RPAGF Chapter 225 Hongmen Banquet
Chapter 225 Hongmen Banquet
After explaining the matter, Shen Fuhan went to find Wen Jiayue.
As soon as she saw him, her gaze clearly bypassed him and casually looked in another direction.
Shen Fuhan knew that she was ignoring him because he had gone a bit too far last night.
However, since Shen Funian and Shen Chengyao were still present, he didn't say much and instructed the servants to prepare the meal.
After sitting down, Wen Jiayue ate her meal by herself, ignoring Shen Fuhan the whole time.
Shen Funian noticed the awkwardness between the couple but refrained from asking.
After they finished eating, she spoke softly, "Did my older brother make you angry?"
Wen Jiayue pouted slightly: "I guess so."
"What do you mean by 'consider it'?" Shen Funian found her reply strange. "It is or it isn't. What does 'consider it' mean?"
Wen Jiayue couldn't explain, "Oh, you don't understand."
Shen Funian pressed on, "Then tell me, how did he make you angry?"
Wen Jiayue dared not tell her at all; such a private matter could not be told to anyone.
She changed the subject: "Let's go see Zhaozhao."
Shen Funian snorted: "I knew you wouldn't tell me. Fine, I won't ask."
When Shen Fuhan and Shen Chengyao returned, she deliberately pulled her older brother aside and said a few words to him, telling him not to upset his sister-in-law.
Shen Fuhan nodded and said, "I know."
Wen Jiayue had no intention of eavesdropping at all, and she knew exactly what Shen Funian was going to say.
She went back to her room first to wash up.
When Shen Fuhan came out of the bathroom, he had already returned to his bedroom.
Wen Jiayue ignored him as usual, but Shen Fuhan took the initiative to speak.
"Are there any discomforts?"
She ignored him and sat in front of the dressing table applying perfume.
Shen Fuhan stood behind her, picked up a lock of long hair, and said in a low voice, "It was my fault last night. It won't be this long again."
Wen Jiayue just glared at him. "You're only saying this after you've finished. Don't you think it's too late?"
And it wasn't this that made her angry.
Seeing that she still ignored him, Shen Fuhan pondered for a moment and asked, "How long do you think is appropriate?"
Wen Jiayue said defiantly, "A quarter of an hour!"
Shen Fuhan paused for a moment: "It's a bit difficult."
Wen Jiayue was speechless: "Then why are you asking me?"
“I just wanted you to talk,” Shen Fuhan said. “And you did.”
For some reason, Wen Jiayue could detect a hint of smugness in his tone.
Wen Jiayue felt somewhat frustrated that he had managed to control her so easily.
She asked angrily, "You told Third Sister last night not to come, why didn't you tell me?"
Shen Fuhan twirled a strand of her hair between his fingers and asked in a low voice, "Do you really want to know?"
Wen Jiayue immediately lost interest in knowing. What good things could he possibly say?
She didn't want to listen, but Shen Fuhan insisted on speaking.
"Your reaction is stronger when you're nervous."
Wen Jiayue saw two blushes rising on her face in the bronze mirror, and she angrily punched him.
"Stop talking!"
“I’ve finished speaking,” Shen Fuhan paused. “If you want to hear more, I can continue.”
Wen Jiayue slammed down the perfume in her hand: "I'm going to sleep!"
Shen Fuhan couldn't help but chuckle, knowing she was shy, so he didn't tease her anymore and started talking about other things.
"I will be dining with Lord Li tomorrow night, so there's no need to wait for me."
Wen Jiayue covered her head with a thin quilt and went wherever she wanted, as long as no one paid any attention to her.
The following evening, after finishing his shift, Shen Fuhan accompanied Lord Li to the Peach Blossom Spring Restaurant.
Not long after they sat down, just as the waiter brought the dishes, a servant from the Li household rushed over in a panic.
"My lord, the young master has a fever. Madam requests that you return to the manor immediately."
Lord Li exclaimed "Oh dear!" and quickly stood up, then looked at Shen Fuhan apologetically.
Shen Fuhan also stood up and said, "Sir, you should go back first."
"I'm so sorry, my grandson is sick," Lord Li said, bowing slightly. "This meal is on me, let's meet again next time."
Shen Fuhan did not refuse, and after Lord Li left, he sat down again.
The lively sounds coming from outside the screen made Shen Fuhan seem even more alone.
Dining alone can be a bit boring, Shen Fuhan pondered, wondering if he should send someone to invite Wen Jiayue over.
However, she should have already eaten by now, so why bother making this trip?
Shen Fuhan did not give any instructions, but continued to eat, preparing to finish the battle quickly and return to the mansion as soon as possible.
The surroundings became increasingly lively, as if someone was approaching.
"Brother, we've been waiting for you! But being late means you'll have to drink this pot!"
Immediately afterwards, Shen Fuhan heard a warm, familiar voice.
"Second brother, I can't hold my liquor, so I'd better not."
It turned out to be Pei Huaijin.
Since returning to the capital and parting ways, he and Pei Huaijin had not seen each other for ten days.
"Big brother, if you don't drink, you're disrespecting me," the man called the second brother said irritably. "Come on, bottoms up!"
Shen Fuhan frowned.
He searched his mind for information about Pei Huaijin's second younger brother, Pei Huaiying.
Since Pei Huaijin left Chang'an due to illness, the Duke of Qi has transferred his love to his second son, spoiling him greatly.
However, Pei Huaiying was not as gentle and refined as Pei Huaijin. Instead, he was a brute, arrogant, and extremely competitive. He usually acted like a prince.
Although they were born of the same mother, Pei Huaiying clearly did not want his elder brother to return to the capital.
Offering unsolicited hospitality today is either suspicious or a trap; it might just be a trap.
Shen Fuhan had a good impression of Pei Huaijin, so he took the initiative to speak up and defuse the situation.
"Is that Huaijin on the other side?"
Seemingly recognizing his voice, Pei Huaijin walked over, looking somewhat grateful.
"Brother Shen, what a coincidence."
Shen Fuhan nodded slightly: "I originally had an appointment with Lord Li, but he had some family matters to attend to and left first. Why don't you have a meal with me, Your Highness?"
After saying that, he looked at Pei Huaiying, who was walking out from the side, and politely invited, "Young Master Pei, please join us as well."
Pei Huaiying raised her chin and glanced at him, then scoffed, "Excuse me, I'm leaving!"
After saying that, he strode away.
Pei Huaijin smiled wryly and said, "Brother Shen, please don't be offended. My second brother is just like that."
Shen Fuhan didn't take it to heart: "Sit down."
Pei Huaijin then sat down, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you, Brother Shen, for getting me out of that predicament."
"It doesn't matter."
The two naturally started chatting about their recent lives, and there was no sense of estrangement between them after not seeing each other for a long time, as if they were old friends who had been separated for a long time.
“Brother Shen and I hit it off immediately,” Pei Huaijin said gently. “Meeting again is like meeting a kindred spirit.”
Shen Fuhan wouldn't say such a thing, so he nodded slightly.
Pei Huaijin hesitated for a moment, then finished the remaining half cup of wine in one gulp before finally having the courage to speak.
“Brother Shen, to be honest, I stayed in Chang’an for ten days, and all I was surrounded by were sycophants. Only you treated me with sincerity. I’ve decided to be your friend.”
Shen Fuhan said, "I thought we were friends as early as that night at the post station."
Pei Huaijin was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother Shen. I would like to pay you a visit tomorrow. I hope you can spare the time."
Shen Fuhan pondered for a moment: "Okay."