(p1)”
“What is this all about Cong Lu, how can Brother Feng Shen be so good to that woman, and how did they end up hooking up together?” Steaming in her complexion, Princess Qing Bi finally manages to pull her head back together after the carriage was long gone from view.
It’s a well-known fact that the number one handsome man of North Qing was a person of absolute fortitude. Never has he been so thorough with another, this includes that one from the Dan Palace as well….
“Princess, you are a lady of the palace, please be cautious of your words in public. Feng Shen and Miss Ling Yue are good friends even back in Da Xia so there’s nothing odd about this.” Retracting his gaze as well, the royal guard captain didn’t hold back at all to admonish this bratty princess.
“Really just friends? Cong Lu, I really have to question if its you who’s blind or its me. When did the Phoenix Manor ever house a guest overnight?” Realizing what she’s said there out of haste, Qing Bi hurries to shift her attention over to Xia Hou Qi who appears quite distraught over the comment.
Since the death of the previous master and mistress of the Phoenix Manor, it’s been many years since the last guest was permitted to stay at that estate. This rule applied to all, even Cong Lu who was on very good terms with Feng Shen.
Now, for a single Ye Ling Yue this rule has been broken.
“Perhaps in Feng Shen’s heart Ye Ling Yue isn’t a guest.” It’s not totally clear who Cong Lu was directing that statement at, perhaps the princess, or perhaps it’s a warning to everyone present. In any case, the meaning behind it was that she’s not a guest, but the lady of the House!
Sure enough, the reactions were greatly satisfactory: Prince Hou Qi’s hand had inexplicably turned into a tight ball over his woes, Hong Ming Yue grew increasingly thoughtful while Hong Yu Ying became a horrible white in her face.
“And does the Sacred Maiden know of this matter, she is Brother Feng Shen’s fiancée.” Shirking off the initial astonishment of the news, Qing Bi didn’t forget to shoot a sneering look at Hong Yu Ying who appears ready to faint at any moment.
These women from Da Xia is truly shameless. As if some flies could possibly compete with the Sacred Maiden.
Leaving behind the unfriendly bunch behind them, the carriage had soon stopped before a courtyard in the southern side of the city.
Instead of the lustrous grander that’s become expected of a wealthy household, this was, how should one put it….. a unique taste of mystique? Yes, that’s exactly what this manor was like. From the surface it may seem gentle and unobtrusive, but if not careful then it would pounce like a typhoon, blowing the transgressor apart.
But appearances aside though, the number of people here was definitely up to par with its status – there’s around a hundred servants and maids already waiting at the entrance. Led by Housekeeper and Dao Nu, this level of reception was of the highest order.
“Miss Ye, Miss Lan and this young lady, all of you are finally here.” This was the first sentence that Mr. Mu said, followed quickly by a second sentence that….
“This is Miss Ye, her relationship with our lord is extraordinary. From now on her words is the same as the young master’s, do you all hear me?”
A unified and neat affirmation followed suit, which instantly made Ling Yue go all embarrassed and shy on that mummy looking face. Shooting a hard stare at her man, the meaning couldn’t be anymore explicit.
Why are you just standing there and smiling? Hurry and go teach your people some proper manners. What he said there would cause a lot of misunderstanding!
Sadly, Feng Shen apparently doesn’t have a single intent to move from his spot. In fact, that face under the glistening sunlight only showed approval like he’s very happy about what the elder did there.
As members of the Phoenix Manor, how could these men and women not understand what’s going on? They are clever so it’s not hard to figure out this Miss Ye was very unusual and had a likely chance to be their future mistress. As a result, their attention could only be called pristine when ordered to bring the girls inside to their respected rooms.
“Hehe Feng Shen, based on how cooperative I was earlier, don’t you think you should show some gesture of appreciation for my effort?” Pulling the boy aside after everyone was gone, Lan Caier got all sneaky looking in her chuckle.
“……”
(p2)”
All smiling at the big girl, Feng Shen had to hand it to her, It’s no wonder General Lan said that back then when he was drunk.
So why would the lad think this way? Well, that part must be traced back to an occasion where he managed to witness a ridiculous scene of drunken rambling.
“I say my daughter, you are at the very least a girl of good heritage, how could you be so crooked in your ways?” The general mourns, crying over his daughter’s excessive manliness.
“I’m proud of being crooked. If I have money then I’m the granddaddy of them all. I will buy out the entirety of Da Xia with my wealth. By then I like to see who will bully me and my sister again.” Patting her chest like a mighty warrior, Lan Caier brought no shame to her military lineage.
But enough about the past, there’s more important matters at hand.
“A hundred of our North Qing’s highest quality Cloud Silk, how about it?”
“Awesome! Very well, for the sake of your gracious hand, the three of us won’t huddle in the nest during our stay here.” Winking at the boy, her eyes practically became a big money sign over the sudden windfall.
However, it appears that wasn’t quite enough for the big girl as she decides to turn around again right before going into her room.
“Wait Feng Shen, why don’t we do another deal. I will take Little Crow out tonight for some fun. This way you and Ling Yue could get some alone time. Don’t worry, the price isn’t high at all, only a mean to import the Five Treasure wine over here to North Qing.”
It’s true that Ling Yue makes the best Five Treasure wine out there; however, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t imparted the recipe to some of the brew masters working under her restaurant. Though the final product was slightly inferior to the original, its good enough to make a pass nevertheless. For this reason, Lan Caier’s been aching to spread it internationally in places like North Qing and the rest.
“One night is not enough.” Smiling right up to his eyes, Feng Shen’s reaction actually caused Lan Caier to skip a beat herself.
No you mustn’t Caier! This is your own future brother-in-law, he’s not up for grabs! Screaming inwardly, the big girl totally regrets confronting that hypnotic face, Oh how could I be so foolish and forget. Feng Shen is the number one evil profiteer here!
Sister ah sister, this is not an act of selling a sister out. It’s just me trying to earn you some dowry for your wedding!
“Fine, tonight, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and the day following that, we will stay as far away as possible.” Licking her lips shamelessly, Lan Caier immediately begins her mission of “selling her sister” out tonight.
“I will have Housekeeper Mu inform all of the restaurants tomorrow.” Grinning right up to his eyes as well, the boy somehow gave off a dirty vibe that made him seem, what’s the word…. Ah yes, it’s perverse.
“Brother-in-law, you are really my brother-in-law. Alright, that’s the deal then. Oh yes, you mustn’t let Ling Yue know about our agreement, otherwise she would be quite angry at me. Since it getting late already, I will go kidnap Little Crow and Little Squeak right away. My sister is in your hands so you mustn’t be mean to her.” Issuing out a splendid laugh, the big girl disappeared like a gush of wind in order to abduct the poor kids in the house.
When Ye Ling Yue finally caught wind of this was when she came over to seek the big girl. By then the trio was long gone, leaving only the maids at the doorway to inform her of them not returning for the night and so on with the excuses.
What is this?
Though she herself found this faintly strange from the onset, sadly there’s nothing to go on. In the end, the lonely girl could only go seek Feng Shen out for company.
“Young Master, the palace is currently holding a reception banquet.” These were the words she heard from outside the door.