Page 101

Page 101

Hearing this, Sister Feng raised her eyebrows and spat, "Bah, I don't have a penis, what's the point of this bullshit 'gentleman'? Besides, you know the situation in this mansion. We need money everywhere. We can't afford it, and everyone is so unthrifty. If I don't think of a way to do this, how can I live?"

As Feng Ji'er's right-hand man, Ping'er naturally knew the situation in the mansion. Not to mention what was happening outside, there were all the big and small matters in the mansion, the monthly expenses of the old lady, the eldest lady, the lady and several girls, the food, clothing and expenses of the servants, the maids and the maids. Money was needed everywhere, and everything depended on show. If something was done wrong, everyone would laugh at her. It was indeed difficult for the grandmother to manage this family.

But if you don't care, what status can you have?

Pursing her lips, Ping'er whispered, "Will the prince take our master with him to do business?"

Sister Feng looked calm and sneered, "Who knows what the situation is? Instead of relying on others, it is better to rely on yourself. Besides, that is a business for our master and has nothing to do with the West Mansion."

In Feng Jieer's view, her home is her home and the West Mansion is the West Mansion. There is no way she would use her own money to subsidize public accounts.

Ping'er's mouth twitched slightly when she heard this. She looked at Fengjie with some helplessness and said softly, "Grandma, the reason why the prince brought the second master with him is because of the second house."

The prince is the son-in-law of the second wife, not the eldest wife, and any promotion he gets is out of consideration for the second wife.

Feng's eyes looked at the most capable girl in front of her. Seeing her refute her words again and again, she felt a little embarrassed for a moment. She snorted coldly, and her pink lips curved into a mocking arc, saying in a yin-yang tone: "Oh, what's the matter? You haven't even become my concubine yet, but you're already thinking of riding on my head."

Ping Er saw that Sister Feng was acting weird, so she didn't tolerate it. She rolled her eyes at her and said angrily, "Madam, please don't try to stop me with words. Even if I want to ride on your head, I need your consent. It's my fault for thinking about you."

Although they grew up together and were as close as sisters, they were still master and servant. Not to mention riding on Feng Jieer's head, even as a concubine, without Feng Jieer's permission, she was nothing but a concubine.

Feng Jieer heard Ping Er's complaint, looked at Ping Er's pretty figure carefully, and sneered: "Oh, you think I'm restraining you, then fine, I won't restrain you, if you have the ability, climb onto Second Master's bed by yourself and become your concubine, if you feel wronged..."

As she spoke, Sister Feng looked in the direction where the young man left and said sarcastically, "Hey, the prince is over there, hurry up and go up to him, maybe he will really ride on my head in the future."

Ping'er's pretty face flushed when she heard this. She glared at Fengjie with her willow-leaf almond eyes and cursed, "You are really crazy."

She tried to comfort him with good intentions, but grandma still teased her. If she dared to climb onto the Second Master's bed, she would be scolded the next morning and told to go to the Prince. What kind of status did she have?

OK, OK, OK, since he is her master, she will not argue with her and will go and inform Lai Wang'er.

Seeing Ping Er turning around and leaving, Feng Jieer's face turned cold and she snorted, "Where are you going, little bitch!"

Ping Er saw that Feng Jieer's tone was unfriendly, and she raised her eyebrows slightly, and without turning her head, she spat, "I will go and chase the prince."

Feng Jieer was startled when she heard that. She stared at the slender figure with her sharp and narrow eyes. Her curved eyebrows were like slanted eyebrows. She held a pink handkerchief in her hand and inserted it on her waist. Her preserved fruit was heaving. She spat angrily, "Hey, you little slut, you really want to ride on my head? Go and get your arms."

Seeing Ping'er walking away without paying any attention, Fengjie's pink lips curved into a mocking arc and she said "tsk" with disdain, "The prince is not going in that direction."

Chapter 170: The long-silent heart beats slightly

A concubine in Rongxi Hall.

Li Wan was talking to Jia Lan arm in arm, while Tanchun and Yingchun were playing Go. Baochai, Xiangyun and Daiyu were watching the game. Baoyu was sitting on an embroidered cushion next to Daiyu.

Xiangyun, with one hand on her cheek, sat at the opposite door. She looked up and saw the young man coming in through the curtain. Her eyes lit up and she raised her hand to greet him, "Brother-in-law is here."

Hearing this, everyone looked over, and seeing that it was really their brother-in-law, they all stood up to greet him.

The room was full of beautiful girls, not only the girls, but also the maids who served them were all very pretty. The dazzling scene in front of him made Shui Rong feel happy. This familiar scene was like returning to the past.

These are all serious girls, they must not joke around.

Shui Rong was not surprised to see the chessboard laid out on the table. After all, there wasn't much for girls in the boudoir to entertain themselves, and playing Go could help kill time.

Seeing this, Shui Rong smiled and said, "You guys continue playing chess, ignore me."

Xiangyun's smart eyes revealed a cunning light, and she laughed and said, "Brother-in-law, Third Sister has something to tell you."

Shui Rong looked at the pretty girl when he heard her words. Seeing her glaring at Xiang Yun, he felt a little confused. With their intimate relationship, why would she be embarrassed? So he asked, "What's the matter, Third Sister?"

Tanchun was a little embarrassed when she saw Shui Rong asking, but the arrow was on the string and had to be shot. She was not a shy person by nature, so she moved forward, raised her eyebrows, looked at the young man with clear eyes, and said in a clear voice: "Brother-in-law, I would like to invite my second sister and the others to the palace to sit down."

Shui Rong raised his eyebrows when he heard this, and looked at the fierce girl in front of him, feeling a little suspicious. Was this girl asking for instructions? Why did it seem like an order to him?

He raised his eyes and looked around, seeing the expectant eyes of the crowd, he suddenly realized that it was not an easy task to invite a girl from the mansion to the palace. At least she had to get through Lady Jia's test. Now that they were asking him, it meant that he had to come forward.

Shui Rong, who understood what was happening, lowered his eyes and looked at the expectant girl in front of him, and scolded with a smile: "You little girl are also playing tricks. Well, I will ask the old lady later."

Everyone was delighted to see Shui Rong agreed. They all knew how much respect Grandmother Jia had for Shui Rong, and if she had asked, she would never have refused.

Tanchun was even more delighted, and her eyes became brighter and brighter as she looked at Shuirong. She knew that her brother-in-law would agree to her request.

Shui Rong didn't care about it. He saw that they were in a good mood. It would be nice to go to the palace for a visit. Besides, he should spoil his own woman, so he couldn't respond to her. Especially Tanchun's heroic attitude, which was very good. He would experience it next time.

Asking them to play by themselves, Shui Rong sat leisurely on a brocade cushion.

At this time, a maid had already prepared tea. Baochai, who was standing by, saw this and her almond-shaped eyes turned slightly. She took the teacup from the maid and walked closer to her and said, "Brother-in-law, why are you here now if you don't want to accompany elder sister?"

Shui Rong took the teacup and looked at the beautiful Baochai, who was wearing a pink printed long coat with a collar and a pink pleated skirt, and looked as pretty as ever.

Thinking of that time when he only tasted a little, Shui Rong couldn't help but feel a little dry in the mouth. He took a sip of the fragrant tea and said with a smile: "Your elder sister is busy, I came to take a look."

Yuanchun was having a private conversation with Lady Jia, Lady Wang and others, so why was he staying there?

After saying that, Shui Rong looked at the red musk beads on the crystal jade wrist, and asked with a smile: "Sister Bao, this bead is really beautiful, can I take a look?"

Baochai was stunned when she heard this, then she looked at the young man with her bright almond eyes, feeling gradually ashamed and annoyed. "These beads were not given by you, my brother-in-law, so why are you asking about this when you already know the answer?"

Tanchun and the others didn't take it seriously, but Daiyu at the side glanced at him with her willow eyes and curved her red lips into a sarcastic arc, asking a question even though she already knew the answer.

Baochai didn't understand what his brother-in-law meant, but since he had brought it up, she bit her lower lip, turned around, rolled up her sleeves, revealing a snow-white arm, took off the perfume beads, and handed them over with a slightly tipsy cheek, without saying a word.

Shui Rong looked at the shy Baochai, feeling an inexplicable feeling in his heart. He reached out to take the scent beads, which were lingering with the warm fragrance of a young girl, which was particularly clear. He must have worn them all the time.

Sensing the girl's affection, Shui Rong swallowed back the words he wanted to ask who had sent the gift. If he asked one more question, he would surely embarrass and annoy her.

After a pause, Shui Rong returned the incense bead and said in a gentle tone: "This incense bead is quite good, sister, please keep it."

Baochai responded and reached out to take it. Suddenly, she felt something strange on her palm. Her heart trembled, her cheeks turned slightly red, and her heart was pounding. She hurriedly took the scent bead and put it on.

Here, the sisters are all here, how can you tease her!

Glancing sideways, he saw that his sisters looked fine, and he felt relieved. He spat softly, then walked towards the chessboard, away from this place of trouble.

Shui Rong smiled knowingly when he saw this and thought that there was a long time to come and there was no need to rush.

At this moment, Li Wan came over with Jia Lan, looked at the young man with clear eyes, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for taking care of Brother Lan."

Shui Rong looked up at the beauty in front of him after hearing this. He knew that she knew about his care for Jia Lan and came to thank him. So he said warmly, "Sister-in-law, you are too kind. Since Brother Lan is studying in the palace, I will naturally treat him well. Besides, Brother Lan is very smart and I like him very much."

Since he allowed Jia Lan and Jia Huan to study in the palace, he would definitely not be stingy with the treatment they deserved. Moreover, he really liked Jia Lan, a well-behaved and sensible child, and had no ulterior motives.

Jia Lan put on a smiling face, looked at Li Wan with clear eyes, and said in a clear voice: "Mother, you can rest assured now. Uncle treats me very well."

Shui Rong smiled and said, "Care can lead to confusion. Your mother cares about you. When you are successful in your studies, don't forget to respect your mother."

Jia Lan nodded heavily and replied: "When I grow up, I will be filial to my mother and repay my uncle's kindness."

Shui Rong chuckled when he heard this, and didn't take the so-called repayment seriously. With his status, what could Jia Lan repay? However, after hearing this, he felt quite comfortable, so he reached out and touched Jia Lan's little head to show his praise.

Jia Lan stared blankly at the young man in front of him who was touching his head, and felt quite enjoying it.

Seeing this, Li Wan's willow-shaped almond-shaped eyes slightly raised, and her pretty face showed a little complicated. The scene before her was the scene she had been looking forward to in her heart, but her heart, which had been silent for a long time, began to beat slightly.

Shenjing, Fu Shi’s home.

In a slightly elegant little house, a beautiful woman sat in front of a desk. On the table was a piece of yellowish silk, next to it was a Duan inkstone, and a few brushes were scattered in the pen holder.

The beauty was dressed simply, her black hair like a waterfall, with a wooden hairpin hanging diagonally on her head. Her eyebrows were like light smoke, fresh and elegant, her almond eyes were shining, her face was rippling, her cherry lips were red without any makeup, and her skin was as white and tender as snow. She was none other than the elegant and graceful Fu Qiufang.

Fu Qiufang was holding a wolf hair brush in her hand, writing something.

Not long after, a figure rushed in. Fu Qiufang saw the person coming and couldn't help but frowned and said, "Brother, why are you here and in such a hurry?"

The so-called separation between men and women should be carefully considered even by siblings. How could they just rush in without saying hello?

Fu Shi didn't care about these details, and said in a slightly hurried tone: "Sister, someone came from the Rongguo Mansion, saying that Princess Beijing has summoned you, you should pack up quickly and don't keep the princess waiting for too long."

Upon hearing this, Fu Qiufang was stunned and whispered, "Why did the princess summon me?"

The only person in the Fu family who could have a relationship with him was Fu Shi, but she knew in her heart that her brother was not worth mentioning in the eyes of others, so there was no need to summon him specially.

Fu Shi looked a little excited, and said complacently: "What else could it be? I have already said that the prince is a royal noble, so noble, how can the Rongguo Mansion not make preparations."

Fu Qiufang frowned as she looked at Fu Shi's excited expression, her heart a little sad. She knew that her brother was using her as a path to success, as the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father. Her knowledge and good manners, as well as the fact that she had enough food and clothing, were all provided by her brother. How could she refuse?

She had already accepted her brother's fate on the road to success. In her heart, she did not require the other party to be handsome, as long as he was not in his twilight years. As for Prince Beijing, she had heard of him and knew that he was a handsome young man, which already satisfied her.

Thinking of this, Fu Qiufang stood up and said, "Brother, I will go to the Duke of Rong's Mansion now."

Fu Shi looked at his sister, frowned, and reminded her: "Sister, your clothes are too plain, change into a colorful dress, and also use some rouge and powder, don't neglect it."

If this is too shabby, people will look down on it.

Fu Qiufang shook her head and said in a clear voice: "Brother, my sister is fine for now. If I dress too gorgeously, it will make the princess feel uneasy."

She went there to help the princess, not to get married.

Fu Shi was good at scheming, so he naturally understood what his sister said. He thought it made sense, so he said no more and pulled Fu Qiufang outside.

Chapter 171: Smart and capable people naturally work harder

Inside the side room.

Shui Rong stood in front of the desk, looking at the chess game. Yingchun and Tanchun were playing first, and Tanchun was defeated, then it was Xiangyun's turn. Now the situation of the game was clear, Xiangyun was already in a losing position, and it was feared that she would not be able to hold on for a moment.

Seeing this, Shui Rong understood that Yingchun was an expert in chess, and even the talented Tanchun and Xiangyun were inferior to her. It was not that Yingchun was better than them, but chess was Yingchun's specialty. It was normal for her to win by using her opponent's strengths to attack their weaknesses.

Shui Rong looked at the quiet beauty. Her pretty face was like a blooming white orchid. A smile was written on her face, overflowing with satisfaction and joy.

This is a person who enjoys playing chess.

Sure enough, not long after, Xiangyun said with a bitter face and pursed lips: "Second sister, I lost."

Yingchun smiled gently with her bright eyes, without saying a word. She lowered her eyes and put the chess pieces back into the chess box. She was indeed gentle and silent, and very amiable to watch.

At this time, Xiangyun looked at Shui Rong and said in a coquettish voice: "Brother-in-law, do you want to play a game of chess with me to put down the arrogance of Second Sister and teach her a lesson?"

Shui Rong raised his eyebrows when he heard this. Although he knew how to play chess, he was not an expert at it. He had also watched the previous game and knew that Yingchun was an extraordinary chess player. If he really played against her, he would not be able to get away with it. So he waved his hand and said, "Second sister is a great chess player. I cannot be as good as her, so I will not seek to humiliate myself."

Shui Rong would not do such a foolish thing as using the opponent's weakness to attack his strength, unless he could do the opposite and use his strength to attack his weakness.

As he spoke, Shui Rong turned his gaze to a graceful figure and said in a dignified manner, "Sister Lin is also a good chess player. Why not let Sister Lin play chess with you?"

Daiyu was originally an outsider, and when she heard Shuirong taking advantage of his neighbor, she felt puzzled. She still remembered that she won the chess game with her brother-in-law last time.

She looked at the young man with her soft eyebrows curved, and said in a crisp voice: "Brother-in-law, playing chess is a form of entertainment. Winning or losing is fun. Only those who enjoy themselves leisurely are true gentlemen."

Shui Rong's eyes twitched slightly when he heard that, and he looked at the smart girl in front of him. The lilac-colored dress made her look even more pretty, with a delicate and independent figure like a willow swaying in the wind, and her eyebrows were like autumn water under a spring mountain, and her bright eyes contained a hint of teasing.

What a sharp-tongued Lin Daiyu! She is saying that he can't afford to lose!

With a light laugh, Shui Rong said, "Sister Lin is very sharp-tongued. I have learned a lesson from her. She is indeed worthy of her reputation."