Chapter 63◇

◎Waaaaah, I'm so scared!◎

"Second sister-in-law, thank you so much. When I was in the water just now, I thought my life was over. They were all laughing at me and not a single person offered me a helping hand."

Perhaps it was because she had experienced a life-or-death moment that Duan Jingyin suddenly saw the true colors of her former close girlfriends. When she really needed them, they all just yelled and screamed, and some even watched the spectacle. If it weren't for Feng Ran, she was afraid that lecherous man would have taken advantage of her long ago.

When it comes to this matter, Feng Ran has something to say.

"Hey little girl, you should be able to swim, right? Why are you splashing around in the river like an idiot? Don't you know how to climb out yourself?"

Feng Ran only realized later that almost all the young ladies and gentlemen of the Dingbei Marquis's mansion were good swimmers; the only exception was her husband. The basic survival skill of floating had been taught to them long ago, and all the children of the Duan family were skilled swimmers. So why had Duan Jingyin struggled in the water for so long?

In the past, Duan Jingyin would have thought that Feng Ran was mocking her and deliberately poking at her sore spot. But after this incident, her admiration for Feng Ran reached its peak, and she explained to Feng Ran with great embarrassment.

"I was terrified, and I knew that if I climbed up there, people would definitely see my body, so I didn't know what to do."

She really didn't expect that it would be Feng Ran who rescued her, and that she was rescued so well. As soon as she came out of the water, she was completely covered by Feng Ran's cloak, and not even a single hair was visible.

Hearing this explanation, Feng Ran was exasperated. "Is your life more important than your reputation? It's the dead of winter. Even if you're soaked in water, who can see anything? Don't make that stupid mistake next time, or I won't save you."

Although Duan Jingyin disagreed with Feng Ran's words, she nodded and surprisingly did not argue back.

But Duan Yutang didn't think so. "Princess Consort, my sister's reputation will definitely be damaged after falling into the water. If she comes out of the water on her own, how will she face people in the future?"

At this point, a sense of resentment and bitterness arose in her heart. The girls of the family were all in the same boat, sharing both glory and misfortune. Today, Duan Jingyin's reputation was ruined, and as a concubine's daughter, her reputation would not be much better.

Thinking about it this way, it would be better if Duan Jingyin were rescued by any man. That way, as long as she marries him, her reputation problem will be solved.

Ultimately, Duan Yutang's skills were lacking, and her true feelings were clearly written on her face; even Feng Ran could see it.

Duan Jingyin's face flushed with indignation. "Elder sister, what do you mean by that? Does it mean that just because I was tricked, I deserve to marry that scoundrel and accept my fate?"

Duan Yutang realized she had inadvertently revealed her true intentions and quickly said, "What are you saying? I was just worried about my sister, I had no such intentions at all."

Duan Jingyin took these words to heart. She knew that although she had been saved today, her reputation was definitely ruined.

So many young masters and ladies had seen her struggling in the water; who knows what they were saying behind her back? Thinking of this, she felt a surge of sorrow, and tears streamed down her face, almost soaking Feng Ran's sleeves.

Feng Ran truly had no way to deal with these little girls who cried at the drop of a hat. If they argued or made a scene with her, she could find a fault to shut them up. But she couldn't bear to see them crying silently here, so pitiful.

There was nothing else I could do but coax her: "Stop crying. The person who made the mistake isn't crying, and neither are the onlookers. Why are you, the victim, crying? If you really can't swallow this, then it's simple! Find a rainy day and invite them over for a chat. Make the one who misbehaves stand under the eaves in the rain for half an hour. She's not allowed to leave the Dingbei Marquis's mansion until she's soaked to the bone. Then let's see who laughs at whom."

Hearing Feng Ran's nonsensical and unreasonable words, Duan Jingyin chuckled, "Second sister-in-law, although your method won't work, I like to hear it."

Seeing that the little girl had finally stopped crying, Feng Ran breathed a sigh of relief.

“This is not a big deal. What you should be thinking about now is to avenge your wrongs and settle your scores. As for losing face, everyone has to lose face sometimes in their hundred-plus years of life. It’s really not a big deal. If any family dares to look down on you, just follow your father’s example and go to their door with a spear. Let’s see who dares to say a word against you.”

Finally amused by Feng Ran, Duan Jingyin felt extremely embarrassed. She had actually acted coquettishly towards the Crown Princess she used to hate the most, and even hid in her arms to cry. But the other woman's embrace was so warm that she really didn't want to let go.

Back at the Marquis of Dingbei's residence, Duan Jingyin was too embarrassed to ask Feng Ran for a hug again.

Seeing how stubbornly she wouldn't let go, Feng Ran found it amusing and sent her back to the Chrysanthemum Courtyard.

When Qin heard that Duan Jingyin had gotten into trouble outside, she rushed over in a panic without even putting on a cloak. Seeing Duan Jingyin and Feng Ran struggling, she was furious and slapped Feng Ran, yelling, "You can't even take care of a child!"

Duan Jingyin was shocked, "Mother!"

Feng Ran's eyebrows were furrowed tightly, and her fists were clenched so hard they made a loud cracking sound. She was just waiting for that slap to come down so she could break her hand.

Qin's slap came fiercely and suddenly. Duan Jingyin was lying on the bed and couldn't stop it. Just as the hand was about to land on Feng Ran's face, it was grabbed tightly by a pair of strong hands from behind. The voice that came afterward was like ice crystals, "Mother, are you still asleep today?"

Upon seeing Duan Jingchuan arrive, Feng Ran immediately loosened her clenched fists and looked at him with innocent and pitiful eyes, appearing extremely aggrieved.

Duan Jingchuan was indeed heartbroken beyond measure. This was the second time his wife had been beaten right under his nose. How could he tolerate this?

Seeing Feng Ran's affected manner, Qin Shi was even more furious. "What, am I not allowed to teach her a lesson?"

Duan Jingchuan shielded Feng Ran behind him. "Mother, you haven't even asked about the cause and effect of the matter before you start to take your anger out on her. I want to ask you, Mother, what exactly did Madam do wrong? Is it worth it for you to take action without even asking?"

"Hmph, as the Crown Prince's wife, how could she fail to notice that Yin'er fell into the water? For that alone, I should be punished."

Looking at Duan Jingchuan standing in front of her, Feng Ran smiled and scratched his lower back to show she wasn't angry. "Husband..."

"Mother, it's not my second sister-in-law's fault that I fell into the water; she saved me." Duan Jingyin's voice was soft, like a cat's meow. After speaking, she coughed a few times, and her face turned even paler.

"Yin'er, how are you? Why hasn't the doctor come yet!" As soon as Qin Shi saw that Duan Jingyin was not feeling well, she disregarded her argument with Duan Jingchuan and carefully supported Duan Jingyin, gently patting her back.

In the past, Duan Jingyin would always feel smug if she received special care from her mother, thinking that she was the most considerate little cotton-padded jacket. But now, looking at her cold-faced brother and the irritable Feng Ran, she felt like a clown who had stolen her mother's affection.

Duan Jingchuan glanced at Duan Jingyin with extreme indifference, then lowered his eyes and whispered, "Madam, you must be tired. Let's go back first."

Feng Ran didn't feel wronged when Qin Shi scolded her earlier, but seeing Qin Shi fussing over Duan Jingyin while ignoring her own husband, Feng Ran's eyes stung. She hugged Duan Jingchuan's arm and said sweetly, "Okay, let's go back. I want to eat sugar pastry."

Duan Jingyin was afraid that Qin would say something else, so she clung to Qin's sleeve and cried her heart out. Qin was heartbroken and comforted her repeatedly, forgetting about Feng Ran, whom she had just vented her anger on.

After leaving the Chrysanthemum Courtyard, Duan Jingchuan gently embraced Feng Ran. "I'm sorry, I'm the one who made you suffer." Although he didn't know how Duan Jingyin fell into the water, Duan Jingchuan believed that it had absolutely nothing to do with Feng Ran.

Feng Ran's temper wasn't exactly bad, but it certainly wasn't. She would only give way when she encountered his family. Even the people from the Prime Minister's mansion had never seen her suffer any grievances. He never expected that she would have to tolerate his mother again and again because of him. This realization made Duan Jingchuan feel extremely guilty.

"This isn't your fault. I'm not sad or angry. Husband, don't overthink it. Let's just live our own lives. We won't interfere in their affairs anymore." Feng Ran was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Qin Shi. This wasn't a mother; she was clearly a scourge.

If she had valued Duan Jingchuan even a little more, she wouldn't have ignored him, nor would she have been stingy with a smile. She had thought that Duan Jingchuan had deep affection for his parents and would show them respect even if she didn't want to. But now it seemed that such respect was worse than feeding a dog.

As for Old Master Duan, it doesn't matter. No matter what happened in the past, Old Master Duan's affection for Duan Jingchuan is genuine. She believes that Duan Jingchuan has seen it too, and his attitude towards Old Master Duan has softened again and again.

But what about Lady Qin, the wife of the Marquis? All she saw was Lady Qin taking advantage of her position and treating Duan Jingchuan like some kind of filthy thing. She had no maternal love whatsoever. She never saw Lady Qin take the initiative to care about Duan Jingchuan. What kind of mother is she? She has no respect for her!

Feng Ran grew angrier the more she thought about it, wishing she could go back and let her taste whose fist was harder.

"Ahem." As soon as Lord Duan arrived, he saw the young couple embracing each other affectionately, not letting go for a long time. He was anxious to see what was wrong with Duan Jingyin, so he had to speak up to remind her.

Duan Jingchuan and Feng Ran turned to the side at the same time. They saw that the old Marquis Duan was looking at the sky, the ground, and the distance, but not at them. Both of them, who were not shy, blushed. Duan Jingchuan was the first to release his hands from around Feng Ran's waist.

When it comes to shamelessness, Feng Ran is definitely a cut above the rest. She clung tightly to Duan Jingchuan's arm, her eyes darting around as if she were deep in thought.

"Father."

"Hmm, is there anything wrong, Jingyin? Is the Crown Princess injured?" Old Marquis Duan tried his best to ignore Feng Ran's hands that were messing around Duan Jingchuan's waist, and tried to only look at Duan Jingchuan's eyebrows and eyes.

"Father, Madam was somewhat frightened. I was just about to take her back to rest. My sister and mother are taking care of her."

The difference between close and distant relationships is immediately apparent. When Duan Jingchuan talked about Feng Ran, he looked heartbroken, but when he spoke of Duan Jingyin, his expressionless face made it seem as if he were talking about a stranger.

Lord Duan cast a doubtful glance at Feng Ran. As if receiving a signal, Feng Ran's waist went limp, and she threw herself into Duan Jingchuan's arms, burying her face in his chest, "Waaah, I'm so scared."

This is so fake. This is the collective sentiment of the Duan family father and son.

Why does no one care about her? Am I not delicate enough? Feng Ran questioned her own perceived fragility and tried again, this time using both hands and feet.

"Eek..."

"Tear".

Two voices rang out simultaneously.

A note from the author:

What a waste of time! I can't go to class now. I have a headache.