Chapter 204: Chapter 203: A Woman of Action
Cheng Ru never imagined in her dreams that things would turn out this way.
Because of Miss Tan and Miss Liu, she had heard Third Miss talk about the matters of the Tan Family and the Liu Family, especially Mr. Tan and Young Master Liu.
They were both extremely frivolous playboys, and usually, they caused trouble for many girls.
Regarding the climbing event, Cheng Ru had planned meticulously, the list was written by her, and naturally, it carried unique marks. She read it out by those marks, intending for certain people to team up.
Cheng Ru did not expect there would be assassins. She only wanted Qu Fulan to suffer a bit at the hands of Mr. Tan and Young Master Liu, nothing more.
But in the end, not only did Qu Fulan move into the Pei Mansion again, but she also became an honored guest.
This time, she wasn’t living in Lixiang Courtyard but in a courtyard adjacent to it.
Having a separate courtyard was excessively prestigious.
At night, Ren Hua stayed with Qu Fulan and couldn’t help but marvel at her luck.
"The Princely Heir treats you really well."
Qu Fulan didn’t know what to say because she seemed accustomed to such a pattern and couldn’t feel the astonishment of others.
It was the same in modern times. Many people said her boss treated her well, but they all ignored her contributions to the company. If she wasn’t capable, would the boss even look at her?
So everything has cause and effect, but many people only see one side and think that’s all there is.
It’s the same now; if she didn’t have some abilities, could she have made it this far?
And Ren Hua, who marveled at others’ luck, didn’t know she’d intruded into someone else’s dream again that night.
Pei Yuan woke up the next day, seeing his wet undergarments, he rubbed his brow.
Even the dullest person would understand what was happening if they repeatedly dreamed of being intimate with a girl.
Pei Yuan wasn’t the type to wait idly. Since he realized what was going on, he naturally had to take action.
Thus, after Qu Fulan and Ren Hua got up in Furong Courtyard, someone brought them some items.
"These were sent by Mr. Pei as a token of appreciation for the two ladies keeping Tuan company."
This reason was very sufficient, and besides, young masters of wealthy families often tip people, and Qu Fulan had experienced it so much that she was unfazed by it.
Yet Ren Hua was a bit unaccustomed, but seeing that Fulan was so calm, her own surprise would seem unworldly, so she accepted it as well.
They didn’t open the gift box to check on the spot, worried about losing propriety.
Qu Fulan didn’t care what was sent, directly tossing it into a box.
If the two had opened it then, they would have noticed a big difference.
After breakfast, Ren Hua intended to leave, after all, she was just an ordinary guest and couldn’t stay at someone else’s home indefinitely. It wasn’t as if she didn’t have a place to stay.
The same went for Prince An and the others; they left after breakfast.
It’s just that Feng Mei’er didn’t want to leave, but she couldn’t blatantly stay, so she devised a trick. At night, she wet herself with cold water and stayed that way all night, successfully making herself sick, which justified staying to recuperate.
Mr. Jin and Miss Jin also stayed, as it wasn’t reasonable to leave while their relative was sick in someone else’s house.
With the guests falling ill, naturally, Third Miss and the others visited to show concern, and Qu Fulan followed them once, seeing that Feng Mei’er was indeed sick.
The autumn weather was crisp, yet unpredictable, and catching a cold from a bit of neglect wasn’t unusual.
Feng Mei’er was very satisfied with the visits; this was the effect she desired. Through these comings and goings, even if Qu Fulan refused to help her in the end, she would become familiar with Third Miss and the others, making it easier to come and go from the Pei Mansion in the future.
After checking on the sick, Qu Fulan went about her own business.
It was in the afternoon that she heard Ren Hua was also ill.
Guessing it was due to wearing too little while climbing yesterday.
Qu Fulan not only visited but also took her pulse, prescribed some medicine, and had the servants fetch it. Only after Ren Hua took the medicine did she leave.
Returning to the Pei Mansion, Tuan came to play with Qu Fulan, asking why Sister Ren Hua wouldn’t come to play. Qu Fulan explained that Sister Ren Hua was ill and would come after recovering.
Then this matter reached Pei Yuan’s ears, prompting him to take Tuan to visit Ren Hua at her home.
Hearing the knock at the door, the people inside were puzzled. Miss Qu had just left shortly; who could it be now?
Opening the door, they saw a noble young lord, causing the maids to be flustered and unsure of what to do.
Lying in bed, Ren Hua saw a little boy run in and was startled, eyes wide. "Why is Tuan here?"
Only then did she notice Mr. Pei following, carrying a fruit basket, and she stammered in surprise, "M-Mr. Pei."
"I heard you were unwell, so I brought Tuan to check on you." Pei Yuan calmly explained, placing the fruit basket on the table.
Ren Hua naturally couldn’t object, but this was her boudoir, and as a young lady, her dignity needed protection, despite being a merchant’s daughter.
But such words couldn’t be said out loud, especially since he’d already entered. Ren Hua awkwardly picked up the quilt to cover herself.
Pei Yuan remained oblivious to her embarrassment and instead confidently inquired, "Are you feeling better?"
"Cough, much better, thank you, Mr. Pei, for visiting me." Ren Hua, having taken medicine and being drowsy, was now too restless to sleep. She didn’t know where to put her hands and feet.
Fortunately, Pei Yuan didn’t stay long. After asking a couple of routine questions, he took Tuan and left.
Ren Hua had indescribable feelings, certainly flattered, but more so confused.
Why on earth would Mr. Pei bring Tuan to visit her?
Prior to today, they hadn’t seen each other many times nor exchanged many words, barely having any association?
While Ren Hua was utterly puzzled, on the other side, Feng Mei’er was waiting in vain. Besides a few visits from Pei Mansion’s young ladies, not a single young master showed up.
She was, after all, a guest in the mansion. Shouldn’t they come to see her if she fell ill?
Feng Mei’er was anxious; she couldn’t fake her illness forever. The most Third Miss and others would visit was once a day, making it hard to ingratiate herself into their circle within a few days.
After some thought, she decided she needed Qu Fulan’s help again.
So Feng Mei’er raised her voice to the maids, "Go invite Miss Qu, tell her I have something to discuss."
The maid hadn’t moved when Miss Jin walked in, frowning, "Why are you troubling Miss Qu? She’s very busy. If you are ill, you should just rest and not burden others."
Falling ill in someone else’s house was embarrassing enough; how could she have the nerve to inconvenience others further? Miss Jin was someone who valued etiquette and appearance, and this cousin from a remote area seemed restless. While it was tolerable at home, here in someone else’s house, Miss Jin was wary, fearing she’d bring shame to the Jin Family.
Feng Mei’er didn’t expect her own family to hinder her at a crucial moment. She gave a light cough and weakly said, "I just thought of some past matters and wanted to reminisce with her. After all, we are sisters..."