Chapter 139: Chapter 139: What If Something Is Discovered...
It turns out that after the Feng family was released back then, although Mr. Feng didn’t lose his official hat, he was demoted to a lowly ninth-grade official and sent to a very barren place to serve as an official, where he had no hope of promotion, no matter what achievements he made.
Feng Mei’er naturally could not resign herself to spending her whole life in a poor region, so she shamelessly went to rely on her relatives near the Capital City, hoping to climb to a good marriage and change her fate.
Then, during one visit to the capital, she discovered that Li Jirou was actually working as a maid in the Pei Mansion! And a personal maid beside Mrs. Pei!
She immediately set her sights on Li Jirou, using her to bridge connections and establish ties with the Pei Family.
Since Third Young Master Pei was already married, her target locked onto the eldest son of the Pei Mansion and Heir Pei.
No matter whom she ended up marrying, it would be an all-gain, no-loss situation for the Feng family.
Li Jirou did not know about her father’s betrayal and still considered Feng Mei’er as a bosom friend, cluelessly helping with the matchmaking.
In the end, things naturally did not work out, but due to their acquaintance, Feng Mei’er met Heir Pei several times, and thanks to her deliberate guidance, others thought she had a deep relationship with Heir Pei.
As a result, Feng Mei’er’s father got promoted, and once her goal was achieved, she began to slander Li Jirou, spreading the news of her working as a maid at the Pei Family.
This is the main reason why Li Jirou couldn’t lift her head when she later went to the Xiao Family.
"Of course, I remember you, Feng Mei’er." Qu Fulan pulled a faint mocking smile at the corner of her mouth.
Feng Mei’er assumed she was happy to be reunited with her sister, clutching her hand and surveying her up and down in amazement, "I have been worried about you since something happened to the Li Family. How is your family? Where do you live now, and why are you dressed so bizarrely? Also, I saw you were accompanied by those esteemed people; who are they?"
See, no matter how many questions she asked, the key was still probing the identity of those honorable people.
A person’s nature doesn’t change overnight; Feng Mei’er’s inherent selfishness has long been ingrained. When she was with the original character, it was all sorts of scheming, but the protagonist didn’t see through it due to naivety.
For instance, Li Jirou liked Xiao Shiqing, and Xiao Shiqing also liked Li Jirou, which made Feng Mei’er very jealous. Every time they went to the Xiao Family, she would definitely follow along, sometimes even using the original character’s identity to send food to Xiao Shiqing.
Li Jirou knew nothing about these things.
But Qu Fulan, having read the novel, knew all too well.
She detested this sort of "best friend."
Before Qu Fulan could answer, Feng Mei’er wore an undoubtedly realized expression, "I heard that after the Li Family was confiscated, the women became maids. Are you the maid of a noble now? Is that why you’re dressed this way for convenience?"
Feng Mei’er was very sure of her guess, unable to hide the glee in her eyes yet feigned concern, "That’s pitiable. Wouldn’t Uncle and Aunt be heartbroken if they knew? Also, I heard Brother Xiao got promoted and moved to the Capital City. Have you seen him? Why haven’t you asked Brother Xiao to redeem you, or does... Brother Xiao disdain you?"
Qu Fulan remained silent, which to Feng Mei’er seemed like confirmation. Her eyes flared joyously for a moment before she added, "There might be some misunderstanding. Don’t worry. When I see Brother Xiao, I’ll definitely speak well for you. No matter what, it’s crucial to have you redeemed first."
"My parents are both dead. I heard that the original case was not my father’s fault; someone framed him, and he was wronged, taking the blame, losing his life in vain. Do you know who that might be?" Qu Fulan suddenly asked.
Indeed, Li Jirou’s parents were dead, one dying on the way to exile, the other dying of illness before getting out of jail.
So-called family destruction and death, that’s all it is.
A trace of panic unmistakably flashed across Feng Mei’er’s eyes, but she quickly calmed, "Is that so? I didn’t know. Do you have evidence now?"
Qu Fulan did not answer her question but said, "I have no chance to meet Xiao Shiqing now. With his noble status, if he learns about my situation, he won’t ignore it and will definitely clear my family’s name. So if you have a chance to meet him, you will certainly tell him of my existence and ask him to help me, won’t you?"
Feng Mei’er’s earlier words were merely pleasant to the ear; now, upon hearing she has no chance to meet Xiao Shiqing, she was overjoyed; how could she possibly help to connect them?
Better that they never meet in this lifetime! Otherwise, with Xiao Shiqing’s capabilities now, if he were to find out anything...
Qu Fulan observed the guilty expression on her opponent’s face, realizing her purpose had been achieved.
Sometimes it’s not fearsome to have a godlike opponent but to have a pig-like teammate.
Xiao Shiqing does not know of her existence now, and if this so-called best friend, in an attempt to cozy up to Xiao Shiqing, betrays her, it would be bad.
"Who are you a maid for now? I saw those people looked very noble; who are they?" Feng Mei’er asked again, concerned about the matter.
Qu Fulan tugged at her mouth again and countered, "I heard your whole family was demoted to a desolate place; how are you here now?"
Feng Mei’er’s smile froze slightly, then she frowned displeased, "Jirou, how can you speak like this? What do you mean by being demoted? My father was merely assigned to that place as a local magistrate, substantially admired by the people. It won’t be long before he is reinstated."
"Oh, so you’re visiting someone else’s home now?"
"This is a relative’s house. I was invited to come over as a guest." Feng Mei’er forcibly saved face. Finished speaking, she looked at her opponent, "You’ve changed a lot now; even the way you speak lacks propriety."
Qu Fulan smiled, "Wait till your parents die, and you’ll be more improper than I am."
Feng Mei’er raised her eyebrows in anger, "Jirou, if you keep speaking so cynically, I’ll get angry."
"I’ve changed my name now; I’m called Qu Fulan, not Li Jirou," Qu Fulan said lightly.
Feng Mei’er was stunned, wanting to ask something when she heard a voice behind her.
"Fulan, why are you out for so long? It’s time to eat. Let’s go."
Feng Mei’er turned around to see the most outstanding of those distinguished people. He was dressed in a silver bamboo-patterned brocade robe, standing upright, with graceful bearing, inspiring admiration.
He didn’t need to do anything. Just standing there made Feng Mei’er’s face flush and her heart race.
Qu Fulan left Feng Mei’er and went toward Pei Ji’an.
Soon, the two left side by side.
"What, dressed as a man for the first day and already caught the eye of a young lady?" Pei Ji’an rarely joked with her.
Qu Fulan shook her head; the appearance of Feng Mei’er left her feeling perturbed.
Nothing else, but because of the original character’s parents, reality is always so cruel. The good don’t live long, while the wicked seize a lifetime.
"What’s wrong?" He naturally noticed her unease and asked again.
"She didn’t fancy me as a lady; she was once my bosom friend." Qu Fulan said.