CHAPTER 444: CHAPTER 444: EVERYTHING I DO IS MERELY FOLLOWING MY HEART

Pei Shu’er walked up to Tang Zan with a sweet smile on her lips.

Tang Zan seemed to sense something and turned around. When he saw her, his dark eyes filled with tenderness.

He reached out his hand to Pei Shu’er, a hand with a thin layer of calluses.

"Is the treatment finished?"

Xiao Shen saw Tang Zan like this and felt somewhat dazed. He had never seen Tang Zan like this before.

Who didn’t know that Tang Zan was known for his cold heart and calculating nature?

Yet, he could be so gentle with a woman like Pei Shu’er who had once wronged him, which was truly extraordinary.

Moreover, it seemed that when Tang Zan was moved by love, he was just like any other man in the world.

His eyes and heart would be filled only with her.

Pei Shu’er walked up to Tang Zan and held the large hand he offered, her fingers subconsciously rubbing over the calluses in his palm.

"It might take a few more days to completely clear the poison; it’s been too long since the poisoning."

Tang Zan said, "Thank you for your hard work, madam."

Pei Shu’er curved her lips and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Then could you make me something delicious tonight to replenish my energy?"

Tang Zan nodded. Even though it was just a light "mmm" that seemed ready to be blown away by the wind, it carried infinite tenderness.

Watching them walk further and further away, Xiao Shen couldn’t help but be amazed.

It’s so rare to see Tang Zan fall in love with someone.

Clearly, he looked like someone who would love only himself forever.

But then again, perhaps only someone as excellent, brave, and resolute as Pei Shu’er, who is not soft-hearted, deserves Tang Zan’s affection.

Not just Tang Zan, but even himself, in his 23 years of life, has felt a very different affection for someone for the first time.

Pei Shu’er is indeed a very charming person.

It’s just that this goodwill came when he met someone he couldn’t love.

The next day at noon, Pei Shu’er arrived at the Xiao Mansion as promised.

The guards immediately escorted Pei Shu’er inside with utmost respect.

Prefect Xie happened to be outside the door seeking to meet Xiao Shen, yet he was still blocked from entering.

That attitude from the guards made Prefect Xie feel sour all over again.

Comparing oneself to others really can drive one crazy.

Weren’t they childhood playmates, best friends even?

And yet, he was no match for Pei Shu’er, who could cook and heal.

Pei Shu’er smiled and looked at Prefect Xie.

"Lord Xie, want to go inside together?"

Prefect Xie nodded awkwardly, and soon, his face changed back to a carefree grin.

Pei Shu’er smiled as she went in with Prefect Xie.

On the way, Prefect Xie kept talking about how close he used to be with Xiao Shen, and Pei Shu’er listened with a smile, never interrupting.

The more Prefect Xie talked, the less confident he felt.

He thought Pei Shu’er, with her demeanor, resembled a fox who had seen through everything.

Noticing Prefect Xie’s silence, Pei Shu’er smiled and said, "Lord Xie, rest assured, since I have promised you, I will not go back on my word."

Prefect Xie froze, looking at Pei Shu’er with a tinge of surprise and gratitude.

She must have seen through his anxiety, which is why she said such words.

Because of Pei Shu’er’s words, he felt a sense of peace of mind.

At the very least, he no longer had to tirelessly prove how close he used to be with Xiao Shen.

After all, the past was the past, and now is now.

Not to mention that Xiao Shen had drawn a line between them because he hadn’t stopped Mrs. Xiao Lin from swallowing medicine to take her own life.

So, his relationship with Xiao Shen was somewhat peculiar.

Once they entered Mrs. Xiao Lin’s room, Pei Shu’er noticed that her complexion had improved significantly since the previous day.

The antidote worked.

Pei Shu’er gave Mrs. Xiao Lin acupuncture and applied medicine on her forehead.

Seeing the bluish tint on Mrs. Xiao Lin’s face fade away, making her look like she was simply asleep, Xiao Shen’s eyes brightened.

Previously, even while Mrs. Xiao Lin slept, there would still be a faint bluish tint, even if it wasn’t obvious.

But now, with the bluish tint gone, revealing her natural pale skin, she truly looked like she was asleep.

Pei Shu’er summoned a few maids.

"Watch carefully; in the future, help the old lady with massages like this, so when she wakes up, her body won’t be stiff, and her muscles won’t atrophy."

The maids focused intently, finding that what they assumed would be tedious and dull instructions from Pei Shu’er were surprisingly simple and easy to understand.

Most importantly, it was easy to remember.

Pei Shu’er stayed until everyone had gotten the hang of it, watching them give Mrs. Xiao Lin a massage to ensure there were no issues, then smiled and took her leave.

Just as she reached the door, Xiao Shen suddenly said, "Why don’t you stay for a meal?"

Pei Shu’er looked at him, somewhat puzzled.

"Is it to discuss culinary skills?"

Xiao Shen was visibly startled, then nodded and said, "Yes, I just researched a dish and want to discuss it with you."

Pei Shu’er shook her head. "It’s a bit regrettable, but I promised Tang Zan that I’d grill barbecue for him."

Xiao Shen’s expression stiffened slightly.

Not wanting to offend the Imperial Uncle, Pei Shu’er smiled and said, "How about joining us for barbecue if you don’t mind?"

Xiao Shen’s eyes lit up, firstly because he had never encountered barbecue before, nor had he even heard of it.

Secondly, as he considered Pei Shu’er his confidante, he wanted to communicate with her more.

After all, many of his culinary ideas could only be understood and responded to by Pei Shu’er, who could even open new directions for him.

A wise man sacrifices for his confidant.

Although he was not yet at the point of sacrificing himself for Pei Shu’er, he understood the saying.

"Sure, I’ve never had barbecue before." He laughed heartily.

Since Pei Shu’er invited Xiao Shen, she couldn’t possibly leave Prefect Xie out.

The three of them reached the entrance of the Xiao Mansion and saw Tang Zan already waiting there.

His gaze swept over the two of them lightly, then he nodded in greeting.

"Get in the carriage."

Pei Shu’er had previously mentioned that grilling barbecue outdoors was more fun.

And so, the four of them headed outside Jingzhou City.

As soon as they left the city, they were met with the sight of starving people scattered across the land.

Pei Shu’er immediately spoke up, "Xuan Yi, please go to Pei’s and inform Zisu to take out 500 kilograms of rice to make porridge and distribute it to these refugees."

With tens of thousands of people here, 500 kilograms of rice turned into porridge should be enough for them to eat.

In the past, she struggled to survive and had no way to help these people.

But now, with the means to do so, there was no need to turn a blind eye to their plight.

Xiao Shen sighed, "In this world, there are refugees everywhere. How can you possibly care for so many?"

Pei Shu’er smiled, "I don’t have a big heart, nor do I possess the mindset of a savior to rescue people from distress. I just want to exert my modest effort and, when I am in a good mood, give these people a way to survive."

"Everything I do is just following my heart."

Xiao Shen was silent for a long time at Pei Shu’er’s words, then he smiled and shook his head.

"Yes, indeed, I was overthinking it. At this moment, I have the ability and the desire to save people, so I will go and save them, without worrying about other things."