Chapter 25.4

Observing her silence, Pei Yan’s long lashes trembled slightly, and he said apologetically, “I saw that you were lost in thought just now, so I took it upon myself to carry you down. I apologise for…”

“Ah, it’s okay, it’s okay,” Tao Ti waved her hands hurriedly. “It’s wrong to let the carriage stop for too long… Rather, I’m quite heavy; it’d be too hard on you to carry me. Next time, just tell me, and I’ll hop off myself.”

“You’re not heavy.” Pei Yanfeng smiled lightly. “Although my constitution is weak, I still have the strength to hold you.”

Tao Ti didn’t know if it was her illusion, but when he said the word “hold”, the smile in his tone became more pronounced.

Including just now, this was the second time he has hugged her today.

Tao Ti avoided his gentle eyes and forced out, “Um, well, let’s go take a look around. It’s a rare chance for us to be out here, we have to look at everything…”

“Mhm.” Pei Yan stood side by side with her and said, “Let’s go.”

The West market was comprised mainly of foreign merchants. Shop doors were wide open, and goods of all kinds were placed outside, making one go dizzy with all there was to take in.

Although Pei Yan and Tao Ti were dressed in low profile, just like what Tao Ti had thought, with his handsome face, he was the best-looking person wherever he went. What’s more, with his innate regal aura, anyone who was just somewhat discerning could see that he was either wealthy or of noble status.

Therefore, as soon as the two entered any store, an attendant would immediately come forward with their backs bent ingratiating, smiling enthusiastically like morning glories in full bloom in spring.

Tao Ti used to think that women would be more impulsive when it comes to shopping, but after walking around with Pei Yan for half a day, the picture of the two of them seemed different from what she had imagined. For example——

In the incense shop:

The attendant said, “Hello, customers. This is a top-grade agarwood incense that just came in from Funan Kingdom. It took about a year’s journey on water there and back to get just this one piece of top-grade agarwood incense. Look at the texture, and have a whiff of its fragrance…”

Tao Ti glanced at it curiously.

Pei Yan asked, “What do you think?”

Tao Ti replied casually, “Mhm, it’s pretty good.”

Pei Yan said, “Alright.” Turning to look at the attendant, he said, “Wrap it up, I’ll take it.”

Tao Ti, “…?!”

The attendant grinned so hard that he was all teeth. “Ah, Madam, your mister treats you really well. You are really fortunate!”

In the jewellery store:

The proprietress said, “Ah, Madam, you have great taste. This Southern pearl necklace is our store’s latest item. Look at the lustre, then look at the roundness and size. Even the ones worn by the esteemed ladies in the palace may not be of such quality. As the old saying goes, Eastern pearls are not as good as Western pearls, and Western pearls pale in comparison to Southern pearls. Madam, you are as beautiful as a flower. If this string of Southern pearls is worn around your neck, it will make your skin look even fairer and smoother.”

Pei Yan asked, “What do you think?”

With the experience from the previous store, Tao Ti replied after a moment’s hesitation, “…Well, it’s alright, I guess?”

Pei Yan said, “Alright.” Turning to look at the proprietress, he said, “Wrap it up, I’ll take it.”

Tao Ti, “…?!”

The proprietress burst into smiles, “Madam, your husband is really so sweet to you. I wish you two a long and happy life together, and may you have lots of children and grandchildren!”

Husband…

Upon hearing this term of address, Pei Yan’s eyes flickered, and he glanced at the woman beside him reflexively.

Only to see her hanging her little head, and her fair ears had turned an obvious shade of crimson.

It was just one mention of the word, ‘husband’, and she was already so shy?

But for some reason, his heart was inexplicably itching to hear her call him ‘husband’ in a soft and sweet voice.

Tao Ti was still feeling embarrassed. Although she and Pei Yan were indeed husband and wife in name, being given such blessings by another made her ears heat up uncontrollably.

She bit her lower lip lightly, not daring to look at Pei Yan’s expression. She only hoped he didn’t notice that small little term of address.

But the next moment, she heard Pei Yan say smilingly to the proprietress, “May your blessings come true.”

B-Blessings come true? Tao Ti was stunned, then suddenly realised that he was referring to the part about growing old together and having lots of children and grandchildren, and her head started to buzz.

He was just being polite, right? Right?!

Before she could make head or tail out of it, Pei Yan took her to the store next door and continued to buy, buy, buy.

About two hours later, Tao Ti looked at the carriage that was bursting at its seams and finally understood why he had brought three carriages with them today…

Little lad, this is way too over the top!

Are you trying to buy the entire Western market or something?!

Seeing the shopkeepers and attendants in the rest of the stores staring at them with glowing eyes, as if they were two pieces of gleaming and plump pork belly, Tao Ti shivered.

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