Chapter 72: Chapter 72: A Good Story
Originally pulled out as a shield, Qu Fulan wanted to curse the national essence in her heart, but she was overjoyed when she heard the last sentence.
Is it that easy to make the old lady happy?
To confirm, she looked at Heir Pei with innocent big eyes: Wouldn’t the Princely Heir go back on his word?
Pei Ji’an gave her a half-smiling expression, which was very clear: How could someone like him go back on his word to a mere maid?
Qu Fulan smiled slightly.
The old lady was somewhat confused by her grandson’s words, "What storytelling? When did I say I wanted to hear a story?"
Pei Ji’an already stood up, "Fulan said she has a good story, wants to tell it to the old lady. It’s incredibly exciting, the old lady will regret not listening."
Having said that, he bowed to the old lady, "Grandson has some business and must leave first."
The old lady, initially uninterested, became intrigued by her grandson’s mysteriousness.
"Is what he said true, do you have a good story to tell me?"
Qu Fulan smiled, "Indeed, I just hope the old lady doesn’t find me bothersome."
Fortunately, she actually has a good story; otherwise, being dug into a hole by Heir Pei like this, she would have been consigned to failure.
The old lady said, "I recently wanted to hear a story. What kind of story is it? You should briefly tell the outline, if it’s good, continue to recount."
Yueyuan explained from the side, "The old lady previously listened to books, all were about talented scholars and beautiful ladies. No matter how nice the book’s title, it’s always the same old thing, and listening to them too much makes one’s ears tired. So every time before listening, the old lady asks people to first provide the gist, if interesting, she continues listening. Little sister, what you’re going to tell wouldn’t also be a story of a scholar and a beautiful lady, would it?"
Hua Hao laughed and chimed in, "If it is, then we better stop early. Not just the old lady won’t want to listen, we’re also tired of it. It’s better to engage in other activities."
Evidently, both were kindly giving various hints to Qu Fulan, reminding her not to step into a trap.
Qu Fulan smiled and said, "It’s not a story of a scholar and a beautiful lady. What I’m going to tell, not only you haven’t heard of it, but I can guarantee no one outside has heard of it either. It’s from a dream I had once, in the dream I went to another place, a beautiful place. There, an elder surnamed Wu wrote a book called ’Journey to the West’..."
...
The story goes that Ying Man’er returned to her courtyard, still brooding over the matter of the two jade bracelets.
"The Princely Heir is fair, usually whatever good things there are, all the sisters in the manor have them, without leaving anyone out. But today he gave such a precious thing only to a maid!"
Xiao Hu’s reaction was similar to Third Miss, the Princely Heir’s belongings, he can give them to whomever he likes. After all, he doesn’t owe anyone anything, and giving is a favor, not giving is a norm.
But Xiao Hu didn’t dare to voice this rationale because Miss Ying’s personality is overly serious and somewhat harsh, and she dislikes hearing reason.
When Xiao Hu first came to serve Miss Ying, she tried to persuade her a few times, but when she realized it was futile, she simply stopped.
Ying Man’er didn’t get a response from her third sister and now, upon returning, her maid also didn’t echo her sentiments, feeling quite upset.
"Speaking in our own little courtyard, you’re so timid that you don’t dare to speak an honest word, what are you afraid of?"
Xiao Hu had no choice but to speak, "Miss, I just think others can’t interfere with the Princely Heir’s decisions."
Meaning it’s no use talking more.
How could Ying Man’er not understand this reasoning?
Precisely because she knew it, it made her unwilling to accept it.
She, a legitimate mistress, couldn’t even compare to a maid, naturally felt indignant.
If her status was elevated enough, naturally this wouldn’t happen.
However, her family was poor, how could one change their status?
Inevitably, she has to change through marriage, as long as she marries well, where would she need to endure such grievances?
Ever since the elder son’s wife passed away, her mind concerning her marriage had been lively.
If it were a first marriage, she wouldn’t dare hope, just like the Princely Heir. Such a noble person, she would dare not think of despite her admiration.
But now it’s the elder son’s second marriage, the lady’s family wouldn’t be the main consideration, as could be seen from the Qian Family. Although her family couldn’t compare to Qian’s, it was nonetheless honorable.
If Tuan liked her, presumably the elder son and second lady would seriously consider it.
Once she becomes the Young Lady, aren’t all slaves and maids under her command?
Once she’s pregnant, wouldn’t it be possible to say Fulan’s cooking skills are good and have her come to serve?
Ying Man’er’s grand aspiration, before it’s achieved, she doesn’t dare casually discuss it.
Even Xiao Hu is unaware, with it buried deep like a seed in the soil, quietly awaiting its sprouting.
...
Now, at Zhaoying Building, Lianhua recovered today, but the Princely Heir didn’t come. She watched longingly from the doorway, not even seeing his shadow, and had to return to her room disappointed.
Lianhua had many things on her mind, in the entire building, there was no one she could confide in, except Yinhua.
Yinhua wasn’t on duty today and was sewing in her room.
Lianhua entered Yinhua’s room and sat across from her, noticing her embroidering a pouch, which looked rather ugly.
The other sisters in the building could embroider, including herself, but only Yinhua’s embroidery was the ugliest. Normally, she’d mock Yinhua a bit, but today she wasn’t in the mood.
"When do you think the Princely Heir will come next time?"
Yinhua was quite afraid of the Princely Heir and didn’t dare speak much about him, "I don’t know."
Though Lianhua was annoyed with Yinhua for not asking clearly yesterday, she knew Yinhua’s character was just like that, stubborn like a cow and couldn’t be changed no matter how taught, so she didn’t bother speaking, just continued her own talk.
"I think he should come in a couple of days. He must have been busy yesterday and left, but once he recalls, he will definitely come to check if my illness has improved," Lianhua said wishfully.
Even as dim-witted as Yinhua, she sensed something was off, "Lianhua, do you like the Princely Heir?"
Lianhua found Yinhua’s question foolish, or else how could she ask such a question?
Which girl in the building doesn’t like the Princely Heir?
Everyone shows it plainly with all sorts of open and secret fights, yet she doesn’t know.
Yinhua truly didn’t know; she feared the Princely Heir and figured everyone shares her fear.
Seeing Yinhua’s look, Lianhua felt a touch of appreciation; only Yinhua, this peculiar person, didn’t like the Princely Heir, and luckily she didn’t. Otherwise, Lianhua would have had to guard against another person.
"Now that I’ve shared such an important secret with you, you’ll help me in the future, won’t you?"
Yinhua was somewhat startled, "How to help with this?"
Lianhua answered matter-of-factly, "Create more opportunities for me with the Princely Heir in the future. We’re good sisters, once I’m successful, I’ll help you too."