46 Chapter 46◇
◎Husband, let me give you some brain-boosting nutrition◎
This teasing remark made Qin Lianhua laugh through her tears. "I dare not let Qingyin hear this, or I don't know how she'll tease you."
Feng Ran coldly watched the two of them being affectionate, then chose a perfect spot to sit down and waited for Duan Jingchuan to return.
The sound of Feng Ran sitting down startled Qin Shi, who was lost in her reverie. Seeing that Feng Ran showed no humility or remorse, she became even angrier. "You dare to sit down! Apologize to Hua'er now! This Dingbei Marquis's mansion is not your place to be in charge!"
Feng Ran picked at her ear and couldn't help but remind her, "What did I say that I need to apologize for?" The implication was, "Are you deaf or hallucinating?"
Qin's face stiffened. She remembered; Feng Ran hadn't actually intended to send Qin Lianhua away, but she...
Seeing this, Qin Lianhua hurriedly tugged at Qin Shi's sleeve, "Aunt, don't blame my cousin-in-law, it's all Hua'er's fault. My cousin-in-law never said anything to Hua'er before."
Qin Shi was about to get angry again when Feng Ran spoke softly, "Mother, my husband is coming back, and Father and the concubines are following behind him."
Feng Ran could smell Duan Jingchuan getting closer, but she was just guessing who the people behind him were.
As expected, Qin swallowed back the words she was about to say. Seeing that Qin didn't intend to pursue the matter, Qin Lianhua also tactfully wiped her eyes. Perhaps she wiped too hard, because her eyes were red and it was obvious at a glance that she had been crying.
Feng Ran gave Qin Lianhua a sarcastic smile. Qin Lianhua did not avoid Feng Ran's gaze at all. She looked weak and frail, as if she had been frightened, and stood there blankly. Just then, Duan Jingchuan pushed the door open and entered.
Upon seeing Duan Jingchuan, Qin Lianhua quickly rubbed the corner of her eye again, as if to hide something, and said softly, "Cousin is here. Aunt has been waiting for you for a long time."
However, neither Duan Jingchuan nor Feng Ran paid any attention to Qin Lianhua's performance. When Duan Jingchuan came in, he simply said in a cold tone, "Mother is well." He sat next to Feng Ran without saying a word.
Duan Jingchuan's face was visibly pale, even Feng Ran, who wasn't usually very observant, noticed it and tugged at his sleeve, asking quietly, "What's wrong?"
Before Duan Jingchuan could answer, Madam Qin snorted coldly, "You still know to come see me? I almost forgot that I have a son, the heir apparent."
Feng Ran pouted, not wanting to embarrass Qin Shi in front of Duan Jingchuan, but secretly and gently covered Duan Jingchuan's ears, saying slyly, "You were just hallucinating."
Duan Jingchuan forced a stiff smile, his slightly cold hand gripping Feng Ran tightly.
Although Feng Ran didn't know what was wrong, she still held his hand back. The warmth from her small hand reached Duan Jingchuan's heart, and his frozen blood slowly began to flow again. Of course, the considerable strength in Feng Ran's hand was also a good medicine to bring him back to his senses. Although it felt very comfortable to hold, he said, "Madam, please be gentler." His voice was a little hoarse, unlike his usual clear and gentle voice.
Upon hearing Duan Jingchuan's accusation, Feng Ran's hand trembled, and she quickly loosened her grip, holding it loosely while using her other hand to rub it. "I'm sorry, I forgot that I'm a bit strong."
Duan Jingchuan seemed to have returned to normal as well, and said in a deep voice, "It's alright, it's my fault."
Madam Qin frowned, extremely displeased that Feng Ran and Duan Jingchuan ignored her and were being affectionate on the side. Just as she was about to reprimand them, the door opened again, and this time it was Old Marquis Duan and the other people from the back courtyard who arrived.
This was the first time Feng Ran had seen the Dingbei Marquis's mansion as a complete family. The troublesome Aunt Xu was with her eldest son, Duan Yuze, and Aunt Wang, who was never outstanding but had her own plans, was with her two children, Duan Yuche and Duan Yutang.
Duan Qingyin also came over, following closely behind Qin Shi, with Duan Yuxia, who had lost her mother at a young age, also following behind.
Good heavens, the whole family is all here, with three or four legendary maids following behind. Of course, these maids all belong to the old Marquis Duan. It is said that the two illegitimate sons, Duan Yuze and Duan Yuche, have clean rooms. Compared to this, it seems that most of the women in this house belong to her good father-in-law. It's really... indescribable!
Perhaps it was because Feng Ran's gaze was too intense and her expression too direct that Old Marquis Duan couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable. He coughed lightly and said loudly, "This is the only time of the year that our Dingbei Marquis's mansion has a proper family banquet. Today, please make yourselves at home, regardless of your status!"
After speaking, Qin Shi took her seat first, and Qin Shi readily sat to the right of Old Marquis Duan. Duan Jingyin followed closely behind, followed by Qin Lianhua and Duan Yuxia.
Duan Jingchuan and Feng Ran sat down to the left of Old Master Duan. Aunt Xu sat next to Feng Ran with Duan Yuze, while Aunt Wang sat next to Duan Yuxia with Duan Yuche and Duan Yutang. The table was full, with exactly twelve people. There was also a small table next to them, where four older women sat. They were presumably Feng Ran's maids whom she had never met before.
No one introduced these people to Feng Ran, so Feng Ran was naturally happy to have some peace and quiet and didn't ask.
The four women were all well-behaved. They entered without saying a word and sat quietly to the side after everyone was seated.
Lord Duan made a few symbolic remarks of celebration, and Madam Qin, standing behind him, also put on a smile and added a couple of words.
The Duan siblings all tried to flatter him, their witty remarks making Old Master Duan and Madam Qin laugh heartily. Aunt Xu and Aunt Wang were even more delighted. Only Feng Ran and Duan Jingchuan seemed out of place at the table.
Of course, Duan Jingchuan might not actually want to join them. Whenever he was at the dinner table, and whenever Feng Ran was by his side, his only action would be to take care of Feng Ran's needs.
Perhaps because no one wanted to cause trouble on New Year's Eve, everyone enjoyed the New Year's Eve dinner. Unlike on ordinary days when everyone would leave after eating, after dinner, everyone sat around the stove and began the necessary activity—staying up late to welcome the new year.
The maids and servants brought out some nuts for everyone to enjoy. To be honest, Feng Ran was already quite full, but her mouth watered at the sight of the walnuts on the plate.
Duan Jingchuan smiled, picked up a small tool, and began to crack walnuts for Feng Ran. The click broke the silence in the room and drew everyone's attention. Duan Jingchuan's hand stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment, then returned to its nimble state, and he calmly peeled walnuts for Feng Ran.
For some reason, Qin felt a bit uncomfortable looking at this scene and couldn't control her mouth. "I've never eaten a walnut that my son peeled before. As the saying goes, once a son marries, he forgets his mother. That's absolutely true."
Feng Ran was eyeing the walnuts in Duan Jingchuan's hand with predatory intent. When she heard that someone was eyeing the food that was about to be eaten by her, her little face immediately scrunched up, and she looked at the walnuts that were about to be put into her mouth with a slight struggle.
Duan Jingchuan remained calm and unhurriedly placed the peeled walnut kernels into the small dish in front of Feng Ran, and said slowly, "I didn't know when Mother started to like eating walnuts."
Qin Shi didn't take the opportunity Duan Jingchuan offered, and said angrily, "I want to eat it now, is that not allowed?"
Before Duan Jingchuan could say anything more, Old Marquis Duan shoved a plate of unpeeled walnuts in front of Qin Shi and said with a hint of threat, "That's enough for you."
Qin looked at Lord Duan in disbelief, her eyes seemingly filled with endless grievances. Even though she was old and her beauty had faded, her accusing gaze still had a unique charm.
But the old Marquis Duan was no longer the naive young man who could be seduced by beauty. He turned his face away and asked Aunt Xu, who was standing to the side, "Yu Ze's marriage should be settled by now. Our family is not one that insists on marriage alliances. You should keep an eye on him and see which girl he has taken a fancy to. I will send someone to propose marriage right away."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Xu immediately smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency. However, Yu Ze is still young and usually busy with official duties. We may need Your Excellency to put in more effort regarding his marriage."
Duan Yuze was not shy at all and nodded in agreement. "Father, I rarely come into contact with young ladies. I think Father and Mother have much better judgment than I do. I hope Father and Mother will take care of this matter."
Qin Shi spoke to Duan Yuze with a gentle tone, "Don't worry, I've been making inquiries privately these past few days. After the New Year, I'll pick out a few good ones for you to choose from."
"Thank you, Mother. I am at ease knowing you have eyes." Duan Yuze bowed deeply in gratitude.
Madam Qin nodded, and at this moment she regained her demeanor as the matriarch of the family, and began a collective lecture, "The other eligible girls don't need to rush. I have everything in mind and have been planning for you. Of course, if you have any ideas in mind, you should tell me in advance so that I can help you make a decision."
All the children agreed.
Madam Qin surveyed the area with satisfaction, her gaze lingering slightly on Qin Lianhua. A thoughtful look flashed in her eyes before she turned to Feng Ran, saying, "The Crown Princess has been married into the Marquis's household for some time now; she should hurry up and help with the household's expenses."
Well, it's the same old story. Apparently, I didn't explain this to her clearly in private, so I brought it up in public again.
However, Feng Ran didn't want to ruin the atmosphere, so she smiled shyly.
But in Qin's eyes, Feng Ran's mouth was practically stretched to her ears, and she didn't take her words seriously at all, ruining her good mood once again.
Just as Qin was about to lash out again, Feng Ran suddenly cried out in pain.
"Husband, how could you be so careless?"
It turned out that Duan Jingchuan accidentally pinched his hand while peeling walnuts. Fortunately, it didn't break, but a large bruise appeared on his fair fingertip, which looked quite horrifying.
Duan Jingchuan chuckled, "It's alright, you can eat these first!"
Feng Ran suddenly found the walnuts on the plate displeasing, grabbed the unpeeled walnuts from Duan Jingchuan's hand, snatched the small pliers from his hand, and casually tossed them aside.
Then he casually grabbed a handkerchief to wipe his hands, picked up two walnuts in one hand, and with a forceful "crack...crack...", he had peeled all four walnuts.
Feng Ran didn't have Duan Jingchuan's patience. She picked out the walnut kernels one by one, but just picked them casually, then used small tweezers to pry them apart, and placed some large, uncrushed ones in front of Duan Jingchuan. "Husband, here you go, it'll help your brain."
A note from the author:
Duan Jingchuan: Thank you. I think Madam needs brain-boosting more.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com