Chapter 5 Sending Treats and Taking His Pulse
I sent him food once, and my fiancé arranged beautiful clothes and jewelry for me.
I took it as his way of showing approval.
He must care about me. He’s just reserved and doesn’t know how to express it.
So I would have to take the initiative.
After that, I sent Pei Du little snacks every day, changing the recipes each time.
Sometimes I thought of making medicinal dishes, but then I wondered—should I take his pulse first?
After that busy period, Pei Du started returning to the residence every day. I picked a time and went over, saying I had something to discuss with him.
The servant beside him looked at me like he had seen a ghost, but he still went in to report.
What was so shocking about it…
Every time I sent food, his people had that same expression.
Once inside, that servant deliberately left the door wide open, sneaking glances like a thief.
The cold wind rushed in, chilling me to the bone.
Only when Pei Du walked over and closed the door did it get better.
He poured me a cup of tea and asked, “Miss Wen, how have you been settling in at the residence these days?”
“Quite well.”
I answered honestly, “It’s just that you’re too busy. I hardly ever see you.”
Pei Du had just taken a sip of tea when he heard this. The liquid caught in his throat, and he started coughing violently.
I quickly stood up and patted his back to help him breathe.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m… fine…”
Pei Du waved his hand, motioning for me to sit back down.
My gaze suddenly fell on his slender hand.
My fiancé had truly been blessed by the heavens—his hands were long and beautiful, with distinct knuckles.
Before I realized it, my hand had already reached for his wrist.
Pei Du: “?”
He lifted his eyes to look at me, a hint of confusion in them.
I cleared my throat. “The weather has been getting colder lately. I came to take your pulse, Second Master, and see whether you need any medicinal dishes to nourish yourself.”
After all, he was my future husband. I naturally had to care about his health.
Pei Du pressed his lips together. His long lashes trembled noticeably.
“That… might not be appropriate.”
I understood—we weren’t married yet.
My fiancé was shy and restrained. Even after bringing me back to the capital for so long, he had never once sought me out on his own.
Though he said that, he didn’t pull his hand away. He let me hold his wrist quietly.
I persuaded him, “It’s fine. There’s no one else here.”
At my words, Pei Du’s eyes widened in shock. His narrow eyes rounded slightly.
The skin beneath my fingers felt warm and smooth like jade. I quickly made my judgment.
His pulse was strong and steady—nothing major wrong, just a bit of excess heat.
Some cooling dishes would do.
I withdrew my hand. Pei Du spoke my name.
“Miss Wen…”
I said seriously, “When no one else is around, you can call me Wen Xueyi.”
Pei Du lowered his head and coughed lightly. A faint red crept across his handsome face.
“Wen Xueyi.”
He called softly, almost unclearly, then hesitated before asking, “Have you really thought it through?”
Did this even need thinking?
I nodded, a little puzzled.
Sigh.
So easily embarrassed. What would happen after we married?
Speaking of marriage…
“Then when do you want to hold the wedding? Have you decided?”
I asked him.
Pei Du pondered for a long moment. “Isn’t it a bit soon? There are still many things unsettled.”
Soon?
I came to the capital precisely to marry him. He should have been prepared long ago.
I had also heard street gossip—many engagements were deliberately dragged out until they fell apart.
After a dazed pause, I asked, “Do you… not want to marry me?”
It made sense. Our betrothal was arranged by the elders. We had never met in all these years.
Besides, I was just a country orphan girl. I really wasn’t worthy of him.
Before he could answer, I took out the token.
“If you’re unwilling, we can break the engagement right now.”
“This belongs to its original owner.”
Pei Du’s gaze fixed on the token in my hand. Ripples appeared in his dark eyes.
“Break the engagement?”
“Of course not.”
His eyes deepened, and his expression softened.
“It’s only because there are many affairs to handle. Preparations still need time.”
He gently tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.
“Our wedding must be perfect in every way.”