25 Unrivaled in the Capital◇
◎You owe a life◎
The Duke of Lu's Mansion.
The Xiao family of the Duke of Lu's mansion has three branches.
The eldest master of the Xiao family married a princess and inherited the title of Duke of Lu. The second and third masters were both capable officials in the court and were granted the title of Earl by the current emperor. The emperor specially bestowed residences on both sides of the Duke of Lu's mansion upon them.
Today, all three buildings on this street belong to the Xiao family.
The matriarch of the Xiao family usually lives with the eldest master. Today is the matriarch's seventieth birthday, which is a significant occasion for the family.
Nowadays, prominent families in the capital have come to celebrate Madam Xiao's birthday. The men went to the front courtyard, while the women went directly to the back courtyard.
Lady Qin, the wife of the Marquis of Dingbei, arrived at the Duke of Lu's mansion early in the morning with Feng Ran and several young ladies, but none of the men of the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion were present.
It wasn't that Marquis Duan was being disrespectful, but rather that the current princess disliked military generals. She had recently stated at a banquet that military generals possessed an overly aggressive and murderous aura, and that inviting them to a celebratory banquet would disrupt the festive atmosphere. Therefore, people of this dynasty would naturally avoid discussing anything related to the Duke of Lu's mansion, and even when social interactions were necessary, they would only allow the ladies of the inner quarters to handle it.
The carriage of the Marquis of Dingbei drove into Daomao Hutong and entered through a side gate, leading directly to the inner courtyard. As soon as they entered the residence of the Duke of Lu, a servant immediately came forward to guide Madam Qin and the other young ladies to the inner courtyard.
Feng Ran felt that her eyes were not enough to see everything. She had just gotten off the carriage and changed into a small red sedan chair. After going through many twists and turns, she still hadn't arrived at her destination.
The number of guests arriving and departing was overwhelming, and the constant flow of maids and servants was dazzling. It was as if she had stepped into the animal kingdom, or rather, as if she were an animal that had accidentally wandered into the human world.
Bustling and noisy, yet none of them were alike.
"Madam Hou, Princess Consort, we've arrived. Please alight from your sedan chairs." A servant's greeting interrupted Feng Ran's reverie.
A group of brightly colored people walked towards us, accompanied by a faint, unidentifiable fragrance that made our noses itch.
A girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old was gathered in front of them. She had almond-shaped eyes, peach-blossom cheeks, and skin as white as snow. Her scarlet jacket made her look very delicate. She said in a crisp voice, "Greetings, Madam. My mother is receiving guests in the front hall. Please come in."
He then beckoned to Feng Ran and the others, "The front hall is for the elders, we juniors can go to the side hall, please follow me."
Xiuer whispered to Feng Ran, "Princess Consort, this is Princess Anping, the youngest daughter of Master Xiao and the Princess, Xiao Siyue."
Feng Ran was still debating whether to rub her nose or not; the fragrance was making her feel extremely uncomfortable. However, Qin Shi had repeatedly instructed her at home not to lose her composure, which put her in a difficult position, so she could only reluctantly endure it.
Xiuer was whispering in her ear, soft strands of hair brushing against her earlobe, and the ticklish feeling in her body was completely uncontrollable, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.
Feng Ran thought she could take advantage of the crowd to relax and do some light exercise, but unexpectedly, someone was staring at her.
Xiao Siyue subtly approached Feng Ran, looking at the legendary substitute bride of the crown prince with some surprise. Seeing Feng Ran scratching her nose and her eyes welling up with tears, Xiao Siyue couldn't help but chuckle.
He tilted his head slightly and smiled at Feng Ran, saying, "Is the Crown Princess not used to the scent of cosmetics? It will be better when we go to the side hall. Although there are many people there, it is spacious."
Seeing the pretty and charming Xiao Siyue, Feng Ran covered her nose with a handkerchief and waved her hand in a muffled voice, "It's alright, I'll get used to it in a while."
Xiao Siyue noticed an unfamiliar face following behind Feng Ran. "Princess Consort, who is this?"
Before Feng Ran could introduce them, Qin Lianhua stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, Princess. This young lady is Qin Lianhua, the only daughter of Minister Qin. I have long admired your name, Princess, and seeing you today, I am truly amazed by your beauty."
Xiao Siyue carefully examined Qin Lianhua in front of her. She had a slender figure and was wearing a light pink jacket. Her oval face was very delicate, but her eyes did not look very dignified.
Seeing that Feng Ran didn't say much, he understood a bit and nodded casually as a return greeting.
He then pulled Feng Ran aside and said, "The Crown Princess didn't go out often before. Now that we've finally met, I really want to have a good talk with you."
Feng Ran smiled generously and said nonchalantly, "I used to never leave the house. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. There are many daughters in the Prime Minister's mansion, but everyone only knows the eldest daughter, oh no, the second daughter, Wu Fengqing."
Everyone's expressions stiffened, and even Xiao Siyue's face showed some embarrassment. "Your Highness is joking."
Feng Ran said with a serious expression, "I'm not joking. Look, isn't Wu Fengqing right there?"
Unlike Feng Ran, who didn't seem to care, Wu Fengqing felt a pain in her hand as soon as she saw Feng Ran. The slap she received earlier had left a deep impression on her, and it took more than half a month for the swelling to subside.
Feng Ran hadn't attended the previous banquets, so she had no way to cause trouble for her. She couldn't very well go to the Marquis of Dingbei's residence.
Now that she had finally met Feng Ran, Wu Fengqing was overjoyed. She immediately moved gracefully and darted to Feng Ran's side at great speed.
"Long time no see, elder sister. How come you've forgotten your family after you got married? Do you look down on your younger sister?"
After saying that, she didn't forget to put on a sad face, which was truly pitiful.
Before Feng Ran could finish speaking, Wu Fengqing interjected, "That makes sense. The Marquis of Dingbei's mansion has strict rules, and you, sister, are a quiet person who loves to daydream all day. I wonder if there's any free time in the mansion for you to daydream?"
Princess Xiao Siyue of Anping glanced at Feng Ran, who had no expression on her face, and her expression turned indifferent upon hearing this.
"Ah, does the Crown Princess have this hobby? But it's probably alright. The Crown Princess is usually quite free. These past few days, my aunt even specially hired a tutor to teach my cousin-in-law." Qin Lianhua chimed in casually, seemingly quite surprised. The two of them, speaking in unison, confirmed that Feng Ran was indeed uneducated.
"The Crown Princess is so young and still studying? She must be a hidden talent!" came a voice, sounding confused.
A woman in yellow whispered, "That's not true. Even Mr. Mo said he couldn't teach the Crown Princess. I heard she doesn't even understand the basics of word choice and meaning."
The Duan family girls wished they could disappear into the ground. The outsiders' words about Feng Ran were directed at them, making them lose face.
Only Wu Fengqing wore a carefree smile, seemingly mocking Feng Ran: Look, even with a higher status, you are still nothing.
Qin Lianhua lowered her head, her long eyelashes concealing the expression in her eyes.
Feng Ran didn't care. Now Wu Fengqing was only about five steps away from her. Feng Ran took two steps over, stared at Wu Fengqing with wide eyes and an ambiguous look.
Wu Fengqing suppressed the urge to back down and calmly asked, "Sister, what are you doing?"
Feng Ran thought for a moment, then asked with concern, "Does your chest still hurt?"
Wu Fengqing's expression nearly changed. Recalling Feng Ran's merciless kick, she said, word by word, "Thank you for your concern, sister."
Feng Ran abruptly retreated to her original position. She had removed the handkerchief covering her nose and stood there quietly, her expression solemn, her eyes dark and unfathomable. "Wu Fengqing, you owe me a life, and I will make you pay."
Feeling a bit uneasy under Feng Ran's gaze, Wu Fengqing broke out in goosebumps and couldn't help but curse Feng Ran inwardly: Why is Feng Ran so scary?
He roared, "What nonsense are you spouting? Have you gone mad?"
Feng Ran turned her head and resumed her seated and unmoving posture, answering nonchalantly, "I'm not crazy, I've just perfectly merged. You owe Wu Feng Ran a life, and that debt needs to be settled."
Without waiting for Wu Fengqing's reaction, she grabbed Xiuer's sleeve and asked in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, "I'm hungry, is there anything to eat?"
The strange conversation came to an abrupt end. Xiao Siyue was a little confused. Feng Ran said she was hungry, so she had no choice but to take Feng Ran to the side hall for some snacks.
A cold winter wind suddenly rises, blowing people with a bone-chilling cold.
Wu Fengqing stood there motionless for a long time. Feng Ran's glance made her feel as if she were in an ice cave, as if she truly owed someone a life. That feeling of being watched was unbearable for her.
It took a long time before he was awakened by the maid behind him, and he secretly let out a breath.
"All you do is play tricks, Wu Fengran. I'll make you look bad today," Wu Fengqing thought fiercely.
No one would take those nonsensical words as fact, including the witnesses.
Xiuer and the other young ladies thought that Feng Ran was venting her anger, since the matter of being forced into marriage was not honorable and should not be discussed openly.
The saying "owing a life" can also be interpreted as "owing a good marriage."
Xiao Siyue was completely baffled, but she kept it to herself and didn't say anything.
As the warm tea and snacks entered her mouth, Feng Ran felt as if she had come back to life, completely ignoring the chaotic smells around her.
Xiao Siyue, being the hostess, couldn't stay with Feng Ran indefinitely, so she left first.
The young ladies of the Duan family exchanged glances with Qin Lianhua. Duan Jingyin stepped forward and said, "Sister-in-law, my handkerchiefs are over there. I'd like to go say hello. Would you like to come with me?"
Feng Ran waved her hand dismissively, "You all go ahead, don't worry about me."
Duan Jingyin hesitated, wanting to say something but holding back, as her close female friend kept calling her, so she couldn't linger any longer.
After Duan Jingyin left, the other young ladies each found their own familiar playmates.
Phew. Finally, it was quiet all around.
Xiuer smiled and said, "Princess Consort, please eat in peace. I'll keep watch for you."
"Do you want some? The taste isn't quite as good as Jinghuayuan's."
Xiuer shook her head.
After quickly finishing a few pastries, Feng Ran stopped eating with satisfaction and took a handkerchief from Xiu'er to wipe herself.
Turning to Xiuer nervously, he asked, "Was I impolite?"
"Princess Consort, rest assured, you did very well today."
“I will try my best today. My husband said that if I don’t make any mistakes today, he will reward me with five new kinds of pastries when we get home.”
Xiuer forced herself to suppress the upward curve of her lips and helped Fengran straighten her skirt.
Just as Feng Ran was about to find a quieter place, Qin Lianhua arrived with a group of her girlfriends.
"Sister-in-law, some of my close friends have never met you before, so I came to introduce myself. I hope you don't mind."
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