a confused expression again. “Master Pei doesn’t like fun and games? What does he usually do then?”

Pei Lan blushed, not daring to look at him. She softly replied, “The Master is strict with the servants, and even stricter with himself. In all my years in the manor, I’ve never seen him drink, make merry, or indulge in pleasure. Usually, he’s either reviewing accounts, writing calligraphy, or admiring paintings. Even when receiving guests, he never drinks or watches dancing girls…”

“Prig.”

“Young Master, what did you say?”

Huo Jingzhao put on a bright smile. “Nothing. I said Master Pei is very self-disciplined.”

“Yes, so please be careful in all matters, Young Master. This servant takes her leave.” Pei Lan thought she was just hearing things. She shyly left.

After the courtyard emptied, the night seemed deeper.

Pei Lianyi thought that by taking a walk outside, he could escape his fear of the Ghost-Faced Man. But because of Huo Jingzhao, his heart was even more disturbed upon returning.

Fortunately, as the night grew darker, there was still no sign of the Ghost-Faced Man appearing. Pei Lianyi temporarily relaxed.

“Family Head, someone outside the manor delivered a letter. They said it requires your personal attention.”

Just as he was about to return to his room, a servant suddenly reported, holding a letter.

A letter? Who would send a letter so late at night?

Perhaps it was from one of the Pei family’s shopkeepers. Thinking this, Pei Lianyi took the letter and dismissed the servant.

Alone, he first felt the flat envelope, and after confirming there was nothing suspicious inside, he tore it open and took out the paper.

“What…” Before he even unfolded the letter paper, a strange feeling rose in Pei Lianyi’s chest.

The paper in his hand emitted a fragrance, and its scent seemed somewhat similar to the incense in his room.

Pei Lianyi’s heartbeat suddenly quickened. He quickly opened the letter. When he clearly saw the characters on it, he nearly screamed out loud.

“Ah… Ugh!”

Under the bright moonlight, the letter paper was starkly written with a large line of characters in blood water—

I know your secret.

Pei Lianyi clutched the ornate letter paper, his other hand tightly covering his lips. He struggled to control his body’s trembling, yet could barely stand.

“Who are you… Who exactly are you?!” He murmured lowly, panicked and dizzy, when he suddenly bumped into someone.

“Master Pei, what’s wrong?”

“You…! Why are you here?”

Pei Lianyi turned around, frightened and alarmed, meeting that familiar, gentle face. He hurriedly hid his hands behind his back.

Huo Jingzhao was still panting a little, looking like he had hurried over from the courtyard.

Remembering the scene just now, Pei Lianyi’s face sank, and he said nothing.

“I came to give this to Master Pei.” Huo Jingzhao pulled something from his sleeve, smiling brightly. “You don’t like crickets, so I wove a cat out of straw.”

Looking at the dirty, woven straw cat head in his hand, Pei Lianyi didn’t take it. He just said, “Your hands are very skillful.”

“Ah, I learned by selling things at a stall when I was little. Practice makes perfect.” Huo Jingzhao smiled bashfully.

“Is that so? Very good…” On one hand was the letter he absolutely couldn’t let be discovered; on the other was Jingzhao’s enthusiastic attempt to please. Pei Lianyi felt he was being driven mad.

In the blink of an eye, soft, wet pinkness appeared on his neck.

Huo Jingzhao saw this. With a calm expression, he said, “Master Pei seems a bit preoccupied. Did something happen?”

“No, no.” Pei Lianyi retreated repeatedly, his hand aching from rubbing against the letter paper.

“Really?” Huo Jingzhao followed him step by step, finally cornering him against the wall.

“Today, Steward Cao said I wasn’t allowed to come find Master Pei. But I truly couldn’t help it… I couldn’t help wanting to be near you.”

“Enough… enough!” Pei Lianyi closed his eyes, softly but sternly stopping him.

“Does Master Pei not like it?” After a moment of silence, Huo Jingzhao asked.

Pei Lianyi suddenly opened his eyes and saw him waving the little straw cat before him.

Seeing the grievance and confusion between the man’s brows, his heart softened. He said lightly, “Put it in.”

Huo Jingzhao immediately moved closer and placed the straw cat inside his collar.

“It’s cute, right?”

The rush of masculine scent made Pei Lianyi’s scalp tingle. He could only nod.

Huo Jingzhao was very measured. After leaving the simple gift, he bowed and departed.

After he left, Pei Lianyi returned to his room and tightly shut the doors and windows before slowly taking the object from his chest.

“…It’s dirty.” Touching his messed-up clothes, Pei Lianyi shook his head with disgust but still put the straw cat away in the cabinet.

If Cao Xian and the people in the manor saw these dirty clothes, they would certainly be shocked.

Pei Lianyi had no mind to care about these things. He was very tired and afraid. Even lying in bed, he clutched that letter, falling asleep in shame and unease.

On the way back to his quarters, Huo Jingzhao saw a figure dart past and stop behind him.

“Young Sect Master, the letter has been delivered.”

“His reaction was even more wonderful than I imagined.”

Huo Jingzhao continued walking forward without looking back. After a pause, he chuckled lowly, “You did well.”

Facing his praise, Sang Sha felt so apprehensive he was about to sweat.

Then Huo Jingzhao stopped his steps. Licking his finger scabbed with dried blood, he said, “This time, I’ll let it pass. Next time, tie it with a silk ribbon that a woman would like.”

“…Yes.”