44 Chapter 44◇
Come on again!
"You mean the children at the sales home?"
Feng Ran nodded seriously, "Yes, these children are not young anymore. They have never had anyone to rely on, so they are naturally much more mature than ordinary children. When escorting clothes to disaster relief and handing them over to others, there may be cases of embezzlement or greed for pleasure. However, because these children have suffered and endured hardships, they will always be more empathetic than others. They will definitely be able to handle this matter very well."
Duan Jingchuan couldn't help but wonder if it was appropriate to entrust this task to these children. After thinking about it, he realized that it was feasible.
We can still use the guards from the Marquis of Dingbei's residence to escort them. At the same time, we can promote these children to deputy positions and gradually train them. It's much better than having these orphans serve tea and water or run errands for others.
After listening to Duan Jingchuan and Feng Ran's ideas, Old Marquis Duan didn't say anything. He just stroked his beard and assigned them twenty skilled men to manage as they saw fit.
Duan Jingchuan originally wanted to help Feng Ran arrange things properly, but seeing that Feng Ran was always very enthusiastic, he didn't interfere much. However, when Feng Ran came to him with requests or sought help, he would do his best to help.
Feng Ran spent three days assembling a team of twenty-five people, and they set off in a grand procession with five cartloads of supplies they had collected over the past few days.
The orphanage sent five men over the age of sixteen to broaden their horizons and train their abilities. After all, this was not a public matter; it was all charity work done in their own names. Even if they made a slight mistake, they would not be held accountable.
After learning that they had been assigned such an important task, the five boys were all eager to get started. They practically swore to the heavens that they could definitely accomplish it.
Feng Ran didn't expect these children to accomplish anything truly great; it would be best if they could just manage to distribute the old clothes successfully.
Time flew by and it was New Year's Eve. The entire capital was ablaze with red, a scene of celebration. Even the usually desolate Dingbei Marquis's residence was bustling with activity, as families came and went, creating a lively atmosphere.
Early in the morning, Feng Ran and Duan Jingchuan were taken to the front yard to greet the guests who came to visit.
I don't know where the custom is from, but we ended up receiving guests on New Year's Eve.
Feng Ran huddled in a fluffy ball, her smile stiff. Even though she wasn't afraid of the cold, her legs felt weak standing in the cold wind.
Duan Jingchuan's smile never changed, as if it were etched on his face. This was also the first time Duan Jingchuan had appeared in front of the general public. The group couldn't contain their curiosity and all wanted to come forward and exchange a few more words with him.
However, most people were there for Duan Yuze and Duan Yuche, who were standing to the side, and also because they introduced Duan Jingchuan and his wife.
Even though her nose was red from the cold and the hand warmer in her hand had long since gone out, Duan Jingchuan still couldn't see anything wrong. He would protect Feng Ran from time to time and shield her from the wind.
Seeing Duan Jingchuan's slightly red nose, Feng Ran tugged at his sleeve. Duan Jingchuan turned around, looked at Feng Ran's worried eyes, and smiled indulgently, "Are you hungry? Why don't I take you to get something to eat first?"
Feng Ran subconsciously avoided his gaze. From that day on, Duan Jingchuan would occasionally flirt with her with his eyes, making her heart itch, yet he never took any further action.
Feng Ran pouted and said in a slightly coquettish tone, "I want to eat egg yolk pastry. Go to the kitchen and urge them to hurry up. I'll go back to Jinghua Courtyard and wait for you."
Duan Jingchuan gave Feng Ran a deep look, said nothing more, brushed aside Feng Ran's bangs that had been blown by the wind, and replied in a low voice, "Okay."
He then ignored how many people were watching him and how many were waiting to talk to him and get information, and headed towards the kitchen without looking back.
Only after Duan Jingchuan had walked away did Ran stop smiling and say to Duan Yuze and Duan Yuche, who were standing to the side, "You two have always done these things in previous years, so my husband and I won't disturb you any longer."
Duan Yuche, who had been secretly mocking Duan Jingchuan for being unable to resist the charms of a beautiful woman, suddenly looked surprised and said, "What are you saying, Princess Consort? Mother asked Second Brother to receive guests here. It wouldn't be appropriate for you to leave like this, would it?"
Feng Ran stopped walking back, turned around and said with a sneer, "I'm just lazy, but not stupid. This morning, I've been standing here with my husband, receiving twenty-seven visitors. These visitors are either stewards sent by noble families or younger members like their children, and without exception, they are all very familiar with you. The way they look at my husband is full of mockery and ridicule. I've never liked beating around the bush, and I can accept your hostility towards my husband, but that doesn't mean you can take advantage of my husband's filial piety."
Feng Ran's voice wasn't loud, but it wasn't quiet either. The visitors who had just entered were caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to go in or back out. They all stood there, not daring to utter a sound, seeing that the rumored Crown Princess showed no respect to anyone, scolding them and then turning away without a care in the world.
Moreover, before Feng Ran left, her gaze towards them was filled with coldness, sending chills down their spines.
Feng Ran was delayed for a while. When she returned to Jinghua Courtyard, Duan Jingchuan was already waiting for her with egg yolk cake.
For the first time, Feng Ran didn't rush towards the food, but instead rushed towards Duan Jingchuan, pouting, "Husband, it's so cold, hug me."
Duan Jingchuan was caught off guard and was caught off guard by Feng Ran. Somehow, his hand landed on Feng Ran's side waist. He felt a warm sensation in his palm, which did not seem cold at all, but Duan Jingchuan realized that his hand was excessively cold. He quickly released Feng Ran's waist and used his long arm to encircle Feng Ran in his arms.
Duan Jingchuan's embrace was not warm; in fact, it was cold. Even Feng Ran, whose body temperature was usually high, shivered from the cold. Her head was lowered, obscuring the expression in her eyes. Feng Ran pretended to be angry and said, "Husband, standing at the door is tiring. Shall we not go? I want you to stay with me."
Hearing that Feng Ran was tired from standing, Duan Jingchuan didn't care that he was still holding her in his arms. He put his arm around Feng Ran and led her to the soft couch next to him, saying with concern, "If you're tired, come back and sit down to rest. Why are you being so silly? Standing there like an idiot. Nobody asked you to go."
No one asked for it, but Duan Jingchuan standing there was also to shield her from trouble.
Previously, when paying respects to Lady Qin, the wife of the Marquis, Lady Qin couldn't stand Feng Ran and was determined to cause her trouble. Qin Lianhua also added fuel to the fire, saying that Feng Ran lacked the responsibility of a Crown Prince's wife, easily showing her face to various families to ask for money, which greatly damaged the reputation of the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion.
In a fit of anger, Madam Qin wanted to send Feng Ran to the door to greet the guests, apologize to them, and say hello.
Feng Ran naturally didn't want to go, but she couldn't directly defy him by force, so Duan Jingchuan took the responsibility upon himself, which is why the heir of the Marquis's mansion was there to greet and see off people at the gate.
Feng Ran wasn't ungrateful, so she simply stood with Duan Jingchuan all morning until nearly noon when she finally couldn't stand it anymore and pulled Duan Jingchuan back.
Taking advantage of Duan Jingchuan's refusal to push her away, Feng Ran nestled in his arms, inhaling the celestial aura.
Duan Jingchuan said helplessly, "Madam, if I didn't know what kind of person you are, I would really think you are a demon who likes to suck people's life essence."
Upon hearing the word "fairy," Feng Ran's eyebrows twitched, but she feigned composure and said, "How could that be? Isn't it just that my husband smells good?"
Duan Jingchuan concealed his probing gaze deep within his eyes, and casually remarked, "Madam reads many storybooks; do you think this demon can transform into a human?"
Feng Ran frowned in deep thought, "Change is possible, but it's not easy. Why have you been so concerned about gods, ghosts, and demons lately, my husband?"
Duan Jingchuan lowered his head slightly, met Feng Ran's eyes, and said meaningfully, "I want to know, if this demon marries a human, will she really live by absorbing human essence, just like the folk tales say?"
Duan Jingchuan's eyes were too serious, and their breaths were too close. Feng Ran's sense of shame, which she had lost somewhere, suddenly returned, and her eyes darted away. "How could that be? A fairy who is fortunate enough to take human form would not dare to harm people, otherwise she would be struck by lightning and cut into eight hundred pieces."
"Hehe." Duan Jingchuan's laughter was a little hoarse. His eyes grew deeper as he stared at Feng Ran and Yin Hong's small mouth. He tightened his grip on Feng Ran's waist, gently stroking her face with one hand. Ignoring her slightly evasive gaze, he slowly brought his lips closer and slowly, slowly, kissed the rosy lips he had long coveted.
Feng Ran's pupils dilated slightly. After realizing what was happening, she smiled and did not resist.
Duan Jingchuan felt uneasy under the gaze and said in a hoarse voice, "Close your eyes."
Feng Ran obediently closed her eyes, and her arms involuntarily wrapped around Duan Jingchuan's waist, tilting her head back for a kiss.
Duan Jingchuan's eyes were filled with laughter as he gently and softly rubbed and sucked on Feng Ran's lips. Everything around them was extremely quiet, and they could only feel each other's breathing.
The gentle, tender embrace was intoxicating. It was as if some little fairy had opened its long-closed shell, revealing its soft flesh to dance with it. At first, the flesh shivered slightly from the unknown coldness, but it still embraced it firmly. Finally, it was wrapped around the other with great patience and softened into a ball, unafraid of the cold wind.
The midday sun was intoxicating, and the mandarin ducks on the window swayed in the breeze, sometimes nestled together, sometimes touching foreheads. Their movements, sometimes trembling, sometimes passionate, added a touch of warmth to the quiet winter day, bathing the entire Jinghua Courtyard in a blissful pink glow.
After a long while, Feng Ran let out a muffled moan and gave Duan Jingchuan a gentle push. Duan Jingchuan pushed her away slightly, their lips still entwined with a strand of saliva.
Duan Jingchuan chuckled and patted Feng Ran's back reassuringly.
Unexpectedly, after calming down, Feng Ran pounced on her again, her eyes filled with starlight, and said with great enthusiasm, "Again!"
You're... trying to kill me!
What else can we do but spoil them, of course!
Duan Jingchuan started it, but in the end it was unclear who got the better deal. When they went out again, Feng Ran looked refreshed, as if she had drunk a super tonic, while Duan Jingchuan blushed.
A note from the author:
Oh, innocent face.
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