Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Something Happened
Qu Fulan was untying the purse and folding fan from Heir Pei’s waist belt.
Only after these items were removed could the belt be untied, allowing him to take off his court attire.
The room was already prepared with a large barrel of ice, and a "six-wheel fan" as a manual fan, the axle was outside the room. With just one person turning it, the fan inside could spin, blowing wind onto the ice, and then onto the body, making it very refreshing.
Qu Fulan had just untied Heir Pei’s outer garments and was about to call for water, when Miss Fang’s voice sounded from afar.
"Second Brother, I’m here!"
As soon as she spoke, she pushed the door open, indicating her swift arrival.
Then she saw Second Brother wearing only white inner clothes, while Qu Fulan stood in front of him, holding his outer clothing and reaching out to tidy his hair. They were very close, and she immediately frowned, "Second Brother, how could you..."
"Out." Pei Ji’an frowned and rebuked.
Fang Yuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Second Brother, I’m Fang Yuan, your sister, did you forget me?"
She came every year, but Second Brother was not home every year. Previously, he was in the military camp, and they hadn’t seen each other for many years.
"How unbecoming to barge into my room like this? Go out first, and we’ll talk later."
As soon as Pei Ji’an finished speaking, someone came forward to escort Miss Fang outside. Despite Fang Yuan’s reluctance, she knew she had been reckless, so she turned and left.
Someone then brought water in, and Qu Fulan hung his outer clothing aside and went to the wardrobe to find new clothes for him.
"What color does His Highness want to wear today?" she asked.
"Whatever you like."
Through the screen, his voice came without emotion.
Qu Fulan selected a light-colored brocade robe, paired it with a matching sachet and folding fan, and finally placed his jade pendant on the table next to him.
Then she left.
Fang Yuan had already left, no longer in Lixiang Courtyard, and was now complaining in front of the matriarch.
"Since when did Second Brother let another woman help him dress? He never allowed this before."
The matriarch felt this girl was too jealous, paying attention to such trivial matters, "Your second brother is a man, and he will take a wife in the future, so why can’t a woman serve him closely?"
Fang Yuan frowned, "A wife is a wife, a maid is a maid, how can they be the same?"
Though Fang Yuan also came from a prominent family and knew that large families often had multiple wives, others were others, but Second Brother was Second Brother, it’s different.
The matriarch said, "In the past, you two were young and grew up like siblings. Now, you’re getting older day by day. You can’t misbehave like you did in childhood, and you must adhere to rules and etiquette, understand?"
Fang Yuan unwillingly replied, "Oh," not daring to defy the matriarch’s words.
Not long afterward, a messenger’s voice was heard, "The Princely Heir is here."
Then, the curtain was lifted, and a tall graceful figure walked in.
Fang Yuan’s eyes lit up. Although they hadn’t seen each other for years, it did not affect her feelings for Second Brother at all. She hurriedly stood up to greet him but stopped just short, remembering her status, she dutifully saluted, "Second Brother."
Pei Ji’an’s expression was no longer as stern as before, and he smiled, "Yuan."
Being called like this, all of Fang Yuan’s displeasure disappeared instantly.
"How have you been these years, Second Brother?"
"Are you used to living outside?"
"You’ve grown so much taller than before, I’m only up to your shoulder."
Miss Fang spoke out of concern, one sentence after another, hardly giving anyone time to respond.
"Oh dear, why speak at the door? Come in and sit down." The matriarch looked at the two children, smiling kindly.
Qu Fulan also came in, standing behind Heir Pei, ready to serve.
Upon seeing her, Fang Yuan immediately thought of the room incident, "Second Brother, I want to live next to you, it’s cooler over there, I really like it."
Before Pei Ji’an could say anything, the matriarch spoke first, "Child, what nonsense are you saying? How can you stay in your second brother’s courtyard? What about your reputation?"
Fang Yuan replied, "What’s wrong with it? We are family siblings."
Pei Ji’an smiled, "You’re not a three or four-year-old child anymore, how come you still speak so irreverently?"
Fang Yuan said, "But you used to pamper me the most, and now you have an intimate maid, you don’t care about me."
Pei Ji’an countered, "When did I not care for you?"
"You allow her to live there, but not me, isn’t this favoring one over the other?"
The matriarch couldn’t bear listening anymore, "Fulan is your second brother’s maid, if she doesn’t stay in his courtyard, then with whom should she stay?"
Fang Yuan displeased, "But I’m his sister, so I should naturally be able to stay; otherwise, she shouldn’t either."
Qu Fulan found their roundabout argument thoroughly uninteresting, and just hoped someone would save her.
Perhaps heaven heard her call, as someone indeed came in, greeted everyone, and said, "The steward reports an employee is looking for Sister Fulan outside."
Qu Fulan went out and then found it was an employee from "Ten Thousand Books Bookstore."
From the employee’s words, she learned that the books at the bookstore weren’t selling well today, it seemed her marketing hadn’t worked.
Qu Fulan wasn’t flustered nor said much else, just replied, "I understand, go back and tell the shopkeeper to continue with my plan, I’ll come in the evening."
Anyway, she couldn’t leave now.
The matriarch’s grandniece visited, her mood was excellent, asking the kitchen to prepare large crabs. Of course, Qu Fulan, with her culinary skills, would showcase some of it.
She didn’t make anything too complex, just some simple home dishes would suffice.
When dinner time came, the matriarch gathered the whole family together, including the second and third houses.
Qu Fulan stood behind Pei Ji’an, sometimes serving tea or pouring water, which was hardly any effort.
During this, Pei Ji’an told a few jokes to the matriarch, making her laugh heartily.
Cheng Ru sat opposite Pei Ji’an, rarely seeing such a humorous side of the Heir Pei, making his already excellent character even more charming.
A little maid came in, it was Douya, who approached Qu Fulan and whispered, "Sister, an employee outside says there’s trouble at the bookstore."
Qu Fulan was surprised to hear this, it was not part of her plan.
She then seized the opportunity to pour tea for Heir Pei, and secretly told him, "Your Highness, there is some situation at the bookstore, I need to go check it out."
As there were many people and noise, they had to speak close to be heard, so after speaking, Qu Fulan did not immediately leave but remained slightly bent over, waiting for the heir’s response.
Pei Ji’an, hearing this, turned his head to look at her.
"What’s the matter?" he asked.
"I don’t know the specifics, I need to go and see." Qu Fulan replied.
"Take the four guards with you." After speaking, he took out a token from his waist, "Bring more people over."
The two talked closely, without realizing it, creating an impression of intimacy.
Cheng Ru picked up her wine glass, about to drink, saw this and laughed, saying to Fang Yuan who was focused on eating crab, "See how close the heir and Fulan are, don’t they seem to have a good rapport?"