Chapter 80◇
◎Mystery of Origins◎
Everyone was trembling with fear, unsure of the prince's attitude, each one shaking with apprehension, awaiting the consequences of his outburst.
Feng Ran, oblivious to the tense atmosphere, innocently replied, "That's right! I promised them that whoever leaves a deep impression on you will receive a year's wages as a reward for the top three."
Duan Jingchuan smiled enigmatically, "Whose 'crazy talk' did Madam find most outstanding just now?"
He spoke calmly with a hint of doubt. Although his voice was not loud, anyone with a discerning ear could immediately hear the profound meaning in his words, which seemed to carry a questioning tone. The spring breeze carried a chill, sending a cold sweat through everyone's body.
Feng Ran stroked her chin, carefully surveying the group. She had intended to select the three best, but seeing how excitedly they were waiting for their reward, she felt a little guilty. Was selecting three too few? They had all worked so hard.
She was an honest person. "I think each of them is outstanding and talented. Given time, they will surely be able to take on important responsibilities." She couldn't decide, so she left the matter to her wise husband.
Feng Ran answered with such seriousness that the people at her feet were nearly driven to despair. Didn't they see that the young master's face had turned pale and he was pressing his stomach from time to time? It was obvious that he was furious and was holding back his anger from the young master's wife.
A cold wind howled, new buds swayed, and even the most silent courtyard seemed to slow its heartbeat to the same rhythm.
The silence was long, and the last moments before execution were the hardest to bear.
The silence had lasted too long, so long that even Feng Ran's thick skin started to crack. She looked up in confusion, only to meet Duan Jingchuan's slightly restrained gaze. "Husband, are you feeling unwell?" she asked, raising her hand to touch his forehead.
Duan Jingchuan held back for a long time, but still couldn't control his facial expressions. He broke down before Feng Ran's soft hand reached him, his thin lips trembling as he let out a weak laugh, which he then swallowed back. The momentary relaxation allowed him to regain his voice.
Turning her head, she said with unwavering authority, "Since the Crown Princess thinks you are all good, then reward you all. Everyone will receive an extra six months' wages. You may leave now."
Why not give him a year's worth? Because he's trying his best to hold back his laughter, his mouth hurts, and his stomach hurts too. Giving him a year's worth would make it seem like these people's happiness is built on his suffering, and he's not happy about that.
The crowd finally received the pardon and dared not delay for even a moment. They all disappeared without a trace, as if they had grown wings. In the blink of an eye, only the couple remained.
Feng Ran seemed to understand something and looked at Duan Jingchuan teasingly, "Husband, if you want to laugh, don't hold it in. When did you learn to pretend to be so serious?"
Duan Jingchuan touched the bruise on the corner of his mouth with his cold fingers, his clear voice tinged with helplessness, "Do you think my mouth isn't swollen enough?"
Knowing she was in the wrong, she tried to appease him by shaking his sleeve, "I just wanted to make you happy, isn't that funny?"
Funny, but also terrifying.
The crack in that five-tone sound was comparable to a god farting—extraordinary.
He wanted to laugh, but seeing his family suffocating in the shadows, he remembered his wife's special instructions not to interrupt. Now, his laughter was coming out of his abdomen, and his stomach was cramping terribly.
"Where did Madam get such a wonderful idea?" Duan Jingchuan really didn't expect that a courtyard full of people who didn't know much about music or literature could dance together so harmoniously and joyfully. It was truly amazing.
Feng Ran raised an eyebrow. "I've never heard of that before."
Duan Jingchuan neither confirmed nor denied the question, nor did he press further.
Despite his advanced age, Lord Duan was still vigorous and didn't break any bones even after falling twice. Old Li wiped the sweat from his brow behind him, and kept muttering in fear, "Lord Duan, please don't climb over the wall next time. You scared this old servant half to death."
Old Master Duan's voice boomed, "Hahaha, it's a rare treat to share the fun of my children. It's much more interesting to see them from the top of the wall than to stand right in front of them."
He swore that this was the first time in his life he had ever seen his children's faces contorted to such an extent.
Compared to his usual obedient and respectful demeanor, he felt that the distorted expression of joy, anger, and shock he displayed today was even more vivid.
Old Li's lips twitched involuntarily. In the entire Marquis's mansion, no, it could be said that in the entire capital, there were very few people as strange as the Crown Princess.
Feng Ran had originally invited the younger generation to watch an annual grand performance at Jinghua Courtyard, with the only requirement that they not make a sound and disturb the audience. The younger sisters naturally wanted to go, but they were unsure of what the situation would be like there, so they also dragged their two older brothers along.
Well, just as the five siblings arrived at the opening ceremony, before they even had a chance to sit down at the prepared low table, Xiu'er's shout caused Duan Yuche's head to hit the door frame.
The siblings watched the whole thing with gritted teeth, like humans who had mistakenly entered an animal kingdom, unable to tell whether it was themselves or the creatures opposite them that were acting strangely.
When they returned after the visit, their feet felt like they were walking on cotton, light and airy, as if they had been hit a dozen times with sticks and returned to their rooms like puppets on strings. After a while, some of the maids, still worried, even called a doctor.
What happened next is another story, but since that day, everyone in the Dingbei Marquis's mansion has once again reached a tacit agreement: Feng Ran must never be allowed to perform any talent shows.
The young ladies also shouldered a heavy responsibility, figuring out how to prevent the ladies and gentlemen of the capital from using their talents to intimidate others. Of course, they would also agree to let Feng Ran make a fool of herself, as long as she left the stage early.
If you really think about it, there's one person in Jinghua Courtyard whose ears are very lucky, as they haven't been poisoned by the maddening sounds. That person is the newcomer, Mr. Fang.
He happened to be out today, and when he returned and heard about this, and then heard that Huang Que was actually the main force behind that farce, he immediately sat down and burst into tears, saying with heartache, "My young master, you have suffered so much!"
Seeing Mr. Fang, who was usually calm and collected, suddenly become so agitated, Huang Que realized something. A storm brewed in her eyes. She tried to calm herself down and pretended to be clueless: "Why do you say that, sir? I find it quite interesting."
"Young master, you are of noble status, how can you act like a servant!" Mr. Fang was in agony. He never expected that such a blunder would occur due to a moment of carelessness. He was truly unworthy of being a teacher.
Hearing Mr. Fang defend her like this, Huang Que was not overjoyed, but her tone was slightly angry: "Sir, please watch your words. I was just taken in by my sister out of pity. How am I any different from a servant? Or does Mr. Fang know my former identity?"
When she asked this question, Huang Que clenched her fists slightly, but still pretended to be calm, puffed out her chest, and stared at Mr. Fang with a questioning look in her eyes.
Mr. Fang then realized that he had been too hasty and had said the wrong thing, and quickly tried to make amends, "How would I know? Now that I've entered this family, the young master is my master, so naturally his status is more distinguished."
Huang Que patted his head in distress. "Sigh, it's strange, I don't remember anything from the past. But I'm definitely not the master, so please don't tarnish my image."
Seeing that Huang Que seemed to have a headache, Mr. Fang quickly stopped Huang Que from continuing to think, "Young master, don't worry, your health is important. You are still young, you will remember in the future."
Huang Que covered her forehead with one hand and shielded her eyes from her thoughts with the other. "What if I can never remember?"
Mr. Fang frowned, his words carrying a deeper meaning: "Your family won't abandon you. Even if you can't remember, they will find you." He implied that you have your own responsibilities, which you can't escape.
Falling catkins and drifting silk threads fill the city with flowers; it is March, spring has arrived. The ever-growing verdant green stretches out its resilience, and a gentle breeze carries the fragrance of apricot blossoms, making one feel as if in a dream.
This morning, after having a leisurely breakfast, Fengran bid farewell to her parents-in-law and, like a bird released from its cage, set off for a wider world.
The rumbling of the carriage sounded like the drumbeats celebrating freedom. The gilded and jeweled windows were covered by a pale purple gauze curtain, which both blocked the prying eyes of outsiders and let in the warmth of the sunlight.
The four people in the car had different expressions. Duan Jingchuan was expressionless and indifferent. Feng Ran, on the other hand, was like a curious child, occasionally peeking out from behind the curtains and taking deep breaths of the fresh air. Huang Que was somewhat confused and puzzled, but the most confused person in the car was Mr. Fang, who had been dragged onto the bus at the last minute.
Fang Yuan was restless. He had only entered the manor as a staff member because of the young master's kindness. He had no complaints about the young master sending him to teach children to read. But could someone tell him why the young master and the young master's wife took the two of them with them when they went out?
Huang Que was not born to these two masters; he was an orphan picked up from somewhere. He had barely seen his two masters a few times before being brought out so rashly, which made him quite nervous.
But none of the people in the carriage could answer his question, so Fang Yuan had to ask them himself. "May I ask if there is anything Your Highness and Your Highness need me to do for you along the way?"
As a staff member, failing to grasp the master's intentions is a major taboo; to feign ignorance and try to take advantage of the situation is even more unacceptable. Therefore, he could only act a little foolish and take the initiative to ask.
To be honest, Duan Jingchuan didn't know the reason either. The night before last, when he told Feng Ran that they could go on a trip soon, Feng Ran took the initiative to suggest bringing Huang Que and that Mr. Fang along. Although he didn't understand her intention, he thought it wouldn't hurt to bring two more people. He wasn't short of money to support those two people, and the journey would be lonely. If there were two more people to accompany her, Feng Ran would be happier.
Therefore, Duan Jingchuan turned his questioning gaze to Feng Ran.
The others looked at Feng Ran in confusion. Feng Ran could only spare a few thoughts to answer casually, "Because your surname is Fang, sir!"
Fang Yuan was even more puzzled. Was there anything unusual about his surname Fang? Although the surname Fang was not common, it was neither rare nor noble. Could it be that the Crown Princess had a grudge against his Fang family?
Thinking of this, he felt a chill run down his spine, but then he dismissed the idea. The Crown Princess was a young lady from the inner quarters of the household, while he was just an ordinary commoner, and it was impossible for him to have any interaction with her.
Seeing the three of them seeking knowledge, asking questions, and asking for answers, Feng Ran grinned and recited a line she had finally managed to memorize: "Isn't it said that one should not travel far while one's parents are alive, and if one must travel, one should have a fixed destination? Mr. Fang, your surname is so auspicious; we can go as far as we want!"
Fang Yuan nearly choked on his saliva. The teachings of the sages, the words of the hundred schools of thought, and the interpretations of the scriptures instantly choked him up. He had an urge to speak out, but he dared not reveal his emotions due to the dignity of his host. His face remained perfectly composed, which was quite a lively scene.
Duan Jingchuan, who was already familiar with Feng Ran, remained completely calm and composed. But Huang Que was different. He looked astonished. His sister, the Crown Princess, had once again broadened his understanding of the world. He couldn't help but think of his own name and asked in confusion, "Could it be that when my sister found me, she named me Huang Que because my skin was yellowish and I was as thin as a yellow sparrow?"
Feng Ran glanced at the yellow sparrow and shook her head solemnly, "That's really not it. The day I went out, there were two yellow sparrows making a lot of noise, and you were like a little tail, sticking to me and not letting go, so I just gave you this name on a whim."
Huang Que twitched her lips. Sure enough, she couldn't have too many expectations of her older sister.
Duan Jingchuan smiled and pulled up one side of the curtain. "Madam, there are fewer people outside now, so you can enjoy the scenery. It has a unique charm."
Feng Ran immediately leaned her head closer, "Yes, it's been so long since I've seen such lush greenery. Husband, come and see for yourself. Don't you rarely go out either?"
The two little heads were squeezed together in one window. Huang Que and Fang Yuan looked at each other and silently opened the other side of the gauze curtain, putting their heads in as well.
The other three people in the bicycle were silent, except for Feng Ran, who kept chattering. One moment she exclaimed, "Wow, that bird looks so pretty, I wonder if it tastes good." Then she turned her attention to the small objects by the roadside, "Hey, this stone looks so unique, it feels so familiar."
She talked for a long time but no one responded. Even Feng Ran, who was used to Duan Jingchuan's smiling face, was dissatisfied. "Husband, weren't you quite talkative when you were little? Why don't you talk to me now?"
Duan Jingchuan raised an eyebrow in confusion, "How did you know that I liked to joke around when I was a child?"
A note from the author:
Happy New Year!
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