Chapter 596: Chapter 207: Bonds of Love Silk_4

"No need to look. She definitely won’t be waiting in the same place for us."

"But..."

"Deputy Envoy Xiao will protect her," he said slowly, "Even though Doctor Lu holds some biases against us at the Palace Front Office, please believe that the selection of the Palace Front Office is not solely based on looks."

Lu Tong: "..."

Damn it, how did he know what she was thinking.

Pei Yunmeng let out a light laugh, his hands resting on the railing as he watched the people strolling below.

Behind her, lovers passed by the railing, whispering sweet nothings to each other with deep affection. Lu Tong thought for a moment and then asked him, "Does Vice Envoy Xiao have feelings for Sister Yunshu?"

Pei Yunmeng paused, then suddenly turned to look at her, surprise flickering in his eyes.

"How do you know?"

His reaction made Lu Tong surprised for a moment too.

"Every time I visit the Palace Marshal’s Mansion, he looks at me as if I owe your Palace Marshal’s Mansion silver. But when he looks at Yunshu... "

Lu Tong pondered for a moment, "It’s as if he owes Yunshu silver."

Pei Yunmeng couldn’t help but laugh: "Why does it always involve owing something?"

Lu Tong continued, "All the way here, he also stayed by Yunshu’s side."

"Is that all?"

Pei Yunmeng smiled, speaking carelessly, "Then I owe you too, for I’ve also been protecting you all the way. What do you say?"

Lu Tong was startled, her heart suddenly racing.

A vast expanse of moonlight spilled over the city like a lake, transforming into countless lively stars when it hit the ground. Below, the lights were bright and the crowd was full of laughter, and he looked at her, his smiling eyes seeming to hold a secret tenderness.

In the midst of the noisy crowd, everything seemed far away for a moment, and the night turned silent.

Not until a figure brushed past behind Lu Tong, bumping her shoulder and jolting her back to reality from her brief daze.

"Stargazing" was popular among the men and women, and the jasmine fragrance wafted as the ladies gently waved their fans.

Yet it was not as crisp and refreshing as the orchid musk on him.

Lu Tong composed herself and changed the subject.

"If Vice Envoy Xiao likes Yunshu, why not tell him?"

Looking at Pei Yunmeng, it seemed he acknowledged Xiao Zhufeng’s feelings. However, from what she saw at the birthday celebration today, Xiao Zhufeng was evasive and silent, even in walking, he just silently followed behind Pei Yunshu, showing no initiative.

Lu Tong didn’t understand. Pei Yunshu had already divorced and was no longer Princess Wen. If Xiao Zhufeng was fond of Pei Yunshu, why wouldn’t he just tell her outright?

Pei Yunmeng glanced at her, "You really are straightforward."

"Is there a need for beating around the bush?"

He sighed and, seeing her rare interest in matters other than revenge, turned around to lean against the railing. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Because he has concerns."

"What concerns?"

"Many," Pei Yunmeng said indifferently, "Family background, temperament, the future. Maybe he worries that my sister simply does not like him."

Lu Tong couldn’t understand.

She said, "Vice Envoy Xiao doesn’t seem like the type to be so hesitant and cautious."

She wasn’t familiar with Xiao Zhufeng, but from the few encounters she had with him, she could tell that this man was cold and rigid, like an iceberg that wouldn’t melt for thousands of years, not one to agonize over trifles.

The Xiao Zhufeng that Pei Yunmeng spoke of felt like a stranger, someone else entirely.

He chuckled, his tone light, "No matter what kind of person, once bound by emotion, they all fear gain and loss."

These words sounded somewhat melancholic. Lu Tong looked at him and blurted out without thinking, "Would the Marshal also be bound by emotion?"

He did not speak.

Under the persistent night of Yujing, the distant silver river flowed. The Magpie Lamps under the eaves made a rustling sound in the wind. Pei Yunmeng leaned against the carved railing, the fleeting light slanting across the young man’s brow and eyes. That handsome, sharp face, when silent and unsmiling, revealed a captivating severity.

It was just a casual question, but the one who should answer was silent, merely looking at her for a long time without uttering a word.

Amidst the gentle evening and gorgeous night, the city was filled with the fragrance of sweet osmanthus, and the carved railing depicted colorful mandarin ducks in pairs.

In the profound silence, he gazed steadily at Lu Tong and, after a long while, said softly,

"It feels close."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read