21 I broke my father-in-law's silver spear
◎The entire audience looked utterly bewildered◎
Not to mention Old Marquis Duan, even Duan Yuze, who was standing to the side, was stunned for a moment, and then his heart leaped with joy. "As expected, you overestimate yourself. Father's martial arts are superb, yet you dare to fight bare-handed. Do you think you can get away with it because you are my daughter-in-law and your father won't dare to hit you? You are very wrong. All the girls in the family have been beaten in the training ground."
Lord Duan was also considering the situation, thinking, "Could it be that she wants me to give in? That wouldn't be right. On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes; we can't back down. But this isn't a battlefield, and she's Jingchuan's precious Crown Princess. Maybe I should give in?"
Lord Duan finally knows what it means to lift a stone only to drop it on your own foot. He shouldn't have acted rashly and challenged his daughter-in-law to a fight. What if Feng Ran hurts his son and then beats him up?
Despite his inner turmoil, Lord Duan nodded expressionlessly. He felt as if the silver spear in his hand weighed a thousand pounds, and its tip was deadly. It was supposed to be aimed at Feng Ran, but it had somehow drifted off course.
Duan Jingchuan also came over at this time, looking at the situation in the field with a puzzled expression. Feng Ran turned around and explained to him, "If you are tired, go back first. I will have a fight with my father."
......
The three people in the audience were completely dumbfounded.
"Ahem, Jingchuan, I think the Crown Princess has the potential to learn martial arts and I'd like to train her. You can do as you please."
It turned out it wasn't a fight. Duan Jingchuan rubbed his temples, his face covered in sweat. Seeing that Feng Ran really didn't need his help, he turned around and went back. It wasn't that he didn't want to stay and watch, but his legs were too weak, and he was afraid he would collapse if he stayed any longer.
If he had another chance to choose, he would definitely choose to stay here and watch rather than go back, but he is not a prophet now and cannot predict what will happen in a little while.
"Princess Consort, are you sure you're going to fight bare-handed?" Old Marquis Duan wasn't quite sure how to fight a spear with bare hands.
Feng Ran twisted her fingers and said nonchalantly, "That spear is longer than me. I don't know how to play it. Didn't Father say I can dodge quickly? Well then, if your spear can knock me down, I lose. But if I can get close enough to touch you, I win, okay?"
Lord Duan sensed that Feng Ran had something left to say, so he encouraged her with his eyes to continue.
Feng Ran looked at the eight teeth on the ground and said, "If I win, could you lift my house arrest order?"
Lord Duan shook his head and chuckled. This confinement order was issued by the Lady of the Marquis out of anger. "In principle, it is not allowed. The inner courtyard is under the management of the mistress." Looking at Feng Ran's miserable little face, Lord Duan's heart softened. "However, it was not easy for you to beat me. If you win, I will grant you this special exception."
"Really?" Feng Ran's eyes lit up, and she immediately got into a fighting stance. "Let's fight!"
"Your momentum is quite strong, but your stance is full of flaws. Be careful, I won't go easy on you."
Lord Duan swung his silver spear, aiming straight for Feng Ran's lower body. Feng Ran's forward charge failed, and she was forced to retreat hastily. The silver spear pressed its advantage, sweeping across her waist and abdomen. Feng Ran sensed the opportunity and rolled on the ground, attempting to get closer to Lord Duan.
Lord Duan laughed heartily, "Hahaha, well done! Let's go again!"
Seeing that Feng Ran was handling the situation with ease, Lord Duan also unleashed his full power, wielding his silver spear with sweeping, powerful movements, as if he could sweep away thousands of troops, forcing Feng Ran to retreat several steps.
Feng Ran frowned. She had taken things for granted. She thought that because she was small, she could easily get close if she was fast enough. She didn't expect that the distance between her and Lord Duan was never shorter than a silver spear. His defenses were watertight. Unless she could find a way to restrain the spear.
They had gone back and forth for more than twenty rounds, but neither of them had succeeded. Feng Ran was as slippery as an eel, and no matter how domineering Lord Duan's silver spear was, it didn't stick to her sleeve at all. Of course, Feng Ran didn't get any closer either.
Duan Yuze then realized that Feng Ran was truly remarkable, not because of her exceptional martial arts skills, but because of her wolf-like intuition. She could always escape danger unscathed, and even if her agility was poor, she would not be defeated by any openings. Such a person was a born general, but it was a pity that she was born a woman.
Feng Ran became more and more agile as she dodged, while Lord Duan became more and more excited as he attacked, and at the same time, he was filled with anger!
Good heavens, a quarter of an hour has passed, and he hasn't even touched a hem of his clothes. He's already panting heavily. Could he have been worn down by his own stamina? Absolutely not!
Feng Ran didn't want to delay any longer. She was so hungry. Taking advantage of the moment when Old Marquis Duan was stunned, she grabbed the sweeping spear with her right hand, hooked it downwards with force, and then raised her feet. Just as she was about to touch the hem of Old Marquis Duan's clothes, he used the force of the spear to jump in another direction. Feng Ran was powerful!
Duan Yuze was worried for Feng Ran. If she were hit squarely by the spear, she would probably have to stay in bed for two days!
In Feng Ran's eyes, all she could see were scenes of delicious food leaving her. Already hungry, the sight of this made her even more irritated. She gripped the spear tightly with both hands, making it impossible for Old Marquis Duan to advance even an inch. Before he could react, Feng Ran had already used her strength, and the silver spear was snapped in two!
The air was completely silent. Feng Ran, who had been going crazy, suddenly regained her senses. She immediately spread her arms and jumped several meters away. Then she gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, lowered her head, and dared not speak. In her heart, she kept wailing: "It's over, it's over, it's over! I broke the old job. Can't I pay with my life?"
Duan Yuze gripped his sleeve tightly, afraid of making a sound, and seeing his father silently staring at the broken silver spear, he cautiously asked, "Father, are you alright?"
Lord Duan remained lost in thought for a long time, his face tinged with sorrow. Feng Ran slowly moved over with small steps, intending to apologize first, but Lord Duan raised his hand to stop her from speaking.
"Your stay-at-home order is lifted." He bent down, picked up the two broken pieces of the gun, and left shakily.
Feng Ran was even more at a loss. She really didn't mean it. She must have had a brain fart just now. Who would have thought that the gun was not sturdy?
Seeing Feng Ran's pitiful appearance, Duan Yuze thought for a moment and comforted her, "Princess Consort, don't worry. Father is not a petty person. We can explain after Father calms down." He paused and continued, "Princess Consort, you are a natural talent in martial arts. Would you like to find a master? I can help."
Feng Ran was so preoccupied with her own thoughts that she didn't even notice Duan Yuze trying to befriend her. She waved casually and ran back dejectedly.
As soon as she entered Jinghua Courtyard, she started shouting, "Husband, help me! I've caused trouble!"
Duan Jingchuan, who was reading, froze, and the book in his hand fell to the bed with a thud.
Before he could leave, Feng Ran rushed in, followed closely by Xiong Qi and Xiu'er, who looked the Crown Princess up and down to see if she was feeling unwell.
"Oh no! I broke Father's silver spear! What am I going to do? Will I get beaten? Will they not let me eat?" Feng Ran looked terrified. Ignoring Duan Jingchuan's dislike of close contact with others, she gripped his sleeve tightly and stared at him expectantly.
Duan Jingchuan lowered his eyes and was immediately drawn to Feng Ran's pitiful little face. His thoughts raced and he roughly guessed what terrible thing Feng Ran had done this time. For the first time ever, he took Feng Ran's hand and squeezed it gently, saying, "Don't worry, I'll go apologize."
Feng Ran ruffled her hair violently, making a mess of her ponytail, and said weakly, "I admit my mistakes. As long as you don't stop feeding me, that's fine. Husband, could you lend me some money so I can go out of the manor?"
*
Now let's talk about Lord Duan.
There are no secrets in the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion. The news that the Crown Princess broke the Marquis's silver spear on the spot spread very quickly. It was only thanks to the timely issuance of a gag order by the old Marquis Duan that the news was known outside the mansion.
Duan Yuze followed closely behind, trying several times to comfort his father but unable to find his voice. In his view, this was a double blow to his father.
Firstly, the fact that his silver spear was broken by his daughter-in-law, who was not skilled in martial arts, was far more humiliating than simply losing the spear from his hand. Secondly, his father's spear was extremely important, and his father must be heartbroken to see it destroyed.
They followed him all the way to the study. After the entire household was given a gag order, the steward left knowingly: after all, the fact that the Marquis had been slapped in the face by the Heir Apparent's wife was too damaging to his image, and they knew that they would never spread the word.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the study door closed, the earth-shattering laughter of Old Marquis Duan came out, which could be heard clearly from three miles away.
Duan Yuze became even more worried, "Father..."
"I'm fine, I'm happy!" Old Marquis Duan's eyes welled up with tears of laughter, and he slapped his thighs loudly.
"Master, are you alright?" The voice of the Lady of the Marquis came from outside the door.
"Mother is here, I'll go down first." Duan Yuze sensibly prepared to leave.
"No need, listen to what I have to say next." Old Marquis Duan regained his serious expression.
As soon as Qin entered, she looked the old Marquis Duan up and down and said angrily, "The Princess Consort is becoming more and more lawless. I will teach her a lesson."
"Madam, please don't be in such a hurry, please have a seat." Old Marquis Duan took a sip of tea to soothe the itch in his chest after laughing heartily.
He put down his teacup and paused for a moment. "Yu Ze, tell me your opinion on the Crown Princess. Speak freely."
Duan Yuze pursed his lips and finally told the truth: "I dare not deceive Father. Before today, I disliked the Crown Princess very much and thought she was not worthy to be the future mistress of the Dingbei Marquis's mansion."
Old Marquis Duan suddenly smiled. He understood the underlying meaning of those words, but said nothing. "And now?"
“My son wishes she were his father’s biological daughter.” Seeing his mother’s incomprehension, Duan Yuze decided to speak frankly, “The Crown Princess does not meet any of the standards of a lady from a respectable family, and is unqualified to be the Crown Princess, but the succession of the Dingbei Marquis’s mansion requires the Crown Princess’s martial prowess.”
Lord Duan nodded, acknowledging that he had hit the nail on the head, and then turned to Qin Shi, patiently guiding her.
“Wu Fengran may have many faults, but she has already married Jingchuan, and the Marquis of Dingbei will never divorce her without cause. I know you dislike her for not being able to bring honor to your household, but Madam, do not forget that the Marquis of Dingbei's reputation was earned by the blood and military merits of the Duan family. Even though he is now living a life of luxury in the capital, the title of Marquis of Dingbei still hangs above his head. If war breaks out one day, this title will no longer be a source of glory, but rather the focus of everyone's attention in the Great Feng Kingdom. The Marquis of Dingbei may not choose a lady for his marriage, as long as she does not tarnish his reputation for being ruthless.”
"What do you mean by this, Lord Marquis? Do you think I can't discipline Feng Ran, the Crown Princess? What daughter-in-law dares to show disrespect to her mother-in-law?" Qin was furious and extremely dissatisfied.
"Why are you being so extreme? I was just saying don't be too harsh on her." Old Marquis Duan frowned, completely baffled as to where Qin Shi's resentment came from.
“When have I ever been harsh on her? I’ve never demanded that she meet me at the appointed time of day or night, and I don’t even see her on ordinary days!” Madam Qin also felt wronged. Since their marriage, she had seen Feng Ran only a handful of times.
"Isn't it because you dislike Jingchuan that Fengran is also unappealing to you? I've always been curious, Jingchuan is your biological son, and even your illegitimate children receive some of your care, so why is Jingchuan the only one who doesn't?"
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