Chapter 285: It is Merely a Misunderstanding
“Xian’er is still young, we need to slowly educate her about such matters.” Pei Qingfeng looked at Ling Xian’er who had an innocent smile on her face. He might feel rather helpless but he still wanted to protect her.
When the Honored Sir heard Pei Qingfeng’s comment, a profound light flashed through his eyes. After a long time, he spoke to Pei Qingfeng, “Qingfeng, it has been a long time since we had a conversation. There are some things a young lady like Xian’er shouldn’t hear. Follow me, we need to talk.”
Pei Qingfeng’s heart started to pound. His intuition told him that there was nothing good when the Honored Sir called him over for a discussion. However, Pei Qingfeng was unable to come up with an excuse and he had to acknowledge his order. He followed the Honored Sir to the study room.
The moment Pei Qingfeng entered, the middle-aged man swung his sleeves and the doors shut tightly. He quickly arranged a restriction at the entrance so no one would be able to hear the conversation.
He had no intention to beat about the bush and he quickly fired his question.“Before I entered the capital city, I asked one of our disciples to scout it out. Do you know what he told me?”
Pei Qingfeng knew that things were going south. The disciple definitely saw him eating with Bai Luochu. Pei Qingfeng’s heart was racing but he pretended to be composed, “Oh? I wonder what that disciple saw?”
The middle-aged man stared into Pei Qingfeng’s eyes. He was trying to detect a trace of a lie by seeing if Pei Qingfeng would become uncomfortable or nervous.
Pei Qingfeng sat there unmoving as a mountain. Regardless of rain or wind, he didn’t budge an inch. It was as though nothing had happened. Only Pei Qingfeng knew that his heart was racing uncontrollably. He wasn’t afraid that the Honored Sir would do anything to him. He was afraid that he might make a move on Bai Luochu if he learned of her existence.
That Honored Sir examined Pei Qingfeng for a long time and wasn’t able to see through his pretense. He no longer persisted and he closed his eyes to conceal his thoughts. He repeated the report by the disciple to see if Pei Qingfeng would react differently.
“That disciple came back and told me that you were having a meal together with a young lady who is at the prime of her youth. Furthermore, your actions were... rather intimate.” After speaking, the Honored Sir opened his eyes again. This time, his intention was obvious as he stared straight at Pei Qingfeng’s face.
His eyes were like torches which wanted to tear through Pei Qingfeng’s pretense. He wanted to expose the panic in Pei Qingfeng’s heart.
It was fortunate that Pei Qingfeng had already made preparations before this conversation. No matter what the Honored Sir said, Pei Qingfeng was able to remain composed and indifferent. Pei Qingfeng knew that the only thing he could do was to provide a convincing explanation for his relationship with her.
“So that is the case.” Pei Qingfeng opened up the folding fan in his hand and gently fanned himself. He spoke with an expression as though he had understood what was going on, “Honored Sir might not know, but that woman is the famed Divine Physician Bai. She is adept in disguise and she hid her identity in the past as a man. I formed a good relationship with her and I forgot basic etiquette after she revealed her identity. As she rescued me from the brink of death previously, I am extremely grateful to her. She is the orphan daughter of the general’s residence and I really pity her.”
Pei Qingfeng might have made up his story at the last minute and the sequence of events might even be different. However, he didn’t lie. The Honored Sir was almost convinced. After all, Pei Qingfeng never lied. However, if there was one thing the Honored Sir didn’t know, it was that Pei Qingfeng could turn into a shameless scoundrel when it came to Bai Luochu. He was lying with his eyes wide open in order to protect her.
“Is that true? You better not be lying to me.” The Honored Sir was still suspicious even though his expression remained unchanged after the interrogation.
Pei Qingfeng closed his folding fan and slammed his palm on the table. He seemed really angry that the Honored Sir was doubting him, “What?! Does Honored Sir not believe me?”
When the Honored Sir saw that Pei Qingfeng was angry, he immediately dispelled his suspicion. After all, he knew that Pei Qingfeng might look amicable, but if he truly turned hostile, it would be extremely difficult to deal with him. It was merely a report from a disciple and the Honored Sir didn’t need to offend Pei Qingfeng over it.
“Hahaha, there is no problem then. I knew that Young Master Qingfeng wasn’t a spoiled child like Xian’er. You won’t act so inappropriately with a woman.” He paused for a moment before reminding Pei Qingfeng, “But in the future, I hope that Young Master Qingfeng will be more careful with your words and actions. Do not interact with that young lady frequently. The agreement with the Sect Patriarch is still in effect. You don’t want to give me a hard time, do you?”
Pei Qingfeng’s expression dimmed a little as he looked towards the ground. “Yes, Qingfeng shall comply with the Honored Sir’s teachings.”
When the Honored Sir saw that Pei Qingfeng was compliant and obedient, he nodded his head with satisfaction and dismissed Pei Qingfeng, “Alright then, you haven’t met Xian’er for a long time and she misses you a lot. Hurry up and accompany her. That lass is waiting outside the door right now and is probably hopping around with anxiety because she can’t hear our conversation.”
Pei Qingfeng could also sense Ling Xian’er’s presence outside the door. Once he was dismissed he quickly opened the door.
Ling Xian’er was really curious about their conversation but she wasn’t able to hear a thing, hence, she could only place her ear on the door as she tried to eavesdrop. When Pei Qingfeng abruptly opened the door, Ling Xian’er tripped and fell into his arms.
Ling Xian’er felt really embarrassed and she buried her head into Pei Qingfeng’s chest. She was like an ostrich, unwilling to face reality. At this moment, Ling Xian’er felt utterly embarrassed and simply buried her head into Pei Qingfeng’s chest.