Chapter 276: Chapter 277: I’m Not Familiar with You Chapter 276: Chapter 277: I’m Not Familiar with You Pei Huaian saw her coming and immediately stood up, his expression excited as he said, “Shao He, I…”
“I don’t know where the Fifth Prince feels unwell. I see you scaling walls every day, which ought to be good enough exercise to keep you healthy,” Shao He raised an eyebrow and said with a cold laugh.
“I just wanted to come see you. You’ve been avoiding me these past few days. Why?” Pei Huaian felt somewhat panicked, uncertain whether she was still angry about the last incident or if she really wanted to avoid him.
“Sorry, I’ve been quite busy recently. Please forgive me, Fifth Prince. If there’s nothing else, please leave.”
Disappointment showed on Pei Huaian’s face. “Shao He, then you go ahead with your urgent matters. I’ll come to see you another day.”
After Pei Huaian had left, Shao He looked at the items on the table and sighed.
Actually, she wasn’t intentionally driving Pei Huaian away, but she felt that the closer she got to him, the more likely people would suspect something. She couldn’t reveal the child’s identity yet, so she had to keep her distance from him.
But all this, in Pei Huaian’s eyes, was not so. He just thought that Shao He was avoiding him, which began to panic him inside.
“Ah Mo, tell me, if I weren’t a prince, would Shao He accept me?” Pei Huaian suddenly asked before getting into the carriage.
Ah Mo was taken aback; he hadn’t expected his master to bring up this topic today. “Master, why do you ask such a question? The struggles within the Royal Family are a hundred, a thousand times more cruel than the outside world. A slight misstep could be disastrous, and only by being in this position can you protect Doctor Shao.”
“Is that so?” Pei Huaian’s lips curled into a bitter smile, then turned to look at Ah Mo. “You know, my mother died early, and the Empress, among others, keeps a watchful eye on me. I really shouldn’t involve others in this.”
Ah Mo, who had never seen his master so pessimistic, hastily began to advise him.
“Master, don’t overthink it. Doctor Shao will understand your difficulties sooner or later.”
Pei Huaian was silent for a moment, then shook his head, “Let it be, let’s go.”
Ah Mo breathed a sigh of relief. Having been by his master’s side for this period, he knew all too well how stubborn his master could be. He also understood how important Doctor Shao held in his heart.
After a busy day, Shao He finally stopped, glanced at the gloomy weather outside, and decided to take Wei Wan home early.
The three of them had just left Anji Hall when they saw a carriage waiting not far away.
Ah Mo jumped down from the carriage and said with a smile, “Doctor Shao, what a coincidence. Would you like a ride with us?”
“No need,” Shao He replied very coldly.
Ah Mo, not willing to give up, asked again, “We’re headed the same way. Come with us.”
“I’m not familiar with you,” Shao He’s gaze remained fixed on the carriage.
He couldn’t believe that Shao He was really so heartless. They had already shared a bed, and moreover, they had a child together!
Seeing this, Ah Mo quickly explained, “Doctor Shao, please don’t misunderstand. The master means no harm; he just wants to give you a ride along the way.”
“Doctor Shao said we’re not familiar, isn’t that a bit inappropriate?” Pei Huaian poked his head out of the carriage, his voice gentle.
“The only relationship between the Fifth Prince and me is that of patient and doctor; there’s nothing else. So when I say we’re not familiar, what is incorrect about that?” Shao He countered, and Pei Huaian was left speechless, not knowing what to say in response to her statement.
He had wanted to say they also had a child together, and that they had been intimately close many times, but he stopped the words at his lips, fearing it would anger Shao He again.
“Since there’s nothing else, this commoner girl will take her leave,” Shao He truly bent down in a bow, then turned and left, the motions fluid, without a hint of hesitation.
Pei Huaian watched her leaving figure, wishing he could rush forward and pull her back.
“Master…” Ah Mo called out helplessly; such things couldn’t be rushed.
“It seems I need to hasten my actions,” Pei Huaian gathered his thoughts, his gaze following the direction in which Shao He had gone, his tone calm.
He was still uncertain whether Shao He’s deliberate distancing was to avoid suspicion or if she really detested him.
Whichever it was, he was unwilling to accept it.
Shao He walked down the road with Wei Wan, who seemed to also sense her mother’s mood and carefully followed behind.
Suddenly, Shao He saw a hairpin at a stall and immediately ran over joyfully, picking it up to place on Shao He’s head. The vendor behind immediately said, “Madam, would you hairpin?”
Shao He took off the hairpin. In her mind, she involuntarily recalled the hairpin Pei Huaian had once given her. Although not identical, it was very similar.
Shao He handed back the hairpin to the vendor, then took her mother’s hand and said, “Don’t touch other people’s belongings next time.”
“I, I thought you would like it,” Wei Wan said meekly.
Seeing her mother , Shao He thought for a moment, and finally bought the hairpin and put it on her head, “I really like it.”
Wei Wan showed a child-like smile, clapping her hands joyfully, “It looks very pretty, very pretty.”