Chapter 62◇

◎I'll just give you a little hug◎

The sound came from the girl's direction; judging from the sound of falling into the water, it wasn't too far from Feng Ran.

Feng Ran's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly had a bad feeling. Ignoring Duan Yuxia, she rushed towards the sound. She saw a small head splashing in the water, and the girls around her were just shouting and yelling, but none of them went into the water to save the person.

"These idiots," Feng Ran cursed, looking down.

The man on the other side also noticed that a young woman seemed to have fallen into the water. A brave man jumped into the water and seemed to be swimming over to rescue her.

The girl in the water wasn't happy that someone jumped in to save her. Instead, she struggled to climb to the shore, constantly reaching her hands out of the water, hoping someone would lend her a hand. But the other girls watching the commotion stayed far away and refused to lend a hand.

Seeing the man swimming over, Feng Ran leaned forward and pulled the girl struggling in the river out with one hand. Then, with a flick of her cloak, she pulled the girl into her arms, not minding that she was soaking wet. She hid the girl, who had fallen into the deep water, so well that no outsider could see a single hair.

The man who came to rescue her was just one step away from saving the girl. When he saw someone pull her up, he became furious and scrambled ashore. He looked at Feng Ran with concern and said, "Madam, the girl in your arms has probably choked on water. Please put her down so I can take a look."

The girl in his arms was already shivering from the cold, and when she heard that a man insisted on seeing her disheveled appearance, she trembled even more violently. She clung tightly to Feng Ran's waist, buried her head in Feng Ran's chest, and showed no intention of coming out.

Feng Ran was unhappy, not because the girl was clinging to her tightly, but because the scheming look in the eyes of the ungrateful man in front of her was almost bulging out. For some reason, anger surged up in her heart, and Feng Ran kicked the man back into the water with her long legs.

Duan Yuxia's eyelids twitched at the sight, and she quickly came over to make amends, saying, "Princess Consort, were you frightened? I don't know which scoundrel came up to you in such disheveled clothes."

There were girls around whispering that Feng Ran was too heartless, that someone had come to care about her with good intentions, and yet she had kicked the man back into the water. After Duan Yuxia said this, the girls suddenly realized that the man's actions were indeed inappropriate.

Knowing full well that the girl in the water had already been rescued, he still eagerly approached her, without considering his current state. Being kicked back by the Crown Princess was already a relief; if he were allowed to linger on the shore, the reputations of all the girls would be ruined. They couldn't help but feel grateful to Feng Ran.

Even if the river isn't frozen, it's not very warm in winter. The girl who fell into the water was as cold as ice. Luckily, Feng Ran was a natural little furnace. The girl didn't hold back at all and clung tightly to Feng Ran, as if she wanted to crawl into Feng Ran's clothes.

Princess Anping's eyebrows twitched. She hadn't expected to meet Feng Ran again in this way. The scene was chaotic, and it was unclear who had fallen into the water. She had no choice but to step in and take charge. "Princess Consort, quickly take this young lady to change her clothes!"

Feng Ran nodded. At that moment, she didn't know who she was holding in her arms. She had intended to help the girl change her clothes, but as soon as she took a step, the girl's legs went weak.

Princess Anping was about to summon her maid to help when Feng Ran suddenly picked the girl up in her arms, adding considerately, "Hide yourself well."

When Feng Ran picked up the girl, Duan Yutang also came over. She and Duan Yuxia exchanged a glance, and both of them understood each other. They subtly covered the collar of Feng Ran's clothes that was showing from her arms.

Feng Ran paused for a moment, then casually picked up the girl and left.

After arriving at the guest room and closing the door, Feng Ran placed the girl on the bed and gently coaxed her, "It's alright, there's no one here anymore."

The girl's face was streaked with tears, her lips were purple from the cold, and her pale hands were still clutching Feng Ran's cloak.

As expected, it was Duan Jingyin. Feng Ran hadn't considered who this girl was before, but seeing the unusual expressions on the faces of the Duan sisters, Duan Yutang and Duan Yuxia, she guessed that this person might be Duan Jingyin.

Now is not the time to worry about these things. This girl has been soaking in the water for a while, and if she doesn't change her clothes soon, she is very likely to catch a cold.

Fortunately, young ladies usually carry two spare dresses when they go out. After changing her clothes, Duan Jingyin was terrified. She became extremely uneasy as soon as Feng Ran left her sight.

Duan Yutang and Duan Yuxia entered at this moment and hurriedly surrounded Duan Jingyin, asking, "Sister, is someone trying to harm you?"

Duan Jingyin's lips trembled as she gripped Feng Ran's sleeve tightly, replying in a trembling voice, "I didn't see clearly, I don't know."

Feng Ran frowned, touched Duan Jingyin's slightly feverish forehead, and said to the two sisters, "Now is not the time to talk about these things. We need to take her back first. She might get sick."

Duan Qingyin thought Feng Ran was about to leave, so she tightened her grip a bit more. "I can't walk. Can you carry me?"

Duan Yutang thought that Duan Qingyin's legs had gone weak from fright, so she quickly comforted her, "Don't be afraid, your two older brothers have arrived too."

Duan Jingyin refused to give in. When she was in despair, Feng Ran pulled her out of the water and carefully hid her. Now she only recognizes Feng Ran.

Fortunately, Feng Ran was strong and healthy. Although her clothes were wet, she had changed them and was no longer bothered by the slight chill she had just experienced. Without saying a word, she picked Duan Jingyin up again.

Duan Jingyin nestled obediently in Feng Ran's arms, showing no trace of her usual arrogant and domineering demeanor.

Feng Ran thoughtfully shook the cloak, completely hiding her small face inside, and instructed, "Hold on tight, be careful the wind doesn't blow on you, I won't have any free hands."

Princess Anping frowned outside. By now, she had figured out the whole story. Just now, Duan Jingyin and the Miss Sun had a fight by the lake. Duan Jingyin was very agitated and seemed to be about to push the Miss Sun. The Miss Sun dodged to the side, and Duan Jingyin lost her balance and fell into the lake.

The man who came to rescue the person was none other than Miss Sun's own brother. He said he saw someone fall into the water and thought it was his sister, so he came to save her. Unexpectedly, Feng Ran kicked him back into the lake. It's said that the kick was quite severe, breaking two ribs. He's currently groaning and demanding justice from the doctor.

Only when he heard that the person who kicked him was the heir apparent of the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion did his whining stop, but he still insisted on seeing the people from the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion, saying that he had seen the body of the Marquis of Dingbei's young lady in the water and was shouting that he should take responsibility.

There was something fishy about this, which annoyed Princess Anping so much that she kept frowning and only wanted to throw that noisy, nonsensical man into the lake to feed the fish.

Upon seeing the two young masters of the Duan family arrive, she quickly explained the whole story, apologizing profusely, "I am truly sorry. It was my negligence that caused Miss Duan to fall into the water. The railings by the river must have been in disrepair for many years. I was careless and caused Miss Duan to fall into the water."

Although the two Duan brothers were anxious, they did not dare to ask Princess Anping for her crime. They simply waited with cold faces to see what the situation was.

When Feng Ran brought Duan Jingyin back earlier, Princess Anping thought it was because Feng Ran was in a hurry and suddenly unleashed her extraordinary strength. But seeing that Feng Ran had brought Duan Jingyin out again and didn't seem to be struggling at all, Princess Anping was a little unsure. Was the heir apparent of the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion really that strong?

I had heard rumors that the younger generation of the Duan family had a strained relationship with the young master and his wife, but now it seems that these are completely unfounded. The way the eldest daughter of the Duan family depends on the young master's wife is undeniable.

Duan Jingyin's appearance startled the Duan brothers, Duan Yuze and Duan Yuche. They were about to take Duan Jingyin from Feng Ran's arms, but Duan Jingyin clung tightly to Feng Ran and wouldn't let go. Feng Ran shook her head and said, "It's okay, I can hold you."

The two brothers, remembering the strange strength in Feng Ran, didn't stop her and escorted her back to the carriage at the Marquis's residence.

Just before getting into the car, Feng Ran suddenly remembered something and turned to Duan Yuze, saying, "I just broke someone's ribs." Feng Ran originally intended for Duan Yuze to clean up the mess, but Duan Jingyin was clinging to her so tightly that she didn't want to go and check whether the person was dead or alive.

The Duan brothers had already heard about this, and for the first time, they didn't look down on Feng Ran for her bad temper. Instead, they said to Feng Ran with fierce expressions, "It's good that the Crown Princess kicked her. It's alright. I will definitely get justice for the Crown Princess later."

Feng Ran raised an eyebrow and then dropped the matter.

Knowing that Duan Jingyin was alright, the two brothers couldn't very well go back with her. Besides, the Sun siblings really needed to be dealt with; they had bullied the women of the Marquis's mansion for no reason, and this matter couldn't be left unresolved.

After getting into the carriage, Duan Jingyin was still trembling a little. She subconsciously grabbed Feng Ran's clothes and wouldn't let go. Feng Ran tugged at her clothes a couple of times, but when she saw the little girl's teary eyes, she suddenly felt a little sorry for her and stopped bothering her, letting her continue to tug at her clothes.

Seeing that Feng Ran ignored him, Duan Jingyin felt bad again and said softly, "Thank you."

Feng Ran twitched the corners of her mouth and stuffed the hot water bottle that Xiu'er had prepared for her into Duan Jingyin's arms, "Hold it to warm your hands!"

Duan Jingyin was as obedient as a little hamster. She dragged the hot water bottle into her cloak and moved slightly towards Feng Ran. When Feng Ran didn't react, she moved even more until she was pressed against Feng Ran. She then let out a soft breath.

Feng Ran rubbed her temples. Why did this child seem a little dazed after falling into the water? Didn't he usually look down on them?

Duan Yutang and Duan Yuxia were also stunned. Was this really the same Duan Jingyin who always opposed Jinghua Courtyard? She was incredibly obedient.

Only Duan Yuxia understood. Perhaps she could empathize with Duan Jingyin. For some reason, she could feel a strange sense of security in Feng Ran. She thought that Duan Jingyin must have felt it too, which was why she was trying to lean on Feng Ran as much as she wanted.

Feng Ran could sense Duan Jingyin's slightest movements. After all, if Duan Jingyin moved any further, she would be climbing on top of her. Feng Ran couldn't help but ask, "Where are you trying to squeeze in? Are you trying to sit on me?"

Duan Jingyin's eyes shone brightly: "Can I?"

Feng Ran really wanted to say no.

As if she could anticipate Feng Ran's words, Duan Jingyin immediately took a small step back and said with great longing, "I just want to hug you for a moment, just for a tiny bit." She then gestured with her fingers to indicate an extremely small distance.

Seeing Duan Jingyin's pitiful state, Feng Ran sighed. Oh well, she's still just a fourteen-year-old child.

Seeing that Feng Ran's expression relaxed, Duan Jingyin immediately hugged Feng Ran's arm without saying a word, and even rubbed her face against it in a coquettish way, just like a feline.

A note from the author:

The aftereffects of COVID-19 are quite severe. My sense of smell hasn't returned, and I can't muster any energy. I don't know when I might recover. My ribs hurt from coughing.