Chapter 53◇
◎Men bleed and sweat but never complain of being tired◎
Xiuer's aunt-like smile stretched even wider.
Seeing that Feng Ran was constantly glancing at the soup in his bowl, Duan Jingchuan was afraid that she might snatch it and drink it without warning, so he calmly drank the soup clean.
Seeing that Duan Jingchuan had finished his drink, Feng Ran smacked her lips in regret.
After finishing her meal, Feng Ran put down her chopsticks and said excitedly, "Husband, I'm going out for a walk in a little while."
Duan Jingchuan frowned. "Where is Madam going? I'll accompany you."
Feng Ran shook her head repeatedly, "No need, no need. My whole body aches terribly, I need to stretch my muscles and bones. Husband, you were also panting heavily last night and this morning, you must be tired. You should rest well, I can go by myself."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiu'er and the other old women paused in their work of clearing away the leftovers. Those who heard this looked at Duan Jingchuan with subtle expressions, almost as if the word "no" was written in their eyes and etched onto Duan Jingchuan's body.
Duan Jingchuan gritted his teeth, "That wasn't from being tired."
Feng Ran, with an expression that said "I know how you suffer," patted Duan Jingchuan's shoulder and said, "Husband, I know that men don't complain about bleeding and sweating. I understand."
"What do you know?" Duan Jingchuan almost couldn't help but swear.
In the end, Duan Jingchuan still didn't go out with Feng Ran. He was afraid that Feng Ran would say something shocking on the way, which would make him so angry that he would die in the street.
Feng Ran hadn't been out for a long time. Before, Duan Jingchuan always accompanied her, and she rarely went into crowds to avoid upsetting him. Now, she was like a bird released from its cage, a fish leaping into the sea.
There will never again be an old woman telling her what she can't eat or what's unclean; she can eat to her heart's content.
Knowing that Feng Ran was a foodie, Jinghua Courtyard specially prepared a carriage for her, just in case Feng Ran suddenly decided to go out and ended up being abandoned on the street again like last time.
This time, Xiuer still came out with Fengran, but apart from the coachman, they didn't bring anyone else.
It was true that Feng Ran's martial arts skills were recognized as the strongest in the Dingbei Marquis's mansion. Even if she didn't know martial arts, no one could bully her with just her brute strength.
Feng Ran didn't like having people following her around, and over time, Lord Duan withdrew the people who were secretly protecting her.
Feng Ran underestimated the festive atmosphere of the capital. Before her carriage even reached the streets she usually frequented, it was surrounded by a huge crowd.
Looking up at the vast sea of people in the distance, she immediately lost interest in continuing forward. She instructed the carriage to wait there, and she led Xiu'er through a side path, intending to explore other places.
Xiuer has become much bolder, unlike at the beginning when she always had to look after Fengran and protect her, afraid that she would suffer a loss.
Now, when Xiuer stands next to Feng Ran, her little face is held high, she feels very safe, and she walks with a confident stride.
After winding through countless streets, we finally found one that was a little quieter.
Xiuer glanced around and discovered that the Crown Princess had walked onto a street lined with bookstores and taverns.
Bookstores are already much quieter than other shops, and since it's only the second day of the Lunar New Year, many bookstores are still closed. There are only one or two scattered bookstores with waiters at the door.
The hotel usually doesn't open until noon, and it looks rather deserted.
"Princess Consort, there are no snacks on this street. Shall we walk around some more?" Xiu'er thought that Feng Ran didn't know the way and had mistakenly wandered into the deserted street.
Feng Ran's face was unusually serious. She squinted and carefully sniffed the air, her gaze sweeping over the various shops before finally settling on an inconspicuous Ren'ai Bookstore.
Xiuer followed Feng Ran's gaze and quickly explained, "Your Highness, the owner of this bookstore is a well-known philanthropist in the capital. Whether it's a homeless child with nowhere to go or anyone else in trouble, they can always find a meal and a drink at that bookstore. I've heard that many poor children can't afford to go to school, and the owner of this bookstore will let them read some old books for free."
Feng Ran remained expressionless, but her voice was weak as she said, "Oh, really?" She then walked towards the Ren'ai Bookstore.
Xiuer didn't quite understand why the Crown Princess, who never read books, was suddenly interested in the bookstore. Could it be to buy a gift for the Crown Prince?
Thinking of this, Xiuer's eyes lit up, and she thought to herself, "The Crown Princess has indeed come to her senses."
The owner of Ren'ai Academy was a middle-aged man in his forties, with a goatee, tall and thin, who looked quite honest and kind.
Seeing Feng Ran approaching, he immediately greeted her with a smile: "Madam, are you here to buy books? Would you like me to help you choose some?"
Feng Ran didn't answer the shopkeeper's question, but stared intently at the person in front of her, her dark eyes seeming to suck people in.
For some reason, the shopkeeper felt a chill run down his spine and cold sweat poured down his forehead. He scoffed to himself, "Haven't I ever seen a beautiful woman before? How come I'm so stunned by her that I can't move my feet?" He figured he must have misunderstood the situation.
The shopkeeper shifted his stiff body, trying to avoid Feng Ran's gaze.
Feng Ran smiled, looked around, and asked casually, "Shopkeeper, I thought your bookstore was quite spacious, but it feels much smaller when I come in?"
The shopkeeper, all smiles, cupped his hands and said, “Madam, you may not know this, but as a bookstore owner, I naturally have many books. There are many books that I can’t bear to display and let them gather dust, so I keep them properly stored in the storeroom. And my storeroom is located in the backyard of the bookstore, so you may find the front hall a bit small.”
This piqued Feng Ran's curiosity. "Shopkeeper, your tastes are quite similar to mine. I don't really like things made with noodles. Why don't you take me to the storeroom to have a look?"
The shopkeeper, who had been bowing, froze and blurted out, "Madam, this storeroom is never cleaned. Going there might soil your clothes."
Feng Ran smiled faintly, not exposing the loophole in his words, and casually picked up a book to nitpick, "Shopkeeper, your bookstore is very dark. Bring me a candle. It's so dark that my eyes are hurting."
The shopkeeper looked uneasy. "It's my fault for neglecting you, madam. Please wait a moment."
Feng Ran followed the shopkeeper's gaze all the way to the small door, frowned, shook her head, and then began to examine the bookstore.
Xiuer also sensed something was wrong and asked quietly, "Princess Consort, have you noticed anything unusual?"
Feng Ran casually tapped Xiu'er's forehead. "What are you thinking about? Have you been looking at too many sketchbooks? Go and call the coachman. I'm a little tired and really don't want to move. I'll just wait for you here."
Xiuer was skeptical and didn't want to leave on her own.
Feng Ran said helplessly, "Alright, I know you're tired too. Let's sit down and rest for a while, and then we'll go find the carriage together."
Seeing that Feng Ran sat down directly on the small stool that the shopkeeper usually sat on, and rubbed her legs in distress, Xiu'er thought that Feng Ran was really tired. She felt extremely guilty and said, "Princess Consort, it was my oversight. I will go and call a carriage right away. Please wait here for a moment."
However, Xiuer did not leave immediately. Instead, she instructed the shopkeeper who brought out the lantern, "Shopkeeper, my young mistress is feeling unwell and will be waiting here for a while. Please take good care of her. If there is any mistake, the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion will not let her off lightly."
The steward's hand holding the lamp trembled, and he quickly apologized, "Miss, please rest assured, it was my fault for not recognizing the Crown Princess. I will take good care of her."
Xiuer nodded in satisfaction before turning to leave.
The manager had already suspected that Feng Ran was no ordinary lady, and after Xiu'er revealed her identity, he became even more respectful. "Princess Consort, here are the candles you requested. Please see if they are bright enough?"
The shopkeeper hadn't intended to hand the lamp to Feng Ran; instead, he planned to hold it up himself.
Feng Ran reached out to ask for it, and the shopkeeper couldn't very well refuse.
Feng Ran took the lamp in her hand, casually pulled out some tendons and bones, leaving only a candle burning there. The flames jumped around in the wind. Feng Ran casually picked up a book and fiddled with it.
The shopkeepers dared not look away from this scene. The burning of the valuable book was not a big deal, but if the person in front of them were injured, their bookstore would never have peace.
Feng Ran's purpose in asking for the candlelight wasn't actually to read. While playing with the candlelight, she asked curious questions: "Shopkeeper, can the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion afford this bookstore?"
The shopkeeper, unsure of Feng Ran's true intentions, cautiously replied, "Your Highness is joking. Even if there were dozens or hundreds more bookstores, they still couldn't compare to the Marquis of Dingbei's residence."
Feng Ran breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. I'm relieved. You can settle your accounts at the Marquis of Dingbei's residence from now on."
Seeing Feng Ran's excited and eager expression, the shopkeeper had a very bad feeling. He said indirectly, "If the Princess Consort takes a fancy to any book, please feel free to take it. Consider it my way of showing respect to you. It is my good fortune."
The implication is that if Feng Ran just takes one or two books, he won't charge her.
Feng Ran smiled strangely, "Shopkeeper, I haven't taken a fancy to any particular book, but I've been very curious about a certain phrase lately, and I hope your bookstore can help me find the answer."
The shopkeeper bowed even deeper and said respectfully, "It is our honor to be able to answer the Crown Princess's questions. May I ask what questions the Crown Princess has?"
“My father and husband hired several tutors for me. They all said, ‘There are houses of gold and beauties in books.’ I didn’t quite believe it, but I just happened to want to try it out at your bookstore.”
How should I try this? The shop owner was completely baffled.
He found out very quickly.
He watched helplessly as Feng Ran set the book in her hand on fire, flames shooting high into the sky. Feng Ran was quite puzzled, "Where are the gold and the beauty?"
The shopkeeper's face turned green with fright. He repeatedly said, "Your Highness, this is absolutely forbidden! These are all precious ancient books. It would be a terrible sin if they were to be ignited by fire."
Several middle-aged men who appeared out of nowhere in the shop also advised, "Madam, you can't let the fire start in the bookstore. It's such a waste to burn these good books. Every book you burn, the shop loses a book that can be used for charity!"
Feng Ran said innocently, "I didn't mean to do anything, why are you all so nervous?" Then she asked the customers surrounding her with an innocent look, "Are you here to buy books too? Or are you in cahoots with the shopkeeper?"
The words “a gang” were pronounced very clearly.
The group of people gathered together involuntarily took a step back, looking at each other with expressions of unfamiliarity. Seeing Feng Ran's thoughtful expression, one of them quickly said, "We don't know each other, but we come here often, so we've become somewhat familiar with each other."
A note from the author:
Feng Ran: I heard there's gold in the book.
Bookstore owner: So you burned my shop down!!
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