Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Innocence and Guiltlessness
Why not seek out Xiao Shiqing?
It’s simply because he seems unreliable.
It’s just a difference between falling from one pit of fire into another; why should I seek him out?
Comparatively, the Xiao Mansion is not as safe as the Pei Mansion.
In the Pei Mansion, as long as she stays obedient and performs well, she not only can get promoted but also sees hope in being freed from her slave status in the future.
But what about the Xiao Mansion?
Leaving aside the protagonist’s fate in the original story, just look at her current plight.
She hasn’t even gotten involved with Xiao Shiqing yet, and she’s already facing assassination attempts. If she truly went to the Xiao Mansion, she wouldn’t know when her life would end.
No matter how cautious one is, it’s hard to guard against intentional harm; isn’t the saying ’not afraid of thieves stealing, but afraid of thieves thinking of you’ just this principle?
Xiao Shiqing is formidable, but no matter how capable he is, he cannot constantly stay by a woman’s side.
No matter how powerful he is, he cannot protect his own woman.
However, Qu Fulan didn’t say this, she just smiled bitterly and said, "Your Highness, the past is already a bygone; I am no longer the Miss Li who could stand on equal footing with Prince Xiao. Now I’m just a maid, wanting only to live a good life for myself, not aspiring to those far unreachable lives that no longer belong to me."
Pei Ji’an kept a calm expression throughout, and upon hearing this, his gaze flickered slightly. After a long silence, he spoke, "Is your current name something you casually made up?"
Qu Fulan knew that today she had to explain all the lies she had told before clearly.
Fortunately, she had prepared for this and could smooth them over one by one.
"My mother has been troubled by illness for years, and taking medicine often doesn’t help, which sparked my interest in learning medicine, hoping to one day cure her. I once heard a story about a woman studying medicine, whose main character was also named Qu Fulan, skilled in medicine; I greatly admired her. Later, when Your Highness asked for my real name, that name came to mind, so I used it."
As for being able to do business, she had explained before that she helped her mother manage the dowry, so there were no doubts about that.
Once everything that needed explaining was cleared up, Heir Pei said no more, and the atmosphere grew silent.
While Qu Fulan was torn over whether to say something more, Pei Ji’an spoke up, "I know now, you may leave."
Qu Fulan: "...?"
Just like that?
No further words?
After explaining so clearly, what is his attitude and what are his plans for her in the future? Is he not going to say anything?
Qu Fulan didn’t want to leave it like this, unclear and ambiguous.
So she bit her lip, "Your Highness, I..."
Pei Ji’an rubbed his brow; he had been busy outside for two days, came straight back after the court session upon receiving the latest news, without even having time to change his court dress, just to question her. Now that things were clear, he felt no more need to explore further.
"Go now, I have other matters."
Having said that, he stood up and turned to leave.
Qu Fulan instinctively clenched her hands at her sides.
She had been treading carefully up to this day, yet because of ’a single spoiled apple ruining the bunch,’ she didn’t know if all her previous plans and accumulated merits still counted.
She felt both anger and powerlessness, her spirit somewhat collapsed.
If there was a chance, she wouldn’t let Xiao Shinuan go; she never provoked the Xiao Family, yet they pushed her to such a passive situation.
Qu Fulan stood dejectedly in place, head down. Since arriving in this world, it was the first time she felt such bitterness and grievance.
She was used to controlling everything about herself, but in this cannibalistic society, she couldn’t even control her freedom.
She didn’t leave; instead, she slumped in a chair by the round table, burying her head in her arms.
Pei Ji’an, who had walked ahead, inexplicably paused, slowly turning his tall silhouette, "I recently brought back some fresh tea leaves; they’re in the storeroom. Arrange for each house to be sent some."
Qu Fulan lifted her head, her eyes slightly reddened, but the surprise in her eyes was plain as if she was astonished he was still assigning her tasks.
Seeing her motionless, Pei Ji’an slightly furrowed his brow, prompting Qu Fulan to stand hurriedly, "I’ll arrange it right away!"
"In the future when I am not around, you will manage the affairs in Lixiang Courtyard," Pei Ji’an said, and then turned and left.
Manage?
Qu Fulan was extremely surprised by this outcome.
So that is his attitude.
On her way to the storeroom, there wasn’t a trace of sadness or grievance in Qu Fulan’s eyes anymore.
Her face was calm, but in her heart, she had already drawn a gesture of victory.
From the moment she was forced to reveal everything, she had been attentively observing his demeanor, adjusting her state and expression accordingly—surprised when needed, lost when needed.
Those expressions of resignation, anger, and grievance were deliberately staged.
Negative emotions like sadness, grievance, anger, and resentment can only crush one’s spirit; they can’t resolve any difficulties. Ever since her grandfather fell ill and she had no support, she hasn’t let these useless emotions control her.
What’s the use of blaming the heavens? What’s the use of bitterly lamenting? Only by finding ways to solve difficulties and making efforts might miracles occur.
Back then, she had no connections, so she worked herself to the bone, appearing pitiful yet diligent, catching her boss’s attention, who then out of sympathy provided the finest medical team, both Chinese and Western, allowing her grandfather to live without much pain in his last year.
As a woman, especially one who is attractive, there are indeed some inherent advantages.
No matter how cold-hearted a man is, it’s hard to completely ignore the pitiful look of a beautiful woman. Since ancient times, heroes have struggled to resist the charms of beauties.
The original character’s family secret couldn’t remain hidden for long; for her, it was a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment.
She needed to get promoted, earn trust, while carefully guarding the secret, which was quite demanding.
Choosing to lay everything bare at this moment, especially with the ’help’ of a ’pig teammate,’ forcing her hand, was practically a divine intervention for her.
Unintentional passiveness appeared even more authentic, and further proved her innocence and victimization.
Now that Pei Ji’an knows everything, Qu Fulan could instead feel at ease, no longer having to live in constant fear of her identity being exposed.
Even if she were to face Xiao Shiqing later, she wouldn’t need to worry about explaining things to Heir Pei.
If all goes well, she might even use Heir Pei to break free of Xiao Shiqing completely.
All this, thanks to Xiao Shinuan’s contribution. If she ever meets Xiao Shinuan, she would ’thank’ her properly.
The only pity is that her grand business plan, after being interrupted once, and after this series of events, who knows when it will get off the ground.
Moreover, she can’t be the one to bring up the business matter; it has to be him who thinks of it and asks her to handle it.
If he forgets, or decides not to let her participate.
That would be a problem.
Without proving her value, how could she have bargaining chips in the future?