10. My mother was bullied to death by the bride.
◎Beware of underground workers looking for you!◎
The first person to discover the Prime Minister was Xiong Qi. He was a military general and had better hearing than the average person, so he naturally heard someone approaching.
Not wanting to remind the young master, she could only signal to the princess with her eyes that her father had arrived and she needed to greet him.
Feng Ran was completely out of sync, only watching Xiong Qi wink and make faces. Her hands stopped moving. "Xiong Qi, what's wrong with your eyes?"
Duan Jingchuan noticed something, turned his head and saw a man with an official air standing not far away.
The man who arrived was over forty years old and had servants attending to him; he must be his father-in-law.
Duan Jingchuan feigned composure and recited the opening remarks he had practiced a thousand times in the study yesterday: "Greetings, Father-in-law." He then bowed respectfully.
Feng Ran then realized that her adoptive father had arrived, and could only reluctantly give up petting him for the time being, but did not take the initiative to speak.
The original owner was indeed that kind of person, quiet and reserved, and over the years, he had spoken to his biological father, Wu Renxing, very few times.
Wu Renxing had too many daughters, and he personally disliked them, so he didn't get close to any of them.
Feng Ran didn't greet him, and Wu Renxing didn't mind. However, he looked at Duan Jingchuan with some surprise.
As the rumors proved to be false, the heir of the Marquis of Dingbei was indeed exceptionally handsome and intelligent. He was just a bit thin and pale, and looked frail, but he was not at all as bad as the outside world had described.
If the daughters of the wealthy families in the capital were to learn of Duan Jingchuan's appearance, they would likely lose all their good reputation. He couldn't help but find the idea of his wife staging a substitute marriage somewhat amusing. In his opinion, the heir of the Marquis of Dingbei was a good match, but Feng Ran's appearance was far inferior to his; she truly resembled her mother.
Wu Renxing was also someone who judged people by their looks, so naturally he liked Duan Jingchuan.
"My dear son-in-law, there's no need for such formalities. The wind is biting cold; let's have a chat in the front hall." Duan Jingchuan's polite manner reminded Wu Renxing of when he first entered officialdom. He particularly admired the modest gentlemen, but he came from a poor farming family and had no confidence.
He then turned to Feng Ran and said, "Your mother and sister are waiting for you in the flower hall. Go there."
Huh? Why do we have to separate? Is this also a rule for returning to one's parents' home? Feng Ran was completely confused and turned to ask Xiu'er.
Xiuer knew Feng Ran's personality. As soon as she saw the questioning look in her eyes, she guessed what was going on and could only nod secretly.
"It's the rule." "I'm not going." Feng Ran refused decisively.
The prime minister, who was leading the way, paused, seemingly not expecting to hear those two words.
Seeing that Duan Jingchuan's tension was almost palpable, Feng Ran naturally couldn't leave easily. She had brought him here, so she naturally wanted to take him back safely.
"Nonsense! This is utterly improper!" the Prime Minister shouted.
Duan Jingchuan could see that the Prime Minister was somewhat angry, and suddenly felt a little wronged for his wife. His tense mood dissipated a bit, but he hadn't yet figured out how to plead for his wife.
Feng Ran said sarcastically, "You taught me manners?" She had come here with a purpose, so she couldn't waste the opportunity.
"You unfilial daughter, it seems your mother should discipline you properly. You have no manners at all." The Prime Minister spoke sternly, his finger almost touching Feng Ran's forehead.
Duan Jingchuan subtly shifted his body, and although he was a little stiff, he still tried his best to stand in front of Feng Ran.
The prime minister's anger subsided; this daughter was not someone he could reprimand at will.
Feng Ran rolled her eyes. She was terrified, yet she wanted to shield someone from a knife. Before the knife even came, she would suffocate herself.
He pulled the socially anxious boy behind him and said, "Your Excellency, in your old age, you may be missing your mother. My mother works underground, so if you miss her, I can help you." His tone and expression were extremely sincere.
Xiong Qi and Xiu'er lowered their heads deeply. They shouldn't have expected the Crown Princess to be gentle and virtuous. Now, she has used such inappropriate words and embarrassed her own family. It should be alright, right? At least they should be familiar with each other by now, shouldn't they?
It took the Prime Minister a long time to understand what he meant; it was a sarcastic remark. Just as he was about to unleash a torrent of abuse, Duan Jingchuan spoke up.
"Father-in-law, let's go to the front hall first." After saying that, he grabbed Feng Ran's sleeve and pulled her forward.
Feng Ran swore that the little socially anxious boy's reaction speed had improved, and his sentences were becoming longer. It seemed that going out was actually beneficial for him? Or perhaps he could go out and play more often in the future? That sounded good.
The Prime Minister's words were stuck in his throat; he couldn't say them, but he felt uncomfortable if he didn't. He could only flick his long sleeves to express his anger.
This time, no one delayed them, and they quickly arrived at the front hall. The Prime Minister seemed to have come to a realization, and instead of sending Feng Ran to the flower hall, he directly instructed the steward to call the Madam over.
The three people sat in the front hall, staring at each other in silence.
Duan Jingchuan had already used up all his courage, and now he wished he could become invisible. He felt extremely uncomfortable in the unfamiliar environment.
Feng Ran, on the other hand, was leisurely waiting for her bride to arrive so she could vent her anger on her mother's behalf.
Prime Minister Wu Renxing had no intention of paying attention to these two people. In his eyes, it was the Marquis of Dingbei's family that was dissatisfied with him, which was why Feng Ran slapped him in the face. Otherwise, with that rebellious daughter, she wouldn't dare to be so disobedient even if she had a hundred lives.
He was indeed wrong in this matter, so he could only pretend to remain silent.
Since the incident of the substitute marriage was exposed, the Prime Minister's wife, Liu Shi, had been reprimanded by the Prime Minister. She got up early this morning to make preparations. Originally, she wanted to invite more concubines and illegitimate daughters to annoy Feng Ran, but now she dared not do so.
She hadn't expected the Prime Minister to be so angry. Feng Qing was their only daughter; how could she not consider things more carefully? That heir of the Marquis of Dingbei was no good man. Who knew which high-ranking family in the capital was capable of such a thing? The Prime Minister had actually stood by and watched his daughter walk into a pit of fire.
She couldn't have a son, so she didn't object to the prime minister bringing one person after another into the family. However, she just couldn't stand the little bastard born to his ex-wife. It's just that the sickly man didn't seem to live a long life, so marrying the heir of the Marquis of Dingbei was considered a step up for him.
"Mother, can that sickly man accompany my sister back to the manor?" Wu Fengqing sat down, her arrogant expression ruining the beauty of her otherwise good looks.
"Qing'er, remember, that's your older sister." Madam Liu hurriedly reminded her. The betrothal was to the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister, and only the eldest daughter could marry into the family. Therefore, her Qing'er could only be the second daughter.
"I know, Mother." Wu Fengqing didn't take it seriously. That little brat couldn't cause any trouble. Two sickly girls together would be quite a sight.
Liu didn't say much more. She didn't think Feng Ran could cause any trouble, but she still had to silence the gossip.
Wu Fengqing came here today to watch the spectacle. Everyone says that the heir of the Marquis of Dingbei has a hideous face and often goes mad. To think he wants to marry her is simply a pipe dream.
I wonder how many more days her dear sister will live.
She recalled the gentle words her brother, the Crown Prince, had spoken to her these past few days, and her whole demeanor became even more tender and charming.
Liu noticed her daughter's youngest daughter's expression, but didn't say much, and even felt a little smug.
If my daughter can win the Crown Prince's heart, she will become the Empress. Both the Wu and Liu families will become even more prominent. What is the Dingbei Marquis's mansion compared to that? The world is at peace now, and there is no need for generals.
Just as the mother and daughter were lost in their daydreams, the butler brought new news.
"What did you say? That bitch actually asked Mother and me to go see her?" Wu Fengqing looked incredulous. Was this really her second sister, no, her older sister, whom she dared not utter a word to?
Lady Liu wasn't too surprised. The matter of a substitute marriage certainly wouldn't be easy to get through. She guessed that this was at the behest of the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion, meant to give them a warning. Originally, Lady Liu didn't care about this kind of warning; she would have claimed illness and refused to see anyone. However, the Prime Minister had just lost his temper recently, so she dared not be presumptuous and could only grit her teeth and bear it.
Fearing something might happen to her daughter in the front hall, Madam Liu did not intend to let Wu Fengqing accompany her.
But Wu Fengqing didn't take it seriously. She hadn't seen a joke yet, so how could she give up? "Mother, don't worry. The marriage is done now, they can't do anything to me. I still have my brother, the Crown Prince, as my backer."
When Wu Fengqing acted coquettishly, Madam Liu thought about it and realized that it made sense, so she moved to the front hall.
The lobby was so quiet it was almost suffocating.
Feng Ran and Duan Jingchuan had grown accustomed to this atmosphere of social isolation, but the Prime Minister was not.
No guest dared to leave his residence in an awkward silence.
But he was too proud to speak up first, so he could only wait for his wife to arrive.
As soon as Liu and Wu Fengqing entered the room, they were captivated by Duan Jingchuan's profile.
Wu Fengqing could hardly believe her eyes. Was this really the rumored heir of the Marquis of Dingbei, who was said to have a mental illness? How could someone with such an appearance have no reputation whatsoever in the capital?
That shameless hussy really got off easy. The young master is too good for her. It's a shame he's not good enough for her. But her heart has already been given to her brother, the crown prince. Otherwise, they might have had a beautiful love story.
But does the heir of the Marquis of Dingbei know that she was the one who was initially engaged?
Remembering that the Emperor suddenly issued the decree to grant the marriage, could it be that the Marquis of Dingbei's heir had long harbored feelings for her? What should she do? How could the heir marry that slut?
Thankfully, Feng Ran doesn't have mind-reading abilities, otherwise she would definitely spit in Wu Fengqing's face and say, "What are you thinking? You need to get treatment for your illness. Your overthinking is hopeless."
After all, Madam Liu was getting on in years, and she recovered quickly after a moment of confusion. Seeing that the front hall was so quiet you could hear the floor, she was a little unsure of what was going on. That brat Chunhui was so oblivious, not even bothering to remind her.
"My lord, I have prepared wine and dishes. Shall we move on?"
After she finished speaking, as if she remembered something, she said to Duan Jingchuan, "This must be Ranran's husband. He is indeed very handsome. I don't know what you like, so I just prepared a few things."
However, Liu met with a cold shoulder. Duan Jingchuan merely glanced at her, as if he had seen something dirty, and quickly looked away, staring at Feng Ran instead.
This scene made her so angry that she lost her mind.
It was the Prime Minister who saved the day. "Let's have our meal first," he said, and without waiting for Feng Ran and the other woman's reaction, he got up and left.
Liu was furious and took her anger out on Feng Ran, saying, "Now that you're the Crown Prince's wife, do you no longer recognize your mother?"
The prime minister, who had taken the first step, paused, clearly thinking of the underground worker's remarks that he had long understood.
"I'm so annoyed by you, my bride! I'm afraid if I call you my bride, I'll have to talk to you in the middle of the night." Feng Ran, as expected of Feng Ran, once again shocked everyone with her words.
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